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25+ Texas History Books For Middle School For a Fun Unit Study

August 13, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have a short list of 25 plus Texas history books for middle school. Also, look at my Free Texas Homeschool Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas page.

When studying Texas history, I’ve used many resources but none of them beat a Texas living history book or picture book.

So, although these are only a few of the books we love, they’re enough to round out your study of Texas.

25+ Texas History Books For Middle School For a Fun Unit Study

In addition, I added some books of different levels.

Not all middle school kids are on the same reading level.

Besides, picture books still appeal to even adults.

And they have a way of putting topics in a nutshell especially if you’re building a foundation to begin your study.

Texas History Topics

Next, when you’re preparing a study about Texas, you can use many ways to break down the topics.

For example, here is one of the formats I follow.

  • Early Texas & Native Texans
  • Texas Revolution
  • Republic of Texas
  • Statehood
  • American Civil War & Reconstruction
  • Cowboys, Cattle and Cattle Drives
  • Hurricanes, Oil, and Modern Texas

Begin a study by looking for books about these topics.

25+ Texas History Books For Middle School For a Fun Unit Study

Also, look at these hands-on ideas to add when studying Texas.

More Texas History Crafts & Activities

  • Free Texas Homeschool Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  • Facts About Wildflowers And a Fun Felt Texas Bluebonnet Craft
  • How Texas Cattle Drives Shaped Its History and Longhorn Craft
  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
  • Texas Native American History Quick Unit Study (Middle School)
  • How to Build the Alamo: Hands-on Learning (Free Texas Unit Study)
  • Free Copywork Cattle A Texas Poem For a Fun Unit Study
  • 22 Famous Texans Notebooking Pages (editable) For a Fun History Study
25+ Texas History Books For Middle School For a Fun Unit Study

Look at these editable notebooking pages to include in your Texas history unit study.

  • 0. Westward Expansion History Fun 10 Coloring Pages

    0. Westward Expansion History Fun 10 Coloring Pages

    $1.75
    Add to cart

Furthermore, if you’re learning about the history of cattle, or Texas cattle drives and cowboys you may love my lapbook.

25+ Texas History Books For Middle School For a Fun Unit Study
  • Dynamic History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    Dynamic History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail Lapbook for Multiple Ages

    $4.00
    Add to cart

Additionally, I have this free Texas lapbook for followers.

25+ Texas History Books For Middle School For a Fun Unit Study

How to Get the Free Texas Lapbook

Now, how to grab the free lapbook. It’s a subscriber freebie. And I have a list of links for this unit study included in the download.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access to my subscribers library and this freebie.

However, not all my freebies are in the library (wink).

I like to keep up to date with what is valuable to you so I can give you more, some freebies you must sign up again on the form below even if you are already a follower.

It’s the only way I have of freely delivering them to you. Just follow the steps below.

► 1) Sign up on my list.
► 2) Go to your inbox and confirm your email from the automatic reply I sent you.
►3) Last, look for my reply AFTER you confirm your email.

Lastly, look at these books for the history of Texas.

27 Books For Kids Who Love Reading And Being Read to About Texas

 Forget a boring textbook and add some of these books about Texas to your unit study or add to your learning day.

Susanna of the Alamo: A True Story

Relates the experiences of the Texas woman who, along with her baby, survived the 1836 massacre at the Alamo.

The Boy in the Alamo

The classic story of the siege of the Alamo, as told for young readers. Originally published in 1958, thousands of children each year enjoy this story from the unique point of view of twelve-year old Billy Campbell.

Plains Warrior: Chief Quanah Parker and the Comanches

A biography of the legendary Comanche leader profiles the son of a white woman, who fiercely defended tribal lands against those who tried to seize them and who, after being moved with his people to a reservation, fought for the recognition and decent treatment of his tribe.

