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readingcomprehension

54+ Fun Books Turned Movies to Spark a Love For Reading

December 16, 2020 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Living in a world of visual learners, we need numerous ways to nurture their love for reading. Today, I’ve rounded up 54+ fun books turned movies to spark a love for reading.

Whether you want to do a comparison between a book to a movie or want to breathe life into language arts, you’ll love the choices here.

54+ Fun Books Turned Movies to Spark a Love For Reading

Books Turned Movies

Click on the book cover for the book link and the corresponding movie link is under it.

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Too, here are a few questions to stir your creative conversations about the movie.

I like to have a set of questions to give my kids ahead of time. They can think about the answer while the movie is playing, then discuss afterwards.

  • What do you think is the message of the movie? Which part in the movie makes you feel that way?
  • What do you predict will happen?
  • Are there any expressions which you don’t understand?

Teaching Language Arts with Movies

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Comparing Kids Books to Movies

Additionally, here are a few ideas if you use the book with the movie.

  • Instead of having a child write, use compare/contrast visual charts.
  • Then use a rating system. Did your child like the movie or book best? We did this while watching and realized many times we loved the book better, but not always. My kids would just down a few words for the part they either liked or didn’t on the movie, then we’d compare at the end.
  • Do a character sketch. Instead of writing about the character, have your child draw them from what they think they look like from the book. Compare their visualization with the movie.

Click on the book cover for the book link and the corresponding movie link is under it.

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Teaching Reading with Movies

And besides turning the caption on in movies for beginner readers which is a fun tip, here are a few other ways to teach reading with movies.

  • Look for movies which align closer to the book because I’ve found for visual learners it’s easier to remember the story.
  • Character sketches can be drawn in reading journals then write the traits.
  • Although the movie is not like an audio book, it can still be viewed like that. Have your child predict outcomes.
  • Have your child listen and watch with the closed captions for figurative expressions and new vocabulary words.

However, unlike an audio book, a movie is visual. Your child’s spelling can improve by watching the captions.

In addition, remember I have the free form, Free and Useful Editable Movie Report For Homeschool which you can use in place of a book report.

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Another one of my favorite resources to teach about movies and language arts is by Literary Adventures for Kids.

Check out Poetry and a Movie.

We loved doing the unit Poetry and a Movie.

54+ Fun Books Turned Movies to Spark a Love For Reading

Is The Book Better Than The Movie

Additionally, deciding whether the book or movie is better is normally a cause for great conversation in my home. 

I read one time when a book turns movie it can focus on the outside of the character while a book spends time describing what a character is on the inside. I agree.

True, some movies are better, but as a book lover overall I prefer the descriptions in books.

Click on the book cover for the book link and the corresponding movie link is under it.

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54+ Fun Books Turned Movies to Spark a Love For Reading

Appreciating Literature Through Movies

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Homeschooling with Netflix

Next, I have this list too of books turned movies which can be found on Netflix.

  • There is a series of Unfortunate Events.
  • Anne Frank.
  • The Lorax
  • Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2.
  • Pride & Prejudice.
  • The Indian in the Cupboard
  • War Horse
  • Mowgli from The Jungle Book
  • White Fang
  • The Cat in the Hat
  • Jurassic Park
  • Green Eggs and Ham
  • Benji
  • Les Miserables
  • Richie Rich
  • E.T.
  • Fiddler on the Roof
  • Magic School Bus
  • Chicken Little

Another fun resource you’ll love to get is the guide to use Movies as Literature. It’s very comprehensive.

Lastly, the list above is by no means complete, but it has many different levels of books turned movies; I know you’ll find one or two to interest your kids.

I think you’ll love these other resources:

  • Best Homeschool High School Literature Suggestions For Teens
  • 12 of the Best Books For Beginner Readers Being Homeschooled
  • How to Easily Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies (& Resources)
  • Free and Useful Editable Movie Report For Homeschool
  • How to Choose the Best Middle School Literature And Favorite Resources
  • 20 Ideas for Bringing Writing Alive through Unit Studies
  • What You’ve Got To Know About Teaching Reading Comprehension
  • When Should I Start Teaching Spelling in Homeschool?

Do you have a favorite book turned movie?

