Monthly-Based Learning: A New Homeschooling Curriculum
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been doing what many homeschooling parents do at this time of year — research, brainstorming, and scrolling through homeschooling blogs, Facebook groups, and online courses to shape the perfect learning plan for my family.
After a lot of thought, I’ve decided that this year, we’ll be following a monthly, theme-based learning approach. I truly believe this will make our homeschooling more engaging, hands-on, and relevant to everyday life. So, What’s your learning plan for September? Ours is Monthly Based!
Why Monthly-Based Learning Works for Us
Theme-based learning allows us to focus on one big topic each month and weave it into every subject — from science and geography to reading and math. It keeps lessons dynamic and connected rather than feeling like separate, isolated tasks.
This September, we’ll kick off with a theme that feels perfectly suited: “Seasonal Transitions.”
September: A Season Between Seasons
Here in Ireland, September marks the shift between summer and autumn — a transitional state that changes our weather, daylight, and activities.
We’ll start by exploring:
- What does a seasonal transition mean in Ireland? Weather patterns, temperature shifts, and changes in nature.
- How is September different in other parts of the world?
- Canada and its famous Indian Summer — a warm, beautiful late autumn period.
- Portugal and France — still enjoying sunny, warm weather perfect for holidaymakers.
Key Dates & Cultural Events in September
We’ll research important September dates in Ireland and globally, from festivals to historical events, and even check what’s happening locally in our county. This is a great way to blend history, geography, and current events into our learning.
Hands-On Science: The Weather Station Project
To make this learning tangible, we’ll be using the 4M Green Science Weather Station Kit.
This kit will help the kids learn:
- How to measure rainfall and temperature
- How to track weather changes over the month
- How seasonal transitions affect the environment around us
We’ll also be diving into Twinkl’s Seasonal Change Facts for Kids for activities, videos, and science facts to support our observations.
The Apple Cycle & a Sweet Math Lesson
September is apple season, so we’ll explore the life cycle of an apple, from bud to harvest. As a delicious bonus, we’ll bake a Tarte Tatin together — incorporating math skills through measuring ingredients, converting units, and adjusting recipes.
Literature for the Month
We’ll visit our local library and choose one book about September to read over the month, aiming to finish by the last week. This helps the kids connect stories with the season and strengthens their reading comprehension skills.
Core Subjects We’ll Still Cover
Alongside the themed activities, we’ll continue with:
- Spellbounds (spelling practice)
- Cursive writing (penmanship focus)
- Math — especially money handling and real-world applications
Why I’m Excited for This Plan
This approach combines academic learning with real-life application, which is exactly why we chose homeschooling. It allows us to stay flexible, creative, and deeply engaged in topics that connect to our lives.
I’m also building a visual monthly whiteboard planner on Canva to keep us on track, and I’ll share it soon in case other homeschooling families want inspiration.
💬 What about you?
What’s your learning plan for September? Do you theme your months, or do you prefer a subject-by-subject approach? I’d love to hear your thoughts — feel free to leave a comment or share your own plan!
