Plans for our second year of homeschool preschool
I know…preschooling homeschool kids, it’s quite the topic of debate. I’ve written about it before on the blog. Go ahead and give it a read – if you haven’t already – and come on back to read my intentions for our second year.
One thing I want to address is my use of the word “gentle.” In our culture, when a word has multiple meanings but has been adopted by a movement, we really struggle to embrace the nuance. In parenting culture the word gentle has been used by a movement, and therefore some might presume my gentle homeschool approach has something to do with the gentle parenting movement. I’ve had several people this last year tell me something along the lines of, “oh, gentle parenting isn’t my style” or “you need to rename that because people will assume it’s associated with gentle parenting.” Let me be clear, I’m neither advocating for or against gentle parenting with either this explanation or my homeschool preschool approach. But I’m also not renaming it because ultimately I can’t control what people on the internet do or don’t do with what I say. And gentle was the word authentic to me, and my little campschool, so I’m keeping it. Nobody owns the word gentle.
Oxford dictionary defines gentle as: “having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character” AND “moderate in action, effect, or degree; not harsh or severe; [as in] ‘a gentle breeze.’”
When I named my homeschool preschool approach for myself, I was thinking about the latter. I wanted to wade into homeschooling and subject content. I wanted to build some moderate rhythms and showcase content in moderation, not harshly drill my son. I wanted to be breezy. I wanted it to feel like a gentle (moderate/not harsh) introduction to more formal learning. Gentle felt right for me because I believe in childhood, child-led learning, abundant play, outdoors, and most of all, prioritizing my relationship with my people over arbitrary milestones or accomplishments. My measures are joy, connection, growth, and interest.
So, now that we’re settled on why I do homeschool preschool, and why I do it gently, let me share my plan for you for our pre-K year. My son has asked me to teach him to read, to teach him to write his name in the dirt, and how to measure things. So some of what I’m doing in the phonics and math space is in response to his interest.
Recreating Camp Gentle Homeschool Pre-K
Schedule
Our schedule has changed a little bit in this new season. Our stay at home day may even fluctuate a little but will generally be on Wednesdays. It’s important to me we have at least one day of rest at home each week. We have our Wild + Free group (which is doing a lot more this year), a new homeschool enrichment program, and more adventures as a family planned.
Themes (aka Gentle Unit Studies)
Themes are back! They were so helpful last year as I navigated my healing journey while still growing his interests. Themes ground us even when everything else is kind of murky. They help me find books, crafts, and activities to guide our days. And this will be more necessary this year as my son is asking more for crafts and projects and adventures. This year though, he picked the themes. Below I’m sharing each theme, some of the books I’ve scouted out, and some of the activities and adventures I’ve planned.
Morning Read Aloud
This has become the centerpiece of our days. It’s my most precious consistent time with my son. And what I love most about it is, when things were really bad with my physical abilities last year, I could still do this. It built deep connection and I’m so glad we initiated it when we did, because it’s now just our normal rhythm. He knows, and asks for, us to move from breakfast to morning reading. We will still rotate between theme-related books and other rich children’s literature. This year I’m adding in more number and letter books to the rotation since he’s posed an interest.
Phonics and Math
Since he’s asked, I’ve got my curriculums at the ready, and mostly right now am familiarizing myself with them. When it seems right I may introduce them, or I may hold off. Here’s what I have:
Play ‘N Talk: What I like about the first section is, it can take you as long as you like to work through it. So we may just do this for the whole year. But mostly my goal is to be responsive. I’ve chosen to focus on phonics because the research seems clear to me this is the best reading approach. Play ‘N Talk lessons are short, play based, and the owner is a graduate of the program who really understands boys’ learning. You can check it out here.
Wild Learning: I fell in love with this curriculum over a year ago (after listening to Rachel Tidd on the 1000 Hours Outside podcast) and had no intention of purchasing it yet, but it was on sale and I liked the idea of having it ready. The reading program will nicely complement the phonics from Play ‘N Talk because it’s also phonics based. I might start using the math if it feels right. What I love about this curriculum is it is designed to be done outdoors. You can check it out here.
Messy Maths: I have this book and intend to let it guide me some this year as I follow my son’s lead, particularly ways to help him measure things. Here’s the book.
And we’ll also keep doing what we’ve been doing. Exposure, play with numbers and letters, and keeping it light. I have a good sense of what he knows and where he can grow, so we’ll be just gently working toward growth.
Emphasizing Rhythms
Last year I made these cool magnets and charts and…they got destroyed by my son playing with them. This year I bought one pre-made, which isn’t normally my vibe, but I couldn’t figure out how to make all the things I wanted and needed and it was right here (thanks Melissa & Doug). That said, I am making some custom magnets for this for activities and emotions not represented in the purchased set. I’ll make a magnet for Wild + Free meetups, Thrive classes (more on this below), family adventures, homeschool adventures, and church. And magnets for a bigger range of emotions. We’ve already been doing the board every day!
Homeschool Enrichment Classes (NEW this year)
A very bright (and I mean intelligent and a light of a human) homeschool mom in our area has started a homeschool enrichment program. It’s not a drop-off nor is it a co-op (though I am teaching, surprise, a read aloud book club!). Kids can sign up for classes, for a fee, and parents need to stay on the premises while they’re in class. My son is joining me for the read alouds but also taking a science experiment class as well as a farming class. This is a great opportunity to help him grow in his ability to learn alongside others as well as follow the guidance of an adult who isn’t me. It’s another great community for us to be a part of in addition to our Wild + Free group.
Country Study (NEW this year)
Last fall at the Wild + Free conference I got to meet Sara Ernst, of Wild Pickle Press. She and I had first “met” when she hosted an online class to help moms be more comfortable with bugs so we don’t pass on bug fear to our kids. It was 30 minutes that ended up being vital for me as a mom; not only did I learn a lot about bugs, it helped me realize 1. I don’t want to pass on fears to my kid and 2. By educating myself about what I’m afraid of, I can be empowered instead of afraid. We stayed in touch on Instagram. I’ve purchased her books and we love them and her children’s music is the soundtrack to our days. My son was even published in her poetry book last fall. When we met I told her my favorite song (Nature Buddies, give it a listen) and she got her ukulele out of her car (in the rain) and played it live for me. She’s wonderful. As we sat and chatted last year she told me about a country study she started with her daughter when she was four-years-old. They pick a country, and all year read books about it, make food from it, learn about the music and the culture. She even shared with me a link to the atlas she bought.
Well, I came home and bought it (and it’s awesome – we use it at Wild + Free meetups when we talk about our Nature Pen Pals) but I didn’t have the bandwidth during my year of healing to create a study. But this year I do!
My son chose Brazil (probably because it’s big). We’re planning to read Our World: Brazil by Ana Siqueira, The Dancing Turtle: A Folktale from Brazil by Pleasant DeSpain, and Over and Under the Rainforest by Kate Messner throughout the year. We’ll also make brigadeiros, quindim, and feijoada. We’ll do rainforest activities from For the Love of Homeschooling. I also am designing a study around UNESCO Creative Cities and World Heritage Sites for us to use with our country studies but also as a way to travel around the U.S. (which we hope to do more and more of!).
I’ve already designed a Country Study planning guide and you can access it here. I’ll share my UNESCO guides once I have them designed and I’ll update this post when I do!
Continued abundant play, exploration, and adventure
But this year I’m focusing on being his playmate, exploring companion, and adventure guide. With an only child I felt I needed to emphasize friends. Last year he spent a lot of time with friends while I was at doctor’s appointments, and I’ve been convicted this summer to re-frame and re-prioritize family. I’m where he needs to learn his social skills, and he can practice with friends in the activities we do. I need to stop downplaying my value and step up and be alongside him. That’s what being a homeschool mom of an only child means. And I’m here for it.
I’ve got all the details below, and I hope you feel inspired as you look this over. I know I’m inspired heading into this year! Reach out to me if you’d like my guide on designing your own Gentle Homeschool Preschool.
2024-25 Campschool Preschool Plan:
I’ve only planned through December, and a little into January, but I’ll come back and update as I finish planning!
September: Bugs
Books: Some Bugs by Angela DiTerlizzi; Bugs by George McGavin; The Backyard Bug Book for Kids by Lauren Davidson
Crafts/Projects/Experiments: Felt bug cycles from For the Love of Homeschooling, Egg Carton caterpillars and bugs from my summer camp days, bug juice
Adventures: Zoo (mostly because it’s a homeschool day); Nature Center and Zoo
October: Sunflowers
Books: What’s Inside a Flower? by Rachel Ignotofsky; Sunflower House by Eve Bunting
Crafts/Projects/Experiments: Sunflower crafts by Barefoot Child, sunflower wreaths, sunflower seed butter buckeyes
Adventures: Sunflower farm; UNESCO Creative City Paducah; Mammoth Caves National Park
November: Snakes
Books: Rikki-Tikki-Tavi by Rudyard Kipling
Crafts/Projects/Experiments: Paper snakes, snake loaf of bread
Adventures: Nature Center with native snakes
December: Beavers
Books: Build by Emily Lex; The Lodge that Beaver Built by Randi Sonenshine
Crafts/Projects/Experiments: Beaver Dams
Adventures: Nature Center with beavers
January: Bears
Books: Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne;
Crafts/Projects/Experiments:
Adventures: Zoo
February: Slugs + Snails
Books:
Crafts/Projects/Experiments: Snail felt life cycle from For the Love of Homeschooling
Adventures:
March: Fish
Books:
Crafts/Projects/Experiments:
Adventures: Fishing trip
April: Thunder + Lightening
Books: The Storm Book by Charlotte Zolotow; Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco
Crafts/Projects/Experiments: Tornado in a bottle
Adventures: Science museum
May: Hummingbirds
Books:
Crafts/Projects/Experiments:
Adventures:
Originally posted 8/21/24 on old website
recreatingcamp.com 
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