Starting the Nature Journal

Question...

I'd like to get some feedback about the types of notebooks you are using for nature journals. The books I've read recommend using sketchbooks but I want to be able to use watercolors sometimes. Won't the water soak through and/or curl the pages? Also, what do you think is the best way to start with younger children? Our boys are 9-1/2, almost 8, and 6 years old. I want to keep it fun but the middle son is a perfectionist and often gets discouraged about trying something new.

From Lori

Ideas For You

My children are both very particular about their art work and we also like to use different mediums. I bought flip files and we do the work,writing on lid, art on art sheets and when completed we slide them into the plastic sleeves. The children had great fun decorating the covers as well.

From Ann

For my 5yo I'm using loose pages and then I keep them in a folder. At the end of the year I can bind them at our church with the machine they have that puts plastic binding on. It's very simple to use. Also, how about using a "how to draw" type book or curriculum to get them started? Some basic tips can be very helpful. We use Mona Brooks' book Drawing With Children.

From Laura

We bought lined journals that are about 7x9" which are hard cover (cardboard, but feel very permanent and "bookish"). This way, we can write on the nice ruled lines ( to keep things neat) and then we do our art work, drawings, and watercolors separately and glue them in (with gluestick). This way there are no spills or "uh-oh's" IN the book. We have also glued in coloring book pages which were neatly colored and even photos of our robins nesting and Monarch butterflies hatched out. I also like watercolor and you just can't use anything but watercolor paper for that.

Be sure to press some "real" flowers this spring, summer, and fall and then glue them into your nature journals. Also get some leaves to press and glue in. Of course they won't stand the test of time, but you'd be amazed at how long I have had a special leaf as a bookmark in my Bible! We have also laminated leaves and pressed flowers with clear contact paper and made neat book marks or window decorations.

From Jody

How do you press flowers?

This is not a silly question because it can be done "wrong" and you get moldy flowers and leaves that don't even come close to the color of the original! All you really need to do is make sure that you press the flowers possible between several layers of newspaper (about four sheets on top and bottom. Don't put very many flowers on each paper because they need to dry. Too many flowers pressed together on the same sheets of newspaper can retain moisture and cause rot or discoloration of the leaves and flowers.

For flowers that have "thick" centers you will have a somewhat "squished" center when you are done. I have pressed wild prairie coneflowers before and with those I cut the "cone" part in half lengthwise with a single edged razor blade so one half lies flat. I don't try to squish it down at all, but just lay it between the paper and press.

The Press... I just put these flowers between heavy books. Layer the flowers in their newspapers between each heavy book. I like dictionaries or encyclopedias. The flowers should dry within about two weeks. Check on them and see how they are doing. If they appear to be molding or discoloring you may want to add more newspaper or a paper towel between each book next time. If you have high humidity, you will need more layers of paper. Most of the flowers should retain their natural color as when picked, but the thicker flowers (like a globe mallow) will sometimes change in color some because it takes longer to dry them. When flowers are completely dry, you can store them flat on a shelf. If I remember, I try to label the flowers by name right onto the newspaper before storing. Then I have my flowers ready for nature journals or cards or even bookmarks.

If you are using pressed flowers for your nature journal, reserve a page in the proper month for your flowers when they are dry.

From Jody

I hope you've found some good ideas on how to start your nature journals. The key is to continue to do them. I figure if the children and I are making 3-4 entries a month, we are doing very well. If you can't do that much, don't be discouraged, just do what you can. Remember that you don't need to always do something from the "wilds." Domestic pets and livestock, garden flowers and veggies all make excellent nature studies. You also don't need to draw, paint, or color for every single entry. You don't have to write several paragraphs for every entry either. Just do what you and your child can do at that point in time. This should be an enjoyable time of learning rather than a drudgery.

I'd love to hear about your nature journals!

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