Trying to recreate public school at home, right down to the textbooks, is something new homeschoolers often do (especially those pulling students out of school). Literature studies, however, are so much more FUN! As an added bonus, because they incorporate knowledge through relating to a character and / or story, your students are apt to retain more once the year ends.
What are living books, and how can you use them to make your homeschool shine? Get all the tips & tricks in Using Living Books to Homeschool.
Novel studies can be used to cover concepts from language arts and history to science and math. It’s been our students’ preferred learning method for years, and we’ve created well over one hundred of them! If you’re looking to teach science through literature, here are 18 units to try….
When you were a kid, did you learn more from textbooks or from reading books just for fun? I definitely learned a lot more from historical fiction than from any history textbook!
Trying to recreate public school at home, right down to the textbooks, is something new homeschoolers often do (especially those pulling students out of school). But, by using living books in your homeschool, coupled with family-style learning, it can be so much more FUN and rewarding. Plus, when you use living books in your homeschool, your students are apt to retain more once the year ends.
What is a Living Book?
Living books are reading material that pull you into a subject and get you emotionally involved with the characters (a la chapter books), so it’s easier to remember the events and facts. These books literally bring the event(s) they are talking about to life with storylines and imagination! When is the last time a textbook made you feel alive and invested in what was being studied? Probably never.
Living Books….
Allow the reader to visit another era and experience the culture or history. During the ‘Rona, one of the books we read together was Fever 1793. We like to take our read-alouds and turn them into learning units, like this one, to reinforce concepts learned in the story.
TIP: If you’re using read-alouds as a base for school, it’s helpful to read multiple books about the same event. Having different perspectives helps students to learn critical thinking skills.
Put the reader into the book. This allows your children to experience different cultures and places that they may not otherwise see. The more detailed the descriptions, the more vividly your child will relate, and it is through learning about and relating to other cultures that we break down barriers.
TIP: Cultural literacy is learning about other perspectives, including across genders, world regions, and historic eras. It is helpful if you have some background knowledge to incorporate the protagonist’s perspective — so if you are going to read a book set during the Civil War, do a bit of research on the Civil War before reading the novel. It will help bring the story to life!
Benefits of Family-Style Reading
Reading together as a family helps to encourage a lifelong love of reading and literature. Whether you begin when your child is a newborn or as a teen, there are so many positive effects!
Note to parent: If you do not start reading aloud until your child is a teen, there will be a transitional time as they become accustomed. Do not give up!
Tips for Using Living Books as Read-Alouds
1. Do the voices
Sure, you might feel goofy at first, but nothing gets children engaged in a story faster than having a different voice for each character! Through the years, we’ve had many a good laugh as mom tried to pull off several accents, with varying degrees of success. But you know what? They remember the stories!
2. Let them be active
Legos, play-do, and coloring books are great quiet activities to keep hands occupied while ears are listening. It never hurts to pause and ask a few questions, but you’ll probably find that they are more engaged than you think.
3. Read from many genres
Mix it up, with historical fiction from multiple eras, contemporary fiction, and the occasional non-fiction.
4. Keep a home library
Yard sales, Facebook groups, and consignment stores are a great place to scout used books. Even if your child is a toddler, when you find a classic piece for a few years down the road, go ahead and snag it. A good home library will encompass many different topics and genres, including both fiction and non-fiction books.
5. Read every day
Whether you read for five minutes or an hour, set aside some time each and every day to read. We get it…busy days mean shorter reading times. But it’s too easy to get out of the habit, so make it a priority! If necessary, use an audiobook to do the reading in the car.
6. Pass the book
If your children are old enough, take turns reading. Keep it age-level appropriate and for short lengths of time. When my children started reading aloud with the family, they read one paragraph at a time, then a page, and then a full chapter.
7. Read at level AND below level
As an adult, do you only read collegiate-level and above books? Neither do I. Sometimes it’s nice to settle in with a fun book, regardless of the target age range. For struggling readers, this can help them feel more successful, too, as they build those skills.
8. Use picture books.
In the non-fiction realm, picture books are an excellent way to help illustrate and explain difficult concepts… I’m looking at you, science! But also understand that not every book needs pictures. Not having pictures in a book allows children to stretch their imaginations and come up with those mental images.
