It’s a new year and many of us are setting reading goals for 2024! Don’t forget to get your little readers in on the excitement!

My 7 year old is excited to set a yearly reading goal for the first time~ 90 books in 2024.

Here are some tips for encouraging your kids to set a reading goal:

1. Let Them Set Their Goal

Yes, you’ll want to encourage one that can actually be accomplished (I had to tell Eden 1000 books in a year might be a bit much lol), but let them set the bar for what they hope to achieve.

2. Track Reading in a Fun Way

There are so many ways to do this – Good reads, reading apps, printable reading trackers, etc. Find something that motivates your child. My daughter is an artist, and she loves visually seeing her goals being met. So a printable tracker works great for her to color in as she reads and see her progress!

*Here are some fun, free reading trackers: https://www.101planners.com/reading-log/

3. Let Them Choose What They Read

As gatekeepers, Sim and I carefully vet everything that comes into our home, but we try to have a broad variety of books for our children to choose from. Often, my daughter and I look through book lists from sources I trust, and she chooses her next reads.

*Booklists I trust:

https://readaloudrevival.com/recommends/

https://faithfulandflourishing.org/book-movie-lists/

https://goodbookmom.com/reviews/

4. Enjoy Audiobooks Together

Whether it’s during the afternoon while the little ones are napping, in the car, or during an evening laundry folding party, we love listening to audiobooks together!

*Hoopla is our favorite way to get audiobooks!

5. Be a Read-Aloud Family

Read through books together as a family. This might be my favorite way we spend time together. Nothing connects hearts like reading a good book together.

6. Visit the Library Often

Make it a weekly visit. Bonus points if your visit coincides with weekly storytime! This keeps a steady flow of fresh reading material in our home. We own MANY books, but budget doesn’t allow for endless book purchases. And if you’re looking for something your library doesn’t have, request it! Almost everytime we’ve done this, they’ve purchased the books we requested!

7. Set the Example

If you want your children to love to read, you must show them that you love to read. Model this for them. Let them see you reading. While audiobooks, kindles, and such are great tools, let your kids see you reading from physical books as well. Share your reading goals with your kids. Have some fun competition as you both try to work towards your goals throughout the year.

8. Celebrate Their Success

What happens if your child reaches their goal? How will you celebrate their accomplishment? And what if they don’t reach it, but they tried hard and came close? We all love to be rewarded for a job well done. Decide on a spcial way to celebrate all their hard work, and do it in a way that speaks to their personality and love language. I know my Eden. She would love if we celebrated with ice cream and a new book to kick of next year’s reading challenge!

What would you add to the list? Do your kids have a 2024 reading goal? How will you celebrate their success?

I’d love to hear in the comments!

Hear about these resources and our new homeschool year on the NHC Podcast!

Bible

Abeka 2nd Grade Bible Video Lessons

Language Arts

Handwriting

Eden: The Good and The Beautiful Level 5

Knox: The Reading Lamp*

Poetry

We will be memorizing several well-loved poems throughout the year. Our first one is Sea Fever by John Masefield

Spelling/Reading Instruction

*The Reading Lamp

What is this method? The Reading Lamp program is an explicit phonics program, based on the science of reading, that simplifies the English language into 40 phonemes (the sounds we hear), 70 graphemes (the sounds we write), and 15 reliable spelling patterns. The Reading Lamp teaches students word by word while integrating reading, writing, and spelling. The words are taken directly from Scripture in order to give students a jump start into reading the Bible.

There is currently not a curriculum availabe for The Reading Lamp, and it is something that you have to be trained in. A beloved friend and mentor is working to make this more accessible for parents and teachers. If you are interested in curriculum that is similar, All About Reading and All About Spelling are silimar in methodolgy.

Grammar

Eden: IEW Fix It! Grammar Level 1

Writing/Composition

Eden: IEW Level A

Unit Studies

Gather Round Homeschool

Eden: Early Elementary

Knox: Pre-Reader

We are still outlining which units we will do this year, but currently, I am going through the mini unit, My Side of the Mountain.

