REPRESENTATIONS OF NATURAL PHENOMENA IN NATURE CALENDARS CREATED BY PRE-SERVICE PRIMARY AND PRESCHOOL TEACHERS
Paula Maria BUDA 
Nicolae Bălcescu National College, Brăila, Brăila County, ROMANIA.
Email: rpaulamaria@yahoo.com
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8492-7852
Maria Eliza DULAMĂ
”Babeş-Bolyai” University, Faculty of Psychology and Sciences of Education, ROMANIA.
Email: maria.dulama@ubbcluj.ro
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5190-5243
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics of nature calendars made by students, future teachers for primary and preschool education, as well as the way in which they observe, select and represent natural phenomena specific to spring. The study analyzes the general characteristics of nature calendars made by students, the types of visual representations used to illustrate weather, plants and animals, the elements or characteristics of nature most frequently represented, explanations of the images and symbols used included in the legends and tables. The study highlights the fact that future teachers for primary and preschool education use a wide variety of representation methods to illustrate natural phenomena specific to spring. Most nature calendars reflect an integrated approach to the relationship between weather, plants and animals and highlight the concern for the clear and aesthetic organization of information. The results show that the nature calendar is a valuable educational tool, which combines direct observation, learning through discovery and drawing, artistic expression and the use of descriptive and informative language. At the same time, the study highlights the need to strengthen the skills of rigorous, systematic, scientific observation and correct identification of natural phenomena, plants and animals. Overall, the nature calendar can contribute to the development of an active and reflective relationship with the environment and to the formation of the skills necessary for didactic activities in preschool and first grade education.
KEYWORDS:
nature observation, learning through discovery, phenology, species life cycle, photographs, drawings
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Cite this article as:
Buda, P.M. & Dulamă, M.E. (2026). Representations of natural phenomena in nature calendars created by pre-service primary and preschool teachers.Romanian Review of Geographical Education, 15(1), 71-99. http://doi.org/10.24193/RRGE20264