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*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
Have you ever found that you scout out a destination, pile the kids into the car and spend the better part of the day driving to your activity only to come home and then find out that you had one practically in your backyard? Well that’s what recently happened to me. As you probably know by now, I absolutely love books and I also love nature and combining the two is a win-win situation and so, I love storybook walks. I had found a couple in Ohio and then scanning through the Metro Parent magazine one day, I found that there is one right in Chelsea. The Chelsea District Library, in partnership with Washtenaw County parks, puts up a Storybook Trail in Baker Woods Preserve. Because I am homeschooling right now, I thought a storybook trail would make an awesome field trip and get us out in nature, while still learning, and the story being featured just happened to align perfectly with our current subject focus: maple syrup!
I truly believe that the best way for children, and really anyone, to learn is through first-hand experience and that is what our fieldtrip to H&H Sugarbush Farm provided and the Storybook Trail reinforced all that she saw and learned in a great setting. So look for seasonal goings-on in your area and pair them with a story book for a unique learning opportunity.
Happy learning!
-Kate @ BTBL Author
We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 5) for Kate, and two sons (now 3 and 1) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.
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In one of my recent posts, I talked about the challenges of homeschooling and how to find the unexpected learning opportunities and then voila, one came our way.
*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
My daughter receives Highlights magazines and the last one included state stickers. She didn’t really care at first until we sat down and I read each sticker with her and we discussed why they chose the picture they did to represent each state. She might be a weird child, but she totally embraced this activity and insisted on reading them several times over, so I thought, hey, I can use this.
To transform this simple activity into a full blown lesson, I found a free printable, blank map of the states online. Together we placed each state sticker in it’s appropriate place (or as close to) with the help of a giant atlas.
Upon completing the map, we read the book Hello Kitty Hello USA!: A Celebration of All Fifty States by Higashi Glaser and looked at each state, learning what they are known for, their motto, state bird etc. A truly fun book to explore.
Have you ever noticed that when you start something new, suddenly you find it everywhere? That’s what happened here. The next day I went to TJ Maxx and there in the toy department was a Match It States and Capitals puzzle, as well as a floor puzzle.
So this week my daughter has been immersed in geography and she actually loves doing it and it has led to further exploration and songs about states on YouTube. I’m sure the excitement will eventually fade but learning has occurred and knowledge gained and that’s all a parent can hope for.
Happy learning! -Kate @ BTBL Author
We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 5) for Kate, and two sons (now 3 and 1) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.
Have you ever noticed that you get through the weekend rather unscathed ready to get back to the weekday routine only to have another Monday disaster strike?
Why always a Monday?! My last messy Monday, if you recall, involved a small flood of paint, this time it was water.
The day started off well. My daughter woke on the right side of the bed ready for some homeschooling. She excitedly brought down all her Shimmer & Shine Teenie Genies to use for a math exercise. I tossed in a load of laundry and my mom was tossing leftovers in a pot to simmer for dinner.
All was well with the world. Monday was moving along swimmingly...ha. That’s when the zen was disrupted by my mother asking, “what’s that sound?” I went to the laundry room and was greeted with a geyser of water squirting out of the wall! WHAT?! You've got to be kidding me! I turned off the washer and tried to grab anything to stop the flow of water all over the mud room. I ran to the garage to grab some old towels and there was a vole making its way across the garage. Okay. Whatever. No time to stop. Mom and I proceeded to clean up the mess (with the help of the cat of course) and tried to figure out the problem. We found that the hose had come out of the drain pipe, so when the washer began to drain, the water erupted from the hose. Thankfully it was an easy fix. I reinserted the hose and voila, all was well once again! Mom went to fetch something and asked if I would try to stir the leftovers she threw in the pot. Now you have to know that for some reason everything in the garage fridge, where we keep our leftovers, freezes everything during the winter and so the leftover rice in the pot was frozen. Why let it defrost when you can just break it up with a spoon, right? Well, because breaking it up with a spoon makes the rice explode all over the stove, that’s why. Another mess to clean. In the midst of all this chaos I started to sweat. And that's when I realized I forgot to put deodorant on this morning! Ugh. And during all this, my daughter sat in the “schoolroom,” lining up her genies in rows of five and making up songs about the seasons for them to sing. Awe.
But don’t think that our messy Monday has ended there. Got the paint out to paint an accent wall in the family room and realized that they didn’t give us the doohickey that fits in the middle hole of the paint can so it can pour nicely.
I sense the potential for another mess. Will keep you posted.
Even with all this going on, we found some time to enjoy a few wintry reads! Score!
Happy Monday, friends!
-Kate @ BTBL Author
We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 5) for Kate, and two sons (now 3 and 1) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children. 
*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
Hang tight, parents, we’re halfway there! The word halfway though is very subjective. Could be a good thing and you’re reaching an end point or a bad thing and you’ve left something behind, but either way, you can’t go back and yell, “do over!”
