Blog Title cover image reading “Homeschool Curriculum Guide: Literature Based curriculum” with an image of two children reading a book by a flashlight while sitting inside of a tent fort - by Hummingbird Homeschool

How does a literature based curriculum work?

A literature based homeschool curriculum is exactly what it sounds like - a curriculum that centers around literature. Instead of using traditional textbooks, this type of curriculum uses living books and other literary works as the primary source of instruction.

They're called "living books" because they are chosen for their engaging and dynamic nature. They're not dry and stuffed with facts. Instead, they're written by someone who has a passion for the subject, which comes across in their writing.

The curriculum is typically organized around a central theme or time period and incorporates various subjects.

A Quick Example of Literature Based Learning

For teaching Florida history, a literature based curriculum might include books such as "A Land Remembered" by Patrick D. Smith, which takes readers on a journey through 19th-century Florida, and "The Yearling" by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, which offers a rich depiction of rural life in Florida in the late 1800s.

These books provide immersive experiences of the state's history, bringing to life the people, places, and events of the past in a way that typical textbooks cannot. Genres might include biographies, historical fiction, or other great literature that allows children to have an emotional connection with the subjects covered.

Why do people choose a Literature based Curriculum?

image of a young child immersed in reading a book representing the literature based approach to homeschooling

The concept behind a literature-based approach to education is that by exposing children to great works of literature, they will develop an emotional connection to quality literature while improving critical thinking skills and reading comprehension and gaining a deeper understanding of different subjects.

This method generally allows for a more personalized and flexible learning experience since students can choose books that align with their interests and learning styles.

While not the same, this type of curriculum is closely aligned with the Charlotte Mason style of homeschooling.

What are the benefits of using a literature-based homeschool curriculum?

There are several benefits to using a literature-based homeschool curriculum:

image of a mother in bed reading to two children representing a homeschool mom using a literature based curriculum

Encourages critical thinking and analysis: By reading various types of literature, students are exposed to different perspectives and ideas. This encourages them to think critically and analyze the themes, characters, and plots of each piece.
Develops reading comprehension skills: Reading a wide range of literature helps children improve their reading comprehension abilities. They learn how to interpret and understand complex texts, which is a crucial skill for academic success.
Personalized learning experience: Instead of following a set curriculum, children can choose books that interest them and align with their learning style.
Creates connections across subjects: Literature often includes elements of history, science, art, or other subjects. By using a literature based curriculum for your foundation for learning, children can make connections between different subject areas and see how they are all interconnected.
Develop a love for learning: Reading can be a powerful tool for inspiring curiosity. By using literature-based instruction, children are exposed to different genres and styles of writing which can pique their interest and encourage them to explore deeper.

What subjects can be taught through literature?

A literature-based curriculum can cover a wide range of subjects, including:

Language Arts: Literature-based instruction is an excellent way to teach the varying language arts topics of reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. Children can learn these skills by reading various types of literature and analyzing their structure and elements.
History: Novels and historical fiction books can bring history to life for children. They can gain a deeper understanding of historical events and the people involved by reading from different perspectives.
Art and Music: Many works of literature include references to art and music. By incorporating these subjects into literature-based instruction, children can explore different forms of art and music and their cultural significance.

image of a young girl on a beach towel reading a book with a snack representing learning literature based homeschooling

What about science, math, and electives?

While most literature-based curricula primarily align with subjects like history and language arts, living books can definitely be used effectively for subjects such as science, math, and electives. Check out these quick examples:

Science: Books can make science more approachable and exciting. For instance, biographies of famous scientists can provide a historical and human context to scientific principles. Books that describe scientific phenomena in accessible language can instill an interest and curiosity about the world around us. Children's literature classics like "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss can open discussions about environmental conservation and ecology.
Math: Unique books on math can help to contextualize mathematical concepts and illustrate their practical applications. Books like "The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure" by Hans Magnus Enzensberger can make math more engaging and relatable. Storybooks that incorporate mathematical problems can also encourage problem-solving and critical thinking. I LOVE Sir Cumference and the First Round Table and that whole series of fun books!
Electives: For electives like art or music, biographies of artists and musicians, books about art history, music theory, or different cultures' art forms can supplement practical instruction. Novels that center around a character's journey in learning an art form can also be inspiring.

A Literature-based homeschooling approach is much more accessible than you might think. Ever read The Magic School Bus books? Yep. Awesome, engaging books that use story-telling to teach. I linked a cool STEM set that includes hands-on learning! They're effective for any age!

How do you choose a literature-based homeschool curriculum?

image of a stack of old childrens books with a jar of pencils on top representing a stack of literature based homeschool curriculum books

When choosing a literature-based curriculum for your child, there are several factors to consider:

Your child's interests: Since the primary focus of this type of curriculum is reading, it's essential to choose books that align with your child's interests. This will keep them engaged and motivated to learn.
Your teaching style: As a homeschool parent, you may have your own teaching style that works best for your child. Make sure the curriculum you choose complements your approach to education. Definitely consider if you have the interest, stamina, and ability to sit and read for hours! The delivery of the various curricula varies!
Accessibility and cost of resources: Depending on the books chosen for the curriculum, you may need to purchase or borrow them from a library. Consider the accessibility of these resources before making a decision. Some book lists can cost thousands of dollars for only a year! You can also check out a homeschool scholastic book club for cheaper books!
Curriculum objectives: While literature-based instruction allows for more flexibility, it's essential to have clear objectives and goals for your child's learning. Look for a curriculum that aligns with your educational priorities. Sure, the book list might be impressive, but does it align with your purpose? Will you be motivated to get through the list if it doesn't seem important?