A Paradise Called Texas

Searching for a better life, Mina, Papa, and Mama left their German fatherland aboard the brig Margaretha ,bound for Texas. They had been told it was the paradise of North America, but when Mina steps onto the desolate beach at Indian Point on a cold December day in 1845, she wants to go back to Germany and Opa's cozy house in the village of Wehrestedt. But go on they must. In spite of mama's tragic death, Mina and Papa push inland with the Kaufmann family to the Texas Hill Country. There Mina encounters an Indian chief and his young daughter, Amaya, whose help she needs when Papa falls ill. Based on her ancestors' immigration to Texas, Janice Shefelman tells of a journey into the wilderness that is filled with hardship, tragedy and adventure.

The Texans! Tejas to Today

Lessons Taught In Story Form.

Alamo All-Stars (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #6): A Texas Tale (Volume 6)

“Remember the Alamo!” That rallying cry has gone down in Texas history. But what, exactly, should we remember? Who were the ragtag group of adventurers behind the famous slogan, and how did they end up barricaded in a fort against a Mexican army Who survived, who died, and how. In the early 1800s, Native Americans, the Mexican government, and settlers from other areas of the United States were fighting over the territory that would become the Lone Star state. Here, vivid illustrations—rendered in black, white, and shades of gray, with tinges of yellow—and witty text tell the story, from Texas’s near wilderness beginnings to the Battle of the Alamo and General Sam Houston’s ultimate victory over General Antonio López de Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto.

Indians Who Lived in Texas

Briefly describes the environment, daily life, and customs of four Indian groups that lived in Texas--the farmers, the fishermen, the plant gatherers, and the hunters.

Make Way for Sam Houston (Unforgettable Americans)

Colorful Sam Houston leaps to life in the pages of this fresh and funny biography, set against the story of Texas's fight for independence from Mexico.

Wilderness Pioneer, Stephen F. Austin of Texas

I wanted to tell Austin's story so that boys and girls all over the United States would come to know him not as a stuffy figure in a history book but as a man who had a great dream for the welfare of his fellowmen, and in working to make that dream come true met adventure and danger, heartache and happiness.

Caleb's Choice (Puffin Novel)

In 1858 Texas, people are violently divided over a law that makes it a crime to help runaway slaves. Caleb isn't sure how he feels. When an escaped slave saves his life, Caleb knows he has a debt to repay. But should he break the law and risk his life to help two slaves escape?

A Gentle Tour Through Texas History

A guide for teaching Texas History through literature. It is based on a 34-week timeframe and is useful for students in grades K-6/7.

Johnny Texas

In the early days of Texas history, ten-year-old Johann comes from Germany with his family to settle in this vast land and soon grows to love his new home.

Remember the Alamo! (Landmark books)

I love this series of books and this one tends to be fairly accurate.

A Time to Stand: The Epic of the Alamo

The #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Miracle of Dunkirk tells the story of the Texans who fought Santa Anna’s troops at the Battle of the Alamo. Looking out over the walls of the whitewashed Alamo, sweltering in the intense sun of a February heat wave, Colonel William Travis knew his small garrison had little chance of holding back the Mexican army. Even after a call for reinforcements brought dozens of Texans determined to fight for their fledgling republic, the cause remained hopeless. Gunpowder was scarce, food was running out, and the compound was too large to easily defend with less than two hundred soldiers. Still, given the choice, only one man opted to surrender. The rest resolved to fight and die. After thirteen days, the Mexicans charged, and the Texans were slaughtered. In exquisite detail, Walter Lord recreates the fight to uphold the Texan flag. He sheds light not just on frontier celebrities like Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett, but on the ordinary soldiers who died alongside them. Though the fight ended two centuries ago, the men of the Alamo will never be forgotten.

I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900

More than a century later, the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 is still America's deadliest disaster. Lauren Tarshis's story of one child surviving the horrible event churns with page-turning action and bold hope.

The city of Galveston, Texas, was booming. Perched on an island off the southern coast of Texas, Galveston had been founded in the 1830s. By 1900, it was Texas's richest and most important city. Boats loaded up with American cotton and wheat steamed from Galveston to countries around the world. Arriving ships were crowded with immigrants. The streets, paved with crushed oyster shells, sparkled like they'd been sprinkled with diamonds.

