Have you ever noticed how many different kinds of birds, plants, and rocks there are? It can be hard to keep track of them all! That’s why Squeaks and I use a special tool called a field journal to record our discoveries. A field journal is a notebook that scientists use to write down important facts about what they see outside, along with their thoughts and questions. You can use a field journal too!
If it’s spring where you live, you might start seeing lots of flowers. You can use your field journal to learn about the flowers in your neighborhood. Your field journal can be anything you can write in, like a notebook, a binder, or even a few pieces of paper stapled together. When you’re ready to study flowers, grab your field journal, some pencils and crayons, and a grown-up, then head outside to find as many flowers as you can.
When you first get outside, write down the date and make some notes about the weather. Is it hot or cold? Has it rained recently? Then find a flower and examine it carefully. Ask yourself questions like where the flower is growing, what kind of soil it’s in, and if there are bugs around. Write down everything you see and think about in your field journal.
Next, draw what you see! Scientists make careful drawings to keep track of every detail. You can draw the petals and leaves and show how big the flower is. The more carefully you look and draw, the better you’ll get to know each flower. When you’re done, you can choose another flower to study.
Once you’ve studied a few flowers, you can be done for the day. But now that you’ve started your field journal, you can come back to look at the flowers again tomorrow or in a few days. Write down what you see, like if the flower is getting lots of sunlight or if there are bugs flying around, and draw another picture. Over time, you’ll see how the flower changes, like if it grows more after it rains a lot.
You can use your field journal to study more than just flowers. If there are lots of birds around, you can keep track of them too. Pay attention to things like what time of day you see them, if they’re alone or in groups, what they sound like, and what they’re eating.
And don’t forget, you can decorate your field journal! Cover it in cool stickers and drawings to make it your own.
While Squeaks and I were outside, we saw a bee! Bees are fascinating insects. They have six legs, three body parts, and four wings. When their wings move fast enough, they make a buzzing sound. Not all bees have stingers, and those that do only sting if they have a good reason, like when they’re frightened.
There are many kinds of bees, but the ones you probably see most often are bumblebees and honeybees. Bumblebees are big and fluffy, while honeybees are smaller and less fuzzy. Both make honey, but honeybees produce a lot more.
In a honeybee hive, there’s a queen bee whose job is to lay eggs. Most other bees in the hive are worker bees. They do almost all the work, like building the hive and keeping it clean. Their main job is to look for food. They collect nectar and pollen from flowers and bring it back to the hive to feed the baby bees and the queen. They also turn nectar into honey.
Squeaks and I love birdwatching, and there are so many different kinds of birds! Some birds, like the Northern Cardinal, sing beautiful songs. These birds are called songbirds. They sing for different reasons, and for cardinals, singing is a way to communicate, especially in the spring when they’re getting ready to raise their babies.
Male cardinals sing to attract a female mate. They sing loudly to show they’re strong and brave enough to protect their family. Female cardinals also sing, and scientists are still learning what their songs mean.
Trees are amazing storytellers! They can’t talk, but they can tell us a lot through their rings. Each year, a tree grows a new ring. By counting the rings, we can tell how old the tree is and learn about its life.
Wide rings mean the tree had a good growing season, while thin rings mean it faced challenges like not enough sunlight or water. Sometimes, rings can show if a tree leaned to one side or survived a fire. Scientists use a tool called an increment borer to study tree rings without cutting the tree down.
Squeaks and I like to keep a weather journal to track the weather each day. You can do it too! Just look outside and write down or draw what the weather is like. You can also use a thermometer to record the temperature.
Weather can be unpredictable, but over time, you might notice patterns. By keeping a weather journal, you can see how the weather changes with the seasons. You might even be able to guess what the weather will be like based on the patterns you observe.
So grab your notebook and start exploring the world around you. Whether you’re studying flowers, bees, birds, trees, or the weather, there’s so much to discover!
Flower Detective: Go on a flower hunt in your backyard or local park. Use your field journal to draw and describe at least three different flowers. Pay attention to their colors, shapes, and sizes. Ask yourself questions like: “Why do you think this flower is this color?” or “What do you think helps this flower grow here?” Share your drawings and thoughts with a friend or family member and see if they notice anything different about the flowers.
Bee Observation Adventure: Find a safe spot where you can watch bees from a distance. Use your field journal to note how many bees you see and what they are doing. Are they visiting flowers? Are they flying alone or in groups? Draw a picture of a bee and label its parts. Think about why bees might be important for flowers and write down your ideas.
Weather Watcher: Start a weather journal for one week. Each day, draw a picture of what the sky looks like and write down the temperature if you can. At the end of the week, look back at your drawings and notes. Can you see any patterns? Did it rain more on some days? Discuss with a grown-up what you think might happen with the weather next week based on your observations.
