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This week, introduce your students to leaf bingo! There are lots of ways to play leaf bingo depending on the grade you teach.  For younger students:  Fall Leaf Bingo by Melissa and Doug sends students outdoors with free printable bingo cards. Students then hunt for colorful leaves that match the ones on their cards.  .  …

Make this weekend challenging! Set up an outdoor obstacle course for you kids. Here are a couple of  ideas to get you started:  If the weather is still warm where you are, you can create a water course similar to the one found HERE.  Use items you have around your yard to create an obstacle …

This week, take the students outside and look at the clouds. But don’t just watch them — identify them!  Begin by teaching the students about the different types of clouds. You can find examples HERE.  Go outside at the same time every day to see what types of clouds are in the sky. Have each …

This weekend, make paper boats to float down a stream. You can find directions on how to make a boat HERE.  Have each person make more than one boat, just in case one doesn’t hold up for long. Your family will be excited to test them out. You may even have to hike to get …

This weekend, do everything you’d normally do — but outside! This includes working on homework, crafting, exercising, folding laundry, reading, napping, playing games —  whatever you have planned, take it all outdoors. Don’t forget — you can cook and eat outdoors, too! It’s as easy as grilling out or just making sandwiches and having a …

With all of the news about Hurricane Florence, your students may have a lot of questions about severe storms and weather. Talk about which kinds of storms may affect your area. Then have your students start a weather journal. You can find a free printable journal from the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska …

Hurricane Florence is threatening the Southeast, and residents in the Carolinas and Virginia have been making preparations so they stay safe through the storm. Do you have a storm emergency kit in your home in case of severe weather? If not, put one together this weekend. You can find a printable list of what to …

How is rainfall measured? Students can find out with a rain gauge they make in class! What’s more, they get to upcycle a plastic bottle that might otherwise sit in a landfill. The only supplies you’ll need include:  Empty two-liter plastic bottles Scissors to cut the bottle  Clean pebbles, gravel, marbles, or glass craft stones …

It’s apple season! Instead of purchasing apples at the grocery store, head outside with family or friends to a you-pick apple orchard. You can find many orchards using the links on OrangePippin.com.  Wondering what else is ready for harvest in your area? Click on the link to your state on PickYourOwn.org.    Image by jeanneg

You picnic outdoors, play outdoors, explore outdoors – why not have your student study outdoors? Studies have shown that time outside can improve concentration, focus, and memory. Plus, the sunlight will also help put your student in a better mood. Below are a few steps you can take to get your student started: Decide what …

From The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina:  You are invited to our Annual Hawk Watch and Lunch! Where: Caesar’s Head State Park – 8155 Geer Hwy. Cleveland, SC 29635    We will meet at the Visitor’s Center. When: Tuesday, September 18, 2018       11:30 AM – 3:00 PM Program with Tim Lee, State Park Ranger in …

In October, The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina is hosting a series of events around TNC’s OktoberForest Initiative.  The goal is to educate the community that healthy forests = clean water = quality beer (what an equation!) Events include:  Hike your “Brewshed” – Sunday, October 7 from 12:30pm- 4:30pm.  Guided hike at Table Rock State …

Have your students get crafty this week and make a nature collage! Choose one day to head outside to gather natural materials. Remind students to pick items from off the ground, not off the plants. Items can include:  nuts leaves bark pebbles or small stones twigs flowers feathers  seeds There are several ways to put …

You’ve probably heard of geocaching — searching for items hidden in a pubic place using your GPS. But have you heard of letterboxing? Letterboxing is an older hide-and-seek scavenger hunt game played by people all over the world.  You don’t need a GPS; instead, you follow a set of clues. The prize: a plastic box with a …

A couple of weeks ago around 7 am, the neighbor’s large dog was barking in our yard. Our two smaller dogs weren’t barking, but they were looking up into a tall tree. In the branches – two black bear cubs! We figured the bigger dog had frightened them, and they climbed to safety. Glancing around, …

School is back in session! We want to help make it a great year for you with nature activities you can use in the classroom. We’ll post an Activity for the Week every Saturday morning. You can also see previous activity ideas HERE.  This week: Go hunting with a camera!  Choose a “camera day” in …

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that just requires muscles, not ropes. The rocks are usually low to the ground, no more than 15 – 20 feet high. This weekend, take your whole family “bouldering”! Go somewhere that has a lot of large rocks for your kids (and pets!) to climb around on. Not sure …

The alarm goes off, and another school day has begun. Often it’s a rush to get everyone ready and out the door on time. Then it’s off to school for a day full of learning, then home again to complete homework assignments. Before your students gets started on those assignments, however, encourage them to take …

This weekend, instead of heading inside at bedtime, stay outdoors — and sleep under the stars! Find a flat area in your yard to set up your bedding system, which may include an air mattress, camping blanket, and/or sleeping bag.  Don’t forget your pillow!      Photo by seriousfun

We received many wonderful entries — thanks to all who took the the time to create a bookmark for Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe! The book came out today, so to celebrate, we’re announcing the winner! And the first place winner is… Madison B. from Alabama!     The judges had a such …