Inside Out

Students observe a mushroom and draw internal and external views to describe its shape. Then they learn how these views correspond to engineering and architectural plans, and think about how to apply these strategies to future journal entries.

Architects and engineers have developed a clear and adaptable system for describing objects with pictures. Instead of drawing a single portrait, they make measured drawings of the top or bottom view (plan) and the side view (elevation). Section views show internal structures by slicing the object from different angles and drawing the view perpendicular to the cut. Architects and engineers can also construct a 3-D drawing of the object as seen from another angle. This powerful approach is easily adapted to nature journaling. This strategy for diagramming can become a part of students’ nature journal tool kit, offering a simple way to capture visual information.