Galveston's Summer of the Storm (Chaparral Books)

When fourteen-year-old Abby Kate boards the train in Austin to spend three weeks with her grandmother in Galveston, she’s full of excitement—about the train ride and the prospect of days on the beach, exploring Galveston with her cousin Jane, family picnics, and her grandmother’s good food. But things go wrong even before she gets to her grandmother’s house. Abby Kate gets off the train briefly in Houston—and the train leaves without her. Stranded in the railroad station, she is befriended by a man traveling with his two sons and eventually reaches Galveston safely.

Texas Rangers: Legendary Lawmen

In the 1820s, the Texas frontier was a rugged, lawless place that needed defending. The men that banded together to protect the citizens of Texas from the threats of bandits and raiding native tribes were known as the Texas Rangers. Since bravery was never in short demand, any unmarried man with a good horse and a sharp shot could be selected to join the ranks. As they roamed the Texas frontier maintaining peace and order, the Rangers were present for many of the most famous moments in Texas's exciting history-they defended the Alamo alongside Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, spied on the Mexican army during the war for independence, and chased down outlaws in the booming oil towns of the Wild West.

Texas Tomboy

The entire ranch is thirsty—will the rains ever come?

Remember Goliad: Their Silent Tents

Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836, turned out to be the blackest day in the war of independence between Texas and Mexico. Colonel James Walker Fannin Jr. and his men were ruthlessly slaughtered at the Presidio La Bahia near Goliad. The order was given directly by General Santa Anna. The author describes the background leading up to the start of hostilities in October 1835 and the two Mexican armies which threatened to overrun the Texans, with the massacre at the Alamo on March 2 and then the attack on the Presidio La Bahia, which Fannin called Fort Defiance. A description of garrison life and the men under Fannin's command precedes the battle of Coleto Plains, where Fannin's Texans, without an adequate water supply and defenses, were surrounded by General Urrea's army and forced to surrender. One of the more traumatic aspects of the battle and executions involved a group of young soldiers from Alabama, mainly from the same area, whose leader, Dr. Shackleford, was spared to minister to the sick and injured and was forced to witness the deaths of his protégées.

Jane Long Mother of Texas

A biography of the brave wife of General James Long who was the first woman of English descent to enter Texas and bear a child there.

Camel express; A story of the Jeff Davis experiment (Winston adventure books)

Story of a little known chapter in American military history; extensive illustrations throughout book by Joseph C. Camana.

Texas Yankee: The Story of Gail Borden

Famous as a newspaperman and surveyor in Texas, Gail Borden was the discoverer of how to condense milk. 

Tex's Tales

Picked up by a tornado and swept away from his family in nineteenth-century Texas, a dog has some exciting adventures in the frontier wilderness before making his way home again.

Miriam “Ma” Ferguson: First Woman Governor of Texas (Volume 3) (Stars of Texas Series)

Miriam Ferguson was a quiet, private person who preferred to stay home in her big house in Temple, Texas, and take care of her husband, raise her two daughters, and tend to her flower garden. But in 1924 she was elected governor of Texas, the first woman governor elected in the United States.

Texas History for Kids: Lone Star Lives and Legends, with 21 Activities

Encapsulating the 500-year saga of the one-of-a-kind state of Texas, this interactive book takes readers from the founding of the Spanish Missions and the victory at San Jacinto to the Great Storm that destroyed Galveston and the establishment of NASA’s Mission Control in Houston while covering everything in between. Texas History for Kids includes 21 informative and fun activities to help readers better understand the state’s culture, politics, and geography. Kids will recreate one of the six national flags that have flown over the state, make castings of local wildlife tracks, design a ranch’s branding iron, celebrate Juneteenth by reciting General Order Number 3, build a miniature Battle of Flowers float, and more. This valuable resource also includes a timeline of significant events, a list of historic sites to visit or explore online, and web resources for further study.

