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by Cindy 81 Comments

Around the USA Study

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Our 1st grade trip Around the World was wonderful. Our 2nd grade trip across the United States of America was even more wonderful! Take a peek at our around the USA study and enjoy a trip yourself!

Around the USA Elementary Homeschool Unit Study - uses living literature to highlight events, people and facts

Around the USA Study

Our brief stops in each state began with living literature “tour guide(s)” who introduced us to important historical and geographical highlights.  When appropriate, we added some of the interesting people and events we learned about to our ongoing timeline.  And before leaving each state, we completed a quick notebooking page to note some important facts that resulted in a great keepsake of our year-long trip.

50 States Living Books as “Tour Guides”

You can find a bazillion non-fiction books describing each state on the shelves of your local library.  While we read some of those, my intention was to enjoy living biographies or historical fiction appropriate for middle elementary as well.  Those are a tad harder to find since they often aren’t cataloged by the state they represent which is why I’ve pulled them together in a handy list for your own Around the USA study.  You’ll even notice some of them are easy readers that my little guy was even able to read himself.

This post contains affiliate links.

Around the USA Study using living literature to highlight important events, people and facts

Alabama

Helen Keller: Courage in the Dark by Johanna Hurwitz

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni

A Weed is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver by Aliki

Alaska

Balto and the Great Race by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

Arizona

Alejandro’s Gift by Richard Albert

Big Moon Tortilla by Joy Cowley

Cactus Cafe: A Story of the Sonoran Desert by Kathleen Zoehfeld

Knots on a Counting Rope by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

Arkansas

Trail of Tears by Joseph Bruchac

California

Boom Town by Sonia Levitin

Working Cotton by Sherley Ann Williams

Pop’s Bridge by Eve Bunting

Redwoods by Jason Chin

Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi

Colorado

Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki

High as a Hawk by T.A. Barron

Connecticut

26 Fairmont Avenue by Tomie dePaola

The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

Delaware

When Washington Crossed the Delaware by Lynne Cheney

District of Columbia

By the Dawn’s Early Light by Steven Kroll

Clara Barton: Spirit of the American Red Cross by Patricia Lakin

Miss Lady Bird’s Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America by Kathi Appelt

Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library by Barb Rosenstock

The Wall by Eve Bunting

Florida

Hurricanes by Gail Gibbons

Moonwalk: The First Trip to the Moon by Judy Donnelly

Sam the Sea Cow by Francine Jacobs

Sunken Treasure by Gail Gibbons

Georgia

I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Hawaii

Maka, the Magic Music Maker by Shannon Scott

Idaho

The Boy Who Invented the TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth by Kathleen Krull

Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell

Potato: A Tale from the Great Depression by Kate Lied

Illinois

Abe Lincoln’s Hat by Martha Brenner

Coming on Home Soon by Jacqueline Woodson

Saving Strawberry Farm by Deborah Hopkinson

Indiana

The Floating House by Scott Russell Sanders

Iowa

Cora Frear by Susan Goodman

Kate Shelley and The Midnight Express by Margaret Wetterer

McBroom Tells the Truth by Sid Fleischman

Kansas

The Bravest of Us All by Marsha Arnold

Climbing Kansas Mountains by George Shannon

Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner

Kentucky

Perfect Timing: How Isaac Murphy Became One of the World’s Greatest Jockeys by Patsi Trollinger

The Rag Coat by Lauren Mills

That Book Woman by Heather Henson

Louisiana

Petite Rouge by Mike Artell

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles

Maine

Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie by Peter and Connie Roop

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey

Maryland

Aunt Flossie’s Hats and Crab Cakes Later by Elizabeth Howard

Escape North! The Story of Harriet Tubman by Monica Kulling

Massachusetts

Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende Devlin

The Hatmaker’s Sign by Candace Fleming

A River Ran Wild by Lynne Cherry

Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Sam the Minuteman by Nathaniel Benchley

The Wild Horses of Sweetbriar by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock

