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Showing posts with label High School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label High School. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 1

Week-Long High Holidays Unit Study for High School (FREE PRINTABLE)

High Holidays: Reflection, Renewal, and Responsibility

This unit is appropriate for grades 9-12, but can be tailored to fit a family-style learning format.  It is designed to be used in a single week OR in a Fun Friday format, completing one day of the unit each week of the month.  Visit the Subscribers Page for a printable PDF version.

For extra enrichment, study Jewish Holidays in Literature in depth.  To tailor for additional middle or elementary school family members, start with the Rosh Hashanah post.


DAY 1: Introduction to the High Holidays – Themes & History

Topics & Activities:

  • Overview of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

  • Journaling:
    • Reflective writing prompt: “What does it mean to return to your best self?”
  • Art Extension:

    • Create a visual representation of “the Book of Life” — what would you want written in yours?

  • Hebrew Component:

    • Vocabulary: shofar, teshuvah, cheshbon hanefesh, machzor


DAY 2: Rosh Hashanah – Renewal & Responsibility

Topics & Activities:


DAY 3: Teshuvah – The Practice of Returning

Topics & Activities:

  • Ethics/Philosophy:

  • Journaling Prompt:

    • Write a letter of apology — real or hypothetical — and reflect on the experience

  • Art/Creative Expression:

    • Design a “Teshuvah Tree” with leaves that show areas of growth/change

  • Nature Study:

    • Practice Tashlich (symbolic casting off of sins in water) at a local pond or stream


DAY 4: Yom Kippur – Reflection, Fasting, and Forgiveness

Topics & Activities:

  • Prayer and Liturgy Study:

    • Study the Vidui (confession) and Kol Nidre

    • Explore the emotional and poetic power of liturgy

  • Creative Writing Prompt:

    • “What would you do differently if you were granted a fresh start?”

  • Science/Health (Optional):

  • Quiet Time Activity:

    • Create a “forgiveness box” — a private journal or symbolic place to release guilt or burdens


DAY 5: Moving Forward – Sukkot and Joy in the Cycle

Topics & Activities:

  • Transition into Sukkot:

    • Build a model or full sukkah

    • Study symbolism of the lulav and etrog

    • Explore Sukkot as ecological and agricultural holiday

  • Nature Study:

    • Go outside and notice signs of fall; sketch or document seasonal changes

  • Civics/Service Connection:

    • Discuss how the High Holiday season might inspire action (volunteering, climate justice, charity)

  • Final Reflection Prompt:

    • “What do I want to carry forward from this season into the rest of the year?”

  • Creative Celebration:

    • Share a poem, song, or art piece that symbolizes renewal or gratitude


These units are appropriate for grades 9-12, but can be tailored to fit a family-style learning format.  They are designed to be used in a single week OR in a Fun Friday format, completing one day of the unit each week of the month.  Each day takes 1-2 hours. This bundle includes the basic twelve, tailored to each month of the year, plus EIGHT bonus units!

Thursday, January 1

Week-Long Scandinavia Unit Study for High School (FREE PRINTABLE)


Scandinavia: From Vikings to Visionaries


These units are appropriate for grades 9-12, but can be tailored to fit a family-style learning format.  They are designed to be used in a single week OR in a Fun Friday format, completing one day of the unit each week of the month.  Each day takes 1-2 hours. This bundle includes the basic twelve, tailored to each month of the year, plus EIGHT bonus units!

Monday, November 24

📚 FREE Week-Long Unit Studies for Upper Grades – A Full Year of Learning Adventures!

Homeschooling upper-grade students just got easier — and more exciting! 🎉

We’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new series of free, full week-long unit studies designed specifically for upper-grade homeschoolers (grades 7–12). Each month, we’ll release a brand-new, themed unit that’s packed with engaging lessons, suggested activities, reading and video resources, writing prompts, and more. These units are ideal for:

  • Independent learners

  • Family-style study

  • Supplementing core subjects

  • Adding variety and enrichment to your homeschool routine

Best of all — these units are completely free and require minimal prep!


