Nature journaling helps people of all ages to develop important skills, such as critical thinking, observing with attention to detail and patience, expression and description, identifying and classifying, making comparisons, and researching.

In this unique on-going class, students will use their nature journal to develop these skills in the recording of their observations.  

Each class will begin with a warm greeting.  Then students will have the opportunity to share something they have learned, a question they may have, or share about a recent hike or nature walk they took.   Next, the weekly topic and skill will be explored and discussed.  Students will then have time to write and draw in their Nature Journals.

Skills may include, but not limited to:
-Observation with Attention to Detail
-Identifying/Defining and Classifying with Opportunity for further Research and Exploration
-Mapping
-Comparing Various Finds (could include flowers, trees, seeds, animal tracks etc.)
-Artistic Expression and Description: may include leaf/tree rubbings, poetry, quotes, flower pressings

Topics may include the following, but I want to be flexible to the interests of the students.


**Weekly Topics and Skills**

Week of August 14
Topic - Plants
Skills - Plant Identification, What does a plant need to grow?  
Activity - Label Parts of a Plant
Discussion Question/Sharing Time:  What plants do you have near you?  Do you have house plants?  Can you name/identify any plants?

Week of August 21
Topic - Trees and their Leaves
Skills - Different Types of Trees Identification
Activity - Sort the Trees
Discussion Question/Sharing Time:  What trees do you have near you?  Can you name/identify any trees?

Week of August 28
Topic - Birds and Their Nests
Skills - Types of Birds, How do birds build their nests?
Activity - Build a Nest
Discussion Question/Sharing Time:  What birds do you have near you?   Can you name/identify any birds?

**NO CLASS the week of SEPTEMBER 4**

Week of September 11
Topic - Flowers
Skills - Flowers, Roots and Bulbs 
Activity - Roots or Bulbs Identification Game
Discussion Question/Sharing Time:  What flowers grow well near you?  Have you ever planted a flower?  Can you name/identify any flowers?

Week of September 18
Topic - At the Pond
Skills - Fish and Frogs and Toads
Activity - Frog Life Cycle 
Discussion Question/Sharing Time:  Have you ever visited a pond?  Do you have a pet fish?  Do you know the difference between a frog and a toad?

Week of September 25
Topic - At the Pond
Skills - Snakes and Lizards
Activity - Sketch It
Discussion Question/Sharing Time:  Have you ever caught a snake?  Do you have a pet lizard?

Week of October 2
Topic - Woodland Creatures
Skills - What can you see in the woods?
Activity - Animal Habitat Matching
Discussion Question/Sharing Time:  Do you like to hike?  What have you seen while in the woods?

Students will be encouraged to take a hike each week prior to class.  **If your child is not able to take a hike, no worries!  They can still attend class and participate.  

During class, we will record our observations in our journals using sketches, drawings, rubbings, labeling, etc.  Students will explore different areas of nature including, but not limited to, seasonal plants and animal, as well as changes in the weather.  Students will be encouraged to share their observations and journal entries with their peers.

**Classes with no participants 24 hours prior will be canceled. **