Charlotte Mason homeschooling encompasses everything that is wonderful about homeschooling. Gentle lessons in a literature-rich environment, short lessons that focus on real-life with plenty of opportunity to explore the world indoors and out. And, these are just a few of the reasons I love this style of homeschooling! In these articles, my goal is to share the wonder, joy and creativity of the Charlotte Mason style, while giving you plenty of ideas and practical advice for implementing it in your own home. Enjoy!
Why are flowers so colorful? The answer has much more to do with plant reproduction than simply making a garden look beautiful. Flower pigments, reflected light, and even patterns invisible to human eyes can all play a part in helping flowers attract the animals that pollinate them. Listen to this No Sweat Nature Study Podcast…
Some children can calculate just fine until a math problem asks them to figure out what to do. That’s where problem-solving picture books can be especially helpful. Through engaging stories, children can watch characters work through challenges, try different approaches, notice patterns, make mistakes, and eventually find solutions. These books give children opportunities to recognize…
Late summer is a wonderful time for a music of insects nature study. Plants are producing fruits and seeds, animals are taking advantage of plentiful food, and the shortening days are already beginning to signal seasonal change. In this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast, we’ll talk about what makes late summer such…
I recently received a question from a longtime member asking if you can use No Sweat Nature Study in high school for science credit. That’s a great question, and I have good news! Take a peek at the original question. My daughters do not want to stop studying with you! We have decided that one…
Why do schools of fish, pods of dolphins, and sea lion colonies spend so much time together when the ocean is so vast? In this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast, we’ll learn why living in groups gives ocean animals an advantage. It’s also the perfect companion to a coral reef nature study…
Can an animal really live without a brain? It sounds impossible, but that’s exactly the question we’re answering in this week’s No Sweat Nature Study Podcast. As you listen, you’ll meet three amazing ocean creatures and gather plenty of ideas for a starfish nature study with your own family. Sea sponges, jellyfish, and sea stars…
Summer is here, and it’s a perfect time to explore nature. This free summer nature study printable packet can help you do that easily! As the days get longer, take the opportunity to go on nature walks as a family. The activities in the packet can help children make detailed observations of butterflies, summer fruits,…
A mother’s job is never done, especially when she homeschools her children. But these homeschool mom summer tasks should help you feel less frazzled in the day-to-day. You can enter a new school year organized and refreshed! Summer is a wonderful time in every childhood. There are weeks on end of late nights, fireflies, the…
Why does a watermelon have a thick rind while a grape has only a thin skin? In this watermelon nature study podcast episode, kids will discover why fruits have different kinds of coverings and how those coverings help them survive as they grow. We’ll explore how watermelons protect their watery interiors, how orange peels help…
Have you ever watched a dragonfly dart across a pond and wondered how anything so small can move so quickly? In this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast, we investigate insect speed by comparing some of the fastest bugs on Earth, including tiger beetles, horseflies, and dragonflies. Along the way, you’ll pick up…
This hands-on, literature-based math activity will help your younger students gain a concrete understanding of the concept of standard measurement. Target Age Range: K-2 Skills Covered: non-standard measurement, standard measurement, making comparisons, fine motor skills, reading Understanding measurement doesn’t have to be hard for little ones. In fact, teaching it early with concrete materials builds an…
Many mommas come upon the Charlotte Mason method at a pivotal time in their children’s growing-up – the time when “school” begins. “We’ll need textbooks. Maybe little chairs and desks.” They start to feel pulled in different directions, trying to teach all the different subjects, while school and life quickly feel fragmented. It isn’t long…