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Choose Curriculum

12 Great Options of High School Literature Curriculum

May 3, 2022 | 3 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Next to math, deciding high school literature curriculum for my first high school teen was scary for me. Today, I will share practical pointers in choosing high school literature curriculum. Also, look at How to Homeschool High School for more ideas.

Looking back after three homeschooled grads, I’ve learned you need to be absolutely clear of your goal.

Choosing curriculum versus stand alone components was confusing as well.

So, I want to help you make a better choice.

12 Great Options of High School Literature Curriculum

First, confusing to me in the beginning was what to teach from high school literature.

Also, how to transition from teaching your child reading to literature wasn’t clear.

Quickly, I learned there is a shift in high school to not just reading a variety of literature, but to analyzing it.

What to Teach With High School Literature

As you can see, the elements you look for in a high school literature curriculum will vary depending on your goals.

If your teen is on a college track, analyzing literature is a basic requirement for most colleges.

However, if your child is on a career track, you decide if analyzing literature will benefit your teen.

That was the part that confused me. My English teacher in high school taught me like I was in an AP Lit class. I was not, but her love for literature was obvious.

The very basic reason why you teach high school literature is to move your child beyond the reading is fun stage. Appreciating why literature moves us, how to be involved in the great conversation, and how to analyze literature is one goal.

Another goal is to help your child appreciate the variety of genre. Think about it.

You have doing this all along as you taught your child to read.

Teaching a love of reading doesn’t stop in high school, but you want your child to now dig into the literature.

In addition, one more thing to be aware of before choosing curriculum is to decide if you need the other components of language arts.

Besides literature, grammar, vocabulary, composition, and writing are other components of language arts.

Teens are normally all over the place on each component of language arts, I encourage you to try to choose just literature curriculum.

High School Literature Curriculum Goals

One huge advantage to choosing just high school literature curriculum which is not tied together with the other components is to save time.

I don’t think teens should get bogged down with the other components when focusing on beautiful pieces of literature.

However, some options I share below is curriculum which does not make deep dives into analyzing.

That too has been a great option some quarters in high school when your teen needs a change of pace from analyzing in depth.

Covering all the components together may be your goal.

The point is your teen, your choices, and your goals should stay front and center when poring over options.

Furthermore, tying literature to history is another fun way to bring both subjects to life.

This is a slant that many teens enjoy.

On top of that, some choices will be more faith-based and others with a secular focus.

Keep all those facts in mind as you compare curriculum below.

12 High School Literature Curriculum

Finally, look at these twelve high school literature curriculum.

  • BJU Press Literature for Junior and Senior High. This is one of my favorite because it’s so comprehensive in the variety of genre.
  • Memoria Press is another one I’ve used and although they’ve updated through the years, I still love their guides.
  • Stobaugh is another keeper which has been around for years. It’s comprehensive and takes more of a classical approach.
  • Lightning Literature has been another mainstay by homeschoolers. I love their choices.
  • Windows to the World: An Introduction to Literary Analysis. Although the topics covered are comprehensive, there are short passages. So it makes for a great option.
  • Illuminating Literature is one by Sharon Watson. I’ve used her other writing and love them because of their step by step guidance.
  • Beautiful Feet we used when we wanted to cover literature analysis lightly. Focusing on our history love, we could include a framework of analysis with the literature choices.
  • Progeny Press is another favorite because of how many activities they have and ease of use.
  • Learning Language Arts Through Literature is not as well know today as it used to be. I love it because it’s gentle and has a Charlotte Mason flair. Some years, we just needed light language arts and literature. So, I’m listing it as option. There is both American and British literature options. It’s just a beautiful option
  • Sonlight has been around for years. Started by a homeschool family like some of other companies, it too has a comprehensive language arts program.
  • Total Language Plus is just what it says. All the components of language arts when you want to cover them at one time. We love this curriculum as well.
  • The Art of Poetry is a resource we just absolutely loved. If your teen is wanting to dive deeper into poetry, you’ll love this resource. In addition, this resource can be used for middle school kids too.

These are not all the resources available for you, but they are ones I know will work.

They give your teen guidance; And the best part is they create a love of literature and push your teen out of his comfort zone.

