Book by John Muir Laws
Published by Hey Day Books:
https://www.heydaybooks.com/genre/john-muir-laws-collection/
Article by Mary Leppert
When I spoke to John Muir Laws, who prefers “Jack”, what his life’s mission is, he answered definitively, “To have every person fall in love with the world around them.” After speaking with Jack, seeing his work and everything he does, he is definitely in love with the world.
Jack Laws teaches that nature journaling is an invaluable practice that can transform education, bridging the gap between observation, imagination, and knowledge. Through its emphasis on observation, reflection, and the interconnectedness of various subjects, nature journaling provides students of all ages with the tools to engage meaningfully with their environment and understand the world deeply.
The website alone, https://johnmuirlaws.com/ will give you a complete nature journaling education, just by watching the free videos, attending free workshops and reading Jack’s articles. I want to focus on the nature journaling concept here. Please go to the website, visit his Naturalist Store, in particular, How To Teach Nature Journaling, (with Emilie Lygren), 8.5 x 11 soft cover, 280 pages. The Laws Sketch Book for Nature Journaling, There is too much to list here, but visit the website. It is a treasure trove!
Jack Laws, a naturalist, educator, and author, has dedicated his life to teaching the intricacies of the natural world through the engaging practice of nature journaling. His methods have transcended conventional educational paradigms, offering profound insights into observation, memory, and the cognitive processes related to learning. Jack’s approach makes earth science and animal biology study more interesting and enjoyable than it is without drawing and journaling.
This practice can be especially beneficial for homeschooling families, allowing for flexible and personalized educational experiences. By fostering creative expression and cultivating curiosity, nature journaling can spark joy in learning, develop critical life skills, and create a deep connection with the natural world. In a society where much of our interaction with the environment is hurried and superficial, nature journaling stands as a profound reminder of the importance of slowing down, observing, and appreciating the beauty and complexity of our surroundings. As people of all ages engage in nature journaling, they not only document their observations but embark on a lifelong journey of learning, exploration, and discovery.
Homeschoolers familiar with the methods of Charlotte Mason, will immediately see her philosophies come to life in Jack’s beliefs and practices of the value of observation and recognition and appreciation of the natural world. Homeschoolers who are doing unschooling, will appreciate the freedom in Jack’s approach; homeschoolers who are doing traditional homeschooling will love the broad variety of topics Jack addresses in his books.
In this article, I explore Laws’ philosophy and techniques, how they can be integrated into a homeschooling curriculum, and their applicability to various educational settings. Ultimately, nature journaling represents more than just drawing; it is about engaging deeply with the world around us, allowing learners of all ages to develop observational skills, critical thinking, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for nature.
The Foundations of Nature Journaling
At the heart of Jack Laws’ approach to nature journaling is the belief that observing and documenting nature can enhance our understanding and retention of information. Through nature journaling, individuals can capture their observations of the environment—not just through written words, but also through sketches, diagrams, and other forms of visual representation. This multifaceted approach accesses various brain pathways, reinforcing learning in a way that traditional note-taking may not.
Research indicates that our brains retain only a fraction of what we observe visually—often cited as roughly 7% or less. This reality illuminates the critical role that journaling can play in education. By capturing thoughts, observations, and sketches on paper, learners can create an external catalog of knowledge that they can refer back to, facilitating better retention and understanding. Journaling serves as a bridge between immediate experience and long-term memory, providing a robust tool for cognitive reinforcement.
The Process of Nature Journaling
Law’s method emphasizes the importance of making connections between diverse forms of expression. When one writes a paragraph, the brain engages a distinct set of cognitive processes, accessing formal language and structured thought. Alternatively, when one draws a picture, different parts of the brain activate, allowing for a more intuitive understanding of spatial relationships and forms. This integration of writing, drawing, and mapping can facilitate a more comprehensive educational experience.
Journaling isn’t just about recording information; it’s about a process of discovery. It encourages learners to ask themselves questions like: “What do I see? How does this relate to what I already know? What emotions or thoughts does this observation evoke?” Through this reflective practice, individuals can gain insights not only about the subjects of their observations but also about their learning processes and styles.
