Tips & tools to support your homeschooling program.

These geometric lanterns are perfect for lantern walks and celebrating the Festival of Compassion. They are a little tricky, so may be better suited for older children, grade 4 and up.

Step 2
Print the template and cut out the preferred pentagon size you want to make. Trace the template onto the backside of your watercolour paper 11 times. Include the lines that are at the halfway point of each side. Then cut our all 11 pentagons.

Step 3
Fold each point of each pentagon using the lines at the halfway mark along each side as guides. Continue until all the points are folded down on all 11 pentagons.

Step 4
Make two rows of five pentagons and set the 11th pentagon aside to be used later as the bottom of the lantern. Open the flaps on the side where the pentagons are touching and glue the flap from the pentagon on one side to the inside of the next pentagon. Turn the pentagon over and glue the flap on the outside down. Make sure to align the creases of the folds.

Step 5
Join the ends together by gluing both sides of the end flaps and pressing firmly. Now you have two "bowls." And ours magically turned a different colour at this step, as you can see. There is always magic in the air ;-) 

Step 6
Attach the "bowls" together by placing the wide ends of the bowls on top of one another. Continue to glue all the flaps together on both sides of each flap until you have a sphere. This step is tricky and difficult to photograph, but it's very intuitive, and we have every faith you can figure it out.

Step 7
Glue the final hexagon to one end of your sphere.​ This is now the base of your lantern.

Step 8
Glue down the flaps around the inside edge of the opening of your lantern.

Step 9
Place a candle inside and bask in the warm glow of your hard work. If you so desire, you can tie a string at the top to be used as a handle.

Optional step
After completing your lantern, you can rub a thin layer of olive oil on the outside. This will make your already gorgeous lanterns translucent, which is a neat effect.

You did it! Now, you have a stunning geometric work of art to display on your winter nature table or to use in a lantern walk.

​In this time of turning inward, may you find your light shining brightly and remember that even the tiniest flame can dispel the darkness.

Through the darkness, we shall go
With our candles all aglow
Hearts grow warm, 
Our way grows bright
As we journey through the night.

Seasonal songs serve as a musical reflection of the ever-shifting environment, celebrating the beauty and significance of each season and a deeper appreciation for the cyclical nature of life. This approach fosters a sense of connection to the natural world and helps children develop a heightened awareness of time's passage, instilling a sense of harmony and balance with the world around them.

The following are some fun seasonal songs you can incorporate into your daily rhythm this Fall.

Daily Wonder lesson plans provide the daily, monthly and yearly rhythm of your school year.  The educational planning is done, and there is minimal preparation awaiting you, the parent.  We all know how hectic the school year can get with all the things that need to happen in one day. The Wonder Squad highly recommends taking the time now to look into your prep needs.  You will be so grateful down the road for taking the time now to get organized. Lazy summer days offer leisurely ways to check things off the "back to homeschool to-do list".

Here are our suggestions:

• It is a great practice to have your child do a daily chore. It is even more fun if that chore is on a chore wheel.  Have fun creating your own beautiful wheel that speaks to the chores needing to be done in your household.  Check out this site for instructions and ideas for appropriate chores for children by age.