What is narration and why is it so effective in producing excellent writers? Learn the very basics of how to do a Charlotte Mason narration beginning with quality literature and moving on to oral and written narrations. 

Everything You Need to Know About Narration || How We Do Narration In Our Large Family

The Hidden Gem of Narration

The art of narration is a hidden gem. It’s such a simple tool that I think people tend to either overlook it or overthink it, yet, it is so effective that it’s worth making a regular part of your daily work.

If you are not using narration (and copywork, the twin to narration) in your homeschool, you are missing a powerful tool for teaching writing. Narrating helps kids use their most natural form of expression (telling) to express themselves well, first in speaking, and ultimately  in writing.

Whatever writing curriculum you are using in your homeschool, narration should at the very least, be a part of it. It is a supertool. It takes very little time, but works wonders in the brain. 

The exercise of consistent narration over a time period produces excellent communicators.

What is Charlotte Mason narration?

What is narration? Narration is simply telling. Whether we realize it or not, we all do narration in one form or another every day. 

When you ask your child to tell about her day or explain how she made a cake or describe the scene at the park, you are having her narrate.

Over a century ago, Charlotte Mason re-introduced the world to the practice of narration in her book Home Education. Charlotte Mason’s conclusions about narration were based on the classical education model used in ancient Greece and Rome, but she revived it by using it in the PNEU schools where she taught and by writing about it in her books. 

Narrating is the practice of arranging events or ideas to explain yourself to another person so that you both can understand and have a shared experience. 

With children, we start with oral narration which after practice, naturally lends itself to written narrations.  Learning to write well begins with telling well. Oral narration is the stepping stone to written narration. 

Why is Narration so Effective?

When I was studying education in college, we learned about Blume’s taxonomy. As budding teachers, we were learning how to ask comprehension questions in such a way to help kids progress to higher levels of thinking. Instead of asking objective questions with measurable answers, we were taught to ask questions that were open-ended to promote high-order critical thinking skills.

For example, instead of asking a question like, “What did the boy see at the park?” which has a measurable answer, we were taught to ask questions that would make them think more critically. A higher level thinking question might be, “How would you describe what you saw at the park?”

In her book Know and Tell: The Art of Narration, Karen Glass shows the weakness of this approach when compared to the superiority of simple narration.

“A teacher may assume that leading children through a series of questions will teach the children to think and reason for themselves. However, the one who asks the questions is the one who has thought about the material as a whole.” -Karen Glass

Narration skills require children begin with the highest level of thinking. It puts the weight of critical thinking on them. 

It replaces testing. A thorough narration from a child is so much better than having them answer random multiple choice questions or fill in the blank on a quiz. Actually, a child who has narrated a story well could easily create a short quiz or test on the subject matter because she has digested the information and knows it thoroughly.

Try Narration

When kids have to recall, assemble, and sift through the details of a story, they are cementing the story in their minds. 

If you doubt the effectiveness of narration, I challenge you to try it yourself. Read a short story or excerpt from a book and try retelling it to your spouse or a friend. It’s harder than you think! 

How do you teach homeschool narration?

Narration is the natural way for children to learn to write. Below are the three basic steps to take to teach narration in your homeschool. 

#1 Quality Literature is a Pre-requisite to Narration

If you want to see the positive results that so many have experienced with narration, you need to read quality literature to your kids. Miss Mason discouraged parents from reading “twaddle” and challenged them rather to choose living books for children. 

Kids can only express what they possess. If you read them silly cartoon-style books with little depth, you can’t expect their narrations be anything deeper than casual table conversations. Kids need a rich feast of ideas and these can only come from quality literature. 

Ambleside Online has a wonderful selection of living books throughout their curriculum. This is usually the first place I look for excellent book choices. 

How do you determine if a book is a living book? I love how Jaime from The Unlikely Homeschooler describes them in her article What is a Living Book Anyway?. 

“Charlotte Mason called them living or full of life. Some have referred to them as whole or complete, lacking in nothing. Still, others describe them with words like imaginative, original, or full of human touch.”

From a very young age your children should be reading the very best books. 

#2 Oral Narration

If you are reading excellent living books to your kids, the next step in learning to narrate is oral narration. You are probably already doing this with your younger students when you ask them about their day, ask them what they had for supper, or what happened at grandma’s house. Start with their interests and let them naturally tell you the things that are important to them. 

When your child is ready to start narrating stories in the early years, begin slowly. I like to read a short passage, maybe a paragraph or two, and have them narrate after parts of the story rather than giving a whole narration at the end of a single reading. 

It’s hard for younger children to hear the whole story and then give a re-telling. It’s easier to break it up into bite-sized pieces. 

It may help them for you to model a narration. Show young children by example how to sort the main idea from specific facts and how to include the most important parts in order.

Don’t Be Discouraged With Your Beginning Narrator

If your child’s early narrations leave much to be desired, don’t be discouraged! In their younger years, they are developing their ability to pay full attention and this is hard work that takes several tries. 

Often, for the first or second reading, my new narrators can hardly remember anything. The problem is that they aren’t used to paying close enough attention to be able to tell back the details. It takes repeated practice to develop a habit of attention. 

I’ve noticed a marked improvement with my youngest children after several weeks of trying narration. Becoming an active listener is a skill that takes practice. 

#3 Written Narration 

After your kids have been doing oral narration on a regular basis, they will be ready for written narration. This usually happens around age 10 or 11, but it will vary for individual children. Written narrations require no additional thought. They are simply putting pen to paper from the narrations they have been giving all along. 

It is important that older children can handwrite fluently so that the gross motor skills do not take a long time or hamper their ability to express their thoughts. If they wish to type a narration, that works well too!

When our kids begin, I start by typing their oral narrations as they tell them to me. When we finish, I have them read what I wrote out loud. This is a great way to help them see that the written narrations are essentially the oral narrations in writing.

It also helps them see areas they need to improve. I write down every “um” and “like” and when they re-read the typed passage, they can see ways to improve their writing. 

Start by having students write one narration per week and gradually work up to more. Since older students usually do the readings on their own by this point, remind them to write the narration in their own words, not copying from the passage. 

How We Do Narration in a Large Family

It can be a challenge to be consistent with narrations when you have multiple children. In our family of ten kids, I aim to listen to at least one oral narration from each of my younger kids every day. For the older kids, I expect them to do two weekly narrations on their checklist with the understanding that I may randomly check it at any time. 

At the beginning of every school year, I give each of our older kids a narration notebook. Together we decide where to fit written narrations into their weekly checklist. Having a notebook in hand helps homeschool moms to see the progress from the beginning to the end of the year. 

