Find a space to explore that will allow you to see flowers (or other plants). These can be flowers in a garden, wild flowers on a lawn, trail or in a forest, flowers in pots in your home, or flowers you find in a book or magazine. Start with one flower. Can you draw one of the petals of the flower using a pencil and paper? Can you draw the whole flower? Try this activity a number of times to add to or focus your drawing by considering the following ideas:

• Line: add linear and curved hatching and cross-hatching that adds a sense of depth to the shape and form of your flower or plant

• Space: look close up to the flower or plant and do a "microscopic" drawing. Tip: take a picture on zoom (if available) to see the details your eyes alone will miss.

• Proportion: look at the relationship of the size and shape of the parts of the flower or plant  to the whole plant and use a pencil, as a measuring tool, to measure the sections of the plant in the real world and then compare that to your drawing. Example: if you can break your plant into four equal parts, from top to bottom,  in the real world can you see those four equal sections in your drawing?

Don't have any flowers or plants? Look for leaves, pine cones, seeds or even blades of grass!

Curriculum Link:  

• See Number Sense & Numeration - Planting

• See Measurement - Planting

• See Data Management & Probability -Planting

• See Writing - Planting

NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.

Photography is an incredible way to look closely at the natural world around you and express your creativity! 

What are the benefits of "looking closely?  

• It allows you to slow down and take time in nature

• It allows you to notice things you may not otherwise, for example if you look at the pictures on the left; the snapping turtle has moss growing on its shell, or their eyes have yellow in them.  The second picture, of the flower, allows you to see that the plant grows in an amazing repeating pattern.

• It also allows you to be creative with how you are capturing and framing your photographs

For this activity you will need the following materials:

• Any device, phone, tablet or camera that will take a photo

• If you have access to a macro lens that attaches to one of your devices this can add a whole new element of fun but it is NOT essential

Here are some tips to remember when using a device for photography:

• Focus picture by tapping the screen

• Keep device steady (helpful to place one end against something sturdy, i.e. the ground)

• Get down to eye-level with the subject for a better perspective and to portray nature in its own habitat. Look straight up or down to discover beautiful natural patterns in plants and trees - the view up a tree-trunk or down, to show repeating patterns in plants.

• Photographing from below will make things look larger

• Slow down and take time to think about composition

• Look for bold colours, striking patterns or exciting action to create stunning photos.

• When photographing animals - focus on the eyes, or other body parts, remember to ALWAYS give them space and use the zoom to get a closer picture.

• Experiment with composition by moving your subject away from the centre and using the rule of thirds

Activity

• Head outside, look out your window or photograph items inside your home.

• You may also want to think about a project or theme for your pictures for example:

  1.  Flowers/Trees/Clouds

  2. Family/Neighbourhood

  3. Insects/Animals

  4. Geometric shapes

  5. Take photos of things really close up and get others to guess what they think the picture is actually of when zoomed out.  The book series "Looking Closely" is a great resource!  Here is an example of what the inside of the book looks like.

  6. Any other theme you choose or it can be just for fun