But Why is here to help with your education goals! We've created learning guides to complement our recent episodes. After listening to an episode, use the learning guide to deepen your child(ren)'s understanding of what they've learned. You can find our learning guides at the top of our episode pages. We also have transcripts and some episodes are supplemented with , experiments or recipes!
Our learning guides were created with students in kindergarten through grade three in mind (ages 5-9) but may be appropriate for other ages. Our learning guides can be downloaded as a PDF for easy printing, or you can click "Google Slide" to send a copy of the learning guide to your (or your students') Google account. Students will then be able to add their thoughts in the text fields or use the Scribble tool to draw on the slide. (The Scribble tool is available in Google Slides under the "Line" drop down menu.)
Our learning guides were designed to meet Common Core standards. Here is a handy list of available guides by category:
Literacy and Comprehension Guides
Why are pandas black and white? Listen | | |
Why do flowers bloom? Listen | | |
How much does the moon weigh? Listen | | |
Why is Russia Invading Ukraine? Listen | | |
How does the wind blow? Listen | | Google Slide |
What would you invent? Ideas from Kids Listen | | Google Slide |
Why do seasons change? Listen | | |
How are babies made? Listen | | |
Do skyscrapers scrape the sky? Listen | | |
How do squirrels climb trees? Listen | | |
What's The Cleverest Thing A Hippo Can Do? Listen | | |
Is It Ever OK To Break A Rule? | | |
Why Do We Compete? | | |
What's Your Idea To Clean Up The Great Pacific Garbage Patch? | | |
Why Are Mammoths Extinct? | | |
What Are Robots Doing On Mars? | | |
What's A Screaming Hairy Armadillo? How Animals Get Their Names | | |
Why Do Dogs Have Tails? | | | | | |
Why Do Cats Sharpen Their Claws? | | | |
Why Do Ladybugs Have Spots? Do Dragonflies Bite? | | |
Why Do Cookies Taste Better With Salt? And Other Cooking Questions | | |
How Does Slime Work? | | | | |
Why Do Lions Roar? | | | |
Ice, Ice, Baby: Why Is Ice Slippery? | | |
How Do Meteorologists Predict The Weather? | | |
How Do Mussels Get Their Shells? | | | |
How Do Circuits Work? | | | |
How Are Noodles Made? || | |
What Do Mosquitoes Do In Winter? | | |
Why Are Boys Boys And Girls Girls? | | |
What Happens When A President Is Impeached: | | |
Vaccines, Masks and Handwashing: A Coronavirus Update | | |
Explaining Coronavirus To Kids, And The Science of Soap | | |
Science and KWL Guides
How Do Apple Grow? Listen | | |
How Deep Is the Ocean? Listen | | |
Why Do We Wear Clothes? Listen | | |
Why Are Fireworks Bright? Listen | | |
How Do You Whistle? | | |
How Are Rocks Formed? | | |
Cool Beans: How Coffee And Chocolate Get Made | | |
Why Are Cactuses Spiky? | | |
Why Do Whales Sing? | | |
Why Can't Kids Vote? | | |
Why Do Baby Teeth Fall Out? | | |
What Happens To The Forest After A Fire? | | |
What Is Electricity? | | | |
Why Do People Have Nightmares? | | |
Why Do Trains Run On Tracks? | | |
How Is Paper Made? | | | |
How Do Earthquakes Happen? | | |
How Do We Taste Food? | | |
Why Am I Afraid Of The Dark? | | | |
Why Aren't Babies Just Little Adults? | | |
Story and Creative Guides
What is climate change? Listen | | Google Slide |
Why are some people left-handed? Listen | | |
Why do pigs oink? Listen | | Google Slide |
What is the biggest number? Listen | | |
How did people keep food cold in olden times? Listen | | |
How are images chosen for coins? Listen | | |
Why is the hearts a symbol of love? Listen | | |
Why is it a shot? Kids' questions about COVID vaccines Listen | | |
Why Do Americans Use The Word 'Soccer'? Listen| | |
Who Invented Money? Listen | | |
What If I'm Scared To Start School? Listen | | |
Are Seeds Alive? | | |
How Are Words Added To The Dictionary?| | |
Why Are Whales So Big? | | |
How Do You Make Ice Cream? | | | |
Where Does The Sky End? | | |
Are Llamas Ticklish? And Other Silly Questions | | | |
How Do We Fall Asleep? | | |
Do Animals Get Married? | | | |
Why Are Some Words 'Bad'? | | |
Why Do We Have To Go To School? | | |
Are Unicorns Real? | | | |
Are Jellyfish Made Of Jelly? | | | |
Hopes And Dreams For 2021 From Kids Around The World | | |
Live Episodes
In spring 2020, But Why also aired a series of hour-long call-in programs on VPR in collaboration with Vermont's Agency of Education. The Agency created lists of supplemental learning resources and ideas for each of these episodes.
But Why Live: Bats and Beavers | |
But Why Live: Poetry | |
But Why Live: Space Exploration | |
But Why Live: Words and Language | |
But Why Live: Kid Press Conference with Governor Phil Scott | |
But Why Live: Trees | |
But Why Live: A Discussion About Race and Racism | |
But Why Live: A Musical Celebration | |
But Why is here to support families and teachers in your educational journies. If you have suggestions or ideas for us please share them! Write to us at [email protected]!