Michigan

An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco

Eat My Dust! Henry Ford’s First Race by Monica Culling

The Log Cabin Quilt by Ellen Howard

Minnesota

The Biggest Bear by Lynn Ward

Marven of the Great North Woods by Kathryn Lasky

Mississippi

Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles

River Town by Bonnie Geisert

Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson

Uncle Jed’s Barbershop by Margaree Mitchell

Missouri

How We Crossed the West: The Adventures of Lewis and Clark by Rosalyn Schanzer

Ragtime Tumpie by Alan Schroeder

Montana

Cowboy Charlie by Jeanette Winter

Mountain Town by Bonnie Geisert

Prairie Town by Bonnie Geisert

Nebraska

Dandelions by Eve Bunting

Elsie’s Bird by Jane Yolen

Nora’s Chicks by Patricia Maclachlan

Nevada

Desert Town by Bonnie Geisert

The Hoover Dam by Jeffery Zuehlke

The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell

New Hampshire

The Bear that Heard Crying by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock

The Farm Summer 1942 by Donald Hall

Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall

New Jersey

The Ballot Box Battle by Emily Arnold McCully

Night of the Moonjellies by Mark Sasha

Timeless Thomas: How Thomas Edison Changed Our Lives by Gene Barretta

New Mexico

Carlos and the Squash Plant by Jan Stevens

Coyotes All Around by Stuart Murphy

Georgia O’Keeffe by Mike Venezia

New York

The Babe and I by David Adler

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Maker’s Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel

Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote by Tanya Stone

The Flower Hunter: William Bartram America’s First Naturalist by Deborah Kogan Ray

The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde Swift

The Man Who Walked Between Two Towers by Mordecai Gerstein

The Snow Walker by Margaret Wetterer

When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest

North Carolina

First Flight: The Story of Tom Tate and the Wright Brothers by George Shea

Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins by Carole Weatherford

Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream by Deloris Jordan

North Dakota

A Prairie Boy’s Summer by William Kurelek

A Prairie Boy’s Winter by William Kurelek

Sunflower House by Eve Bunting

Ohio

Lentil by Robert McCloskey

Rudy Rides the Rails: A Depression Era Story by Dandi Mackall

Warm as Wool by Scott Russell Sanders

Oklahoma

Angels in the Dust by Margot Raven

Dust for Dinner by Ann Turner

Trail of Tears by Joseph Bruchac

Oregon

Apples to Oregon by Deborah Hopkinson

Only Opal by Opal Whiteley and Jane Boulton

Pennsylvania

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh

The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies

Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

Homespun Sarah by Verla Kay

Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin by Gene Barretta

Raising Yoder’s Barn by Jane Yolen

Rhode Island

Katie’s Trunk by Ann Turner

William’s House by Ginger Howard

The New Americans: Colonial Times 1620-1689 by Betty Maestro

South Carolina

Arabella by Wendy Orr

Knockin’ On Wood: Starring Peg Leg Bates by Lynne Barasch

Ron’s Big Mission by Rose Blue

This is the Rope: A Story from the Great Migration by Jacqueline Woodson

South Dakota

Dakota Dugout by Ann Turner

So, You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George

Tennessee

Amber on the Mountain by Tony Johnston

Buddy: The First Seeing Eye Dog by Eva Moore

Goin’ Someplace Special by Patricia McKissack

Texas

Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett

Buffalo Music by Tracey Fern

Pecos Bill by Steven Kellogg

Utah

Iron Horses by Verla Kay

Ten Mile Day: And the Building of the Transcontinental Railroad by Mary Ann Fraser

The Wheat Doll by Alison Randall

Vermont

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Sugaring by Jesse Haas

Virginia

George Washington and the General’s Dog by Frank Murphy

Hornbooks and Inkwells by Verla Kay

James Towne: Struggle for Survival by Marcia Sewall

Washington

Davy’s Dream: A Young Boy’s Adventure with Wild Orca Whales by Owen Lewis

Seaman’s Journal by Patricia Eubank

The Sun, the Wind and the Rain by Lisa Westburg Peters

West Virginia

Golden Delicious: A Cinderella Apple Story by Anna Egan Smucker

In Coal Country by Judith Hendershot

When I Was Young in the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant

Wisconsin

Going West by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Harry Houdini: Escape Artist by Patricia Lakin

Pioneer Girl: The Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder by William Anderson

Wyoming

Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express by Eleanor Coerr

I Could Do That: Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote by Linda White

Jackson Pollock by Mike Venezia

Leah’s Pony by Elizabeth Friedrich

If you know of wonderful picture books that go-along with particular states, I’d love for you to share in the comments!

