Writing books can be dirty work. At least, it is when you are April Pulley Sayre and Anthony Fredericks. Both of these authors write books for young people who are curious about the natural world. And both authors believe in going out, getting muddy, and getting close to your subject!
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In the next few pages, Periscope will set you loose to do some of your own "dirty work." That is, going outdoors and doing some research. After that, try your hand at turning your research into a...
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Anthony Fredericks says, "Under One Rock has a lot of facts about creatures like insects that live in the soil. But I also wanted to weave a story around it so I could open up some of the mystery...
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April and Anthony study everything around them -- the animals, the plants, the rocks, the weather, well...everything. They use their five senses and take a lot of notes. Their field notes help them to...
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Like April and Anthony, you can find the ingredients for a story right in your own backyard. Go somewhere outside - the playground, the lawn, a garden, a park, or the woods, perhaps. And don't forget...
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You may want to bring a magnifying glass and a ruler to help you study things up close and in detail.
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Look for an interesting spot to begin your research. It might be a place where you see lots of activity -- a pond, a garden, or a bunch of flowers, for example. Or it might be a place that needs to be...
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These are some of the things authors and scientists who study the natural world do. You can do the same! Note the time, place and date of your field research. Observe the size, shape, color, texture...
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What will you write in your field journal?
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Now sit down in a quiet place and look over your notes. Do you have any questions? Your question can be based on any of your observations. Why did the butterfly go to one flower and not another? Why...
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To answer your inquiry, you will have to find more information. Here are some ways to do more research. Visit the area you observed earlier and study it a little closer. Now that you have your...