Online Homeschool Live Science and Nature Classes

Engaging Online Homeschool Science Classes

Video classes through the lens of nature study for the entire family.

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What’s included in this homeschool curriculum?

It’s an interactive science curriculum for 1st-8th graders that teaches in-depth science and scientific vocabulary through the lens of nature study. During the engaging video classes, children create nature journal pages that build skills in observation, art, writing, note-taking, diagramming, charting, and higher-order thinking.

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What Science Classes Are coming up?

Meet your homeschool Science Teacher

Cindy West is a 20+ year homeschool veteran with a master’s degree in education. A popular homeschool speaker and author of more than 30 nature study curriculum guides, she’s a very engaging teacher who loves to make learning fun yet meaningful.

Join No sweat nature study

inside the science membership

Nature Study Classes

Membership includes two new nature study classes each month, lasting 30-60 minutes. They are designed for 1st-8th graders but are suitable for the whole family.

Access to a Comprehensive Video Library

Members can access the complete video library, including all recorded classes and frequent bonus videos, ensuring continuous learning opportunities and flexibility.

Interactive and Fun Learning

Classes feature creative nature journaling, ensuring an engaging and educational experience.

Encourages In-Depth Understanding

The engaging class format and diverse resources foster a love for science and promote an in-depth understanding of plant, animal, earth, and space topics.

Supplementary Learning Resources

Membership includes optional resources like printable word search pages, hands-on extension ideas, research-based project ideas, nature walk prompts, and curated booklists to deepen the learning experience.

Supporting Podcast Episode

Each lesson is complemented by a podcast episode, which provides additional insights and enhances the learning experience.

Suitable for Various Ages

While targeted at 1st-8th graders, the classes benefit younger and older students, making it a versatile option for families with children of multiple ages.

Planning Resources Included

Parents are well-supported with sample schedules and planning resources for successful implementation.

We Want to Join!

“Thank you again for the wonderful nature study classes. You are one of my top 3 best investments for homeschooling.”

Cameron l.

“I’m a biologist and veterinarian, and I absolutely love your classes!”

Dana c.

“We all enjoy your lessons so much. We purchased a quarterly subscription but I’ve decided now is the time to upgrade our membership to yearly!”

Cathy R.

“Cindy West for the win! The kids even wanted to do extra research after the lesson was over.”

Samantha G.

“We are new members. The kids are LOVING the classes, and I am very pleased with their journaling. Can’t wait for more!”

Terri s.

We are a family of dyslexics and dysgraphians. Learning to take notes during your lessons has been wonderful for my middle schooler. I have seen organization and proficiency increase dramatically.

kelli r.

Join No Sweat Nature Study

MONTHLY

$25

Renews every month
Cancel any time
Upgrade at any time

BEST VALUE

YEARLY

$225

Renews annually
Cancel any time
(Give this as a gift)
(Charter purchase)

Quarterly

$65

Renews every 3 months
Cancel any time
(Give this as a gift)
(Charter purchase)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do the classes last? Each class lasts 40-60 minutes.

When do the classes meet? Lessons occur on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. ET on the first and third weeks of each month.

Where do the classes meet? Classes are taught on the Zoom platform. You will preregister for each class (it’s easy) and receive a private access link via email.

What happens if I can’t attend a live class? You can watch all recorded classes from the video library for the duration of your membership. It’s not necessary to participate live.

Do you have a sample lesson we can view? Yes! Click here to enjoy a full sample lesson.

Do you teach classes during the summer? Yes. Many schools and homeschools follow a year-round schedule, so lessons continue through the summer. If you take a break from school during the summer, you can use the classes as fun boredom busters or simply catch up on the missed classes using the video library once your school is back in session.

What supplies will we need? Most of the time, each student will need a nature journal (or plain, white paper) and colored pencils. Occasionally, other supplies like watercolors, a tape measure, or a magnifying glass are suggested – none of which will be mandatory. Supplies are listed in the registration and email reminders.

Where should we sit to view the class? Your student(s) will need a sturdy surface to complete the nature journaling activities. Gathering around a table is probably best.

What class topics are in the video library? Click here to see the list of previously taught classes. This list is updated twice a year.

Can I download the recorded videos to my device? The videos cannot be downloaded to your device. Instead, they can be easily streamed from any device that connects to the internet.

