How to Teach Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Wonder, Attention

by John Muir Laws, Emilie Lygren, Amy Tan (Foreword)

The first-ever comprehensive book devoted to helping educators use nature journaling as an inspiring teaching tool to engage young people with wild places. In their workshops, John Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren are often asked the how-tos of teaching nature how to manage student groups in the outdoors, teach drawing skills (especially from those who profess to have none), connect journaling to educational standards, and incorporate journaling into longer lessons. This book, expanding on the philosophy and methods of The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling puts together curriculum plans, advice, and in-the-field experience so that educators of all stripes can leap into journaling with their students. The approaches are designed to work in a range of ecosystems and settings, and are suitable for classroom teachers, outdoor educators, camp counselors, and homeschooling parents. Full-color illustrations and sample journal pages from notable naturalists show how to put each lesson into practice. Field-tested by over a hundred educators, this book includes dozens of activities that easily support the Common Core and the Next Generation Science Standards—and, just as important, it will show kids and mentors alike how to recognize the wonder and intrigue in their midst.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Art, Education, Science, Reference, Drawing

296 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2020

About the author

Classes, Lectures, Workshops, and Private Lessons
Free Teacher and Homeschool Resources

John Muir Laws is a naturalist, artist, and educator who has dedicated his work to connecting people to nature through art and science. From an early age his parents instilled in him a deep love and respect for nature. Over the years, that love has grown to a commitment to stewardship and a passion to share the delight of exploring nature with others. As both a scientist and artist, Laws has developed interdisciplinary programs that train students to observe with rigor and to refine techniques to become intentionally curious.

Reviews

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for parents.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cool. It's just what it says on the tin. It's really geared toward K-12, emphasis on the lower grades, but with adaptability to any setting and age group. Chock full of specific activities and assignments.

I am going to use this in a class I'm teaching in the spring on 19th-century perspectives on the environment. When I took an eco-poetry class as a grad student, the professor had us keep a nature journal during the semester, and it was a really good experience. I can also see that adapting some of these activities for a creative writing class would work really well.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic resource for teaching a nature journaling group or guiding your homeschool. I learned a lot and highly recommend.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The basic idea here is to train people of any age to be close observers of nature while bringing curiosity and wonder. The technique is to jot notes, especially questions and observations, and to make quick sketches. Over time, the practice leads to awareness and appreciation of nature, as well as increasing skill in drawing, measuring, and understanding what the journalist is seeing.

An excellent source providing teachers with sufficient coaching and details to use with students in 3rd to 12th grade, for a full year's worth of exercises and instruction.

I am not a teacher, but in my role as a children's librarian, I have some experience leading mixed ages in art and science projects. Based on my limited experience, I am certain this book could be used with a defined age-group of students who meet regularly...but I would have a hard time adapting it for my drop-in groups of mixed ages, especially since my library doesn't have a garden or obvious place to gather outdoors.

I highly recommend it, even though I can't try it out myself - based on reading through several exercises and most of the introductory framing sections.

I hope many teachers will find this and try teaching it to young people.

[SeekerofHaq · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the field of nature journaling, this book is unparalleled. I have not come across a more accessible, detailed and insightful book that discusses nature journaling in such an impactful way.

At heart, it is aimed at teachers, deftly showing them how to elicit observation skills from children and how to catalogue their observations. It does this expertly, combining English, mathematics, art and other subjects and we see how nature journaling can be holistically incorporated into a high school curriculum, perhaps as part of environmental studies, or even theology, through the mindfulness it would encourage!

This book is a treasure trove for teachers, parents and nature enthusiasts alike. I dip in and out of it time and time again in curious, wistful wonder. It is neither excessive in its wording, nor academic in nature. Yet, if one were to follow its teaching ideas, the wonders of nature could be catalogued by the curious.

I really love this book. It is one of those I would want to save, if the world’s libraries disappeared!

[Patrick Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written from the standpoint of a teacher eliciting skills of observation and wonder from students. An early principle of nature study is applied throughout the book: I notice, I wonder, It reminds me of.

The book provided a structured way of introducing and developing a nature journal; and by extension, prompting mindfulness and curiosity. An easy read. Very well illustrated.

Despite her best efforts, the author was unable to convince me that I could ever become anything but terrible at drawing. But that is not her fault.

[Gaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This school year I wanted to take my H.S. environmental science students outside more for lessons and nature walks (once or twice a month). This was a great resource to plan some of those lessons. It was great to see how the same spot can change so drastically from one season to the next! I’m definitely elaborating on those lessons next school year! I’m also planning some nature walks to sketch with my own toddler this summer.

[Rick Bair · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book for what it is. It’s probably worth 5 stars, and if I’d really have paid attention, I probably wouldn’t have checked it out. I don’t teach children and the book is truly designed for those that do. It was an interesting read overall, but I’m not sure that my life has been changed by reading it.

[Stevie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some parts of this were a little overwhelming and hard to follow.
BUT there were some great ideas/projects that will help students that are reluctant or just speed through nature journaling. So I marked activities to do, but will definitely be skipping a lot of them as well.

[Emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fantastic and thorough guide for teachers to lead nature journaling outings with students. John Muir Laws is one of the best nature journaling mentors alive, and this book is a valuable resource that has already helped improve my family's nature study.

[Susan Baumgartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal lesson plans and tons of variety to inspire just about anyone to learn and teach outside.

[Christie Wyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous book filled with wonderful nature journaling ideas. Perfect to supplement any science curriculum.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and I revisit it often for teaching and for my own enjoyment!

[Tenille Roylance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed and thought out, this book is chock full of ideas and activities that are laid out step by step in clear instructions. It's an absolute gold mine.