The home of environmental education professional development
Hi BillieJo, we use nature journaling daily with the same 4th and 5th graders and with visiting day use groups 2nd grade through high school (mostly elementary though). We have articulated our approach to using the outdoors as a classroom in The Compass to Nature, which includes a section on nature journaling.
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Fergus_Falls_WMD/For_Educators/Compass_to_Nat...
Take a look-see and let me know if you would like to discuss further. Thanks and applause applause on your efforts!
As an artist/environmental educator I am creating coloring books that provide in addition to 30 images, a mostly blank page for students to add their own drawings and commentary. I find the coloring process invites careful observation and invites discussion about a wide range of topics. The coloring process itself provides an opportunity for conversations about how natural objects change color over time and what that means. The first books are specific to NYC but many of the botanicals are common in many locations. It’s a fun challenge/treasure hunt to find them in your neighborhood. The book is available on Amazon or to educators at a discount when ordered in bulk from me.
Bay Ridge Coloring Book: Botanical Treasures from the Neighborhood
I use Nature Journals across the life span.
I led an adult "Inspired by Nature" journal workshop for 6 weeks. We visited different places and I described nature journals are a way to capture a unique sense of place, more than just drawing birds and scenery.
Our Nature Detectives use their Nature Discovery Journals as the foundation for recording their observations, evidence, writing and drawing for many of our activities. They make a new Discovery Journal for each of our 8-week sessions.
