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Engaging Homeschool Literature Activities Your Kids Will Love

With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool learning environment that celebrates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling. 

Literature can come to life by infusing your homeschool studies with imagination, hands-on activities, and student-led learning. 

Don’t miss the giveaway at the end!

With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool learning environment that celebrates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling. 

The Power Of Hands-On Learning In Your Homeschool

Through art, you can prove multi-sensory learning. Not only will your children read a story, hear a story, and/or write a story, but they can also visualize the story through their drawings! 

Hands on learning helps learning in so many ways. Applying hands on learning to literature is no different. Shawna shared a whole post on how this works and included a practical example with Robert Frost’s Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening.

“It was so simple, so easy, and it was one of the most productive lessons we’ve had together in a while. He practiced reading. We enjoyed poetry together. He engaged his senses in a hands-on learning activity. It was a total win.

I found myself wishing every homeschool afternoon could be like this one.

The good news is, maybe they can! You Are An Artist has a wealth of literature lessons to chose from.

Read Shawna’s The Power of Adding Art to Literature Lessons

If you haven’t joined the You ARE An Artist Clubhouse yet, this is a wonderful way to gain rich learning that can come from combining art and literature in your homeschool. We have an entire Literature Companion Workbook that you can use right alongside art lessons like this one with fact sheets, writing prompts, research ideas, and more!

I Drew It Then I Knew It Literature Guide

Engaging Homeschool Literature Activities Your Kids Will Love

Nana has SO many ways to celebrate literature with art – including ALL that are listed, below! With the You ARE An Artist Complete Clubhouse Membership, you’ll have access to 800+ art lessons, including exclusive access to You ARE An Artist Clubhouse Literature Video Art Lessons such as:

Mark Twain - With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool learning environment that celebrates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling. 

Mark Twain Literature Study: Bring Adventure to Your Homeschool

Mark Twain, also known as the greatest humorist and author America has ever produced! Nana brings Mark Twain literature studies to life with her Mark Twain video art lesson! All you’ll need is a piece of white copy paper and a starter set of chalk pastels to recreate this famous and witty American novelist while Nana shares her knowledge about Mark Twain!

My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.

Mark Twain
Lord of the Rings - With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool learning environment that celebrates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling. 

The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkein

Do your kiddos love the fantasy and adventure of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit? Maybe you and your children are reading The Hobbit and you’re looking for a fun hands-on activity to help celebrate the book. Then, The Hobbit art lesson with Nana and chalk pastels are for you!

Little Women - With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool learning environment that celebrates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling. 

Little Women – Louisa May Alcott

If you have never read the novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, then you certainly are missing out on one of the most heartwarming, beloved stories of American literature! This homeschool unit study will help you and your family get started. Whether it’s the cherished characters, the story of perseverance through difficulties, or the warm setting of home and hearth, Little Women will quickly become a favorite. 

Winnie the Pooh - With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool learning environment that celebrates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling. 
Celebrate Pooh, piglet and all your favorites – there’s even a map of the Hundred Acre Woods!

Winnie the Pooh – A. A. Milne

This delightful homeschool nature study is all about Winnie The Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood. It includes book references and online art lessons, perfect for the entire family.

Bible Art - With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool learning environment that celebrates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling. 

The Bible – How to Plan an At Home Bible Study with Art

I am beyond thrilled to share with you the ultimate Bible story companion. Art.  Whether you are teaching Bible in your homeschool as a daily or weekly lesson, or perhaps you are creating a church-at-home experience for your family, you will love how effective it is to add art along with your Biblical teachings.

You will also like:

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening Tea Time - Engaging Homeschool Literature Activities
Complete Clubhouse Members enjoy a printable Robert Frost Poem and the I Drew It Then I Knew It Literature Guide

Stopping by the Woods – Robert Frost

One of the best poems to enjoy during winter is the renowned Robert Frost’s, Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening. It is one of those poems that instantly comes to life with all of the delights of winter. 

Beatrix Potter quote - Engaging Literature Activities for your homeschool

Beatrix Potter – author and illustrator

Come on, let’s go visit Hill Top Farm and meet all of her favorite animals!

“If I have done anything, even a little, to help small children enjoy honest, simple pleasures, I have done a bit of good.”– Beatrix Potter

Harry Potter art lessons - engaging literature activities for homeschool

Harry Potter – J.K. Rowling

Check out this fun Harry Potter homeschool teatime that even muggles will love! You’ll find magical art lessons that everyone in the family will enjoy. You don’t have to have a magic wand or spellbook. All you need is a simple set of chalk pastels, a pack of construction paper, and the teatime treats of your choice to bring the magic of art and Harry Potter into your home!

Anne of Green Gables art lessons - Engaging literature activities for your homeschool

Anne of Green Gables – Lucy Maud Montgomery

Oh Anne, how we love her! Her personality, wit, and genuine ways have hooked us all. As a young girl, I daydreamed of Anne’s adventures and country lifestyle. I have desperately wanted to share Anne with my daughter, and I am thrilled to get started. So, I am calling all of my fellow Anne of Green Gables fans to celebrate Anne with a literature-based art & tea time today! Anne of Green Gables is undoubtedly one of my top choices of books to get lost in for either upper elementary or high school. 

