Phenology

This is the "Nature Spot" I sat at and observed my surroundings at.

January 17th, 2021: 2pm 

27 degrees, overcast, windy 

Lake Walk, Duluth MN 

Hear: I hear the waves crashing and the wind blowing 

See: water, rocks, trees, snow, grass 

Smell: the lake 

OWL:

O: The lake water looks gray, little patches of dead grass how under the snow, the trees all look the same (branches bare), ice cover the rocks by the water, waves are crashing against the rocks, no animals near.

W: I wonder...Why the lake water changes color, will this part of the lake freeze, where did the seagulls go?

Nature Walk: Week of January 25

This week I was able to go on a short walk around the neighborhood I live near. This small pine tree caught my attention. It was surrounded by very large trees but this one stuck out to me because of its peculiar shape. The pine needles are fuller at the top than compared to the bottom. I was curious as to why this was.

Nature Walk: Week of February 1st, 2021

Observation #1:

This week I was back in my hometown of Zumbrota, MN. It is a small town in SE Minnesota. For my nature walk, I went to my favorite trail in Zumbrota the Covered Bridge Trail.

This trail is about 3 miles long. Throughout the trail you can walk through wooded areas as well as under the only covered bridge in Minnesota!

My picture to the left is of trees lining the trail. It had just snowed so the trees were very pretty with snow hanging on their branches. I wonder how tree branches can hold so much snow? How do their branches not break off with the weight of the snow?Below I have inserted a map of the location of the Covered Bridge Park and Trail. I also added in a picture of my dog Scout. He was my walking buddy for the day. He always enjoyed getting out in nature and exploring just like me!

Week of February 8, 2021

Observation #1

During the week of February 8th, 2021 I drove up the north shore to explore nature. I stopped in Grand Marais, MN and walked down near the water. It was so cool to see the ice covering the rocks and water. Before coming to Duluth for school I had never seen something like this in nature.

Weather: High of -3 degrees and low of -27 degrees. Sunny and windy.

Hear: Quiet and still. The only thing I could hear was the waves crashing and the wind blowing.

See: rocks, ice, water, snow, sun shining

Smell: crisp cold air.

I wonder how long it takes for the water to build up and freeze on the rocks.

Week of February 15, 2021

Palisade Head:

Observation #1:

Date: February 14

Time: 3:30 pm

Location: Palisade Head

Observation: Ice

I went to Palisade head this weekend, to enjoy some of the warmer weather we were getting. It was so cool to see the ice on the lake from up above. The ice almost looked glittery from the sun shinning on it. I wonder just how big those pieces of ice are in the lake, they look little from way above but I'm sure they are actually pretty big. Nature is so neat and beautiful even in the middle of winter!

Observation #2:

Date: February 17th

Time: 2 pm

Location: Duluth, MN

Observation: Weather- Sun

I also went on a walk this week around my neighborhood with my roommates. It was nice to get a little break from classes and enjoy the outdoors and fresh air. I noticed how bright the sun reflects on the snow during this walk. I always seem to forget to wear sunglasses in the winter but this it the time I seem to need them the most! I love feeling the warm sun on my face during a cold winter day.

Week of February 21st, 2021

Observation #1:

This week (Feb. 24) during my practicum at Lowell Elementary we had the opportunity to go to their school forest at the end of the day. This was a fun opportunity to enjoy nature with my practicum students. I enjoyed seeing nature through their eyes and all the fun they have outdoors with just trees surrounding them. This experience definitely made me appreciate nature more!

Observation #2:

I also took a trip to Wisconsin Point Beach with my roommates on Saturday (Feb. 27). It was fun getting outside because it was a warmer that day! The warmer weather made me excited for Spring! I am looking forward to the warmer weather occurring and the changes in nature as the seasons are changing.

Here is a picture of when I was at Wisconsin Point Beach. It was so pretty and cool to see the frozen water but sand at the same time. I wonder... does sand ever freeze??

Week of February 28th

Observation #1:

This week I went outside with my practicum students on Wednesday, March 3rd. My CT makes it a goal of hers to take her students outside as much as possible when it is nice out. I totally want to make this my goal as a future teacher. I think kids need to have lots of opportunity to go outside and run around. We enjoyed playing on the school playground and soaking in the sunshine. I had many students come up to me and say that they cannot wait for the snow to melt and warmer days, I couldn't agree more.

