In this guide to the best nature homeschool curriculum picks, let’s explore ways to make learning an exciting, screen-free adventure. Parents, if you’re eager to reduce screen time and foster a love for nature in your homeschooling journey, you’re in the right place. From the hands-on exploration of “Think Outside the Box” to the outdoor-friendly Oak Meadow and the nature-infused Blossom and Root, these programs offer a breath of fresh air in education.
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Join me as we discover how nature-based learning can be the perfect antidote to excessive screen use.
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Oak Meadow Academy
Established in 1975, Oak Meadow is a standout secular option for families seeking a nature-centric homeschool curriculum.
Offering a holistic approach, it integrates hands-on learning and a strong emphasis on nature exploration.
Key Points:
- Hands-on Nature Learning: Oak Meadow engages students through practical, nature-based experiences.
- Tailored Development: The curriculum respects each child’s developmental needs, gradually advancing nature studies.
- Accredited Distance Learning: Oak Meadow provides an accredited distance learning school with experienced teachers for structured support.
- Flexible and Personalized: Families can customize the curriculum to suit individual learning styles and paces.
- Holistic Education: Beyond academics, Oak Meadow emphasizes emotional and environmental awareness.
For Oak Meadow:
- Ideal for families valuing a holistic education with nature at its core.
- Suited for those who prefer flexibility in curriculum customization.
- Great for parents seeking accredited distance learning with teacher support.
- Appropriate for families emphasizing age-appropriate nature experiences.
- Recommended for those appreciating a balance between academic rigor and emotional/environmental awareness.
Not for Oak Meadow:
- It is less suitable for families wanting a more structured and standardized curriculum.
- It is secular, so it won’t offer Christian teaching.
- The cost is relatively high compared to most other programs, so it won’t suit families on a tight budget.
- Additional supplements may be needed for advanced STEM courses.
- There are better fits for those prioritizing traditional testing and intense college preparation.
So Oak Meadow is a secular, accredited, nature-based homeschool curriculum for all ages. Check them out here or see an Oak Meadow review here.
Think Outside Subscription Box Curriculum
Think Outside Boxes offers monthly themed outdoor learning, blending essential skills with practical gear. Tailored for ages 4 to 14, it’s budget-friendly, flexible, and seamlessly integrates with existing homeschool curricula. Ideal for families seeking hands-on, nature-inspired education.
Key Features
- Monthly Themes: Covers vital outdoor skills with monthly themes like knot-making and shelter-building.
- Holistic Learning: Provides practical gear and a broad curriculum, including Morse code and nutrition science.
- Age-Adaptable: Tailored for ages 4 to 14, suitable for independent engagement by 9-14 year-olds.
- Flexible Subscriptions: Priced at $39.95 monthly with discounts for quarterly or yearly commitments. Sibling subscriptions get a $2 discount, and shipping is free.
- Blend with Existing Curriculum: Easily integrates with pre-existing homeschool curricula, offering flexibility.
Suitable for:
- Families integrating outdoor education into homeschooling.
- Parents seeking a hands-on supplement to their existing curriculum.
- Ages 4 to 14, focusing on independent engagement for 9-14 year-olds.
- Budget-conscious homeschoolers looking for an affordable monthly option.
May Not Suit:
- Families focused on traditional, desk-bound learning.
- Parents seeking a strictly academic, exam-oriented approach.
- Ages outside 4 to 14.
- Those averse to monthly subscription models.
- Homeschoolers not interested in hands-on, outdoor learning.
Incorporating Think Outside Boxes adds an exciting outdoor dimension to homeschooling, ensuring a flexible and engaging approach tailored to your family’s needs.
Get the Boxes here or see a Think Outside review here.
Blossom and Root
Blossom and Root shine bright as a nature-focused homeschooling choice for families diving into the beauty of the outdoors. B&R are geared for preschool to 5th grade. This secular curriculum blends nature, literature, STEM, and arts for a well-rounded learning adventure.
Key Features
- Holistic Learning: Blossom and Root weaves nature, literature, STEM, and the arts for a complete learning experience.
- Flexible and Adaptable: It suits different learning styles, allowing families to personalize their homeschooling journey.
- Digital Convenience: Accessed through online PDFs, Blossom and Root ensures easy and quick access to materials.
- Inspired by Education Philosophies: Drawing from Charlotte Mason and Waldorf teaching, it adds creative elements to learning.
- Focus on Early Years: Perfect for preschool to 5th grade, it builds a love for learning in the foundational years.
Is It Right for Your Family?
It Will Suit:
- Families wanting nature-focused, hands-on learning.
- Those valuing adaptability in their homeschooling approach.
- Parents seeking a secular curriculum with artistic touches.
- Homeschoolers in the early years looking for a holistic education.
- Families comfortable with a digital-only curriculum.
It Won’t Suit:
- Families desiring an accredited curriculum.
- Those needing a program beyond 5th grade.
- Homeschoolers wanting a more structured curriculum.
- Families not comfortable with a digital-only format.
- Parents who prefer a strictly aligned educational philosophy.
This curriculum is an engaging option, tailor-made for families embracing hands-on and creative learning in the early years.
Get the curriculum here or see a Blossom and Root review here.
Nature Books and Activities
Most of the nature-based curriculum resources are secular-based, so they won’t suit all families (such as those seeking a Christian program).
You can, however, find some excellent nature books and activities from Christianbooks.com here, including:
- Trees,
- Flowers,
- Rocks,
- Gardening,
- Rocks,
- Bees,
- Butterflies,
- Bugs,
- Birds,
- Astronomy, and
- Weather & Water cycles.
Check them out here.
The Bottom Line…
As we conclude this exploration into the BEST Nature Homeschool Curriculum Picks, let’s celebrate the joy of learning without screens! Whether it’s the interactive “Think Outside the Box,” the screen-free adventures with Oak Meadow, or the nature-filled lessons of Blossom and Root, these programs show us that education can thrive in the great outdoors. Parents, here’s to a year filled with less screen time and more moments of discovery in nature, making learning a truly enriching experience for your children.
