A morning basket is a cornerstone of our homeschool day—a time for connection, curiosity, and discovery. It’s where we gather to share meaningful moments of learning before diving into our other lessons.
This January, our morning basket takes us on an adventure to the Arctic and Antarctic with the theme Polar Explorations. With the chilly weather outside, it’s the perfect time to explore icy landscapes, learn about incredible wildlife, and hear stories of brave explorers.
Since we’re tailoring this morning basket to the Grammar Stage, the focus will be on foundational knowledge, memory work, and sparking curiosity about these fascinating regions. Through books, activities, and a touch of creativity, we’re building a love of learning that carries into every part of our day.
In our homeschool, we love blending elements of Charlotte Mason and classical education philosophies during our morning basket time. Charlotte Mason emphasizes living books, nature study, and short, meaningful lessons, while classical education focuses on memory work, logic, and a structured progression of learning through the trivium. By combining these approaches, we create a rich and engaging experience that nurtures a love of learning while laying a strong foundation for future growth.
If you aren’t familiar with Charlotte Mason or Classical Education and would like to learn more I will link a few books to read!
To Learn More about Charlotte Mason:
- For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
This is a great introduction to Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy. It’s practical and deeply rooted in her ideas about the importance of nurturing children’s love for learning. - Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola
A comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing Charlotte Mason’s principles in your homeschool. It covers everything from nature study to living books, with plenty of examples. - A Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison
This book offers a simple and structured approach to incorporating Charlotte Mason’s methods into your homeschool, ideal for beginners.
To Learn More about Classical Education:
- The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer
A must-read for those diving into classical education. This book breaks down the trivium and offers practical guidance on how to implement classical methods at different stages of your child’s learning. - The Core: A Study in the Foundations of Education by Leigh A. Bortins
This resource explores the classical method in detail, explaining the importance of the trivium and how it shapes a child’s learning journey. - Classical Education: The Movement Sweeping America by Gene Edward Veith and Andrew Kern
This book offers a deeper look into the philosophy behind classical education, ideal for those wanting to understand the movement’s roots and principles.
Reading aloud is a cherished part of our morning basket routine. For January, our selections focus on the wonders of the Arctic and Antarctic, blending factual exploration with imaginative storytelling. Here’s what’s in our Polar Explorations basket:
Picture Books:
- The Polar Bear by Jenni Desmond
This beautifully illustrated book introduces children to the life and habitat of polar bears, combining science with captivating artwork. - Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
A lyrical exploration of the hidden world beneath the snow, perfect for sparking curiosity about winter ecology. - Icebergs, Ice Caps, and Glaciers by Allan Fowler
A straightforward yet engaging introduction to the science of icy formations and their role in the polar regions. - Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara Joosse
Set in Alaska, this tender story explores the bond between a child and parent with cultural insights into Inuit traditions.
Chapter Book:
- Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
A delightful, classic story that combines humor with a lighthearted look at penguins and the adventures they inspire. - The Call of the Wild by Jack London
An abridged version of this gripping tale could serve as an introduction to the harsh yet fascinating Arctic wilderness.
Poetry or Devotional:
- Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman
This beautifully illustrated book pairs stunning poetry with fascinating facts about how animals survive winter, making it an engaging and educational addition to your morning basket. - Indescribable: 100 Devotions About God and Science by Louie Giglio
Short and engaging devotions that combine faith and science, with entries on God’s creation of animals, weather, and the natural world.
Memory Work
This month, we’re memorizing “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost, a classic winter poem that evokes the stillness and beauty of snowy landscapes. You can find it in many poetry anthologies, including The Random House Book of Poetry for Children.
Scientific Facts and Dates:
- Key Dates in Polar Exploration: Memorize important milestones like Roald Amundsen’s 1911 expedition to the South Pole or Sir Ernest Shackleton’s heroic Antarctic journey in 1914.
- Fun Polar Animal Facts: Learn the scientific names of polar animals like Ursus maritimus (polar bear) or Aptenodytes forsteri (emperor penguin). Add flashcards for visual aids!
Bible Verses or Character-Building Quotes:
- Job 37:10 – “The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.” A perfect verse for reflecting on the majesty of winter.
- Psalm 147:16-17 – “He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?”
- Quotes from polar explorers like Ernest Shackleton’s, “Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all.”
Memory Tools:
- Flashcards: Use printable polar animal cards or geography cards from Etsy to practice recognition and facts.
- Songs: Add a simple tune to the key dates or animal names to make memorization fun.
- Repetition Games: Recite Bible verses or scientific facts daily, weaving them into a fun question-and-answer game to keep it interactive.
Fine Arts Focus
Art Study:
- “The Icebergs” by Frederic Edwin Church: Another stunning Arctic-themed painting, this piece showcases towering icebergs with incredible detail and majesty. It’s a great conversation starter about how artists can capture extreme environments.
Suggested Activity: Encourage your child to create their own polar landscape using watercolor or pastels after observing these pieces.
Music Study:
- “Winter” from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi: This timeless piece vividly evokes the chill and drama of winter through its energetic strings. Perfect for discussing how music can tell a story or capture the feel of a season.
Suggested Activity: While listening to the music, invite your child to draw or paint what they imagine, or discuss how the music makes them feel.
Nature Study: Polar Explorations
Topics for Exploration:
- Arctic Animals: Learn about creatures like polar bears, arctic foxes, snowy owls, and narwhals. Discuss how they adapt to extreme cold and the unique features that help them survive.
