How to Teach Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Wonder, Attention

How to Teach Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Wonder, Attention
Paperback, 8.5 x 11, 288 pages | Pub Date: April 28, 2020
ISBN: 9781597144902.

By Emilie Lygren , John Muir Laws

Foreword by Amy Tan

Expanding on the philosophy and methods of The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling, John Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren have developed 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 Laws and Lygren are often asked the how-tos of teaching nature journaling: 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 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, that will show kids and mentors alike how to recognize the wonder and intrigue in their midst.

Reviews

“From the beginning of time, we have been connected to nature, but for the first time in history, that connection threatens to be broken for most of an entire generation and perhaps generations to come. In this book and this work, I find hope. Laws and Lygren have created a powerful and practical resource for teachers to help children and adults discover, explore, love, and protect the natural world around them. Nature is magic, and everyone needs it.” Robert Bateman, artist and naturalist
“Here is a natural way for parents and teachers to integrate the beauty and mystery of nature into the lives of children. The book itself is a work of art.” Richard Louv, author of Our Wild Calling and Last Child in the Woods
“Charlotte Mason said that ‘where science does not teach a child to wonder and admire it has perhaps no educative value.’ John Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren have filled their book with the tools of nature journaling that can help us all get outdoors to wonder at and admire the nature around us. What a gift their book is!” J. Carroll Smith, EdD, Founder of the Charlotte Mason Institute, Professor of Education (Retired)
“This book beautifully demonstrates how nature journaling is a valuable, multidimensional approach to science. Through this work, students build neural pathways that enable different brain regions to communicate with each other, resulting in more flexible thinking and creative problem solving in all areas of life. This approach to nature journaling also offers students an excellent way to learn and practice a growth mindset through nature and science.” Jo Boaler, Professor of Education and Equity, Stanford University; author of Mathematical Mindsets and Limitless Mind
“The writing, the illustrations, the demonstration of an intentional, informative, and wonderfully educational approach to nature journal writing—it’s all here. From field activities with clear examples to an inquiry-based approach to learning, this book is a gem for educators, first-time journalers, and for the experienced naturalist as well. It’s art, it’s writing, it’s education, it’s science, naturally so.” José González, Founder of Latino Outdoors
“In How to Teach Nature Journaling, educators get best practices for facilitating intentional and inclusive strategies for nature journaling with students. This can spark a lifelong wonder of the natural world.” Arvolyn Hill, Coordinator of Family Programs, Children's Adventure Garden at the New York Botanical Garden
“Engaging students in learning about nature is a compelling need in these turbulent times. Just as important is communicating clearly, precisely, and truthfully. Naturalists and educators John Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren help teachers achieve these goals with How to Teach Nature Journaling. This is a wonderful response to educators’ request for meaningful ways to implement contemporary standards. The book is useful, full of activities, and manageable for classroom teachers.” Rodger W. Bybee, Executive Director, BSCS Science Learning (Retired)
How to Teach Nature Journaling offers step-by-step processes to reach all learners through shared experience. This can be a transformative way for students to learn to communicate and express how they view the natural world.” Michelle Peres, Environmental Educator, NatureBridge
“Imagine if every teacher taught nature journaling, every student spent enough time outside to fill a journal each year, and our kids were becoming writers, artists, and scientists all at once. I’d send my kid to that school. Thanks to Emilie Lygren and Jack Laws, we now have the vision and the tools to make this our reality.” Craig Strang, Associate Director, Lawrence Hall of Science
“Nature journaling is the single most valuable tool and skill a teacher can possess and use to move the Next Generation Science Standards and environmental literacy forward in their school. You need to do this!” Rob Wade, Science & Outdoor Education Coordinator, Plumas Unified School District/Plumas County of Education
+ Show all reviews

About the Authors

Emilie Lygren

Emilie Lygren

Educator, author, and poet Emilie Lygren grew up among oaks, scrub, and seashore in central California. She has cowritten dozens of outdoor science activities and publications with the BEETLES Project. Her poetry has been published in several journals, including Askew and The English Leadership Quarterly. Overall, Lygren seeks to spark curiosity and connection through her writing and teaching. For her outdoor science work, visit beetlesproject.org.

John Muir Laws

John Muir Laws

John Muir Laws is an award-winning naturalist, educator, and artist with degrees in conservation and resource studies, wildlife biology, and scientific illustration. His books include The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada, The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds, The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling, and (with Emilie Lygren) How to Teach Nature Journaling, all published by Heyday. A principal innovator in the global nature journaling movement, he is cofounder of the Wild Wonder Foundation (wildwonder.org), a nonprofit encouraging nature connection through art and science. Visit his website at johnmuirlaws.com. (author photo by Jim Morris)

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