Another thing I have done in the past is to focus on different aspects of our homeschool for a certain period of time. Last year I spent three months focusing specifically on narration. I read a section from George Washington’s World by Genevieve Foster at Morning Time and asked the kids to write a narration afterward. They were writing about four written narrations a week. It was a short, intensive practice and they made a lot of progress.

One of the easiest ways to check multiple narrations in a big family is to have the older kids read their narrations aloud as part of Morning Time. 

Narration Examples

Below are some narration samples I’ve collected from our children. They are copied as written with no corrections.

Oral Narration from the story The Three Billy Goats Gruff, almost 6-year-old boy

There was this little tiny goat and then he went across the bridge to make himself fat, but then he said to the billy goat gruff, “Wait til the big billy goat gruff comes.”  And then he wasn’t actually the biggest one, it was the second one. And then it was like “TRIP TRAP, TRIP TRAP.” And then the big billy goat gruff came. Then he got across to make himself fat and then when they went home and they were too fat, if the fat fell off, they would already be fat still.

Narration from 50 Famous Stories Retold, the story of “George Washington and His Hatchet”, 7-year-old girl

This was an oral narration that I typed as she told it.

There was a little boy named George and one day his father gave him a hatchet. But one time because he loved cutting down things with it, so one time he went outside with it and he saw this one tree that he wanted to cut down. So he went over and he cut it down, but then his father came back right then and his father was really mad because he saw that the cherry tree was chopped down. Um, so then he went inside, but he was really really mad. Then George came and told him that he chopped down the cherry tree. And then his father said, he said, he would lose a dozen cherry trees rather than him not telling the truth.

Narration from a chapter of Child’s History of the World by Virgil Hillyer, 9-year-old boy

This was an oral narration that I typed as he gave it to me.

King Charles I was king at that time and um, they would fight wars with this other land and before they fought wars, they would feast before they went out to wars and do hymns and stuff. Oliver Cromwell helped raise up the army, like train them. So they lost a lot of battles and one time King Charles I was found guilty of committing some crimes, I think. So they killed him in the end and made Oliver Cromwell king. He was a really good king, but he was strict. Later when he died, a Stuart, Charles II became king and he was a really wicked king because he kind of took Oliver Cromwell out of his tomb. I think later one of his servants murdered him and that was the end of the story.

Narration from Robinson Crusoe, 11-year-old girl

This was copied from her written narration.

Robinson Crusoe builds a 2nd boat after his 1st one is too heavy to get into the water. It can swim very well so he explores the island through it.

After going through a lot of the island his boat gets stuck far from the island, but he manages to get back to land. He sleeps in a tree drying his boat nearby. He wakes up to someone calling his name. he is suprised to see Poll his parrot.

When he gets home he sees he’s low on ammunition and begins to set traps, pits, and is able to get lots of goats to breed. 

Narration from Story of the World about Catherine the Great, 13-year-old girl

This was copied from her written narration.

Catherine was the empress of Russia, even though she wasn’t even Russian. One of her uncles married the Empress of Russia. The Empress wanted a wife for her heir, Peter. She thought Catherine was perfect! Catherine was quickly whisked off to Moscow to meet Peter. He was handsome, but was rude and foolish. She told her mother she didn’t want to marry him, but she didn’t listen. Soon they were engaged, but days before the parts, Peter got small pox. He recovered, but Catherine was horrified when she saw him again. His face was twisted, and he had red scars all over him. Reluctantly, they got married. Soon after the Empress died, Catherine led a revolt. She sent soldiers to the town Peter was in to surround it. Accidentally he was killed by a soldier guarding him. Catherine became the Empress of Russia. She helped conquer Alaska, and expand Russia’s borders. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you make narration a consistent, expected part of the day? There are many different ways that you can approach this and it is important that you find the way that works best for you. In our large family, I am not able to check every narration every day. What has been more helpful is to focus on it at certain times. They have it on their checklist and it is required of them, knowing that I may randomly check it at any time.  I may focus on checking and reviewing narrations more closely for a few months in a row. Or I might designate one day a week to review my kid’s narrations. As far as oral narrations with younger kids, I try to have each child do at least one a day. 
2. How many narrations do you have your kids do each week? I try to have younger kids give at least one oral narration a day. For older kids, I generally require two narrations per week. If it is a time when I am focusing more on narration than at other times, I may require more. 
3. How long should a narration be? I have my kids start with half of a notebook page and work up to a page or a page and a half. Some kids need to learn to be more concise and not include all the particulars, while other children need to add more descriptions. After several narrations, these peculiarities usually iron themselves out. 
4.  Do you do every reading? I don’t ask each child to do every reading, however, since I am usually reading to more than one child, I will let them all know to listen so they can narrate and I usually pick one person to narrate. This way, they are all listening with the intention of narrating so they pay attention more closely.
5. How much should you instruct or correct their written narrations? Occasionally, I give guidance regarding the mechanics of the writing (capitalization, punctuation, spelling), but it’s important to let it be their own work. Trust the narration process; kids naturally improve with consistent practice.
6. What can I do if my kids get bored with narrating? Encourage kids to do creative narrations. Mix it up. Try narrating a picture study or a field trip. You can also allow them to use props like legos, sketches, or play dough to show their narrations. 
7.  How do you check in with your kids at the end of the day in a timely manner? I don’t check in with every child every day, but I do try to regularly be checking their work. Just knowing that mom might check is usually enough incentive for them to do their best. 
8. Do you require a high school student to narrate? Absolutely! This is where the most growth happens! In the high school years, they can fine tune their skills. 

Further Narration Resources 

You may enjoy these other similar posts on the blog about teaching writing in your homeschool.

Simple Step-by-Step Guide to Homeschool Writing

Helpful Habits for Writing Well #1: Creating a Literate Environment

Helpful Habits for Writing Well #2: Copywork

Helpful Habits for Writing Well #3: Narration

Helpful Habits for Writing Well #4: Notebooking

In this post Living Books and Narration With All Boys, I interviewed a fellow homeschool mom, Sarah, who shares her best resources and ideas for teaching narration specifically to boys. 

I love the very basic way Sonya Schaeffer explains narration in this article. She breaks it down step-by-step in a way that makes it very easy to understand.

How to Do Narration

You may also enjoy reading her book Your Questions Answered: Narration.

If you search for “narration” on the website simplycharlottemason.com, you will find a plethora of blog posts on topics such as how to do narration in high school, ideas for narration, narration with special challenges, narration with multiple children, and more.

Ambleside Online also answers frequently asked questions about narration in this article. 

