NOTE: Waldorf homeschool style is COMPLEX. As I have researched and learned, I have found there are a vast amount of resources and angles to this education style. Be prepared that this may require a substantial amount of time and prep before choosing to do schooling this way.

What is Waldorf Education?

Waldorf was founded in the 20th century from the insights and principles of Rudolf Steiner. An Austrian educator who opened his first Waldorf school in Germany. He did it because he wanted to create schooling contrary to the teacher-centered schools in Germany at that time that only allowed a select few students to continue to advanced schooling. He believed all students should achieve whole sense of self.

Waldorf is based on experiencing the subjects through life. It nurtures a holistic approach of intellectual, artistic and practical skills. This is

What is Waldorf in Basic Terms? What does it mean for your child?

Does your child have a natural inclination to sing, dance, perform and create? If so, or if you want to explore this more to see if your child is interested in the artistic aspects of academics, try Waldorf. It is an investment but worth it.

Waldorf education has its foundations in anthroposophy.

At the heart of anthroposophy is the belief that humanity has the wisdom to transform itself and the world through one’s own spiritual development. [1]

A very simplistic but helpful resource website to learn more about Waldorf start: W Curriculum

1. Early Years: Explore curiosity with storytelling, music and play. Routines and general well-being to engage with the world.
2. Grade school: Academics such as languages, history, math, science and history. Many of these subjects have aspects of visual and performance arts.
3. High school: Critical thinking, advanced academics, arts, social and community interactions.

What does this mean in the day to day?

For the young child (preschool age)

Non-academic. No structured concepts. Children are building skills through stories, repetition, social interactions and imagination. Natural child centered aspects.

(1) Emphasis on storytelling. “By heart” not memorization.

(2) Integrated arts with theater and creation. Moving with clapping, drawing, creating paintings, learning math and numbers through color. This has aspects of multiple intelligences. Pneumonic devices.

(3) Same teacher looping so child has the same person – in homeschool this is a no-brainer.

(4) Main Lesson Books – no text books. Children don’t have several subjects. Just one main lesson block for 3-4 weeks like a month long study of a subject (Roman History, Legends and Heroes) 2 hours everyday. Take lessons and write and illustrate their own textbook based on what they learned.

For the grade school child (1st-8th)

More academic with some structure. Children start critically thinking about their readings and environment.

(1) More complex storytelling and readings.

(2) Integrated arts with theater, design and music. More conversation and designs for deeper concepts such as Roman History, Time and Money, Light and Heat.

(3) Same teacher looping so child has the same school teacher – for homeschool this is a no-brainer.

(4) Main Lesson Books are more complex and detailed. Children read the books and spend a month on a unit studying, reviewing and creating their own “text” about the concepts and make art with it.

For the high school child (9th-12th)

On this chart – it shows how the texts become more complex such as modern writers, zoology, geometry (essentially these are the “texts” you would normally get but now they are taught through readings)

Resources and materials for these grades are not as easy to find.

(1) General content is complex reading books with concepts such as Don Quixote, American Tools, Africa, Astronomy for Young an Old, Oliver Twist and more.

(2) Getting the child ready for adult world through honing more specific skills (more speech, theater, problem solving, critical thinking and essay writing)

How to Implement Waldorf Education

1. Research
   • Why Waldorf Works
   • Foundation of Waldorf
   • Learning Waldorf
   • Waldorf Philosophy
   • Overview
   • Essentials
2. Find a group or school for support
3. Buy books and materials
   • Live-Education is a great start to the basics
4. Select your “blocks” of schooling with those books
   • Example for Grade Two (courtesy of Art of Homeschooling)
     • Fables: Aesop’s, Celtic and others (1 or 2 blocks – 1 or 2 months)
     • Legends of Saints (1 or 2 blocks – 1 or 2 months)
     • Local Folklore or Native American Tales (1 block – 1 month)
     • Math (3 or 4 blocks – 3 or 4 months): times tables through 12, number patterns, column adding, situation problems, time, money.
5. Let your child guide the learning as they age – such as more nature walks or music if they prefer those. Integrate more emphasis on the arts or production or problem solving.

Pros/Cons of this Style:

Overall

Waldorf is a creative genius when it comes to education. It has aspects of multiple intelligences and Montessori methods. It incorporates a heavy emphasis on storytelling and arts. In my research I found that a lot of the Waldorf educational methods are in brick and mortar schools. However, the Waldorf homeschool groups are trending and growing.

