Northern Adventure: Beginning Homeschool

One of the more challenging things about going home to New York was the fact that I had to begin home school there.  This was Michael's first official year of Kindergarten.  It was at easier in some ways and difficult in others.  Being away from our own home environment and internet was a challenge. (Especially as my curriculum is online.)  However, we had a huge opportunity to soak in country life in the east; the weather, the seasons, & the nature & wildlife.  And luckily our Waldorf curriculum is very focused on nature, so being in the country fit right in with our plans. 

We went on many nature walks.  In the summer and fall we got out most everyday.  This day Michael just had to wear his mask and play silk.

We loved being able to take a leasurely walk down our dirt road. There was always something interesting to find.  This day we found a caterpillar.  Michael had fun letting it crawl all over him. 

We watched butterflies

and geese in the pond. 

We watched the hawks overhead.   We saw squirrels, deer and woodchucks, skunks & a fox.  All of them too quick for me to photograph.  We built our letter of the week using sticks, rocks or flowers.  We wrote them in the dirt and mud with big sticks.  We made letters as big as the width of the road!  I wish I had thought to photograph them! 

We investigated animal tracks when it rained.

We saw rabbit, deer, raccoon and bear tracks! These prints were as big as my hand!  We were really glad we didn't meet the bear!

More on home school later.