Carpool Classroom

In this episode of Carpool Classroom, Mrs. Nelson heads to the rocky shores of the Pacific Northwest to help listeners finally tell the difference between seals and sea lions!We'll learn what makes these marine mammals similar, what makes them unique, and practice one of the most important second-grade reading strategies comparing and contrasting. Through vivid storytelling, you'll discover why seals wiggle on their bellies, how sea lions walk on their flippers, and which one loves to bark the loudest!Perfect for curious kids (and parents!) who want to learn while they listen—no screens required.Carpool Classroom turns every car ride into a learning adventure.

Dive beneath the surface with Mrs. Nelson to meet the incredible orcas of the Pacific Northwest! In this episode, listeners will explore the family bonds of the J-Pod, discover how orcas communicate, and learn why these black-and-white beauties are a keystone species in their ocean ecosystem.Along the way, kids will practice key second-grade reading strategies - like finding the main idea, using context clues, and making connections — all while being swept up in a story of science, sound, and sea life.Perfect for curious minds (and short car rides), this episode brings the wonder of marine biology and literacy together in one unforgettable ocean adventure.

Dive deep with Mrs. Nelson in this ocean-sized adventure all about one of the smartest creatures under the sea — the octopus!In this episode, we'll explore how octopuses use their eight arms, three hearts, and big brains to solve problems, camouflage, and escape danger. Listeners will learn fascinating facts about their anatomy, nervous system, and defense tricks — plus the legend of the giant Pacific octopus said to live beneath the Tacoma Narrows Bridge!Along the way, Mrs. Nelson models powerful reading comprehension strategies — like asking questions, finding main ideas and key details, and using context clues to understand new vocabulary words.This episode connects science and literacy in one exciting underwater journey.Perfect for curious second graders and ocean lovers everywhere!

Get ready to dive into one of nature's most amazing journeys!In this episode of Carpool Classroom, Mrs. Nelson follows the salmon's life from egg to ocean and back again — exploring how these incredible fish transform, travel thousands of miles, and help keep forests and rivers alive.Along the way, listeners will learn key reading strategies like sequencing and summarizing, discover what a keystone species is, and find out why salmon are true heroes of the ecosystem.Perfect for curious kids (and parents who love to learn, too!) — this story will leave you hooked. 🎣

Where does electricity really come from?In this episode of Carpool Classroom, Mrs. Nelson takes listeners on a thrilling start-to-finish journey through the world of electricity! From windy hilltops with giant turbines to the wires above our streets, kids will discover how energy is made, transformed, and delivered all the way to their homes.Along the way, Mrs. Nelson models powerful reading comprehension strategies—like visualizing, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing—to help second graders build understanding as they explore this complex (and shockingly cool!) topic.Key Concepts:​ How energy is created using wind, water, and sunlight​ The role of power lines and transformers​ Why electricity travels so fast​ How it safely reaches our homes and powers our devices​ Reading strategies for understanding informational textsPerfect for curious minds who love to ask "how does that work?"

Get ready for a purr-fectly fascinating ride in this special edition of Carpool Classroom! l Mrs. Nelson takes listeners on a journey into the mysterious and adorable world of cats — answering all the big questions kids have!Why do cats have whiskers? Why do their eyes glow in the dark? Do they remember people they love? And what's the deal with their obsession with boxes?Along the way, listeners will learn powerful reading and thinking strategies - like how to use context clues, ask questions, and summarize key details — all while exploring real science facts about one of kids' favorite animals.Whether you have a cat at home or just love learning about them, this episode will have you saying "me-wow!"* Screen-free learning that's fun, curious, and filled with science and literacy magic — only on Carpool Classroom!

Ever wonder why the trees burst into color every fall? In this special edition of Carpool Classroom, Mrs. Nelson takes you on a cozy autumn drive to discover how and why leaves change color, what makes them green, and what happens after they fall.Along the way, listeners will explore fascinating science concepts like chlorophyll, photosynthesis, and decomposition — and practice powerful reading strategies for understanding tricky words and informational textsIt's a colorful mix of learning and wonder — perfect for your drive to school, practice, or a pumpkin patch!^ Screen free learning that feels like storytime.

