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

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

How to add language arts to homeschool unit studies is one hurdle for delight directed learning. Also, look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more tips and resources.

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

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

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

5 WAYS TO ADD LANGUAGE ARTS TO UNIT STUDIES

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

1. Pair a living book with your unit study.

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

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

Choose the living book with these things in mind:

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

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

LANGUAGE ARTS FOR UNIT STUDIES

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

  • defining vocabulary words;
  • dictation;
  • narration;
  • copywork;
  • outlining;
  • reciting an oral speech;
  • reading; and
  • topics for writing or essays.
How to Easily Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies (& Resources)

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Use Quick Reference Materials Like BarCharts.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Add Language Arts to Homeschool Unit Studies

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

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

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

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

3. Use an Ungraded, Multi-Level Resource.

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

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

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

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

Homeschool Language Arts

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

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

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

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

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

Look at few more resources for multiple grades:

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

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

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

4. Play games.

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

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

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

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

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

5. Free Curriculum Online.

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

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

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

Then, I can add in supplementary or free resources.

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

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

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

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

You’ll love some of these other helps:

Hugs and love ya,

Hands on Writing Activities | How to Make an On the Go Pencil Pouch

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

Hands-on writing activities make an otherwise boring subject fun and interesting. Also, look at my page Practical Homeschool Writing Curriculum from Pre-K To High School for more tips. 

Also, I have an on-the-go pencil pouch idea as well as many others.

We live in a technology-soaked world and it definitely has its place.

Hands on Writing Activities | How to Make an On the Go Pencil Pouch

But the benefits to fun and engaging hands-on writing activities are many and I am not only going to share the whys but some fun how tos as well.

How much fun is it to get a handwritten letter or sign your name in cursive for the first time?

We want to develop these skills, so your child has the option later.

Our on the go pencil pouch that we are going to put together today is a great way to not only pass the time on short or long trips but encourage your child to practice their writing skills.

These can also be brought into restaurants, doctors, offices, and more to pass the time while you wait.

HANDWRITING TOOLS

Next, look at more handwriting tools.

10 Writing Tools For Kids

Using the right tools when teaching handwriting or composition is important. Add some of these to your writing day.

BENEFITS OF HANDS-ON WRITING ACTIVITIES

Improved fine motor skills- Writing by hand requires the use of small muscles in the hands and fingers, which helps to develop fine motor skills. These skills are important for many everyday tasks, such as buttoning clothes, tying shoes, and using tools.

Enhanced cognitive skills-Writing by hand helps to improve cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. This is because writing by hand requires the brain to process information in a different way than typing.

Increased creativity-Writing by hand can help to increase creativity,  it allows for more fluidity and expression than typing.

Reduced stress-Writing by hand can help to reduce stress because the act of writing is calming, meditative, and a tactile experience.

Improved focus- It can help to improve focus because it requires the brain to focus on the task at hand.

Also, look at more homeschool writing curriculum and tips.