Which ones have you tried?

12 Great Options of High School Literature Curriculum

Look at some more posts which will help you:

  • Best Homeschool High School Literature Suggestions For Teens
  • Modern U.S. and World History High School Literature
  • 3 Beginner’s Tips: Homeschool High School Literature
  • How to Choose the BEST Homeschool Middle and High School Language Arts Curriculum & Options
  • Homeschooling High School: Curriculum, Credits, and Courses
  • Free Homeschool High School Planning Sheet (and pssst help for high school too)

3 CommentsFiled Under: Choose Curriculum, Graduate a Homeschooler, Homeschool Teens _ From Teen to Graduation, Homeschooling, Lesson Plan, Middle School Homeschool Tagged With: high school, high school literature, homeschool, homeschool highschool, homeschoolhighschool, lessonplanning, literary analyis, literary devices, literature, teens

A 20+ Year Homeschool Mom’s 5 TOP Tips for First Time Homeschoolers

April 25, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Nothing compares to being equally excited and equally needing encouragement than beginning to homeschool. In my 5 top tips for first-time homeschoolers, you’ll get my BEST tips in my 25 years of homeschooling.

Oh sure, I have way more to tell you, but this is about the TOP tips’ you don’t get weighed down with too much information.

Too, in conducting in person workshops with new homeschoolers for 10 years, my set of tips will look different than many you read. Why? They work.

And it’s hard to get all your concerns answered for the next year in one or two conversations with a seasoned veteran.

Don’t miss opportunities to discuss with others, but take time to educate yourself as well.

See, what happens is that first-time homeschoolers can overcomplicate the beginning. How? You can bring rigid standards on you and your kids which are not implemented by your local law.

A 20+ Year Homeschool Mom's 5 TOP Tips for First Time Homeschoolers

First Time Homeschooler

Over scheduling, over buying, over planning can be avoided by know exactly how to meet your state law. After that, it’s freedom to set up your day like you choose. Do NOT begin by buying curriculum just yet but by being familiar with your local law.

Look at my 5 top tips for first-time homeschoolers.

1. Knowing your local law is not enough as many veterans tout.
You need to know how to meet it EASILY.

For example, if you live in a state with less laws and not much record keeping required, you can choose what is best for your children. If you live in a state with more stringent record keeping, then you can easily meet that law by using laid out curriculum.

See, other seasoned veterans may say you don’t need curriculum at all. Eventually, that could be your goal.

However, for your first year when you have so many things to adjust to, it can be less stressful to follow a laid our plain and tweak it to suit you.

HSLD which has a clickable map to explain your local homeschool law is a good place to start.
Too, you can comment here, and I WILL reply and help you understand that part first.

Next, homeschooling is a completely different approach than public school.

You’ll love my video What You REALLY Need to Know When You Begin Homeschooling where I take you through more steps.

2. Do not recreate public school at home and bring unneeded stress on your family.

I made this mistake when I started homeschooling. Although my children were all very young, I tried to run my homeschool like a public school. Remember there is NOTHING you have to prove to anybody.

It will take time to adjust to the freedom you get with homeschooling. There is a line between relaxed and rigid. Relaxed is not lazy.

I failed in learning that and sent my Kindergarten son to public school. A year didn’t even go by before I pulled him out and had to train myself to relax and trust the process.

New Homeschooler Tips

Then, over buying curriculum is the next top mistake to avoid.

3. Do buy JUST a framework of homeschool curriculum like math and language arts or use free online curriculum.

Most new homeschoolers feel more comfortable with laid out curriculum. Buying curriculum can wait until you have time to research it.

I have some ways to help you understand first how to choose curriculum.

My video How To Easily Choose and Distinguish between Homeschool Educational Approaches will help you to narrow down how to homeschool.

My point is do NOT buy a lot of curriculum in the beginning until you have time to get to know your children. Save some of your budget to buy the fun things or do classes your children are interested in taken.

Overbuying curriculum almost seems a rite of passage, but avoid overbuying.

New to Homeschool

Math and language arts are essential subjects needed all the way to high school. However, there are many ways to meet each of the needs of your children. Below I have some posts which will help to give you a starting point.

