We have been homeschooling for many years, and I sometimes forget that what we do isn't the same for others. So, I am writing a monthly homeschool recap to demonstrate one way (there are so many methods out there!) that homeschooling can work.
We use an eclectic method of homeschooling that leans very heavily towards the Charlotte Mason method of teaching. Without going into too much detail about this method, it can be described as very literature-heavy. We read and discuss A LOT of books. We don't spend a lot of time on workbooks, worksheets, etc., We have gravitated toward this method over the years and found that it works very well for our learners and family lifestyle.
Here are some items that we have read, listened to or watched during the month of December:
*The Holy Bible
Read various journal articles, PowerPoint presentations and completed question worksheets about animal science provided by their FFA teacher.
Watched various YouTube videos about animal science provided by their FFA teacher.
Review 4H Skillathon activities.
Watch Greg Judy discusses fake GMO soy meat versus grassfinished meat - Greg Judy Regenerative Rancher on YouTube
Watch Greg has green perennial grass and clover on January 17! Earthworms Everywhere - Greg Judy Regenerative Rancher on YouTube
Watch Farmland
Heroes of the Bible Devotional by Joshua Cooley
To a Different Drum by Pauline Hamilton
The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
Character is Destiny by Russell Gough
Read Francis Bacon essay - Of Revenge
Read Francis Bacon essay - Of Adversity
Watch Learning How to Learn-Barbara Oakley on YouTube
The Tuttle Twins and the Education Vacation by Connor Boyack
Watch How to speed hand card angora fiber - Rabbitry & Yarns on YouTube
Watch English Angora Wool Dying it, spinning it, Crocheting it - Josh Greene on YouTube
Anno's Italy by Mitsumasa Anno
Marco Polo by George Makepiece Towle
Whatever Happened to Justice? by Richard Maybury
The Ultimate Girls' Body Book by Walt Larimore
Watch Night at the Museum 2
Watch Women and the war effort during the 1940s - Recollection Road on YouTube
History's Most Magnificent Rulers by Hywel Williams
Plutarch's Life of Phocion with Study Guide by Anne White
Our Island Story by HE Marshall
Watch Appalachian People How they heated their homes back in the day - Donnie Laws on YouTube
Watch Liberty Kids DVD
The New World by Winston Churchill
This Country of Ours by H.E. Marshall
The Voyage of the Armada by David Howarth
*The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Listen The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyon on Audible
*Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb
Various Shakespeare Sonnets
The Lost Prince by Francis Hodgson Burnett
All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot
*Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
No Fear Shakespeare - As You Like It by SparkNotes
The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
The Heroes by Charles Kingsley
Parables from Nature by Margarett Gatty
Various poetry selections by William Blake
Pilgrim's Progress Part 2 by Jim Pappas
Various poetry selections by Robert Frost
Various poetry selections by Walter De La Mare
A Lion to Guard Us by Clyde Robert Bulla
Equal Shmequal by Virginia Kroll
Alice in Numberland - Fantasy Math
Listen/Study Hymn - How Great Though Art
Listen/Study Composer - Beethoven
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
The Winged Watchman by Hilda Van Stockum
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
Listen Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
The Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Return of the King by JRR Tolkien
The Gammage Cup by Carol Kendall
Kenilworth by Sir Walter Scott
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
Watch An Introduction to Robotics - TeachKidsRobotics on YouTube
STEM Starters for Kids Robotics Activity Book by Jenny Jacoby
*Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History by Penny Le Couteur
Adventures with a Microscope by Richard Headstrom
Watch various microscope videos on YouTube
Snakes are Hunters by Patricia Lauber
A Drop of Water by Walter Wick
The Burgess Bird Book for Children by Thornton Burgess
The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton W. Burgess
Herb Fairies Book #11 - Fireside Stories by Kimberly Gallagher
Mystery of the Periodic Table by Benjamin Wiker
Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herb by Rosemary Gladstar
Here's a list of more "formal" curriculum products that we have used during the month of December:
A Humble Place - Albrecht Durer Artist Study
Beautiful Feet Books Around the World
Bluestocking Guide: Justice by Kathryn Daniels
Mind Benders by The Critical Thinking Co.