MORE HOMESCHOOL WRITING CURRICULUM & TIPS

Hands on Writing Activities | How to Make an On the Go Pencil Pouch

10 EXCITING HANDS-ON WRITING ACTIVITIES

  1. Alphabet Letter Letter Formation cards are a great way to practice writing and letter recognition before they even touch a pencil.
  2. I think these Editable Name Coloring Pages | Student Names Activity | Printable Sheets are a fantastic way to develop fine motor skills in a unique way, and who doesn’t love to see their name featured?
  3. Start small with the Rainbow Pencil Control Exercises that help children develop writing legibility.
  4. Ancient Japan for Kids: Fun and Simple Handwriting Activity- Write out of the “norm”, rather than practicing your basic alphabet shake things up by having your child take their time to practice Japanese characters. This will still give them fine motor practice and will require even more concentration and patience while writing the more difficult characters by giving a fun twist.
  5. Tools like this Dashed Handwriting Lines Practice Roller Stamp can make handwriting fun and put kids in the driver’s seat by letting them create their own writing guidelines.
  6. Put together this simple Rainbow Salt Writing Tray before they even pick up a pencil to develop letter recognition and motor skills.
  7. While The Best Part of Me was designed for a classroom setting, it would lend itself wonderfully to a homeschool writing project as well.
  8. Young children working on prewriting skills will use the messy sticky Easy Cranberry Sauce Writing along with 11 Fun Handwriting Activities For Preschoolers.
  9. Colorful and repetitive Rainbow Words are solid practice for fine motor skills but also spelling practice as well.
  10. Instead of popping a video up on the screen when traveling, put together an on the go writing kit for extra practice. Continue reading to find out what I would put in it and how to maximize its effectiveness.

ON THE GO WRITING POUCH

You will need:

  • Writing pouch
  • Pencils
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Fun pens
  • Erasers
  • Small notepad
  • Post it notes
  • 3×5 cards
Hands on Writing Activities | How to Make an On the Go Pencil Pouch

First, you need a fun writing pouch, I was able to find everything I needed at Dollar Tree to put it all together.

Hands on Writing Activities | How to Make an On the Go Pencil Pouch

Include a small lined notebook, be sure that it fits inside.

Hands on Writing Activities | How to Make an On the Go Pencil Pouch

Add pencils, fun colorful or scented pens, erasers, and of course a pencil sharpener.

Hands on Writing Activities | How to Make an On the Go Pencil Pouch

Now beyond those basics for a young child learning to write things like basic cvc words you can write them neatly on 3×5 cards for them to copy.

To increase your child’s familiarity with common words, develop vocabulary, and encourage handwriting practice, change up the words on these cards with every trip.

For older children, you can draw a picture at the top without writing the word so that they can recall it on their own and write it out.

A simple doctor visit? Pencil in doctor and nurse to help familiarize them with the words in writing. Headed to see Mount Rushmore? President, mountain, and South Dakota would be perfect. Disney? Mickey and pals of course.

Tuck your filled pencil pouch into the glove compartment or the back of the seat pocket so that it is ready to go.

Free 30 Days PreK To High School Simple Writing Activities

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

I have a free 30 printable writing prompts for simple writing activities. The free printable prompts are for grades prek to high school to give you ideas for all your children. Also, look at my page Practical Homeschool Writing Curriculum from Pre-K To High School for more tips. 

And one of the best ways to improve the writing process and foster creativity is through writing prompts.

Prompts take all the stress out of what you write about.

Free 30 Days PreK To High School Simple Writing Activities

It allows writers of any level to focus on their creativity, their thoughts and personal expression.

Those reasons are the very ones we want to teach our children to write for.

Not to seek a grade, not to please other people with their topics but kids should write for their own intrinsic value.

And just what are writing prompts?

Writing prompts are short, thought-provoking statements or questions which spark creativity.

WRITING PROMPT BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at these books to help spark ideas for your children.

5 Writing Prompt Books & Story Starters

Use these fun books and story starters to stir the imagination of your writer.

Then, look at more simple writing activities.

MORE HOMESCHOOL WRITING CURRICULUM & TIPS

Free 30 Days PreK To High School Simple Writing Activities

ABOUT THE 6 PAGE FREE PRINTABLE WRITING CHALLENGE

Next, look at what is included in this free printable writing challenge.

  • 1 preschool writing challenge page for 30 days
  • 1 elementary writing challenge page for 30 days
  • 1 middle school writing challenge page for 30 days
  • 1 high school writing challenge page for 30 days
  • 2 pages rewards and incentives for preschool to high school

HOW TO GET THE FREE PRINTABLE WRITING CHALLENGE

Now, how to grab the freebie.  It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Medieval Writing Utensils: Journey Through Time & How To Make A Penner

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

Make a penner to hold medieval writing utensils with me. Also, look at my page Practical Homeschool Writing Curriculum from Pre-K To High School for more tips. And look at my 4 Week Free Middle Ages Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas for more activities.