2 CommentsFiled Under: Be an Exceptional Homeschool Teacher, Do Unit Studies, Homeschool Multiple Ages of Children, Homeschool Simply, Homeschool Teens _ From Teen to Graduation, Homeschool When Nobody Wants To, Middle School Homeschool, Reading Lists, Teach Homeschool Language Arts, Teach Homeschool Science, Teach Unit Studies Tagged With: homeschool, homeschoolreading, language arts, languagearts, movies, read aloud, reading, reading journal, readingcomprehension

12 of the Best Books For Beginner Readers Being Homeschooled

December 8, 2020 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Finding the best books for beginner readers was at the top of my list when I sat my first homeschooled grad on my lap at 3 years old to teach him to read.

Books for Beginner Readers

Equally important was learning the other skills I needed as the homeschool educator to teach him to read.

Like many educators who have their first budding reader I too was overly worried about the process.

First, look at some of these tips for teaching beginning readers which have worked for me through my many years of homeschooling.

12 of the Best Books For Beginner Readers Being Homeschooled
  • Trust that the process is natural. Unless your child has special needs or a disability to hamper learning how to read, he will learn to read. What I’m saying is that children learning to read are learning with every breath they take. Seizing their love of learning in their organic environment (your home and your lap) is where the seed is planted.
  • In addition, I didn’t realize the value of my habit of reading aloud to my first reader and reading silently. The point is from the beginning I was placing not just a high value on the skill of reading, but a love for it. Although you may not think so now, teaching a child a child to read can be quite easy compared to teaching him to be a lifelong reader. Lifelong readers model what they see.
  • Next, like a lot of new homeschool educators, I concentrated on intensity instead of consistency. That was a mistake and I almost gave up homeschooling. So the power of little and often cements a pattern for how your child learns to read. Short fun spurts throughout the day teaching your child to read is how to make true progress.

Timeless Tips for Beginner Readers

Picture Books Library Lists

Second, remember that while you’re teaching your child to read, he will need direct phonics instructions.

Not only are you training his eyes to read or decipher (decoding), but you’re training his ears to hear sounds (encoding).

On top of that, remember to look at the BIGGER picture as you embark on your journey to teaching your child to read.

Direct phonics will help your child to decode words, and training his ear to distinguish between sounds and writing the correct symbol for that sound is encoding.

The Power of Little and Often

What I’m saying is that you want to pair a phonics program along with teaching your child to read.

Look at some of these helps:

  • 5 Easy Steps to Putting Together Your Own Homeschool Phonics Program and
  • How to Build Elementary Homeschool Curriculum Directly From Amazon
All About Reading

In addition, you also want plenty of time reading aloud to your child which doesn’t include direct instruction.

You constantly want to reaffirm that reading is enjoyable, meaningful, and should be pain free. Keeping that warm and fuzzy feeling for reading is essential.

Books that Help Kids Learn to Read

So read below about books which make it easier for teaching beginner readers being homeschooled.

Book 1. Bob Books.

The set of Bob books have been keepers for years in the homeschool world and there are several reasons.

One is because it normally takes only about 10 to 15 minutes a day. The second reason is that the books hold your child’s attention and are short.

Book 2. Dick and Jane Series.

You’ll get mixed feedback on the Dick and Jane series that so many parents remember from their childhood.

Although what may seem as funny repetition, the books works for budding readers.

New readers need the constant repetition found in these series of books.

Too, it’s been my experience that struggling readers do well with this series since the text is predictable.

Repeated Practice Equals Mastering

Book 3. Maisy Mouse Books.

Then, Mouse Mouse book series hails from England and your kid gets a nice influence to other cultures.

While reading about everyday things like bedtime, your beginning reader is entertained while his reading skills are sharpened. It’s just a fun and sweet series which entertains your kids.

Book 4. Usborne Phonics Readers.

The beauty of the phonics readers is that text is still predictable and rhyming.

Decoding which is the common thread with phonics readers makes the Usborne phonics readers a keeper.

Remember the power of little lessons done often creates a master reader.

Book 5. Usborne Very First Reading Books.

Next, this series Usborne Very First Reading Books are timeless and I love them because they encourage parent and child to read together.

There is one part for the parent to read and one part for the child to read. Did I mention they’re just fun?

This series of books to me are for the child who has had his introduction to phonics and is ready for his first reader. It’s still easy reading while being fun.

Book 6. Cat in the Hat Series.

I remember using the Cat in the Hat series to teach my first reader and every kid after him.

However, I had no idea how this series of books set up all my kids for reading success lifelong. Maybe Theodor Geisel didn’t have a clue either.

I remember reading how Dr. Seuss was trying to kill the 1950s Dick and Jane series which some viewed as boring

Whatever the case, building stories around sight words is not easy. Building a silly story with sight words is what worked for all of my kids. Too, this series is great for many ages, not just beginning readers.

