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!
Some homeschool parents respond with enthusiasm when given an opportunity to teach art. They pull up artist biographies, look up famous works of art, and find ways to practice the techniques of art masters with their children. These parents may or may not be using an art curriculum. If they are, they may be making lesson modifications based on their students’ ages, availability of art supplies, and time. But this isn’t all homeschool parents, is it?
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!
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!
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!
By now, you are settled (or mostly settled!) into a homeschool routine that is working well for your family. You may be surprised to discover that there is free time available to pursue other activities and interests! Fall is the perfect time of year to incorporate nature-based activities and craft projects.
Rainbow Resource Center is located in the heart of the Midwest, and staff members experience the beautiful season of fall with cool temperatures and colorful trees. It is a favorite time for families to enjoy harvest parties, hay rack rides, bonfires, orchards, smores, and caramel apples. Nature hikes include crunching around in the newly fallen leaves and collecting many different vibrant colors. These outings present a great opportunity to explore or discuss science with your students!
In the United States, National Hispanic Heritage month is celebrated September 15-October 15. I encourage you, over the next few weeks, to introduce your children to the importance of this celebration, the culture and food of the Hispanic culture, and take time to meet important Hispanic men and women who have made an impact on the United States and the world!
Thirty years ago, President Bill Clinton declared, “Classical music is a celebration of artistic excellence… Whether in new American works or in the masterpieces of the great composers of old, music is a unifying force in our world, bringing people together across vast cultural and geographical divisions. Classical music speaks both to the mind and to the heart, giving us something to think about as well as to experience.” Whether a treasured family experience or something you only know about from commercials or movies, there is always a new discovery waiting when you explore the world of classical music.
There’s an ongoing debate on teaching cursive. Do we teach it? Many have dropped cursive instruction altogether. Even printing on paper is often minimized after elementary years. It is tempting to drop cursive. But before we give up on this skill, let’s take a moment to consider some surprising...
July 4th celebrates the revolutionary ideas that all men are created equal with certain unalienable rights—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—and that the government exists for the people with power given to them by the people. Two hundred and fifty years later, these ideas remain...
Spanning nearly 2,500 miles through 8 states, America’s iconic Route 66 tells a story of a nation built on dreams, innovation, and hard work. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66, I invite you and your children to travel along the Main Street of America with me. Parents, please note, the...
This time of year often marks the end of the homeschool season for many families. It’s a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and celebrate the skills learned and the relationships strengthened. No matter where you are in your homeschool journey, there are always memories worth holding on to as you...
Summer is the perfect time to do fun and educational activities without the pressure of formal lessons! Kids can take time to explore things they enjoy and absorb learning through a wide range of summer activities. Here are some summer activities that double as learning opportunities,...
