Saint Patrick’s Day Free Printables
/ Erin CoxSt. Patrick left an amazing legacy on the isle of Ireland that hasn’t been quickly forgotten by the Irish! Each year, we celebrate his gift of Christian mercy, love, and compassion on March 17th.
After researching and learning about Ireland over the past two months for an issue of On Mission, I can see why St. Patrick loved it so. Even after escaping from captivity as a slave there, his heart could not be separated from the land or the people. God called him back - to HIS CAPTIVES - to preach the Good News.
The story of St. Patrick is fun for our children as they enjoy the fun clovers and dream of finding gold at the end of any rainbow, but the story of St. Patrick is one that can encourage all of our hearts.
In this Irish edition of On Mission, your family will explore:
Living books that explore Irish folklore
Challenges that missionaries and their children face
The current state of the Christian faith in Ireland, along with prayer points
Overview of Ireland, including climate
A historical look at St. Patrick
The Viking history of Ireland along with The Great Famine
Geography terms: island, fjord, ford, continent, bay
The current state of the faith in Europe
Special geographical features of Ireland
A special feature on seals
Art and Music in Ireland
Irish greetings and phrases
Sheep: farming and sheering
School life
Games in Ireland
Castles
2 Handicrafts: Wool dying + welt felting and whip stitching
Recipe and foods overview
A special mom moment and prayer from my heart to yours!
I’ve created a very fun set of printables for your whole elementary and under crew that you’re sure to enjoy alongside a 15 PAGE sample of On Mission: Ireland! In total, this freebie includes 33 pages of content and activities that your whole crew is sure to enjoy and learn from.
You can download it right below:
Valentine’s is usually a “love/hate” kind of holiday for most. Some people are tired of commercialism while others adore the special focus on love and romance this time of year.
I’ll say that I squarely fall into the middle. I’m not one for “mush” but I absolutely love to take time to make sure that my family knows just how important they are to me. We have very simple, candy-centered traditions around our house.
Even if you don’t love V-day, I find that late Jan-February is typically one of the hardest seasons in homeschooling. And when you layer a year-long pandemic on top? Sheesh. So anything that can bring some light and joy into our lives as we suffer through the long stretch of gloom and cold of this generally abysmal month- well, I’m all for it!
Over the past few years, Montessori 3-part cards have gained a lot of attention and popularity across the educational world. In fact, we even include them in many of our programs at The Gentle + Classical Press! While they may seem similar to flashcards, they actually are so much more. Montessori 3-part cards are a simple tool at first glance, but they provide a wide variety of practical applications - which are all fully adaptable to how each child learns, thinks, and plays! However, many of us simply might not know how best to utilize this beautiful educational tool in our homeschool. I know when I first saw them online, I was really unclear on what you actually do with them.
When our children are preschool-age, we often hear that playing is enough when it comes to their education—and it absolutely is! Sometimes, though, they crave structure, and honestly, we do too.
So what do we do on the days when we're all played out? The weather is less than ideal? Or we simply need something to do? What do we do to begin building a foundation of learning through wonder and play with our children?
We are very "sorry, not sorry" for adding a new option to your pile for next year ;). If you're still exploring options, we wanted to make sure you have a FULL wealth of knowledge about how our Nature programs work, by getting your hands on it... legit.
That's why we compiled the first TWO units of Nature Volume 2 into a sample, just for you!
The preschool years seem to be filled with such “gray area”. Do our 2, 3, and 4-year-olds just need to play, or do they do school work too? What should they know before kindergarten? Do they need to know anything?
We love nature-focused unit studies around here. After much searching and pre-reading, we found a few very favorite reptile books that have been a hit with our kiddos.
Before we share the book list, we want to share a completely free resource you might enjoy….
Morning Virtues offers FLEXIBILITY, but, we don’t want you to just take our word for how much we love Morning Virtues, we want you to try a month on us! So, we are offering Morning Virtues: Courage free.
We often hear the question “what do I do with my toddler while we homeschool?” or even just a general “What do I do with my toddler?” Trust us, we get it - and it is an absolutely valid question. Of course, every family and situation is different, so all of the ideas we discuss today may not work for your family, but we long to help get the brainstorming wheels turning.
Check out a few ideas we have compiled below using our FREE list of Skills and Activities Checklist. We are hopeful this is helpful in creating a plan for your curious two-year-olds.
