Kody Hanner
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Homestead Science is for the whole family!
Agriculture for Homeschoolers
Agriculture is the oldest human endeavor. Unfortunately, in the last 100 years, it has become something that only a small portion of our population is intimately familiar with. Even worse, those not actively involved in agriculture farming have largely lost the skills necessary for sustainable lifestyles—those without the grocery store. This is where the modern homestead movement has become so prevalent. In the years leading up to the pandemic, people were starting to seek healthier and cleaner lifestyles, often including growing or preparing their own food. Once the pandemic hit, our society realized as a whole that we were unable to provide for ourselves. This sparked the largest back-to-the-land movement since the Homestead Act of 1862.Â
Oregon Trail in Reverse
Families flocked to the American countryside or came home from farms toting cases of discard tomatoes to can. They quickly realized that in order to return to our roots (and the amount of work that takes), their kids needed to be not only involved but invested.
Enter Homestead Science
At the start of the pandemic, we had been homeschooling for a few years and had just bought a new piece of property to expand our food-growing abilities. My kids were completely on board for working the farm, but I also wanted them to get their education at the same time (preferably agriculturally related). To my dismay, there was not a single higher-level agriculture science curriculum designed for a homeschool setting.Â
As someone who had majored in and worked in agriculture, I felt confident enough to start creating lessons for my kids. I pulled from every source I could find and included business math and life skills in every lesson that I could. One day, I was hanging out in a Facebook group for homeschool homestead moms when saw a thread from someone talking about how they wish there was a homesteading curriculum.
Aha! If I was going to take the time to create all these lessons, maybe someone else would be interested in them. I sat down and started writing and creating just to see what I might possibly come up with. I was immediately in love with the result and the homeschool families were so excited!
Bigger and Better
Over the last few years, I have continued to create products for different age groups, learning styles, and interests. We have options for preschoolers, grammar school, middle and high school, family style, games, and homestead business. All of these options were created with a science foundation to help a generation learn sustainability. The kids can learn science, math, history, business, quality of character, and tons of other life skills.
Almost immediately, I started getting questions from parents on how to get buy-in from their kids to embrace homesteading. I thought about this for a long time and realized that it isn’t about getting your kids to want to be self-sufficient. It is about encouraging them to reject the culture of relying on systems. You can learn more about this in my new book, Raising Self-Suffcient Kids – An Honest Mom’s Guide to Intentional Parenting. This raw, funny, and easy-to-digest book is designed to being peace to your home, whether you are on a homestead or in an apartment.
How to use Homestead Science for every age
All of the science curriculums are 36-week programs designed to be completed 3-4 days a week, depending on age. Everything is available both digitally or printed, we even have discounted family bundles! They are not Christian-based (but written through the eyes of a Christian woman), so you can purchase them with state funds!
Preschool
Preschool is such a fun age to teach homesteading because they are enamored by all things farming! The Homestead Alphabet Coloring Book helps the kids learn their ABCs with homestead-related topics and facts to go with them! Additionally, there is a link to twenty-six homestead activities to do together, as well as a free homestead activity that you can try here first!
Older preschoolers can try their hand at the elementary level with the elementary-level Build Your Own Homestead curriculum.
Younger Elementary (K-2nd)
It is time to introduce your kids to where their food comes from! With Build Your Own Homestead Little Learner’s Homestead Science, your child will build ownership and character while building their own homestead.
Each week, the student will read stories, do worksheets and activities, improve their homestead, and complete projects.
Older Elementary (3rd-5th)
About the time kids really want to dive deeper, you can use the Build Your Own Homestead Expansion Pack to enhance their experience with the previously mentioned curriculum. Or use it as a second-year program. As you teach the kids where their food comes from, the Expansion Pack will give them science, sociology, and life skills each step of the way.
Survival Mini Course (Ages 8-18)
This family-style course contains 15 lessons with videos to teach your kids how to do uncomfortable things in comfortable environments. That way, they feel comfortable doing things to be safe in unsafe environments.Â
These skills are taught in a fun way to get kids of all ages engaged. Plus, I designed this curriculum around a co-op class, so I know it will fit easily into yours! Hear where our heart was when we designed this course!
Introduction to Homestead Science (6th-8th)
Fitting homesteading into a grade box is almost impossible! But with this full-year science course, your kids can learn agriculture science in a whole new way. With an introduction to biology, chemistry, entomology, microbiology, and environmental science all through the lens of sustainable living, your student can gain a whole new perspective on life.Â
Your students can explore the world of small-scale farming and outdoor life while getting their high-school science lab credit. Best part – no homestead required!
Homestead History (Coming soon)
Explore the history and sociology of food and agriculture that is woven throughout every pivotal time throughout American history. In this easy-to-read and eye-opening text, you’ll be able to appreciate our complex food system on your own or with your student.
It is never too late to start
You can start Homestead Science at any point of the year, because it actually works amazing when you start during the season that best fits your homestead and community. If it is hunting season, start there! If you’re starting your garden, start there!Â
Your kids will build so much ownership when they are confident in their abilities!
Adding to the Experience
Homesteading is such a broad topic that the sky is the limit for rabbit trails and additional learning opportunities. In fact, this program comes with an entire online resource library containing suggested books, unit studies, videos, and learning opportunities.Â
You can go on farm tours, read additional books, read fiction and nonfiction books, write research papers, and so much more.
If you to add a literature curriculum that lines up perfectly with all my course, check out my friends over at Prairie & Pine Curriculum! Use code HOMESTEADSCIENCE to let them know I sent you and get 10% off!
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