Whether you have a reluctant reader or an enthusiastic beginning reader, encouraging a love of independent reading will set them up for success. There are some easy things to get kids excited about reading. Check out our list of favorite tips! How to encourage independent reading 1. Read aloud to your children every day, even when they are … [Read more...] about 10 Ways to Encourage Independent Reading
Language Arts
5 Ways to Get Your Student Writing Now!
Is it a challenge to get your student writing? Creative writing develops valuable skills that help students with academic writing and critical thinking. For homeschool parents, it can seem like an uphill battle to get your student writing. If you're the parent of a reluctant young writer, the task is difficult. The summer is the perfect time to … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Get Your Student Writing Now!
Who Is Stan Lee?
Who Is Stan Lee? (Who Was?® What Was?® Where Is?® Blog Series) This blog uses referral links. Please read my disclosure policy. Since my youngest son is such a HUGE fan of the Marvel Universe, we chose Who Is Stan Lee? to kick off this series on Learning Table. Plus, we have a CREATE YOUR OWN SUPERHERO ADVENTURE STORY activity for you! If … [Read more...] about Who Is Stan Lee?
Our Little House Year With The Prairie Primer
Let Me Tell You About Our Little House Year! This blog uses referral links. Please read my disclosure policy. We spent a year on the prairie with The Prairie Primer. Admittedly, I am somewhat biased. Being a huge Laura Ingalls Wilder fan, I devoured her books when I was young. Imagine having a curriculum centered around her books! I was sold … [Read more...] about Our Little House Year With The Prairie Primer
Bringing Literature to Life: Motivating Preteens to Study Literature
6 tips for engaging your reluctant reader in the world of great literature. This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Soon after college, I taught English in a public middle school where English was a second language to many of my students. After spending several years immersed in literary adventures as an undergrad, I … [Read more...] about Bringing Literature to Life: Motivating Preteens to Study Literature
Grammar of Poetry
Learn the Building Blocks of Poetry This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Grammar of Poetry is a 30-lesson course for middle school and early high school level students, with a suggested 1/2 academic high school literature credit. It is designed to be completed in one semester as part of a language arts course, but … [Read more...] about Grammar of Poetry
Stories to Tell: Learning from Oral History
Incorporating Oral History Into Your Curriculum As we move into the high school years in our homeschool, my son has begun to study modern history. Many curriculum companies save the twentieth century for later years due to the often harsh and more disturbing events that have occurred. While this is true, one advantage to studying this time period … [Read more...] about Stories to Tell: Learning from Oral History
Living History: Real Teens Meet A Real Hero
Real Teens Meet a Real Hero Our Real Teens Read literature group had the privilege of meeting a real hero. After reading Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, discussing both books, and learning some background history, we arranged a field trip to meet a Holocaust survivor and hear her inspiring and miraculous … [Read more...] about Living History: Real Teens Meet A Real Hero
Creative Writing with A Pirate’s Guide t’ th’ Grammar of Story
Creative Writing for Pirates! This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Creative writing is an important part of language arts, but I talk to so many homeschool moms who have fallen into the trap of not teaching enough writing and feeling overwhelmed. The common reason is the difficulty of finding a curriculum that is … [Read more...] about Creative Writing with A Pirate’s Guide t’ th’ Grammar of Story
Early Chapter Books for Young Readers
Summer Book Choices for Young Readers This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. It isn't easy to find really good chapter books for young readers. When a great book comes along, we tend to hold on to it and re-read it over and over again. Even though we continue to "do school" all year round, we take a more relaxed … [Read more...] about Early Chapter Books for Young Readers
Which Version of The Odyssey Should I Read?
How do I choose which version of The Odyssey to read? This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. If you have been assigned The Odyssey to read for literature class, you may be wondering how to choose the correct version to read. Some things to consider are your reading experience, your reading level, and your individual … [Read more...] about Which Version of The Odyssey Should I Read?
The Berenstain Bears Friendship Blessings Collection
Five Favorite Berenstain Bears' Living Lights Stories This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. The Berenstain Bears Friendship Blessings Collection is a five-books-in-one collection from the Living Lights series. This series from Zonderkidz is written from a Christian worldview and includes Scripture references and … [Read more...] about The Berenstain Bears Friendship Blessings Collection
5 Ways to Motivate Middle School Writers
Ah, middle school! A time of hormone surges and living in a sort of limbo stage between childhood and adulthood. As a parent, I do sometimes feel like we’re living in the Matrix when it’s time to sit down and focus on “schoolwork.” And English gets a bad rap anyway as a “boring” required class. Literature and Grammar It’s easy to make the … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Motivate Middle School Writers
Circle C Stepping Stones
Andi Saddles Up & Andi Under the Big Top This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Set in the wild west of the 1800s, the Circle C Stepping Stones books by Susan K. Marlow are geared toward early elementary age readers. The first two books of the projected six-book set are Andi Saddles Up and Andi Under the Big … [Read more...] about Circle C Stepping Stones
St. Patrick’s Day Activities for Kids
Fun & Easy St. Patrick's Day Activities This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner! I don't know about you, but my kids love to get into the green spirit and celebrate this day. They look forward to a day that's all about magic and fun. To keep the theme going, I like to add … [Read more...] about St. Patrick’s Day Activities for Kids
Make Language Arts Fun with a Library Scavenger Hunt!
Guest writer Jenny Herman joins us today with a wonderful way to make language arts fun for any age child with a library scavenger hunt. I love finding ways to make learning fun and practical. One thing I like to incorporate into my homeschool is scavenger hunts. Last year, I came up with the idea of a library scavenger hunt. What better way … [Read more...] about Make Language Arts Fun with a Library Scavenger Hunt!
Q & A a Day for Writers
Writers' Prompts for Creative Inspiration This blog uses affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Using writing prompts is a wonderful way to exercise your creative muscles by getting something on paper every day. Q&A a Day for Writers: 1-Year Journal is a fun book of writers' prompts in a daily format, with prompts for each day … [Read more...] about Q & A a Day for Writers
Jensen’s Vocabulary
Middle and High School Vocabulary This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Gaining new words does much more than give students an edge on standardized tests. Vocabulary development is essential for unlocking better communication. Students who study vocabulary gain skills for better reading comprehension, as well … [Read more...] about Jensen’s Vocabulary
The ABCs of Reading
Teaching Young Learners Does the thought of teaching your young learner how to read make your heart race? I’ll admit that my two biggest fears when we started homeschooling were the prospects of teaching my child how to read and of one day having to conquer algebra. After all, reading is the basis for everything in between! Reading as Part of Our … [Read more...] about The ABCs of Reading
Lightning Literature & Composition: Grade 8
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Middle School Literature and Composition When I first looked at the reading list for Lightning Literature & Composition: Grade 8, I was impressed with the range of choices. This program is designed to teach both literature and writing at a high school preparation level. … [Read more...] about Lightning Literature & Composition: Grade 8