It was in the summer with all this virus mess that I realized that homeschooling was going to be the best option for both my daughter and myself, though not without some stress. Mine, not hers. I tell myself that it’s only kindergarten but know that one always needs a strong foundation to build upon and so these early years do matter, so back to stressing. Then I read a blog from a homeschooling mom who said that if she had to do it all over again, she would relax more, read a ton of books and slow down, basically stopping to smell the roses as the saying goes. Slow down and see the value in the small things not missing opportunities that might pass by. And that’s just what I’ve done. I’ve slowed down and look for the everyday teachable moments that might be turned into extended learning opportunities and the end result has been a happier child filled with curiosity and imagination, excited to learn.
I can’t redo the first half of her “school year,” but I’m not sure that I would want to because making the changes that I have has shown me just how unimaginative and limiting sitting in front of a computer screen and filling out worksheets can be and that learning doesn’t have to be just during the hours of 8:00 to 3:00. I haven’t given up all computer work and still offer worksheets and wipe clean boards but I’ve been reading books throughout the day and have found that learning can also take place when you least expect it. For example:
These are just a few of the things that I’ve been doing with my daughter that shows me how her curious mind fuels her thirst for knowledge and how excited she gets to find the answers, and as we say that we are lifelong learners, I too have been learning new things when we do our searches. Don’t ever be afraid to tell your children that you don’t know something. It shows them that learning is a life long process and that we all can learn something new, as well as how to go about finding an answer to their question.
“Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.”
Happy learning!
-Kate @ BTBL Author
We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 5) for Kate, and two sons (now 3 and 1) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children. 
*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
Fall, with its beautiful colors and crisp apples is also known as the time for back to school and packed lunches. This year the back to school season may be looking a little different than we are all used to. Whether attending in-person, virtually or embarking on a homeschool journey, books can help make the experience one to remember and to learn and grow from!
Now, this time of year is also of great significance to the farmers as it signals the beginning of harvest season. National Farm Safety & Health Week this month celebrates the contributions of farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers who work tirelessly to feed our nation. Frequent your local farmers market to include fresh produce in your child‘s lunch, as well as for snacks and meals at home. Celebrate National Johnny Appleseed Day with a visit to an apple orchard. Pick an apple and enjoy it under the tree and read Johnny Appleseed by Jane Yolen, Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh or another title about American John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Make some applesauce with your child(ren) or an apple pie and pair the kitchen adventure with How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman or The Apple Pie that Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson. You might also consider making some blackberry jam in honor of National Blackberry Day.
The uncertainty that plagued us earlier this year still remains strong in our thoughts and these uncertain times often come with unpredictable changes and children are most affected by these changes, especially to the school year. Don’t forget to reassure them and keep things as normal as possible. Keep routines or start new ones such as reading to them each night before bed and spend family time together with game nights, nature walks and time spent in the kitchen using fresh farm fruit and veggies.
September
National Biscuit, Chicken, Food Safety, Hazelnut, Honey, Mushroom, Potato & Rice Month
National Chicken Month
National Hazelnut Month
Who Stole the Hazelnuts? by Marcus Pfister
National Honey Month
National Rice Month
1st Full Week: National Waffle Week
Woodpecker Wants a Waffle by Steve Breen
3rd Week: National Farm Safety & Health Week
Dinosaur Farm by Frann Preston-Gannon
This story follows a farmer as he goes about his daily routine of caring for the animals and plants in his charge, but there is something a little bit different about this particular farm. Instead of the typical barnyard livestock of cows, pigs and chickens, readers will find the illustrations brimming with prehistoric creatures! You won't want to miss any of the laugh-out-loud fun as you read this one, so be sure to take your time looking over the illustrations.
2nd: International Bacon Day
Everyone Loves Bacon by Kelly DiPucchio
7th: National Acorn Squash Day
11th: National Hot Cross Buns Day
Hot Cross Buns and Other Old Street Cries by John Langstaff
12th: National Blackberry Day
13th: National Chocolate Day
Chocolate: The Consuming Passion by Sandra Boynton While this title is actually intended for adults, it is filled with the kind of witty text and comical illustrations expected of the incomparable Sandra Boynton and is sure to bring delight to chocolate enthusiasts of every age!
13th: National Peanut Day
18th: National Cheeseburger Day
Spiders Don't Eat Cheeseburgers by Kat Brancato
22nd: National White Chocolate Day
23rd: National Pot Pie Day
26th: National Johnny Appleseed Day
*Additional titles referenced toward the beginning of this post. 
Johnny Appleseed: The Story of a Legend by Will Moses
26th: National Dumpling Day
26th: National Pancake Day
27th: National Chocolate Milk Day
One last thing...September is also Library Card Sign-up Month, so visit your local library (if they are open), get a card and check out some of the titles we have mentioned in this post!
Happy reading! -Kate @ BTBL Author
We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 5) for Kate, and two sons (now 2 and 10 months) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children. |
AuthorWe are mom Sandra and daughters Amanda and Kate, all with backgrounds in literacy and education, who want to share our philosophy of taking the basics of life; books, simple toys that encourage play, imagination and creativity, and using cooking and baking to teach math and real life skills to raise happy, inquisitive children. Join us in exploring the old and the new and sifting through the myriad of research to consider what is best for our children. Archives
March 2021
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