I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of
In this foundational “observation routine,” students use three prompts to engage with natural objects and build inquiry skills in the process.
Getting Started
Zoom In, Zoom Out
Students sketch an object at three scales (magnified, life size, and distant) and reflect on the kinds of observations made at each level.
To Each Its Own
Students draw and describe a natural object, then play a matching game in which they pair the objects to their peers’ journal entries.
My Secret Plant
Students record observations of a plant using words, pictures, and numbers, then challenge a partner to find the plant using their notes.
Comparison
Students observe two objects in the outdoors (e.g. flowers, trees, rocks) and sketch them side by side, noting differences and similarities.