Homeschooling Through the Holidays
The weeks during the holiday season can be very hectic for families. Your properties and attention are greatly divided between shopping, preparing for visits, and celebrations. The busyness of this season makes it a good time to make a seasonal shift in homeschool instructional routine.
To set the foundation for your homeschool routine shift, the first and most important step is to relax your homeschool expectations. The reality is it’s a busy season in our culture. We’re balancing commitments and situations we don’t normally deal with on a day to day basis. Remember you are human, so it’s ok not to get it all done. The holiday season is just a season and it doesn’t define your entire homeschool year.
Now let’s look at some creative ways to shift your homeschool instructional routine.
1. Do a Book or Unit Study.
This makes a perfect time to deviate and step off the beaten path of your usual teaching and jump into a book or unit study. A book or unit study is focusing on a specific novel or topic and engaging in learning activities centered on the novel or topic.
You can do a book or unit study on whatever topic that interests you and your kids. A simple google search will lead you to a plethora of ideas and resources, many of which are FREE and already laid out for you. I mean, why reinvent the wheel and work harder, instead of smarter?
Here is a brainstorm list of a few book and unit study ideas you can do:
Fall & Winter Holidays (Christmas, Kwanzaa, etc.)
How is Christmas Celebrated Around the World
A Time Period in History (Harlem Renaissance, Reconstruction, the Great Migration, etc.)
A Less-known Historical Figure
A Science Theme
Bible Study Book (there are tons of age appropriate Bible study resources)
Music appreciation (Jazz, Gospel, Reggae, the origin and meaning of Holiday songs, etc.)
2. Read It! Watch It!
Most good movies come from great, timeless novels. Introduce your child to the world of cinematic writing. Find a novel that has been created into a movie. Read the novel aloud with your family and then plan a family movie night to watch the cinematic version of the novel.
After watching the movie, discuss with your kids all the similarities and differences you all noticed. You can even turn it into a little competition with prizes for whoever can identify the most.
3. Art! Art! And More Art!
This is the best time to tap into your family's artistic side and capitalize on hands-on activities. From baking sweet treats together to sending Holiday cards or making countdown calendars to salt dough ornaments. These activities and so many others cover multiple content areas like Math, Science, Language Arts, etc., in just one activity. What’s better than creative cross-curricular learning while making memories that’ll last a lifetime?
Also, be sure to check out the following places for holiday activities, shows, and programs:
Local Libraries
Local Homeschool groups co ops
Local Churches
It’s also an excellent time to participate in plays, cantatas, caroling, ballets and other areas of fine arts, music, and drama.
4. Keep it Simple.
Avoid introducing new concepts during this season and take some time to cut back to the basics. Do you remember the old school saying “the 3 R’s of learning”? Reading, writing, and arithmetic?! You can spend this homeschool time reviewing any area within this quintessential list that your child struggles with, needs extra practice in, or just simply enjoys doing. This is a perfect time to make those skills concrete to build upon. So review. Review. Review!
5. Serve Others.
Not only is serving in your communities satisfying needs, but it helps develop a thankful and grateful heart within you. Being able to serve and be a blessing to others cultivates joy. You can also document community service hours on your teen’s high school transcripts and college applications. Your family can volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, prepare meals for a family struggling emotionally or financially, or collect and donate canned goods and non-perishable foods to your local food bank. You can also take the time to be intentional about reaching out to family and friends you don’t normally get to talk to on a regular basis due to life sometimes swallowing those opportunities.
Also, keep in mind that the holiday season isn’t always joyous for everyone so if there’s something you can do to brighten someone's holiday season, then take the time to do so. And if the holiday season is a tough time for you and your family, I pray someone brightens your day and brings you joy to make it through.
6. Most importantly…
Rest! You’ve been going strong since the end of the summer and if you homeschool year round, you’ve been going since “forever”, so take some time to rest! Throughout this season take some time to rest in ways that recharge your mind, body, and spirit. You’re going to need it as you go through the holiday season and enter a New Year. Your kids need rest too! It’s a great intentional practice to add back into homeschool life routine, even after the holiday season. So take care of yourself and give your body the greatest gift you can give it...Rest.