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Tons of creative nature walks to study fungi! Hands-on activities and kid-friendly research-based projects, too!
NaturExplorers guides are perfect for the 1st-8th grade homeschool, co-op or classroom. This highly adaptable curriculum series uses nature study as the starting point for science lessons that reach into every other subject and meet all learning styles.

A Fungus Among Us

$16.00

A fungus? You want me to study a fungus during my nature walk? Yep. And, I think you’ll be amazed at the beauty and variety you find! You’ll love it!

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Category: Nature Study Tags: autumn, biology, elementary, hands-on, middle school, notebooking pages, plants, science, spring, summer, unit study
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You want me to study a fungus??  Eeewww!

A fungus probably isn’t the first image that pops into your mind when you envision nature study.  But, oh, what a beautiful, colorful and fascinating world awaits as you begin to focus on mushrooms, molds and lichen!

A Fungus Among Us explores the very interesting and vast array of fungi lurking around you everyday.

Learn the answers to these and many other questions as you work through the incredible array of fun lessons!

What’s the difference between mushrooms, mold and lichen?

What is the fruiting body of a fungus?

Why do I find more fungi after the rain?

Where are the best places to find fungi on a nature walk?

The curriculum guide provides many ideas for finding and noting fungi outdoors. Here are just a few of the (many) things you’ll do during nature walks: fungi comparisons, fungi measurement, create charts to map the fungi you find.

You’ll note and understand the functions of various characteristics, and learn why God created fungi.

Inside, have fun  making spore prints, growing mold, understanding yeast, and even taste-testing safe fungi.

Learn things like how molds help us and harm us, how they devastated an entire country and what a mycologist does.

Tons of ideas and 17 notebooking pages can keep you busy for many weeks to come, if you choose.

This super nature study topic has proven to excite many children (and adults) as they discover the exciting world of fungi!

It fits well with any study of botany or general biology.

58 pages, digital curriculum

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About NaturExplorers

NaturExplorers: Educational Journeys into God’s Creation

What will I find in each NaturExplorers guide?

  • Inspirational literature suggestions
  • Background information for the parent or teacher concerning the main focus of the nature topic
  • An abundance of creative nature walks
  • Follow-up hands-on activity ideas
  • Writing and research ideas that encompass several subject areas
  • References for Bible study, artist study, composer study and poetry tie-ins
  • Child-friendly internet links and book lists for further study
  • Ideas for adapting the material for younger and older children, as well as ideas for groups of children
  • Several colorful, prepared notebooking pages
  • General nature study suggestions

For what grade levels are the NaturExplorers guides appropriate?

The NaturExplorers series was written with 1st-8th graders in mind.  All of the activities in the curriculum are very adaptable for all ages, though, and specific ideas are included for incorporating your older and younger students. We have personally used NaturExplorers with children from three to fifteen, with all ages (even adults) drawn in almost magically.

Are NaturExplorers guides appropriate for group situations like co-ops, clubs or traditional classrooms?

Yes!  Most of the ideas can easily be used with groups of children -traditional classrooms, homeschool co-ops, summer camps, after school programs, 4-H programs, and more.  Additionally, there is a small section of ideas written specifically with groups in mind.

Are NaturExplorers guides only appropriate for those using a certain homeschooling method?

Any homeschooler using any homeschooling style will find NaturExplorers guides useful.  Charlotte Mason homeschoolers will love the ideas for tying in poetry and artist and composer studies, as well as the living literature lists to enhance learning.  Those who use unit studies will be excited that most of what they need for a full unit study is already here.  Unschoolers will appreciate the ability to find easy to implement ideas at just the right time.  Project-Based homeschoolers will be excited at the large amount of project ideas that meet many learning styles.  Traditional and Classical homeschoolers will be able to pull as little or as much from the ideas as they desire.

New homeschoolers and teachers will appreciate the thoroughly laid out ideas, while veteran homeschoolers and teachers will be thankful that the ideas are already pulled together and ready to use.

How long does each NaturExplorers study last?

It depends entirely on how you decide to use the curriculum.  Since the guides are extremely flexible, you might choose to spend a week, two weeks, a month, or more immersing your family in the study of one topic – much like a unit study.  If you simply need nature walk ideas, you might spend one month or one year on a single topic.  Either way, you’ll have plenty of ideas to keep you busy!

The beauty of each study is its adaptability. You can simply pick one nature walk and put the book down, or you can take nature walks again and again focusing on the same nature topic and not run out of new ideas for a very long time. If desired, the nature topic can be used as a full-fledged, science-based unit study. Besides math and phonics, you will find ideas for virtually every other subject. Some of the guides even include a hands-on math idea or two!

What if I can’t find the books you recommend at the library?

No need to worry!  The NaturExplorers curriculum is not at all dependent on the literature suggestions.  You are free to find other books on the same topic, or leave extra reading out completely.

Which NaturExplorers studies are appropriate for the various seasons?

This answer varies depending on the part of the world in which you live.  A sample list provided below is most appropriate for those who enjoy each of the four seasons in their fullness.  Keep an eye open in your area and you’ll soon see which topics are most appropriate during a particular season.

