What We Studied
Arthur thrives on routine and structure. Too many days of unstructured activities lead to a very moody 7 year old. For Christmas break, I tried to do a bit of math and language arts most days with some little crafty projects thrown in here and there.
Literature and Poetry
I randomly picked up The Very Very Far North by Dan Bar-el from the library and it turned out to be the perfect winter break read-aloud. It’s a very gentle story about Duane the Polar Bear who lives in the Very Very Far North and who meets new friends in his explorations. Each friend has a different personality and Duane has to learn how to value each new friend. A sequel just came out and I’m currently on hold at the library for it. This was such an easy story for our cold snowy days. Perfect! We also read a few winter themed poetry books.
The Very Very Far North by Dan Bar-el
A Chill in the Air by John Frank
Winter Bees by Joyce Sidman and Rick Allen
Math
We did some holiday theme math pages throughout and progressed a bit more in Khan Academy. Arthur definitely has trouble with inattentive mistakes. I’m hoping some more practice will help him get more steady so we can move on. I do know that Singapore Math 2A will be a bit of review so that might help.
Social Studies
Nothing formal, but we did do a mini unit on New Year’s Day. We read a few books (fiction and nonfiction) about the holiday and discussed how people celebrate. And then Arthur made a few mini books with resolutions.
New Year’s Day by Dana Meachen Rau
Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller
The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing
Science
Does playing in the snow count? We definitely did that a lot. And there was some documentary watching and random conversations about topics we have already studied a bit.
Art
We made some fun Christmas and winter themed crafts to hang around the house. Arthur and Quentin also got a huge stack of craft kits for Christmas, so we’ve been doing some of those on random days.
Music
Nothing formal
Unit Theme
We read the last of our Christmas themed books throughout the end of December. Right before the New Year, I started pulling winter themed books from the library for our first couple of second semester weeks. I also made sure that some of them were picture books for night reading.
24 Days of Books - Another successful year!
The Shortest Day by
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
The Finest Christmas Tree by
Christmas Farm by
The Nutcracker Ballet
Merry Christmas Stinky Face
Merry Christmas Little Elliott
The Polar Express
The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Misc. - Random picture books read
Pirate Jack Gets Dressed by Nancy Raines Day
One Dark and Dreadful Night by Randy Cecil
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena
Fright Club by Ethan Long
Good Night, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
Quit Calling Me a Monster by Jory John
Only a Tree Knows How to Be a Tree by Mary Murpjy
Dino Duckling by Alison Murray
Animal City by Joan Negrescolor
Unicorn Day by Diana Murray
Goodnight, Veggies by Diana Murray
A Birthday for Cow by Jan Thomas
Miffy Can Help
Linus the Vegetarian T. Rex by Robert Neubecker
A Time for Sleeping by Ron Hirschi
Walk on the Wild Side by Nicholas Oldland
There’s a Dinosaur on the 13th Floor by Wade Bradford
From Ed’s to Ned’s by Gideon Sterer
Dragon was Terrible by Kelly DiPucchio
A Trapezoid is NOT a Dinosaur by Suzanne Morris
If You Hopped Like a Frog by David M. Schwartz
Up the Creek by Nicholas Oldland
Unlike Other Monsters by Audrey Veronica
Hockey in the Wild by Nicholas Oldland
Al Pha’s Bet by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
If Frogs Made Weather by Marion Dane Bauer
Who Stole Mona Lisa by Ruthie Knapp
Dinosaur Countdown by Nicholas Oldland
Outstanding in the Rain by Frank Viva
Make Way for Dumb Bunnies by Dav Pilkey
Super Saurus Saves Kindergarten by Deborah Underwood
Ice Boy by David Ezra Stein
A Trip to the Bottom of the World with Mouse by Frank Viva
The Walrus Who Escaped by Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley
Snow Party by Harriet Ziefert
Flannel Kisses by Linda Crotta Brennan
The First Day of Winter by Consie Powell
Little Red Gliding Hood by Tara Lazar
Highs
Even in the midst of a pandemic with no travel, I think we managed to have a lovely Christmas.
Lows
Arthur definitely thrives on schedules and we didn’t really have any schedules over break. I could see his attitude decline throughout. Thank goodness we’re going back to a schedule this week.
Next Week
We’re back to our regularly scheduled homeschool week.
Next up on the TBR pile:
