Lesson One - Field Journals

Objectives:
Students will be able to locate and describe three different habitats in Billings.
Students will be able to identify one animal, plant, and bird that lives in each habitat.
Students will use reference books and on-line resources to identify and learn more about their species.
Students will use a field journal which includes sketches, maps and notes.
Students will use a camera to document their locations.

Lesson Plans:
1. Students will work in groups of two or three. At least one person in the group needs a cell phone capable of taking pictures and/or a camera.
2. Students will have one month to work on this project. They must visit 3 different habitat in the Billings area. Areas may include backyards, city parks, riverfront parks, or county parks. At each area students need to take a picture of their group to document that they were at each location. Students also need to take pictures of the different species they identify. If they are unable to take a picture but know what types of birds/animals live in that specific area they may download an image from the computer. Thess pictures will be used in Lessons Two and Three.
3. Students need to keep a field journal for each area that is visited. The journal needs to include notes with detailed descriptions, sketches of different plants and animal which include labels,(including plant samples) and a sketch or map of the area that they are in.
4. Students will need to use book references and on-line resources to help them identify their species.One class period per week will be devoted to using reference materials to identify species and research them.
5. Students will add comments/questions to the blog

Web 2.0 Tools
http://www.arkive.org   is a great site of animal pictures, videos and includes some information
http://www.allaboutbirds.org  is a fabulous site to identify birds
 http://scienceideas.org/journaling-guidelines.html   is a great place to learn the layout of the field journal
 http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/youngnaturalistawards/resources/fieldjounal.html  great for field journal how to tips
http://www.pacifier.com/  another field journal site for tips
http://newhorizons.org/strategies  also for creating field journals

Evaluation

The Field Journals will be graded for this lesson. Each location is worth 100 points for a total of 300pts. For each habitat there must be a complete description of the location - 20pts. There must be a map drawn and labeled - 20pts. For each species there must be a drawing - 5pts, the drawing labeled - 5 pts and a detailed description of their species - 10 pts.
Students must enter a comment or question to the blog - 5pts