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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 EXERCISEThe longer you sit still, the more you see. Fifteen minutes gives you time.

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

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