Book 7. Repetitive books like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See

Additionally, filling my bookshelves and yes floor with books with repetitive texts like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See was something else I did right.

Little did I know then that repetitive text in fun books in how kids learn to read.

Multiple exposures to text encourages mastery.

Know that readers are nurtured by reading nursery rhymes at the newborn to preschool ages turns to repetitive text in books in the early years of reading. That equals mastery and brings meaning to reading.

Book 8. Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie Series

Although the Elephant and Piggie series is classified closer to a first grade level, grade levels are subjective; we know that as home educators.

Besides you need a variety of levels as your child repeats and reads higher level books. Then he backs up and reviews basic concepts from lower grade levels.

Reading well is accomplished by pushing the boundaries to the next level without your child feeling any pressure.

12 of the Best Books For Beginner Readers Being Homeschooled

I learned that reading is like weaving or folding in different concepts. A child retraces basic steps going what appears backwards at times as he stretches forward to learn to read at a higher level.

So having a variety of books at your fingertips is key.

9. McGuffey’s Eclectic Readers.

Then, the McGuffey’s Eclectic Readers are a staple in a lot of homeschool libraries and mine is no exception.

There is a reason that books from 1836 are loved by us and that is because of their rich language.

Besides the fact they’re free, the series spans several grade levels. I’ve used these books to teach reading and when my kids struggled with reading.

Over at the Happy Homeschool Mom she has linked the readers in pdf for you. Nice!

If you want to purchase the physical books here is the link for the McGuffey Eclectic Readers.

10. I Can Read Series.

Too, besides long time favorites, I love newer-ish book series too.

The I Can Read series is one of those newer flexible options compared to how long homeschoolers have been using the McGuffey readers.

One of the best things about the I Can Read series is the multiple levels.

From prek to level 4 you have many choices of fun stories to go up and down in level to repeat texts as your budding reader needs it.

11. I Can Read It Series.

Next, like the other readers listed with controlled vocabulary which means that a handful of words are repeated, the I Can Read It Series does the same.

What I also love about them as a parent is not just the predictable text, but in the fourth volume there is a word list which is helpful to me.

12. Hello Reader Series

Lastly, I used the Hello Readers from Scholastic to not only teach my new readers, but the sight word practice found in each book was needed for my kids

I know some of these books will work for you because they have worked for homeschool families for years. Our needs at home vary because we want to teach phonics, love of reading, and sight words all in a natural way.

Our tools and books we choose should help us to nurture lifelong readers so I know you’ll love these.

Do you have other favorite new reader series?

You’ll love these other tips which work solidly for me through the years for beginner readers.

  • How To Get Your First Homeschooled Child Reading
  • Awesome Reading Aloud Tracking Time Homeschool Form
  • 6 Boy Approved Books Which Spark the Love of Reading
  • 6 Tricks for the Kid That’s NOT in Love with Reading!
  • Homeschool Colorful Reading Journal to Motivate Kids
  • 25 Fun Learning Apps and YouTube Videos for Little Learners
  • 5 Easy Steps to Putting Together Your Own Homeschool Phonics Program
  • How to Know What A Homeschooled Child Should Learn Yearly?
  • How to Teach Homeschool Preschool From the Inside Out (And Preschool Skills)

Hugs and love ya,

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Teach Homeschool Language Arts, Teach Homeschool Preschool Tagged With: book lists, books, homeschool preschool, homeschoolreading, preschool, preschool skills, reading, readingcomprehension

20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors

June 16, 2020 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This list of twenty nature-inspired kids novels are the types of books which helps kids connect to the outdoors. Whether you’re wanting kids to step away from their devices, looking for a nature-inspired book for a unit study, or you want to inspire your kid’s inner naturalist, look at this roundup of books.

20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors
The Illustrated Call of the Wild: Original First Edition

Call of the Wild by Jack London for ages 12 and up.

A classic story of survival from the perspective of Buck, a kidnapped Saint Bernard who is forced into being a sled dog during the Klondike Gold Rush.

Set in the Alaskan wilderness during the 1890s, the descriptions are stunning and take readers right to the freezing temperatures of the Yukon.

Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell for ages 8 to 12.

A young girl is left deserted on a pacific island off the coast of California. Karana must forage for food, build weapons for protection, and make clothes for covering.

