Comments & Questions
Please feel free to leave kind words, suggestions and/or questions. We love to hear from you and will be sure to respond as quickly as we can!
Shining Dawn Books
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. – Psalm 37:6
Melissa and Cindy,
This site looks AWESOME!! I can’t wait to take a peek at one of your units…having been a faithful reader of both your blogs for some time now, I’m sure these nature studies are going to be AWESOME. And they are very affordable too, which is exciting for me!!
I am interested in your books but I am also Australian. Are the books specific to American flora and fauna or can they be used in other coutries?
Kylie
Good question, Kylie! Some of the references are specific to North America. For instance, we suggest studying the migration of a bird of your choice in the Beautiful Birds unit and provide you with a blank map of North America to chart the migration. You could use the same idea, you would just have to locate your own blank map of Australia.
There are a few historical references in the research sections that would be more related to United States history. Again in the Beautiful Birds unit, it’s suggested to study John James Audubon. He is the first person to attempt to draw and describe every bird in America in the 1800’s. There are so many ideas otherwise, though, that you could easily skip this one and still have plenty to choose from.
So, in short, we feel like you will find the units useful even in Australia! Minor tweaking might be necessary, but very easily doable. We are happy to issue a refund if you buy one and find that it is not useful for you.
~Cindy
This website is phenomenal! I am looking for curriculum for the fall, and I love the related materials in your store. How wonderful!
So great to see these new studies. I first became aware of your materials at the Louisville Homeschool fair this summer. Looking forward to trying them with my family.
I love all of the books and I am looking forward to using them this year for our science study.
For what ages are these unit studies a suitable match? Can these be used with junior high students who would like to tag along with their younger siblings?
Absolutely! We originally intended them for the middle to upper elementary crowd, but there are SO many ideas that are in-depth or adjustable, that junior high students can easily use these. With many of the activities being open-ended, they can be taken as far as you like. Personally, I use these with a 7th and 4th grader – expecting more from the 7th grader and less from the 4th grader. The two year old even tags along on most outing or activities and is picking up bits and pieces already. Let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks for asking!
~Cindy
Can I purchase the unit and use it to teach a co-op class for my homeschool group?
Absolutely! In fact, we even have a section in the units with ideas for groups to do together! :o) Thanks for asking. ~Cindy
I woud like to see a unit on herbs. My family along with another homeschool family are doing Herbology (Harry Potter style) and looking for nature studies on herbs. Like some of the other units you have on your site. Fruit and nuts is a definite possibility. Thanks and look forward to using your materials. Christina
Great idea, Christina! We are currently considering a few units to write for the spring season. We’ll keep your request in mind! :o) ~Cindy
Hello,
I’ve recently come across your website and I’m so excited to order some of your e-books. Which one(s) would you recommend for kids 8,4,and 1 and a mom new to nature study?? Thanks for your help…keep them coming…they look wonderful!!
Alicia
Hi Alicia!
Thank you so much for your interest in our nature studies.
For the coming fall/winter seasons good studies for your family could be Animal Signs, Constant Conifers and Fruits and Nuts.
For any time of year you might be interested in Delightful Deciduous Trees, Captivating Clouds and Beautiful Birds.
For the spring and summer good studies are Wonderful Wildflowers, Frogs and Toads and Butterflies Flutter By.
Any of the above mentioned studies would be good ones for your children’s ages AND for a new nature study mom!
Let us know if you have any other questions.
Blessings,
Melissa
Thanks for your input…can’t wait to get started!!
Alicia
Hello,
Sorry to bother you again, but I forgot to ask one thing…we live in South Dakota, where we have very long, cold winters. So, would you have any suggestions of which of your unit studies would work for that?? Or any other ideas for nature study? Thanks!
Alicia
Hi again Alicia,
Don’t worry, you are no bother! We are always here to help you with your nature study questions!
