Since today is May the fourth, I thought I would share my latest project. Please know it’s still very much in the baby stages and might change a lot before fall, but here’s the basic idea…

In our homeschool, we do things a bit- umm- eclectically? I recently did some soul-searching and made a list of the things I want my children to get out of their education. My list looks a little something like this:

1. Balance a budget
2. Understand nutrition and be able to prepare healthy meals
3. Clean/ take care of themselves and their surroundings

Basically, I just want them to be able to be decent adults. Of course that includes reading, writing, current events, etc., too. But this is just an example of my thinking.

So then I called each child in separately and asked them what they would like to learn in the next year. Big Boy listed art, prehistory, cooking, and mythology. Little Man said he would like to learn….. Star Wars. He wants to learn to be a Jedi. Or a Sith. I’m not really sure which. To his credit he also listed technology, astronomy, and candy math (“it’s math that involves candy! You can eat the candy after you do the math!”). Well of course Big Boy hears that and immediately it is all Star Wars, all the time.

Now, when it comes to education I am always up for a challenge. I will do whatever it takes to make learning fun and enjoyable for my guys. Which means, I am currently hip-deep in Star Wars and ways to incorporate it into a full year’s curriculum.

Here’s what I’ve got so far.

• Philosophy. Who says philosophy has to be saved for college? I’m currently reading Star Wars and Philosophy: More Powerful than You Can Possibly Imagine and working on introductory lessons on the philosophers and theories discussed in the essays in the book.
• History and Politics. I haven’t started it yet, but I picked up Star Wars and History from the library.
• Religion/ Mythology. It’s no secret George Lucas incorporated a lot of Buddhism into his movies. And Star Wars is the perfect way to introduce Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, which opens up a discussion on many of the world’s religions.
• Astronomy and Physics. Because, umm, hello… Star Wars.
• Mechanics and Technology. Think we can build our own droid?

So basically I’m thinking we throw in a math curriculum and we’re good for the year.

I’m still working on all the details, but I am super excited. I think we all are. Though I’m not a huge Star Wars fan (I know, I know), my kids and hubs love it, and I love having a project they can all get excited about.

What do you think? Think it will be an ingenious way to teach around a central theme, or a total flop? What would you include in a Star Wars curriculum?

 Everything is more fun when it’s Star Wars! Check out these cool workbooks!