Weekend Links {for Summer Reading at Home}

I first published this FREE eBook in 2013 and I updated it in 2014, but it is available anytime for your use:

Summer Reading Guide for Families eBook

Forgot to join your library's summer ready program...or don't want the hassle? 

Do-It-Yourself Summer Reading Program

Want to inspire your kids to read challenging books all year?

The {Not} Summer Reading Program

Need some picture book inspiration?

100 Picture Books To Read This Summer

We're studying the book of John on Sundays at church so I'm having my readers go through this on their own at home:

Children's Bible Reading Plans (The Gospels) 
   

Want a cute summer-themed bookmark for August? 

Free Popsicle Printable Bookmark

 

Hope your weekend is lovely...and happy reading!

eBook

My new eBook is here and available for FREE!    

Click on the book cover to download your copy!

I'd love it if you would share this resource with your friends on Twitter and Facebook.  I've made it easy for you.  All you have to do is copy and paste:  

I just got my free copy of Books for Christmas. Get yours here: http://from-my-life.blogspot.com/2014/11/christmas.html #booksforchristmas


 

Writing Prompts (a printable for the new school year)

With three weeks behind us in this new school year, I'm discovering what works for us and what needs some tweaking. I'm all about making the days run smoothly while conserving our time and energy. 

I've found that it helps to knock out spelling, grammar, and writing in a single activity.  We save time with this method. Plus, the way I look at it, it is more effective than learning the subjects separately.  (When do you ever encounter a spelling list in your adult life?)

I created a set of  Check-off Writing Prompts for my three oldest children (ages 11, 10, and 8). Each child keeps their checklists in a folder with a bunch of loose-leaf notebook paper.  When it's time to write, they choose any question off of the list, write down their answer, and then check off the question to be sure they don't repeat it another week.  

When they finish, they turn their paper into me to make notes on spelling, punctuation, and grammar.  The next day we work through it together to make corrections.  Sometimes I ask them to copy it over and make a final draft, sometimes not.

Does this sound like something that would benefit your kids or that they would enjoy?   
Download your own set of Check-off Writing Prompts by clicking here.

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This is our second year of using writing prompts in our homeschool. To access the writing prompts I created last year, click here.

We Draw Animals Tutorial

We finished our third week of school today.  Dare I say we are starting to find our groove? 

I've mentioned to several people this year that if I could somehow find a way to incorporate art into every subject, maybe Gavin would learn to love school... or at least stop complaining about it.  He gets bogged down by math (even though he excels at it) and he couldn't care less about spelling, but the boy loves to draw! 

One of the things we are doing for science this year is  reading our way through The Burgess Bird Book for Children {Amazon affiliate link}.  We read a chapter, or sometimes two, a week, then look at photos of the featured bird in a variety of nature guides.  On a separate day, the kids sketch that week's bird in their nature notebooks. 

When Kathy from We Draw Animals contacted me about creating a how-to-draw tutorial for my blog, I was excited.  My kids love the how-to-draw books they find at the library, but this tutorial would be especially tailored to what they are learning and doing in school every week. 

Kathy designed a hawk tutorial for me (scroll down to see the 6 easy steps), but the website has hundreds of animal to choose from including a section devoted to how to draw birds.  I love that each tutorial on the website is prefaced by a short science lesson with bulleted facts about the animal. And the best part?  Everything on the website is free! A free eBook is also available for download and I've included the link below.

 Click here to download the full We Draw Animals eBook!

The {Not} Summer Reading Program

Earlier in the summer, I asked my readers via my Facebook page (and also my personal Facebook page) to recommend books for my kids to read independently.  I was looking for books that would be fun to read but also stretch their minds. 

The suggestions started...and kept coming and coming! 

After researching and looking up titles, after following links and reading reviews, I settled on books for each of my independent readers.

list for my 11-year-old son

list for my 10-year-old daughter

list for my 8-year-old son

I tailored each list to the child's reading level, age, gender, and interests, though there is some overlap of books between lists. I am calling it our Not Summer Reading Program because I plan to give them their lists now, at the beginning of the school year, and continue with the challenge until school ends in May. The plan is to require each of them to choose a predetermined number of books to read on their own time during the school year.  If they choose to read more than the required number, there will be an extra reward.

As a visual reminder, I gathered any of the books we own and put them in their own space on one of our living room bookshelves.  Any books we don't own can be borrowed from the library on our weekly visits.

Do your kids have required reading (whether they are homeschooled or attend a public or private school)?

a First Day of School Tradition (and a free printable)

You may have seen the popular 1st Day of School chalkboard signs on Pinterest. They are cute and a wonderful way to mark a milestone.

We started a similar tradition years ago.  On the first day of school, I give my kids a sheet of paper with simple block letters spelling out the grade they are entering.  They color it in with markers, crayons, or colored pencils and then I take a photo of them holding their sign. 

I include the photo of them holding their sign on the cover of their year-end portfolio.  I also save the actual sign and use it as the title page in their portfolios.