  • How to Build Elementary Homeschool Curriculum Directly From Amazon
  • How to Build Middle School Curriculum Directly From Amazon
  • How to Build High School Curriculum Directly From Amazon

In addition, you can use free online curriculum until you decide if you want to purchase curriculum. Easy Peasy all in one by Lee Giles was created years ago. It’s a great way to start.

A 20+ Year Homeschool Mom's 5 TOP Tips for First Time Homeschoolers

Another one of my TOP tips for first-time homeschoolers is understanding how to deschool.

4. You ABSOLUTELY have to deschool.

It’s hard to deschool when you don’t what it is or why. Even families whose kids will never go to public school need to deschool. Definitions will vary; here is mine.

It’s the time to unlearn what you think education should be as taught from a public-school mindset and to be open to new, natural, and creative ways to teach your kids.

It’s realizing that taking your kids out of school one day and doing the exact thing at home the next day which wasn’t working in public-school is the definition of insanity (ouch).

It’s letting go and letting in something new in your life; it’s accepting the homeschool lifestyle which is opposite of the public-school lifestyle.

Girl, I want to learn from a homeschool expert instead of taking years to learn the in/out of homeschooling.

In short, deschooling is a tool both for the first-time homeschooler and long-term homeschooler. When you first begin to homeschool, you need to rethink your view of education. As you homeschool longer, you are subject to burn out and need to return to your deschooling habits.

As I mentioned even if your children will never go to public school, you still need to adopt your view of what is homeschooling. That takes time. The amount of time each family deschools will be different.

How to Deschool – Are You Doomed If You’ve Never Deschooled is another video I have for you.

If your kids have been in public school, you need to take time to educate yourself to what is available in the homeschooling world.

Sure, you can research, but through my many years of teaching new homeschoolers in person I created a course focused just on the unique needs of first-time homeschoolers.

If you don’t want to wait on the ins/outs of how to homeschool, look at my online self-paced KickStarter course. You’ll be in the KNOW NOW.

What Is Included in the Homeschool Kickstarter Course for
First-Time Homeschoolers

MODULE 1

 What I DIDN’T Learn From My Homeschooling Mother, But Should Have
(1 workshop & Printables)

Support is important and you should trust your ability to teach. You’ll walk away from this workshop knowing you’re capable of teaching your kids and why you’re capable. The nuggets in this workshop are golden for the beginner.MODULE 3

How to Choose Curriculum (Wisely)
(9 workshops & printables)

The BIGGEST mistake new homeschoolers make is buying curriculum without knowing how to buy it other than the looks good method. Avoid stress two or three months into your journey by knowing EXACTLY what to choose for your children.MODULE 5

How to Organize it ALL 
( 5 workshops & printables)

Finding balance with all the new hats you’ll be wearing and time management are not easy. Using the AWESOME sample schedules in this module and the step by step plan, I walk you through creating a routine or schedule UNIQUE to your family. Beginning homeschooling by stuffing it into an already busy life is not the way to begin. Did I mention as an organized person I have many tidbits of organization help sprinkled throughout the workshops?MODULE 2

Diving In (Leave Your Public School Mindset Here)
(3 workshops & printables)

If you’re struggling with your public school mindset or that there is one right way to succeed you’ll understand what it means to homeschool and why it’s not public school at home. Homeschooling is a superior approach for a reason.MODULE 4

Teaching the Stages of Homeschool 
(8 workshops & printables)

Jammed packed with great information on understanding the transitions children go through from PreK to High School prepares you to homeschool for the long run. Each learning stage is broken down for you so that you gain the best tips for how to teach and what to teach.MODULE 6

Facing Your BIGGEST Fears Not If But WHEN They Happen 
(1 workshop & printables)

There is a GREAT BIG list of wrong things you’re focusing on in your first or second year which will suck the life out of your homeschool journey.
Begin your journey with the wisdom of the past which has worked successfully for thousands of homeschool families who have gone before you.

Girl, I want to learn from a homeschool expert instead of taking years to learn the in/out of homeschooling.

Lastly, my fifth top tip for new homeschoolers is learning when to say yes and when to say no.

