Category Archives: Education

Getting started with bird identification

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Kerry

Use your copy of Peterson’s Field Guide to Birds (see previous introduction) to identify the bird described in each numbered question below. This exercise will help you become more familiar with the contents and layout of Peterson’s Guide. Tip: Look … Continue reading →

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Nature journal advice for perfectionists

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Kerry

“If a thing is worth doing, it’s worth doing badly.” – G.K. Chesterton

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Biology – Sample weekly schedule

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Kerry

Lesson plan:Plan your typical weekly schedule: A sample schedule would be 4 periods a week, in addition to our joint meetings on Monday nights: Monday night class, 7-8:30 pm Tuesday, 1 hr: Begin learning Lyrical Life Science song; begin reading … Continue reading →

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Anna Comstock

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Kerry

Unit 1: Getting our bearings. Length: 3 days (not necessarily in a row). Anna Botsford Comstock played a prominent role in the nature study movement to reform science education in the early 20th century, particularly through her book, Handbook of … Continue reading →

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Roger Tory Peterson

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Kerry

Unit 1: Getting our bearings. Length: 3-4 days (not necessarily in a row). One of the best entrées into the living world around us is watching birds. Birds are so very much alive, and their presence is a vital part … Continue reading →

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Charlotte Mason

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Kerry

Unit 1: Getting our bearings. Length: 1 day. “Never be within doors when you can rightly be without.” – Charlotte Mason To learn a little about Charlotte Mason (1841-1923), an English educational reformer whose ideas encouraged a nature study approach … Continue reading →

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Last Child in the Woods

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Kerry

Unit 1: Getting our bearings. Length: 1 day. Watch two videos about Richard Louv, learn about his book and the impact of his ideas on science education. Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit … Continue reading →

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Getting started – Biology

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Kerry

In 2011-12 we’re going to adopt a nature study approach to biology! We’ll meet on Monday evenings, 7-8:30 p.m., beginning Sept 12. Occasionally, we’ll fall back to either Friday morning or Saturday morning, particularly when there are field trips. I’d … Continue reading →

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Academia in a nutshell

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Kerry

The more I look at this matrix by Matus Sotak the funnier it is: Start with how everyone sees themselves, shown in the diagonal from upper left down to lower right. Then look in the 2nd column to see how … Continue reading →

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Thesis pearls

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Kerry

“Pearls” are attained at great price. Frodo once answered Gildor: “It is said, ‘Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.’” “Is it indeed?” laughed Gildor. “Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, History of Science | Tagged | 3 Comments

Compass Quotes

Posted on October 28, 2010 by Kerry

As an undergraduate I typed up three quotations on index cards to post above my desk. These old cards are tattered now. (Click for a larger view.) In Junior High my parents delighted me with the gift of a portable … Continue reading →

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Accordance for OS X

Posted on May 29, 2010 by Kerry

One of the joys of my daily life is Accordance, the premier software platform for study of the Bible and ancient religious texts. Accordance offers a vast digital library at your fingertips, with impressive e-book features (video). But Accordance is … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Education, Theology | Tagged | 7 Comments