Make Way for Sam Houston

Colorful Sam Houston leaps to life in the pages of this fresh and funny biography, set against the story of Texas's fight for independence from Mexico. Lively, readable, and solidly researched, this is the kind of biography every child needs. Booklist, starred review Jean Fritz has done it again. Her writing turns this larger-than-life character into a very real person.School Library Journal, starred review ?Young readers will find the book fast-paced and fact-packed. The New York Times Book Review Jean Fritz lives in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

Trail Fever: The Life of a Texas Cowboy

The story of one of Texas's most famous cowboys is filled with cattle drives, stampedes, floods, droughts, freezing desert nights, raiders and bandits, and one man's endurance and love of life on the plains.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Reading Lists Tagged With: history, history resources, historyspine, homeschoolhistory, homeschoolreading, middle school, middleschool, read aloud, reading, Texas, Texas history, texasunit

Top 5 Reasons to Love Geronimo Stilton And Geronimo Stilton Book List 1-20

July 15, 2023 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a Geronimo Stilton book list because we love the series. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books ideas and crafts on my page.

First, the books originated in Italy and were written by Elisabetta Dami and use the name Geronimo Stilton as the author. Clever pen name, right?

Geronimo Stilton is written from the point of view of a young nervous mouse who keeps finding himself drawn into adventures (and sometimes in a pickle) in all sorts of different places around the world.

For example, he travels to the Outback, Egypt, New York, into the jungle, and sailing with pirates to name just a few of his adventures.

Top 5 Reasons to Love Geronimo Stilton And Geronimo Stilton Book List 1-20

They are great books for visual learners, young readers transitioning to chapter books, struggling readers, reluctant readers, and pretty much any other type of reader.

Additionally, they are recommended for ages 7-10 but depending on your child’s age I feel like that span can go a little wider in either direction.

Besides, you can see from the list below that Geronimo has quite a variety of adventures.

Geronimo Stilton Spin-Off Series

Too, we are just talking about the first 20 in the original series today but here is a quick overview of the different spin-off series and how many in each.

  • Geronimo Stilton-82
  • Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time-8
  • Geronimo Stilton: Cavemice Series-15
  • Geronimo Stilton Reporter Series-11
  • Thea Stilton Series-35  
  • Thea Stilton Graphic Novel Series-8 
  • Geronimo Stilton Graphic Novel Series-19 
  • Geronimo Stilton: The Graphic Novel Series-4 Books
  • Geronimo Stilton and the Kingdom of Fantasy Series-16 
  • Geronimo Stilton: Special Edition Series-7 
  • Geronimo Stilton Classic Tales Series-1 
  • Geronimo Stilton: Spacemice Series-12 
  • Geronimo Stilton: Creepella Von Cacklefur Series-9 
  • Geronimo Stilton: Micekings Series-7 
  • Thea Stilton: Mouseford Academy Series-8 
  • Thea Stilton and the Treasure Seekers Series-3 
Top 5 Reasons to Love Geronimo Stilton And Geronimo Stilton Book List 1-20

Next, look at the top 5 reasons to love the Geronimo Stilton book list.

Top 5 Reasons to Love Geronimo Stilton

  1. They are super fun to read. And they are written in a comic book or graphic novel style with bright and fun illustrations. This helps kids get a better picture of the locations and keeps their interest. The different sizes and styles of fonts help put emphasis on words, phrases, and themes throughout the book. Often these highlighted words make for a great introduction or review of spelling/vocabulary words.
  2. Teaches great life lessons- Geronimo’s books tend to have some kind of lesson woven in like being open to adventure, recycling, being brave, friendship, family, and other character concepts that are laid out simply for kids.
  3. Loaded with great facts and information- While telling the crazy stories they naturally weave in facts about people, places, and things so your child can’t help but learn while they enjoy the tale. Each of these elements is casually introduced in the story so your child is learning as they enjoy a story without it being a textbook at all. There is special emphasis on geography and history and make for a great history series for younger children.
  4. Great for boys and girls- While they do have a spin-off series about his sister Thea Stilton, Geronimo is written to appeal to both boys and girls, no matter what theme the adventure. If you have multiple kids in the house you are going to get a lot of bang for your buck on these books.
  5. They cover a variety of topics and locations- Whatever you are learning about or piques your child’s interest there is a great chance that there is a Geronimo Stilton out there for them. Looking for a book for them to read on the flight to a family vacation in Hawaii? Try book #72-The Hawaiian Heist, need something to supplement your Egypt study? Go with #2 The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid.
Top 5 Reasons to Love Geronimo Stilton And Geronimo Stilton Book List 1-20

Moreover, I have many hands-on activities to go wiith many of the books.

