Naturally Teaching Elementary: A Podcast for Teachers and Homeschool Families

Victoria Zablocki, Elementary Teacher turned Outdoor Educator
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Are you an elementary teacher or homeschool parent that wants to add more value to your lessons? Do you know the value of cultivating science skills in your students but feel like you don’t know the best way to incorporate them in your classroom? Then this is the perfect show for you! Naturally Teaching Elementary is a podcast designed for the elementary teacher and homeschool parent with too much on their plate but a desire to best serve their children. Each week Victoria Zablocki and her guests will cover ways to integrate science into your ELA studies, demystify scientific concepts, and share tips and tricks to take learning outside. Victoria Zablocki is a former elementary educator with 10 years of experience integrating outdoor education into science learning. You can follow her on Instagram @naturally.teaching. To get more access to great content, head to https://www.naturallyteaching.com/

  1. 28 APR

    50. Picture Books for 4th Graders and Beyond: Using Picture Books to Enhance Your Science Teaching with Dan Kriesberg

    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 KriesbergA Sense of Place: Teaching Children About the Environment with Picture BooksThink Green, Take Action: Books and Activities for KidsDiversity Education In NatureTeach Outdoors - Teaching for All: Making Outdoor Learning Accessible and InclusivePapa Bear Hikes - Diversity Education In NatureTalaterra - Ep116 Dan Kriesberg and Camille Simone Edwards, Diversity Education in NatureKeepers of the Earth by Michael J. Caduto and Joseph BruchacNight Letters by Palmyra LoMonaco, illustrated by Normand ChartierClimbing Kansas Mountains by George Shannon, illustrated by Thomas B. Allena...

    27 min

  2. 21 APR

    49. 9 Fine Arts Examples of Vernal Pool and Frog Projects for Elementary-aged Learners

    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 instrumentDeveloping a skit to retell a storyCreating props and costumes to go along with the skitRecording the skit and adding cinematic elementsSculpting a frog life cycleWriting a vernal pool or frog poemTaking photographs of vernal pools or animalsPainting a watercolor painting next to a vernal poolDrawing 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 Harrell47. 6 Vernal Pools and Frog Activities Aligned with K-5 Next Generation Science Standards48. 9 Vernal Pool and Frog Books for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool ParentsiMovie for MaciMovie for WindowsStop Motion StudioVernal Pools by MassDCR Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode49 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 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 min

  3. 14 APR

    48. 9 Vernal Pool and Frog Books for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Parents

    Spring is breeding season for frogs and many species use vernal pools to lay their eggs. To get your learners excited about this special time of the year, consider reading them vernal pool or frog books. In this episode I cover 9 picture books that introduce vernal pools, how frogs use them, and frog life cycles. Press play to hear about "The Secret Pool" by Kimberly Ridley, "A Wood Frog's Life" by John Himmelman, "Salamander Sky" by Katy Farber, and more. Resources mentioned 💚 Teaching with Books: How to Integrate Science and Literacy for Elementary ClassroomsVernal Pool Visitors read aloud by Cape Cod Author Heidi Clemmer for the Brewster Ponds Coalition11 Fantastic Animal Life Cycles Books By John HimmelmanFrog Life Cycle and Grouping Mini Unit for 3rd Grade Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode48 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 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

    18 min

  4. 7 APR

    47. 6 Vernal Pools and Frog Activities Aligned with K-5 Next Generation Science Standards

    Spring is a fantastic time to explore concepts like sound waves, life cycles, biodiversity, and more. Frogs in the Northern Hemisphere take advantage of spring warmth to call for mates and move through their life cycles...and many of them do this in vernal pools. Tune in to hear descriptions for 6 vernal pools and frog 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 vernal pools and frogs, 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. Vernal pools and frog activities described in this episode include: Kindergarten: Creating a vernal pool protection plan1st Grade: Watching videos of frogs calling2nd Grade: Conducting an ecosystem survey3rd Grade: Dipping for animal life stages4th Grade: Playing a frog call game5th Grade: Designing a scientific collection tool Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 6: 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching OutsideEpisode 32: 6 Fun Winter Activities Aligned with K-5 Next Generation Science StandardsWood Frog CallingWestern Chorus Frog CallingToad vibrations create amazing ripples on water (a short, but sooo good)Episode 45: 6 Earth Day Projects for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool ParentsEpisode 46: Vernal Pool Patrol: A Citizen Science Project for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Parents with Lindsey HarrellCitizen Science Lab: Vernal Pools - Citizen Science Projects for 5th Graders Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode47 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 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 min

  5. 31 MAR

    46. Vernal Pool Patrol: A Citizen Science Project for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Parents with Lindsey Harrell

