| When I was in school, I looked forward to holiday | | | | symbols. |
| celebrations as a chance to eat cookies and take | | | | April Fool's Day, April 1 - Read joke books and |
| a break from the monotony of class work. | | | | funny stories. Write jokes and comic strips. |
| However, as a homeschooler, I now realize that I | | | | Develop public speaking skills by giving a stand up |
| can homeschool holidays to enhance our study of | | | | comedy performance. |
| culture and history. | | | | Mother's Day, 2nd Sunday in May - Honor the |
| In our home, we use holidays to read fiction and | | | | women in your family. Study queens, famous |
| nonfiction books, watch holiday specials and | | | | women throughout history, and the women's |
| documentaries, and work on fun projects. Here | | | | suffrage movement. |
| are some suggestions for holiday activities and | | | | Memorial Day, Last Monday in May - This day |
| other ideas for homeschooling holidays: | | | | honors those who died in war. study the Civil War |
| New Year's Day, January 1 - Reevaluate the past | | | | and Decoration day. Learn about other days of |
| year and set goals for the new year. Make party | | | | remembering the dead, such as the Festival of |
| decorations and throw New Year's Eve party. | | | | Lanterns in Japan and Dia de la Muerte in Mexico. |
| Study art, party planning, time and calendars. Also | | | | Father's Day, 3rd Sunday in June - Honor the men |
| study other New Year's celebrations around the | | | | in your family. Learn about kings, famous heroes, |
| globe. | | | | and our country's founding fathers. |
| Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, 3rd Monday in | | | | Independence Day, July 4 - Commemorates the |
| January - Commemorates the birth of Martin | | | | signing of the Declaration of independence. Study |
| Luther King Jr. Read and recite MLK's speeches or | | | | the American Revolution and the United States |
| watch them over the internet. Study the history | | | | flag. Sing patriotic songs and learn about our |
| of nonviolent protest and the Civil Right's | | | | national symbols. |
| Movement. | | | | Labor Day, 1st Monday in September - This day |
| Groundhog Day, February 2 - If the groundhog | | | | honors working people. Learn more about the |
| sees his shadow on this day, there will be six | | | | Industrial Revolution, workplace safety, child labor |
| more weeks of bad weather. If the sky is | | | | laws and labor unions. |
| overcast and the groundhog does not see his | | | | Grandparent's Day, 1st Sunday after Labor Day - |
| shadow, spring will soon arrive. Study weather, | | | | Make cards or gifts for grandparents. Study |
| weather forecasting, superstitions, and wives' | | | | family history. |
| tales. | | | | Columbus Day, October 12 - Commemorates the |
| Valentine's Day, February 14 - Bring cheer to | | | | day Christopher Columbus reached America. Learn |
| those in a nursing home or VA hospital. Study | | | | about famous explorers, oceans and sea travel. |
| Cupid, the Roman god of love, and other Greek | | | | Halloween, October 31 - Make your own |
| mythological figures. | | | | costumes, and study sewing and drama. This is |
| President's Day, 3rd Monday in February - | | | | also a great time to learn about nocturnal animals. |
| Commemorates George Washington's birthday | | | | Veteran's Day, November 11 - Commemorates |
| and Abraham Lincoln's birthday. Study the lives | | | | the end of World War I. Visit a VA center or |
| and contributions of both presidents, and | | | | military cemetery. Study the World War I. |
| memorize some of their famous quotations and | | | | Thanksgiving, 4th Thursday in November - |
| speeches. | | | | Discuss gratitude. Find ways to serve others. |
| Leap Year, February 29 - Study time, calendars | | | | Study the dress, food, customs, and surroundings |
| throughout history and the Earth's rotation. | | | | of the Pilgrims and Native Americans. |
| Saint Patrick's Day, March 17 - Study Ireland and | | | | Christmas, December 25 - Commemorates the |
| Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. | | | | birth of Jesus. Make your own decorations and |
| Easter, Late March or Early April - Celebrates | | | | prepare a special meal. Learn about the origins of |
| Christ's resurrection. Study Christianity and | | | | holiday traditions and Christmas carols. Create |
| compare it to other major religions. Learn about | | | | special family traditions. |
| the history and meanings of traditional Easter | | | | |