Naturally Teaching Elementary: A Podcast for Teachers and Homeschool Families (Victoria Zablocki, Elementary Teacher turned Outdoor Educator)
Explore every episode of Naturally Teaching Elementary: A Podcast for Teachers and Homeschool Families
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02 Dec 2024 | 29. Hibernation in Animals: 6 Dormancy Activities for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Groups | 00:27:57 | |
Hibernation in animals is a much talked about topic in elementary science, but it’s misunderstood. Listen in to hear about hibernation and the different forms of animal dormancy including torpor, brumation, and diapause. After covering the basics of animal dormancy, we’ll talk through 6 different activities inspired by sleeping animals for grades K-5. I share the Next Generation Science Standard that inspired the activity, how the activity connects to animal dormancy, and how to use the activity with your class or homeschool group. Press play to hear about:
Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode29 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 | |||
| 20 Jan 2025 | 36. Gamifying Learning for Elementary-Aged Children with Allie Elliott | 00:27:35 | |
If you've been considering gamifying learning but you're not sure where to start, then this is the podcast episode for you! In today's episode, Allie Elliott explains what gamification is, she gives SO MANY examples of games to use with elementary-aged children, classroom management tips, how gamifying learning creates community within your group, and more. Make sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode because today's Teaching Tip is about how to budget your time when it comes to gamifying learning. Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode36 Email Allie Elliott: aelliott@chippewanaturecenter.org Allie's Linked-in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-elliott-85a05010a/ Related resources 💚
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 | |||
| 29 Jul 2024 | 11. Teaching with Phenology: How to Plan Your Science Standards Around the Seasons | 00:21:24 | |
Organizing science curriculum can be a challenging task, but I'm here to help. Using phenology, the study of nature throughout the year, you can organize your science standards into a beneficial plan for your students. In this episode, I break down how to plan your year's worth of science standards around the seasons. Tune in to hear about the benefits of teaching with phenology, a 3-step process for developing a scope and sequence, and how to use the workshop model to develop lessons for your new scope and sequence. Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode11 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 | |||
| 14 Oct 2024 | 22. Different Kinds of Children's Outdoor Activities and Games for Teaching Science | 00:24:43 | |
If you’ve decided to take your students outside for learning but you’re not sure where to start lesson planning, this is the episode for you! There are a variety of children’s outdoor activities and games to enhance your science studies, and I cover 9 of them in this episode. Tune in for descriptions and examples of:
Make sure to stick around until the end of the show where I give you ideas of how to get your hands on study skins, or taxidermied animals, to bring your students’ learning to life! Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode22 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching 💻... | |||
| 13 Jan 2025 | 35. 6 Groundhog's Day Activities for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Groups | 00:20:08 | |
Groundhog's Day is coming up in just a few weeks and it's a great holiday to incorporate science activities in your celebrations! Many people think it's just a time to talk about weather, but you can also enjoy activities about shadows, hibernation, and squirrels. Tune in to hear descriptions for 6 fun Groundhog's Day activities aligned with Next Generation Science Standards for grades K-5. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how the activity relates to Groundhog's Day, and a description of how to implement the activity in your classroom or at home. Make sure you 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. Groundhog's Day activities describe in this episode include:
Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode35 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 | |||
| 24 Jun 2024 | 6. 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching in Nature | 00:13:53 | |
If you've considered teaching outside but you're worried about safety, make sure to listen to this episode. I cover 5 outdoor education safety tips to help ease your mind and get you prepared for the upcoming school year. After 8 years of teaching outside, it all boils down to these 5 things. Listen in as we talk about:
Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode6 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 | |||
| 03 Jun 2024 | 2. Outdoor Learning Environment - 3 Things to Plan for Back to School | 00:17:10 | |
Outdoor education has many benefits for teaching science but can seem daunting, especially when your plate as a teacher is already so full. Listen in as I break down how to set up your outdoor learning environment to make outdoor education more attainable. We'll talk through planning your routines and expectations and how to practice them your first week of school. I'll also introduce the differences between man-made and natural outdoor learning spaces and how they can benefit your science lessons. We'll also touch on viewing nature as an outdoor lab and how it can enrich your science education. 💚 Resources Mentioned: Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode2 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 | |||
