Revised May 2015
Naturalist Journal- 4th Quarter – Late Spring
due:
Chapter page- LATE SPRING (Needs picture! Either photo or sketch!)
Be sure to use the heading (ex- Flower Dissection) for each of the parts on the first page you use for that section.
Flower Dissection
Find a flower that is complete (having both male and female parts). Take a color photo of it that
includes the flower, stem and leaf. Glue the photo into your journal. Gently disassemble and dry each
part of the flower by carefully place between newspaper sheets (to dry- takes about 1 week), and under
several books (to press flat). When mounting in your journal, totally cover each part with clear, wide
tape. Label each part clearly.
Parts that should be labeled: Sepal, Petal, Pistil, Stigma, Style, Ovary, Stamen, Filament, Anther
On the next page of your journal make a table (two columns, use a ruler!) and write each parts name
and state its function.
Wildflower collection
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.
Try http://patriot.net/~eweidaw/wildflower.htm
You must photograph, collect, press, and identify 5 wildflowers (stem and leaf too!) that are found
in the Sterling- Potomac Falls area.
Definition of a wildflower - wild or uncultivated flowering plant
1. Locate, take photo and then collect 5 different wildflowers (along with the stem and leaves)
Wildflowers are NOT flowers that were planted in your garden or anyone else’s garden.
Wildflowers can be collected from neighborhood common areas, bordering wooded areas,
school property, or local parks.
2. Flowers must be pressed and driedFlower pressing is easy, just place the flower between two sheets of absorbent paper (newspaper works
best), being careful to spread the flower flat out, so it presses to best represent its natural shape
and features. Flattened the leaves. Avoid overlapping parts. You will need to be able to see the
stamen and pistils. Press with heavy books for a couple of weeks. You can find many resources on the
internet if you need more specific instructions.
Mount these flowers in your journal using the same method used with the leaves in the fall; Cover them
completely with wide, clear tape.
Identify your wildflowers, common name and scientific name (written correctly! For example:
Claytonia virginica or if you are typing Claytonia virginica). Pay attention to flower, stem and leaf to
make the correct ID!
Revised May 2015
Support your ID by printing out a color picture of each wildflower that you found from the internet.
The internet photo must show the flower, stem and leaf! Mount this picture next to your pressed
specimen. Below the photo from the internet, credit the source by writing the URL (internet
“address”).
Virginia Wildflower
Photo taken before picking
Specimen, dried and attached by
“sealing” with wide clear tape.
Common name
Genus species
Internet picture to confirm ID
My Home in the Late Spring
Take another color photo of your home from the same location as the previous photos. Attach this
photo in your journal on the pages with your other photos and record the date underneath. Under the
photo, describe the weather and the condition of the plants. What changes do you notice from the last
photo?
Observations in Late Spring
The weather is getting warmer. Observe nature by using all your senses. Sit outside, alone, and still
for about 15 minutes in silence (no talking, no music, etc…) and listen to the sounds of nature- you
may want to take notes. Note the date and time of day in your journal. Try to filter out any man-made
sounds (cars, lawnmowers…) Make notes of all the colors in the living things that surround you. Do
you notice any smells? Do you see or hear any animals? Name them. Describe them. Think about all
your senses and take in your surroundings.
After you have spent your quiet time with nature, compose an essay (250 words) or poem (150 words)
to record your experience. This essay or poem will go on the next page after your observation notes.
You will probably want to write a draft on other paper before entering your writing into your naturalist
journal. Write neatly and use a ruler if needed to keep your writing fairly straight or type it up and glue
in.
Nature
You have options!
YOU decide what is interesting to notice in the natural world around you. Include 2 clear, color
pictures of nature that YOU have taken. Fully describe why you chose what you did (about a 50 words
each).
Reflections
Choose one of the following 2 prompts: (either write an essay of at least 100 words or make a list) (6pts)
 A Naturalist’s notebook is valuable to…..
 My favorite part of this journal experience was…
Things I learned (make a list of 10) from doing the journal assignments. Number your list and have a
sentence or two for each number- be specific. (10pts)