One of the things I love so much about nature study is its ability to merge together so many other academic subject areas. Nature study and language arts, for example, go hand in hand together. Think about all the reading and writing that take place as nature journals are written, field guides read, or new finds researched. Keep reading to learn how to naturally make connections between nature study and language arts. At the end of the post, I think you'll be super-excited about the surprises waiting to help you connect the dots between the two subjects! This post includes affiliate links. The Language Arts Language arts includes four main areas: reading, composition ... Read More
How To Improve Language Arts Skills with Typing
Typing instruction has always been an important part of our homeschool. Not just for the sake of learning to type, but as an integral part of our language arts program. In today's technology age, of course it makes perfect sense to introduce our children early and often to correct typing format before bad habits are formed. Have you considered, though, how much of the language arts as a whole can be taught through the mode of typing? I'm not at all suggesting we throw out paper and pencils in lieu of keyboards, but I am suggesting that typing might play a bigger role in successful teaching of the language arts than many of us have considered before. This post has been sponsored by ... Read More
Using Picture Books to Teach Expository Writing
Why would anyone use picture books to teach expository writing? Because picture books are written by master authors who can teach us clearly through their examples. Not to mention, it doesn't take long to read through most picture books, so you can share examples and get right to the work of writing. What is expository writing? Expository writing is a fancy name that simply means writing that conveys information or ideas and offers explanations or evidence to back up said information or ideas. Informational children's books, textbooks, autobiographies, magazine articles, and newspaper articles are all examples of expository writing. This post contains affiliate links. That sounds ... Read More
Using Picture Books to Teach Text Structure
It's time for another post in my series about using picture books to teach writing to middle and high school students! Today's topic is using picture books to teach text structure. What is text structure? It's how the information written in a text is organized. Learning to identify text structure as a reader can greatly improve the comprehension of the material. (Bonus!) Learning to identify text structure from the prospective of a writer can help you learn how to become a better writer. Picture books make great mentor texts for teaching the six basic types of text structure: cause and effect, compare and contrast, sequence, enumeration, problem and solution, and description. I ... Read More
A Writing Assignment Your Children Will Love
My children don't typically jump for joy when given a writing assignment. Do yours? I've found several ways over the years to take writing from dreaded to enjoyable in our home, though. One of the most beloved of those ideas is writing newsletters. Several years ago, I wrote the monthly newsletter for our church. I realized what a fun and meaningful activity it would be for my children to create their own newsletters for our homeschool. We decided to document our day-to-day adventures in what we called The Westward Gazette and send it out to immediate family members. Writing newsletters was not only a big hit with my children, but the (sometimes skeptical about homeschooling) ... Read More
Using Picture Books to Teach Voice in Writing
Voice. It's in every good piece of writing, but it's a tad elusive when it comes to defining and teaching. Writing that connects with readers has voice. Writing that makes you feel emotion has voice. Writing that comes to life has voice. Writing that sounds unique or comes from the heart has voice. Voice is the distinct personality of a writing. That sounds a lot like living literature, doesn't it? Exactly. If we don't want to read twaddle, we shouldn't care to write it either. That's where voice comes in. Some people might describe voice as the mood or tone of a piece of writing. While the mood or tone are definitely impacted by the voice - actual voice is something just a ... Read More
Using Picture Books to Teach Writing Styles
I {heart} picture books for so many reasons. One giant reason is their ability to teach so many in depth concepts in such non-intimidating ways that students often don't see fear in the lessons that follow. One such example is writing. I can't tell you the times I've been asked by homeschooling parents to tutor their children in writing or teach a writing class or point them to the perfect writing curriculum. It seems as if writing is one of the big, scary monsters of homeschooling. But it doesn't have to be hard! You have masters of writing at your fingertips every single day who can help guide much of the writing instruction in your home. These masters are the authors of really ... Read More
Using Picture Books To Teach Biography Writing
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 of really good writing from master writers. Of course, you have to make sure you're reading books actually written by master writers (not twaddle.) And that's what I've set out to share with you in this series - books that are perfect for teaching various writing styles! The writing focus of this article is biographies. Wait, did I hear a "Yuck!"?? If you're children ... Read More
Picture Books to Teach Literary Techniques
I've been sharing a little series of posts about how to use living literature to teach writing - specifically, narratives and persuasive pieces. In this post, I'm focusing less on a particular style of writing and more on writing with style - otherwise known as literary techniques. No matter the age of your children, you can use these picture books to teach literary techniques. However, since I don't begin formal writing lessons until 5th or 6th grade, I only casually mention the literary techniques to elementary students. So, yes, you read correctly...When it comes to actual writing lessons, I'm using these picture books with middle and high school kids! Why use picture ... Read More
Picture Books That Demonstrate Persuasive Writing
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 is as simple as reading a picture book. Literally. (This post contains affiliate links.) Master Writing as Examples Master writers, otherwise known as authors of living books, are my go to resources for teaching excellent writing practices and styles. And, often, I use picture books by master writers to demonstrate particular writing strategies because they make for quick ... Read More