What Reviewers Say

Reviewers consistently characterize the Handbook of Nature Study as the "gold standard" and a "foundational text" for Charlotte Mason-style homeschooling. According to Raising Little Shoots, the book is an essential teacher’s manual that provides the "how-to" for nature observation, but they warn it is often "misused" when treated as a student field guide or a dry textbook. The primary praise centers on its depth and the way it trains both parent and child to see the world with a scientific eye. However, a common critique involves the physical book itself; the original 900-page single volume is notoriously heavy and uses dated black-and-white photography, which some find intimidating or visually unappealing. Modern memberships like Homeschool Nature Study and the Living Book Press reprints are frequently cited as the solution to this, breaking the massive text into manageable, seasonal "Outdoor Hour Challenges" and color-coded volumes.

How It Works

A typical week begins with the parent reading a few pages from the Handbook of Nature Study to prepare for a specific topic, such as "The Robin" or "Dandelions." The family then heads outside for a 15-to-30-minute nature walk, where the child is encouraged to find and observe the subject in its natural habitat. The parent uses the "Outdoor Hour Challenge" prompts to ask open-ended questions that spark curiosity. After the walk, the child spends 15 minutes in their nature journal, sketching what they saw and perhaps writing a few descriptive sentences or a poem.

Switching to This?

There is no placement test required, as the curriculum is topical rather than sequential. Families can start at any time by simply choosing the seasonal "Outdoor Hour" challenge that matches their current time of year. If switching from a textbook-based science program like Saxon Science or Apologia, parents should expect a transition period where the focus shifts from memorizing facts to developing observation skills.

Curriculum Details

Price

$0

Free nature-study resources building on Anna Botsford Comstock's classic Handbook of Nature Study.

Grades

PRE-K - 12

Available As

Digital

Coverage

Supplement

Subjects

Art Science

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Pacing

Self-paced

Parent Time

30-60 min/day

Student Independence

Needs instruction

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Academic Level

Grade level

Worldview

Neutral

Teach Multiple Ages

Yes

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Parent Role:

The parent acts as a co-explorer and guide. Because the core text is a teacher’s manual, the parent must read the background information to facilitate the child's discovery rather than handing the book to the student.

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: July 2026 by Claude (v2 research)

How This Compares

Exploring Nature with Children: A more modern, "open-and-go" curriculum that is easier to use for beginners but lacks the deep scientific background found in the Handbook. - Exploring Creation with Botany (Apologia): Offers a much more traditional, textbook-heavy, and explicitly Christian approach compared to Comstock’s scientific/neutral tone. - Sabbath Mood Science: Provides more structured "formal" science lessons for upper grades, whereas Handbook of Nature Study is more flexible and observation-based. - Nature’s Workshop Plus!: Focuses more on lab kits and hands-on experiments, while Handbook focuses on field observation and journaling.

Getting Started