When my son was in second grade, I decided to give weekly poetry recitation a try. I wanted poetry to have a bigger place in our homeschool, but I honestly had no idea how much fun the two of us would have! Practice became a bright spot in our day. And when he recited a…
Sound travels about four times faster through water than through air. So why does a sharp slap against a swimming pool wall sound like a muffled thump beneath the surface? This underwater sound nature study investigates that puzzling difference between how water carries sound and how our ears receive it. Listen to the No Sweat…
Can you imagine using pumpkins to teach math, science, geography, history, AND language arts? You can do just that while enjoying a fun day of pumpkin school! Set aside the textbooks for an afternoon or spread these pumpkin math and science activities over several days. With a few simple supplies, your elementary and middle school…
Lake Superior stretches beyond the horizon, while a small lake might fit between two wooded shores. Size alone doesn’t explain why both are lakes. In this Great Lakes Nature Study podcast episode, Mrs. Cindy starts with the land hidden beneath the water and follows what happens when that low place fills. That simple starting point…
Chromatography with leaves is a fascinating experiment that reveals some of the pigments hidden inside green leaves. Kids will explore the chemistry of chromatography while learning how leaf pigments contribute to autumn colors. This post contains affiliate links. What Is Chromatography? Chromatography is a scientific method used to separate a mixture into its individual parts….
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…