I recommend finding a group nearby if you live near a big city, or finding Facebook and YouTube videos to learn more. This was an enlightening project as I learned about Waldorf. I am considering implementing some of these concepts with my middle son who is musically inclined. There is no “wrong” way to homeschool. Therefore, if you wish to implement ideas from multiple teaching styles, you can. It is what is best for your child. And I have found that some of these Waldorf concepts are wonderful and engaging. You may find it works for your style of teaching and homeschool as well.

The post Delightful World of Waldorf Homeschooling appeared first on Surviving At Home.

1. It’s a mix and match of multiple curriculums
2. It’s child centered and geared towards each child’s learning style
3. It’s flexible and adaptable, changing when needed
4. It’s arranging and adapting to each child based on their needs

What does this mean in the day-to-day?

Eclectic homeschooling means it’s going to vary from family to family depending on their life and child needs.

Example: You can start school day once children wake up with reading materials like Charlotte Mason texts, classical style in the afternoon such as Latin and Writing, then multiple intelligences or Waldorf style for arts and sciences. There may be online supplemental activities for math or reading and more.

Example: Start school in the evening or later in day after informal learning, chores, activities and nature walk. Then music and science experiments in the afternoon and a journaling and math workbook.

Why Our Family Uses This Method

Our family has a lot of reasons for being eclectic when it comes to homeschooling. Mainly it stems from my husband growing up with this style. He was homeschooled with multiple resources including standard text workbooks, videos and online practice, outside homeschool co-op classes and job site learning.

This method of homeschooling may not be for everyone, but it works for our family because it adapts to our lifestyle as we moved multiple times, attended college and have had seasons of major financial restraints.

How to Implement Eclectic Homeschool Method

• Find a co-op: local groups or small group tutoring
• Utilize your resources: Documentaries, library, games, STEM
• Find curriculums that suit you child’s needs: Story based, all-in-one units, arts focused or classical
• Make your own curriculum: mix and match free resources with texts
• Find good reading texts: look up books and sites for engaging reading
• Ask your child what they like and enjoy: Such as coding, art, writing, sciences etc.
• Test and try different curriculums or units: Try different ideas for a year or two to find favorites.

(1) Find your Rhythm:

(2) Research & Find What Suits Your Teaching Needs:

(3) Map out Goals/Expectations:

(4) Create a Flexible Environment:

(5) Adjust and Modify As You Go:

The post What is the Eclectic Homeschool Style? appeared first on Surviving At Home.

Homeschool online may be a good option for you if you are working full time and trying to homeschool or if you have odd work shifts, or if you are traveling or move a lot. If you have multiple children or a certain life situation that requires your attention in many directions, online may take a portion of the schooling demand off your shoulders so the child can complete what is required or necessary without the stress.

Types of Homeschool Online:

Depending on your situation in life and what you want for your child, there are many options that are viable for homeschooling online. Ever since COVID and the major upheaval of the educational system from 2020 and onwards, more and more online options have become available for families. Whether you want public school or private lessons, there are options for all families all over the country for any budget.

Typically the types of online programs fall into the categories of: full service, self-paced and DIY.

1. Public school online
2. Private school online
3. All in one programs
4. Supplemental
5. Free Online

Public School Online

Typically government funded, they will most likely require your child to be online at a certain point of each day as a check-in/attendance requirement. The content will also more than likely be common-core based and no Biblical content.

Public school online does not allow much freedom in terms of the homeschool way, but it may work as a transition to your family coming out of the public school system because there is some similarity to being in a traditional classroom but being at home. Typically in the homeschool community, online public school is not considered homeschooling but more of an avenue that parents and families utilized when schools were shut down. It is also considered less rigorous content.

Private School Online

Private school online is a specialized and tailored education online. Similar to what you may pay for a child to go to a private Christian school in your town, this online private school teaches your child using those resources.

Most of them are Biblically based and flexible to your child’s needs. Some offer tutors and unique content specific to your family needs. Costs can vary greatly depending on the type of learning content you desire for your child.

All in One Programs

These programs are either free or have a small subscription cost. They offer all content and everything included: videos, instruction booklets, assignments, grading and/or immediate feedback etc.

Supplemental Lessons

If you are looking for something extra for your common subjects or just to change it up, these are some top picks for activity based learning. For us, we needed a break from the math textbooks as we transitioned to more difficult content, so some of these apps worked well for us.

It engages the child and they learn and keep up their skills in a subject. May also help those that need an extra boost in a subject but may be more stubborn about learning.