A story of strength and resilience that will inspire. Beautifully written and perfect taking the readers to an island filled with dolphins, otters, and sea birds.

These activities will go along with this book.

  • Foraging and Feasting Nature Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook
  • How to Dissolve a Seashell – Beach Hands-on Fun Activity
  • Super Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: Original Illustrations

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain for ages 12 and up.

This classic, set near the Mississippi River in the 1840s follows Tom and his adventures through plenty of outdoor shenanigans.

Look at this activity Lewis & Clark – Mighty Mississippi book & Sediment Activity to go along with this book.

Nature Books for Kids

Travel to the river with Tom and Huck with this fully illustrated edition!

Hatchet

Hatchet by Gary Paulson ages 11 and up.

The sole survivor of a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian Roberson, finds himself stranded in the Canadian wilderness. He must fend for himself.

Brian slowly learns the survivor skills he needs to stay alive, building shelter, making fire, and foraging for food.

This novel takes the reader through a fifty-four-day journey of perseverance that forever changes a young man and his perspective about life and family. 

Gary Paulson has many other novels that are set in the wilderness, and spends his personal time split between Alaska, New Mexico, Minnesota, and the Pacific.

Nature Book List for Kids

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen (2005-12-27)

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen for ages 12 and up.

Carli Hiassen is known for his descriptions of Florida and the endangered wildlife that inhabit the state.

This book takes readers on an eco-adventure full of everything from the town’s well know bully to potty-trained alligators. There is a movie that would make a fun follow-up too.

Paddle-to-the-Sea (Sandpiper Books)

Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling C. Holling for ages 8 to 12.

Follow a young boy as he travels from The Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean in this adventurous novel that brings geography to life.

This author has many other titles perfect for nature study.

The Secret Garden (HarperClassics)

The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett for ages 9 to 12.

An orphaned girl is sent to live with her great uncle and discovers a secret garden on his Yorkshire Moors property.

The lush garden is the young girl’s only escape.

This edition is beautifully illustrated by Tasha Tudor. Recreate some of the pictures or draw a scene from the book. 

The Secret Lake: A children’s mystery adventure

The Secret Lake by Karen Inglis for ages 8 to 12.

This book is a time-traveling mystery adventure of two kids who find a pathway to a secret lake and one hundred years old garden.

Nancy Drew meets The Secret Garden in this modern novel sure to become a favorite. 

Nature-Based Fiction for Kids

The Sign of the Beaver

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare for ages 10 to 12.

Thirteen-year-old Matt is left to survive on his own in the Maine wilderness.

This is a story filled with descriptive detail about survival in the wilderness and the relationships between settlers and natives in the 1700s.

Look at my other activities here to go along with this book.

  • French and Indian War 1754 -1763
  • 15 Hands-on History Ideas for Kids Studying the French and Indian War
The Swiss Family Robinson (An Illustrated Classic)

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Davide Wyss for ages 10 and up.

A classic story of one family’s survival after being shipwrecked in the East Indies on their way to Australia.

They live on a deserted island for ten years. A book filled with adventure, lots of exotic animals, and plenty of survival skills.

The Snow Child: A Novel (Pulitzer Prize in Letters: Fiction Finalists)

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey for ages High School.

Set in snowy Alaska in 1920, a couple desperate for a baby, build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow is gone, but a young girl is found running in the woods.

She hunts with a red fox by her side and survives on her own in the Alaskan wilderness. The couple’s lives are changed forever, as they grow to love the child as their own.

My Side of the Mountain (Puffin Modern Classics)

My Side of The Mountain by Jean Craighead George for ages 8 to 12.

Sam Gribley runs away from New York City to the mountains and must survive on his own.

The descriptions of nature are detailed, and it is the perfect choice for learning real-life survival skills.

The book’s rich vocabulary will make for a great read-aloud.

Our Journey Westward

Kids Novels to Inspire the Love of Outdoors

Summer of the Woods (The Virginia Mysteries)

Summer of The Woods by Stephen K. Smith for ages 8 to 12.

A summer packed with outdoor adventure! Follow these kids as they discover the Virginian woods where they find secret caves, rushing waters, and rare treasure. 

These books would be awesome for a state study of Virginia, as there are several more in the series that takes the reader to historical sites throughout the state.

The Last Unicorn

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle for ages 13 and up.

A lone unicorn ventures out on her own to find more of her kind.

Set in an enchanted forest, readers escape to the wood with this classic fantasy fiction.

The Wind in the Willows

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame for ages 8 and up.