The penner activity is fun. It can get your child interested in medieval writing or writing in general.

You can absolutely sew your penner together and use real leather to make it more realistic if you prefer.

Medieval Writing Utensils: Journey Through Time & How To Make A Penner

I opted for an easier and less expensive glued version.

And I think it still came out really cool and nice enough to be an accessory for a medieval costume.

Leather penners were used to hold medieval scribes writing tools such as quill pens, penknives, bone folders.

Too, they were often strung together with an ink well.

The term penner can refer to both the leather tool holder as well as the scribe that did the work themself.

A medieval penner’s work was highly valued.

MEDIEVAL WORK BY PENNERS

They were most often used to illustrate religious texts and to add beauty to secular works.

 Some of the works they would write were:

  • Religious texts- such as bibles, prayer books, and missals.
  • Secular texts-chronicles, histories, and legal documents.
  • Literary texts- poems, plays, and romances.
  • Scientific texts- medical treatises and alchemical texts.
  • Philosophical texts-commentaries on Aristotle and Plato.
  • Musical texts- manuscripts of music.
Medieval Writing Utensils: Journey Through Time & How To Make A Penner

Many penner’s were scholars and intellectuals who played an important role in the preservation and dissemination of knowledge during the Middle Ages.

MEDIEVAL WRITING UTENSILS AND THEIR USES

Medieval traveling scribes used a variety of tools to create their beautiful works. The first was a leather penner to hold the tools, which of course we will be replicating today.

Look at the tools found inside of the penner:

  • Quills: Quills were the most common writing implement used by medieval penner’s. They were made from the hollow shafts of feathers. Typically made from geese or swans. Quills were sharpened to a point. Then dipped in ink to write.
  • Ink: Medieval inks were made from a variety of materials, including soot, berries, and plant extracts. Inks were often colored to create different effects, such as red for headings and initials.
  • Parchment: Parchment was the most common writing surface used by medieval penner’s. It was made from the skin of animals, such as sheep, goats, and calves. Parchment was expensive, but it was also durable and long-lasting.
  • Bone Folders: Bone folders were made from the bones of cows or deer or even elk. They were used to create sharp creases in fold pages.

Scribes often wrote in a Scriptoria, which were workshops where penner’s worked, typically located in monasteries and cathedrals.

The workshops were equipped with desks, chairs, and tools.

Then, look at more activities.

MORE HOMESCHOOL WRITING CURRICULUM & TIPS

Medieval Writing Utensils: Journey Through Time & How To Make A Penner

Finally, look at how to make a penner.

HOW TO MAKE A PENNER FOR MEDIEVAL WRITING UTENSILS

You will need:

  • 2 8 x 12 faux leather sheets
  • Scissors
  • Permanent marker
  • 3 empty paper towel or toilet paper tubes
  • Pens with nibs or feather quills
  • Leather string or cording
  • Jumbo craft stick
Medieval Writing Utensils: Journey Through Time & How To Make A Penner

First, I used a couple of taped empty toilet paper tubes to give our holder a little more structure.

You want to make sure that you make the overall length of your tubes, including the lid a little longer than your supplies, for me 2 rolls was perfect.

Medieval Writing Utensils: Journey Through Time & How To Make A Penner

Cut another tube about 3” tall to create the lid.

I happened to end up with one roll that was slightly larger than the others, making it the perfect size to slide over the holder.

If yours are all the same you can cut the lid one from one end to the other and tape it together just slightly larger than it was.

Cut two circles from your faux leather a bit larger than the circumference of your rolls.

Medieval Writing Utensils: Journey Through Time & How To Make A Penner

Use hot glue to secure one end of the holder and place the other on one end of the lid. Trim off excess so that it is the exact same size as the roll.