    Vernal pools are a little-known secret, but are an amazing spring phenomenon. These unique wetlands are made from snow melt and spring rains and are only around for short time. But in their short time, they are home to special organisms and are crucial for the survival of many species. In today's episode, Lindsey Harrell explains the Vernal Pool Patrol, a community science opportunity in Michigan. She starts with an explanation of what vernal pools are, how they benefit nature, where to find vernal pools near you, what kind of equipment you might want, and more. If you're interested in taking part in this community science project, but you're not sure what to expect, make sure to listen to the end of the episode. Today's nature note is my firsthand experience surveying a pool with the Vernal Pool Patrol. Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode46 Email Lindsey Harrell: lharrell@chippewanaturecenter.org Links to Vernal Pool Patrol resources: Vernal Pool Patrol Landing PageVernal Pool Patrol Training PageIdentification ResourcesVernal Pool Michigan MapMichigan Vernal Pool PartnershipMichigan Vernal Pools Research Fund 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 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 min

  6. 24 MAR

    45. 6 Earth Day Projects for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Parents

    Earth Day is coming up in just under a month and it's a great holiday to incorporate science activities into your celebrations! Many Earth Day activity lists suggest the same ideas over and over, so I'm here to give you some unique projects to do with your learners this year. Tune in to hear descriptions for 6 Earth Day projects aligned with Next Generation Science Standards for grades K-5. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the project, how the project relates to Earth Day, and a description of how to implement the project 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 projects or use one for a different grade level. Earth Day projects describe in this episode include: Kindergarten: Designing trash picker-uppers1st Grade: Solving the problem of staying warm in a car2nd Grade: Designing a way to clean water3rd Grade: Creating a wetland mitigation model4th Grade: Developing non-renewable and renewable resource saving punch cards5th Grade: Participating in the iNaturalist citizen science project Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 6: 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching OutsideThe Day the Trash Came Out to Play by David M. Beadle, illustrated by Laurie A. FaustThe Mess That We Made by Michelle Lord, illustrated by Julia BlattmanEarth Day Engineers Water Mini Unit for 2nd Grade (STEM and ELA Activities)Earth Day Engineers Habitat Mini Unit for 3rd Grade (STEM and ELA Activities)Episode 15: 6 Citizen Science Projects for Elementary Students18 Kids Earth Day Books to Inspire Elementary Students This YearA List of Earth Day Activities Elementary Students Will Love This Year Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode45 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally...

    25 min

  7. 17 MAR

    44. 6 Elementary Math Activities for Spring Aligned with K-5 Common Core State Standards

    If you're looking for a way to practice your math concepts in a real-world context this spring, this is the podcast episode for you! Tune in to hear descriptions for 6 elementary math activities for spring aligned with Common Core State Standards for grades K-5. During the episode I share the standard that inspired the activity, how the activity relates to the spring season, 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. Elementary math activities described in this episode include: Kindergarten: Counting flower petals1st Grade: Measuring spring sprouts2nd Grade: Telling sunrise and sunset times on clocks3rd Grade: Finding the volume of objects using displacement4th Grade: Counting sap drips and multiplying by 2 digit numbers5th Grade: Mystery patterns with partners Resources mentioned 💚 Episode 6: 5 Outdoor Education Safety Tips for Teaching OutsideScience Activity IndexEpisode 41: Teaching Elementary Math Outside with Lauren MacLeanEpisode 42: 6 Fun Spring Activities Aligned with K-5 Next Generation Science StandardsEpisode 43: 9 Spring Picture Books to Help You Introduce Seasonal Signs, Plants, and Animals Time and DateThe Old Farmer’s AlmanacMaple Tree Tapping - Sap Dripping video Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode44 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 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 min

  8. 10 MAR

    43. 9 Spring Picture Books to Introduce Seasonal Signs, Plants, and Animals in Spring

    Spring is about to begin, so now is a good time to start scoping out spring 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, plants, and animals in spring. Press play to hear about "Spring Thaw" by Steven Schnur, "Abracadabra, It’s Spring" by Anne Sibley O’Brien, "Worm Weather" by Jean Taft, "Bloom Boom!" by April Pulley Sayre, and more. Resources mentioned 💚 Spring Picture Book Companion for KindergartenA Fantastic Spring Picture Book List for Elementary Teachers with 20 TitlesTapping Into Learning: 15 Maple Syrup Books for Elementary ScienceTeaching with Books: How to Integrate Science and Literacy for Elementary ClassroomsWorm Weather Picture Book Companion for KindergartenEpisode 16: 10 Fall Picture Books to Introduce Seasonal Signs, Falling Leaves, and Animals in Autumn Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode43 🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index 🛒 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 min
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Are you an elementary teacher or homeschool parent that wants to add more value to your lessons? Do you know the value of cultivating science skills in your students but feel like you don’t know the best way to incorporate them in your classroom? Then this is the perfect show for you! Naturally Teaching Elementary is a podcast designed for the elementary teacher and homeschool parent with too much on their plate but a desire to best serve their children. Each week Victoria Zablocki and her guests will cover ways to integrate science into your ELA studies, demystify scientific concepts, and share tips and tricks to take learning outside. Victoria Zablocki is a former elementary educator with 10 years of experience integrating outdoor education into science learning. You can follow her on Instagram @naturally.teaching. To get more access to great content, head to https://www.naturallyteaching.com/

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