Sometimes winter seems so lifeless and dull. However, it can actually be a really beneficial time of the year to study animal needs and the components of habitats. Think about it: during a time of scarcity, there are still animals that are active and surviving. Why not investigate what they're finding that keeps them alive?

Press play to hear descriptions for an animal signs hike for kindergarteners and a habitat safari for 3rd graders, both aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how the activity relates to animal needs and habitats, 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.

Next Generation Science Standards addressed in this episode:

1. K-ESS3-1: Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
2. 3-LS4-1: Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.

Resources mentioned 💚

1. Episode 51: Adapting - Naturally Teaching Elementary Updates and Goals
2. Episode 55: 6 Books About Animals in Winter for Elementary-Aged Students
3. Episode 6: 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching Outside
4. “Over and Under the Snow” Picture Book Companion for 3rd Grade
5. “Over and Under the Snow” by Kate Messner: Teaching Animal Adaptations

Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode56

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The extreme weather of winter makes you wonder what animals are crazy enough to endure and survive it. Animals are active in winter, whether we see them or not, and the animals that are awake leave behind traces and clues that can be found. These little gems can be just the hook your learners need to pursue amazing inquiry driven studies.

Books are a great way to introduce animal signs in winter and to encourage the development of observational skills. In this episode, I give you a brief summary of books about animals in winter and my thoughts on how they can help you with your students.

Books in this episode 📚

1. In the Snow: Who’s Been Here? By Lindsay Barrett George
2. Big Tracks, Little Tracks by Millicent E. Selsam, illustrated by Marlene Hill Donnelly
3. Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
4. Track That Scat! by Lisa Morlock, illustrated by Carrie Ann Bradshaw
5. Whose Track is That? by Stan Tekiela
6. Animal Tracks Activity Book by Brett Ortler, illustrated by Shane Nitzsche, Anna Christenson, Julie Martinez, and Bruce Wilson

(Disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you)

Resources mentioned 💚

1. “Teaching with Books: How to Integrate Science and Literacy for Elementary Classrooms.”
2. Ep. 34: 9 Winter Picture Books to Help You Introduce Seasonal Signs, Snow, and Animals in Winter
3. 16 Wonderful Children’s Books About Winter for Elementary Teachers
4. “Over and Under the Snow” by Kate Messner: Teaching Animal Adaptations

Urban schools and outdoor education don't seem to go hand-in-hand, but outdoor education has its place in every.single.school! If you teach in an urban school and you don't think you have what you need to take your kids outside for learning, this is the episode for you!

Press play to hear about three different ways you can access nature in urban settings near you. Give your students the gift of less stress, more focus, better health, better academic performance, and more by learning how you can incorporate nature into your urban classroom.

Resources mentioned 💚

1. Garden Grants and Plans: Where to Look for Funding and How to Prepare for Success
2. A Raising Butterflies Kit for the Classroom: A Conservation Conversation
3. Episode 20: 6 Animal Migration Activities for Elementary Classrooms
4. Episode 6: 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching Outside
5. Episode 23: Planning a Field Trip made Easier with Education Director James Dake

Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode54

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Are you hesitant to take your students outside for learning because of possible distractions? Do you worry about how you'll give your students the opportunity to pursue their interests while also giving your lesson the time it needs?

Tune in to hear descriptions for 5 strategies for classroom management to use when nature grabs your students' attention. These "nature moments" are valuable and can be a part of your outdoor learning time, you just have to know how to embrace them for your success as well as your students'.

Resources mentioned 💚

1. Episode 18: Nature Based Preschools and Elementary Classrooms: Talking Teacher Roles with Dr. Rachel Larimore
2. Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Keltner (Disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you)

Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode53

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If you're in a region where winter doesn't include snow, you've probably noticed that there aren't very many books about winter for preschool and elementary classrooms that represent your local weather well. This is probably really confusing for your early childhood students. Sure, you make it work, but wouldn't it be great if there were picture books that represented your mild winters?

That's why I've scoured the internet to find 5 no snow books to help you out this winter. In this episode, I give you a brief summary about these books and my thoughts on how they can help you with your students.

