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FOR KIDS
Learn About NatureWith growing, strong evidence of the benefits of outdoor and nature-based learning for kids, nature-based learning is a growing phenomenon both in classrooms and homeschools. Nature can help a student feel more attentive, less stressed, more self-disciplined, more engaged, more interested, and more physically active and fit. In fact, just learning about nature can help kids feel more connected to it, which can help foster pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors that ideally all people would have throughout life.
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Texas Children in Nature
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Our 300 plus partners around state are working hard to create access to nature, develop curriculum that teaches kids about their natural world and helping break down the barriers that disconnect families from nature. We now know that children and families who play and learn in nature are Healthier, Happier, and Smarter.
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Encyclopedia of Life (eol)The Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) is an international effort, led by the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, to raise awareness and understanding of living nature by providing free, open, multilingual, digital access to trusted information on all known species. EOL has grown to become one of the world’s largest free digital biodiversity information resources, with curated information on nearly 2 million species. Lesson plans are divided into three grade and age ranges, with five themes. Some lesson plans have one or more learning perks including the use of free Species Cards. Lesson plans are created by EOL and partners.
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Christmas Tree Worm
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Kids GardeningKids Gardening is an organization that has been doing the work to plant more school gardens around the US for decades! The group aims to create opportunities for kids to play, learn, and grow through gardening, engaging their natural curiosity and wonder. Unsurprisingly, their website offers excellent resources to do this including lessons plans focused on garden activities arranged by grade level. Educators can read and download activities ranging from winter bird observation to studying life in the soil.
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San Antonio River AuthorityIf you're looking to learn more about community science activities or some great science videos for the whole family, the San Antonio River Authority has you covered with their ...
River Camp Virtual Series
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Other areas of interest:
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Science MillThe Explorer Zone at Science Mill in Johnson City has some fun videos and activities for young scientists, including a TORTOISE HATCHLING LIVE STREAM. Take a virtual tour of their Aquaponics Greenhouse and try your hand at Greenhouse Bingo!
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Audubon For KidsAudubon Adventures introduces young people to the world of nature and wildlife through colorful magazines, online features and interactive games and puzzles, plus activities, guidance, and resources for educators. Designed for classrooms and other educational settings as well as for enjoyment at home, Audubon Adventures opens children’s hearts and minds to the wonders of birds, other wildlife, and the fascinating and complex natural world that is Planet Earth. Their homepage is filled with options to enjoy.
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KLRN — PBS for ParentsYou will be amazed at what KLRN offers to kids of all ages. Smartly separated by education level, you can find crafts, movie night, videos, and much more to keep kids interested and educated. You don't want to miss what they've put together. Land on their homepage to explore things you can do.
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San Antonio ZooFor many of us, a highlight of spring is a family visit or field trip to the zoo for exploration and learning about animals from around the world. Until we can safely return to these places we love, the San Antonio Zoo offers fun video tours and lessons. Go to their Facebook page to enjoy the videos.
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The Houston ZooIt's all happening at the zoo. Every week day starting at 11 a.m. the Houston Zoo is going live on Facebook, Twitter and, Instagram to bring the Zoo animals and science to your home.
Zookeepers will hop in front of the camera and give daily updates of what the animals are up to while the zoo is shut down, all while sharing fun facts about the animals they’re featuring. |
Hi. My name is Squirt and I love mud puddles. You can watch me play by going to the Houston Zoo website.
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The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Probably the premier site for all things bird, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is filled with resources for all ages. Start here to begin your journey to information about birds.
The Academy
The Academy, which is part of The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, has great bird games and interactive fun tutorials for kids and adults who like to be kids..
The Academy, which is part of The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, has great bird games and interactive fun tutorials for kids and adults who like to be kids..
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K-12 Education:
Science & Nature for Cooped Up Kids This fabulous part of the Cornell Lab's website lets kids explore the world of birds with interesting activities. Designed for any age group, they offer a new activity each week for you to explore the world of birds. Don’t forget to share your kids’ work on their Facebook group. Grades K-12: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/k12/k-2-resources/ Grades 3-5: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/k12/3-5-resources/ Grades 6-8: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/k12/6-8-resources/ Grades 9-12: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/k12/9-12-resources/ |
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Prefer Something To Read?
BirdSleuth Investigator, an annual publication, written by and for students, is also beautifully illustrated by K-12 kids. We think you'll be amazed at their great work?
Download these great magazines by clicking any file below.
Download these great magazines by clicking any file below.
Bluesleuth Investigator
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Taking Care of Texas
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Let's all Take Care of Texas! This website has some fun and interesting ways to learn about the environment and how to help protect it. Play animated games, watch videos, explore interactive posters, and get ideas on ways to help out. Don’t forget to tell us about the great things you and your family are doing to Take Care of Texas, and be sure to share our site with your friends.
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USDA Forest ServiceThe Educator Toolbox is jam-packed with helpful resources to make your challenging job just a little easier. Here you will find background resources to help you understand forests and grasslands, professional development opportunities and resources, and a collection of great materials and programs organized by each grade-level for kids to learn and enjoy forest lands.
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)The EPA's educator resource center includes categorized offerings of an array of environmental and science-based lesson plans, activities and ideas below from EPA, other federal agencies and external organizations. While not entirely nature and wildlife-focused, some of the topics include climate change, energy, asthma, ecosystems and others. Resources include toolkits, activity books, lesson plans, flyers, coloring books, and experiments. Grade level is indicated.
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Texas Wildlife AssociationHow about watching Texas Wildlife's Youth on-demand webinars? These webinars are available for showing to an in-person classroom, or you can register your virtual learners and provide them with a link to view at home. There are a number of different topics that are fascinating.
Available Programs:
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Newly Added Programs
Available anytime as an on-demand webinar. |
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Read-along with Critter Connections
Critter Connections magazine is now available in a read-along format. Watch videos of former issues or join us live as we read the November 2020 issue about Sparrows. Our live broadcast will be through TWA's YouTube. Learn more below. Read-along videos: · All About Foxes · The Greater Roadrunner · Texas Turtles · Backyard Bugs Learn more about read-along Critter Connections Join us live on YouTube |
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The Nature Conservancy
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Get a view of a coastal rainforest from a canoe or download school garden design tools! The Nature Conservancy and its 550 scientists created Nature Works Everywhere to help students learn the science behind how nature works and how to protect it. Videos, virtual field trips, webinars, lesson plans, and toolkits make this a fantastic resource for teachers, homeschoolers or even weekend learning with your kids. The interactive lesson plans align to standards and can be customized for each classroom. You can search by grade or type of resource.
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Saving water and wildlife.
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YouTube
Below are some cool videos about nature for all age groups. Click on a box and enjoy.
Learning Ocean Zones: Younger
Amazing Rainforests_Younger
Environment & Me: Grade 2
How Beavers Build Dams
The American Bald Eagle
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We hope you found this page full of fun activities. We will be adding more, so come back soon.