Explore 12 Phenomenal Assets Blending Nature and History, Encouraging Awe-Inspiring Outdoor Discoveries
In the realm of homeschooling, an exciting trend is emerging that integrates history and nature studies to create a well-rounded, interdisciplinary learning experience. This approach encourages children to delve into the natural world while gaining a deeper understanding of historical context.
The Nature Conservancy offers customizable project templates for nature-based history projects, such as creating timeline maps of habitat changes or documenting local species' cultural significance. One such resource is the Treehouse Nature Study, a seasonal, family-style curriculum inspired by Charlotte Mason and Waldorf principles. It combines nature observation with poetry, picture study, and folk songs, supporting a multi-age approach from preschool through middle school. Treehouse Nature Study often complements Treehouse Book Studies, which focus on themes such as science, nature, geography, and history through rich stories and related activities.
Another popular history curriculum, Story of the World (Volume 1 for ancient history), is used in conjunction with nature study in some homeschooling families. This audio-based curriculum enhances history lessons with mapping, project-based learning, and notebooking, making it accessible for various ages. Mystery of History curriculum integrates Biblical worldview history lessons with hands-on activities and chronological storytelling, providing a meaningful way to study world history.
Oak Meadow curriculum, inspired by Waldorf principles, incorporates a balanced, experiential approach across subjects, including history and nature. This supports a progressive and relaxed homeschooling style with flexibility for nature-rich learning alongside social studies.
Science Through HIStory series and Discovering Design with Earth Science provide earth science courses that tie scientific understanding of earth systems—like weather, rocks, and ecosystems—with hands-on outdoor activities. These curricula foster both nature connection and comprehension of environmental and historical earth processes.
In addition to these curriculum resources, there are numerous other ways to blend history and nature studies. For instance, "Our Planet Kids" adapts complex environmental concepts for young viewers, while modern zoos and aquariums offer structured educational programs that blend wildlife observation with conservation science. Archaeological sites showcase the intersection of human history and natural environments, revealing how ancient peoples adapted to and modified their surroundings.
Historical nature centers combine cultural heritage with ecological education, featuring restored landscapes, native plant gardens, and living history demonstrations. PBS offers "The Age of Nature" series exclusively through PBS Passport, which explores human-nature relationships across time. The National Wildlife Federation's Eco-Schools USA program offers ready-to-use lesson plans that blend historical perspectives with environmental education.
Found objects like rocks, leaves, seeds, and flowers can be used for hands-on projects like creating timeline displays, geological history demonstrations, and botanical artwork. "Time Team Kids" combines archaeological discoveries with natural history in 30-minute episodes designed for elementary students. Historical replicas of naturalists' tools from different time periods can help students experience how historical figures studied and documented the natural world.
Netflix features David Attenborough's documentaries like "Planet Earth", "Blue Planet", and "Life" with stunning visuals of natural history. The Nature Conservancy's Nature Works Everywhere platform provides downloadable units featuring virtual field trips, interactive videos, and hands-on activities that connect historical land use to current environmental challenges.
In conclusion, integrating nature and history studies in homeschooling offers a rich, engaging, and comprehensive learning experience. By combining resources like Treehouse Nature Study with history curricula such as Story of the World or Mystery of History, families can create a well-rounded, interdisciplinary homeschooling experience that links natural world exploration to historical context, enriched by art, literature, and hands-on projects designed for multiple ages simultaneously.
- The Treehouse Nature Study, an educational resource inspired by Charlotte Mason and Waldorf principles, incorporates both science and education-and-self-development themes into its seasonal, family-style curriculum, combining nature observation with poetry, picture study, and folk songs.
- In addition to curriculum resources like the Science Through HIStory series and Discovering Design with Earth Science, streaming platforms like Netflix offer documentaries, such as David Attenborough's Planet Earth, Blue Planet, and Life, which provide captivating visuals of natural history, contributing to an e-learning experience that enhances science education and lifestyle appreciation in homeschooling.