Brilliant App:

This is a good small example of supplemental because it’s one subject that is online through an app or on a desktop and allows children to practice math skills of all levels in short interactive lessons and games.

The program gives guidance and explains what is correct or incorrect about your answer and walks you through the steps. Our kids enjoy this app because it tells them why they got the question incorrect. (Cost: $100+/yr)

Adventure Academy

Colorful and engaging activities for students ages 8-13. Practice skills for math, science, reading and others with games. (Cost: $13/mo+ free trials)

BrainPop

This is a supplemental video learning tool that is amazing. I used this every day when teaching elementary students at a private school. Short and colorful videos that are fun and age appropriate. Teaches content in a unique and fact based way to engage students. Clever characters and stories. Highly recommended. (Cost: $100+/yr)

Curiosity Stream

Videos for science, history and nature at a low subscription cost per month. Provides appropriate supplemental content videos for multiple subjects. (Cost: $2-5/mo)

If you like this, you may also enjoy MagellanTV which offers similar content but for older students.

Beyond Labz

A unique science based only supplement. Best for older students who have a keen interest in science -biology, chemistry and more. Guided learning simulations and engagement through experiments, analyzing and discussion. (Cost $~30/ per 20 week course)

Free Online Lessons

After Homeschooling

Do your research when you are working through online programs. Most will provide enough options for getting the requirements in but it’s always good to do your research and know what to expect,

Like any method of homeschooling, it’s important to know what requirements they will need for their future career goals. If your child intends to go to college, there are many homeschool friendly colleges and universities. Read More Here

The post How to Homeschool Online: Top Five Picks appeared first on Surviving At Home.

What is unschooling? Unschooling is an educational approach where learning is guided by a child’s interests, curiosity, and everyday life rather than a fixed curriculum or traditional classroom structure. Instead of formal lessons, tests, or grades, children learn through real-world experiences like reading, playing, exploring hobbies, asking questions, and engaging in conversations.

Parents act as facilitators by providing resources, support, and opportunities, trusting that children naturally learn when they are motivated and interested.

The goal of unschooling is to nurture a love of learning, independence, critical thinking, and lifelong curiosity.

How to Unschool

There is no set definition and process to unschooling. It is by it’s very definition the act of NOT formally educating and rejects the formality of the traditional learning methods. There’s no school template or model. It’s extremely informal and child directed.

The main motto of unschooling is that they can’t go a day without learning and even have an annual “Learn Nothing Day” challenge.

This focuses mainly on personality type and the desires of the child each day and that can change daily.

How to Start

Give them options for volunteering and helping out in the community as they get older.

This mainly focuses on civil duties and the everyday life.

Here are some common ways to start unschooling:

• Teaching math such as measurements, fractions and volume with cooking.
• Teaching phonics by reading aloud or learning poetry.
• Teaching science with nature walks and building outdoors.
• Teaching social studies by exploring community museums, volunteering and meeting leaders in the community.

Pros and Cons

Overall Concept

Unschooling is a lot of self-directed learning. It is based on the concept that a child can learn to potty train, walk and talk without any formal texts or guidance. They are engaging in their environment and learning at their own pace. Adults also can learn after any “formal” grades of texts and classroom by taking up a new hobby or skill through experience and immersion.

Unschooling requires a lot of parent diligence and engagement. It means that you have to have the resources available for your child at all times so they can take initiative in their own learning. While this is not necessarily a method of homeschooling that I would recommend as a permanent option, it is something that may be beneficial for certain learning personalities and at certain ages.

While there is no wrong answer to your choice or method of homeschooling, it’s important to know your state requirements and expectations so that you can freely homeschool as you please without concern about grades or academic standards.

Need More Ideas and Resources?

• Unschooling: The Philosophy, Pros, and Cons of Unschooling Your Child
• Unschooling vs. Homeschooling – What’s the Difference?
• Unschooling vs. Homeschooling: What’s The Difference? – This Simple Balance
• Homeschool.com
• The Unschooling Handbook Book

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Learning about the Civil War can sometimes be boring. Let’s face it. Most of us do not have the priority to major or minor in History. Some of us may be history buffs or have a fascination with history but overall, I’d say most of us do not prefer that over another hobby. This curriculum is designed for THREE boys who have very different in learning styles and personalities, I decided to go into fun extensions that would make history engaging, fun and bring a new perspective.

I was amazed at all the different aspects of the civil war that I never knew or learned about growing up.

