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Wednesday, November 5

Spotlight on Family-Style Holiday Resources

Unit studies are popular with homeschooling families because they provide a hands-on, in-depth approach to learning about any topic of choice.  This is a great way to provide individualized instruction for your students, allowing them explore the 'topic-du-jour,' and instills a love of learning!


Two of our favorite Christmas unit bundles to pick up are the Home for the Holidays and History Behind the Holidays sets.  Incorporate the holidays into every core subject, plus add in all the electives!  There's no right or wrong way -- whether you want to take off entirely and focus on learning through fun, or just use bits and pieces for fun studies throughout the regular day, you'll find the right groove for your family.

Read more on The Holiday Edition in DeeDee's Journal (freebie)!


Homeschool through the holidays with this holiday bundle that includes three full-length history-based holiday unit studies plus several extra crafts and activities!

Contents

  • A New Advent Tradition
  • Making a Family Heirloom
  • Nutcracker Unit Study
  • Candy Cane Crafts
  • Spiced Ornaments
  • RACK Baking Treats
  • A 1940s Christmas
  • Easy Christmas Cookies
  • Vintage Decor
  • A Victorian Age Christmas
  • Christmas in England



Includes eight American holidays. Each unit has introductory text, which will give the student the holiday’s history and customs.  After this text, there are featured videos, which augment the background information and help make the topic more accessible for more visual students. You will also find a short list of reading books and fun hands-on activities!

  • Introduction
  • Valentine’s Day
  • St. Patrick’s Day
  • Easter
  • Mother’s Day
  • Father’s Day
  • Halloween
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas

Product Samples:   Valentine’s Day & Christmas Traditions



The holidays are a time for creating moments with the family.  Many homeschooling parents choose to take the entire month of December off to participate in holiday events, including the Sparks Academy co-op, but there is a way to incorporate holidays into those school days, and there are many Christmas & Chanukah resources for your holiday homeschool.

Even if you live in a state with strict requirements on hours and subjects, there are ways to be creative!  Cooking is home economics; shopping is budgeting and math; writing cards is language arts.  Kids in public schools are spending most of the month of December – particularly in elementary grades – doing arts and crafts, and there’s no reason you can’t, too.

Pop over to Christmas-Schooling to check out the HUGE holiday-homeschool resource round-up!



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Saturday, November 1

Week-Long High Holidays Unit Study for High School (FREE PRINTABLE)

High Holidays: Reflection, Renewal, and Responsibility

This unit is appropriate for grades 9-12, but can be tailored to fit a family-style learning format.  It is designed to be used in a single week OR in a Fun Friday format, completing one day of the unit each week of the month.  Visit the Subscribers Page for a printable PDF version.

For extra enrichment, study Jewish Holidays in Literature in depth.  To tailor for additional middle or elementary school family members, start with the Rosh Hashanah post.

DAY 1: Introduction to the High Holidays – Themes & History

Topics & Activities:

  • Overview of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

  • Journaling:
    • Reflective writing prompt: “What does it mean to return to your best self?”

  • Art Extension:

    • Create a visual representation of “the Book of Life” — what would you want written in yours?

  • Hebrew Component:

    • Vocabulary: shofar, teshuvah, cheshbon hanefesh, machzor

DAY 2: Rosh Hashanah – Renewal & Responsibility

Topics & Activities:

DAY 3: Teshuvah – The Practice of Returning

Topics & Activities:

  • Ethics/Philosophy:

  • Journaling Prompt:

    • Write a letter of apology — real or hypothetical — and reflect on the experience

  • Art/Creative Expression:

    • Design a “Teshuvah Tree” with leaves that show areas of growth/change

  • Nature Study:

    • Practice Tashlich (symbolic casting off of sins in water) at a local pond or stream

DAY 4: Yom Kippur – Reflection, Fasting, and Forgiveness

Topics & Activities:

  • Prayer and Liturgy Study:

    • Study the Vidui (confession) and Kol Nidre

    • Explore the emotional and poetic power of liturgy

  • Creative Writing Prompt:

    • “What would you do differently if you were granted a fresh start?”

  • Science/Health (Optional):

  • Quiet Time Activity:

    • Create a “forgiveness box” — a private journal or symbolic place to release guilt or burdens

DAY 5: Moving Forward – Sukkot and Joy in the Cycle

Topics & Activities:

  • Transition into Sukkot:

    • Build a model or full sukkah

    • Study symbolism of the lulav and etrog

    • Explore Sukkot as ecological and agricultural holiday

  • Nature Study:

    • Go outside and notice signs of fall; sketch or document seasonal changes

  • Civics/Service Connection:

    • Discuss how the High Holiday season might inspire action (volunteering, climate justice, charity)

  • Final Reflection Prompt:

    • “What do I want to carry forward from this season into the rest of the year?”