Way back when we started the tradition, it was a thrill to spend an hour coloring and call it school, but this has evolved over time. Now it's not simply a coloring page but a project as each child plans and designs an elaborate theme for their sign.  They came up with this idea on their own and they have literally been pondering their themes since May before we began summer break. The topic has dominated more than one dinnertime conversation, even as recently as last week.

Monday was our first day back to school for the new year: 

Alaine; pre-school

Ben; 1st grade; VeggieTales theme

Owen; 3rd grade; Lego minifigures theme

Maddie; 5th grade; castles and dragons theme

Gavin; 7th grade; The Lego Movie theme

Do you think your kids would like to color a 1st Day of School sign? I'm offering a free PDF for your use.

1st Day of School Grade Signs PDF

It's not fancy and not something you couldn't create on your own, but I'm providing it here to save you time.  Just click print and you are ready to go...even at the last minute!


A few ideas we use to make this even more fun...

• We keep the first day of school low pressure.  I read aloud while they are coloring signs, then we maybe do one other subject before calling it a day.
  
• Sometimes  I ask the kids to wear a favorite item of clothing for their photograph. It's another way to record and mark the milestone.
  
• Instead of insisting that each kid smile, I try to let them do their own thing for this photo, even if means a frown, a pout, or a silly face.
  
  

A Look Back at the Past...

First Day of School 2013

First Day of School 2012

 First Day of School 2011

Summer Reading Guide for Families 2014

It's here!  The Summer Reading Guide For Families eBook is back for 2014.  Divided by category for easy navigation, it includes an eclectic assortment of choices for your reading enjoyment.  All the old content is there but expanded with new recommendations and even a new category!

The eBook is available to download for FREE!  and includes a printable checklist that you can keep by the computer or bring with you to the library.  

Click on the book cover to download your copy!

Your feedback is appreciated!  

After reading a book listed in the guide, would you consider coming back here to let me know how you liked it?  If you've read a book that you think is worth a mention, let me know that, too! 

I'd love it if you would share this resource with your friends on Twitter and Facebook.  I've made it easy for you.  All you have to do is copy and paste:  

I just downloaded this year's Summer Reading Guide For Families from Bits and Pieces From My Life. Get your free copy here: http://from-my-life.blogspot.com/2014/06/familyreading.html  #familyreading

 

This Is How I Teach Spelling

One of my children is not a natural speller.  That's a nice way of saying that one of my children is a terrible speller. Not only that, but he told me that spelling isn't important as long as he can read what he has written. 

I have experimented with a variety of teaching methods.  We tried spelling lists.  We tried word families.  We tried doing nothing at all with the idea that a combination of reading good literature and maturity would work their magic. 

It worked and it didn't work. 

My student learned how to memorize spelling lists for a quiz, but he would forget how to spell the same words in his writing. Word families meant nothing to him.  The literature/maturity method worked for my other two spellers, but the terrible speller still didn't care.

This year we've stumbled on something that is working.  We aren't calling it spelling.  We call it writing because we are  focusing on the whole package of spelling, punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, and creativity. 

Now, instead of memorizing and drilling a list of random words, my children pour their creativity into assignments that mean something to them...and the spelling practice is a secondary benefit!

Click the links below to use in your homeschool!

Easy Writing Prompts for Young Writers

This set of 12 writing prompts is for the beginning writer. Each prompt is followed by two blank lines for writing.  Expect complete sentences and proper punctuation, but focus on creativity. 

Animal Themed Writing Prompts for Older Writers

This set of 10 writing prompts is all about animals!  Geared towards older children, there is plenty of room for your budding writer to expound. 

Lego Writing Prompts @ Homegrown Learners

Download writing prompts in themes such as Christmas Writing Prompts and Back to School Lego Prompts!

Names of Jesus Expansion Pack

During the month of December, we are taking time each morning to study our Names of Jesus Learning and Memory Cards.  We choose 2-3 cards at random each morning and read the corresponding scriptures.  

This year, I am pleased to announce an expansion pack which features 6 new cards with 6 more names of Jesus.  

To download the Names of Jesus Learning and Memory Cards Expansion Pack, click here! 

These cards have been a blessing to us throughout the entire year.  After reading through all 25 Names of Jesus Learning and Memory Cards and all 25 of my friend Allyson's Names of Jesus Advent Cards, we added them to our scripture memory box and review them every Friday.  The kids-- from Gavin (11) on down to Alaine (3)-- take turns recalling a name of Jesus.  They challenge themselves to remember all 50... and usually they do! 

I'm excited to see how well they incorporate an additional six cards!

Still need to print my original  25-card set?

Click here for your FREE download!

→

Thrifty Autumn

We're experiencing a taste of winter in our area of the country today.  There is even a chance of snow flurries.  I do not like snow at. all.  My plans for the day include sipping apple cider and starting a few small sewing projects. And probably some reading with a blanket.  I think I'll hibernate until it warms up again.  I won't have long to wait because it is supposed to be in the mid-60s by the weekend. 

Today I thought it would be fun to share a few autumn deals for November.  I love a good deal!