Nature study, of course, does become a little more tricky in the winter. Is it still possible? Absolutely! Several years ago, before I became more serious about doing regular nature study with my children, my opinion may have been a bit different. But I have learned that some of the best nature study experiences can be found in the winter! The landscape looks so different and there is still plenty to investigate and do. There are days during the peak of winter when it will be too difficult to get outside, however I believe that most days it is still possible even if you can only be outside for limited time. I highly recommend doing nature study year round through the seasons so that you and your children can experience the amazing changes in animal and plant life. And also I’ve found that nature study for our family is even more important in the winter because we are usually stuck inside more and need to get outside into the fresh air more. I wrote a blog post last year regarding nature study in the winter time, perhaps that could be helpful to you too: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/melissal89/639496/.
To answer your questions as far as which of our units would work for winter, any of the units I mentioned as being good for winter and year round study in my previous response would work very well (Animal Signs, Delightful Deciduous Trees, Constant Conifers, Beautiful Birds, Captivating Clouds).
Hope this is all helpful! Feel free to ask all the questions you want.
Blessings,
Melissa Leach
http://www.shiningdawnbooks.com
Oops, forgot to also mention that Cindy and I are currently working on two more units specifically for the winter months: Coping with the Cold and Snow and Ice. Our hope is to have these available for purchase by sometime in November!
I just recently read about your nature study and got super excited! Do you think it is appropriate for Pre-k? Any ideas on how to use it for a 4 yr old?
Thanks!
Jen
Hi Jen!
Many of the ideas included for nature walks as well as the bonus section for younger children are very suitable for a Pre-K child. The units were written with the 1st-8th grader in mind, but so many of the ideas can be adapted!
Little ones naturally love taking nature walks and the ideas in the NaturExplorers units will give you many practical ideas for enjoying nature with children of all ages. I frequently walk with my two-year-old. More than anything, I let him take the lead in noticing things, then we talk about them as he’s interested.
Please let us know if you have any more questions.
Blessings,
Cindy
Hi,
Just wanted to let you know I bought your Fruit and Nuts study last month and we’ve love it! We made dye with nuts and found tons of great stuff to sketch and learn about. My kids loved it! Thanks so much for your hard work! I just bought the study on Conifers and can’t wait for the “winter” ones to come!! Thanks again!
Alicia
Can you still order the units in packs? Or are they only available individually now?
Thanks, Kim
Once we get all the units revamped (which shouldn’t be too much longer), we’ll offer a “do-it-yourself” volume package. The discount should save you approximately the cost of one unit. Thanks for asking!
~Cindy
Hi, your books look great although I haven’t purchase one yet, I like the look of ‘Captivating clouds’ ,
have you thought about a unit on Rivers?
Hi Lynn!
Thank you for your interest in our e-books. I must say that the Captivating Clouds study is one of my favorites! We are currently beginning to work on a study for Creeks and Rivers. We estimate that it may be out by early Spring of 2010! Thanks again for your interest!
Blessings, Melissa
Hi there!
I would love to see sample pages of the units. Are they posted somewhere and I am just missing them?
Love that you incorporate CM’s philosophies into them.
:o) Brittney
Hi Brittney,
Thanks for the comment! There is a sample unit (Beautiful Butterflies) at the top of the left sidebar where you can see the basic layout of each unit. We have been contemplating sample pages for each of the units, but thus far haven’t figured out an easy and effective way to do this. We’re still working on it, though! :o)
Just spent some time viewing the sample…the one right in front of my face! Thanks for gently showing me where to find it! ;o) I LOVE what I see! Now to choose, hmmmmmm……..
I was just wondering when your Snow and Ice unit will be available?
Thank You!
Soon! Soon isn’t a very good answer, I know, but it’s the best I can give right now. :o) The draft is complete and we’re working on the final product. Keep checking in. We’ll have an announcement once it’s ready to go! Thanks for asking!!
Blessings, Cindy
Okay, one more question. Your Beautiful Birds Unit, is it one of the recently revised units, or is it going to be revised soon?
Also, would it be appropriate for Bird Nature Study in the winter using birds at our bird feeders?
Thank You!
