How do you do this?

Read the story or book ahead and then either brainstorm an idea or surf the internet for ideas to enhance the story. Just about anything goes! There are endless ways to bring books to life.

Making Summer Reading Adventurous

1. Try a new recipe; from astronaut food to flatbread, there’s always a food activity to be found for any story.
2. Take a trip to a living history museum or book setting; forts, castles, beaches, parks, mountains, plains, forests, etc.
3. Crafts – this is one of our favourites! Paint a picture, make a model of a building, make clay pottery, learn cross stitch, build a bench or sword, there’s no shortage of ideas for this.
4. Dress up as one of the characters and spend the day in their shoes – how would they react to your everyday situations? From superheroes to Vikings, don your cape and horns and have fun.
5. Once you’ve read the book, watch the movie – there are many books based on movies and vice versa. See if the way you pictured the story in your mind’s eye is how it’s been portrayed by the director.
6. If you happen to live near the location of a book, set up a post-card or letter exchange with someone and write to them as if you are one of the characters. What would they say? How would they speak? We recently did this, pretending we were about to set sail on the Titanic for its maiden voyage, using a postcard of the Titanic advertisements.
7. Learn about the author’s life and interests. This may expand the genre of your child if they are stuck in a particular one. To find that their favourite author is inspired by another, can be enlightening.
8. Set up a special reading nook – a tent, bean bag, playhouse, under a tree, a step, or another location. Make it special with a sign, fairy lights, and a bottle of water to keep hydrated.
9. Act it out! Have the kids put on a play for you, their grandparents, friends, or to record and turn into a movie. Have them act out the book. If they are older, they could even write the screenplay and design a set.
10. Check out Castle View Academy, where there are dozens more ideas on specific book activities.

Children can choose their own books or you can help them choose something in a genre they enjoy so they are more interested in the topic. Then set up a reading nook and let them read while you prepare the activities. Double the fun by inviting a friend to join in, too. Once children get the idea that books don’t have to simply be read as a chore, but that you can have fun with them, they’ll be sure to come up with great ideas, too.

What are ways you’ve made summer reading fun for your children? Share your ideas below in the comments!

Check out all the posts in our Summer Reading Series!

Crystal McClean is a Canadian homeschooling her family in Northern Ireland. Her family loves to learn about culture and they find it fun to do this by reading books, creating activities and recipes as well as attending cultural events when they can. When she isn’t home with her family she’ll be at the writing letters at library, taking photos at the local camera club, or counting wildlife along the loughshore with friends. You can learn more about their adventures at Castle View Academy or follow along via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

The post 10 Enhancements to Make Summer Reading Adventurous first appeared on True Aim.

Keep Your Children Reading This Summer With Virtual Book Clubs

It’s no secret that homeschooling moms look forward to the summer months just as much as the children. Even if you’ve opted in for the year-round schooling approach, there still may be a few weeks that are considered “low times.”

One of the biggest questions is, “What do I fill these low times with that still pours into their educational tank?” This summer, consider incorporating virtual book clubs to help foster a love for reading in a fun way!

Book clubs aren’t a new thing; however, taking them virtual adds an entirely new kick. For homeschooling families, having the flexibility to go digital aids in being able to homeschool easier and in a more unique way.

There are five distinct benefits to adding virtual book clubs to your children’s reading option this summer.

Socialization

Although homeschoolers are more socialized than people would like to believe, virtual book clubs offer consistent and intentional socialization with others around the same age group.

Children are able to come together and have meaningful dialogue about a particular book and share their own thoughts and opinions about a topic.

Community

Virtual books clubs offer children their own little community built of other little people just like them. This offers them a sense of belonging, which in return fuels their self-esteem.

This type of community also gives them something to look forward to. My 11-year-old looks forward to meeting with his other “dude friends” (as he calls them) in their virtual “clubhouse.”

Accountability

Children may not grasp this concept fully, but virtual book clubs can help with understanding it. Being responsible for keeping up with the meeting schedule, what chapters to read, and being ready for discussion are just a few ways children can learn to be accountable through a virtual book club.

Unique Experience

Today’s children are able to easily pick up on the technological advancements of our time, so being able to meet with a group of friends is a piece of cake… but at the same time offers them a unique experience.

They are able to hang out in real time with other children, and in some cases partake in both voice and type chat. Not to mention, because the book club is virtual, your child can enjoy it from anywhere!