Simeon is working through Sports & PE with the kids one day each week.

Math

The Good and The Beautiful Math

Eden: Math 3

Knox: Math 1

Read Alouds

Our family is currently reading through The Chronicles of Naria and using this devotional study guide alongside it.

I am reading The Railway Children aloud during our afternoons.

Art

Brighter Day Press Watercolor Class

My oldest, Eden, will be 7 years old and is “technically” in 1st grade. I say technically because one of the gifts of homeschooling is that you are not locked into a box! She is very intelligent, and we have allowed her to move at her own (fast!) pace. You’ll see that reflected in some of the subject levels.

Knox is about to turn 5. We will enroll him when the new Aussie school year starts in January, but he joins in with big sis in almost everything!

My baby and toddler are at our side for it all, and I have been amazed at how much little ones soak up just from listening!

Hear about these resources on the NHC Podcast!

Bible

Children of Character Cards (Godly Character Study)

Great Hymns for Growing Hearts (Hymn Study)

Answers for Kids Set (Creation/Genesis Apologetics)

Indescribable (Devotionals centered on Sceince)

Our 24 Family Ways by Sally Clarkson (Godly Character within the Family)

Sunday School Singalong

Language Arts

Handwriting

Eden: The Good and the Beautiful Level 4 (She’s a bit advanced because we are doing cursive first)

Knox: I am using this sand tray for his writing practice as I introduce lower case cursive letters

Poetry

All Things Bright and Beautiful by Cecil Francis Alexander

My Shadow by Robert Louis Stevenson

Sea-Fever by John Masefield

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

Spelling/Reading Instruction

The Reading Lamp

What is this method? The Reading Lamp program is an explicit phonics program, based on the science of reading, that simplifies the English language into 40 phonemes (the sounds we hear), 70 graphemes (the sounds we write), and 15 reliable spelling patterns. The Reading Lamp teaches students word by word while integrating reading, writing, and spelling. The words are taken directly from Scripture in order to give students a jump start into reading the Bible.

There is currently not a curriculum availabe for The Reading Lamp, and it is something that you have to be trained in. A beloved friend and mentor is working to make this more accessible for parents and teachers. If you are interested in curriculum that is similar, All About Reading and All About Spelling are silimar in methodolgy.

Grammar

We’re in a transition period with what we are doing for grammar. Currently, I am introducing parts of speech and having my daughter label sentences using the Shurley English question/answer method. We are incorporating some grammar work from the free download of LA2 from The Good and The Beautiful.

We will be implementing a more structed LA curriculum in 2024. I’m currently in the research stages of that, but I can’t wait to share more in the coming months!

Literature

Aesop’s Fables

Unit Studies

Dinosaurs (Science)*

Marine Biology (Science) available as a free download from The Good and The Beautiful

US History 2: Rise to Independence (History)*

The First Christmas (Bible)*

(*Gather Round Homeschool: Eden is currently doing the early elementary level. Knox is doing pre-reader.)

Math

The Good and The Beautiful Math

Eden: Math 2

Knox: Math K

Morning Basket

Food Anatomy by Julia Rothman

For Knox & Ivy: I am reading through the Teacher Guide’s for Gather Round Homeschool’s Ready to Read Program. First up is Burrows & Holes! These are suited for a lower level, and allows me focused time with the younger ones. Reading through the lesson, asking the questions, and going over the simple Bible lesson takes less than 10 minutes, so it fits in well with the other morning basket things we work through.

Story of the World Volume II by Susan Wise Bauer

Elementary Geography by Charlotte Mason

Geography from A to Z: A Picture Glossary by Jack Knowlton

Read Alouds

Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

Elisabeth Elliot by Janet & Geoff Benge

Our School Day Schedule

Family Bible Time

Erin Paine’s ABC Scripture Cards

Morning Basket Resources

Picture Study: Impressionism for Children

Geography: Elementary Geography

Manners: Everyday Graces

Weather Study: Usborne’s Lift the Flap Questions and Answers About Weather

Little Backyard Books of Bird Songs

Read Aloud: Little Pilgrim’s Progress

Gather Round Homeschool

Our GR lineup that will take us January- June. . .

