Nature Just Got Real!

Happy Earth Day to you...Happy Earth Day to you...

Yes, this week is Earth Day 2021 and I had so much to talk about, I decided to split this episode into 2 parts!
In this first part, we are going to do a project that I love:     make our own straws!

Seriously, it's not as hard as it sounds. I'll guide you through the whole process. This project will also be featured on the Kids Listen Activity app this week, too, so hopefully, we'll have a bunch of kids making their own straws for Earth Day.

Don't forget that you can get Weird & Wacky Endangered Creatures for free this week on Amazon and if you do, let me know what you think by leaving a review. I promise I read them all:) The link is below.

If you want to watch this project as a video on YouTube, you can do that here: https://youtu.be/ZKvIsTUZFS8

If you want to download the Earth Day Activities PDF,  you can do that here:
https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/post/happy-earth-day-2021-part-1

Remember that this is Part 1 of the Earth Day episode. Part 2 will be available on Thursday (the actual Earth Day) where I'll have an interview with Tracy Richie, the Director of Education for EarthDay.org. She's going to tell us lots of cool stuff about how Earth Day got started, when, and some other things we can do to help the planet.

Here are all the links for this episode:

Earth Day Activities PDF
https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/post/happy-earth-day-2021-part-1

Weird & Wacky Endangered Creatures - Free this week on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YL3ZVLT
 

Website: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/  

FaceBook: https://facebook.com/weirdandwackyplanet

Instagram: https://instagram.com/weirdandwackyplanet 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbcarrauthor   

email:  [email protected] 

Get the Weird & Wacky Planet series:
https://www.amazon.com/K-B-Carr/e/B00XIZ9ASW   

Get a FREE ebook: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/free-book

Why do some animals hibernate in winter? Are they lazy? Do they not like winter sports? What exactly is Hibernation anyway?

In this second show of season 2, we explore hibernation-what it really is, who does it, who doesn’t do it, and other states that look like hibernation but aren’t. Sound complicated? We break it down for you:)

As many animals who do really hibernate ( and also those fake hibernators) are starting to become active again, we wanted to know the real scoop about it. There were a few surprises in this episode, so prepare yourself!

Chuck Darwin gives us a couple of different words that mean basically the same thing, but have different reasons and different seasons.

Tito gives us some crazy facts about birds that have to do with a state that looks like hibernation but isn’t, and some highly unusual habits some of these birds have been seen doing.

Captain Jack asks if any dog species hibernate. She was thinking the answer would be no, but the answer surprised her and it might surprise you too!

There is a lesson plan to go along with this episode with recommended reads and hibernation cam links, so you can watch live as bears start to wake up and become active!

If you want to watch this episode on YouTube, watch it here:
https://youtu.be/QB3HmYA2AYQ

Here are the links from this episode:

Weird & Wacky Creatures 2- we talk about Raccoon Dogs featured in this book.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YL3ZVLT

Lesson Plan for Grades 3 to 5:
http://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/post/citizens-of-the-hiber-nation

Website: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/

FaceBook: https://facebook.com/weirdandwackyplanet

Instagram: https://instagram.com/weirdandwackyplanet

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbcarrauthor

email:  [email protected]

Get the Weird & Wacky Planet series: https://www.amazon.com/K-B-Carr/e/B00XIZ9ASW

Get a FREE ebook: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/free-book

In this episode, we talk about the exciting discovery of a new snake species, and the man who discovered it, Jeff Weinell. He gave K.B some cool facts about the snake, even though it hasn't been studied in the wild.

And, even cooler (well, besides the fact that it's a new species) is that he got to NAME it! What name did he decide on and why? If you discovered a new species, what would you name it? K.B. is thinking she might name it after Captain Jack.

Chuck Darwin gives us a couple of new words to learn that have to do with the field of snake study, Captain Jack tells us some Snake jokes, and Tito gives us sssome fassscinating factsss about ssssnakes that even K.B. didn't know!

If you want the complete lesson plan with activities, download it HERE,
and if you only want the coloring page, you can download it HERE.

Go have a slithering, hissing adventure in your neighborhood!

You can watch this podcast as a video here:
https://youtu.be/2Msq4TBYxBI


Here are the links for this show:
Lesson Plans for 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/podcast
Coloring page only: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/podcast
Jeff Weinell Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeffweinell
My book Weird & Wacky Creatures free from 2/1/21 to 2/5/21:
https://amzn.to/36n1ihv


Website: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/
FaceBook: https://facebook.com/weirdandwackyplanet
Instagram: https://instagram.com/weirdandwackyplanet
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbcarrauthor
email:  [email protected]

Get the Weird & Wacky Planet series: https://www.amazon.com/K-B-Carr/e/B00XIZ9ASW

Get a FREE ebook featuring my Favorite Weird & Wacky Creatures: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/free-book

Did you ever want to write and Illustrate your own book?

