Back into the Swing of Homeschooling

The transition from winter break to school has been fairly smooth and peaceful.  Welcomed I would even say.




We are doing are best to brave the cold everyday.  Or almost anyway.  A few of those negative 90 degree days we thought it best to stay tucked inside.



During our first week back we read the story of Fatima the Spinner and the Tent and did some writing and drawing in our main lesson books (I love this story).



We made some tooth fairy pillows (someone has his first loose tooth!).



We also started learning some new songs this month during circle time, mostly about snowmen and king winter and a really sweet Spanish one called "Naranja Dulce".



For the entire month of January we are learning about Jane Goodall.  We are all enjoying this so much.  She is such an amazing person.  We are also learning about activism this month and so she is our inspiration for that as well.




And this month we read the Wizard of Oz.  The day we finished they wanted to start it all over again (seriously). Now they are working on a Wizard of Oz diorama.



Grace and Jackson also auditioned for a play this week.  On Saturday we went to a workshop at the theater to learn more about the audition and then for the next few days they had so much fun practicing their monologues.  Last night they had the actual audition and both said it was a lot of fun.  They have a very unlikely chance of getting a part since there were so many kids who auditioned and many of them had theater experience (which I made sure to explain to them several times).  But in any case I think they both decided that taking an acting class or trying out for more plays is something they want more of.



This week we started learning about hibernation.  We are reading a lot of books on the subject but this one in particular is really holding our interest.  Outside they are also building their own snow "cave" to hibernate in.



And finally, between Grace's recital and their audition they have been really inspired to put on shows this month.  Puppet shows, dance shows, plays, etc.  I have "purchased" so many tickets over the last few weeks.



I have to say that I am really lingering in the quiet peacefulness of January.  With homeschooling this year I am especially appreciating the fact that we don't have to rush off anywhere in the morning.  Sitting by the fire with a cup of tea (and no immediate need to get moving) is the perfect remedy to any cold winter day in Minnesota.