Archives for 2020

“The leaves are all dead on the ground, / Save those that the oak is keeping / To ravel them one by one / And let them go scraping and creeping / Out over the crusted snow, / When others are sleeping.” (Our homeschool poem-of-the-week, from Robert Frost, for the end of fall.)

Invite your students to listen to a number of different performances of this popular carol in a variety of different styles this week, and help them think through their preferences — that’s a great way to encourage their intellectual and artistic development.

Great homeschool teaching ideas and little lessons for the week ahead, including: Geminid meteors, holiday music, polar explorers, seasonal endings, halcyon days, Beethovian birthdays, Ethiopian rivers, a toast to freedom, and more!

Take a homeschool tour of the U.S. states and the countries of the world with the River Houses. This week: Kentucky, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, and Finland.

“Antelope cantaloupe, ’lope with you!” (A happy homeschool family sing-a-long for Holiday Music Month.)

Make the acquaintance of the ancient red giant Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus the Bull this month — one of the brightest stars in the northern hemisphere sky — and make it your homeschool friend for life.

Come along on our homeschool tour of North American bird families and pick up some great science and natural history teaching ideas along the way. This week: the Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers (Part I).

The American jazz musician Vince Guaraldi (1928–1976) wrote some of the best-loved Christmas music of our time. Why not introduce your students to his wonderful work this month.

The 2021 edition of the World Almanac and Book of Facts is a one-volume desk encyclopedia that every homeschooling family should have.

“He ate and drank the precious Words — / His Spirit grew robust.” (Our homeschool poem-of-the-week, from Emily Dickinson, for her birthday.)

If you’d like to fill your homeschool with some beautiful background sounds this season, why not tune in to the 24-hour Holiday Channel from WQXR, the famous classical music radio station in New York City.

“Dark and dull night, fly hence away, / And give the honor to this day, / That sees December turned to May.” (A modern Christmas masterpiece, with ancient words by Robert Herrick and new music by John Rutter, for Homeschool Holiday Music Month.)

Great homeschool teaching ideas and little lessons for the week ahead, including: Nobel laureates, jazzy tunes, precious words, Geminid meteors, transatlantic transmissions, equatorial rivers, a toast to brave hearts, and more!

Take a homeschool tour of the U.S. states and the countries of the world with the River Houses. This week: Vermont, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, and Estonia.

“How do you capture the wind on the water? / How do you count all the stars in the sky? / How can you measure the love of a mother? / Or how can you write down a baby’s first cry?” (Introducing the work of the great modern carol-composer John Rutter, for Homeschool Holiday Music Month.)

A homeschool review of educational wonders to watch for in the northern hemisphere night sky during the month of December 2020.

Come along on our homeschool tour of North American bird families and pick up some great science and natural history teaching ideas along the way. This week: the Skuas and Jaegers, and the Auks, Murres, and Puffins, two widespread groups of oceanic birds.

Calling all homeschool photographers! The Wikimedia Commons Photo Challenge is a great way for serious homeschool photography students to develop their talents and gain some recognition. This month’s themes are “Demolition” and “Allées and Avenues.” Take a look!

“I want the tree full of toys and tinsel, / I want the wreath on the red front door, / I want the elves in the yard and each sentimental card / Dripping glitter on the floor.” (The great Nancy LaMott wishes you a Merry Christmas.)

“’Tis evening on the moorland free, / The starlit wave is still: / Home is the sailor from the sea, / The hunter from the hill.” (Our homeschool poem-of-the-week, from A.E. Housman, for the beginning of Orion Term.)

“Past three o’clock, / And a cold frosty morning, / Past three o’clock; / Good morrow, masters all!” (Welcome to Homeschool Holiday Music Month! Enjoy a sprightly late-night carol, and learn the traditional call of the winter watchmen.)

Explore your local library and the whole universe of knowledge with our annual homeschool tour of the Dewey Decimal System. This month: The Religious 200s.

It’s the first day of December 2020! Here are some little lessons, educational opportunities, and teaching traditions to look for in the homeschool month ahead.