STUDENT FIELD JOURNAL, for Science and Language Arts

In their journals, naturalists take detailed notes called species accounts, which are filled with observations about the behavior, size, shape and other characteristics of a particular species.

A field journal is always a work in progress; you will add information to it for as long as you work in the field/museum. You may also edit and refine your work when you take your journal back to school or home.

Tips for using a field journal: 

·       Make a note if there is something new at your site, such as a new plant or a burrow under a tree that wasn't there the last time you observed. Always record the date and time when you make an observation.

• Use as much detail as possible. Remember, you want to be able to get good information from your journal a week from now or a month from now.
• Question what you see. As you observe, you may have questions about what you see. Be sure to write your questions down. Who knows, they may become the guiding questions for another field study!

Begin your journaling account by completing the front of your field journal.

Before you write:
Observe the items in this exhibit. 
Try to identify as many details about the object as you possibly can. 

Remember that you can use a hand lens or binoculars (if they have been assigned to you) to observe even more details.  Also use a ruler for measurements when appropriate.

A.  Observation

              1.     Look at the big picture. 

                    In the space below in your field journal, describe what you see when you look at the whole

                    exhibit or area.

                2.     Choose one particular object in the exhibit to describe. 

                      Select an object that is very specific. 

                      You are to describe it as clearly as you can, as if you are writing for someone who's never

                      seen that before.

                 3.     Look at the object you have chosen up close.  

                      In your field journal, write the name of the item you are observing.  

                      (If you cannot find the name, create a name that best describes the object.  If it is not labeled, 

                       then compare your notes and labels to the actual name when you find the actual name.)

 OBJECT OBSERVED:

                 4.     Write everything you observe in your field journal.  

                       Start by writing what you see and hear. 

                       Only smell, taste, or touch when directed by your museum guide.  

                       Describe the object so that anyone reading your description will know your object.

                  5.     Start making connections with your brain.

·                                           Where have you seen something like this before?

·                                            How does the object make you feel? (e.g. happy, scared, curious)

·                                         What do you already know about the object?

·                                         How does your object fit in or relate to the other objects in the exhibit?

·                                         What does the object make you think of or remind you of?

·                                       What questions do you have related to the object?

·      

                    What connections can you make to your life or other memories related to the object?

        6.  Illustration (use additional paper if needed)

             Another way to record the details of what you see is by adding illustrations.

·                                   Sketch the object you have chosen.  These sketches don’t need to look beautiful.  

                   The important thing is to record what you see, not what they would like to see.

·                                   Label the drawings with specifics about the various colors, textures and behaviors they        observe.

 D.  Create a piece of writing  (use additional paper if needed)

·                             Use your Observation notes and Data to create a writing piece.

·                             Your teacher will tell you whether your piece is factual, fictional, or your choice

·                             Writing suggestions: Personal narrative, imaginative narrative, poem, play, 

                letter, nonfiction report, science fiction story or design a science experiment

·                             Keep Writing!  Even if you finish all the steps before time is up, continue writing. 

                Edit what you have written for improvement.