If you enjoy using living literature in your homeschool, I’ve compiled several fabulous lists for you.

A list of all Cindy West's living literature posts

50 States Notebooking Pages

For a little more information about the notebooking pages we used during our Around the USA study…

The 50 States Notebooking Pages are a fun way to create a memory book of your tour across America. They encourage children to learn a few fun facts about each state, color or label a map, and add state flags and seals for a colorful keepsake of your “trip.” If you choose to write lists of each book you read along the way, you’ll also have a great reading log as part of the keepsake.

Around the USA Study: Games and Memory Fun

Throughout the year-long study, we had lots of fun practicing the wonderful history and geography that we had learned through puzzles, online games, card games and more!

Geography Board & Card Games

Learn geography easily and have fun! These games to teach geography are the best. #homeschool #geography #games

Online Geography Quizzes

Technology Rocks links several games

Printable Geography Games

State Bingo

State Symbol Matching

Mapping Practice

Map Munching

Landmark Mapping

Geography Songs & Videos

50 States Video

Wakko’s America Song

Marilyn’s 50 States Song

Around the USA Study: Project-Based Learning

Project-based learning is important in our homeschool because it works so well to internalize concepts.  Below is a list of the projects Eli completed throughout our study.

US Landmarks Postcards

Any State Brochure

Where in the USA Interview Project

USA Salt Dough Map

Cindy West's Around the USA Unit Study Pinterest Board

We had SO much fun traveling across the country through literature in our Around the USA study this year!

Other posts you might enjoy:

 U.S. Geography Project World Geography Living Literature World Geography Project

  

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Last Updated: July 24, 2020 Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, History & Geography, Language Arts Tagged With: 50 states study, geography literature, geography picture books, living literature for history, living literature picture books, united states study

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Comments

  1. joni470 says

    August 18, 2014 at 9:36 am

    I love this…thanks so much!

  2. Cindy says

    August 18, 2014 at 11:54 am

    You are welcome, Joni!

  3. Latricia says

    August 18, 2014 at 5:48 pm

    Wow! I a very impressed and as a homeschool mom (and retired American and African-American History professor) you did an awesome job compiling this list. I love your ides regarding the creative aspects of using games. For me, my dyslexic son in 6th grade would totally benefit from the literature perspective here. I am going to definitely use this as I am excited!!!!!!Thank you!

  4. Melissa says

    August 18, 2014 at 8:39 pm

    Wow, this is going to be so helpful for me this school year since we’re studying the USA as part of our studies too! Thank you so much for sharing this information. 🙂

  5. Cindy says

    August 18, 2014 at 9:27 pm

    You’re welcome, Melissa!

  6. Amanda C. says

    August 19, 2014 at 3:24 am

    Alaska — Larry Gets Lost in Alaska

  7. Mary says

    August 19, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    You’re amazing! I’m going to share this with all of my CC readers, because we are studying the 50 states this year in Cycle 3. Thank you for all of the resources, Cindy — and it was MARVELOUS to get to know you last weekend! 🙂

  8. Lana Wymore says

    August 19, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    This is amazing! I plan on sharing this with others that love Geography too – thank you so much for all the work and effort to compile this list!

  9. Kate says

    August 19, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    I seriously cannot believe you found living books for all 50 states! That was a massive undertaking! You are amazing. Can I ask what your living book finding secret was? I am new at this (my oldest, also an Eli, is in 2nd grade too!) and am struggling to find living books appropriate to our various history topics. Thank you for sharing all your hard work!!

