“In Science, or rather, nature study, we attach great importance to recognition, believing that the power to recognise and name a plant or stone or constellation involves classification and includes a good deal of knowledge. To know a plant by its gesture and habitat, its time and its way of flowering and fruiting; a bird by its flight and song and its times of coming and going; to know when, year after year, you may come upon the redstart and the pied fly-catcher, means a good deal of interested observation, and of; at any rate, the material for science.” (3/236)

The primary means of science instruction in the early years of a Charlotte Mason education is through direct observation of the natural world. However, this wouldn’t be a Charlotte Mason-style curriculum if we didn’t have our books!  Therefore, children beginning school in Form 1 (grades 1-3) were assigned two “Nature Lore” books each term. The purpose of nature lore is to open the children’s eyes, help them know what to look for, and increase their interest and curiosity. Charlotte Mason said:   Continue reading →