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As a family who loves to celebrate the Christmas season, we were excited when the sounds of Christmas filled the air. Whether meandering through the grocery story or hearing children sing loudly and joyfully through their lessons, the songs of Christmas excite our senses in ways no other music does. Welcome to our December Unit Study on The Little Drummer Boy! I invite you and your family to set aside time to savor facets of this simple song.
Christmas is the time for making special memories with your kids. Now that our four children are ages 18-23, we look back and realize even more that it was the little things that made the best memories. I love listening to them reminisce and recall favorite traditions and experiences. Here’s just a few!
Magical moments abound at Christmas time. Joy can be found in the wide, bright eyes of a child on Santa’s lap–or in the silence of the Holy Night or contemplative Advent readings. For centuries, one magic of Christmas has been found in the simple snow globe. Set aside time to learn about this simply magical child’s toy!
COOKIES! Ahhh, the sights and sounds of fresh baked treats, children giggling as they cut out and decorate their own sugar cookies, pans crashing to the floor, flour everywhere…ok, so maybe the last two aren’t things to celebrate, but they are certainly a part of the treasured holiday experience. As a mom now looking back on those messy but fun baking sessions…mom, don’t miss this time to make great memories with your family!
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!
In central Illinois, our local farmers have been busy planting with their tractors and equipment. By May, the fields already have a tinge of green. People are planning their home gardens, too. Around our office you hear talk of trying new vegetables and there are more than a couple seed catalogs in...
The beginning of May brings many bright colors, new life springing forth, birds chirping merrily, and exuberant Mariachi music! Wait, what!? On the fifth of every May, many Mexicans celebrate the commemoration of the Battle of Puebla. This holiday is conveniently called Cinco de Mayo (5th of May)....
As a homeschool parent, there are a lot of things clamoring for your attention – the kids, the house, the schooling, outside family, work, friends, pets, church, sports, and… you get the idea! Quite frankly, we start carrying more than we can handle and it affects us. When Mama ain’t happy,...
When a student approaches a perceived challenge in a school subject, it can often lead to critical reflection in both our students and in ourselves. In these moments, it's important to identify the “why” behind the challenge and find ways to navigate through it. What is making this task “not fun”?...
I am amazed daily by what we can learn: all the opportunities for learning and discovery available and accessible to us. This is something to intentionally instill in our children: the importance of looking for those opportunities and looking forward to learning new things. Is it just me, or does...
