That's great! If you look for spiral sketch books they can easily be transformed into journals. I also loved the idea about colouring the sky! :)

Your child is special and deserves your attention & time. Do what you know is good for your child and don't worry about what others may think. Life is not about the destination or to achieve worldly status for success, but it is the journey what counts! This is a photo I took of a goose we saw in a park:

Here's the webpage & link Homeschooling With Charlotte Mason Part 5: Nature Study "Every hour spent in the open is a clear gain, tending to the increase of brain power and bodily vigour, and to the lengthening of life itself. They who know what it is to have fevered skin and throbbing brain deliciously soothed by the cool touch of the air are inclined to make a new rule of life, Never be within doors when you can rightly be without." -Charlotte Mason It would be an understatement to say that a very important part of Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy was the study of nature and outdoors. She believed that often being among nature was as important as breathing. She compelled mothers to allow children to play not an hour or two a day, but four or five hours a day outside, often attending them and directing them to study, drink in and immerse themselves in the marvels of creation. "Let me repeat, that I venture to suggest, not what is practicable in any household, but what seems to me absolutely best for the children ; and that, in the faith that mothers work wonders once they are convinced that wonders are demanded of them." -CM She suggests that while children need a great deal of time to be left alone, the mother also needs to be actively and deliberately helping to train their eyes and senses through the classroom of nature. "They must be let alone, left to themselves a great deal, to take in what they can of the beauty of earth and heavens; for of the evils of modern education few are worse than this––that the perpetual cackle of his elders leaves the poor child not a moment of time, nor an inch of space, wherein to wonder––and grow. At the same time, here is the mother's opportunity to train the seeing eye, the hearing ear, and to drop seeds of truth into the open soul of the child, which shall germinate, blossom, and bear fruit, without further help or knowledge of hers." -Charlotte Mason Most Charlotte Mason homeschoolers use the term "Nature Study" to define that part of their curriculum that employs the study of the outdoors. A nature study is the practice of taking the children out to observe the outdoors. The children either take along a sketch book (better if it's designated specifically for this exercise) or they bring back some part of nature or they try and remember an object they wish to illustrate. Using their best memory of details, they sketch a selected object (leaf and bark of tree, bird, acorn, grass, flower, etc.) Some description of the object is then written on the page, although sometimes a poem or quote can be written. A field guide is helpful in writing descriptions. But like all of the CM philosophy, this aspect goes deeper than just checking off an activity. The mother must understand and embrace the depth and value of this practice. Charlotte Mason gave some practical guidelines a mother can follow if she wishes to make nature study an integral part of her child's education (more are discussed in the referenced link at the end of the post): Education of Sight-seeing "…she sends them off on an exploring expedition–who can see the most, and tell the most, about yonder hillock or brook, hedge, or copse. This is an exercise that delights children, and may be endlessly varied, carried on in the spirit of a game, and yet with the exactness and carefulness of a lesson…. This is all play to the children, but the mother is doing invaluable work; she is training their powers of observation and expression, increasing their vocabulary and their range of ideas by giving them the name and the uses of an object at the right moment,––when they ask, `What is it?' and `What is it for?' And she is training her children in truthful habits, by making them careful to see the fact and to state it exactly, without omission or exaggeration. The child who describes, `A tall tree, going up into a point, with rather roundish leaves; not a pleasant tree for shade, because the branches all go up,' deserves to learn the name of the tree, and anything her mother has to tell her about it. But the little bungler, who fails to make it clear whether he is describing an elm or a beech, should get no encouragement; not a foot should his mother move to see his tree, no coaxing should draw her into talk about it, until, in despair, he goes off, and comes back with some more certain note––rough or smooth bark, rough or smooth leaves,––then the mother considers, pronounces, and, full of glee, he carries her off to see for himself." -CM Reading about Miss Mason's passion for nature is contagious! But even more is her conviction that a mother holds the power to lead her children to a higher awareness than we are accustomed to believing can be obtained. And perhaps never more in the history of man must we fight against the deadening amusements that constantly pull our attention. I wonder what she would have to say if she could see the children in our day with all their hours of mindless video games and television. "It is infinitely well worth of the mother's while to take some pains every day to secure, in the first place, that her children spend hours daily amongst rural and natural objects; and, in the second place, to infuse into them, or rather to cherish in them, the love of investigation." -CM As I read Mason's explanation of the educational value of the nature study, I am reminded how we complicate things so much. It's ironic that our educational system boasts of more money, more books, more technology and more resources than ever in history, and yet a simple browsing through a text book from 100 years ago will reveal the unmistakable fact that we are less educated now than ever. Let it be a reminder to us then, that it doesn't take more teachers, more classes, more advancements to raise intelligent, insightful children. Do you feel pressured to "keep up with the system"? Consider that there is a wealth of education and opportunity at our disposal–let's use it! "Consider, too, what an unequalled mental training the child-naturalist is getting for any study or calling under the sun––the powers of attention, of discrimination, of patient pursuit, growing with his growth, what will they not fit him for? Besides, life is s0 interesting to him, that he has no time for the faults of temper which generally have their source in ennui (boredom); there is no reason why he should be peevish or sulky or obstinate when he is always kept well amused." -CM http://www.generatio...ture-study.html