  10. Cindy says

    August 19, 2014 at 8:00 pm

    Yes, Kate, it was a huge undertaking! I enjoy the research, though. 🙂 And that’s the secret…lots of research…which is really no secret at all. Hahaha

  11. Cindy says

    August 19, 2014 at 8:00 pm

    You’re welcome, Lana!

  12. Cindy says

    August 19, 2014 at 8:01 pm

    Thank you, Mary! I SO enjoyed getting to know you, too. You are absolutely the sweetest! (And our beds are all made. LOL)

  13. Cindy says

    August 19, 2014 at 8:02 pm

    Nice. Can’t wait to check it out!

  14. Sharon Kristoff says

    August 19, 2014 at 9:42 pm

    This is awesome!! Thank you so much for sharing. I am printing this list for our US history/geography studies this year. So excited!

  15. Paola Collazo says

    August 21, 2014 at 12:44 am

    Amazing! I was just reading how CM did both World History and English History together. This will make it so easy and interesting for all my babes. Thank you!

  16. Liz Swift says

    August 25, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    For Vermont, Dorothy Canfield Fisher’s Understood Betsy is a classic well worth reading.

  17. Janice says

    August 25, 2014 at 10:41 pm

    I just stumbled upon this on Pinterest, I have states and capital learning(and going broader with each state) on my ideas for this year! This will certainly help me expand it! Thank you!

  18. Cindy says

    August 28, 2014 at 10:13 pm

    Thank you, Liz!

  19. Stephanie Stevens says

    August 29, 2014 at 8:37 am

    What an incredible resource! We’ve slowly been memorizing states and capitols but I will definitely look forward to adding books to our geography study. Thank you!

  20. Patricia says

    August 31, 2014 at 8:26 am

    Thanks for putting this together, what a fabulous list! Already pinned it 🙂

  21. Jennifer T. says

    September 2, 2014 at 8:00 pm

    Thanks for the list. I will put a plug in for “All-of-a-kind Family” which would be for New York (there are actually 5 in that series); “The Moffats” would be for Connecticut (I believe) (again this has more than one in the series…four total); No Children No Pets is set mainly in Florida; Mary on Horseback is for Kentucky. I could keep going but I’ll stop there.

  22. Cindy says

    September 2, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    Thanks, Jennifer!

  23. Prentis says

    October 3, 2014 at 1:05 am

    Uncle Jed’s Barbershop should actually be listed under Mississippi. The author, Margaree King Mitchell, is from my hometown of Holly Springs, MS. Another of my favorites by this author is When Grandmama Sings. Her stories gently present the African-American viewpoint of pre-civil rights era. The characters she crafts depict strong, courageous, and peace-loving characters, making them appropriate for introducing difficult topics such as racism to young children. I am a great fan of hers and would like to thank you for including her on your list!

    Another great book depicting a rural southern sharecropping family from Mississippi is Oh Lord, I Wish I Was. Buzzard. I can’t remember the author but it was illustrated by Aliki. This was the first book I was able to read independently as a child and remains a favorite today.

  24. Cindy says

    October 3, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    Thank you, Prentis. I actually searched long and hard trying to find the setting of Uncle Jed’s Barbershop. When I was unsuccessful, I just put it with a state that could have worked for the time period. I’m adding it to Mississippi now, though. 🙂 Thanks also for the other suggestions!!

  25. Kim says

    October 22, 2014 at 9:08 pm

    I have a suggested addition for Vermont. We just read “Least of All” by Carol Purdy. It was a wonderful book about how a little girl taught herself to read the Bible while churning butter on a VT farm.

  26. Cindy says

    October 22, 2014 at 9:37 pm

    Thank you, Kim!

  27. Karyn says

    December 8, 2014 at 7:59 am

    This is just wonderful! Thanks for all your work putting it together!

