28 Fantastic Poetry Books for Kids Who Don’t Like Rhymes

28 Fantastic Poetry Books for Kids Who Don’t Like Rhymes

  

Reading Time: 2 min 1 sec

 There is something magical about poetry books for kids. Poetry can spark your imagination, let you envision worlds the eye cannot see, and it can stir your heart with its powerful emotion.  Poetry strips away time and space and allows you to experience the world in whole new ways.   

 

The thought of poetry can strike most of us with feelings of inadequacy. Why does poetry have to feel so complicated? We were all taught that within poetry is this hidden message that if you are reflective (and brilliant) you will be able to grasp its meaning.  It doesn’t work. I reflected the fool out of more poems than I can count and I still walked away scratching my head.

 

                         Why does something so beautiful need an army of interpreters?

 

So, I staged a revolt.  I knew that if I waited until I felt confident, I would NEVER introduce my children to poetry. So, we started out our poetry journey by taking small steps. Even though I promptly made a ton of mistakes, I learned a couple of things along the way. 

 

Set yourself up for success by starting with picture books written in rhyme.  Not only are the pictures mesmerizing but the cadence of the words makes it a very easy read.  After you feel confident, add beautiful poetry books for kids that are short, funny, and relatable.  Here is one of our favorite poems called The Naughty Four O’Clocks by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

 

There were some naughty flowers once, who were careless in their play;

They got their petals torn and soiled

As they swung in the dust all day.

 

They went to bed at four o’clock

With faces covered tight, To keep the fairy Drop O’ Dew

From washing them at night.

 

Poor Drop O’Dew! What could she do? She said to the Fairy Queen,

“I cannot get those Four O’Clocks, To Keep their faces clean.”

 

The mighty Storm King heard the tale; “My winds and rain,” roared he,

“Shall wash those naughty flowers well, As flowers all should be.”

So raindrops came and caught them all

Before they went to bed, And washed those little Four O’clocks

At three o’clock instead.”

 

Flowers who are tricked into taking a bath? What could possibly be more captivating than that? 🙂  The poem is simple, imaginative. and colorful.  It struck delight in the hearts of my children. You can check out this article to find out my requirements for choosing beautiful poetry books.

 

My goal is to help my children fall in love with poetry. To accomplish that objective, I want to remove all the stumbling blocks that might interfere. Does that mean that my children will never be able to appreciate the finer nuances of poetry?  No, but it does mean that in the early years we are intentional about establishing a strong foundation of curiosity and delight.

 

Here are twenty-eight suggestions to help you get started in developing a love of poetry for kids in your homeschool.  These are all books that we have read together and enjoyed. 

1. Favorite Poetry Books For Kids 

2. Picture Poetry Books For Kids 

3. Short Poetry Books For Kids 

4. Poetry Books For Older Kids

1. Favorite Poetry Books For Kids

 

2. Picture Poetry Books For Kids

 

 

3. Short Poetry Books For Kids

4. Poetry Books for Older Kids   

 

Are you wondering HOW do you actually get started homeschooling? Join our community of moms who want to invest in the lives of their children through homeschooling. I also created a 10 Tips to Finding Excellent Curriculum form to help you on your journey. 

 

 

 

What about you? What are your favorite poetry books for kids? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow Most Important Work on Pinterest! 

How To Inspire A Love Of Poetry In Your Children

How To Inspire A Love Of Poetry In Your Children

  

Reading Time: 4 min 57 sec

This month in prep for Valentine’s Day, we will be talking about the ins and outs of children’s poetry. Have you ever felt intimidated at the thought of teaching poetry to your children? Me too! I have found that though I love the idea of poetry, actual comprehension and enjoyment has escaped me most of my life.

 

Poetry can feel like a dreaded acquaintance. You know, that person who tries to impress us with their vast knowledge of the complexities of the English language? After every conversation, you walk away feeling exhausted, the frustration of “why don’t you just say what you mean?” still spinning in your head.

 

I blame Anne of Green Gables among many others with my fascination with poetry. In the opening scene of Anne of Green Gables, the mini-series, you see her walking through a forest quoting The Lady of Shallot, with such rapt attention, that you can’t help but be intrigued.

 

                                        “There she weaves by night and day                                                                                            A magic web with colors gay.                                                                                                  She has heard a whisper say,                                                                                                  A curse is on her is she stay                                                                                                      To look down to Camelot                                                                                               She knows not what the curse may be,                                                                                          And so she weaveth steadily,                                                                                               And little over care hath she,                                                The Lady of Shalott.”

