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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 …

Although July 4 falls on a Wednesday this year, many cities are celebrating this weekend. Check your local paper or look online for festivities in your area. Join the crowds or celebrate on your own with a trip to the lake, a picnic, or a day at the park.    Photo by Gudina 

A huge thanks to everyone who entered this contest!  We wish we could have offered prizes to everyone — all the bookmarks were so beautiful. You can see the winners HERE!       It’s summer and time to get outside!  Our founder, Jo Hackl, has written an outdoor adventure, Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe.  …

You may have heard it in the evening or late into the night: a yip, a chattering howl, an eerie chorus that reminds you that something is wild and awake and on the move. You don’t have to live near woods or a forest to hear it; you can hear the sounds in neighborhoods, towns, …

As the school year comes to a close, encourage your students to make the most of their free time this summer. As a class, come up with a list of things they can do either on their own or with friends and family members. Wondering where to begin? Check out our list of 12 Ways …

The lazy days of summer are here! But they aren’t really lazy — there’s so much to do and enjoy during the warmer months. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:  Explore a new trail. Go barefoot all day. Go on a picnic somewhere you’ve never been before. Visit a butterfly garden.  …