Nature Journaling
Step outside the traditional lesson plan and combine art, science, and literacy right on your school grounds! Nature Journaling is an immersive, hands-on workshop that teaches students how to use observation, drawing, and descriptive writing to connect deeply with the natural world. Guided by an experienced SaskOutdoors facilitator, students learn how to slow down, ask scientific questions, and record their environmental observations using simple, accessible journaling techniques.
Appropriate for:
Grade Levels: K–12 students (prompts, sketching techniques, and depth are tailored specifically to your class’s age group).
Group Sizes: Standard single-classroom sizes (20–30 students per session).
Settings: General elementary classes, secondary science or art units, English classes focusing on descriptive writing, or outdoor education programs seeking experiential learning.
Book a Workshop / Apply / Register
Contact SaskOutdoors to set up a workshop or for more information.
Details
Workshop Details
Duration: 1 to 2 hours (Flexible based on teacher preference)
Facilitator: SaskOutdoors provides a fully trained facilitator to lead all activities
Location: In-class and outdoors on school grounds (weather permitting)
Cost:
- 1-Hour Workshop: $200 + mileage
- 2-Hour Workshop: $300 + mileage
Materials Provided: SaskOutdoors supplies all student journaling materials, drawing tools, and outdoor observation gear
What you Learn
Observational Skills: Techniques for noticing fine details in plants, animals, weather, and landscapes using all five senses.
Core Journaling Prompts: How to use the fundamental journaling framework—“I notice…”, “I wonder…”, “It reminds me of…”—to drive scientific inquiry.
Visual & Written Field Notes: Basic sketching strategies, labeling, measuring, and descriptive note-taking (no prior art experience required!).
Mindfulness in Nature: How to cultivate focus, curiosity, and calm reflection while spending time outdoors.
Applied Benefits
Direct Curriculum Connections (Saskatchewan Science, English Language Arts, & Arts Education):
Kindergarten – Grade 2: Exploring natural surroundings, recording sensory observations, and developing fine motor skills through drawing and mark-making.
Grades 3 – 5: Conducting scientific investigations, recording qualitative and quantitative data, and descriptive writing.
Grades 6 – 8: Documenting ecosystem diversity, analyzing environmental patterns over time, and reflective visual arts.
High School: Ecological field sampling methods, qualitative environmental analysis, and interdisciplinary creative expression.
Cross-Curricular Integration: Seamlessly bridges Science, Art, and Language Arts into a single, engaging activity.
Portable Skillset: Equips students with a self-guided practice they can continue using in their own backyards, parks, and future field studies.