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How to Easily Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies (& Resources)

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

One hurdle for delight-directed learning is how to easily add language arts to homeschool unit studies.

The fear of missing something huge can keep some tied to a boxed curriculum. The beauty of unit studies is being able to study topics which ignite your child’s interests.

With that being said, language art skills need to be applied to bodies of knowledge instead of learning language arts skills in isolation. This approach to learning the components of language arts makes it meaningful.

How to Easily Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies (& Resources)

5 Ways to Add Language Arts to Unit Studies

Look at these 5 ways to easily add language arts to homeschool unit studies.

1. Pair a living book with your unit study.

Although you want to include plenty of living books, depending on the unit study topic you may be using more reference type books.

So if you want to include many elements of language arts, choose one well-written living book to accompany your unit study.

Choose the living book with these things in mind:

  • Aim for the middle to highest reading level of all your children.
  • Keep in mind that it’s easier to scale down for language art components than it is to scale up for your highest level reader. Choose a higher reading level if in doubt.
  • In addition, make sure you understand not only the literary elements like plot, setting, and characters, but the theme too. It’s important for a smooth transition for the theme of the one main living book to connect with the unit study topic. The easiest themes for us in the beginning were ones like good v. evil, courage, and persistence. For example, I chose Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss for our ocean unit study. Surviving on an island as a family if you got shipwrecked appealed as a theme to my kids and is a smooth tie-in to the ocean theme.
  • You can search for booklist ideas here on my site.

Choosing the right living book means the difference with themes which ignite expressive conversations in your house about your unit study theme and your unit study falling flat and being shallow.

Language Arts For Unit Studies

In addition, look at these other components of language arts which can naturally be pulled from a living book:

  • defining vocabulary words;
  • dictation;
  • narration;
  • copywork;
  • outlining;
  • reciting an oral speech;
  • reading; and
  • topics for writing or essays.

The bottom line is that a well-written living book can equal a powerful inclusive language arts component.

When the living book is tied to the unit study topic which has already piqued your child’s interest, you’ve set yourself up for success from the start.

That is why I also love using Literary Adventures for Kids.

You choose a book and your kids can do a self-paced online language art course. Doing an online self-paced course where your child chooses the book is a great tie-in for the language arts component.

Look at my post Online Homeschool High School Poetry (No Teaching Involved).

2. Use Quick Reference Materials Like BarCharts.

Next, I use quick study guides. Realizing how beautifully I could zero in on the exact skill my kids needed to work on, I use them frequently.

Because Quick Study Guides can put information in a nutshell and organize skill by grade level, I use them as general guides.

Look at a few tips on how to use these quick guides:

  • Keep language arts concise and straightforward by learning fewer elements.
  • With my guide in hand, I can pair the objectives on the quick study guide with our main living book to shore up my kids weak areas in language arts.
  • My kids put the guides in their notebooks to use as reference for their writing or grammar. I made copies and we used a single hole punch to add them to their notebook.
  • Also, I could use the guides as a way to orally test my kids or if I wanted to create written quizzes I had a guide.
  • Likewise as my children grew, they can independently review the guides as memorization tools.
How to Easily Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies (& Resources)

Because quick study guides focus on fewer elements of language arts, our language arts focus could be as complicated or as gentle as we need.

Besides, I’m not paying for a full language arts curriculum, but choosing exactly what my kids need to focus on. Did I mention they last years?

Also, look at this How to Put Together a Homeschooled High School Writer’s Notebook & Free Resources because we added them there. Along with adding free resources online creating a language arts notebooks works.

Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies

Too, if you live near a Barnes and Noble, I’ve collected several of their guides which are called Quamut. They seem to have more guides about hobbies, but I’ve been able to cull through the quamuts for help in language arts.

However, the SparkCharts are another line of handy references which I love also.

Don’t underestimate the power of the simple and uncomplicated to teach straightforward grammar, punctuation, and types of writing.

You’ll love filling up your bookshelves and notebooks with quick and handy references to get to the point while teaching language arts.

3. Use an Ungraded, Multi-Level Resource.

Then, one of my earliest purchases was one of my best purchases which has stood the test of time.

Kathryn Stout created a series of how-to or reference books for subjects which are basically guides for grades K to 12.

My first purchase was Comprehensive Composition and I used it extensively in my unit studies.

Like the author, Kathryn Stout stated on her site she wrote the Design-A-Study guides to provide both a framework of objectives and detailed methods for teaching basic subjects effectively.

Homeschool Language Arts

For example, having a scope and sequence for composition which can be applied to any unit study for all your kids at one time is sanity-saving.

Equally, despite the age differences between your kids reference guides which lays out objectives and goals keeps composition related to the topic.

What I learned from teaching my kids about composition until high school is that boredom springs from writing about meaningless topics.

An ungraded, multi-level resource gives you freedom to learn how to write well on topics which are meaningful to your family.

However, another useful feature of filling your shelves with resources like these is that you’re using them for years. Unlike curriculum where you’re constantly switching out, a multi-age resource is timeless.

Look at few more resources for multiple grades:

Also, another long time keeper in the homeschool world is the book If You’re Trying to Teach Kids How to Write . . . Revised Edition: You’ve Gotta Have This Book! which is from Preschool to 12.

Having books to give you the big picture along with details of how to implement language arts daily keeps unit studies fun. Plus you know you’re not really missing any big language arts gap.

