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What can you discover when you look at nature with different points of view?

Zoom In Zoom Out

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Zoom In Zoom Out is a valuable tool for changing perspective while leading you on a journaling adventure of new discoveries.

Materials:

Leaf or flower
Science Notebook
Pencil
Hand lens (optional)
Colored pencils (optional)

Zoom In Zoom Out

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During this journaling experience, you’ll be observing a leaf or flower of your choice from three different points of view or scale:

Life Size Zoom In (Up Close) Zoom Out (Far Away)

Zoom In Zoom Out

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Remember to:

Enter metadata (date, location, time, weather)

Take time to observe with “I Notice I Wonder It Reminds Me Of”, while saying observations out loud.

Use words, pictures and numbers to record observations at every scale.

Spend five to ten minutes recording your observations for each scale (life size, zoom in, zoom out).

Zoom In Zoom Out

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Life size

Draw your object in the middle of a blank page of your Science Notebook in its actual size.
If your object is too large, only draw part of it.
Add written notes about what you notice from this distance.

Zoom In Zoom Out

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Zoom in (up close)

Choose a part of the object that is interesting to you.
Zoom in to observe it in detail. If available, use a hand lens.
Draw a circle around this part on your life size drawing.
On the side of the paper draw a larger circle and draw a magnified view of that same area showing details not seen before.
Add written notes + questions about what you see at this scale.

Zoom In Zoom Out

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Zoom out (far away)

Step back and make a final sketch, this time zoom out, taking in the whole object and some of its environment.
You could sketch a side view or small map to show its overall shape and where it is in the environment.
Add written notes and questions about what you see at this scale.

Zoom In Zoom Out

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Use this checklist to review your nature journal entry

__ Metadata (date, location, time and weather)

__ Sketch of nature object

__ Used words, pictures, and numbers to record what you noticed

__ Include at least two things you wonder about

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When you think you are done, spend a few more minutes to see if you notice anything else or have additional wonderings to include in your nature journal entry. �

Optional: add color with colored pencils or crayons when you are finished.

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Share your Science Notebook with someone at home

Here are some discussion questions you could answer while sharing:

What kinds of details did you notice about your object when up close (zoomed in)? Far away (zoomed out)?

How does shifting your viewpoint on something change the way you think about it?

Zoom In Zoom Out

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Here are some additional discussion questions:

What were some structures or patterns you observed that surprised you at the up close (zoomed in) view?

Can you come up with any possible explanations of how structures you viewed might function to help your plant survive?

What else are you wondering about?

Share your Science Notebook with someone at home

Zoom In Zoom Out

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Suggested follow-up activities:

Conduct this Zoom In Zoom Out activity with a different object.
Remember to use the Zoom In strategy in future nature journal entries to observe different structures up close.
Use the Zoom Out strategy in future nature journal entries to observe interactions with other living and nonliving things in the habitat.

Zoom In Zoom Out

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Zoom In Zoom Out

Additional activities:

1. Look back on previous journal entries in your Science Notebook. Are there any of these that you would have liked to use this strategy on?

2. If possible, take a photo of your nature journal entry and share it with your teacher and classmates.

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We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit that exists to drive a passion for nature, for all.

We provide experiences that connect people to nature and drive a curiosity for the living world. We believe that if we help people discover a passion for nature, they will want to protect it and value everything it has to offer.

Resources:

Adapted from “Zoom In Zoom Out” lesson in How to Teach Nature Journaling by John Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren (pages 47-49).

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