Do I get access to any videos or other membership materials once my membership ends? No, your access to the live classes, video library, and printable resources ends when the membership ends. However, any downloads you have saved to your computer over the course of your membership are yours to keep.

Do you have a sample lesson we can view? Yes! Click here to enjoy a full sample lesson.

Where should we sit to view the class? Your student(s) will need a sturdy surface to complete the nature journaling activities. Gathering around a table is probably best.

After signing up, you will receive an email with login information. Once you log in, you’ll have clear and easy access to everything right away. You can expect an email from me weekly to remind you about upcoming classes and special events.

As a member, you will have access to the member dashboard. There, you will find everything you need to register for live Zoom classes, watch recorded classes, view supplementary learning resources, and download printable planning resources.

Only the video classes with Mrs. Cindy are necessary for the membership. Yet, you can still choose when and how to use them, meaning there is no requirement to attend live.

The extra resources (podcast, booklists, vocabulary, hands-on and research activities, and nature walk prompts) are available to you as optional learning activities.

How will No Sweat Nature Study lessons fit into my current science schedule? You have a few options:

Use the lessons as a supplement to your regular science curriculum.
Use the lessons instead of your regular science lessons for the day (or week if you plan to complete the follow-up activities).
Forego the live lessons and choose topics from the video library that fit with your planned science or seasonal path.
Use No Sweat Nature Study as your entire curriculum for a season. This is done successfully by utilizing the extra resources provided with each class.

Is there a scope and sequence to the lessons? No. The lessons cover various topics within all the sciences, particularly botany, animal science, earth science, weather science, and space science. They are frequently connected to geography, history, language arts, and math topics.

Do students need prior knowledge about a topic to get the most from a class? No. Cindy teaches everything necessary to understand the topic of the day.

What if we don’t live in the same area as you? Will the lessons be pertinent to us? Yes, the lessons will be pertinent to everyone, no matter where you are in the world or your current season. None of the lessons require you to have certain specimens to complete the activities.

How does this program work for special needs students?

Because this program is presented interactively with plenty of room for diversified output on nature journal pages, it works well with students of all kinds of unique abilities. We’ve received many messages from parents of gifted and learning-challenged children who are thankful for their children’s progress. For example, many parents of dyslexic and dysgraphic children have commented about their amazement at the ease of writing during No Sweat Nature Study classes. The low-key encouragement to create a meaningful nature journal page breaks learning barriers for many kids!

It’s always suggested that you begin your membership at the monthly level so you can be sure it will work for your family before making quarterly or yearly commitments. We are not able to process partial period refunds. You will have member access until your period expires.

Can I share my membership with another family?

No. I’m sorry. Each family needs to purchase their own membership.

Do you offer special pricing for groups of families who wish to purchase individual memberships at the same time?

I’m sorry, but we do not offer group rates.

Yes!

Charter Schools

No Sweat Nature Study includes charter-approved content. Charter schools should purchase a code for their clients. We are happy to accept purchase orders, but the code option is easiest for everyone. (Please note that we are happy to apply as a vendor for any charter school that doesn’t require specific insurance policies to be carried for their entity. If you wish for No Sweat Nature Study to apply, please email cindy@ourjourneywestward.com.)

Co-ops and Classrooms

No Sweat Nature Study is a great option for co-ops and classrooms! Please get in touch with cindy@ourjourneywestward.com to learn about a group rate and receive a specialized invoice. The fee is determined based on the number of students and the period you need access to the membership. In general, you can expect the price of a regular membership per 5 students.

This licensing is only available to teachers who meet in person with their students and use the membership while they meet in person with their students. No virtual co-ops or classrooms are allowed under any circumstances. You may not share the membership, video streaming, or supplementary materials with your co-op families or other teachers. Physical copies of printable resources can be reproduced for each child in the class, but no digital files are to be shared with the students or their families. To reiterate, this special group license is available for one teacher to use in her in-person classroom.

Refunds

We are unable to process full or partial refunds at any membership level. It’s always suggested that you begin your membership at the monthly level so you can be sure it will work for your family before making quarterly or yearly commitments. You can upgrade or cancel at any time. Upon cancellation, you will have member access until your period expires.

Cancelation

Your membership will automatically renew. You should receive an email notification a few days before renewal.

You may cancel the membership anytime from your account dashboard. Upon cancellation, you will have member access until your period expires. We cannot process full or partial refunds at any membership level.

Can the membership be paused?

Memberships cannot be paused.

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