✨ How It Works

  • One new unit study is released each month throughout the year.

  • Each unit focuses on a high-interest theme that blends history, science, literature, the arts, and critical thinking.

  • Units are designed for 5 days of learning, but they can be stretched over 2 weeks if you prefer a slower pace or want to use them in a "Fun Friday" format.

  • Activities include reading, writing, hands-on projects, research, and reflection.


📅 Year at a Glance – Monthly Unit Study Themes

January: Scandinavia – Culture, Geography & History

Explore the northern European region known for its fjords, folklore, and forward-thinking societies.

Topics Covered:

  • Geography of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland

  • Viking history and Norse mythology

  • Cultural traditions and holidays

  • Contributions to art, architecture, and design

  • Modern-day Scandinavian politics and quality of life

Sample Activities:
Create a Viking rune stone, compare Nordic myths to Greek mythology, map the region, cook a Scandinavian recipe.


February: Love in Literature

Dive into how literature explores love across genres, time periods, and cultures.

Topics Covered:

  • Classic and modern love poems

  • Romantic relationships in novels and plays

  • Friendship, self-love, and sacrifice in literature

  • Literary devices used to express love

  • Cultural attitudes toward love through literature

Sample Activities:
Read excerpts from Romeo & Juliet, write a modern love letter or poem, analyze a famous love-themed short story.


March: Spring Nature Study – Biology & Observation

A seasonal science unit that blends nature journaling with biology and earth science.

Topics Covered:

  • Signs of spring in plant and animal life

  • Phenology: observing natural cycles

  • Photosynthesis and plant growth

  • Pollinators and ecosystems

  • Journaling and sketching in nature

Sample Activities:
Start a nature journal, dissect a flower, observe pollinators in your area, create a chart of seasonal changes.


April: Classical Music – Composers, Instruments & Influence

Travel through time with the music of the masters.

Topics Covered:

  • Overview of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern periods

  • Profiles of major composers (Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, etc.)

  • Musical instruments and how orchestras work

  • Music theory basics

  • Influence of classical music on film and pop culture

Sample Activities:
Listen to selected works, compare musical eras, create a composer biography poster, design your own concert program.


May: Robotics – Engineering, Programming & Innovation

Introduce students to the world of robotics, design, and AI.

Topics Covered:

  • History and development of robots

  • Basic robotics components (sensors, motors, circuits)

  • Introduction to programming (logic, commands)

  • Real-world applications in medicine, industry, and space

  • Ethics and future of robotics

Sample Activities:
Build a simple robot (using kits or DIY parts), explore a virtual coding platform, design a robot for a specific task.


June: Art History – From Cave Paintings to Contemporary

A visual journey through human history using art as the lens.

Topics Covered:

  • Prehistoric, Ancient, and Classical art

  • Renaissance and Enlightenment movements

  • Impressionism, Cubism, and Modernism

  • Global perspectives: Indigenous, African, Asian art

  • How art reflects societal change

Sample Activities:
Timeline of art movements, analyze a painting, recreate a famous artwork using modern materials, write an artist reflection.


July: History of Computers – From Early Machines to AI

Uncover how computing evolved from mechanical devices to today’s AI.

Topics Covered:

  • Early computing (abacuses, mechanical calculators)

  • Pioneers: Ada Lovelace, Alan Turing, Bill Gates, etc.

  • Evolution of personal computers and the internet

  • Programming languages

  • Artificial intelligence and ethical concerns

Sample Activities:
Create a tech timeline, write a short report on a computing pioneer, explore early coding using Scratch or Python.


August: Great Inventors – World-Changers Through Time

Meet the thinkers and tinkerers who changed the way we live.

Topics Covered:

  • Inventors from various fields (science, transportation, communication, etc.)

  • The invention process (problem, prototype, testing)

  • Invention case studies (e.g., lightbulb, telephone, airplane)

  • Patents and intellectual property

  • How innovation impacts society

Sample Activities:
Invent something new, write a mini biography of an inventor, present a Shark Tank-style pitch.