  28. Chrissy says

    March 20, 2015 at 10:17 am

    Very fun! Love the list!
    Here’s a few contributions:
    FLORIDA- Strawberry Girl
    VERMONT- Understood Betsy
    ALASKA- The Year of Miss Agnes

  29. Chrissy says

    March 20, 2015 at 10:24 am

    KENTUCKY- Mary on Horseback

  30. Cindy says

    March 21, 2015 at 8:58 am

    Great suggestions, Chrissy!

  31. Kim says

    April 13, 2015 at 8:46 pm

    Wow! This is a fantastic plan. Thanks for sharing.

  32. Linda says

    April 28, 2015 at 10:49 am

    I’ve been searching for something like this! Thank you so much for sharing this. It’s such a fantastic help and is greatly appreciated! God bless you!

  33. Kelli says

    July 7, 2015 at 9:24 pm

    Is there a link to print the names of the books for each state? thank you

  34. Cindy says

    July 7, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    No, Kelli. Sorry.

  35. Rebecca says

    July 27, 2015 at 7:48 pm

    this is awesome! thank you!!!

  36. Dawn says

    August 3, 2015 at 4:19 pm

    Exactly what I’ve been looking for thanks!!!

  37. Cindy says

    August 3, 2015 at 4:48 pm

    You are very welcome!

  38. Becky says

    October 31, 2015 at 10:41 am

    I’m not homeschooling yet, my kid’s too young, but I was curious when this showed up in my Pinterest feed. I love this idea! I was a little bummed that the only entry for my state doesn’t actually take place within the state borders, so I did some googling and found a couple other possibilities for Delaware. Water Rat by Marnie Laird, listed for grades 4-6, and A Light in the Storm: The Civil War Diary of Amelia Martin, by Karen Hesse, listed as age 9+. I haven’t read either, but now plan to look into both.

  39. Cindy says

    November 1, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    Thank you, Becky! Yes, I had a hard time finding Delaware books, that’s for sure. I’ll keep these in mind when (if) I get around to a chapter book list. 🙂

  40. shaleza rouse says

    March 16, 2016 at 9:00 am

    Great list! Thanks for posting it. I’d like to suggest that everyone also check with their Children’s Librarian at their local libraries for more help – this is exactly what they love to do and are usually very good at it! 🙂

  41. andygirl says

    March 24, 2016 at 8:14 am

    How did you break up the unit? We studied world history for the last two years and we’re going to start American history curriculum but we only have maybe 9 weeks left of school so starting a whole new curriculum seemed silly. I was thinking of doing all the states we know people from or are going through to make it more real and was wondering how you break it down.

  42. Cindy says

    March 30, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    Andygirl, we simply went state by state through the regions – New England, Southeast, Midwest, etc. For some states, we only spent one day reading and completing a few activities. Other states took us 2-3 days – especially if I had several wonderful books to read aloud. Have fun!

  43. EstherLedies says

    June 18, 2016 at 7:06 pm

    Kiki and the Cuckoo for NE or other states where Western Meadowlark is common, Nora’s Ark for Vermont, Testing the Ice for NY or Connecticut, Fire Boat for NY

  44. Cindy says

    June 18, 2016 at 9:06 pm

    Thank you for the additions, Esther! We’ve read Fire Boat. I think all the others are new-to-me titles!

  45. SARAH says

    August 1, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    As a Michigander, I’d like to suggest adding “M is for Mitten” to the Michigan portion. Great information and nice illustrations.

  46. Cindy says

    August 1, 2016 at 4:30 pm

    Thanks, Sarah!

  47. Jennie Chatman says

    August 27, 2016 at 12:41 am

    what state does The Hatmaker’s Sign go with?j

  48. Cindy says

    August 27, 2016 at 8:05 am

    I put The Hatmaker’s Sign into our study of Massachusetts, but it would really be fine with any state that has a rich Colonial history. 🙂

  49. learninginthehome says

    October 10, 2016 at 11:29 pm

    This is awesome! This is my focus statement I wrote today about myself – “A homeschool mom developing good character & leadership skills by studying wholesome literature and growing a biblical view of cultural geography.” Then I come here and find literature and geography together. This makes me smile! Thank you so much!

