The Field Observation assignment implements skills from previous assignments and builds student confidence toward becoming a documentary story producer. Students were given hardbound notebooks with blank pages (5"x8") specifically to make "fieldnotes" blending drawings and written observations.
The assignment has 3 parts:
1) Take a walk around your block, or outside anywhere. You are a story producer doing field research. Take your time, stroll, sit, stand around, observe. Use your field notebook to write words and make drawings.
- Bring TOOLS: Field Notebook, Pencil, Colored Pencils, Camera (optional)
- Begin your notes with: date, time, location.
- Make OBSERVATIONS: experience the world around you with your senses. Write words, make drawings, take photos. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? How does it feel to be where you are?
2) When you come back from your walk, take photos of your notebook (attached).
3) Write your ANALYSIS. What do you think about the things you observed?
Use your mind. Write down your thoughts about the things you observed. Do you think some of the things you observed could be evidence of, or point toward, social topics or environmental issues? Do some of the things your observed raise questions? (For example, “Why do some blocks have recycling collection while others don’t?”)
Attach photos of full notebook pages. Include all words, photos and drawings from notebook.
SELECTED STUDENT WORK
Yermy's field observations:
"I walk and smell flowers. I look at the trees and hear the sounds of cars. I see the sky."
Devin's field observations:
Some of my thoughts: “I like the cold breeze of wind” “The lights from the cars looks great” “The smell of tires is nice but also bad” and “The noise from the cars are annoying but also kinda peaceful”. No I don’t think what I observed could be evidence of, or point toward, social topics or environmental issues. Why do cars have multiple sounds while driving? Why isn’t there a specific noise?
Julieta's field observations:
"The park wasn’t the same as before. I noticed it instantly. I’m the type of person who doesn’t enjoy going out a lot, but I can still figure that our world has completely changed. I don’t know if this pandemic is helping more than we think or if it is affecting us a lot more than we thought. Honestly when I was at the park I enjoyed the quiet and windy place. I could relax and do my assignments.
But I also felt weird not hearing kids laughing, babies crying and even moms yelling at their kids and telling them to be more careful and to stop fighting. Even if I don’t want to admit I miss those little things that before were really burdensome things. I think I was feeling as lonely as those swings at the park when I didn’t have the chance to see my friends or go out. When I was at the park, I also noticed the helicopter that I drew. I looked up and wondered “ Why is the park built/constructed under a freeway bridge.” Honestly the moment I thought of all the accidents that could happen any moment. I was feeling anxious, scared and even mad just thinking while cars passed by. I mean I got annoyed by the noises and sounds of the cars. I went with my family and a friend of mine."
Melody's field observations:
Date: 3/9/21
Location: My Apartments
- There are a lot of kids playing
- I can feel the bright sun shining on me.
- I can smell the plants and this smell i can't describe.
- I can see kids running around
- I can hear people yelling and talking
- The birds flying past me get me relaxed
- All the dogs i see look so cute.
