Keeping It Simple

Many years ago, I attended a talk on "Charlotte Mason Style Teaching". It was probably my first introduction to her, and it was without a doubt my first introduction to the idea of nature studies. I was intrigued. I still am. But , a stumbling block for me was the part of the talk when the speaker told how her family members kept their backpacks ready to go by the door so that if the day got bumpy, they could take off with their natural journals in hand at a moments notice. I was puzzled- how would you do that? There are things to be done! what if dinner isn't prepared? we might get BEHIND!... We still don't do many formal nature studies. However, I have since learned that sometimes you just need to get out (have I mention that before?;)). When things are going downhill, it can be just the break that everyone needs to finish up the day.  And, yes, we may indeed get behind, but we probably would have anyway. I actually look at it more like redeeming that ...

I've said it before and I'll say it again- when in doubt, get out!!  If you can, of course.  Much better now!

We arrived in Half Moon Bay a few hours before the predicted negative tide and  walked around the Cypress trees.   When the kids were just about to bust because they couldn't wait to  get down to the beach, we headed that direction.   Although it was not peak low tide yet, there was plenty of sea life to be found.   Each treasure was handled carefully and left in its place!   We never got tired of searching the little pools for sea life.  It is kind of like an "I Spy" book- you have to look carefully to find everything.   Frank (hubby) and a family friend admiring their finds.  (just to reassure you- no sticks were used to touch actual sea life. Only to point.)   And  a chart was consulted to get more specific identifications- there  were also park rangers present to help.   This guy was holding on for dear life- just not to...

A word about field trips: Sharing them seems to have taken the homeschool blogosphere by storm. I love it! One of my first realizations as homeschool mom is that education does not have to happen at the school table. Not only that, often more education happens on the road!  If you doubt it, I have a story. Our third year of homeschool was derailed by health problems (mine). It was very difficult to accomplish much that required being consistent or organized. I could, however, drive to a field trip where an expert on a particular subject would teach my children while I tagged along. ;) We visited museums, grocery stores, restaurants (some feed you for free!), historical sights, a marine lab, aquariums, factories, zoos,... My older girls would pack lunch, dress their baby sister, and we were off.  Now, the interesting part. My girls took standardized tests when we began homeschooling. Not that I put a huge amount of stock in those results, but...

Bugs, bugs, and more bugs! We had a great time on our "bug field trip". I called the local wild bird center to schedule an outing with their bug expert. Miss Christine was an enthusiastic and informative guide! The kids had such a great time and learned so much.   If I remember correctly, this is a little tent made by a caterpillar and in our  guide's hand is some caterpillar "scat".  A different caterpillar - the Painted Lady.  This spider was a highlight of the day. I don't think our children are used to playing  with spiders! Miss Christina gave all the children a close up look as this spider crawled  all over her arms and almost in her sleeve.   The spider kept dropping off on a thread and when picked up again,  it would begin the process all over again.   Everyone got a chance to hold the thread and feel how strong it was.  They were all in awe!   Miss Katydid came...