Q: I would love to know more about your process for planning for school. How do you choose your themes, and how far out do you have your themes planned?

A. I have to do a double-take whenever I see the word “school,” simply because I don’t always view preschool at home as “school….” Technically, though, I suppose it is!

I go about theme choosing in a variety of ways:

1. I ask the kids what they’d like to learn about. Sometimes this works out for the best: (”The body!” “Outer space!”), but sometimes this, well, flops: (”Gear machines!” No, really, what do you want to learn about next week? ** pause ** “GEAR MACHINES!”)

2. If this first option fails to give me enough to go on, I begin searching online. I look at other kindergarten/preschool teacher’s websites (found within my “Preschooling Links” tab above), but I also look at mail-order curriculum themes by month for ideas. I’m having to get a little more creative and search a little deeper now, since we covered a great deal of theme topics last year!

3. My last method: I pick it myself! I have been known to follow my gut when it comes to things I think we need to study (most recently, it was obedience, so I centered it around the story of Adam & Eve in the Bible). Sometimes I pick a topic just because it looks fun to me (such as knights & royalty, or carnivals). Coming up in a few weeks is a theme topic that seemed fitting for winter: The Pioneers. I know much of this is geared towards older elementary ages, but I have found a lot of ideas for introducing this topic to little minds, as well. (And I finally get to pull out my “The Little House Cookbook!”)

To answer the 2nd half of your question, I am going to be honest and admit that my theme topics are generally usually only set 1-2 months in advance. Sadly, I am planning the little lesson plan details and gathering materials needed just a few days before the week we need them. My goal this new year is to work extra hard for a week or two and get 2-3 weeks under my belt so I can finally feel ahead.

Hope this answers your question!