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As a homeschooler of elementary age kids, it is so fun to think outside of the box (or should I say textbook), when it comes to Science. I will admit, I am not the best at doing extensive experiments that require a lot of supplies. I do approximately 1 epic experiment each year and then I spend the next 12 months recouping and brainstorming for the next years experiment.
I do realize that this is not sufficient “science” for the kids and I needed something a bit more. Usborne books are great, but I wanted that “hands-on” science stuff that I am so bad at coming up with.
While discussing this dilemma with a friend of mine who is about 5-10 years ahead of me in the homeschooling journey, she told me about how when her kids were my kids’ ages, she didn’t do real science with them. Nope, instead, she nature journaled! Looking back now, it is a fond memory her kids have and the journal is fun (and funny) to look back on.
“Homeschool mom, If you are not friends with a seasoned homeschool mom who is wiser in this journey than you… make it your life goal to find one until you do! These women are a valuable asset on your journey, they will speak truth and wisdom into your life when you feel like you are failing and remind you that in the grand scheme… small details that we stress over, don’t really matter.”
What is Nature Journaling?
Nature journaling is a lot like it sounds. It is simply going out into nature and seeing, feeling, smelling (maybe tasting) and listening to the world around you. Then allow the natural curiosity of a child to steer you to whatever he/she may stumble upon. Then simply have them record what they learned in a journal.
I like to focus on one thing that they discover, whether it be a rock, leaf, tree bark, the sound of the birds, animal footprints and then focus in on that.
If you are the personality type, that likes to plan things out, simply declare what you are looking for that day when you head out on your nature journaling endeavor. (For example: “Rock Day” or “Flower Day” or “Animal Footprint Day”).
Once the child has had some time to discover and explore whatever it may be in nature, have him/her draw, glue, paint, color, and write about it in his/her nature journal. Research has shown that not only do children learn better with this type of activity, the also retain more of what they learn when they journal.
What tools do I need to nature journal?
I tend to only follow through with things when they are convenient. You too? Then I highly recommend creating a Nature Journal Backpack that is ready to rock n’ roll anytime the moment strikes to head out into nature! You can even keep it in your vehicle for those times you pass really cool nature sites spur of the moment! I keep mine in our coat closet, so it is ready to roll when we are.
Here is a list of tools to get you started, most of these things you probably have lying around:
- Backpack
- Markers
- Colored Pencils
- Crayons
- Pencils
- Glue
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Magnifying Glass
- Flashlight
- Bug Spray
- Bug Bite Soother
- Journal (I like this one that has space for a drawing and also lines for writing)
- Water
- Snacks (because kids are ALWAYS hungry)
- Blanket/Beach Towel
- Nature Activity Cards (To help you brainstorm ways to explore nature. I save these for when my kids pull the line: “I’m bored”… gets them excited every time!)
How to nature journal?
Okay, so you know what nature journaling is. You’ve got the tools in hand. Now what??
Go outside.
You can go to a nature center, playground, neighbors treehouse (ask first), woods, hiking trails, rivers (or ditches… my kids love our ditch), ponds, basically anywhere in nature.
Either give your child a topic or object to look for or just let your child explore and see what happens. Last time my children and I nature journaled they were fascinated with all of the different leaves. So we chose a few and glued them in our journals. They also did a couple leaf rubs with the side of their pencils.
They observed the leaves and wrote about what they learned.
That’s it.
We went out in nature and journaled, now what?
Ummm pat yourself on the back, science is done, my friend! Repeat once a week for the school year and you have yourself a successful school year in science and your kids will think you are the coolest (especially if you bring good snacks)!
Hi, Great post! I am wondering about the Nature Activity cards you had a link to — the page is not found. Are they some other place? Thank you!
Hi Julie! Thanks for stopping by! I am sorry about the faulty link! Here is a good link to the Nature Activity Cards: https://www.amazon.com/52-Activities-Nature-Lynn-Gordon/dp/0811810968/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=nature+activity+cards&qid=1582766408&sr=8-3
Happy Nature Journaling!