Last month I took a bit different approach with our Morning Basket book list and we took a deep dive into a few topics instead of including a little bit of everything. It worked out really well so I’m going to continue that path for some of this month’s book list. Here’s what we’ll be reading during Morning Basket time in February.
History and Read Aloud Books
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch – This is an American history book that appears on many homeschool history book lists. It also has a Brave Writer Arrow that we’ll be using copywork, dictation and writing exercises. I love being able to tie history in with language arts.
Mary on Horseback – This is on schedule for Bookshark’s history that Comedian is doing. Both girls are really into horses right now so this is one we won’t skip even though they remember it well from when we read it for Storyteller’s history. This book really brings the the setting and time to life.
Science, Math and Nature Study Books
We’re going to get back into a few short biography collection books that were put to the side during the holiday season. I love these types of books because it gives a good over view of many historical people. At this age, it’s not necessary to dive deep into everything. I like to expose the kids to short stories about many people and then we can take a deeper dive on a few that really spark their interest. This month we’ll be finishing Lives of Scientists: Experiments, Explosions (and What the Neighbors Thought), Girls who Looked Under Rocks, and Women in Science.
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Shakespeare!
This month we’re going to focus on William Shakespeare! Once upon a time, I actually worked at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater for several years. I’m so excited to take some time this month to get reacquainted with the Bard! We’ve read a bit about him here and there but now we’re going to dive deeper. We’ll be using How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare, Usborne Illustrated Stories from Shakespeare, Poetry for Kids: Shakespeare, Will’s Words: How William Shakespeare Changed the Way You Talk, William Shakespeare and the Globe, and Who Was William Shakespeare?. Earlier this year we read You Wouldn’t Want to be a Shakespearean Actor. I also snagged History’s Great Structures: Shakespeare’s Globe Theater at the library but it’s too much for my girls at this point. I’m looking forward to reading it for myself and perhaps I’ll bookmark a few passages to read to them.
Valentine’s Day Picture Books
The Story of Valentine’s Day by Clyde Robert Bulla and Celebrate Valentine’s Day from National Geographic – We’ll be using these books to explore the history and customs of Valentine’s Day.
Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink – What can possibly go wrong with a few mean spirited valentines for kids who aren’t so nice? This has a great message about being a good friend.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose – How many different versions of this book are there?! These are so much fun!
The Valentine Bears – What happens when bears try to break hibernation to celebrate Valentine’s Day?
The Very Fairy Princess: Valentine’s from the Heart and The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart – We love the Very Fairy Princess book series and so we have to include these two in our February Morning Basket!
The Day it Rained Hearts – This is an easy picture that my 1st grader wants to read to us during Morning Basket time. It’s the sweet story of a little girl who thinks of ways to make different valentines for her friends.
Mad Libs: Valentine’s Day Letters – We always have a Mad Libs in our Morning Basket. We use the themed collections for different holidays and topics that fit what we’re exploring in our other school work.
Related Post – Free Valentine’s Day Printable
Games and Fun
Boggle and Rack-O – The girls received these classic games for Christmas and we’ve been having so much fun with them! However, we’ve been playing them after dinner when the girls have been a bit tired so I want to bring them out earlier in the day. Comedian is doing really well at spelling but she’s still just 1st grade so I didn’t have high expectations for her playing Boggle. It turns out that she really loves it! Most of the words she finds aren’t real words but she hasn’t been discouraged at all.
Whew! That’s another big stack of books ready for us to enjoy during our Morning Basket time in February. American history, Shakespeare, math, science, nature and of course…Valentine’s Day books! What books will you be sharing with your kids this month?
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