Children will see the natural world around them with brand new eyes, as they learn to follow its signs, hear its language, and understand its secrets. With this unique and compelling book written by expert environmental educator Devin Franklin, kids aged 8 to 13 will build their own relationship with nature through finding a "Sit Spot" - an outdoor space in the backyard, in a field or in the woods, in a vacant lot or a city park - where they can stop, observe, and become familiar with the flora and fauna that live there. From the Six Arts of Tracking (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How) and making a habitat map to walking in smooth silence like a fox and learning the basics of bird language, exploration exercises lead young readers on a fascinating journey of discovery as they watch, listen, map, interpret, and write about the sounds, sights, scents, and patterns they encounter. With journaling prompts, map-making activities, and observational tracking practice throughout, Put On Your Owl Eyes is an interactive and thought-provoking guidebook. This publication conforms to the EPUB Accessibility specification at WCAG 2.0 Level AA. Kids aged 8 to 13 will sharpen their senses and get to know the natural world up close with this guide to nature observation and exploration, including tracking, mapping, and reflective journaling activities. Devin Franklin is the author of Put On Your Owl Eyes. He holds a degree in environmental education and has studied survival, tracking, and awareness skills at Wilderness School in Maine and the Tracker School in New Jersey. He is director of programing at Flying Deer Nature Center in Chatham, New York, which he joined with his wife in 1998. Your Wild Backyard 1 Discovering a New Backyard Exploration 1: Sit Spot Exploration 2: Wandering Exploration 3: Mapping 2 Your Backyard Trees Exploration 4: Expanding the Senses Exploration 5: Exploring Field Guides Exploration 6: Mind's Eye Imagining 3 Your Backyard Mammals Exploration 7: Fox Feet Exploration 8: Questioning Exploration 9: Tracking 4 Your Backyard Birds Exploration 10: Owl Eyes Exploration 11: Deer Ears Exploration 12: Bird Language 5 Your Backyard Community Exploration 13: Journaling Exploration 14: Story of the Day Exploration 15: Giving Thanks Your Backyard Journey Continues Owl Eyes Certification Speaking Metric Connections Index Step into the Wild With this book as your guide, you can... - Find your own Sit Spot - Put on Owl Eyes to track a rabbit - Learn a fox's habits - Get to know a tree - Put on Deer Ears to hear bird language - Map your favorite places. Adventures await you! "Devin Franklin's wonderful book helps young folks to better understand what the natural world is all about. Easy and fun to navigate, it is an excellent way to encourage our youth to put down those screens and engage with the great outdoors." - Chuck Leavell, musician, environmentalist, and cofounder of Mother Nature Network www.mnn.com "A refreshing approach to getting kids outdoors observing, listening, interacting with nature through fun yet informative activities that stoke even my curiosity." - Clare Walker Leslie, wildlife artist, author, and educator "Put On Your Owl Eyes is an invaluable resource for using the outdoors to transform and inspire. Mr. Franklin provides young readers with questions and insights that help them sharpen their senses and encourage them to explore their surroundings, opening their eyes to the beauty around them and providing positive exposure to the outdoors." - David Hartness, director of FLOC Outdoor Education Cent

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