Here is how the project went:
I feel like this project was a success! I was able to work with a librarian at one school and a third-grade teacher at another, delivering nature journals and magnifying glasses to each student for a total of 250 students reached. The response was enthusiastic and touching. These kids dove into nature writing, recording what they observed and sharing with classmates.
Through this project I/we learned:
Finding the right teacher/librarian is key to the success of a project like this. Some schools I approached were not interested, for reasons I don't necessarily understand. Maybe their schedules were already packed or they doubted the project goals or I wasn't clear enough. But what I saw when engaging with students was a true excitement around using the tools (notebooks and magnifying glasses) to observe nature and record what they saw. I also emphasized using all our senses to engage with nature, so these students enthusiastically considered the ways we can take in our world.
What I/we might change:
I would use examples from this first effort to build upon the next. I would show teachers how the students used the nature notebooks, what we talked about, and testimonials from the teacher and the librarian.
My/our favorite part of this project was:
My favorite part of the project was seeing how students drew and wrote in the nature notebooks as well as being at the school with students and hearing them talk about engaging with nature and their love for nature.
Some tips, tricks or fun facts about the project:
Kids are so receptive to seeing themselves as stewards of the natural world. I loved how much ownership they took in describing nature and the way nature stirred their own sense of wonder.
