Creating nature notebooks is a wonderful way to document and conduct an on going study of God's creation around us.   What is a nature notebook you ask?  We learned about them through the study of a philosophy of education.  Charlotte Mason was an innovative educator who developed a unique approach to education.  She wanted all children to have a broad, liberal education and to be allowed to reach their full potential.  This  method was also used in about 300 schools in England.  Charlotte, a native of England lived from 1842 - 1923. 

Charlotte's method incoporated the use of "living books" (the Bible being the ultimate living book), narration, copywork, dictation and nature studies through the use of our nature notebooks.  Nature notebooks are a record or journal of the things you observe in nature.  They may include watercolors or sketches.  The date, common name, scientific name, and the location where observed should all be included.  Poetry is a nice touch.

We started our nature notebooks last year 2001 and have since picked them back up to continue documenting our finds.