This week, the 1st graders tried their hand at being naturalists! They learned that naturalists use their 5 senses to make and record observations about the environment. The data they collect can be used to inform decision making about how land and resources are used and protected.

We started the day by using the sense of hearing as the students made sound maps of the school garden. They then analyzed their maps to determine if they observed more human-made (athropogenic) sounds or more earth/natural-made sounds like wind and animals. The students also reflected on sounds that surprised them and how sitting alone and listening made them feel.

Next, the students learned that there are different kinds of data to collect, quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative data is number data that is collected by counting and measuring. Qualitative data is descriptive and can be collected with the body's senses. The 1st graders either collected the two types of data on one thing in the garden such as a tree, or they found various examples of the different types of data around the garden as a whole.

The last piece of naturalist field work that the 1st graders conducted was called the Magic Circle. Each student laid a string circle over a spot in the garden and then practiced closely observing and recording everything that they found in that circle. Many students were surprised how many more things they observed the longer they focused on their circle!

The students finished the day by reviewing their field notebooks in their Book Creator portfolios. Check them out to see what your naturalist discovered!