North American Birds

Connecting Continents: Asia

Creepy Crawlies

Oceans

If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you’ll know that our family LOVES books! Reading makes it’s way into almost every aspect of our life. Read-alouds are a large part of our homeschooling. Someone asked that I share the books we read this school year. I thought it was a wonderful idea!

I read many books to the kids during the day- board books, picture books, educational books, and more! I won’t take time to list all of those because the list would be too vast. I will say that Amelia Bedelia and Frog & Toad are our current favorite reads. Our main read-alouds during Eden’s Kindergarten year were The Complete Tales of Winnie-The-Pooh by A. A. Milne and Aesop’s Fables. The rest of the read-alouds I’ll mention in this post are ones that Simeon read to the kids.

Daddy is in charge of the bedtime routine at our house. It gives me time to put the baby to bed and tidy up the house. It also gives him a very special, focused time to bond with the kids. He use to make up stories for the kids every night, but in the past 6 months, the kids have been requesting some chapter books. Bedtime seemed like the perfect opportunity to read through those. So, most of the books I’ll mention in this post, I have not read. I’ve heard our littles re-tell the stories to me. I’ve heard the giggles tumbling out of their bedroom as daddy creatively voiced all the characters. I’ve heard them talk about these characters as though they were now a part of our family. So, I feel as though I have read the books, but the credit goes to my awesome man. The ratings and review for the books are his.

Afternoon tea while reading

Winnie-the-Pooh

The Complete Tales of Winnie-The-Pooh by A. A. Milne- 5 Stars: We LOVE Winnie-the-Pooh! It was Simeon’s favorite as a kid, so he was going to make sure it was our children’s favorites as well. We have actually assigned the characters to our family based on personality. I’ll let you guess who’s who!

The Illustrated Stories of Aesop by Usborne Books: 5 Stars: This opened some great conversations about character qualities. Eden went through a phase of giving a moral to every story she told.

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary- 5 Stars: This was the kid’s first chapter book, and they were in love!

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett- 5 Stars: This was the kid’s favorite read-aloud with daddy. There were so many giggles throughout this story!

McBroom’s Wonderful One Acre Farm by Sid Fleischman- 4 Stars: This was short and sweet, but the kids really enjoyed it.

Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White- 5 Stars: We actually did this one on audio book, and we listened to it many times. So much so that the kids started calling pigs “Wilburs”!

Homer Price by Robert McCloskey- 3 Stars: First, if you click the Amazon link, you’ll quickly realize that we did NOT buy this book. We got it from the library. Apparently, it is out of print, hence the reason it’s almost $200! This has been Sim and the kids least favorite read-aloud. It’s not bad, it’s just not as good as others.

So there you have it! Our read-alouds for Eden’s Kindergarten year. I’ve already started outlining the read-alouds to get us through the end of 2021. I’d love to hear what your family favorites are! Feel free to share them in the comments.

I have found time and time again that reading aloud solves many issues that arise during our day. Do the kids keep arguing? Gather everyone on the couch for a read-aloud. Is it a rainy day, and everyone is antsy? Make a blanket fort and read-aloud. For whatever reason, do you need to hit the restart button for the day? Read-aloud! Reading together will fix any problem- well, most problems!

I actually first heard about the concept of a morning basket from a lady who was sharing about one she had for her own personal devotional time. In it, she had her Bible, highlighters, devotional book, dictionary, and prayer journal. Then, I began to hear more about utilizing morning baskets in your homeschool day. This is idea is adaptable to every family type, education choice and lifestyle. Gather your favorite books to read through together, pick a time of day (it doesn’t have to be morning) and read through them. The memories you create with your children will be worth every minute you spend reading.