September: High Holidays – Jewish Autumn Festivals

An interfaith cultural study of major Jewish holidays and their significance.

Topics Covered:

  • Overview of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot

  • Jewish calendar and symbolism

  • Themes of reflection, repentance, and renewal

  • Traditional foods, rituals, and stories

  • Comparative religious studies

Sample Activities:
Create a paper shofar, make symbolic foods, write a reflection on forgiveness, build a mini sukkah model.


October: Autumn – Nature, Folklore & Seasonal Science

Celebrate the fall season with a rich blend of ecology, culture, and tradition.

Topics Covered:

  • Leaf color changes and the science of photosynthesis

  • Harvest festivals around the world

  • Folklore and legends of fall (e.g., Halloween origins)

  • Weather and the changing seasons

  • Nature walks and journaling

Sample Activities:
Leaf identification guide, write a fall-themed story or poem, research a cultural harvest festival, fall scavenger hunt.


November: Political Science – Government, Civics & Citizenship

A timely unit to help students understand power, government, and participation.

Topics Covered:

  • Branches of government and the Constitution

  • Political systems around the world

  • Elections, voting, and civic engagement

  • Political philosophy (liberty, equality, justice)

  • Debates and media literacy

Sample Activities:
Create a mock government, analyze a political cartoon, write a speech on an issue, compare global political systems.


December: Winter Holidays – Global Traditions and Celebrations

Explore how different cultures celebrate light, family, and renewal.

Topics Covered:

  • Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Diwali, Lunar New Year

  • Themes of light in darkness, generosity, and tradition

  • Symbolism and food

  • Crafting and storytelling

  • Reflection on family customs

Sample Activities:
Create a winter holiday around a fictional culture, compare customs, cook a holiday dish, build a global holiday timeline.


🎁 BONUS UNITS (Email Subscribers Only)

These exclusive units dive into rich and unique topics:


Ireland

Explore Irish history, legends, the fight for independence, and cultural contributions (music, dance, literature).

Italy

Study the Roman Empire, Renaissance masters, Italian geography, food, and modern culture.

Espionage

Uncover the secret world of spies, codebreaking, Cold War intelligence, and ethical dilemmas in espionage.

Traditional Energy Sources

Examine fossil fuels, nuclear power, and hydroelectric energy — how they work and their environmental impacts.

Mental Health

Focus on emotional well-being, understanding depression, self-care, coping strategies, and how to ask for help.

Fundamentals of Coding

A beginner-friendly intro to logic, syntax, and writing simple programs using block coding and Python.

Renewable Energy

Investigate solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy sources and their role in a sustainable future.


📬 Stay in the Loop!

These unit studies are:

  • Completely free

  • Easy to implement

  • Designed to encourage critical thinking and creativity

  • Great for middle and high schoolers

Sign up to receive:

  • Monthly unit releases

  • Early access to downloads

  • Exclusive bonus units

  • Helpful planning tips

                                                         👉 Subscribe here to get started!


What topics are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!

Monday, July 24

Studying Congo with Inoyo of the Congo Forest



Congo-Brazzaville and Congo-Kinshasa...two African countries with a similar history, but a varied future...

The word ‘Congo’ originates from the Bakongo, a Bantu tribe that lives in both countries.  Congo-Kinshasa (also known as the Democratic Republic of Congo) is the third-largest country in Africa, but Congo-Brazzaville (also known as the Republic of Congo) is very small in both size and population.

Both Congo countries are the perfect place for visitors who love outdoor adventures.   There are several hiking trails, national parks, places to boat, and beaches.  In Congo-Brazzaville, most of the population lives in urban areas, but in Congo-Kinshasa, the large majority lives scattered in the rural regions that are lushly covered in tropical forest.  The indigenous peoples of the region largely include the Bantu and Pygmies, with nearly 200 other ethnic tribes comprising the rest.