Hi Jaderbee Glad you find the links motivating :) Don't worry, I also think I won't be able to do all of this, but I just posted it to give us some ideas. With nature journalling I think the way to do it is to go out and take your sketch book and then draw exactly what you actually see. You can either do the full sketch there and colour your drawing, or write in pencil what colours you see, even part shade it if you need to get back home and don't have the time, or if it's about to rain and afraid your watercolours may run you can, use colour pencil shading as a code (see the fall color picture above). I took my kids to a country park last summer/autumn, use a digital camera took a few photos of the specimens we saw. i Thought we'd be able to complete the project but moved on to something else and they were ill during winter. In the mean time I pressed some wild flowers. We put them in between construction paper and put our library books on top! The pressed dried flowers turned out good enough to be on cards. It's only the second time I have ever pressed flowers or plants, and am happy with the results. From the photos I took last year, the kids can draw and label their botanical findings for last summer and include this with their spring projects (God willing). Here's some photos I took last year: You can stick the leaves with glue and make collage picture. Here's one we did when my kids were very small. I used this horrible slippery paper to colour in the sky with crayons and I really should have used good paper - even cheap wall paper lining would have produced better results, but surprisingly it still came out okay: So just have go at finding something, draw & colour it, describe it, jot down where it was seen/found and label it. I have a link which shows some labelling, will post it soon Best Wishes

Try A Beka, Jones or Ray's arithmetic. http://www.donpotter...pages/math.html My kids used an abacus for addition and subtraction. I made one using a wooden frame with string & beads. I wouldn't worry about them using fingers, once they use enough manipulatives (oranges and apples, beans or marbles) and start Ray's arithmetic doing mental maths they'll be fine. With multiplication, once they understand how to multiply (using manipulatives), then you can ask your kids what is '3' times '2', etc. Do one table per time, they'll soon catch up. Best Wishes

Wow! Thanks for sharing! You're welcome to the links. If you click on the pictures it will take to the website where there's nature journals for every season. Here's one for spring: http://handbookofnat...k/p/spring.html This picture link below will take you the 'Watercolour Quick Sketch in the Garden link'. Best Wishes

How inspiring! This program seems like an interesting idea. BTW, how do you use copydex as a masking fluid - do you have to dilute it in water first? I am now wondering whether PVA glue would work the same? Worth experimenting! :) I found these cards online today, but not found any in UK yet: Thanks for the great tips!

