10 Christmas Break Tasks for the Homeschool Mom

Christmas Break starts for us tomorrow and I'm ready!  I MIGHT be more ready than the kids.  😀 The past week has found us starting school in our jammies (a big No-No since we started this journey 12+ years ago) and Mom just barely squeaking by.

It's definitely time!

However, I know that taking some time over the next couple of weeks to work through my prep list is going to carry us a long way into the spring semester.  Finding ways to balance relaxation and preparation will ensure that our 2024 starts off strong!

Finish Grading

    I have a tendancy to think that I can just put the last few items aside and I'll remember to get to them later.  Don't do it!  Take a hour or two to get them done right away and really wrap up the first semester.  While your're at it, update any transcripts or course descriptions that you're tracking for your high schoolers.   This will get everything tidied up so you're not trying to remember the details in the rush of second semester.

Clear out first semester items

    Did your student complete any one semester subjects?  Are you transitioning into the second textbook of the course?  Clear off those homeschool shelves of items you won't need in January.  File away any paper or books that you need to hold onto and get ready to sell the items that will be leaving your home.

Inventory supplies

    Take note of any supplies you're running low on.  I tended to never have enough graph paper, fat erasers, or fun writing utensils.  Think about any projects you have coming up early in the second semester.  Look over Jan/February's lesson plans and see if you need any odd items like clay or mini brads.  Make a list while you have a few minutes.

Order Needed Items

    Order those items so that they come over break and can easily be organized and put away.  It may be tempting to think that you have plenty of time.  You don't!  Order them now so that those last minute projects don't get pushed to the side.  Also order any supplemental material you'll need for your coursework... textbooks, chapter books, extra support items.

Order Library Books

    I like to order as many of our school books from the library as I possibly can.  This helps keep our cost down while still exposing my kids to the world around them.  In order to do this, I typically request our books 3-4 weeks ahead of our curriculum.  The second week of break, I'll start to order books we need in the coming month so they're ready for pick up a week or two early.  

Tentatively Plan Field Trips

    Our field trip options have been sparse in the last couple of years so I'm trying to fill in more during 2023-24.  So I'm spending part of my Christmas break surveying other homeschool moms, researching options, checking costs, and penciling field trips into my calendar.  All this will make booking easier come January.  And then if I need to change my dates I can, but I'll have all the details in my planner.

Deep Clean ONE Room

    Balancing homeschooling and housework is quite a challenge.  So I'm choosing ONE room to deep clean while I have a free schedule.  The kitchen can certainly use it after the holidays, but maybe the bathrooms would be better.  Either way, I'm pushing for a DEEP clean that will carry us into the spring semester.

Fill In Calendar Items

    Is your homeschool calendar changing in the new year?  Are your kids taking any new classes?  Have any of their activities changed?  Double check your calendar and make any new changes while you're not being rushed.  

Plan a Date Night

    This is also a great time to reconnect with your spouse.  Plan some time together basking in the season and reflecting on the past year.  Reconnect and share goals for the upcoming year.  Whether a full on date night, or a quick lunch, plan to spend some time together.

Choose ONE Creative Project

    It can be tempting to work, work, work for the full two weeks and not take a minute to relax and recharge.  With that in mind, be sure to build in some creative time over the next few weeks to refill your cup so you don't walk into the new year burned out.  Grab a light book to read or spend some time working on an enjoyable hobby.  You'll be surprised how much progress you make and how good you feel going into 2024.

Most important of all, remember to rest, relax, and reconnect.  Play a board game, bake some cookies, and play in the snow.  Laugh with your kids, remind them how much you love them, and take time to hear their hearts.  Enjoy each other!

What Homeschool Tasks are on YOUR To-Do List?

Christmas and Advent Traditions

*This post was originally published on 12/15/17.  Enjoy!

Today I'm sharing some of our favorite Christmas traditions... both the ones that glue us together as a family, and those that point us back to the reason for the season!

A Catholic Mom's Life:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBPwe61hWru6AN8ZzyY-KwA

Our Top 5 Christian Christmas Books:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozCVubgKY9Y

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑16yrs led to 👱12 yrs, 👧9 yrs, and 👱 6 yrs.

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FTC DISCLOSURE: This video is not sponsored.