Observing and Remembering
The process of journaling helps solidify memory and foster meaningful observations. Historical figures like Marie Curie and William Wordsworth utilized extensive notebooks to record their thoughts, ideas, and experiences. Their notes, often chaotic and scattered, served as the groundwork for their structured, groundbreaking contributions to science and literature. This practice is reminiscent of nature journaling, where the emphasis is not on crafting beautiful illustrations but on capturing the essence of experiences and thoughts.
The chaotic nature of creativity, which Laws advocates, is liberating. It allows learners—regardless of their artistic abilities—to explore their curiosities and document them in whatever form suits them. This can be particularly beneficial for those with learning differences, such as dyslexia, ADHD, and many other learning challenges. Instead of confining students to linear note-taking—an approach that may feel restrictive and daunting—nature journaling affords them the freedom to express their ideas and observations in ways that resonate with them, thus enhancing their learning experience.
A Tool for Life – exploration rather than perfection
Jack points out that nature journaling is not merely an academic exercise; it is a lifelong toolkit that can be applied in various contexts. This practice is beneficial for everyone—from elementary school students to seniors in nursing homes. It becomes a reflective diary that chronicles not only observations of nature but daily experiences, emotions, and thoughts.
The emphasis on exploration rather than perfection is crucial. Each person begins at their level, encouraged to experiment with mapping, diagramming, and doodling. The purpose of journaling is to observe and reflect, rather than to create a perfect representation of nature. This approach is liberating and invites learners to act with curiosity, leading to countless discoveries along the way.
Bridging the Educational Divide
Integrating nature journaling into a homeschooling curriculum can significantly enrich the educational experience. In a homeschooling environment, parents can shape a curriculum that aligns with their children’s interests and learning styles. By incorporating nature journaling, families can explore subjects such as biology, geography, art, and history in a cohesive manner—a synergy made possible by the interconnectedness of concepts explored through window of nature.
Nature journaling can also be a family activity that encourages exploration together. Going on hikes or walks in local parks can create opportunities for collective observation and drawing. Parents can guide their children in their journaling practice, providing prompts or topics to consider while fostering an open environment for discussion and inquiry.
Educational institutions can also benefit from embracing nature journaling as an educational tool. Teachers can adapt Laws’ methods to foster observational inquiry within the classroom, taking students outside, encouraging them to document their surroundings, and facilitating discussions based on their findings. This practice not only cultivates a deeper respect for nature but also enhances critical thinking skills and observational prowess.
The Science of Learning Through Nature Journaling
The cognitive science behind nature journaling demonstrates how engaging multiple senses can enhance learning. For example, when learners sketch a leaf they’ve collected, they engage their visual and tactile senses, enhancing their observational skills. When they write descriptive notes about the leaf’s texture and coloration, they activate different brain functions related to language and memory. This multisensory approach results in more robust neural connections, fostering deeper learning and retention.
Moreover, studies show that interacting with nature positively affects mental health and cognitive function. Spending time outdoors can reduce stress, increase focus, and improve overall well-being—benefits that further amplify the effectiveness of journaling as an educational tool. Taking students outside to observe their environment can transform a mundane lesson into an engaging experience, making learning enjoyable and memorable.
A Lifelong Influence
As participants in nature journaling develop their skills and refine their techniques, they will realize that the practice is far more than a method for capturing observations. It becomes a lens through which they interpret their surroundings, think critically about issues, and interact with the world around them. By observing and documenting nature without the pressure of perfection, learners cultivate a mindset that embraces imperfection, promotes curiosity, and values the beauty of the natural world.
Too often, individuals dismiss the importance of regular journaling as an unnecessary exercise or a tool only for writers and artists. However, as Jack Laws emphasizes, journaling is an essential skill applicable to anyone in any field. It is a means of archiving thoughts, generating ideas, and comprehending complexity.
