As the temperatures outside begin to drop, the holiday season encroaches and the whole world goes on sale, I have an intense desire to be at home. To purposefully remove myself from the madness and SLOW down. But, if I’m honest and not intentional, being home for a month or so during the holidays can become just as chaotic and stressful as running around the shopping mall.
A list of do-this, do-that, keep the traditions, make new ones, hide the elf, bake the cookies, attend all the parties, buy the gifts, and don’t forget to wrap them. And, continue to teach the children everything on top of the already full to-do list. It’s a heart-attack waiting to happen.
The Christmas season can not be a beautiful, meaningful, worshipful celebration if we are frantically trying to keep up with an impossible to-do list.
Several years ago, I felt an internal tug to stop the “normal” daily routine and create a much simpler schedule. I knew food preparation and eating had to stay. So did the Scripture readings as we count down to Christmas. Of course, we still wanted to gather with friends during this season, and if possible, visit family. We wanted to do all the Christmas crafts and activities, baking and (simple) gifting. So, the obvious thing that needed to be removed from the schedule….Homeschool.
From the middle of November until the end of December, we stop our traditional homeschool schedule and begin…. Simple School.
Over the years, we have come up with a flow for our December days. It begins with cozy snuggles on the couch, a cup of hot coffee or tea, or warm milk, a blanket and a simple breakfast. (Actually, most days of the year begin like this. We like a slow start to any day!) Then, we cycle through the “subjects” below, followed by a Christmas-related craft, activity or a snack-tivity. (If you are interested in our complete Simple School plan, let me know! I will email you a copy for your personal use.)
Simple School Rhythm
Bible Reading and Memory
Each day we read a Scripture from the Jesse Tree readings and hang a paper ornament on a paper tree. In expedited style, we go through the stories of the Bible that lead to Jesus’ birth. A few years ago, I printed a reading list and the ready-to-color ornaments, which we reuse each year.
We also continue working on our Scripture memory box (from Simply Charlotte Mason.) This we do year round, but try to incorporate a Christmas scripture for the season.
If ever a day becomes too busy, we stop after Bible reading and memory. This is the foundation for our lives and a non-negotiable item in the rhythm.
Advent
This year we have added an Advent candle wreath to our traditions. Each Sunday in December, we will light a candle and discuss the meaning of it.
Literature
No matter the season, we are reading! But during Christmas, I try to select season-related books and stories. Over the years, we have tried a few different things, like reading a few Christmas picture books each day or reading the Christmas chapters in The Little House series. This year we are reading through the original Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol!
Music
Each day we listen to one or two tracks from the Nutcracker Ballet, from Maestro Classics, and discuss what we heard. This is (again!) super simple. After we listen, we talk about the instruments or how the music made us feel.
We also sing a hymn, O Come, O Come Emmanuel. (This is something we do during regular homeschool, as part of a traditional Charlotte Mason method.)
Activity
Most days of week, we have a science activity, Christmas-y craft, or seasonal snack. These are simple (see a theme?!) 10-20 minute things that are meaningful and fun. This year the activities are from an Advent book that has a little story/lesson and some ideas for discovery. In years past, I have planned the activities to go along with the days’ literature reading.
At the end of each day, we are recording our thoughts in a family journal.
The days’ rhythm can be completed in about 30 minutes, depending on the day. It is simple enough to need minimal preparation for each day and, while it is ideal to complete each day before the next, days can be combined or skipped altogether. Of course, the plan does not dive deeper into school subjects, like math and geography, but we are doing what matters most during this season.
