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Week 01 · The Field Notebook

Explorer Day

Explorer Day: The Fifteen-Minute Sit
// Observe, record and wonder like a naturalist
⏱ about 15 min

Explorer Day: The Fifteen-Minute Sit

The whole family walks to the back step. Rocket carries a towel to sit on.

Raven hands out pencils. "Fifteen minutes. No talking until the timer rings."

Rocket groans, then sits. A minute later, a bee lands on the bush beside him.

Nova hovers silently above, her lights dimmed. When the timer rings, every notebook has a full page.

  1. An observation is something your senses notice. An inference is a guess that explains it.
  2. A sit spot is one place you return to again and again.
  3. Use sight, hearing, smell and safe touch. Never taste anything outdoors.
  4. Every entry has five lines: date, weather, place, what I saw, what I wonder.
  5. A field sketch is a quick note with labels and arrows.
◇ A FIFTEEN-MINUTE SIT SPOT ENTRY
Go to your sit spot with your grown-up. Bring your notebook and a pencil.
Write the date, weather and place before you sit down.
Set a timer for fifteen minutes. Sit still and quiet.
Write every observation in "What I saw". Make one quick sketch with labels.
When the timer rings, write at least two questions in "What I wonder".
Read your entry to your grown-up. Point out one observation and one inference.
Safety first
Stay where your grown-up can see you the whole time.
Look with your eyes. Never touch a wild animal, insect, nest, egg, mushroom or unknown plant.
Never taste anything outdoors. Some insects sting and some plants itch.
Wash your hands when you come back inside.
For a grown-up
Sit with your child and keep your own notebook if you like.
Fifteen minutes feels long at first. Praise stillness, not just sightings.
Afterwards ask: which line was hardest to fill? Why?
ENTRY CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which goes in "What I saw"?
Which goes in "What I wonder"?
What do you write before you sit down?
How many minutes does today's sit spot last?
WHY THIS EXERCISEFifteen quiet minutes gives the animals time to come back.

A full page in one sitting! Next week you map the habitat around your spot.

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