We have found that our morning basket time works best for us right after breakfast. During breakfast, we have our Bible time with Daddy. Then, once I have cleaned up the kitchen, we move to our reading corner and work through our basket. We don’t read from every book every day. I usually rotate through one or two. Once I do a day’s reading, that book gets put in the back of the stack to help me remember which one is up next.

While we cycle through our read-alouds, there are a few things we try to do every day-

Bible Time

We are currently going through Clay Clarkson’s Our 24 Family Ways. This book uses Scripture to teach children Christian character and values. Some of the discussion questions are a bit over our littles head’s, but we are enjoying learning the family ways, using them to develop our family culture, and strengthen our relationship with the Lord. We also do a brief Scripture memory time. Daddy works on this more in depth with the kids before bed in the evening, but we review what passage they are working on.

MUSIC TIME

It is important to us that our kid’s learn the great hymns of the faith. They are packed full of strong doctrine and Biblical truth. We sing other kids Bible songs or fun songs, but my goal is to learn a new hymn every week. We use this songbook from The Wilds. One of my littles favorite parts of music time is shaker eggs! We use these to work on rhythm and to just have fun!

ANIMAL OF THE DAY

My kids love learning about the unique animals that God has created. We’ve been going through Zoo Guide put out by Answers in Genesis. There are a lot of detailed facts for each animal, so I tend to skim through them, or pull out one main fact at this stage of life. Eden and Knox are always so excited to tell Daddy about the animal of the day!

These are the different categories of read-alouds that we cycle through-

CLASSIC LITERATURE

Last year, we read through The Complete Works of Beatrix Potter. This year, we are working our way through The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh. We have had the best time laughing our way through the silly tales that take place in the Hundred Acre Wood. Pooh has taken a hold of each of our hearts, and we love sharing these stories together.

POETRY

Read-Aloud Poems has been a wonderful poetry book to work through. Some days, we only have time to read one. Some days, we read through several. On days that make me feel successful, we do a craft or activity that corresponds with the poem we read that day. Those days are few and far between though! Eden is beginning her second 9 week unit with Gather Round Homeschool, and the theme is At the Pond. I was excited to find this Usborne poetry book that we will read through as we study the pond unit- Otters, Snails, and Tadpole Tails.

BIOGRAPHY

My kids are 4, 2 1/2, and 9 months so biographies don’t hold their attention for very long. I include it though because Simeon and I believe that it is very important for our children to know the stories of heroes of the faith. I know that our lives have been impacted greatly by rich biographies of missionaries, pastors and leaders who have given their all for Christ. We want that same influence in the lives of our children. The Christian Heroes Then and Now series is a great place to start with your kids! I only go through a few pages with Eden because the content is a bit deep and there are barely any pictures. We’re currently reading through Elisabeth Elliot: Joyful Surrender.

INFORMATIONAL

This tends to be the category we cycle through the quickest. Because my kids are little, their informational books aren’t quite as deep as they’ll be one day. We’ve read through books about seasons, the ocean and woodland animals this year. Right now, we are reading through Usborne’s My Very First Science Book. The kids and I are IN LOVE with Usborne books! They are packed with exciting facts and engaging illustrations. They are an investment, but they’ve been worth every penny. My kids will sit for an hour and flip through them. If you know my lively bunch, that’s amazing! Another resource we enjoy are the Brain Quest decks. These are like flashcards that have different questions for kids to flip through. Shapes, letters, numbers, time sequence and story order are just a few of the question topics that you’ll find on these. You can buy them for many different age ranges. Eden loves flipping through these with us.

Your morning basket might look nothing like mine. It might not even be in a basket! What matters is that it is something that works for you to bring your family together for learning and bonding. I love anything that gathers everyone together and knits our hearts as one. Together, we laugh at the mishaps Pooh and Piglet get themselves into. Together we hear the amazing accounts of God’s provision for Elisabeth Elliot. Together we are in awe of the amazing world God has created. Together we read and memorize poetry. Most importantly, together we read God’s Word and sing praises to Him. TOGETHER- it’s my favorite place to be!