  • Creative Celebration:

    • Share a poem, song, or art piece that symbolizes renewal or gratitude

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Tuesday, October 7

Spotlight on Themed-Unit Bundles for High School

Unit studies are popular with homeschooling families because they provide a hands-on, in-depth approach to learning about any topic of choice.  This is a great way to provide individualized instruction for your students, allowing them explore the 'topic-du-jour,' and instills a love of learning!


Autumn is fantastic time to pick up a new unit study, infusing a sense of enthusiasm into the routine of the day!  With novel studies, there is a read-aloud, or family time, element as well.  Added hands-on activities and field trips round out the trifecta of excitement and beat the boredom blues...

Not seeing the one your child wants?  Check out How to Create a Unit Study (with free planner)!

Two of our favorite themed unit bundles to pick up are the World War 2 and Fantasy-Fiction sets.  Each features multiple books that each focus on a different person and/or historic event.  As expected, the World War 2 bundles focuses largely on the WW2 era, but covers sixteen different perspectives, giving a well-rounded picture to this world event.  The Fantasy & Fiction set was created for young adults gravitating toward that genre, and each lesson within the unit focuses on a different language arts or social studies theme.

You may also be interested in....

Looking for a literature-based history curriculum? Using sixteen different novels, these unit studies cover World War 2 from multiple perspectives!

These studies are directed toward upper grades students.

  • There is background, introductory text included.
  • After this text, there are featured videos, which augment the background information and help make the topic more accessible for more visual students.
  • You will also find a short list of reading books, including a featured novel that the unit builds upon.
  • There are vocabulary words, places, and people to identify.
  • Reading comprehension, critical thinking questions, and writing assignments are included.
  • We add fun with hands-on activities and extra videos to watch that will bring the era to life.

Samples:



Includes eight novel studies covering the fantasy and fiction genre. Each novel addresses a new topic, primarily falling into social studies and language arts categories.
  • Each unit has introductory text, which will give the student basic background information about the topic at hand.
  • There are photographs and illustrations, and we have also included primary documents when available.
  • After this text, there are featured videos, which augment the background information and help make the topic more accessible for more visual students.
  • You will also find a short list of reading books, including one featured novel – the spine of the unit.
  • There are vocabulary words, places, and people to identify.
  • Reading comprehension, critical thinking questions, and writing assignments are included.
  • We add fun with hands-on activities and extra videos to watch that will bring the era to life.
  • Some units also have cooking projects.
These studies are directed toward upper grades students, but some have resources for younger students so that the whole family can work together. Our family has used unit studies as curriculum for many years, and we hope that your family will enjoy these, too!



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Wednesday, September 3

Spotlight on Resources for Teaching Spanish

About half of families begin foreign language in the elementary years, while the other half wait until high school.  If you’re trying to decide which language to select, may I make the case for Spanish?

Read more about Spanish language-learning, including TalkBox and DuoLingo!

Three of our favorite resources for additional Spanish learning and fun practice include the Printable Poster Set, Spanish/English Christmas Carols, and Brick-Themed Spanish Daily Calendar.  Each incorporates the language in a fun-filled way for vocabulary and daily practice!

Fourteen full-color posters to help your students better grasp the Spanish language.  Perfect for the visual learner!!


  1. Animals
  2. Farm Animals
  3. Ocean Animals
  4. Clothing
  5. Daily Routine
  6. What are you Doing?
  7. Fruits & Vegetables
  8. Gardening Tools
  9. Household Appliances
  10. Landmarks
  11. School Supplies
  12. Means of Transportation
  13. In the Airport
  14. Solar System

Study basic Spanish concepts with these fun, brick-themed daily calendar labels. Concepts covered include: months, days, seasons, and weather.  Use this unit with Lego or other building blocks!  Designed to be printed and laminated for continuous use.



Celebrate Christmas and practice your Spanish foreign language simultaneously!  This 14 Christmas carols are beautifully printed in both Spanish and English – to help with language learning and for your caroling pleasure. 


Spanish 2
Looking for a more structured and traditional approach to foreign language?  SchoolhouseTeachers.com offers several different language options, along with every other subject - for all grades.  Try it out for one month.  You'll get access to everything they have and will have a chance to see if it's the right fit for your family!  (Spoiler: We bet it will be!)

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Tuesday, September 2

Books & Unit Studies for National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15th to October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month.  During this time, Americans celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.  Here are some ideas for you to incorporate unit studies, read alouds, and other fun activities into your homeschool this month!!


Fantastic New Books!!

 

This crop of new reads incorporates elements of Hispanic culture, interweaving them seamlessly into stories that educate and / or entertain.  Here are some of our favorites...and many include RECIPES, too!


