Naturally Teaching Elementary: A Podcast for Teachers and Homeschool Families

87. Seed Activities for Kindergarten and 3rd Grade This Fall

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 fl

86. 6 Seed Books for Teaching Elementary-Aged Learners

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 an

85. Outdoor Education Job: How Mariah Waters Created Her Own Opportunity

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 outdoo

84. Beginning of the Year Activities to Set You and Your Learners Up for Success

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 lear

83. 7 Picture Books for Going Back to School

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

82. 6 Classroom Decoration Ideas: How Research Can Help Us Design Student-Centered Learning Spaces

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

81. 5 Strategies for Bringing Nature Into Your Classroom and Learning Spaces

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 t

80. What Butterflies Eat: Interactive Activities for 2nd and 5th Graders

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

79. Are Butterflies Insects? Investigation Activities for 1st and 4th Graders

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 bu

78. Butterflies with Orange and Other Adaptations for Kindergarten and 3rd Grade

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 ac

77. 6 Butterfly Books to Introduce Characteristics, Adaptations, and Life Cycles

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 child

76. Teaching with Photographs: 6 Research-Based Benefits to Elementary Learners

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 w

75. Summer Activities for 2nd and 5th Graders Aligned with NGSS

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

74. Outside Summer Activities for 1st and 4th Graders Aligned with NGSS

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

73. Summer Activities for Kindergarteners and 3rd Graders Aligned with NGSS

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 c

72. 6 Books for Summer to Help You and Your Learners' Caregivers Introduce Seasonal Signs

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

71. Reptiles and Amphibians List: 2nd and 5th Grade NGSS Activities

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 learner

70. How Are Reptiles and Amphibians Different? 1st and 4th Grade NGSS Activities

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 comm

69. Impact of Humans on Environment: Kindergarten and 3rd Grade NGSS Activities

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

68. 6 Picture Books About Characteristics of Amphibians and Reptiles

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 eac