Late summer is a wonderful time for a music of insects nature study. Plants are producing fruits and seeds, animals are taking advantage of plentiful food, and the shortening days are already beginning to signal seasonal change. In this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast, we’ll talk about what makes late summer such…
Why does a watermelon have a thick rind while a grape has only a thin skin? In this watermelon nature study podcast episode, kids will discover why fruits have different kinds of coverings and how those coverings help them survive as they grow. We’ll explore how watermelons protect their watery interiors, how orange peels help…
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…
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!…
Are you in homeschool planning mode this summer? I am. It’s a slow and steady process for me, which is why I love a long summer break so much. Year after year, I tend to follow the same simple steps to plan our upcoming school year. My exact method might not work for you, but…
Summer field trips have been a consistent tool in my toolbox to beat boredom and get in some sneaky learning. Living on a cattle farm and having a library full of nature studies, you’d think boredom wouldn’t be an issue at my house, but all kids get bored here and there. A summer break from…
In case you haven’t noticed by now, I really love homeschooling. While not every day has been easy, and some seasons have been more challenging than others, I have always felt both humbled and privileged to be such an integral part of my children’s education. But just because you love something doesn’t mean you want…
Do you take a long summer break from homeschooling? If so, you NEED the I’M BORED Activity List! Because we live on a farm that requires a lot of attention in the summer, it’s always been necessary to take a “traditional” long break from school. Even though we stay busy with farm, mowing, and gardening…
Maybe you’ve noticed that I haven’t been around for a while? Sometimes life just gets so busy that certain things fall by the wayside. Other times, I just need a break. Both happen to have been the case for me these last few months. Both are also the reasons I needed a summer of rest…
What could we possibly find during one simple walk around a small pond? Enough to keep us busy for over an hour! My big kids were busy with other commitments not too long ago, so hubby and I set off on a nature walk with our 6 year old, Eli. I love taking nature walks…
(This post contains links to my business website, Shining Dawn Books.) August Nature Study Anytime is the perfect time for nature study, but late summer is especially wonderful! All the photos above were taken during nature walks over the last two weeks. So, just what topics do I recommend studying right about now? Animal…
While Mahayla takes a formal, high school biology class this year, Caleb (6th grade) and I (along with the interested 4-year-old) are studying biology using a variety of resources like Considering God’s Creation, Lyrical Life Science, Vol. 1 and, of course, NaturExplorers studies. Botany has been first on our list and we’ve been having so…