  50. Amy says

    November 3, 2016 at 4:26 pm

    Thank you for this book list. My second grade twins are loving the books on this list. This is our first year homeschooling, and your site has been the most helpful of any homeschooling website I have found. Thank you again.

  51. Cindy says

    November 3, 2016 at 4:34 pm

    Amy, thanks so much for taking the time to encourage me! I’m excited to hear your twins are enjoying living literature. It’s the best, isn’t it? 🙂

  52. Melissa says

    November 28, 2016 at 5:12 pm

    Oh my goodness! This is wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to put it all together. I am teaching my two boys about the 50 states right now. They are 6 and 4 so we are keeping it VERY general, but I plan to go back over the states when they are older and this is the perfect way to do it!!! Thanks!

  53. Cindy says

    November 28, 2016 at 5:30 pm

    You’re welcome, Melissa! We had SO much fun during our study. Some of these books became our most treasured. 🙂

  54. Michelle Seagren says

    February 6, 2017 at 9:57 am

    Today is our first day of homeschooling (2nd and 3rd grade) and we are studying the regions of the USA. I was searching and searching for books and found you! Thanks a million times over!!! This is awesome! I signed up to get your emails as well!

  55. Cindy says

    February 6, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    I’m so glad this post was helpful for you, Michelle. 🙂 I hope your first day of homeschooling went well and I wish you many, many wonderful days ahead!

  56. Ashley Wright says

    March 3, 2017 at 12:22 am

    We are online schooling family and that is why we enjoy traveling. So these would be an awesome companion for our adventures. Thanks for sharing!

  57. Cindy says

    March 4, 2017 at 2:17 pm

    How cool that you might get to actually explore some of the places as you read along!

  58. Mrs B says

    March 15, 2017 at 10:51 am

    Oxcart Man by Donald Hall would be a good one for New Hampshire. It’s one of my favorite books, I’m excited we can use it for this unit!

  59. Cindy says

    March 15, 2017 at 3:52 pm

    Oh, great idea! I’ll add it. 🙂

  60. KatHome says

    August 2, 2017 at 11:56 am

    I know it’s not a state, but do you know of any living lit for Washington DC? Thanks for this list!! We are studying states this year and you already did all the hard work!! So glad God led me to your site!

  61. Cindy says

    August 3, 2017 at 11:40 am

    I have some suggestions for Washington D.C. listed under District of Columbia near the top of the post. It’s easy to miss. 🙂

  62. Michele says

    March 27, 2018 at 9:31 am

    Sing Down the Moon by O’Dell for Arizona/New Mexico

  63. Cindy says

    March 28, 2018 at 4:44 pm

    Thank you, for this chapter book recommendation, Michele! 🙂

  64. Julie says

    July 5, 2018 at 11:17 am

    What a great idea and a fabulous resource! I went ahead and ordered the first 4 books on the list to get us started!

  65. Cindy says

    July 5, 2018 at 9:12 pm

    Glad it’s helpful, Julie! These books are still favorites in my house. 🙂

  66. Candace says

    February 24, 2019 at 10:29 pm

    Thank you so much for this list! I am planning next year’s U.S. Geography lessons and am so excited about reading some of these books with my kids. Thank you for the great suggestions!

  67. Cindy says

    February 25, 2019 at 4:19 pm

    You’re very welcome, Candace! 🙂

  68. Monica says

    September 6, 2019 at 5:35 pm

    I have been using this list and find it SO helpful, thank you.
    I just wanted to mention that I didn’t understand why “Picking Cotton” is under CA. Seems like the wrong place for it. otherwise great list!

  69. Monica says

    September 6, 2019 at 5:39 pm

    nevermind, I read up a bit more and it’s right, sorry!

  70. Cindy says

    September 7, 2019 at 10:01 am

    No worries, Monica! 🙂 I was just getting on here to say that it’s about a migrant worker in the cotton fields of Fresno, CA.