Music Attribution:

We Wish You A Merry Christmas by E's Jammy Jams

Recipe Road Trip {Review}

Did Baked Alaska really come from Alaska?  Where did the twinkie originate?  What do Lobster Rolls really taste like?

Do you have a child that asks these kinds of questions? Or maybe a child who loves to be in the kitchen?   Recipe Road Trip combines kid-friendly recipes with regional trivia to get your kids excited about cooking and learning in the kitchen.  This amazing cookbook is broken up into regions, including two to three recipes for each state within that region.  Surprisingly, Recipe Road Trip also includes recipes from U.S. Commonwealths and Territories.  All recipes are leveled from 1-3 to indicate it's difficulty and are written in an easily understandable manner.  The illustrations are fun without being too cartoony and the geographic trivia is great to learn as well.  One of my favorite additions was the sample menus in the back of the book that allows kids to create a regional meal.  As a homeschool mom, I'd love to have this one on the shelf for studying geography.  The best age for Recipe Road Trip would be upper elementary to young teen.  While the items are kid-friendly, they do include many main dishes that would appeal to an older child.  And as with any cookbook, I would avoid the kindle version and prefer a physical copy.

*Disclaimer: I recieved a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

7 Winter Nature Study Ideas

*This post was originally published on 1/8/19.  Enjoy!

Winter can be a challenging to time for studying nature.  The wet and cold drive us indoors, and nature study takes a back seat.  It seems as the earth is resting and we can easily overlook all that is still happening around us.  But even in this dreary time of year, there's still so much to be studied and learned.  With a little curiosity and insight, you too can find ways to discover the life all around us, even in the winter!

Track the Weather
There is plenty of weather to be observed from the comfort of your own home.  Record the weather vs. the weather predictions, how much snow falls in a given time period, the times of sunrises and sunsets.  Other great details to observe include moon phases as well as keeping an eye out for the first new shoots of grass or green leaves on trees.

Monitor a Rain Gauge
Monitoring the amount of rain (or snow) this time of year is great for talking about weather, renewing the earth, and the water cycle.  It can also serve as a great starting point for water conservation.  A great way to incorporate weather study with measurements, observation, and prediction.

Go Snowshoeing
Many national parks offer snowshoeing trail hikes in the winter.  Take the time to learn from your knowledgeable park rangers as they point out the life that we might otherwise miss.  And keep your ears open for animals foraging on your winter hike.

Create a Wreath
Wreaths don't just have to be for Christmas.  Gather any natural material you can find: sticks, berries, holly, pinecones, sprigs, etc.  Purchase a wreath form from the Dollar Tree or create your own with wire or a wire hanger.  Look for special details to add: ribbon, bells, or burlap to name a few.  Or if you're looking for something temporary, create an ice wreath with all your natural treasures frozen in an ice form.  Hang outside and observe how long it takes to melt.

Feed the Birds
While most birds will fly south for the winter, some prefer to stay behind.  Study up on the birds in your area, identify their species and diet, and then create a place were they can regularly come for food.  Break out your sketch books to include your new friends and label their unique features that allow them to winter in your area.

Read Some Poetry
There's something about curling up with a good book in the winter months.  So take advantage of that cozy feeling and introduce some nature poetry to your children.  These are just a few that we have enjoyed:

It's Snowing, It's Snowing: Winter Poems by Jack Prelutsky
National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry
Antarctic Antics: A Book of Penguin Poems by Judy Sierra
A Chill in the Air: Nature Poems for Fall and Winter by John Frank
Poetry for Young People by Robert Frost
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak

Star Gaze
There are such a variety of stars and constellations to notice as the seasons change.  It's fun to note what new things you might see in the night sky at winter.  And you don't have to stay up very late to do it.  With the earlier dark nights, head outside after dinner with some hot chocolate or settle in near the fire pit for some star gazing.  Or take an evening walk and admire the stars.

How do you incorporate nature study in the winter? 

Little People, Big Dreams: Sally Ride {Review}

 

From the bestselling biography series for kids comes an inspiring read about Sally Ride, the first America woman in space.  Growing up in California, Sally discovers she has a passion for science and goes on to study physics.  When NASA opens up their program to women, she eagerly applies and in 1983, Sally becomes the first American woman to fly in space.

These  Little People, Big Dreams board books have become some of my favorites.  The illustrations are amazing, and the writing gives just enough information without being overwhelming.  It's a hard balance to strike between too little and too much, and this series does a good job. The book also includes a timeline of Sally's life and a little more in-depth information at the end.  It's a great introduction for K-2 readers, and just enough of a teaser for older students.  