Choosing Quality Books
As with everything in life, there is yin and yang. When choosing living books for read-alouds, or as a base for studies, keep in mind that not all books are “good” books. “Good” books…
Have realistic characters. They are flawed. They live in the real world. But they often learn to overcome their flaws during the story.
Teach a moral lesson. Whether through acceptance or overcoming, the protagonist learns some sort of character lesson in the story.
Are engaging. These are not dry reads, but intriguing plots full of details that will keep the reader hooked and involved.
“Bad” books…
Are not real world. In these books, everything is awesome. Or horrible. There are no real-life events. Or they are overly moralistic.
Are poorly written. With poor grammar and speech (we’re not talking about the use of dialects, which can add to the authenticity), these books do more harm than good for your student’s mastery of language arts.
Have poor characters. They are boring, self-absorbed, and do not learn anything through the story.
Using Living Books to Study Core Subjects
Sparks Academy
The language arts classes at Sparks Academy utilize five to six novels each year to teach history, geography, character, and literary concepts. Each of the four levels builds upon the last, until students are ready to write in any form requested of them – whether at a career or college! There are four levels offered currently, including High School 1, High School 2, High School 3, and Level 7. (The last one is for 7th/8th/9th grade, depending on your student’s skills.) This is an online co-op, with weekly student interaction in the private classroom forum. Learn more here.
Can I just pull my child out of school? Is that even legal?
The short answer is, yes, you can pull them out and it’s
legal. But each state has different
laws, but HSLDA knows all of them. If
you’re planning to homeschool, joining HSLDA is
a must, no matter which state you reside in, because they’ve got your back.
How
do I get started?
Homeschooling can be expensive if you don’t put some thought into it at the beginning. {See The Costs of Homeschooling.} The first thing you should do, especially if you are pulling kids out of public school, is to plan for an adjustment period. You might hear this referred to as ‘deschooling.’ This will give you time to take some notes and make a plan, but it also gives your student(s) time to transition. (The longer they were in public school, the longer this may take.) This is when your child comes to realize that the days of being lectured and provided answers have passed, and it is now time to be more proactive and take some responsibility for their learning. Trust me…they’ll come to appreciate this.
Deschooling also gives your family a chance to find a new
rhythm. Remember when everyone had to
pull their kids out of school, without warning, during COVID? People were overwhelmed. Their lives were being turned on a dime. This transitional time allows you to get past
the “argh! We’re together all. the. time.”
phase and into a more family-oriented groove.
I’m not gonna lie…it can be hard for some families, particularly those
who are accustomed to running all the time.
But you’ll get there.
Deschooling, however, doesn’t mean watching tv and playing video games every day. This is a chance to re-ignite that natural passion for learning. Take up a craft or art project. Read some books. Get outside. Take field trips. This is a chance to get back to the basics of learning.
Tips for Transitioning to Home-School
Keep a routine as best you can. Set up a daily schedule that includes work, rest, and play.
Try to regulate screen time. This may be difficult if classes are being held online, but try anyway.
Be patient with yourself and others.
Be willing to learn alongside your kids. You might find you enjoy the lessons!
If you are working from home, be willing to check in on your kids every 20-30 minutes to be sure they are doing their classes.
One fantastic option for families just starting out is called SchoolhouseTeachers. ..
One family membership covers all the kids…whether there are two or twelve…and everything you need to homeschool every subject for every grade!
There are varied course options, including streaming, interactive, and downloadable. We personally (here in rural-ville) tend toward the downloadable ones, but I know many families would rather have streaming.
Use promo code: SHARK20 right now and receive the low rate of $179 for TWO years—only $89.50/yr! You’ll also receive a FREE canvas tote and PRINT back issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine (tote color and magazine issue will vary, no refunds). Every subject. Every grade. Every student.
But how am I supposed to get it all done in a day?
First-time homeschoolers generally try to replicate
public school at home. It’s what they know, and it’s familiar.
Trust me…many mommas have gone down this road before!
Learning to re-frame the day, however, is the first step
toward homeschool freedom. When you understand and accept that there is
considerable learning value is almost everything you do, it relaxes your
attitude toward school…which transfers to your students and makes for a more
enjoyable experience.
How to re-frame?
First, learn the lingo.
Does your child understand something? Wonderful! They have ‘comprehension.’
If you quiz your child on his ABCs, does he know them? Great! He just passed an ‘assessment.’
