Is Christmas really the time for mystery and intrigue? Yes! Especially if it involves a sneaky little elf, Mrs. Clause, and cookies! In this scientific case, solve the Christmas cookie mystery to determine which ingredients Mrs. Clause can safely use. You see, a troublesome elf thought it would be funny to play a trick on…
This fun activity using Christmas glyphs will spice up December homeschooling. You’ll be glad to know it counts as a living math lesson, too! What is a glyph? A glyph as it relates to math is a pictorial representation of data. That sounds like a pictograph, doesn’t it? Rather than put pictures in the form…
Some people love to spend the month of December Christmas schooling. This simply means they take a break from the regular lessons of school to spend time doing lessons and activities that celebrate Jesus, the reason for the season. Nature Study Through the Holidays: Advent can help you enjoy precious learning time that is fun…
Is Christmas nature study really a thing? Are we really worried about nature study during, arguably, the busiest month of the year? Yes and yes! On the practical side, we tend to forget the importance of fresh air, sunshine, and exercise during the colder months. This can lead to combustible behavior from cooped-up kids (and parents)….
Homeschooling in December can be rough. Everyone needs a bit of a break from the monotony of the regular homeschooling schedule. Because of this, some families choose to take the entire month off from homeschooling. Others, switch the curriculum to focus on the preparations of Christmas and turning the hearts of their children toward the…
Adding a good picture book to any lesson makes learning come alive. It also adds terrific visual references to help concepts have more meaning. This particular Christmas book activity is the perfect way to celebrate the season and help children learn empathy at the same time. In my mind, character-building is just as important in…
Christmas spices nature study can be a fun addition to December funschooling in your homeschool this season! There are certain spices that stand out in traditional Christmas recipes and we’ll learn about them all. Do you have a favorite Christmas dish or treat that uses warm cinnamon, cloves, ginger, or nutmeg spices? In our family,…
Do you have a girly girl in your life? My daughter can muck the dirtiest of stalls in her Carhartt coveralls then settle in with Jane Auten and hot tea with girlfriends a few hours later. I’m not sure whether to call her a girly girl or not, but I do know that she’s enjoyed…
Enjoy the magic of Christmas with this precious literature-based lesson that includes a special service project for your family to do together. I think you’re going to love the Silver Packages activity so much that it might even become a Christmas tradition. Traditions help families build relationships and give a sense of peace and security…
Since the Christmas season can bring along busy days and sometimes cold weather, it can be difficult to incorporate nature study into your homeschooling routine. I’ve created a list of Christmas nature study books that will help you bring new and inviting ideas to the table without tons of effort. Each book description gives you…
I never like to admit when I’m barely treading water, but it happens almost every year as Thanksgiving approaches. The moment the leftover turkey is put in the fridge, it seems that December and its giant to-do list overwhelm me. Besides the regular crazy that we call our day-to-day around here, December kicks it up…
Christmas stockings are a long held tradition in the West household. Of all the gifts around the Christmas tree, it seems the stockings are the most anticipated – which is why we save them until the very last. I remember feeling the same way as a little girl. There’s just something extra special about finding…