Posts tagged ‘holidays’

Get ready for Valentine’s Day by snapping up these freebies now!

Mini I Love You Cards
To celebrate Valentine’s Day in a different way, check out how the words “I love you” are said in 182 languages. These mini-cards could be the starting point of many more lessons and can be adapted for all ages and teaching styles.

Free Valentine’s History & Writing Lessons
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Currclick is offering this amazing history and writing elective. Your student will learn about the history of Valentine’s Day and the saints who are behind the observance. The writing lesson will introduce aspects of poetry and important poets writing about love. Next, the student will be led step-by-step to write two poems. To top off these great lessons, the site has set up an opportunity for students to publish their creative works.

Valentine’s Day Mini-Unit
From About.com Homeschooling, this free mini-unit has ideas for hosting a tea party and provides a brief history of the holiday. Test your Valentine’s Day knowledge with a quiz, make a craft, play online games and more!

Free Sample from Marble Slab Creamery
On Monday, February 14th, Marble Slab Creamery will be giving out free samples of their new Tiramisu Ice Cream from 3-6 pm. Visit the website to find a participating location near you.

Did February just sneak up on you?  Yeah, us too!

If you’re looking at the calendar, you may have noticed that tomorrow is Groundhog’s Day.  You might even be considering incorporating something about it into tomorrow’s school plans …. if only there a quick way to put together a mini-unit …..

Well, you’re in luck.  Albeit last minute, we’ve found some fun resources for learning about Groundhog’s Day with your children!

Facts & History: Read this short page to learn about how Groundhog Day came to be, here in the United States.

This History of Groundhog Day: If your child wants to read more, this page goes a little more in depth.

All About Groundhogs Video: Did you know that groundhogs are also known as wood chucks?  Watch this video to learn more!

Printable Worksheets: This website has a collection of 10 different worksheets including a word search, crossword puzzle, vocabulary builder and more!

Pop Up Puppet: Use a foam cup, paper and craft stick to make this puppet.

Groundhog Day Quiz: Use this as a final quiz or a starting point for a research project!

And maybe all of this talking about Groundhog Day has got you thinking about that super-funny movie with Bill Murray?  You can rent it from Amazon right now and watch right on your computer for only $2.99 or buy it as a digital download for only $4.99!

What are your favorite resources for learning about Groundhog Day?

This post was written by Christina S., a LessonPathways.com team member and homeschooling mom of 11 years. When she’s not finding great resources to share with our LessonPathways family, she’s busy working on her site, HomeschoolingInDetroit and chatting away on Twitter.

Over the centuries, people have celebrated Christmas in many different ways.  As Christmas approaches, this is a wonderful time to share with your family the history, crafts and stories of years gone by.

At my house, we have started counting down the days until Christmas.  We are shamelessly singing Christmas songs at the top of our lungs, and we are enjoying our egg nog and gingerbread coffee creamers immensely.   The tree is lit and the halls are decked.  It is really beginning to look, sound and smell a lot like Christmas around here.  We seem to partake in many traditional Christmas traditions, but why?  Where did these traditions originate? This brief history of Christmas will explain why we celebrate Christmas and the many wonderful traditions associated with the holiday.

Activities for Fun and Learning

Hands-on activities make learning more memorable and more fun. Here are some activities to share with your family this Christmas season.

Make an Orange Pomander Pomanders were a traditional Christmas gift in Tudor times – designed to combat all those nasty smells of daily Tudor life!

Meeting Santa Claus Mr. Edwards met Santa on his way to the Ingall’s home for Christmas dinner. Have your child imagine and describe what he thinks it would be like to meet Santa.

Butter Pound Cake Try your hand at this delicious recipe.

Hand Dipped Candles Read and follow the directions on the page to make the candle(s). Be sure to read the tips at the bottom of the page. How do you think night time activities were affected by only having candles for light?

Make a Marshmallow Snowman Ornament If you like to add homemade ornaments to your Christmas tree each year, this marshmallow snowman Christmas ornament is quick and easy for kids or adults to make

Tools for Learning

Incorporate these online games, printables, and activities to teach your child about Christmas.

The Twelve Days of Christmas Students usually have a lot of fun doing this. The teacher can give clues for students who have trouble recalling parts of the song.

Christmas Card Nouns and Adjectives Use Christmas cards to reinforce the concepts of nouns and adjectives.

Christmas Word Puzzles Keep kids busy (and in the Christmas spirit) while you wrap, organize or decorate with these fun Christmas printables.

Online Christmas Games Dress the elves, make music and so much more!

Online Christmas Quiz Think you know everything there is to know about Christmas?  Test yourself with this fun quiz.

Videos Resources

These videos will enhance your study of Christmas — the history, traditions, and much more.

The History of the Holidays – Christmas Learn about the origins of Christmas traditions with this video from the History Channel.

The Life of a Christmas Tree From a tiny tree in the wilderness to a spectacular display in your living room; this video explains how it happens.

Christmas Light Technology Ever wonder how Christmas lights work?  Watch the video to find out!

