Get Your Free Seasonal Greek Twist Learning Planner Here!
I’m excited to share this November seasonal learning planner for our 10- and 11-year-olds. I’ve always believed that learning deeply happens when we connect with the seasons — not just textbooks. In November, the nights grow longer, constellations shift, and myths of heroes and gods echo with the turning of the year.
This planner blends Greek mythology, astronomy, seasonal science, and local Cavan events — so your children are learning with the world around them, not in isolation.
Why seasonal learning? Because it gives context. When kids see the night sky change, or the daylight shrink, or hear about local events, learning feels alive. And when they link a myth about Artemis or Orion to the stars overhead, the stories become part of their lived world.
Use this planner as a guide — adjust days, spend longer where interest blooms, and most of all, have fun exploring together. Let’s wander under the November sky!
November Weekly Learning Resource
🌌 Astronomy for November
Here are some pointers:
- In November in Ireland, Orion, Taurus, and Gemini start rising earlier in the evening which are good targets for observation.
- Use Orion’s Belt as a pointer: it helps you find Aldebaran (in Taurus)
- Jupiter appears in Gemini; Saturn is visible low in the southern sky after ~9 pm (a bit late for kids some might say but they are homeschooled so no need to rush the next morning and they’ll be so excited to see the planets trust me!
- The Leonid meteor shower is a highlight in this month (you can check any local sky maps)
- Why does the day go shorter? A quick explanation is that it’s because our Earth is tilted; as we move toward winter, the sun’s path is lower in the sky and days shorten. You can show this with a simple diagram: Earth tilt, sun angle, shadows.
Quick Peak at the Planner
| Morning / Core Work | Afternoon / Extension | Evening / Bonus / Reflection |
| Mythology: Introduce Artemis & Orion story (goddess of the hunt, associated with the moon, the stars). Read this short myth and discuss. | Language & Writing: Write a “letter to Artemis” describing a night you saw stars. Use descriptive language. | Astronomy & Science: Go outside after dusk. Try to spot Orion, Taurus, Gemini (as these constellations begin to rise earlier in November) (bco.ie). Sketch what you see. |
| Mythology: Explore the myth of Apollo & Artemis, or Artemis’ twin brother, or another relevant myth (e.g. Artemis and Actaeon). | Math / Science: Measure how long daylight is today (sunrise to sunset). Record and compare to last week. | Bonus: Read a November-themed poem (see below). Then talk about what imagery you like. |
| Greek Myth: Introduce Demeter & Persephone . Talk about how ancient people used myths to explain seasons. | Science / Nature Walk: Walk outside, look for signs of seasonal change (fallen leaves, migrating birds). Discuss the myth in relation to earth’s cycles. | Astronomy: Try to view Jupiter (in Gemini) and Saturn southern sky after ~9 pm (rte.ie). Use a star map or stargazing app (offline). |
| Mythology & Creative: Retell (or act) a short myth — maybe Artemis & Orion, or Persephone. Use props or drawings. | Science / Physics: Explain why day length shrinks in November (tilt of Earth away from sun, shorter solar angle). Discuss why days shorten (tilt of Earth, orbit). | Evening Viewing: Look for the Moon’s phase tonight. Note where it is (east, west) and shape. |
| Greek Myth: Story of Hestia. | Art / Hands-on: Create a mythological “star chart” — draw constellations and annotate myth names (Orion, Artemis, Persephone). | Astronomy Challenge: Try locating Aldebaran (bright star in Taurus) using Orion’s belt as pointer (bco.ie). |
| Mythology: Free choice — let your children pick a myth or god and research a few lines. | Project: Build a “night-sky journal” — each evening note what stars/constellations you saw, weather conditions. | Community / Local Event: Check what’s happening near your community |
| Review & Reflect: Discuss favorite myths of the week, facts learned about stars, nature. | Writing: Compose a short story weaving one myth + astronomy observation + seasonal element (e.g. “As winter comes…”). | Stargazing Night (optional): If conditions good, spend extra time outside. |
Some other resources I love to use:
- Irish Astronomy Observing Handbook yearly guides and night-sky maps.
- Starhopping guide — guide for finding constellations using “star hopping” method.
- MTU Blackrock Castle – November Sky Guide (Ireland) — seasonal sky map and tips.
- “Night Sky Tonight: Visible Planets in Ireland” (this is an interactive map)
🏘 Local Events in & around Cavan
Here are a few events you might include as options for field trips or inspiration:
- Michael English in Concert if you fancy bringing your child to see live music in Hotel Kilmore, Cavan on Sunday 2nd November 2025.
- Townhall Arts Centre, Cavan — this is a great source of events, you’ll find lots of theatre, music, children’s performances stored in there, a gem for home learners!
- County Museum, Ballyjamesduff, we never fail to visit, every time we go we get a new angle, the kids learn new things they haven’t seen before so it’s always good for heritage / myth / local history tie-ins and it doesn’t matter how often you go visit, learning comes with repetition afterall 🙂
- You might also peek at This is Cavan / Cavan Events for last-minute or smaller events
Next week I’ll be tackling questions like: why is homeschooling the best choice even if it is a hard one. I literally just got off the phone with a friend of mine in France and she was also highlighting the fact that schools do not adapt to the world’s fast paced environment. So stay tuned and if you need me to focus on anything don’t hesitate to drop a line. As usual, thanks for being part of this amazing journey, you are doing great!!! 😀
If you missed last week’s planner, it’s right here and nicely closed off the month of September, for those wondering, we are keeping up on every angle, having a weekly planner doesn’t mean you have to stick with it the whole week, it’s an inspiration you can mix match the weeks, start a week and come back to it another day. It’s the beauty of home schooling.
