Dive Into Our New Learning Week!
My kids love anything hands-on — and now that we’ve found their passions, I’m able to create learning paths that truly speak to them. My daughter is still 100% in her “future zoo keeper” phase (and thriving 🦓), while my son can tell you the make and model of nearly every car that drives past 🚙.
Building learning week around their interests has completely changed our homeschool rhythm.
I often read posts from other parents wondering how to keep kids motivated and focused while homeschooling. And I get it — it’s not always easy. But here’s what I’ve learned: once children understand that homeschooling doesn’t mean “not learning,” but rather “learning differently,” everything changes.
Homeschooling isn’t just about workbooks — it’s about participating in all that life brings: cooking, cleaning, planning, reading, exploring, shopping, going to museums, or visiting the library. It’s about building curiosity, not just memorising facts.
And every family will do it differently — that’s the beauty of homeschooling! Whether you live in the countryside like us in County Cavan, or in a busy city, whether you work full-time or stay at home, every homeschooling rhythm is unique. Our shared goal? To help our kids grow into independent, thoughtful, and motivated humans 💪.
Now, let’s dive into our Week Learning Plan — blending animal science, car engineering, and a touch of musical discovery!
🗓️Learning Week Idea: Zoology + Cars + Music
| Day | Theme & Subjects | Activities & Free Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 – Animal Adaptations | Science, Geography, Literacy | – Research how animals adapt to their habitats (e.g., desert vs. rainforest). – Watch a free BBC Earth Kids episode on YouTube. – Write a short story: “If I lived in the Arctic, I would…” – Hands-on: create a mini habitat using a shoebox and craft materials. |
| Day 2 – Animal Nutrition & Care | Biology, Maths, Life Skills | – Learn about different animal diets (herbivore, carnivore, omnivore). – Calculate food weights and feeding schedules (mini maths project). – Visit National Geographic Kids – Animal Facts. – Optional outing: visit a local pet farm or wildlife sanctuary if you can! |
| Day 3 – The World of Cars: History & Design | History, Engineering, Art | – Learn about the first cars ever made – watch short clips from How Cars Work for Kids. – Draw or build your own car model using LEGO or recycled materials. – Discuss how car design has changed for safety and environment. |
| Day 4 – Mechanics in Motion | Maths, Physics, Problem-Solving | – Explore the science of speed, gears, and fuel (use Ducksters – Simple Machines). – Build a balloon-powered car or marble ramp at home. – Record how far each design travels — introduce basic data tracking and charts. |
| Day 5 – Exploring Music Genres | Cultural Studies, Art, History | – Listen to music from different genres (classical, rock, pop, jazz, traditional Irish, Portuguese fado). – Locate where each genre originated on a world map. – Discuss: How does music make you feel? – Hands-on: make your own percussion instrument using rice, bottles, and rubber bands. |
| Day 6 – Rhythm, Beat & Sound | Science, Music Theory, Physics | – Experiment with sound waves (fill glasses with water and tap with a spoon). – Watch a free BBC Bitesize video on Sound. – Compare animal sounds — how do elephants, dolphins, and birds use sound to communicate? |
| Day 7 – Create Your Own Musical Story | Writing, Drama, Creativity | – Write and perform a mini musical story — maybe about cars in a race or animals in a zoo band! – Record it or act it out for fun family time. – End the week with a music-themed quiz or dance party 🎉. |
🧒 What About Our 2-Year-Old?
Our little one joins in with lots of sensory and parallel play while the big kids learn.
Here are some easy go-tos:
- 🎨 Finger painting animals and cars.
- 🪣 Water play with toy cars or animal figures.
- 📚 Board books about sounds and animals.
- 🎶 Music time — shakers, dancing, clapping!
These simple setups help him feel included while building his own curiosity and independence.
💬 Reflection
Finding your children’s passions transforms the homeschooling experience. When they’re excited, they want to learn. My son now calculates car speeds faster than me (true story 😅), and my daughter knows more about reptiles than I ever will!
As parents, our job is to guide, nurture, and celebrate these passions — while giving them the tools to grow, evolve, and discover new ones along the way.
If you have missed the previous week, no panic it’s right here: Greek Twist Weekly Planner and if you want all of them surf away the weekly curriculum section.
