This comprehensive guide to Fall Charlotte Mason Nature Study includes activities and resources for family learning.
As August gives way to September and summer slowly slips away to allow autumn to wrap us up in its brilliant display of color, mother turns her attention to planning her fall homeschool.
Fall Charlotte Mason Nature Study
In our Charlotte Mason homeschools, autumn is a time of fresh starts, fresh plans and new hope for the forthcoming year.
As the season shifts and the days begin to draw in, it seems natural to start our plans by considering our fall nature studies. Nature study intertwines beautifully with other areas of study such as art appreciation, poetry, geography and science. It also gifts the humble homemaker ample opportunity and inspiration to cultivate an atmosphere of coziness within her home(school).
Apples, cider, crisp leaves, corn mazes, frost and cold air are all part of the season and simply beg to be explored, studied and brought indoors!
Activities For Fall Nature Study In Your Homeschool
Tree and Leaf Studies Perfect for Fall
I think we all agree that you simply cannot embrace all that fall is without planning a seasonal tree and leaf study. Autumn days are filled with colored leaves, falling leaves, raking leaves, and jumping into great big piles of fallen leaves. Have a look at some of our wonderful tree and leaf studies from our archives and from our own personal blogs:
- Seasonal Tree Study and Leaf Comparisons
- Seasonal Tree Study With Art – Chalk Pastel Art
- Homeschool Fall Leaf Study and Activities (Perfect for all ages)
- The Ultimate Guide to Fall Leaf Activities For Your Homeschool – Your Best Homeschool
- Fall Leaf Walk is Our Favourite and Our Best – Your Best Homeschool
- Outdoor Hour Challenge: The Oak Tree – Under An English Sky
- Outdoor Hour Challenge: Seasonal Tree Study – Under An English Sky
Downloadable Resources
Pumpkins and Apples for Fall Charlotte Mason Nature Study
As the pumpkins ripen in the fields and the apples in the orchards, local farmers open up their farms to the public providing the perfect opportunity to plan a ‘pumpkin and apple homeschool’ week. Enjoy a trip out to the farm and pick out a few pumpkins and basket of apples. Then come home and bake a pumpkin or apple pie and enjoy reading some seasonal read-aloud books as you learn more about these delightful seasonal fruits.
- OHC Pumpkin Study – Under An English Sky
- Entertaining Pumpkin Activities Your Child Will Love! – Your Best Homeschool
- The Ultimate Guide of Fun Apple and Pumpkin Nature Study Ideas for Your Homeschool
- The Very Best Apple Art Activities for Kids – Chalk Pastel Art
- Apple or Pumpkin Art Tutorials – Your Best Homeschool
- Apple Homeschool Nature Study – Under An English Sky
- Fallish Fun: Caramel Apples Recipe – Your Best Homeschool
- Pears, Apples and Nature Journal Art – Your Best Homeschool
Fall Fungi
“In times of old, not only was it believed that toads sat on them (toadstools), but that fairies danced upon them and used them for umbrellas. The poisonous qualities of some species made them also a natural ingredient of the witch’s cauldron. But science, in these days, brings revelation concerning these mysterious plants which are far more wonderful than the web which superstition wove about them in the days of yore.”
Anna Botsford Comstock, Handbook of Nature Study, page 714
As can be seen from the excerpt from the Handbook of Nature Study that we have long held the view that mushrooms are rather mysterious, enchanting and quite fascinating. We can also agree that most of us regard mushrooms and toadstools with suspicion and caution, and for good reason. There are many poisonous mushrooms out there, and some of them are deadly. Names such as ‘death cap’, ‘destroying angel’ and ‘funeral bell’, warn us to steer clear!
One of our favourite fall activities in our homeschool is to go on a fungus spotting walk through out local woodlands. There is something quite atmospheric and wonderful about walking through a woodland in autumn all wrapped up in our hand knits and kicking through fallen leaves as we hunt for fungi and mushrooms.
Here are a few posts to get you started as well as some lovely free downloadable spotter sheets for you to take with you.
- Fall Fungi Homeschool Nature Study – Under An English Sky
- Autumn Mushroom Study – Under An English Sky
- Outdoor Hour Challenge #41 Flowerless Plants Overview – From the Archives
- Nature Study Craft – Plant Pot Mushrooms in the Nature Crafts course in membership
Downloadable resources
Keeping a Nature Journal This Fall
We all know that Charlotte Mason encouraged her students to keep a Nature Notebook or Nature Diary. These notebooks were inscribed with fine prose and illustrated in delicate watercolours.
According to Charlotte’s recommendations, all illustrations should include captions: the Latin name of the specimen, it it’s available, as well as the familiar name. A flower and bird list can be kept at the back of the Notebook, as well as other lists which may interest the individual child such as fungi, insects, trees etc.
These notebooks should be considered a part of a living education where the child’s relationship with nature can be expressed within its pages. Try to avoid criticism, unless it is to give helpful suggestions.
Anna Botsford Comstock said of notebooks, “of whatever quality, are precious beyond price to their owners. And why not? For the represent what cannot be bought or sold – personal experience in the happy world of outdoors.”
The Nature Notebook is a way for our children (and us) to connect better with nature and to learn its patterns. If you have not dipped your toes into the world of nature journaling, I would encourage you to dive in this fall. You do not need to invest in expensive art supplies, just grab a blank notebook, some pencils and get out there. You can purchase an inexpensive field watercolor set of paints in the coming weeks but for now I would encourage you to just take the leap and do a quick sketch of what you can see before you. Don’t judge your drawing, you are not an artist yet. You are a scientist, simply recording what you see in this moment of time.
Here are some helpful links for your adventure in nature journaling.
- Keeping a Nature Journal – Examples from Under An English Sky
- Autumn Homeschool Seaside Nature Study and Nature Journal Pages – Under An English Sky
- Tips for Writing About Nature
- Homeschool Nature Study Resource Review: Keeping a Nature Journal
- Ideas For Drawing In Your Nature Journal
- Getting Started with Nature Journaling
- The Homeschool Nature Journal Habit
- 3 Tips for Nature Journaling When You Think You Can’t Sketch
Below are some additional Charlotte Mason resources for your homeschool. We hope that you have a wonderful fall season of exploring and learning outdoors.
Additional Charlotte Mason Resources For Your Homeschool
- Charlotte Mason Nature Study For Your Homeschool
- How To Teach Homeschool Nature Study
- The Beauty of Art and Nature Study In Your Homeschool – Chalk Pastel Art
- Beautiful Charlotte mason Picture Book Biography Perfect For Your Homeschool – The Curriculum Choice
- The Charlotte Mason Homeschool Guide – The Curriculum Choice
- Fall Homeschool Nature Study
- The Ultimate Guide to Fall Homeschool Nature Study In Your Own Backyard
- The Homeschool Mom’s Charlotte Mason Summer Nature Study Guide
Endless Access to Outdoor Hour Curriculum in Homeschool Nature Study Membership
We are sure that this fall Charlotte Mason nature study guide will keep you very busy however, we would encourage you to join the Homeschool Nature Study membership. With our membership you will have Homeschool Nature Study resources at your fingertips and can incorporate nature study at your family’s own pace.
You can choose guided or independent nature study with the membership monthly calendar prompts and printables.
We have monthly, quarterly and annual homeschool nature study memberships and you will enjoy endless access to everything including our exclusive Nature Craft Course, Nature Journaling Course and The Outdoor Mom Course!
Be Inspired. Be Encouraged. Get Outdoors!
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