The No Sweat Nature Study Podcast

Latest Episodes:

32. Vernal Pools Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Vernal Pools nature study isn't just about one type of plant or animal. Instead, vernal pools are complete habitats, home to many fascinating creatures including amphibians and macroinvertebrates! Have you ever heard 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 it!

To get your FREE Nature Walk Challenge, visit the show notes page https://ourjourneywestward.com/vernal-pools-nature-study/. ← Find images of Vernal Pools here, too!

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

Nature journal or blank, white paper
Oil pastels or colored pencils

In the companion Vernal Pools Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn about the complete vernal pools habitat including the amphibians and macroinvertebrates that can be found there. Also, learn about the three phases of ephemeral ponds and the cycle that makes them amazing!

Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership.

BUY GIFT CERTIFICATES for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE → ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift/

In the Our Journey Westward Shop, find homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue plenty of spring nature study:

Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the vernal pools show notes page.

Share pictures of your nature walk pages on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them!

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you're enjoying the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

31. Sandstone Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

Rock nature study might seem boring, but it can be fascinating if you know a little something about rocks. In this episode, you'll learn about sandstone, a sedimentary rock that is easily sculpted by wind and water to form stunning landscapes around the world!

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

nature journal or blank, white paper
colored pencils
clear tape

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/sandstone-nature-study. ← Find images of wild cats here!

In the companion Sandstone Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn about several amazing and varied landscapes made from sandstone. They are so cool! You'll also get an overview of the life cycle of sedimentary rocks, as well as learn about the important process of weathering and erosion as it pertains to sandstone landforms. Earth science is so much fun!

Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership.

BUY GIFT CERTIFICATES for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE → ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift/

Download the FREE printable Winter Play Dough Mats → ourjourneywestward.com/winter-play-dough-mats/

In the Our Journey Westward Shop, find a few homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue learning night science through nature study:

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the sandstone show notes page. The packet includes this season's podcast schedule, reference pages to the Handbook of Nature Study, supporting curriculum suggestions, and a list of go-along classes in the No Sweat Nature Study video library.

Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the sandstone show notes page.

Share pictures of your nature walk pages on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them!

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you're enjoying the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

Special Episode for Parents: Nature Study + Picture Books Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

I recently chatted with Sarah Mackenzie of Read Aloud Revival about using picture books alongside nature study to enhance learning. It was such a fun, casual conversation that I thought you might like to hear it too!

Nature study is an amazing tool for teaching hands-on, experiential science. While nature study IS science, it easily connects to so much more across the curriculum. Reading picture books is one easy example of how to make cross-curricular connections.

Learn how to make those easy connections and even hear about some of our favorite nature study picture books.

Need a hand with nature study right now? Here are several ways you can get extra help!

FREE: See a nature study picture book list.

FREE: See a nature study chapter book list.

FREE: Listen to the No Sweat Nature Study podcast with your kiddos and download the free resources to expand the learning opportunities!

Open-and-Go: Choose one of our many NaturExplorers or No Sweat Nature Studies and explore with your family!

Done for You! Let Ms. Cindy teach your kids fun, engaging, living nature study lessons in the No Sweat Nature Study membership. Plus, you'll get access to a huge library of every previous lesson!

Help your family fall in love with books with Sarah Mackenzie in Read Aloud Revival!

Learn more about Sarah's new picture book, A Little More Beautiful: The Story of a Garden.

30. Wild Cats Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

Are there wild cats roaming around where you live? We have seen bobcats on our farm and some neighbors once saw a mountain lion. These sneaky creatures don't necessarily like to be seen by humans, though, as they wander through various habitats in North America looking for food, water, mates, and places to take shelter.

In the episode, learn which big and small wild cats live in North America. Have fun thinking about cats through the lens of adjectives, too!

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

nature journal or blank, white paper
colored pencils or watercolors

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/wild-cat-nature-study. ← Find images of wild cats here!

