Recently, my students in the Martin Innovative Middle School Program at Riverside Middle School in Williamston engaged in a unique and meaningful educational experience through DNCR’s North Carolina Kids’ Exploration Journal. The journal, provided FREE to schools requesting them, guides students through outdoor observations and reflections and quickly became a favorite among students and families alike.
One of the greatest strengths of the Exploration Journal is its portability. I provided journals to students before summer break as a way to document observations, whether on the road or in their own backyard. Several students used the journal during family beach trips, where they explored coastal habitats, reflected on the natural environment, and made lasting connections with the state’s shoreline. Others found joy in using the journal right in their own neighborhood, discovering that meaningful exploration does not always require travel to faraway places.
Many students expressed that the journal allowed them to spend more quality time outdoors with their loved ones. Whether sitting under a tree, walking along a trail, or searching for shells on the beach, the structured prompts encouraged families to share experiences together while deepening their connection to nature. As one student reflected, she had grown up with a large tree in her yard but had never considered how it provided shelter and food for countless insects and animals. The journal guided her to think more deeply about something she had seen every day of her life, transforming it into a source of learning and wonder.
As a teacher, it has been remarkable to see how this resource motivated students to explore the natural world with excitement and curiosity. The structured activities offered students the opportunity to observe, reflect, and ask questions, all while enjoying time outdoors. Most importantly, the journal provided students with a personal way to connect to North Carolina’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems.
The North Carolina Kids’ Exploration Journal is more than just an educational tool. It is a bridge between classroom learning and lived experience. By encouraging personal engagement with nature, it fosters not only deeper learning but also a lifelong appreciation for the environment. Students who participated this summer gained knowledge, created memories with their families, and developed a stronger sense of place within their community and state.
Ultimately, the journal reminds us that learning does not stop when the school year ends, nor is it confined to four walls. Instead, it thrives in the open air, in the shade of a tree, along the ocean’s edge, and within the bonds of shared family experiences.
Ready to engage your own students in the power of nature journaling? Request FREE copies at NC Kids' Exploration Journal | NC DNCR
About the author: Landon Leggett is a 6th and 7th grade history teacher at Martin Innovative Middle School in Williamston, NC. She is a 2024 DNCR Teacher Ambassador, was selected as a Teacher of Excellence by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in January of 2024, and was a part of the NC Go Global delegation that traveled to South Korea to study their educational system in the summer of 2024. She is an advocate for hands-on learning and works to provide opportunities for her students to take their learning outside the classroom whenever possible.