Then, other newer versions of helps for multiple levels have come along like Everything You Need to Ace English Language Arts in One Big Fat Notebook.

4. Play games.

Also, playing games is another fun and easy way to add language arts to unit studies.

While playing games is a fun way to learn language arts, it’s not always a smooth tie-in to a unit study topic. However, I love having options.

I use games sometimes to keep language arts front and center if I don’t have an exact language art tie-in to our current unit study.

  • Another favorite is Scrabble. Attempt to think of words used in your unit study and spell them. It helps with vocabulary too.
  • Mad Libs are timeless and fun play.

Don’t forget that I have the Ultimate Unit Study Planner. Having an eye for detail and creating many unit studies with multiple levels of kids, I know you’ll love it.

5. Free Curriculum Online.

Then of course nothing beats free – ever. However, I didn’t list free resources first because sometimes it’s harder to use free resources.

Not always related to your unit study curriculum, free curriculum can be hard to tie to your subject.

So what I’ve learned through the years is to cover the parts of language art which naturally fit into my current unit study.

Then, I can add in supplementary or free resources.

How to Easily Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies (& Resources)

Do not let fear of missing something make you miss out on delight-directed learning.

Fill your shelves with more how-to books so that you truly enjoy the freedom of homeschooling in the way that best fits your children.

Do you have any favorite multi-level teaching resources or ways you add language arts to your unit studies?

You’ll love some of these other helps:

Hugs and love ya,

35 Simple But Powerful American History Homeschool Resources K to 12

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’ve rounded up 35 simple, but powerful American history homeschool resources for kindergarten to high school.

Whether you’re trying to fill a state requirement or you want your child to have a well-rounded view of U.S. history, I know you’ll love these resources.

American History Homeschool Resources

First, because I have homeschooled over 20+ years, I have some great tips for you.

Look at these 10 ways to teach U.S. history out of the box. Besides, not every kid responds to an all-in-one i.e. boxed curriculum.

35 Simple But Powerful American History Homeschool Resources K to 12

10 Ways to Teach U.S. History Out of the Box

  1. Instead of trying to learn about all American History in one year, focus on one time period through the eyes of a founding father or another historical colorful character. We did this when we examined the life of Wyatt Earp. Look at Free American History Lapbook – The Old West Through the Life of Wyatt Earp. This idea works for multiple ages because you can bring out much about the time period in American history and add fun hands-on activities too.
  2. In addition, when my first son reached high school, we learned about the FBI. It was a fun way to focus on learning about American government based on a topic he was interested in. So, take a topic or key event which piques your teen’s interest and build a study around it. Look at my FBI unit study.
  3. For older kids, study American history through original sources. Reading letters between friends and family helps to make what could be a boring time period in history come alive. Look at 7 Things to Try When a Homeschool History Curriculum Isn’t Coming Together (Hint: Try a Primary Source or Two).
  4. Learning through movies is another way to make learning any time period in history an event to look forward to. Look at 7 Educational Movies for Kids About Westward Expansion.
  5. Another slant is for art lovers. Learn about history through art. Look at Art History for Kids.
  6. Also, learning U.S. history through lapbooks is a fun way to learn important events. Look at my Free 27 Week American History Study through Lapbooking In Chronological Order
  7. One more fun slant is to learn about historical costumes. Look at Bring History To Life With Historical Costumes: Fun, Fashion and Unforgettable
  8. An especially fun way to bring meaning to history is to use a living book as a spine. A living book is a term used by Charlotte Mason to mean a book written in a story form which engages a reader as opposed to a boring textbook. Use a living book as a spine or the main book and add activities based on the reading. Toward the bottom of the article, I listed some living books which could work as a history spine.
  9. Another engaging and fun way to learn about history is through cooking recipes from the different states. Kids of any age love learning what other kids’ eat and how they live. Look at my post make chili when doing a state study on Texas.
  10. This last slant is to learn U.S. history through creating a timeline. Whether you want to focus on events or people, a timeline is a great visual of American history. Look at my post How to Teach With an Easy DIY American History Timeline.

American History Homeschool Resources K to 12

Next, I’ve rounded up tons of resources to give you a variety of options.

For me every year was different when I taught American history. Some years we dived deeper, other years not so much.

There are a variety of resources below from audio to living books to lapbooks.

Also, the resources and books or literature are listed from easiest or for the youngest learner up to high school.

Of course, grade level is subjective. You’ll want to mix and match history resources to make learning American history meaningful.

Further, readers mature at different rates. What is sensitive to one family or reader you and I know will be different for another.

So be sure you check out the readers because where possible and best I can remember, I give you a heads up if something may be sensitive.

As always, you’re responsible for previewing resources beforehand. I know you will.

Kindergarten to Sixth Grade American History Resources

Beginning with kindergarten to sixth grade U.S. history resources, variety is key.

Especially for young kids like prek and kindergarten, reading aloud, coloring, creating crafts, and activities helps to lay a foundation for what is American history.

Actually, do not forget that even older kids whose introduction to history has been boring could still benefit from activities, reading aloud, and games.

Look below for kindergarten to sixth grade American history resources roundup.

1. American History Dover Books for Coloring and Paper Crafts

Whether you have a younger or older child, Dover coloring pages have been a staple in our homeschool for years.

