Time in nature and nature notebooks have become all the rage over the last decade – far beyond CM circles. Perhaps in response to Charlotte Mason’s influence in our culture, or maybe a repercussion to the effects of industrialization and the unnatural detachment of children from nature. Whatever the case, it is fascinating to be able to visit the archives and turn back the clock to see the fertile beginnings of what has gained so much traction.
Thanks to The Charlotte Mason Digital Collection that hosts a wealth of CM’s “…manuscripts, journals, correspondence and other archival documents housed in Ambleside (UK), where she established a teacher’s college,” we can peek through a window into these personal, curious treasures of the past.
This first set is from “Overstone [Northamptonshire] School Pupil 1934-1936” which would be after CM’s death. The cover of the notebook indicates the notebook is from a “Parents’ Union School,” the name taken by schools using CM’s philosophy.
All images in this post are from: “Nature Notebook by Margaret Hickling” source: Charlotte Mason Digital Collection, uploaded by Redeemer University College, used under CC.
One thing that came to mind while browsing through is: What kind of notebook is this that has lined pages and blank pages at irregular intervals? Or perhaps they are just pictured that way? Did the student cut and paste white paper over lined pages? Or vice versa? Look closely at the binding area, there is no indication of gluing or taping of any sort. Perhaps it is pictured out of order and they are alternating spreads?
Another thing worth noting is that most entries are from nature walks or incidental nature occurrences. There is one exception; the entry about seeing a cell’s nucleus under a microscope. It’s actually the least interesting entry of them all!
Careful drawings and identification were made; brush drawing was most likely taught as a separate subject.
The Summer Holidays “landscapito” as John Muir Laws calls it, is a beautiful touch. Also, little bits of environment painted with the main subject adds context and interest, like with the duck.
What did you notice?
The older students at The House of Education (CM’s teacher training school) also produced remarkable journals that give us further ideas on nature notebooks. Here is a list of them you can view on the CMDC: