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Use your
blank mini journal to record observations about whatever interests
you. Go outside and investigate nature firsthand. Or, if you prefer,
get started by watching some interesting animal behavior using the
provided video clips found here.
Download and print
the Mini Journal, fold it (see
instructions), then observe!
Rectangle
Investigations
Cracks
Observations
Track
Observations
Squirrel
Gymnastics (Quicktime movie, 3.6mb)
Watch this squirrel
scamper around, track its movements, and describe its actions. Here's
a tip to help you out: did you know that the left and right arrow keys
will backup or advance a Quicktime movie one frame at a time? Use this
feature to slo-mo your way through the squirrel's gymnastics.
Gliding
gull (Quicktime movie, 504kb)
Gliding flight
in birds
Ever notice how some birds hold their wings out flat when they glide while
others have their wings up in a "V"? Have a look at the gull
movie. What do you notice about the gull's wing position?
You can make a paper bird from a 5" x 8" index card (or other
heavy paper) to test the effect on gliding flight of wing position and
the curvature of the wing itself. Gliding flight means that you hold the
paper bird by its tail and let it drop (rather that throw it). See the
patterns. Adding weights (staples or paper clips) to the body section
may improve the flight.
Pigeons, crows, starlings, hawks and gulls are frequent gliders. Use a
mini-journal to record your observations of these birds in gliding flight.
Draw the position of the wings. Take note of the wind speed and direction.
Does the bird glide with the wind or against it? If you see a bird that
uses several different wing positions, try to figure out what it might
be responding to.
Pileated
Woodpecker (Quicktime movie, 880kb)
Harvestman
(Quicktime movie, 660kb)
Salamander
(Quicktime movie, 2.7mb)
A
Bug at Breakfast (Quicktime movie)
Watch closely as
this hungry katydid devours his breakfast. How does the insect’s
mouth work? Record your observations and further questions in your
journal. Go outside and find more examples of arthropods eating. Share
what you learn with others!

Download and print
the Insect Mini Journal, fold it (see
instructions), then observe!
Watch
the Western Conifer Seed Bug (Quicktime movie, 1mb)
Download
the Insect Mini Journal (pdf, 112k)
Mini
Journal folding instructions

Toothpicks
to Tops mini journal.
For folding instructions, click here.
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