In Complete Clubhouse Literature continuing series

Heidi – Johanna Spyri

Feel like yodeling in the Alps? How about reading an old, favorite story of “Heidi” and painting her with your pastels, waving to you from a grassy alpine meadow? Oh, wow, a great story and gorgeous colors to use to make memories of her journey! Let’s get ready for the adventure! ❤️Nana

Miss Rumphius – Barbara Cooney

Make your homeschool a little more beautiful with literature, art and nature study! Explore the beloved picture book, Miss Rumphius, with Sarah Mackenzie, Nana and Tricia. What a FUN activity for your homeschool year! The Beauty of Art, Literature and Nature in Your Homeschool event replay available in Nana’s continuing Literature series in Complete Clubhouse membership.

Tasha Tudor - engaging literature activities for homeschool

Author and Artist Tasha Tudor

When you study famous artists in your homeschool, you might want to add a Tasha Tudor homeschool art lesson. Like myself, you may have seen her work so many times and not known it was the artwork of famous children’s book illustrator Tasha Tudor. Some of our most beloved children’s books are illustrated with her beautiful and intricate artistic styles. 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

I am a huge holiday tradition enthusiast, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever makes it into our read-aloud stack almost every November or December. I have read it so many times that I have gotten pretty good at all of the voices if I don’t say so myself. It’s much more fun that way! Because, as you know, you have to personalize the characters for the kids. 

Little House On The Prairie Homeschool - engaging literature activities
Enjoy a Little House Christmas lesson, a map of the Ingalls’ travels, a covered wagon and more!

Little House on the Prairie – Laura Ingalls Wilder

Are there any homeschoolers out there that don’t hop on the Little House on the Prairie wagon? I mean, seriously, how can you not love Little House? There is something about Lara Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series that is easy to obsess over. 

Excalibur – Merlin and Robin Hood by Howard Pyle

Use these medieval history lessons as a multi-dimensional way to bring history into full color for your children in your homeschool!

“IN MERRY ENGLAND in the time of old, when good King Henry the Second ruled the land, there lived within the green glades of Sherwood Forest, near Nottingham Town, a famous outlaw whose name was Robin Hood.”  

– Pyle
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - engaging literature activities for homeschool

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

Such a fantastic history lesson for Complete Clubhouse members.

A Christmas Carol - Dickens art lesson

A Christmas Carol – Dickens

Do you and your kids read “A Christmas Carol” each year? What about watching one of the many movie adaptations? Exploring A Christmas Carol in your homeschool is an easy and fun way to combine the rich literature of Charles Dickens, the excitement of cinema, and the glory of art this Christmas season!

With a printable Stevenson poem to enjoy!

The Swing – Robert Louis Stevenson

How do you like to go up in a swing? Up in the air so blue? Oh I do think it the pleasantest thing ever a child can do!

I Went To The Woods Art Lesson

To The Woods – Thoreau

Whether you are a homeschooler or public schooler, Thoreau’s “I Went To The Woods” Art Lesson is perfect for taking time to reconnect to nature and ponder how important it is to live a life of simplicity. This lesson is especially good for teens; you can dive into a deep conversation about Thoreau’s views on how to live a simplistic yet meaningful life. 

Charlotte’s Web – E. B. White

Charlotte’s Web is a fantastic elementary read-aloud, and I am so excited to share some art & tea time ideas to help you plan something memorable for your homeschool too. 

Green Ember – S. D. Smith

Enjoy these art lessons in celebration of author S.D. Smith’s Green Ember series!

With a map of Narnia and soooo many wonderful lessons!

Narnia C. S. Lewis

Are your kids ready for an epic homeschool art journey? Then, take a trip with chalk pastels Narnia with Nana art adventure!

Nana also has a color wheel lesson in the style of Eric Carle!

Eric Carle – Author and Artist

Here you will find everything you need for a famous artist Eric Carle homeschool study. “Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and designed picture books children. His best known book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has eaten it’s way into the hearts of millions of children all over the world and has been translated into 66 languages and sold over 50 million copies. Since The Very Hungry Caterpillar was was published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than 70 books. This includes many best sellers which he wrote. More than 152 million copies of his books have sold around the world!” – Nana

Try this free lesson!

Dr. Seuss books

Dr. Seuss art with chalk pastels? Yes, please! How adorable would a Cat in the Hat be hanging on your refrigerator? How about the lovely Truffula Trees? Nana has a lesson for both! Now you and your kiddo can enjoy a Seussical art time with chalk pastels!

Ox-Cart Man – Donald Hall

These Ox-Cart Man activities are sure to bring this great book to life! Take a trip back to the 1800s with a New England farmer in the Ox-Cart Man. In a time when you wove your own clothes, whittled your own broom, and split your own shingles, this lyrical story takes you on a journey through the changing seasons.

With a map of the Oregon Trail, Multnomah Falls waterfall, wagon lesson and more!

Apples to Oregon – A Oregon Trail Unit Study

Our favorite way to learn history is through hands-on activities and rich literature in the forms of picture books, read alouds, and chapter books. To start our study on the Oregon Trail, we chose Apples to Oregon Being The (SLIGHTLY) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (AND CHILDREN) Across the Plains!

Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett

A classic story that is beloved by all!

Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Horace Pippin, he was a self-taught artist who was incredibly talented despite having lost use of his right hand. He has been referenced as one of the most important black painters of American History. So if you are studying famous artists or art history, his story is worthy of your time.

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World – Marjorie Priceman

It’s time to paint some apples, don’t you agree? Nana has several homeschool lessons featuring apples for you to enjoy. We are pointing to Apple Chalk Pastel Art Lessons for homeschool so you can easily add them to your fun, fall studies and read aloud times!

Cranberry Thanksgiving

Cranberry Thanksgiving – Wendy and Harry Devlin

Here are just a few ways you can enjoy a Cranberry Thanksgiving book study in your fall homeschool plans – with art, activities, baking and more! Don’t miss Nana’s Mr. Whiskers homeschool art lesson at the end.

Christmas literature – including The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, A Christmas Carol, If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, Charlie Brown, The Polar Express, and more!

There is so much literature goodness to explore with chalk pastels! Be sure to check out 7 Engaging American Literature Curriculum Choices for Your Homeschool too!

Literature FUN Bundle!

Enter to win in the rafflecopter widget below. Included in this giveaway:

  • One (1) crown
  • One (1) Kings and Queens of Narnia mug
  • ‘One Ring’ (1) ring necklace
  • One (1) starter set of chalk pastels

Plus your choice of book. Choose one (1) of following:

  • Narnia book set
  • Lord of the Rings book
  • Winnie the Pooh book
  • Little House on the Prairie book
  • Little Women book
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fine print: One winner will be chosen at random. Void where prohibited. This contest is open to US residents. One winner will be chosen on January 5, 2023. You must be 18 or older to enter. Please leave a valid email address (that is how you will be contacted should you win!). You will have 48 hours following contact to claim your prize with a mailing address.

With these engaging homeschool literature activities, you can create a homeschool that celebrates the wonder of the written word.

More Delightful Homeschool Learning Activities

There are even more homeschool learning opportunities with these ideas!

Growing a love of art at You ARE an ARTiST is a multi-generational passion! Tricia is Nana’s daughter and a mama of five children. Nana shared the fun of her first chalk pastel art lessons with her grandchildren around Tricia’s kitchen table. Homeschooling since 2000, Tricia has seen the fruits of home education with three homeschool grads so far! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at Your Best Homeschool and is author of the book, Help! I’m Homeschooling! She and her husband, Steve, are also owners of sister sites Homeschool Nature Study and The Curriculum Choice.

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Engaging English Activities For Homeschooling High School: A Quick Guide

Every subject has its stereotypes, from the explosions in chemistry classrooms to the English teacher’s droning monologue. But there is no reason to stay stuck in boring made-for-tv versions of school and learning. Even if you truly did have a boring English class growing up, your children don’t have to. These English activities for homeschooling high school are amazing resources available to us today! 

Teaching High School English In Your Homeschool

Create a learning environment in your homeschool that visually encapsulates the wonder of the written word and the magic of storytelling.  High School English in your homeschool can come to life by infusing your studies with imagination, hands-on activities, and student-led learning. 

The Value Of Adding Art To English For High School Learning

I have long been a fan of interdisciplinary learning (AKA, unit studies!). When I taught in a traditional classroom, my students would write creative newsletters for history class, design advertisements for the school play using persuasive language, or create poems about math!

As a homeschool mom, I’ve loved adding art to all our subjects with the help of Nana’s wide range of video art lessons. We have used chalk pastel art to study birds, outer space, ancient history, and more. 

English is no exception! When students enter high school, there may be a tendency to isolate the academic subjects from each other. Yet art remains a wonderful way to explore and express knowledge and learning in the English classroom.

Through art, you can prove multi-sensory learning for your older student. Not only will they read a story, hear a story, and/or write a story, but they can also visualize the story through their drawings! 

by Erin, Hobbit Art Lesson

What better way to make the setting of the Shire come to life than by painting a Hobbit hole?

Or how can you show the poignant moment of the March family longing for their father to return from the war than by drawing Mrs. March reading one of her husband’s letters and imagining scenes of war? 

Literary concepts and storylines truly come alive when visualized. Students who may struggle to explain themselves in words, can share their understanding of a piece of literature through art! 

Engaging English Activities For Homeschooling High School

All aspects of storytelling can be expressed using the art lessons from You Are An Artist. Here are just a few ideas: 

Character Analysis: 

Explore characterization by drawing main characters. You can have a fine discussion of protagonist and antagonist while you draw. Or, compare main characters and secondary characters. Discuss character traits, flaws, and what makes a character a hero or a villain in the story. 

Read Little Women and draw Jo March. Discuss how the description of Jo in the novel is reflected in your drawing. How is Jo’s appearance similar to her personality? 

Draw Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. Discuss how the author and the character are similar and different. I especially love how Nana draws Elizabeth alone by the cliff, instead of in a drawing room. Perhaps discuss how setting and character work together in this scene. 

English activities for homeschooling high school
Study the Excellent Literary Works of Jane Austen

Description and Setting: 

So many iconic settings of literature can be brought to mind with a single image. Like the lamppost of Narnia. Or the Hobbit door of The Shire. 

High schoolers can start with one of Nana’s lessons depicting story setting, like: 

Encourage students to find examples of setting description in the novel they’re reading to quote as captions below their drawings. This helps students learn to provide text evidence from their reading for what they just drew. 

