The No Sweat Nature Study Podcast

Latest Episodes:

23. Really Weird Plants Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

Our world is full of several amazingly outrageous plants. We'll learn about a couple of them in this slightly spooky homeschool nature study!

This episode focuses on the black bat flower and sandbox tree, two stunning exotic plants. You'll be encouraged to head outdoors to find some unique plants in your own area, too!

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

Nature journal or blank, white paper
Markers

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/weird-plants-nature-study. ← Find pictures of a black bat flower and sandbox tree 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 Really Weird Plants Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll create an "out of this world" nature journal page as you learn about even more strange plants and the things that make them extraordinary. The nature journal page we create during the video class should be unlike any other you've created before!

In the Our Journey Westward Shop, you can find some homeschool studies that work great as a follow-up to the moon lesson:

Life Cycle of a Flowering Plant
Flower Families
Wonderful Wildflowers
Defense Mechanisms of Plants
A Fungus Among Us (Fungi aren't plants, but they would be fun to study alongside this topic.)

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the really weird plants 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 really weird plants 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! :)

22. The Harvest Moon Sep 26, 2022

Show notes

The harvest moon is one of the big, beautiful full moons of the autumn season. Children will love learning how it got its name and why it looks the way it does in this homeschool nature study!

Learn about the 29.5-day moon cycle and all of its waxing and waning phases. Of course, no moon study is complete without touching on the reflective light we see from the sun as the moon and earth make their regular orbits. And, of course, the oddly beautiful harvest moon is explained with details about the origins of its name.

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

Nature journal or blank, white paper
Colored pencils

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/harvest-moon. ← Find pictures of the harvest moon 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 harvest moon video lesson, you'll create a moon phase nature journal page as you learn more about the Autumnal equinox and the harvest moon. Discover the reasons behind the names for the big, beautiful moons of autumn, and even some of the effects the moon has on nature, too!

In the Our Journey Westward Shop, you can find some homeschool studies that work great as a follow-up to the moon lesson:

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the harvest moon 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 harvest moon 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! :)

21. Gregor Mendel Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

Learning about nature through the eyes of naturalists, botanists, and other scientists is very cool. In this Gregor Mendel episode, take a look at botany through scientific eyes!

Learn a brief biography of Gregor Mende and his pea plant experiments, as well as his ground-breaking studies of traits and heredity that opened the door to our modern-day understanding of genetics!

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

Nature journal or blank, white paper
Colored pencils

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/gregor-mendel-study. ← Find the pea diagram 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 Our Journey Westward Shop, you can find some homeschool studies that would flow nicely as a follow-up to the Gregor Mendel biography:

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the Gregor Mendel 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 Gregor Mendel 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! :)

20. Pondweed Aug 08, 2022

Show notes

Is every weed in a pond called pondweed or is pondweed something special? That's what you'll learn about in this interesting episode about plants that are found in a pond habitat. I think you'll love these aquatic angiosperms which are the perfect food and shelter for so many pond animals.

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

Nature journal or blank, white paper
Colored pencils or watercolors (with water and a paintbrush)

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/pondweed-nature-study. ←Find images of pondweed, jointed stems, inconspicuous flowers, and some of the animals that love pondweed here, too!

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

Explore more about the topics of ponds using the Peaceful Ponds NaturExplorers study found in the Our Journey Westward Shop.

Other learning guides found in the Our Journey Westward Shop that would go well with this topic include Habitats and Wonderful Wildflowers.

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the pondweed 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 Mrs. Cindy's most used nature study supplies.

Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the pondweed 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! :)

19. Poisonous Plants Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

We should all be aware of poisonous plants on nature walks. You don't necessarily need to be afraid of most of them, but you should know which plants are poisonous and how they can be hurtful. You'll learn a bunch about plant defense mechanisms during this interesting episode!

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

Nature journal or blank, white paper
Colored pencils

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/poisonous-plant-nature-study. ←Find images of poisonous plants here, too!

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

Explore more about the topics of plant defenses using the Defense Mechanisms of Plants study found in the Our Journey Westward Shop.

Other studies found in the Our Journey Westward Shop that would be nice go-alongs to this topic include Wonderful Wildflowers, Flower Families, and The Life Cycle of Flowering Plants.

