Morning Basket for the Grammar Stage | December Edition

In our homeschool, I love blending elements of both Charlotte Mason and classical education, two philosophies that share a common goal: fostering a love of learning through rich, engaging, and meaningful content. While they are distinct in their approach, these two methods overlap in many ways, especially when it comes to the use of books, nature study, and the emphasis on character development.

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:

To Learn More about Classical Education:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

What to Put Inside Your Morning Basket

I like to incorporate many books in our morning basket. Picture books, chapter books, and poetry books. I will often read the same picture book for multiple days until rotating the next book on my list for the season or theme. For December I wanted to focus on the season of winter and the Christmas holiday. Feel free to roam your library for ideas on what books to include in your morning basket for December but I will share the list I have,

Educational Winter Picture Books:

1. Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin This beautiful, Caldecott-winning book tells the true story of Wilson Bentley, the first person to photograph snowflakes, with stunning illustrations that capture the beauty of winter.
2. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
   A classic book about the magic of snow, exploring the joy of winter from a child’s perspective with simple, poetic language and timeless illustrations.

Christmas Meaning/MagicPicture Books:

1. The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola A charming tale of how the poinsettia became a symbol of Christmas, rooted in Mexican traditions, with beautiful illustrations.
2. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
   A heartwarming story about a grumpy woodcarver who is transformed through the kindness of a mother and her son, capturing the true spirit of Christmas.

If you need more ideas read my post about 40 Christmas and winter-themed books.

December Chapter Books for the Grammar Stage:

1. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis A classic and beloved story that is magical and adventurous, perfect for the grammar stage. The imagery of winter and Christmas themes is intertwined beautifully in this story.
2. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams A classic story about a toy becoming real through the love of a child. It’s a touching, gentle story with deep lessons about love and transformation.
3. Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder The first book in the Little House series is great for younger readers, with stories about pioneer life and the beauty of family traditions during winter.

Poetry Books:

1. A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas This beautifully written, lyrical story captures the essence of Christmas from a child’s perspective, filled with whimsical and vivid imagery.

Devotional:

1. The Advent Storybook: 24 Stories to Share Before Christmas by Laura RichieA wonderful collection of short, devotional stories for each day leading up to Christmas, with beautiful illustrations to help families reflect on the season’s meaning.

Using Our Curriculum for Memory Work

In our homeschool, memory work is a cornerstone of our morning basket, especially during the grammar stage, where repetition and frequent review are key. For December, I focus on incorporating seasonal themes like Christmas and winter, alongside foundational elements of classical education, such as Latin stems and root words.

For language arts, I rotate both mastered poems and new poems into our morning basket. Seasonal selections like “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” or the lyrics to “Silent Night” allow us to practice fluency and rhythm in a festive way. Adding Latin stems like “nat-” (birth, as in nativity) or “luc-” (light, as in Lucifer) ties the seasonal focus to language learning, reinforcing vocabulary development in a meaningful context.

For history, I tie memory work to seasonal events or Christmas traditions that align with our current studies. For example, we might memorize a timeline fact about the origin of St. Nicholas or key dates related to winter festivals across cultures. This ensures memory work feels relevant and connected to the season.

Tools for Easy Memorization

I use a variety of tools to make memory work accessible and engaging. For Latin stems and root words, I create simple flashcards on index cards with the root on one side and example words on the back. Seasonal connections, such as “nativity” or “lucid”, help students make meaningful associations. For families without a Latin curriculum, books like “English from the Roots Up” are excellent resources for incorporating Latin and Greek stems into memory work.

The 10 Latin Stems we will be using:

1. Nativ – birth Examples: Nativity, native, innate
2. Gloria – glory Examples: Glorious, Glorify, Gloria
3. Stella – star Examples: Constellation, stellar, interstellar
4. Lux/Luc – light Examples: Lucid, illuminate, luxury
5. Pax – peace Examples: Pacify, pacifist, pact
6. Hibern – winter Examples: Hibernation, hibernate, hibernal
7. Noct – night Examples: Nocturnal, equinox, nocturne
8. Angeli – angel Examples: Angel, angelic, evangelist
9. Carni – flesh (can connect to celebrations involving feasts) Examples: Carnivore, incarnate, carnival
10. Vita – life Examples: Vital, revitalize, vitae

For poetry and hymns, I use seasonal books like “The Christmas Hymnal” or winter-themed poetry collections. Additionally, Etsy has beautiful printable memory work resources, including flashcards and memory work charts for hymns, Bible verses, and more. These tools help reinforce frequent practice, especially when we’re focusing on seasonal themes.

Art Study

Art appreciation is something I strive to include in our morning basket, even if it’s a simpler focus for the month. For December, I like to choose one or two paintings with a seasonal theme. A favorite for this time of year is “Hunters in the Snow” by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, which beautifully captures the essence of winter. Another great option is “The Nativity” by Federico Barocci, offering a classical depiction of the Christmas story. These paintings not only provide a cultural connection but also serve as conversation starters about seasonal and historical contexts.

To make this activity hands-on, I’ll pair the painting study with simple art prompts like:

• Draw your favorite winter scene inspired by Bruegel’s work.
• Create your own nativity scene using basic art supplies like colored pencils, markers, or even collage materials.

Fun Art Resources:

• Art Cards or Prints: Find postcard-sized prints of famous artworks on Etsy
• Art Supplies: Crayola art kits, watercolor sets, or basic drawing tools are perfect for these activities.

Activity Kits: Try Christmas-themed coloring books or paint-by-number sets, widely available on Amazon or Etsy.