As an extension, students could draw other scenes from their reading using what they’ve learned fro Nana’s lessons. 

Storyline, Plots, and Conflict: 

I especially love Nana’s Letter to Home Little Women lesson for discussing storyline. Not only does it depict setting (the March house), but it also captures the issues facing the March family in this novel. The conflict of living in genteel poverty during wartime is shown in the simple hearth setting. Enduring years without a father/husband because of war and all the politics of war is also revealed in the painting. We see so many touches of home life here to discuss how the plot of this story centered around home life in the March family. 

Homeschooling high school English comes to life with imagination, hands-on activities, and student-led learning. 

Going an An Adventure  with J. R. R. Tolkien is another lesson where plot is portrayed. The concept of “the journey” is illustrated in this scene. Young readers can discuss how the plot and conflict of this story centers around the Fellowship and their journey. You could also have a conversation about how each character shown adds to the conflict or plot. and the role of friendship in coming to a resolution. 

In addition to using these literature-based chalk pastel lessons to illustrate story elements and spark discussions, student can use their artwork in other ways: 

  • Cover art for reports and research papers. 
  • Storyboards to outline the narratives. 
  • Illustrations with favorite quotes as captions. 
  • Visual aid for oral presentations of their reading. 
English activities for homeschooling high school
by Erin, A Lord of the Rings Study to Rule Them All

Additional Resources For High School Homeschooling

Literature can quickly become boring if students don’t have creative outlets to express and share their learning. Students crave being actively engaged in the learning process. Small children show us this easily, because they uninhibitedly touch and grab and play with things while we try to teach them. But older students have learned to sit quietly. Quiet listening is a good skill but it can also mask a disengaged learner. 

Other subjects also benefit from an art connection.

History can be dry as dust unless you draw Presidents with Nana and hear various tidbits about each famous person. Or study ancient architecture like the pyramids, the Coliseum or medieval castlesCheck out these additional Chalk Pastel Ancient History ideas.

English activities for homeschooling high school

Nana has a long list of American History lessons. High schoolers might enjoy learning more about the Three Branches of Government or the Constitution with art! Check out 7 American History Homeschool Lessons.

Or create brilliantly illustrated scientific diagrams of cells and bacteria in Science class. Find loads of cell activity ideas with chalk pastels here.

Create an eye-catching deep dive study into Moon Missions complete with illustrations of each of the space shuttles. 

Geography becomes hands on with video art lessons on landmarks like Stonehenge and the Taj Mahal. These would pair wonderfully with some current event learning and mappingFor more Chalk Pastel Geography ideas, look here.

Discuss social movements like Suffrage and Civil Rights with Nana’s lessons. 

Truly, every academic subject can be enhanced by an art connection. Nana has given homeschool families nearly 800 different lessons in the You Are An Artist collection that can touch every subject imaginable!

Providing opportunities to engage all the senses via art expression creates a multi-sensory approach to studying English literature, and other subjects. These chalk pastel art lessons make time-honored stories come alive in fresh ways for your teen student. 

I highly recommend adding these English activities for homeschooling high school and for your other subjects. Your children will be delighted, and you will find yourself just wanting to add more and more chalk pastel to your week! 

English activities for homeschooling high school

Julie is a teacher, writer and homeschool mom. Her blog Happy Strong Home shares encouragement for cherishing children, enjoying motherhood, and growing strong families. Discover homeschool resources, natural living tips, and family activity ideas. Julie has been featured on Million Praying Moms, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, and the Melissa and Doug blog. She offers writing workshops and a “homeschool neighborhood” community to support parents in their homeschool adventures. Find Julie on Instagram to be the first to know when new workshops and community events are available. 

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Hands-On Homeschool Literature Study: Robin Hood

This homeschool literature study of Robin Hood has everything you need for engaged and hands-on learning.

The Story of Robin Hood

What do you think of when you hear the name, Robin Hood?

Like many medieval tales, the story of Robin Hood has many versions.  There are oral legends, passed down from generation to generation, a wide variety of books, and even several movies about Robin Hood.

“IN MERRY ENGLAND in the time of old, when good King Henry the Second ruled the land, there lived within the green glades of Sherwood Forest, near Nottingham Town, a famous outlaw whose name was Robin Hood.”  – Pyle

Robin Hood: Legend or History?

The basis of the Robin Hood story that we all know today is that a man named Robin of the Hood would steal money from travelers in the forest.  He was a remarkable shot with his bow and arrow and loved among the people.

The legend goes that he would steal from the wealthy and share that money amongst the poor.  Another common thread is an evil sheriff known as the Sheriff of Nottingham.  Robin and his companions, known as the Merry Men, would help the common people and retaliate against the corrupt sheriff.  The story takes place during the reigns of King Richard and his brother King John in England.

It is a fun legend that is action-packed for children who want adventure and includes a little romance between Robin Hood and Maid Marian.

There is much debate on the historical accuracy of the tales and the ethics of his tactics. True or not, they provide great literature, entertainment, and a peek into life in medieval times.

This homeschool literature study of Robin Hood has everything you need for engaged, enjoyable and hands-on learning.


Online Homeschool Literature Lesson: Robin Hood


Robin Hood is well known for wearing a green outfit and hood to help him better hide in the woods.  Nana has created an engaging chalk pastel lesson of Robin Hood with his bow and arrows.

