Naturally Teaching Elementary: A Podcast for Teachers and Homeschool Families

September is the beginning of fall, but it's also when native plants are showing off their seeds! During the summer, plants worked hard to attract pollinators to their flowers, and now we're seeing the fruits of their labor! Let's take advantage of seeds this fall and get them working for your curriculum. Press play to hear descriptions for being detectives while reading pictures books about plant needs for kindergarteners and growing herb seeds to investigate plant life cycles for 3rd graders, both aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how they relate to seed activities for kindergarten and 3rd grade, and a description of how to implement the activity with your learners. And make sure to listen all the way through the episode; you may find yourself inspired to adapt one of these activities or use an activity for a different grade level. Next Generation Science Standards addressed in this episode: K-ESS3-1: Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live. 3-LS1-1: Develop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death. Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 86: 6 Seed Books for Teaching Elementary-Aged Learners Episode 6: 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching in Nature The Dandelion Seed by Joseph Anthony, illustrated by Cris Arbo Naturally Teaching Activity Index Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode87 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

September is the beginning of fall, but it's also a time for seeds! After spending spring and summer trying to attract pollinators, plants have successfully pollinated and made seeds. Books are a great way to introduce seeds, plant life cycles, how seeds move, and how animals help disperse seeds. In this episode, I give you a brief summary of seed books and my thoughts on how they can help you with your learners. Books in this episode 📚 A Seed is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long Seeds by Carme Lemniscates Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the Move by Joann Early Macken, illustrated by Pam Paparone Seeds Move! By Robin Page The Blue Jay that Grew a Forest by Lynn Street, illustrated by Anne Hunter Little Dandelion Seeds the World by Julia Richardson, illustrated by Kristen Howdeshell and Kevin Howdeshell Want to view all of these books in one place? Check them out here ! (Disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you) Resources mentioned 💚 “Teaching with Books: How to Integrate Science and Literacy for Elementary Classrooms.” Episode 64: 7 Pollinator and Flower Books for Elementary-Aged Students Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode86 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

An outdoor education job seems to be hard to come by in this day-and-age. But would you believe me if I told you that there are people making their own jobs in the outdoor education field? In today's episode, Mariah Waters explains how she saw an opportunity and seized it. She talks about presenting, accepting, and developing the outdoor education specialist position at a private independent school in Texas for the 25'-26' school year. You'll definitely want to hit play to hear about how she proposed the idea, how she survived writing a year's curriculum for K-5 grade classes while teaching everyday, and advice she would give to others looking to do something similar. This is a must-listen interview! Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode85 Connect with Mariah Waters: www.linkedin.com/in/mariah-waters 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

With school upon us, the stress levels are high for you and your learners. So let's help calm the nerves with some activities that can help you practice your outdoor learning routines and expectations. In this episode, I describe 5 beginning of the year activities that can help set you and your learners up for success this school year. I describe the activities, how they fit into practicing your outdoor learning routines and expectations, and what benefit they can give you and your learners in the first week back to school. Listen in to hear about the following activities: Practicing your routines and procedures for outdoor learning Working together to ready your outdoor space Reading a book Decorating your science notebooks Setting goals for the year Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 2: Outdoor Learning Environment: 3 Things to Plan for Back to School Episode 14: Outdoor Classroom Routines and Procedures: 5 Easy Activities for Your First Week Outside Episode 82: 6 Classroom Decoration Ideas: How Research Can Help Us Design Student-Centered Learning Spaces Episode 83: 7 Picture Books for Going Back to School Episode 5: Science Skills for Students: 10 Picture Books for Encouraging Kid Scientists Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode84 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

