Exploring the natural world is central to the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling. By immersing children in the beauty and complexity of nature, we can ignite their curiosity and provide invaluable hands-on learning experiences. One fascinating element to study is wind. It’s everywhere—felt on our faces, heard in the trees, and observed in the way it shapes our environment.
This blog will guide parents on how to incorporate wind into a Charlotte Mason nature study, providing practical and creative activities that can enrich any homeschool curriculum.
Understanding Wind And Its Role In Nature
Wind may seem simple, but understanding it opens the door to exploring interconnected systems in nature. Wind is caused by the movement of air driven by differences in air pressure. These shifts often signal changes in the weather, making wind a great segue into broader topics like meteorology, seasons, and climate. For children, this means connecting the science of wind to real-world observations.
For younger children, start by defining what wind is and discussing its sensory elements. What does it feel like? How does it sound? For older children, you can layer in science concepts, such as:
- Air pressure and wind currents
- The water cycle (how wind moves moisture)
- How wind shapes land through erosion
Questions to Explore with Your Kids
Encourage curiosity by posing open-ended questions:
- How do we know wind exists if we can’t see it?
- What happens to leaves, trees, or water during strong winds?
- Can you find areas in our yard or park where the wind is stronger or weaker? Why might that be?
Engaging children in this way lets them practice observation and critical thinking from the start of their wind study.
Hands-On Wind Study Activities
Charlotte Mason emphasized direct observation and the role of nature journaling in science education. Below are some engaging, hands-on activities that emphasize these principles while focusing on wind.
- Observing Wind in Motion
Take a walk in your backyard, at a park, or in another outdoor space and tune into the wind’s effects. Encourage your children to observe:
- Trees swaying
- Leaves being scattered
- Grass bending
- Clouds moving across the sky
Ask them to describe what they see and feel. Is the wind gentle or strong? Cool or warm? This is also an excellent time for them to recognize how wind interacts with the environment around them.
Activity Twist: Create paper wind catchers using materials such as ribbons, string, and craft sticks to observe wind direction and force.
- DIY Anemometer
Introduce your child to the concept of wind speed by building a simple anemometer—a tool meteorologists use to measure how fast the wind blows. Materials needed include paper cups, straws, a pencil, and a thumbtack. There are many step-by-step tutorials online to guide you. Once built, take it outside on a windy day and watch as it measures the speed of the breeze!
- Wind-Powered Experiments
Demonstrate how wind creates energy by crafting a small windmill using paper, a wooden skewer, and tape. Test it outside during different kinds of weather to see how the wind impacts the blades.
To take it further, connect the windmill to a small weight (such as a paperclip) to lift objects. This introduces concepts about wind as an energy source.
Exploring Wind In Journals
Nature journaling is a hallmark of Charlotte Mason education. It combines science, art, and language skills while allowing children to process and document what they observe. For your wind study, add these elements to their journals:
What to Include:
- Illustrations of objects blowing in the wind (leaves, trees, etc.)
- A drawing of their DIY anemometer or windmill experiments
- Descriptions and sensory notes (“The wind was soft today and smelled like rain…”)
Encourage creativity by inviting them to write poetry or short stories inspired by the wind. This helps expand the lesson beyond science and into language arts!
Integrating Literature and Mythology
Wind can become even more intriguing when tied to storytelling. Many cultures have myths, legends, and even poems centered around the wind. Consider adding literature to your wind study that provides a richer context for this natural phenomenon.
For younger children, consider reading The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins, where they can see the wind as a playful, imaginary character. With older children, explore selections of poetry like Christina Rossetti’s Who Has Seen the Wind?.
Discussion Idea: Compare how different cultures personified the wind. Did they see it as a force of destruction or growth? Creative connections like these help kids develop a deeper appreciation for the subject.
Real Lessons From The Wind
One of the most valuable aspects of studying wind is the life lessons it naturally imparts. For example, consider its invisible nature. Wind’s impact on the environment reminds children that not all powerful things are visible. It teaches persistence as they observe how wind can erode rocks and shape landscapes over time. Discuss this metaphor with your kids—how persistence in their work can yield results over time, even if they don’t see progress every day.
Wind also teaches us about balance. Too much and it can cause destruction, but in moderation, it spreads seeds, helps plants pollinate, and cools the earth. Children can reflect on balance in their own lives—whether it’s balancing academics with creative play or balancing self-discipline with rest.
Observing Wind Across Seasons
A wind study doesn’t have to be limited to one lesson. Since wind appears differently across seasons, it provides a year-round opportunity for observation and learning.
Spring: Teach your kids about how wind carries seeds far away, enabling plants to grow in new places.
Summer: Warm breezes and thunderstorms make summer an exciting time to understand how wind works alongside heat and rain.
Fall: Why do fall winds bring more leaves to the ground? Can your children track the most common wind direction during autumn?
Winter: Study how wind makes colder temperatures feel even chillier due to the wind chill factor.
Make note of this throughout the school year by tracking wind patterns in a weather journal. Include observations about how wind changes near trees, hills, or open spaces.
Activity Tip: Build a homemade weather vane for observing wind direction.
Wind as a Connection to Faith and Philosophy
The Charlotte Mason approach often incorporates faith and reflection into everyday lessons. Wind, an unseen yet potent force, provides natural opportunities to discuss deeper philosophical or spiritual ideas. For example, in Christianity, wind is often symbolic of the Holy Spirit, an unseen yet powerful presence in life. You might invite your child to reflect on the ways the invisible has a real and lasting impact, whether it’s spiritual, emotional, or intellectual.
This reflection ties neatly to the idea of reverence for nature. Observing the wind can remind children of their place within a larger creation, encouraging both humility and wonder. These quiet yet enriching moments are a perfect complement to the more hands-on aspects of your wind study.
Wind is a fascinating subject that sparks curiosity, incorporates many disciplines, and connects children to the natural world. By using the Charlotte Mason method, you’ll give your kids a chance to observe, experiment, reflect, and appreciate the wind’s many roles in life and nature. From science projects to literature, nature sketching to discussions of faith, this is a subject that offers endless opportunities for growth—and, perhaps, a renewed sense of wonder.
Happy studying!
