By Cindy West and Melissa Leach
Shining Dawn Books, LLC
http://shiningdawnbooks.com/
NaturExplorers@gmail.com
Written by two nature-loving homeschool moms, Fungus Among
Us brings the world of fungi to life. Cindy West and Melissa Leach have created a nature study unit that will actually get you out in nature, where students (and parents) can discover God's creation first-hand. Children will get excited about mushrooms, lichen, and mold, as they learn through hands-on experience.
Fungus Among Us is part of the NaturExplorers series written and published by Shining Dawn Books. NaturExplorers are unit study e-books intended to provide "educated journeys into God's creation." After reviewing this e-book, I'd say they do exactly that!
This 32-page unit study is a little different from others I have seen. It is mostly a collection of information and ideas to be implemented at one's own discretion. The unit has a definite nature study focus and does not include math or phonics as many unit studies do. Even without these topics, a rich buffet is offered, with Bible, poetry, artist and picture studies, composer and music references, literature suggestions, writing and research ideas, and hands-on activities. Notebooking pages are also included. I was truly impressed with the streamlined presentation. Each topic has a few carefully selected suggestions, which keeps this unit study from being cluttered or overwhelming.
Nature walks and outside activities are the core of this curriculum. With a thorough list of simple ideas, getting out actually seems doable! These ideas could be used as a plan for study or simply a guide that gives purpose to nature walks. Learning can be taken a step further if you use the suggestions found in the "branching out" section, which includes some great science experiments and arts and craft activities.
Although this book was designed for elementary ages, it could be used with the whole family. Fun ideas for including older and younger children are given. However I believe all ages could find interesting assignments within the main text.
Some may feel there is not enough in this unit since it does not include an abundance of technical information about fungi. Reading a number of the recommended books is a must. This seems just right to me. In our homeschool, we plan to take a nature walk once per week and study one nature topic for about six weeks. This unit study fits perfectly with that plan. The ideas are clear and easy to implement, without a lot of twaddle to wade through. I feel it would easily suit any homeschool style and could also be useful in classrooms or co-ops.
The authors have included some very practical articles about the where, how, and why of nature study. These are some of my favorite parts of the book. Their enthusiasm is contagious. One can't help coming away with an eagerness to get outdoors and a feeling that successful nature study can be achieved.
Fungus Among Us is an excellent tool for those desiring to teach elementary students about mushrooms, lichen, and mold. I highly recommend it. I also recommend visiting Shiningdawnbooks.com to see the many other titles they have to offer. The NaturExplorers Series takes much of the brainwork out of planning nature study--a sure help to moms everywhere.
Product review by Stacy Kalisz, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, August 2009
|
|
|
|
