Evening Basket Time

Every once in a while I read a post (or three) of the importance of having a moring basket time.  A time where a family can gather together to learn specific things together.  You pick materials that can work for all members of your family. Might be devotionals, history, biblical principals, favourite books or literally whatever you want to make it.  I read those posts and I think, oh, wouldn’t that be lovely? Then reality hits…the idea of doing a MORNING basket time in my household…not so much.  As I got to thinking about it I realized that for years I had an evening basket time. A time when my lad and I could gather for family time in a relaxed, easy-going manner that a “morning basket time” time allows for.  Let’s talk.

What is Basket Time Meant for?

I have to say, basket time differs from family to family and even season to season.  Depends a lot on the needs of the educating parent and the needs of the family.  Are there character issues that need to be addresed, or bible verses that would be good memorize?  Perhaps a favourite book from your youth to share, or reading books together that cross curricula.   Some families use this time to learn music, memorize hymns, go through living history books, and to practice phrases in a new to them language. 

What you make of your basket time is completely up to you. 

There is one lady I’m starting to follow who puts together topical studies for her teens.  It’s their basket time.  You’ll find those on my homeschooling highschool pinterest board.  They look very intriguing.

In Our House, a journey of books

When my son was young we had an extensive bedtime routine.  We’d play for a bit, then I’d grab up my books.  I had a stack, that some nights felt a mile-high, but in reality was only maybe 10 books. 

1. Devotional or Faith based book.   My son loved the light-keepers series and later on History lives.   Good books about people of faith from our history. 

2. Favourite reading books. 

Oh boy, did we read novels and picture books. Some were old favourites, others were new.  Many came from the library, but most we bought. We wanted to savour them, not rush through so purchasing seemed the better option.   Some of what we read are amazon affiliate linked below.   

I learned quickly The Hardy Boys didn’t cut it for my lad, he went through periods of toilet humour, and times of intense focus (the warrior cats).  Some books delighted (A Nest for Celeste) and caused bunny trails the following school day.   Reading The Long Winter in the summer brought shivers! 🙂  And interestingly enough, no desire to read in the series.  

3. A book on Canada.  Sometimes these were picture books, other times chapter books, and once a history encyclopedia just on Canada.   I wanted my lad to know Canada.   The Jasper series was a huge hit, and reading a about the Halifax harbour explosion is one my son remembers clearly.  We read about some of Canada’s historical figures, scientists, and athletes.  I made sure we didn’t forget about the animals within our borders as well.   For a while on my blog I did a series on Books on Canada. 

More Specific Learning

4. History.   I always had at least one book on history.  Learning from our past intrigues me greatly, and saves time if we learn well.

We purchased a fair number of encyclopedias at thrift stores and we’d read one page spread per day.  IT WAS FASCINATING.  As my son got older we’d go back and we’d compare the viewpoint of the editor/author.  Same event or historical period, and different points of view brought out different aspects of the history.  We learned how the environment influenced trade, weaponry, work practices and more.  We saw amazing artwork and unique historical finds.    The affiliate links below are not the exact books we used, but similar to the variety. 

5. Extended Learning: Occasionally our books would draw us into wanting to know more.  One time in the warrior cat books there was an eclipse.  This led us into exploring outer space for a couple of weeks.  Or when reading about Terry Fox, cancer and robotics was a curiousity. 

Now?

Now my lad is in high school, he rises later, goes to bed later so we’ve needed to revamp our lives a bit.   (go figure that eh?)   We don’t have our extended reading time at night anymore, but we do still read together.

We are currently working through Comforting Hearts, Teaching Minds by Starr Meade.  It’s a walk through the Heidleberg Catechism.   Reading bible verses together, sharing information that is new to us (even with mom and dad), and delving deeper into matters of faith.   It’s good.

The Unbreakable Faith Course has become a new part of our together time as well.  This course makes for some interesting discussions which I enjoy.

At supper time we read through 1-2 chapters of a World War 2 based book.  This gives the lad time to share information he has learned that connects with the book we are currently reading.  Currently we are reading through 
Seized by the Sun. 

We do less educational and fun stuff in our time together, but the discussions we have are deeper and I hope helping to prepare our son for adulthood and making what he believes his own. 

What about you?

Do you have a morning or evening basket time?   Perhaps you do a mid-day break?  What’s your routine for spending time with your family learning together?

Others in this Series

• Add in your life. 
• Edmund Burke, philosopher. 
• Clarity in Writing.
• Deep Runs the Well. 
• Ease of Consistent Schedules. 
• Fantastic Ways to learn History. 
• Going Through Browswer Tabs. 
• Hiding the Unknown.
• Invested in Health.
• William James, philosopher.
• Key books for Middle School. 
• Looking for Picture Books. 
• Making Facebook Easier. 
• New Direction.
• Online Homeschool Conference.
• Studies in Philippians. 
• Quine. 
• Reading Aloud with Teens. 
• Science Equipment fails.
• Turkey Vegetable Soup.
• Understanding Deuteronomy. 
• Evening Basket Time.
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