How to teach the letter of the week in Level 1
For all of the Learn + Live Letter levels, we strive to make the activities in each meet your child at a place that is developmentally appropriate for their age. One way we do that in Level 1 is by including a letter of the week in most of the units. This letter links to the unit theme and has a natural, organic connection to other topics you will learn during the week.
Level 3: Ancient Egypt Supplies
Here’s what you need for all four weeks of our Level 3 Ancient Egypt unit study.
The 3 basic principles of Charlotte Mason homeschool
If you are looking to learn more about this philosophy of homeschool, here are the three principles that guide any Charlotte Mason homeschool.
Weather + Clouds Unit: Water cycle wheel activity
This simple craft is fun to put together and gives your child a hands-on understanding of the water cycle. (Even better, it can be a great “fidget” device while you read your books for our Weather + Clouds Unit!)
Level 2: Foundations + Apple Supplies
Here’s what you will need for Week 1: Foundations Unit: Books (find at your local library or order below on Amazon): A Second, A Minute, A Week With Days In It: A Book About Time by Brian P. Cleary The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle (or read it on OpenLibrary here) Sing a Song ofContinue reading “Level 2: Foundations + Apple Supplies”
Level 2: Apples Unit
The humble apple is packed with opportunities to learn. From fractions to geography to art critique, this week your child will get to the core of a variety of big concepts. (Get it?!)
Level 2: Foundations Unit
Welcome to a new year of homeschool! Whether this is your first time with us or you’re a returning subscriber, we’re so excited to be part of your homeschool journey. This week, we’ll ease into the new year with simple routines your child can repeat throughout the year. We’ll also establish foundations and activities youContinue reading “Level 2: Foundations Unit”
The benefits of picture books for upper elementary students
In fact, picture books are extremely important to children of all ages. Even if your child is reading independently, picture books continue to have real value. Picture books offer complex vocabulary and discuss rich, thought-provoking topics. They are a valuable teaching tool, introducing people and places and sensitive and complex subjects. They teach literacy and critical thinking skills.
The art of narration—and how it can benefit your homeschool
a Charlotte Mason education is that of narration. It’s what some refer to as “retelling,” or simply “telling again.” In narration, the child retells what they have just heard or read from a text, whether it be historical fiction, nature stories, or history. Narration is a deceptively simple concept, but with a little know-how and practice, it can yield great rewards.
What are living books?
Simply put, a living book brings a subject to life. It engages the reader, bringing them into the story and presenting inspiring ideas. They are often written in narrative form, allowing the reader to step into the story.
6 things we learned from our IG LIVE with an occupational therapist
From sensory processing to fine and gross motor skills, having a better understanding of how your child processes the world physically could be the secret to unlocking more success academically.
14 homeschool supplies to keep on hand for Level 3
If you’re subscribed to our Level 3 lessons, we’ll send you a supply list every month for what you’ll need to complete the activities in our unit study. But if you want to feel more prepared (and cut down on what you need to buy each month), we recommend having these 14 staples in your supply closet all year long.
Learn + Live Letter Level 3 Books
We’re so excited to have you join us for our Level 3 unit studies for the 2021/2022 school year! This year, we are trying to give you as much advance notice as we can to get books for your lessons. Throughout the year, we’ll be updating this blog post with the books you’ll need, aiming to update you at least a month before you need them.
Learn + Live Letter Level 2 Books
We’re so excited to have you join us for our Level 2 unit studies for the 2021/2022 school year! This year, we are trying to give you as much advance notice as we can to get books for your lessons. Throughout the year, we’ll be updating this blog post with the books you’ll need, aiming to update you at least a month before you need them.
Learn + Live Letter Level 1 Books
We’re so excited to have you join us for our Level 1 unit studies for the 2021/2022 school year! This year, we are trying to give you as much advance notice as we can to get books for your lessons. Throughout the year, we’ll be updating this blog post with the books you’ll need, aiming to update you at least a month before you need them.
Modern-Day Egypt Unit: Feed the Crocodile Math Activity
Ready for a math activity that’s truly a *SNAP*? 🐊 This activity will strengthen your child’s understanding of greater than/less than using the Nile crocodile! Keep scrolling for instructions on how to make your crocodile and set up the activity, and then check out our list of ways to play. What you need: 2 popsicleContinue reading “Modern-Day Egypt Unit: Feed the Crocodile Math Activity”
How to homeschool with a younger sibling around
If you’re homeschooling with a toddler in tow, don’t despair! Here are a few tips and tricks to help everyone feel involved without sacrificing the integrity of the lesson.
