I have found that one of the most delightful ways to make homeschooling both engaging and memorable is by aligning it with the natural rhythm of the seasons. Seasonal homeschooling not only helps break up the year into manageable chunks but also creates opportunities to explore the world in ways that are timely, hands-on, and meaningful. If you want to read more about why we choose to homeschool, check that out here.
Each season presents itself with beautiful challenges and opportunities. The most popular question I get as a homeschool mom is about our schedule. Do we have one? No. We dont. We have a routine. We have rhythms. Those shift with the seasons of nature and life.
One of the biggest struggles parents face when deciding to homeschool is letting go of duplicating a classroom experience. The classroom experience is designed for mass production of education and does not have to be adhered to when educating at home. And quite frankly it should not be duplicated at home.
The best lessons come from teachable moments. Those are the moments that naturally arise through the trip to the bank or the grocery store. The ones we experience throughout the many seasons of life. Think about the times when you have learned the most as a child? You were likely enjoying or interested in the experience. As parents of young children, we want our children to thrive and love learning from the beginning. Which means, setting up opportunities they will love. I have found the simplest way to do that is by letting go and embracing the changes of life.
Today as we focus on seasonal learning, I am going to share one of the most beautiful tools that came to me last winter as we were embracing the 1000 Hours Outside challenge. Keep in mind, when we do challenges with our children, we need to stay flexible, not rigid. As someone who hates not completing goals, that can be hard. When we involve little hands and hearts it should never be for perfect completion. Children are children. The purpose of childhood is not to be perfect or to grow up.
Our Seasonal Routine:
Fall/Spring:
Wake up/ morning sunshine
Devotional time outside on the patio with Breakfast
Handwriting, Spelling, Reading, Math
Break for exercise class or gym time
Outside Play
Lunch
History or Science
Quiet time/ Mom’s work hour
Responsibilities (Chores)
Afternoon activities
Winter:
Wakeup/Breakfast
Gym/home exercise (2-3x a week)
Outside play time
Handwriting and Spelling
Lunch
Math, Reading, History, and Science
Quiet time/Mom’s work hour
Responsibilities (Chores)
Afternoon activities
In the winter, our greatest joy has been shifting our outdoor play time to the morning. If you live in a region with brutally cold Januarys and Februarys, you may find that you enjoy this rhythm too. We want to prioritize outside play time; therefore, it must be done in the morning. Plus, it gets dark so early. By shifting some of our lessons to the afternoon, we are now using some colder/duskier hours for academics. Our trade-off would be getting work done in the morning when the weather is much more pleasant. And then in the afternoon, we would be tempted with more technology than I like to allow. Shifting some of our fun time/ outings to the morning allows us to live the lifestyle of creativity, physical activity, rest, and exploration that we prefer.
Summer:
Wake up/ morning sunshine
Devotional time outside on the patio with Breakfast
PLAY
2-3 days of light activities during or around quiet time when we want a break from the heat of the day
PLAY
*This is probably the worst photo but one of the girls’ and I’s favorite memories- we successfully caught lots of sand dollars this summer by hand at Anna Maria Island!
Why Embrace Seasonal Homeschooling?
Each season brings its own set of themes, activities, and learning opportunities. There’s so much we can learn about life and the world by paying attention to the seasons that come and go. By weaving these elements into your homeschool curriculum, you can:
- Engage with Nature: Seasonal changes provide endless inspiration for science, art, and outdoor activities.
- Celebrate Traditions: Holidays and seasonal events offer rich cultural and historical learning opportunities.
- Stay Inspired: A seasonal approach keeps lessons fresh and prevents burnout by introducing new topics and activities throughout the year.
Ideas for Seasonal Homeschooling
Fall: Harvesting Knowledge
- Science: Study the life cycle of leaves, explore why they change color, or learn about migration and hibernation.
- Art: Create leaf rubbings, pinecone crafts, or autumn-themed watercolor paintings.
- Literature: Read books like Charlotte’s Web or poetry about fall, and write your own autumn-inspired stories.
- Field Trips: Visit apple orchards, pumpkin patches, or local farms to learn about agriculture and seasonal produce.
Winter: A Cozy Time for Growth
- Math: Use snowflake symmetry to teach geometry or calculate recipes for holiday treats.
- Reading: Have a Little House on the Prairie winter. Here’s my absolute favorite unit study and the resources (sewing patters/embroidery links). We spent last winter reading, cooking, sewing, and it was beyond fun!
- History: Learn about winter holidays around the world or study historical events like the famous winter at Valley Forge.
- Science: Dive into weather patterns, explore states of matter with ice experiments, or learn about animal adaptations. Dive into a themed unit on snowflakes, birds, winter animals and more.
- Family Projects: Make handmade gifts or decorations, bake together, or start a gratitude journal.
Spring: A Season of Renewal
- Biology: Study plant life cycles, start a garden, or explore the return of migratory birds.
- Art: Paint spring landscapes or create nature collages with flowers and leaves.
- Writing: Keep a nature journal to document seasonal changes, budding plants, or sightings of insects and birds.
- Community: Participate in spring clean-ups or volunteer at local conservation events.
Summer: Adventure and Exploration
- Geography: Plan a “road trip” unit study, learning about maps, landmarks, and regional history.
- Science: Study ocean life, weather phenomena, or astronomy during warm summer nights.
- Creative Projects: Build birdhouses, make solar ovens, or create tie-dye art.
- Physical Education: Incorporate outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, or team sports into your routine.
Tips for Seasonal Homeschooling Success
- Plan Ahead: Use a year-at-a-glance calendar to outline seasonal themes and activities.
- Be Flexible: Life happens! Don’t stress if you can’t cover every seasonal idea.
- Involve Your Kids: Let your children help choose activities and topics that excite them.
- Reflect and Adjust: At the end of each season, discuss what worked and what could be improved.
- Mix It Up: Combine seasonal activities with your core subjects to create a well-rounded curriculum.
The Joy of Learning with the Seasons
Seasonal homeschooling is more than just a creative way to teach—it’s an invitation to slow down and savor the beauty of the changing year. By embracing the unique gifts of each season, you can create a homeschool experience filled with wonder, discovery, and connection. So, grab your calendar, step outside, and let the rhythm of the seasons guide your learning adventure!
If you are a new homeschool mom or considering taking the leap, I wrote an ebook to help guide you in your journey. I wrote it from the perspective of a mom, teacher, and 2nd generation homeschooler. I hope you enjoy it and find it helpful.