-Alfred Lord Tennyson

Poetry gave Anne a voice, a way of embracing beauty in an otherwise dreary existence. She showed us that beautiful words woven together could spark imagination, and produce great emotion in the hearts of its readers.

 

Several years ago, I knew I wanted to introduce my children to the art of poetry, but I had absolutely no idea how to go about it. I had made a lot of mistakes. Looking back, I feel bad for my poor children (don’t worry this story has a happy ending) after all the shenanigans I put them through.

 

Years later, despite our misadventures, I now have children who love poetry, to the point where they are starting to write their own. WIN! When it comes to kid’s poetry here are four-time tested ways to help your child embrace a love of poetry.

 

1. Know Your Audience

2. Consistency Is Key

3. Golden Resources

4. Spark Wonder

 

 

1. Know Your Audience

 

The wonderful thing about poetry is that it is not age-specific. Meaning, you can start by introducing your baby to poetry right now! 🙂 Children have a natural appreciation for the cadence of poetry.  All you have to do is listen to them playing hopscotch or jump rope and you will know what I mean.

 

When I decided that we needed to add poetry into our homeschool day, it was full speed ahead. I started reading poems aloud several times a week. The books I chose were excellent, age-appropriate, and beautiful… for another child.

 

You see I had failed to consider the uniqueness of my children.  I was in such a rush to introduce them to the finest pieces of poetry, that I forgot that beautiful words, at this age, mean nothing, if they aren’t interesting, or if they aren’t understandable.

 

Poetry should be enjoyed, it should spark a memory of laughter, delight, and imagination.  A huge red flag that something is wrong is when it becomes just another thing to check off the to-do list.

 

I had to stop and realign my expectations with my goal. The goal was to develop  a love for poetry, not read all the classics before the age of seven. 🙂 So that meant, focusing on funny, short, poems that centered around topics that were interesting to them. We also read a lot of picture books that were written in verse form which eased our transition into more formal poetry. 

 

 2. Consistency Is Key 

 

One way to set yourselves up for success is by choosing a time when your children are most engaged to explore poetry. We focus on poetry one day per week and then sprinkle it in whenever we have time. That consistency has been an integral part of developing a love of poetry.  The children know what to expect and it becomes a natural part of our rhythm as a family.

 

I have also found that giving them something to do with their hands really helps them pay attention. We either utilize Poetry Tea Time (more on that later) or I pull out fidgets, coloring books, or K-nex as a way to keep those little hands busy.

 

I would encourage you to ask yourself a couple of questions:

 a. Do I have any unrealistic expectations when it comes to poetry?

b. What topic(s) most enthrall my children?

c. What is the best time (time of day/day of the week) to introduce my child to poetry?

 

3. Golden Resources

 

When you are first starting out, poetry can feel like a chore, until you find the right resource.  I started reading so many poetry books only to put them down because they didn’t meet our requirements.  I cannot stress this enough, sparking a love of poetry in your child is more important than finishing a resource.

 

Here is what we were looking for in a poetry book:

a.) Short poems (one page in length)

b.) Understandable rhyme

c.) Captivating Illustrations

d.) Interesting or fun topics

 

That doesn’t sound that complicated but we went through a huge stack of poetry books before we found one that truly fit us.  For instance, the series Poetry for Young People is amazing (we love it now) but not the best fit for early elementary age children. 

 

The day we found a poetry book that fit our family it was like a light bulb went off. My children wanted to read it EVERY SINGLE DAY!

One of those books is Laura Ingalls’s Wilder’s Fairy Stories. It is by far my favorite poetry book for kids.  It is a small collection of fairy poems with beautiful illustrations. This is a must have for our personal library! The words are so captivating that my children instantly fell in love with this book. 

4. Spark Wonder

 

One of my favorite ways to include poetry in our weekly rhythm is through Poetry Tea Time. This is a magical time that sparks wonder, delight, and amazing family memories.  Each week, we gather together to eat yummy food and drink hot chocolate as we read and discuss poetry. The addition of snacks fosters the idea that reading poetry together is special.   

 

Poetry Tea Time can be as formal or informal as you desire. When my kids were younger, they would arrive in full costume, ready to participate in a formal tea.