How to do Read + Discuss
When you are doing the lessons that include a Read + Discuss activity, we are encouraging you to have shared reading with your child. During and after your reading, there are several ways to engage your child and strengthen their reading comprehension.
How does Learn + Live Letter work?
Learn + Live Letter in 2020, it was our goal to create a curriculum that fostered joy in learning—for both your child and you. In this post, we’ll break down exactly what to expect when you subscribe, how the curriculum works, and how you can tailor it to your family’s needs. For more information, we also recommend visiting our FAQs page, as well our Levels page for our full scope + sequence and pricing information.
How to naturally increase reading comprehension
new homeschool grownups, it can feel intimidating to teach. However, it becomes a natural skill when students have become familiar with and, eventually, internalized the common elements of all stories.
Foundations Unit: Build a clock activity
Ready to take a closer look at time? This simple, hands-on activity lets your child build their own clock, emphasizing the order of the numbers and how to tell time to the hour.
How to turn a trip to the beach into a lesson
Some of our favorite lessons come from experiential learning. Here’s how to encourage discovery and learning on your next family trip to the beach.
20 life skill-building chores that are age-appropriate for your preschooler or kindergartener
We are firm believers that some of the best learning in childhood happens organically. Exploring the backyard, going on field trips, and simply being an active part of your day will teach your child just as much as a day spent doing intentional school—and in some ways the lessons will be even more valuable.
5 things we learned in our IG LIVE with Honey! I’m Homeschooling the Kids
One of our favorite parts of being an eclectic homeschool curriculum is getting to meet and learn from incredible homeschoolers from a variety of backgrounds and approaches. Throughout the summer, we’ve been introducing several of our favorite experts who practice different homeschool philosophies and sharing their best lessons here.
Organizing your homeschool room: 5 things to declutter right now
It’s an age-old homeschool conundrum: Yes, homeschooling means scads more freedom and the ability to customize your child’s education journey…but it also means a whole lot more stuff. Here are five things you can declutter right now to free up space in your homeschool area.
7 things we learned from our IG LIVE with The Confident Homeschooler
summer series! Serena is founder of The Confident Homeschooler, a homeschool coaching and education company that works with families to find the schooling philosophies and curriculums that will work best for them. We sat down with Serena to discuss how to reflect on the past year in a way that will propel your future homeschool, how to avoid homeschooling from a place of fear, how to stop comparing your journey to others, and more.
Getting started with chapter books for younger children
You’ve likely been reading to your child all their life, but sometimes grownups can be intimidated by the idea of reading a chapter book to very young children. But you shouldn’t be!
How to turn a trip to the aquarium into a lesson
Honestly, if we could pick only one type of activity for our subscribers to do for each lesson, it would probably be the field trip. As much as we love living books with captivating stories and eye-catching illustrations, there’s just something magical that happens when your child sees what they are learning about in realContinue reading “How to turn a trip to the aquarium into a lesson”
What I want you to know about our first year of Learn + Live Letter
This past week was momentous for my family for a few reasons. First and foremost, my oldest child completed her kindergarten year of homeschool, ending our second year as a homeschool family! My daughter’s graduation also marked the first full year of the Learn + Live Letter. As my co-founder, Cynthia, and I have talkedContinue reading “What I want you to know about our first year of Learn + Live Letter”
Sharks + Ocean Animals Unit: DIY steel drum craft
The steel drum is one of the most recognizable sounds of calypso music! After learning a bit about calypso in our Sharks + Ocean Animals Unit, bring the music to life with this simple DIY version your child can play at home.
Forest Unit: Mini sloth craft
The sloth might be one of our favorite residents of the rainforest! Now, let’s craft a mini sloth that will be right at home in any rainforest diorama.
Forest Unit: Macaw Template
Let’s make a macaw craft that can soar in the emergent layer of our rainforest diorama. 🦜
Beaches + Ocean Unit: Interviewing + charting activity
Interviewing and charting are two important skills your child will use throughout their education career and life! This simple activity introduces these important concepts while also helping your child connect with friends and family.
Beaches + Ocean Unit: Snorkeling craft
Snorkeling is one of the best ways to get up close and personal with the ocean. Can’t make it to the surf? This fun craft puts your child in the mask (and snorkel!) while giving them practice writing their name. Let’s dive in!
5 myths about teaching homeschool math
Do you have anxiety about teaching math to your child? Let’s break down a few myths that will help alleviate your fears.
Butterflies + Migration Unit: Butterfly Pollination Activity
Butterflies are one of our favorite pollinators! We’ve discussed in other activities how other animals help to get plants the pollen they need to make seeds, but in this post, we’re taking a closer look at the butterfly proboscis (AKA, a long, strawlike tongue that coils and uncoils) and how a butterfly spreads pollen when it drinks a flower’s nectar.
Butterflies + Migration Unit: Butterfly life cycle craft
This beautiful craft takes a closer look at the butterfly’s fascinating life cycle and metamorphosis. This craft can be done in several steps (not necessarily all at once) depending on your child’s level of attention and interest.
Butterflies + Migration Unit: Butterfly Sequencing
This simple activity is a play-based way to teach your child about the concept of sequencing. Start by putting the materials together, and then find a way to play that meets your child’s abilities where they are.
Butterflies + Migration: Butterfly numbers activity
Butterflies do some pretty smart work for the planet. Today, we’re going to borrow some of their smarts for this hands-on math activity that helps your child gain a deeper, more holistic understanding of numbers that will serve them in all their math lessons.
Ancient Egypt: Nile River Model
The Nile River flows north, down the mountains of Egypt towards the Mediterranean Sea. As it flows, it forks into what is called the delta. For this activity, we’re going to make a model of the Nile River and its delta.
Level 1: Foundations Unit
This week, we’ll help you create routines and introduce basic foundations of our lessons into your homeschool.
Insects + Spiders Unit: Bug rescue bin
Help! These friendly bugs have gotten trapped in a spider web, and they need your child to help them get free. (Plus, your child will work on fine motor skills and hand strength they’ll need for writing later on. 😉)
Spring Unit: Dirt Cups Dessert Recipe
Ready for a sweet way to learn about the spring season? These simple dirt cup desserts are easy to make (your child can likely make them by themselves!), and incredibly delicious.
Spring Unit: Shoebox chicken coop craft
Let’s bring what we’ve learned about caring for chickens into our free play! Here’s how to make a simple chicken coop craft your child can play with again and again.
Insects + Spiders Unit: Web Walk Literacy Activity
By strengthening your child’s gross motor skills as they learn, we help them to make deeper connections and stay engaged. For this literacy activity, we’re going to engage your child in movement while practicing spelling.
Insects + Spiders Unit: Spider silk strength activity
Spider silk is a really strong substance! 🕸️🕸️🕸️ Let’s have a little fun with our own experiment. This spider’s web inspired STEM activity will test your child’s engineering skills while encouraging them to think creatively.
3 ways to feel more confident as a homeschool teacher
One of the first steps to deschooling yourself as a homeschooling teacher is boosting your confidence as a teacher! Here are three ways to do it.
Birds Unit: Hummingbird pollination activity
Hummingbirds’ main source of food is the nectar from flowers, tree sap, pollen, and insects. By eating the nectar and pollen from flowers, hummingbirds actually help flowers! It’s a special process called pollination. This activity shows us how it works.
Flowers Unit: Georgia O’Keeffe collage craft
Georgia O’Keeffe is a famous artist who loved painting beautiful, close-up pictures of flowers. For today’s lesson, we’re sharing a Georgia O’Keeffe paper collage activity from The Usborne Art Treasury.
Flowers Unit: Flower Word Families Activity
Word families are words that share a phonic pattern. They often rhyme and are used to help children decode and eventually learn to read. For our activity today, we will play with words that end in the same sound and are spelled with the same letters.
Flowers Unit: Simple Plant Respiration Experiment
This experiment is designed to teach your child about one of the important jobs leaves do for plants. Leaves are extremely important to all plants because they make the plant’s food.
6 books that can help boost your confidence as a home educator
Whether you’re just dipping your toe into the homeschool world or you’ve been swimming in this pool for a while, we could all use a confidence boost now and then. One of the best ways to feel more empowered with your education choices? Learning about all the different ways to educate a child!
Japan Unit: Kimono dolls tutorial
Use this simple tutorial to create miniature kimonos for craft stick “dolls” as part of our Japan Unit.
Rivers, Lakes + Ponds Unit: Play Dough River Model
This fun, hands-on activity will let your child explore rivers layer by layer while sparking their creativity through imaginative play. Plus, it’s super simple to create and modify again and again!
Japan Unit: DIY felt sushi set
If your child loves imaginary play, this felt sushi set is a great way to get them thinking like an itamae, or skilled sushi chef! It takes a bit of time to put together, but the result is hours of free play inspired by our Japan Unit Study.
Japan Unit: “The Great Wave” craft
After you learn about “The Great Wave” in our Japan Unit, spend a little time crafting your own abstract version with this two-part activity!
