Carpool Classroom

Remember the whale from our tugboat episode? One curious Carpool Classroom listener had a question: What happened to it? In this special follow-up episode, Mrs. Nelson investigates the story of the 67-foot fin whale that arrived at the Port of Tacoma after being struck by a ship. We'll follow the whale's journey to McNeil Island, learn how scientists figured out what happened, discover what a necr...

If Earth is a giant ball floating in space... why don't the people on the bottom fall off?! In this episode of Carpool Classroom, Mrs. Nelson and her Space Scientists investigate one of the most important forces in our universe: gravity! Kids will discover how Earth's mass creates gravity, why gravity pulls everything toward the center of our planet, and why "down" isn't actually the same directio...

Blast off with Mrs. Nelson as Carpool Classroom begins an out-of-this-world adventure through our solar system! In this episode, kids will zoom farther and farther away from home to discover their “space address." We'll start right where we are on Earth, then travel out to our solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, and beyond! Along the way, young scientists will learn just how enormous space really...

How can a little tugboat move a ship that's hundreds of times bigger than it is? In this episode of Carpool Classroom, Mrs. Nelson explores the surprisingly powerful world of tugboats! Young learners will discover what tugboats do, why huge ships need their help, and how these small-but-mighty boats push, pull, and guide vessels safely through busy harbors. Along the way, kids will build vocabular...

Mrs. Nelson and Crew learn about the layers of the Earth and solve a mystery: could we stop the Earth from spinning?

Join Mrs. Nelson and Crew as we learn about the different habitats and nests of birds around the world!

Crew and Collins join for an episode on Capybaras!

What really happens after you flush the toilet? In this engaging (and slightly silly!) episode of Carpool Classroom, we follow the journey of wastewater as it travels through pipes, pump stations, and all the way to a treatment plant. Learners will discover: How waste moves through underground sewer systems What happens inside a wastewater treatment plant The important jobs that keep our water cle...

Why do authors write? In this episode of Carpool Classroom, learners become reading detectives as they explore the three main types of writing: informative, opinion (persuasive), and narrative. Through clear explanations and fun, interactive examples, listeners will learn how to: Identify different types of writing Recognize clues that reveal the author’s purpose Decide whether a text is teaching,...

Curious how a frog and a butterfly grow and change? In this episode of Carpool Classroom, learners explore the fascinating life cycles of both animals—from eggs to adulthood—while building important reading skills along the way. First, we dive into the stages of a frog and a butterfly, learning key vocabulary like metamorphosis and noticing how each animal changes over time. Then, we shift into be...

• World News This Week January 17-23 What's happening in the world - and how can kids understand it? In this episode of World News This Week, kids ages 5-10 explore three real news stories, explained clearly and thoughtfully: • / Why the Northern Lights were seen in Ireland - and the science behind this beautiful sky event • How communities across the U.S. honored Martin Luther King Jr. Day throug...

Episode: January 10-16, 2026 What's happening in the world right now — and how can kids understand it? In this episode of World News This Week, we explore three real news stories from around the globe, explained clearly and calmly for kids ages 5-9. This week, listeners will learn: • Why Jupiter appeared brighter and closer in the night sky during a special moment called opposition • IN How scient...

This week on World News This Week, we explore how scientists study our world — past, present, and planet. In this episode, kids will learn: • What archaeologists do and how they carefully uncover clues from the past • Why January 8 is Earth's Rotation Day and how Earth's movement creates day and night • How meteorologists track severe winter weather and help communities prepare This calm, factual...

Welcome to the very first episode of World News This Week, a new weekly series from Carpool Classroom designed especially for kids ages 5-9. Each week, we explore real news from the real world - not to scare kids or persuade them, but to help them understand what's happening around them with clarity, calm, and curiosity. In this episode, kids will learn: • How money works differently around the wo...

Follow the journey of a bite of pizza from start to finish!

- Why Do We Fart? Let's be honest... everyone does it! But have you ever wondered why? In this hilarious (and surprisingly scientific!) episode of Carpool Classroom, Mrs. Nelson dives into the science behind farts — what they are, how they happen, and what they tell us about our amazing digestive systems. Kids will learn: • Why our bodies make gas • What foods cause more farts (and why that's actu...

Buckle up—it's time for a spooky-fun ride in the Carpool Classroom! In this episode, we'll explore the history behind Halloween, discover the most popular costumes of all time (and the top picks for 2025!), learn about record-breaking pumpkins, and uncover the sweetest candy facts around. It's a perfect mix of fun facts, fascinating history, and reading comprehension practice all wrapped up in one...

Dive deep with Mrs. Nelson in this final episode of the Pacific Northwest Ocean Life series! Explore the mysterious world of the ocean floor-where crabs scuttle, sea stars glide, and octopuses hide in rocky crevices. Kids will learn who lives at the bottom of the sea, how they survive in the dark, and why these animals are so important to keeping the ocean healthy. Along the way, Mrs. Nelson model...

In this episode of Carpool Classroom, Mrs. Nelson heads to the rocky shores of the Pacific Northwest to help listeners finally tell the difference between seals and sea lions! We'll learn what makes these marine mammals similar, what makes them unique, and practice one of the most important second-grade reading strategies comparing and contrasting. Through vivid storytelling, you'll discover why s...

Dive beneath the surface with Mrs. Nelson to meet the incredible orcas of the Pacific Northwest! In this episode, listeners will explore the family bonds of the J-Pod, discover how orcas communicate, and learn why these black-and-white beauties are a keystone species in their ocean ecosystem. Along the way, kids will practice key second-grade reading strategies - like finding the main idea, using...

Dive deep with Mrs. Nelson in this ocean-sized adventure all about one of the smartest creatures under the sea — the octopus! In this episode, we'll explore how octopuses use their eight arms, three hearts, and big brains to solve problems, camouflage, and escape danger. Listeners will learn fascinating facts about their anatomy, nervous system, and defense tricks — plus the legend of the giant Pa...

Get ready to dive into one of nature's most amazing journeys! In this episode of Carpool Classroom, Mrs. Nelson follows the salmon's life from egg to ocean and back again — exploring how these incredible fish transform, travel thousands of miles, and help keep forests and rivers alive. Along the way, listeners will learn key reading strategies like sequencing and summarizing, discover what a keyst...

Where does electricity really come from? In this episode of Carpool Classroom, Mrs. Nelson takes listeners on a thrilling start-to-finish journey through the world of electricity! From windy hilltops with giant turbines to the wires above our streets, kids will discover how energy is made, transformed, and delivered all the way to their homes. Along the way, Mrs. Nelson models powerful reading com...

Get ready for a purr-fectly fascinating ride in this special edition of Carpool Classroom! l Mrs. Nelson takes listeners on a journey into the mysterious and adorable world of cats — answering all the big questions kids have! Why do cats have whiskers? Why do their eyes glow in the dark? Do they remember people they love? And what's the deal with their obsession with boxes? Along the way, listener...

Ever wonder why the trees burst into color every fall? In this special edition of Carpool Classroom, Mrs. Nelson takes you on a cozy autumn drive to discover how and why leaves change color, what makes them green, and what happens after they fall. Along the way, listeners will explore fascinating science concepts like chlorophyll, photosynthesis, and decomposition — and practice powerful reading s...