Did you know March is National Reading Month? Because living books are so very good, every month is all about reading in our house! But in honor of this annual celebration of reading, I thought I’d take some time to share some of my best tips for raising readers. 11 Tips for Raising Readers Not only…
Do you have a child who began reading well at three or four years old? A child who reads far above grade level? Early readers who soak in more books in a year than you’ve read in your entire life? Do you wonder what to do with all that advanced ability? Just how do you…
When you think about swans what comes to mind? Do you picture graceful birds floating on a pond or scrawny babies that don’t look graceful at all? In the living books about swans that I am sharing with you today, you’ll meet bird characters that are graceful, some that are not, and everything in between….
What is a friend? Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of the English language defines a friend as, “One who is attached to another by affection; one who entertains for another sentiments of esteem, respect, and affection, which lead him to desire his company.” I can easily apply that definition as I make friends with books and I…
In my last post about teaching narrative writing, I mentioned how the subject of writing tends to be a thorn in the side of many homeschoolers. It doesn’t have to be that way, though! In this little series of posts, I hope to encourage you that teaching writing styles to your middle and high school students…
You’ll love reading winter working animal books for a new spin on winter-themed reading in your homeschool. Plus, the topic adds a unique layer of science to read aloud or read-alone time. Not to mention, several of the books are inspired by true stories, too! I love pulling together stacks of themed books for my…
Adding a good picture book to any lesson makes learning come alive. It also adds terrific visual references to help concepts have more meaning. This particular Christmas book activity is the perfect way to celebrate the season and help children learn empathy at the same time. In my mind, character-building is just as important in…
Enjoy the magic of Christmas with this precious literature-based lesson that includes a special service project for your family to do together. I think you’re going to love the Silver Packages activity so much that it might even become a Christmas tradition. Traditions help families build relationships and give a sense of peace and security…
Since the Christmas season can bring along busy days and sometimes cold weather, it can be difficult to incorporate nature study into your homeschooling routine. I’ve created a list of Christmas nature study books that will help you bring new and inviting ideas to the table without tons of effort. Each book description gives you…
If you know a child or teen who loves books, this list of gifts for bookworms is just what you’re looking for! Whether you want book suggestions or unique gift ideas, you will find something to excite the readers in your life. Gifts for Bookworms One of my children was (and still is) an extreme…
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 Study Our brief stops in each state began with living literature “tour guide(s)” who introduced…
Living literature isn’t just for reading – it’s also great for teaching writing styles! Serious writing lessons don’t start in our homeschool until middle and high school, but believe it or not, I use picture books quite often to help me teach. Since picture books can be read in one sitting, they are perfect examples…