Japan Unit: Bamboo clothespin planter
This simple craft highlights this versatile plant while also strengthening your child’s fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Rivers, Lakes + Ponds Unit: Food Web Activity
One of the most imporant parts of a balanced ecosystem is the native food chain. This simple activity wil demonstrate to your child the role of producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, and tertiary consumers.
Castles Unit: Make a Sword Craft
Any knight is only as good as their sword! With this simple craft, your child can make their own as they explore life as a knight in our Castles Unit.
England + Ireland: Layered Union Flag Activity
This craft was actually created by our co-founder’s 5-year-old daughter after learning that the Union Flag was actually made up of three different flags, and it’s a simple, concrete way to demonstrate how the flags of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland come together.
England + Ireland Unit: Sir Francis Drake Ship
Sir Francis Drake was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe in a single expedition, and he did it in a ship called the Golden Hind. Let’s make a model of a ship inspired by the Golden Hind!
Castles Unit: Medieval Banner Craft
Decorate your home like a royal with this simple medieval banner craft!
Castles Unit: Royal Chalice Craft
Ready to raise a glass like a royal? This super simple chalice craft makes it easy to turn your next meal into a feast fit for a noble.
Lights, Shadows + Rainbows: Rainbow Measurement Craft
This simple rainbow measurement craft will help strengthen your child’s recognition and memorization of the colors of the rainbow while letting them also work on their measuring and cutting skills. (Plus, the result is pretty beautiful! 🌈)
What is Waldorf Education?
The Waldorf method of education (sometimes called Steiner education) is about 100 years old. The method began in Germany when a manufacturer approached Rudolf Steiner to create a school for his factory workers. The result was a method that is based on child development and, at its core, healing humanity.
Castles Unit: Castle Math Activity
Who’s ready to storm the castle with some number towers? ♜♜♜ This fun activity is a simple way to practice sums with manipulatives.
Five Senses Unit: What’s in the bag?
You’d be amazed what your fingers can tell you! With this activity, you’ll demonstrate to your child all they can learn from their sense of touch.
Five Senses Unit: Manatee Paper Plate Craft
This simple manatee paper plate craft is a simple way to keep your child engaged as they learn more about this amazing animal in our Five Senses Unit.
5 benefits of joining a homeschool co-op
If you belong to a homeschool network or read homeschooling blogs, you have probably heard about co-ops. But what exactly is a co-op? In its most basic form, a co-op (short for co-operative) is a partnership between homeschooling families that come together for a common goal.
5 things to know before joining a homeschool co-op
Homeschool co-ops are one of our favorite ways to lighten the educating load and provide valuable socialization for our home-educated children. Thinking of starting or joining your own co-op? Here are five things to keep in mind before you get started.
Snow Unit: Snowman Fractions
Nervous about teaching fractions? This fun snowman activity makes it easy for you and your child to keep your mathematical cool.
Canada + Maple Syrup Unit: Pancake Recipe
What’s maple syrup without pancakes? Here’s a simple recipe to whip up a batch for our Canada + Maple Syrup Unit lesson.
7 toys + games that teach your child educational skills through play
When we watch our children play, we see how their beautiful, little brains are always learning. Play is how they make sense of the world—how they experiment with ideas and feelings, how they develop language, and how they practice fine and gross motor skills. At Learn + Live, we wholeheartedly believe that playing is learning.Continue reading “7 toys + games that teach your child educational skills through play”
6 things I wish I knew before homeschooling
Most new homeschoolers have a lot to think about these days. On top of figuring out curriculum options, teaching methods, and learning styles, there are also jobs and family responsibilities to juggle. We all want our kids to excel—not just learn the basics—and that can feel like a huge responsibility. But getting caught up in the day to day minutia might make us lose sight of the big picture.
How to turn a song into a lesson
This article will outline simple and practical means by which any parent or caregiver can provide their child with a deep and satisfying musical experience, right within the comfort of the educational home.
Leaves Unit: Leaf nature journal entry
One thing the majority of homeschool philosophies agree on is that children benefit when they spend the maximum amount of time outdoors. As your child grows and begins to take in more of the world surrounding them, a nature journal can be a rewarding way to teach them to notice, record, and remember the lessonsContinue reading “Leaves Unit: Leaf nature journal entry”
Writing Program Review: Handwriting Without Tears
Handwriting without Tears is designed to teach children from kindergarten to grade five how to correctly write their letters and numbers. It uses a multi-sensory approach, which keeps lessons engaging and fun.
