Fall is a magical time of year. There are so many fascinating things happening in nature and in the world around us: the leaves changing, animals getting ready for winter, fall wildflowers, migrations, the days getting shorter, the fall harvest. There is so much to observe and learn about! Below you will find all of my fall-themed freebies and low-cost printables. Fall Freebies Pumpkin Measurements Chart Grab a tape measure and a scale and measure the height, circumference, and weight of your pumpkins. Use this chart to record your data. Grab it here Leaf Anatomy Diagram and Worksheet Learn about the structure of a leaf with this printable leaf anatomy diagram and colorable worksheet. Grab it here Fall Scavenger Hunt Get outside and enjoy the beautiful fall weather with this fall-themed scavenger hunt. Fun for kids of all ages! Grab it here Pumpkin Anatomy Diagram and Worksheet Learn about the anatomy of a pumpkin plant with this diagram and fill-in-the-blank coloring sheet! Grab...

  Learn all about the geologic timescale, fossils, and the prehistoric animals of the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic Eras with this printable 42-page study pack. This pack includes, lesson plans, vocabulary words, informational reading sheets, worksheets, a crossword puzzle, a word search, dinosaur flashcards, instructions for a hands-on fossil activity, timelines, a Pleistocene coloring sheet, notebooking pages, an art activity, an additional resources list, and more! Grab it here: Prehistoric Animals Study Pack *This pack is evolution based and approaches geologic history from an Old Earth perspective. If you are a family that teaches from a creationism or a New Earth standpoint, this probably isn't the right resource for you. Be sure to also check out: Printable Zoology Vocabulary Pack All About Birds Printable Unit Study Follow me on Facebook Instagram Pinterest Teachers Pay Teachers

Indoor nature study activities are a great way for you and your kids to connect with nature when it's too cold or stormy to spend much time outside. Here are 11 simple ways to bring nature study inside! Window Bird Watching Hang a bird feeder somewhere where it's easily visible from a window. Observe and try to identify the birds that come to visit. You could even keep a list of the birds you see or record them on a bird watching app like eBird. Windowsill Garden Start a small windowsill garden. Many herbs and succulents do well indoors. We currently have a small spider plant, a small cactus, and some mint growing in our kitchen window. Snail Terrarium To set up a snail habitat you will need: •A small glass or plastic terrarium with a tight fitting lid and plenty of ventilation -Some sort of chemical free substrate for the bottom of your tank like terrarium soil or coconut fiber -A spray bottle -A few garden snails (check your yard after a rainstorm) Start by spreading some sub...

Earth's water is always in movement through a cycle known as the water cycle (aka the hydrologic cycle). Learn all about this fascinating cycle with this printable, 10-page mini study. This pack includes a water cycle diagram, a cloud type diagram, an interactive water cycle wheel activity, a crossword puzzle, vocabulary words, two informational reading sheets, instructions for hands-on activities, and a list of additional resources to check out. For more resources about weather and the water cycle, check out this blog post:  Weather Science: Activities and Resources for Kids If you liked this post, be sure to check out: Printable Mushroom Mini Study Follow me on Facebook Instagram Pinterest Teachers Pay Teachers

B etween the leaves changing color, watching pumpkins ripen, and observing animals preparing for winter, f all offers so many wonderful learning opportunities! Keep reading for lots of fall themed science activity ideas. Study the anatomy of a pumpkin plant I have a free printable pumpkin anatomy coloring sheet that you can grab  here . Collect and identify fall leaves Collect fall leaves and use an identification app or a field guide to identify what types of trees they came from. Study the oak tree lifecycle Check out this  "Acorn to Oak Tree Timelapse  video on YouTube. Study the pumpkin lifecycle Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell is a great story to read about the pumpkin lifecycle. YouTube has a read aloud version  here . Male pumpkin flower vs female pumpkin flower   Fall leaf chromatography Separate the different pigments in fall leaves using a simple paper chromatography process. Check out this  blog post for instructions. Learn about why leaves c...

