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Where Do the Animals Go When It Gets Cold? Every November, without fail, one of my students would press a nose to the classroom window and ask, "Where do the squirrels go when it gets cold?" Before I taught, I spent years as a zookeeper and a state park naturalist, and that question never got old. It's still one of my favorite doorways into real science. Animals don't have coats to zip up or thermostats to turn on. They still make it through winter, and how they do it is one

Fall science can begin with one pumpkin, one leaf, or one good question. You don’t need an elaborate setup to help children slow down, notice details, and explain their thinking. Here are three simple ways to bring a little seasonal wonder into your elementary classroom. Choose one, leave time for conversation, and let students’ questions guide what comes next. 1. Turn a pumpkin into an observation station Set out a pumpkin with paper, pencils, a magnifying glass, and a measu

There’s something about a pumpkin that invites curiosity. Before we even begin an activity, children want to look inside, ask questions, and discover what it can do. My Bubbling Pumpkin Science Lab brings that curiosity into a simple investigation for grades 1–3. With a pumpkin, baking soda, and vinegar, students practice three things scientists do: predict, observe, and explain. It’s a festive fall activity with a meaningful science lesson tucked inside. Start with a questio