Nature Journaling

The science memory work we will be covering this year makes now a great time to begin a nature journal.  Charlotte Mason once said, "We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things."

I know we all want our children to see the wonder and majesty in God’s creation, and keeping a nature journal is a great way to help them develop their skills of observation.  Some of the science projects we will be completing in Foundations this fall would be great to add to an existing nature journal or to expand upon at home. 

A nature journal can be as simple or complex as you’d like.  Some children will only want a place to collect loose pages while others might be excited by the idea of elaborate sketch books.  There is no right or wrong way to go about it.

One resource that might complement your science study this year is The Handbook of Nature Study.  I have come also across a few printable resources to share with any of you who may want ideas for beginning a nature journal with your students this year. 

A Variety Journal Pages from Donna Young

Animal Notebooking Page

Burgess Animal Coloring Sheets

Free Nature Notebooking Pages

Essentials of the English Language - 4th Edition

Classical Conversations has been working hard over the last year to bring you a new edition of the Essentials guide.

The new edition is not presently available for purchase, but it expected to be in stock some time in May.  The hope is that it will be available for purchase in time for the practicum season that begins early in the summer.  It will not be available for pre-order.

 The price of the new guide will be $45.  However, CC is committed to making it available at the practicums and conventions for $30 until August 1st, and via the online bookstore for a limited time.

While the new edition has vastly improved in the user-friendliness department, the overall content is very much the same.  It will be up to each family as to whether you prefer to purchase the new guide or continue with the old one.

You can check out some FAQs for the guide and also view sample pages to help you decide if you want to invest in the new edition.

You must be registered in an Essentials program to purchase the Essentials guide, so you will need to know the name of your Foundations/Essentials Director.