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 💚

• “How Maple Syrup Season Can Help You Teach Elementary Students”
• “Teaching with Books: How to Integrate Science and Literacy for Elementary Classrooms.”
• Maple Syrup and Water Cycle Mini Unit for 2nd Grade
• Tapping Into Learning: 15 Maple Syrup Books for Elementary Science
• “The Great Backyard Bird Count: How to Take Part for Elementary Teachers”

Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode39

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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:

• Kindergarten: Measuring snow depths
• 1st Grade: Using icicles to block light
• 2nd Grade: Going for a states of water hike
• 3rd Grade: Engineering a solution for snow removal
• 4th Grade: Taking crack rubbings to investigate erosion
• 5th Grade: Investigating dirt in melted snow

Resources mentioned 💚

• Episode 6: 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching Outside
• Snow and Winter Weather Mini Unit for Kindergarten
• 35. 6 Groundhog’s Day Activities for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Groups
• 36. Gamifying Learning for Elementary-Aged Children with Allie Elliott
• Snowy Science: A Guide to Teaching About Matter in Winter

Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode38

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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:

• We love nature (Kindergarten)
• Hearts beat (1st Grade)
• The perfect pair: insects and their host plants (2nd Grade)
• Magnets attract (3rd Grade)
• Animal hearts (4th Grade)
• Attracted to the Earth (5th Grade)

Resources mentioned 💚

• Slow to Fast Heartbeat Sound Effect
• The Compass Slide
• Flower Talk: How Plants Use Color to Communicate by Sara Levine
• How Plants Talk by Helena Harastova
• Flowers Are Calling by Rita Gray
• Outdoor Pollination Scavenger Hunt for 2nd Grade
• Beyond Hearts and Cupids: A Guide to Alternative Valentine’s Day Parties for Elementary Teachers
• Vertebrate Hearts - Comparative Clip Art

Show notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode37

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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 💚

• Episode 28: Outdoor Learning Equipment for Schools and Homeschool Groups
• Episode 22: Different Kinds of Children’s Outdoor Activities and Games for Teaching Science
• Naturally Teaching Scavenger Hunts

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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:

• Kindergarten: Weather data collection
• 1st Grade: Creating shadows with recyclables
• 2nd Grade: Making a squirrel field guide
• 3rd Grade: Using climates to make Groundhog forecasts
• 4th Grade: Groundhog hibernation obstacle course
• 5th Grade: Shadow tracing throughout the day

Resources mentioned 💚

• Episode 6: 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching Outside
• 16 Activities for Groundhog Day Inspired by the Book “Groundhog Weather School”
• Free Printable Weather Wheel and Lesson Plan for Teachers
• Hibernation in Animals: 6 Dormancy Activities for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Groups

Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode35

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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 💚

• 16 Wonderful Children’s Books About Winter for Elementary Teachers
• Teaching with Books: How to Integrate Science and Literacy for Elementary Classrooms
• Winter Picture Book Companion for Kindergarten
• Ep. 29: Hibernation in Animals: 6 Dormancy Activities for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Groups
• Ep. 30: 10 Books on Hibernation and Other Forms of Dormancy for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Groups

Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode34

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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 💚

• Podcasting for Educators Prep School

Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode33

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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:

• Kindergarten: Push & Pull Stations
• 1st Grade: Walk in the Dark
• 2nd Grade: Mapping States of Water
• 3rd Grade: Animals Grouping for Survival Simon Says
• 4th Grade: Erosion Stations
• 5th Grade: Water Cycle Obstacle Course

Resources mentioned 💚

• Episode 6: 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching Outside
• Episode 26: Celebrating the Winter Solstice with an Outdoor Party for Your Elementary Students
• A Helpful Guide to Teaching the Season Transition to Winter
• A Helpful Introduction for Teachers Teaching the Four Seasons in School

Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode32

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