My kindergartener and my 3rd grader have been studying the biomes of the world. This week, we learned about the marine biome. One of their favorite topics of the week was bioluminescence, so I decided we should try making some glowing ocean art. It ended up being such a fun project! Even my 14-year-old joined in! What is bioluminescence? Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light from a living organisms. Some examples of bioluminescent organisms include fireflies, glow worms, lanternfish, anglerfish, some species of jellyfish, some types of mushrooms, and some types of algae. Resources for Learning About Bioluminescence • SciShow Kids- Glowing Animals • BBC Earth Kids- Why Do Some Animals Glow • NOAA Ocean Exploration- Bioluminescence • National Geographic- How Bioluminescence Works in Nature Bioluminescence Art Project For this project you will need: •Black construction paper •Fluorescent paint or fluorescent colored highlighter pens (orange and yellow seem to work best) ...

In this post I share instructions for a really cool science based art project- turmeric anthotype prints. If you've ever used Sunprint paper, this is the same concept, except you are making the photosensitive paper yourself. For this activity you will need: white paper, turmeric, alcohol (rubbing alcohol or vodka), a paint brush, something to print (leaves, sticks, rocks), baking soda, water, a spray bottle, a tray, and sunshine. *Turmeric stains, so be sure to work in old clothes or use a smock. Start by making a turmeric based ink/paint by mixing about a teaspoon of turmeric powder into 1/4 cup of alcohol. If you end up having a lot of chunks of turmeric after stirring well, you can strain it through a coffee filter, but we have found that this step usually isn't necessary. In an inside space, away from direct sunlight, paint your entire sheet of white paper with the turmeric ink. Then set it aside to dry in a dark space. While it dries, collect items to print. Leaves, fern f...

Explore trees, plants, insects, fungi, birds, and more with this 40-page collection of nature study resources. The Ultimate Nature Study Pack includes nature study prompts, nature journaling prompts, journaling sheets, nature themed art challenges, nature anatomy diagrams, a weather tracking tree, a moon phase journal, a bird watching checklist, informational reading sheets, several nature based scavenger hunts, a leaf ID diagram, an animal track sheet, and more! Grab it here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Ultimate-Nature-Study-Pack-12024121 Follow me on Facebook Instagram Pinterest Teachers Pay Teachers

  My kids chose to study mushrooms this year, so I put together this mushroom study pack. I hope you all enjoy it as much as my family did! Printable Mushroom Mini Study Learn about different types of fungi, mushroom anatomy, fungi lifecycles, mushroom characteristics, and mushroom identification with this printable 12-page study pack. This pack includes vocabulary words, 4 informational reading sheets, a mushroom anatomy coloring sheet, a mushroom lifecycle diagram, a crossword puzzle, a Venn diagram, tips for identifying mushrooms, a nature journaling sheet, and a list of additional resources to check out. Grab it here:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mushroom-Mini-Study-11726047 You may also want to check out: Dandelion Mini Study Follow me on: Facebook Instagram Pinterest Teachers Pay Teachers

On April 8th a solar eclipse is going to occur over North America. The 120-mile-long path of totality will touch 15 U.S. states: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's light and causing a shadow to be cast upon the Earth. For a solar eclipse to occur, the sun, the moon, and the Earth have to be in perfect alignment. Below are some activities and learning resources to help you prepare your kids for the upcoming solar eclipse. Solar Eclipse Activities for Kids Printable Eclipse Activity Pack My printable Eclipse Activity Pack includes diagrams, reading sheets, vocabulary words, a crossword puzzle, an eclipse journaling sheet, 2 flip books, a cut and paste paper eclipse model, and more! Grab it here:  Printable Eclipse Activity Pack . Solar Eclipse Videos • Solar Eclipse 101  ...

Exploring in nature can provide a wonderful foundation for your family's science lessons. All you need is a wild space (or just a backyard or neighborhood park) to explore, some simple journaling supplies, and a few resources for researching about all the interesting things that you come across. Why Study Nature? Nature study is a wonderful way to add more science to your homeschool days. There is so much to be learned by just observing the natural world around us. Nature study requires very little planning and supplies, so it's easy for parents to facilitate. Ki ds tend to be instictivley curious about the world around them, so it's easy to get them on board. It's also a good way to slow down and appreciate the beauty of God's creations. How to Get Started Just grab a journal or some paper on a clipboard and some colored pencils or watercolor supplies, and head outside. Choose a spot and observe the plant and wildlife that you see. Have your kids draw, paint, photo...