I have hosted Poetry Tea Times for penguins, pirates, knights, and princesses.

There was a time when I never really knew who was going to be showing up to tea. And by celebrating poetry through pomp and circumstance we have created lifelong family memories. WIN!

 

I make a conscious effort to read poems slowly and with emotion. At the end of every reading, we take a couple of minutes to wonder about the poem. We might wonder about the characters, the setting, the author. We might talk about a word or phrase that caught our attention, what emotions the poem sparked, and what we might add to the story.

 

This is an organic discussion, meaning I never drag it out, some conversations last three minutes others last longer. I have found that when my children enjoy poetry, they take the lead on diving deeper into what we are reading.   They have memorized, recited, illustrated, and wrote stories that are based on the poems they have enjoyed.

 

When you take the time to know your audience, set realistic time limits, find those golden resources, and spark wonder you might be surprised at how poetry isn’t intimidating at all. 🙂

 

You can grab your own copy of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Fairy Poems for your collection here.  It is a book you will be reading to your grandchildren. 

Are you wondering HOW do you actually get started homeschooling? Join our community of moms who want to invest in the lives of their children through homeschooling. I also created a 10 Tips to Finding Excellent Curriculum form to help you on your journey. 

 

 

What about you? What are your favorite ways to foster a love of poetry in your home? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow Most Important Work on Pinterest! 

100 History Books That Will Delight Your Kindergartner

100 History Books That Will Delight Your Kindergartner

  

Reading Time: 1 min 3 sec

 

You might be asking if there are 100 history books that will delight your kindergartner? It might be hard for you to imagine history as delightful if your primary introduction was through textbooks.  Let’s face it, it’s pretty hard to get excited about historical events when they are reduced to a paragraph of dry facts.

 

We all want to make learning engaging and FUN for our children. We want to spark their imaginations, engage their emotions, and inspire them to explore and learn from the events and lives of the men and women who shaped our world.  What better way to make that happen than through captivating picture books?

 

What I love about picture books is that history comes alive through their engaging storylines and beautiful illustrations. Picture books spark wonder and encourage your children to imagine themselves participating in actual events.  You feel the bitter cold of Valley Forge, your mouth waters at the smell of the first thanksgiving, you hear the urgency of the Gettysburg Address, and your body aches as you travel the nation for women’s right to vote.

 

Your entire family, no matter their age, can learn something new and get inspired to dig deeper into events that shaped history.  Picture books can be the gateway to new worlds. 

 

Here is a list of 100 History books that will delight your kindergartner. I hope that you will enjoy diving down rabbit holes and experiencing the amazing lives of men and women throughout history.

 

100 History Books

 

For more amazing ideas, check out this 100 Things: A Treasure Trove of Ideas round-up post compiled by fellow blogger, Eva at Kid Minds. 

 

Are you wondering HOW do you actually get started homeschooling? Join our community of moms who want to invest in the lives of their children through homeschooling. I also created a 10 Tips to Finding Excellent Curriculum form to help you on your journey.

 

 



What about you? What is your favorite history book for children?   Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow Most Important Work on Pinterest!

 

How to Create A Stress-Free Homeschool

How to Create A Stress-Free Homeschool

  

Reading Time: 3 Min. 8 Seconds

I sat down late at night and did a google search of how to homeschool. I had no idea that there were (what felt like) a thousand different ways to teach my child. Terms like Classical, Montessori, Waldorf, Unschooling, Charlotte Mason, and Eclectic overwhelmed my thoughts.

 

I hadn’t even started researching state laws and I already feel overwhelmed. Why I thought, does this have to be so complicated? I stared at the screen feeling alone, discouraged, and wishing I had someone to help make sense of this mountain of information.

 

Have you ever felt the same way? Have you and your spouse talked about homeschooling but you are not sure where to start? Are you already homeschooling but it’s just not working and you can’t figure out why?  Do you have questions about socialization, curriculum, schedules, and homeschool groups?  Do you worry about how to teach your child subjects that you bombed as a kid?

 

I talk with moms who are overwhelmed, confused, and stressed out after attempting to wade through all of the homeschool information out there.  There are so many different and often conflicting viewpoints that it can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

 

Wouldn’t it be amazing if a veteran homeschool mom could walk beside you on this journey, simplifying all of the information out there into one spot?  Someone who could help you to craft your ultimate homeschool experience while saving you hundreds if not thousands of dollars on useless curriculum, hours of stress and anxiety, and needless work?

