Well we were already taking an
"unschooling" approach to preschool in the sense that the girls learn everywhere and all of the time. In September I tried to work around some themes and I had certain planned activities for certain days. I would say we stuck to everything fairly well. However, for October we are going to take even more of an unschooling approach. Eaden is very into reptiles and amphibians, birds, bugs, dinosaurs, etc. I had planned to focus on pirates and trees for October, but I'm pretty sure she's just not going to be into it. She actually picked the topic of pirates a while back, but she isn't interested anymore. It's better, it seems, to just plan as we go based on current interests. She will listen to me read about different "creatures" forever and so I am going to capitalize on this fascination of hers while it lasts. We will continue to learn about captivity and conservation (making good use of our zoo membership before it expires), animal behaviors and characteristics, and dinosaurs. She is absorbing this stuff like a sponge. No reason to switch it up and bore her with pirates and trees. She will also watch nature documentaries, such as Planet Earth, and since this entertains me as well, I love it! We also find other various documentaries online at
Top Documentary Films.
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| Our focus will be on these few books that Eaden keeps picking up |
So cute- love that your little girl is so into creatures-
ReplyDeleteWe are doing the same thing. Following what is of interest that is. My little girl is really into baking bread, cooking and gardening right now.
ReplyDeleteGreat job knowing what your kids love and sticking with it! We also love Planet Earth, just wish they had a episode on horses :) We have been "focusing" on horses for the past 2 years or so. This year we may do a bit more "structured" type ideas- mapping out the origin of different breeds, classifying breeds based on different characteristics, and reading. Lots. Thanks for the documentary site!
ReplyDeleteUnschooling is so much fun :)
I love interest lead learning and I think children retain more information when it's something they like. Since my son is older I
ReplyDeleteam required to teach core subjects, but after
that we go where he leads. Right now we are in studing the Middle Ages and also learning to carve figures out of wood. The wee one is on a horse kick so there is that too along with learning to bake.
They sound like they are having so much fun. We work on core subjects here, but spend a lot of time on whatever is holding her interest at the moment. Right now we are stuck in ancient Egypt LOL. Been there for awhile now. Fun stuff :)
ReplyDeleteMegan, thanks for the comment. To answer your question you should be able to look online and find the requirements for your state and school district for homeschooling. I am in South Carolina andhave three options for homeschooling here. I chose the least invasive for my family. I am required to join a homeschool association, teach 180 days, keep a journal of what we do each day on the chance anyone should ask to see it [they never have], teach core subjects for high school and send in a list of the books I use. Really it is just paper work as no one has ever contacted me or questioned anything we do. I already have four children who have graduated so I know pretty much what to teach to get them into college or out into the world. My problem this year is my last son is a huge reader and keeps reading all the books I have listed for the year in about a month. He is keeping me on my toes for reading material and blowing my book budget! My email address is under my profile if you have any questions. I am by no means an expert,but will help in anyway I can. xx
ReplyDeleteGotta love documentaries. Planet Earth is amazing. I just love how you encourage your littles in their learning!
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying reading your homeschooling posts. It's giving me lots of ideas and things to think about for when we reach that point!
ReplyDelete