They’re not just ordinary coloring books, but coloring books that teach facts while having some creative fun.

Look at this United States Coloring Book.

Also, Dover has paper models for hands-on history. You don’t want to miss these fun ways to learn history.

Look at these Stand Up Presidents and White House Cut & Assemble.

2. American Kids in History Series

This next series is a fun slant on American history.

American Kids in History series is series that just doesn’t use text but games, activities, and recipes to learn about Americans.

One or two of these books would make for a great mini unit study.

3. Early American History by Beautiful Feet

This next curriculum which I loved and used when my kids were younger and all the way through high school is by Beautiful Feet Literature.

The Early American History Jumbo Primary pack for first to third grade introduced my kids to American history makers through beautiful literature as opposed to a boring text book.

4. Stories of Great Americans For Little Americans

This next series Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans was written in 1895 at about a second grade level and reprinted and updated.

The illustrations are beautiful and little Americans are introduced to Boone, Washington, Franklin, and more. Also, Memoria Press reprinted it.

5. Magic Tree House Series

Another series The Magic Tree House has the Magic Tree House Books 21-24 Boxed Set which is American History.

The Magic Tree House series is a beloved set for teaching history for all time periods, but it has the American history set for the youngest readers.

This series aims for first to fourth grade.

History for Kids

6. The d’Aulaire Biographies

The first time I read one of the d’Aulaire historical books with my young kids, we were hooked.

Look at some of the titles to choose from.

7. American Story Series

Additionally, American Story is a beautiful series which has been around for a long time and for reason. The literature and illustrations are beautiful.

It is a secular approach to history, but not anything you can’t tweak one way or the other to your worldview.

You’ll love all the titles in the series. Here are a few below.

8. Who was? What was? Where is? Series

There is a reason this much loved Who was What was Where is series has close to 200 books. It was a hit when this series started.

Although it can be hard to find a grade level, this series is good for kids up to sixth grade. However, it aims for third to fifth grade.

But don’t let that stop you if you have kids a bit younger or older.

It’s a much loved series with so many topics and titles which makes it a great multiple age series of books to teach about important American history events and persons.

9. America First: One Hundred Stories From Our Own History by Lawton B. Evans

Then next America First: One Hundred Stories From Our Own History by Lawton B. Evans approaches history by using stories or the living history approach I love for all ages.

10. My America Series

My America series is a fictional series aimed at elementary aged kids.

My America series is a spinoff of the Dear America series and written in the same diary format.

From best I can remember there are approximately 20 books or so in the a series. Like the Dear America series, you have many choices of great books.

11. American Girl series

Also, what young girl doesn’t fall in love with Felicity, Kirsten, and Addy from the American Girl books.

I haven’t put my hands on the series in a while, but from best I remember the older versions of the books have a non-fiction section at the back.

There are period crafts and recipes you can add for each theme.

12. Childhood of Famous Americans Series

Then, Childhood of Famous Americans Series was also another life saver for me when the kids were young. It’s a biography series that was originally written in the 1940s.

The series has grown and expanded through the years and reprinted.

This was one of my kids’ favorite series because of the illustrations and short chapters for young readers.

13. History Pockets by Evan-Moor

This next resource which is History Pockets is such a wonderful hands-on resource that I feel you can use it even for kids in middle school.

Each book comes with a theme. Themed activities such as maps, timelines, minibooks and character descriptions are created for the history pocket.

If your child is not not ready to unleash his history creativity and wants something fun, but more laid out he’ll love the themed history pockets.

Again, some of the themes are for sixth grade, so I know older kids will love them too.

Middle and High School
American History Resources

Moving to teaching middle and high school can be challenging unless you have the right resources.

Don’t be afraid to teach American history with resources you have at your finger tips. It’s easier than you think to create a credit worthy course. Look at my tips How to Create a Creditworthy American History Course (& resources)

Look at the resources which can be used for older kids.

14. Paradigm Accelerate Curriculum Worktexts

When I first looked at Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum, I wasn’t sure it would work for us. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it helped my kids to cover some topics we were lacking.

First, PAC booklets are a worktext. A worktext is different from a workbook.

Unlike a workbook, worktext does some teaching right in the workbook. Worktext are great for teaching kids to be independent. You don’t have to do all the teaching.

Usually some background information along with activities are all built into the lesson plan. It’s like having the textbook and workbook in one spot.

The American History I, America’s Founding Fathers, Events, and Documents (Supplement), are aimed for about eighth grade and American History II is for high school.

15. Guest Hollow High School American History

Guest Hollow is a two year program for high school kids.

If your kids love learning history through literature and good books, they’ll love this program.

16. A History of US Book Series by Joy Hakim

The A History of US series is an usual series that we loved. It’s written in a story form to older students.

The series touts to be for fifth grade to eight grade. I’ve found that even older kids can benefit from the material.

17. Time Travel Adventure with Exceptional Americans Series by Rush Limbaugh

Next, who’d think Rush Limbaugh would have a series of history books, but he does.

What kid or adult (me) wouldn’t love to read about traveling back in time? Historical fiction is a way to also revive a love of history by talking about time travel through history.

The Rush Revere Time Travel Adventure with Exceptional American series is aimed for grades fourth to eighth, but again you know grade levels are subjective. There are five books for now in the series.