 

 

1. Professional Development 

2. What Is Zero To Homeschool? 

3. Why I Love It

 

4. Why It Might Not Be A Good Fit 

1. Professional Development 

 

Many of us are coming from one-income families and we are trying to homeschool on a budget.  We research, research, and research trying to make our resources stretch.  An online course can seem like a luxury.

 

Please, don’t make the mistake of putting your ongoing education at the bottom of the priority list.  As your child’s main teacher, you directly affect your homeschool environment.  When you are confident and operating out of a proactive instead of reactive stance, it changes how you homeschool.

 

Invest in your ongoing education, and save yourself (and your kids) years, buckets of tears, and thousands of dollars trying to piece together a homeschool structure that works.

 

2. Overview of Zero To Homeschool

 

Zero to Homeschool is a step by step online course that empowers moms with the hands-on training  to create a homeschool environment that is tailored to your family’s needs.

 

The course was created by a veteran homeschool mom; someone who answers your questions, encourages you in your role as a teacher, and fills you with the confidence you need to thrive as a homeschool mama.

 

The course is very comprehensive with 8 modules, 59 lessons, and three bonus workshops. The course is self-paced so you can take it at a time that works best for your schedule.

 

It teaches you everything from the importance of deschooling, knowing yourself and your family, homeschool styles and resources, how to plan your homeschool year, juggling home life and homeschooling, and so much more.

 

3. Why I Love It 

I was blown away at how comprehensive the  Zero to Homeschool course is. I kept startling my family, as I went through each module, yelling, “YES!” to each main point.

 

 

I just did Module 3 of Zero to Homeschool and I learned a lot. Now instead of allowing myself to get spread too thin with all the things we could do, I was able to refocus on our family’s key priorities.

 

What I love is that this course is honest about the strengths and pitfalls of homeschooling.  Kelly, the course creator, takes an overwhelming subject and simplifies it into bite-size pieces. I also love that it’s not just lessons but also practical activities that help you apply what you have learned to your homeschool.

 

For instance, she includes follow up questions to talk about the material with your spouse or friend. She also includes additional articles, and e-books so you can dive down deep into topics that might interest you.

 

4. Why It Might Not Be Right For You

  • If your homeschool is doing well. Woohoo! Go You!
  • If you are drawn to a very structured approach to homeschooling.

 

 You can Register and find out more information about the Zero to Homeschool course here

 

 

Are you wondering HOW do you actually get started homeschooling? Join our community of moms who want to invest in the lives of their children through homeschooling. I also created a 10 Tips to Finding Excellent Curriculum form to help you on your journey. 

 

 

What about you? What is the #1 thing in Homeschooling that is most challenging for you? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow Most Important Work on Pinterest! 

How to Homeschool When You Hate Certain Subjects

How to Homeschool When You Hate Certain Subjects

  

Reading Time: 5 Minutes

 

Do you ever wonder how to homeschool when you hate certain subjects? Do feelings of inadequacy overwhelm you when you think about teaching subjects you flunked? Did you have such a miserable experience that you don’t want to touch the subject with a ten-foot pole?

 

I despised math as a child. The endless problems, rote memorization, and puzzles that I never seemed to solve made my brain hurt.  I seriously dreaded every math lesson and swore that when I grew up I would never do another math problem for as long as l lived.

 

Enter homeschooling.

 

I had a knot in my stomach at the thought of teaching my precious children the mysteries of math. I seriously reconsidered homeschooling.  Only the thought of my children going through something similar squelched my fear.

 

We all have certain areas of study that we have a hard time grasping; whether its academics, life skills or interpersonal challenges.  In a nutshell, we are human.

 

What is encouraging is that you know how hard you worked to grasp a subject. You know the potential hang-ups and you have the flexibility of teaching a small group of children.

 

This means that with a little out of the box thinking, you can explore your most hated subjects and survive (and even thrive). We are going to talk about the ways and resources that you can use to successfully teach subjects that you despise.

 

1. Keep An Open Mind 

 

 

 

2. Teach Differently 

 

 

 

 

3. Utilize Resources 

1. Keep An Open Mind 

 

Our children are like ninja warriors that instantly pick up on our feelings, especially when it comes to different aspects of learning.  Though I wouldn’t encourage mass hysterics, there is no use trying to mask your past challenges.

