Learn about the Theridiidae spiders, often called cobweb spiders, and the tangled webs they create. These messy but fascinating webs might surprise you when you hear how they connect to the shimmering tinsel often found on Christmas trees! In the companion The Cobweb Christmas Video Class included in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, learn how cobwebs contribute to biodiversity, discover fascinating facts about harmless and venomous cobweb spiders, and create a nature journal page to capture your observations. 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/ SEND CHARTER SCHOOLS HERE → ourjourneywestward.com/charter/ Visit the cobwebs show notes page to see an old-fashioned Christmas tree with tinsel. Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Here are some free Winter Nature Study Printables that are ready for download. Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

This cranberry nature study is perfect for your autumn science lessons about the harvest season, Thanksgiving, or Christmas! In the companion video class about cranberries, included in the No Sweat Nature Study membership, 1st-8th graders will understand the life cycle of cranberries that grow uniquely in bogs. Learn why cranberries bounce, see how they are harvested, and discover their importance in agriculture and cuisine.  Join No Sweat Nature Study Membership 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 →  ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift/ Share this link with CHARTER SCHOOLS → ourjourneywestward.com/charter/ Visit the cranberry show notes page to see the air pockets inside a cranberry. Enjoy some cranberry books (affiliate link) and cranberry experiments this holiday season.  Share pictures of your nature studies 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

Corn isn’t just tasty; it comes in a rainbow of colors! Discover why corn kernels can be yellow, white, purple, red, and even blue in this seasonal science episode! In the companion Video Class about Maize included in the No Sweat Nature Study membership, discover the life cycle of maize, its unique history around the world, and the many ways it can be used - all while creating a beautiful nature journal page. NEW MEMBERS can use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. CHARTER SCHOOLS can now purchase a video-only membership! This is perfect for charters that don't allow their students access to live classes. Please direct your charter school to OurJourneyWestward.com/charter/. GIFT CARDS are available for friends and family to purchase for you. Please send them here. Corn Show Notes Page  Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Show Sponsor: You'll love this season's edition of the Learning Well Magazine! Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

Kangaroos are incredible creatures, and their unique mode of movement is not just fun to watch but also an efficient way for them to get around the vast Australian landscape. Join Mrs. Cindy as she dives into the science behind why hopping is so energy-efficient for kangaroos and how their strong legs, giant feet, and tails are perfectly designed for this movement. In the companion Marsupials Video Class included in the No Sweat Nature Study membership, learn about various types of marsupials and their amazing pouches as you create a beautiful nature journal entry. NEW MEMBERS can use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. CHARTER SCHOOLS can now purchase a video-only membership! Perfect for charters that don't allow their students access to live classes. Please direct your charter school to OurJourneyWestward.com/charter/. GIFT CARDS are available for friends and family to purchase for you. Please send them here. Kangaroo Show Notes Page Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Poems is another excellent podcast for kids. Your family can enjoy a weekly poem for fun or memorization! Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

Have you ever spotted a striking orange and black butterfly fluttering through your garden? That was likely a monarch butterfly! Milkweed, the monarch butterfly’s favorite plant, is vital to their life cycle. But why do monarch butterflies love milkweed so much? In this episode, we’ll uncover the special connection between monarchs and milkweed that helps these butterflies thrive. In the companion Monarch Butterflies Video Class included in the No Sweat Nature Study membership, discover the life cycle of monarch butterflies from egg to adult and create a monarch migration map that follows the route these migrating butterflies take. 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/ CHARTER SCHOOL LINK → ourjourneywestward.com/charter/ Visit the monarchs show notes page to see a monarch sipping nectar from milkweed! Share pictures of your nature studies 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

In this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast, Mrs. Cindy takes kids on a journey inside the human body to explore the fascinating role of cells. Children will be amazed to learn that their bodies contain more cells than people on Earth! In the companion Animal Cells Video Class included in the No Sweat Nature Study membership, understand the functions and structure of animal cells as you create and label your own. 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/ Visit the Animal Cells show notes page to leave a voice message for Mrs. Cindy. Share pictures of your nature studies 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

