Nature study is a huge part of our homeschool, and it has been amazing to see how my son has kept his sense of wonder and fascination, even into his teen years.
Did you know that nature study isn’t just for little kids? If you have incorporated nature study into your homeschool curriculum, keep it up even through high school. There are so many benefits when you “unplug” and head outside.
Including Nature Study for Teens
Because of an abundance of rain last week, we have been serenaded each night by a chorus of frogs. My son brought his boom mic outside along with a digital recorder and captured their sounds. He also took the mic along on our camping trip and let it record nature sounds all night long.
When the boys spotted a huge lizard outside a few weeks ago, my teen brought his camera outside and photographed it from different angles and perspectives, and then he researched it in our field guide.
On a recent trip to an animal park, my teen had just as much fun as his younger brothers. My heart was happy when he would call me over to look at something. I’m happy he still wants to share with me and even more happy that he has such an appreciation and respect for God’s beautiful creation.
As part of our Biology course Exploring Creation with Biology, my son will be sorting plants and creatures into their classification scheme, as well as studying microscopy, and ecosystems. What better way to learn than to see things first hand?
Some of my favorite high school nature study resources:
- Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock
- Tracking and the Art of Seeing by Paul Rezendes
- My First Lab My First Microscope (affordable and great quality)
- Moleskine sketch book
- Prismacolor pencils
- Mesh and Vinyl storage pouch
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