Second, master documentation.
Say your elementary student spent two hours outside,
skipping rope, playing with sidewalk chalk, catching bugs and examining them,
and making leaf prints. That’s physical education, art (or handwriting,
depending on what was drawn), science, and nature study!
Baking cookies together as part of holiday
preparations? This activity has math (measurement and time), chemistry,
reading, home economics, and nutrition lessons!
We’re not suggesting that everyday consist of this type of schooling, though there are families who do ascribe to this theory – it’s called Unschooling, and you can learn more about it here.
The point is that each day doesn’t need to consist of
books, papers, and pencils to ensure that learning is happening. When
children are excited about something, they’re sure to learn and retain more!
What
do I do about my special needs child?
This is a subject that’s near and dear to the Homeschool
House leadership, as each and every one of us has at least one special needs
child. You’ll find several articles on
our blog about this subject. Here are
just a few….
In a word, yes.
Benjamin Franklin once said,’ Failing to plan is planning to fail.’ What that means is that you need to have some
idea of goals before you start teaching.
Is college a goal? What about
learning to read by the end of the year?
Different ages require different goals.
Some parents plan an entire year in advance. Others plan for the month, or the week, while
some just plan for the day. How you
choose to plan is going to be largely dependent on your preferences.
Me? I’m a
planner. But I don’t like planning long-term
because things are always changing (hello…COVID, anyone?). After many years of homeschooling, our family
has found that planning for the week ahead works perfectly for us. Even then, there are some weeks when things
change and the planning book gets marked up.
Life happens.
Some people do their planning online, while others prefer to use a paper planning book. As part of the planning, you’ll review what’s coming up in each curricula subject, make sure you have materials and library books on-hand, and take into consideration any upcoming appointments during the school day.
If you’re planning for an entire month, plan to sit down
for about a full day to lay out exactly what needs to be done. If you’re
planning for a week at a time, prepare to spend about an hour laying out the
week’s work. Some people (no finger
pointing at one of our Shack leaders J )
prefer to write down at the end of the day what was accomplished….no planning
required and her book is never marked up with changes! Again….personal preferences.
Planning a Bit Easier
There are some curricula that take all of the planning
out the mix. A World of Adventure,
BookShark, Sonlight, My Father’s World…these are all curricula that provide the
planning sheets for you. It’s open and
go…just make sure that you have any materials on-hand for art or science
lessons (they’ll tell you what you need).
If you’re just starting your homeschool journey, and very anxious about
planning and making sure that everything is covered, you might start out with
something like this.
How
on earth do I homeschool multiple ages at once??
Whether you have two children or eight, homeschooling
multiple children is a juggling act. One
of the best things that you can do is have some ‘schooling together time’ so
that there is a set time when everyone comes together as a unit.
Teach Together
With children of about the same age – up to four years
apart – you can teach some of the subjects simultaneously. Curricula such as The Good & the
Beautiful, Gather ‘Round, BookShark, or A World of Adventure lend themselves
toward this type of family-style teaching, with cohesive read-alouds and
teaching time while each student gets an age-appropriate workbook.
Read-aloud time doesn’t have to mean that all the
children are lined up neatly and politely on the couch! Legos, coloring books, and other quiet play
toys are a great way to keep little (or not-so-little) hands occupied during
this time. Discuss the reading as a
family at the end of each session.
Unit Studies
Similar to the curricula cited above, unit studies allow
your entire family to work together on one topic, with each student researching
or studying at their own level. After a
family trip to the aquarium and some study-together time, a toddler might color
a page about seahorses, while a high schooler might do a research paper on the
same topic. Together, all of the
students could complete a science experiment, play a game, and do art projects.
Individual Subjects
While it’s easier to combine history and literature, subjects such as math and science need to be a bit more age-specific once students hit middle school. Again, if they are only a couple of years apart, students could still study together. Middle school, however, is when students begin to work independently, so this is a good opportunity to give them some of that freedom. For many families, math is the one that requires each student to have different, grade-appropriate lessons, and tends to take the most of mom’s time. An outside course, such as the Saxon Dive CDs, can really help here!
What
curriculum do I need?
Choosing the right curriculum for your family means first determining your family’s homeschooling style. Some families are strictly one style, while others prefer a blend of styles. Within the leadership of the Book Shack, we cover nearly every style imaginable…so if you ever have questions, just ask, and one of us will be glad to assist you. You can also check out reviews!