  71. Marcy says

    May 6, 2020 at 11:04 pm

    Is there anyway I can download this list? I am trying to copy and paste it and keep having problems.

    This resource is AMAZING. Thank you so much for sharing!

  72. Cindy says

    May 7, 2020 at 2:11 pm

    I’m glad you like the list, Marcy! Unfortunately, I don’t have a printable version. Maybe try opening a different internet browser to get copy/paste to work. 🙂

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NaturExplorers guides are perfect for the 1st-8th grade homeschool, co-op or classroom. This highly adaptable curriculum series uses nature study as the starting point for science lessons that reach into every other subject and meet all learning styles.

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Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’ Oh, what peace this quote brings to my soul. It’s true, you know. I’ve told my children for years that it only takes a nature walk to see God through His handiwork and to know that His promises are true.⠀
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When the world seems to be falling apart around you, the sun never stops shining. The seasons never stop moving. Without a single, solitary effort of human hands, the woodlands still buzz with life.⠀
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A student of nature can see the consistency in cycles and notice the incredible and creative intricacy of even the smallest specimen and be in awe that we truly serve a God who isn’t unaware of even one tiny detail in our world right now. ⠀
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Life kind of seems overwhelming, though, I know. Remember when I said my motto lately has been to just put one foot in front of the other to do the next right thing? Nature walks (even when it’s cold) never fail me as a right thing. ⠀
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Breathe, friend. Take a nature walk today and let God speak to your soul.⠀
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#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmom #homeschoolfamily #wildandfreemom #charlottemasonirl #winterhomeschool #homeschoollookslikethis #thisishomeschool #winternaturestudy #nosweatnaturestudy #homeschool365 #ihsnet #naturestudy #naturexplorers #nature #hewins
It might seem trite to post a winter picture book It might seem trite to post a winter picture book list right now, but I’m a big believer in keeping things as normal as possible in my home when things aren’t so normal otherwise.⠀
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It’s the principle of putting one foot in front of the other as you simply do the next right thing. Good books almost always can be a “next right thing” choice.⠀
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Even though I’m not homeschooling younger children anymore, I’ll probably never stop sharing wonderful picture book ideas with you. 🤓 I’ve spent way too many hours reading and collecting to ever stop loving them!⠀
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Eli and I may not be using these books right now, but they are still some of my favorites for winter reading. Whatever may be going on around you, the winter months are always a good time of year to get in lots of extra reading. Snuggling and hot chocolate are optional, but encouraged.⠀
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Click the link in my bio to find a blog post about these books + some of our favorite winter chapter books, too!⠀
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#homeschool #readmorebooks #livingbooks #livingliterature #picturebooks #winterpicturebooks #homeschoolmom #wildandfreefamily #charlottemasonirl #winterhomeschool #homeschoollookslikethis #thisishomeschool #winternaturestudy #nosweatnaturestudy #homeschool365 #ihsnet
We celebrated a 14th birthday over Christmas break We celebrated a 14th birthday over Christmas break! 🎉🎁🎂🏀🥰
I love being auntie to a sweet baby again! 😍 I love being auntie to a sweet baby again! 😍
Merry Christmas from the Wests! 🎄 Merry Christmas from the Wests! 🎄
Christmas picture books are some of my very favori Christmas picture books are some of my very favorite books of all time. I’ve spent years collecting new ones here and there (and will probably continue collecting for years to come because there are at least a few favorites I still don’t own).🤗🤫⠀
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When the kiddos were younger, I would sometimes wrap each of the books and place them in a basket near the Christmas tree. 🎁 Each morning during December, one of my children would choose a book to unwrap and that was the one we would read for the day. Oh, such precious memories!⠀
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This year, even though my youngest is in 8th grade, the books are not hidden away! I’ve found a creative way to read them with Eli. We’re using them as mentor texts for his own stories during language arts. #sneakysmart (He’s writing some pretty great stories, too!)⠀
