September 2020 Monthly Newsletter
September 1, 2020
The following post will be a blog archive copy of the Build Your Library’s September 2020 Monthly Newsletter. If you missed the email, you can subscribe to our mailing list here. [Scheduled to be sent 09/01/20 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.
Monthly Newsletter
And just like that, it’s September! This year has just been flying by! September means all things pumpkin flavored starts its comeback, getting out the blankets and warm socks, and the beginning of our school year. I love this time of year – the crisp morning air, using brand new pencils in brand new notebooks, settling back into our school year routine… this is our favorite time of year.
We have some new information to share, as well as some reoccurring monthly reminders!
Level 6 has Been Updated and Election Unit Study
To follow along with the recent Level 5 changes, Level 6 has also been updated! This was a major overhaul – I’ve updated the history, literature, readers and poetry. I am so pleased with how both Level 5 and Level 6 have come out – there are some truly amazing books included!
We have also updated the Election Unit Study for the 2020 cycle. It is quite literally right around the corner!
If you are interested in getting these update, there are a number of ways to get it:
1) If you still have your original purchase link, you can download the new version from there.
2) Send me a message with the name and email you used on your original purchase and I’ll be happy to send you a new download link.
3) When you purchase Level 6 or the Election Unit Study for the first time, you will automatically receive the updated version.
If you already have the previous required books in your possession, the previous edition is still valid and you can continue to use it, or use it again. If you want the updated teacher’s guide, you will have to purchase and/or borrow any new books to match the new set of lesson plans.
Back to “Home” School Series (B2HS)
Every year we update and re-feature our Back to “Home” School series towards the end of August, right before we all get back to business. Here is the recap if you missed our Facebook posts last week.
- (1) B2HS: Advice to the New Homeschooling Mother
- (2) B2HS: Getting Organized for the New School Year
- (3) B2HS: Tips for Avoiding Homeschooling Burn Out
- (4) B2HS: Build Your Own Timeline 101
- (5) B2HS: Tips for a Great First Day
Build Your Library University (for Parents)
We featured this blog post last month, and the month before, but wanted to highlight it again in our newsletter for all of the new homeschoolers joining Build Your Library.
Are you just starting out on your homeschooling journey and feeling overwhelmed and not quite sure where to start? 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”? Or are you a veteran, but looking to brush up or expand your knowledge?
Have we got a program for you!
September Bookish Holidays
September has a bunch of fun book-related holidays. We have National Library Card Signup Month, Be Kind to Editors and Writers Month, National Read A Book Day (Sept. 6 – shouldn’t this be every day?), International Literacy Day (Sept. 8), National Punctuation Day (Sept. 24), National Comic Book Day (Sept 25) and the last week of September is Banned Books Week.
For author birthdays, we have Tomie dePaola (Sept. 15), George R. R. Martin (Sept. 20), Stephen King (Sept. 21), and Shel Silverstein (Sept. 25). There are also a handful of characters from Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings with birthdays, Hermione Granger (Sept. 19), Hobbit Day (Sep. 22 – Bilbo and Frodo Baggins Birthday) (perfect timing for The Hobbit Unit Study), Garrick Ollivander (Sept 25) and Quirinus Quirrell (Sept 26).
“Read Aloud Book Club” Pack
Our ninth monthly “Read Aloud Book Club” subscription pack is now available! The September 2020 theme is “Banana Book Theory.” Sounds a little strange, but you’ll have to trust me on this one. This month’s selection is a story about quantum physics and parallel universes. It’s a perfect read-aloud for the whole family!
“Tea with Emily” Facebook Live Streams
We hope you all enjoyed our last “Tea with Emily” Facebook Live Stream. If you missed our “Welcome to Homeschooling“ last month in August, you can find a recording by scrolling our Facebook or direct links on our past events page.
Our next Facebook Live will be October 2 (or 9), 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!
Build Your Library Support
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!
BYL Social Media Shout Out
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 reading Mexican Gothic in September!), 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.
Wrap Up
I hope your homeschool years are off to a great start! My college kids are a week into their semester and my youngest and I will begin our school year on September 8 – it’s going to be so strange to only homeschool 1 child this year!
If you are looking for inspiration, here are some articles you might find helpful:
- Fall 2020 Releases You and Your Children Should Look Out For
- Favorite Fall Reads
- How to Source Books for Build Your Library
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:
