Do you want to take a literature based approach to your homeschool? You’ll want to utilize these 6 tips for literature based learning!


6 Tips for Literature Based Learning
When we choose to homeschool our kids, often we jump right into looking for curriculum and teaching tools. Curriculum can be an important part of schooling our kids, but there’s something we need to work out first.

It is vital that we determine what our methodology for teaching will be.

Now, it’s not that we can’t ever teach a subject in a different way, but we need to ask ourselves: will I be primarily teaching my kids using textbooks, online resources, hands-on / kinesthetic learning, unit studies?

Our family chose to homeschool using a classical Christian methodology through a literature-based approach. Literature-based learning was not only incredibly effective for our family, it was also a joy to live out.


Bible Road Trip™ Teach Your Kid the Bible


Literature Based Learning

All kinds of literature–nonfiction, novels, historical fiction, biographies, and more–can be used to educate your children. Books are a fabulous way for kids to learn about history, math, God, science, and more!

No matter what your educational methodology, you’ll want to incorporate great books into your family’s learning experience.


Love the Bible for Kids | A resource you'll love!


6 Tips for a Literature Based Approach

After 12 years of employing a literature based approach to schooling (we even used a literature based homeschool curriculum), here are my six best tips to help you employ a literature based approach for your homeschool. Listen to the video for some in-depth instruction!

1) Organize Literature Based Learning Chronologically or Topically in Units

By creating a structure for your study that is based on either a timeline or a topic, you can easily add books that will help your kids learn through books.

When you are dividing your learning into subjects, be certain you make Bible a separate subject. Christian history is not a substitute for God’s Word. It’s a whole different subject entirely! For a literature-based Bible curriculum that’s open-and-go, take a look at Bible Road Trip™!


2) Pick a Spine Book for Each Unit

Each unit in each subject needs a spine book–a nonfiction book or book set which you’ll use as an overview of the subject. For instance:

  • For Bible, the Bible is your spine text.
  • Studying the Reformation with your 7-11 year olds? Use the Who What Why | Reformation books (Who Was Martin Luther?, What Was the Gutenberg Bible?, and Why Did Slavery End?) as a set as your spine books.
  • For Abolition, the Who What Why |Abolition books (Who Were the Abolitionists?, What Was the Underground Railroad?, and Why Did Slavery End?) make a perfect spine set.

3) Vary Types of Books Used in Your Literature Based Approach

There are lots of different types of books you can use to study a subject or time period. Reading a number of books from different viewpoints can be really helpful! Different books will expand your child’s knowledge and perspective on an issue.

Types of books to look at include:

  • Source documents – You can find some that are illustrated for kids.
  • Historical fiction – Like When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther.
  • Nonfiction – Narrative and / or illustrated nonfiction is especially fun. – Like the Who What Why Christian history series.
  • Biographies and autobiographies
  • Literature written during the time period
  • Christian history – Don’t forget to include biographies, nonfiction, and historical fiction written from or about a Christian worldview in each unit!

Check out this great big list of Christian history books, listed by time period and age range.

Have fun–your kids can learn a lot as you combine book types, using a variety each week. Spread each book over 2-4 weeks and use a variety!


4) Narrate Learning through Notebooking (or Lapbooking!)

Noebooking is a wonderful tool to help kids narrate what they’ve learned in a written way. Here at Thinking Kids, you’ll find a number of articles on notebooking. We also have some great articles on what notebooking is, how to utilize it as a tool, and we also have some great notebooks available for you!

What is Notebooking? And Why Notebook?How to Notebook with KidsFamous People Who Kept Journals - Is Notebooking Right for Your Child?Our Notebooking Pages for Homeschool NotebookingHow to use Bible Notebooking Pages to Teach the BibleHomeschool History Notebook Journal The Nicene Church Age SQChristian History Research Project | Early Church HistoryCHRISTIAN HISTORY NOTEBOOKING FOR TEENS | COBBLESTONE PATH™: THE REFORMATION AGE FOR TEENSREADING BOOK LOG FOR KIDS | TEACH DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM, BOOK REPORTS, FICTION AND NONFICTIONTimeline Creator World History Timeline for Kids


5) Use a Timeline Journal

Using a timeline journal will help your kids pull information together, making connections. Often we only study history and subjects topically, but nothing happens in a vacuum. We want our kids to be able to understand, for example, that the abolition movement affected much of the history for two hundred years, from 1688-1888.

Fourth to 6th graders can record dates and events. Middle school students have brains that are actively making connections, so certainly use a timeline journal for your 7th-9th graders.


Timeline Creator | World History Timeline for Kids


6) Use Both Read Alouds and Independent Reading — Regardless of Student Age

Reading aloud to your kids is a wonderful tool for bonding. And, it gives you a wonderful opportunity to discuss what you’ve read, helping kids think through history, theology, and big ideas.

As your children age, reading independently will become an important part of their development educationally, as well!


Literature-based learning is a wonderful tool for your homeschool. Even if you don’t base your whole educational philosophy on a literature based approach, your kids will benefit from literature based units!


Who What Why | Abolition | Free Printable Lapbooks

Learn more about the Who What Why series and get your FREE Abolition Lapbooks here.


Bible Resources for Your Kids

Bible Road Trip™ CurriculumLearn More HereStarter BundleLearn More HereHelp Your Kids Learn and Love the BibleLearn More HereBible Investigators | Puzzle-Based Bible StudyLearn More HereBible Road Trip™ Memory Verse CardsLearn More HereBible Road Trip™ Notebooking JournalsLearn More Here


Who What Why Series | Christian Biographies for Kids

Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids

Who What Why Series | Christian Biographies for Kids
“As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” – Psalm 16:3, ESV  

Christian History Matters for Our Kids.

History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.

Here’s why:

  • God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings. 
  • Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
  • Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.   
  • Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.    
  • Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history. 

Elementary-aged kids need middle grade resources that are fun, a little sassy, and that teach valuable lessons. 

WWW Learn More ButtonWho What Why Series | Abolition Lapbooks Button
The Who What Why Series is the perfect resource to teach your kids about history, while helping them apply biblical truths to their lives today.

Who What Why Series | Christian Biographies for Kids


 

Reformation Family Book Bundle
Your kids will love the Who What Why Reformation series with illustrated narratives for 8-11 year olds.
And, Martin Luther’s young adult historical fiction story makes the perfect family read aloud!
Grab the autographed Reformation Family Bundle!


More Thinking Kids Posts You’ll Love!

Bible Road Trip | Three-Year CurriculumHelp Your Kids Learn and Love the BibleBible InvestigatorsWho What Why Series | Christian Biographies and History for KidsWhen Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin LutherWonderfully MadeWho Was Martin Luther | Biography for KidsWhat Was the Gutenberg Bible? | Christian History for KidsWhy Did the Reformation Happen | Theology for KidsAbolitionistsUGRRslaveryWho What Why Series | Free Printable LapbooksMartin Luther History for Kids | Biography LapbookGutenberg Bible History LapbookProtestant Reformation for Kids | FREE LapbookAbolitionist Lapbooksabolitionists lapbookUGRR LapbookThe Bible Against Slavery | FREE Lapbook4 Reasons to Teach Christian History to your KidsMartin Luther of the Reformation Toilet Paper Roll CraftJohann Gutenberg Printing Press | Toilet Paper Rolls CraftThe Protestant Reformers | A Reformation CraftHistory Detective Bookmark Craft for KidsChristian Church History Detectives | Kids' CraftThe Abolitionists for Kids | Toilet Paper Roll CraftUGRR craftneighborwreath40+ Best Books on the Reformation for your FamilyMartin Luther | When Lightning Struck! Discussion GuideThe Five Solas Family Bible StudyChristian History BooksReformation Day SnacksReformation Day ActivitiesA Mighty Fortress is Our God Lyrics Craft & PrintableMartin Luther of the Reformation Unit Study for TeensJohannes Gutenberg Facts for KidsMartin Luther and the 95 ThesesThe Protestant Reformation for Kidsabolitionist movementhistory of slaveryUGRR factscraftMartin Luther & the Reformation Resources for Your FamilyReformation History for Kids: 13 Biographical CardsFree Reformation Study Guide for 4th-12th GradesMartin Luther Historical Fiction ReviewsMartin Luther Printable Valentine's Day Cards (& Bookmarks)Martin Luther Biography EndorsementsPatricklapbooksChristian History Notebooking for Teens | Cobblestone Path™: The Reformation Age for TeensHomeschool History Notebook Journal | The Nicene Church AgeChristian History Research Project | Early Church Historyhistory coloringSlaveryaboliitionistsUGRRSlaverylit basedReformationMLGutenbergreformerstimeline


6 Tips for Literature Based Learning

Join the newsletter

Get the Family Prayer Box Project FREE!

Teach your children to pray with this fun project that includes 7 printable sets!

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by Kit

You Might Also Like...