Novel Thoughts

Second Grade Read Alouds [ Part 1 ]

Memoria Press 2nd Grade Literature Curriculum introduces stories with powerful and poignant themes, like those of The Velveteen Rabbit. Today on Novel Thoughts we explore these classic children's stories, fairy tales, and read along books for kids using our classical homeschool curriculum. Education through story is a core part of our learning strategy and these books are a big part of setting a great foundation for young readers.

First Grade: Storytime Treasures [ Part 4 ]

| Part 4 of 4 | Today Novel Thoughts dives into our last episode about First Grade books for kids to read in our classical homeschool education curriculum, and today we're talking about Stone Soup by Marcia Brown! This story is a favorite among first graders working on their reading comprehension as well as an excellent tool in teaching children one of the most classic stories on community and sharing. It works great as either a read-aloud book or a book that children can read on their own.

First Grade: Storytime Treasures [ Part 3 ]

| Part 3 of 4 | On this episode of Novel Thoughts Ian, Leigh, and Tanya unpack The Little House, Keep the Lights Burning Abbie, and Miss Rumphius, three beloved books in our curriculum that we believe instill a sense of purpose, place, and responsibility in our young readers. If you're looking for some great literature choices for your 1st grade homeschool curriculum picks, we highly recommend these titles.

First Grade: Storytime Treasures [ Part 2 ]

| Part 2 of 4 | Welcome to another enlightening episode of Novel Thoughts, where we embark on an enchanting journey through the world of classical children's literature in the First Grade Literature curriculum. Today, our spotlight highlights two cherished classics: Make Way for Ducklings, and Billy and Blaze. As we journey through these pages, we uncover the evolving complexity of these stories, introducing first graders to suspense, danger, courage, and the warmth of community. While these stories might contain dramatic or even scary situations, these books provide a learning environment that's grounded in furthered education for beginners delving their way into true literary works. Read along with your kids as they dive into the heartwarming themes of finding sanctuary in a bustling city and embracing the values of honor, courage, and pride. Join us on this captivating literary exploration, a true treasure trove within children's stories.

First Grade: Storytime Treasures [ Part 1 ]

| Part 1 of 4 | It's time to move on from Read-Aloud Books to the first stage of the Memoria Press literature curriculum! Join Ian, Leigh, and Tanya as they take a step forward into the world of books designed for reading comprehension in young students in first grade. In today's episode we'll cover some of the best classic books of all time; books that offer valuable insights into the nuances of character relationships in Frog and Toad are Friends, the timeless joy of growing up with Little Bear, and the lessons of repetition and onomatopoeia in Caps for Sale. These books are designed to improve the comprehension skills that teach students how to read with clearer minds and understand more complicated ideas in books that are fun and filled with virtuous lessons for young readers. We must state though, parental involvement is still encouraged at this stage, as beginners can still face challenges in word pronunciation, thematic comprehension, and focus on the book itself. These recommendations are great for any child, but especially for students that have either just migrated from Grade 1 or are in the process of preparing for Grade 2.

First Grade Read Alouds [ Part 4 ]

| Part 4 of 4 | On this episode of Novel Thoughts Leigh, Tanya, and Ian hold their final conversation on homeschool curriculum for 1st Grade read aloud books. These stories for kids are specifically chosen to integrate with what they are read through kindergarten and prepare them for the 2nd Grade.

First Grade Read Alouds [ Part 3 ]

| Part 3 of 4 | On this episode of Novel Thoughts Leigh, Tanya, and Ian talk through our choices for First Grade Homeschool Literature Curriculum. Kids will love the sweet characters from Doctor De Soto and Snowflake Bentley, and be inspired by the wisdom of The Ink Garden of Brother Theophane and Saint Francis and the Wolf. We believe parents and children will thrive during reading time at home with these wonderful picks from Memoria Press.

First Grade Read Alouds [ Part 2 ]

| Part 2 of 4 | On this episode of Novel Thoughts Leigh, Tanya, and Ian sit down to talk through the First Grade Read-Aloud package through the Memoria Press Homeschool Curriculum. The choices you make for the books your kids read is critical. This is why our list of the best books for young readers has been vetted by homeschool parents and teachers around the world!

First Grade Read Alouds [ Part 1 ]

| Part 1 of 4 | On this episode of Novel Thoughts Leigh, Tanya, and Ian sit down to talk through the First Grade Literature package through the Memoria Press Homeschool Curriculum. We know that there are a ton of choices when it comes to read aloud books for young kids. Which is why our list of the best books for young readers has been vetted by homeschool parents and teachers around the world!

Kindergarten Read Alouds [ Part 2 ]

| Part 2 of 2 | In this Part 2 of Novel Thoughts Ian, Tanya, and Leigh open up more books from our Kindergarten Read Aloud Books. These stories and picture books make for a wonderful time with parents and their kids to explore fantastic worlds and characters and lay the groundwork for a cohesive and connected literature experience.