It's time to go back to school! Whether you've been looking forward to it or not, school is either right around the corner or you're welcoming it full force this week! So let's get you feeling prepared to take on another year. Books are a great way to ease your learners back into the swing of things and really set them up for success when going back to school. The books in this episode can help introduce your learners to outdoor education, stewardship, and new perspectives; so let's check them out! Books in this episode 📚 Let’s Go Rock Collecting by Roma Gans, illustrated by Holly Keller The Salamander Room by Anne Mazer, illustrated by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher We’re Going on a Nature Hunt by Steve Metzger, illustrated by Miki Sakamoto The Hike by Alison Farrell My Forest is Green By Darren Lebeuf, Illustrated by Ashley Barron Sky Color by Peter H. Reynolds Discovering Nature’s Alphabet By Krystina Castella, Illustrated by Brian Boyl Want to view all of these books in one place? Check them out here ! (Disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you) Resources mentioned 💚 “Teaching with Books: How to Integrate Science and Literacy for Elementary Classrooms.” Ep. 82: 6 Classroom Decoration Ideas: How Research Can Help Us Design Student-Centered Learning Spaces Ep. 81: 5 Strategies for Bringing Nature Into Your Classroom and Learning Spaces Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode83 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

You may already be back in the classroom or you may be getting ready to be in the classroom shortly. What's the first thing on your mind? Your classroom or learning space! What will you decorate with this year? Will there be a theme? All these questions may be causing you to sweat, but don't worry, I'm here to help! Let's help take some of that back-to-school stress away! In this episode, we'll talk about 6 classroom decoration ideas that are backed by research including: Changing your mindset to view decorations as teaching tools. Selecting decorations that have purpose. Using color intentionally. Leaving room for students to contribute. Thinking about how you want students to use the space. Thinking about students’ needs. Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 81: 5 Strategies for Bringing Nature Into Your Classroom and Learning Spaces Forest Classroom Decor GROWING Bundle Naturally Teaching Activity Index Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode82 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

It's back-to-school time and some of us are stepping back into the classroom as early as today! To help you feel more prepared and excited for this year, I put together this episode to give you concrete strategies to include nature into your classroom environment. In this episode, we'll talk about 5 strategies for bringing nature into your classroom and learning spaces including: Creating a nature collection table Collecting and preparing nature manipulatives Using your windows as a bridge from inside to outside Including indoor plants Using natural colors Resources mentioned 💚 Naturally Teaching Activity Index Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode81 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

It's summer and butterflies are in the air! Even though you likely don't have learners with you for a bit, I've got some interactive activities to share with you today to investigate what butterflies eat and how that relates to pollination and food chains. Press play to hear descriptions for a butterfly food snack for 2nd graders and participating in the Monarch Butterflies Journey North project with 5th graders, both aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how the activity relates to what butterflies eat, and a description of how to implement the activity with your learners. And make sure to listen all the way through the episode; you may find yourself inspired to adapt one of these activities or use an activity for a different grade level. Next Generation Science Standards addressed in this episode: 2-LS2-2: Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants. 5-PS3-1: Use models to describe that energy in animals’ food (used for body repair, growth, motion, and to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the sun. 5-ESS3-1: Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment. Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 79: Are Butterflies Insects? Investigation Activities for 1st and 4th Graders Episode 6: 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching Outside Episode 15: 6 Citizen Science Projects for Elementary Students and Teachers Journey North registration page Naturally Teaching Activity Index Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode80 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

Summer is when butterflies shine! They're out in full force, making it a great time to highlight butterflies and how they're insects. So let's get you inspired by some butterfly activity ideas this summer! Press play to hear descriptions for a thinking board about insects and butterflies for 1st graders and a set of butterfly senses centers for 4th graders, both aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how the activity answers the question "are butterflies insects?", and a description of how to implement the activity with your learners. And make sure to listen all the way through the episode; you may find yourself inspired to adapt one of these activities or use an activity for a different grade level. Next Generation Science Standards addressed in this episode: 1-LS3-1: Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that young plants and animals are like, but not exactly like, their parents. 4-LS1-2: Use a model to describe that animals receive different types of information through their senses, process the information in their brain, and respond to the information in different ways. Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 78: Butterflies with Orange and Other Adaptations for Kindergarten and 3rd Graders Insect Characteristic Booklet Naturally Teaching Activity Index Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode79 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