18. 19. Modern and Early American History by Beautiful Feet

Beautiful Feet which is one of my favorite homeschool curriculum for living history books and has packs for middle school and high school kids.

The packs can be used anywhere from an advanced 7th grader to high school.

The curriculum has a twist, it’s mixed. It has American history and world history studied together.

This makes sense if you’re trying to connect American history to the bigger picture of how it fits into world history.

20. Dear America series by Scholastic

The Dear America series is for girls. The books are written like diaries looking at events in American history.

Although the book touts for a younger reader closer to a 10 year old girl, I find a few of the elements in some of the books are more suited for an older reader like 14 or 15 years old.

One book mentions something mysterious about a wedding night implying a sexual nature which is not necessary for a young reader.

I mean I have found nothing explicit so far, but feel that innuendo could have been left out if this was for a younger reader.

So I am putting this series here more suited for a middle or high school girl.

Multiple Ages Resources
And All-in-One

Next, there are many resources which can be used stand alone for teaching history, but there are also resources that make planning easy.

Multiple age resources and all-in-one curriculum are those types of helps.

There are advantages to using an all-in-one.

A few advantages of using laid out curriculum are

  • you have less planning;
  • some of them can be used for multiple ages;
  • sometimes plenty of background information is given which can lessen your prep work; and
  • if you need to track hours, it can be easier to do it with laid out curriculum.

Look at some of these resources below. Some are more scripted than others, but all of them are laid out easier than just using a book.

21. Home School in the Woods

This first one is Home School in The Woods because I loved having more ideas for hands-on history.

Like science, I feel history is better understood and appreciated when it’s hands-on or project based.

Sure it takes longer to do activities, but learning like this sticks.

22. Build Your Library Secular Based

Build Your Library is a secular literature approach to history.

You’ll have to purchase the books and the lesson plans are .pdf, but you can certainly combine kids with this unit study approach

. Also, if you’re trying to build a library this a great way to do it. Build your library is good if you’re trying to teach multiple children and want more of a general guide.

23. Notgrass History Christian Based

If you want a unabashedly Christian curriculum, then you’ll love Notgrass History.

Their history is told in a story form and you’ll love all the options for each grade.

24. U.S. History Secular Based By Blossom and Root

Blossom and Root has U.S. history for elementary and middle school kids. It is a complete secular history unit.

25. Memoria Press Uses a Classical Approach

Memoria Press has guides for first grade to high school and uses a classical approach to teaching U.S. history.

Using great books of the past they paired them with history guides to teach different topics of American history at each level.

26. Hillsdale Free U.S. History Courses

Hillsdale College offers free American history courses in the same

You’ll love the free courses on line.

Hillsdale offers courses from a faith-based approach. As stated on their website: “These free, not-for-credit courses are taught by Hillsdale College faculty and are patterned after the education offered on the Hillsdale College campus.”

27. Truthquest History Christian Based

Truthquest history is a literature-based curriculum which can be used for multiple ages.

Instead of having day to day lesson plans, you’re giving guides for each topic. Using real books, this history is more of a unit study approach. If you want to have a guide, but go down bunny trails this curriculum may work for you.

28. All American History Christian Based by Bright Ideas Press

All American History by Bright Ideas Press is a staple in the homeschool community. Homeschool Buyers has it for a considerable discount.

From the site, it says American History is a complete year’s curriculum when combined with the Student Activity Book PDF and Teacher’s Guide. The first volume covers Exploration through 1840.

American History Spines

Living Books, Audio, Video, CD, Online Courses for American History Resources

Last, I’m sharing some other wonderful resources which helps kids with different learning styles and needs. Too, sometimes you need to mix and match as I talked about earlier.

Too, I want you to understand what is a history spine because it’s a fun, but very practical way to teach a content subject like U.S. History.

A spine is a resource you use as your main reference to teach a subject. A spine refers to a backbone. So it’s a resource which can be a living book or reference book which is the backbone of your course of study.

A spine has many advantages and is different than an all-in-one in many ways.

Look at the 5 advantages of using a history spine.

  1. When you choose a history spine, you can narrow your focus. Instead of teaching all of American history in broad strokes, sometimes you need a few key events or people for a deeper study.
  2. In addition, you may want to move quicker on topics if your goal is broad strokes. A general history spine instead of day to day laborious lesson plans may fit your needs this year.
  3. A spine like a living book written in story format helps kids young kids to associate what could be abstract to concrete people and events.
  4. In addition, a history spine can be tweaked to fit exactly the needs of your kids, i.e. rabbit trails.
  5. There is no feeling of being behind when studying American history. You’re just at where you’re kids are at. Then you move on when you’re done.

With that being said, in this section, I have included

  • history living books;
  • audio books for those who want to listen and not so much read;
  • online free courses in video form;
  • and videos using public domain books.

Many years I preferred to use books that were classic and written pre politically correct.

History has the good, the bad, and the really ugly and I wanted to convey all those parts to my kids as I felt they could understand it.

I’d love to rewrite history in some places, but I can’t. So I explained to my kids how some people in the past and why some in the present may still feel one way. Explaining point of views becomes important while using any history resource.

29. The Rainbow Book of American History by Earl Schenck Miers 

The Rainbow Book of American History was published in the 1950s and is a book you can use for a spine.

Remember that vocabulary and terminology are different for that time; keep that in mind if you use a classic book.

