100+ Lessons for Living Books

As I put together this list of lessons for living books, the thought occurred to me that we use the term living books quite often but do we really know what that means or what it is in reference to? A living book is a book that is excellent quality that contains living knowledge and ideas. Living books spark interest and have an impact on the forming of our child’s mind. They inspire and engage.

It has been Charlotte Mason’s concept of living books that has transformed my homeschool from simply “doing school at home” to learning as a lifestyle. I found a great deal of freedom in using living books as opposed to text books in our homeschool because they allow me to teach more creatively!

[tweetthis] It has been Charlotte Mason’s concept of living books that has transformed my homeschool from simply “doing school at home” to learning as a lifestyle. [/tweetthis]

Our business is to give him mind-stuff, and both quality and quantity are essential. Naturally, each of us possesses this mind-stuff only in limited measure, but we know where to procure it; for the best thought the world possesses is stored in books; we must open books to children, the best books; our own concern is abundant provision and orderly serving. ~Charlotte Mason

Rather than organize these lessons and study ideas by age group I have categorized them by topics and themes. So you’ll find a variety of ideas and projects for all ages below from Preschool to Upper Middle.

Seasonal Lessons for Living Books:

Autumn and Thanksgiving

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message from Starts at Eight
Mrs. McNosh and the Great Big Squash from Teach Beside Me
This is the Feast : Story Sticks from teach Beside Me
Cranberry Thanksgiving (Science) from Our Journey Westward

Winter and Christmas

The Snow Queen (copywork) here on Harrington Harmonies
A Christmas Carol from Teach Beside Me
Legend of the Poinsettia from my post on Hip Homeschool Moms
Activities for Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree from Library Adventure
Silver Packages : An Appalachian Story from Homeschool Share
The Christmas Story (Luke 2) from Our Goodwin Journey
The Tree That Came to Stay and Crafts from Home Schoolroom
Bear Stays Up for Christmas from Education Possible
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomy from Our Journey Westward
An Island Christmas from Forever, For Always, No Matter What

Spring and Easter

The Story of the Easter Robin from Serving from Home
Tale of Three Trees from Our Journey Westward
Easter Bunny Are You for Real? from Mama Jenn

Patriotic and Summer

I Pledge Allegiance- Flag Craft from Mama Jen
Hello Ocean from Look We’re Learning

Literary / Unit Studies for Living Books

10 Days of Wizard of Oz Activities here on Harrington Harmonies

From Education Possible & Library Adventure:

More literature based units and lessons:

The Giver from Starts @ Eight
Analyzing Theme with Dr. Seuss Picture Books from Jimmie’s Collage
Amos Fortune- Free Man from Our Journey Westward
Charlotte’s Web Lapbook from These Temporary Tents
Alice in Wonderland unit from Susan Evans
Beatrix Potter Stories ( Resource List ) from Free Homeschool Deals
Because of Winn Dixie from Adventures in Mommydom
The Lorax from Lemon Lime Adventures

Historical and Geography Lessons for Living Books

First Dog: Ice Age Activities here on Harrington Harmonies
Mystery of King Karfu (Ancient Near East Activity #1) here on Harringotn Harmonies
Gilgamesh (Ancient Near East Activity #2) here on Harrington Harmonies
Jamestown Struggle For Survival + Hands On History Ideas here on Harrington Harmonies
American Revolution Living Books and Hands on Activities here on Harrington Harmonies
American Girl from Education Possible
Titanic from Starts @ Eight
Pedro’s Journal ( and other Columbus Stories ) from Starts @ Eight
Witch of Blackbird Pond from Starts @ Eight
The World of Columbus and Sons from Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Sign of the Beaver from Living laughing and Loving

Geography Specific:

True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle:High Sea Adventures from Blog She Wrote
Carry On Mr. Bowditch from Blog She Wrote
How to Make and Apple Pie and See the World from Blog She Wrote
Around the World in 180 Days from Education Possible
Very Last First Time (Canada Study) From Mama’s Learning Corner

Science Lessons for Living Books

Gregor Mendel: Friar Who Grew Peas (genetics lesson) here on Harrington Harmonies
The Boy Who Drew Birds (Audubon) here on Harrington Harmonies
Pagoo Unit Study and Seabird- Diorama tutorial here on Harrington Harmonies
Bartholomew and the Oobleck- Study Science with Dr. Seuss from my post on Hip Homeschool Moms
Learning Seasons/Nature Study with I’m a Bunny from Schooling a Monkey
The Salamander Room (reptiles and amphibians) from Blog She Wrote
The Journey to the Center of the Earth from Library Adventure
The Very Quiet Cricket– from Starts at Eight
Owl Moon from Our Journey Westward
Two Bad Ants from Serving at Home
Where Do Chicks Come From from Starts @ Eight

Arts, Crafts and Horticulture Lessons for Living Books

Grandpa Green Art and Horticulture Lesson here on Harrington Harmonies
John Stuart Curry: The Road Home (tornado tutorial) here on Harrington Harmonies
Chengdu: Panda Bear Art Lesson from Deep Space Sparkle
Norman the Doorman- Wire Sculpture Activity from The School Room
Madeline -Chalk Pastel Tutorial + Books and Art from Hodgepodge
Planting A Rainbow Vegetable Garden from Teach Beside Me
Red Sings from Treetops from Ed Snap Shots
Commotion in the Ocean from The Kennedy Adventures
The Very Busy Spider from Danya Banya
A Tree is Nice by Buggy and Buddy
It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Totschooling
Audrey Bunny (watercolor activity) from Lara’s Place

Math Lessons for Living Books

Cindy from Our Journey Westward is an an absolute wonderful teacher of math. Check out here list of several living math stories and the units to go with them and her huge list of hands on activities. Another thing you may be interested in if you’re looking for if a story based math program is the Life of Fred.

Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi from Campfires and Cleats
Sir Cumference and All the Kings Tens from The Tiger Chronicle
The Grouchy Lady Bug from Look We’re Learning
The Popcorn Book from Our Journey Westwar
Warlord’s Puzzle ( Tangrams) on Jimmie’s Hub Pages
The Librarian Who Measured the Earth from Almost Unschoolers
Jack and the Bean Stalk Extended Math Facts from Exceptionally Educational
I Like Bugs from LaToya Edwards

Philosophy, Religion and Character Lessons for Living Books

Teaching Ethics with the Commander Toad Series from These Temporary Tents
Even Aliens Need Snacks and When A Dragon Moves In also from These Temporary Tents
Hope for the Flowers (Butterfly study and Biblical character) from Psycho with 6 Kids

Just Plain Fun with Living books

Same Sun Here from Eva Varga
Roxaboxen Unit from Homeschool on a Dime
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs from Beautiful Motherhood
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake from Chaos and the Clutter
Head to Toe from Teach Beside Me
Harold and the Purple Crayon from Still Playing School
Jack and the Bean Stalk ( sensory bin and retelling) from Fantastic Fun and Learning