5. When to say NO and when to say YES is a must learn quickly your first year.

And it’s not easy to know when to say yes and when to say no. So, here a few tips to help you use your time wisely and focus on what is important.

  • When completely curriculum suddenly becomes the focus instead of your child’s needs, it’s time to say no.
  • Trying to right all the wrongs of public school by putting your children in every enrichment activity available is a huge no. You will have time to understand the homeschool world, but you need time with your children to heal. Especially if your child was bullied, has anxiety, or is flat out exhausted, your healing time should come first.
  • Say yes to seizing unplanned moments in your year to learn like packing up the books and heading to the park for a beautiful day outside.
  • Another yes is when your significant other has off from work, savor that time because it’s family time.
  • Taking time to educate YOURSELF is another huge yes. It’s easier and smoother your first year when you know how to schedule more efficiently, learn how to choose curriculum, and know how to teach to your children’s learning style. There is no need to take years doing that. If you want the fasttrack, I am here to help you through my Kickstarter program for first-time homeschoolers.

IF you have any questions email me at tinahomeschools at gmail dot com. I am here for you!

Look at these other tips you’ll love:

  • How To Start Homeschooling the Easy No Stress Way (Maybe)
  • Dear New Homeschooler – Are You Making this BIG Mistake? (I Was)
  • New Homeschooler – Mustering the Courage to Face THE 4 Homeschool Biggies – Part 1.
  • Top 10 Tips For New Homeschoolers – Curriculum, curriculum, curriculum – Isn’t that how to begin homeschooling? Part 1
  • When You Don’t Know Where to Begin in Homeschooling. The 3 R’s for New Homeschoolers. Part 2

Hugs and love ya,

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Begin Homeschooling, Choose Curriculum, Homeschool Simply, How To - - -, New Homeschooler Help Tagged With: homeschool, new homeschool year, new homeschooler, new homeschooler homeschool room, newbeehomeschooler, newhomeschoolyear

Best High School Homeschool Curriculum Packages (Accredited and Not Accredited)

April 15, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

With the explosion of homeschooling, more families need access to high school homeschool curriculum packages. Check out my how to homeschool high school page for awesome tips.

If a student chooses to do a boxed or all-in-one homeschool program, there is still enough room in lesson planning to make it uniquely yours.

Best High School Homeschool Curriculum Packages (Accredited and Not Accredited)

Let’s face it, life can throw you a curve ball like it did me and I needed the help of laid out plans for my teen.

Besides, using a high school curriculum package doesn’t mean you have to use it exactly the way it’s laid out. That is unless you are using an accredited school.

First, let’s sort out this mystery about the term accredited.

High School Homeschool Curriculum Packages

Back in the day when I coached families whose student wanted to go to the military they had to have a diploma from an accredited school.

That has now changed.

Accredited has NOTHING to do with curriculum. The term accredited applies to a school which voluntarily decided to meet learning standards with certain agencies.

However, if you choose an accredited high school, your teen has to complete and have graded by the school certain parts of the courses.

This is the only way for the school to maintain their accredited status.

Accredited is a way that some parents know that a certain standard is being maintained.

Whether it’s teaching to excellence, credentialed teachers, or higher critical thinking ability, some families are of the opinion that accreditation is a higher standard.

More Homeschool High School Teen Elective Resources

  • 14 Fun and (maybe Frugal) Homeschool High School Electives
  • A to Z List: Middle and High School Homeschool Electives
  • Best High School Homeschool Curriculum Packages (Accredited and Not Accredited)
  • A Homeschool Beginner’s Guide to Figuring Grades and Saving Time
  • 25 Great Homeschool High School Science Curriculum

It’s up to you to determine if that standard is high or as high as a private school which is not accredited.

In my 25 years of homeschooling, I’ve seen accredited schools which have too much busy work for my standard.

More Creative Solutions for High School Posts

  • Creative Solution for Homeschool High School When Life Happens
  • How to Make A Homeschool High School Transcript & Middle School (Free Editable Form)
  • Free Editable High School Diploma Template Day 9 of 10 Days Of a Homeschool Graduation

The same can be said about a parent who has busy work for a teen that is not using an accredited school. A parent may feel that more is best and try to push a kid to be an overachiever.