Some Activities to Learn Beyond the Battles

Naval Battles & Submarines

WHAT: Most recall the Civil War consisting of bloody battles on lands across the Southern states. However, there was a very strong and effective battle occurring on the waterfront as the war raged. Ironclads and submarines were present all along the coasts and inland rivers for both Union and Confederate armies.

RESOURCES & TEXTS:

ACTIVITIES:

1. Draw a submarine from the Civil War and label it with the key elements of a submarine
2. Create a 3D submarine using everyday items such as cardboard and clay
3. Research a submarine and draft a newspaper article about it
4. Create a Venn Diagram on the different submarines past and present
5. Learn about buoyancy and boats with a science experiment about boats
6. Learn about codes sent in wartime – morse code

Spies of Civil War

WHAT: There are many unknown and exciting stories of spies in the Civil War. Both Confederate and Union allies supported the cause in the most unexpected ways including upper class women and detectives.

RESOURCES & TEXTS:

ACTIVITIES:

1. Create a Spy ID Card with fingerprint (Template Here)
2. Create a coded message for the Union or Confederate (Here’s link for help)
3. Create a fake identity background (use template)
4. Create a PowerPoint presentation of the spy and what they did (good lesson for computer skills, creativity and synthesizing info)

Travel Brochure

WHAT: A key focus on one location and one battle area. Allows for in depth research of one area and create a fun brochure that would encourage others to come to the battle site to learn about the time of the Civil War.

RESOURCES & TEXTS:

ACTIVITY:

1. Use Microsoft Word templates such as “brochure” template to create one
2. Use photos of Civil War battles specific to your choice battle

Cooking in Civil War

WHAT: Due to limited resources, many families were creative with their cooking so that any extra materials could go towards war efforts.

RESOURCES & TEXTS:

ACTIVITIES:

1. Choose a recipe from the books to create at home and discuss the pros/cons of the food taste, the materials needed and why they were cooking such items.
2. Compare/Contrast the food at home with the dried foods that soldiers often ate on the battlefields.

Clothing in Civil War

WHAT: Learn about the clothing during the 1800’s and create them.

RESOURCES & TEXTS:

ACTIVITIES:

1. Make a pattern from the book to learn sewing
2. Compare and contrast the clothing of Civil War and modern day
3. Discuss what resources/materials they had then and what we have now

Objects/Artifacts

WHAT: There are many artifacts that are long treasured after the Civil War. Trinkets and everyday items that we may never use again are found and uncovered. Studying them shows a piece of the past and how the people during this time survived with so little.

RESOURCES & TEXTS:

ACTIVITIES:

1. Mystery artifact game
   • Give student an image of a Civil War artifact without its label.
   • Make predictions about its use
   • List clues from its design
   • Reveal the description afterward and reflect
2. Create an artifact
   • Use materials from the 1860’s
   • Make it an item from civilian or soldier life
   • Use texts for reference if needed
3. Explore a museum (if you live near them) OR some offer VIRTUAL TOURS
   • Smithsonian Museum
   • National Park Service

Final Thoughts – THE WHY

The Civil War was a time known for deadly battles and inner fighting. However, there are also many aspects of the Civil War that are less known or discussed. There was a life lived outside of the battlefields including rationing materials, spying for the sides and everyday matters. These extensions allow the lesson to go beyond just the battles but also learn about the people, culture and society throughout those difficult years of the Civil War.

The post Spies, Ships, and Survival: Civil War Activities Made Engaging appeared first on Surviving At Home.

Review Units 1-4 regarding the civil war and the major battles to prepare for your final paper.

Unit 1 Overview of How it Began

1. Civil unrest in the North and South regarding slavery
2. Election of Abraham Lincoln
3. Economic and social strains
4. Growing hostility amongst the states and societal groups
5. First battle of Battle of Bull Run

Unit 2 Overview of Battles

1. The Union and Confederates gain forces
2. More expansion into the States
3. Weather and unsanitary conditions caused much death
4. Key battle of Shiloh

Unit 3 Overview of Continued Fighting

1. Emancipation Proclamation
2. Battles of Vicksburg and Gettysburg wins
3. Key leaders of Union and Confederates are injured/lose
4. How the Union was struggling

Unit 4 Overview of Final Battles

1. Turning points including the Union gaining strength
2. Groups weakening amongst the Confederates as more battles lost
3. How the Union began to win
4. Final Battle of Palmito Ranch

