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Raising Butterflies
Growing caterpillars is a common suggestion in home education curricula. I wanted to share information for beginners like me, who would enjoy giving their children (and themselves) this enjoyable learning experience: watching the miracle of metamorphosis up close as you see the caterpillars grow, change into chrysalides and then emerge as beautiful butterflies! Caterpillars can be purchased from Insect Lore…
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Learning Weeks
Throughout the year there are various science type weeks that are wonderful for hands-on learning and inspiring us all. Usually, I will pick just one thing to go to from a learning week. For Heritage week, I will usually pick a few things as it includes such diversity, is in the school holidays, and runs over two weekends plus the…
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Valentine’s Day! ♥
Usually, the focus of my posts is on Ireland. However, my children and I really enjoyed this ♥ Valentine’s Day ♥ mini study from Brighter Day Press, we were able to get many of the listed enrichment books in our local library, which is unusual, and the snacks were all delicious, enjoyed by all and easily dairy- and gluten-free! Plus…
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Visiting Newgrange
We are visiting Newgrange and I wanted to share two quality resources if you are also planning a visit. Newgrange has created some excellent pdf education packs in black and white for printing, which include detailed information as well as worksheet activities, for Primary School History, Junior Certificate History and Leaving Certificate Art History which can be downloaded from their…
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Some lovely books for Christmas in Irish libraries…
A homeschooling father of four in Dublin put together a list of books he has enjoyed with his children for Christmas and Advent over his many years of homeschooling. The descriptions below are his, links to the library added by yours truly… The Jesse Tree Geraldine McCaughrean – A ‘story for every day of advent’ – older children, a keeper.…
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Music Theory
Recently friends were asking me what we were using for music theory. A lovely friend had shared her recommendations for music theory books with me. These have been working well for my family, and so I have created this post to share what we use with you. As we are using a Classical / Charlotte Mason approach in our home,…
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Using All About Spelling in Ireland
Spelling is very straightforward in our home. I have used All About Spelling (AAS) from level 1 to 5 with my daughter and I am using it again with my son. We will continue to the final level, level 7. Although it is an American curriculum it has worked very well for us in learning UK English spelling. The books…
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Learning French
I was planning our French studies for the coming year, so while the decisions are fresh in my mind I decided to create a post to share what my family has done. I trust it will be helpful. Aim ~ Early Years ~ Older children / Teens ~ Stories to listen to ~ Stories to read ~ Songs in French…
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Irish Living Book list – Chronological Overview of Irish History
This is the second post in what will be a series of posts listing living books for Irish home educators with children of primary school age. Reading quality books is an important part of a Charlotte Mason education, whether snuggled on the couch reading aloud together or reading to themselves. I was looking for living books – high quality books,…
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Guest Post: Encouraging Reluctant Nature Students
Charlotte Mason wrote “We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things.” (Home Education, page 61) But what can we do if our children just aren’t interested in nature? Irish…
