Castanea Creative Learning

Dear friends, in light of recent uncertainty and multiple requests (including ones from my own kiddos), I've decided to once again launch a learning pod for students grades 3-6.

Lessons will take place Mon-Fri, 8:30am-12:30pm, starting Monday, January 10.

We will cover a variety of subjects in a multidisciplinary approach with many exciting activities and learning formats.

Cost of participation is $800/mo, all materials are included.

Location: Oakville, Upper middle and 8th line.

Please contact me with any questions - I will be delighted to chat with you!

Did you know that penguins only live in the Southern Hemisphere? We will be visiting these adorable creatures on our Polar Journey during the winter break camp and students will even make little felted buddies to take home with them!

We get started in Oakville next week and there are still some spots left for curious learners age 8-12! Message with any questions or register on the website!

I am delighted to invite young learners to our Polar Journey Camp!
We will spend our winter break exploring the icy wonders of the South and the North Poles.
We will learn about geography of the poles, polar expeditions, local flora and fauna, Indigenous cultures and, of course, pay a visit to Santa and his Reindeer!
Students will draw maps, build compasses, needle felt adorable penguins and so much more!
When: December 20-30, Mon-Thurs, 9:30-12:30
Where: Our home-based learning space in Oakville (Upper Middle and 8th line)
Age: 8-12yo
Price: $360 for both weeks, all materials included
Spaces are very limited, so make sure to register early by messaging me or visiting the website: www.castanealearning.com

Some serious lesson planning is happening over the weekend

On weekends, the Learning Room is explored by its youngest student 😊

It’s only been a couple of days, but a lot of learning has already taken place in our Castanea Pod. Of course, all the best learning happened outdoors! We still have 2 more spots if you’d like to join us in this exciting adventure!

The Learning Room eagerly awaits its newest students!

We have 2 more lonely chairs - it's not too late to join us!

Friends! We are still looking for 3 curious students to join our Creative Learning Pod. Here is a glimpse of what the schedule will be like in the first semester.

Feel free to message me with any questions or better yet, come for a visit, have a cup of tea and I will tell you all about it!

***IN OUR CREATIVE LEARNING POD***

Subjects for the first trimester:

- Language arts and literature
- Botany (with lots of time exploring outside)
- Ancient history (neolithic cookies, anyone?)
- Art history (including art making)
- Math (TBD based on group levels and parental discretion)

And also:

- Waldorf inspired form drawing
- Games
- Handwork and creative projects
- Hands on activities
- Holidays and celebrating of the seasons
- Nature walks and field trips
- Additional unit studies based on group's interests
- Additional homework and activities available at the Castanea Learning Space for the extra eager ones
- Wonderfully curated books
- A nurturing and safe environment

* Only 3 spots are left *

***CASTANEA LEARNING POD*** I am so excited to announce a Castanea Learning Pod for grades 1-3 in my personal learning space in Oakville! Lessons are to take place 9:30-1:30 with lots of extra fun available online in the Virtual Learning Space. We will cover subjects such as language arts and literature, science, history, art and more! We will be spending lots of time with both books and nature. The days will be full of experiential and hands on learning. It is all the beauty of homeschooling without having to keep them at home. Please message with any questions and to register - there are only 5 spots in the group!

This week at the Creative Book Club we were Thing-Finders, just like Pippi. When Pippi found an empty tin can she exclaimed: “what can’t it be?” Challenge accepted! Here are a couple of student creations. I just love getting pictures of their work!

For those of you that don’t know - we call Oakville home! Here is some more inspiration for the

Pippi lived in Villa Villekula, where everything was just the way she likes it. One of the assignments this week at the Creative Book Club was for the kiddos to imagine, what their own Villa would be like. Villa Wooden was dreamt up by my youngest student and I think it's just so wonderfully enchanting!

There are still spots available - we would love to see your young learners join our class!