Congo History

The countries were once ruled by France and Belgium, and French is one of the official languages of the region.  Aside from Rome and the Vatican City, the Congo capitals - Brazzaville and Kinshasa - are the closest capital cities on Earth.  They sit directly across each other on either side of the shared Congo River.  Both countries gained their independence in 1960, and while their cultures are similar, they began to split in similarity at this point.  

They use different currencies and have different governmental systems.  Congo-Kinshasa (orange on the map) was once known as Zaire.  When it became independent from Belgium, Western countries supported General Mobuto Sese Seko as the leader of the free DRC.  Upon his death in 1997, the region was drawn into a series of military conflicts with its neighbors, known as "Africa's World War."
"The abundance of natural resources in the Congo helps fuel the flames of conflict. In a context in which the population is desperately poor and the government fails to provide even basic services, taking up arms seems to some individuals and communities to be the only way to break through the corruption, patrimonialism, and government incompetence that prevents their accessing the benefits of the abundant mineral wealth in their territory. Competition over resources has been a factor driving conflict, and the exploitation of Congo’s resources by groups linked to Rwanda, Uganda, and other outside interests has provided particular motivation for local militia groups to act to secure economic resources for their communities — or at least for themselves."  (~Global Security)

Colonization History

In 1884, the Berlin Conference was a starting point for partitioning the Dark Continent.  During what became known as the "Scramble for Africa," seven European powers divided, invaded, and occupied most of the land over the next 30 thirty years.  At the time, Europe was experiencing a depression.  Africa had an abundance of raw materials, such as oil, ivory, rubber, wood, and gum, that could be used for profit.  Nearly 90% of Africa was under European control by the onset of World War I.

Learn more about the scramble for Africa in our Things Fall Apart unit study, part of the Advanced Literature Studies bundle.

Dangerous Animals of the Congo

  • Hippopotamus may be an herbivore, but can easily kill a person since it is big, aggressive, and quick, both in and out of the water. It is believed that hippos are responsible for hundreds of deaths every year.
  • Nile Crocodile are large, fearsome predators with the occasional penchant to attack humans who accidentally stumble into their territory, and sometimes even grab fishers in their boats.
  • Puff Adder snakes are responsible for more bites than any other snake in Africa. There is always the danger of someone accidentally stepping on them as they lie in the dirt since they are camouflaged and very toxic.
  • Black Mamba is one of the largest and deadliest snakes in all of Africa. The potent mixture of neurotoxins will directly attack the nervous system. The death rate is quite high in untreated cases.

Read
  • Where is the Congo?
  • Inoyo of the Congo Forest
    • Twelve-year-old Inoyo’s story begins in the dense tangle of the Congo rainforest, where he hunts for food as his father taught him. However, Inoyo has ambitions beyond the jungle—a plan to move to the Christian mission and learn medicine. His father, fearful of breaking tradition and of the tribal medicine man’s disapproval, grudgingly gives his permission. As he works tirelessly to prove his dedication and earn money for his schooling, Inoyo finds himself in a difficult position of choosing to help a friend in need or continuing to pursue his education. Equipped with practical medical knowledge from his time at the hospital and a newfound testimony of Jesus Christ, Inoyo helps to free his family and his village from the shackles of fear and superstition.

Watch
Make / Do
Identify
  • Kinshasa
  • DRC
  • Congo River
  • Zaire
  • Livingstone Falls
  • Brazzaville
  • Mobayi-Mbongo
  • Lake Tumba
  • Lake Mai-Ndombe
  • Katanga
  • bonobo
  • tsetse
  • okapi
  • Lake Tanganyika
Think
  • To what extent did Western influences shape life in the Congo?
  • Why did the witchdoctor in our book vehemently oppose his villagers going to the hospital?


Monday, June 12

Year-by-Year High School Reading Plan

The Good & the Beautiful has an amazing language arts program, and my sons have really thrived by completing it.  Without any further practice or instruction, they've performed well on the ACT reading and grammar portions, too, so I know it's working!