This week, I interview Lori Tayor, Artist, Author, and Illustrator of the Holly Wild Series, a fictional series set in various Michigan parks and outdoor adventure areas. Even though it's a fictional series, the places where Holly and her friends have their outdoor adventures are all real places right here in Michigan. I haven't been to some of them, so now I can't wait to check them out!

If you haven't read this series, Summer is a great time to explore new places through books!

Also, Chuck Darwin gives us the word for fear of the outdoors, Jack answers a question about the difference between Authors and Illustrators, and Tito gives us some cool facts about one of Lori's pets. (Hint: I feature this cutie in one of my own books and I'd loooove to get one!)

Go have a reading, writing, and exploring adventure in your neighborhood with the Holly Wild Series!

You can watch this podcast as a video here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1zUpLdFfvpOvcM1w8lZajw?view_as=public


Here are the links for this show:
Lori Taylor's website: https://loritaylorart.com/
Lori Taylor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXVAbgTiPF-EpIkKoXN6TNg
My book featuring the W&W Creature Feature: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YL1MGVH

Website: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/
FaceBook: https://facebook.com/weirdandwackyplanet
Instagram: https://instagram.com/weirdandwackyplanet
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbcarrautho

email:  [email protected]

Get the Weird & Wacky Planet series: https://www.amazon.com/K-B-Carr/e/B00XIZ9ASW

Get a FREE ebook: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/free-book

Shop the Weird & Wacky Planet Store: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/store

Happy 4th of July!
This week, we talk about SALT: what is it, why do we need it, where do we get it, and the history of it. Did you know salt was used as a form of payment?
We also make Firework Art using salt, glue, and glow in the dark paint.

Chuck Darwin gives us a word that's used with salty water, Jack gives some tips about calming your dog if he or she is afraid of Fireworks, and Tito tells us some very cool facts about a common, but much-beloved insect. Seriously, it's one of my favorites and I didn't even know most of these facts. Shocking!!

This episode is better watched as a video if you want to see how the firework salt art is done, and you can watch it HERE,

but you can also listen to it as a podcast on Apple podcasts HERE, or Spotify HERE, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to Season 2!


Here are the links to this show:
Website: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/

FaceBook: https://facebook.com/weirdandwackyplanet

Instagram: https://instagram.com/weirdandwackyplanet

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbcarrauthor

email:  [email protected]

Get the Weird & Wacky Planet series: https://www.amazon.com/K-B-Carr/e/B00XIZ9ASW

Get a FREE ebook: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/free-book

Shop the Weird & Wacky Planet Store: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/store

This week, I talk to Darlene Cavalier, the founder of SciStarter, which is a website where ordinary people sign up to help scientists collect data for various research projects. Darlene has recently been named a National Geographic Fellow and Explorer. SciStarter has a wide variety of projects to choose from! The biggest challenge would be deciding which ones to participate in. So many projects, so little time...

Also, Chuck Darwin tells us what a Scientist actually does, Jack answers a viewer's question about how many school years it takes to be a Scientist, and Tito gives us a list of characteristics of a good Scientist! Do you have what it takes? Find out on today's show, How to Be a Kid Scientist!

Links for this show:
https://scistarter.org/
https://scistarter.org/education

App mention on the Show:
NASA Globe Observer app

Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/fG0wrFbaua4

Other links:

Website: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/

FaceBook: https://facebook.com/weirdandwackyplanet

Instagram: https://instagram.com/weirdandwackyplanet

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbcarrauthor

email:  [email protected]

Get the Weird & Wacky Planet series: https://www.amazon.com/K-B-Carr/e/B00XIZ9ASW

Get a FREE ebook: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/free-book

Shop the Weird & Wacky Planet Store: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/store

This week, we make a fun and easy project just in time for Father's Day by using things we might already have around the house. You can make this out of water and flour if nobody at your house drinks coffee, so don't worry about that!

Chuck Darwin gives is a LOT of new words to learn and they all start with the letter"P", Jack tells us who came up with Father's Day (with her own 2 cents added, of course), and Tito gives us some facts about an animal that goes to extremes for his kids. In Tito's opinion, anyway.

Enjoy this fun project you can make at home and have a rockin' good time in YOUR neighborhood!

Links for this show:

Website: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/

FaceBook: https://facebook.com/weirdandwackyplanet

Instagram: https://instagram.com/weirdandwackyplanet

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbcarrauthor

email:  [email protected]

Get the Weird & Wacky Planet series: https://www.amazon.com/K-B-Carr/e/B00XIZ9ASW

Get a FREE ebook: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/free-book

Shop the Weird & Wacky Planet Store: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/store

Ever wanted your own personal mini-aquarium?

