Charlotte Mason Nature Sketchbook Inspiration

Charlotte Mason suggested teaching science within the context of the natural world buy going on weekly nature hikes.

Students learn to observe, identify and record interesting discoveries by sketching and recording observations in a Nature Diary (also called Nature Sketchbook, Creation Notebook, Nature Notebook, Nature Journal, Discovery Journal, etc). The sample pictured is created with digital scrapbooking kit from CottageArts.net.

There are dozens of sites and books (see list below) explaining more about Charlotte Mason's methods.

The purpose of this post is to explain the exciting and creative option of digital scrapbooking a Nature Sketchbook.

With a digital camera, sketches, and a software program your student can use this methods not only learn science and document schoolwork they also learn computer layout and design. This is an example of a Nature Sketchbook by hand. Below see pages created digitally.

Digital Scrapbooking to Learn

Digital scrapbook is MUCH cheaper than regular scrapbooking. Going digital requires no scissors, glue, mess, or storage room--all the work is done on the computer.

Students use digital scrapbook methods to add sketches, photos, poems, copy work, journaling, etc. You can share their nature pages online, keep on a CD, or print from your computer.

Scrapbook Software

I recommend ScrapbookMax. It's as easy as dragging and dropping. Its so easy you just have to try it for your self.You can download a fre trail version for 30 days.

If you are not familiar with digital scrapbooking there is a free 65 page Ebook "15 Things You Need to Know About Digital Scrapbooking: It's so addi...

Hundreds of digital scrapbook kits are available online FREE. Type in Free Digital Scrapbook kits on Google to find them or visit our scrapbook group Free Digital Kits. Thousands of kits are available for a a dollar up to $25 a kit.

Heart of Wisdom sponsors a Scrapbooking to Learn community with over a hundred sample student pages pages for inspiration. Right now you can Save up to 60% on dozen or more Academic and Bible Digital Scrapbooking Kits.

Start with a Discovery Adventure

Go on a discovery adventure. No need to go far, start in your backyard. Everyone must find something God created (bugs, plants, birds, etc) to be drawn and researched at home.

Once your child decides on a topic go home and research it using books like Handbook of Nature Study or Creepy Crawlies and the Scientific Method. Students use copywork methods to journal beside their sketches (by hand or on the computer). We include Bible verses too.

Digital Scrapbook Students Findings

To digitally create scrapbook a Nature Sketchbook start with one of the Cotage Arts Sketchbook kit. For $2.99 you get 4 notebooks you can use over and over again--you won't find one notebook for that price in a scrapbook store. Here is just one sample kit:

These gorgeous layouts below use Nature Sketch digital scrapbook kits from Cottage Arts. Here mother and child both enjoy creativity: mother makes the pages and scans in daughter's artwork.

Easier Than it Looks

The pages below don't require as much artistic talent as it looks. The journal pages are ready to use - you just add photos or sketches and journaling.

Element Packs

Elements help you decorate your page. They can purchased separately or in a kit. This element pack is Nature's Sketchbook Element Pak 2 - Harmony on sale for $2.99 at CottageArts.net. And remember you can use the elements over and over again an unlimited number of times.