Your Child Will Learn
How to make and record scientific observations by drawing
Here’s What to Do
- Before bedtime, head to a window with a view of the night sky (or head outside). Direct your child’s attention to the sky. What do they notice about the sky itself and objects in the sky? What is the weather like?
- Make a sky journal by stapling or paper clipping a few pieces of paper into a book. Help your child record their observations in the journal. You can write the day of the week and a few words your child uses to describe the sky, and they can draw what the sky looks like.
- Repeat each night over the course of a week or two. What are some of the changes your child notices?
- Can’t do this at night? Make a “sky journal” instead. Observe clouds and weather during the day instead.
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- When you have a view of the sky, tell your child you’re going to notice the sky like scientists.
ENGAGE
- “What can you see up in the night sky? I’ll write down what you tell me in your journal.”
- “You noticed a lot of colors in tonight’s sunset. Do you think you can draw some of those colors?”
ENCOURAGE
- “What shape is the moon? Right, it’s a crescent which is kind of like a C shape. Can you draw the moon shape in your journal?”
- “What kinds of clouds can you see? Are they puffy or wispy? Big or small? White or gray?”
REFLECT
- Look through the journal and discuss how the sky changed each night.
Not Quite Ready
Focus on the verbal observations and skip drawing them in a journal.
Ready for More
Help your child write some of their observation words in the journal. Use the internet to find out the temperature outside, and write the temperature in the journal each night.
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will be able to use more complex descriptive vocabulary to talk about observations and record their observations through drawing.
Time to Complete
15 minutes, repeated for several nights
Materials Needed
Paper, staples or paper clip, drawing supplies (crayons, pencils, markers)