July is when the North American Butterfly Count happens, making it a great time to highlight butterflies and their amazing adaptations! So let's get you some butterfly activity ideas to noodle on over the summer until you're back in the swing of things! Press play to hear descriptions for designing a host plant and caterpillar pair for kindergarteners and a research project about butterfly survival adaptations for 3rd graders, both aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how they relate to activities about butterflies with orange and other adaptations for kindergarteners and 3rd graders, and a description of how to implement the activity with your learners. And make sure to listen all the way through the episode; you may find yourself inspired to adapt one of these activities or use an activity for a different grade level. Next Generation Science Standards addressed in this episode: K-ESS3-1: Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live. 3-LS3-1: Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and that variation of these traits exists in a group of similar organisms. Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 77: 6 Butterfly Books to Introduce Characteristics, Adaptations, and Life Cycles How Butterflies Grow: 8 Picture Books About Butterfly Life Cycles What Butterfly Looks Like a Monarch and 4 Other Butterfly Survival Strategies A Raising Butterflies Kit for the Classroom: A Conservation Conversation Butterfly Life Cycle and Heredity Mini Unit for 3rd Grade (ELA & Science Activities) Naturally Teaching Activity Index Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode78 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

July is the month of butterflies thanks to the heat of the summer and the North American Butterfly Count! Butterflies are a high-interest topic that many adults and children get really engaged with. So this month I'll be focusing on butterflies and all their mystique. Books are a great way to introduce butterflies, their characteristics, adaptations, and interesting life cycles. In this episode, I give you a brief summary of butterfly books and my thoughts on how they can help you with your learners. Books in this episode 📚 Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert Are You a Butterfly? by Judy Allen, illustrated by Tudor Humphries Papilio by Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor, and Andy Chou Musser Butterflies Are Pretty…Gross! By Rosemary Cosco, Illustrated by Jacob Souva The Mystery of the Monarchs: How Kids, Teachers, and Butterfly Fans Helped Fred and Norah Urquhart Track the Great Monarch Migration by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Erika Meza Butterflies Belong Here: A Story of One Idea, Thirty Kids, and a World of Butterflies by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Meilo Sol Want to view all of these books in one place? Check them out here ! (Disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you) Resources mentioned 💚 “Teaching with Books: How to Integrate Science and Literacy for Elementary Classrooms.” How Butterflies Grow: 8 Picture Books About Butterfly Life Cycles Ep. 9: Exploring Invertebrates: 10 Picture Books to Introduce Animal Characteristics Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode77 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

This is a topic I've been excited to dive into for some time, and summer seemed like the perfect opportunity to introduce it. If you've never thought about how teaching with actual photographs can help your learners in science, this episode is a must-listen. I'm an avid collector of nature photos because you just never know when you'll need that random pic of a raccoon track in the mud. In this episode, we'll talk about 6 research-based benefits to teaching with photos including: Why teaching with pictures even matters. How teaching with photos helps build accurate mental models. How teaching with photographs supports inquiry. How photos can be used for scientific evidence. How teaching with photographs can build a sense of place and community. And how student-created pictures develop scientific skills in children. Resources mentioned 💚 Canva for Teachers Wikimedia Commons Unsplash Pixabay Naturally Teaching Activity Index Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode76 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

