The Rainbow Resource Center Homeschool Blog

Although many homeschooling families start from the very beginning, just as many find themselves homeschooling when that was the last thing they ever saw themselves doing. Maybe you started out sure that your schooling choices would serve your child well, only to be sorely disappointed, again and again. Then came the straw that broke the camel’s back, and you made the call. You pulled your child out mid-year, thinking there had to be a better way. So what do you do now?

With the start of the New Year comes a new chapter in your homeschooling journey! It's a time where many parents stop to think about what their children have accomplished so far and plan for what's ahead. It's also a time where you might wonder if you're doing “enough” in your homeschool. For me, it was the type of question that would pop into my head in the middle of the night, even after a full day of learning and activities. As I tossed and turned in bed I would lie awake and ask myself: “Am I doing enough?”

Considered one of the most recorded Christmas songs of all time, the story of The Twelve Days of Christmas is quite an interesting one. Often regarded as a cumulative song, The Twelve Days of Christmas is written so that each verse builds on the previous verses. Cumulative songs are excellent teaching tools for children as they sharpen memory and sequencing skills, increase attention span, and lay a foundation for early language skills and vocabulary. Let's learn more about this song in today's unit study!

There are so many great board games that we did not have room in our 2025 Christmas catalog to show you, but I would love to recommend four that I personally own and enjoy for various reasons. I have chosen them from the age groups beginning from 8-12 years. Three of these are quick, pick up and go games that play in 35 minutes or less and there is another that has a warm place in my heart that takes 60-80 minutes to play and was one of the first games of a medium complexity level that I first learned when I came into the board game hobby. All of them are great for game nights, espeically during the holiday season when families spend time together.

If you ask a young child what the Christmas season is all about, you probably won’t hear them say spelling or history or extra homework. Most kids would be happy to skip schoolwork altogether once December rolls around. According to my kids, any and all “school” has a way of crushing the Christmas spirit. How can we have any fun if we have to do math?? But even if you do put your formal lessons aside, that doesn’t mean there still isn’t learning going on, even if it looks different from your usual routine. 

With the holiday season fast approaching, we look forward to a break from our typical busy routines, and to time spent together with family and friends. Hopefully this means MORE cozy mornings and LESS rushed evenings. More time around the table or fireplace – steeped in conversation or playing games together. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? But somehow it feels like you just “blink” on Thanksgiving, and suddenly – it’s the middle of January! A little planning now can help us make the most of the time – nurturing relationships, creating memories, and all the while, boosting brain skills! 

Family traditions at Christmas are important because they create lasting memories, strengthen bonds, and provide a sense of stability and belonging. They bring us together, allowing for shared experiences and deeper connections with our loved ones. When it comes to making memories, there are truly so many options! Let me share with you some Christmas traditions from my own family, as well as some ideas for yours.

Homeschooling during the holidays doesn’t need to be stressful. It can be a joyful time if you adapt your schedule and mindset to focus on making wonderful memories while still learning. Putting in a little thought ahead of time will save you from feeling overwhelmed so you can still have productive school time while also enjoying the magic of the holidays. With careful planning and a healthy mindset, you can enjoy this special time of year without all the stress. 

It’s that festive time of year again! This has always been my favorite time of year. When I look back at my childhood, my fondest memories were the fun traditions my family made together during the holidays.  Children find comfort and bonding in these traditions and it generates a special joy around the home. Now my kids are all grown up but they still enjoy the traditions we made together and really look forward to the holidays.  I believe it is because we come together as a family unit, enjoy fun activities together, and most of all look outside ourselves. I would like to share some ideas as well as some of our favorite traditions my family began years ago!

Enjoyed by families for generations, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade made its debut in 1924 to celebrate and show off the opening of their World’s Largest Store in New York City. Offering a whopping 1 million square feet of clothing, household goods, and children’s toys, the newly expanded store stretched across an entire city block and loomed 11 stories tall to accommodate the brisk business experienced in the early 1920s. Over a century later, the parade has only grown in notoriety and popularity. In this unit study, take some time to learn about America's favorite parade as it enters its 99th running!