Hello Spring , I am so glad you are here.

Welcoming Spring: A Home Educating Family’s Adventure in the Forest

As the chill of winter melts away, we, as a home educating family, can’t help but feel the excitement that comes with the arrival of spring. The days grow longer, the air feels fresher, and nature begins to awaken with a vibrant display of life all around us. And what better way to celebrate this season of growth than by venturing into the heart of the forest?

One of our favorite springtime traditions is exploring the woods near our home. It’s more than just a hike—it’s a living classroom where every step we take offers new lessons and discoveries. Most recently we experienced one of those bitter sweet but important lessons that life teaches.

For our family, springtime in the forest is a wonderful opportunity to integrate science, art, and a bit of magic into our homeschooling experience. As we pause to examine the Scarlet Elf Cups, Gabriel got to observe firsthand the wonder of nature’s cycles—how something as small and unassuming as a fungi can spark such curiosity and excitement.

We take time to sketch the cups in our nature journals, noting their shapes, colors, and textures. We also talk about their role in the broader ecosystem, making connections to the lessons we’ve been learning in our science curriculum. We discuss the importance of biodiversity, the role of decomposers, and ho

Learning through nature.

For as many years as I can remember, part of our nature walk has involved a ride on what we call “the dragon beast tree.” It’s a fallen tree that has made its home on the forest floor, but its shape is such that it looks like a dragon . As part of our adventures, we love to hop on its back and imagine which world it will magically transport us to. Sadly, one journey in the forest resulted in a moment of horror for my son, who found his beloved dragon beast cut into pieces and thrown into a pile (The timber workers had been in). As he placed his little hand on the tree pieces, he said, “I made my memories on this tree, my dreams,” and he sobbed at the loss of his friend.

This experience, though heartbreaking, has also become a way for my son to begin understanding the concept of loss. In a gentle, natural setting, he was able to grieve something he loved—something that had been a source of joy and adventure for him. By facing this small yet profound loss, he’s beginning to understand that things in life change, sometimes unexpectedly, and that it’s okay to feel sad about it. These moments are valuable lessons in how to cope with grief and the importance of cherishing the memories we make. In time, I hope he’ll find comfort in the fact that the dragon beast, in all its forms, will live on in the stories and memories he carries with him.

Spring’s Arrival: A Time of Renewal and Exploration

Nature offers an ever-changing curriculum, and there’s always something new to explore. Whether it’s spotting new plant species, watching birds return from migration, or finding the first wildflowers poking through the ground, spring offers countless opportunities for learning and wonder. In a 1000 hours outside podcast I recently listened to there was fear over how well our children know all the names of various tv characters but are unable to name a tree or bird species. I paused for a moment and reflected on this and while Gabriel is able to name some of the birds and trees in the local environment this is definitely something I feel we could improve upon in the coming school year.

We hope your family finds time to explore the wonders of spring, whether in your backyard, your local park, or a nearby forest. The world is full of lessons waiting to be discovered, and sometimes, all it takes is a walk in the woods to reveal the magic.

Happy spring, and happy learning!