Other Content/Info

1. Spies in the Civil War
2. Navies in the Civil War
3. Cooking and everyday life in the Civil War
4. Artifacts and items found in Civil War
5. Battle conditions in the Civil War
6. Additional List of Books and Websites

Paper Outline:

1. Choose major battles from each year (1861-1865) focusing on the first battle and the last battle of the Civil War as well as significant battles in between.
2. Select the leaders of each battle on both sides (Union and Confederate)
3. Gather key ideas of the President, culture, society, social issues and slavery
4. Brainstorm and organize the content into something like this template outline

Civil War Essay Criteria (for grading purposes)

Write a 5-7+ paragraph essay about the Civil War from start to finish including:

1. How it started
2. Major battles
3. The significance of President Lincoln
4. Slavery and civil liberties
5. Everyday life during war
6. Life on the battlefield for Union and Confederates
7. Spies as warfare tactics
8. Battle strategies on both sides
9. Culture and social events
10. How the Civil War ended

Here’s a rubric template that I like to use for a general guidance when reviewing a middle school paper.

Final Thoughts

This final essay and summary unit can be modified as you see fit. I had our son work on this essay for a two weeks. Mainly, I wanted the first week for him to review the notes he had and get a good outline/organization of all the information. It’s important to review the content since this unit is multiple weeks and has a lot of reading content.

The second week he focused on writing the essay and using some of the elements of IEW, we revised the essay multiple times until he had at least briefly explained the ten items listed above in his essay. His essay turned into about a 7 paragraph essay after including the major battles of his choosing.

I believe essay writing is an important aspect of learning content because it requires the student to synthesize the information they have learned. Our son quickly realized his notes were not as “good” as he wanted them. He had to use many of the websites to refresh the information and make sure he had the correct dates and times of the civil war.

This gave flexibility and ownership to the content. He was given many resources and enjoyed doing his own research to discover what battles he wanted to write about. He also liked using our loose rubric as a guide.

The post How the Civil War Battles Redefined America appeared first on Surviving At Home.

She believed that children naturally learn in their environment through experience. Using discovery methods and creative storytelling, Charlotte Mason is a teaching style that incorporates topics and skills while also learning character and life skills with “living books”.

Her educational philosophy stemmed from her observation of how children learn and experience life on the day to day. She designed twenty principles to her core philosophy and then taught them by utilizing resources and living stories to bring learning to life in a natural way for a child.

What is the Charlotte Mason Method?

Teaching this method is about a deep understanding of learning: Atmosphere, Discipline and Life.

1. What is your “Atmosphere” = your habits, flow and style in the everyday life.
2. What is your “Discipline” = your intentional learning and expectations, goals and day to day learning
3. What is your “Life” = your family size, ages and pacing

IT IS NOT: Dry textbooks (Mason called these “twaddle”), worksheets, only academic subjects and memorization.

IT IS: Experiences, living books and intentional engagement.

How does it work?

• Most families incorporating this method suggest a deep dive in to the philosophy as a whole before starting the teaching process. Learn more about her philosophy here.
• A great resource to learn the 20 principles is here.
• The Mason style is highly organized and designed to create an overall learning environment.
• The basics include texts, multiple reading books and structured lessons.

Using the details and intentional books, it provides opportunities for guided discovery and good habits.

1. Short lessons to teach attention span
2. Reading aloud
3. Reading “living books”
4. Dictation and copywork
5. Living outside/outdoor experiences
6. Narrations

Getting Started:

Research & Learn the Method

Find Your Texts

Use Your Resources

Engage with Groups

Resources for Further Learning and Starting Mason Style:

• Charlotte Mason method homeschool curriculum and helps
• Home – AmblesideOnline – Charlotte Mason Curriculum
• Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Resources, Curriculum & Community | Living with Charlotte
• BEST Charlotte Mason Homeschool Curriculum Picks and Choices [2023]
• About Charlotte Mason | Charlotte Mason Institute

Pros/Cons

• Complex to get started and require a lot of prep work.
• Expensive $$ depending on which curriculum base you use each year.
• Difficult or challenging for some learning styles.
• Highly engaging and unique in content.
• Great for short attention spans and building patience.
• Is organized and created with many templates to give you structured guidance on the day to day.
• Book focused with fun stories.

While our family does not use this method, it was a wonderful method to research. If you choose this method, you will not be disappointed. There are hundreds of resources and communities all over the county to support you. There are workshops, videos, curriculums, websites and more to help you decide and figure out what you want to do with this method. It is also a highly positive and encouraging method because it tailors to the child with activities and high levels of engagement. If you have a child that may struggle with attention span or enjoys reading, this is a great avenue to start in homeschool education.

