If you’re homeschooling a 5th grader, you know this stage is full of curiosity, imagination, and (let’s be honest) plenty of activity. Kids at this age want adventure, stories that feel alive, and a chance to see themselves in the characters they’re reading about. That’s exactly why the 5th Grade Package at Total Language Plus is one of my favorites. It balances fun, faith, and foundational skills in a way that makes language arts feel like an adventure instead of a checklist.

If you’ve ever looked at a stack of high school literature requirements and thought, “Yikes…how do I make this meaningful, not just a box to check?” you are not alone. High school language arts can feel intimidating, especially when it comes to something as broad as American Literature.

When I first heard about Charlotte Mason, I was a homeschool mom who was a former educator and she hadn’t “shown up” in my educational history classes. Why was she so special? Here was this 19th-century British educator who believed in short lessons, real books, fresh air, and treating children as whole people—not just empty vessels waiting to be filled with facts. Honestly, I was hooked before I even finished reading about her works.

You’ve probably heard people in the homeschool world toss around the phrase “living book” like it’s a secret password into the world of rich, meaningful education. But what exactly is a living book…..and why do homeschoolers (myself included) get so excited about them?

Maybe you've heard a friend talking about homeschooling or maybe the idea of sending your child away from you for 8+ hours a day sounds unappealing, and you find yourself thinking about homeschooling your child. 

You are in the right place and let me tell you that homeschooling is a wonderful, wonderful blessing but will have challenges

Dear fellow mom who's been Googling things like “Charlotte Mason curriculum,” “homeschool without crying,” or “why does my child hate history?”......pull up a chair and let’s talk about living books.

Writing is a fundamental skill, yet it presents a significant challenge for many students and educators alike. The vast array of writing styles, from persuasive essays to narrative fiction, informative reports to creative poetry, demands a diverse set of proficiencies. This complexity can make the act of writing daunting for some learners.

Think about taking 20 minutes with your family to discuss our freedoms as a nation and our freedom in Christ. Perhaps around a campfire or over 4th of July food! 

Do you remember every date you memorized in school? How about every historical figure or math formula?
Me neither.
But I’ll never forget the thrill of a great story, the kind that pulls you in, sparks your imagination, and leaves you changed. That’s the power of literature.

No, we are not talking about water slides, slip ’n slides, or a trip to the local playground. The summer slide refers to the phenomenon where students lose some of the academic skills and knowledge they gained during the school year over the summer break.

Yes! Yes! Yes! In fact, our guides are a fantastic tool to talk about literature.

Imagine your child is an explorer—not sitting at a desk just memorizing facts, but out there digging for treasure, solving mysteries, and making exciting connections all on their own. That’s the heart of discovery learning!

Think of a homeschool conference like a booster shot of inspiration, support, and connection. Just when you need it!

A literature-based language arts curriculum is not just about a style of teaching—it's about nurturing a lifelong love of reading, thinking, and expressing ideas.

Imagine if Mary Poppins and Professor McGonagall had a wise, book-loving cousin who was obsessed with nature walks, classic literature, and making sure kids weren’t bored to tears—that’s Charlotte Mason.