Explore the concept of biomimicry, where nature's designs inspire human innovation. This episode delves into STEM as we discuss science, technology, and engineering. Learn how one engineer in the 1940s imitated a natural plant process to create new technology! In the companion Nature's Tech Wonders Video Class included in the No Sweat Nature Study membership, explore the various technologies that assist in animal care and conservation. See how a tracking device works and how technology can be used to create prosthetics and wheelchairs for animals. As always, you'll create a fantastic nature journal page to go along with the class! 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/ Visit the biomimicry show notes page to see a macro image of a burr, as referenced in the episode. Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Sponsor: The Wonder World Podcast Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

Explore an incredible mutualistic symbiotic friendship in nature as you discover the fascinating bond between clownfish and sea anemones! In the companion Symbiosis Video Class included in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, learn other examples of mutualistic symbiosis, such as the relationship between bees and flowers. Plus, discover commensalism and parasitism – two other types of symbiosis! Expect to create a detailed chart of examples of each of these types of symbiotic relationships. 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/ Visit the symbiosis page at Our Journey Westward to see a clownfish hanging out with a sea anemone. Share pictures of your nature studies 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

Learn about the weather phenomenon of droughts as you discover the microscopic tardigrade's ability to survive with a lack of water of a very long time. In the companion Drought Video Class included in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, understand the difference between meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural droughts. Create a chart in your nature journal to show their impacts on the land, plants, and animals. 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/ Visit the droughts show notes page to see a tardigrade! Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Our sponsor this week is the Learning Well Journal. Grab your copy of this season's encouraging edition of the print magazine at learningwellcommunity.com/magazine/. Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

Ichthyology nature study is a fishy one. You see, ichthyology is the study of all types of freshwater and marine fish. In this episode, learn where this odd science word comes from and what the scientists do. Who knows? Maybe you'll be inspired to become an ichthyologist someday! In the companion Eugenie Clark Video Class included in the No Sweat Nature Study membership, learn the biography of a pioneer ichthyologist. During the video class, expect to create a nature journal page highlighting her discoveries of sleeping sharks and symbiosis! 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 the No Sweat Nature Study Membership →  ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift/ Download the FREE Summer Activity Printable → ourjourneywestward.com/free-summer-nature-study-printable/ Share pictures of your nature studies 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

How do you feel about sharks? Have you ever seen one? I have! You'll hear about that experience and learn about the smallest shark in the ocean in this episode. In the No Sweat Nature Study Video Class about Sharks enjoy testing your shark trivia while creating your own shark species in your nature journal. This class is included in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership found 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 Summer Activity Printable → ourjourneywestward.com/free-summer-nature-study-printable/ Share pictures of your nature studies 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

