Outdoor Art Lessons

There is much to see and experience when we go outside.  These lessons come from Allison Poklemba, Humboldt County Office of Education Environmental Education Teacher and Greenwood Schoolhouse blogger.  We recommend these lessons for their integration with environmental education, botany, nature journaling, drawing, creativity, and relationship building/ socialization with family.  Some of the creativity skills strengthened in these activities include Notice/ Wonder, Develop Craft, Reflect, Envision, Create, and Collaborate.  

Draw Together

In this activity one person is the EYES to look and describe a natural object.  The other person is the HAND that records the description.  This also works with Zoom with friends and family who are far away.

Make A Sound Map

Put yourself at the center of a map that shows the sounds you hear outside and record their locations in relation to you.  This activity also has you  envision and create how you will represent each sound visually.  

How to Nature Journal

Wondering what to do with a Nature Journal? Learn the basics and start recording observations in your own yard and neighborhood. There are countless discoveries to be made!

Watch It Grow

Sylas demonstrates how he notices, wonders, and records the growth of a Clintonia lily living in the redwood forest.

Color Smash!

Create an artist's palette of colors, not from paint and pigments, but from the leaves, flowers, and berries that you can find in nature.

Magnifying Glass Journaling

Instructions on how to properly use a magnifying glass when nature journaling.  
​The second video explores daisies (Day's Eyes).
There is also the related "Art from Nature" lesson that you can find here which is part of our "Create at Home" series.