Presented in this handbook are questions and ideas for students to consider while studying their environment out-of-doors. Developed to accompany the National Environmental Education Development (NEED) program, it was written to help the student learn to look at familiar places and things in new ways. It utilizes the concept of "strand" approach of variety and similarity, patterns, interaction and interdependence, continuity and change, and adaptation and evolution. Students are encouraged to observe these processes of environment as they operate in relatively natural conditions and, thus, realize that these processes are at work throughout the world. Ten lessons are included to observe and interact with these processes and ar e entitled: Watching Things Change, Exploring on Hands and Knees, Looks and Feelings, Nature's Patterns, Tree Textures, It's Not a Bird but It Flies, How High is That?, Turning and Pacing, Fast-Slow-High-Low, and How Long Ago? In addition, games are suggested to illustrate each of the five strands. SE 012 484 and SE 012 485 are related documents. (BL)