Let's learn about everyone's favorite domesticated fowl, the chicken! This episode explores the reason behind a chicken's unique practice of ingesting rocks.  In the companion Chickens Video Class included in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, draw or paint a beautiful chicken and label the external anatomy as you discover each part's purpose. Enjoy a very special Q&A time with Mrs. Cindy's farming daughter, 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 friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE →  ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift/ Download the FREE Summer Activity Printable → ourjourneywestward.com/free-summer-nature-study-printable/ Share pictures of your nature studies 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 helping a garden grow. Charting when nature journaling is a fun way to show a lot of information on a single page. If you've never created a chart before, you'll love it! 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/ Share pictures of your nature studies 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 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/ Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the show notes page. Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! FREE Spring Nature Observation Activity Packet → https://ourjourneywestward.com/free-spring-nature-study-printable-packet-for-homeschoolers/ Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 personification examples in children's literature. 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/ Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the show notes page. Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! FREE Spring Nature Observation Activity Packet → https://ourjourneywestward.com/free-spring-nature-study-printable-packet-for-homeschoolers/ Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 various life cycle stages so you can identify them on your next nature walk. 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/ Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the show notes page. Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! FREE Spring Nature Observation Activity Packet → https://ourjourneywestward.com/free-spring-nature-study-printable-packet-for-homeschoolers/ Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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. 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/ Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the show notes page. Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Loving Living Math → https://ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/loving-living-math/ Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 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/ Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the show notes page. Share pictures of your nature studies 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 canopy of this unique biome.  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/ Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the Rainforest 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 into Syrup Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, create a beautiful painting or drawing of a tapped maple tree. You'll have an opportunity to add a diagram of the process of turning sap into syrup, 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 friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE →  ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift/ Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the Sap into Syrup 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 Nature Study membership, plan to create a chart of simple machines and some of the plants and animals that use them in nature. Expect to learn some exciting history of simple machines, 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 friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE →  ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift/ Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the Simple Machines in Nature 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 Nature Study LIVE membership, embark on an expedition to explore the geography and unique habitats of each climate where penguins are found. Learn about their unique body adaptations, locomotion, and basic needs. Of course, we won't forget to discuss the unique ways penguins are resilient in difficult situations, 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 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/penguin-nature-study Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper pencil colored pencils Grab the FREE Winter Nature Observation Packet at https://ourjourneywestward.com/winter-nature-study-printable/ 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 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/ Get your FREE Nature Walk Challenge → https://ourjourneywestward.com/yellowstone-wolves-nature-study 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 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/ Get your FREE Nature Walk Challenge → https://ourjourneywestward.com/redwood-tree-nature-study Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper pencil colored pencils 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 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/ Get your FREE Nature Walk Challenge → https://ourjourneywestward.com/moose-nature-study-for-kids Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper pencil colored pencils Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the Moose 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 white paper pencil colored pencils In the companion Nature Idioms Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, dive into this topic with a fun spin on nature journaling as you learn how to recognize idioms. You’ll be surprised at just how many idioms include nature in them! It will be interesting to determine whether you’re a literal or abstract thinker, too. Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. CHRISTMAS! BUY GIFT CERTIFICATES for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE →  ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift/ Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the Nature Idioms 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 their physical characteristics as you create a beaver habitat in your nature journal. You'll be amazed at the engineering skills of beavers and environmental impact of their dams! 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 a few homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue learning animal science through nature study: Defense Mechanisms of Animals Animal Signs Grab the FREE Autumn Observation Packet full of printable pages to encourage creative observation and nature journaling → ourjourneywestward.com/autumn-nature-observation-packet/ Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the Beavers 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 millipedes and centipedes as you discover their physical and chemical defense mechanisms. Create outline drawings in your nature journal, 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 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 a few homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue learning night science through nature study: Butterflies Flutter By Spectacular Spiders Grab the FREE Autumn Observation Packet full of printable pages to encourage creative observation and nature journaling → ourjourneywestward.com/autumn-nature-observation-packet/ Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the Myriapods 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 work for flight, as well as starting, steering, and landing. Find out about at least one gliding mammal living on every continent of the world, except Antarctica. Learn which ones are marsupials and which ones aren't, 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 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 a few homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue learning night science through nature study: Flying Creatures of the Night Beautiful Birds Grab the FREE Autumn Observation Packet full of printable pages to encourage creative observation and nature journaling → ourjourneywestward.com/autumn-nature-observation-packet/ Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the Gliding Mammals 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 membership, learn even more about black bears. As you create an athletic nature journal page, learn about black bear habitats, their omnivorous diet, their unique life cycle, hibernation, and plenty 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, find a few homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue learning night science through nature study: Animal Life Cycles Animal Signs Grab the FREE Autumn Observation Packet full of printable pages to encourage creative observation and nature journaling → ourjourneywestward.com/autumn-nature-observation-packet/ Be sure to check out the Wonder World Podcast to learn about little-known celebrations, things that happened this week in history, a weekly vocabulary word, poems, stories, trivia, jokes, and much more. The entire family will enjoy it! Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the Black Bear 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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 or blank white paper watercolors paintbrush bottle of water paper towels In the companion George Washington Carver Video Class found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, learn even more about the biography of George Washington Carver and his very important impacts on farming. Create your very own crop rotation diagram as you discover how the process works! 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 a few homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue learning night science through nature study: Flower Families Lifecycle of a Flowering Plant Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the George Washington Carver 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! :)

