10 Things To Kick Off The Season Of Thanks At Your Homeschool

By Sandra

Each year, I think Thanksgiving goes by too quickly.  It’s a great day of reflection on what God has done and of appreciation for the people in our lives.  I’ve created a list of ten simple things you can do with your children to make your school day a bit happier all month long.  Perhaps you’ll find one you like, or a few that you can implement, that will help make this Thanksgiving a celebration that extends from the heart of your homeschool to your neighbors, friends, and family or to the larger community.  Have fun!

1. Make a “Thanks” rock ring, by gluing a pipe cleaner to a small stone.  Write “Thanks” on the dark stone with metallic marker.  Give to a neighbor or friend to let them know you appreciate something about them.  Or wear it yourself as a reminder to be thankful!

2. Make a kindness coupon in thanks for a neighbor.  “This coupon entitles you to a free lawn raking.” Or “This is good for one free dog walking.” 

3. Declare “Neighbor Appreciation Day” in your court or on your street, and share a bag of homemade cookies or a loaf of pumpkin bread wrapped with a pretty ribbon. 

4. Make a hand print turkey card.  Number each “finger” of the turkey feathers, and list 5 reasons you are thankful for someone.

5. Make a simple bird feeder out of a juice bottle or milk carton.  Put a skewer through the bottom for the birds to stand, a wire atop to hang  it, and fill with bird seed.  Reflect on how God takes care of the birds, and takes care of us. Hang in your yard where you can view from a window.

6. Remember someone in your community who helped you this year, like a librarian, and take a plate of cookies or a homemade loaf of pumpkin bread to her.  Label the ribbon or card “We’re thankful for you.”

7. Let the children help you go through your pantry and select a few cans to donate to a food drive in the community.  Talk about how it is a blessing to be able to share with others.

8. Donate some lightly used clothes from last fall that your children have outgrown.  Let the children help hang them, and then donate to the local Goodwill store or a clothes closet at a church. Tell the volunteers at the clothes closet, “We appreciate what you do to help others.”

9. Photos. For grandparents or a special relative, take some photos of the outdoors and make into a special photo album.  Deliver to a relative or someone who has difficulty getting outdoors. 

10. Make a short video of your children acting out a favorite story or scene from a story that has to do with sharing , teaching or appreciating.  At the end, have them say, “We’re thankful for you.”   Send it by email, deliver in person, or send on CD through the postal service.

10 Things to Kick Off the

Season of Thanks

At Your Homeschool

               Each year, I think Thanksgiving goes by too quickly.  It’s a great day of reflection on what God has done and of appreciation for the people in our lives.  I’ve created a list of ten simple things you can do with your children to make your school day a bit happier all month long.  Perhaps you’ll find one you like, or a few that you can implement, that will help make this Thanksgiving a celebration that extends from the heart of your homeschool to your neighbors, friends, and family or to the larger community.  Have fun!

1.       Make a “Thanks” rock ring, by gluing a pipe cleaner to a small stone.  Write “Thanks” on the dark stone with metallic marker.  Give to a neighbor or friend to let them know you appreciate something about them.  Or wear it yourself as a reminder to be thankful!

2.      Make a kindness coupon in thanks for a neighbor.  “This coupon entitles you to a free lawn raking.” Or “This is good for one free dog walking.” 

3.      Declare “Neighbor Appreciation Day” in your court or on your street, and share a bag of homemade cookies or a loaf of pumpkin bread wrapped with a pretty ribbon. 

4.      Make a hand print turkey card.  Number each “finger” of the turkey feathers, and list 5 reasons you are thankful for someone.

5.      Make a simple bird feeder out of a juice bottle or milk carton.  Put a skewer through the bottom for the birds to stand, a wire atop to hang  it, and fill with bird seed.  Reflect on how God takes care of the birds, and takes care of us. Hang in your yard where you can view from a window.

6.      Remember someone in your community who helped you this year, like a librarian, and take a plate of cookies or a homemade loaf of pumpkin bread to her.  Label the ribbon or card “We’re thankful for you.”

7.      Let the children help you go through your pantry and select a few cans to donate to a food drive in the community.  Talk about how it is a blessing to be able to share with others.

8.       Donate some lightly used clothes from last fall that your children have outgrown.  Let the children help hang them, and then donate to the local Goodwill store or a clothes closet at a church. Tell the volunteers at the clothes closet, “We appreciate what you do to help others.”

9.      For grandparents or a special relative, take some photos of the outdoors and make into a special photo album.  Deliver to a relative or someone who has difficulty getting outdoors. 

10.   Make a short video of your children acting out a favorite story or scene from a story that has to do with sharing , teaching or appreciating.  At the end, have them say, “We’re thankful for you.”   Send it by email, deliver in person, or send on CD through the postal service.

Williamsburg - Homeschool Days

By Sandra

On a visit to Colonial Williamsburg in September, we thoroughly enjoyed fall Homeschool Days.  This was an excellent opportunity and value.  If you have a chance to make this trip in September or February of the year, I highly recommend it for the whole family.

