It started years ago with the reading of Karen Andreola’s book A Pocketful of Pinecones. I fell in love with the idea of nature walks in our homeschool.
However, as time marched on and we moved away from the slow pace of small town, I found myself less likely to search for nature amongst the cement of the city with 6 children in tow.
And then we moved here where nature oozes from every inch of the acreage our home sits on. How could I not but think of my beloved Pocketful of Pinecones?
And then Jimmie with her Notebooking Success ebook reminded me of how easy this could be and Barb with her love of nature reminded me how beautiful this could be. And so we stepped outside.
And then we stepped inside with our treasures. We glued what we could onto cardstock and labeled the things we knew, leaving the rest blank for the time when we might know more. Then we slipped them into page protectors inside personalized Nature Notebooks.
They weren’t perfect. We didn’t know what several things were, I wouldn’t let them put the deer droppings in the book, the glue took a while to dry (planning to use glue dots next time), but we had a wonderful time! And two days later, we did it again!
Ahhh, what lovely memories!
Rebecca says
Thank you for the laugh today (over the deer droppings). Only a homeschool mom would ever have something like that come up.
We love our nature walks here too. We found a wash a 5 minute walk from our new house in our new state and make trips to it as regularly as possible.
Amy says
Yes, that was one of those…you might be a homeschool mom if…moments. 😉
Robyn Gates says
Thank you for this! We get out as much as possible to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation all around us! Your page is a blessing to my day! 😀
Jarm says
Beautiful example of the Charlotte Mason approach…thanks for sharing!
Theresa says
I adore Pocketful of Pinecones. I try to read it every other year. Loved the pictures (especially the deer doo, lol). Enjoy exploring nature on your new property.
Carolyn says
I love the nature notebooks! We don’t have room for a nature area, so I am loving the idea of a notebook. I’ve been telling myself that morning walks would be so helpful in getting energy out and letting the girls explore God’s creation. We live in a subdivision, so there isn’t a ton of nature but there is a park close by and a nature preserve not too far. I’ll have to check out those books for even more encouragement! Thanks for sharing!
Emily says
I did nature walks with the boys every Thursday throughout the fall. It was by far our favorite hour of the week. It took on such an air excitement as my 6 year old would ask ” What will we discover today?” Our schedule has not allowed for it as much this semester and I miss it!
Melissa says
I just have to say that I love that you took and then included the picture of the droppings! Gave me a good smile for the day!! We point that out to our kids to, and use it as a learning opportunity ( especially since Daddy is a hunter…) , so thanks for the chuckle!
Amy says
The things we don’t take home, we compile into a printed off “picture page”…thus the reason for the droppings! lol
Erin says
Hi Amy!! I’m reading Pocketful of Pinecones right now – and what an inspiring read it is. I hope to start a little nature exploring with my little ones!! And I just found your blog a few days ago…what a blessing it has been to me already. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us. 🙂 Blessings to you.
Amy says
Thank you for reading, Erin! It’s a blessing to me to have you here! Enjoy the book! 🙂
Elisa says
Sooo glad to hear the droppings didn’t make it into the book, that was my first thought as I saw the picture and read about bringing treasures home! And the weather is turning into just perfect nature walk weather!
Jimmie says
So glad that you are enjoying nature. Spring offers so much new life to see.
Mckenzie says
I know what you mean by the countryside oozing with nature’s wonders. My daughter, a home school graduate, is preparing to home school her toddler son. Our home is in the country and is considered natural wilderness. My husband made him a fairy mailbox in our garden and each time he visits he is excited to see what the fairy has ‘left’ for him. It may be a leaf from a tree, a nut, a pressed flower, a bug or butterfly picture (we only kill poisionous snakes or angry wild (rabid) animals), ‘love’ notes and sometimes a small gift that relates to nature. We always take a cell phone, a very long walking stick (to hopefully avoid snakes and fire ants) and – a gun. I want him to love nature but to also understand that there are real physical dangers there as well. I enjoy your blog and always look forward to what your family is doing. Thanks.
Lil Momma says
Wonderful! Love the pictures. We are doing our own nature thing right now but most of it is in doors. I know sounds strange but we just got 4 baby chics last Friday and this is a true nature study for us. We have never had anything other then dogs and cats. Maybe I should have my son start a nature notebook on this chicken adventure? Thanks for the idea.
Lil Momma
Mom of 3 children who love nature games.