homeschooling through a month of thanks
November and December are quite possibly my very favorite months to homeschool. The colder weather outside sort of gives us permission to be inside, dress in warm and cozy clothing, spend more time in the kitchen cooking and baking, and read together. And I love that during November and December we get to have a special focus on the months' holidays. Here are a few things we are doing this month to make it special:
Learning about our roots! My husband has been doing some family history research, and he found out that he has a couple of ancestors who came across in the Mayflower. He also has a Native American ancestor who was also involved in the first Thanksgiving. I've also got some Mayflower ancestors. I am amazed at their courage and faith to journey to a new land full of uncertainty, and yet, at the same time, so full of hope and opportunity. Reading and talking about that has made our month of celebrating all the more meaningful!
We bought these books this season, and while we haven't gotten through all of them yet, I love them. The picture books articulate the Thanksgiving story so beautifully, and the art is just absolutely lovely. I recommend each of them.
We did a little Thanksgiving tree that I love. Stuff doesn't have to be fancy in order to be special. I wrote a favorite passage of scripture on it and cut out a whole bunch of leaves intending to have the boys write one thing each day that they are thankful for. But they just kept writing and writing (and who am I to stop them from writing things they are grateful for)?! So they did it in just one day. Children are so sweet and pure. I love hearing the things that are in their hearts. They write things like my body, my name, Heavenly Father and Jesus, my home. The sweetest.
our narration has been really special this month too. Matthew has been composing his own composition book entries and sounding out words himself with a special focus on gratitude. I haven't prompted him to do this...I suppose gratitude is in he air! Abe always follow suit. He loves to write, and it's just super sweet (and rewarding) to watch him.
Have I mentioned how much I love the family school approach to education? I have spent virtually no time teaching three-year-old Abe to write or spell yet he is taking the initiative to learn, and he is doing so well!
Our littlest scholar :)
On a personal note I am so grateful for all of the bounteous blessings God showers upon us. The last few months (which have held their own difficult moments) I have been able to do things so much better as I have focused on gratitude. It really is a game-changer and makes life feel full and rich where it otherwise wouldn't. Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends! xx