Silent field notebook: three finds in the surroundings
Cool-down for the outdoor activities unit at the end of a hike or field trip. Each student moves a few yards away from the group, sits down and silently draws or describes three finds in the surroundings: a plant, a sign of an animal and a human trace.
How to play
- Walk slowly to the closing area stretching the arms and back (2 min).
- Each student picks a spot within the teacher's sight and sits alone in silence (1 min).
- On the card, draw or describe a plant, a sign of wildlife and a human impact they can see (4 min).
- Back to the group: each student shares the human impact they found (2 min).
- Group proposal of one action to reduce one of those impacts on the next trip (1 min).
Rules
- Everyone stays within the teacher's sight and less than 100 feet from the group.
- Do not pick plants or touch animals, nests or droppings.
- Pick up your own trash and any you find if it is safe to handle.
Variations
Easier
Reduce to two finds and allow working in pairs.
Standard
Three silent individual finds and a joint improvement proposal.
Harder
Use a field guide or app to identify the plant and the animal whose sign they saw.
Adaptations
- Wheelchair users: choose an observation point along the accessible path.
- Visual impairment: describe three finds through hearing, smell and touch.
- Autism: give the card with the three sections already drawn and a specific place to sit.
Learning goals
- Calm down after the outdoor activity.
- Observe the elements of the surroundings closely.
- Recognize human impact and propose sustainable behavior.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cards: 30
- pencils: 30
Teacher tip
It works just as well in an urban park near the school. Keep the cards for the unit portfolio.
PatioLab has "Silent field notebook: three finds in the surroundings" and 5176 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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