The Handbook Of Nature Study
Witness the wonders of God's creation with naturalist Comstock as your guide! From dandelions, toads, and fireflies, to robins, rocks, and weather, she takes you on a lively trek through the natural world, vividly describing the habits, habitats, and physical structures of common living and nonliving things. Ford Programmer Chip more. Includes study.
'A matchless handbook for decades, this classic has been the natural history bible of countless teachers and others who seek information about their natural environment. Written originally for those elementary school teachers who knew little of common plants and animals, and even less about earth beneath their feet and the skies overhead, this book is for the most part as 'A matchless handbook for decades, this classic has been the natural history bible of countless teachers and others who seek information about their natural environment. Written originally for those elementary school teachers who knew little of common plants and animals, and even less about earth beneath their feet and the skies overhead, this book is for the most part as valid and helpful to day as it was when first written in 1911.
I adore this book. I haven't finished reading it yet because it is the kind of book that is best read in little snippets, but I can't say enough good about what I have read so far. The book is a compilation of essays/lessons written by a female professor at Cornell back I the early 1900s. I love the old fashioned language and the author's unrestrained love for the natural world which spills over into everything she writes. Sometimes she is really funny even though she is not trying to be because I adore this book. I haven't finished reading it yet because it is the kind of book that is best read in little snippets, but I can't say enough good about what I have read so far.
The book is a compilation of essays/lessons written by a female professor at Cornell back I the early 1900s. I love the old fashioned language and the author's unrestrained love for the natural world which spills over into everything she writes.
Sometimes she is really funny even though she is not trying to be because she is very opinionated about random/odd things. Though written so long ago, the information and ideas about how to learn and interact with animals and the natural world is surprisingly relevant. I love reading little bits of this book to my kids, some of whom seem to love the book as much as I do. The morning after I read them the chapter on hummingbirds, we were lucky enough to see one in the backyard. The fact that we had just read the chapter and learned a bit about the birds made the sighting much more fun and memorable. I use the Handbook of Nature Study as a reference for our homeschool Nature Study. The ideas contained in the introduction alone are worth the price of the book.
It amazes me how valuable the nature information in this book is, even in this age of the internet. I think it's because the author loved nature. This is more than mere information. This is a living book with perspective, wisdom, and interesting detail. I would like to see this book updated with better binding (hardcover would be nice) I use the Handbook of Nature Study as a reference for our homeschool Nature Study. The ideas contained in the introduction alone are worth the price of the book. It amazes me how valuable the nature information in this book is, even in this age of the internet.
I think it's because the author loved nature. This is more than mere information. This is a living book with perspective, wisdom, and interesting detail. I would like to see this book updated with better binding (hardcover would be nice) and many more (and clearer) illustrations. Here's an idea.maybe it could be divided into three or four smaller volumes suitable for taking along with your field guides on nature walks.
However, these are minor complaints. I highly recommend this book, especially used alongside the Handbook of Nature Study website. Excellent handbook for studying nature with your children (or by yourself) - I guess the title is appropriate, eh? It might be a little tedious to those who don't like to or won't read the introduction.
The beginning includes lots of lofty philosophy about how to do nature study correctly - all of it excellent, but non-bookish people might balk at the old fashioned language and sheer volume of text to wade through. It is worth the read.
Apply the principles and you will have an award winning natu Excellent handbook for studying nature with your children (or by yourself) - I guess the title is appropriate, eh? It might be a little tedious to those who don't like to or won't read the introduction. The beginning includes lots of lofty philosophy about how to do nature study correctly - all of it excellent, but non-bookish people might balk at the old fashioned language and sheer volume of text to wade through. It is worth the read. Apply the principles and you will have an award winning nature program for your children, or the book could just sit on your shelf for decoration along with a birds nest and some leaves you found on a walk. This is a great resource for nature study with children. It prepares the teacher to guide her students in developing obvservation skills via hands on exploration of nature.
What I love about it is that the author doesn't come across as being didactic, but writes as someone who comes alongside the reader to share in the joy of discovery. The preface of the book, written directly to the teacher, is worth the price of the book. In it, she discusses the importance of nature study, not only for the b This is a great resource for nature study with children.
It prepares the teacher to guide her students in developing obvservation skills via hands on exploration of nature. What I love about it is that the author doesn't come across as being didactic, but writes as someone who comes alongside the reader to share in the joy of discovery. The preface of the book, written directly to the teacher, is worth the price of the book. In it, she discusses the importance of nature study, not only for the benefit of the student but as a means of refreshment to the teacher. Highly recommended. Definitely a great book. The way I read it is reading Part I to learn the concepts of teaching nature study and using the rest of the book as a reference.
