Access This Week’s Free Planner Combining Curiosity, Culture and Creativity
October in Ireland brings misty mornings, golden leaves, and stories that whisper through the wind — making it one of the best times of year to learn naturally. 🌬️
In this week’s home learning free planner, we’re diving into Irish folklore like The Pooka and The Banshee, exploring real-world maths through the Fibonacci sequence in nature, and comparing our cool Irish weather with crisp Canadian autumns. There’s baking, poetry, and even a homemade weather station — all designed to keep learning hands-on, memorable, and seasonal.
And for those of us with curious toddlers underfoot, I’ve added easy play-based ideas to help them feel included (and maybe even a little scientific themselves!).
🍁 October Homeschool Planner – Week of Autumn Discovery
Because homeschooling in October is more than worksheets — it’s about curiosity, culture, and cosy creativity. 🍂📚
| Subjects / Focus | Activities & Projects |
| Language, History, Creative Writing | • Read the Irish legend “The Pooka” or “The Banshee’’. Discuss how folklore was used to explain the unknown.• Write your own modern-day myth: imagine an Irish autumn spirit that protects the forests or rivers.• Try writing a short poem inspired by nature near your home. |
| Science & Maths | • Create a weather journal: record temp, wind, and rainfall for the week.• Build a homemade rain gauge and an anemometer (paper cups + straws).• Graph the week’s data and compare with Toronto, Canada (check timeanddate.com/weather). Discuss why autumn arrives differently in both places. |
| Geography & Art | • Study Ireland’s boglands and forests — what makes them unique?• Draw or paint a “Bird’s Eye View” of your area: fields, hills, lakes, or roads.• use clay or salt dough to make autumn decorations |
| Maths, Observation, Nature | • Outdoors: count and measure fallen leaves or conkers; estimate tree heights using shadow length.• Create a “Fibonacci in Nature” poster — show spirals in pinecones, sunflowers, or shells.• Write a reflection: how does nature show us maths every day? |
| History, Culture, Storytelling | • Research how Halloween is celebrated in Canada and compare with Irish Samhain traditions.• Create a mini book: “Halloween Around the World” (draw flags, foods, customs).• End the week with storytelling night — read “The Halloween Cat” |
| Life Skills, Family Fun | • Visit the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. Talk about how geology shaped Ireland.• Bake Irish barmbrack (traditional Halloween fruit bread) — practice reading measurements and fractions. |
Here are the free downloads: Autumn Week Planner Parent guide which includes the Bonus hands-on Leaf Clay and Leaves Garland making! The kids loved making those and we ended up using them on our mantle piece. It’s pretty hands-on but not as messy as you think.
👶 Toddler Time Ideas for Your 2-Year-Old (Fresh and Fun)
And because homeschooling is all about balance, our youngest (age 2) gets to join in the fun too — with sensory play, painting pumpkins, and storytime corners that keep her curious and content.
It’s the perfect mix of learning, laughter, and a little bit of Halloween magic. 🎃
🎨 Sticker Meteors – give your toddler star and cloud stickers to “create the sky” while siblings track real weather.
🍁 Leaf Sorting Station – pick a few leaves of different sizes; your toddler can sort by colour, size, or texture.
🪶 Nature Music Time – fill jars with sticks, acorns, and rice to make natural shakers. March along with autumn songs.
📦 Mini Topography Box – fill a shallow box with sand and stones, and hide small toy “rivers” or animals. Let them explore Ireland’s “mountains” their own way!
🕯️ Shadow Play – give them a torch (flashlight) in a dark room with paper cutouts of bats and pumpkins — science and imagination in one.
If anyone missed the previous weeks, you can find them in my ‘curriculum ‘our weekly planner’ category in the menu or click on the link: weekly planner.
