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...
Nov 28, 2022•15 min•Ep 26•Transcript available on Metacast 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.c...
Nov 07, 2022•15 min•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast 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 download...
Oct 24, 2022•13 min•Ep 24•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Oct 10, 2022•15 min•Ep 23•Transcript available on Metacast 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 th...
Sep 26, 2022•13 min•Ep 22•Transcript available on Metacast 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 d...
Sep 12, 2022•15 min•Ep 21•Transcript available on Metacast 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/pon...
Aug 08, 2022•13 min•Ep 20•Transcript available on Metacast 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 plan...
Aug 01, 2022•15 min•Ep 19•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Jul 25, 2022•16 min•Ep 18•Transcript available on Metacast 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 s...
Jul 18, 2022•13 min•Ep 17•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jul 11, 2022•13 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast 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 bro...
Jul 05, 2022•13 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jun 27, 2022•11 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast Have you seen hummingbirds? They are so much fun to watch as they zip around at speeds that are so fast we can hardly keep up with them. In this episode, learn about their agility and the foods they eat - and enjoy a fun nature walk challenge. Bring along a nature journal and colored pencils or watercolors. For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/hummingbird-nature-study/ . ←Find a slow-motion video and still images of hummingbirds here, too! Join No Sweat Nature Study...
Jun 20, 2022•15 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast It's hard to believe, but you can find a lot of life under those amazing rocks in nature! Bring along a nature journal and colored pencils, and grab a magnifying glass if you like. Then, head outdoors for a fun nature walk challenge. For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/life-under-rocks-nature-study/ . ←Find pictures of some life under rocks here, too! Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com . Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a ...
Jun 13, 2022•13 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast Fireflies (or lightning bugs) are wonderful insects to study in late spring or early summer! Bring along a nature journal and colored pencils or markers. Grab a trowel and a glass jar as you head outdoors for this episode's TWO nature walk challenges. For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/firefly-nature-study . ←Find pictures of fireflies and firefly larvae here, too! Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com . Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your fi...
Jun 06, 2022•12 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast Pollinators are arguably some of the most important animals in the world. This episode will explain why! Bring along a nature journal and colored pencils. Grab a pipe cleaner (or q-tip), some scotch tape, and maybe even a magnifying glass as you head outdoors for this episode's nature walk challenge. For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/pollinator-nature-study/ . ←Find the flower diagram here, too! Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com . Learn mo...
May 09, 2022•14 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast Ants are wonderfully industrious social insects that are usually pretty easy to find on a homeschool nature walk! Bring along a nature journal, colored pencils, and a magnifying glass as you head outdoors for this episode's nature walk challenge. For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/ant-nature-study/ . Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com . Enjoy more insect nature study with the Butterflies Flutter By NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our ...
May 02, 2022•12 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast Rocks might seem like a boring nature study topic, but sedimentary rocks are full of treasures to find! Just a few rock specimens, and nature journal, and a pencil are all you need to enjoy this homeschool nature study and the nature walk challenge. For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/sedimentary-rocks-nature-study/ . Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com . Enjoy more rock-themed nature study with the Hard as a Rock NaturExplorers curriculum fou...
Apr 25, 2022•12 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast Get ready for a windy homeschool nature study with Mrs. Cindy! In this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study podcast, learn about the wind and notice its movement in nature. Before heading outside for the nature walk challenge at the end of the episode, grab a nature journal and some colored pencils. For show notes and downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/wind-nature-study/ . Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com . Learn more about earth and weather science with the NaturEx...
Apr 18, 2022•9 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast This homeschool nature study episode might result in some dirty hands and clothes, but the fun learning will be worth it! Come dig in the soil with Mrs. Cindy and learn about various types of soil and some of the materials you can find in it. Bring along a nature journal, pencil, trowel or shovel, and a few other easy supplies you'll hear about in the episode. For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/soil-nature-study/ . Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureS...
Apr 11, 2022•12 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast Bracket fungi look like beautiful shelves that you can sometimes find growing on deciduous trees in woodland areas. They come in all sorts of shapes, colors, and sizes that are pretty easy to spot on a nature walk. Bring along a nature journal, colored pencils, (or watercolors), and a ruler for this fun homeschool nature study challenge! For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/bracket-fungi-nature-study/ . Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com . Lea...
Apr 04, 2022•11 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast Now that it's spring, wildflowers are beginning to grow just about everywhere. Did you know that wildflowers don't need help from humans to grow and thrive, but cultivated plants do? Learn the difference between wildflowers and cultivated flowers in this episode. Bring along a nature journal, colored pencils, and a ruler for a fun nature walk challenge that includes math through measurement! For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/spring-wildflowers-nature-study/ . Joi...
Mar 28, 2022•12 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast This simple spring peeper nature study will teach your homeschool family bite-sized information about frogs. You'll be encouraged to take a nature walk near a pond to try to observe spring peepers or other frogs. Bring along a nature journal and colored pencils or watercolors for the nature journal challenge. For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/spring-peeper-nature-study . Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com . Enjoy more frog nature study with...
Mar 23, 2022•8 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast Your family will enjoy a unique homeschool nature study about birds as we discuss spring bird migration. To participate in the easy nature walk challenge, bring along a nature journal and some colored pencils. For show notes and episode downloads, go to ourjourneywestward.com/bird-migration-nature-study . Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com . Enjoy more bird nature study with the Beautiful Birds NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop . Get the Podc...
Mar 18, 2022•8 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast Mrs. Cindy West is so excited to tell you about the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast in this introductory episode! Your entire family can enjoy homeschool nature study together with Mrs. Cindy as your nature guide.
Mar 17, 2022•3 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast 
