Not Without a Notebook: The Importance of the Field Journal

On a beautiful February day, I took the children venturing out into the acreage we are lucky enough to have behind school.  Field journals in hand, we collected our specimens along the dry creek bed and brought them back to be examined.  It is only upon thorough investigation of nature that we can begin to comprehend its complexity.

We spoke about how once upon a time, in a not-so-distant past, this would have been a scientist’s only method of recording his or her findings.  I brought an example of a sketch I made from a plant at home.  I encouraged them to look at what they are drawing more than the paper, and to draw what they see, rather than what they think they should see. Utilizing only ink is part of a plan to help them with their hand-eye coordination. It’s all about trust. I’m really happy with the detail these first, second, and third graders were able to capture.

I would love to repeat this exercise equipped with reference for what we can expect to find in Central Texas, so that our journals can have a bit more accuracy than “stick” or “moss ball.”  Still, I am proud of the students. They were all truly engaged in the process.