Outer Space – The moon, the stars, the planets, the science of light and shadow, the uniqueness of life on Earth, and the relationship humans (and animals) have with the night sky
Snow – The wonder of snowflakes, the joy of snowy play, and the ways animals (and people) endure the winter in cold and snowy conditions
Love & Family – Our relationships with friends and family, the everyday chores that families share, the ways people (and animals) care for babies, and the ways we show people love
Cooking – Ingredients, measurements, bowls, spoons, recipes, restaurants, and time together
Birds – Eggs, nests, feathers, flight, birdwatching, citizen science, and birds that defy expectations
Rainforests of South America – The forest layers, the special climate, the unique animals, and the people who live alongside these rainforests.
Weather – Clouds, rain, snow, wind, puddle play, rainbows, the ways we dress for the weather, the ways that we stay safe during severe weather, and the impact of rain gardens on water quality
Farm Babies – The livestock and working animals of a farm; the spring arrival of baby animals; the collection of eggs, milk, & wool; the people who care for farm animals; and the buildings and yards where they live
Gardening – The care of plants; the propagation of seeds & cuttings; the harvest of fruits, vegetables, & herbs; and the impacts of prairie restorations and butterfly gardens
Rivers, Lakes, & Ponds – Freshwater bodies, the streams that connect them, the animals and plants that rely on them, and the ways that beavers engineer landscapes to revitalize ecosystems
Bugs – The insects, spiders, millipedes, isopods, snails, worms, & other small invertebrates we call “bugs;” eusocial structures of ants and bees; and the metamorphic life cycles that butterflies (and many other insects) undergo
Backyard Nature – City parks; habitat restoration projects; squirrels, songbirds, insects, & other wildlife outside our homes
Camping in the Woods – Tents, sleeping bags, campfires, hiking, and wildlife in the great north woods
Ocean – Beaches, reefs, the open sea, kelp forests, coral reefs, marine life, and how we can protect and save our oceans
Australia (rotational world unit) Platypuses, echidnas, marsupials, and the other unique wildlife of Australia’s forests, grasslands, and coasts
Deserts of America (rotational world unit) Hot days, cold nights, the desert rain cycle, endangered Joshua trees, saguaro cactuses, roadrunners, gila lizards, and other plants and animals adapted to inhabit the four deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
African Savanna (rotational world unit) Elephants, giraffes, lions, and other wildlife of Africa’s grasslands; Savannas, prairies, and other grasslands of the world
Construction (rotational unit) Tools, construction vehicles & building materials; “Green” structures, nature-inspired architects, park maintenance, & habitat restoration projects; Beaver dams, spider webs, ant hills, beehives, bird nests, and other animal architecture
Transportation (rotational unit) Kayaks, bicycles, horses, hot air balloons, trains, buses, and other means of transportation; roads, bridges, and other pathways through the world
Our Community – Libraries, parks, grocery stores, hospitals, schools, and other shared spaces in our communities; Neighbors & community workers in and around our lives
My Body and Senses – Sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound; Blindness, deafness, & sensory deprivation; Human & animal body parts; Bodily autonomy & consent; Health & wellness
Pets – Cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, fish, & reptiles; Aquariums, cages, and other enclosures; Feeding & grooming of pets; Walks, toys, and animal enrichment; Veterinary care; Researching care of prospective pets
Fall Harvest – Apples, pumpkins, carrots, sweet potatoes, & other fall-harvest produce; Visits to apple orchards & pumpkin patches; Apple cider, pumpkin pie, and other sweet and savory fall dishes; Scarecrows; Jack-o-lanterns
Autumn Leaves – How leaves change color and drop from trees; Identifying different leaves; Raking & jumping in dry leaves; Acorns
Mythology – Mermaids, unicorns, fairies, and other wild creatures from mythology
Migration & Hibernation – Migration of birds, butterflies, and whales; Hibernation & winter dormancy of bears, groundhogs, turtles, snakes, bees; Winter survival of squirrels, foxes, deer, & turkeys
Art & Music – Musical instruments & voices; Songs & sounds of animals; artists inspired by nature; Art in conservation; Transient art & use of natural or recycled materials; Caddisflies, decorator crabs, octopuses, & other animal artists
Dinosaurs – Footprints & other impressions; Fossilized shells & bones; Ceratopsians, stegosaurs, ankylosaurs, raptors, & other groups of dinosaurs; Excavating and cleaning stones
Rocks & Minerals – Rock beds, boulders, flagstones, rock walls, marble, granite, and other stones around our homes; Natural cave formations & bats; Geodes, gems, and precious metals; Sand & glass; Volcanic rocks & lava flows
Polar Expedition – Caribou, beluga, seals, polar bears, snowy owls, arctic foxes, and other North Pole wildlife; Inuit peoples in Alaska & Canada; Dog sleds; Solstices and the midnight sun; The polar ice caps & shrinking habitats
Nature In Your Nurture 