| 21 Oct 2024 | 23. Planning a Field Trip Made Easier with Education Director James Dake | 00:18:35 | |
If planning a field trip is stressful for you, this episode could be just what you need to hear! James Dake, Education Director of Grass River Natural Area, is on the show today to talk about field trips and he shares his unique perspective as a certified teacher with classroom experience who now writes, organizes, and implements nature field trips for children of all ages. Click play if you're interested in hearing about the benefits of field trips for students, types of activities to look for when booking a field trip for your students, 3 things to look for in field trips to ensure a quality experience, and advice to make your experience as the teacher less stressful and more enjoyable. Make sure to listen until the end because today's Teaching Tip is about getting funding for your field trip through nature grants. Connect with James Dake:
Resources mentioned 💚 Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode23 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 | |||
| 17 Nov 2024 | 27. The Great Backyard Bird Count: How to Put Together a Bird Feeding Station with Martha Holzheuer | 00:32:22 | |
If you're looking to get involved in the citizen science project the Great Backyard Bird Count with your students but you don't know where to start, then this is the episode for you! There are two ways to participate in the count; you can either count birds while you walk outside or you can count birds while watching bird feeders. This episode is here to help you set up a bird feeding station so you and your students can collect data from inside or outside your school. Martha Holzheuer is on the show to describe:
Make sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode because today's Teaching Tip is about ideas for acquiring the materials to put together a bird feeding station. Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode27 Connect with Martha Holzheuer:
Resources mentioned 💚
TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com | |||
| 03 Jun 2024 | 1. 10 Science Activities for Elementary Students That Aren't Experiments | 00:20:26 | |
Are you interested in science activities that will better reach your elementary students? Do you feel like finding experiments is challenging and not very rewarding? I'm here to help lift the weight off your shoulders. In this episode, I'm introducing 10 science activities for elementary students that aren't experiments. Examples and actionable steps are provided for each activity type, making them easy for teachers to implement immediately. 💚 Resources Mentioned:
📚 Books Mentioned:
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode1 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 | |||
| 09 Dec 2024 | 30. 10 Books on Hibernation and Other Forms of Dormancy for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Groups | 00:16:49 | |
Animals have spent the last few months preparing for this moment, the moment when fall fades and winter arrives. Many animals have found a place to sleep for the winter and will remain there until spring comes. This fascinating concept may be foreign to your students, but it's an amazing phenomena that could captivate them. Studying animal dormancy could lead to understanding of animal needs, behaviors passed from adult to young, and internal structures that help animals survive. This episode is all about 10 books on hibernation and other forms of dormancy to help you introduce sleeping through the winter to your students. Press play to hear about "Time to Sleep" by Denise Fleming, "Over and Under the Snow" by Kate Messner, "Not a Buzz to Be Found" by Linda Glaser, and more! Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode30 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 | |||
| 10 Jun 2024 | 4. 6 Invasive Species Activities to Use in the Elementary Classroom | 00:21:34 | |
Providing hands-on experiences with plants while teaching science can be challenging when we want to preserve the integrity of our school yard ecosystem. But I have a hack for you...invasive species activities! Tune in to find out why invasive species are perfect for up-close investigations, harvesting, and being the subject of fascinating research. During the episode I share an invasive species activity for each grade, K-5, that are linked to a coordinating Next Generation Science Standard and a little natural history to give the concept context. Get inspired by some of the activities for a grade other than yours and make it work for your curricular needs; these activities are easy to adapt and could work for many different age groups! 💚 Resources mentioned: Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode4 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 | |||
| 01 Jul 2024 | 7. Animal Characteristic Breakdown: Reaching Your Curricular Goals By Teaching with Animals | 00:22:25 | |
Animals are inherently interesting to students, so let's take advantage of their characteristics to help you reach your curricular goals! In this episode I introduce different Next Generation Science Standards that can be enhanced by teaching animal characteristics. I also conduct an animal characteristic breakdown where I explain what makes mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects similar and different from each other. I do this by touching on 6 different categories of characteristics including:
Tune in to learn about the unique traits of these animal groups and get inspired to teach animal characteristics in your classroom! Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode7 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 | |||
| 26 Aug 2024 | 15. 6 Citizen Science Projects for Elementary Students and Teachers | 00:23:47 | |