When kids are young, it is useless to feed them with knowledge. What is more important is to inspire their curiosity in learning the nature. I take my kid out for a walk and encourage discovery by herself, and reference back the parts of book that are related. I used a pretty old version, so pictures are black and white. I wish I could find a Definitely a great book.
The way I read it is reading Part I to learn the concepts of teaching nature study and using the rest of the book as a reference. When kids are young, it is useless to feed them with knowledge. What is more important is to inspire their curiosity in learning the nature. I take my kid out for a walk and encourage discovery by herself, and reference back the parts of book that are related. I used a pretty old version, so pictures are black and white. I wish I could find a colored one.
Synopsis • A matchless handbook for decades, this classic work has been the natural history bible for countless teachers and others who seek information about their environment. Written originally for those elementary school teachers who knew little of common plants and animals, and even less about the earth beneath their feet and the skies overhead, this book is for the most part as valid and helpful today as it was when first written in 1911 and revised in the spirit of its authors by a group of naturalists in 1939.
After all, dandelions, toads, robins, and constellations have changed little since then And modern society's concern with the quality of life and the impact of people on soil, water, and wildlife makes this book even more relevant. Nature-study, as used in this handbook, encompasses all living things except humans, as well as all nonliving things such as rocks and minerals, the heavens, and weather. Of the living things described, most are common in the northeastern states, and many, such as the dandelion, milkweed, and mullein, and the house mouse, muskrat, and red fox, are so widespread that people living outside the United States will recognize them easily. Anna Botsford Comstock very appropriately took the view that we should know first and best the things closest to us.
Only then, when we have an intimate knowledge of our neighbors, should we, journey farther afield to learn about more distant things. Teachers and children will find the material in this book invaluable in that regard.
Details of the most common, but in some ways the most interesting, things are brought out, first by careful, nontechnical descriptions of the things themselves and later by thoughtful questions and study units. Because the most common things are treated in greatest detail, materials for study are easy to find.
Whether the reader lives in the inner city or in the rural outback, the handbook is a treasure trove of information. A teacher does not need to know much about nature to use this handbook. The information is there for the novice and the expert alike. All that is needed is an inquiring mind, senses to observe, and a willingness to think about nature on a personal level. To enter this book in search of information about any common organism, stone, or object in the sky is to open the door to a fresh and lively acquaintance with one's environment. Reviews • 'Did you know that this classic was still in print?
Focused on the northeast U.S., this book describes a wonderful diversity of basic natural history.' --Ecology (January, 2004) • 'Quality field guides will enrich your nature encounters. A comprehensive resource is Anna Botsford Comstock's Handbook of Nature Study. Campaign Pyramid Software Solutions there. ' Zellman, Bay Area Parent (June 2000) • Although many readers in the chemical, biological and physical disciplines will profit by the publication of this book, I feel that biologists stand to gain the most. For most biological scientists this book will open up a new scientific world.
Chemists, physical chemists and chemical physicists who are considering entering the biological field will also find the book helpful because of the large amount of biological data and the large number of applications to biological processes reviewed. Highly recommended! -The Quarterly Review of Biology (June, 1987) • Where else but in this 3-lb., 900-page paperback can students find so many answers to their endless questions - about animals, plants, rocks and minerals, climate and weather, and about the skies at night - that is, about one's environment? No other natural history handbook has been as popular with grade school, high school, and college students. First appearing in 1911, it has been republished dozens of times, for the most part with little change other than updating. --Science Books and Films (January 1987). Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock Anna Botsford Comstock's Handbook of Nature Study is definitely a 'matchless handbook' to accompany our Natural Studies.
The perfectly illustrated handbook, originally published in 1911, gained in popularity to the extent that Cornell University Press reissued it in 1986. This book is, undoubtedly, one of the most favored books in our homeschool library. While the book was originally intended to give teachers information necessary, to lead their students in discovery and wonder of the natural sciences, it has found a permanent home in the collections of many homeschool families. It is not only terrific for those teaching, but clearly details all of the wonderful specimens to be discovered by the students. Our boys were ecstatic when they each received their very own copy.
With the l ow price, I was able to purchase not only a copy for me, but one for each of them. There is no other book available that covers all of the same, beautifully detailed, material, and still be so affordable. Although the introduction is lengthy and aimed at adults, the detailed and concise individual entries are just long enough for children to read. The images inspire a desire for learning which is xactly what I had hoped for as a teacher. WE LOVE THIS BOOK and highly recommend it as a permanent textbook to be placed on your bookshelf.