Academic Boost

Virtual book clubs offer children a hidden academic boost that parents absolutely love. Often times, reading (or any Language Arts concept for that matter) can seem like a hit or miss.

Virtual book clubs help to not only foster a love for reading, but it also provides extra practice with:

• word recognition
• sentence structure
• reading pace and speed
• parts of speech
• overall reading ability
• and self-esteem

Children are most likely not paying attention to these important aspects of reading, but they are in fact getting practice with them by participating in virtual books clubs.

Where to Find Virtual Book Clubs

Virtual Book Clubs for Kids is a great option for families with children ages 2 to 5. They send a weekly newsletter with a list of themes, books, and activities to do with your children.

Literary Adventures for Kids is on mission of using virtual book clubs as a way to encourage children to dig deep and be inspired by literature. This club is offered through a self-paced, online book course.

Huddleston Academy offers live book clubs lead by Book Club Leaders with three active age groups to choose from. They are also divided by gender as well. The children meet on a weekly basis in their virtual “clubhouses” and chat about the previous week’s reading.

Whether you are looking to enhance your child’s love for reading, or give them extra reading practice… consider adding a virtual book club to your family’s summer schedule!

Check out 30+ Ideas for Summer Reading!

Michelle Huddleston is a devoted wife, homeschooling mom, and work-from-home mompreneur. It is her desire to see families thrive, and especially women living unapologetically authentic to who God created them to be. You can find Michelle blogging about life at withthehuddlestons.com; teaching children through her online school for homeschoolers, Huddleston Academy; and, helping other mompreneurs find success in their business through her M3 service (Mompreneur Mastermind Mentor). Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!

The post Keep Your Children Reading This Summer With Virtual Book Clubs first appeared on True Aim.

A Little Princess Book Study

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett tells the classic story of Sara Crewe, whose father sends her away to a boarding school when he goes off to sea. Despite her wealth, Sara is kind and sweet to everyone; with a genuine heart of gold. After her father passes away, Sara’s life is turned upside down. Through it all, Sara never loses her kind, gentle spirit. She maintains the spirit of “a little princess” despite being treated like a maid.

A Little Princess serves as an excellent reminder of kindness, treating people with dignity, humility, and thankfulness. In the end, Sara’s life turns around for the better, and happiness is restored.

There are four pages of activities and discussion questions in this packet. The lessons gleaned are excellent for character building and fostering a growth mindset for students.

• Discussion Questions (discussion questions based on the book A Little Princess)
• The Characters (character analysis of some of the story’s main characters)
• Like a Princess: traits of Sara Crewe
• Who is Sara Crewe? (character analysis of the 5 W’s)

Use the movie to go along with the book!

Grab Your Copy of A Little Princess Book Study Below!

Note: This printable packet is for personal, educational and classroom use only. You may not resell this packet or claim it as your own. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

The post A Little Princess Book Study first appeared on True Aim.

We’ve been focusing on giving this Christmas and that is why the Big Book of Character was a perfect story to read before we got started on our simple neighbor gifts. There are so many great stories in this book including; Chipmunk’s Charity, Courage Isn’t Crazy, Humble Before A Tumble, Bad Company, and Kindness Moves the Bear. Each story features character building reflection questions and Bible verses at the end.

Can you guess which one we read? We also made an acorn ornament that went along with it and attached those to our snack bags.

Simple Gifts for Neighbors

One of the most important aspects of this activity was where the gifts came from. First, the ornaments were handmade and the kids spent an hour or so making them. Second, the snacks were purchased with money they had earned for working around the house. That made these gifts very meaningful for the kids. To them, it was quite the investment.

They really had a lot of fun stamping their bags and talking about what they were going to put on them and why. This gave the gifts a personal touch and I’m sure the neighbors will notice because they aren’t exactly picture perfect.

I helped hole punch the bags and tie the ribbon on them with their handmade acorn ornaments.

Maybe the neighbors will think they are as cute as I do! However, the ornaments represent the kids sharing what they have with others.

I explained to the kids before we went out that although our neighbors may not be in need, everyone can use a little charity to help brighten up their day. Also, by putting Jesus loves you on the snack bags, we were sharing God’s word. Most people could use more of that in their lives so the kids were even more excited to hand them out!

Do you give gifts to your neighbors for Christmas?

Need more help getting your kids focused on the true meaning of Christmas?

We have all sorts of fun activities, recipes and family fun that are inspired by a Children’s Christmas book that share the real meaning of Christmas! Make sure to follow along, you can take a look at the schedule over at Inspired by Familia blog.