Geronimo Stilton Book List Activities

Also, look at these other crafts to go with the books.

  • Geronimo Stilton Race Against Time And Make Pottery Like Ancient Greeks
  • Geronimo Stilton Back in Time Second Journey Through Time and Fun Mayan Mask
  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activity Craft Fun Dragon Eggs
  • Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion
  • The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft
  • Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis
  • Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock
  • Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft
  • Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower
  • 10 Things to Learn From The Fun Geronimo Stilton Chapter Books
  • The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar
  • Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series
  • The Geronimo Stilton Book Fourth Journey Fun Egypt Game
  • Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Craft a Fun England Tower Guard
  • Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)
  • Down and Out Down Under Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
  • Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft
  • The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time Colosseum Craft
  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine
  • #2: Back in Time Mayan Craft
  • The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy
  • Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page

Finally, look at the list of Geronimo Stilton books.

Geronimo Stilton Books 1 - 20

It is not necessary to go in order, each book is its own stand-alone story, and the main characters are properly reintroduced each time.  So, you can choose the books based on your child's current interest, the season, or a unit study topic.

Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye

Who Is Geronimo Stilton? That's me! I run a newspaper, but my true passion is writing tales of adventure. Here on Mouse Island, my books are all best-sellers! What's that? You've never read one? Well, my books are full of fun. They are whisker-licking good stories, and that's a promise!Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye. It all started when my sister, Thea, discovered a mysterious map. It showed a secret treasure on a faraway island. And before I could let out a squeak of protest, Thea dragged me into her treasure hunt! In no time at all, we'd set sail for the island. It was an adventure I'd never forget....

The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid (Geronimo Stilton #2)

I'm off to Egypt! I climbed onboard a crabby old camel that would take me across the desert to the Great Cheese Pyramid. There, among mummies and hieroglyphics, I would learn the secret of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient Mouse World....

Cat and Mouse in a Haunted House (Geronimo Stilton, No. 3)

I was lost in a dark, spooky forest! Until I stumbled upon Curlypaw Cannycat's Castle.

I'm Too Fond of My Fur! (Geronimo Stilton #4)

Well, my books are full of fun. They are whisker-licking good stories, and that's a promise! I'm Too Fond of My Fur! I was on my way 'round the world to Mouse Everest! The trip was long and dangerous. I almost froze my tail off on the way. And then I was kidnapped by the Abominable Snowman! Yes, it was truly an amazing adventure....

Four Mice Deep in the Jungle (Geronimo Stilton Funny Tales)

Enter the world of Geronimo Stilton, where another funny adventure is always right around the corner. Each book is a fast-paced adventure with lively art and a unique format kids 7-10 will love.I have never been a brave mouse... but lately, my fears were taking over my life! Soon I was too afraid even to leave my mousehole. That's when Thea and Trap decided to cure me. They dragged me away on an airplane (I'm afraid of flying!) all the way to the jungle. There I was forced to eat bug soup, climb trees as high as skyscrapers, swim in raging rivers, and even wrangle snakes! How would a 'fraidy mouse like me ever survive?

Paws Off, Cheddarface! (Geronimo Stilton, No. 6)

Who Is Geronimo Stilton? That's me! I run a newspaper, but my true passion is writing tales of adventure. Here on Mouse Island, my books are all best-sellers! They are whisker-licking good tales, and that's a promise!__PAWS OFF, CHEDDARFACE!It was the strangest thing... all across New Mouse City, rodents kept telling me I'd done things I had no memory of! I soon discovered why... there was a Geronimo look-alike out there, pretending to be me. He'd even fooled my sister Thea! And worst of all, he was trying to take over my newspaper. I had to find a way to strike back -- but how??