Observation #2:

I also traveled to SE Minnesota back to my hometown for Spring Break. On my drive home it was cool seeing the way nature was changing as I was making my way towards SE Minnesota. The snow gradually melted as I got closer to my hometown. I included a drawing of my drive home and how the weather and nature changed from Northern Minnesota to SE Minnesota.

Week of March 7th

Observation #1:

This week I was back home enjoying my Spring Break. It was so nice to have time to myself and I had plenty of time to spend time outdoors. This week the temperature was so nice it was in the upper 50's and low 60's for most of the time I was home! I hope it stays this nice. I was able to read outside on my parents deck and enjoy the sun shinning on my face and cool breeze. Reading outside is one of my favorite things to do when the weather is nice! I also took my dog on lots of walks while I was home. We enjoyed walking the Covered Bridge Trail in my hometown.

Date: March 13

Time: 1 pm

Location: Haycreek, MN

Observation: weather- sunshine

Description of Observation: It was a beautiful day outside. The sun was shinning and the temperature was in the upper 50's. I went to Haycreek, MN to walk on a trail while my foster siblings rode their bikes. It was fun exploring a new area that I have never been before. Below I have pictures of my time outside.

Week of March 14th-20th

Observation #1

March 14th was my last day home before heading back to Duluth for my full-time practicum to start. I took the day to go on one last walk with my family! I am glad I had nice weather during my spring break to get outside and enjoy nature. On my walk I was observing the plants.

I wonder if Spring is finally here in SE Minnesota...and when plants will start blooming again.

Date: March 14

Time: 11 am

Location: Covered Bridge Park

Observation: plants

Week of March 21-27

Observation #1

On Sunday I went on a hike at Whitewater State Park. Although the hike was very muddy, it was fun exploring a new place and the nature. I felt very relaxed during this time outside.

Date: March 21

Time: 2:00 pm

Location: Whitewater State Park

Focus of Observation: Plants- Trees

I noticed that a lot of the trees do not have leaves on them yet. However, the pine trees still have their pine needles. I wonder why pine trees never lose their pine needles like other trees with leaves do?

Observation #2

Date: March 27

Time: 11 am

Location: Duluth, MN

Observation: Weather- rain, sleet, snow

My observation for Saturday, March 27 was the weather. I knew the weather was not going to be very nice on Saturday. However, my boyfriends car broke down so we spent a lot of the day outside fixing it. Although it was not ideal weather, I was able to get the opportunity to watch the weather change from rain in the morning to snow in the afternoon. It was interesting to watch the rain gradually get colder and turn into sleet then finally into snow. It got me thinking about the water cycle. How I could discuss the day's weather with students to help teach them about the water cycle.

During my observation: I felt cold and wet. It made me think about how I am excited for summer weather and nature observations!

Week of: March 28- April 3

Observation #1:

Date: 3/29/21

Time: 12:30 pm

Location: Lowell Elementary School- Duluth, MN

Observation: Trees (sap)

Description of observation: On Monday, my practicum class joined the Ojibwe teacher and class at Lowell to participate in tapping a maple tree for sap and then making sugar out of it. This was an awesome way to integrate nature with science and the Ojibwe culture. My students and I were able to observe the trees and the process for getting sap and then learn about the process to make the sap into maple sugar/syrup. This observation was a highlight of my week. I loved getting outside with my students to learn something new about the wonderful things maple trees can offer us! (Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of this experience/observation)

Observation #2:

Date: 3/31/21

Time: 5 pm

Location: Duluth, MN

Observation: Water- creek

Description of Observation: My friend and I took a short walk near a creek by her house. We stopped by the creek to observe the water. The ice had melted on the inside of the creek but there was still ice on the outer edges. It was also very peaceful to be by the water listening to the stream. I always feel very relaxed when I can hear water trickling or waves crashing. I wonder why ice on water melts first in the middle and then slowly melts outwards?

Week of: April 4-10

Observation #1

Date: April 4, 2021

Time: 10 am

Location: Chester Park- Duluth, MN

Observation: Water and rocks

Focus of Observation: I took a walk through Chester Park and walked down by the water fall. I was comparing the water from the creek on my previous walk (above) to the water fall in Chester Park. The water was moving very fast and there was really cool rock formations surrounding the water. I was curious about how waterfalls effect rocks. When I got home I looked this up and learned more about erosion. I learned that the soft rock erodes leaving a hard ledge for the water to stream over. I think it is so cool that being out in nature can spark my curiosity and interest in learning something new.

