Revamp Your Homeschool Library This Summer with #Capstone

Disclaimer: I received books to review. All opinions are my own.

This summer, while doing some planning, finishing up my Letter Of The Week curriculum, and revamping some things like our morning board and workbooks, I'm focusing on our library. I'm trying to be more intentional with it so that the space is well used. Books that are for a specific lesson, I'll get from the library, but books that we will use over and over again, or that are more specific to our area, will stay in the library. Here are some of those books. Capstone is great for keeping your library up to date.

Ultimate Guide To Gardening: Grow Your Own Indoor, Vegetable, Fairy, and Other Great Gardens

We live out in the country and try to spend a lot of time outdoors. My husband also loves to garden, and is quite good at it. We want them to get the basics of many skills so that they are prepared for their future. Gardening is one of those skills, plus- I love gardening books. We currently have 4 gardens- vegetables, a berry "patch", flowers (well, more like flowering vines), and a fairy garden. This book has been a great help for all of these. I know that this is a book we will use for many years to come. Who knows, it may even be an heirloom. Ultimate Guide To Gardening ($12.95), by Lisa J. Amstutz, is definitely a welcome book in my library. 

Full of how-to projects for any level of gardener, this book includes step-by-step instructions with accompanying full-color photographs. Whether you’re planting flowers outdoors, or indoor vegetables, you’ll find a range of unique gardens you can grow yourself. Tips and techniques are included, as well as variations to make each project your own.

Apples, Apples Everywhere!: Learning About Apple Harvests

In the town I grew up in (just the next town over from me now), apples are kind of a big deal. Seriously, there are apple (and peach) orchards everywhere. There is even the South Carolina Apple Festival, with a parade, craft show, street dance, talent show, and even a beauty pageant. See what I mean by big deal. So, we get to have lots of fun with apples every September. I had decided to include a big apple unit study this year, but I knew that I needed a few books to keep on hand for the apples- to take on field trips and to revisit each year. That's why Apples, Apples Everywhere! ($7.95), by Robin Koontz, is a must-have for our library.

Autumn is apple harvest time. Come along on a trip to the apple orchard. Find out how apples are picked and stored. Learn which apples are best for munching. But watch out for the apple worms!

My First Spanish Phrases

Because Kodabug isn't talking (did you see this post?), we have been learning Sign Language and this book has really helped. This year, I'm going to try something different. I may not be successful, but I'm going to try teaching English, Spanish, and Sign Language at the same time. I've created flash cards with the help of My First Spanish Phrases ($7.95), by Jill Kalz. The phrases highlighted in this book are awesome and I love being able to look one up when Tbomb asks me how to say something in Spanish. This book is actually going to stay in our daily basket.

Open the pages of this book and you’ll soon be speaking Spanish! Colorful illustrations and simple labels make learning Spanish fun. From the basics to cool phrases, this book will give you lots to talk about!

The Pledge of Allegiance

I am a huge history buff, especially of United States history. I especially love the time of the Revolution. All of the documents, songs, and more mean so much to me and I want my kids to learn the same love. I also have this love and intrigue of The Pledge Of Allegiance. How it has changed over time is very interesting. This year, the kids will actually be learning to say the Pledge, now that Tbomb is starting Kindergarten. I'm sure we will read The Pledge of Allegiance ($8.95), by Norman Pearl, most mornings until they get the hang of it.

Many kids say the Pledge of Allegiance every day in school. But what does it mean and where did it come from? Francis Bellamy wrote it more than 100 years ago. Join Bellamy in The Pledge of Allegiance for more of the story.


Big Book of Building: Duct Tape, Paper, Cardboard, and Recycled Projects to Blast Away Boredom

Along the same lines of wanting the kids to know about gardening, we also want them to learn about building. My husband is also a construction worker, so I like for them to understand what daddy does. The Big Book of Building ($14.95), by Marne Ventura , is a perfect addition to our library. I have already started making plans of going through the book with them and doing different projects throughout the year. Some of them will even be community service projects or the homeless shelter.

Grab some paper, cardboard, duct tape, and other materials and get ready to blast away boredom! Inventive young builders will love creating awesome projects such as treasure chests, tin can robots, space stations, swords and armor, and a whole lot more. With easy to follow step-by-step instructions, readers will be building their own fantastic projects in no time!

I am always stumbling across books that are perfect reference books, but I want to know what your favorites are.