In the companion Wild Cat Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn so much more about six species of North American wild cats. As you create a beautiful habitat science, learn about the geography, habitats, behaviors, and adaptations of these sometimes cute, but fierce creatures.

Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership.

BUY GIFT CERTIFICATES for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE → ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift/

Download the FREE printable Winter Play Dough Mats → ourjourneywestward.com/winter-play-dough-mats/

In the Our Journey Westward Shop, find a few homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue learning night science through nature study:

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the wild cats show notes page. The packet includes this season's podcast schedule, reference pages to the Handbook of Nature Study, supporting curriculum suggestions, and a list of go-along classes in the No Sweat Nature Study video library.

Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the wild cats show notes page.

Share pictures of your nature walk pages on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them!

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you're enjoying the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

29. Planets in the Night Sky Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

Winter is the perfect time to observe planets in the night sky. You can easily see Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn at different times in the early evening without the help of a telescope. Plus, because it gets dark so early, nobody has to stay up late!

In the episode, learn tidbits of information about all the planets, not just the ones we can easily see, and enjoy a fun nighttime nature walk challenge.

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

nature journal or blank, white paper
markers
SkyView Lite app for your smartphone

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/planet-nature-study. ← Find an image of the planets in the solar system here!

In the companion Winter Night Sky Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn much more about observable planets, constellations, and asterisms with special guest teacher and astronomy expert, Chris Hall of Always Learning Education. You'll even create a map of the night sky!

Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership.

BUY GIFT CERTIFICATES for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE → ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift/

Download the FREE printable Winter Play Dough Mats → ourjourneywestward.com/winter-play-dough-mats/

In the Our Journey Westward Shop, find a few homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue learning night science through nature study:

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the planet show notes page. The packet includes this season's podcast schedule, reference pages to the Handbook of Nature Study, supporting curriculum suggestions, and a list of go-along classes in the No Sweat Nature Study video library.

Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the planet show notes page.

Share pictures of your nature walk pages on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them!

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you're enjoying the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

28. Wild Dogs Dec 27, 2022

Show notes

What's the difference between a wild dog and a domesticated dog? Both are in the family Canidae and there are plenty of similarities, but there are some important differences, too. We'll learn about those in this episode, as well as some other fun facts about wild dog packs and animal communication. Of course, you won't want to miss the nature walk challenge either!

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

nature journal or blank, white paper
colored pencils or watercolors

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/wild-dog-nature-study/. ← Find a few wild dog pictures here!

In the companion Wild Dog Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn much more about wild dogs. Who are they and where do they live? How do they survive as wild animals? What is their most useful defense mechanism? And lots more!

Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership.

BUY GIFT CERTIFICATES for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE → ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift/

In the Our Journey Westward Shop, you can find some homeschool curriculum that would be great to continue learning animal science through nature study:

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the wild dogs show notes page. The packet includes this season's podcast schedule, reference pages to the Handbook of Nature Study, supporting curriculum suggestions, and a list of go-along classes in the No Sweat Nature Study video library.

Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the wild dogs show notes page.

Share pictures of your nature walk pages on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them!

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you're enjoying the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

27. Christmas Spices Dec 12, 2022

Show notes

Who doesn't love the smell of spices wafting through the December air as cookies bake in the oven or pomanders decorate your home? In this special Christmas nature study episode, learn about the traditional spices of Christmas. Besides science, you'll enjoy a mini history lesson to explain why these particular spices became popular in winter recipes, and you'll even get to think a little about world geography!

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

ground cinnamon
ground cloves
ground ginger
ground nutmeg

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/christmas-spices-nature-study/. ← Find pomander decorating inspiration pictures here!

In the companion Christmas Spices Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn much more about the botany of these spices, as well as many of their important uses. Of course, you'll discover where in the world each spice grows natively and the process of getting the spices from the plant to your kitchen. Don't forget, you'll create an informative nature journal page about the spices, too!

Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership.

BUY GIFT CERTIFICATES for No Sweat Nature Study LIVE → ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift/

In the Our Journey Westward Shop, you can find some homeschool studies that would be great to continue winter and holiday science through nature study:

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the Christmas spices show notes page. The packet includes this season's podcast schedule, reference pages to the Handbook of Nature Study, supporting curriculum suggestions, and a list of go-along classes in the No Sweat Nature Study video library.

Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the Christmas spices show notes page.

Share pictures of your nature recipes on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them!

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you're enjoying the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

26. Snowflakes Nov 28, 2022

Show notes

Snowflakes are intricate, delicate, and strikingly beautiful. In this winter nature study episode, learn about the states of matter and temperature as you discover a little about how snowflakes are made. Whether it's snowy where you live or not, you'll be able to enjoy either a nature walk or nature table time to observe some stunning snowflake structures, too.

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

Black construction paper
Magnifying glass
Nature journal or blank, white paper
Pencils

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/snowflake-nature-study. ← Find the video of magnified snowflakes here!

Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. In the companion Snowflake Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn so much more about how snowflakes are formed in the wintery water cycle, how they fall as precipitation, and the geometrically mathematical structures that make them spectacular and unique.

BUY GIFT CERTIFICATES for No Sweat Nature Study LIVE → ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift/

In the Our Journey Westward Shop, you can find some homeschool studies that would be great to continue winter science through nature study:

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the snowflake show notes page. The packet includes this season's podcast schedule, reference pages to the Handbook of Nature Study, supporting curriculum suggestions, and a list of go-along classes in the No Sweat Nature Study video library.

Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the snowflake show notes page.

Share pictures of your nature journal pages on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them!

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you're enjoying the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

25. Root Vegetables Nov 07, 2022

Show notes

Do you love root vegetables? Whether your answer is yes or no, they are really interesting! You'll learn about different types of root veggies and how to categorize them in this podcast episode with Mrs. Cindy West.

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

Nature journal or blank, white paper
Colored pencils

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/root-vegetable-nature-study. ← Find pictures of root veggies here.

Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. In the companion Root Vegetable Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll "dig deeper" into the topic of root vegetables as you learn more about true root veggies, tubers, and rhizomes while creating a cross-section underground diagram in your nature journal. You'll be challenged to complete a couple of cool (and easy) science experiments with root vegetables, too!

In the Our Journey Westward Shop, you can find some homeschool studies that would be great as follow-ups to the root vegetable lesson:

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the root vegetables show notes page. The packet includes this season's podcast schedule, reference pages to the Handbook of Nature Study, supporting curriculum suggestions, and a list of go-along classes in the No Sweat Nature Study video library.

Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the root vegetables show notes page.

Share pictures of your nature journal pages on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them!

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you're enjoying the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

24. Mice Oct 24, 2022

Show notes

People either love mice or loathe them. No matter how you feel about them, mice are fascinating to learn about. That's exactly what we'll do in this homeschool nature study!

Learn about common mouse habitats and find out whether mice are predators or prey. You'll be in awe of their agility and intelligence as we also discuss some of their amazing defensive mechanisms!

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

Nature journal or blank, white paper
Colored pencils

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/mouse-nature-study. ← Find pictures of mice in various habitats here.

Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. In the companion Mice Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn the anatomy of a mouse and the functions of several body parts. You'll also know why mice are mammals, see some typical habitats, and understand where mice fit in various food chains!

In the Our Journey Westward Shop, you can find some homeschool studies that would be great as follow-ups to the mouse lesson:

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the mice show notes page. The packet includes this season's podcast schedule, reference pages to the Handbook of Nature Study, supporting curriculum suggestions, and a list of go-along classes in the No Sweat Nature Study video library.

Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the mice show notes page.

Share pictures of your nature journal pages on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them!

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you're enjoying the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The No Sweat Nature Study Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected