How does a squirrel race headfirst down a tree without tumbling to the ground? Its ankle joints can rotate until its back feet point backward, giving its claws a better grip on the bark. That surprising detail is just one of the animal movements featured in this Jim Arnosky nature study podcast episode! Cheetahs lengthen…
You already know how much we love literature around here. Maps, quizzes, and geography games are useful, but wonderful books help kids form meaningful connections with the places they are studying. This collection of world geography living literature includes some of our favorite picture books for exploring countries and cultures with elementary-aged kids. This post…
Morning Time. Morning Basket Time. Circle Time. In our home, we called it Brain Training Time. Whatever you call the time when your family gathers for learning before jumping into the rest of the homeschool day, it can be a great place to fit in a little nature study. And no, I’m not going to…
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…
There’s something about apple season that makes it especially easy to bring learning to life. Maybe it’s a trip to a local orchard, a basket of new varieties to taste, or simply the smell of something apple-y baking in the kitchen. Apples are also a fantastic jumping-off point for learning! With just a few apples…
Fall is a wonderful time for nature study, especially when you add creative nature walks, simple activities, and a few good living books. Fruits and nuts are abundant in autumn, making them an easy and interesting focus for a nature walk. You don’t need to travel anywhere special, either. A backyard, neighborhood, park, or hiking…
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…
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,…
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…