The following post will be a blog archive copy of the Build Your Library’s June 2020 Monthly Newsletter. If you missed the email, you can subscribe to our mailing list here. [Scheduled to be sent 07/01/20 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’re fully into summer-mode now that it’s July. This year has just been flying by! We’re finished with our school year (and I just graduated my twins!!) and enjoying the slower summer pace. It’s my favorite time of year – I love the warm weather, sunshine, iced tea, and making plans for the new school year!
We have some new information to share, as well as some reoccurring monthly reminders!
This is a frequently asked question, so I wanted to share a “rough and tentative” schedule of what is currently being worked on:
Remember way back, like last year, when we had fun things? Like homeschool conventions? And concerts? And eating inside restaurants? Those were good times.
This year’s homeschool convention season never even got off the ground. I don’t think anyone squeaked in before the lockdown, and it doesn’t look like many will be able to pull anything off for the foreseeable future.
What do you think homeschool conventions and conferences will look like going forward? And when? Click the title above for my musings on this topic.
Have your big summer plans been canceled? Why not take a trip of the imagination! Sarah compiled a great list of books that are filled with summertime magic. Crack open one of these great reads for a summer escape!
Have you ever received a snarky comment from an acquaintance along the lines of “Oh, you homeschool your children? I didn’t know you have a teaching degree”? Are you just starting out on your #homeschooling journey and feeling overwhelmed and not quite sure where to start? Or are you a veteran, but looking to brush up or expand your knowledge?
Have we got a program for you!
Our seventh monthly “Read Aloud Book Club” subscription pack is now available for June! 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 July 2020 theme is “Haints and History” The July book is fantastic – it’s a debut, a southern ghost story, and oh so relevant to what is happening right now in our country. It’s a perfect read-aloud for the whole family and sure to spark some great conversation!
July is designated Read an Almanac Month, and July 30th is Paperback Book Day!
As far as birthdays go, Dean Koontz (July 9, 1945), E. B. White (July 11, 1899), Ernest Hemingway (July 21, 1899), and Helen Beatrix Potter (July 28, 1866) all celebrate this month.
We also have a couple of Harry Potter character birthdays with Neville Longbottom (July 30) and J. K. Rowling Birthday (July 31, 1965) / Harry Potter (July 31) (perfect day to start a Harry Potter Unit Study).
While most of you do not need any extra encouragement to pick up some additional reading material – we have plenty of excuses for you here! Or an excuse for cake.
We hope you all enjoyed our last “Tea with Emily” Facebook Live Stream. If you missed our “Summer Schooling is Fun-Schooling“ last month in June, you can find a recording by scrolling our Facebook or direct links on our past events page.
Our next Facebook Live will be August 7, 2020. 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 Read Aloud Book Club 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 projects 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 (we’re going to be reading Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly in July!), 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 and possibly wrapping up! If you are looking for inspiration, 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?
Will you still be using the Joy Hakim books in Level 8? I know you switched them out in 5 and 6, so wondered if you’re doing the same with the science books?
Yes! I’ll still be using the Story of Science books in Level 8.