I wanted the kids to have a stronger literature base, however, than just what was included in the program.  Each year, the students read five novels as part of the language arts.  We're a reading household, though, with each of us reading multiple books simultaneously...some for school, some for fun, some for bedtime (and in mom's case, one for the elliptical -- you can find Mom's Books here).  

One question I'm often asked if how we keep the plots separate, but as a long-time, avid reader, it just comes naturally.  I mean, as long as you're not reading very similar books (ie, don't be reading three WW2 books at the same time).  But I digress....

When choosing books to add to the language arts program, we took into consideration the other core classes the kids were doing each year and built a library around those studies.  You guys know I'm a huge proponent of learning through literature -- hence all the novel studies -- and we've been doing that for several years now.

When we first started homeschooling, we used a curriculum called A World of Adventure, which was AMAZING for families who want to do unit studies together.  Honestly, I have no idea why the author quit writing 2/3 of the way through.  Many of the books we used with that curriculum are on the list of fleshed out reading my young son does today as part of his high school.

Broken down by subject, here are our recommend reading list for additional high school studies.  
  • Books that are included in the TGTB Library line are starred.*
  • Books that we have unit studies for are highlighted.   


Ancient History

(Choose six books from different periods)

Medieval History

(Choose seven books from different periods)


Early Modern History 

(Choose eight books from different periods)


Modern History 

(Choose six books from different periods)


Looking for more booklists?  Check out...

  

Wednesday, May 17

Take an Adventure through High School Literature!

We LOVE using the combination of a Charlotte Mason / Unit Studies approach to homeschooling. It’s the base of our curriculum, our school days, and all of the novel studies we love to share with you!

The Society of Literary Adventurers is an opportunity for teens to find joy and enchantment in literature with our online book clubs for high school and join an exclusive community of like-minded folks!
Membership includes thirty-eight book units (and more coming), courses on how to write a research paper and a month-long, family-style Christmas unit, printable nature journal and unit study planner, plus several video workshops for parents about homeschooling teens.

 Each book unit includes:

  • Rabbit Trails – Diving off of themes from the novel, meander down paths about pop-culture, history, biographies, poetry, music, and more.
  • Magic Dust - These hands-on projects will take you into the book through science, art, games, and more.
  • Vocabulary & Grammar – Copywork and dictation to help with spelling and grammar, plus literary elements, are included here.
  • Writing Assignments - Covering various literary themes, each book club features a different topic and element for the essay.
  • Party Time! (one per club) – This is the last lesson of each club, and includes ideas for food, decorations, and activities to celebrate the novel.

What's Included?

The Society of Literary Adventurers includes access to ALL COURSES available to high school students.  This includes:

Poetry and a Movie
This course is great for starting high school because it introduces the students to the literary elements. We spend several weeks on each so that the student has a thorough grasp of the concepts.  Each month studies a new poet and includes a new writing project. At the end of the month, your student will watch a movie that used the poem as inspiration.
  • This is a one-year full course with 10 monthly poets.
    • A Study of the Master Poets with Background Information
    • A Study of Literary Elements and Form in the Poetry of the Master Poet
    • A Movie Suggestion to go along with the Poet
    • Writing Instruction
    • Grammar Instruction
    • Fun elements like Poetry Teatime and Trivia Games
Some states require a credit in American Literature. This series was designed to fulfill that requirement.  Each month studies a different classic novel and ends with a celebration of the novel. Each book club also includes a different writing project.
  • This is course is comprised of 10 monthly book clubs. We recommend completing at least 8 book clubs for a full-year credit.
    • A Study of TEN American Literary Classics
    • A Study of Literary Elements
    • A Party School to Celebrate Each Book
    • Lesson Plans for Weekly or Monthly Book Clubs
    • Writing Instruction of Essays and Fiction Stories
    • Grammar, Spelling, and Vocabulary Instruction
    • Fun elements like Rabbit Trails and Magic Dust