 

It means A LOT to your child when you acknowledge your previous difficulties with a subject. To a child, it is endlessly fascinating to think that mom isn’t great at everything. smile This act of vulnerability teaches your child that we don’t have to excel in everything we study. It’s freeing to know that we are each created uniquely with different gifts and talents.

 

I am not saying that we don’t wrestle with a concept or idea, but that we each have certain aptitudes that make different subjects easier or more difficult, based on the person.

 

Ask your child if you can work as a team to learn this subject together. This is the skill of life-long learning in action people.  Working side by side to master an area of learning communicates crucial values that will live on in the life of your child.

 

Be encouraged, just because you hated this area of study before does not mean you won’t enjoy it now.  At least this time around, you have the secret power of the answer key and a Google search at your fingertips. smile

 

 

2. Teach Differently

 

I remember excitedly walking into a language class, dreaming of travel.  And walking out of that class swearing to never leave my native shores.  My teacher overwhelmed us with busy work and drills, effectively squelching our interest in a foreign language. I remember thinking as I struggled to complete my weekly homework assignment that nothing was worth this misery.

 

In comparison, I once had an English class where the teacher was a master at fostering a love of classical literature. She made dry, dusty books come alive through insightful questions and spirited debate. It was such a popular class that there was always a waiting list a mile long. Even students who had zero interest in literature thoroughly enjoyed the class.

 

So, what was the difference between the two classes? The language teacher adopted a firehose mentality to teach her students. She believed that data dumping meant effective learning.

 

The English teacher on the other hand creatively invited all students to participate by using a variety of tools. She thoroughly loved what she taught and her enthusiasm was magnetic.

 

How you teach can make or break a class.

 

You don’t have to teach or co-learn this subject the same way you were taught. You have the freedom to teach outside of the box and to use a plethora of resources.  You don’t have to stick to a curriculum or method of study because of a classroom or school district mandate.

 

You know your child better than anyone else. You know their strengths and weaknesses, you know they learn and grow. You have the freedom to tailor-make their education to fit your child and your teaching style.

 

Here are a couple of questions to think about:

A. What made the subject you hated challenging? (Was it the course material? How it was communicated?)

B. How do you learn best? (Do you love or dread textbooks etc.?)

C. What type of study gives you life?

D. How does your child learn best?

E. What type of study gives your child life?

 

You will need to reach a middle ground between how you teach and how your child learns.  For instance, if textbooks fill you with dread but your child loves the fill in the blank answers; try a workbook or an online program instead.

You will be more likely to teach the subject consistently when you don’t dread using a certain method or tool.

 

3. Utilize Resources 

 

These days there are an endless amount of resources at our fingertips.  After you have discovered how you and your child learn best, don’t be afraid to utilize unorthodox tools.  smile

 

What I love about out of the box learning is that you get to make memories while your child is getting an education. Here is a list of resources that you can explore to help you teach challenging subjects well.

 

Resource List

 

  1. Check out local Facebook Homeschool groups for information on local homeschooling classes or co-ops.

 

  1. Check out your City Homeschool Group. They will have a listing of the available classes, tutors, field trips, co-ops, conferences, etc.

 

  1. Check out HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense) for a list of Homeschool Co-Ops by state.

 

  1. Visit a Local Homeschool support group and ask for more information about upcoming opportunities.

 

  1. Check out the vast resources of the library. Tutoring help, curriculum, free software, online tutoring, curriculum from around the US, etc. Here is a step by step guide here. 

 

  1. Look for Internships

 

  1. College Classes for High School Students

 

  1. Tutoring -Online and locally (Some libraries offer free tutoring)

 

  1. Bribe Family and friends (Always a win! )

 

  1. Check out Local Community Clubs on your city website.

 

  1. Check Local Parenting website for additional city opportunities.

 

  1. Check out museums for classes.

 

  1. Some Local Public Schools allow you to register your child for specific classes.

 

  1. Utilize great computer programs.

 

  1. Go on field trips related to that area of study. And create memories that will last a lifetime! smile

 

  1. Read A lot of Living Books!

 

Are you wondering HOW do you actually get started homeschooling? Join our community of moms who want to invest in the lives of their children through homeschooling. I also created a 10 Tips to Finding Excellent Curriculum form to help you on your journey.

 

 

 

 

What about you? What subject is most challenging for you to teach? Leave a comment, and don’t forget to follow Most Important Work on Pinterest! 

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