Ambleside Online Narration

Books

*This post may contain affiliate links which means I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The first place to start if you want to understand narration is to read Charlotte Mason’s book Home Education.

Karen Glass has also written the book Know and Tell: The Art of Narration. This is an excellent book that has been very helpful to me in my understanding and practical application of narration.

Whatever curriculum you are using to teach writing, I hope you include narration for some of it. It is an under-utilized, yet highly productive tool!

As the cold weather and dreary February days dampen our spirits, this is the perfect time to fill your thoughts with beautiful poetry. Let these poems, quotes, and sayings about the month of February uplift your heart until we see the signs of spring. 

These poems are wonderful to copy or to memorize and recite with your family. Better yet, find a creative way to display them in your home! 

February Poems

From Longfellow to Teasdale, these inspiring verses penned by well-loved poets show us the hidden beauty we can find in the dark, foggy days of February if we look a little more closely.

1. I’m Not Just February by Annette Wynne

I’m not just February
With winds that blow
All day, and piled-up snow;
I’m Washington and Lincoln, too,
Who kept our country’s flag for you!
I’m Valentine of airy grace—
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send,
Quite as a secret, to a friend.
Though I am short of days and small,
I’m quite a big month, after all!

2. Afternoon in February by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The day is ending,
The night is descending;
The marsh is frozen,
The river dead.

Through clouds like ashes
The red sun flashes
On village windows
That glimmer red.

The snow recommences;
The buried fences
Mark no longer
The road o’er the plain;

While through the meadows,
Like fearful shadows,
Slowly passes
A funeral train.

The bell is pealing,
And every feeling
Within me responds
To the dismal knell;

Shadows are trailing,
My heart is bewailing
And tolling within
Like a funeral bell.

3. The Shortest Month by Adeline Whitney, 1824-1906

Will Winter never be over?
Will the dark days never go?
Must the buttercup and clover
Be always hid under the snow?

Ah, lend me your little ear, love!
Hark! ’tis a beautiful thing;
The weariest month of the year, love,
Is shortest and nearest to spring.

4. Leap Year by Annette Wynne

Little month of February,
You are small, but worthy—very!
Will you grow up like the others,
Like your sister months and brothers?
Every four years with a bound
With a leap up from the ground,
Trying to grow tall as they—
All you stretch is one small day!
Even then you’re not so tall
But just the shortest month of all.

5. February by Helen Hunt Jackson

Still lie the sheltering snows, undimmed and white;
And reigns the winter’s pregnant silence, still:
No sign of spring, save that the catkins fill,
And willow stems grow daily red and bright.
These are the days when ancients held a rite
Of expiation for the old year’s ill,
And prayer to purify the new year’s will:
Fit days,—ere yet the spring rains blur the sight,
Ere yet the bounding blood grows hot with haste
And dreaming thoughts grow heavy with a greed
The ardent summer’s joy to have and taste:
Fit days—to take to last year’s losses heed,
To reckon clear the new life’s sterner need;
Fit days—for Feast of Expiation placed!

6. February Twilight by Sara Teasdale

I stood beside a hill
Smooth with new-laid snow,
A single star looked out
From the cold evening glow.

There was no other creature
That saw what I could see–
I stood and watched the evening star
As long as it watched me.

7. Late February By Ted Kooser

The first warm day,
and by mid-afternoon
the snow is no more
than a washing
strewn over the yards,
the bedding rolled in knots
and leaking water,
the white shirts lying
under the evergreens.
Through the heaviest drifts
rise autumn’s fallen
bicycles, small carnivals
of paint and chrome,
the Octopus
and Tilt-A-Whirl
beginning to turn
in the sun. Now children,
stiffened by winter
and dressed, somehow,
like old men, mutter
and bend to the work
of building dams.
But such a spring is brief;
by five o’clock
the chill of sundown,
darkness, the blue TVs
flashing like storms
in the picture windows,
the yards gone gray,
the wet dogs barking
at nothing. Far off
across the cornfields
staked for streets and sewers,
the body of a farmer
missing since fall
will show up
in his garden tomorrow,
as unexpected
as a tulip.

Valentine Poems

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day during this month of love, you don’t want to miss these classic romantic poems! Share these with your special someone and relish this beautiful poetry together.

8. Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? (Also called the Valentine Poem)
By William Shakespeare

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm’d;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm’d;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;
Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

9. A Valentine by Laura Elizabeth Richards

Oh! little loveliest lady mine,
What shall I send for your valentine?
Summer and flowers are far away;
Gloomy old Winter is king to-day;
Buds will not blow, and sun will not shine:
What shall I do for a valentine?

I’ve searched the gardens all through and through
For a bud to tell of my love so true;
But buds are asleep, and blossoms are dead,
And the snow beats down on my poor little head:
So, little loveliest lady mine,
Here is my heart for your valentine!

10. How Do I Love Thee? By Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

11. To My Dear and Loving Husband By Anne Bradstreet

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let’s so persever,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.

Winter Poems

When the cold and dreary days threaten to sink your mood, cozy up to the fire with these lovely winter poems that will cheer the soul!

12. A Winter Night by Sara Teasdale

My window-pane is starred with frost,
The world is bitter cold to-night,
The moon is cruel and the wind
Is like a two-edged sword to smite.

God pity all the homeless ones,
The beggars pacing to and fro.
God pity all the poor to-night
Who walk the lamp-lit streets of snow.

13. The Snowdrop By Alfred Lord Tennyson

Many, many welcomes,
February fair-maid,
Ever as of old time,
Solitary firstling,
Coming in the cold time,
Prophet of the gay time,
Prophet of the May time,
Prophet of the roses,
Many, many welcomes,
February fair-maid!

14. Winter By Walter de la Mare

And the robin flew
Into the air, the air,
The white mist through;
And small and rare
The night-frost fell
Into the calm and misty dell.

And the dusk gathered low,
And the silver moon and stars
On the frozen snow
Drew taper bars,
Kindled winking fires
In the hooded briers.

And the sprawling Bear
Growled deep in the sky;
And Orion’s hair
Streamed sparkling by:
But the North sighed low,
“Snow, snow, more snow!”

15. The Invitation By Percy Bysshe Shelley

To the rough year just awake…
The brightest hour of unborn spring,
Through the winter wandering,
Found it seems the halcyon morn,
To hoar February born;
Bending from Heaven, in azure mirth,
It kissed the forehead of the earth,
And smiled upon the silent sea,
And bade the frozen streams be free;
And waked to music all their fountains,
And breathed upon the frozen mountains…

Kids Poems About February

I try to remind my kids that poems are like mysteries. You don’t see all that’s there the first time you read it. You should read it again and again. Each time you read, you will see it in a different light and understand something new.

