Nature Journals

We've been keeping nature journals. We each have a blank sketchbook - bought at Borders - and we fill it with interesting things we see in nature. The boys have things like Oak trees, feathers, armadillos, plants, bugs, tarantulas, turtles and birds drawn in theirs.

After they find something interesting outside, they sketch it on a page and then we either investigate it online or get a book from the library and read all about the item. The boys have to choose a few interesting details and then log those details in their nature journal.

In the very back we've drawn a ruler and so the items we find can be measured too. What a multi-disciplined approach to learning! These nature journals ROCK!

Here is a web site with some nature journal examples: www.nwf.org/kidzone/kzPage.cfm?siteId=3&departmentId=152

At the Dallas zoo there is a nature exchange in the Children's Zoo area and you can earn lots of points for bringing in your nature journal (or other cool things you find). With your points you can "buy" things. Cayden purchased some cool shells and Connor chose a starfish and a sand dollar. I really wanted them to get the deer jaw - it had teeth still attached and everything but they said NO......