Building Thinking Skills by The Critical Thinking Co.
*Life of Fred - Ice Cream by Stanley Schmidt
*Life of Fred - Jelly Beans by Stanley Schmidt
*Life of Fred - Cats by Stanley Schmidt
*Life of Fred - Dogs by Stanely Schmidt
The Art of Problem Solving, PreAlgebra by Richard Rusczyk
*Life of Fred - Prealgebra 2 with Economics by Stanley Schmidt
Abeka reading books - these were gifted to us, and we use them for reading practice.
*Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Apologia - Anatomy and Physiology
Michael Faraday's The Chemical History of a Candle with Guide and Activities by William Hammack
Completing entries in a Nature Journal
Here are some online classes/resources that we have used:
Here are a few games/activities that we have enjoyed:
Build a Helicopter kit
*Items marked with an asterisk are my personal favorites and highly recommended.
Here are a few field trips/activities that we have participated in during the month of December:
Our sons assisted with various sawmilling projects.
Our sons participated in their official FFA meeting.
Our daughters participated in their Young Disciples group at church.
The kids helped to prepare the hoophouse for the animals. We harvest all remaining vegetables and cut down the trellises. Then, we bring in multiple loads of wood chips and a roll of wheat to use as bedding. This bedding material is roughly 6-8 inches tall before we introduce the animals.
Then we bring the Little Red Hen House (our mobile chicken coop) to the hoop house and connect them.
A couple of our kids participate in the local co-op. Our son attends classes for Bible and Art. Our daughter attends classes for Bible, Art, Science and Logic. They really enjoy their time learning with their friends.
Our daughter continued her crochet lessons with the Master Crocheter and found time to practice at home.
Our boys participated in a FFA fundraiser by assisting the workers at Culver's.
The kids bundled up and enjoyed time outdoors in the cold.
Our FFA class participated in a site visit at the Eastern Kentucky University dairy. They practiced AI techniques with a bovine simulator and loading the inseminator gun.
We visited the barn where they had real-life experience in locating the cow's cervix. Some of the kids stepped outside of their comfort zone on this one!
We watched and were educated on the use of the automated milking machine that is used at this facility.
They spent some class time learning about the gastrointestinal tract and nutrition for ruminant animals.
We toured EKU's pig facility.
We really appreciate the time that the presenters take in sharing information with us!
Our oldest son is taking elective classes through Bluegrass United. These classes include Interpersonal Communication, History of Comic Books and Critical Thinking. He is enjoying both the alternative to his core classes and the time discussing the topics with friends.
We celebrated a birthday (even if his presents were wrapped in Christmas paper).
They attended a Christmas party with other homeschoolers that included games, cookie decorating and white elephant gift exchange.
They participated in various 4H meetings including Skillathon and Livestock Judging.
Our daughters attended a movie night with our Co-Op where they watched the movie, The Star.
We attended a wrestling match. It was senior night, and we were happy to celebrate with family.
We attended a Bengals football party with friends.
Our son continued to improve his skills in driving.
Our sons participated in their FFA animal science class. They learned about beef quality certification and giving injections.
Our daughter has discovered an interest in yoga. I am enjoying participating in this activity with her as she encourages and reminds me to take time to fit this into our busy days. Our favorite online instructor is Adriene.
They participated in their FFA Christmas party. It was hosted by a member's family and filled with games, laughter and food.
We visited the Ark.
We enjoyed spending time celebrating Christmas with family and friends.
Our lives are not what is considered normal, but we are loving it this way!
*For those that enjoy the booklists, I have attached links to my Amazon affiliate account. As an Amazon associate, I will earn money from any qualifying purchases made by using these link