DIY American History Resources

30. America: The Last Best Hope

America: The Last Best Hope is another series loved by homeschoolers for a spine, but I haven’t used it. But you recognize the name William J. Bennett for his book The Book of Virtues which is a compilation of moral stories.

31. My America Story Book Audio Using Public Domain Books

Well-educated heart has audio of stories from pre-1924 books in the public domain. Your child can listen or read, It’s free.

32. Drive Thru History Adventure Video/DVD Series

This is a fun twist on history. It’s a 12 part video series on history by “visiting” places. Too, it’s offered in DVD form because not everyone has a great internet connection.

He has different time periods, but the American: Columbus to the Constitution is for American history and the whole family can watch and learn.

33. This Country of Ours by H. E. Marshall 

This Country of Ours is another timeless history keeper. We loved the story format of this book and this is one that you could use for multiple ages too. I feel it’s geared more toward elementary to middle school.

34. American History Stories by Mara Pratt

Again American History Stories by Mara Pratt is what I consider a living book approach to history.

It’s a story format and I would use it for younger kids.

I do think an older kid would benefit from it if they haven’t had a good introduction to history.

Big List of U.S. History Curriculum

35. Jim Hodges American History Audio

This next resource is such a fun one.

Whether you want some help for all the reading aloud you’ve been doing or your child learns better by listening and loves stories, you’ll love Jim Hodges Audio Books.

From Ten Girls from History to American History Stories and True Stories of Great Americans for Young Americans and the Modern U.S. History bundle, you’ll find tons of great resources.

35 Simple But Powerful American History Homeschool Resources K to 12

36. Khan Academy Online Free Videos

When Khan Academy entered the homeschool world it was popular and have gained even more popularity through the years.

Although some teachers used Khan Academy as a stand alone curriculum a lot of homeschoolers supplement with it. Either way you have another option for your learners.

37. Crash Course Online Free Videos

Crash Courses are another favorite of homeschoolers. They too have been around for years with educational videos on many different subjects.

Crash Course has many different history topics you’ll love including the American history section.

This list is by no means the total list of all the resources I’ve been exposed to, but it’s a comprehensive list of homeschool favorites. Pssst! They work.

What else do you like to use for teaching American history to your kids?

Look at these other American history lapbooks, unit studies, and tips here to help round out your study.

Hugs and love ya,

How to Choose the Best Middle School Literature And Favorite Resources

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today in how to choose the best middle school literature I want to help you conquer the overwhelm by giving you a few seasoned homeschooler secrets.

Best Middle School Literature

When I approached the middle school years, there was no lack of middle school literature lists.

I loved having the lists, but I quickly learned that having tips on how to choose literature for my teen was better.

So first, look at these four questions asked and answered full of tips to help you decide which books are best for your family.

Four Middle School Literature Questions Asked and Answered

How to Choose the Best Middle School Literature And Favorite Resources

Question 1.
Should I Read Every Book My Child Reads?

The answer is complicated. It’s both yes and no. The way you determine if it’s a yes or no is your purpose.

For example, if you’re wanting to use literature for analysis and to engage your child with understanding an author’s purpose it’s hard to do that unless you read the book.

Middle school is the time that most kids can do some introductory analysis. If you’re wanting to fill the literature requirement for just reading or for enjoyment, the answer is no.

I couldn’t read every book my kids chose, but focused on reading the few we would used for analysis. That secret tip helped me conquer the literature overwhelm in middle school.

In addition, this site for Banned and Challenged Books gives you an idea of the theme or worldview behind some books.

Question 2.
How many books should my kid read each year?

That is another subjective answer. Some kids are voracious readers others not so much.

But if you’re using the literature to fill a credit (yes you can get high school credit in middle school), you’ll want to set your goal for a realistic amount.

Looking over some literature lists for middle schooled kids, I’ve seen some unreachable numbers.

Whatever the number of books you come up with lower it. It’s so much better to get through a handful of books with meaningful discussions than to overestimate and rush through them.

That is disheartening for both teacher and kid. Remember you can always add more literature for analysis anytime during the year.

I’ve had different requirements with each kid as my circumstances were different each year, but a good rule of thumb at this age was to analyze between 4 to 6 books or less.

Some years we did more, other years I struggled to get through three books, but it was still solid language arts.

The other books were pure pleasure and met my reading requirement.

Middle School Homeschool

Again, this is NOT all your child will read, but it’s the amount you want him to read to help him with the critical thinking part of literature.

Question 3.
Do I want my child to integrate other subjects or skills or to use literature as stand-alone?

My answer is to integrate as much as possible. My preference from the time I learned about how to integrate was to use this method for all literature.

Integrate means to combine several skills or to combine subjects. By integrating skills or subjects,

  • your child learns the practical application of grammar, vocabulary, or writing in a way that makes sense;
  • the areas of language arts that your child is weak at can be strengthened. For example, he sees the correct spelling of a word in literature and applies it to his writing;
  • your child can choose literature choices based on his interests or to cover a subject he may not like as well. Unlike public school, your child doesn’t have to follow arbitrary lists. Too, if he is not passionate about history, then well-written fiction prose can help him to fill a history credit. Literature can make a history time period come alive while filling both a literature and history requirement in a more fun way; and
  • one unexpected benefit was that my kids learned study skills and research skills.

