The Language of Looking Closely Taking Time to Observe Nature and Reflect Upon Observations "Nobody sees a flower, really--it is so small--we haven't time, and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time." Georgia O'Keeffe "I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars." Walt Whitman A close look at a single piece of grass, carefully described, can sound like poetry: "Culms low, tufted, mostly not more than 15 cm tall; leaves mostly basal, the blades flat or folded, usually not more than 1 mm wide; panicle narrow, purple, 1-3cm long, the branches appressed to somewhat spreading; spikelets about 2 mm long; lemma nearly as long as the glumes, awnless; palea about two-thirds as long as the lemma." Manual of the Grasses of the United States, A. S. Hitchcock Activity 1. Read and discuss the quotes above. 2. Have students keep a nature journal this spring, where they record observations in as much detail as possible. Ask them, "What do you see when you take a close and careful look at your own garden? Use as many descriptive words as you can. Feel free to make up your own words-- and try to define them." 3. Practice making up words, so students become comfortable with the process. Read Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll so they can see how fluidly this can be done: "Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe." Through the Looking Glass, Lewis Carroll 4. Try these tools for looking closely: Backwards Binoculars Did you know you can use your binoculars BACKWARDS to see something close up? You have to hold the item RIGHT UP to the small lens as you look through the big one. Binoculars make the most exquisite close up views imaginable. Frame the World To help you focus in on the little things, make a small paper frame, measuring as little as 2"x2". Describe what you see inside the frame. Copyright 2001 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form