British Literature
Some states require a credit in British Literature. This series was designed to fulfill that requirement.  Each month studies a different classic novel and ends with a celebration of the novel. Each book club also includes a different writing project.
  • This is course is comprised of 10 monthly book clubs. We recommend completing at least 8 book clubs for a full-year credit.
    • A Study of TEN Classic British Literary Classics
    • A Study of Literary Elements
    • A Party School to Celebrate Each Book
    • Lesson Plans for Weekly or Monthly Book Clubs
    • Writing Instruction of Essays and Fiction Stories
    • Grammar, Spelling, and Vocabulary Instruction
    • Fun elements like Rabbit Trails and Magic Dust

World Literature
Some states require a credit in World History. This series was designed to be a literature course to complement a World History course and fulfill a language arts credit requirement.
  • This is course is comprised of 10 monthly book clubs. We recommend completing at least 8 book clubs for a full-year credit.
    • A Study of TEN World Literature Novels
    • A Study of Literary Elements
    • A Party School to Celebrate Each Book
    • Lesson Plans for Weekly or Monthly Book Clubs
    • Writing Instruction of Essays and Fiction Stories
    • Grammar, Spelling, and Vocabulary Instruction
    • Fun elements like Rabbit Trails and Magic Dust

These courses can be used as a full language arts program. Each book club course includes grammar, spelling, literary elements, reading and a writing project. All these parts make up a complete language arts curriculum for one year of high school credit.  You can also choose to complete book clubs in your own time frame as a supplement to a language arts program. Use the parts of the lesson which appeal to you and fit with your current language arts program.  We have used the book clubs in both capacities -- as a full year of language arts and as a summer supplement to our Good & the Beautiful curriculum.

How it Works

When you first log into your account, you'll see all of the book clubs available with the course and how far you have progressed on each.  Many of the unit adventures are done via embedded videos and external links to further reading.  What's nice about this is that it's already been pulled together and vetted for you.

Member Bonuses
  • Quarterly Live Workshops
    • Monthly Interactive Book Club - We'll be following a book club together with Daily Planning, Additional Copywork and Dictation instruction and other ideas
  • Printables
    • Downloadable PDF of our Book Club Planner
    • Downloadable PDF of our Nature Journal for use with our Nature Book Clubs
    • Join the Summer Lit Camp, beginning on May 22 with three days of fun with Hobbits, Dwarves, and Elves! Then jump into the summer book club.

Want to try it out?  You can access a completely FREE course from both the Nature Club and the Literature Club for a limited time!  These are aimed at elementary and middle school, but will give you a feel for how the book clubs work.

Saturday, May 13

What We Missed While Homeschooling

As anyone who has graduated a homeschooler knows, senior year is a time for contemplation and reflection.  This journey...it's long, can be difficult, and often leaves you with questions.  Was it enough?  Did I give it the best I could?  Here are thoughts from some veteran mommas...

  • We should have focused more on modern history.  We spent way too much time on ancient history.  More time on US history, Native American history, and modern geography would have helped him more once he got to college.
  • We skipped a lot of grammar in the early years, but it made learning a foreign language incredibly difficult because there was no understanding of verb tenses.
  • I would have focused less on finding a good co-op and just enjoyed the few homeschooling friends we had.  Not every kid needs a wide social circle, and when homeschooling is the only thing you have in common, it just isn't enough.
  • Using an online academy, with a teacher other than myself, helped with preparation for college.  She had to answer to someone else, and I was just 'mom.'  She learned to be on someone else's timeline and how to communicate with a teacher.
  • Even though testing isn't required in our state, a little practice on timed testing would have gone a long way toward helping with SAT prep and probably boosted her score.
  • We spent a lot of time on handwriting, but should have focused more on typing as everything is typed or done on the computer these days.
  • Apps should have been used as a supplement to school, rather than to teach whole subjects.  There are a lot of skills gaps where the app just didn't cover things, but she spent a lot of time playing them.
  • We {I} needed to be more organized about digital curricula, files, paperwork, and keeping up with the transcripts.  It's so much easier to lose digital files than books and paper, but everything is done online anymore.
  • I don't know who needs to hear this, but worry less. Enjoy more. Children grow up so fast, and you can't get that time back. They will absolutely learn what they need when they need it.
  • We should have spent more time on field trips and nature related learning during the younger years, and less time focused on what the kids were "expected" to learn.
  • Although he didn't need to take notes at home, we should have worked on notetaking and making graphs, because these are things he needs everyday in college.
  • We spent so much time switching curriculum, trying to find the 'perfect' one, but there really isn't anything that's perfect.  We should have stayed with one that worked well, and just changed it a bit to make it better for us.  We lost a lot of time, and money, looking for a unicorn.

