What is a field journal?What is a field journal?

Nature journal, science notebook, log, diary

What is field journaling?What is field journaling?

“The process of keeping a place-based, personal record of events, observations, and experiences in the outdoors.” (Hofmann and Passineau).

Field Journal PurposesField Journal PurposesAcademic: art, science, math, language arts; integration

Scientific: research, record-keeping

Personal: gardening, landscaping, camping, bird watching, traveling and more

Key Aspects for Key Aspects for EducationEducation

A source of authentic, meaningful and purposeful raw data discovered directly, first-hand

Active learning from direct, first-hand, personal accounts: ownership

Why use field journals?Why use field journals?

Allows students to lead their learning with their own questions, easily making it student and inquiry driven

Why use field journals?Why use field journals?

“…writing a fact makes one observe it better.” Ernest Thompson Seton

Source of raw data and information from which to write poems, reports, and speeches or develop posters, songs, art, and other polished work

Why use field journals?Why use field journals?

- Haiku -There is a grand show

it’s full of amazements and all wonderful things

Why use field journals?Why use field journals? Helps support academic standardsGrade-ableP-T conference tool

Why use field journals?Why use field journals? They’re not just for They’re not just for science class:science class:

Math: the journal is a place to record

data that will be analyzed

Language Arts: The process of putting thoughts on paper integrates with Language

Art: Sketches of their observations integrate with Art

Today’s Journaling Tips!

Journal with your students whenever possible.