5 valuable lessons your child learns from cooking
Bringing your kids into the kitchen can provide break from the day and also time for bonding between the grownup and child (or siblings!). And when you get to eat what you make, even better! The hidden advantage is it also can teach them valuable lessons along the way.
What is The Well Trained Mind homeschool curriculum?
Here’s a quick breakdown of this method of homeschooling, as well as how it keeps learning relevant, organized, and meaningful.
Apples Lesson: Apple Stamping
Engage your child’s seasonal senses with this simple art craft. Before you start cutting open your apples, ask your child what they expect to find inside. (Most children love discovering that apples hold a secret “star” when you cut them in half!) Next, let their creativity fly.
Level 1: Foundations + Apples Supplies
Supplies you’ll need for Week 1: Foundations Unit: Books (find at your local library or order below on Amazon): The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (read it here on OpenLibrary or listen to it on YouTube here) Telling Time with Big Mama Cat by Barry Moser and Cara Moser (or read it here onContinue reading “Level 1: Foundations + Apples Supplies”
How to include Montessori lessons in your daily routine
Did you know that you can include Montessori activities in your daily routine without needing to get any materials at all? It’s true! Montessori scope and sequence include very important areas for young children called Practical Life, Sensorial Activities, and Grace and Courtesy.
What to do when your homeschool lesson just *isn’t* working
Here are some tips to help identify when the learning is happening—and what to do when it truly isn’t.
5 benefits of cooking with your kids
Cooking meals for your family can feel daunting enough. Involving your kiddos too? That can definitely feel overwhelming. But while clean up may take a little longer, there are definite benefits for parents and little ones when it comes to cooking with kids.
5 myths about cooking with kids
Common myths debunked about cooking with your kids—and tips for working cooking lessons into your homeschool.
What is Montessori schooling?
Her method goes far beyond academic knowledge—it focuses on the care of self, others, and the environment. It also focuses on respect and peace, for both for the child and others. The Montessori method is a child-led education. This makes it different from most traditional education, which tells the child what they should be learning. Instead, Montessori education meets the child wherever he or she is. Here are five principles at the core of Montessori education.
Corn Kernel Math Activity
If the idea of teaching your child fractions intimidates you, don’t stress! It’s actually much easier (and a lot more fun) than you think. Introduce your child to the concept of fractions with this simple corn kernel activity that goes with our Native + First People of North and Central America Unit. Supplies: ¼, ½,Continue reading “Corn Kernel Math Activity”
Creating a morning routine: Tips to teach your child how to make eggs
Setting a morning routine for your child is a great way to provide them with structure and teach accountability. Breakfast in our house helps set the tone for the day.
How to teach children about art
Here are 6 easy things you can do at home to turn a painting, sculpture, or any medium of art into a lesson.
20 school supplies every homeschool family should own
Your homeschool supply will likely grow and change over time, but these 20 tried-and-true classics will always have a place at your child’s work table.
Extracurricular Ideas: Passport to the World
Teaching my children about countries around the world has always been a goal of mine. When my two older children were younger, I created a kids club for them with other homeschoolers in our community called Passport to the World Club where we learned about different places, practiced public speaking, and sampled the traditional food of that location’s culture.
How to turn a book into a lesson
If you’re unsure about how to talk to your child about literature or how to incorporate books into your homeschool lessons, try these six simple suggestions and prompts to make the experience more enjoyable and enriching for your little one.
What is Unschooling?
There are many interpretations of the term unschooling, which has been defined as learning without a curriculum or plan or education that consists solely of what a child wants to do. I dislike these definitions, and even the term unschooling, which seems to describe what it is not, rather than what it is.
4 common myths about homeschooling (and why they’re totally wrong)
Homeschooling was one of the best things that ever happened to my family. But at the start, I felt overwhelmed and scared and I heard some terrible opinions about homeschooling. Fortunately for me and my family, it didn’t take us long to learn the truth.
Level 1: Foundations Unit
This week, we’ll help you create routines and introduce basic foundations of our lessons into your homeschool.
Dinosaur Lesson: Dino Counting Game
This open-ended counting game allows your child to explore math concepts without a lot of rules (or any worksheets).
Dinosaur Lesson: Dinosaur Twister
This simple game is a great way to get your child moving while encouraging letter recognition, gross motor skills, and proprioception, or the awareness of your body in space.
Level 1: Apples Unit
This week, your child will develop life and fine motor skills while learning math, science, phonics, art, and music.
Sample Lesson: Me! The Body
In our Me! The Body lesson plan, you’ll help your child explore diversity, math, science, art, and music as they develop a stronger sense of self.