What makes an octopus’s blood blue instead of red? In this ocean-themed nature study for kids, discover how hemocyanin helps octopuses survive in cold, low-oxygen waters and why these creatures are some of the coolest animals in the sea. In the companion video class about Octopuses included in the No Sweat Nature Study membership, students will learn all about octopus anatomy, how camouflage works, and the amazing ways these animals use their arms, suckers, and brains to survive. They'll even create an underwater nature journal scene featuring a camouflaged octopus blending into its habitat. Join No Sweat Nature Study at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. Buy gift cards for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift Charter schools can purchase access to No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/charter Visit the Octopuses show notes page to see a stunning octopus. Click here to find the nature-themed book recommendations from our listeners! Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)
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88. What's Inside a Sunflower Seed?
Discover the parts of a sunflower seed, how germination begins, and what helps a tiny seed grow into a towering plant in this fun nature study episode for kids. In the companion video class about Sunflowers included in the No Sweat Nature Study membership, students explore the sunflower’s life cycle, label its parts, and create a nature journal page inspired by Van Gogh’s famous sunflower art. Join No Sweat Nature Study at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. Buy gift cards for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift Charter schools can purchase access to No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/charter Visit the Sunflower show notes page to see a sunflower field. Click here for the list of nature book recommendations submitted by our listeners! Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)
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87. What's the Fastest-Growing Vegetable
Which veggie wins the title of fastest-growing? Join Mrs. Cindy as we find out the answer and explore why some vegetables seem to grow almost overnight! In the companion True Vegetables Video Class included in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, discover how true vegetables are different from fruits and how important they are to human nutrition. In your nature journal, you'll create a life cycle of a true vegetable, as well as a comparison of true vegetables and fruits. Join No Sweat Nature Study at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. Buy gift cards for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift Charter schools can purchase access to No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/charter Visit the True Vegetables show notes page to see a radish! See the nature-themed booklist → book recommendations from YOU! Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)
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86. Why Do Peaches Have Fuzzy Skin?
Join Mrs. Cindy to discover why peaches have a soft, fuzzy skin and how it helps them thrive in the summer heat. Learn about trichomes, their protective superpowers, and how each fruit has just what it needs to stay healthy. In the companion video class about peaches, have even more juicy fun as you draw and label a peach’s parts, study its life cycle, and compare peaches to nectarines! Join No Sweat Nature Study at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. Buy gift cards for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift Charter schools can purchase access to No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/charter Visit the Peaches show notes page to see trichomes on the skin of a peach! Here are links to Mrs. Cindy's favorite nature-themed picture books and nature-themed chapter books. Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)
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84. How Do Leaves Protect Themselves from Animals?
Learn how leaves use fuzz, chemicals, and even camouflage to stay safe from animals that might want to eat them. This episode is packed with surprising science and outdoor observation ideas! In the companion Parts of a Leaf video class included in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, you’ll draw and label a detailed diagram of a leaf while learning what each part does—and why it’s so important. You may not even realize some of these parts exist, but you’re sure to be fascinated by them as you compare different kinds of leaves in your nature journal. Join No Sweat Nature Study at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. Buy gift cards for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift Charter schools can purchase access to No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/charter Visit the Parts of a Leaf show notes page to see the spines of a stinging nettle leaf! Defense Mechanisms of Plants curriculum → ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/defense-mechanisms-plants/ Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)
Did you know one short nature study can teach a complete science lesson?
In just a few minutes, Cindy West of No Sweat Nature Study introduces seasonal science topics designed to spark curiosity in elementary and middle school learners. These quick lessons make it easy to fit meaningful science into your day—and they’re the perfect way to get a taste of the deeper learning in No Sweat Nature Study video classes.
For information about bonus materials, please visit https://ourjourneywestward.com/podcast.
Ireland