Form 1 science (grades 1-3) includes all nature study and no formal science. (e.g., chemistry or physics) That is hard for some people because they want to get to the “good stuff,” but it’s essential to understand that “out-of-door nature-study lays the foundation for science.” (3/281)
When Charlotte Mason talked about nature study, the terms she most often used were: out-of-door work, field studies, fieldwork, or field nature studies. Somehow, when she says it, it doesn’t sound like fluff or buying time before they can start REAL science classes.
Out-of-door work includes:
- Nature walks
- Keeping nature notebooks
- Reading natural history
- Doing special studies
- Parent-led object lessons
I discussed the first two items at the beginning of this series, and I will talk about the last three in the following articles, but first, let’s consider how nature study lays the foundation for science? And how are those habits carried over into the upper-level science classes? Please note that if you have children older than Form 1, it is still worth following along because all students should be doing nature study.
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