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the poisonous plants 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 Mrs. Cindy's most used nature study supplies.

Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the poisonous plants 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! :)

18. Mud Daubers Jul 25, 2022

Show notes

Wasp nature study isn't so scary when you're talking about mud daubers and their amazing nests built of mud. In this science lesson for kids, learn about the amazing mud dauber life cycle and preferred habitats. You find four options for this week's nature walk challenge and nature journaling, too!

Supplies for the nature study challenge:

Nature journal or blank, white paper
Colored pencils
brown play dough or clay (optional)

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/mud-dauber-nature-study. ←Find images of mud daubers and nests here, too!

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

Explore the topics of animal habitats and animal life cycles using the Habitats unit study or Animal Life Cycles unit study found in the Our Journey Westward Shop.

Enjoy finding animal signs in nature with help from the Animal Signs NaturExplorers guide found in the Our Journey Westward Shop.

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the mud dauber 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 Mrs. Cindy's most used nature study supplies.

Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the mud dauber 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! :)

17. Water Snakes Jul 18, 2022

Show notes

Slide on in for a slithery and sensational episode about water snakes. Bring along your nature journal with some colored pencils and choose from three different (and not-so-scary) nature walk challenges!

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/water-snake-nature-study/. ←Find images of water snakes here, too!

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

Enjoy water-based nature study with help from the Incredible Creeks NaturExplorers guide or Peaceful Ponds NaturExplorers guide found in the Our Journey Westward Shop.

Explore the topics of animal habitats and animal life cycles using the Habitats unit study or Animal Life Cycles unit study found in the Our Journey Westward Shop.

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the water snakes 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 Mrs. Cindy's most used nature study supplies.

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

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

16. Stars and the Night Sky Jul 11, 2022

Show notes

Look up into the night sky this summer season to enjoy a nighttime nature walk and nature journaling challenge!

Bring along the app that Mrs. Cindy mentions in the podcast, some dark-colored construction paper, and white or yellow crayons, gel pens, or acrylic paints. Don't forget something hard like a clipboard to use as a surface for drawing or painting.

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/stars-nature-study/. ←Find images of some constellations here, too!

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

Explore even more about objects in the night sky in the Space Observations unit study found in the Our Journey Westward Shop.

Keep the nighttime nature study theme going as you learn about some nocturnal animals in the Flying Creatures of the Night NaturExplorers curriculum or Nocturnal Animals unit study found in the Our Journey Westward Shop.

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the stars 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 Mrs. Cindy's most used nature study supplies.

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

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

15. Life in a Brook Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

The summer season is perfect for visiting a brook (or creek or river) to observe life in and around the water! Learn about this unique aquatic habitat and enjoy a nature walk challenge in this episode.

Bring along a nature journal and watercolors/paintbrush/bottled water or colored pencils. A blanket or folding chair will help you to be comfortable while nature journaling.

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/life-in-a-brook-nature-study/. ←Find still images of brooks and brook life here, too!

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

Explore even more about brooks, creeks, and rivers in the Incredible Creeks NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop.

Frogs can often be found in and around brooks. Learn all about them in the Frogs and Toads NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop.

Erosion is so much fun to study when taking nature walks near running water. Have fun with this unique topic in the Ever-changing Erosion NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop.

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the life in a brook 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 Mrs. Cindy's most used nature study supplies.

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

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

14. Daisies Jun 27, 2022

Show notes

Flowers are so much fun to study during nature walks! In this episode, learn about daisies and the Asteraceae family as you enjoy a wildflower nature walk challenge.

Bring along a nature journal and colored pencils. Feel free to also bring a magnifying glass if you want.

For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/daisy-nature-study/. ←Find still images of daisies here, too!

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

Explore even more flower families in the Flower Families No Sweat Nature Study digital curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop.

Learn about all types of flowers in the Wonderful Wildflowers NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop.

Learn about flower life cycles in The Life Cycle of a Flowering Plant No Sweat Nature Study digital curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop.

Get this season's Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the daisy 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 Mrs. Cindy's most used nature study supplies.

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

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

Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you're enjoying the episodes. :)

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