Spring

  • Animal Signs
  • Beautiful Birds
  • Captivating Clouds
  • Constant Conifers
  • Delightful Deciduous Trees
  • Everchanging Erosion
  • Frogs and Toads
  • A Fungus Among Us
  • Hard as a Rock
  • Incredible Creeks
  • Peaceful Ponds
  • Remarkable Rain
  • Wonderful Wildflowers
  • Nature Study Through the Holidays: Easter

Summer

  • Animal Signs
  • Beautiful Birds
  • Butterflies Flutter By
  • Captivating Clouds
  • Constant Conifers
  • Delightful Deciduous Trees
  • Everchanging Erosion
  • Flying Creatures of the Night
  • Frogs and Toads
  • Fruits and Nuts
  • Hard as a Rock
  • Incredible Creeks
  • Peaceful Ponds
  • Remarkable Rain
  • Spectacular Spiders
  • Wonderful Wildflowers

Autumn

  • Animal Signs
  • Beautiful Birds
  • Butterflies Flutter By
  • Captivating Clouds
  • Constant Conifers
  • Coping with the Cold
  • Delightful Deciduous Tres
  • Everchanging Erosion
  • Fruits and Nuts
  • A Fungus Among Us
  • Hard as a Rock
  • Incredible Creeks
  • Peaceful Ponds
  • Remarkable Rain
  • Spectacular Spiders
  • Wonderful Wildflowers
  • Nature Study Through the Holidays: Advent

Winter

  • Animal Signs
  • Beautiful Birds
  • Captivating Clouds
  • Constant Conifers
  • Coping with the Cold
  • Delightful Deciduous Trees
  • Everchanging Erosion
  • Hard as a Rock
  • Snow and Ice

Are NaturExplorers only for those living in the United States?

No way! While each NaturExplorers guide focuses on a particular topic, the lessons are not dependent on any particular things within that topic. For instance, if you have access to any flower anywhere in the world, you will be able to use the Wonderful Wildflower guide. Or, if you have access to any deciduous tree, you will be able to use the Delightful Deciduous Trees guide.

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Homeschoolers have prom, too! 💃🏻🕺🏻Some Homeschoolers have prom, too! 💃🏻🕺🏻Sometimes it even gets wild with crowd surfing and stuff.💥
Closed. Congrats @9onthefarm!🍀St. Patrick's Day Closed. Congrats @9onthefarm!🍀St. Patrick's Day GIVEAWAY!🍀⁣
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Take a look below to see the great resources included!! An awesome St. Patrick's Day learning adventure! ⁣
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Happy birthday to my favorite girl in the world! L Happy birthday to my favorite girl in the world! Love you, @mahaylawest_1! 🥰
The breath of God produces ice,⠀ and the broad The breath of God produces ice,⠀
and the broad waters become frozen.⠀
He loads the clouds with moisture;⠀
he scatters his lightning through them.⠀
At his direction they swirl around⠀
over the face of the whole earth⠀
to do whatever he commands them.⠀
He brings the clouds to punish people,⠀
or to water his earth and show his love.⠀
Listen to this, Job;⠀
stop and consider God’s wonders. ⠀
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Job 37:10-14⠀
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Winter isn’t my favorite season, but an icy landscape is truly incredible to see. ❄️⠀
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Click the link in my bio for science curriculum to help you take advantage of snow and ice. ⠀
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When my boys were little, I loved reading these “letters from God” to them as blessings to start the day.
As I was sorting bookshelves earlier this month, I stumbled across this sweet book again. I decided the blessings are still as pertinent today for my bigger boy as they were years ago. So, we’re starting our day yet again with a quick, but powerful “letter from God” before jumping into our daily Bible studies.
Do you do anything special to start your day off on the right foot? I’d love to hear about it!
Click the link in my bio for a link to the book.
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Winter homeschooling can be tough in normal years. Winter homeschooling can be tough in normal years. It’s cold, the days are dark, and everyone’s cooped up together 24/7. That’s a recipe for the winter blahs to march right into your house and wreak havoc on attitudes and motivation.⠀
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This year’s winter is unlike any other and those blahs may have actually settled in long before now. If you or your children are feeling down, anxious, or bored with school, are “at” each other constantly, bouncing off the walls, or tears and fighting are the norm…the blahs are there.⠀
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Let’s get you, your children, and your homeschool back on track. I’ll be teaching a Homeschool Masterclass on Thursday afternoon to help you kick the blahs to the curb. If you can attend live, come! If you can’t attend live, catch the replay!⠀
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We’ll tackle all sorts of problems the blahs bring with them with very practical  ideas that are easy to implement! ⠀
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Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’ Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’s true, you know. I’ve told my children for years that it only takes a nature walk to see God through His handiwork and to know that His promises are true.⠀
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When the world seems to be falling apart around you, the sun never stops shining. The seasons never stop moving. Without a single, solitary effort of human hands, the woodlands still buzz with life.⠀
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A student of nature can see the consistency in cycles and notice the incredible and creative intricacy of even the smallest specimen and be in awe that we truly serve a God who isn’t unaware of even one tiny detail in our world right now. ⠀
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Life kind of seems overwhelming, though, I know. Remember when I said my motto lately has been to just put one foot in front of the other to do the next right thing? Nature walks (even when it’s cold) never fail me as a right thing. ⠀
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Breathe, friend. Take a nature walk today and let God speak to your soul.⠀
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It might seem trite to post a winter picture book It might seem trite to post a winter picture book list right now, but I’m a big believer in keeping things as normal as possible in my home when things aren’t so normal otherwise.⠀
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It’s the principle of putting one foot in front of the other as you simply do the next right thing. Good books almost always can be a “next right thing” choice.⠀
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Even though I’m not homeschooling younger children anymore, I’ll probably never stop sharing wonderful picture book ideas with you. 🤓 I’ve spent way too many hours reading and collecting to ever stop loving them!⠀
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Eli and I may not be using these books right now, but they are still some of my favorites for winter reading. Whatever may be going on around you, the winter months are always a good time of year to get in lots of extra reading. Snuggling and hot chocolate are optional, but encouraged.⠀
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Click the link in my bio to find a blog post about these books + some of our favorite winter chapter books, too!⠀
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