- The Polar Ecosystem: Study the differences between the Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems, including plant life, icebergs, and how seasons impact these regions.
- Auroras: Explore the science behind the Northern and Southern Lights, their cultural significance, and where they can be seen.
Suggested Activities:
- Animal Observations: Use library books, YouTube videos, or documentaries to observe polar animals in their natural habitats. Consider creating a chart of their adaptations.
- Hands-On Experiment: Demonstrate how blubber keeps animals warm using a simple experiment with shortening and ice water.
- Draw and Label: Sketch the Arctic food chain, identifying predators, prey, and the role of ice in the ecosystem.
- Aurora Art Project: Use chalk pastels or watercolors to recreate the Northern Lights, blending colors to mimic the sky.
Resources to Incorporate:
- Books:
- Videos: National Geographic Kids or BBC Earth clips on polar animals and ecosystems.
- Nature Walk (Adapted): If possible, take a walk in your local area to observe winter phenomena like frost, ice, or snow. Compare these findings to what you’ve learned about polar regions.
In the Grammar Stage, language and writing skills are developed through both formal and informal learning experiences. This includes activities like spelling practice, phonics games, and beginning Latin work. For our Polar Explorations theme, I’ve included spelling words and Latin roots that tie into the exciting world of polar regions and exploration. These activities will help reinforce vocabulary, spelling, and the foundational elements of language learning, while also allowing for hands-on, interactive practice. As always, we incorporate games, such as using magnetic letters or dry-erase boards, to keep learning fun and engaging!
10 Spelling Words for the Grammar Stage
- Arctic
- Antarctic
- Explorer
- Expedition
- Glacier
- Penguin
- Igloo
- Tundra
- Sled
- Iceberg
10 Latin Roots and Phrases for the Grammar Stage
- Arct- (meaning “bear” or “cold”) — Root word for “Arctic” and “Arctic Circle.”
- Antarct- (meaning “opposite of the Arctic”) — Root word for “Antarctic.”
- Frigus (meaning “cold”) — Root word for words like “frigid” and “frigidity.”
- Nox (meaning “night”) — Root word for “nocturnal” (Polar regions experience long nights during the winter months).
- Via (meaning “road” or “way”) — Root word for “via” and “travel,” which connects to expeditions.
- Mare (meaning “sea”) — Root word for “maritime” or “marine,” related to polar sea explorations.
- Glacies (meaning “ice”) — Root word for “glacier” and “glaciation.”
- Vita (meaning “life”) — Root word for “vital” and “survival,” key aspects of polar exploration.
- Ex (meaning “out of” or “from”) — Prefix found in words like “expedition,” which is essential in polar exploration.
- Lumen (meaning “light”) — Root word for “luminous” and “illuminate,” useful when studying the polar regions’ unique light cycles.
Games and Puzzles
Starting our day with games and puzzles has become one of my favorite ways to connect with my children and get them engaged for the school day ahead. These activities are a perfect way to build focus, encourage problem-solving, and gently introduce learning in a relaxed environment. Whether it’s working together on a polar-themed puzzle or playing an educational game, it’s not just about reinforcing academic skills—it’s about spending quality time together. I’ve found that these moments help us bond, build our connection, and set a positive tone for the day. Games and puzzles bring an element of fun into our morning basket while helping my kids get mentally ready for what’s next!
Puzzles
Games
- Arctic Riders: Arctic Riders helps develop decision-making skills as players roll the dice and determine how many spaces to move each narwhal pawn, based on where the treat tokens are on the board game.
- Penguins on Ice: Keep the Penguins on the ice! Penguins on Ice features 80 challenges where players use their brains to place the shifting, pentomino pieces with penguins on the board to solve each puzzle.
How Morning Baskets Work in Our Day
The morning basket is a cherished part of our routine, but I don’t expect us to use everything in it every single day. I approach it flexibly: we start with one thing and move to the next until about an hour has passed. Whatever we don’t get to becomes the starting point for the next school day. If an activity causes stress or isn’t enjoyable, we simply remove it from the basket—no guilt allowed.
In our home, morning basket time usually begins around 10 AM, after breakfast, morning chores, and a few minutes of outside free play. However, it’s a versatile idea that can work at any time of day. I’ve often thought it could be a beautiful way to wind down in the evening, especially if dad works late and wants to be part of the learning process.
This year, with a baby in the house, we’re giving ourselves extra grace. Sometimes we need to pause for naps or take breaks when needed. Family comes first, and I remind myself that we’ll never get this season back with our little one. Prioritizing these precious moments makes the time we spend on schoolwork and the morning basket even more meaningful.
The beauty of the morning basket is its adaptability. It’s not about checking off every item but creating a rhythm that works for your family and fosters connection, curiosity, and joy.
As we wrap up, I want to leave you with a few reminders. The morning basket is meant to be a tool for joy and connection, not a source of stress. You don’t need to cover everything in one day or even in one week. Start where you are, use what works, and let go of what doesn’t. This season of life is fleeting, especially if you have a baby or little ones, so give yourself grace and cherish the moments you do have together.
Before purchasing new items for your morning basket, consider checking your local library. Many of the books, music, and resources mentioned may be available there, saving you money while still providing rich learning opportunities.
Finally, I’d love to hear from you! What’s in your morning basket this January? Share your ideas and finds in the comments or tag me on social media. Let’s inspire one another as we create meaningful rhythms for our families this holiday season.
Here’s to a January filled with learning, laughter, and love! ❤️
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