Yule School: Christmas Learning Activities for Homeschools

The Christmas season is upon us and with it comes an increased busyness, high self-expectations, and more stress than you can shake a stick at.

Pair that with the end-of-semester malaise that seems to hit at this time of year, and many homeschool moms struggle to stay consistent and on-task through the holiday season.

Instead of fighting against the wave of chores and expectation that comes with the season, this year I am going to embrace the holidays and make them work for me. Instead of simply checking off boxes each day to finish school as quickly as possible, this year I am going to make Christmas the curriculum.

Making Christmas what we do, at this time of year will allow me to do double duty. We can celebrate while we learn, and we can learn while we prepare.

Christmas Learning Activities

Over the next four days, I am going to outline four different ways you can turn your school into a Yule School. You may choose to do just one of these or you might select a few ideas from all of them. The idea is not to add to what you are doing this time of year, but replace it.

That may look different in every household. If you have younger kids you may decide to do nothing but the Yule School activities for a rich and varied holiday season.

If your kids are older there may be a subject like math or language study that you want to continue. Your family may do a brief academic session in the morning followed by Yule School activities.

The most important thing is that you choose what works for your family and leave the rest. Some families will want to be crafty and artistic, others may not have an interest in that at all. Don’t force the issue and do only what you will enjoy.

Just remember that whatever you choose to do, it will be plenty for this short season in December. Don’t worry if you are doing enough. Don’t stress over the things that aren’t getting “covered.” Simply enjoy each other, the season, and what these lessons bring. It will be enough.

Yule School Series

Here is what we have in store:

Christmas Unit Studies and Printables — Do an entire unit or just print a few things for fun and review.
Christmas Prep Learning Objectives — How normal holiday preparations provide learning experiences.
Follow Your Holiday Interests — Following a favorite family interest brings joy and learning to the season.
Fitting the Season into the Day — Maybe you want to add just a little extra to what you already do. These ideas will show you how.

Yule School Videos

Every few days I will post a new, helpful video to my Ed Snapshots Facebook page about a Christmas tradition or custom. You can watch the video with your kids and then head to the Yule School Resources Page for links to activities, crafts, and learning ideas for each topic.

Use these to help you plan a simple or more elaborate Yule School in your home.

Be sure to like Ed Snapshots on Facebook and subscribe to the email list so you don’t miss a resource.

This post is part of the iHomeschool Network’s 5 Days of Christmas Series. Be sure to check out the other great posts for more fun Christmas ideas.Pin

About
Latest Posts

Pam

Pam is the author of The Your Morning Basket Guide and Plan Your Year: Homeschool Planning for Purpose and Peace. She also is the host of three popular podcasts -- The Homeschool Snapshots Podcast, Your Morning Basket, and The Homeschool Solutions Show. She lives in the Deep South with her husband and three kids, where she is the go-to lady for great curriculum recommendations or a just a pep talk on a rough day.