Red Pizzas for a Blue Count

They are whisker-licking-good tales, and that's a promise! Red Pizzas for a Blue Count My troublemaker cousin was trapped in Transratania! And before I could even squeak, my sister, Thea, dragged me along on her rescue mission. Little did we know that Transratania is the land of vampire bats! Holey cheese, bats give me mouse bumps! Why? Well, there's nothing a bat likes more than sinking its teeth into a nice, juicy mouse....

Attack of the Bandit Cats (Geronimo Stilton, No. 8)

Oh, what a day! I had just published New Mouse City's first phone book -- and almost every single number was wrong! My customers were out for my fur. So when Thea, Trap, and Benjamin asked me to join their quest for a legendary island covered in silver, I agreed. But no sooner had we set out than we were attacked by a ship of pirate cats! They mousenapped us and threatened to make us their dinner. Would we escape with our lives... or find ourselves in the soup?

A Fabumouse Vacation for Geronimo (Geronimo Stilton, No. 9)

Sometimes a busy businessmouse like me needs a nice, relaxing vacation. But of all the rotten rats' luck -- every time I tried to get away, disaster struck. My aunt Dizzy Fur's mouse hole caught on fire, my office was flooded, and our printing press broke down! When I was finally ready to depart, all the good trips were booked up. I was stuck in a flea-ridden old hotel, sharing a room with a bunch of Gerbil Scouts! I couldn't wait to get back to my comfy home in New Mouse City....

All Because of a Cup of Coffee (Geronimo Stilton, No. 10)

I, Geronimo Stilton, was in love! I went out for a cup of coffee one morning and laid eyes on the most beautiful rodent I'd ever seen. Unfortunately, I immediately tripped over my paws and ended up with my tail in a toaster! I was one mortified mouse. But I was determined to prove that I wasn't a complete stumblemouse. So I decided to join my family on their most daring adventure yet -- a journey to the eighth wonder of the world! There I made a discovery so truly amazing, I knew I could win the heart of my darling ratlette....

The Phantom of the Subway (Geronimo Stilton, No. 13)

When my sister Thea told me a ghost was haunting New Mouse City's subway tunnels, I knew I had to get the scoop for The Rodents Gazette! So I set off with Thea, Trap, and my assistant editor Pinky Pick. We soon discovered that Sally Ratmousen, the editor of The Daily Rat, was also on the trail of the mysterious ghost. But we were all in for the fright of our wee mouse lives... because the ghost turned out to be a CAT!

The Temple of the Ruby of Fire (Geronimo Stilton, No. 14)

It was my most thrilling adventure yet! My old friend Professor von Volt had discovered the location of the famous Ruby of Fire. And before I could let out a squeak of protest, my sister Thea had dragged me into race to be the first to find the legendary gem. The jewel was protected by thousands of ancient booby-traps -- a 'fraidy mouse's worst nightmare? Would I make it through with my fur?

The Mona Mousa Code (Geronimo Stilton, No. 15)

Do you like art? I do! So when Thea heard that there was a secret map hidden beneath Mouse Island's most famous painting, the Monamouse, I knew we had to get the scoop! Together we began to investigate, and soon we discovered secret clues that led us to the most fabumouse secret. And it all lay beneath the streets of New Mouse City!

A Cheese-Colored Camper[GERONIMO STILTON #16 CHEESE-CO][Paperback]

My grandfather William Shortpaws -- also known as Cheap Mouse Willy -- was back at The Rodent's Gazette, and he was determined to torture me. He wanted to publish a guide book to Ratzikistan, the Siberia of Mouse Island. And he ordered *me* to go there to write it! But as you know, dear reader,

Watch Your Whiskers, Stilton! (Geronimo Stilton, No. 17)

Cheesecake! A mysterious one-eyed rat was trying to steal The Rodent's Gazette from under my snout! I had to stop him -- but how? My business manager, Shif T. Paws, came up with a plan. He arranged for me to appear on a TV quiz show. If I won, the Gazette was safe. But if I lost -- SQUEAK! -- I had to give up my tail!