This lesson is only about fifteen minutes long and is perfect for elementary through high school-age students.  As always, with Nana’s lessons, you do not need a lot of supplies, just some construction paper and chalk pastels.

This art activity is a great way to add a hands-on component to your study.  Painting Robin Hood with chalk pastels will help students make connections and remember what they have learned.  As Nana says, “I Drew It, and Then I Knew It.”

Your artists may want to continue with even more Medieval Times Homeschool Art Lessons which include a catapult, castle, court dress, dragon, knights and crusaders and much more.


More Resources for Studying Robin Hood In Your Homeschool


There are so many ways to include the story of Robin Hood throughout your homeschool curriculum. You can tie it all together to make a complete study.  In addition to Nana’s wonderful chalk pastel lesson, the You Are an Artist membership includes a lovely I Drew It Then I knew It Literature Workbook.  The workbook consists of fun facts and writing prompts to go along with your study of Robin Hood.

There are many different versions of the Robin Hood story in print.  Depending on the ages of your children, you could choose one of the shorter picture books or the more complete story by Howard Pyle (written and illustrated in 1883).

We particularly enjoyed The Story of Robin Hood by Usborne for young children and Robin Hood by Carol Heyer for elementary-aged children.  Both were available at our local library.

Robin Hood fits in well with a study of knights, the Crusades, or Medieval history in general.  Our family is adding this Robin Hood unit to our current Medieval studies with Story of the World.  However, you could also use this to start an independent medieval study.  Nana has many art lessons that would coordinate well with a medieval study!

“He has been loving our Robin Hood unit so much that he decided to make a ‘bow and arrow’ and dress up like Robin Hood!” – Dawn

Adding Hands-On Nature Study to Your Homeschool Study

You could add a bit of nature study by tying in a study of forests.  You can study the forests around you and then do a little research and compare your local forests with Sherwood Forest.  On our sister website, there is an excellent Forest course available in the Homeschool Nature Study membership that would be perfect.  You could also add more art with the lessons from the Forest Nature course for clubhouse members.

Homeschool Share has a great free Robin Hood unit study and lapbook that would be an excellent addition to your unit.  It includes literature, science, and history components.


Additional Homeschool Literature Studies


Linking literature with art and then tying in other subjects to make a complete unit study make a fun family study.

If you enjoyed Robin Hood and want to continue with more medieval history, check out the Sword and the Stone. Then pair it with Nana’s Excalibur lesson.

Another family favorite that lends itself to pairing literature with art and nature study is Charlottes Web.  We just finished that one up this fall, and it was so much fun.

Living in the south, I never know if we will have a snowfall in the winter, but Snowflake Bentley is a beautiful option for winter study.  The book and study are a great way to incorporate learning into your snow day fun.

Nana has many more art lessons combined with literature, and the I Drew It, and Then I Knew It workbook will help you with fun facts and creative writing prompts!  Be sure to check out this post on The Power of Adding Art to Your Literature for more great ideas.

Dawn is a passionate follower of Jesus, wife to Chris, and homeschool mom of four. In her spare time she loves to read, hike, and write on her blog Schoolin’ Swag. She enjoys reviewing curriculum and helping moms find the right fit for their family.

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A Homeschool Nature Study With Winnie the Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood

This delightful homeschool nature study is all about Winnie The Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood. It includes book references and online art lessons, perfect for the entire family.

This delightful homeschool nature study is all about Winnie The Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood. It includes book references and online art lessons, perfect for the entire family.

Winnie the Pooh: A Classic Read Aloud

“So they went off together. But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.” A.A Milne The House at Pooh Corner, p. 180

A playful Roo,

A shy Piglet too.

A melancholy donkey,

It’s Eeyore, you see.

A Christopher Robin, the benevolent boy,

On the 100 Acre Wood with all of his toys.

And the poetic bear, who has a round tummy,

Gladly plays Pooh Sticks and loves to eat honey!

95 years later, that beloved bear, Winnie the Pooh, still lives on in the hearts and homes of many readers. Penned by the remarkable author, A.A. Milne,  the Pooh stories leave a masterpiece of hilarity, childhood expression, and charm. Curious minds are invited deeper into the wholesome adventures of the 100 Acre Wood awakening a longing for the simple days. The tender wordplay sprinkled across these classic tales bring laughter and a light-hearted cheer. And while Milne’s whimsical talking animals stir a child’s wonder, the affectionate memories the famous bear brings, will stir a mother’s heart, forever.

This delightful homeschool nature study is all about Winnie The Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood. It includes book references and online art lessons, perfect for the entire family.

Winnie the Pooh is 100 Years Old in 2021

In 1921, A.A Milne gave Winnie the Pooh to his son, Christopher Robin Milne for his first birthday. That makes Pooh Bear 100 years old! His first name was Edward Bear and then renamed after a black bear, Winnipeg, Winnie for short. Mr. Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian, purchased Winnie for twenty dollars while traveling to serve in World War 1. This black bear served as a mascot for the Canadian Army and was later rehomed at the London Zoo where Christopher Robin Milne visited. The name “Pooh” is said to be from a swan.

Family fun with Winnie the Pooh books and family-style learning.