Four animals live among the Thames Valley in England.

A classic novel about adventure, morality, and friendship is also well known for its depiction of nature.

The Wild Robot (The Wild Robot (1))

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown for ages 10 to 12.

Can a Robot survive in the wild? Find out as Roz learns to survive the wilderness.

Fans of the movie Wall-E will enjoy this adventurous story about the clash of technology and nature. The book includes lots of descriptions of nature and animals.

Riding the Flume (Aladdin Historical Fiction)

Riding the Fume by Patricia Curtis Pfitsch for ages 11 to 13.

Set among the giant sequoia trees in California, the novel is about a young girl faced with the discovery that her sister who died years earlier may still be alive. A must-read!

Nature Living Books

Nature Girl

Nature Girl by Jane Kelly for ages 8 to 12.

Eleven-year-old Megan is without internet and TV in the Vermont woods for the summer.

Our Journey Westward

When she gets lost on the Appalachian Trail, she decides to hike all the way to Massachusetts where her best friend lives.

Get ready for a hike with this adventure novel!

Where the Red Fern Grows
20 Nature-Inspired Kids' Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls for ages 9 to 14.

Set in the hills of the Ozarks, young Billy, and his two dogs explore the countryside.

This is a timeless tale of love and loss and the special bond between a boy and his best friends, two pups named Old Dan and Little Ann.

Wish

Wish by Barabra O’Connor for ages 9 to 12.

Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, a young girl makes the same wish every after year.

This is a sweet story about a girl and a newfound furry friend.

I hope one of these 20 nature-inspired books will teach your kids about nature and revive a love of the great outdoors.

Look at some of these other ideas:

  • 6 Boy Approved Books Which Spark the Love of Reading
  • 6 Tricks for the Kid That’s NOT in Love with Reading!
  • 5 BEST Books to Create an Around the World Unit Study (and Hands-on Activities)
  • 5 Steps to Choosing Geography Living Books Your Children Will Love
  • 6 Fun and Free Nature Studies to Beat the Doldrums

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Graduate a Homeschooler, Homeschool Boys, Homeschool Multiple Ages of Children, Homeschool Simply, Homeschool Teens _ From Teen to Graduation, Middle School Homeschool, Teach Homeschool Language Arts Tagged With: book lists, homeschoolanguagearts, homeschoolreading, livingbooks, nature, nature study, read aloud, reading, readingcomprehension, science, sciencecurriculum

How To Get Your First Homeschooled Child Reading

June 19, 2019 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Nothing is more thrilling than hearing the sweet voice of your first homeschooled child reading. That is something only another homeschool educator can fully appreciate.

Teaching my first son to read set me up for success in teaching his younger siblings. Twenty plus years later, I’m here to tell you the reading process is the same as it was then.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the push of the educational word into thinking that teaching reading has to be difficult or overly structured.

Striking a balance between using play to teach reading to a child and using a developmental approach to curriculum to guide a homeschool educator is absolutely vital.

Here are six solid how-tos for getting your kids to read successfully and quickly.

How to Get Your First Homeschooled Child Reading. CLICK here to grab these AWESOME tips from a seasoned veteran and grab free phonics readers too.

6 Solid How-Tos Tips for Teaching New Homeschooled Readers

ONE /A reading program has at least two parts.

In the past I’ve shared what I did to teach my first son to read which was to purchase Dr. Maggie’s phonic readers from a teacher store.

What I learned from the Dr. Maggie set of phonics readers was that reading has two parts which are the very basics of any reading program.

One component is a systematic way to teach phonics and the second component is a way for your child to practice reading his new learned skill.

Both of these components I learned while using the phonics readers. This is what I noticed in the readers and that will help you as a new teacher.

  • Dr. Maggie’s phonic readers had a book devoted to most of the vowel and consonant sounds.
  • The books progressed in order so your kid could start reading right away while learning letter sounds.
  • I learned that not only did a child need the introduction to the sound, but putting the sounds together to form words can happen right away.

A laid out reading program pairs a phonics reader with the sound being introduced. You can easily do that. Look below at a few choices I listed for the two components.

Best Books to Get Kids Learning to Read

Create Your Own Reading Program OR

Choose one phonics program and choose one or more set of phonics readers.

Phonics Programs
Get Ready for the Code.
Explode the Code.
Modern Curriculum Press Phonics: Level A.
Adventures in Phonics Level A Workbook.
Spectrum Early Years: Phonics Readiness, PreK.
Carson-Dellosa Spectrum Phonics Workbook, Grade K.