You don’t have to spend a long time reading poetry with your kids for them to appreciate it. Try reading a poem a day or a poem of the week, letting them soak in, a little here and a little there.

16. Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

17. February by John Updike

The sun rides higher
Every trip.
The sidewalk shows.
Icicles drip.

A snowstorm comes,
And cars are stuck,
And ashes fly
From the old town truck.

The chickadees
Grow plump on seed
That Mother pours
Where they can feed,

And snipping, snipping
Scissors run
To cut out hearts
For everyone.

18. The Snow That Never Drifts by Emily Dickinson

The Snow that never drifts –
The transient, fragrant snow
That comes a single time a Year
Is softly driving now –

So thorough in the Tree
At night beneath the star
That it was February’s Foot
Experience would swear –

Like Winter as a Face
We stern and former knew
Repaired of all but Loneliness
By Nature’s Alibit –

Were every storm so spice
The Value could not be –
We buy with contrast – Pang is good
As near as memory

19. Winter-Time by Robert Louis Stevenson

Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.

Before the stars have left the skies,
At morning in the dark I rise;
And shivering in my nakedness,
By the cold candle, bathe and dress.

Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit;
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore
The colder countries round the door.

When to go out, my nurse doth wrap
Me in my comforter and cap;
The cold wind burns my face, and blows
Its frosty pepper up my nose.

Black are my steps on silver sod;
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;
And tree and house, and hill and lake,
Are frosted like a wedding-cake.

20. Potomac Town in February by Carl Sandburg

The bridge says:
Come across, try me; see how good I am.
The big rock in the river says:
Look at me; learn how to stand up.
The white water says:
I go on; around, under, over, I go on.
A kneeling, scraggly pine says:
I am here yet; they nearly got me last year.
A sliver of moon slides by on a high wind calling:
I know why; I’ll see you to-morrow;
I’ll tell you everything to-morrow.

February Quotes

It’s interesting to see what different people have said about February throughout the centuries. A common theme? February is not a popular month!

“Why, what’s the matter,
That you have such a February face,
So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?” William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

“February brings the rain,
Thaws the frozen lake again…”
Sara Coleridge, “The Months”

“You, February, — seem to be
Old January’s understudy,
But play the part too vaudeville-y, —
With wind too moist and snow too muddy —
You overfreeze and overthaw —
Your ” Hos’ler Jo ” -like recitation
But hints that you’re, at best, a raw
Imitation.” -James Whitcomb Riley

“I know him, February’s thrush,
And loud at eve he valentines
On sprays that paw the naked bush
Where soon will sprout the thorns and bines.”
George Meredith, “The Thrush in February”

“On the wind in February
Snowflakes float still,
Half inclined to turn to rain,
Nipping, dripping, chill.”
Christina Georgina Rossetti, “A Year’s Windfalls,”

“February is the shortest month, so if you’re having a miserable month, try to schedule it for February.” Lemony Snicket

“I had it figured out that the reason God made February short a few days was because he knew that by the time people came to the end of it they would die if they had to stand one more blasted day.” Katherine Paterson

Sayings about February

Have you heard of these well-known sayings about February?

“Thirty days hath September,
April, June, and November,
All the rest have thirty-one,
Except February, twenty-eight days clear,
And twenty-nine in each leap year.”

“If bees get out in February, the next day will be windy and rainy.” -Farmer’s Almanac

“February fill dyke
Be it black or be it white.”
“All the months of the year curse a fair Februeer.”

“If Candlemas Day be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
But if Candlemas Day be clouds and rain
Winter is gone and will not come again.”

“Winter’s back breaks about the middle of February.” -Farmer’s Almanac

“If February bring no rain
Tis neither good for grass nor grain.”

“In February, if thou hearest thunder,
Thou shalt see a summer wonder.”

“There is always one fine week in February.” -Farmer’s Almanac

“Fogs in February mean frosts in May.” -Farmer’s Almanac

From romantic verse to inspirational ponderings, I hope these poems, quotes, and sayings about the month of February have warmed your spirits as they have mine!

Happy February!

For more February posts, you may enjoy these posts.

Heart-Warming Winter Poems for Kids

Christian Poems, Verses, and Songs for Valentine’s Day

Printable Homemade Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids

Useful Life Skills Suitable to Teach in Winter

Delightful Winter Picture Books for Kids

Brighten up your homeschool this holiday season by trying some creative writing. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, you might enjoy taking a break from your normal writing lessons and doing something different. Add some holiday spirit to your homeschool by trying these Christmas writing prompts your kids will love! 

Christmas Memories and Family Traditions

Writing about Christmas memories can be a way for kids to remember important moments in this wonderful time of year. 

• Tell about the time you had a white Christmas. How much snow did you get? What outside activities did you do and with whom? 
• What can you remember about Christmas last year? Did you go somewhere special? Did you get any special gifts? 
• Do you have a favorite Christmas tradition that you do in your family? Describe it to someone who has never heard of it before.
• Write a movie review of your favorite Christmas movie. Who are the main characters? What is the plot? How is the problem solved?

Christmas Story Starters

When kids get writer’s block, sometimes it can help them if you give them an idea to get them started. Try using these story starters to get their creative juices flowing. 

• You are lost in a toy store overnight. At midnight, the toys come alive. Tell readers about your adventure!
• Christmas morning arrives, but all the Christmas presents under the tree are missing! What happened?
• What is your favorite Christmas book? Begin writing a summary of the plot, but finish it with a different ending to the story. 
• In the style of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” make up a continuing tale that begins with “If you give a kid a candy cane.”

Narration Christmas Prompts

Narration is the simple practice of telling back. It is an excellent way to help kids develop good writing skills. 

• Make a gingerbread house and decorate it with icing and trimmings. Describe step-by-step how you put it together. 
• Write a narration telling how you decorate your Christmas tree. Imagine you are explaining it to a person who will be decorating their own tree for the very first time. What goes up first? Next? Last? 
• Read the Christmas story from the Bible. Rewrite the story of Christ’s birth from the perspective of one of the characters in the story. (wise man, shepherd, Mary, Joseph, etc.) 
• Read a popular Christmas picture book of your choice. Narrate the story sharing the key moments. 
• Write a recipe-style script of the ingredients needed for a perfect Christmas. 

For more help understanding how to do narration, read these blog posts.

