Oxbow At Home Nature Journal
Objective
Join us as we create our own Nature Journals using what we find around us. Grab your paper and a pencil and let’s go!
Standards
Grade Level: K-6th
Subjects Covered: Math, Science, Language Arts, and Art
Students will: Observing, writing, sketching, sequencing, data collection, reflecting
Time: 45min+
Nature Journals, the Basics
Examples of Nature Journals
“All art is but imitation of nature.”
~Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Materials
You can use almost anything in your nature journal as you create. As we write, sketch and collage here’s a few things we might use:
- Pencils and Pens
- Markers
- Watercolors
- Stickers
- Tape (for leaves or flower we might find)
- Other paper
- A camera to take pictures to print and paste in our journal
Make Your Own Nature Journal
If you would rather work on a single sheet of paper you can print out this simple nature journaling template to use!
Let's Get Started!
Find a good place to sit for at least 15 minutes outside. (Make sure to watch where you sit and look out for ants or poison ivy!) Take a deep breath and relax. Focus on the nature around you. Look around and make a list of some of the things you see. Does anything stand out to you? Are there any plants you can name? What about any animals? How many clouds are in the sky? Count the points on a leaf and try to draw it in your journal if you found it on the ground, maybe tape it in your journal alongside your sketch. Write about how it feels. Is it waxy, soft, smooth, fuzzy? Keep observing and most of all have fun. Your nature journal can be whatever you want it to be!
Virtual Hike
If you do not have an outdoor space no need to worry! You can take a trip down one of our trails or in our bird park and journal what you see.
Tips and Tricks
Reflection and Review
We cannot wait to see what you journaled. Take a picture of what you created and share it with us! It might even get featured on our page!