The post What is the Charlotte Mason Method? appeared first on Surviving At Home.

Maria Montessori is a fascinating woman born in the 1800’s who defied the odds of gender and psychology. After gaining a degree in physics-mathematics, then a degree as a Doctor of Medicine and then a degree in psychology, she changed the fundamental ideas of education principles.

Montessori boils down to one key concept: children explore and learn at their own pace with spontaneous interest.

While she learned and gained her degrees, she worked with and observed many disabled and mental asylum children who struggled. Finding that they lacked stimulation and engagement in everyday life, she provided hands on activities to gain their interest. The results were immediate. Those that had the materials and resources she had provided were successful in growing and learning.

In 1907 she opened her first school in Rome for low-income children. She provided nontraditional learning materials: tables, clothes, cleaning equipment, a garden, kitchenettes, stoves, chairs and a blackboard. Essentially, her students learned by playing.

Many criticized Montessori’s approach towards learning and her classroom. They questioned how “playing around” could teach anything since it did not produce “standard results” as common schools at that time did. But her method grew and flourished as the years went by, gaining popularity in not only Europe but in America as well.

Her child-centered learning style is now very popular and highly sought after education method across the world. While you will mostly find Montessori schools for early childhood and early elementary, there are some that flourish as middle school and highschool ages as well. Whether sending your child to a Montessori school or bringing Montessori into your everyday homeschool, there are many benefits to this free style method of learning.

Learn more about Maria Montessori and her methods here.

What is Montessori Method?

It is an informal method of teaching in which the child learns without much structure or dictation. Essentially, the child learns what they are interested in. It is child-led. They are provided a room with resources and activities and then can choose and enjoy those activities throughout the day without being “told” what specifically to do. It is a free way of learning in which many hands-on materials are provided and then the child questions and enjoys as they go.

For older students Montessori means many concrete materials to learn their subjects of math, reading, writing etc. Many focus on “everyday” skills or Home-Ec style to learn about life and take responsibility for their own learning.

How to Teach Montessori in Your Homeschool

If you plan to teach your children using the Montessori method, one thing must be clear before you start: this is not a traditional method. There is no specific “book and paper” to purchase and then use. It is more about you as the parent/guardian creating the environment intentionally based upon your lifestyle and what you have learned from the Montessori method research.

You won’t be able to just “buy” a set of books and start immediately. This is an immersive ongoing method that includes many avenues and angles. It’s more about guiding learning using your environment and concrete materials.

There are websites to help you get started and to use methods that others have to give you a starting point but overall it is a set up as you design and intend.

How to Start:

• Research it
• Check your state regulations
• Gain materials
• Prepare the environment

Create stations or cycles for the materials being learned – Example: Low shelving, small tables and many age appropriate accessible plastic and toy concrete materials.

If using a specific curriculum to guide you, have it prepared and researched so the child has all the materials they need to explore and learn. Here’s a SAMPLE of a curriculum.

The Main elements of Montessori:

Language Arts – Example: Reading a story aloud to child, having child work on poetry with you or journaling about what they liked in the story.

Math – Example: blocks, comparing different sets of items, skip counting, grouping shapes into amounts, puzzles and measuring water into different buckets.

Science – Example: Exploring leaves and sticks, playing with baking soda and vinegar to observe reactions, magnets, volcano, sink and float with boats and water.

Social Studies – Example: Dress up as a firefighter, police officer, create a voting station, study and play with a globe.

Practical Life Skills – Example: Learn to sew and create your own blanket/pillow or anything they like, cook and bake, button clothes, set the table, pour liquids.

The Pros and Cons of Montessori

Pros: Flexible and hands on learning that is fun and engaging for younger children and those that are restless and needs more hands on concrete materials to learn.

Cons: Expense for the multiple materials and time spent researching and planning the room/environment.

How to Informally Integrate It

If you are unable to incorporate a full style Montessori teaching method, the beauty of this method is that you can incorporate it in other ways.

For example: you can provide your younger child sections of the day to have intentional play with a kitchenette, chores, cleaning and playing with letters.

