As Teddy is getting a bit older I’m starting to feel ready and back into my routines. One thing I wanted to start up again is Morning Basket. I’ve been doing a morning basket with Priscilla since last spring. After I read Call of the Wild and Free by Ainsley Arment I felt even more convicted about implementing some at home learning opportunities. The truth is, I have always been drawn to homeschooling, and while Priscilla does attend morning preschool three days a week, I do enjoy supplementing her education at home. I guess I believe that her entire education is the sole responsibility of Seth and I as her parents. With the pandemic and closures continuing to happen I knew we needed a plan, and as Cilla has been out of school for almost two weeks I knew it was time to begin learning at home again. A morning basket has been an easy, simple way to add learning at home that feels special and is a part of the day she greatly looks forward to. I also am excited that Langston is just old enough to really join us as he loves doing everything his sister is doing.
As I have listened to and been immersed in homeschooling culture through blogs, friends, and Instagram accounts I’ve learned and been liberated by one thing I keep hearing over and over again: school at home doesn’t need to look like school at an institution. School at home can look like an afternoon of baking, reading books before nap, and counting steps as we walk up the stairs. While the morning basket does allow me for more structure I’m very “unschooling” in the way I put it together. Reading Arment’s book helped me recognize that this is actually my style of schooling– which is a 180 from my type-A personality and the way I have approached (or perhaps been trained to) my own learning experiences. What has held me back from being more diligent about morning basket and learning at home has been not really leaning into this style of teaching, and doubting my own skills as a result of the culture’s inability to trust parents with homeschooling. I certainly don’t believe I need a teaching degree to educate my child. I’ve needed to shake off those lies and fully step into my role as primary educator of my children because it’s a God given thing, a calling. I have found so much freedom and creativity in this, so come along with me as I show you what is in our winter morning basket.
The moment that inspired this unit happened naturally: Priscilla and I were outside feeding our two hens and she noticed some feathers. She was so excited, entranced by these and came inside to show Seth eagerly. This got me thinking about birds, chickens, and all the learning opportunities I could form from a unit based loosely on them. I found myself putting together the pieces for lessons in biology, poetry, history, reading, math all centered around this common subject and it was like a giant download into my brain.
{I will be using affiliate links in the links posted below}
Books:
Be Blest: A Celebration of Seasons by Mary Beth Owens
Extraordinary Chickens by Stephen Green-Armytage
In Her Hands: The Story of Sculptor Augusta Savage by Allan Schroeder
Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales
Stories of the Saints by Carey Wallace
For this unit, we’re focusing on St. Francis. I read his story out loud while Cilla and LJ did some of our sensory activities. I didn’t think Cilla was paying attention until she asked me to read it again. This is truly a living book and the illustrations alone are worth the purchase. I like using this for our catechesis.
Acorn sorting set gifted from Sea & Ivy on Etsy + Wooden Peruvian tray lent by ToxyFree
Wooden Bowl given by my dad from Foundry Home Goods, Wooden letters are Amazon, Letter + Number flashcards from Pip and J Papery, Priscilla’s nature journal was found on clearance at Michael’s last year (she pasted her chicken feathers in here), galvanized metal tray from Amazon, and sparrow mat from Gathre.
I really enjoy reading poetry to my children, and a bundle from Stephanie Hathaway Designs has all the downloads I am using here for a robin/bird unit. Our clip counting cards and robin life cycle are from here as well.
One of my favorite homeschoolers to follow is Amber at Heritage Mom, and she has some excellent resources for learning specifically including Black history. I found an excellent lesson on August Savage from her.
There you have it, if you have questions please reach out. I do believe I linked everything. Cheers to you on your home education journey. You can do this!
