Introduction to Nature Journaling

Andrea Storlie, Red Oak Elementary School, Shakopee, MN
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Summary

In this biology field lab students will learn the importance of detail accuracy through nature journaling. Students will find a leaf, flower and insect to draw in their nature journals. This will be done as open inquiry and exploration. They will draw their pictures as scientists. From this lesson the students will conclude that it is important to pay attention to detail when observing and identifying objects in nature.

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Learning Goals

This activity is designed for students to explore their natural environment and discover the importance of detail in scientific drawings when used to identify objects. Students will learn about nature journals and their purpose for recording observations in the world around them. Students will become aware of attributes of objects that are critical in identification.

Vocabulary:

-Attribute
-Detail
-Journaling
-Observation

Context for Use

This particular lesson is designed for a second grade classroom at the beginning of the science inquiry unit or when beginning nature journals. This is a field exercise with limited beginning structure or instruction intended to introduce nature journaling. This lesson would take approximately one hour to complete. Students will need colored pencils, nature journals and access to the outdoors. This lesson does not require any prior knowledge to nature journaling. This lesson would be easily adapted to other grade levels and school environmental settings.

Description and Teaching Materials

The students will need colored pencils, nature journals and access to the outside environment. To start the lesson we will read the story "Rachel: The Story of Rachel Carson" by Amy Ehrlich. Using this story, we will be able to introduce the love one can have for nature and the idea of nature journaling. The teacher will hand out the nature journals to each student. With a medium sized square tracer, each child will trace one square on three pages in their journal and label page one with leaf, page two with flower and page three with insect. Once this is complete, the teacher will lead the class outside. Students will find a special nature spot near a leaf to sit. Starting with a leaf, the students begin their drawing including as much detail as they believe to be necessary. Once the three drawings have been completed, gather students in a circle and lead a discussion about the attributes they see in the leaf the teacher has chosen. Discuss the shape, color, edging, veins, stem and texture. Have them look at their own drawings and see what details they included in their first drawings. Discuss how they think they can improve them for the second drawing so that their drawings can be more scientifically accurate. Have students go back to their leaf and try to draw it again but this time including the detail that was talked about in the discussion. Have them compare their two pictures in the end to see how much of a better scientist they have become.
Extension:To take the nature journal further, one may choose to go back to the insect and flower and perform the same lesson as listed above. A unit of study for my students revolves around weather and the seasons; by keeping the nature current and up to date, students would be able to track some of the changes in nature throughout the year in their nature journals. Eventually this could become a tool they choose to bring out on their own when they find something interesting in nature.

Teaching Notes and Tips

One of the biggest obstacles that will need to be overcome is the idea that the students "can't draw". Also as a precaution make sure you have set up specific guidelines, rules and consequences for outside learning. This activity will be new to our grade level because we have never done nature journaling or really gotten them involved in learning in the outside environment.

Assessment

The second leaf drawing will show more attention to detail which will demonstrate the learning that has occurred throughout the discussion and lesson.

Standards

SC-1.B.2 The student will raise questions about the natural world, make careful observations and seek answers

References and Resources