Homeschooling and hands-on nature education go together naturally. After
all, why stay indoors at a desk and study nature in a textbook, when the
real thing beckons, just outside the door? So, grab your nature guide
Homeschooling and hands-on nature education go together naturally. After
all, why stay indoors at a desk and study nature in a textbook, when the
real thing beckons, just outside the door? So, grab your nature guide,
and let’s go adventuring! You can find nature opportunities all
around you, in your own backyard, community centers, nature centers,
community gardens, and universities.
Nature Service Projects Consider planting a community garden for the
hungry in the public area by the street. Borrow books from the library
about edible gardens. Check with local zoning and parks officials to see
what your community allows and needs. Find out how to start a small
nature sanctuary in your yard, and attract beneficial insects, birds,
and wildlife. You might even wish to make a rustic sign for your
Going Wild (and Tame)
Connect with friends and relatives, and you can find a variety of
natural habitats to visit. Visit a zoo, aquarium or even just a pet
shop, and study animals from near and far places. Check to see if you
can purchase a reciprocal membership; where available, they allow
families to visit zoos or natural history museums in other cities for no
additional cost. Also, inquire about “free days,” club
membership discounts, or special homeschool family events. Programs such
as 4H (4-h.org), scouting (scouting.org), and Junior
youth-engagement/?fa=junior-ranger) offer inexpensive, hand-on nature
activities for kids.
Plan a nature vacation, studying God’s creation in places that you
don’t usually go, such as a desert, jungle, arctic area or
wetland. For longer excursions, pack essential supplies, such as plastic
glo