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Alicia Bayer
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A Magical Homeschool: Nature Studies: 52 Wonderful Ways to Use Nature Studies in Every Season to Teach Science, Math, Art and More Kindle Edition

by Alicia Bayer (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 16 ratings
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Nature study can be an invaluable part of a child's education. Nature study activities teach subjects such as science, art, math, language arts and geography in ways that get kids excited about learning. They can be done virtually anywhere and can involve all ages of children. Nature provides free and nearly free opportunities in every season for children to learn, grow and explore.

This book provides 52 nature study activities, broken up into four seasons, for homeschooling families to do together. Kids can use natural materials to dye homemade play dough, track the length of daylight in the winter, experiment on weeds to see what makes them grow or die, test the pH level of various liquids with purple cabbage water and much more.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    1 - 18 years
  2. Print length
    87 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 12
  5. Publication date
    January 14, 2017
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"I cannot recommend this highly enough for every homeschooler of younger children."

-- Sherene Silverberg

"This is a gem of a book. I would recommend it for anyone who spends time with children, whether you are learning together in a homeschool setting, doing childcare, parenting, or just hanging out with kids. The activities described in this book are simple enough to recreate with minimal cost, but they all seem to have been thoroughly tested by the author."

-- AKB Books

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01MS7XI8T
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 14, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1071 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 87 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 16 ratings

About the author

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Alicia Bayer

Alicia Bayer

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Alicia Bayer grew up all around the United States and now lives in rural Minnesota. She and her husband live off the beaten path and homeschool their five children (the oldest of whom has now graduated). Her writing has been widely published in books and magazines, as well as online at sites like Huffington Post and Healthy Holistic Living. She and her family volunteer together frequently at historical and environmental events and teach topics such as foraging, living history and making a magical life on less.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
16 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

SAinVA
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect science curriculum for the elementary years
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
The author lists why nature studies are an excellent way to start science instruction:
1. It's an easy way to teach science
2. It lays the foundation for higher learning
3. It gets kids outside
4. It can be done anywhere
5. It's free
6. It can help put the fun back into learning
7. It works with other subjects
8. It gives children a sense of stewardship for the earth
9. It develops critical reasoning skills
10. Children find it magical

While points 9 and 10 might seem antithetical to each other, the author is talking about how much fun children have in doing nature studies and how well it works to do, rather than to read about something like a life cycle of a frog. She makes things magical - when talking about edible flowers, she suggests putting mousse into tulips. How can that not seem magical to a child?

The author suggests many of the nature studies my kids loved doing: worm calling, soil pH vinegar testing, testing natural insect repellents, a weed lab, telling the temperature with crickets, making fruit leather in cars to demonstrate how hot closed cars get, and cloud making.

When applicable, the activity comes with directions for the child to use the scientific method, which gives an excellent start for budding scientists.

I particularly like how there are sections for which nature study is best for which season. That makes life so much easier for the parent leading the study.

I cannot recommend this highly enough for every homeschooler of younger children. Anything that brings science alive deserves five stars!
6 people found this helpful
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Mrs Baker
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful resource!
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2017
Verified Purchase
Fans of Alicia Bayer's work will recognize her easy style and her fantastic grasp of how to engage children young and old in Nature Studies. Her much awaited book puts so many of her ideas at our fingertips and allows us to quickly, cheaply and easily open our children's eyes to what fascinatons Nature holds. A must have addition to your library for homeschoolers and public schoolers alike.
2 people found this helpful
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AJPlath
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it.
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
I love Alicia Bayer’s books - easy to understand, informative, and insightful.
2 people found this helpful
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Kristy
3.0 out of 5 stars It’s just ok
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2018
Verified Purchase
I was expecting something a bit more. It is ok, I’m not terribly disappointed, I just expected more I guess.
2 people found this helpful
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kirja_myyja
5.0 out of 5 stars A must for homeschoolers or any family with curious kids
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2017
This is a gem of a book. I would recommend it for anyone who spends time with children, whether you are learning together in a homeschool setting, doing childcare, parenting, or just hanging out with kids. The activities described in this book are simple enough to recreate with minimal cost, but they all seem to have been thoroughly tested by the author. I like that the book divides the activities seasonally, since one of the biggest considerations for nature learning is the weather.

Many of the activities are open-ended, which allows the child to guide the direction and process. I appreciate that since I feel some of the best learning happens when a child's interest guides the process. The book could be a jumping-off point for more intensive scientific study, or it could just be used to inspire fun seasonal activities and nature-themed crafts. This was well worth purchasing.
7 people found this helpful
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