Seasonal Posts

“‘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!

On January 18th we celebrate Winnie-the-Pooh and the author too! Born on this date in 1882, author A.A. Milne is best known for his charming stories about the lovable stuffed bear, a young boy and their assorted friends. Come with us on a Unit Study “Expotition” celebrating this children’s classic literature!

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!

March celebrates the birthday of beloved television personality, Mr. Fred Rogers. Remembered for his gentle, compassionate voice, our unit study this month looks a bit different, as we introduce a new generation to this larger-than-life celebrity, and his message of kindness and the value of all people. Starting with a quick look at Fred Rogers, we will wrap up with a look at 3 life lessons he taught. 

This week, we celebrate 50 years since man first stepped out of a space craft and made “one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.” Our family-friendly unit study this month considers the historical importance of this moment and adds fun activities for children to explore the space experience.