Making a Strawberry Gnome and some felted strawberries is a must on our . You can make is as a for your children or together as a family. Here are some options for different ages:

Strawberry Gnome (simple version):

🍓Give your child some blank wooden peg dolls and paints and let them decorate it
🍓You can help them cut out a felt hat (simple folded felt triangle) and use glue instead of sewing

Strawberry Gnome (creative version):

🍓Use a rectangle felt piece to cover the body, a half circle piece for the cape and a triangle piece for the hat
🍓Decorate your pieces with felt details, embroidery and beads (you are welcome to use my design or create your own)
🍓Trim the edges of your felt pieces with blanket stitch and use blanket stitch to sew the hat together
🍓Dress your gnome
🍓Use hot glue (or adhesive of your choice) to secure the hat
🍓Draw or woodburn eyes and mouth if you wish

Felted strawberries (simple)(kids of all ages will enjoy this!)

🍓Fill a bowl with hot soapy water
🍓Roll a piece of red or pink wool into a ball, submerge in water, give it a gentle squeeze and start rolling between your hands
🍓Once the ball starts getting firm, roll a little more at one end to create a strawberry shape
🍓Let dry completely
🍓Cut some leaves out of green felt and attach to the top of your strawberry (sew or glue)
🍓You can also embroider some seeds over your berries if you wish

Needle Felted Strawberries (for adults and older kiddos)

🍓Roll a ball of red or pink wool
🍓Start poking it all around, concentrating in one end to create a strawberry shape
🍓Separately, create flat small leaves and a small disc out of green wool, attache them together to create the strawberry top, then attach to your berry
🍓Alternatively, you can cut the top out of sheet felt
🍓Needle felt, embroider or bead some seeds for your berries

Don't forget to post your creations and tag me!

Castanea Creative Book Club starts tomorrow and it's not too late to join! Our first book is "Pippi Longstocking" and although it may seem to be all fun and games, there is oh so much to learn with her! Our focus will be geography: did you know that in India people walk on their hands? We will be busting this Pippi myth and many more! You can get more information about the Creative Book Club on the website or just message me here. And for now, here is an official Pippi Longstocking page (because it exists!)
https://www.astridlindgren.com/en/characters/pippi-longstocking

Pippi Longstocking “No, I don’t suffer from freckles”, said Pippi. The lady finally understood. Then she happened to glance at Pippi and exclaimed: “But, dear child, your whole face is covered in freckles!” “That’s right”, said Pippi. “But they don’t bother me. I like them! Good morning to you!”

🍓🍓🍓 So many amazing ideas for our ! I edited it down to our favourites - now fingers crossed for good picking weather to make it all happen! Is there anything else on your list? 🍓🍓🍓

Strawberry season is in full swing - let’s make a bucket list together! What are your favourite strawberry treats, activities and ideas? I will post the complete on Sunday 🍓

The first read is Pippi Longstocking! My kiddos picked it and I was more than happy about the selection.

Here is how much I love this book:

1. When I was 12, I dyed my hair carrot red. I remained a redhead in all its variations until I was grown up enough to realize that it suits my personality, but not so much my face (10 years later)

2. I dressed as Pippi 3 times for Halloween

3. My dog's name is Peppi (which is a Russian translation of Pippi)

4. My youngest daughter's name is Anika (which I sometimes feel guilty about, because the dog got the "lead name," but then again, naming a child Pippi might not have been a great option anyway...)

Registration for the Creative Book Club is always open, but only the first week you can access the free trial. We launch July 5, make sure to check out our website for more details!

I came across this video about Astrid Lindgren as I was doing research for our Creative Book Club. And yes, I am still crying

https://youtu.be/zlBFfiU2qCE

Astrid Lindgren documentary - The grandmother to a generation A documentary / biography depicting the life of childrens book author, Astrid Lindgren. We get to learn who she was and the ups and downs of her life that in...

If you want to learn more about the Creative Book Club, you can get familiar with the Learning Space and access Parent Information by enrolling in the course for the free preview. Just follow the link to sign up.

https://castanealearning.thinkific.com/courses/creative-book-club

Welcome to Castanea!

This page is here so that you don't miss any news and updates as well as a place for parents and educators to come together and build a nurturing and inspiring community.

I have big plans, great dreams and a book full of "to-dos." Check in often to see what's new and please invite your friends to help them discover a new way for their children to learn online.