Phonics Readers
Bob Books.
Alpha Phonics Readers.
Horizon Kindergarten Reader, Set.
Christian Liberty Beginning Readers.
Dr. Maggie’s phonic readers.
Free I See Sam books have been around for a while.
Free Sizzy books by Fun Phonics.
Dick and Jane Level 1 Readers.

Also, you can purchase a curriculum where your reading program is laid out.

Choose a Laid Out Reading Program.

All About Reading Pre-reading

TWO/ Knowing the names of ALL the letters is not necessary.

Although I drilled the alphabet and names of the letters with each of my readers, I soon learned that knowing all of the letter names is not necessary to begin reading.

Don’t wait until a child knows all of his letters to begin teaching him to read.

Eventually readers learn the letters; they become important when learning to spell. Besides, learning to spell is a skilled learned later. A child reads long before he can spell.

THREE/ Teach the sound the consonant represents and begin with the short sound for vowels.

Pointing to a plastic letter tile like “D” and mouthing the sound /d/, then doing the same with plastic letter tile “o” and plastic letter tile “g” helps your child to begin decoding right away.

By introducing the short sounds of vowels, kids learn to read right away.

FOUR/ Introduce consonants and vowels in a strategic order so a kid reads soon. Do not introduce letters in ABC order.

Reading should be rewarding. Even budding readers understand the concept of intrinsic value.

In the beginning, my mistake was not having a specific order in which to teach the letters. Teaching the letter sounds in alphabetical order was my mistake.

Teaching the consonants and vowels in a planned order which allows your child right away to blend sounds and make easy CVC (consonant, vowel, consonant) words is how to do it.

I concentrated on consonants used most often and introduced a vowel right away because every word has a vowel in it.

The vowels are a ,e, i, o, u and sometimes y. At this point, focus only on the short sounds of a,e, i, o, and u.

Easy Reading Lesson Plans

Here is a sample of what I do.

  • introduce /k/ for c, /b/, /m/, /h/, /t/, /r/, /p/, and /s/ sounds;
  • introduce the short sound of the vowel a;
  • introduce the “- at” family; and
  • introduce the sight word “The” (more on this in a minute).

Can you see right away a child can read the word “at” from blending the sounds?

Next, take each of the consonant letter tiles c, b, m, t, r, h, p and s.

Place each letter tile at the beginning of “at” and say each word. Finally, tell your new reader that when he knows one word he knows many. Rhyme the words for him.

The last step is taking a word that he can recognize by sight like the word “The” and put that word in front of each word — cat, rat, hat, and bat.

Look at this page for free lists of sight words. Because reading does involve recognition of some words without decoding, add the sight words in slowly with each lesson.

Reading easy sentences like “The cat”, “The hat”, and “The rat” gives immediate rewards. You now have a budding reader.

Here is another example of a word family.

I choose another short vowel like o and I’m planning intentionally to create CVC words with my consonant choices.

For example with the vowel o, choose the following consonant letters to introduce.

  • /l/, /g/, /d/, /p/ and “Go” as a sight word.

Review the consonants your child learned in earlier lessons and put with these new consonant sounds to work on the sound /o/.

You can now create these words: log, dog, top, hog, got, pot, rot, mop, dot, bog, and hot. Can you create more? Make sentences like “Go dog”, “Go hog”, and “Go rat”.

Reading Pace Matters

Using the word rat from your previous lessons reinforces what he was introduced to. Keep using CVC words previously introduced as you build his reading vocabulary.

FIVE/ Introduce multiple letter sounds at one time.

The next seasoned veteran tip I want you to know is that there is no need to study a letter a week.

A child can move a bit faster, but you don’t want to overwhelm a budding reader.

Each child is different in how fast you want to introduce sounds.

For example, when my son was four years old, he learned to read. However, our reading time was in short spurts throughout the day. Fifteen minutes here and there throughout the day are normal. Introducing at least two sounds a week is fine. Go slower as needed.

If a child is closer to six or seven years old which is still right on target for learning to read, you may be able to spend closer to thirty minutes before he is ready for a break.

As you’re introducing new consonant sounds, review letter sounds you previously taught.

Don’t be discouraged if a child seems to remember the sounds one week and forget them the next. Constant review and interaction with the sounds will help him to master them.

20 Best Tips for Teaching Reading and Spelling

Teaching at this age is like putting together a puzzle. You’re constantly looking over new pieces and adding them to your framework.