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Click the link in my bio if you’d like to see my entire list of picture book favorites for the Christmas season!🎄If you’d like to know more about using picture books to teach writing to older kids, search “writing with picture books masterclass”on my website.⠀
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#homeschoolbooks #christmasbooks #christmasbooklist #christmaspicturebooks #christmasschool #creativehomeschooling #livingbooks #livingliterature #readmorebooks #Decemberhomeschool #homeschoolfamily #homeschoollookslikethis #homeschoolmiddleschool #ilovebooks #charlottemasonirl #yourmorningbasket #ourjourneywestward #homeschoolrocks
Did you know the main purpose of my blog for the l Did you know the main purpose of my blog for the last 14 years has been to encourage you that you CAN homeschool creatively to meet the needs of your children and bump up the joy factor all around?⠀
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Creative homeschooling doesn’t have to be hard. You don’t have to ditch all the boring stuff so that every single moment of every single day is a giant production that completely wears you out. No way!⠀
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Instead, creative homeschooling is really just about making little changes here or little additions there to provide a better opportunity to learn. If your kiddo is struggling with the idea of multiplication in the textbook, you pull out the manipulatives and reteach it a different way. If writer’s block strikes during a persuasive essay assignment, you read a few persuasive picture books to ignite fresh ideas. If spelling brings tears, you move the lesson to a white board and allow your children to write giant words to move all the large motor muscles for renewed energy and fun.⠀
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It can also mean replacing the monotony of learning with something else once in a while. This is where you can insert a unit study with living books, documentaries, field trips, hands-on activities, and more in place of a chapter or two in a history textbook, for example. Or, to take off for an entire day of nature study to renew and rejuvenate everyone’s mental state. ⠀
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December is the BEST time of year to insert a little creative homeschooling into your life because there are so many easy ideas ready for you to use without much effort! That means it’s easy...even if you’re new to the idea. Click the link in my bio to see what I mean. ⠀
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You don’t have to substitute creative ideas for everything in December! (But, you can if you want.) Now that Eli is in 8th grade, we don’t turn every subject into a Christmas theme like in years past. Instead, this year we’re simply adding ornament painting to our Names of Jesus Bible study, favorite Christmas picture books as mentor texts for writing assignments, Christmas poetry to our morning basket, and including baking and service projects as add-on afternoon activities some days. ⠀
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Have fun and let me know how I can help!
CLOSED - Congrats, @amj615! 🎄 Christmas Giveawa CLOSED - Congrats, @amj615! 🎄 Christmas Giveaway! 🎄⁣⁣⠀
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Charlotte Mason Collective presents the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! ⁣⁣
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Follow along every day for your chance to enter to win the daily gifts from the most generous of Charlotte Mason Inspired Companies!⁣⁣⠀
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Day 1 of the Giveaways:⁣⠀
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-Delightfully Feasting $50 Shop Credit⁣⁣⠀
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-Yearly Membership to No Sweat Nature Study LIVE⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⠀
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How To Enter: ⁣⁣⠀
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1. Like & Save the post ⁣⁣⠀
2. Tag a friend⁣⁣⠀
3. Follow these accounts ⁣⁣⠀
@delightfullyfeasting ⁣⠀
@ourjourneywestward⁣⠀
@charlottemasoncollective ⁣⁣⠀
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Bonus Entry: Share in your stories  AND tag @charlottemasoncollective ⁣⁣
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Participants may enter to win every day for the 12 day giveaway and must be 18 years or older. One winner will be selected per day. Giveaway will run from 12/1- 12/14/ 8 am to 8 pm EST . Winners will be announced 24 hours after close. Giveaway is open to US residents only and is not affiliated with Instagram. ⠀
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#homededucation #charlottemasonpoetry #charlottemasonliving #charlottemasonirl #charlottemasoncollective #charlottemasonplanning #homeschoolersofinstagram #homeschooling #homeschoolgiveaway #naturexplorers #nosweatnaturestudy #ahumbleplace #runwildmychild #motherhoodunplugged #childhoodunplugged #childhoodwonders #wildandfreemama #naturestudy #naturestudycurriculum

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