Accredited and Not Accredited High Schools

On the other hand, I’ve also seen families who do not use accredited schools and their children entered college on full scholarships. As well, teens can enter 4 year universities without accreditation.

Homeschoolers who use accredited schools normally have particular reasons.

  • Because record keeping is done, you may need to show records to an ex-spouse.
  • Some families want to maintain certain standards between schools.
  • In addition, some homeschoolers have had problems getting into technical schools because they didn’t use an accredited school. Although, it’s not required, some technical schools are not informed and want diplomas only from an accredited school. Your best bet is to ask ahead of time if your teen pursues this track.
  • Also, some teens want the accountability with teachers, grading, and deadlines.

Next, let’s dive right into homeschool high school curriculum packages.

High School Curriculum Packages By Schools Not Accredited

The list below are high school packages from companies or a school which is not accredited.

A few more things to know is that with online or print curriculum companies you remain the teacher to guide your students. With accredited schools you use their teachers and adjust to the school’s schedule.

Granted, online schools have added in more flexibility, but again the pace is set to the online accredited school.

  • Sonlight
  • Easy Peasy All In One Easy Peasy All In One is an online curriculum and not a school so it’s not accredited.
  • Moving Beyond the Page Moving Beyond the Page is a curriculum and not a school so it can’t be accredited.
  • Rod and Staff. Rod and Staff has high school curriculum packages and is not a school.
  • Memoria Press.
  • Study.Com Study.Com is an online curriculum.
  • WinterPromise
  • MasterBooks. Master books is not a school but a curriculum provider so it’s not accredited.
  • My Father’s World. My Father’s World is a curriculum provider and not a school.
  • Time4Learning. Time4Learning is an online curriculum and not a school.
  • Discovery K12. Discover K12 is online curriculum and not a school.

In addition, some homeschool companies have set up an online school which is accredited so that they could offer their curriculum through it.

Option for Either Accredited or Not Accredited

Look below at some of the companies who have set up online schools so that their curriculum can be used in the accredited schools. You have choices when you visit the sites.

Your teen can do an independent type of study using their packages.

Or choose a company’s online schools which are accredited.

  • A Beka.
  • Christian Light Education.
  • Veritas Press.
  • AOP. Note Alpha Omega Academy is the online school.
  • Christian Liberty Press.

Accredited High Schools

Then, below are online accredited high schools. There are packages where your child makes a choice for electives.

Each school is different when they offer high school curriculum packages. Some allow you to choose a language arts portion and math portion; other schools have guidelines for what they consider the essentials.

  • A.C.E. (Accelerated Christian Education)
  • Oak Meadow.
  • Penn Foster
  • Seton
  • The KeyStone School
  • Liberty University Online Academy
  • Citizens High School
  • Acellus
  • Connections Academy
  • Northgate Academy
  • American High School
  • Wilson Hill Academy
  • Excel High School

Too, I know some families including myself used an online school when tragedy hit my family. Even so I added in my own subjects too. It was a way for us to pursue what my teen’s goals were at the time, but to have guidance as well.

Best High School Homeschool Curriculum Packages (Accredited and Not Accredited)

Look at the total credits to graduate when selecting a school; choose a school with lower number of credits to graduate if you want to add in your own credits.

This will keep it a doable load for you and your teen.

As you can see there are many paths in high school. Exploring options is key to fulfilling what a successful high school homeschool curriculum package looks like for each of your grads.

You love these other tips and resources:

  • BEST Digital Homeschool Curriculum – Big Ol’ List
  • Big Ol’ List of All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum (a.k.a Boxed)
  • 10 Affordable and Complete Homeschool Kindergarten Curriculum
  • Which One is Really the Best Homeschool Writing Curriculum (a comparison)
  • Homeschooling High School: Curriculum, Credits, and Courses
  • When a Homeschooled Sophomore Struggles
  • How to Build High School Curriculum Directly From Amazon
  • 35 Simple But Powerful American History Homeschool Resources K to 12
  • The Big List of Unit Study Hands-on (and Hands-off) Curriculum
  • First Grade Homeschool Curriculum for History and Geography

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Choose Curriculum, Graduate a Homeschooler, Homeschool Teens _ From Teen to Graduation, Homeschooling Tagged With: boxedcurriculum, curriculum, high school, high school literature, homeschoolcurriculum, newhomeschooler. curriculum

How to Choose the Best Middle School Literature And Favorite Resources

September 20, 2020 | 2 Comments
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.

