Nature Studies / Farm & Garden

“Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:3

Lower School Nature Students

The Nature Studies program at Stonehaven trains the whole child to love what is good, true and beautiful through the habits of observation, appreciation and knowledge of the world God has made.

In 1st through 4th grades, students grow in wonder as they study regional specimens with connection and depth. Alternating between local trees, insects, small mammals, birds and more, our classes are given weekly opportunities to slow down and cultivate delight in God’s Creation.

Methods used in the Lower School Nature Studies program include:

• Narrations and lessons based on Anna Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Studies
• Dry Brush Watercolor entries painted and collected in individual sketchbooks using the methods of Charlotte Mason
• Picture Studies of classical pieces of art introducing the great masters’ love of nature to build habits of observation and attention
• Nature walks and observational learning in our outdoor classroom
• Scripture, hymns and timeless songs which incorporate the character of God and the beauty of Creation are integrated into art and music classes as well as corporate worship times
• Living books which bring nature to life through excellent language and beautiful illustrations tie elements of our natural environment to great works of literature

“A love of Nature, implanted so early that it will seem to them hereafter to have been born in them, will enrich their lives with pure interests, absorbing pursuits, health, and good humour.”
-Charlotte Mason

"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in."
- George Washington Carver

Upper School Farm and Garden

As our students graduate from the Grammar stage of learning and enter into the Logic and Rhetoric Schools, their increasing love and understanding of God’s Creation expands into a more hands-on stewardship of the land. Farm and Garden is a unique Practicum set on our bucolic 8-acre Upper School Campus.

This thoughtfully crafted curriculum offers foundational skills in manual arts such as:

• Seasonal gardening and composting
• Animal care
• Canning and food preservation
• Regenerative farming practices
• Biblical understanding of whole foods and nutrition

"You know what the best kind of organic certification would be? Make an unannounced visit to a farm and take a good long look at the farmer’s bookshelf. Because what you’re feeding your emotions and thoughts is what this is really all about. The way I produce a chicken is an extension of my worldview. You can learn more about that by seeing what’s sitting on my bookshelf than having me fill out a whole bunch of forms."
- Joel Salatin