(If you've not browsed my Nature study category yet, I encourage you do so by clicking here.)

Mamabugs of Mountain View Christian Academy commented on our recent nature study of Plumeria trees in our (common grounds) backyard. So I thought I'd answer her here, for all to read.

First and foremost, I follow the Charlotte Mason approach to nature studies. (Well, I do now, again... now that I've recommitted to DOING nature studies!LOL) This pretty much boils down to getting out into God's world, observing HIS creation, and paying attention to details. There's more to it, but that's the crux.

That is totally different than what one might think, if they're unfamiliar with CM's philosophy. Typically, I've found that people think it is about the ART .. the nature journaling. It  may be... but I just don't think it is. I think it isn't about that all. I think the nature journaling is a method of observing and being mindful of details found in nature, an end result, if you will. One couldn't possibly sketch an ant, a flower, a rock, a tree, or even a cloud, and have it look realistic if one wasn't observing it closely and being mindful of all those different lines, angles, shading, patterns, colors, etc. etc..

As for "what to study in nature"... well, currently I've just been wanting to take notice and "capture" some overlooked (taken for granted) things here on Oahu. Unfortunately, I had this lightbulb moment much too late and now time has all but run out.

However, once we get back to the mainland, I'll be going full-on into nature studies again and will be greatly utilizing Comstock's Handbook of Nature Study. 

This is a hefty book, but oh-so-worth-the-cost. This is truly the backbone of any nature study we'd be doing. Region-specific nature studies (such as in the desert, or Rocky Mts, or here on Oahu) would need supplemental materials to cover that locale, but for your typical "North American Flora and Fauna" this book just can't be beat. (Donna Young offers a nice glimpse into the Handbook of Nature Study book on her website so I won't do so here.)

Ambleside Online offers a rotation of topics to study (see link below) that one can choose to follow (or not) using the HNS book. Or, one could opt to just make up their own course of study...perhaps via a website like this one. When I'm doing nature study regularly I just let our surroundings dictate what it is we study. Whether it is a fern we've noticed on a trail, a bird in the yard, or the clouds overhead, I can easily turn to a section in the HSN book and glean lots of useful information and ideas for discussion with my homeschooler.

For nature journaling specifically, I've already blogged some of my favorite inspirational and instructional books (here and here.) Another one would be The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. This is a gorgeous book, truly a work of art. I'm certainly no artist, but can readily glean ideas and even some "know-how" by perusing this book and studying specimens that catch my fancy.

Did you know  you can even get certification as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat? Yep! Depending where we move (type of home, location, etc) I plan to look into it at our next location. It sure seems easy enough!

You can read more about CM-styled approach to nature studies at the Ambleside Online webpage on this topic.

Donna Young's website offers some free downloads for nature journaling.

You can buy a large collection of nature journling pages for a minimal cost over at notebookingpages.com.

I came across the nature study area of the Salamander Creek Habitat homeschool blog. Very nice! 

If you have a nature study section in your blog, please leave me the direct URL to that area in the comments below so I  (and others) can check it out!