Reading for Middle School

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.

Reading 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.

  • The Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
  • The Giver by Lois Lowry
  • The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
  • Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Ann Frank
  • Hitty Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field
  • Black Ships Before Troy by Rosemary Sutcliff
  • The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
  • Sounder by William H. Armstrong
  • Johnny Tremain by Esther Hoskins Forbes
  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
  • My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
  • Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
  • All Creatures Great and Small: The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the World’s Most Beloved Animal Doctor by James Herriot
  • Redwall by Brian Jacques
  • Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
  • Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
  • Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
  • The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley
  • The Call of the Wild by Jack London
  • The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

Books for Middle School Kids

  • The Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
  • A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
  • Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
  • Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien
  • America’s Paul Revere by Esther Hoskins Forbes
  • Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
  • Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • Holes by Louis Sachar
  • Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
  • Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM by Robert C O’Brien
  • Number the Stars by Lois Lowery
  • Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
  • Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds
  • Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
  • The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
  • The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
  • Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
  • The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
  • Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
  • The Borrowers by Mary Norton
  • Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery 
  • Tales from Shakespeare by Charles Lamb
  • The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann D. Wyss

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

More Resources for Middle School Tips

  • How to Transition a Child From Reading to Literature
  • Modern U.S. and World History High School Literature
  • 3 Beginner’s Tips: Homeschool High School Literature
  • Homeschool High School Literature Guides
  • How to Choose the BEST Homeschool Middle and High School Language Arts Curriculum & Options
  • 20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors
  • 6 Boy Approved Books Which Spark the Love of Reading
  • 8 World War II Historical Fiction Books for Middle School
  • 5 BEST Books to Create an Around the World Unit Study (and Hands-on Activities)

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?

Hugs and love ya,

2 CommentsFiled Under: Choose Curriculum, Graduate a Homeschooler, Homeschool Multiple Ages of Children, Homeschool Simply, Homeschool Teens _ From Teen to Graduation, Middle School Homeschool, Teach Homeschool Language Arts Tagged With: book lists, books, homeschool, homeschoolanguagearts, homeschoolcurriculum, homeschoolreading, language arts, languagearts, middleschool, reading, teaching multiple children, teens

How to Build Elementary Homeschool Curriculum Directly From Amazon

July 11, 2020 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

How to build elementary homeschool curriculum directly from Amazon is easier than you think. Also, look at my page How To Homeschool Elementary Students Like A Pro.

Whether you’ve homeschooled from the beginning or suddenly have been thrown into homeschooling, you’ll love the flexibility of being able to choose from Amazon.

I love supporting vendors who sell homeschool curriculum, but in person conventions did not happen everywhere this year because of the pandemic.

How to Build Elementary Homeschool Curriculum Directly From Amazon

Having an option to build your elementary homeschool curriculum is vital and I made this easy for you by creating lists in my Amazon store.

Also, I have options for middle and high school. Click here for How to Build High School Curriculum Directly From Amazon and here for How to Build Middle School Curriculum Directly From Amazon.

Elementary Homeschool Curriculum Directly From Amazon

First, the essential subjects that you want to teach in the elementary years are language arts, math, history and science.

Of course this doesn’t mean these are the only ones, but those four are the basis for a solid foundation.

Too, in the elementary years one-to-one tutoring does not take as long as the academic load that homeschooled kids in the upper grades carry. While it’s true a younger child may need more breaks, the workload is still pretty flexible in the elementary years and you have time to add other subjects for enrichment.

Now that you understand the 4 BIG ones as I call them, you also need to know how to break down language arts components.

Here are the components of language arts and based on your child’s age, ability, or level, you need to decide which ones he will need to do.