In addition to offering special programs for home educated students, Colonial Williamsburg provides access to its usual colonial shop attractions for all ticket holders. Our favorite shops included the Printer, the Wigmaker, Shoe Cobbler and the Courthouse.   

The wigmaker discussed her various offerings, telling which wig hair length and color may be appropriate, depending on one’s social class.  The wigmaker was quite engaging, drawing in questions and comments from the small group of bystanders in the shop.  One of the wigs actually had duck feathers atop, which she explained was designed to repel raindrops that may threaten.  Did you know that young women in poor social standing grew their hair long to sell it for a mere handkerchief?  Then they would barter the handkerchief for another commodity of similar or slightly higher value.

I found the shoe cobbler incredibly informative and approachable as well.  He discussed his own family dynamics, in the colonial landscape, and why his children would be apprentices in shops that provided services like candle making or barrel making.  He also discussed why his shop specialized in men’s shoes only.  The shop had a wonderful leather aroma.

The Courthouse, my husband’s favorite stop, provided background into the colonial legal system.  We observed the jury chamber, which was equipped with hard benches without a heat or cooling system, no fireplace, and no light after sundown.  We soon understood why jurors came to verdicts as quickly as possible, by sundown each day, if possible.  We got to sit in the seats of the judges, where we got a little unruly in the elevated seats of power.  We were then chastised by the court clerk who barked, “Order in the court!” Our eyes grew wider, and we couldn’t help releasing a chuckle or two because of our inappropriate courtroom behavior!

One of my boys’ favorite sights was a slave we came upon, while traveling the cobblestone path, outside a colonial tavern.  He was talking loudly, although to no one in particular, in a style of English that was clear, though obviously without the privilege of education.  He asked us if we had come from far away and if we would be staying.  He explained that he was preparing a horse’s shoe and had been there for some time as a slave.  He later burst out into a spiritual type of song, bellowing extemporaneous words of thanks to God for getting him through another day.  He drew a crowd of bystanders, who were more interested in him than the food or ale offerings of the tavern.   Talking with this man proved an appetizer for thought about the hard life of colonial times, especially for the slave.

If you’re interested in Homeschool Days at Colonial Williamsburg, you may gather information for your trip HERE.  For specific details, you may also email schoolandyouthgroup@cwf.org or call 1-800-228-8878. Colonial Williamsburg has been ranked in the top ten best family vacations by Southern Living magazine.

On-Task With Interruptions

By Sandra

I frequently chat with a friend, a fellow home educator, who concurs that it takes energy to stay on task with daily homeschooling.  Although we strive most days to hit the mark by covering the subjects on the schedule, there are days when unplanned events – interruptions- actually become the lesson for the day.

I have a feeling that today may be such a day.  I’ll be attending a memorial service for a friend’s father, which will put a snag in our planned lessons.   Filling in for me will be my dad, the children’s Pop Pop.  He won’t be teaching, at least not the subjects on the daily schedule.   But his readiness to step in when I’m in a pinch, his desire to be near the children, and his encouragement that they are doing a good job speaks volumes to their impressionable eyes and ears.  He is steady, reliable, and loving.  And that is the best book a child could read, a living one, that is dependable, truthful, and has a hug at the close of each chapter.

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Homeschooling In Tough Times

By Sandra

I’ve been talking to my children lately about the economy and why we need to prioritize, cut back, or consolidate car trips around town to make good use of our gasoline.  The country’s economic plight has provided a framework for regular discussions at our home--practical lessons in conserving, planning instead of doing things impulsively, and seeking wise counsel before making big decisions.

Friends of ours, fellow homeschoolers, have been struggling with finances over the past six months, and now find themselves grappling for a “Plan B,” due to the now-likely scenario of job loss.  What happens to homeschooling families in these times?  How does a financial earthquake rattle the foundation of a family, even a tightly-knit one, during unstable times?  Is my family prepared for this kind of curve ball?

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National Parks & Historic Sites: Homeschool Treasures

By Sandra

I feel like I’ve just stumbled onto a big secret.  Well, I think I’d heard this before, but my kids weren’t ready to take advantage until recently. The secret is this: The National Park Service offers children’s programs to earn Junior Ranger badges.   Imagine this…adventure, mystery, history, and prizes!

The kids love wearing these Ranger badges.  It makes them feel connected to the park, historic site or monument and the history they’ve learned about them.  To earn a badge or certificate at each of these locations, a child must answer some questions or do activity pages that are age appropriate.  They are usually divided into an elementary division and a junior high division.  Trust me, the adults learn a lot while searching for the answers to these questions as well.

So far, we’ve visited Ft. McHenry, Hampton House, Assateague Island Seashore, and Valley Forge.  The kids are truly hooked!  As soon as they earn their badge at one location, they are planning the next park to visit.  It’s a great way to connect with our U.S. history, plan field trips, and boost the children’s confidence.  I highly recommend you consider this FREE program, and consult the parks and historic sites in your neck of the woods!