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!…
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…
If you have a cooperative extension service in your community, you’ve hit the homeschooling jackpot. A homeschool 4-H club through our cooperative extension service is one of the best groups we’ve ever joined. What’s a cooperative extension service? It’s a cooperation between communities and universities that provides training and services to the community on the…
Are you looking for a fun and educational activity to engage your children’s curiosity about prickly things in nature? Look no further than the latest episode of the No Sweat Nature Study podcast, where Mrs. Cindy teaches a bramble nature study. Explore the fascinating world of blackberries and raspberries while discovering the science behind these…
A garden pest is any insect, animal, or other organism that can cause damage to plants and gardens. They can be harmful to both ornamental plants and crops, and can negatively impact the health and productivity of the garden. Common garden pests include insects like aphids, caterpillars, and beetles, as well as animals like rodents,…
When I used to teach elementary school, every teacher used a portion of the fourth-grade year to teach a rich Kentucky unit study. It was always full of learning about historical events and people, as well as important state symbols, culture, and things that make KY a special place to live. As a proud Kentucky…
When exploring nature, we often use our eyes to see things and our hands to touch things. We might even use our ears to listen. But have you ever thought about going on a nature walk with your nose? Concentrating on fragrant and malodorous things during smelly nature study can be lots of fun! Many…
Salamanders are elusive creatures that can make salamander nature study both difficult and exciting. The two times I’ve come upon them in the wild were certainly exciting and quite memorable for me. In this podcast episode, you’ll hear about those two experiences! Salamanders are amphibians, which puts them in the same class as frogs and…
Who doesn’t love a painting grandma? This Grandma Moses artist study will help you get to know the sweet lady who didn’t begin painting until she was 77 years old. What an inspiration! In our homeschool, we study one artist for a month at a time, typically working on it one day per week during…
Instead of studying a particular type of plant or animal, we are going to explore an entire habitat in this vernal pools nature study! Have you ever heard of the term “vernal pool”? I bet you know the word “pool” but do you know what “vernal” means? I can’t wait to tell you all about…
What is your favorite pet? If it happens to be a cat, you’re going to love this wild cat nature study. Even if you don’t necessarily love cats, I bet you’ll still love learning about the ones that live in the wild! Cats of all sorts roam the world. They can be found on every…
Christmas spices nature study can be a fun addition to December funschooling in your homeschool this season! There are certain spices that stand out in traditional Christmas recipes and we’ll learn about them all. Do you have a favorite Christmas dish or treat that uses warm cinnamon, cloves, ginger, or nutmeg spices? In our family,…