Citizen science projects are amazing, real-world opportunities to develop your students' science skills, get them involved in the community, have them contribute to the scientific community, and to nurture future stewards of the Earth. But what are citizen science projects? Citizen science projects are opportunities for non-scientists to collect and report data to scientists who then analyze the data, find patterns and discoveries, and use their findings to correct misinformation, inform conservation decisions, and more. In this episode, I describe 6 different citizen science projects paired to Next Generation Science Standards for grades K-5. Listen in to find out the nitty gritties including who sponsors the projects, how to submit data, how the project is related to the standard, and more. Kindergarten: mPing - observing precipitation 1st Grade: eBird - submitting sound wave data 2nd Grade: The Great Sunflower Project - observing pollination 3rd Grade: Journey North Monarch Butterflies - observing life cycles of Monarch butterflies and Milkweed plants 4th Grade: S'COOL - observing clouds 5th Grade: The Great Backyard Bird Count - submitting bird sightings Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode15 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 | |||
| 06 Jan 2025 | 34. 9 Winter Picture Books to Help You Introduce Seasonal Signs, Snow, and Animals in Winter | 00:16:55 | |
Winter has just begun, so now is a good time to start scoping out winter picture books to help you 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 9 picture books that introduce the signs of the season, snow, and animals in winter. Press play to hear about "Winter is the Warmest Season" by Lauren Stringer, "The Jacket I Wear in the Snow" by Shirley Neitzel, "Animals in Winter" by Henrietta Bancroft and Richard G. VanGelder, "Sizing Up Winter" by Lizann Flatt, and more. Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode34 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 | |||
| 07 Oct 2024 | 21. 10 Nocturnal Animal Books: Introducing Animal Adaptations That Help Animals Survive the Night | 00:21:29 | |
October is a month for dark, spooky, and mysterious things. Nocturnal animals check those boxes for sure! And what better way is there to introduce your students to creatures of the night other than picture books? To keep with the spirit of the month, this episode is all about 10 nocturnal animal books that can help you introduce animal diversity, animal adaptations, and sound waves to your students. Press play to hear about Forest Bright, Forest Night by Jennifer Ward, Where Are the Night Animals by Mary Ann Fraser, Bat Loves the Night by Nicola Davies, and more! Resources mentioned 💚 Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode21 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 | |||
| 23 Sep 2024 | 19. Classroom Halloween Activities for An Outdoor Celebration | 00:13:56 | |
It's officially fall and Halloween is right around the corner! As you begin planning your classroom Halloween activities, consider taking your party outside. Nature has a lot to offer your Halloween party including open space, natural decorations, and the ability to tolerate loud noises! In this episode, I describe different ways that you can successfully take your party outside including outdoor games, low key activities, party food, and communication with parents and administration. Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode19 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 | |||
| 11 Nov 2024 | 26. Celebrating the Winter Solstice with an Outdoor Party for Your Elementary Students | 00:19:47 | |
Winter break is right around the corner! And even though Thanksgiving is still on the horizon, your winter party is creeping up faster than you want to admit. If you're looking for a way to be more inclusive with your party theme and activities this year, consider celebrating the winter solstice instead of Christmas or Hanukkah. The winter solstice is a worldwide phenomenon that everyone has in common, making it a great theme for all. Nature has a lot to offer your winter solstice celebration including open space, natural decorations, and the ability to tolerate loud noises, so consider taking your party outside! In this episode, I describe outdoor winter games, low key activities, party food, and communication with parents and administration to make your party as successful as possible. Resources Mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode26 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 | |||
| 16 Sep 2024 | 18. Nature Based Preschools and Elementary Classrooms: Talking Teacher Roles with Dr. Rachel Larimore | 00:37:12 | |
Quality teachers are the most important part of nature based preschools and elementary classrooms. But what roles do teachers need to embody in order to make these programs so successful? Tune in to hear Dr. Rachel Larimore explain effective teacher roles in early childhood classrooms. She shares her experience as a former preschool director, consultant, and educator along with research to support the significance of these roles in nature based preschools and elementary classrooms. Her passion, wit, and years of experience really bring to light how important teachers are in the success of these amazing programs. Teacher roles she describes include:
Connect with Dr. Rachel Larimore:
Resources mentioned 💚 Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode18 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 | |||
| 12 Aug 2024 | 13. Integrating STEM Into Your Classroom: How to Get Started with Naomi Meredith | 00:25:03 | |