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://ourjourneywestward.com/macroinvertebrate-nature-study/. ← Find images of macroinvertebrates here, too! Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper pencil In the companion Macroinvertebrate Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, learn about annelids, arachnids, arthropods, crustaceans, insects, and mollusks as you create a beautiful chart of amazing macroinvertebrates! 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 a few homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue learning night science through nature study: Defense Mechanisms of Animals Spectacular Spiders Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the Macroinvertebrates 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! :)

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, visit the show notes page https://ourjourneywestward.com/night-blooming-flowers-nature-study/. ← Find an image of bittersweet nightshade here! Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper colored pencils or oil pastels In the companion Night-Blooming Flowers Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, review the reason for flowers and find out how night-blooming plants are pollinated. Be ready to wow friends and family with words like nyctinasty and heliotropism! Of course, plan on learning the names and characteristics of several night-blooming plants while you create a nature journal page of several specimens, too. Join the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership 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 a couple of homeschool curriculum guides to help you learn more homeschool science: Lifecycle of a Flowering Plant Flying Creatures of the Night 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

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, visit the show notes page https://ourjourneywestward.com/seashore-plant-nature-study/.  Supplies for the nature study challenge: camera In the companion Seashore Plants Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, we’ll take a closer look at some of the plants that can grow along a seashore or wash up on the beach. We’ll turn our attention to seagrasses, seaweeds, and flowering plants. Be ready to create a nature journal page showing a specimen for each of these cool categories! 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 Seashore-Themed Activity Packet → https://ourjourneywestward.com/summer-nature-activity-pack/ See the short list of nature study supplies that were mentioned in this episode. In the Our Journey Westward Shop, find a few homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue learning science through nature study: Lifecycle of a Flowering Plant Desert Biomes 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! :)

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, visit the show notes page ourjourneywestward.com/seashore-animal-nature-study/.  Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper colored pencils or oil pastels In the companion Seashore Animals Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, create an animal kingdom chart as you learn about the vast array of animals on the seashore. In the video class, you'll learn about vertebrates like birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles, as well as invertebrates like arthropods, echinoderms, cnidaria, and mollusks. If all those crazy words sound intimidating, don’t worry. I bet you’ll recognize most of the animals that fit into these animal kingdom categories! 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 Summer Seashore Activity Pack → ourjourneywestward.com/summer-nature-activity-pack/ Download the FREE printable Summer Nature Study Playdough Mats → ourjourneywestward.com/spring-nature-study-play-dough/ In the Our Journey Westward Shop, find a few homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue learning night science through nature study: Habitats Animal Life Cycles 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! :)

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 https://ourjourneywestward.com/bramble-nature-study/. ← Find images of brambles here, too! Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper colored pencils or oil pastels In the companion Brambles Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn so much more about the Rubus genus of flowering plants. That’s the fancy scientific name for plants in the rose family that are brambles. We’ll get up close and personal with a few bramble plants and will identify their similarities and differences. Not only will we notice the physical characteristics, but you’ll create a nature journal page to show the similarities in the shrub structure, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits. 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 Summer Nature Study Playdough Mats → https://ourjourneywestward.com/summer-play-dough-mats/ In the Our Journey Westward Shop, find a few homeschool botany curriculum guides that are helpful to learn more about plant nature study: Flower Families Defense Mechanisms of Plants Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the Bramble 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! :)

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 in the episode: Learn a little more about Cindy. Get tips for creative nature study. Learn how nature study can benefit bodies and brains. Learn how nature study can improve academics. Learn some of the Charlotte Mason strategies that worked. Get tips for using living books for character building. Learn about the importance of play. Learn about several helpful resources. Subscribe to the Raising Kind Humans Podcast and visit Katie at TeamKindHumans.com or on Instagram @katie_doughty. Visit Cindy at OurJourneyWestward.com or on Instagram @OurJourneyWestward. Resources mentioned in the podcast: No Sweat Nature Study Membership Charlotte Mason Homeschooling in 18 Easy Lessons NaturExplorers curriculum series 100+ Creative Nature Walks Character-Building Homeschool Masterclass

