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.
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!
“‘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!
Delighting families for 100 years, A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh is a collection of charming stories about a lovable stuffed bear, a young boy, and their many friends! As children, and then again as parents introducing our own children, we went with Winnie to the “Hundred Acre Wood,” and we would be remiss to not take a unit study “Expotition” celebrating this classic children’s story—no matter your age. With childhood themes of cherished companions, memorable conversations, adventures, and melodic “hums” (or ditties), Milne provided endearing stories for the generations. Throughout this study, hyperlinks will lead you to family-friendly websites for enhanced learning.
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.
Log cabins are a part of our American heritage, a reminder of simpler times when families lived, worked, and played together. Did you know that June 25th has been set aside to celebrate the log cabin? This month, I invite your family to celebrate this humble home. Before we begin, note the web links to family friendly sites for further exploration.
Love it or hate it, the story of the famous game of Monopoly® is bursting with controversy, financial theories, prison escapes, and more. March 7th celebrates the creation of the game that is still very popular today!
February 2nd is considered one of the most popular winter non-holidays. If you are from the Midwest or the Northeast, you may know Punxsutawney Phil as a beloved predictor of weather and seasons. Let's take a look at Groundhog Day and weather forecasting in this unit study!
