Nature Study by "Natural Methods"

I really, really meant to post a mini-Challenge today for us all to complete this week but the day is over and here I am sitting at my computer wondering what happened to my good intentions.

So I will share a quote and some photos from my day instead, perhaps it will inspire you to get outdoors this week and have an adventure you can share with me.

"Nature Study is natural study, that is, studying by natural methods. It is intellectual, physical and moral development by and through purposeful action and reaction upon environment, guided, so far as need by, by the teacher.....Information comes from Nature Study, and that or enjoyment, usually both, may be what the child seeks; but from the teacher's point of view the vitally important part of the lesson is the series of activities put forth by the child." 

The Nature Study Course, by John Dearness. 1905. 

 I have been thinking about this idea for a couple of weeks now and it is poking at my heart. I tend to guide too much and insert my thinking too much when we are observing and researching things we come across in our outdoor life. So maybe not having a mini-challenge is the challenge this week. Spend time outdoors with my boys, reacting to our outdoor setting, allowing them room to put in some effort.....another challenge for me.

Here are some photos from my day to round out this first Friday in December post.



Brown leaves falling on my new rock garden...it makes for a wonderful scene from my front window.


Plenty of leaves clinging to the big tree in the side yard.

Autumn red...should be a Crayola Crayon color.


The birches with their bright yellow leaves stand out brilliantly against the dreary autumn sky.



View from under the deck...with some green leaves on the vine. My husband's metal butterfly sculpture makes a great silhouette don't you think? I love the little curly-q's on the vine that you can see now that much of the foliage has fallen off. Looks like doodles and I may just have to doodle them into my nature journal.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and spend some time outdoors with your children. I just checked our weather forecast and it says cloudy/showers for the whole weekend. Sigh.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom