I’m excited to share these free winter play dough mats with you! They can help elementary students learn nature study observation skills through hands-on play. You might think play-based learning is mainly for the preschool crowd, but playing in the elementary years still has plenty of benefits. Learning through play is more important than you…
Winter homeschooling can feel long, especially with restless kids and the slower daily rhythm. But it doesn’t have to be that way! With some creativity, winter can become a season full of engaging and vibrant learning opportunities. In this post, I’ve gathered some of my favorite winter learning ideas to inspire your homeschool days. These…
Any time is a good time to read a fantastic picture book, but when that book serves double duty as an educational tool, it’s truly a “keeper.” The character building picture books listed below are definitely keepers. We know that good character is best taught through example, right? The saying goes that way more is…
Have you ever wondered why bald eagles build such enormous nests? These majestic birds of prey create homes that can grow as wide as 10 feet and weigh as much as a small car! In this No Sweat Nature Study Podcast episode, soar into an engaging bald eagle nature study. Listen to discover the fascinating…
Adding a good picture book to any lesson makes learning come alive. It also adds terrific visual references to help concepts have more meaning. This particular Christmas book activity is the perfect way to celebrate the season and help children learn empathy at the same time. In my mind, character-building is just as important in…
Is Christmas really the time for mystery and intrigue? Yes! Especially if it involves a sneaky little elf, Mrs. Clause, and cookies! In this scientific case, solve the Christmas cookie mystery to determine which ingredients Mrs. Clause can safely use. You see, a troublesome elf thought it would be funny to play a trick on…
The holiday season is the perfect time to cozy up with a bit of history, tradition, and science! Have you ever wondered about the origins of the Yule log? Whether burning brightly in a fireplace or sitting on your holiday table as a cake, the Yule log has fascinating roots steeped in nature and tradition….
Enjoy the magic of Christmas with this precious literature-based lesson, which includes a special service project for your family to do together. You’ll love the Silver Packages book activity so much that it might even become a Christmas tradition. Traditions help families build relationships and give children peace and security. Because they are so meaningful,…
This fun activity using Christmas glyphs will spice up December homeschooling. You’ll be glad to know it also counts as a living math lesson! What is a glyph? A glyph, as it relates to math, is a pictorial representation of data. That sounds like a pictograph because it is. Rather than putting pictures in the…
Have you ever thought of spider webs as Christmas decorations? You might change your mind after listening to this No Sweat Nature Study Podcast episode! Cobweb nature study is more fun than you might imagine. Learn about the Theridiidae spiders, often called cobweb spiders, and the tangled webs they create. These messy but fascinating webs…
Is Christmas nature study really a thing? Are we truly worried about nature study during, arguably, the busiest month of the year? Yes, and yes! During the colder months, we often forget the importance of fresh air, sunshine, and exercise. This can lead to combustible behavior from cooped-up kids (and parents). When you add busyness to…
I’m all about giving purposeful gifts for Christmas. Not everything has to have a grand purpose, but I don’t want to waste my money on frivolous things that will never be touched again either. That’s why I spend some time each year coming up with a list of educational Christmas gift ideas. I keep the…