Listen to me share more about our Morning Basket routine on the No Higher Calling Podcast.

The early years of a child should be filled with reading, free play, engaging activities, exploration and discovery. These are precious years that pass so quickly. At this age, children have immense curiosity and wonder. Simeon and I want to facilitate an environment in our home that creates a love for learning. The preschool years set the foundation for the years of education ahead. As we introduce our children to God and His magnificent creation, we pray they will desire to delve deeper into the many facets of the world around them.

Below, you will find many of our favorite resources to use with our children during this stage.

Educational Resources

Usborne Books We LOVE Usborne books! They are so much more than your average book. Filled with interesting facts, engaging activities, and vibrant illustrations, these are books that our children spend hours looking at. I enjoy reading them as much as my kids do! There are so many topics that go right along with things we are learning in school. The books in this photo are just a small sample of our collection, but these are some of our favorites right now. The wipe-clean number cards are also from Usborne.

Melissa and Doug Alphabet Puzzle

Counting Bears: When we were learning colors, we sorted the bears into their matching cup. We count them to practice our numbers. We arrange them into different patterns. So many possibilities!

Brain Quest Preschool Question Cards: These question and answer cards are part quiz part game that are so fun! Eden loves going through them and seeing how many she can answer correctly. (The edition we have of these cards is very old, but I have linked the current edition.)

Arts & Craft Resources

Melissa and Doug Scissor Skills

Alphabet Playdoh Mats I printed and laminated the white pages with alphabet letters on them. We use playdoh to practice forming the letters. As you could imagine, this is a favorite activity in our house!

Paint Melissa & Doug have great paintbrushes for little hands!

Playdoh This Creative Creatures set has been so much fun for my kids. The play with these much more than the regular play doh accessories.

Melissa and Doug Water Wow These have came in handy during our long car trips, during church services, while waiting at restaurants, basically anytime you need to distract your littles! Minimal mess for mama + loads of fun for the kids= a good investment!

Dot Activity Book and Dot Markers

Bible Resources

Sing Unto the Lord! Songbook Great for learning hymns, Scripture songs, the books of the Bible, etc.

Big Thoughts for Little ThinkersThis is a resources from Masterbooks. There are four books that present solid Christian doctrine in a way that young children can understand. The Trinity, The Scriptures, The Gospel, and The Mission are the books in this series. These have been helpful as we’ve tried to answer our kids questions about topics that can be difficult to explain to children. (These are NOT KJV. We use our own Bible when reading through them.)

Audio Resources

Patch the Pirate Captain Patch has been our dearest friend through hours of deputation travels. So much so that Knox wants to be a pirate when he grows up! The stories are fun, silly, and packed with Bible truths!

Audio Books Our most recent audio read aloud was Charlotte’s Web. We borrowed the CD’s from the library, and my kids loved listening to the story together.

Toy Resources

Dress Up Clothes My kids practically live in their dress up clothes! We have a whole toy box designated to our collection. I know costumes can be expensive. We have asked for them for birthdays and Christmas for the past few years. I’ve often found them discounted after Halloween and for sale at thrift stores and consignment sales. My kids play with their dress up stuff way more than any of their other toys, so it’s been a worthwhile collection to invest in. It is also the highlight whenever they have friends over!

Magnatiles: These have been THE BEST investment for our kids! Even Simeon and I enjoy playing with them. They can be pricey, but all of our sets were bought at significant discounts around the holidays.

Games These are a few of our favorites right now- Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel, The Cupcake Game, Candy Land, Uno, Disney Character Matching, and Guess Who

Bubble Sensory Fidget Toys I know these are the rage right now, but they really are great! Even my baby loves popping the bubbles. It’s a good source of quiet entertainment in the car.

These are just a few of our favorite preschool resources. This is such a fun stage as so much of what my children are learning is a first experience for them. I love seeing the world through their eyes! Whatever resources you use, may your days be filled with love and laughter as you discover God and His world together.