Creating Nature Journals

By: Julie Goldstein

This week up in The Studio, our Kinder-prep kids learned how to make a journal out of one sheet of paper. The journals are so small they can hold in the palm of their hand while drawing. We really enjoy going on nature hikes and get very inspired by all of the beauty that surrounds us. Throughout the school year, we discussed lines, shapes, and textures that we find in nature. We even learned how to mix different shades of colors to match the colors that we see in nature. The kids were excited and inspired by their journals, they would have spent the entire day out in The Glenn, drawing, observing and discussing what they saw!

Materials:

• 8 x 11 white paper
• Scissors (for the teacher)
• Pencils
• Crayons or Oil Pastels

Instructions:

1. Fold the paper in half (hotdog) open back up

2. Fold the paper in half (hamburger) open back up

3. Fold each edge back into the center, open back up (there should be 8 rectangles) See picture

4. Fold again (hotdog) and cut between the two center rectangles See picture

5. Open the cut section and squeeze together, so that the paper creates a diamond shape

6. Fold the entire booklet into the diamond and wrap the two outer edges around, so that the paper forms into a book with 8 pages, including the covers.

7. Have the kids fill it up with drawings either from their imagination or observation.

8. Use crayons, colored pencils and oil pastels to add color and detail

9. HAVE FUN!

This lesson can be used throughout the school year as a great tool for inspiration and collecting information. The kids can collage, write and draw. They love that it is small and personal.