{In the interest of disclosure, some of the links below are affiliate links. I'd tell you about these products anyway because I love them, but I thought you should know.}

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I bought this  Vintage Owl Necklace with a few cents I had leftover from another purchase.  Yes, I said cents.

This owl necklace is 63 cents and that includes shipping! I was most afraid that the quality would be poor, but the affordable price convinced me to give it a try. I'm glad I took the plunge, because it's been one of my favorite fall accessories.

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I'm a tremendous fan of the Call the Midwife TV series. Though I read the first book years ago, I became acquainted with the other 2 books in the series earlier this year.  The second book in the series, Call the Midwife: Shadows of the Workhouse, would appeal even to those who aren't a fan of the birth genre as it focuses on the author's time as a community nurse, away from her midwifery duties. I read the entire book this summer over 2-3 days on the back porch while watching my kids play. Grab your own copy while the Kindle edition is only $1.99! 

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I burn candles year round, but I especially burn them in the fall and winter.  Brian works outside all day and  he loves coming home in the cold weather to a house that smells rich with dinner cooking and a candle burning. I'm picky about my scents, though.  It can't be too perfumy, but it has to give off enough of a smell to make it worth burning.  My all-time favorite candle can be found at... Walmart.  Who knew?!

The Mainstays Pumpkin Spice Candle is only $5 for a 20 oz. jar.  It is not available online so you have to purchase it in-store. 

There's a smaller version for $3, too, but doesn't last long enough for me. 

*****

One last deal, and this one is free! If you are traveling over Thanksgiving, you might want to print out my  Doodling on the Road: A booklet of ideas for drawing in the car before you go.  We brought this along on our family vacation in September for our oldest kids (ages 4-10). 

31 Days of Printables Index

I know October is over, but I have one quick housekeeping detail to attend to before I hibernate for the weekend...and probably Monday, too.  Below is an index of my 31 Days, 31 Printables series.  Click on the blue writing to access any day you missed! 

{Day 1}: an Introduction
{Day 2}: 50 States Handwriting
{Day 3}: Beginner Book Reports
{Day 4}: Morning Routine for Toddlers
{Day 5}: Nature Treasure Bags
{Day 6}: Mammal Matching Worksheet
{Day 7}: Musical Instrument Families
{Day 8}: Weather Chart
{Day 9}: Scripture Memory Verse Flash Cards
{Day 10}: Days of the Week Worksheet
{Day 11}: Months of the Year Worksheet
{Day 12}: Names of Jesus Learning and Memory Cards
{Day 13}: What's in the Bible? Scripture Cards & What's in the Bible? Flash Cards
{Day 14}: Color Families
{Day 15}: Easy Animal Taxonomy for Kids
{Day 16}: Autumn Bookmarks
{Day 17}: Writing and Addressing a Letter
{Day 18}: Emergency Contacts
{Day 19}: Number Gobbling Busy Bag
{Day 20}: Fall Color Activity 
{Day 21}: The Three Branches of Government Picture Chart
{Day 22}: Fall Leaf Fun Worksheet
{Day 23}: 30-Day Bible Study for Elementary Students
{Day 24}: Coins and Counting Money Worksheets
{Day 25}: Doodling on the Road: A booklet of ideas for drawing in the car
{Day 26}: Reading Log
{Day 27}: Lego Writing Prompts
{Day 28}: Alphabet Outline Cards
{Day 29}: Insect vs. Spider Reference Guide
{Day 30}: American Girl History Reading Checklist
{Day 31}: Roman Numerals

31 Days, 31 Printables {Day 31}: Roman Numerals

This month has been a lot of fun!  I've enjoyed interacting with all of you and sharing the printables that I've designed to help our family and sharing other printables that we've found beneficial. I've also enjoyed starting up my Facebook community and giving you a small peek of what goes on behind the scenes. 

This last printable of the month I designed in honor of my son, Gavin.  He asked me to make him a reference guide to Roman numerals so I obliged.  (I never want to discourage when one of my children asks to learn something!) 

To download your Roman Numeral Reference, click here  or on the graphic below. 

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31 Days, 31 Printables {Day 30}: American Girls History Reading Checklist

{This post contains affiliate links.}

Read your way through history with the American Girls collection of books! 

Both of my girls, ages 3 and 9,  love to read (or hear me read) from the American Girls historical series.  American Girls currently has 12 different historical series, covering America's history from the mid-1700s through the 1970s. 

Print your American Girl History Reading Checklist and your girls can immerse themselves in history.  Read 1 series a month and you can read your way through history in a year!

American Girl History Reading Checklist

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31 Days, 31 Printables {Day 29}: Insects Vs. Spiders

Today's free printable is a quick reference guide called Insect vs. Spider.  Great for kids and adults, it quickly contrasts the major differences between 6-legged insects and their 8-legged friends.  For those wanting to save ink, there the PDF file also contains a black-and-white version of the chart! 

Click here for your Insect vs. Spider Reference Guide or click on the thumbnail below.

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