Great Nature Study Book

The Handbook Of Nature Study has been on my “to get” list for a few years and is an all-time great nature study book. Now that I finally have it in my possession, I am kicking myself for not getting it sooner. What a fabulous resource!

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The first edition of this book was written in 1911. The author, Anna Botsford Comstock, wanted people to understand the world around them in an intimate way. She describes even the most common of birds, plants or rocks in a way that makes them interesting and come alive. The book was revised in 1939 by a group of naturalists who kept the spirit of Ms. Comstock.

A Great Nature Study Book / Textbook

I finally got the Handbook of Nature Study because it was one of the books that is used in Trail Guide To Learning by Geography Matters. The book is used within this curriculum as the science text. The first thing that struck me was the sheer size of the book – almost 900 pages! I could see why many people consider Handbook of Nature Study the Bible of natural history.

The Handbook of Nature Study is written as a series of articles about animals, plants, rocks, weather, and more. Each article is written in a gentle style and contains black and white pictures and illustrations. Lessons throughout the book are more observation and activity-based than memory-based. This is perfect for developing critical thinking skills.

If you are unsure about how to teach a nature study, the first part of the book is dedicated to “The Teaching Of Nature Study”. This should appeal to homeschool parents who are a little leary about science.

Don’t be like me and delay getting Handbook of Nature Study. This is already one of my favorite science resources and my new go-to guide.