Music Appreciation

For music, December is the perfect time to introduce Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. This iconic piece brings the magic of Christmas to life through its enchanting melodies, and it’s accessible for all ages. Another wonderful option is Handel’s Messiah, particularly the “Hallelujah Chorus,” which ties beautifully to the season’s themes of joy and celebration.

I often keep this part of the morning basket simple by playing the music during breakfast or quiet activity time, allowing the kids to soak it in while they work on their art. For added engagement, I might include a short story or picture book about the composer or the history of the music.

Additional Music Appreciation Resources:

• The Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker – A beautifully illustrated book with sound buttons to introduce the music of The Nutcracker.
• Spotify Playlists: Create a playlist with Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and Handel’s Messiah.
• Composer Activity Books: Look for printable composer studies or activity packs on Etsy, like Nutcracker music studies for kids

December Nature Study – Animal Behavior in Winter

Winter is the perfect season to explore how animals survive the colder months. Young learners in the grammar stage will be fascinated by the concepts of hibernation, migration, and adaptation. Begin by discussing how animals like bears and groundhogs hibernate to conserve energy, while others, such as geese and monarch butterflies, migrate to warmer regions. Highlight animals that adapt to the cold, such as rabbits growing thicker fur or foxes camouflaging in the snow.

Make this study hands-on by venturing outside to look for animal tracks in the snow or mud. Use a simple field guide, like Big Tracks, Little Tracks: Following Animal Prints by Millicent Selsam, to identify tracks and learn more about the animals that left them behind. Encourage kids to sketch the tracks they find in their nature journals or take photos for comparison later.

Enhance the experience with engaging picture books:

• Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner – A beautifully illustrated story that explores the secret world of animals beneath the snow.
• Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep! by Maureen Wright – A fun and lighthearted book about a bear struggling to hibernate.
• When Winter Comes by Nancy Van Laan – A lyrical exploration of how nature changes in winter, including animals preparing for the cold.

For hands-on activities, consider creating an animal behavior diorama with small figurines or drawings to illustrate hibernation, migration, and adaptation. Pair this with a craft, such as making animal track stamps using sponges or potatoes.

Additional Nature Study Resources to Include in the Basket:

• Tracks, Scats and Signs by Leslie Dendy – A practical guide for identifying animal behavior clues in nature.
• Printable animal track matching games or flashcards.
• Binoculars for spotting winter birds or squirrels in action.

These activities will not only make the study of animal behavior memorable but also encourage children to notice and appreciate the natural world around them during this magical season.

Winter & Christmas Games and Puzzles: Connection Over Curriculum 

In our homeschool, we prioritize connection over curriculum, and games are one of our favorite tools for building those connections. A quick game or puzzle before formal lessons helps us bond, creates a sense of fun, and even helps the kids focus. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to start the day on a positive note, especially during the busy holiday season.  

For December, I love incorporating seasonal games and puzzles into our morning basket. A winter- or Christmas-themed activity can bring joy and keep the season’s magic alive. It’s also an excellent opportunity to sneak in learning through play, whether it’s problem-solving with a puzzle or memory work with a card game.  

Game Recommendation  

Christmas Bingo This fun game features festive icons like ornaments, candy canes, and reindeer, making it perfect for younger kids. It’s a simple way to engage everyone and start the day with some holiday cheer. Find a printable version on Etsy or check for pre-made sets online.  

Winter and Christmas puzzles

1. Winter Forest Puzzle (100 pieces) A serene woodland scene featuring animals in the snow. This puzzle is great for kids who enjoy nature and provides a calming activity.  

2. The Night Before Christmas Puzzle (100 pieces) Based on Clement Clarke Moore’s classic poem, this puzzle captures the charm of Christmas Eve.  

3. Snowflake 3D Puzzle (70 Pieces) A smaller, unique puzzle with intricate snowflake designs that challenges kids’ spatial reasoning while introducing winter patterns.  

4. Advent Calendar Puzzle Set A series of 24 mini puzzles, one for each day leading up to Christmas. It’s a fun way to count down to the holiday while building patience and persistence.  

Whether it’s a quick game of Bingo, a shared puzzle session, or a themed activity book, these moments foster connection and create cherished memories. Starting the day with a little play can go a long way in making the homeschool experience both meaningful and magical during the holiday season.

Fun Extras Crafts and Sensory Play for Read Aloud Time

Sometimes little hands need to stay busy to help young minds focus during read-aloud time. Including craft kits and sensory play items as extras in your morning basket can make this time more enjoyable and productive. These quiet, hands-on activities keep the grammar-aged child engaged while still allowing them to absorb the story or lesson being shared.  

Craft Kits for Holiday Decorations

1. DIY Ornament Kits Simple kits for decorating ornaments or creating salt dough keepsakes. These are festive, easy to manage, and make wonderful gifts or tree decorations.  

2. Paper Snowflake Garland Provide pre-cut paper and instructions for making a garland of intricate snowflakes. This activity enhances fine motor skills and ties into a winter theme.  

3. Christmas Card Making Kit A set with cardstock, stickers, and festive embellishments for creating holiday cards to send to loved ones.  

Sensory Play Items

1. Holiday Playdough Kits Include scented playdough in festive colors (peppermint red, evergreen green, and snowy white) with small cookie cutters, stamps, or beads for creative play.  

2. Pom-Pom Sorting Activity Offer a tray of red, green, and white pom-poms with tweezers or tongs for sorting by color or size. This quiet activity strengthens fine motor skills.  

3. Christmas-Themed Water Beads Let kids explore textured, colorful beads in a sensory bin. Add small figurines like reindeer or snowflakes for imaginative play.  

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 December? 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 December filled with learning, laughter, and love! ❤️