December 3, 2025|Homeschooling
Howdy from the Glowing Barn, Farm Mamas. It’s 19°F, the wood stove’s crackling, and Khloé’s in her pink barn coat waving a pine cone yelling, “Let’s make fire!”
That’s how we homeschool in December — mittens on, Bible open, barn glowing.
This week’s theme: Winter Glow & Pine Fire Starters — crafting warmth, feeding birds, shining light.
Grade Level: K-2
Time: 60–90 min/day
Location: Porch, kitchen, coop
This Week’s Big Idea
Farm Skill: Pine harvest + fire safety
Academic Tie-In: Math, science, literacy, art, sensory
Bible Thread: John 8:12 — “I am the light of the world…”
MONDAY: Harvest & Count Pine Cones
Goals
- Count to 15 (math)
- Sort by size
- Practice safety
Materials
- Basket, 15 pine cones
- Printable: Khloé’s Pine Cone Math | My Pine Cone Math
Step-by-Step (35 min)
- Harvest (10 min): Khloé fills basket.
- Sort (10 min): Small, medium, large.
- Count (10 min): Line up, count aloud.
- Chart (5 min): Fill printable (circle 5 biggest, write totals, add all).
Farm Tie-In
- 200+ pine trees → endless supply.
- Cones → fire starters + décor.
Bible Sprinkle (2 min)
John 8:12 — “I am the light…”
→ Prayer: “Thank You for warm light.”
Extension
- Math: Graph sizes.
- Art: Cone rubbings.
TUESDAY: Melt Wax & Dip Fire Starters
Goals
- Observe melt (science)
- Dip safely (motor)
- Measure wax
Materials
- Candle stubs, wick, muffin tin
- Printable: Khloé’s Fire Starter Science Log | My Fire Starter Science Log
Step-by-Step (50 min)
- Melt (15 min): Adult melts; child adds wick.
- Dip (15 min): Dip cone, cool.
- Count (10 min): 6 starters.
- Log (10 min): Fill printable (checklist + observation table).
Farm Tie-In
- Wax from shop leftovers.
- Starters → cozy barn nights.
Bible Sprinkle (2 min)
Psalm 18:28 — “You light my lamp…”
→ Prayer: “Light our home.”
Extension
- Science: Draw solid vs. liquid.
- Math: Double recipe.
WEDNESDAY: Pine Suet Bird Cakes
Goals
- Mix seed (math)
- Shape cakes (motor)
- Hang feeders
Materials
- Suet, seed, pine needles, cutters
- Printable: Khloé’s Bird Suet Recipe & Graph | My Bird Suet Recipe & Graph
Step-by-Step (45 min)
- Melt (10 min): Adult melts suet.
- Mix (10 min): Add seed + needles.
- Shape (15 min): Press into cutters.
- Graph (10 min): Fill printable (recipe fill-ins + bar graph).
Farm Tie-In
- Suet from butcher; seed from ducks.
- Chickadees → pest control.
Bible Sprinkle (2 min)
Matthew 6:26 — “Look at the birds…”
→ Prayer: “Feed Your birds.”
Extension
- Science: Predict visitors.
- Literacy: Write bird names.
THURSDAY: Pine Needle Tea Taste
Goals
- Measure water (math)
- Taste test (sensory)
- Write observations
Materials
- Pine needles, honey, mugs
- Printable: Khloé’s Pine Tea Taste Test | My Pine Tea Taste Test
Step-by-Step (35 min)
- Harvest (5 min): Snip fresh needles.
- Steep (10 min): Adult boils; child adds.
- Taste (10 min): Plain, honey.
- Write (10 min): Fill printable (check taste, write 2 words, favorite).
Farm Tie-In
- Vitamin C for winter.
- Pine Needle Vinegar in shop.
Bible Sprinkle (2 min)
Psalm 104:15 — “Gladness of heart…”
→ Prayer: “Thank You for tea.”
Extension
- Science: Needle cross-section.
- Literacy: Full sentence.
FRIDAY: Winter Glow Gratitude Lantern
Goals
- Decorate jar (art)
- Write thanks (literacy)
- Reflect on week
Materials
- Jar, pine needles, battery light
- Printable: Khloé’s Winter Glow Lantern Journal | My Winter Glow Lantern Journal
Step-by-Step (50 min)
- Decorate (15 min): Glue needles.
- Write (15 min): 3 thanks on printable.
- Light (10 min): Add battery tea light.
- Place (10 min): On barn shelf.
Farm Tie-In
- Lantern = barn night light.
- Gratitude = warm hearts.
Bible Sprinkle (3 min)
John 1:5 — “The light shines in the darkness…”
→ Prayer: Thank God for 3 glows.
Extension
- Art: Press pine.
- Literacy: Read aloud.
Weekly Wrap-Up
This week Khloé mastered counting and graphing cone sizes, observed wax melting and suet shaping, measured ingredients and bird visits, wrote taste observations and gratitude sentences, and practiced fire safety and reflection. She learned how to bring light and warmth to the farm in winter.
Shop the Winter Glow Bundle
Parent Tips
- Safety: Adult handles hot wax/tea.
- Adapt for 3yo: Use pre-cut shapes.
- Adapt for 7yo: Add fractions, write paragraphs.
Pin this week! Save for snowy nights.
Tag a homeschool mama who loves winter crafts.
Comment below: What’s your favorite way to glow in winter?
All printables are free images in the blog post. Khloé versions are for our family keepsakes; generic versions are for your family to personalize and print.