Our homeschool based on Nathanael's interests and preferences

No curriculum to follow and we are basically on our own this year. We are one step into the world of unschooling. Based on Nathanael's personal interests, I crafted his learning according to themes, which were selected by none other than Nath himself. The unschooling method is unstructured but somehow I've made it a little structured because I can't help it! However, I've made our routine flexible so that we can accommodate more play and more outings.

Nath is into vehicles so many of our themes revolve around that. We have even done a RSAF theme just because Nath likes the navy. Some highlights of our homeschool this year so far.

Cars theme related study

We read books on cars. Here's my favourite.

Learning about the different parts of a car is in Nath's blood.

Racing cars craft.

Had fun with ramps.

Made a racing car track on a table using washi tape. His racing cars could now zoom around the track.

Learning about shapes using geoboards.

Construction theme related study

Still learning about shapes.

Hard at work building the airport.

A worker in the construction site needs to know all about measurement so we learned about measuring things. First, I helped Nath measure himself using non-standard units of measurement, ice cream sticks.

Then he measured furniture in the house.

Built his very first house albeit a very wobbly one. And the Effiel Tower with straws.

He enjoyed this. The tower was as high as he is.

Another of his favourite activity was messy play. Made some soil using baking soda, water and black paint.

Ocean theme related study

He went fishing. Mastering addition with the fishing game was a hit!

Of all the sea creatures, he was into sharks.

After his learning journey to Sea Aquarium, he made a booklet.

His mini project was to make an ocean diorama. So off we went to Pasir Ris beach, the nearest from home. We reached there within 45 min by bus!

Collected the items we needed and added them to the ocean diorama. Now it's complete!

Air planes theme related study

We experimented with flying different kinds of paper aeroplanes. An uncharted territory for me because I've never folded a paper aeroplane!

His very first paper aeroplane, which flew the farthest.

Exploring with a flying machine, a parachute made of plastic bag tied with string attached to a Lego man. 

Nath enjoyed this tremendously.

An aeroplane made out of a plastic bottle.

Nath requested for an aeroplane snack so I found some ideas on the internet. We used a banana, some cheese, grapes, raisins and carrots to make a little aeroplane.

RSAF theme related study

This was a very short unit due to the Good Friday and Easter weekend when I wanted the boys to focus on the death and resurrection of Christ.

Nath requested me to look for all the navy books. We have collected 3 and they were all given free by RSAF. They are a wonderful resource and the books have become Nath's favourites.

We explored a lot on the RSAF website and went to YouTube to look at the vessels.

An activity Nath likes a lot was making sponge boats and testing them out on water. Yes, in his baby bath tub, which I've kept and has proven its worth well.

I'm glad to make changes to our homeschool this year although sometimes I'd still search for lessons formerly planned for Zech and reused them for Nath. Every child learns differently and this is so true for my 2 boys who share similar interests but with such diversity in their personality.