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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

How to Write Like a Scientist in the Field: Introduction to the Elements of Field Journals

For Teachers 5th Standards
It's time to start journaling. Scholars look at examples of science field journals. They work in pairs to examine and complete a note catcher about a field journal. They then add to an anchor chart by discussing the different features...
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Activity
American Museum of Natural History

Making a Field Journal

For Students 6th - 12th
Trowels and brushes are certainly important tools for an archaeologist working on a dig. Perhaps more important, however, is the archaeologist's field journal. Christina Elson, an archaeologist working with the American Museum of Natural...
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Activity
American Museum of Natural History

Keeping a Field Journal

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Recording scientific evidence allows for important discoveries and conclusions. A remote learning resource outlines how to create a field journal to record scientific observations. The outline resource includes notation about the...
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Activity
American Museum of Natural History

Keeping a Field Journal

For Students 6th - 12th
Young scientists begin a field journal by following four steps. A real-world example of an entry showcases the different parts, including location, date, drawings, and more. 
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Learning to Observe Closely and Record Accurately: How to Create a Field Journal

For Teachers 5th Standards
Look carefully. Scholars practice observing and recording the natural world around them by looking out a window or viewing an image. Learners discuss how their experience compares to that of Meg Lowman in The Most Beautiful Roof in the...
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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Travel Tips! A Guide for Smoother Field Trips

For Teachers K - 8th
Suggestions for making your next field trip successful, rather than stressful.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Field Journals

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students follow a bookmaking format to create a book and use it as a garden journal. In this science journal lesson, students follow book making directions to create a garden and science journal.
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Revision and Illustration: Strengthening the Writing in my Rainforest Field Journal and Adding a Labeled Drawing

For Teachers 5th Standards
Let me draw you a picture. Scholars read a quote from Roger Tory Peterson and discuss his views on drawings. They then create their own drawings of an ant or butterfly to add to their science journals. 
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Activity
Teach Engineering

Visualizing Magnetic Field Lines

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Magnetic fields might not be a field of dreams but they are useful. Class members observe the reactions of magnetic fields using a compass, iron filings in a paper container, and iron filings suspended in mineral oil. 
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Writing Narratives from First Person Point of View: Imagining Meg Lowman’s Rainforest Journal

For Teachers 5th Standards
I spy with my little eye! Learners observe page 23 in The Most Beautiful Roof in the World and practice what they would add to a field journal. They discuss how details from the text help add to their thoughts. To finish, readers use...
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Lesson Plan
Prairie Public Broadcasting

Egyptian Pyramids Virtual Field Trip!

For Teachers 6th Standards
A virtual field trip takes enthusiastic travelers to the pyramids of Giza. Using Google, scholars explore the grounds of the ancient pyramids found in Egypt then complete three worksheets: a photo analysis page, a reflection sheet, and a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Nature Journal

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students create nature journals. In this introduction to the nature journal lesson, students discover the uses of nature journals and begin their own. Students are challenged to use vivid, concise terms in their descriptive language....
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Handout
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National Science Teachers Association

Safety in the Science Classroom, Laboratory, and Field Sites

For Students 6th - 12th
The best learning environment is a safe learning environment. Remind young scientists about safety rules and regulations in the science lab, the classroom, and the field.
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Activity
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Teach Engineering

Keepers of the Gate Journal and Brainstorm

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The second segment of a seven-part series reviews the challenge of determining whether gargling with salt water helps a sore throat. Individuals journal what they know about the challenge and what they are trying to figure out to...
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Interactive
Curated OER

Habitat Project Digital Science Journal

For Students 7th - 8th
In this habitat project digital science journal worksheet, learners use a digital camera or camcorder to create a science journal about a habitat they have studied.  This page includes links to helpful web resources for planning and...
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Lesson Plan
AAAS

Identification and Classification of Grassland Plants

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Take learning outside and start classifying grasslands. Young ecologists observe grassland plants in order to classify them into the appropriate species by family. They note their characteristics and where they grow. A true field...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tallying Local Species to Learn About Diversity

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Using this thoroughly-written plan, you can have your junior ecologists exploring local biodiversity. They take a journal outdoors to tally the species that they see. An article is included along with comprehension questions. The author...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Local Ecosystems

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe a local area for living organisms and their habitats.  In this local ecosystems lesson plan, students complete an online field journal.  Students share their findings and sort them into categories. Students visit a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Note Taking

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders get ready to take notes on a field trip.  In this notetaking activity, 3rd graders take notes to remember what they've seen on a field trip. Students draw and analyze diagrams of what they have seen.  Students access their...
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Blending Informative and Narrative Writing: Transforming Research Notes into Field Journal Entries

For Teachers 5th Standards
The fabulous four. Scholars learn the four key components for creating an excellent journal entry. They then work to create a journal entry rubric and participate in a mini lesson about organizing and outlining journal entries. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Opposites Attract: Observing Magnetic Fields

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students brainstorm background knowledge and any questions they may have about magnetic fields. They investigate the role that William Gilbert had in laying the groundwork for modern experimental science. Students observe magnetic fields...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reflecting/Writing after a field trip or other experience

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students reflect on field trips in writing. In this journal writing lesson, students write about a recent experience by using 4 of their senses to tell what they remember. They turn these into poetry. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Pupils read the poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae. In this poetry lesson, students read the poem on an overhead transparency and discuss what actions can be used to illustrate it. Pupils come up with their own movements to...
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Organizer
Curated OER

Seasonal Poetry Reflective Journal

For Students 6th - 8th
Pull quotes from a text and craft responses to the quotes you chose. First, read a  short excerpt from Mary Claire Wilfert's oral history. Then, read the contemporary poem "Robert's Cove," pulling quotes and writing responses as well....