Do you have a favorite resource for learning about Christmas?  Tell us in the comments section below!

This post was written by Dana A., a LessonPathways.com Team Member and homeschool mom.  She lives in Florida, with her husband and two children.

This post was written by Christina S., LessonPathways.com team member and veteran homeschool mom.  When not helping out around here at LessonPathways.com or other work-related project, she’s busy homeschooling or tweeting as @MrsStrick on Twitter.

In her quest to find great resources for educating her own children, she has found some she’d like to share with you.  Read on and enjoy!

Hanukkah, also known as “The Festival of Lights” (and sometimes spelled “Chanukah”) is an eight-day Jewish holiday starting on the 25th day of Kislev, which may occur at any time from late November to late December (source: wikipedia).

This year, Hanukkah begins on December 1.

While my family is not Jewish, I wanted my children (and myself!) to learn more about Jewish culture and traditions.  It’s important to me that we learn as much as we can, out of respect for our friends that are Jewish and because Jewish culture is deeply intertwined with our own Christian history.

All of the resources here were found on the internet and are completely free!  They are listed here for you, in the friendly “LessonPathways.com” Pathway format we’ve all grown to know and love.  I hope your family finds them useful in your homeschool (or classroom) studies too!

As I mentioned, I am still learning about Jewish culture and traditions.  If I’ve made an error, please let me know.  If you’ve got a great resource I missed, please share it in the comments section below!

___________________________________________________________

Links to Online Lessons

The Story of Hanukkah
Read this very short passage as an introduction to the story of Hanukkah.

History of Hanukkah
Read this account of the Birth of Hanukkah and its celebration, including symbolic foods.

Hanukkah Traditions
Learn more about Hanukkah traditions, including the Miracle of the Oil.

History of the Dreidel
Learn about the history of the Dreidel, how to play and the meaning of the Hebrew letters on each one.

Significance of the Menorah
Learn all about the Menorah and why it signifies the Feast of Lights.

The Star of David
Learn about the meaning of the Star of David

___________________________________________________________

Hands-On Projects and Activities

Make a Dreidel
Follow the directions to make your own dreidel, then try your hand at a game with a friend or family member.

Craft a Hanukkah Menorah
Use wooden spools, paint and yellow eraser pencil toppers to make this craft. (does not actually light up)

Create a Menorah
Want something that really lights up? Use baby food jars and candles to create this Menorah

Hanukkah Wreath
Recommended for ages 6+, create this wreath using a wire coat hanger, TP rolls and paint.

Star of David Window Ornament
Add a little sparkle to your windows by making these pretty ornaments

Cooking for Hanukkah
Try making Hanukkah coins or Latkes. How do you like them?

___________________________________________________________

Worksheets, Printables & Online Activities

Coloring Pages
Beautiful pictures to print and color.

Online Jigsaw Puzzle
See if you can put this holiday picture back together.

Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Print this worksheet, read the short passage and try to answer the questions.

Word Puzzle
(For the older kids) Print and solve this word puzzle about Hanukkah blessings.

Crossword Puzzle
A high quality printable word puzzle (with answer key!).

Lined Journaling Pages
Print your choice of journaling pages to keep track of what you’ve learned.

___________________________________________________________

Free Online Videos

Learn about Hanukkah with Elmo!

History Channel’s History of Hanukkah

Watch this video from the History Channel to learn more about the history of Hanukkah.

___________________________________________________________

Free Online Audio

The Story of Hanukkah
Listen to the story of the Maccabees

___________________________________________________________

Additional Resources

Chabad.org
A large collection of games and other learning goodies for learning about Hanukkah for kids.

Scholastic Lesson Plans
Lesson plans & printables for teaching about the dreidel.

Literature Hanukkah
A list of literature for children about Hanukkah.

Hanukkah Clip Art
Free clip art to use.

If you enjoyed these resources, be sure to visit our site, LessonPathways.com, for more great unit studies and FREE learning materials!

With our American Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s fitting we feature this beloved Pathway on Settlers & Native Americans.

In addition to lessons, worksheets and a video, there are also SIX hands-on activities – all  sure to spice up your homeschool or classroom lesson plans. Learn about life in the Plymouth Village, try your hand a making stewed pompion and craft a Native American Story stick!

In this unit, your child will learn what life was like for the settlers in the new world. The unit will cover the Mayflower journey and what life was like while traveling across the ocean. Your child will discover what the pilgrim’s life was like in Plymouth Village and their interactions with the Native Americans as well as the first Thanksgiving. This unit also includes worksheets, hands-on activities, recipes, games, and coloring pages. This unit is designed to last for one week, depending on how often you teach history.

Have you completed this Pathway with your students?  We’d love to hear from you.  Drop us a note in the comments section below!

Today’s Featured Pathway is sponsored by

Yikes, the Holiday Season is rapidly approaching! With barely two months until the Holidays begin, now is the time to start crafting handmade gifts for all of those family and friends! I find planning a gift or two a week to work on fits in nicely with our budget and homeschooling.