A garden pest is any insect, animal, or other organism that can cause damage to plants and gardens. They can be harmful to both ornamental plants and crops, and can negatively impact the health and productivity of the garden. Common garden pests include insects like aphids, caterpillars, and beetles, as well as animals like rodents, deer, and rabbits. Some pests are attracted to certain plants, while others can attack a wide range of vegetation. Come hear some of Mrs. Cindy's experiences with garden pests in this episode! To get your FREE Nature Walk Challenge, visit the show notes page https://ourjourneywestward.com/garden-pest-nature-study/. ← Find an image of tent caterpillars here! Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper colored pencils In the companion Garden Pest Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn about some of the most notorious critters that harm our food and flower gardens. We’ll figure out why they are such a nuisance, see some of their (honestly very cool) tactics, know what signs to look for on our plants, and learn some ways to keep our gardens safe without throwing a bunch of dangerous chemicals on our food and flowers! 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 packet with a hands-on garden pest activity on the show notes page. In the Our Journey Westward Shop, find a few homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue learning night science through nature study: Lifecycle of a Flowering Plant Spectacular Spiders Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the Garden Pest 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! :)

Did you know there are over 20,000 different species of bees in the world? Believe it or not, bees are insects that belong to the same family as ants and wasps. They play an important role in pollinating plants, which helps fruits, vegetables, and flowers to grow. Learn more about pollination as we discuss honeybees, bumblebees, and carpenter bees with Mrs. Cindy! To get the FREE Nature Walk Challenge that goes with this episode, visit the show notes page → ourjourneywestward.com/bee-nature-study/. You'll find images of bees here, too! Supplies for the nature study challenge: nature journal or blank white paper colored pencils In the companion Bee Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn about the social hierarchy of bees and the jobs available in the honeybee community. Did you know honeybees live in a community? Honestly, it’s almost like an actual town in and out of their busy hives. In your nature journal, you’ll create your own honeybee community and assign bees various jobs. Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE → 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 packet of activities to support this podcast episode and the next one → ourjourneywestward.com/bee-nature-study/ In the Our Journey Westward Shop, find a few homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue learning night science through nature study: Wonderful Wildflowers Defense Mechanisms of Animals Butterflies Flutter By Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the Bee Nature Study 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 enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

In today's episode, we're exploring stinky things in nature! We often use our eyes to see things and our hands to touch things. We might even use our ears to listen. But have you ever thought about going on a nature walk with your nose? Concentrating on fragrant and malodorous things during a smelly nature study can be lots of fun!  To get your FREE Nature Walk Challenge, visit the show notes page ourjourneywestward.com/smelly-nature-study.  Supplies for the nature study challenge: Nature journal or blank white paper Pencil In the companion What's That Smell? Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn about human anatomy and the sense of smell! How does your nose send messages to your brain about what you're smelling? Find out in this class! 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 Spring Nature Study Packet from the show notes page → ourjourneywestward.com/smelly-nature-study In the Our Journey Westward Shop, find homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful to continue learning five senses science through nature study: Defense Mechanisms of Animals Animal Signs Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the smelly 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! :)

Learning about strawberries is a fabulous way to explore botany – a special branch of biology all about plants. When we learn about plants in nature study, we discover that the fruit is the part of the plant that contains the seeds. Plants are classified into different groups based on the characteristics of their seeds. Learning about the seeds of strawberry plants and how they reproduce is pretty amazing! To get your FREE Strawberry Nature Walk Challenge, visit the show notes page at https://ourjourneywestward.com/strawberry-nature-study. ← Find images of strawberries here, too! Supplies for the nature study challenge: No supplies are needed In the companion Strawberry Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn some high-level botany terms such as pseudocarp, fleshy receptacle, aggregate fruit, and runner plants. Then you'll be able to wow your family with biology knowledge the next time you snack on strawberries! 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 a set of FREE printable Spring Nature Study Playdough Mats → https://ourjourneywestward.com/spring-nature-study-play-dough/ In the Our Journey Westward Shop, you'll find a couple of homeschool curriculum guides to teach plant science to kids: The Lifecycle of Flowering Plants Fruits and Nuts Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the strawberry 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! :)