Organize your desktop easily with these five interchangeable wallpaper designs. Each follows the same pattern, so you can switch out your background while keeping your icons exactly as they are --- easily organized AND visually appealing. The five themes include the four seasons and an everyday wallpaper.  Snag your set!!

Looking for a little extra push?

This book & worktext set will help you and your high school student breeze through the steps of college and scholarship applications, as well as brushing up on study habits and life skills. The worktext includes activities, worksheets, and planning pages, and accompanies the book.

This online co-op provides live / blended classes for high school students, using The Good & the Beautiful for language arts, Apologia / Berean Builders for science, and Notgrass for history.  These classes meet weekly, allowing students the opportunity to discuss the literature, get additional instruction on concepts covered, and show off their art projects and recitations.  Students also to receive a grade for these courses from a source outside of the home.

Pick up the College 101: the First Year ebook for FREE on our Subscriber Freebies page!  Not yet a subscriber?  Sign up here!

Tuesday, May 2

Farming Books for Elementary, Middle & High School (Interest-Led Learning)

One of our sons is more the hands-on, outdoors type of kid.  He works hard and has great work ethic, but doesn't really plan to continue schooling beyond graduation.  He's not a fan of reading, but enjoys reading about working with animals and the land.  If you've got a kid like this....this list is for you!

Farm & Homestead Books for Elementary School

Lower Elementary


Upper Elementary

Caddie Woodlawn
Diary of an Early American Boy
Heidi

--> Download & Print the Farm Book List <--

Farm & Homestead Books for Middle & High School


Check out for our 2023 Word of the Year -- it has something to do with homesteading!


You may also like...

Arts & Crafts: Seed Art

Using pumpkin seeds, corn, peas, wheat berries, or any other hard seed, create your own nature art!  You'll need seeds, glue, construction paper, paint, and a little creativity.  (Parents should supervise younger children as small seeds can be a choking hazard.)


Build Your Own Homestead Little Learner’s Homestead Science

This elementary curriculum is an interactive homeschool curriculum that will introduce your child to small scale farming. This one of a kind homestead curriculum is designed for pre-school through to 3rd or 4th grade depending on your child and whether this will be used as a full curriculum or supplemental to another curriculum.  

Build Your Own Homestead is designed to give your child a better understanding of where their food comes from. This allows them to take ownership in providing food for the family whether that’s understanding what they are choosing at the grocery store, helping you tend to the garden, or gathering eggs from your chickens.  Homesteading is a science on multiple different levels. Agriculture, animal science, food science, experimentation, and social science are used everyday on the homestead.
*Homestead NOT required*


For more on homesteading, check out the Homesteading Course at SchoolhouseTeachers!

This homeschool homesteading course is designed for anyone who has a desire to live more independently and prepare much of what is needed each day using their own hands. In this elective course, the student can learn how to work for what they want by making it themselves, instead of participating in an “on demand” society. Homeschool students of all ages learn patience, along with the skills needed to make their own cleaners for the home, sunscreen, homemade ketchup and dry mixes, as well as how to choose animals and prepare for emergencies, and much more. Learning the patience and usefulness of “doing it yourself” can be immensely helpful not only in the sense of living a healthier life, but also for the budget!