Announcing…My Nature Journal: One Year of Observation

Listen Instead:

Keeping a nature journal is a big part of a Charlotte Mason education. Miss Mason had plenty to say about Nature Study and spending time in the Great Outdoors.

If you’re looking for a way to encourage nature study, My Nature Journal: One Year of Observation. is just the resource you need to gently guide your child in this delightful habit.

Maybe you’re like me and you love the planning process of homeschooling. I revel in laying out our routine, putting in those curriculum orders, and organizing the schoolroom. But if you are like me, then you can probably relate that when reality kicks in, all of a sudden what looked really good on paper seems to have a few holes. It feels like for all of your thorough planning something is…missing.

For years in our family that “something” was nature study. As a Charlotte Mason-inspired homeschooler, I knew nature study was a big deal – a core philosophy if you will. I knew it was important for us – mind, body, and soul – to be outdoors and explore. I also knew nature study was the springboard for developing awesome habits like attention and observation, and that it led to awe and wonder at our Creator. 

But I just couldn’t seem to make it happen. 

Oh, I’d write it into our week. I’d even carve out time to explore…sometimes. But it wasn’t natural and it wasn’t enjoyable. A lot of times it just turned into a box I needed to check off and sounded like, “go out in the backyard and draw something God made.”

Yeah…not much wonder and awe there.

It wasn’t what nature study was supposed to be. I tried a couple of nature journals that didn’t end up working for us and most years I would just default to a blank sketchbook. Somehow, I’d ascertained through all of my Charlotte Mason study, that blank book paired with a great location was supposed to be enough to organically inspire watercolor paintings and passionate poems about flowers.

It didn’t.

Then I realized what we were missing…guidance.

I didn’t want a workbook that felt coercive and detached – I wanted something gentle enough to give the kids room for their own creativity to take flight but I also recognized that my kids were not thriving with the amount of freedom allowed with a blank book.  

As a writer I can attest, there is something terrifying about the blank page.

So I started creating some pages and gluing them into that blank book…and it worked. My kids were excited to use them. They knew what to look for. Nature Study became more like a fun scavenger hunt and it whet their appetites to make discoveries on their own. 

 My Nature Journal: One Year of Observation is the fruit of that labor and I’m so excited to share it with your family now.

Here’s what other moms are saying…

This journal is a wonderful addition to nature study. My son enjoyed taking just a few minutes every day or so to record his observations and ponder the wonder of the world in which he lives. He liked having a specific place to log his “firsts” of the summer. As a mom, I was pleased with his attention to detail and spelling practice as he charted the weather! I plan to incorporate this journal into our next school year! – Homeschool mom of 4

My daughter fell in love with this journal! She was so determined to find things on our walks and hikes to put in it! She comes homes with handfuls of leaves, flowers, pine cones, and berries! It quickly became “our thing” to do together. I love sitting down with her after our walks and watching her add to it. She gets so excited and her smile is priceless 🙂 – Mom of 3 littles

This nature journal is a wonderful addition to my homeschool week! It’s appropriate for a wide range of children and encourages creativity and awareness in one’s surroundings. Learning about nature in a fun, self-paced format keeps my kids engaged and excited. – Homeschool mom

Loved the quality of paper and durability of journal! Perfect size for backpacks and carrying! – Homeschool mom of 3

Just received ours and we can’t wait to fill these beautiful pages, documenting our nature discoveries! -Homeschool mom of a teen who is finally anticipating nature study 😊

Be sure to check out My Nature Journal: One Year of Observation today!