The Rainbow Resource Center Homeschool Blog

Every November the Christmas catalog would arrive and my kids would circle and label their top picks. But now, decades later, what we remember best are not things but rather the experiences we shared. As homeschoolers we have a lot of time with our children. But the holidays are great times to invest in ourselves and community. Try the gift of doing together!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas is a delightful tale known by parents and children alike. As you read those five simple words, did you find yourself continuing, “And all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse”? Part of Christmas tradition for over 100 years, there is much to explore about this treasured family read-aloud. If you have a copy of the poem, this is the perfect time to read it aloud and then spend a few minutes as a family learning more about this beloved story!

There are so many great board game experiences available for teenagers and so many games that come well recommended. Here's a short list of a few games that I think the game-loving teenagers in your life will love!

Joyful holidays are created through making memories with our children. I cherish the time (and memories!) from the unit studies my family experienced. It is my hope that your family will be blessed learning together this Christmas season. In this unit study about O’ Tannenbaum, you will notice underlined words in our study which link to family friendly videos and websites to enhance the learning journey. Without further ado, let’s get started!

What do rabbits, pine cones, snail shells and giant sunflowers have in common? Our study this month seeks to answer these questions and introduce the fascinating history behind a unique number pattern: the Fibonacci Sequence!

Thanksgiving brings wonderful memories of sitting around the dining room table filling ourselves with turkey and all the fixings while conversation and laughter fill the air. In this unit study, we want to highlight one of the stars of Thanksgiving: the turkey! 

Once upon a time families gathered round the table to eat three square meals a day. Now, only about 50% of families carry on this tradition once a day. A sad reality. Homeschool families have the benefit of adjusting their day to accommodate this tradition whether it be a big breakfast, lunch, or supper. Whatever it looks like for your family, I would strongly encourage you to seize those moments. Be intentional about your family table and even use it as a teaching tool!

The value of teaching kids about thankfulness should never be underestimated. It is a quality in a person that creates peace and inner joy. Instead of relying on external things to decide how we measure our joy, it is best to model gratefulness and discover what a difference it makes within our hearts. With Thanksgiving around the corner, it might be fun to devote some time this month to practicing this attribute. Here are some thoughts to get you started!

Election year gives you a special opportunity to teach your student the process America goes through to pick a president and other elected officials. There are many ways to help students learn about state, local, and federal election processes, understand the power of their voice and the vote, and become engaged participants in our nation’s constitutional republic. Discover how to incorporate the topic of elections into your school year!

What makes the sloth so sensational? Is it simply the slower pace of life he takes or is it the adorable image we have of a sloth dangling from a tree limb? If we’re honest, I think we all find something fascinating and compelling about this tropical mammal. Whether setting aside time to learn more, or enjoying a slow paced, slothful kind-of-day, unite your family in celebration of International Sloth Day on October 20th!