Step-by-step Guide to Homeschool Writing

Helpful Habits for Writing Well #3 Narration

Random Christmas Creative Writing Prompts

• Write a short story about the funniest presents you’ve ever given or received. Who gave them? What was so funny about it? 
• It’s Christmas Eve, but you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping! Tell how you scramble to pull everything together for the big day! 
• Write about your favorite Christmas song. Why do you like it? What is special about it?
• Write a letter to your parents telling them all the reasons why they should get you a _________ this year for Christmas. Give them several examples explaining your point of view.
• What was the best gift you ever received? Why did you like it so much? How did you feel when you opened it? 
• What will you be giving your family members this year for your secret Santa gift exchange? Explain why you chose each gift. How will each person respond when they open it?
• Write your own script for a Christmas pageant. 
• Compose a Christmas poem with the title “Silent Night.”
• Explain how to build the best snowman to someone who lives in a place where it never snows.
• Write a letter persuading your friends to go caroling with you in your neighborhood. 

Journal Writing Christmas Prompts

Keeping a log of the ways you celebrate Christmas can be a fun tradition from year to year. 

• Keep a diary of the 12 days of Christmas. Write about any special traditions or events that happen during this time. Buy or make a booklet for your journal. Decorate it with beautiful sketches of Christmas ornaments and scenes. Keep the notebook to record details about the 12 days of Christmas every year. You will be able to look back and see the special ways that you have celebrated Christmas throughout the years. 
• Keep a bullet journal of Christmas lists: previous gifts received,  favorite Christmas songs, movies, and books, the Christmas dinner menu, etc.
• Go on a nature walk. Write about what you see, hear, and smell. Collect specimens: leaves, berries, or pine cones. Journal your observations of these items. 
• Keep a yearly writing journal of your Christmas day menu. What was your favorite dish? What was missing this year? What should you make sure to have on the menu for next year?
• List the ways you can show compassion to others during this special time of year. Choose a few on your list to do this season!

December Writing Prompts that Serve Others

In all the celebrations this season, why not take some time in the month of December to focus on others? This is a great way to help your kids look outside themselves and see others who may be going through a difficult time this Christmas. 

• Write a letter of encouragement to a widow or widower who has recently lost a spouse.
• Send a note of thanks to a service member who is deployed overseas during the Christmas holidays.
• Send holiday cards to some elderly people in your neighborhood or church who live alone. Decorate the cards with personal drawings, colorings, or handmade touches. 
• Jot a thank you note to your mail carrier or waste service personnel. Let them know you appreciate their service throughout the year.
• After your gifts are open and you are on winter break, write thank you notes to some of the people who gave you gifts. 

Give your kids free time in the day to write for pleasure. Daily practice will help elementary students and older students alike to develop a good writing habit. The more they write, the better they will be at it. 

I hope these fun Christmas writing prompts ignite your children’s imaginations! Ask them to share their stories with the whole family so everyone can enjoy them!

Merry Christmas!

As the weather turns colder this fall season, these fun literature-based November journal writing ideas will give your kids some creative ways to sharpen their writing skills. These picture books, famous poems, and historical documents, all centered around the month of November, can be a great way to add some pizzazz to your daily writing practice.

You may also enjoy reading these similar posts that are perfect to use in November.

7 Favorite Thanksgiving Homeschool Read-Aloud Books

The True Thanksgiving Story Book List for Kids

Traditional Thanksgiving  Poems and Songs for Kids

Fall Themed Copywork (Free Printable)

*This post contains affiliate links which means I make a small profit at no extra cost to you. 

These creative writing prompts are intended to give you some fun writing ideas to use with your kids in November. This collection of November journal prompts are arranged by different literature styles: picture books, poems, short stories, and historical documents. Sometimes kids can experience writer’s block when they look at a blank page, but these creative prompts, along with regular journaling practice, will inspire them with thought-provoking ideas. 

Kids may want to designate a notebook specifically for this November study. Have them design a colorful journal cover so they can enjoy this keepsake for years to come, pulling it out to read and review in future November months.

Picture Books

Sleep Tight  Farm by Eugene Doyle

Read the book Sleep Tight Farm to your kids. In this book, the family slowly puts the farm to bed for winter, the season of rest. Ask your kids to think about what your family does to prepare for winter. Do you have a garden or animals? What preparation do you do around your home to get ready for the colder dormant season? Maybe you don’t have a garden or homestead, so this may look a little different. Do you close your pool? Switch out your summer clothes? Do some fall cleaning? Shop for winter clothes or supplies?

Sale

Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter

• Hardcover Book
• Doyle, Eugenie (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 36 Pages – 08/02/2016 (Publication Date) – Chronicle Books (Publisher)

$9.96

Buy on Amazon

Writing Prompt: Have your kids rewrite the book telling what you do in your family to prepare for the winter season. What does this look like in your everyday life in these fall months?

What’s the Big Deal About Elections by Ruby Shamir and Matt Faulkner

The Tuesday after the first Monday in November has been designated as Election Day. This picture book helps kids understand the election process, its history, and how to get involved. It answers questions like these. What are elections? Who gets to vote? Why do we vote? How do we elect our leaders? How do we vote? Read this book with your kids or have them read it themselves. Discuss the questions at the end of the book, “What do you think our government should spend its time on? What do you think our leaders should pay attention to?” 

What’s the Big Deal About Elections

• Shamir, Ruby (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 64 Pages – 08/25/2020 (Publication Date) – Philomel Books (Publisher)

$5.99

Buy on Amazon

Writing Prompt: Write a how-to-style narrative explaining the voting process to a new voter. Explain how they can register, where to find information on candidates, and different ways to get involved.

The Wall by Eve Bunting 

On November 11th we remember our veterans. The Wall by Eve Bunting is a wonderful picture book to read on this special day of the month. This story will help kids remember and honor those who paid the ultimate price. The Wall is the story of a father and son who visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to find the boy’s grandfather’s name. Read this book aloud to your students on Veterans Day. Discuss the book by asking the following questions. What is a veteran? Can they name veterans they know? How can we support our veterans?

Sale

The Wall (Reading Rainbow Books)

• Bunting, Eve (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 32 Pages – 08/24/1992 (Publication Date) – Clarion Books (Publisher)

$7.67

Buy on Amazon

Writing Prompt: Write a letter to a veteran thanking him or her for their service to our country. This is a wonderful way to show them your appreciation for preserving our freedom.

Sarah Gives Thanks by Mike Allegra

In this inspiring true story, Sarah Josepha Hale, a widowed mother of five, we learn about a young woman who, despite many unfortunate circumstances, becomes a writer and editor in a popular woman’s magazine. During her lifetime thanksgiving was celebrated mostly in the New England colonies, but Sarah wanted to see that change. She petitioned several presidents, asking them to make Thanksgiving a national holiday, but to no avail. After many failed attempts, President Abraham Lincoln finally gave Sarah’s idea some consideration and declared Thanksgiving to be a national holiday in 1863.

