Nature As a Tool In Homeschooling
The Benefits of Using the Natural World As a Homeschool Resource
Mar 18, 2008
Homeschoolers have at their disposal a variety of tools including but not limited to museums, art galleries, travel, numerous exhibits, sports clubs and perhaps the most powerful resource of all: nature. As a homeschooling family the ability to enjoy and learn from the natural world comes in many shapes and sizes and at any time. This article covers some of the benefits of using nature and gives some ideas for nature based lessons and activities.
Using Nature As A Homeschooling Tool
The elements of nature can be incorporated into many aspects of a homeschooler's daily curriculum in a variety of ways. Beyond the obvious use of nature in art, science and biology classes you may be surprised to find that it can also be easily incorporated into literature, history, religion and math classes as well. In fact there are many bonuses to using nature as one of your key teaching tools including but not limited to:
- Increased physical activity not only on your part but also on the part of your child
- An increased understanding of the world in its natural form
- An understanding of the cycles of life in the simplest of terms
- Increased attentiveness when it comes to work done
- An increase in hands on learning through use of basic senses
- An opportunity to explore the world in an unaltered state
- A backdrop for creative learning within various disciplines like art and creative writing
Using the Natural World to Promote Physical Activity
Not only does nature provide a backdrop for academic learning and discovery but it also allows a child to learn the importance and fun of physical activity in a non-competitive environment. Children exposed to nature seem to have a natural curiosity about their environments and as such they tend to interact with it in a physical way.
Ways to Introduce Physical Activity Into Basic Homeschool Lessons
- Hike to the top of an escarpment to work on a creative writing assignment. Pretend you are an explorer landing here for the first time and you must write a letter home describing what you see, hear and smell.
- Go on a walk around your neighborhood and take nature photos to use as ideas for a sketch in art class using pen and ink, pastels or any other medium suitable for the age of your student.
- Go to a local lake and spend an hour or a day studying its inhabitants. Use the information you collect and create graphs and charts in math and science classes.
Overall the use of nature in the homeschool environment can be a pleasure and a tool not only for your children but for yourself. Open your mind to the possibilities and you will be surprised how much can be learned from it and how much fun you can have during the process.
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