Literature Analysis for Middle School

Question 4.
Should I require my child to write book reports?

Although it’s not necessary for kids to write book reports, understanding the purpose of a book report lets you decide if it’s for your family.

Book reports, oral or written, are the blueprints for high school literary analysis.

The point is not whether you assign a book report or not, it’s that your child understands things like elements of fiction, genre, and figures of speech.

Whether you choose to do this orally, through a book report, a lapbook, or reading journal, it’s your choice. I have only one kid that loved book reports, but I orally reviewed with each kid the assigned books.

Next, look at this list of questions to include in a written book report or to go over them orally:

  • Was it better that . . . ?
  • What do you think . . . ?
  • In your opinion . . . ?
  • How would you change the character to . . . ?
  • How is ____ tied in or related to ____?
  • What choice would you have made ____?

Now that you have a quick overview of some of the general tips about how to choose middle school literature, look at this list of books.

Remember that you can choose classics, follow a history theme, favorite author or do a balance of genres. There are many genres to choose from.

Of course, if your child is college bound you will want to do a variety of genre even in junior high.

Literature for Middle School Homeschool

And one final thought there is a huge difference in maturity between sixth grade and eighth grade.

Keep that in mind in looking over this literature list as I provided options for different reading levels. This list below is a mix of literature that works well for this age, but you can always add to it.

Books for Middle School Kids

Alternatively, you may want to use something besides just a reader or the literature.

Middle School Literature Teacher Guides, Themed Guides and All-in-One Curriculum

For my first time teaching literature at the middle school level I loved using teacher helps and many times I used them as life happened. Why reinvent the wheel?

You can choose a book along with a teacher guide to help you teach the important parts of the book or use an all-in-one guide or curriculum.

Look at some of your options below.

How to Choose the Best Middle School Literature And Favorite Resources

I love Lightning Literature and they’re perfect for the older grades because they have a schedule which helps when you’re first beginning to teach literature.

Still, I had the tendency to over teach literary analysis, but key to keeping it fun is to do a bit each day.

Then, Language Arts Through Literature series is timeless. Their middle and high school grades are solid.

It is a Charlotte Mason gentle approach to literature and fits a lot of my likes; it takes an integrated approach which aligns with how I feel beautiful literature should be learned.

However, one of my VERY favorite resources for middle school kids was created by another homeschool mom.

You’ll love Literary Adventures for Kids which is online and self-paced. You choose the books and course and your child goes at his own pace. All the stress and prep for learning about literature was taken out.

If you’re looking for something that your child can do on his own, or you don’t have time to read every book, you’ll love Literary Adventures for Kids.

Also, Progeny Press Study Guides have been timeless.

My kids can pick the book they want to read and we find the accompanying study guide. The guides cover background information, vocabulary, literary analysis, and more.

In addition, be sure you check out the discounted resources at Homeschool Buyers Co-op Language Arts section. There are many discounted providers for literature guides.

Homeschool Helps for Middle School

Another favorite has been the literature unit guides by Teacher Created Resources. Although they are created for a classroom, I’ve been able to get many ideas to flesh out with my kids.

Additionally, Memoria Press literature guides are grade level literature units which also have helped me at this age.

Next, Beautiful Feet literature are some of my favorite themed literature units.

Covering history and literature simultaneously helped us to learn how to utilize our time and widen our reading diet.

If your child loves history, then integrating history and literature together makes practical use of your child’s time.

Did I mention that reading doesn’t become a chore, but becomes a time you and your child look forward to during the day?

Finally, paying attention to detail looks different for each book with each child, but that is the purpose of literature analysis. Too, our children can come to view each book loved as an artistic expression. It’s quite possible.

What books are you using for literature analysis for middle school kids?

You’ll love some of these other helps for middle school kids.

Hugs and love ya,

How to Choose the BEST Homeschool Middle and High School Language Arts Curriculum & Options

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

How to choose the best homeschool middle and high school language arts curriculum can be intimidating unless you have a road map.

Knowing the elements of language arts is important; knowing that not every teen needs the same amount of instruction for each component is equally important.

Before I dive into creating a middle and high school language arts curriculum road map, you need to see my post Free Middle and High School Homeschool Language Arts.

Using free language arts curriculum before you make a purchase can be especially helpful for many reasons:

  • Budget friendly curriculum allows you to assess problem areas in greater detail without busting the budget;
  • A free curriculum can be used as a reference alongside a purchased curriculum;
  • Your teen may need review in just a couple of areas and you can save your hard earned dollars to buy language arts where he requires in-depth focus or help;
  • Returning to free curriculum resources throughout the middle and high school years helps your teen review quickly; and
  • Let’s face it. Teen curriculum resources can be pricey, so having many options at your fingertips helps.

Let’s start with a language arts road map.

Step one is knowing the language arts components.

Step 1. Identify the Language Arts Components.

The easiest, but most useful definition is that English language arts is any subject to do with written or oral communication, including listening.

Right away you can see that some things are not formally taught or don’t have to be taught in isolation.

For example, from the time your teen was a toddler, you started speaking to him in full sentences. He learned your language through the art of conversation and discussion. That part still continues in the teen years.

Too, especially at the middle and high school years, teens need to make sense out of what they have been learning.

Combining language arts elements makes language arts practical and gives teens a reason to understand it.

