How Does My Garden Grow? Writing in Science Field Journals

Materials and Technology

Student Interactives

Websites

Preparation

 

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

• Selected books about gardening
  
  
• Science field journals
  
  
  • These can be commercially purchased, a spiral notebook, or a student-created book.
    
    
  • You can print blank Stapleless Books and ask students to devote one day of their observations to each page of the book.
    
    
  • For a more structured journal experience, create a Flip Book with the desired labels already made for the students. Example labels might be "Day 1, Day 2, etc." or "Drawings, Measurements, Observations, etc." Assemble the books for students to use as they record their observations.
    
    
• Writing and drawing materials
  
  
• Location for a class garden or a windowsill or containers for container gardening
  
  
• Chart paper or Board and writing materials
  
  
• Gardening tools, such as shovels, hoes, seeds, and watering cans
  
  
• Measuring supplies and magnifying glasses
  
  
• Camera (optional)

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STUDENT INTERACTIVES

Grades   3 – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Writing & Publishing Prose

Flip Book

The Flip Book is designed to allow users to type and illustrate tabbed flip books up to ten pages long. Students and teachers can use the flip book for taking notes while reading, making picture books, collecting facts, or creating question and answer booklets.

 

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Writing & Publishing Prose

Stapleless Book

The Stapleless Book can be used for taking notes while reading, making picture books, collecting facts, or creating vocabulary booklets . . . the possibilities are endless!

 

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Writing & Publishing Prose

Printing Press

The interactive Printing Press is designed to assist students in creating newspapers, brochures, and flyers.

 

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Organizing & Summarizing

Venn Diagram

This interactive tool allows students to create Venn diagrams that contain two or three overlapping circles, enabling them to organize their information logically.

 

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WEBSITES

• Gardening Containers
• Fast Plants

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PREPARATION

• Choose an area where a classroom garden may be grown or select a windowsill or containers for the garden.
  
  
• Gather books about gardens and gardening for the classroom.
  
  
• Test the Stapleless Book, Flip Book, Venn Diagram, and Printing Press on your computers to familiarize yourself with the tools and ensure that you have the Flash plug-in installed. You can download the plug-in from the technical support page.
  
  
• For background information and tips, review the American Museum of Natural History's resource on How to keep a Field Journal.

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