Here are our fabulous bloggers and their books:
Inspired by Family – the Christmas Cookie
Meaningful Mama – The Crippled Lamb,
Teaching Mama – The Legend of the Candy Cane
Beautiful Messy Motherhood – A Carol for Christmas,
Happy Home Fairy – M is for Manger
Simple home Blessings – Who is Coming to Our House?
The Chaos and the Clutter – I Spy Christmas
Creative Family Fun – The Birds of Bethlehem
Sunshine Whispers!

The post Simple Gifts for Neighbors to Help Kids Learn About Charity first appeared on True Aim.

Heidi (affiliate link) is a work of fiction written in 1880 by Swiss author Johanna Spyri, originally published in two parts as Heidi’s years of learning and travel and Heidi makes use of what she has learned. It is a novel about the events in the life of a young girl in her grandfather’s care, in the Swiss Alps. She is an orphan girl who has simple, but exciting mountain adventures! No wonder my daughter likes it. Heidi is one of the best-selling books ever written and is among the best-known works of Swiss literature.

I decided to look up some of the customs and traditions of the Swiss people. They are known for yodeling, cheese, wrestling, woodcarving and decoupage! I thought we would try our own little Swiss art project and made up a decorative template we could trace and make our own decoupage!

Decoupage for Kids

The picture below is an example of traditional Swiss Decoupage. As you can see, it is very intricate. Popular themes are black and white, cattle driving or Swiss scenery with floral and heart motifs. There is even a Swiss association called Friends of Decoupage!

For our decoupage, I made a simple template with birds and a flower. If you have older children, I have also made some templates with more intricate designs. You could also try making your own. A lot of artists will fold their paper in half and make the design, cut it out and open the fold so they have a mirrored symmetrical design.

The supplies we used in this craft were a cutting board, cardboard, craft paper, template, tape, a knife or push pin, a hole punch and some string.

We put the cardboard on a cutting board just in case we cut through the cardboard. After cutting out the template, we taped it on our craft paper and then started cutting with the knife. You’ll want to supervise your children very carefully so they are not putting their fingers in front of the knife and holding it correctly.

If you are worried, you can give them a push pin and have them poke small holes around the design instead. Then they can leave it the way it is, with just pin pricks in the paper showing the design, or they can cut it away with scissors.

We laminated ours with some clear adhesive paper and then hole punched the top to make a sun catcher.

The post Swiss Inspired Decoupage for Kids first appeared on True Aim.

This post contains affiliate and consultant links to my Usborne Book store.

Penguin Book for Toddlers

This book is perfect for children ages 9 months and up! It especially engages toddlers because it is filled with sensory experiences. Each page features a penguin with a different texture. Which Penguin is the right one?

That’s Not My Penguin

Penguin Learning Activities for Toddlers

These activities are meant to encourage learning, but if your child isn’t enjoying it, it might not be the right level for them. Try adjusting it to fit their interests and abilities.

Penguin Finger Print

Just like every finger print is different, so is every Penguin. Teach your toddler about their finger print or talk about how penguins can identify each other by the noise they make and every penguin has a different call.

Penguin Hand Print

It’s easy and fun to do hand print art and talk about the different parts of a penguin as you make it with your child.

Penguin Sensory Bin

Great idea for independent play and to talk about where Penguins live.

Blubber Science

How do penguins stay warm in the freezing cold water?

Simple Penguin Math Games

Here are some ideas for fun math games to play with these or any printable penguins.

Circle Penguin Craft

Just have the circles cut out and ready and this is the easiest craft! Your toddlers will learn what a circle is in one activity.

More Penguin Shapes

Teach your toddler all their shapes with these cute printable penguins and more.

Penguin Pompom Color Match

Use this for counting too!

Feed the Penguin

Like a fun flash card game, teach your toddler lots of things with this activity!

Penguin Counting

Another easy game about feeding the penguins!

Penguin Preschool Games App

The penguin videos are a blast!

Penguin Snack

If they get hungry during their learning activity, try this cute little snack

Penguin Treat

After all their hard ‘work’ reward them with a penguin ice cream treat!

The Story Corner!

Check out more book themed activities below!

Your hosts:

Dusty at To the Moon and Back

Karyn at Teach Beside Me

Nicole at Home with My Sons

Jodie at Growing Book by Book

The post Penguin Learning Activities for Toddlers first appeared on True Aim.