For example, grammar can be revised or used while a teen writes an essay.

Next, let’s dive into the subject breakdown of what is language arts so you know that you’re covering it and that you choose the subjects your teen needs.

Language arts includes all facets of English: phonics, reading/literature, spelling/vocabulary, grammar, composition, and penmanship. In addition, it includes oral speech.

By this age your child has probably learned to read and write.

So penmanship turns to composition and reading becomes literature. Phonics is now spelling.

Step 2. Isolate the Language Arts Components Needed for Middle and High School Teens.

To help clarify this even further, here are the language art subjects for middle and high school grades.

  • Literature which is reading and could include literary analysis
  • Grammar
  • Spelling (if still needed)
  • Vocabulary
  • Composition

These subjects are the ones that most language arts all-in-one programs cover.

Next, now that you know the subjects that fall under the language arts umbrella, look at some of these homeschool language arts curriculum for middle and high school kids.

Step 3. Choose the EXACT Components Your Teen Needs OR Choose an All-in-One Curriculum.

Before you choose language arts, pay attention to the details to see if it’s an all-in-one program which covers most of the subjects for language arts OR if it’s just one component.

I have organized the elements for you so you can quickly see the choices for your child.

Grammar Homeschool Curriculum For Teens

Too, some of the resources can be used as a guidebook to assist your teen in his writing.

The first one I’m diving into is grammar. Grammar is the rules of a language.

Your teen has learned some of the rules naturally, so some of these resources can be used as a reference. Other resources can be used as separate curriculum to shore up any weakness

Look at this list of homeschool grammar curriculum.

Although I feel grammar is best covered in conjunction with writing so a teen sees the value, there are some teens who need grammar in isolation.

Before looking next at the composition options, keep a few key points in mind. If a teen is struggling with penmanship remember that he can type his essays.

Try to not make composition always about penmanship. Yes, it’s about doing neat work, but that is for the final draft.

Composition is about learning how to compose his thoughts. So if you have a teen struggling in both penmanship and composition, focus on one or the other until he gets more practice. Go gentle in what you require of him if he is struggling.

Composition Homeschool Curriculum For Teens

Now, look at some of the composition choices.

Literature Homeschool Curriculum For Teens

You would think it would be easier to choose an all in one program which covered a bit of most of the components of language arts. It may or may not be.

The problem at this level is that most providers are assuming that your teen has had a fair amount of each component of language arts.

If you’ve switched homeschool approaches or resources, like most of us have, then you want to be sure you’re clear on what is the focus of the all-in-one language arts curriculum.

For example, it’s been my experience that curriculum may focus more on composition, while another one covers more literary analysis. While yet another resource may focus heavily on grammar.

All-In-One Language Arts Homeschool Curriculum for Teens

So the important point I’m making is look over the scope and sequence so that you make a good fit for your teen.

Next, look at the options for all-in-one language arts programs.

Step 4. Combine Many Components of Language Arts for Lasting Benefits.

Finally, the most important benefit of teaching language arts to our teens is so that it sticks with them. Understanding the mechanics of the English languages connects our teens to great minds of the past.

In addition, teaching valuable thinking skills is an important part of communication whether verbal or written.

For language arts to have lasting benefit and to teach thinking skills, combining the components of language arts is a superior way to teach.

When a teen works with a piece of literature, he focuses on grammar, writing, vocabulary, and spelling to name a few.

We want our teens to have a solid foundation for language arts whether he chooses a career track or college track.

Look at these other posts for homeschooling middle and high school teens.

Hugs and love ya,

5 Creative Ways to Boost Handwriting in Older Kids

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Whether your kids have been in public school where handwriting or cursive was not a priority or your kids are humdrum about the whole penmanship process, I have some tips to help with handwriting in older kids.

First, there are three things you need to decide as you go through your homeschool journey which would have helped me keep things clear as I taught each kid cursive.

If you think there is a learning disability, go slower or cut lessons to half, or switch to typing. Also, check out the checklist below for dyslexia.

Dyslexia Screening Checklist

It can be a game changer to learn to type when penmanship holds a kid back from essays or composing.

Next, you need to decide what is your standard for what is acceptable penmanship.

My standard was at least one well-written assignment each day. I didn’t exact it on every assignment.

Penmanship for Older Kids

I encouraged a neat standard or my kids best every day, but accepted close enough many times when there was more of a struggle on a particular day.

What I learned was that although I preferred neat on every assignment, my kids set a bar of excellence for themselves once they mastered the neatness of handwriting.

Third, adding to the cloud of confusion for handwriting, some educators today want to tout that cursive or a lot of writing will be a thing of the past and it will be replaced by tablets.

That mindset wasn’t the majority when I first started homeschooling, but changing times in education doesn’t always equate with better or an upgrade.

In homeschool, you set your standard for excellence in education.

Me? Because reading and writing have always been connected and I see that connection in my own 20 years of experience, I will continue to advocate penmanship, legible handwriting, and cursive as the hallmarks of a well-educated man.

In addition, I will support creative ways for kids to express their thoughts who have disabilities.

We don’t have to make a choice of either or in homeschool; we homeschool so we can have the best of both worlds.

Look at these 5 (okay I have a bit more) creative ways to encourage and boost the penmanship in your older kids.

ONE.
Short cards and letters still work!