Right now we are planning to make pillowcases for each of the nieces and nephews. My daughter is 9 and is very excited to learn to sew, so this is an easy little project for her and counts as homeschooling hours

We will then visit some book sales and wrap a book or two in the pillowcases for each child. She also will be embroidering some very basic designs on linen to turn into ornaments (using a mini hoop for display!) that will also serve as present toppers.

Of course, as we get closer to the holidays we will have tons of baking going on and will study the world traditions that go with the recipes.

I would love to hear of any crafts/recipes/or projects that you are planning on doing with your homeschoolers for the upcoming holidays!

Cheers,
Colette

This post was written by Colette D., a new-to-homeschooling Mom and a LessonPathways Blog contributing writer. She and her Husband raise their daughter together in the rural countryside of Upstate New York where they like to spend as much time as possible being creative and enjoying nature. She blogs about her adventures in sewing, crafting, and baking (among other things) at yearofhandmade.

A Harvest Poem - Author Unknown

The year has turned its circle,
The seasons come and go.
The harvest is all gathered in
And chilly north winds blow.
Orchards have shared their treasures,
The fields, their yellow grain.
So open wide the doorway-
Thanksgiving comes again!

We’d like to take a moment to wish our northern neighbors a very Happy Thanksgiving!

If you’d like to learn more about Thanksgiving in Canada, check out this post, written by Canadian Native and LessonPathways.com Team Member, Jennifer B.

While many of us are enjoying a three day weekend, barbecues and ushering in the start of summer, we would like to remind everyone to take a moment to honor the men and women who have died in service to our great country. The sacrifices of our military men and women in defending our freedoms are not forgotten.

Feel free to take advantage of these FREE learning resources to teach your children the meaning of Memorial Day today:

• Read about the History of Memorial Day
• Watch a Video to Learn a Song about Memorial Day
• Memorial Day Vocabulary Worksheet
• Memorial Day Word Search
• Coloring Pages

Thank you to all the men and women of our Armed Forces!

We would like to wish all of our friends a happy and healthy New Year!

May it be filled with opportunities for you!

Even though our homeschool is on a break from our normal schedule, we still try to take advantage of learning opportunities, whenever they may arise.  As we prepare for our New Year’s celebration, I thought it would be an ideal time to share a few ideas with our readers. Here are some links you can use to create your own “on the fly” New Year’s Unit Study:

Learn About New Year’s Around the World

Turn your New Year’s Eve celebration into a multicultural one!  Have you children pick a country or two to learn about. Locate them on a map, read about their New Year’s traditions and prepare some food from that country.

New Year Around the World Facts:
Read this interesting,  fun collection of facts about traditions from around the world.  You’ll learn about customs in Greece, Columbia, Scotland & many more countries!

Traditions from Around the World:
Find out even more about the history and traditions of New Year’s. This site offers and extensive list of countries. We just wrapped up a study on our heritage, this will be a great tie in for us! Find the country you are interested in and click on the link to learn more.

How to Say “Happy New Year”:
Have fun learning how to say “Happy New Year!” in other languages.

Lucky New Year’s Eve Food Traditions from Around the World:
Read about food traditions and try to prepare some yourself for New Year’s Eve.  NOTE: There are a lot of pop-ups on this site.  Be sure to have your pop-up blocker on for a better experience.

Calendar Concepts

What better time to reinforce time and calendar concepts, or even learn something new about the history of the calendar? If you kept a family calendar this year, you can review the events of the past year and have your children create a time line.   You can print calendar pages and have your children decorate each month, filling in the special days and holidays.

Calendars: Counting the Days:
This site is just a wealth of information about the calendar!  Read through the different pages to learn about the history of the calendar, how to measure time and the different types of calendars used today.

Assignment Discovery:Days and Months:
Watch this short video to learn how the moon is connected to the calendar.  A nice, quick and to-the-point lesson!

Printable Calendars:
If you want your children to create calendars, this is a nice place to find printable ones for coloring or customizing.

Just Plain Fun

Maybe you’re just looking for some good, old-fashioned, coloring pages, printables and crafts?  There’s lots of fun and learning that can happen with paper, pencil, scissors and glue!

New Year’s at Danielle’s Place: A nice collection of ideas.  My favorite is the FREE printable “pop-up” New Year’s card to make.  Let your kids make a few for friends and neighbors.

New Year’s Word Search:
Just print and circle the words!

Bright New Year Mobile:
This fun craft project, from Crayola, will liven up your home on New Year’s Eve.  You probably have all the supplies you need on hand: construction paper, colored pencils, gel pens, glue & glitter glue, scissors, hole punch, ribbon and recycled foam trays.

Will you be doing some fun learning this New Year’s?  Or, do you have a learning idea or resource for New Year’s?  Share it with us in the comments section below!

This post was written by Christina S., a LessonPathways.com Team Member and  homeschool mom of 10 years.  She lives with her husband and two daughters in Detroit, Michigan.