In this inspiring finale, Mrs. Nelson brings history to the present day — exploring America's symbols, freedoms, and the people who make it shine. Students will reflect on what it means to live in the United States today and how history continues to shape our lives. A thoughtful conclusion to the series that celebrates unity, diversity, and curiosity.

Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, flags, and parades? Mrs. Nelson explains the history of Independence Day and how it marks America's first steps as a free nation. This festive episode helps students connect past and present while identifying the main idea and supporting details in informational texts.

Ever wonder what it means to be a state?In this episode, Mrs. Nelson explores how the original colonies became states and what powers each one has today. Kids will learn how state and national governments work together - and why every star on the flag represents something important.

Meet the brave individuals who helped shape a new nation - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, and more! Mrs.Nelson brings history to life with storytelling that highlights leadership, bravery, and collaboration.Students will learn how to identify key people, their roles, and how their choices made a difference.

Join Mrs. Nelson as we unravel the story behind one of America's most recognizable symbols — the flag! Discover who designed it, what the stars and stripes mean, and how it became a symbol of unity and pride.Through lively storytelling and rich visuals, kids will learn how to find key details and ask meaningful questions while exploring the red, white, and blue.

The Seattle Mariners are back in the playoffs for the first time in 24 years — and that's a big deal! In this special Carpool Classroom episode, Mrs. Nelson takes listeners on a journey through the history of Seattle's hometown team, from legendary players like Ken Griffey Jr. and Ichiro Suzuki to the excitement of today's postseason chase.Along the way, kids will learn reading strategies that help them understand real-world informational texts - like asking questions, noticing key details, and understanding how events build over time. It's an unforgettable mix of sports, storytelling, and learning — all while cheering on the Mariners!Perfect for car rides, classroom listening, or getting hyped before the big game.Let's go, Mariners!

This episode tells the story of rising tensions with Britain, protests like the Boston Tea Party, the first battles at Lexington and Concord, and the Declaration of Independence. Mrs. Nelson weaves cause-and-effect thinking and sequencing into the narrative so kids can understand why the colonies sought independence and how the Revolution unfolded.

From Jamestown to Plymouth and across New England, the Middle, and Southern regions, Mrs. Nelson describes who came to the colonies, why they came, and how life differed by place. Listeners hear about early self-government, daily work, and how geography shaped communities — with explicit modeling of comparing, sequencing, and finding supporting details.

Set sail in 1492 with Christopher Columbus and his crew as Mrs. Nelson explains why people explored, what Columbus hoped to find, and what he actually encountered in the Caribbean. The episode keeps the history age-appropriate and models key nonfiction reading moves: sequencing events, asking why things happened, and thinking about cause and effect.

Long before colonies or flags, Native American peoples lived across this land for thousands of years. Mrs. Nelson explores how different tribes lived, the homes they built, how they used the land, and how storytelling passed knowledge across generations. Along the way she models reading skills - asking questions, visualizing, and connecting details to a main idea.

What happens after the plane lands? In our series finale, Mrs.Nelson follows travelers through customs, luggage claim, and their first Steps into a new country. Along the way, listeners learn how to ask questions, infer meaning, and compare new experiences-all key reading strategies that help them explore texts— and the world—with curiosity and confidence.

Fasten your seatbelt— it's time for a long-haul adventure! In this episode, Mrs. Nelson takes listeners across time zones and oceans to discover what happens on international flights.Kids learn about pilots, cabin crew, in-flight technology, and how travelers adapt to jet lag-all while practicing compare. and contrast, finding key details, and asking great questions as they listen.

Where does your suitcase go after you check it in? Mrs.Nelson takes kids on a behind-the-scenes adventure to follow their luggage through conveyor belts, scanners, and underground tunnels before it reappears at baggage claim. Along the way, she models visualization, sequencing, andsummarizing-reading superpowers that help listeners make sense of informational texts!