SIX/ I weigh-in on the play vs. structured teaching approach for PreK and Kindergarten levels.

For many years, I’ve read dialogue back and forth between the camp of overly structured teachers and teachers who feel this age should be play all day.

I’ve learned that a combination of both approaches is needed. First, understanding the natural inclination children have to play should have you include ideas for teaching reading that are play.

Too, the structured curriculum is for the teacher, NOT the child. Most new homeschooling teachers want a direction in how to introduce reading to their child.

Reading aloud is the single most important thing I did with all of my children. It teaches them to love words and by the inflection of your voice they learn to let their imaginations soar.

Forcing a child that age to sit at a table for long hours or do worksheet after worksheet does not recognize a child’s development.

Use teaching skills where a child learns through play while developing fine and gross motor skills is imperative.

The bottom line is that using a formal curriculum with PreK and Kindergarten is excellent as long the curriculum recognizes the child’s need to learn through play.

Learning Through Play Resources

Huge letters work great and you want to be sure you have lots of lowercase letters too.

Learning CVC words should be hands-on too.

Although these letter tubs are more pricey, if you have multiple budding readers you get your money’s worth. Using these tubs for two or more years with each reader saved my sanity.

I ordered these tubs and they’re perfect for teaching each new reader a letter along with corresponding objects which represent the letter sound.

I have more tips to share with you on learning through play, but wanted to be sure you understood how the reading process unfolds. Does this make sense?

How to Get Your First Homeschooled Child Reading. CLICK here to grab these AWESOME tips from a seasoned veteran and grab free phonics readers too.

Look at these other tips:

  • Awesome Reading Aloud Tracking Time Homeschool Form
  • What You’ve Got To Know About Teaching Reading Comprehension
  • 5 Easy Steps to Putting Together Your Own Homeschool Phonics Program
  • How to Know What A Homeschooled Child Should Learn Yearly?
  • How to Teach Homeschool Preschool From the Inside Out (And Preschool Skills)
  • How Early Should I Begin Homeschooling My First Child? (and checklist)
  • Homeschool Colorful Reading Journal to Motivate Kids
  • Teaching Homeschooled Boys How to Read – When to Panic!

1 CommentFiled Under: Teach Homeschool Language Arts, Teach Homeschool Preschool Tagged With: homeschoolreading, preschool, preschool skills, read aloud, reading, readingcomprehension

10 Fun Things You Can Teach Using Geronimo Stilton Books

March 7, 2019 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Are you looking for engaging readers for your middle to upper elementary kids? It’s hard to find books that get reluctant readers interested and finding Geronimo Stilton books was like finding buried treasure in the library! (Geronimo would really appreciate that simile).

These books were always a favorite in our house. It took me a while to find books that my son looked forward to reading without nagging or prodding from me.

10 Fun Things You Can Teach Using Geronimo Stilton Books

When we stumbled upon them, I was thrilled to have found something that kept his attention and motivated him to read on his own. It’s a big milestone when your kid finally grabs a book of their choice and plops down to read it. These were those books for us!

He plowed through them. In fact, these were the first books he asked to buy. One year his wish list was full of Geronimo Stilton titles. How sweet, right?

Recommended for ages 7-10, grades 2nd-5th, these chapter books are sure to please even the most reluctant reader. They are the perfect introduction to chapter books and each one is filled with entertaining jokes and engaging illustrations.

Geronimo Stilton Books

Geronimo Stilton is an editor in chief of The Rodent’s Gazette, the most “famous” newspaper in New Mouse City. He’s also the author of his own best-selling book series. 

He’s a timid single guy afraid of new adventures yet finds himself reluctantly traveling the globe with his friends and family solving mysteries and completing research for his next big story.

4 Reasons to Love Geronimo Stilton Series

  • Visual. Each book is full of colorful and inviting artwork. Great for keeping focus and grabbing the reader’s attention.
  • Fast-paced. Short chapters jam packed with adventure.
  • Amusing. Each page is full of silly jokes and fun facts.
  • Vocabulary builder. New vocabulary is brought to life with word pictures.

Words jump off the page through the witty illustrations. New vocabulary stands out and kids remember it!

10 Fun Things To Teach Using Geronimo Stilton Books

One/Learn literary devices in a fun way.

Be on the lookout for examples of literary devices such as:

  • Onomatopoeia
  • Similes/Metaphors
  • Hyperbole
  • Idioms
  • Puns

You could also add some of my favorite skills books which are by Evan-Moor and have the start of a fun unit study.

