The No Sweat Nature Study Podcast

Are spiders helpful or harmful to a garden? Many people think they're dangerous and even scary, but are they? Join Mrs. Cindy to think about these questions and more in this episode about animals that are garden helpers. In the companion Garden Helpers Video Class included in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, create a chart of some of the coolest animals and their unwitting ways of helpin...

Perennial bulbs seem to appear out of nowhere each year then disappear almost as quickly as they arrived. Learn about this strange life cycle of some flowering plants with Mrs. Cindy. Sketch the stages in the companion Perennial Bulbs Video Class , which is included in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership. Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE  at  NoSweatNatureStudy.com . Use the code NOSWEAT for...

Wait. Isn't personification a language arts topic? What does it have to do with science or nature study? Great question! Mrs. Cindy will explain herself in this creative episode about figurative language.  In the companion  Animal Personification Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, sketch personified animals as you discover plant, animal, and earth science personificati...

Learn about insect life cycles as you hear about the growing stages of the tomato hornworm caterpillars that Mrs. Cindy finds in her vegetable patch every year. In the companion  Insect Life Cycles Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, sketch diagrams that show the differences between complete and incomplete metamorphosis. Expect to see a variety of familiar insects in va...

Hear a personal story from Mrs. Cindy's childhood and learn about tornado signs and safety. In the companion  Tornado Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, sketch the anatomy of a tornado while learning how tornadoes are formed, why they are so destructive, and why they are more common during the spring season. Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE  at  NoSweatNatureStudy.com ....

Learn about the Javan rhinoceros and why it's an endangered animal! In the companion  Endangered Animals Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, learn the differences between endangered, threatened, and vulnerable species while creating a beautiful nature journal page of endangered animals around the world.  Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE  at  NoSweatNatureStudy.com . Use...

Learn about vocalizations and other noises that create a cacophony in the Amazon Rainforest! In the companion  The Rainforest Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, expect to discover the differences between tropical and temperate rainforests worldwide. As you create a vibrant tropical rainforest in your nature journal, learn about the incredible biodiversity within the ca...

Did you know the process of photosynthesis is responsible for the sugary sweet sap that can be turned into maple syrup? That's what Mrs. Cindy is talking about in this episode! Get your  FREE Nature Walk Challenge → https://ourjourneywestward.com/sap-into-syrup-nature-study Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper pencil colored pencils In the companion  Sap int...

Learn about simple machines with Mrs. Cindy. You're right, that doesn't seem like a nature study topic, but it can be! Get your  FREE Nature Walk Challenge → https://ourjourneywestward.com/simple-machine-nature-study Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper pencil colored pencils In the companion  Simple Machines in Nature Video Class found in the No Sweat Natur...

Do you love penguins? Many people do! I think it might have something to do with their adorable appearance and cute, little waddle. Don't be fooled, though, these cuddly-looking creatures are masters of resilience as many of them face some of the harshest weather conditions on earth. Enjoy this penguin nature study with Mrs. Cindy! In the companion  Penguins Video Class found in the No Sweat Natur...

Why are the wolves in Yellowstone National Park so special? Listen to find out! In the companion Wolves of Yellowstone Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study membership , learn about apex predators in the food chain, food webs, plant and animal populations, overgrazing, extirpation, and reintroduction in this fascinating, historical science lesson about balance in an ecosystem. Join No Swe...

Which tree would make the most giant Christmas tree of all? Learn the answer to this question, with Mrs. Cindy!  In the companion  Redwood Trees Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, learn the deep science about redwood trees and their amazing adaptations that help our planet! Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE  at  NoSweatNatureStudy.com . Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off y...

Did you know which animals are related to moose? Learn the answer to this question, as well as plenty of other facts about moose with Mrs. Cindy!  In the companion  Moose Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, explore moose habitats, their diet, and several amazing adaptations. Of course, we'll learn more about those amazing antlers, too! Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE  a...

Connect nature study and language arts with a study of idioms with Mrs. Cindy! CHRISTMAS! BUY GIFT CERTIFICATES for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE →  ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift/ Get your  FREE Nature Walk Challenge → https://ourjourneywestward.com/nature-idiom-nature-study Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank...

Learn about beavers and their fascinating beaver dam habitats with Mrs. Cindy! Get your  FREE Nature Walk Challenge → https://ourjourneywestward.com/beaver-nature-study Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper pencil colored pencils In the companion  Beaver Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, learn about the behavior of beavers and th...

Learn about myriapods and the important role these leggy creatures play in nature! Get your  FREE Nature Walk Challenge → https://ourjourneywestward.com/myriapod-nature-study Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper pencil colored pencils In the companion  Myriapod Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, learn about the anatomy of millipe...

Learn about gliding mammals and their marvelous membranes called patagia with Mrs. Cindy! Get your  FREE Nature Walk Challenge  →  ourjourneywestward.com/gliding-mammal-nature-study/ .  Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper pencil colored pencils In the companion  Gliding Mammal Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, learn how patagia...

Learn about black bears of the Great Smoky Mountains and see if you can list the eight species of bears found around the world! Get your  FREE Nature Walk Challenge → ourjourneywestward.com/black-bear-nature-study/ .  Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper pencil colored pencils In the companion  Black Bear Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE m...

Learn about George Washington Carver, a botanist whose love for plants led to many important scientific inventions that we still use today! Register for the FREE Spider Video Class  → ourjourneywestward.com/free-spiders-nature-study-class/ Get your FREE Nature Walk Challenge → ourjourneywestward.com/george-washington-carver-nature-study/ .  Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal o...

JOIN THE FREE SPIDER CLASS on August 29 at 2 pm ET! Register at https://ourjourneywestward.com/free-spiders-nature-study-class/ . What are macroinvertebrates? Come find out with Mrs. Cindy! You might be surprised that you see them all the time, especially in and around streams and ponds! To get the FREE Nature Walk Challenge that goes with this episode, visit the show notes page https://ourjourney...

Night-blooming flowers open their petals at nighttime, usually just after sunset. They are also called nocturnal flowers. Some examples of night bloomers include jasmine, moonflowers, evening primrose, and angel's trumpet. Night-blooming flowers can be found in different parts of the world, including tropical rainforests, deserts, and temperate forests. To get your FREE Nature Walk Challenge, visi...

Seashore plants are any plants that grow in or around the areas where the land meets the sea or other bodies of saltwater. These plants are adapted to living in harsh, salty, and often windy environments, and may be found in a variety of habitats, including sandy beaches, rocky shores, tidal pools, and salt marshes. Come learn more about them with Mrs. Cindy! To get your FREE Nature Walk Challenge...

Seashore animals live in or near the ocean and are adapted to living in the intertidal zone, which is the area between the high tide and low tide marks. These animals can be found on rocky shores, sandy beaches, and tidal pools. They play an important role in the ecology of coastal ecosystems and I'm excited to share some of them with you in this episode! To get your FREE Nature Walk Challenge , v...

Brambles are a type of plant that produce berries, such as blackberries and raspberries. The berries are often eaten by humans and animals alike. Brambles have thorns on their stems, which can be sharp and prickly. These thorns can help protect the plant from hungry animals. Listen to learn about these amazing plants! To get your FREE Bramble Nature Walk Challenge , visit the show notes page  http...

I recently had a wonderful homeschooling discussion with Katie Doughty from the Raising Kind Humans Podcast. This rich episode is full of wisdom and ideas on the topics of nature study, Charlotte Mason homeschooling, developing character and empathy through living books, and presenting a feast of activities to encourage joyful and fruitful learning. Here are just some of the topics you will find i...