I am sharing a beautiful website by author Keri Smith. She has posted daily challenges on ways one can explore and discover what is around them. She does a great job of showing us "there is no "correct" way of understanding anything." (Smith, How To Be an Explorer of the World). These challenges focus on collecting and documenting which allows one to see things in new ways, to look past the surface. These challenges can be adapted to any age, so see what sparks your interest. This is just a starting point, so go explore your own world and don't forget to record!
If you would like to share pictures to this website of your explorations, please email me, Ms. Olivia at olivia.lorenzo@sccpss.com and I will post them!
If you are having difficulties on how to get started, here are a few tips and suggestions Keri has stated in her book, How To Be an Explorer of the World. I have directly quoted her book because I can't say it any better.
"You are an explorer. Your mission is to document and observe the world around you as if you've never seen it before. Take notes. Collect things you find on your travels. Document your findings. Notice patterns. Copy. Trace. Focus on one thing at a time. Record what you are drawn to."
"FIELDWORK TIPS:
1. Never leave home without a notebook and pen.
2. When practicing "deep looking" or"deep listening" it is best to work alone.
3. Respect the community in which you explore. This applies to aspects of nature, human or otherwise (and also includes property, public or private).
4. If you find yourself being questioned to the reasons for your activities, the phrase "I'm conducting research" usually satisfies the nosiest interloper.
5. Expect the unexpected (and you will find it)."