It's spring and that means you'll be seeing a lot more thunderstorms! Thunder is an amazing sound and lightning can be a beautiful sight, but it can be scary when a strong storm rolls in. Not to mention, some thunderstorms can be severe weather events. In this episode, you'll hear a funny story about Mrs. Cindy and her fear of thunderstorms as a kid, and you'll also and learn a fascinating weather science fact about how to track a thunderstorm. To get your FREE Thunderstorm Nature Walk Challenge, visit the show notes page at https://ourjourneywestward.com/thunderstorm-nature-study. ← Find images of thunderstorms here, too! Supplies for the nature study challenge: Nature journal or blank, white paper Oil pastels or colored pencils In the companion Thunderstorms Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn about the science behind thunder and lightning. Learn how tiny particles called protons and electrons actually make the fascinating sights and sounds of a thunderstorm as you create an electrified nature journal page. 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 a set of FREE printable Spring Nature Study Playdough Mats → https://ourjourneywestward.com/spring-nature-study-play-dough/ In the Our Journey Westward Shop, you'll find a few homeschool curriculum guides to teach weather science with kids: Captivating Clouds Remarkable Rain Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the thunderstorm 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! :)

Cindy West from No Sweat Nature Study LIVE and Richard Fink from The Vocal Gym by Throga have an interesting discussion about the science of vocals through the lens of nature study. Learn how sound is made and how animals use sound for communication. Nature study is an amazing tool for teaching hands-on, experiential science. Nature study IS science and even connects to the physics of sound in this episode!  Need a hand with nature study? Here are several ways you can get extra help! FREE: Listen to the No Sweat Nature Study podcast with your kiddos and download the free resources to expand the learning opportunities! https://ourjourneywestward.com/podcast/ Open-and-Go: Choose one of our many NaturExplorers or No Sweat Nature Studies and explore with your family! https://ourjourneywestward.com/shop/ 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! https://ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live/ If your child is in high school (or has a deep interest in vocals in middle school), please check out The Vocal Gym at https://throga.com/ (affiliate link). You will find a course specifically for homeschoolers! Not a homeschooler? There's a course for you, too!

Salamanders are beautiful, elusive amphibians, which means they can be hard to find on nature walks. When you do find one, it can slip away quickly giving you only a glimpse of the unique colors that make up its smooth, sometimes colorful skin. Listen to learn more about salamanders! To get your FREE Nature Walk Challenge for this episode, visit the show notes page at https://ourjourneywestward.com/salamander-nature-study/. ← Find images of salamanders here, too! Supplies for the nature study challenge: Nature journal or blank, white paper Oil pastels or colored pencils In the companion Salamander Video Lesson found in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you'll learn so much more about aquatic and terrestrial salamanders and their water-loving cousins, newts. Of course, you'll sketch one using vibrant colors as you learn why they are amphibians, compare similarities and differences, and discover their natural habitats. 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/ Join the special FREE LEARNING EVENT to celebrate the release of A Little More Beautiful: The Story of a Garden with Mrs. Cindy West, Mrs. Pam Barnhill, Mrs. Colleen Kessler, and the author, Mrs. Sarah Mackenzie! In the Our Journey Westward Shop, find homeschool curriculum guides that are helpful for further spring nature study: Frogs & Toads Peaceful Ponds Habitats Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the salamander 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! :)

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: Frogs & Toads Remarkable Rain Peaceful Ponds Habitats 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! :)

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: Desert Biomes Hard as a Rock Ever-changing Erosion 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! :)

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.