Shipwreck on the Pirate Islands (Geronimo Stilton, No. 18)

My sister had come up with a new way to torment me. She'd combined my two least favorite things - travel and ghosts! Thea had heard rumors of a haunted pirate treasure buried on a desert island. And before I could say "avast ye scurvy rats," she'd dragged me into her treasure hunt!

My Name Is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton (Geronimo Stilton, No. 19)

Have you met my very young assistant editor, Pinky Pick? She is only thirteen years old, but she is one of the cleverest mice I've ever known. If you've ever wondered how Pinky came to work for me at The Rodent's Gazette, this is the book for you! It's a looooong story... and one that's full of adventure, laughs, and of course, like all of my books, lots of embarrassing moments for yours truly!

Surf's Up, Geronimo! (Geronimo Stilton, No. 20)

Ah, there's nothing like a relaxing vacation on the beach! I would spread out by the crystal-clear water with a good book. What more could a mouse want? At least, that was the plan. But somehow, my vacations never seem to go according to plan. Instead of a beautiful seaside resort, I found myself in a fleabag hotel that was falling down around my ears! Oh, would I ever be able to relax and enjoy my vacation

2 CommentsFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: book lists, books, Geronimo Stilton, homeschoolanguagearts, kindergarten, language arts, languagearts, literature, read aloud, reading

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.

Today, I’ve rounded up 54+ fun books turned movies to spark a love for reading.

Living in a world of visual learners, we need numerous ways to nurture their 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.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Movie link.

Because of Winn-Dixie

Movie link.

The Swiss Family Robinson

Movie link.

Holes (Holes Series)

Movie link.

The Call of the Wild

Movie link.

Mr. Lemoncello and the Titanium Ticket

Movie link.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Movie link.

The Chronicles of Narnia

Movie link.

The Tale of Despereaux

Movie link.

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

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Movie link.

The Black Stallion

Movie link.

Old Yeller

Movie link.

The Secret Garden

Movie link.

Harriet the Spy

Movie link.

How to Train Your Dragon

Movie link.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Movie link.

Wonder

Movie link.

Cheaper by the Dozen

Movie link.

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

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

Babe: The Gallant Pig

Movie link.

Doctor Dolittle

Movie link.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Movie link.

The Spiderwick Chronicles

Movie link.

James and the Giant Peach

Movie link.

Heidi

Movie link.

The Indian in the Cupboard

Movie link.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Movie link.

Where the Wild Things Are

Movie link.

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.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Movie link.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Movie link.

The Art of Ratatouille

Movie link.

Beezus and Ramona

Movie link.

The Jungle Book

Movie link.

Maryellen: Taking Off (American Girl® Historical Characters)

Movie link.

The Bad Beginning: Or, Orphans! (A Series of Unfortunate Events,

Movie link.

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

Movie link.

The Education of Little Tree

Movie link.

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.

Pollyanna

Movie link.

Inkheart

Movie link.

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

Movie link.

Peter and Wendy or Peter Pan

Movie link.

Railway Children

Movie link.

Justin Morgan Had a Horse

Movie link.

Paddle-to-the-Sea:

Movie link.

The Borrowers

Movie link.

Misty of Chincoteague

Movie link.

Appreciating Literature Through Movies

Ready Player One

Movie link.

J.R.R. Tolkien 4-Book Boxed Set: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

Movie link.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Movie link.

Anne of Green Gables

Movie link.

The Princess Bride

Movie link.

Mary Poppins Boxed Set

Movie link.

A Bear Called Paddington

Movie link.

The Incredible Journey

Movie link.

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George

Movie link.

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

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. These nature novels can be part of any curriculum or stand alone. Also, look at How to Put Together a Middle School Nature Study With Book List.

