Homeschool Nature Study~ at the beach
Yesterday we spent the entire drizzly afternoon at the beach. The wind was blowing, the tide was low and we were able to go out and observe a reef that was partially exposed just a few yards off the beach.
We had fun looking at all the life that grows on a coral reef. Snails, barnacles, sea fronds and other fun discoveries. Did you know that live coral feels funny on your feet? Not at all like mountain rocks. Kind of crinkly and squishy. We hunted for driftwood and seed pods, we dug holes, built castles, and strung necklaces out of shells and sea grass. We even ended our time with a treasure hunt. The hunt started with the children having to work as a team to find several natural items and building activities to do together.
Today we go about the task of drawing what we encountered on the reef yesterday. It will be fun to see what we can remember. All of this goes along nicely with our Pagoo reading. Flickr has pictures from our day.
Its going to be a great day.
A friend of mine (who works for REI and is super-outdoorsy) just recommended this book called “Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder” (http://www.rei.com/product/776421). I don’t think your family will ever have to worry about that! But this was something I hadn’t thought much about until now. Anyway, looks like fun out there!
Comment by Sarah — January 14, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
Sarah - I have heard of that before. One of the BIG components of the CM method is outdoors time. Lots of it, in the woods just exploring. I fall short with it. We live in the burbs in a planned community in a townhouse. Everything is paved and manicured around here. I do try to do something once a week that is not structured, and we are just outside together enjoying the stuff God made around us. They seem to have so much fun with it.I try to post our explorations on flickr. Toys are overrated, give them wide open spaces, a shovel and some time and the world is their oyster.
Another great book is The Handbook of Nature Study. That book will inspire you for sure!
Blessings.
Comment by Amber(Homeschool Diva) — January 14, 2009 @ 7:34 pm
Looks like it was an awesome time… loved the fun pictures!
Comment by Pam — January 14, 2009 @ 9:55 pm