Yes, go ahead! Sometimes your initative really makes it interesting for the children and it will catch on :D

Thanks for the appreciation, Rosie. It's nice you have a journal with pages already laid out. I think I am going to find some ideas on nature studies, see various types of journals so that the kids can choose their own layout. Donna Young has some printable pages. SCM website has info on how to do nature journals - Sonya has some really useful ideas which I like. I also like my children doing narrations with science as explained in WTM. We might add some poetry, which I think will go nicely with their journals while they have a chance to memorise them :)

The SCM website explains Charlotte Mason's approach to teaching grammar: http://simplycharlottemason.com/2012/08/22/teaching-grammar-subject-by-subject-part-13/ There are more suggestions on which grammar books to use, including for higher grades: http://simplycharlot...e-arts/grammar/ 'Since grammar is the study of words, not of things, it is a difficult concept for young children to grasp. Charlotte recommended postponing the formal study of grammar until the child reached the age of ten. Consistent practice in narration, dictation, and copywork lays the foundation for grammar study. Gentle, introductory exercises, such as those found in English for the Thoughtful Child, Vol. 1, can be used before age ten. Once formal grammar study is begun, it doesn’t take long for the finite rules of grammar to be learned.' http://simplycharlot...method/#grammar BW

Thanks for pointing this out, however in the earlier link for Harvey's Grammar, the publisher states that these books are for older children: 'This grammar is recommended for use in the 7th and 8th grades, as well as in high school' http://www.mottmedia....asp?Pub=harvey BW

There's First Language Lessons, by Jessie Wise :) Have you seen Harvey's Grammar? You can get some of the Harvey books free online here.

Thank for the great links! I really liked the one with the sparrow on a tea cup, but the tutorial is $200 (- way out of my budget!) Some of the links have very nice ideas. I think we'll try this tutorial you posted, soon: http://www.drawspace.com/lessons/y01/golden-rosebud Thanks again. Best Wishes :)

Thanks for this tip! I will get some next time. Love to know how your children did the master pieces. Did you use any book? Which paintings & painters did your kids use for their work? :)

I have every respect for John Taylor Gatto, an award winning teacher who gave up his career because he knew the school system was unjust. Many of the things he speaks about are absolutely true. This video reminds me of my schooling days which is exactly how I perceive forced schooling to be in modern times - draconian! Read The Underground History of Schooling, it's is a real eye opener: http://www.johntaylo...round/index.htm I believe that as free human beings, deciding and becoming a parent is our right. Similarly, raising and educating children is a parent's right, duty and responsibility - this is enshrined in human rights laws. Best Wishes

Painting Techniques Free Tutorial on Painting Glass in Watercolour http://www.mightyartdemos.com/mightyartdemos-faulknor.html

Thanks everyone for the responses. Glad to know lots of us like art :) I don't think I will be using Sister Wendy art appreciation videos, since as one of you said it has nudity - this would definitely be an issue with us! I do like still life and like to get more ideas on how to prepare resources for still life from around the home. I got some lovely books from the library, and bought a couple of more. We're using 'Draw Write Now' and hope to paint some landscape. There's one painting I really like, but it uses masking fluid. It's rather expensive. I wonder what painters used before this? I prefer to paint naturally anyway without too many aids like masking fluid, so if anyone has tips what we can do or use in painting instead of masking fluid, I'll appreciate it - It's those small fine lines & areas which need light reflected on them which I may find difficult to master.

Thank you for sharing. More info here: http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/ Listen to: ' ' by John Taylor Gatto As mentioned by Gatto, you can watch a movie about Jaime Escalante Stand & Deliver, (there are free versions of this video around, but those websites may have vulgar ads & pop ups). See the DVD Stand and Deliver at Amazon There are also books written about Jaimes Escalante.

Hi, I hope to post some free e-books that I think are useful home education. Please share if you have any links & resources or free ebooks. The first one I found today was from Hands of a Child: Metals Lapbooking e-book. See link here: http://www.handsofac...ebies/1445E.pdf BW

Thanks for the feedback everyone. :) I too, will be listening to these again - so much to learn!

