How to Turn a Family Reunion into Teachable Moments
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It’s warm weather, and along with the warmer weather, comes family reunion time. Family reunions are more than just gatherings; they are opportunities for learning, bonding, and creating lifelong memories. Whether you’re reconnecting with distant relatives, sharing family traditions, or exploring new places, a family reunion can be packed with educational moments.
It doesn’t matter if you are a homeschool parent or just not, family reunions offer great “teachable moments” for kids. From math and science to reading and writing, here’s how to turn your next family reunion into an engaging learning experience—all while having fun!
How to Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day as a Homeschool Family
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Educational Activities, Field Trips, and Themed Lessons and Other Homeschool Activities for Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day is here! And, it’s more than just wearing green and searching for lucky four-leaf clovers—it’s an opportunity to teach your children about history, culture, science, and even literature! As a homeschooling family, you have the flexibility to create fun and educational Saint Patrick’s Day activities with your kids through hands-on activities, themed lessons, and exciting field trips.
So, what are we waiting for? Let’s explore some fun and engaging activities to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day as a homeschool family. The following suggested activities will incorporate subjects like history, geography, art, science, and literature.
The History of Saint Patrick’s Day
I know you are ready for the crafts and other Saint Patrick’s Day activities you can do as a homeschool family, but first let’s explore the history behind Saint Patrick’s Day.
Who Was Saint Patrick?
Saint Patrick was born in Britain around 385 AD. He was kidnapped by Irish raiders at age 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He would escape after six years and became a Christian missionary. Saint Patrick returned to Ireland to spread Christianity and establish several churches. Legend says he drove the snakes out of Ireland (though this is likely symbolic) Saint Patrick died on March 17th, which is now celebrated as Saint Patrick’s Day.
Fun Ways to Teach Saint Patrick’s History:
Storytelling – Read a child-friendly biography of Saint Patrick. You can have your kids create and share their own story about the legend of Saint Patrick.
Timelines – Have your kids create a timeline of Saint Patrick’s life. You can do this on sentence strips or any other long strip of paper or tape.
Map Work – Locate Britain and Ireland on a map.
Documentaries & Videos – Watch short YouTube videos about Saint Patrick’s Day history. Your kiddos can then write a summary of what they have watched. They may even want to rate the video.
Creative Writing – Let your child write a short essay or draw pictures about Saint Patrick’s journey. To make things a little more spicy, you can have them create their own story that uses Saint Patrick’s Day as the setting or as an important part of the story.
Geography and Irish Culture
Saint Patrick’s Day is a great opportunity to introduce your children to Ireland’s geography, landmarks, and cultural traditions. The following are some examples:
Where is Ireland?
Ireland is an island in Western Europe
It is divided into Northern Ireland (part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland
Capital: Dublin
Famous landmarks: Cliffs of Moher, Giant’s Causeway, Blarney Castle
Activities to Explore Irish Geography and Culture:
Map Work – Label Irish cities, rivers, and landmarks on a printable map.
Flag Craft – Create the Irish flag with construction paper or fabric.
Virtual Field Trips – Take a virtual tour of Dublin or the Irish countryside. (This is one of my favorite activities. And, it is great for homeschooling or school in general.)
Traditional Irish Music – Listen to Irish folk music and discuss instruments like the tin whistle and fiddle.
Literature and Folklore: Irish Myths & Legends
Ireland is known for its rich storytelling tradition, full of myths, legends, and folktales.
Activities for Literature Study:
Read & Retell – Have your child summarize an Irish folktale in their own words. You may even have your children rewrite some of these tales and add their own spin on them.
Creative Writing – Let kids write their own leprechaun adventure story.
Puppet Show – Create stick puppets and act out a legend.
Compare Myths – Compare Irish myths with other cultures’ folktales.
Science Experiments with a Saint Patrick’s Day Twist
Incorporate science into your Saint Patrick’s Day lesson with fun, hands-on experiments!
Exciting Science Activities:
Shamrocks for Saint Patrick’s Day
Rainbow Science – Create a simple rainbow using a prism or a glass of water.