How to save costs for early childhood by:

1. Purchase a toy kitchenette and play food
2. Purchase a few play outfits with hats and costumes (maybe even a Halloween costume or get hats from a local thrift store)
3. Gather buckets and spoons to measure
4. Use everyday kitchen items like baking soda and salt or water to mix
5. Purchase magnet or plastic letters and numbers
6. Blocks
7. A number chart and calendar
8. Dry erase board and markers
9. Shelf with books as a children’s library
10. A broom and swiffer mop
11. Use free resources and prompts like this website that shows lesson plans

How to save costs for elementary and highschool by:

1. Integrate hands on science experiments with the texts you have
2. Provide paints and art materials and encourage any design they want
3. Give the child a topic and let them use books and technology to learn about it
4. Meet with leaders or local officials to learn about civics and politics
5. Provide geography and language resources to connect with the texts they learn

Overall Concept & Final Thoughts

While Montessori is often associated with early childhood age because of the hands-on and play items of the method, you can integrate concrete learning materials for older students.

Many students and most children are concrete thinkers for a long time. This means that experiences and material such as math blocks, experiments and creating are key to learning. They can be most beneficial to gain more in depth understanding of a concept. It can be used in pieces and slowly added as the child ages.

More Resources:

• How To Homeschool Montessori Style | Homeschooler Pro
• Welcome to NAMC Teacher Training – North American Montessori Center
• Homeschool Methods 101: Exploring the Montessori Homeschool Method – Homeschool Planet
• The Top 5 Places for Montessori Homeschool Curriculum + Homeschooling Tips — The Montessori-Minded Mom
• Montessori Creative Skill-Building Bundle – Little Learners Toys
• https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thats-so-montessori-196

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When considering my modern art unit to teach our three boys, I wanted to pick something fitting of the “modern art” name. Strange, quirky and a little controversial, I thought this wild artist would entertain my three boys. As with most modern art, there is controversy and questions about “is this truly art?” and “what defines art?” Different from the classical art lessons before, Hirst provides a stark contrast between the classical and Renaissance artists from generations before. The strangeness of his art piques the curiosity and I thought this would be a great avenue to discussing art over the ages and provide a good discussion about what is art.

Who is Damien Hirst?

Born in 1965 in Bristol, England he lived primarily in Leeds, England and later moved to London to attend college at Goldsmiths College. He has won multiple awards including the Tate Britain Turner Prize and Young British Artists.

He’s controversial for taking real animals and formaldehyde and capturing them in lifelike or death like poses and encasing them in blue goo. Or death skulls with beads. Most of his artwork is selling in England for $20M or more. Some of his art has begun to allow for AI generated options to make your own styles and mimic his art. He is considered the richest artist in England with net wealth amassing over $700M.

Damien Hirst is a wild and controversial artist of the modern era. He lives in the UK and has a quirky style. Most of the attention given to his art is because it is DIFFERENT and it’s unique. When did art that was eye-catching go from sweeping oil landscapes like Monet to real animals frozen in time in formaldehyde?

How has art changed and evolved from the 1600’s until the early 2000’s?

The King of Controversial Art | MyArtBroker | Article

Damien Hirst | Biography, Art, & Facts | Britannica

Art Activities:

(1) Cherry Tree with Dots

Materials Needed:

• Tree Template
• Q-tips
• Tempera Paints
• Newspaper/tablecloth to keep mess
• Paper plate for paints

Lesson Steps:

1. Set up a varied amount of paints on the plate (Damien Hirst uses bright colors but any will work)
2. Starting in the center of the tree, dip a q-tip in a color and work outwards. Repeat with multiple q-tip colors.
3. Work in a circle outwards (for younger students, sketch a light pencil circle for them to trace/follow)

 Damien Hirst – Paper Blossoms | HENI Primary

(2) “Chancel” Salad Spinner Art

Materials Needed:

1. Salad Spinner
   • OR If you don’t have a salad spinner, use a circular Tupperware with lid and drill
   • OR circular Tupperware with lid and lazy Susan.
2. Paints dropped or from a squeeze bottle
3. Long toothpicks or spoon (if you want)

Lesson:

1. Set up your spinner
2. Measure the size of your circle tupperware or surface area and cut the cardstock paper for that size circle
3. Place on spinner (you may need to lightly tape it down)
4. Drop paint blobs in sections on the paper
5. Start spinning
6. Variation is to use the toothpick to swipe in towards outer edge of paper to create a line

OR take globs of paint and using toothpicks swipe outwards to create the “Chancel” Damien Hirst style art with the flower outwards pattern

Video of these crazy paintings: Damien Hirst – The Beautiful Paintings | HENI Editions

Other Extensions:

Want to get really wild and go beyond paint? Try making a formaldehyde animal (all plastic and pretend of course)

Materials:

1. Lots of clear glue
2. Water
3. A mason jar (small or big)
4. A plastic shark or plastic animal
5. Food coloring dye (blue if you want the “water” look)

Activity:

1. Mix 1 part glue and 1 part water in a bowl with a drop or two of food coloring (add more glue to make it thicker)
2. Pour into mason jar
3. Place plastic shark or other plastic animal in center
4. Mix another 1 part glue and one part water in bowl with a drop of food coloring
5. Pour slowing around animal to fill jar (and make sure the animal doesn’t move)
6. Secure lid to jar
7. You have your animal art!