I really do love these books for introducing heroes from history.  They are a great way to get your students thinking and gauge their interest for deeper studies.  This is a book I would read WITH my students are there are a few tough topics elluded to, including the media's treatment of Sally.  That and other topics would make a great starting point for conversations between teacher and student, parent and child.  All in all, a good introduction to an American icon.

*Disclaimer: I recieved a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Making the Most of Christmas Day

 *Post originally published on 12/8/09... Enjoy!

I recently heard a blogger comment that each Christmas seems the same. Overeating, filling, opening gifts, and rushing on with life. Each year, year after year, the same people and no closer than they were the year before.

With all the preparation that so many of us put into this day, it's sad to think that we've already got it all figured out before it even starts. We walk into this day with so many hopes for deepening relationships and yet, we have no plan to get there. We have plans for completing our shopping, completing our baking, completing our decorations. And no plan for how to make the most of Christmas Day with our family.

I confess I'm as guilty as anyone. After our marriage we decided to split the holidays between our two families, each living in opposite directions of our home. So although I see my mom often, it's a rarity to spend time with aunts, uncles, and cousins. In fact, due to Baby Girl's Dec 21st birthday, this will be the first time in four years that I'll be home for Christmas.

In an effort to plan, here are some ideas for mixing up the family and getting everyone talking:
*Board Games--I remember as a young teen getting these out with my cousins and there are so many to please a variety of ages. Shoots and Ladders, Candyland, Monopoly, Life, Sequence.
*Card Games--There's often a game of Rummy going on at my house on any given holiday. Again so many to choose from and card decks are easy to come by. Make it more interesting and play for M&M's, or leftover desert.
*Pirate Tree or White Elephant Gift Exchanges--There are so many variations of this game. Everyone knows the White Elephant, but have you ever been a Pirate? Look here for further directions. I've heard of further variations where the gifts had to be homemade or usable by the day's end (in the case of a game, Polaroid camera, or yummy goodies).
*Sledding--Come on! You know you want to get out there with the kids. And think of all the calories you'll be burning. Enough for an extra piece of pie! Then take a step back and grab the video camera while your uncle hits the slope.
*Target shooting--We are an outdoor family and there have been many a Christmas mornings where we've packed up Hot Chocolate and appetizers to target shoot while waiting for the turkey.
*Organize a musical competition or talent show--just hurry before the turkey kicks in. No drozy performers. No one in your family has any musical talent? Break out the Karaoke. Can you picture Grandma singing "I saw Mama kissin' Santa Clause?
*Offer to help with clean up--You wouldn't believe the bonding you can do with your sister in law while you're at a sink doing dishes.

Whatever you decide to do on Christmas day, remember to make it memorable. Go beyond the ordinary questions. Laugh, giggle with your children, and build memories. Mark this Christmas as different than the last.

For more Works for Me ideas, check out We Are THAT Family.

Weekend Links ll December 1, 2023

 

U.S. Elections Unit Study

14 Fresh Homemade Soap Recipes

Gingerbread Home Decor

7 Benefits of Launching a Kid's Book Club

5 Unique Christmas Unit Studies

This Week: 

What I'm Cooking:

The weather certainly turned this week.  My heater's been kicking on more and we've been snuggling up with blankets.  So with that in mind, I added Black Bean Skillet to our menu.  It's sort of like the Hamburger Helper that we all grew up on, but so much better.  We all love it so much that I might have to double it next time.

What I'm Reading:

My reading has switched over into leisurely reading for the holidays.  I picked up a short story collection that all focused on Amish love stories at Christmastime.  Typically I'm not into short stories, but this time of year, it's nice to find quick little stories that I can track during the business of Christmas.  So it's been the perfect read for snuggling on the couch in the evenings.

What I'm Doing:

This week has been catching up little things here and there before Nutcracker craziness hits.  I finished up the kid's ornaments for this year.  We also finished Josiah's ornaments for his teachers.  That's always a fun project.  Plus trying to get a little shopping done before Christmas.  Surprises, Surprises!

What I'm Enjoying:

Hot Apple Cider...

Seasonal reads...

Christmas Book Advent...

Teaching Josiah to bake...

Christmas lights...

What are you up to?