Books in this episode 📚

1. City Moon by Rachael Cole, illustrated by Blanca Gomez
2. It Never, Ever Snows in Florida by Amy Sweezey, illustrated by Ricardo J. Rodriguez
3. In a Mississippi Winter by Kathy Chase Young, by Kelly Arcarese Stanford
4. Ocean Seasons by Ron Hirschi, illustrated by Kirsten Carlson
5. Seasons by Hannah Pang, illustrated by Clover Robin

(Disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you)

Resources mentioned 💚

1. “Teaching with Books: How to Integrate Science and Literacy for Elementary Classrooms”
2. 16 Wonderful Children’s Books About Winter for Elementary Teachers
3. Episode 34: 9 Winter Picture Books to Help Introduce Seasonal Signs, Snow, and Animals in Winter

Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode52

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After 9 long months - the Naturally Teaching Elementary podcast is back in action! I'm so happy to be behind the mic again to share ideas for bringing science into your classrooms, integrating science and literacy, and taking your teaching outside.

Tune in to hear what I've been up to for the last 9 months and my plans for this podcast going forward. Get ahold of me on Instagram or via email (victoria@naturallyteaching.com) to let me know what topics you'd be interested in hearing about in the New Year. Thanks for tuning in again!

Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode51

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Picture books are a fantastic tool for teaching learners, and they're not just for early childhood learners. Children of all ages can benefit from hearing picture books and seeing their illustrations, and they can be especially beneficial for teaching science with your elementary-aged learners.

In today's episode, Dan Kriesberg talks about picture books for 4th graders and beyond and how he used picture books to teach even into middle school. He talks about what he looks for in quality picture books for older students and how he's used them to enhance his teaching.

You'll definitely want to hit play to hear these intriguing ideas and picture book suggestions! Also, make sure to listen to the end of the episode to hear an update about the show.

Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode50

Email Dan Kriesberg: kriesbergdan@gmail.com

Links to resources mentioned in the episode:

• Earth Wisdom - Dan Kriesberg
• A Sense of Place: Teaching Children About the Environment with Picture Books
• Think Green, Take Action: Books and Activities for Kids
• Diversity Education In Nature
• Teach Outdoors - Teaching for All: Making Outdoor Learning Accessible and Inclusive
• Papa Bear Hikes - Diversity Education In Nature
• Talaterra - Ep116 Dan Kriesberg and Camille Simone Edwards, Diversity Education in Nature
• Keepers of the Earth by Michael J. Caduto and Joseph Bruchac
• Night Letters by Palmyra LoMonaco, illustrated by Normand Chartier
• Climbing Kansas Mountains by George Shannon, illustrated by Thomas B. Allen

Fine arts are a creative way to let your learners share their understanding of your curriculum. By providing opportunities for painting, sculpting, music, poetry, theatre, cinematography, photography, and more, you're providing your learners the opportunity to build their confidence, work on collaboration skills, and allow all learners to shine.

Tune in to hear descriptions for 9 fine arts examples of vernal pool and frog projects to use this spring. During the episode I share a description for each project, materials you'll need to make each project happen, preparation suggestions, and how to present the project to your learners.

Fine arts projects described in this episode include:

• Creating a frog call instrument
• Developing a skit to retell a story
• Creating props and costumes to go along with the skit
• Recording the skit and adding cinematic elements
• Sculpting a frog life cycle
• Writing a vernal pool or frog poem
• Taking photographs of vernal pools or animals
• Painting a watercolor painting next to a vernal pool
• Drawing an organism collected from a vernal pool

Resources mentioned 💚

• 46. Vernal Pool Patrol: A Citizen Science Project for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Parents with Lindsey Harrell
• 47. 6 Vernal Pools and Frog Activities Aligned with K-5 Next Generation Science Standards
• 48. 9 Vernal Pool and Frog Books for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Parents
• iMovie for Mac
• iMovie for Windows
• Stop Motion Studio
• Vernal Pools by MassDCR

Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode49

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