Objective

By the end of this lesson, Pearl will learn how to observe nature closely and express her thoughts and feelings about it through nature journaling. She will create her own nature journal entries that include drawings and descriptions of the plants, animals, and landscapes she observes.

Materials and Prep

• A notebook or loose sheets of paper for journaling
• A pencil or colored pencils for drawing
• A comfortable place to sit outside or near a window with a view of nature
• Optional: A magnifying glass to observe small details in nature

Before the lesson, find a nice outdoor spot or a window with a view of nature. Make sure the weather is nice and that Pearl is comfortable to sit and observe for a while.

Activities

• Nature Walk: Take a walk outside and encourage Pearl to look for different plants, insects, and animals. She can make notes about what she sees and hears.

During the walk, ask Pearl to pay attention to colors, shapes, and sounds. Encourage her to stop and observe interesting things for a few moments.

• Sketching: After the nature walk, find a quiet spot to sit and sketch some of the things Pearl observed. She can choose her favorite plant or animal to draw.

Remind her that her sketches don’t have to be perfect; they just need to capture what she sees. Encourage her to use different colors to make her drawings lively!

• Writing Descriptions: Pearl can write a few sentences about each drawing. She can describe what the plant or animal looks like, where she found it, and how it made her feel.

Encourage her to use descriptive words to make her writing more colorful. For example, instead of saying "a flower," she could say "a bright yellow flower with soft petals."

• Sharing Time: At the end of the lesson, Pearl can share her favorite drawing and description with you. Ask her to explain why she chose that particular subject.

This will help her practice speaking about her experiences and feelings, making the lesson even more engaging!

Talking Points

• "What do you notice about the colors of the leaves? Are they all the same?"
• "Can you hear any sounds in nature? What do you think is making those sounds?"
• "When you draw, remember that it’s okay if it doesn’t look exactly like what you see. What matters is that it’s your interpretation!"
• "How does it feel to sit quietly and observe nature? Do you feel calm, excited, or something else?"
• "What is your favorite thing you saw today? Why do you like it?"
• "How can we use our senses to learn more about the world around us?"
• "Do you think nature is important? Why or why not?"
• "What do you want to learn more about in nature? Maybe we can explore that next time!"