Nature Study Collective: 174 Lessons for Nature Field Trips

Name: Nature Study Collective: 174 Lessons for Nature Field Trips
Brand: Jamie Currenthttps://www.naturestudycollective.com

by Jamie Currenthttps://www.naturestudycollective.com

ScienceGrades Pre-K–12

About This Curriculum

<cite index="21-8,21-9">Designed for homeschoolers, co-op groups, and traditional classes, each activity helps students observe and discover for themselves through a firsthand experience with nature, with scientific information, diagrams, and journaling prompts to inspire a love for nature.</cite>

What makes it unique: <cite index="21-13">At one lesson per week, there are 4 1/2 school years of content to fuel nature study explorations.</cite> <cite index="22-3">Provides more structure than many other nature-study guides</cite> while maintaining Charlotte Mason methodology.

Nature Study Collective: Charlotte Mason-Inspired Nature Field Trips

A structured nature study guide with 174 lessons across 14 science topics designed for Charlotte Mason methodology. The curriculum emphasizes outdoor field trips, observation skills, and nature journaling for students prekindergarten through high school.

Best for

Homeschooling families or co-op groups who prefer Charlotte Mason methodology and want to supplement with nature observation activities, particularly those with strong science backgrounds who can provide additional content instruction

Evaluation Criteria

6 concerns · 1 neutral

Knowledge RichConcern

The curriculum provides minimal content knowledge, relying primarily on observation and discovery rather than systematic instruction of scientific facts and concepts.

The guide has 'very brief introductions' and 'occasionally has brief information at the beginning of a lesson' with most learning expected to come from field observations

Ngss AlignmentConcern

The curriculum covers relevant topics but lacks the systematic progression and three-dimensional learning structure required by NGSS standards.

Covers '14 science topics' but lessons 'can be used in whatever order you wish' without clear grade-level progressions or standards alignment

Teacher TrainingConcern

Minimal teacher support is provided, with the expectation that parents will do their own preliminary reading and research.

Parents 'might do some preliminary reading on a topic from the suggested resource books' but no structured teacher training or science background materials are included

Direct InstructionConcern

The curriculum explicitly avoids direct instruction, following Charlotte Mason's discovery-based approach where students learn through observation alone.

The guide provides 'a lot of flexibility' for parents to 'structure their lessons themselves' with minimal instructional content provided

Retrieval PracticeConcern

No systematic retrieval practice or review is incorporated beyond the nature journaling process.

While students maintain journals to record observations, there are no mentions of quizzes, reviews, or deliberate retrieval practice activities

Scientific VocabularyConcern

Scientific vocabulary instruction appears minimal, with students expected to encounter terms through field guides and observation rather than explicit teaching.

Students are directed to use 'printed field guides or an app' for identification, but no systematic vocabulary instruction is described

Hands On IntegrationNeutral

Heavily emphasizes hands-on outdoor activities and field trips but lacks integration with explicit instruction of scientific concepts.

The guide 'prompts frequent field trips' and focuses on observation activities, but these are not paired with direct instruction of underlying science content

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com