The following post will be a blog archive copy of the Build Your Library’s February 2020 Monthly Newsletter. If you missed the email, you can subscribe to our mailing list here. [Scheduled to be sent 02/03/20 8:00 AM EST]
Hey everybody, it’s Emily from Build Your Library! If you are just going to skim the beginning, here are the main topics in this month’s newsletter:
Now that I have your attention, here are the details on those items and more.
We finally made it through January! Why does it always seem to be the longest month of the year? Hopefully your 2020 is off to a great start. We have some new information to share as well as some reoccurring monthly reminders.
Our second monthly “Read Aloud Book Club” subscription pack is now available! If you loved our Family Reading Crates, I think you will love the Read Aloud Book Club too! We have updated our RABC FAQ and will continue to share information as this new project rolls out. The February theme is “Over the Moon” and the book is so adorable. It’s a perfect read aloud for the whole family!
The month of February is designated National Library Lovers Month, followed by February 14th being Library Lovers Day! Children’s Authors and Illustrators Week falls on the first week of the month, and Freelance Writers Appreciation Week is the second.
As far as birthdays go, Charles Dickens (Feb. 7, 1812), Laura Ingalls Wilder (Feb. 7, 1867), Mo Willems Birthday (Feb. 11, 1968), Judy Blume (Feb. 12, 1938) and John Steinbeck Jr. Birthday (Feb. 27, 1902) all celebrate this month.
We also have a couple of Harry Potter character birthdays with Arthur Weasley Birthday (Feb. 6) and Luna Lovegood (Feb, 16).
Finally, mark your calendar for World Read Aloud Day on February 5, 2020!
In the not necessarily book-related holidays, February 12 is Charles Darwin’s birthday, which has been designed Darwin Day. This is a great excuse to work on the Darwin and Evolution unit study, if you haven’t already. 😉
For the past several years, I’ve been sharing Black History Month book recommendations each week of February. There are so many fantastic own voices books to read to our children this month! At the end of the month, I compile all those recommendations into a blog post for easy reference. What are your favorite books to read during Black History Month?
Previous year book selections:
I know we said “last plug,” last month… But there is still time to join in without being too far behind. Are you looking for a fun reading challenge for the whole family? Well look no further! We had so much fun this past year with the 2019 BYL Reading Challenge, we created a new list of 40 reading prompts to help you and your children stretch your reading muscles in 2020. Head over to our blog and download your checklist today!
We will check in periodically throughout the year with our progress and see how you all are doing too.
We hope you all enjoyed our last five “Tea with Emily” Facebook Live Streams. If you missed it (or any previous one), you can find a recording on our Facebook or on our past events page.
Our first of this year will be Friday, February 14th at 1 pm EST, where we will talk about Avoiding Burnout. I feel like February is the time of year when homeschooling gets hard. Let’s talk about how we can make learning fun and give ourselves a little self-care during those long winter months when we feel like throwing in the towel.
At the beginning of the livestream, I will give a brief overview of the topic and then open the floor to any questions you may have. If you have any questions you want to make sure we cover, you can submit them via our Contact Us page prior to the event, so we don’t miss it in the scroll. This is a Facebook Live event, so you will just need to click through on Facebook to watch it live.
Every other month, I host a 30-60 minute Build Your Library homeschooling chat. You can ask questions about homeschooling, using Build Your Library curriculum, book recommendations, etc. We will announce the date ahead of time, and you will be able to submit questions you would like to cover. Additionally, you can also ask questions during the interactive live stream. Grab a mug of tea (or coffee) and cozy up with our virtual hangout!
Are you looking for help or advice on your homeschooling journey? We have compiled all of our helpful resources into one blog post for you. From the many BYL related Facebook groups to my book A Literary Education, there is a treasure trove of information and helpful parents out there to help guide you along your homeschooling adventure. If you have any questions, just ask!
We always have our Social Media “chicklets” at the bottom of our newsletters and webpage, but we wanted to make sure you are following us on our other platforms. The Build Your Library Facebook is our go-to social media site, and we post there frequently with cool Amazon products and book recommendations we think you would like, as well as all of our Family Reading Crate announcements, blog posts, full year and unit study product releases and updates, and more.
Our Build Your Library Instagram page regularly posts pictures and insider info about what I’m currently working on or what I’m doing with my kids.
Although not 100% exclusively Build Your Library related, our Arrrgh Schooling YouTube channel has videos about books and homeschooling – but let’s be honest – it’s mostly books. If you want to see what I’m reading, join my Arrrgh Booked Book Club, or just want ideas for books to read (either for you for your children) you are sure to find something useful! We also have a BYL Twitter feed where I share links and information about BYL and homeschooling. Or you can stay subscribed to our email list and browse our monthly newsletters.
I hope your school year is going well! If you are looking for inspiration during the long winter months, here are some articles you might find helpful:
We have well over 100 blog posts on various homeschooling and book-related topics if you want to browse for more.
I think that is about all for this month. Again, please follow us on whatever social media you frequent, there will be periodic updates posted there as well, but we will try to keep everyone in the know where ever you are surfing!
Thanks and Happy Reading! Emily
See Also:
Have you been looking for a literature based homeschool curriculum that is secular? How about a way to incorporate narration, copywork, dictation and memory work into your child’s education? Or art study that ties into history?
I have a slow start but I am three books into the reading challenge. Having a lot of fun so far.