This is a good book to read with your children because it gives some unknown insight into the history of Thanksgiving through the decades. Additionally, it inspires young writers to persevere and make their stories known. 

Sarah Gives Thanks: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday

• Hardcover Book
• Allegra, Mike (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 32 Pages – 09/01/2012 (Publication Date) – Albert Whitman & Company (Publisher)

$30.06

Buy on Amazon

Writing Prompt: Have your kids write a letter to President Abraham Lincoln persuading him to make Thanksgiving a national holiday.

In November by Cynthia Rylant

Cynthia Rylant gives a beautiful description of the changes we see in November in this book. What do the animals do? How does the landscape change? What new things do you see as the seasons change? In what ways is the food different? This book is meant to be read aloud to children. 

Sale

In November

• Rylant, Cynthia (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 26 Pages – 09/01/2008 (Publication Date) – Clarion Books (Publisher)

$6.99

Buy on Amazon

Writing Prompt: Have your kids make a list of all the changes they observe in November. What is your favorite thing to do this time of year? Using their five senses, create a word bank telling what they observe in their surroundings: acorns, leaves, pumpkins, wind, snow, coats, etc. Use this list as an outline to write a similar narrative describing November. Encourage them to use illustrations!

Poems

The New England Boy’s Song About Thanksgiving Day by Lydia Maria Child

What is Thanksgiving without this famous poem? Read the original poem with all twelve verses or listen to the song. Ask them to describe the poem. What do they see, hear, smell, taste? 

Writing Prompt: Starting with the same line, “Over the river and through the wood,” write a similar poem differently, using your own words. Try to use the same rhythm and meter. 

November Night by Adelaide Crapsey

In this short poem, Crapsey compares the falling leaves to the end of life.  This poem is a great way to introduce your kids to the Cinquain style of poetry. Review the rules for writing a cinquain. They are five lines long. Cinquains have two syllables in the first line, 4 in the second, 6 in the third, 8 in the fourth, and two in the last. A cinquain does not need to rhyme. 

Writing Prompt: Write a cinquain with “November” in the title. 

Psalm 100

Read the Psalm together. Make a “thankful list” together, remembering God’s many blessings from the past year.  

Writing Prompt: Write your own prayer to God expressing your gratitude for his provision. 

Short Stories

An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott

Thanksgiving may quickly become your favorite holiday after you read this endearing short story with your children. Louisa May Alcott beautifully tells how a 19th-century New England family prepares for Thanksgiving dinner.  

This story begins by introducing the Bassetts and their eight children as they prepare the farm and food for Thanksgiving Day. All the food preparation is coming along nicely when suddenly mother and father must leave to take care of Mrs. Bassett’s ailing mother. The children must manage the house and cook themselves for the upcoming feast. The day is full of old family stories, cooking blunders, and unexpected events, but Mr. and Mrs. Bassett return earlier than expected and the mother is pleased to see a beautiful meal all put together by her children.

An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving

• Hardcover Book
• Alcott, Louisa May (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 24 Pages – 04/03/2018 (Publication Date) – SMK Books (Publisher)

$11.99

Buy on Amazon

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts: Describe the scene in your home if the same circumstances happened to you! Your mother and father are called away and the kids will need to make the Thanksgiving meal. What’s on the menu? Who does the cooking? Will your favorite Thanksgiving dish be on the table? How does it turn out? 

Historical Literature

These suggestions are great for high school or middle school students because of the rich language. It will also help them become familiar with historical texts. 

The Gettysburg Address 

Read this short historical speech to your children. Have them take a turn reading it aloud. The vocabulary in the text is a little challenging, but it will take very little time since it is only a few sentences. What important events were happening in the United States during this time?

Writing Prompt: Rewrite the president’s speech in your own words. (Think narration here, have kids retell the speech in their own words, as they understand it.)

President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1864

After reading this short speech, ask your kids when this speech was given. Was it before or after the Gettysburg Address? Before or after the Civil War? Why would these special events call for a national day of Thanksgiving? 

Writing Prompt: Imagine you are the president. Write your own Thanksgiving Proclamation. Make sure to include why we should have a national day of Thanksgiving.  

Mayflower Compact

What happened on Cape Cod on the 11th of November? What was the purpose of this voyage to the new world? 

Writing Prompt: For some daily practice, write a few journal entries of the pilgrims and their experience in the new world. How do they spend their time? Describe what they see. What is the first priority in building a new colony? What problems do they encounter? Describe their daily life.

The Pilgrim-Wampanoag Peace Treaty from Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford

Read this excerpt from Of Plymouth Plantation written by a great historical figure, William Bradford. What signs did both sides give to show their friendliness in making this treaty? What were the terms of the agreement? 

Writing Prompt: Write your own peace treaty between the native Americans and pilgrims. Include your terms of agreement.

I hope this list of November writing prompts has given you some inspiration for your writing lessons during the special days in this holiday season. You can use these as daily writing prompts or insert them into your regular lesson plans to switch things up a bit. 

Nature journaling is a wonderful habit for children to learn. Drawing and recording the changes in the trees, wildflowers, birds, and mammals in the great outdoors will help kids become observant and give them a love of nature that will hopefully be lifelong. If you want kids to be successful at keeping a nature notebook, I suggest you make it very simple. It’s better to have consistent entries , even if they are rather plain, than to have only a handful of pages of exquisite work. Below I will share how to keep a simple homeschool nature study notebook.

Video: How to Keep a Simple Nature Notebook

What I love about Nature Study

One of the aspects I love most about Nature Study is that it engages all five senses. We can listen to a chickadee singing or a squirrel scolding. The brilliant colors of wildflowers against the azure sky dazzle our eyes. The lilacs, roses, and honeysuckle change the aroma in the air as they each come into full bloom at their appointed times. We can sample a taste of some wild berries or herbs or wildflowers. I get excited along with the kids when they find a four-leaf clover or rare caterpillar. At every turn, there are so many new creatures or plants or different things to observe. Everything outside is alive and it is very exciting for children and adults alike.

Key Focus: SIMPLE

The goal of our nature notebook comes down to one word: SIMPLE. In our large family of twelve with seven kids who are school age, nature notebooks have to be kept very basic or they won’t get done at all. As much as I love Nature Study, I am not able to spend as much time focusing on it as I would like at this current stage in our homeschool. I would rather the kids at least consistently keep a simple notebook rather than miss out on it altogether.

