Research Biology Naturalist Journal:
Instructions for pages 33 through 42
PAGE 33 of Journal: Changes in spring
Take a color photo of your yard (cultivated/maintained area) or an area nearby where you live NOW.
This photo must be taken within the next 2 days. Mount this photo on page 33 and write the date
above the photo. (Be sure to leave room for an additional photo to be added in the next step).
___ photo (5 points)
PAGE 33 of Journal revisited: Changes in Spring Continued (2 weeks later)
Take another color photo (2 weeks later) of the same exact same area that you did for page 32 of your
journal. Mount this photo on page 33 right next to your previous photo and above it, write the date.
*Try to take the photos from the same angle and at the same time of day. Note the differences
between the 2 photos and write a detailed description below the photos of the changes that have
occurred during the time that has elapsed. Be detailed with your observations.
___ 2nd photo (5 points)
___ Description under photos (2 points total)
PAGE 34 of Journal: Prunus yedoensis
Washington D.C. is famous for a plant species known as Prunus yedoensis that blooms around this time
of year. On page 34 of your journal, you must paste a picture of this organism in bloom and underneath
it write the common name and the scientific name. Also, in one sentence tell me where they came
from (historical significance).
___ Photo (5 points)
___ Common name and scientific name (2 points)
___ Origin (1 point)
PAGES 35 through 39 of Journal: Wildflower Collection and Pictures
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju9rSogWNWA
The following are a few examples of wildflowers common to our area: Spring Beauty; Dandelion (couple
different species); Chicory; Blue Violets; Oxe-Eye Daisy; Purple Dead Nettle; Queen Anne's lace;
Common Bluets; Black-eyed Susans; Wood Anemone; Star Chickweed.
There are many website that can help you with identifying wildflowers. Be sure to pick sites that are
specific for Northern Virginia.
Collect 5 different wildflowers. Wildflowers are not planted by people. They are found in wild places
(forests, meadows, roadside). These are commonly called weeds by gardeners. Weeds are simply
plants that are growing where a person does not want them. You can, sometimes, find wildflowers
growing in your lawn!
You must collect the flower, stem and leaves of the flower. You will carefully press the flower
immediately upon picking it. This is important to do so that the liquids from the flower do not leak
through the pages of your journal.
Drying and Pressing your wildflower.
To press plant, place it between 2-3 layers of newspaper, making sure that all parts of the plant are
flattened out. Flatten out plant if necessary by using your fingers to bend leaves flat or begin to flatten
flowers such that the internal structures (carpel, stamen, petals) will be visible. Place a couple heavy
book or two on top of the paper and leave for 7-10 days, or until items are completely dried.
Mounting the Wildflower
Mount each flower on its own page, starting with page 35 of your journal using a rectangle of clear
contact (or clear labeling paper) and press the contact paper into place over the specimen. Avoid folds
or creases in the clear material.
Using the internet, determine the identification of each of your specimen. You must also print out a
picture of your flower using an internet source and mount this picture next to your flower. There are
many online sources to assist you with this, but I have listed to potential ones below.
http://patriot.net/~eweidaw/wildflower.htm
http://www.virginiawildflowers.com/
Under your plant/flower record the common name and scientific name (written correctly).
___ Flowers Mounted (5 points each) x5 = 25 points total
___ Picture of Flower (2 Points each) x 5 = 10 points total
___ Common Name (1 point) x5 = 5 points total
___ Scientific Name (1 point) x 5 = 5 points total
PAGE 40 of Journal: Importance & Description of Wild Flowers
What exactly is a Wild Flower and why are they important to the environment? Write a couple of
paragraph describing Wild Flowers and their importance to humans and other organisms, include how
they are different from other flowers.
___ Paragraph (5 Points)
PAGE 41 of Journal: Spring Observations
The spring is obviously a busy time of year, with lots life “waking up”. Sit outside, alone, and still for
about 15 minutes in silence (no talking, no music, etc…) and listen to the sounds of nature. Consciously
ignore any sounds that are man-made. Note the date and time of day in your journal as well as the
weather (include temperature). Create and fill in a table with your observations on page 41. Make
notes of all the colors in the living things that surround you. Smells? Do you see any animals? Insects?
Which birds do you see or hear?
___ Essay/Poem (5 Points)
PAGE 42 of Journal: Writing
After you have spent your “quiet time” with nature, look over your descriptions and observations from
page 41 and compose an essay (100+ words) or poem (50+ words) to record your experience. You will
probably want to write a draft on another paper before entering your writing into your naturalist
journal. Write neatly and use a ruler if you need to keep your writing fairly straight.
___ Essay/Poem (5 Points)
The total point value for this assignment is 80
points.
There will be a 5 point deduction for each school day that it is late. Due Date: ___