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: Defense Mechanisms of Animals Animal Signs 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! :)

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: Space Observations Nocturnal Animals Flying Creatures of the Night 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! :)

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: Defensive Mechanisms of Animals Animal Signs 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! :)

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: NaturExplorers Snow and Ice NaturExplorers Coping with the Cold Nature Study Through the Holidays: Advent 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! :)

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: NaturExplorers Snow and Ice NaturExplorers Coping with the Cold 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! :)

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: The Life Cycle of Flowering Plants NaturExplorers Fruit and Nuts  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! :)

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: Animal Life Cycles Coping with the Cold 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 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! :)

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: Space Observations Nocturnal Animals Flying Creatures of the Night 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! :)

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: Famous Naturalists Flower Families Wonderful Wildflowers 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! :)

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! :)

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! :)

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! :)

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! :)

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! :)

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! :)

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. :)

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 LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. Learn more about birds in general in the Beautiful Birds NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Or, turn to the topic of those beautiful flowers that hummingbirds love so much 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. Or, explore flower similarities in the Flower Families 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 hummingbird 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 hummingbird 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.

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 monthly membership. Learn more about rocks and life under rocks in the Hard as a Rock NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Or, explore rocks and other things found in and around creeks in the Incredible Creeks NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Have fun with fungi in the A Fungus Among Us NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. See spiders with fresh eyes in the Spectacular Spiders NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Learn about other places animals live in the Habitats 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 life under rocks show notes page. Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the life under rocks 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.

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 first month of a monthly membership. Learn more about nocturnal animals in the Flying Creatures of the Night NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Or, try a different study of night creatures in the Nocturnal Animals No Sweat Nature Study digital curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Fireflies are insects. Learn about another amazing insect in the Butterflies Flutter By NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Learn more about the life cycles of all sorts of animals in the Animal Life Cycle 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 fireflies show notes page. Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the fireflies 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.

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 more about one important pollinator in the Butterflies Flutter By NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Some birds are pollinators. Learn about birds in the Beautiful Birds NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Wildflowers are the perfect go-along study when learning about pollinators. Enjoy the Wonderful Wildflowers NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Fruits and nuts are a direct result of the pollination of flowers. Study them in detail in the Fruits and Nuts NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Pollinators go through amazing animal life cycles. Learn about them in the Animal Life Cycle 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 pollinators show notes page. Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer the current season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the pollinator 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.

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 Journey Westward Shop. Focus on animal life cycles with the Animal Life Cycle 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 ant show notes page. Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer this season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the ant 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.

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 found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Focus on a go-along study of erosion with the Ever-Changing Erosion NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Deserts are full of sedimentary rocks. Enjoy a desert habitat study with the Desert Biomes No Sweat Nature Study digital curriculum. Get the Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the sedimentary rocks show notes page. Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer next season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the sedimentary rocks 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.

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 NaturExplorers Captivating Clouds and Remarkable Rain curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Get the Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the wind show notes page. Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer this season's question! 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.

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 NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Learn more about earth science with the NaturExplorers Ever-Changing Erosion and Hard as a Rock curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Make an interesting connection to soil with the Desert Biomes No Sweat Nature Study digital curriculum in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Get the Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the soil show notes page. Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer this season's question! 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.

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. Learn more about fungi with the NaturExplorers A Fungus Among Us curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Get the Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the bracket fungi show notes page. Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer this season's question! 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.

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/. Join No Sweat Nature Study LIVE at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Enjoy more wildflower nature study with the Wonderful Wildflowers NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Focus on flower life cycles with the Flower Life Cycle No Sweat Nature Study digital curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Study wildflower families with the Flower Families No Sweat Nature Study digital curriculum in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Get the Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the spring wildflowers show notes page. Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer this season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the spring wildflowers 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.

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 the Frogs and Toads NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Get more from nature study at the pond with the Peaceful Ponds NaturExplorers curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Focus on the topic of habitats with the Habitats No Sweat Nature Study digital curriculum found in the Our Journey Westward Shop. Get the Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the spring peepers show notes page. Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer this season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the spring peepers 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.

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 Podcast Plus+ Packet for free! Scroll to the bottom of the bird migration show notes page. Leave Mrs. Cindy a voice message to answer this season's question! Scroll to the bottom of the bird migration 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.

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.