Tools

Having a few tools handy will help keep the inspiration strong. Well-sharpened pencils, fresh watercolors and brushes, thicker paper, and field guides will attract a child’s interest, especially younger children. Who wants to sketch with broken and worn down crayons? Investing in some quality mediums is a great way to incline them to be creative with their nature journal pages.

Sketch book

Colored pencils

Watercolor paints

Field guides, nature books, and science books. We like the National Audubon Society Field Guides and the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Comstock.

Nature Notebooking In Our Home

It can be hard to fit nature studies in with all the other content that we have to cover in our homeschool from day to day. In our home, I assign nature study notebooks one day a week in. place of daily copywork. I put it on their homeschool checklists as a visual reminder to them. This relieves us from adding another subject by replacing it with a subject we are already doing. Additionally, kids look forward to the nature notebooking day when they can get a day off from copywork.

Some people have kids fill in the blank pages of nature notebooks when they are out on a nature walk. I think this takes away the simple pleasure of being out in God’s creation. I would rather they bring their nature finds home, add them to their collection, and save them for journal entries later.

I think it is a good idea to let high school students choose whether or not they want to keep a student notebook. The most important thing is for them to enjoy Nature Study and that happens best with older kids when it is their choice.

A Simple Format for a Nature Notebook

A few years ago, a friend introduced me to the book The Country Diary of and Edwardian Lady. This book inspired me from the start and we started formatting our nature notebooks after the style used in it. The illustrations and text in Ms. Holden’s book are lovely and the content is fodder for imagination. It has given us a simple structure to follow.

I want to show you the basic pattern that we have taken from this book because it has revolutionized our approach to nature notebooking! I want our kids to see their notebooks as a keepsake, a product consistently in the making, so it helps to have a model to follow. This book does just that.

Here are the step-by-step instructions for how we organize our notebooking journal.

1. Page 1 (left side)- First thing, in bold or block letters, write the month at the top of the page. Using inspiration from sights in the backyard or in the woods, draw the plants, animals, trees, scenes as they are in this month. I encourage the kids to do good quality work with colorful illustrations. They can color with pencils or watercolor painting.
2. Page 2 (right side and following pages, if needed) Write the short form of the date and a journal entry describing what is happening in the natural world around them at this time. The entry should be short, a few sentences, so as not to discourage the child. Since we do nature notebook once a week, they usually have 4 or 5 entries. This helps them to see the slow changes in the seasons.
3. *Optional* Pages 3 & 4- For kids who can’t fit it all in the first two pages, they can continue their journal entries on page 3 or draw more sketches on page 4. However, we do like to keep each month in the same open notebook pages so that you can see it all with the spiral open flat.

I let my kids use the book for inspiration and creative ideas. Also, they can write little mottos poems in the margins as Edith Holden does in the book if they like to do that.

Guidelines for Keeping It Simple

The grand goal is for them to love nature. Because of that, I think it is very important how we approach a nature notebook. Here are a few guidelines.

• Don’t set the bar so high. Encourage them to do their best, but let go of all the instagram-worthy ideas you find on pinterest. When a child is capturing nature from his or her perspective, he is learning. Do you want their student notebook to look a certain way or do you want them to learn and to love nature? Challenge them to do their best work, but don’t steal the joy by having your expectations too high.
• You don’t have to prioritize nature study year round. It’s ok to focus on it more for certain periods of time and then let it slip to the background for a bit.

Simple Nature Notebook Ideas

• In the back of the notebook, keeping bulleted lists of birds, trees, and flowers as they learn to identify them is a great idea as well.
• Kids can Modge Podge, tape, or press flowers and leaves into the notebooking pages.
• For young children, moms can write their observations in the notebook for them. (They can do their own illustrations.)

Do you have a nature journal idea to help kids consistently keep a simple nature notebook? Leave a comment below with your suggestions!

Pin it for Later! How to Keep a Simple Nature Notebook

Spring is in the air! I like to switch things up every now and then by trying something new, especially when we are getting close to the end of our school year.

Are you looking for fresh ideas? Do something different in your writing lessons by trying this Spring-Themed Homeschool Copywork (Free Printable). These are the copywork pages my kids will be doing in the next few weeks.

Video: How We Do Copywork | Everything You Need To Know

When I started homeschooling several years ago, the idea of using copywork and narration as the core for our Language Arts program seemed too simple. Drawing on my previous experience teaching in the classroom, we did a separate lesson for spelling, writing style and process, vocabulary, punctuation, and more. Each of these concepts was taught in isolation.

Copywork is an all-in-one habit that covers all of these concepts.

After thirteen years of observing the habit of copywork in my kids, I am convinced that it is an excellent practice that is widely underestimated.

Handwriting sections of quality writing slows down the mind. When you write something down at the start of your day, you are more likely to think of it again later throughout the day.

I am so convinced of the benefits of copywork that I have adopted this practice as an adult. When I read my Bible in the mornings and come to meaningful passages, I jot the Bible verses down on a blank line in my planner. Writing a memory verse on paper brings this thought back to me often at other times in the day or week.

To see samples of the copywork I use with our kids and to read more about how we do copywork in our home, you may enjoy reading these posts.

Simple Step-By-Step Guide to Homeschool Writing

Helpful Habits for Writing Well #2: Copying the Best Pieces from Great Authors

Helpful Habits for Writing Well #3: Narration

Winter Themed Copywork (FREE Printable)

Pin it for later! Spring-Themed Homeschool Copywork (Free Printable)

What is copywork?

Copywork is simply the habit of hand-copying selections of text from great authors. Think about it. How do we learn to do anything? We observe someone who is doing it! Copywork challenges kids to copy the written work of excellent communicators.

Are handwriting and copywork the same thing?

No, they are not. Handwriting should be mastered before copywork. When kids can fluently write, then they can begin copywork. Having said that, copywork is likely to improve handwriting skills, but it is also so much more than that. It teaches good writing form and exposes kids to quality pieces.

How will I know if my child is ready for copywork?

When kids have developed the fine motor skills to write fluently, then they can begin practicing copywork. If a copywork lesson takes a beginning student longer than 10-15 minutes, they may not be ready for it. This should not be a strenuous practice for them.

What are some good sources for copywork?

What quality books are you reading aloud to your kids? These are a fantastic place to start! Copy Bible passages, Aesop’s Fables, poems, short stories or fairy tales, hymns, non-fiction books on topics that interest them. Try copying notable sections from each chapter of the fiction book they are reading.

Here are some of my go-to resources for great literature suggestions.

Ambleside Online

Read Aloud Revival

You can also download files of the copywork sheets we have used over the years in the post below.