A.A. Milne’s inspiration for such winning stories about a melancholy donkey who once lost his tail, a dandelion-blowing Piglet, and a Tigger who loves a “golollop” of Strengthening Medicine is based on his one and only son, Christopher Robin Milne and his stuffed toys. Pooh’s endearing adventures have been translated into over fifty languages with more than 20 million copies sold! Winnie the Pooh and his friends, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, and Kanga live at the New York Public Library for all to see. This poetic bear devoted to honey, kindness, and gentle humor continues to fill the hearts of parents and children all over the world.

Where is the real hundred acre wood?

The Real 100 Acre Wood: A Homeschool Nature Study

Did you know that the 100 Acre Wood actually exists?  It is nestled in Sussex, England, called Ashdown Forest. This spectacular forest dressed in heathland and trees is the place that brought inspiration for A.A Milne’s Pooh stories and the illustrations by Ernest H. Shepherd. Ashdown forest also homes many wildlife such as deer, birds, and butterflies. We tied in a bit of geography by locating Europe, the United Kingdom, London, and Sussex, England on a map. To see what the 100 Acre Wood is called in Ashdown Forest, visit Where Is The Hundred Acre Wood? Wonderopolis is kid-friendly, offers informational reading, rich vocabulary, and fun writing activities!

All the Winnie the Pooh fun with Hundred Acre Wood Homechool Lessons, literature writing prompts and art lessons.
All the Winnie the Pooh FUN!

A Winnie The Pooh Hundred Acre Wood Homeschool Lessons

January 18th is Winnie the Pooh Day! It is also A.A. Milne’s birthday. Painting with Nana is the perfect way to honor the notable author and the famous Pooh Bear! Maybe baking a delicious Sweet Potato pie using Nana’s recipe will add a little extra sweetness to your art time and “delicious colors”.  Chalk Pastel Art has always enhanced my children’s learning experiences. One of my absolute favorite ways to incorporate art with Nana is either right before a read aloud or right after. The artwork serves as wonderful visuals for oral narration, and they are so beautiful on our walls! Coupling living books with art is such an effective way to create a unit study with minimal prep.  Let’s take a look at the engaging art lessons that sharpened my children’s creativity for our Winnie the Pooh unit study! All of these can be found in You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse Complete membership in Nana’s Literature course, which is a continuing series. The Hundred Acre Wood Map is included in the Maps section.

  • Pooh and the Honey Tree
  • Hundred Acre Wood Map
  • Home in the Tree
  • Teddy Bear Picnic

…And it was eleven o’ clock. Which was Time-for-a-little-something…”

Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne
Enjoy a Teddy Bear Picnic Winnie the Pooh style!

Nana’s Online Art Lesson: Teddy Bear Picnic

Why not go on a picnic with Nana and a teddy bear? Grab your red gingham blanket, bring your favorite yummy snacks, maybe some “hunny”, a refreshing drink, and don’t forget those colorful chalk pastels! You will need those for this fun lesson! We joined two lovely picture books, Finding Winnie The True Story of the World’s Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick and Winnie The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh  by Salley M. Walker with Nana’s lesson. These picture books were loved by my younger and older children. While my three and four-year-olds loved the colorful illustrations, my older children enjoyed the inspiration behind Winnie the Pooh’s name. They were also fascinated with the real black and white photos, and the real black bear, Winnie.

Home in the Tree Homeschool Art Lesson

Aw, that beautiful beech tree where shy Piglet lives! Nana surely uses “delicious colors” in this lesson with the different shades of green, pinks and reds!  I can just picture sweet Piglet hanging his clothes on the laundry line.

Home in the Tree art lesson just might be Piglet's house!

And that broken sign that reads, “Trespassers Will” brought a few befuddled looks and giggles in our household. We had to talk about how “Trespassers Will” was  Piglet’s grandfather’s name, and Piglet’s grandfather had two names, just in case he lost one-at least that is what Piglet told Christopher Robin.  

We coupled Piglet’s art lesson with a classic read aloud by , A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh. This book is a wonderful collection of short stories packed with adventures on the 100 Acre Wood! From Piglet ending up in Kanga’s pouch, to Piglet’s house being surrounded by water, Eeyore losing his tail, Pooh getting stuck at Rabbit’s house,  and so much more!

Learn to draw a map of the Hundred Acre Wood with all of the favorite spots for each character.
Even the sweet, family dog can join in Winnie the Pooh art time!

The Hundred Acre Wood Map Art Lesson for Your Homeschool

Painting the Hundred Acre Wood map provided a perfect visual that satisfied my children’s curious minds while imagining Pooh’s fanciful adventures. This delightful art lesson complements both stories by A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner and Winnie the Pooh.

Winnie the Pooh and the honey tree with an art lesson for Pooh and the balloon!

Pooh and the Honey Tree Homeschool Lesson

We saved this painting for last! I wanted to save this one until we were all finished with our books so my children could really grasp Pooh’s character. By the time we finished the stories, my children couldn’t wait to paint this colorful classic with Nana!

“People say nothing is impossible. But I do nothing every day.”

Winnie the Pooh
Did you know that You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse members enjoy accompanying curriculum with Fast Facts, writing prompts and more?

Homeschool Literature Writing Prompts with Art Lessons!

