The Rainbow Resource Center Homeschool Blog

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and the fall season, I thought it might be fun to learn the fascinating history, geography and science of a beloved holiday food in this unit study: cranberries! You will notice underlined words with hyperlinks to family friendly videos and websites to inspire further learning.

Pumpkin spice coffee, pumpkin scented candles, pumpkin desserts, and various gourd assortments flourish as cooler temperatures invade. Ah, pumpkin, nothing says autumn like pumpkin! Whether the abundance of pumpkin causes delight or dismay, our unit study this month will inform and entertain, and may help you fall more deeply in love with this beloved fruit.

The more our culture changes it has become quite apparent that as a society we have lost our sense of etiquette/manners. We must change this trend! It starts, of course, at home with our example and with the educating of our own children.

When you see a butterfly, how does it make you feel? Are you happy? Curious? Whether colorfully fluttering across the sky or resting upon a vibrant flower, butterflies bring joy and hope. Butterflies are thought to bring joy because they represent change, resurrection, and even new life. What is so special about the butterfly that fills us with hope and joy? Join me as we learn about this unique insect!

Much has been written to teach children the legacy of African American men and women. Today, however, we want to honor those whose impact was greatest during the tumultuous American Civil War. Often called the "War Between the States," the Civil War lasted 4 years, from 1861-1865. Surprisingly, the effects of this war may still be felt today. Follow the included links to child friendly videos and web sites to learn more.

“‘Penmanship is dying out!’ is a common lament of parents, educators, and even pencil salesmen.” Would it surprise you to learn that this quotation is from an interview in Time Magazine April 15, 1935? The 1940s and 50s seemingly confirmed the demise of handwriting, as parents held revolts against local school districts for phasing out cursive until the 1980s when an epidemic of illegibility was declared. Sound familiar? This January unit study is a celebration of the pen and penmanship!

On January 18th we celebrate Winnie-the-Pooh and the author too! Born on this date in 1882, author A.A. Milne is best known for his charming stories about the lovable stuffed bear, a young boy and their assorted friends. Come with us on a Unit Study “Expotition” celebrating this children’s classic literature!

During the early years of our homeschool journey, the weeks leading up to Christmas were filled with turmoil as I tried (and failed!) to do it all: School, Choir practice, Co-op parties, Church Christmas events, family holiday traditions, not to mention cleaning, shopping and cooking…oh my! The “to-do” list was endless! Trying to “do it all” drained our joy. As a family, we learned that time spent immersed in learning about the season brought a fresh perspective and peace to this busy time of year. In reflecting on my own family holiday memories to prepare this article, I was inspired to brainstorm and write the below brief one-day study on a traditional Christmas carol. 

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the many blessings we have experienced over the year. It is also a time that we set aside to teach our children the historical meaning behind this great day. In this unit study, I invite you to expand on the holiday with a hands-on exploration of favored holiday foods.

Miserably hot and humid, the Dog Days are the longest and hottest days of the year that happen to all of us, whether we have dogs or not! Depending on the latitude and the earth’s tilt, the Dog Days of Summer occurs between early July through mid- August in the Northern Hemisphere and late January through early March in the Southern Hemisphere. Join us this month to learn about idioms and the history and science of the hottest days of the year.