These living chapter books for nature study capture the attention of readers with wonderful tales that beautifully weave a storyline and nature together! From harrowing adventures to hidden gardens, many of these timeless stories have been well-loved for years. They also happen to subtly encourage a love for nature and make perfect read-alone or read-aloud…
This No Sweat Nature Study Podcast episode focuses on a fun peach nature study. Peaches are more than just sweet summer treats. Their soft, fuzzy skin holds fascinating science secrets that help them thrive outdoors. Trichomes, tiny hair-like structures on peach skin, protect from pests, sun, and moisture loss. Such a small feature makes a…
We veered off the “typical homeschool path” this year to teach out-of-the-box homeschool high school chemistry instead. This isn’t the first time we’ve chosen a different path for our son, a smart kid who doesn’t thrive in the textbook world of science. Do you remember how we chose an out-of-the-box biology course last year? Because that course…
Have you ever wondered which woodpecker holds the record for being the biggest in the world? In this No Sweat Nature Study Podcast episode, Mrs. Cindy shares fascinating facts about these incredible birds, including a surprising contender that might no longer exist and the reigning champion still found in North American forests today. Children will…
The glorious days of summer are here! We’ve all worked so hard homeschooling for so many months, and now it’s time to rest, relax, and enjoy a few months off from work… right? Maybe if we weren’t homeschool parents. The truth is that while we do get a break from the quizzes, textbooks, and dirty…
The middle school homeschool curriculum options are some of my favorite things! The year before I got a full-time teaching job, I was a substitute teacher for three school systems, serving K-12 students. Let me tell you…after about two months, I informed the central office that I was available for anything except middle school. I loathed middle…
A leaf nature study is a simple way to combine outdoor exploration with meaningful science. This week’s No Sweat Nature Study Podcast makes it easy and fun. Children will discover that leaves aren’t just pretty but are designed with smart defenses. These defenses help protect them from insects and other hungry animals. This episode highlights…
One of the best things about nature study is that it works wonderfully when teaching multiple age groups at once. For years, my friend Lynna thought that nature study might be a bit overwhelming for her large family. I asked her to give NaturExplorers a try, and she agreed. I think you’ll love this glimpse…
Using movies in your homeschool might seem like a cop-out, but it’s not when you use them for fun learning. Project-based learning is the best. My kids have not only been more excited and engaged during a project compared to traditional textbook learning, but also absorbed significantly more information. Their interest is fueled each day…
You will love these top picks for upper elementary homeschool curriculum! Third through fifth grades are some of my favorite years to teach. During this period, children are usually pretty good readers, making it more enjoyable to delve deeper into other subjects. And, they still have a zestful spirit about learning, which means we get to have…
I’m thrilled to introduce you to Kristina Garner in this post! She and her girls recently enjoyed some exciting, hands-on nature study in their backyard creek, and Kristina is sharing the experiences with all of us. I think you’ll especially love to see how much they learned about creeks (and how much fun they had)…
Have you ever been to the same nature study destination so often that you almost forget there are always new things to discover? My friend Tracy and her children had visited the same ponds many times over. They never really got tired of exploring, but she found a simple way to refocus their attention, which…