Skip to content
Screen Shot 2018 10 08 at 8.40.10 AM

Guide 2C Field Notes

Resources

Additional activities, a behind-the-scenes gallery, recommended books, and more.

scroll down

About this Guide

Real World Biology

If you watch enough nature documentaries you may start to think that animal research only happens in remote regions, far from human activity.  My first experience collecting and studying animals was on an old farm in the suburbs of Chicago.  The farm was surrounded by new strip malls (it was the 1980s) and there was a small frog species that could only be found on the fallow, undeveloped land between the corn plots.  The farm is long gone, but now 2000 miles away, Mark and I have our own old farmland that we are bringing back to life.  I’m looking forward to the day we find our first frog.
Lesley

Field Journals

Field Journals are not just about taking notes on location, you can “pre-load” them with maps, images, and information to enhance your experience in the field.
art journaling books lap 1
In the past two decades, journaling has had a resurgence, in both digital blog and print formats.  Art journaling, using journals as a form of expression, has crossed paths with science field notes to produce beautiful pieces that have been displayed in gallery exhibits around the world.  As a result, you can pick up many used books about nature journaling at most book stores.

Additional Activities

On the Farm

Farms can provide diverse field experiences.  We often equate with the “wild” or “nature,”  but most animals that humans directly encounter are located on agricultural land.  Collect data on structures and behaviors, after getting permission or access to any privately owned land.

Pet Protection

As you are developing a safety plan for your own field experiences, it is a good exercise to develop a safety plan for any pets, based on their environmental needs.  That can include acceptable ranges of temperatures, water needs, nutrient needs, and potential risks (like cars and fecal materials).  Apply your skills to a wider range of applications.

Behind-the-Scenes

We've been making displays that highlight connections between art and science.

Art-Science Connections

We’ve been making displays that highlight connections between art and science.
At some point we realized we study more as teachers than we did as students, but somewhere along the way it became a lot more fun!

Setting Up

At some point we realized we study more as teachers than we did as students, but somewhere along the way it became a lot more fun!
Farm Ephemera new 1
Many of the basics of animal biology are also common knowledge in agricultural families.  We collect bits of teaching ephemera from old farm supply manuals, 4H guides, and more.  Some of the lessons are as rich (jf not richer) than content found in contemporary educational materials.

Recommended Books

A classic look at using nature journaling to learn about yourself as well.

A classic look at using nature journaling to learn about yourself as well.

Interested in writing on a regular basis, possibly professionally? A great source of ideas.

Interested in writing on a regular basis, possibly professionally? A great source of ideas.

This book takes the intimidation out of blank pages with creative prompts.

This book takes the intimidation out of blank pages with creative prompts.

Build a Library

Whether its digital or print, collect resources that assist in exploring, describing, and explaining the natural world.

Field Notes Product Page

Complete this module’s products before advancing on to the next module

Previous Guide

2B: Technology

This Guide

2C: Field Notes

Next Module

Research Question 3:

How do I record this?