Have you ever watched a snake glide across the ground and wondered how it moves without any legs? In this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast, Mrs. Cindy explains the fascinating science behind slithering. You’ll find out how muscles, body shape, and special belly scales work together to help snakes and other surprising…
These days, it seems like hands-on homeschool is a buzzword of sorts. What’s all the fuss about? Let’s define hands-on first. It’s best to define hands-on first because I think its overall meaning might surprise you. You see, hands-on learning can actually mean several things. Most obviously, hands-on means “touching” things during lessons. For instance,…
Pumpkins are more than just decorations for the autumn season. They’re fascinating fruits with an incredible story! In this podcast episode, kids will enjoy a pumpkin nature study to discover why some plants produce tiny fruits while others grow giants, like the record-breaking pumpkins that can weigh over a thousand pounds. Along the way, we’ll…
In my last post about teaching narrative writing, I mentioned how the subject of writing tends to be a thorn in the side of many homeschoolers. It doesn’t have to be that way, though! In this series of posts, I aim to show you that teaching writing styles to middle and high school students is surprisingly…
This fun chromatography with leaves experiment will teach both the amazing chemistry of chromatography and the botany of why deciduous leaves change colors in autumn. This post contains affiliate links. What is chromatography? It’s simply a big name that means separating mixtures. Or, in this case, separating pigments. As complicated as the word “chromatography” may…
Why would you want to identify rocks and minerals during nature study? Heck, why would you even care to observe rocks when there are so many other things to see in nature? Rocks are boring. They’re dull and colorless. Once you’ve seen one, you’ve pretty much seen them all. Be honest. You’ve thought some of…
Some animals are born with the amazing ability to replace what has been lost. This process is called regeneration, and it allows particular creatures to grow back missing or damaged body parts. In this episode, children learn what regeneration means and explore how animals like starfish, lizards, and axolotls use it to survive. By introducing…
Free nature study printable for your homeschool this autumn!
An Ansel Adams nature study introduces children to the art of observing nature through the lens of a camera. In this podcast episode, young learners meet the photographer who became known for capturing the beauty of wild places in black and white, helping others notice details they may have never seen before. Instead of studying…
Imagine an activity where your child explores creativity, practices art, and enjoys nature—without fear of mistakes. That’s the magic of how nature journaling builds artistic skills in a fun, pressure-free way! This simple practice blends observation, creativity, and self-expression in a relaxed and fun way. Whether your child loves art or feels unsure, nature journaling…
Why would anyone use picture books to teach expository writing? Because picture books are written by master authors who can teach us clearly through their examples. Not to mention, it doesn’t take long to read through most picture books, so you can share examples and get right to the work of writing. What is expository…
It’s time for another peek into the real-life study of nature! In this post, you’ll see how easily Amber Oliver and her children could explore and discover wildflowers through an interest-based nature study. I believe in occasionally letting our children have a say in their schooling. It’s highly motivating for them to make decisions and…