Course Sample for Our Charlotte Mason Preschool Homeschool Science Course
January: Snow and Ice
Week One (suggested dates January 2-11)
This month’s nature study focus is Snow and Ice! If you live in a region that gets snow, do allow your children to enjoy it. Dress appropriately, but spend time outside just walking in the snow, following tracks, building snowmen, throwing snowballs, and making snow angels. If you do not live in a region that gets snow, you can still explore this winter theme with us, as I’ve tried to make the activities accessible to all climates.
Also, if your preschooler does not have their own nature journal, now is a great time to get them one. Many of our activities will involve nature walks, scavenger hunts, and other activities that preschoolers delight in recording. A nature journal doesn’t have to be elaborate. A simple sketch book and colored pencils will work fine for now.
Books
This month’s books focus on the fun, the whimsical and even the factual!
- Katie and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- The Mitten by Jan Brett
- Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft
Week 1
Nature Study—Winter Nature Walk
Take a short nature walk with your preschooler and look for signs of winter. Try to use your senses as you go. Is it cold? Is there frost, snow, or ice you can touch? Are the trees bare? Do you hear winter birds or other animals? Can you find any animal tracks? Do you have any winter plants blooming? Can you smell them? Keep the walk short, but purposeful. Remember, you are trying to help your preschooler engage all of their senses.
Handicraft—Finger Knitting
Finger Knitting is generally regarded as a great introductory handicraft for preschoolers. I am introducing this activity early, so your child can continue to work on it all month long, or longer if they enjoy it. If your preschooler is not familiar with finger knitting, you will have to spend some time showing them how to get started.
Finger Knitting Video from Kinderart
5 Fabulous Finger Knitting Projects from Flax and Twine (Parents, please note this collection of projects includes a Halloween project. Please use your own discretion in sharing these projects with your preschoolers.)
Fine Arts—Monthly Poem
“White Fields” by James Stephens
Read your poem a few times each week! Each week, allow your child to do something new with the poem, such as act it out or a draw a picture. By the end of the month, they will likely be reciting the poem with you.