How about a nightlight with sea creatures swimming in it? In this episode, we make a Nightlight Aquarium with a mason jar and a few toys that looks sooo real, but there are no live animals needed! It would also be a cool gift for Father's Day or for someone who works in an office where they can't have a real pet. I like to use it as a nightlight beside my bed AND in my office. Why not? It's super simple to make and doesn't require too many parts. I also love that you are only limited by your imagination. I like to exercise mine regularly.

Try this one at home and see what I mean. This is my favorite project so far!

Also, Chuck Darwin gives us the meaning of submersible, both as a noun and an adjective, Jack answers the question of whether fish have feelings (what a cool question!), and Tito talks about an animal I like so much I wrote a song about it. I'll make him sing it one of these days...

For Parents & Guardians:
In this episode, we learn to use things we may already have around the house or reuse a jar we might otherwise throw out, while making a cool gift for someone (or maybe just ourselves). This is a project that kids of most ages can participate in with the help or supervision of an adult. It does involve a glue gun, but could also use regular glue with enough dry time. It teaches water observation, design and opens up a conversation about declining species and the emotions of animals we might not have thought about before. It also makes kids feel empowered by getting them involved in helping a vulnerable animal. This episode features the Weird & Wacky Word of the Week, as well as recognizing emotion in pets, and the challenges one species faces from human actions alone.

**Someone suggested I make a monthly subscription box for kids based on the podcast, so I thought I'd see whether there would be any interest in something like that. I find the idea intriguing...
Please give me your opinion by participating in a poll HERE.


Here are the links for this show:

I used my own aquarium rocks and plant that I had, I bought a blue Mason jar from Walmart, but I recommend you reuse a jar you have at home once you use the contents.
I purchased my sea creatures on Amazon HERE.
I purchased my submersible LED lights on Amazon HERE.

Website: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/weirdandwackyplanet
Instagram: https://instagram.com/weirdandwackyplanet
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbcarrauthor
email: [email protected]
Get the Weird & Wacky Planet series:https://www.amazon.com/K-B-Carr/e/B00XIZ9ASW?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1590109125&sr=8-1
Get a FREE ebook: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/free-book
Shop the Weird & Wacky Planet Store: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/store

You can watch the podcast on YouTube HERE, and click the red SUBSCRIBE button.
Or you can listen to it on Apple Podcasts HERE, and subscribe there, or Spotify

Today, we have Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Maryanne Tranter back on with us to talk about ANXIETY and STRESS: what it is, what are the signs, what happens inside our bodies when we are stressed, and what are some ways kids can help themselves deal with it.

This was great information that I was able to use to help reduce my stress level, and ANYONE can do it!
 
Also in this episode, Chuck Darwin also tells us the definition of Hormone, Captain Jack answers a listener's question about signs your dog might be stressed or anxious,  and Tito tells us which animals are the most stressed out on Earth. I thought it would be Skinny Pigs by the way Edgar and Clarice sometimes behave, but surprisingly, it's not. It might not be who you think it is, either!

Links for this show:
https://www.maryannetranter.com/

Website: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/

FaceBook: https://facebook.com/weirdandwackyplanet

Instagram: https://instagram.com/weirdandwackyplanet

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbcarrauthor

email:  [email protected]

Get the Weird & Wacky Planet series: https://www.amazon.com/K-B-Carr/e/B00XIZ9ASW

Get a FREE ebook: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/free-book

Shop the Weird & Wacky Planet Store: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/store

Did you know that scientists need our help tracking Bumblebees? 
In this episode, we talk to Rich Hatfield from the Xerces Society about why tracking Bumblebees is important, why scientists need help doing it, and what WE can do to help them.
And yes, there’s an app for that!

Also, in this episode, Chuck Darwin gives us the definition of the word Pollinator and tells us who they are, Jack answers a listener’s question about whether bumblebees can sting, and Tito gives us some weird facts about bumblebees that even I didn’t know

This is a buzzing good episode you won't want to miss!


In this episode, we learn to help scientists out by tracking the Bumblebees in our area. This is a project that kids of most ages can participate in with the help or supervision of an adult. It teaches observation of the habits and environments of Bumblebees and opens up a conversation about pesticides, climate change, and other things that negatively impact the species. It also makes kids feel empowered by getting them involved in helping to find solutions, which can reduce their anxiety about the changes they are hearing about and seeing around them. This episode features the Weird & Wacky Word of the Week, as well as Weird Bumblebee facts, and practical advice about how to act around Bumblebees.

Links for this show:
https://www.bumblebeewatch.org/
Search for the Bumblebee Watch app for iPhone or Android wherever you get your apps.

Website: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/
FaceBook: https://facebook.com/weirdandwackyplanet
Instagram: https://instagram.com/weirdandwackyplanet
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kbcarrauthor

email:  [email protected]

Get the Weird & Wacky Planet series: https://www.amazon.com/K-B-Carr/e/B00XIZ9ASW

Get a FREE ebook: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/free-book

Shop the Weird & Wacky Planet Store: https://www.weirdandwackyplanet.com/store