Here are some more ideas to get you started.
Engage the fives senses (whenever possible)
Make leaf prints ( paint the leaf and press the print into the journal)
Make leaf rubbings
Trace the items they are looking at
Add leaves into the journal using tape
Count the birds/squirrels/insects etc.
Measure as much of the phenomena as the students can using non standard and standard units of measurement.
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 encourage 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.
All resources shared with permission.
Curriculum Link:
All resources shared with permission.
Curriculum Link:
Height of the plants each day
Use the data collected for growth each week and determine the mean every week for the growth of all your plants
After 4-8 weeks of data collection start to create a multi-line graph to show the growth of each plant (if more than one) and include a line for the mean growth of all the plants
Curriculum Links:
See Writing
See Measurement
See Visual Arts - Flower Fun
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.