Hi Virginia,
Yes! Our Beautiful Birds unit has been recently revised and absolutely it would be very appropriate for a winter bird feeder study. We have many ideas in there based around bird feeding and observing birds for all seasons.
Thanks for your question.
Blessings, Melissa
I would be glad to review “Deciduous Trees” as we are currently working on that unit and are having great success with it! :)
I purchased one of your units on Currclick last week and was so pleased that I ordered the rest (all of them!) from your site on Saturday. This is exactly what I need to help me lead my Charlotte Mason style Nature Co-op to Dutch and American families where I am stationed currently in the Netherlands. Throughout the fall I have struggled every week to put it all together from various sources on my own. Your units will save me so much time second semester! Thanks for your work on these thorough units. Your curriculum will bless and encourage many families, especially our Dutch friends who are pioneers in the homeschooling lifestyle. Many drive 4 hours each week to learn about homeschooling from an American veteran, and I will be using your material to instruct in the Charlotte Mason style. This style of education is especially practical to these foreigners who don’t have access to any “curriculum” options in their language. EVERYTHING they can purchase is purchased from America and shipping is very costly. Charlotte Mason’s use of living books rather than textbooks is useful to them because they can use their own libraries in their native language. I am so excited to have these new materials to aid me as I seek to encourage these young homeschooling families in the study of nature. Thanks for a quality product that puts it all together! Love it! When can I expect to see the units ready for download in my e-mail? Can they purchse e-books without shipping costs just like me? I am new to this idea. Thanks!
Hi Myra,
We have sent you an email responding to your questions. Thank you SO much for sharing how you will be using our nature study units. We are so inspired and encouraged to hear this!
Blessings, Melissa
Question about coping with the cold. Do you have to have snow to do this? We live in northwest WA and it never snows here, although it gets pretty chilly (30-40s). Thanks in advance for your help!
Good question. Nope, you wouldn’t need snow for Coping with the Cold. Its activities are more related to how animals deal with colder temperatures through migration, hibernation and adaptation. There are a few snow related activities suggested, but most just require chilly temperatures. :o)
~Cindy
Hi,
Wondering if appropriate for preschoolers. He does not read or do much seat work yet. He is an active, hands on type of guy. In each section there seemed to be a number of book selections that would be appropriate – what about the curriculum/activities? If not, will look forward to using as is age appropriate! thanks!
Hi Julie,
Yes, many of the ideas included for nature walks as well as in the bonus section for younger children are very suitable for a Pre-K child. The units were written with the 1st-8th grader in mind, but so many of the ideas can easily be adapted.
Little ones naturally love taking nature walks and the ideas in the NaturExplorers units will give you many practical ideas for enjoying nature with children of all ages. I frequently walk with my Preschooler. More than anything, I let her take the lead in noticing things, then we talk about them as she’s interested.
And yes, there are recommendations for books that would be considered usable for the Preschooler as well.
Please let us know if you have any more questions.
Blessings,
Melissa
I homeschool my children and run a home based nature preschool. I am looking to develop a more nature centered curriculum for the preschoolers and was wondering if your units would be appropriate guides for me to use. I know they were written for older kids so I don’t know if it is practical for 3-5 year olds. Any suggestions?
Hi Katie,
Your preschool sounds like so much fun! While the units were created with the 1st-8th grade child in mind, there are several ideas which are easily suited for preschool aged children, or could be easily tweaked.
For example, in the wildflower unit we give an idea to tally and graph the types or colors of wildflowers you find on a walk. This activity could be appropriate for a preschooler as well as a high schooler depending on what types of information and graphs you’re expecting the child to make. A preschooler could simply make marks on a color chart during the walk, then come back to the classroom to make concrete graphs from construction paper squares you have prepared.
If you purchase one of the units and feel it is useless to you as a homeschool mom and preschool teacher, we’ll be happy to refund your money. Also, if you’ll let us know which unit you’re most interested in, we’ll gladly scan it and let you know if a good portion of it is appropriate or easily adaptable to preschoolers.
Thanks for asking!
Cindy