Logic and critical thinking easily meet science in this bean classification activity. Using a simple 16-bean soup mix, middle and high school students can develop their own systems of classification. It’s such a great way to practice classification and re-classification strategies based on debatable characteristics. Speaking of debate, the activity provides a great opportunity for…
We’re venturing into a slightly spine-tingling topic on the podcast this week. Are you ready for myriapod nature study? The creepy appearance of centipedes and millipedes makes this topic perfect for a mid-October science lesson! As your family listens to the podcast episode, you’ll be encouraged to picture a serene autumn forest. Amidst the rustling…
Get ready to take a little journey through the treetops as we learn about gliding mammals. Some people think they’re cute, while others think they look creepy, but either way gliding mammal nature study is interesting! What does it mean to glide? That’s an important word to understand when you discover that gliding mammals don’t…
Do you love bears? I know lots of kids who are huge fans of bears of all types. In this black bear nature study, children will learn scientific facts about American black bears and their forest habitats. While we often think of bears as cute and cuddly, they can be quite dangerous. If you’ve ever…
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 sounds, experimenting…
In this George Washington Carver nature study, learn about a botanist whose love for plants led to many important scientific inventions that we still use today. It might seem strange, but George Washington Carver used things in nature to make the world a better place. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, he was busy…
Have you heard of macroinvertebrates? That’s a mighty big scientific word to describe small animals without backbones that are visible to the naked eye. While the group of macroinvertebrates is huge, the word is often associated with animals in freshwater ecosystems. This macroinvertebrate nature study will help you learn more about them. Some common types…
Night-blooming plants flower during the nighttime, usually just after sunset. They are also called nocturnal flowers. Does it sound strange that night-blooming flowers exist? They do and that’s the topic of this intriguing nature study! Have you seen a night-bloomer before? A few common examples include jasmine, moonflowers, evening primrose, and angel’s trumpet. Surprisingly, they…
After our early autumn trip to the beach, Eli was immensely interested in beach life. When I found him pouring over one of our souvenir attraction maps, I knew it was wise to capitalize on his enthusiasm. =So…a quick, delight-directed ocean study started immediately. This post contains affiliate links. Interest-Based Ocean Study Rabbit Trails Sometimes interest-based…
Seashore plants grow in or around areas where the land meets the ocean or other bodies of saltwater. These plants are adapted to living in harsh, salty, and often windy environments. You can find them in a variety of habitats, including sandy beaches, rocky shores, tidal pools, and salt marshes. Learn about them with me!…
When my youngest was in second grade, we did a Creation-based dinosaur unit study that led to some amazing rabbit trail learning! What started out as a great “boy topic” to end the year with a bang, turned into so much more. Without my pre-planning, it even gave him a great foundational understanding of events leading up…
Seashore animals live in or near the ocean and are adapted to living in the intertidal zone, which is the area between the high tide and low tide marks. They can be found on rocky shores, sandy beaches, and tidal pools, and play an important role in the ecology of coastal ecosystems. They’re fascinating to…