Nature Journals in the Rain: Literacy and Science Outdoors with Digital Prompts
With The Outdoor Classroom app, teachers can turn these everyday autumn moments into powerful cross-curricular lessons. By using digital image and audio prompts, pupils can record their observations in real time—supporting English writing skills and scientific enquiry in line with UK curriculum standards.
Why Rainy Days Are Perfect for Outdoor Learning
There’s something magical about being outside in the rain. Puddles become miniature laboratories, leaf veins stand out in sharp relief, and worms wriggle up to the surface. These natural phenomena give children authentic, first-hand experiences that feed into both literacy and science learning.
Outdoor literacy work is especially powerful when it connects to children’s senses. Studies show that writing based on lived experience is richer, more descriptive, and more engaging. At the same time, observing and recording nature meets the requirements of the primary science curriculum: asking questions, gathering evidence, and evaluating findings.
Organisations like Learning Through Landscapes and Natural England have long highlighted how time outdoors supports wellbeing, literacy development, and curiosity about the natural world. November’s rainy days are not a barrier—they’re an opportunity.
Literacy + Science: Nature Journals with a Digital Twist
Keeping a nature journal is a timeless way to blend observation with reflection. With The Outdoor Classroom app, this classic activity becomes even more engaging through digital prompts.
Here’s how it works:
- Image Prompts: Teachers can upload pictures of seasonal features (e.g. mushrooms, raindrops on spiderwebs, puddle reflections). Pupils use these as inspiration for descriptive writing or scientific observation.
- Audio Prompts: Record simple questions like “What sounds can you hear in the rain?” or “How does the puddle change after five minutes?”. Pupils respond with their own notes, stories, or sketches.
- Digital Recording: Pupils capture their observations directly in the app, creating a record of both literacy outcomes (expanded vocabulary, descriptive writing) and science enquiry (pattern spotting, evidence gathering).
By combining literacy and science in this way, you’re supporting skills outlined in the UK national curriculum—such as using precise vocabulary, writing for purpose, observing closely, and communicating findings.
For more ideas on journalling in nature, check out Muddy Faces’ outdoor activity inspiration or the RSPB Wild Challenge, both excellent sources of seasonal activities.
How The Outdoor Classroom App Makes Journalling Easy
Rainy-day learning can sometimes feel like more hassle than it’s worth—but our app is designed to take the stress out of planning and recording.
- Teachers can set up quick digital prompts before heading outside.
- Pupils engage with tasks actively, using senses and imagination to fuel both writing and science enquiry.
- Responses are captured instantly, giving teachers clear evidence for formative assessment across two curriculum areas.
- Journals are stored digitally, meaning reflections and observations build into a portfolio over time.
The result? A simple, powerful way to integrate literacy and science outdoors—even on the wettest November morning.
Step Into the Rain This November
Rain shouldn’t be a reason to cancel outdoor learning. Instead, it can be the spark that inspires creative writing, careful observation, and a love of the natural world. With The Outdoor Classroom app, every puddle, raindrop, and soggy leaf becomes a learning opportunity.
Sign up for free today and discover how easy it is to create digital nature journals that support literacy and science across the curriculum.
This November, let’s embrace the rain and see how many stories, questions, and discoveries it brings.