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Connecting to Nature

Nature Journaling

Elementary, Middle

Description

The resource encourages students to connect deeply with the natural world through art, observation, and reflection. Students create personalized nature journals that become both a creative outlet and a scientific record of their interactions with nature.

The resource is organized into three lessons:

  • Creating a journal – students design and personalize their journals using recycled materials and collages made from magazine photos, old birthday cards, and Christmas cards. They can also incorporate other items found around the house or yard, which fosters creativity and personal investment in the project.
  • A Lesson in Scale - students construct and use a simple cardboard “viewfinder” to focus their observations and practise scale drawing and shading techniques.
  • Connecting to Nature - the final portion of the lesson takes students outdoors—to the schoolyard, a local trail, or another nearby natural area—where they use their journals to record sensory details, sketches, and reflections on what they see, hear, and feel.

The resource includes a range of practical and inspiring journaling tips designed to help students observe more deeply, express themselves creatively, and connect with nature in meaningful ways.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

The lesson supports curriculum expectations in visual arts by fostering creative expression, thoughtful observation, and reflection. Its goal is to deepen students’ connection to nature, nurture environmental awareness, and highlight how time spent outdoors can enhance focus, mental health, and appreciation for the natural world. Emphasizing hands-on, experiential learning, the resource strengthens observation skills, artistic expression, and scientific curiosity while promoting mindfulness and well-being. Its flexible design allows teachers to adapt activities and prompts to suit their students’ needs, and educators are encouraged to participate alongside students to model curiosity, creativity, and engagement.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

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  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 5
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      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Writing: Ideas and information can be articulated accurately and imaginatively through the use of writing processes and an understanding of the author’s craft
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Writing: Ideas and information can be articulated accurately and imaginatively through the use of writing processes and an understanding of the author’s craft
      • Visual Art
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Visual Arts
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Art
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Thoughts, Ideas, Feelings and Experiences
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Artistic expressions differ across time and place.
        • Arts Education: Engaging in creative expression and experiences expands people’s sense of identity and community.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy
  • Manitoba
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    • Grade 5
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      • Arts
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        • Arts: Visual Art
    • Grade 6
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        • Arts: Visual Art
    • Grade 7
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        • Arts: Visual Art
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
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        • Arts: Creating, Making, and Presenting
      • English/Language Arts
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        • Writing & Other Ways of Representing
    • Grade 6
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        • Writing & Representing
      • Visual Art
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        • Art: Creating, Making, and Presenting
        • Art: Understanding and Connecting Contexts of Time, Place, and Community
    • Grade 7
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      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Creating, Making and Presenting
        • Visual Art
      • English/Language Arts
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        • Writing & Other Ways of Representing
  • Northwest Territories
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    • Grade 5
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      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Engaging in creative expression and experiences expands people’s sense of identity and community.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy
  • Nova Scotia
  • Nunavut
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    • Grade 5
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      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 5: Creative/Productive
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 6: Creative/Productive
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Thoughts, Ideas, Feelings and Experiences
    • Grade 7
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      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 7: Creative/Productive
  • Ontario
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    • Grade 5
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      • Arts
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        • Arts: Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
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        • Language: Composition: Expressing Ideas and Creating Texts
    • Grade 6
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      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language: Composition: Expressing Ideas and Creating Texts
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language: Composition: Expressing Ideas and Creating Texts:
  • Prince Edward Island
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    • Grade 5
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      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Writing and Other Ways of Representing
      • Visual Art
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Visual Arts: Creating and Presenting
        • Vsual Arts: Refl ecting, Responding, and Analysing
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Writing and Other Ways of Representing
      • Visual Art
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Visual Arts: Creating and Presenting
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Writing and Other Ways of Representing
  • Quebec
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts: To produce individual works in the visual arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • To use Language to communicate and learn
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts: To produce individual works in the visual arts
    • Grade 7
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      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Writes a variety of genres for personal and social purposes
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 5: Creative/Productive
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Compose and Create
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 6: Creative/Productive
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Compose and Create
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 7: Creative/Productive
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Compose and Create
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Artistic expressions differ across time and place.
        • Arts Education: Engaging in creative expression and experiences expands people’s sense of identity and community.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (1)

  • Appreciating the Natural World

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