United Through Reading Military Family Homeschool Guide

August 28, 2024

Homeschooling offers a unique opportunity to tailor education to your children’s needs and interests. Military families face unique challenges, such as frequent relocations and unpredictable schedules, which can disrupt a child’s education. Homeschooling offers a flexible and stable alternative, allowing families to tailor their children’s learning experience to fit their lifestyle.

By choosing homeschooling, military families can create a consistent educational environment, regardless of where they are stationed. This option also allows for personalized curriculum choices, ensuring the education meets the child’s needs. Additionally, homeschooling fosters a close-knit family dynamic, as parents are directly involved. This can be especially beneficial for military families, where time together can be limited. With homeschooling, military children can thrive academically while maintaining the continuity and stability that is often hard to find in traditional school settings.

United Through Reading provides an excellent resource to support this journey. Their extensive list of recommended books can enrich your homeschool curriculum with age-appropriate literature that engages and educates.

Addressing Key Concerns for Military Homeschoolers

Before we dive into the recommended reading list, let’s address some top concerns military families face when homeschooling:

• Frequent Relocations: Homeschooling provides educational continuity across moves. Choose portable curricula and utilize online resources to maintain a consistent education regardless of location.
• Curriculum Choices: Use the book recommendations below as a foundation for a flexible, adaptable curriculum that aligns with various state standards.
• Socialization: Combat the impact of frequent moves on social connections by joining homeschooling groups on military bases and in local communities. Use many of the recommended books as discussion starters for group activities.
• College Preparation: Prepare older students for college by incorporating advanced literature and subjects. Keep detailed records of coursework to meet college entry requirements.
• Special Needs Accommodations: Many recommended books can be adapted to different learning styles and needs. Always consult with education specialists for specific accommodations.
• Record-keeping: Create comprehensive records of your homeschooling journey, including reading lists, projects, and assessments based on the books you use.
• Time Management: Design a flexible schedule accommodating homeschooling and military life demands. During busy periods, use audiobooks or recorded readings.

Below are some suggested books from United Through Reading’s recommended list, categorized by educational stage.

Early Elementary (Ages 4-8)

Books that are both educational and engaging are essential for young learners. These books often feature vibrant illustrations and simple, captivating stories that can help develop early reading skills and a love for learning.
Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle: This picture book by the classic children’s author and illustrator follows a father seahorse as he cares for his eggs and meets other sea creatures. It highlights parental care and marine life themes, making it a great tool for teaching young children about ocean biology and family roles.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle: A repetitive and rhythmic book that is perfect for early readers and helps with color and animal recognition.
Little Helper Animals On the Job by Michelle Brummer Everett: This whimsical tale explores cause-and-effect relationships in a fun and entertaining way.
Waiting Is Not Easy by Mo Willems: This book is perfect for homeschooling early elementary school-aged children as it teaches the important lessons of patience and managing expectations, which are crucial skills for young learners. This is also a key value for military children who often hear the phrase “hurry up and wait!”

Upper Elementary (Ages 9-12)

As children grow, their reading can become more complex, and their books can start to include themes of adventure, mystery, and moral lessons.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White: This beloved story of friendship and sacrifice is perfect for discussing themes of loyalty and compassion.
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson: This book is a fantastic introduction to fantasy literature. It also offers rich themes of bravery, pirates, and buried treasure!
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry: The book illustrates themes of bravery, friendship, and the impact of war, making it an essential read for understanding the human aspects of history in the context of World War II.
National Geographic Kids: Weird Sea Creatures by Laura Marsh: This book is ideal for homeschooling early elementary school-aged children as it sparks curiosity about marine biology and encourages exploration of the natural world. It introduces young readers to the fascinating and bizarre creatures that inhabit the ocean’s depths through stunning photographs and engaging facts.

Middle School (Ages 12-14)

Middle school students benefit from books that challenge their thinking and introduce them to more complex narratives and characters.

