Nature Journaling

Nature Journaling is an integral part of the experience at Creation Exploration.  

Journal does not happen during our exploration, though.  It happens afterward.  After we've explored, we come back together to focus on remembering what we saw and committing it, in whatever form the individual chooses, to paper.  The one exception to this may be the individual who chooses photo journaling.

There are several purposes to this process:

1) to build observation and memory skills

2) to record details for further research and discovery after exploration

3) to document learning happening during the exploration and discovery process

4) it's just plain fun to create a keepsake to look back on.

Nature Journaling can be simple sketches, poems, stories, technical drawings, photographs, there is no right or wrong way to document the discoveries you made during your nature exploration! 

Creation Exploration now offers its own Sit Spot Journal.  It has 52 sets of blank pages so that you can do one entry a week.  They can be purchased on both Amazon and Teachers Pay Teachers.  

Realizing that not everyone has the resources to purchase journals, Included here are resources for free, do-it-yourself options.  Creation Exploration now has a free download of page that can be printed to create your own journals.  You can download it from Teachers Pay Teachers.

Donna Young's Simple Folded Nature Journal

This is a favorite of mine that I've printed for group programs.  One program even had theirs coil bound.  Staple, sew, paper punch with rings, there are lots of options!

Simply Rache's Brown Paper Bag Nature Journals

This one is a favorite, because it creates pockets to keep treasures in!  You can add Velcro to keep the pockets shut!

Want to learn more about nature journaling?  These are some great resources.

Smithsonian In Your Classroom:  Introduction to the Nature Journal

Opening the World Through Nature Journaling

Nature Journaling & Drawing Book & DVD - Barry Stebbings

Keeping a Nature Journal - Claire Leslie Walker

My favorite style of purchased journal for all ages - I've even used these for a couple of my journals - you can usually buy in August and September at places like Staples and WalMart.

Staples Primary Composition Notebook for K - 2nd Grade

Mead Primary Composition Notebook for K - 2nd Grade at WalMart