3 Ways to Homeschool thru the Month of December

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December seems to be one of the most difficult months to homeschool for us. Whether it’s because of the influx of holidays and family gatherings or we all just need a nice break, I’m not sure. But we finally have a routine that works well for us!

Over the years, we have changed our homeschooling routine more times than I can count. In the beginning, I was very rigid and schedule oriented. We had set days to homeschool and by golly, it was gonna get done no matter what! Of course, as you can imagine that didn’t last very long.

Then I decided we needed to try a block schedule. With my husband’s work schedule at the time, it just didn’t work. He had days off in the middle of the week when we wanted the freedom to spend the day with him and we really just struggled to make it work for our family.

December seems to be one of the most difficult months to homeschool for us. Whether it's because of the influx of holidays and family gatherings or we all just need a nice break, I'm not sure. But we finally have a routine that works well for us! #iaydhomeschoolers #iaydhsmoms #iaydcommunity #homeschoolers

Next up was the sabbath schooling method, where you do schoolwork for six weeks and take a break on the seventh. At first, this seemed like a fantastic idea, but it became harder and harder to stick to the routine when we wanted those mid-week days off.

When my husband started preaching full-time at a church, we took off the pretty much every day from Thanksgiving week thru the first week of the new year. We were just too busy with church commitments to really focus on school. With choir and musical practice several nights a week plus our regular services, it was exhausting for not only us but the kids as well. 

Stay the Course

The issue with all of these scenarios is the time off. Personally, my kids do not do well with no structure. Even if it is just a few hours a day, they need a routine. So we do a mixture of styles during the month of December. Some families choose too stay the course and push through the month of December with their normal homeschool routine. If you’re part of a co-op or homeschool group, this is likely the course you will take since you’ll be doing work for those classes anyway.

Advent or Christmas School

We do have daily Bible time with our children, so this is an easy addition to our homeschool days. In the past, we have utilized different Advent studies that easily incorporate into our normal routine, as well as more hands-on activities such as those offered by Truth in the Tinsel.

The Birth of Christ: A 31-Day Mommy & Me Scripture Journal is a wonderful Advent study that continues on through the end of December. This study takes you the heart of the Gospel of Luke before you arrive at the birth of Christ. It is the perfect study to help you draw closer to Christ and your children this Christmas season. #Christ #Advent #Christmas #iaydcommunity

This year we are using our brand new Birth of Christ: A 31-Day Mommy & Me Scripture Journal with the older children to help them read, learn and even memorize the prophecies leading up to the birth of Christ. Get yours for just $3.99!

 

You might also be interested in our 12 Days to the Nativity Study.

Play it by Ear – Family Days

While we do an Advent study with our kids during the month of December, we also relax a little on the “normal” school routine. Some days we require math, while other days we allow them to practice spelling with an app or play a math game, etc. Regardless, we always take time to do something as a family.

Christmas Activity Calendar

This year, we are being more intentional with our time together and that’s why I love the idea of an activity calendar! I know I’m a little late on this one, but many of these are easily doable and you could even double-up to catch up. Or use it as a guide to pick and choose the activities your family would most enjoy and do those! The point isn’t the activity, but being together as a family!

December seems to be one of the most difficult months to homeschool for us. Whether it's because of the influx of holidays and family gatherings or we all just need a nice break, I'm not sure. But we finally have a routine that works well for us! #iaydhomeschoolers #iaydhsmoms #iaydcommunity #homeschoolers

Download the 25 Days of Family Christmas Activities Calendar

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This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Barbara Williams

    I love this website and it’s has plenty information that you can use in the classroom.

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