The No Sweat Nature Study Podcast

Make homeschool nature study a reality with these simple lessons and outdoor challenges for families. Cindy West of No Sweat Nature Study LIVE shares seasonal, bite-sized information and creative nature journaling suggestions to enhance your science studies. Listen to a lesson during morning time in preparation for an afternoon nature walk or as you get ready to walk out the door. Turn it on in the car on your way to a nature walk destination or listen at the beginning of your walk. No matter when you choose to push play, these few minutes will give you exactly what you need to be informed and inspired. For information about bonus materials, please visit https://ourjourneywestward.com/podcast.

13:57 2024-03-25
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, ...
14:54 2024-03-11
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 cre...
11:33 2024-02-26
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...
12:43 2024-02-13
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-in...
13:34 2024-01-29
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 challe...
11:45 2024-01-08
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...
13:31 2023-12-29
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 po...
11:24 2023-12-11
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 an...
09:30 2023-11-27
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 habit...
10:52 2023-11-13
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 FR...
12:26 2023-10-31
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...
10:53 2023-10-16
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 ...
10:05 2023-09-25
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 w...
13:44 2023-09-11
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 chall...
16:29 2023-08-28
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 F...
15:42 2023-08-07
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 ...
13:52 2023-07-24
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 ...
12:55 2023-07-10
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, includi...
14:53 2023-06-26
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 rol...
13:00 2023-06-12
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 ...
49:04 2023-06-05
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 throu...
14:17 2023-05-29
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 ...
13:52 2023-05-08
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...
15:32 2023-04-24
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 f...
12:19 2023-04-10
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 classifie...
13:26 2023-03-27
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...
22:59 2023-03-20
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. Nat...
11:52 2023-03-13
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 ...
12:42 2023-02-27
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...
12:30 2023-02-13
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 w...
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