Picture books are an amazing way to learn about the world and can be an invaluable tool for introducing children to scientific skills and concepts. This list of picture books on pumpkins includes 12 titles that introduce pumpkins, pumpkin life cycles, and scientific studies that use pumpkins and their parts. By reading some of these […]
Science
Amphibians Vs Reptiles: How to Teach the Difference in Your Elementary ClassroomAmphibians vs reptiles may be one of the hottest topics you cover this school year. Not only are these animals inherently interesting to children (and many adults!), they are also confusing to keep separate. Are reptiles and amphibians the same? What are the characteristics of amphibians? What is the difference between amphibians and reptiles? These […]
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Education: How to Use Nature to Improve Your Science StudiesWhat is outdoor education? Outdoor education is a challenging thing to define, but most sources agree that it’s intentional or organized learning that takes place in nature or outside the classroom. Sometimes outdoor education is also referred to as outdoor learning, outdoor schools, forest schools, or wilderness education. But don’t let those names hold you […]
Picture Books
Science
Pollination for Plants: How to Use “Flowers Are Calling” for Effective TeachingPollination for plants can seem like a challenging concept to teach in elementary school, but it can be a blast if you embrace it! With the help of Rita Gray’s Flowers Are Calling and experiential learning, your students will be pollination pros in no time. This article is here to guide you through background information […]
Science
Seed Dispersal Types: 6 Innovative Ways Seeds Travel to New PlacesFor Teachers What are seed dispersal types? What is seed dispersal by explosion? What is animal seed dispersal and how does it benefit plants? These questions are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the interesting techniques that plants use for seed dispersal. Teaching seed dispersal in your elementary classroom can be […]
Outdoor Education
Science
Teaching the Weather of Summer: A Helpful Guide for Elementary TeachersTeaching the weather of summer is a great way to end your school year and weather studies in kindergarten and 3rd grade. Your students are already feeling the warmer temperatures, hearing the birds call, and getting antsy, so why not harness the excitement and get outside?! Summer is unique in each region and will have […]
Science
What Butterfly Looks Like a Monarch and 4 Other Butterfly Survival StrategiesFor Teachers What butterfly looks like a monarch? Which butterfly looks like eyes? Wait, there’s a butterfly that looks like a leaf? These questions are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the amazing things that butterflies can do to survive. Teaching about butterflies in your elementary classroom can be a […]
Picture Books
11 Fantastic Animal Life Cycles Books by John HimmelmanOne of my favorite things to do with third graders is to go to vernal pools in the spring and try to find animal life cycles in the water. These rich outdoor labs provided my students the opportunity to see frogs and toads in at least three different stages as well as many invertebrates. They […]
Outdoor Education
Science
How Vernal Pools Can Be Used to Reach Your Curricular GoalsTrudging through the woods with a trail of kindergarteners behind me, we spot our destination right away. Vernal pools sitting there, waiting for us to explore. We all stand around the edge and stare at these innocent puddles wondering what we may find. I give directions about how to use scientific tools to sample the […]
Picture Books
18 Kids Earth Day Books to Inspire Elementary Students This YearPicture books are an amazing way to learn about the world and can be an invaluable tool for introducing children to abstract concepts such as the meaning of Earth Day. This inspirational kids Earth Day books list is compiled of 18 titles that introduce the planet, encourage the enjoyment of nature, and share positive human […]
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