Go Outside and draw, explore nature with a sketchbook and pencil and simply draw what you find. A leaf, pinecone cool bug, the clouds and flowers. Do some nature studies. This is Observational Art, which can be used in conjunction with Observational Science and Non-Fiction Writing.
>Start by just walking in your back yard. Do a study of trees in your area and try and collect a few different kinds of leaves. Bring them in and study them, how many points does each leaf have? What are the differences and what are the similarities. Lay them out on the table and draw them. For younger children they can trace them. For older children this is a wonderful time for them to learn to observe what they see and try and draw it.
>On your nature walk give the children a bag (with their name on it!) and just let them collect what has fallen to the ground. They will find leaves, acorns, pine cones, rocks sticks.
>Study the habitat of the animals in your area: squirrels, chipmunks, birds, etc.
>Study the habitat of the insects in your area: ants, grasshoppers, beetles, moths, butterflies, bees, etc.
>Observe: Is the sun out? What kind of clouds? What is the temperature? What season is it?
>For older students let them draw try and draw a tree and the landscape.
Recommended Resources:
-Nature Study & Outdoor Science Journal: A Creative Book of Observation, Drawing, Coloring, Writing & Discovery Through Nature. (Our Nature Journal Course will be live soon 😉
-Drawing From Nature by Jim Arnosky (Jim Arnosky has multiple books on nature journaling subjects. They are all so good. Field Trips, Secrets of a Wildlife Watcher.)
-The Thinking Tree Presents: Fun-Schooling for All Ages. Nature Themed Workbooks
-Nature Journal: A Nature Journal for Kids by Alice M Cantrell
–Notebooking In Science