Check out Evan-Moor’s Skill Sharpeners workbooks, perfect for practice at home for Grades PreK-6 for math, science, reading, spelling, and writing.

What is onomatopoeia?

Other than it being my favorite little gem found in these books, it’s a literary device to know and super fun to teach.

Skill Sharpeners for Grades PreK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

First, let’s take a minute to appreciate how fun this word is to say. If this is a new word for your kids, be sure to listen to the pronunciation.

“Onomatopoeia is the process of creating a word that phonetically imitates, resembles, or suggests the sound that it describes.”

For example, a dry fall leaf crunches underfoot.

A bumblebee buzzes around the backyard.

Geronimo Stilton must love Onomatopoeia too because the word pictures he uses to show the reader this literary device are perfection for a visual learner.

How many examples of onomatopoeia can you find in each chapter?

Two/Have a fun vocabulary scavenger hunt.

Make a list of new words you find in each chapter. It won’t be hard for your kids to find them!

Three/Focus on character development.

You will fall in love with the characters. They are full of personality. For example, Geronimo Stilton is quite the “scaredy-mouse”, but he is always going on an adventure and facing lot of fears to get there.

Have your child pick a favorite character and follow his/her character development throughout the story.

Four/Nurture a love for famous mystery novels and authors.

If your geek level is as high as mine, and I assume it must be if you’re reading this post, you’ll love the fun facts that pop up for adults too.

These books are a great bridge to a study about other famous mystery titles and authors. There’s even a nod to some characters you might recognize like Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s well-known fictional Belgian detective.

What a fun way to introduce your reader to other books, authors, and the mystery genre!

Five/Cultivate a love for history and geography.

Not only does Geronimo Stilton live in the center of New Mouse City, he reluctantly travels around the globe. Each book will land the reader in a new place.

These books are great for learning state facts, especially New York, and they’re also the perfect addition to a history and geography study about where the setting takes place.

Add some of these fun Highlights for Children – Kids Magazines, Clubs and Shop! which we love and you have some fun history and geography.

Six/ Have some cheesy food fun.

Geronimo Stilton is a cheese connoisseur. He eats lots cheese. He talks about cheese. He makes “punny” jokes about cheese. It’s impossible to not want to snack on some cheesy delights of some kind.

  • Create a cheese platter and sample some new snacks.
  • Make homemade macaroni and cheese.
  • Look at moldy cheese under a microscope.
  • Have a cheese fondue night.

Geronimo Stilton Series

Seven/Nurture a love for timeless treasures like antiques.

Any antique lovers out there? Well, you will love Geronimo Stilton’s eye for timeless treasures. If your kids are into antiques, visit a few thrift stores and hunt for treasures.

Check out American Pickers or Antiques Roadshow.

Eight/Learn how to plan a trip.

Plan a vacation to the destination in your book. Estimate the cost of flight, hotel, and car rental. Research prices on the internet to find the best deals.

How much will you need to for food and spending? What activities will you do while you’re there? Add the cost of excursions or admissions to special events or destinations.

Safe travels!

Nine/ Learn how to face fear.

Geronimo must face lots of fears to travel, solve mysteries, and go on each adventure. These are a great way to talk to your kids about fears, anxiety, and coping skills.

Ten/Learn about nurturing family ties.

I love the Geronimo is a family guy! He spends a lot of time with his nephew, Benjamin and his sister, Thea. It’s a great opportunity to focus on the importance of family.

  • Create a family tree.
  • Research your family’s origin.
  • Send an email to a family member to brighten their day.
  • Do something nice for a sibling.
Are you looking for engaging readers for your middle to upper elementary kids? It’s hard to find books that get reluctant readers interested, but these books will do it.  CLICK here for 10 Fun Things You Can Teach Using Geronimo Stilton Books!

You’ll love these other reads and tips:

  • 6 Boy Approved Books Which Spark the Love of Reading
  • 100 BEST Books for Kids from all 50 States (Easy Geography)
  • 8 World War II Historical Fiction Books for Middle School
  • 5 Steps to Choosing Geography Living Books Your Children Will Love
  • 3 Less-Known and Irresistible Homeschool Hands-on Science Books

What do you love most about the Geronimo Stilton books.

Be sure to leave a comment or visit our Facebook Page and let us know!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Literature Based, Teach Homeschool Language Arts Tagged With: books, homeschoolanguagearts, homeschoolreading, language arts, languagearts, reading, readingcomprehension

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