In our home, summer break has always been an opportunity for more reading rather than less. With the obligations of regular school lessons on hold for awhile, we often get lost in a stack of picture books or chapter after chapter from a current read-aloud (or two.) I don't necessarily plan for learning during all this extra reading time, but living books tend to have a way of making one impression or another that's long lasting. I recently took part in a challenge with some friends on Instagram to choose five of my very favorite sneaky summer learning books for five different subjects. Because I know how much we all love booklists, I've gathered those 25 suggestions into this post for ... Read More
How To Teach High School History with Literature Easily
I love using living books in our homeschool. If you've been around here any time at all, you know that living literature is a key tool I use across all ages and all subjects. Using literature to teach high school history works especially well. There are so many nuances of an event or era that can be understood through books. Living books also have a unique way of drawing students in and placing them smack-dab in the middle of a time period to meet important people, experience meaningful events, and feel real emotions. Just talking about all the benefits of literature makes me want to go grab some historical fiction right now! I received Modern U.S. and World History for free ... Read More
24 Wonderful Picture Books for Nature Study
There is not one teaching resource I treasure more than picture books. The good ones have such a masterful knack for laying out factual information in the midst of wonderful storylines. The illustrations, of course, help our children put pictures to names and places and ideas. When my children were younger, one of the best things I did was use picture books for nature study. There are so many wonderful picture books that can inspire a deep interest or understanding of nature! Sometimes, we would pack along a picture book and a blanket and actually read as part of the nature walk. This mid-walk reading might have the purpose of a cozy rest time or a specially planned inspiration to ... Read More
A Quick Leonardo da Vinci Unit Study for Your Homeschool
I have always loved teaching a Leonardo da Vinci unit study because it covers just about every single academic subject easily. The Renaissance, various science topics like inventions, simple machines, & the human body, and art & artist study are all easy topics to cover while learning about da Vinci. Add some fun research-based learning activities and good books and you have yourself a really fabulous unit study! Get a printable copy of this unit study below. Leonardo da Vinci Unit Study Taking two or three weeks to study the life and impact of da Vinci just might inspire your kiddos to dream big and do hard things. His incredible inventions, discoveries, critical thinking, and ... Read More
100 of the Best Picture Books for Middle School
Picture books for middle school? Shouldn't older students have moved on from picture books years ago? Not necessarily. Many of the best living picture books include amazing stories with rich language that big kids are finally able to read and enjoy on their own. Additionally, some of the picture books we have on our shelves do a beautiful job of introducing kids to serious topics - like war or racism. And I purposely tend to hold these back until my kids are old enough to handle the emotional content. Even with books that don't cover heavy topics, there are many picture books with nuances that are best understood by older children. This book contains affiliate links. I've ... Read More
100+ Science Picture Books to Help You Homeschool
We follow a four-year cycle for teaching science. In the elementary years, science picture books have helped me introduce and explain scientific topics so well that I consider them as much curriculum as anything else we use to teach science. While we do use the occasional science textbook during the elementary years, much of the learning takes place through three modalities: Nature Study covers most of the biology and earth science topics. We consider nature walks to be our outdoor science labs and spend indoor hours reading, researching, and sometimes completing hands-on projects. Unit Studies cover most of the chemistry and physical science topics. We spend plenty of time reading, ... Read More
Living Chapter Books for Nature Study
I think you'll love these living chapter books for nature study. They capture the attention of readers with wonderful tales that weave storyline and nature together beautifully. From harrowing adventures to hidden gardens, many of these timeless stories have well-loved for years. They also happen to subtly encourage a love for nature and make perfect read alone or read-aloud selections for your homeschool. The books listed below are loosely in order from easier to more difficult reads. You will find some of them to be obviously "nature study-like" in essence, while others are more subtle and simply integrate plants, animals, and habitats into the stories. I hope you find some new ... Read More
Shiver Me Timbers! You’ll Love This Pirate Unit Study
Do you remember when Eli and I took a short detour from our regular Story of the World studies to learn more about Vikings? Well, we detoured again - this time with a mini pirate unit study. Should I have been shocked? I mean, what boy (and even lots of girls) wouldn't love some extra time to hang out with pirates? This quick pirate unit study will give you just enough for a detailed deep dive without expecting weeks of your time. Pirate Unit Study One of the best things about homeschooling is the freedom to linger over a topic when it lights a spark of curiosity. I've always been happy to oblige my children with learning detours, but it's especially true with this third and final child ... Read More
Your Kids Will Love This Quick Viking Unit Study
Eli and I have certainly enjoyed a meandering pace through Story of the World for history. Because we're never rushed to move on to the next chapter, it provides plenty of time for rabbit trails when he shows special interest in a topic. One of those special interests this year was the Vikings. We had so much fun taking a quick unit study break to focus more deeply on Viking history! Viking Unit Study I think it was likely the strength with which Vikings are portrayed that may have first caught my son's attention. Or, the story his brother told about Viking funerals and burning boats. Either way, Eli was very motivated to learn more. And, I was happy to oblige. That reminds me: Don't be ... Read More
You’ll Love These Christmas Nature Study Books
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 an idea of how to use these books as living literature resources. Hopefully, they will spark curiosity and a hunger for learning. How could they not! Especially when the first story on the list includes a yummy cookie recipe! This post contains affiliate links. Christmas Nature Study Books Cranberry Christmas This classic story comes with an incredible ... Read More