The excitement of receiving a card or short letter from a friend can still get an older kid giddy.

One of my teen sons was delighted to get a card from his best friend. I was shocked of course thinking he had outgrew letter writing, but receiving a card was personal. It works.

Too, because a greeting card can be short, it’s not overwhelming for a kid who struggles with writing to pen a few thoughts.

Knowing that receiving a card was an object of affection I used that short card for easy handwriting lessons. It was different too when he received that versus a card from grandparents. I think it was because it was his peer. Whatever the case, it worked.

TWO.
Combine art or science with writing.

Art uses a lot of fine motor skills in a natural way.

Don’t underestimate the value of drawing or studying art while a kid improves his cursive or print.

Art gives a fun slant to what may otherwise be considered a boring skill to master. Look at Art History Kids to combine art and writing.

Also, look at the series Pictures in Cursive which is a cursive writing program based on picture study of classic works of art.

It’s a useful way to reinforce cursive while not doing baby-ish work. The different levels of the program correspond to letters and not grades so you can decide the placement for your struggling writer.

If you have a science lover, labeling and working on a science journal gives value to the need to write legibly.

THREE.
Quotes, knock-knock jokes, journaling, and poetry work too.

A few more things I pulled out of my arsenal are inspirational quotes, knock- knock jokes, and journaling.

If you’re a Bible reader, the Proverbs are filled with words of wisdom and are great for small passages of copywork.

Also, motivational quotes can be powerful for kids who want to succeed, but may feel defeated because of their lack of penmanship.

Tips to Improve Handwriting in Older Kids

This site Everyday Power has 150 inspirational quotes for kids to reinforce a positive mindset each day while brushing up on their penmanship. Like us, kids want to empower themselves instead of always being told.

Then, I had another son who struggled at one time with his penmanship. He is our fun loving kid.

Instead of taking a serious note, I turned to a knock-knock joke book. They’re short, pretty corny, and just what a kid who is taking himself too serious needs. Laughing the whole time while writing was worth every bit of him telling me the jokes, over, over, over, and….okay.

Most kids love journaling when they know it’s not going to be criticized. Journaling was one way I could tell how my kids’ penmanship was naturally developing or not.

My kids never knew why I insisted on journaling because I never insisted on grading it.

If I saw a weakness like a letter sloppy or not formed correctly, I could work on direct instruction with them or work on another daily assignment showing correct letter formation and not grade or criticize the journaling which was from their heart.

Journaling stayed fun while giving me a glimpse each year of how their penmanship was truly developing.

Another son of mine loved poetry. Poetry is supposed to be read outloud and it’s meant to be enjoyed.

My suggestion is when you’re not studying poetry formally, then copying favorite passages not only strengthens fine motor skills, but feeds creativity.

The Charlotte Mason approach encourages focusing on a single poet for a year or term. If your older kid found one particular poet fascinating like mine did with Edgar Allen Poe, then copy the famous works of that one poet.

Handwriting Tips for Older Students

It not only feeds an older’s child’s desire to learn what he wants, but it associates enjoyment with the art of writing.

Look at my tips in The Ultimate Guide to Poetry for Multiple Ages (For the Intimidated).

FOUR.
Direct handwriting instruction creative? Maybe.

Coming in sideways is one way to teach, but some kids need direct instruction too. I liked this next resource because it does teach cursive in a more simplified format.

Unlike teaching a child cursive from the beginning, most older kids like adults have already established some form of writing that is normally a combination of print and cursive.

So, teaching traditional cursive to an older child can backfire. A simplified version of cursive can be a better fit for an older child.

This workbook uses a form of cursive that is more free of the extra loops found in most traditional cursive. It’s less intimidating when teaching teens.

FIVE.
Lists, copywork, short stories, and topics kids love no matter how silly give value to learning how to write well.

Teaching kids life skills rates high for most of us as homeschoolers. And making lists can be taught as a life skill.

This was one area hard for me because I tend to organize everything in our school and home including the grocery lists or any other lists. I’m a list maker.

I used to create food lists on the refrigerator then that morphed into using lists on my phone. For a while I went back to paper lists so my son could use his writing for a useful purpose.

In addition, we made lists of adjective and verbs to keep in his writer’s notebook as reference pages for his composition.

It was a great way to sneak in more handwriting and way my son felt was useful to him instead of just being assigned some tracing work.

One of the best ways that worked hands down for all my writers no matter what age is copywork.

Modeling is a great teacher. The beauty of copywork is that if your child is not minding the details of handwriting like commas or capitalization, then copywork helps him to look at the details.

Copying beautiful passages or from sources that a kid loves whether it’s history, poetry, science, or even jokes, boosts his spelling, grammar, and the mechanics of punctuation.

When he models the writing of great writers of the past or present, he sees a pattern to follow and can set a standard for himself.

Whether your kids have been in public school where handwriting or cursive was not a priority or your kids are humdrum about the whole penmanship process, I have some tips to help with handwriting in older kids. CLICK HERE for these AWESOME tips! #homeschooling #handwriting #penmanship

Don’t give up on your older kids or make each day about head-butting.

His lack of skill is apparent each day to him. He needs creative ways to strengthen his fine motor skills and need to pay attention to the details of letter formation while enjoying his everyday work.

Let me know what other creative ways have worked for you!

You’ll love these other great tips!

Hugs and love ya,