Summer has begun! And with it is a wonderful opportunity to explore water and where it can be found. Now is a great time to suggest to your learners' caregivers to enjoy the local waterways and help prevent that summer slide. Press play to hear descriptions for tracking local water visits for 2nd graders and a local waterway clean up for 5th graders, both aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how the activity relates to water in summer, and how you can share those activities with your learners' families. And make sure to listen all the way through the episode; you may find yourself inspired to adapt one of these activities or use an activity for a different grade level. Next Generation Science Standards addressed in this episode: 2-ESS2-3: Obtain information to identify where water is found on Earth and that it can be solid or liquid. 5-ESS2-2: Describe and graph the amounts and percentages of water and fresh water in various reservoirs to provide evidence about the distribution of water on Earth. 5-ESS3-1: Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment. Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 74: Outside Summer Activities for 1st and 4th Graders Aligned with NGSS Episode 6: 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching Outside Naturally Teaching Activity Index Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode75 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

The summer solstice is coming up next week! Which brings with it signs of summer including warmer temps and longer hours of daylight. So let's give your learners some fun games they can enjoy with their families to extend their learning as well as prevent the dreaded summer slide! Press play to hear descriptions for hours of sunlight hopscotch for 1st graders and a flashlight hide-and-seek game for 4th graders, both aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how the activity relates to light, and a description of how to implement the activity with your learners. And make sure to listen all the way through the episode; you may find yourself inspired to adapt one of these activities or use an activity for a different grade level. Next Generation Science Standards addressed in this episode: 1-ESS1-2: Make observations at different times of year to relate the amount of daylight to the time of year. 4-PS4-2: Develop a model to describe that light reflecting from objects and entering the eye allows objects to be seen. Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 72: 6 Books for Summer to Help You and Your Learners’ Caregivers Introduce Seasonal Signs Episode 73: Summer Activities for Kindergarteners and 3rd Graders Aligned with NGSS Episode 17: 6 Fun Fall Activities Aligned with K-5 Next Generation Science Standards Naturally Teaching Activity Index Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode74 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

June is the beginning of summer which brings a nice break for you the educator, and family time for your learners. So let's give your learners hands-on experiences they can enjoy with their families to extend their learning as well as prevent the dreaded summer slide! Press play to hear descriptions for a summer scavenger hunt for kindergarteners and collecting summer weather data for 3rd graders, both aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how they relate to summer activities for kindergarteners and 3rd graders, and how you can share those activities with your learners' families. And make sure to listen all the way through the episode; you may find yourself inspired to adapt one of these activities or use an activity for a different grade level. Next Generation Science Standards addressed in this episode: K-ESS2-1: Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time. 3-ESS2-1: Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season. Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 72: 6 Books for Summer to Help You and Your Learners’ Caregivers Introduce Seasonal Signs Summer Outdoor Scavenger Hunt List Summer Book Printable Naturally Teaching Activity Index Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode73 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

Summer is on the horizon, so now is a good time to start scoping out books for summer to help you and your learners' caregivers teach seasonal concepts. Picture books are a great way to explore the changing of the seasons in words and pictures! In this episode I cover 6 books for summer that introduce the signs of the season, ways people can explore nature in summer, and crops that can be harvested. Press play to hear about "Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer" by Kenard Pak, "Summer is Here" by Renee Watson, "Summer Song" by Kevin Henkes, "Summer Color" by Dianna Murray, and more. Books in this episode 📚 Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer by Kenard Pak Summer is Here by Renee Watson, illustrated by Bea Jackson Summer Song By Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek Summer Color by Dianna Murray, illustrated by Zoe Persico When Summer Comes: Exploring Nature in Our Warmest Season by Aimee M. Bissonnette, illustrated by Erin Hourigan Cheers for a Dozen Ears: A Summer Crop of Counting by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky, illustrated by Susan Swan Want to view all of these books in one place? Check them out here ! (Disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you) Resources mentioned 💚 “Teaching with Books: How to Integrate Science and Literacy for Elementary Classrooms.” “Teaching the Weather of Summer: A Helpful Guide for Elementary Teachers” Naturally Teaching Activity Index Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode72 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

