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One of the best things I ever introduced into our homeschool year is something I affectionately call Advent School. We’ve been working steadily since mid-August and adding to that sports and extra-curricular activities…we’re all just tired. I can see it in their attitudes and the quality of their work. We all need a little break.
For our family, Advent School looks like lots of reading and lots of extras. You know how you have the best of intentions, but your schedule never seems to allow for the extra baking sessions or consistent nature study or free-form art lessons? This is what I try to aim for during this time of year: learning, creativity and memory making. (We still complete our math lessons though, much to the kids’ disappointment, ha) The kids are welcome to follow the rabbit trails that the season naturally invites. It’s about as “unschooling” as I get!
In all honesty, this was the first year where I could feel a tangible transition. My oldest two boys, now a teen and tween, weren’t as interested in the picture books and crafting like in years before. They happily filled their time with drawing and novel writing and coding. They had free rein of the kitchen and baked scones and cookies and even made us dinner a few times. And this is good – really good! – but it felt weirdly bittersweet. I still continue the yearly traditions for the younger ones, but whew. Kids growing up is hard on a mama’s heart.
Here were our plans for this year:
First Sunday of Advent: We put up the Christmas tree (just lights) and the Nativity (minus Jesus, of course) and brought out the Advent wreath with beeswax candles that the kids rolled. We also re-instituted this tradition after a few years off. (Thanks for the reminder, Rosie!)
Monday, Dec 2: We read Richard Scarry’s Best Christmas Book Ever and played the “board game” inside the book.
Tuesday, Dec 3: We read Merry Christmas, Strega Nona and then made chocolate pretzel bites.
Wednesday, Dec 4: We read Jolly Christmas Postman and the kids helped to label, stamp, and mail our Christmas cards.
Thursday, Dec 5: We read Country Angel Christmas and then baked star-shaped sugar cookies.
Friday, Dec 6: Saint Nicholas Day! We read St. Nicholas and The Bakers Dozen and then spent the day eating chocolate coins and trying out the different games from Lucky 13: Solitaire Games for Kids and The Ultimate Book of Family Card Games (books I bought secondhand for a steal!).
Second Sunday of Advent: We celebrated the Immaculate Conception with a big Sunday dinner, followed by decorating a gingerbread house. We also put a few more decorations up around the house.
Monday, Dec 9: We got caught up on a few chapters of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and tried Turkish Delight.
Tuesday, Dec 10: We read Frosty the Snowman and Snowmen at Night and made snowball cookies.
Wednesday, Dec 11: We read Bear Stays Up for Christmas, chatted about hibernation and then went on a nature hike to find evergreen trees on our property. We even foraged a piece to keep on our dining room table!
Thursday, Dec 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe! We read Our Lady of Guadalupe and watched the animated video on Formed.
Friday, Dec 13: We read The Legend of the Poinsettia and then painted watercolor versions.
Third Sunday of Advent: We celebrated Gaudete Sunday with our 3rd annual gingerbread man decorating party! A few more decorations went up around the house and the ornaments were put on the tree.
Monday, Dec 16: We read Ella Bella Ballerina and The Nutcracker and watched the ballet on Amazon.
Tuesday, Dec 17: We read The Night of Las Posadas and then drew Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus from Art for Kids tutorials.
Wednesday, Dec 18: We read I Spy Christmas and Can You See What I See? Toyland Express and then made a scene of our own to photograph.
Thursday, Dec 19: We read Merry Christmas, Curious George and made our own ornaments to add to the tree.
Friday, Dec 20: We will read Room for a Little One and celebrate the beginning of Christmas break!
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Wrapped gifts will go under the tree!
P.S. This probably seems like a lot for an already busy time of year, but has actually just become a part of our family culture. Every family has their “thing” (my hat’s off to you, creative Elf on the Shelf mamas!) and this is ours.