What does literature-based learning look like?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to literature-based learning, as it can vary depending on the curriculum and individual preferences. However, some common elements of a literature based homeschooling experience include:

Independent reading: Students are encouraged to read independently and at their own pace. This allows them to explore genres and topics that interest them.
Discussion-based activities: Reading and discussing literature in a group setting can help children develop and gain new insights from different perspectives.
Cross-curricular connections: Literature-based instruction often involves integrating other subjects into the learning experience. This can include projects, writing assignments, or hands-on activities related to the books being read.
Hands-on experiences: Depending on the curriculum, hands-on activities such as art projects, field trips, or experiments may be included to enhance the learning experience.

How to incorporate literature into your homeschool schedule

Read-aloud time: Set aside a specific time each day to read aloud to your child. This can be a great way to introduce them to new books and genres, as well as spend quality time together. This is a great way to teach multiple kids the same stories and facilitate discussion questions that multiple ages can engage with.
Independent reading time: Set aside time each day when your child can practice their independent reading skills. Once past the phonics stage, it's still incredibly important for children to practice reading aloud for comprehension and fluency. This time can be scheduled into their daily routine or done at their own pace.
Literature-based assignments: Incorporate the stories into your child's writing or history assignments. For example, have them write a summary or create a timeline of events from a novel they read. You can also practice language arts skills like grammar and vocabulary with dictation or copywork from multiple subjects.
Book clubs: Consider joining or starting a book club with other homeschool families. This can be an excellent opportunity for students to discuss and analyze literature together and form relationships with other homeschooling families! Outside friendships enhance the homeschooling journey, so try to find others who can share the joy of stories with you!
Field trips: Plan field trips to local museums, theaters, or exhibits related to the books your child is reading. This can provide a hands-on learning experience and bring literature to life. Bring history to life by visiting historical sites nearby. There's a huge variety of field trip options to explore! Take any non fiction book and try to enhance that educational experience with in-person learning.
Flexibility: One of the key benefits of literature-based instruction is its flexibility. Don't be afraid to adjust your schedule based on your child's interests and needs. If you can't read real books, then see what's available in audiobook format. There's zero shame in letting someone else do the reading. I have found that listening to books from Audible while driving is one of our favorite times together! Listening to the professionals has also improved my kids' own level of expression and reading fluency.

Frequent criticisms of a book-based approach:

Lack of structure: Some argue that this type of instruction lacks structure and can result in children not receiving a well-rounded education. It is important to carefully select books that cover a variety of subjects and to supplement them with other educational resources as necessary. Generally, knowing how to choose a solid, well-rounded curriculum prevents this problem.
Difficulty assessing understanding: Since literature-based learning emphasizes experiential and discussion-based activities, some argue that it can be hard to assess a student's learning accurately. This can be worked around with writing and oral narrations.
Time-consuming: Reading and discussing literature can be a time-consuming process, which may not fit into every family's homeschool schedule. It is essential to consider your time constraints before incorporating a literature-based curriculum into your homeschooling plan.

It's important to consider these potential issues before committing and purchasing a curriculum because these types of programs can be expensive if they're hard to source or uncommon books.

Secular Homeschool Curriculums Using the Living Books Approach

Below you can explore some secular homeschool curriculums that utilize the engaging and immersive 'living books' approach to education.

BookShark: This is a literature-based, 4-day, secular homeschool curriculum. It uses interesting and engaging 'living books' to cover a wide range of topics. It is the secular version of the popular Sonlight curriculum, which has a Christian worldview.
Oak Meadow: Oak Meadow's holistic, secular home school curriculum employs creative, hands-on learning approaches through stories and reading. This program pulls from Waldorf's philosophies of education and child development.
Moving Beyond the Page: This curriculum is designed for gifted, creative, and hands-on learners using a literature-based approach. It is secular and covers all the primary subjects. This program is considered to be more advanced, so going by grade level may not be appropriate for the average learner.
Build Your Library: (BYL) A secular homeschool curriculum that utilizes a literature-based approach to education, emphasizing critical and creative thinking. This program is very popular and sometimes mixed with Torchlight book lists.
Blossom and Root: This is a nature-based, secular homeschool curriculum that uses books to engage children in a variety of subjects.
Torchlight: Torchlight provides a secular, literature-based curriculum promoting diversity and inclusion with comprehensive, grade level based programs. Again, this is a popular choice and often mixed with the book lists from BYL (Build Your Library).

Faith-Based Curriculum Options

The following is a list of non-secular literature based curriculum programs. I am not familiar with them other than that they are commonly recommended.

Sonlight: A Christian-based curriculum that uses a literature-rich approach, incorporating 'living books' rather than textbooks, allowing children to engage deeply with the material.
Beautiful Feet Books: This curriculum focuses on teaching history through literature, with a selection of books that teach values, character, and understanding of different cultures.
Tapestry of Grace: Offers a buffet of learning materials out of which parents can choose what fits best for their children. It uses books, focusing on a classical education approach.
Ambleside Online: A free, Charlotte Mason-style, Christian-based homeschool curriculum that stresses literature, nature, and scripture.
Five in a Row: A literature-based unit study curriculum. It utilizes a selection of books to teach different subjects. The core curriculum is neutral to stay in line with state charter fund requirements, but the company is of Christian worldview and offers supplements with bible teachings
My Father's World: Combines the best of Charlotte Mason's ideas, classical education, and unit studies with a biblical worldview and global focus, utilizing 'living books' as a core part of the curriculum.

Have you tried literature based learning?

I'd love to hear your thoughts, opinions, and experiences on literature based homeschooling. Have you tried any of these curriculums? What are the successes and challenges you've encountered?

Your insights could help other homeschooling families think about this approach. Share in the comments below!