Magic Milk Experiment – Use food coloring and dish soap to make swirls of color.
Sink or Float with Gold Coins – Test different objects to see if they sink or float.
Fizzing Pot of Gold – Make a baking soda and vinegar “gold coin” reaction.
Grow Shamrocks – Teach plant biology by growing real clover.
Math Fun with a Saint Patrick’s Day Theme
Math may not be one of my favorite subjects, but you can still make it a part of your homeschool Saint Patrick’s Day activities. The following are some Saint Patrick’s Day-themed games and activities.
Math Ideas for Different Ages:
Counting Games (Preschool & Kindergarten) – Count gold coins or shamrocks.
Graphing (Elementary) – Sort and graph Lucky Charms cereal pieces.
Word Problems (Middle School) – Solve problems about leprechaun treasure and rainbows.
Budgeting (High School) – Plan a pretend Saint Patrick’s Day party with a budget.
Art and Craft Projects
Who doesn’t love art? Art is definitely one of my favorite subjects, and as a homeschooling family, you can easily incorporate it into your Saint Patrick’s Day activities. Here are some suggestions on how.
Easy Crafts for Kids:
Shamrock Handprint Art – Make a shamrock with handprints.
Leprechaun Hat – Craft a paper leprechaun hat.
Pot of Gold – Create a paper pot filled with gold coin cutouts.
Rainbow Collage – Use tissue paper or paint to create a rainbow.
Cooking and Baking Traditional Irish Foods
Bake up some Irish culture in your kitchen by preparing traditional Saint Patrick’s Day foods that you can enjoy with your kids.
Kid-Friendly Irish Recipes:
Shepherd’s Pie – Meat and veggie pie topped with mashed potatoes.
Rainbow Fruit Salad – A colorful and healthy treat.
And, as you prepare these meals, you can also integrate math. You can discuss portions, fractions, and ounces. You can even discuss budgeting when planning the meal and cost per serving. You can even watch some YouTube videos on how to make meal planning more cost effective.
Saint Patrick’s Day Field Trips
Take your learning beyond your house with exciting educational field trips.
Fun Field Trip Ideas:
Local Parades – Experience Irish music, dancing, and community celebrations if the weather permits.
Irish Cultural Centers – Learn about Irish traditions and history.
Botanical Gardens – Look for shamrocks and other green plants.
Museums with Celtic Exhibits – Explore ancient Irish artifacts.
Family-Friendly Saint Patrick’s Day Games
Make learning fun with interactive games the whole family can enjoy.
Game Ideas:
Leprechaun Treasure Hunt – Hide gold coins and create clues for a scavenger hunt.
Shamrock Bingo – Use printable bingo cards with Saint Patrick’s Day images.
Leprechaun Tag – A fun outdoor game where the “leprechaun” tags players.
Trivia Night – Test knowledge with an Irish-themed trivia quiz.
Giving Back: Acts of Kindness on Saint Patrick’s Day
Teach kids about the importance of kindness as part of your homeschool activities this Saint Patrick’s Day by incorporating service projects.
Ways to Give Back:
Make Cards – Create Saint Patrick’s Day cards for a nursing home. This may seem like a trivial idea, but as someone who worked at a nursing home for 30 years, I know how much these simple cards can mean to the residents.
Donate Food – Collect food for a local food bank.
Celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day as a homeschooling family allows for a unique blend of educational and fun activities. By incorporating history, geography, science, art, and culture, you can create an engaging, meaningful experience for your children.
The Most Important Financial Steps Teachers Should Take Now to Create a Secure Financial Future
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Money Management for Educators
Have you ever gone into a bathroom at a school house and noticed that the soap in the dispenser was mainly water? Well, I sure have. What does it mean? It means that some teacher has decided to make the soap last longer by adding water to it? Most teachers can squeeze a dollar as far as it will go because we are overworked and underpaid.