Observation #2

Date: April 10, 2021

Time: 12 pm

Location: Quarry Park- Rochester, MN

Observation: Animal Footprints

Focus of Observation: My boyfriend and I went to walk the trails at Quarry Hill Park over the weekend. This park is neat because it offers a lot of easier trails that beginners and family's can enjoy. It also has trails for cross country skiing that I have enjoyed in the winter months. It was fun to go back and explore some nature in the middle of Rochester (a big city). When we were on the trail, my boyfriend pointed out deer tracks on the ground. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture. It was cool to see the tracks and guess how big the deer who made these tracks is. The tracks were pretty big and went deeper into the soft ground so we guessed that it was a bigger deer.

Week of April 11-17

Observation #1

Date: April 16th, 2021

Time: 12 pm

Location: Leif Erickson Park & Lake Walk

Observation: Water and changing of seasons

Focus of observation: On this day, my boyfriend and I went on a walk. We started our walk at Lief Erickson Park and walked all the way to canal park. It was such a beautiful day in the mid 50's. We enjoyed the peaceful environment of our surroundings and stopped by the water to listen to the waves. It is so cool living in an areas that experiences the 4 different seasons. Not long ago the water was covered with ice and it was negative temps but now Spring is on it's way! I am grateful I had the time to observe nature during our walk on Friday. Walks are my all-time favorite way to spend time outdoors and in nature.

Observation #2:

Date: April 17, 2021

Time: 11:30 am

Location: Silver Bay- Bean and Bear Lake

Weather: sunny, 48 degrees F

Observation: Water, trees, changing of seasons

Focus of Observation: On Saturday, my boyfriend and I decided to go on a 8 mile hike on the Superior Hiking Trail to see Bean and Bear Lake! It was such a peaceful time spent out in nature and the view at the end was breathtaking. I have hiked this trail once before last fall, and I remember the fall colors were beautiful so I was curious how it would look in the Spring. I was not disappointed, the water was so calm and the sun was shining with a bright blue sky. We even hiked down by the water which I did not do last time. I think observing nature change throughout the seasons is one of the most amazing things. Nature has so much to offer in every season. Throughout my time creating this nature journal I have really come to realize this. No matter the season I hope to continue to get outside and enjoy my surroundings.

Week of April 18-24

Final Observation:

Date: April 18th, 2021

Time: 7:50 pm

Location: Canal Park - Duluth MN

Weather: partly cloudy, 38 degrees F

Observation: Sun- Sunset

Focus of Observation: To end my Nature observation reflections I decided to go back to my first Nature spot down by Lake Superior. On this night there was a ship coming through. It was bittersweet to watch this since I will be moving back home at the end of this week and do not know when I will get to see the lift bridge again. However, the sunset and sky were beautiful this night! The sky had a purple and pink tint to it. I am curious why the sunset looks different every night...such as the color changes from oranges to pinks to purples. It was so neat to see the ship sail of into the big open lake with the sun setting (I have attached the image below). I am honestly amazed at how beautiful our world is. I am grateful that I got to experience the nature Duluth and the North Shore has to offer during my time at UMD.

Assignment reflection: Why is getting outside and observing important? What are the most significant things that you observed? Highlights and not so great stuff about your observations.

Getting outside and observing nature is so important. I believe it is important because it helps you realize and appreciate the beauty of the world we live in. Some of the most significant things I observed was the changes of seasons in Duluth. It was really fascinating to see the changes taking place in nature as the weather shifted from fall to winter and finally now to spring. I observed this by seeing ice on the lake and watching it melt as the weather got warmer. Some of the not so great stuff I experienced while doing these nature observations is feeling stuck with what to observe, I often felt like I was observing the same things (ex. trees and Lake Superior). It was also a struggle to get myself outside to complete these observations, especially during the cold winter months. However, it was still an awesome experience to get outside and observe nature during my week.

Elementary Implications: How will use this activity in the teaching and learning of elementary students. Give specific examples and objectives.

I would want to incorporate this activity into my future science classroom. I feel that I gained a lot from this activity and I know elementary students will too. I believe this activity would help students develop an appreciation and love for nature at a younger age. It also helps with your overall health and well-being, getting outside and breathing fresh air and moving your body has so many benefits and I want my students to have this opportunity to take a break during the school day to spend time out in nature. Even if it os only for a few minutes. This activity would help support student learning because it allows students to participate in and observing science outdoors it could also help with ELA objectives because students would record their observations by writing them down in their nature notebooks. In conclusion, I learned that I want to incorporate this activity into my future science classroom to help engage my students in nature.