Geography
Grade 7: Geography
• Physical Patterns in a Changing World
• Natural Resources Around the World: Use & Sustainability
Nature Journaling: I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of...
Nature Journaling is an incredible tool for students to look for interaction in the world around them and the impact on our environment. Their nature journal allows them to write/draw their observations helping to cement the concepts being taught.
At this age all three prompts "I notice..., I wonder...?, and It reminds me of..." become very intuitive. However, the last statement becomes very important for making the connections. Encourage students to begin writing using single words, simple sentences, lists, point form, paragraphs and even poetry. Please note that spelling is not the focus in a nature journal. At this age you may start to see art fears - ensure you are re-iterating it is not about a pretty picture. It is about their observations. Please see the link below for tips on giving feedback. Using a combination of words, pictures and numbers allows the students multiple tools to document their observations. With permission, Bethan Burton has allowed us to link to her website as she has written a blog post for Teaching nature journaling at all ages.
Here are some more ideas to get you started.
Engage the fives senses (whenever possible)
Here is a downloadable lesson from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren book: How to Teach Nature Journaling. All resources shared with permission. "I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of..."
GIVING FEEDBACK here is a fantastic resource from Jack and Emilie
NOTE: You are encouraged to spend time in the outdoors Nature Journaling. However, you can also bring nature inside, look out your wonder window, have a refrigerator Safari or even observe a house plant or pet.
Photo by: Dariusz Sankowski - Unsplash.com
Nature Journaling: Event Map
In the activity Event Map from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren's book: How to Teach Nature Journaling. " Students draw a treasure map as they move through an outdoor area, highlighting the cool or interesting things they notice along the way."
All resources shared with permission.
Where Is Here?
Impacts on the Environment
Before beginning this activity complete the activities in Geometry & Spatial Sense, Writing and Oral Communication.
You have succeeded in reaching one alien but why not more? It is a well known fact that aliens are concerned about the environment. Get outside and/or research your local environment to find the following information:
The landscape: What can you actually see? What natural vegetation exists (flora)? What kinds of colours and patterns are visible? What local natural zones exist nearby? Is the land around the place flat or mountainous? What is the nearest water source?
The climate/weather: What is the weather like at that moment? What are typical patterns of weather?
The (wild) life (fauna): Who lives in the neighbourhood?
The natural aspects of the environment around you: How have these been affected by humans? Look at the landscape, vegetation, water, climate, wildlife. What changes are happening around you that are negatively impacting the ecosystem?
Knowing all of the above and also knowing that aliens have strategies to help revitalize and support the health of an ecosystem, how can you connect with the alien race and entice them to visit so they can share their knowledge and support?
Want to increase the chances of reaching more aliens? Check out the activity in Media Literacy.
Curriculum Links:
see Writing
see Media Literacy