What a joy it is to explore the animal world and stand in awe of the creatures God has created! There are so many unique animals with different abilities, habitats, and features we don’t even know about! We have created this FREE Polar Animals fun pack to give you and your children then chance to explore the world of polar animals. Learn about the Orca whale, penguins, narwhal, and more! The recommended ages are preschool through 4th grade - but let’s be honest— no one is too old to enjoy the world of polar animals!
Are you in the season of reading instruction? It’s one of the most daunting aspects of home education and can feel overwhelming. But rest assured, when all is said and done, most of our children will learn how to read without too much of an issue.
There are so many aspects to learning to read, and if there is one kink in the chain, your child can struggle. Let’s take a look at a few areas students can struggle with when it comes to reading.
Have you assumed that Gentle + Classical curriculum is only for families with preschoolers or Kindergarteners?
After loving Primer, have you thought, “What’s next for my first grader since Gentle + Classical doesn’t have a first grade program?”
If you have thought or assumed any of those things, you are not alone! That second question is one of our TOP questions, and we are here to answer that and so much more!
We want you to thoroughly understand EXACTLY what we offer for all students- preschool through 6th grade - so that you can make an informed plan for your children! And if you already love G+C, we don’t want you to feel like you must go find something else once you’re done with Primer!
There is nothing like cozying up on a cold winter day with a cup of coffee, light music in the background, and something to keep your mind busy and off the long cold winter days. We designed this free Winter Fun Pack to add a little “spice” to your days, and to especially help your little ones in getting the wiggles out in a way that might be a little more productive and wholesome than just climbing the walls!
Seasoned homeschool mom or brand-newbie, it’s extremely easy for any of us to get stuck in the “about to start” mode. Does any of this resonate with you?
You have everything you need to get started… but it’s all sitting in a box unpacked.
You have things pretty organized, but things aren’t just right yet.
You took a break during the holidays, and the idea of starting back feels you with dread.
There are a few different emotions that can hold us back from beginning, and two are most prevalent:
Fear.
Burnout. (Which is actually also rooted in fear.)
Honestly, I’m so thankful I started homeschooling over a decade ago…
My little guys love ocean animals! As a child I had a deep desire to become a marine biologist. I mean, who doesn't want to swim with dolphins and closely observe whales?
Over time, the Lord had different plans for me, but that doesn't mean I don't still love ocean animals. As a matter of fact, Volume 2 of Nature (release: Spring 2022) is allllll about oceans and shorelines.
This is a guest post contributed by Lara Chomout. You can learn more about Lara in her bio at the bottom of her post.
I have but one passion - it is He, it is He alone. The world is the field and the field is the world; and henceforth that country shall be my home where I can be most used in winning souls for Christ. - Nicolaus von Zinzendorf
I don’t know about you, friend, but when spring hits at our home, we are out the door like a flash! School is a little harder to do when warmth, sunshine, and fresh air await us outside. (We will momentarily pretend like muddy ground, wasps, and pollen-apocalypses don’t accompany it!)
This is a guest post contributed by Lara Chomout. You can learn more about Lara in her bio at the bottom of her post.
I often wish I was “perfect.” As I dream of what this must look like, I imagine the mom I want to be -- the mom who wakes up before the kids, reads her bible, has breakfast ready, dishes put away and a load of laundry going all before the day truly begins. But just as quickly as that dream begins, I roll over in bed, groan, and press the snooze button… over and over again.
There are truly a plethora of ABC flashcards available on the market these days- I even have four sets in my own shop. Once upon a time, this set was in my own shop as well.
But can we really have too many beautiful options? In the early years of education, flashcards become a staple in our homeschool and in our schooling space…
𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿.
My youthful ambitions were to be famous and make money. (Deep, I know.)
I never wanted kids. I definitely would never be "that mom" who doesn't work, doesn't climb the ladder, doesn't have "huge" accomplishments to show the world.
I was the least homeschooler-type person in all the world.
Then the Lord knocked. He placed a baby on my heart then one in my tummy. Then another.
And during that first set of babies, he placed a book in my hand: 𝘈 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯. I rocked a massive belly and read ideas about motherhood and education that might as well have been from Mars.
This is a guest post contributed by Lara Chomout. You can learn more about Lara in her bio at the bottom of her post.
