Object Lesson (11 min.)

Goals for Nature Study (3 min.)

Labs (5 min.)

Danielle Merritt-Sunseri answers the question, " What is the importance of the labs?"

Reflection

Respond to the following in the comments or in your journal:

1) What new insights did you glean from these videos? What will you implement with your students?

2) How would you explain the role of nature study in a Mason education?

3) Explain the purpose of science in a Mason education. How should that affect your teaching methods?

4) What are you wondering?

In Mason's Own Words

"If I appear to dwell on a subject which at first sight appears to have little to do with the bringing up of children, it is because I think that his attitude towards the great idea, great lesson, set for his age to grasp, is a vital part of a parent's preparation. If parents take no heed of the great thoughts which move their age, they cannot expect to retain influence over the minds of their children. If they fear and distrust the revelations of science, they introduce an element of distrust and discord into their children's lives. If, with the mere neophyte of science, they rush to the conclusion that the last revelation is final, accounts for all that is in man, and, to say the least, makes God unnecessary and unknowable, or negligible, they may lower the level of their children's living to that struggle for existence––without aspiration, consecration, and sacrifice––of which we hear so much. If, lastly, parents recognise every great idea of nature as a new page in the progressive revelation made by God to men already prepared to receive such idea; if they realise that the new idea, however comprehensive, is not final nor all-inclusive, nor to be set in opposition with that personal knowledge of God which is the greatest knowledge, why, then, their children will grow up in that attitude of reverence for science, reverence for God, and openness of mind, which befits us for whom life is a probation and a continual education. So much for the nutriment of ideas laid on the table of the world during this particular course of its history" (School Education, pp. 159-160).  

"Where science does not teach a child to wonder and admire it has perhaps no educative value" (Philosophy of Education, p. 224).

Further Reading

The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling by John Muir Laws

The Nature Journal Connection by John Muir Laws. This is a wonderful video series about nature journaling with children. From the site: "Each video is between 10 and 15 minutes long and helps you build essential nature journaling skills step-by-step."