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Usually when we think of nature study, we think of observing and learning about plants and animals. Sunshine, dewdrops, thunderstorms, and rainbows are part of nature study too! My kids and I have never been very successful at keeping a nature journal or any of that sort of thing. But we've all had a fascination with the weather and watching the sky, so that was where we focused our attention for nature studies. We've studied meteorology, kept a weather journal, made do-it-yourself weather instruments, and included sketches and photos of clouds and other weather observations in your science notebooks. We have a covered porch, and over the years our family has made a practice of sitting on the porch to watch thunderstorms roll in. We also like stargazing as a family, so we've gathered out in our yard to identify constellations, watch meteor showers, and even a lunar eclipse or two.
Meteorology - the science of weather - can appeal to all ages and can be a wonderful addition to homeschool science, whether as a unit study or as a full year focus. Classical astronomy - observing the sky - is another great short or long nature study; and the two disciplines can even be combined.
Join me over at The Homeschool Post for the rest of this post, which includes some nature study ideas related to weather watching and sky watching, and some curriculum suggestions. You'll also find lots of helpful articles there about nature study and homeschooling in general.
How much time do you spend looking to the skies? Leave a comment and let me know!
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4 comments:
It would be interesting to learn more about meteorology. I wonder if I can find a free course somewhere... hmmm..off too look.
We have HUGE windows that face our lake and we love watching the skies and the storms rolling in. In the summer we can usually see the rain coming as it patters on the lake as the drops get closer and closer.
Oh that looks like so much fun! Years agl my kids made a barometer with plasticine, a straw, a balloon, and a glass jar. We even calibrated it and it worked well...until the cat discovered his new toy and chewed up the straw!
Annette - I had a pinterest board devoted to weather and water the year we studied meteorology - https://www.pinterest.com/kympossible/weather-and-water-homeschool-science/ - there should be some free ideas there to explore!
We made a barometer similar to that as well, and it did work. We had quite a weather-watchers lab of working DIY instruments at one time. :-)
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