Did you know that You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse members enjoy accompanying curriculum with Fast Facts, writing prompts and more?

Paint a forest path for your Hundred Acre Wood study!

Additional Nature Study Resources

Chalk Pastel Art offers so many additional nature study resources that pair well with Winnie the Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood! Combine Nana’s art lesson, with a nature walk, a little bit of geography, a read aloud, and there you have it! A Pooh homeschool nature study hundred acre wood style! Check out the homeschool art lessons that are available!

Sunflowers and honey bees are a perfect addition to your Hundred Acre Wood Nature Study.

The 100 Acre Wood is located on Ashdown Forest in Sussex, England, not too far from London. Ashdown forest houses many deer, birds, butterflies, and invertebrates! Enjoy art lessons with a forest theme:

This delightful homeschool nature study is all about Winnie The Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood. It includes book references and online art lessons, perfect for the entire family.
Nana has acrylic art lessons too! Enjoy painting a titmouse and imagine it living in the Hundred Acre Wood

Piglet loves “haycorns’ and was found by Pooh cheerfully blowing a dandelion. Nana’s acorn lesson with those gorgeous shades of brown!

Dandelion art lesson! This delightful homeschool nature study is all about Winnie The Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood. It includes book references and online art lessons, perfect for the entire family.
You might also like Nana’s Eric Carle Unit Study, lesson and podcast!
  • Dandelion – that bright fluffy dandelion works amazingly for a Piglet character study!
Nana and the Bear! A perfect lesson for your Homeschool Nature Study With Winnie the Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood
  • Winnipeg was a black bear, check out Nana’s, “Nana and the Bear” lesson, not only to enjoy a cheerful painting of a black bear, but also to hear about the black bear who visited Nana’s backyard! Nana and the Bear
  • Nana and Tricia are BIG Winnie the Pooh fans. Tricia and her family got to see the Winnie the Pooh Art exhibit, the original stuffed animals, art by Ernest H. Shepherd and more on their trip to the High Museum of Art. You can see the photos here.
  • Harry Colebourn the man who purchased Winnie for $20.00 served in World War 1 with a very important job, taking care of the horses. Nana has a lesson on the helmets they wore during World War 1. War Helmets Clubhouse

For your Winnie the Pooh fan, you can take a deep dive and learn with all of Nana’s lessons – with a homeschool nature study hundred acre wood style, a literature focus or both! Chalk pastel art has been a wonderful addition to our homeschool learning. Our art time has benefited my son with learning differences.

Did you know that Nana also has Lord of the Rings, Little Women, Snowflake Bentley and more in the Literature Clubhouse course for her January Literature emphasis? What a joy to learn in a hands on way in your homeschool.

Jamie Gault

Jamie is the author of A Brown Bear’s Language Arts Study, a literature-inspired homeschool mom of eight, and a former educator. She enjoys a bookshelf bursting with colorful picture books  and children’s stories of all genres. Indulging in a read aloud with all of her children around her is one of Jamie’s favorite moments of her days. Be sure to find Jamie on Instagram and visit her blog, Treasuring the Tiny Moments Homeschool, to be encouraged by all her learning adventures with her wonderful family.

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The Lord Of The Rings: A Homeschool Study To Rule Them All

Now your kids can create The Lord of the Rings art with chalk pastels! Let Nana take you step-by-step with her video art lessons. All you’ll need is a starter set of chalk pastels and a pack of construction paper. Add in the books, movies, and some snacks, and you’ll have a homeschool art study to rule them all.

The Lord Of The Rings: A Homeschool Study To Rule Them All

“One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.”

The Lord of the Rings
The Lord Of The Rings: A Homeschool Study To Rule Them All

The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy


Our family has had a love affair with The Lord of the Rings for many years. Ever since my son was five years old and bored on a very long car trip, that’s when I snagged the audiobook versions. Years later, he read the printed trilogy himself. We have loved to find any reason to watch the movies or start the audiobooks anew ever since.

See that paper garland hanging on our fireplace? That is the entire The Lord of the Rings trilogy!

We also have this incredibly annoying habit of quoting the movies out loud.

It drives my husband crazy!

How about that time with a blanket on shoulders and broom in hand, I declared in a booming voice, “You shall not pass,” for all to hear.

True story.

We even did a Hobbit chalk pastel teatime earlier in the year! It was such fun!

The Lord Of The Rings: A Homeschool Study To Rule Them All


Bring The Lord Of The Rings To Life In Your Homeschool

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

The Lord of the Rings

When I asked my son if he was interested in Nana’s The Lord of the Rings literature art lessons, his eyes got as big as saucers as he said YES!

We got out our copy of the series and queued up The Fellowship of the Ring movie. We talked about our favorite parts and how the films differed from the books.

Like why was Tom Bombadil left out of the movies?

Usually, I’d create a chalk pastel teatime with themed treats, but my son was eager to start, so I served a simple tea with buttered toast. But we pretended it was “Lembas bread.” 

The Lord Of The Rings: A Homeschool Study To Rule Them All


An Adventure through Middle Earth


Nana led us on many adventures:

  • A Visit to the Shire
  • Going on an Adventure through the snowy mountains
  • across the map of Middle Earth
  • an up-close look at The One Ring

My son seemed to be in his dream world of fantasy, and at times he would snap out of it and say, “This is the best teatime ever!” Then, he’d eat another piece of buttered toast and drain another cup of tea. Somehow this simple tea was the perfect second breakfast for my young hobbit.