Medieval Writing Utensils: Journey Through Time & How To Make A Penner

Wrap the leather around the holder about 3” down on one end and secure in place with hot glue.

Medieval Writing Utensils: Journey Through Time & How To Make A Penner

Roll the leather around your lid and again trim it to the exact length.

Medieval Writing Utensils: Journey Through Time & How To Make A Penner

Your lid should now slide right over the holder perfectly.

Medieval Writing Utensils: Journey Through Time & How To Make A Penner

Now cut 4 small rectangles, about ¾ of an inch long, these hold the cording in place.Add hot glue to either end, bend them a bit and place on either side of the lid and holder, lined up.

Medieval Writing Utensils: Journey Through Time & How To Make A Penner

Slide a 20”-24” piece of leather cording through each side, through the channels you made and tie a knot in each end, secure with hot glue inside the small leather looped pieces.

Medieval Writing Utensils: Journey Through Time & How To Make A Penner

The lid will now be able to slide up and down the length of the cord to open it without it being lost.

Just like scribes would have done back then.

Slide your tools inside, I used a jumbo craft stick as a bone folder and some of the dip pens from a calligraphy set.

How To Choose Writing Curriculum For Struggling Writers & Recommendations

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

I have tips on how to choose writing curriculum for struggling writers. Also, look at my page Practical Homeschool Writing Curriculum from Pre-K To High School for more tips.

Let’s look at some of the possible reasons for your struggling writer.

And how to choose a curriculum to address those needs so that they can succeed.

How To Choose Writing Curriculum For Struggling Writers & Recommendations

Math and writing are the two subjects that most homeschool families say cause the most grief on a daily basis.

Writing can be a challenging skill for many students, but it is an essential skill for success in school and beyond.

Struggling writers will need extra support to develop their writing skills.

UNDERSTANDING THE WRITING PROCESS

Writing is a complex process that involves many skills and brain functions, including:

  • Conceptualization
  • Fine motor skills
  • Language processing
  • Spatial perception
  • Working memory
  • Organization.
  • Orthographic coding

There are many reasons why a child could be struggling with writing.

For example, it could be a lack of understanding of grammar and structure, poor grasp on vocabulary, writer’s block, lack of ideas, and lack of interest in the subject or topic.

How To Choose Writing Curriculum For Struggling Writers & Recommendations

But sometimes it is more than a child who isn’t trying or needs a little extra lesson in grammar, creative writing, or vocabulary.

HOW TO CHOOSE WRITING CURRICULUM FOR STRUGGLING WRITERS

For example, it can be a learning disability.

Children with learning disabilities such as dyslexia or dysgraphia may have difficulty with reading, writing, and spelling. They may also have trouble with memory and organization.

Dysgraphia is a neurological condition where someone has difficulty turning their thoughts into written language for their age and ability.

And to think even with consistent exposure to adequate instruction and education.

It is very common to come hand in hand with adhd, autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, selective language impairment, and developmental coordination disorder.

Symptoms of dysgraphia can include:

  • Difficulty forming letters and words.
  • Poor handwriting.
  • Difficulty with spelling.
  • Difficulty organizing thoughts on paper
  • Slow writing speed.
  • Lack of fine motor coordination in general.
  • Avoiding writing activities.

Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects how a person reads, writes, and spells. It is caused by differences in the brain that impact how language is processed.

People with dyslexia are often bright and creative, but they may struggle with traditional methods of teaching.

This obviously makes writing a challenge!

Here are some of the common symptoms of dyslexia:

  • Poor handwriting
  • Difficulty with reading, writing, and spelling
  • Slow and labored reading
  • Difficulty sounding out words
  • Confusing letters and words
  • Difficulty with rhyming
  • Difficulty with following directions

MORE HOMESCHOOL WRITING CURRICULUM & TIPS

Writing Curriculum For Struggling Writers

Are you looking for a writing curriculum for struggling writers when it's more than just a lack of effort and interest in writing?