Helpful Habits for Writing Well #2: Copying the Best Pieces from Great Authors

Copywork Materials

We use one spiral notebook for a year of copy work. At the beginning of a new day, have your child write the date, then copy the work below, leaving spaces between lines as needed.

How much should a child copy?

A good rule of thumb is to have a child copy one sentence a day for first grade, two for second, and so on. If they want to do more, sure! But this metric is a reasonable developmental goal for most kids. 

How long should copywork take?

Short 10-15 minute lessons will help kids to enjoy the process. Remember how we dreaded long repetitive writing worksheets in school?

Older children will be able to copy longer passages, but if it takes them longer than 15-20 minutes, it is too much.

Focus on quality, not quantity. Encourage them to keep a copywork notebook of beautiful entries. The goal is to have a habit of good writing.

Steps for Teaching Copywork

Copywork work is intended primarily to be an independent practice, however, here are some steps to help a child who is beginning to learn copywork.

1. Show the child what is to be copied. Handwrite the selection out on paper with spaces between lines. Have the pay close attention to how you form each letter. (As kids progress over time, they should be able to copy directly from the printed piece.)
2. Have the child copy the piece. Remind them to give their best effort.
3. When finished, the child should compare his work with the sample to find any mistakes. Briefly point out relevant topics such as punctuation, spelling, vocabulary, etc. Remind them to start each sentence with a capital letter!

What is included in the Spring-Themed Homeschool Copywork (Free Printable)?

This PDF free download has 2 pages of help and FAQ about copywork followed by 6 pages of free copywork samples for kids. This amounts to approximately 7 weeks of work, if a child practices copywork daily.

In this collection, you will find spring-themed copywork selections taken from favorite passages of the Bible as well as poems from Robert Louis Stevenson, Christina Rosetti, Amelia Josephine Burr, Sara Teasdale, and Edith Nesbith. There are also quotes taken from the picture books and chapter books below if you would like to add them to your read aloud list. 

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

The Ox Cart Man by Barbara Cooney

Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

How do I download the Spring Themed Homeschool Copywork Printable?

1. Subscribe in the box below by entering your email.
2. Check your email inbox to confirm your subscription.
3. You will get a success message with the PDF link. Click on the link and print. Enjoy! Please remember, these are for personal use only!

Looking for ideas and inspiration to teach writing in the New Year? Try my Winter Themed Copywork (FREE Printable)! This is the copywork my kids will be doing in the next few weeks of winter and I am excited to share this product with you!

No Time Now? Pin for Later! Winter Themed Copywork

When I first started homeschooling and I heard about the idea of copywork, I had my doubts. After my years teaching in the classroom, copywork seemed too simple to be effective. And what about all those cutting-edge writing methods I had learned to teach my school students? Surely copywork was outdated and impractical! What was it about copywork that so many other homeschool moms I knew were touting its praises?

I have been using the habit of copywork for thirteen years now with each of my kids and will say without a doubt, it is an excellent habit to help teach writing! You really have to try the habit of daily copywork over a period of time to see its effectiveness. Copywork is not the only curriculum I use to teach my kids to write, but it is my core method.

To see samples of the copywork I use with our kids and to read more about how we do copywork in our home, you may enjoy reading these posts.

Helpful Habits for Writing Well #2: Copying the Best Pieces from Great Authors

Simple Step-By-Step Guide to Homeschool Writing

Fall Themed Copywork
Spring Themed Copywork

Video: How We Do Copywork | Everything You Need to Know

Does Copywork Really Work?

The main difference that I see between copywork and other writing methods is this. In copywork, the student first observes an excellent piece, slowly and carefully, copying with exact detail, and makes a conclusion afterward. The writing begins after the observation. Children can only express what they possess!

In many popular writing methods, kids in early elementary school are encouraged to begin writing but they have very little to no exposure to quality pieces of writing or time to reflect on them.

When used along with the habit of narration, children observe first and write later.

What Is Copywork?

Copywork is simply the habit of hand copying selections of text from great authors. Think about it. How do we learn to do anything? We observe someone who is doing it! Copywork challenges kids to copy the written work of excellent communicators.

What should a child copy?

A child should copy the best pieces from great authors! What quality books are you reading aloud to your kids? These are a great place to start! Copy passages of Scripture, Aesop’s Fables, poems, short stories or fairy tales, non-fiction books on topics that interest them, notable sections from each chapter of the fiction book they are reading.

You can download a list of copywork we use based off of the Ambleside Online book suggestions here.

How much should a child copy?

A good rule of thumb is to have a child copy one sentence a day for first grade, two for second, and so on. If they want to do more, sure! But this metric is a reasonable developmental goal for most kids. 

How do you teach copywork?

Encourage kids to copy the text just as it is written. Capitalize the first letter of every sentence or every line in a poem. Write quotation marks, semi-colons, colons, and apostrophe’s just as observed in the line. Have them write the title appropriately making sure to capitalize the first letters in each word of the title. 

When they finish, review the copywork with them. Have them correct spelling and punctuation errors. Ask them to spell key words. Refine their handwriting skills as needed. Ask them the meaning of any unknown words. 

Is Typing Copywork the Same as Handwriting It Out?

Typing is a great extension to copywork, but not a good substitution to physically handwriting the text. I like to think of this as the difference between riding in a car and walking. When you ride in a car somewhere, you observe a few notable landmarks. But when you walk, you see and remember in much greater detail. This is what happens when you write things out by hand. It slows the brain down and you observe details closely.

“Writing is a distinctly human skill, and like speaking, it reflects thinking. If we utilize technology to make the process too effortless, we may lose not only the discipline and the basic ability to put words on paper, but the quality of thinking that writing well requires.”

Andrew Pudewa

What skills are covered in copywork?

• Handwriting
• Spelling
• Punctuation
• Vocabulary
• Good sentence structure
• Writing style and form

What Is Included in the Winter Themed Copywork Printable?

This PDF has 2 pages of help/FAQ about copywork and 5 pages of copywork samples for kids which amounts to approximately 7 weeks of work if a child practices copywork daily.

In this collection, you will find winter-themed copywork selections taken from quality literature: passages of the Bible, poems from Christina Rosetti, Sara Teasdale,  Robert Louis Stevenson, and Robert Frost. There are also quotes from the picture books and chapter books listed below if you would like to add them into your read-aloud time.

Picture Books

Stranger in the Woods by Samms and Stoick

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Burton

The Mitten by Jan Brett

Chapter Books

The Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

House At Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne

How Do I Download the Winter Themed Copywork (FREE Printable)?

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