Teaching is a rewarding profession, but it often comes with financial challenges. Sadly, many educators struggle with managing their income, saving for retirement, and achieving financial freedom. And, if you are a single woman like me, it is even harder. In today’s world, it takes two incomes to make it work or some really prudent planning. Teachers must have the right financial strategies to build wealth, achieve financial stability, and even retire comfortably. So, let’s look at some essential financial steps teachers should take NOW to create a secure financial future.
The Best Strategies Teachers Can use in the Classroom to Compete with Social Media
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It’s a digital world! And, I am not a digital girl. It’s a sad fact, but teaching definitely isn’t what it used to be. Our students are bombarded by a ton of stimuli that is bidding for their attention. In today’s digital age, social media plays a significant role in students’ lives. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube provide instant gratification, engaging visuals, and interactive experiences that can make traditional learning methods seem dull in comparison. However, we do still stand a chance. We can rise to the challenge by adopting innovative strategies to capture and sustain students’ focus. But, how? The following are the best strategiesteachers can use in the classroom to compete with social media.
Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated with fairytales. Fairytales are not only fun and engaging for young children. They can also be used in middle and high school classrooms as well to help you teach across the curriculum.
These timeless stories contain universal themes, rich language, and cross-curricular connections that make them ideal for including in your middle or high school class. They can be used in reading, writing, science, social studies, geography, or math. Now, let’s explore how to incorporate fairytales in your middle and high school lessons.
The Most Engaging Valentine's Day Activities for Middle & High Students
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Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Balloons…Candy…Red & Pink hearts…You guessed it. It’s Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is a special occasion that provides a perfect opportunity for teachers, homeschool moms, and even homeschool dads to incorporate fun and educational activities into their classrooms. While traditional Valentine’s Day parties are popular, there are many other engaging and meaningful ways to celebrate this holiday. So, here are the most engaging Valentine’s Day activities for middle and high school students.
15 Fun Ways to Incorporate Valentine’s Day into Your Reading and Writing Lessons
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Bring Valentine’s Day Magic into Your Classroom
Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day isn’t just about candy and cards—it’s a fantastic opportunity to make reading and writing lessons more engaging. By integrating the theme of love, kindness, and friendship, teachers can encourage creativity, literacy skills, and student participation. Whether you teach elementary, middle, or high school, here are 15 fun ways to incorporate Valentine’s Day into Your Reading and Writing Lessons while keeping your students engaged and learning.
Declutter and Organize Your Classroom for the New Year!
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New Year…New Classroom: Organization that Works!
As the new year rolls in, it’s the perfect time to declutter your classroom. After the holiday break, returning to a clean, organized, and inviting space can help to set the tone for a productive and positive rest of the school year. And, who doesn’t want that? I sure do. So, buckle in, and let’s explore effective tips and tricks for decluttering, organizing, and even decorating our classrooms!
Ooey gooey…chocolate dripping…sticky fingers. Ohhhhhh, it’s Valentine’s Day again. Valentine’s Day is a fun time for students to exchange gifts, show appreciation for their friends, and participate in classroom activities. However, with food allergies, sugar overload concerns (If you teach elementary or middle school, you understand.), and school policies limiting candy, non-candy Valentine’s Day gifts are a great alternative. Below are creative, thoughtful, and budget-friendly non-candy Valentine’s Day gift ideas for students.
10 Reasons Black History Should Be Taught in Schools
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The Importance of Continuing to Teach Black History in Our Public Schools
Whether you are aware of what is going on in the news or not, there is little doubt that you know the importance of history being taught in school. It doesn’t matter if that history is pleasant or not. What matters is that we never forget who we are or where we come from. With the new restrictions on public school, the teaching of Black history is being challenged.
In truth, schools are being told not to teach it. And, if there is one thing that we all know, it is that if we forget where we come from then there is no way for us to know where we are going. It doesn’t matter if DEI is in place or not, Black history should continue to be taught by schools. So, here are 10 reasons that Black history should continue to be taught in school.
? Let’s explore some fun and engaging activities to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day as a homeschool family. The following suggested activities will incorporate subjects like history, geography, art, science, and literature.
Storytelling – Read a child-friendly biography of Saint Patrick. You can have your kids create and share their own story about the legend of Saint Patrick.