Are you interested in integrating STEM into your elementary classroom but you're not sure where to start? Naomi Meredith, former classroom teacher, current STEM coach, and host of the Elementary STEM Coach podcast, joined me to share her tips and tricks for getting started with STEM. Naomi spent 6 years in 2nd and 3rd grade and 5 years as a STEM teacher so she really knows her stuff! During our conversation, she talks through what STEM education looks like, what the engineering design process is, how that process can aid your teaching, benefits to teaching with STEM, suggestions for integrating STEM into your elementary classroom, and more. Tune in to this awesome conversation and get inspired to integrate STEM into your classroom! Connect with Naomi Meredith:
Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode13 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 | |||
| 03 Feb 2025 | 38. 6 Activities for Learning About Water in Winter for Teachers and Homeschool Parents | 00:19:24 | |
Winter temperatures may not be everyone's favorite, but those temperatures provide the opportunity for learning about water in a rich and engaging way. The winter season gives your learners the chance to experience water in its three states, sometimes even on the same day! Tune in to hear descriptions for 6 activities for learning about water that are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards for grades K-5. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how the activity relates to water, 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. Activities described in this episode include:
Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode38 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 | |||
| 22 Jul 2024 | 10. 10 Best Nature Apps to Use in the Elementary Classroom | 00:23:02 | |
We've reached the 10th episode of the podcast! 🥳 To celebrate, I'm sharing the 10 best nature apps to use in the elementary classroom. Aside from being *FREE* and available on Apple and Android products, listen in as I explain why I LOVE these 10 apps:
Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode10 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 | |||
| 27 Jan 2025 | 37. 6 Valentine's Day Class Party Ideas Enhanced with Science | 00:23:50 | |
Valentine's Day is fluttering our way and will be here very soon! For those of you already preparing for your class party, listen to this episode to discover ways to enhance your class party with a science twist (for those you not ready to plan, listen now and then revisit when you're in the planning mood). In this episode, I share Next Generation Science Standards for grades K-5 and a Valentine's Day theme that pairs with it. I go on to share examples of three centers that you could use at your class party that go along with each theme including an individual or group activity, a game, and a craft. Listen in to hear ideas for these themes:
Resources mentioned 💚
Show notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode37 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching 💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com 📸 Follow along on Instagram: | |||
| 14 May 2024 | Trailer - Naturally Teaching Elementary Science | 00:02:07 | |
Are you an elementary teacher who understands the importance of science education but struggles to find the time and resources to include it into your curriculum? Do you dream of incorporating outdoor education experiences and integrating science and literacy, but feel overwhelmed by where to begin? Then this podcast is for you! Join me each week as we tackle common challenges, share innovative ideas, and make teaching science to young learners easier, approachable, and enjoyable. 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 | |||
| 03 Jun 2024 | 3. Teaching with Books: Thinking Outside the Box with Steve Frisbee | 00:29:27 | |
Teaching with books is a great way to make science more approachable and enjoyable for your students. But it's not just about reading books, it's about making them engaging and integrating them into your science lessons. That's why I'm excited to have Steve Frisbee on the show today. He shares my obsession with children's books and he has a lot of experience weaving literature into his science teachings in unique, authentic, and engaging ways. Make sure to listen in on this fun conversation! 📚 Books Mentioned:
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode3 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 | |||
| 08 Jul 2024 | 8. Learning Gardens: Creating Dynamic Outdoor Classrooms with Victoria Hackett | 00:31:23 | |
Learning gardens benefit children of all ages, including elementary students. Victoria Hackett from Outdoor Classrooms is on the podcast today to share her experience with developing and using learning gardens to teach children in the hopes of inspiring more elementary teachers to use them in their own teaching. Victoria has experience touring and researching teaching gardens across the United States and has broken them down into four different garden types that she explains in this episode. She shares how using elements from each garden type enhances student experience and development with real-life examples. Tune in to find out how learning gardens could benefit your curricular goals plus 3 action steps to get started developing a learning garden in your own space. Her excitement, passion, and experience is contagious; I can't wait for you to hear this wonderful conversation! Connect with Victoria Hackett of Outdoor Classrooms:
Looking for ideas to find funding for your learning gardens? Check out my article, "Garden Grants and Plans: Where to Look for Funding and How to Plan for Success"! Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode8 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 | |||
| 30 Sep 2024 | 20. 6 Animal Migration Activities for the Elementary Classroom | 00:26:25 | |