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park: This intertwined tale of the stories of Nya, a girl in Sudan who spends hours each day fetching water for her family, and Salva, a boy who becomes one of the Lost Boys of Sudan and eventually works to bring clean water to his homeland. Through these parallel narratives, the book highlights the struggles and resilience of individuals in the face of hardship and the transformative power of access to clean water.
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shettlerly: A powerful story about the race to space and the strong, educated and dedicated individuals who were the reason America got to space. This inspiring account highlights their significant yet often overlooked contributions, making it a powerful read on perseverance, equality, and the impact of untapped talent.
The Iliad: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Gareth Hinds: This exciting adventure introduces Greek mythology in a modern context, fostering an interest in ancient cultures and heroism.

High School (Ages 15-18)

High school students are ready for more complex literature that can provoke deep thought and discussion on various social, ethical, and personal issues.

Bomb: The Race to Build And Steal The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin: This story explores the intense historical race to develop the atomic bomb, detailing the scientific breakthroughs and espionage that defined this critical period of World War II. This gripping account provides a comprehensive look at the ethical dilemmas and high-stakes efforts involved in creating one of history’s most powerful weapons.
Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician by Katherine Johnson: A chronicle of the life of Katherine Johnson, detailing her groundbreaking work as an African American mathematician at NASA and her pivotal role in the success of early space missions. Her inspiring story demonstrates perseverance and excellence, offering a profound look at overcoming racial and gender barriers in science and technology.
Macbeth By Gareth Hinds: This graphic novel approach to Shakespeare makes Shakespeare’s complex themes and language more approachable, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of classic literature with vivid illustrations and accessible language. After reading, perhaps the play will be more approachable.

Utilizing United Through Reading in Your Homeschooling

United Through Reading provides a comprehensive list of recommended books and empowers families to read together, even when separated by distance. This proves particularly valuable for military families dealing with deployments or separations.

Addressing Deployment Challenges

United Through Reading’s program enables deployed parents to record themselves reading books, helping them maintain involvement in their child’s education even from afar. This unique feature helps families:

• Keep the deployed parent engaged in the homeschooling process
• Maintain emotional connections through shared reading experiences
• Provide consistency in the child’s education routine despite parental absence
• Offer comfort to children during challenging times of time apart

By incorporating United Through Reading and these books into your homeschooling curriculum, you can:

• Ensure educational continuity across relocations
• Involve deployed parents in the education process
• Address socialization needs through literature-based activities
• Prepare for college by engaging with advanced texts
• Accommodate various learning styles and special needs
• Create a rich educational record using our reading logs

Additional Resources for Military Homeschoolers

In addition to United Through Reading, several other valuable resources support military families in their homeschooling journey:

• Military Homeschoolers: This organization offers support and information specifically for homeschooling military families. It provides resources, connects families, and guides homeschooling while dealing with military life challenges.
• Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Homeschooling Resources: The DoDEA provides information and resources for military families considering or currently homeschooling.
• National Home School Association (NHSA): While not specific to military families, the NHSA offers general homeschooling resources, curriculum guides, and networking opportunities that prove valuable.
• Military OneSource: This Department of Defense program provides resources on various topics, including education and homeschooling, for military families.
• Local Base Support: Many military installations have education centers or family support services that provide information on homeschooling and connect families with local homeschooling groups. Check with your base’s family support center for local resources.

These resources, combined with United Through Reading’s program and book recommendations, provide a comprehensive support system for military families embarking on or continuing their homeschooling journey. Check these resources regularly, as they often update their information to reflect changes in laws, best practices, and available support for military homeschoolers.

Homeschooling as a military family presents unique challenges. Still, it also offers the opportunity to provide a consistent, high-quality education for your children regardless of where your military career takes you. Utilizing these resources and the United Through Reading program allows you to create a rich, flexible, and engaging educational experience for your children that moves with you, adapts to your family’s needs, and supports your children’s growth and learning.

Our literacy resources are provided by Reader’s Digest Foundation