Reptiles and amphibians are a high-interest topic for children (and adults) of all ages. Let's use a reptiles and amphibians list to help us engage our elementary learners! May is a fantastic time to do this since the reptiles and amphibians have come out of their winter sleep and are starting to lay eggs. Press play to hear descriptions for a turtle study for 2nd graders and an energy transfer flag tag game for 5th graders, both aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how the activity relates to a reptiles and amphibians list, and a description of how to implement the activity with your learners. And make sure to listen all the way through the episode; you may find yourself inspired to adapt one of these activities or use an activity for a different grade level. Next Generation Science Standards addressed in this episode: 2-LS4-1: Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats 5-PS3-1: Use models to describe that energy in animals’ food (used for body repair, growth, motion, and to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the sun Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 70: How Are Reptiles and Amphibians Different? 1st and 4th Grade NGSS Activities Episode 6: 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching Outside Naturally Teaching Activity Index Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode71 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

Let's continue to take advantage of the emerging reptiles and amphibians in connection to 1st and 4th grade NGSS. 1st and 4th grade standards have animal heredity in common and looking closely at the characteristics that make reptiles and amphibians unique can help your learners distinguish them from each other and other animal groups as well. Press play to hear descriptions for a reptile and amphibian characteristic sort for 1st graders and a camouflage hide-and-seek game for 4th graders, both aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how the activity answers the question "how are reptiles and amphibians different?", and a description of how to implement the activity with your learners. And make sure to listen all the way through the episode; you may find yourself inspired to adapt one of these activities or use an activity for a different grade level. Next Generation Science Standards addressed in this episode: 1-LS3-1: Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that young plants and animals are like, but not exactly like, their parents. 4-LS1-1: Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 69: Impact of Humans on Environment: Kindergarten and 3rd Grade NGSS Activities Episode 6: 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching Outside Episode 7: Animal Characteristics Breakdown: Reaching Your Curricular Goals by Teaching with Animals Reptile and Amphibian Characteristics Sort Naturally Teaching Activity Index Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode70 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

May is a time when your learners are able to see reptiles and amphibians again before the end of the school year slips away. So let's take advantage of the return of our herps and get your learners some quality experiences! Press play to hear descriptions for a Massasauga rattlesnake wetland tag game for kindergarteners and an amphibian wetland tag game for 3rd graders, both aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how the activity relates to the impact of humans on environment, and a description of how to implement the activity with your learners. And make sure to listen all the way through the episode; you may find yourself inspired to adapt one of these activities or use an activity for a different grade level. Next Generation Science Standards addressed in this episode: K-ESS3-3: Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment. 3-LS4-4: Make a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change. Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 68: 6 Picture Books About Characteristics of Amphibians and Reptiles Episode 6: 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching Outside Naturally Teaching Activity Index Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode69 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching

May is a wonderful time to get outside and look for amphibians and reptiles. Now that they are out and about, you can work with your learners to figure out what makes each group special. Books are a great way to introduce the differences of reptiles and amphibians. In this episode, I give you a brief summary of books about characteristics of amphibians and reptiles and my thoughts on how they can help you with your students. Books in this episode 📚 About Amphibians by Cathryn Sill, illustrated by John Sill There Are Amphibians Everywhere by Camilla de la Bedoyere, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup Sunscreen, Frogcicles, and Other Amazing Amphibian Adaptations by Laura Perdew, illustrated by Katie Mazeika About Reptiles by Cathryn Sill, illustrated by John Sill Reptiles Everywhere by Camilla de la Bedoyere, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup Water-Walking, Sidewinding, and Other Remarkable Reptiles Adaptations by Laura Perdew, illustrated by Katie Mazeika Want to view all of these in one place? Check them out here ! (Disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you) Resources mentioned 💚 “Teaching with Books: How to Integrate Science and Literacy for Elementary Classrooms.” Episode 7: Animal Characteristic Breakdown: Reaching Your Curricular Goals by Teaching with Animals Episode 9: Exploring Invertebrates: 10 Picture Books to Introduce Animal Characteristics Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode68 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching