The Ultimate Gift Guide for the Eclectic Homeschool

Moms, Dads, Children, Eclectic Homeschool Families: here is the ultimate gift guide for you! We have picked an awesome list for you to draw inspiration from and have a wonderfully fun AND educational holiday. After all, as homeschooling parents, we are always looking for ways to be resourceful. So let's be smart and since we have gifting opportunities coming up this holiday season, why not stock up on some wonderful items for our homeschools?!

I highly recommend that you read the reviews and the item descriptions in the links I have provided so you can decide which gift ideas fit your family best.

Spring Butterfly Mosaics

Spring has been here for a few weeks and we are loving the nicer weather, the flowers budding and the birds chirping. We are also enjoying the hummingbirds that have moved into our neighborhood as well as the colorful butterflies.

My sister-in-law taught a class about metamorphosis and using that information to apply it to our own lives and made this craft with the class. I asked her for permission to share these. I am sure you won't only love them, but be inspired to make them yourself with your children. It can be so much fun! It will spark creativity, togetherness and celebrating differences.

For this craft, I am not listing materials because the sky is the limit. :) Enjoy! 

Feel free to share your beautiful creations in the comments below or on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/thenaturalhomeschool

Easter Printables Pack from Little Natural Cottage

Click on the image to get more information on this amazing packet!

Classical Conversations and Montessori-Inspired Math: Skip Counting

This is a cool and easy project to put together to help little ones memorize their skip counting numbers from one up to fifteen. Take a look at how we did this and how it works so well for us. Even though it is for the Classical Conversations curriculum, it is almost Montessori-inspired. I love it and so does K! This activity is great for children ages 4 and up.

I printed out 2 copies of the templates for skip counting numbers 1-15.
Then, I laminated all of them and cut 1 copy of each into individual sheets and the other copy I cut the numbers and title separately.

I cut a bright blue sheet in half and placed one half on either side of the card.
On the back of each card, I taped an envelope.
Inside, I placed all of the individual numbers as well as the title.
Now, we are ready to start!

First, take a nice placemat and put it at the bottom. Take all of the individual numbers out of the envelope and place on the bright sheet on the left (all out of order). 
Second, practice placing all of the individual numbers over the matching numbers on the card. It is very important that this is done in order. 
Third, once done, move all of the individual numbers to the bright half sheet on the left again and flip the card over (so the student cannot see the numbers. 
Fourth, Take the title and place it on the top part of the bright half sheet on the right. 
Start placing the individual numbers in order. 
So first, you practice by being able to see the numbers and second, you test your memory and try to place all the numbers in the correct order without looking.

Answer key: turn the card over and compare.