I really think it's best if both parents, talked with the boys to get the whole matter out as soon as possible. The stolen bracelet has to be returned to the store as it is a criminal offence to steal it. I agree with Candid, it could possibly be that either, or both of the boys could have stolen it and perhaps now feeling guilty. Hiding the truth & doing nothing is not going to resolve the issue of the boy(s) stealing. If the community rejects the boy(s) & disown the family, it won't change the character either of the boy nor help the parents. Therefore, talking with both of them and calling the other boy's parents down straight away is the first step. The parent can discuss the issue of the stolen bracelet with the store manager over the phone and apologise. I don't think there is a need to fear the store manager if the boys are young. If they were older teenagers then it's understandable the manager may be angry, but the store manager may accept the apology if both parents resolve this issue now and make the culprit(s) apologise for his offence and the boy pays a compensation for his crime. It's better to nip it in the bud and deal with it now while you do have control over the boys and while they are still young rather than when this habit of stealing turns into an addiction & it gets completely out of control. No one wants to have a bad name with the police, it can go down his record for life and affect his whole future. Therefore, I believe that the truth needs to come out and the consequences need to be paid now, rather than later. Best Wishes

He is definitely not tired then! :) Seems like a normal kid, :) really active till asked to do some work. :D Since you are Christian how about incorporating Charlotte Mason's style? Ask him to do ten minute studying then let him play a little then give him a different topic of interest, all bite size between 10- 20 minutes, with play as breaks...it will help get him to form a habit of being still while learning.. Don't worry about wanting to throw the towel or feeling left behind, so many of us have gone through it feeling this way. He is just being a child and wants to play. Early years is usually like this. Taking kids outside for exercise & fresh air in the morning, really helped mine settle down for work. I find teaching about character and good habits very useful to kids. If you make it more enjoyable and teach him good habits he will be ready to listen to you more readily. I find this book: 'Family Virtues' also really helpful: http://www.amazon.co...s/dp/0452278104 Best Wishes

Hi, You have to be keep motivated and hopeful if you want your son to learn well. Even if he goes to school it's still your responsibility as a parent to raise & educate your child. (School, only hampers it). It seems you have tried reading to him, but how many books have read out loud to him? Keep on encouraging him. I stopped reading to my kids when they were young, because I didn't want them to always get used to hearing stories from me and not learn to read. So I would entice them with a couple of good stories, then stop and give them an easy book and encourage them to read, and to say the words correctly. They didn't learn to many sounds, but naturally picked it up themselves. It does need patience, and motivation from both sides. My eldest started reading at the age of 5 with little or no effort on my part except a deep interest in books & stories! :) If you think he is genuinely tired, sometimes it could be either a small issue such as not sleeping on time, or a food allergy problem, e.g gluten, which causes a leaky gut syndrome, it increases candida and other related sicknesses, including brain fog. Try and avoid any gluten, wheat products and high carbs. If he has been eating too many sweets check up to see he is not diabetic and avoid all junk processed and junk foods, especially sugar, sweets, chocs, cakes, biscuits etc and keep to healthy diet (meat, veg, fresh fruits) with probiotics. Finally, please do see this link on a book which I posted just today: http://forums.welltr...home-educating/ http://ladyofvirtue....anity-book.html Best Wishes

Hi This seems like an interesting book to read: Homeschool Sanity: A Practical Guide to Redemptive Home Educating The author, Sherry Haves, reflects on some of the real issues facing home educators today. The book is mainly Christian & for those of you interested, it points to successful educational philosophies in the past & resources that are timeless. Simple, effective and useful for homeschooling: Homeschool Sanity: A Practical Guide to Redemptive Home Educating http://ladyofvirtue.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/homeschool-sanity-book.html http://www.amazon.co.uk/Homeschool-Sanity-Practical-Redemptive-Educating/dp/1478164425#reader_1478164425

Why did his friend leave the bracelet with your son? I think that parents form both sides need to talk to these boys and get to bottom of the truth. The bracelet needs to returned by whoever stole it with a sincere apology for it to never happen again. The boy who stole it, should be kept on close observation by his parents and spend extra time on chores, and healthier activities.