Nature Portfolio: Throughout the Year
Reviewed by Cindy Downes
The Home School Source
www.oklahomahomeschool.com

I loved this resource as soon as I opened the package! Nature Portfolio Throughout the Year by Barbara Shukin is perfect for those of us who enjoy nature and creating memory albums. The product is well made and should last a lifetime with care.

Shukin wrote the course for 6-10 year olds, but I would recommend it for any child who likes this type of learning. Although it is an introductory science course, it could be used to provide enrichment activities for older students. The goal is to complete 1-2 pages a week, but any time frame could be used.

The book is divided into four sections according to the seasons. The seasons are then divided into ecosystems: Yards and Gardens, Woods and Fields, Ponds and Streams, Desert Lands, and Along the Seashore.

You can purchase the suggested nature guides or use an encyclopedia or library books to complete the course. A field guide is highly recommended for outdoor exploration.

Although Shukin has prepared a teacher's guide for the book, many of you, like me, will go off on your own tangent! And that's exactly what she wants us to do! Just for fun, here's how I would use the book.

I would use it three times a week for science class during one semester and spend 60-90 minutes each class. I would choose one season out of the book to do a year and save the rest for another year. Each of my lessons would include the following activities and would be in place of any other science.

I would make a list of the animals and plants being studied for the semester and carry it in my purse for reference.

On Day 1 of the lesson, I would take the family for a hike, go to the zoo or natural science museum and view the subjects of the semester up close.

I would have the kids take photos of, draw, and/or write about the animals that we looked at.

On Day 2 and each subsequent day, I would read, as a family, a children's book or nature guide article about the subject(s) being studied that day. For older kids, recommend some other books that they can read on their own. Search Amazon.com for ideas ahead of time. (Limit to 5-10 minutes family reading time.)

As a family, we would do an internet search for online resources about the subjects. Use search terms like "millipede and crafts" or "millipede and color page." Add other filters like "facts," "webquest," "online activity," "recipe," or "worksheet." Give assignments to each child based on what comes up in this search. Do some as a family or assign individually. (Limit to 20 minutes family time.)

Complete the picture part of the page using Shukin's included illustrations. For kids who would rather create their own, they could use their drawings and photos from the field trip or search the internet for other illustrations to use instead of the ones provided. (Limit to 10 minutes family time.)

Insert the appropriate writing form for the day and complete the writing assignment as Shukin suggested, or for your creative child, have them write their own text, story, or poem. For younger children or children who have difficulty writing, I would have them dictate to me what they want to say. (Limit to 10 minutes family time.)

Anytime during the semester that I saw anything related to our subjects such as TV shows, movies, magazine articles, etc., I would integrate that in the lessons.

On the last day of the semester, I would take another hike, go to the zoo or natural science museum and enjoy looking at more of the subjects studied during the semester. Have a picnic, celebrate, buy your children a game or puzzle related to a subject as a reward for a job well done.

Warning: This is not a course that homeschoolers who prefer traditional curriculum will enjoy. I recommend this for creative, eclectic homeschoolers who like to do their own thing.

But, for those like me, I'm positive you will enjoy using this book as the basis of a family study in nature. And when you're done, be sure to check off the topics in The Checklist. This is a perfect resource for those of you who own The Checklist!

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