One of the main goals I set early on in our homeschool was to give my children a love of learning. Creative homeschooling is the mode I’ve used to successfully do that. Don’t think that you can never put your child in front of a textbook or computer screen to homeschool creatively! Instead, think of it as offering your children curriculum and styles to meet their needs. Sometimes that will be a textbook or computer class. Other times, it may be a unit study, living literature, field trips, games, project-based learning, co-op classes, or interest-based studies. These articles show you how. Be inspired!
A sunflower nature study is the perfect way to mix summer fun with meaningful science learning. In this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast, kids find out what’s really hiding inside a sunflower seed. They’ll learn about seed parts, the process of germination, and how one tiny seed grows into a towering sunflower,…
Ready for a fun vegetable nature study? In this No Sweat Nature Study Podcast episode, kids will investigate a big garden mystery: Which vegetable grows the fastest? With a bit of science and a lot of curiosity, Mrs. Cindy will help young learners make predictions and learn why some veggies seem to shoot up overnight….
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…
There is not one teaching resource I treasure more than children’s literature. The good ones have such a masterful knack for presenting factual information amidst incredible storylines. The illustrations, of course, help children put pictures to names, places, and ideas. This list of picture books for nature study is perfect for exploring science topics. When…
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…
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…