  • Reading. This includes reading aloud.
  • Phonics. Normally you want to do this until about 4th grade.
  • Spelling. Phonics is the precursor to spelling. Don’t be so quick to teach formal spelling because a child needs input first which phonics does.
  • Penmanship (no this is not composition). This is just what it means, learning how to write. It’s done in the early grades.
  • Composition comes after penmanship and it is about teaching a child how to compose his thoughts.
  • Grammar. Normally you start this in the second or third grade.

Language Arts Curriculum from Amazon

Keep in mind the subjects you cover in the elementary grades are just a rule of thumb.

Because kids can be all over the place on levels, I am giving you the big picture so you know how to choose.

It’s worrisome to not know which subjects to introduce and when to introduce them. I want you to be in the know.

So look at the subjects below based on grade level.

  • If your child is at grades 1 or 2, you want to choose a reading program, a phonics program, and a writing program.
  • If you child is at grades 3 to 4, you want to choose a reading program, a phonics program, a spelling program, a writing program or composition program and a grammar program.
  • If your child is at grades 5 to 6, you want to choose a reading program, a composition program, a spelling program, and a grammar program.
  • Science and history can be as easy as reading a book in the earlier grades and then progress to taking more time like from 3rd grade on.

Curriculum from Amazon

Also, to be sure you’ve covered the bases for subjects, use my checklist for curriculum resources below

You can download an editable copy over at STEP 5A of my free 7 Step Homeschool Planner.

Additionally, I have this super helpful post How to Know What A Homeschooled Child Should Learn Yearly.

Now, look at lists I’ve created for you to give you choices on the different variety of curriculum.

By using the guideline above where I explain what to choose in each grade, you’ll be sure you won’t miss any vital curriculum for a grade.

  • If you’re teaching a new reader, choose a phonics program from the Elementary – Phonics (Up to 4th Grade) List and beginning readers from the Elementary – Teaching Reading & Beginner Readers.
  • Click here for the Elementary Spelling List.
  • Click here for the Elementary – Writing (Penmanship OR Composition) List.
  • Look at this Elementary – Reading List to get you started. Pick a few books along with what your child is reading for history and science and you have an excellent reading program.

Homeschool History and Science from Amazon

In addition, history and science are considered core subjects in some states.

Here is the Elementary – History & Geography List and here is the Elementary – Science List.

After you add the Big Four core subjects, you can add other subjects. By starting with the Big Four, you know that you have the essentials covered.

If you have many learners under the age of 7 or 8, then covering the Big Four for the day is solid. As your little ones get older and as you have time, you can add other subjects which interest your kids.

Sometimes lesson plans can be too lofty for the elementary ages, but remember play is still a huge part of the learning day too. There is no need to fill your day with too many subjects.

How to Build Elementary Homeschool Curriculum Directly From Amazon

The Big Four subjects a.k.a. language arts, math, science and history are the same ones all the way to High School. There is a lot of years to cover those subjects so include plenty of hands-on activities too.

Elementary Homeschool Curriculum

Look at these other tips I have for you:

  • How to Build Middle School Curriculum Directly From Amazon
  • 20 Nature-Inspired Kids’ Novels to Nurture Interest In the Outdoors
  • 6 Boy Approved Books Which Spark the Love of Reading
  • 6 Tricks for the Kid That’s NOT in Love with Reading!
  • How To Get Your First Homeschooled Child Reading
  • 10 Fun Things You Can Teach Using Geronimo Stilton Books
  • Homeschool Colorful Reading Journal to Motivate Kids
  • 3 Ways to Choose the BEST Writing Curriculum (for a Growing Homeschool Family)
How to Build Elementary Homeschool Curriculum Directly From Amazon

The beauty of choosing curriculum directly from Amazon is that you not only can meet your kids’ needs, but also meet state guidelines if you have them.

You’re off to a great start this year!

1 CommentFiled Under: Choose Curriculum, Homeschool Simply, Kick Off Your Homeschool Year, Lesson Plan, Teach Homeschool Math, Teach Homeschool Science, Teach/Which Subjects to Teach/Cover EVERYTHING Tagged With: curriculum, cursive, elementary, homeschoolreading, language arts, languagearts, math, phonics, reading

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