Fall animal migration is in full swing and is a natural phenomenon that your students will love to study! And guess what?! It's a very dynamic concept that can actually apply to physics, life science, Earth science, and space science! In the episode, I share an animal migration activity for each grade, K-5, paired with a Next Generation Science Standard and an explanation of how it relates to migration. Tune in to hear about:
Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode20 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 | |||
| 30 Dec 2024 | 33. Ch-Ch-Changes: New Year Newness | 00:10:00 | |
It's almost the New Year which means it's time for reflection, gratitude, and new beginnings. Listen in as I share my reflections on this podcast, all the things I am thankful for, and exciting things to look forward to in 2025 including a new name for the podcast and an activity index coming in March. Resources mentioned 💚 Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode33 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 | |||
| 04 Nov 2024 | 25. 4 Turkey Day Activities and Books for Energetic Elementary Students | 00:14:51 | |
With Thanksgiving on the horizon, you know the pre-holiday energy is on its way. It may not be on the same level as winter break energy, but it's still energy on a whole other level from the regular 5-day-week energy. In this episode, I'm bringing you 4 different books with activities to celebrate turkeys the week leading up to Thanksgiving break. When the energy is high, getting your students outside can help harness said energy in productive ways and these books and activities will do just that. Books featured in the episode 📚
Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode25 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 | |||
| 23 Dec 2024 | 32. 6 Fun Winter Activities Aligned with K-5 Next Generation Science Standards | 00:26:26 | |
Winter is a season of mystery and intrigue. So let's make the season work for you by including fun winter activities in your schedule! Combining the mystique of winter with the power of learning through play can get your students motivated to learn. Tune in to hear descriptions for 6 fun winter activities aligned with Next Generation Science Standards for grades K-5. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how the activity relates to the winter season, and a description of how to implement the activity in your classroom. 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. Fun winter activities described in this episode include:
Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode32 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 | |||
| 09 Sep 2024 | 17. 6 Fun Fall Activities Aligned with K-5 Next Generation Science Standards | 00:24:59 | |
Fall is a season of mystery and intrigue. So let's make the season work for you by including fun fall activities in your schedule! Combining the mystique of fall with the power of learning through play can get your students motivated to learn. Tune in to hear descriptions for 6 fun fall activities aligned with Next Generation Science Standards for grades K-5. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how the activity relates to the fall season, and a description of how to implement the activity in your classroom. 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. Fun fall activities described in this episode include:
Resources mentioned 💚 Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode17 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 | |||
| 16 Dec 2024 | 31. Next Generation Science Standards Explained with Beth Christiansen | 00:26:31 | |
If you've been struggling to understand the Next Generation Science Standards and how to use them in your elementary classroom, then this is the podcast episode for you! In today's episode Beth Christiansen explains the Next Generation Science Standards, how they differ from traditional science standards, how they utilize three dimensional learning for student success, and more. She also shares a TON of resources to help you find phenomena to investigate, how to effectively facilitate class discussions, and much, much more. Make sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode because today's Teaching Tip is about using informal questioning and class discussion to assess your students' understanding of your curriculum. Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode31 Email Beth Christiansen: eacconsulting1@gmail.com Some of the resources mentioned 💚
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 | |||
| 19 Aug 2024 | 14. Outdoor Classroom Routines and Procedures: 5 Easy Activities for Your First Week Outside | 00:20:39 | |
It's that time of year again, where you're getting ready to practice your classroom routines and procedures with your students. You practice everyday, multiple times a day, in the hopes that your students will catch on and be set up for the school year. Your efforts are not in vain; the time you spend practicing your classroom routines and procedures will pay off and will make the rest of the year easier. The same can be said of practicing your outdoor classroom routines and procedures. By taking the time at the beginning of the year, your students will learn your expectations and will transition from the indoor classroom to the outdoor classroom with ease. In this episode, I describe 5 easy activities that you can use the first week you go outside to practice your outdoor classroom routines and procedures. I describe a week's schedule starting with structured activities moving to unstructured activities as the week goes on. Listen in to hear about the following activities and the routines and procedures they help your students practice:
Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode14 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 | |||
| 25 Nov 2024 | 28. Outdoor Learning Equipment for Schools and Homeschool Groups | 00:13:53 | |
Did you know that you already have all the tools that you need to take your teaching outside? All the skills that you use to teach inside will transfer swimmingly outside and will serve you and your students well. However, if you're looking for some equipment and props to help make that transition easier, make sure to take a listen to this episode. I cover tried and true equipment that I used most days that I taught outside during elementary school science lessons. Listen in to hear about: Poker chips, Ropes, Cones, Poly spots, Bug boxes, Butterfly pavilions, and Field guides (Follow the links for... | |||
| 15 Jul 2024 | 9. Exploring Invertebrates: 10 Picture Books to Introduce Animal Characteristics | 00:17:18 | |
Introducing invertebrates in your classroom can give your students a more complete picture of animals and their unique characteristics. However, it can be challenging to distinguish the differences between some groups, so consider using picture books to help you illustrate those differences! In this episode, I review 10 picture books (actually 43 books!) that introduce a variety of invertebrates, or animals without backbones. Animals such as snails, earthworms, spiders, daddy longlegs, and more are explored through these fantastic titles and series. Press play to hear about I’m Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton, The Snail’s Spell by Joanne Ryder, Are You a Centipede? by Judy Allen, and more. Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode9 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 | |||
| 05 Aug 2024 | 12. 8 Different Seasons Books: Introducing the Four Seasons with Picture Books | 00:14:47 | |
Helping young learners understand the way that seasons are made can be a challenge! Investigating this abstract concept can be made easier with different seasons books. In this episode, I cover 8 picture books that introduce the changing seasons, how they come to be, and their seasonal signs that can clue your students into their differences. Press play to hear about The Reason for the Seasons by Ellie Peterson, Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson, A Bunny for All Seasons by Janet Schulman, and more. Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode12 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 | |||
| 02 Sep 2024 | 16. 10 Fall Picture Books to Help Your Introduce Seasonal Signs, Falling Leaves, and Animals in Autumn | 00:18:59 | |
Fall is coming, so now is a good time to start scoping out fall picture books to help you 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 10 picture books that introduce the signs of the seasons, falling leaves, and animals in autumn. Press play to hear about It's Fall by Renee Kurilla, Miss Maple's Seeds by Eliza Wheeler, Summer Green to Autumn Gold by Mia Posada, Migration by Gail Gibbons, and more. Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode16 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 | |||
| 28 Oct 2024 | 24. 6 Moon Phase Activities for Elementary Classrooms | 00:26:21 | |
It's the last little bit of October, a month associated with spookiness and darkness. And in this darkness, we can look to the moon to help us reach our curricular goals. Although it sounds like a limited subject, the phases of the moon can actually help us teach physics, life science, Earth science, and space science! In this episode, I share a moon phase activity for each grade, K-5, paired with a Next Generation Science Standard and an explanation of how it relates to the phases of the moon. Tune in to hear about:
Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode24 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 | |||
| 10 Feb 2025 | 39. 11 Children's Water Cycle Books for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Parents | 00:22:28 | |
Winter is the perfect season to explore the water cycle with your learners since freezing temperatures give way to some lesser seen steps in the process. In winter, water can naturally be found in all three states, providing experiences that are unattainable the rest of the year. In this episode I cover 11 children’s water cycle books that introduce the water cycle, where water can be found, and that it comes in different states. Press play to hear about "Water is Water" by Miranda Paul, "Once Upon a Raindrop" by James Carter, "From River to Raindrop: The Water Cycle" by Emma Carlson Berne, "Maple Syrup from the Sugarhouse" by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton, and more. Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode39 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 | |||
| 17 Jun 2024 | 5. Science Skills for Students: 10 Picture Books for Encouraging Kid Scientists | 00:21:28 | |
Science skills are abstract and can be challenging for students to understand. However, picture books are a great way to make science skills more concrete because they show skills in action. They can also show the results of those skills, illustrating why they are important in science. In this episode, I cover 10 picture books that introduce science skills for kid scientists. Skills such as questioning, observing, notebooking, and more are explored through these wonderful titles. Press play to hear about What is Science? by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Notable Notebooks: Scientists and Their Writing by Jessica Fries-Gaither, Crow Not Crow by Jane Yolen, and more. Resources mentioned 💚
Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode5 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 | |||