I think that is part of what I love about our You ARE An Artist Complete Clubhouse membership. I can easily find the lessons that resonate with my children. The lessons that speak to their interests and passions are always the most intriguing, and my kiddos learn and retain so much more with this hands-on artistic component.

The Lord Of The Rings: A Homeschool Study To Rule Them All

More Resources For Literature Study In Your Homeschool


With the You ARE An Artist Complete Clubhouse Membership, you’ll have access to 700+ art lessons, including exclusive access to You ARE An Artist Clubhouse Literature Video Art Lessons such as:

It’s the power of adding art to homeschool literature lessons!

The Lord Of The Rings: A Homeschool Study To Rule Them All

Chalk Pastel Art Lessons

After all the buttered toast was eaten and all the tea was drunk, my son sat back in his chair and proclaimed he needed to start re-reading the trilogy right away. Instead of The One Ring, this hard-bound version of the trilogy is his treasured “Precious,” although his new The Lord of the Rings chalk pastel paintings are now a close second.

The Lord Of The Rings: A Homeschool Study To Rule Them All

Lord of The Rings Homeschool Resources

We love these resources to go with your Lord of the Rings Homeschool Study!

  • Lord of the Rings book
  • Lord of the Rings ‘Homebody’ mug by A Fine Quotation
  • ‘One Ring’ ring necklace
  • Lord of the Rings bookmark by A Fine Quotation
  • Speak Friend and Enter sign

Erin is a writer, blogger, and homeschooler to two intense kids. Her blog is filled with information to help you explore a child led education while making meaningful connections with your children. Discover favorite read alouds, seasonal books, games, art projects, hands-on activities, and learn to just breathe through the ups and downs of life. She loves nature, farm life, good books, knitting, new pens, and hot coffee. Erin is a contributing writer for Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. Her work has also been featured on Simple Homeschool and Book Shark.

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Chalk Pastels The Hobbit Art Lesson

Do your kiddos love the fantasy and adventure of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit? Maybe you and your children are reading The Hobbit and you’re looking for a fun hands-on activity to help celebrate the book. Then, The Hobbit art lesson with Nana and chalk pastels are for you!

Chalk Pastels The Hobbit Art Lesson: Do your kiddos love the fantasy and adventure of  J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit? Then, The Hobbit art lesson with Nana and chalk pastels are for you! #chalkpastel #YouAREAnArtist #TheHobbit #TheHobbitartlesson #TheHobbitchalkpastellesson #chalkpastellessons

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”

J. R. R. Tolkien – The Hobbit

My son fell in love with The Hobbit when he was five years old. I have read it aloud numerous times, he listens to the audiobook regularly, and he never tires of watching the movies. Now my daughter is loving The Hobbit too!

Imagine my excitement when I discovered that Nana had a video art lesson straight from the Shire!

Chalk Pastels The Hobbit Art Lesson

“It was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort”

J. R. R. Tolkien – The Hobbit

The kids were just as excited about The Hobbit chalk pastel lesson. My daughter even pulled out her new special chalk pastel pencils for the occasion! But seriously, you only need a cheap set of chalk pastels and a pack of construction paper to enjoy this lovely tutorial!

Chalk Pastels The Hobbit Art Lesson

An Art Lesson Perfect for Second Breakfast

“I’m going on an adventure”

J. R. R. Tolkien – The Hobbit

The Hobbit art lesson is perfect for second breakfast, luncheon, or afternoon tea! But it’s also great for pairing with the famous literature that we’ve read aloud time and again. The Hobbit is a fantasy classic and by reading it aloud you’ll get plenty of practice at perfecting your mountain troll and goblin voices.

Part of the adventure of a great read aloud is doing the voices!

Chalk Pastels The Hobbit Art Lesson

You ARE AN Artist Literature Clubhouse

Did you know that with the You ARE An Artist Clubhouse Membership you’ll have exclusive access to the You ARE An Artist Clubhouse Literature Video Art Lessons? Here is a sampling of what the literature chalk pastel lessons include:

You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse members enjoy the I Drew It Then I Knew It Literature Companion curriculum to match these lessons. The Literature Workbook includes writing prompts, fun facts and more!

Chalk Pastels The Hobbit Art Lesson

Chalk Pastels The Hobbit Art Lesson

We had such fun with The Hobbit art lesson. As always, my kiddos took creative liberties such as adding apple trees to the hobbit hill and the famous sign, “No Admittance Except on Party Business!” That’s because Nana always reminds us that WE are all artists and we adore the colorful adventure that only chalk pastels provide!

Chalk Pastels The Hobbit Art Lesson

For even MORE Hobbit art lessons, head to The Lord of the Rings: A Homeschool Study to Rule Them All!

Erin is a writer, blogger, and homeschooler to two intense kids. Her blog is filled with information to help you explore a child led education while making meaningful connections with your children. Discover favorite read alouds, seasonal books, games, art projects, hands-on activities, and learn to just breathe through the ups and downs of life. She loves nature, farm life, good books, knitting, new pens, and hot coffee. Erin is a contributing writer for Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. Her work has also been featured on Simple Homeschool and Book Shark.