As we have taken a journey through the ages of art, most of the time, we find that the truly creative and famous artists are quirky and a little strange. Damien Hirst does not disappoint on this and continues the strangeness with his obsession with mortality and controversial art.

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The Civil War is a vital time in our American culture in which the tides of civil liberties turned. Fresh off the Revolutionary War, the country wanted independence. Although there were concerns about President Lincoln leading the country, there was also a deep conflict between the North and South regarding slavery and industry booming.

Since I wanted to teach our son the Civil War but make it unique to his age, I decided to use materials that would provide some reading challenges and begin the process of teaching him high school critical thinking.

Unit 4 Curriculum: Battle to the Bitter End (1864-1865)

These final battles showed how the Union fought strongly and defeated the Confederates more and more in the last battles.

The Lesson Breakdown

• Key Terms
  • Copperhead – a term for a Northerner who opposed the war effort
  • Casualty – a soldier who is wounded, killed or missing in action
  • Bayonet – a metal blade like a long knife or short sword that could be attached to a rifle
  • Abolitionist – someone who wishes to abolish or get rid of slavery
  • Defilade – to arrange walls and embankments as fortification so the enemy can’t shoot in
  • Haversack – a tar covered canvas bag for soldier’s food
  • Ironclad – a ship protected by iron armor
  • Picket – soldiers posted on guard ahead of the main group or force
• Big Leaders
  • Admiral David Porter
  • Robert E. Lee
  • Ulysses Grant
  • George Pickett
  • General George Custer
  • William Tecumseh Sherman
  • James McPherson
• Major Battles
  • Siege of Petersburg, Virginia (third battle) – March 1864
  • Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia – May 1864
  • Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia – June 1864
  • Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama – August 1864
  • Battle of Palmito Ranch, Texas – the final battle
• Maps (East Coast map)
  • Mark major battles on map
  • Order the final battles on the timeline

Reading Material:

1. Article on Siege of Petersburg
2. Article on Battle of Wilderness
3. Article on Battle of Cold Harbor
4. Article on Battle of Mobile Bay
5. Article on Battle of Atlanta
6. Book “Secrets of Civil War Submarine” (book above)
7. Battle of Fort Fisher – Wilmington, NC — Battle of Fort Fisher
8. Battle of Hatcher’s Run – Petersburg — The Battle of Hatcher’s Run | American Battlefield Trust
9. Battle of Five Forks – Petersburg and Richmond — Two Days in April: The Battle of Five Forks | American Battlefield Trust
10. Battle of Appomattox Court House – Northern Virginia— Battle of Appomattox Brought to Life in New App from the Civil War Trust | American Battlefield Trust
11. Battle of Bennett Place – Viriginia — Bennett Place Surrender | American Battlefield Trust
12. Battle of Palmito Ranch – Brownsville Texas – final battle of Civil War

Full Unit 4 Week 1 & 2 Below: FREE FULL LESSON

Week 1: Reading

1. Read Materials above: Mix of online articles that are free and books available online or at library.
2. Take Notes on Notes Outline (included in full lesson here)

Week 2: Activities

1. Mark map with battles
2. Mark timeline with final battles
3. Essay questions
4. Submarine essay question

Final Thoughts : The Battle to the Bitter End

This unit’s goal was to learn about the final battles of the Civil War. The timeline includes the Emancipation Proclamation which occurred in 1863 and then the subsequent aftermath of the order. It caused turmoil and civil unrest as the slaves were freed and the Union and Confederate fought to the bitter end.

The final battle shows how the Confederates lost and how the many battles in between made for a significant turning point in history. Learn about naval battles and the secrets in the details of the civil war in this final unit including the complex victories of the final battles and how it impacted the outcome of the war overall. Next unit includes the final exam and then stay tuned – lots of unique and fun activities to follow regarding civil war spies, food, outfits, submarines, and rare trinkets.

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