FREE Classical Nature Study Science Curriculum (Charlotte Mason)
Published:
March 20, 2019
Contributor:
Erin
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Have you ever felt a definite pull toward the Charlotte Mason philosophy, especially “nature study,” but also kind of love pieces of Classical Education and the Montessori Method, too? What about unit studies? Those are pretty cool, too, right? But it can be REALLY hard to find a program that meshes all of that together in a way that really WORKS and isn’t insanely complicated or expensive. It can be harder still to try to piecemeal it together on a budget. I know because I tried for years.
My problem was that I was trying to piece together really good curriculum, but by doing so, I was missing out on the beauty inherent to how that specific program was designed. After 7 years of homeschooling my girls, I’d had enough. I wanted to start from scratch and bring together all of those philosophies above that I hold so dearly, and have it TRULY be organic, rhythmic, and simple for my two boys. And I *think* I may have accomplished my goal. I definitely know it’s affordable, since I feel led to give the program away for FREE!
Gentle + Classical Nature is a science program designed for kids pre-K through 2nd grade (with an expansion pack coming for 3rd-6th later in the year) that takes the “Formidable List of Attainments for a Child of 6” and much of Charlotte Mason’s own writing and aligns it gently and naturally with a set of memory statements that drives us further into the attainments by learning French and/or Spanish words and phrases. Nature-inspired poetry recitation is included along with multiple projects, regular Nature Exploration and collections, handicrafts, and a generous literature menu to choose from each unit.
The program is slated for 3 terms of 12 units each. Each unit should take a minimum of one week, but ideally two. This first portion that’s currently available is Term 1, Units 1-12. This first term delves into Inland Waterways and Forests, as we explore amphibians, arthropods, forest birds, waterfowl, worms, conservation, decomposition, fish, and various reproductive life cycles and has 120 pages of guidance, instruction, encouragement, ideas, and resources. Term 2 will be released in the fall and Term 3 in the winter.