Children's Books

  • Menudo Sunday
    • Sundays are the best: that’s when a little girl and her mamá, abuelitos, tías and primos all gather together to eat yummy menudo, a traditional Mexican soup. But when playtime with the cousins and family dogs gets out of hand and Abuelito Esteban’s special bowl of menudo breaks, everyone has to pitch in to make a new batch! Through all the menudo mishaps and sneaky snacks for perritos with wagging tails, young readers will giggle as they learn to count from 1-15 in Spanish and English. Bonus materials at the back of the book include a glossary of Spanish words, a note from the author, and tips for hosting your very own Menudo Sunday!
  • When We Find Her
    • Lila and her Abuelo Carlos miss Abuela Ana. Without the sound of her laughter, the rhythm of her dancing, or the aromas of her cooking, home just isn’t the same. So Lila devises a plan to hold onto every detail she can remember. She and Abuelo will make Abuela’s signature dish—sancocho! Off to the market they go, guided by a faded recipe that takes them through the stalls, where each ingredient sparks a warm memory. As Lila and her abuelo learn to lean on each other, Abuela’s words help them recreate a dish that tastes like love.
  • Tios y Primos
    • A little girl meets more relatives than she can count—but how will she communicate with them if she can’t speak their language? It’s a little girl’s first trip to her papa’s homeland, and she’s wowed by all the amazing sights and sounds—and especially by the size of her enormous family! But she only knows a little Spanish, and it’s hard not to be able to share jokes and stories. Fortunately, her relatives help her see that there are other ways they can connect, and soon she feels like she’s right where she belongs: in the heart of a loving family, learning as she goes along.

Young Adult Books

  • A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation
    • Gonzalo Alberto Sánchez García has never considered himself the hero of his own story. He’s an observer, quietly snapshotting landscapes and drawing the creatures he imagines emerging from them. Forced to spend the summer with his estranged grandfather, Alberto William García—the very famous reclusive author—Gonzalo doesn't expect to learn that heroes and monsters are not only the stuff of fantasy. But that’s precisely what happens when Gonzalo’s CEO mother, Veronica, sends Alberto on tour to promote the final book in his fantasy series for children and Gonzalo must tag along, even though he feels no connection to his grandfather or the books. Together, they embark on a cross-country road trip from Mendocino to Miami in a classic 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass S convertible named Mathilde. Over the course of ten epic days on the highway, they will slay demons, real and imagined; confront old stories to write new ones; and learn what it truly means to show up for your family.
  • Island of the Forgotten Gods

    • Nico wants to be a famous film director. He's pretty sure if he can make the right movie, and soon, his life will completely change. The catch? His parents are sending him to Puerto Rico for the summer to stay with his iconic, but old-school, Abuela Luciana, and his awesome, but unpredictable cousins. Still, the show must go on. Until Nico and his cousins awaken a monster. A monster that looks an awful lot like the infamous Chupacabra. And it turns out this isn't a chance encounter. The creature begins stalking them all over Puerto Rico, turning up on every dark corner, sandy beach, and moonlit night. To make matters worse, a shadowy cult enters the chase, intent on capturing them before the Chupacabra can. Soon they are thrown into an adventure that brings them face-to-face with the ancient Taino people, even more ancient Taino gods, and the mysterious Chupacabra, who is somehow linked to everything. Nico keeps his camera rolling, hoping the epic documentary will catapult him to stardom. But in the end, it's the island's fate that hangs in the balance, as they face down the very gods that created Puerto Rico.


Dive Deeper with Literature-Based Unit Studies

     
   
   
  • We Were There with Cortes and Montezuma -- In the early 16th century, Spanish colonies were already well established in the Caribbean islands and they were turning their eyes westward.  Under the leadership of Hernán Cortés, the Spaniards looked to Aztec territory in present-day Mexico...
  • Charlie Hernandez -- Latin American culture is full of terrifying mythological creatures that our parents used to scare us into good behavior!  The Charlie Hernandez books pull myths from several countries and weave them together into a story of good battling evil while teaching readers about these cultural tales.  And no, la chancla isn't one of them, but as any Latino kid knows...it should be...
  • The King's Fifth -- The earliest exploration of the Southwest occurred as a result of the accident that left Cabeza de Vaca and his companions shipwrecked along the Gulf Coast.  Cabeza de Vaca was one of the first non-Native Americans to travel through Texas, and he published a narrative of his adventures that would inspire the expeditions of de Soto and Coronado...
  • Encounter -- When Columbus met some native men in the Carribbean, they said "Taíno, Taíno," which meant, "We are good, noble." Columbus thought they were saying the name of their people....and the name stuck...
  • Studying Central America -- Once home to the Mayan civilization, one of the greatest historic civilizations of the Americas, Central America is a narrow isthmus connecting North and South America...
  • Dia de Los Muertos - Day of the Dead may sound like a sad celebration, but it's actually a joyous celebration of remembering loved ones who have died.  Death is viewed as just part of the cycle of life, and children are taught not to fear it. It is a celebration for families and friends we have lost...


Foreign Language Resources

  

The best parts of each of these resources is that you don't have to know the language because you'll be learning alongside your children.  This can be used with young children for bilingual development, or with older children as foreign language curriculum.  And the subscription model helps families to stay the course, focusing on different language aspects each month!


What resources would you add to this list?  How will you be celebrating this month in your homeschool?
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