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

Nature Novels For Kids

1.
Call of the Wild by Jack London for ages 12 and up.

The Illustrated Call of the Wild: Original First Edition

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.

2.
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell for ages 8 to 12.

Island of the Blue Dolphins

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

3.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain for ages 12 and up.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: Original Illustrations

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.

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

Nature Books for Kids

4.
Hatchet by Gary Paulson ages 11 and up.

Hatchet

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

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.

5.
Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling C. Holling for ages 8 to 12.

Paddle-to-the-Sea (Sandpiper Books)

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

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

This author has many other titles perfect for nature study.

The Secret Garden (HarperClassics)

6.
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. 

7.
The Secret Lake by Karen Inglis for ages 8 to 12.

The Secret Lake: A children’s mystery adventure

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

8.
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare for ages 10 to 12.

The Sign of the Beaver

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

9.
The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Davide Wyss for ages 10 and up.

The Swiss Family Robinson (An Illustrated Classic)

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.

Also, look at my Free Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study And Easy DIY Water Filter.

10.
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey for ages High School.

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

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.

11.
My Side of The Mountain by Jean Craighead George for ages 8 to 12.

My Side of the Mountain (Puffin Modern Classics)

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

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

Summer of the Woods (The Virginia Mysteries)

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.

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

The Last Unicorn

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.

14.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame for ages 8 and up.

The Wind in the Willows

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))

15.
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)

16.
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!

Living Books About Nature

Nature Girl

17.
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!

18.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls for ages 9 to 14.

Where the Red Fern Grows

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.

19.
Wish by Barabra O’Connor for ages 9 to 12.

Wish

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.

20.
The Lost Book of Adventure
for ages 7 and up.

You’ll be transported by riveting adventure tales from around the globe, like being dragged off by a hyena in Botswana, surviving a Saharan dust storm, being woken by an intrepid emperor penguin in Antarctica, and coming face-to-face with a venomous bushmaster (one of the most dangerous snakes on the planet)—all told in lyrical prose and illustrations that wonder at the mysterious beauty of the wild.

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. Also, look at my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum for more tips.

That is something only another homeschool educator can fully appreciate.

Teaching my first homeschooled 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.

How To Get Your First Homeschooled Child Reading

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.

6 Solid How-Tos Tips for Teaching New Homeschooled Readers

1. Understand the reading program parts. It has at least two parts.

2. Knowing the names of ALL the letters is not necessary.

3. Teach the sound the consonant represents; begin with the short sound for vowels.

4. Introduce consonants and vowels in a strategic order so a child reads sooner than later. Do not introduce letters in ABC order.

5. Multiple letter sounds should be introduced at one time.

6. Search play vs. structured teaching approach for PreK and Kindergarten levels.

I’m diving into this first point which is to understand the vital parts to a balanced reading program.

The Key Parts to a Beginner’s Reading Program

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. And be sure you’re subscribed to my YouTube Channel How to Homeschool EZ.

How to Choose a Laid Out Reading Program.

1. Know That Letter Names Are Not Important In the Beginning

The second point is to understand that your child doesn’t need to know the names of letters.

All About Reading Pre-reading

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. Identifying sounds of letters is the first place to start.

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.

2. Why Teaching the Sound of Consonants Is First

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.

3. Create a Strategic Order for Consonant and Vowel Introduction

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 that 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.

For free lists, 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.

How To Get Your First Homeschooled Child Reading

Reading Pace Matters

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 instance 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”.

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.

Keep Your Reading Pace Moving

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.

Developmentally Appropriate Means Making A Child’s Development Priority

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 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.

More Tips for Beginner Readers

  • 12 of the Best Books For Beginner Readers Being Homeschooled
  • How To Determine The Best Beginner Reading Books For Kindergarten & Recommendations
  • 6 Boy Approved Books Which Spark the Love of Reading
  • How To Get Your First Homeschooled Child Reading
  • 10 Best Homeschool Phonics Curriculum For Kindergarten

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?

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 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!
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.
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.

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

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