Developing Observational Skills

Week 1 Wild Inside Sit Spot (1).mp4

Ms. Meagan, Dakota County Parks Naturalist is an expert observer. Watch her video to learn about how to choose a sit-spot and tips for observing.

Sit Spot

A sit spot can be inside or outside. It is a place you visit regularly to connect to the natural world through your senses and observations of plants and animals.

Have a routine to enter your spot to calm your mind and body and get rid of any extra energy. Once settled, open your senses to the world around.

Challenge: Sit Spot Observations

Visit your sit spot throughout the week.

What are five things you observe through sight, sound, touch or smell.
Each time you visit your sit spot check for these five observations.
Do they stay the same? Do they change?

Observing Tool: Nature Journal

Nature journals are a place you can record your thoughts, observations, questions, drawings, and reflections.

Phenology: Signs of Spring

If you did not have a calendar, how would you know spring has arrived? The warmer temperatures? The bird singing? Green shoots in the garden?

When we notice changes in nature related to the seasons we are practicing phenology. Simply put, phenology is studying plant and animal life cycle changes with the seasons.

Challenge: Sit Spot Observations

Today in your sit spot, write or draw about three signs of spring. Add descriptions like color, size, shape, sounds, smells.

Challenge: Document Some of These Ideas in Your Nature Journal

Write down the date, time, and your location
What animals or birds you see and how many there are (even if you don’t know the name of a them just write down what it looks like)
Draw an animal or plant
Write about the weather - Is it cloudy? Rainy? What is the temperature?
Collect seeds to tape into your journal
What do you smell, see, hear, and feel?
What changes do you notice from your last journal entry
Record animal tracks – Where are they going? What animal made the print?
Measure the height of different plants. Create a chart comparing the heights.

Week1 friday post_Trim (1).mp4

Ms. Kellie, Dakota County Parks Naturalist explains how your observation skills will help you see more details in the natural world and build your curiosity to learn even more.

Practice your observational skill with the activities below. Get your nature journal ready!

Challenge: Observation Practice

Pick one seashell from this picture and draw a detailed picture or write a detailed description. Think about the shape, color, texture, and patterns you see. Take your drawing or description to someone else in your house and see if they can pick out the seashell you chose from the photo.

Challenge: Find Your Own Objects

You can play this game using objects you find in your yard, in the park, or around your house. Try to collect 3-5 similar objects then work on identifying the differences between each object.

Challenge: Spot the Difference!

Natural or household items can be used to practice observation.

There are 7 differences between these two pictures.

Can you spot them all?

Can you spot differences in these photos?

Make sure to really look closely for the difference.

Observing Tool: Binoculars

Binoculars help you see the world around you and focus your attention on little details. You can create a pair of binoculars right at home!

Challenge: Make Your Own Binoculars

Get materials: tape, 2 toilet paper rolls, scissors, string or yarn, markers.

1. Tape the binoculars together at each end.

2. Cut the string so the binoculars will hang at a comfortable spot around your neck.

3. Tape the string to either side of the tubes.

4. Decorate your binoculars with markers or stickers.

5. Go test them out! What signs of spring do you see?

Challenge: Citizen Science

Want to know when to watch for flowers, hummingbirds or monarchs? Find the answers and help out professional scientists around the world by sharing what you observe from your sit spot, home, or while out for a walk.

Check out the website Journey North for more information.

Week 1 Cit Sci (1).mp4

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