Winter Solstice Middle School Unit | Cross-Curricular Homeschool Curriculum | Science, History & Culture of Light | Neurodiverse-Friendly

Celebrate the shortest day of the year with Accessible Pathways’ Winter Solstice: Ancient Cultures & Modern Science Unit-a captivating, 4-week curriculum designed for grades 6–8. Students explore the science, symbolism, and global traditions of the solstice through engaging, hands-on lessons that balance creativity with critical thinking.

Each lesson includes:

Science Connections: Earth’s tilt, orbit, and the changing sunlight.

Social Studies & Culture: Ancient solstice celebrations, Norse Yule, Roman Saturnalia, and modern winter festivals.

Language Arts: Reflective writing, mythology-inspired narratives, and reading comprehension.

Art & Design: Create symbolic sun crafts, light mosaics, or seasonal mandalas.

Health & Wellness: Mindful winter activities and simple seasonal nutrition tasks.

P.E. & Movement: Light-and-shadow inspired movement games.

Highlights:

*20 full lesson plans with detailed objectives/activities, materials, and adaptations

*Built-in neurodiverse supports (visuals, sensory options, flexible formats)

*Printable workbook pages for writing, art, and reflection

*Teacher/parent guide for easy setup

*Aligned with middle school cross-curricular learning goals

Perfect for:

Homeschoolers, microschools, and educators seeking meaningful seasonal learning experiences that connect science, culture, and creativity.