Your family might try out one style and find that it’s not for you. It may take a few years to settle down into the right fit for your family, and that’s completely normal. When contacting the Book Shack for assistance, however, it helps us to help you if you know your family’s preferred style.
What style is best for your family?
When choosing a style (and there’s a good chance you’ll change as your children grow), consider these questions…
What’s your teaching style?
What are your goals?
How do your kids learn best?
What values do you want to instill in your children?
What’s your lifestyle? Do you prefer routine or flexibility?
Do you know how many great opportunities there are for homeschooling mamas to get educator training right here in Oklahoma? We’ve compiled a short list of some of the best (and most overlooked) ones for you to attend! {Feel free to drop us a line with others that you know, and we’ll get them added to this list….let’s collaborate!}
OERB offers FREE petroleum-based curriculum for teachers and homeschoolers across the state of Oklahoma. All levels of teaching are covered in their workshops, which are like a mini-retreat! The classes offer hands-on curriculum for each subject that focus on the petroleum industry. (ie, Core History teaches high school history from the viewpoint of Oklahoma’s oil & gas past) In addition to classroom training, you’ll receive a nice lunch, some snacks, a goody bag, and a day off from the kids!
Similar to OERB, these FREE courses are offered based around the agricultural industry. Each workshop covers all levels of teaching (whereas in OERB, you select your student’s level), so you’ll get information, curriculum, and goodies to use with all of your children together. Additionally, there are numerous free lesson plans available on their website for you to use!
Learn about our diverse natural areas and state parks through real-life and virtual field trips. You can download curriculum materials, and earn trading cards and certificates of completion.
There are several opportunities available here, including visiting with a geologist, the traveling library, hands-on geology kits, a resource room you can visit, touring the Sarkeys Energy Center, and the traveling fossil kit (which is very nice!).
Using water as a theme, Project WET provides hands-on activities to enhance the teaching of science, math, social studies, language arts, and many other required subjects. Project WET is primarily designed for teachers of grades K-12. This training costs $20, but that training comes with supplies and curriculum.
Oklahoma Project WILD provides educators with the tools, training and resources needed to engage students in active, hands-on learning about wildlife and the environment. The activity guides are available only by participating in interactive, hands-on, fun workshops.
While we haven’t personally attended this one, it is a one-day workshop for middle and high school teachers focusing on soybeans and doing science experiments with bio-fuel.
Focusing on forestry, biodiversity, and climate change, these workshops are offered online for educators. (This training is NOT free.) However, each month, free curriculum and student activities are posted on their site, and the activities change, so check back regularly!
It’s that time again! Every homeschool mom’s delight! Homeschool children are singing the song of “their People”……Yes! It’s homeschool convention time!
We plan for months, checking the vendor list, noting what we need to purchase (free shipping!!), what we want to look at, and of course, the gathering of the freebies! Our children get excited, they will be amongst children like them! I know that mine were excited for the book vendors, the hands on exhibits, and the most important….the young entrepreneurs booth.
I have to admit…I have been homeschool conventioning (is this a word?) since the denim jumper days! I still drag my “box on wheels”, which by the way, gets some strange looks! I carry a small spiral notebook that has my needs and wants…when I visit my curricula booth, I am welcomed with a big hug and and friendly, “Good to see you again this year!”
Every year I meet up with all my home school moms and we plan our yearly lunch….a walk downtown to our favorite Mexican restaurant! And this is with at least 9 children in tow! If you have never been to a convention….you are missing out! The smell of new text books, an entire booth dedicated to paper products! (YES) There is a booth where you can purchase the dreaded frogs and squids for dissection, and there are books galore for reading enjoyment! And this mom purchased two fabulous novels written in the 1800’s!
Oh! The freebies! Pens, pencils, water bottles, candy, lunch bags, and keychains…..of course some of the best are the free drawings for curriculum, i-Pads, and lap tops! From one home school mom to others…if you get a chance, visit a homeschool convention! It is day of fun and encouragement! PLUS….this can be considered a “professional day” for your records!
Next year….my plans are to attend 2 (yes..TWO) conventions! I may go into book overdose! Here’s to lazy summer days! Oh…who am I fooling! I don’t know about y’all, but this girl has some deep house cleaning to do!