It was Tuesday evening, and I was exhausted and ready to curl up in my own bed with a good book. Naturally, I didn’t want to let our 3-year-old’s bedtime routine linger. I read her a couple of books, not giving into her requests for “just one more,” and started to move on to our prayer.
For some reason, despite my longing to keep it quick, I decided to ask her one of our catechism questions from our preschool curriculum.
I looked at her sweet little face and asked, “Who made you?” I wasn’t fully expecting an answer. I was simply going to answer it for her—as we have done during our school time during the day.
“God made me!” she said with absolute delight.
My child is learning this memory work really quickly... Should I move faster, add to it, or go to a different level? This question lands in my lap quite often, so I want to explore things a little bit further with you. Always remember, this is my personal perspective, so trust your gut and your prayers, Mama!
My child is learning this memory work really quickly... Should I move faster, add to it, or go to a different level? This question lands in my lap quite often, so I want to explore things a little bit further with you. Always remember, this is my personal perspective, so trust your gut and your prayers, Mama!
St. Patrick left an amazing legacy on the isle of Ireland that hasn’t been quickly forgotten by the Irish in over one thousand years! Each year, we celebrate his gift of Christian mercy, love, and compassion on March 17th.
After researching and learning about Ireland over the past 2 months for this issue of On Mission, I can see why St. Patrick loved it so. Even after escaping from captivity as a slave there, his heart could not be separated from the land or the people. God called him back- to HIS CAPTIVES- to preach the Good News.
During my years as a homeschool mom, I’ve found I’m not alone in always looking for a more efficient way to walk through our days, plan ahead, and keep moving without getting bogged down and distracted. One of the most effective tools I’ve found to stay on track—especially with younger learners—is the addition of a homeschool memory work board or memory statement display in our home.
Over the past year, I’ve received email after email from families using The Gentle + Classical Preschool or Gentle + Classical Nature echoing the same message: they felt lost and unfocused in their school days—until they created a memory work board.
We all have basic subjects that we know are foundational for a full feast for our children: math, science, history, Bible, foreign language, and even the riches like art and music study. But, I think that it's not necessarily unique to me that we can often overlook subjects that DO deserve a presence in our homeschooling portfolio.
Traditionally, history is the "core" for a classical education- one of the four "cycles" as we have come to know them. I want to reference a post I wrote a while back in developing The Gentle + Classical Preschool Level 2:
“Do not let the endless succession of small things crowd great ideals out of sight and out of mind.” -Charlotte Mason
I have no idea how many books I’ve read in my life, but I can promise you that they have shaped who I am and the way I live—drastically. The way I speak to my husband, the way I teach or discipline my children, the way I pray and seek the Lord—have all been shaped by books.
This is a guest post from my friend Jana! I love to read her practical encouragement and actionable wisdom. I hope it will bless you too!
The monotony of life at home can lull us into simply existing. We’ve all been there. But it doesn’t have to be so. Mama, you can thrive at home!
Here are three strategies: make it beautiful, provide gracious order, and be a consistent presence.
MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL
Do you feel an internal tug for beauty? Perhaps you love an orange sunset or pink peonies. God created this world beautiful as a reflection of Himself, so I believe an innate pull to beauty is why we desire to create beautiful spaces in our homes. Beautiful spaces bring a deep sense of thriving.
This is a guest post from Kelly Hellmuth! I’m absolutely delighted to have a “peak behind the curtain” into Kelly’s home. Find more from Kelly at the bottom of this post.
“Maybe it’s the influence of the Little House on the Prairie, but I find the history of the one-room schoolhouse a little romantic.” - Denise M. Colby
Don’t we all? Most of us here are pursuing an educational path either with Charlotte Mason or Classical influences (or both!), and we know the value of educating our children together. There is an ease and even a necessity to discuss subjects such as history and science and fine arts as a family.
You may have noticed my post about how to assemble a memory statement board but still remained all-together confused or overwhelmed by what a memory statement even IS. Memory statements fill the pages of all Gentle + Classical programs, so I want to make sure you understand WHAT they are and how to implement them in your homeschool!
Memory statements are an idea that seems to have sprung from the more modern ideas of classical education and have been made popular by a popular community-based curriculum program. However, if we dig more deeply, we find that the notion of a “memory statement” is rooted in Charlotte Mason and true (historical) classical education.