Have you ever watched a dragonfly dart across a pond and wondered how anything so small can move so quickly? In this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast, we investigate insect speed by comparing some of the fastest bugs on Earth, including tiger beetles, horseflies, and dragonflies. Along the way, you’ll pick up…
This hands-on, literature-based math activity will help your younger students gain a concrete understanding of the concept of standard measurement. Target Age Range: K-2 Skills Covered: non-standard measurement, standard measurement, making comparisons, fine motor skills, reading Understanding measurement doesn’t have to be hard for little ones. In fact, teaching it early with concrete materials builds an…
Many mommas come upon the Charlotte Mason method at a pivotal time in their children’s growing-up – the time when “school” begins. “We’ll need textbooks. Maybe little chairs and desks.” They start to feel pulled in different directions, trying to teach all the different subjects, while school and life quickly feel fragmented. It isn’t long…
Ben Franklin nature study is such a fun way to help children connect history, science, and curiosity. In this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast, children learn how Benjamin Franklin’s observations and experiments helped scientists understand lightning and electricity. They also discover why asking thoughtful questions is such an important part of science…
Let’s wrap up homeschooling for the year! I promise it doesn’t have to be stressful. No matter your homeschool style, I bet you’re staring down piles of workbooks, notebooks, lapbooks, projects, worksheets, and folders. The end of the school year comes with wonderful examples of your family’s hard work! I’ve been asked before if I…
Do you want lessons to stick? Do you want your children to be excited about learning? Would you love to add more hands-on experiences to your homeschool? And wouldn’t it be wonderful if other knowledgeable people occasionally helped teach your children? That’s exactly why homeschool field trips are so valuable. I’m constantly amazed by the…
Whether you currently enjoy nature study time with your children or not, being part of a nature club is a great motivator and offers hours of fun learning! 1. What is a nature study club? Quite simply, it’s a small or large group of homeschoolers who meet to study nature topics together. (I prefer a…
Why do some animals seem almost armored? In this informative podcast episode, children learn how turtles, beetles, armadillos, and hedgehogs protect themselves from danger in the wild. They’ll hear about shells, armored plates, exoskeletons, and sharp spines while learning how animal adaptations help creatures survive. The episode also introduces scientific vocabulary, such as exoskeleton and…
The glorious days of summer are here! We’ve all worked so hard homeschooling for so many months, and now it’s time to rest, relax, and enjoy a few months off from work… right? Maybe if we weren’t homeschool parents. The truth is that while we do get a break from the quizzes, textbooks, and dirty…
Have you ever noticed how bright a full moon can feel, especially when you’re outside at night? In this full moon nature study, we’re taking a closer look at how the changing light of the moon might affect the living things around us. From shifting shadows to brighter nighttime skies, the full moon gives us…
Hands-on rock cycle activities are one of the best ways to help kids truly understand how rocks form and change over time. Instead of trying to remember definitions, they get to see the process unfold right in front of them. Rocks might seem simple at first glance, but they’re constantly changing. Over time, they’re broken…
Plants don’t stop growing when no one is watching, which raises an interesting question for any garden nature study. What is actually helping them? In this episode, kids begin to think beyond hands-on care and consider the natural systems already at work. Sunlight, water, soil, and air all play a role in supporting plant life…