Ten years ago, my friend filled our van with books, toys, games, and clothes that her kids had outgrown. I gave her a HUGE hug and sped home to stack the books on our shelves, hang the clothes in the closets, and play the games with my children. It felt like Christmas! I wish I could do the same for … Read More
This book! I meant to tell you about it ages ago. It’s so so good.
I just realized that I haven’t yet told you about Keys to Bonhoeffer’s Haus: Exploring the World and Wisdom of Deitrich Bonhoeffer. It’s such an important and timely book about Deitrich Bonhoeffer, prayer, home, civics, humanity, race, and the author herself, Laura Fabryky, who generously shares her memoirs of being an American guide of the Bonhoeffer-Haus in Berlin. I meant … Read More
Three New Picture Books From One Author You Won’t Want to Miss
Have you ever read a picture book to your child that beautifully communicates a truth you’ve been hoping to share, but simply didn’t know how? Each of these three picture books does this for me. Each takes truths I had not yet put into words and crafts them into an unforgettable story and artwork. I am grateful to my friend … Read More
Reading Valentine Cards, Little House on the Prairie, and Charlotte’s Web
When E.B. White recorded the final audiobook chapter of Charlotte’s Web, he couldn’t get past Charlotte’s death without crying. It took him 17 tries. We nod our heads and know why. The time is coming – not soon enough – for me to pull our copy of Charlotte’s Web off the shelves for our annual reading. We wait until the lilacs are … Read More
Enrich Your Middle Schooler’s Socialization Through Literature: The Call of the Wild Book Club
Build homeschooling socialization while reading a good book together!
“The general tone of the team picked up immediately. It recovered its old-time solidarity, and once more the dogs leaped as one dog in the traces” (59)
Last year, Vivienne and I had such a great time hosting A Tom Sawyer book club together that we decided to do it again this year. Vivienne’s 8th grade Sonlight literature curriculum includes The Call of the Wild.
We wanted to invite some friends along for the journey north.
Enrich Your Middle Schooler’s Socialization Through Literature: A Tom Sawyer Book Club
Build homeschooling socialization while reading a good book together! Viv and I figured that if, way back in 1876, Mark Twain wanted her to get a kick out of Tom Sawyer’s adventures, we would read the book just like that. We intended to have some fun with this one!
We wanted to invite some friends along for the ride and we didn’t have to look very far. Fifteen enthused peers read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer together. It was my job to guide them toward “entertainment” the whole time! We read the book over the span of 8 weeks, covering 4 – 5 chapters each week. In the end, I can confidently say that the students thoroughly enjoyed the book together and I was honored to sit in on their laughter and discussions. Here’s what we did!
The Awesome Perks of Reading Aloud to Your Middle Schooler
(I received Sonlight 100 in exchange for a series of blog posts that contain my honest opinion.) Our leather couch is sagging in the middle. It came into our lives when we were poor newlyweds with a 2-year old toddler and a baby-on-the-way. One Saturday, we strolled the aisles of Sam’s Club and spotted a sturdy 4-piece leather living room … Read More
The Big Family Book Party: June 2017
June has been a fun month full of birthday parties, picnics, swimming lessons, afternoons at the pool, women’s ministry planning, homeschool planning, and project-tackling. That means that I *almost* forgot to do a Big Family Book Party for June! My daughter reminded me about it and I am determined to “publish”this post before the month turns into July. The kids … Read More
The Playful Pioneers Review: 3 First Impressions
I first heard of Jennifer Pepito’s curriculum on The Homeschool Snapshots podcast. I love her philosophy about the preschool years and became interested in her “Peaceful Preschool” curriculum. While I was checking that out, I discovered her newest curriculum, “The Playful Pioneers“, which provides a multi-sensory approach to the first 5 books in The Little House on the Prairie series … Read More
Our Plans for a Regular Old Summer Day
Year-round schooling is my style. I thrive in the sweet terrarium of structure and accomplishment. My children, on the other hand, need a nice, long break from the monotony thrill of a rigorous academic schedule. Besides, our summer schedule is gladly full of friends, outdoor adventures, vacation, and camps, so it’s not realistic to expect school-work-as-usual. When we are home, I … Read More
