Rolling Prairie Readers
  • Homepage
  • Resources
    • About Us
    • Blog
    • Group
    • Podcast
    • SHOP
      • Family Activity Guides
      • The Play School Club Membership
    • Disclosure/Privacy Policy
Select Page
Literature-Based Elementary American History Curriculum

Literature-Based Elementary American History Curriculum

by Melissa Droegemueller | May 25, 2022 | Homeschooling (Elementary School)

Are you looking for an elementary American history curriculum? Check out Sonlight’s newly-updated literature-based US history homeschool curriculum for ages 9-12. Do you know how the Declaration of Independence begins? When I was in college, this was a trivia question...
Learning Ancient History Through Literature

Learning Ancient History Through Literature

by Melissa Droegemueller | May 27, 2021 | Learning At Home

I had some truly wonderful history teachers throughout my years of schooling. Their collective gift for storytelling ignited a love for history that has continued to this day. With the help of the library and lots of traveling, I’ve been able to continue my studies as...
Ignite Wonder with Curiosity-Driven History

Ignite Wonder with Curiosity-Driven History

by Melissa Droegemueller | May 22, 2020 | Learning At Home

Ever since our children were little, our history and geography lessons have revolved around our travels and literature studies. Whenever we read a new book, we pull out our maps and timeline cards to dive deeper into the real-life details about the characters’ lives....

I’m glad you’re here!

Melissa Droegemueller | Rolling Prairie Readers

About Melissa

I am an elementary school teacher–turned–homeschooling mom with over 15 years experience working with babies through 4th graders. I believe in making learning FUN for ALL kids.

Around here, we are passionate about learning through play, chasing adventures, and good books!

Our mission is to create a community of lifelong learners where parents inspire and empower their children to follow their passions and use their unique gifts to make the world a better place.

Search the site:

Social

  • View LearnTheirWayFamilies’s profile on Facebook
  • View learntheirway’s profile on Instagram
  • View rpreaders’s profile on Pinterest
  • View UCtmLZy0fiDa0oGrP5VLIXSw’s profile on YouTube

Netgalley Reviewer

Professional Reader25 Book Reviews

Join The Play School Club

Greatest Hits

  • 100 Hands-On Activities for Tactile Learners
    100 Hands-On Activities for Tactile Learners
  • 5 Free Invitations to Play: Plastic Eggs
    5 Free Invitations to Play: Plastic Eggs
  • Toy Rotation Categories (+ Our FAVORITE Toys!)
    Toy Rotation Categories (+ Our FAVORITE Toys!)
  • 5 Free Invitations to Play: Rainbow
    5 Free Invitations to Play: Rainbow
  • How to Encourage Independent Play
    How to Encourage Independent Play
  • Rocky Ridge Farm: a Laura Ingalls Wilder site in Mansfield, Missouri
    Rocky Ridge Farm: a Laura Ingalls Wilder site in Mansfield, Missouri
  • 13 Fun Transportation Books for Kids
    13 Fun Transportation Books for Kids

Browse our topics!

Note: We use affiliate links at no additional cost to you. See our full disclosure policy here.

Are you on Instagram?

learntheirway

Former classroom teacher empowering parents and kids to learn THEIR way. Blog | Podcast | Online Community. Click here to join us:

Melissa Droegemueller
If your kids struggle with having unlimited free t If your kids struggle with having unlimited free time (they don’t know how to use their time or they keep asking you to play, too), you might find this post helpful: https://rollingprairiereaders.com/independent-play-tips/
Young children love learning about rainbows, and b Young children love learning about rainbows, and books are always a fun way to discover more about a topic. Whether you purchase a new book or two or borrow them them from the library, these rainbow books for kids are sure to capture your child’s interest! https://rollingprairiereaders.com/rainbow-books-for-kids/ #learningathome #learnathome #homeschoollife #homeschoolersofinstagram #homeschoolblog #homeschoolfamily #thisishomeschool #homeschoollookslikethis #homeschoolmoms #homeschooling #homeschoolpreschool #preschoolathome #earlylearning101 #littlelearners #totschool #toddlerfun #toddlerlearning #preschoolplay #preschoolfun #earlyyearsideas #preschoollearning #preschoollife #preKathome #playbasedpreschool #readeveryday #readingisfun #readersofinstagram #whatwearereading #kidsbooks #kidlit
When my kids were little, I was a chronic-overplan When my kids were little, I was a chronic-overplanner. 😉 It seems like all they really wanted was a couple of toys set out in a "fancy" container ($1 basket from the thrift store) in an unexpected place or at an unexpected time: * a bowl of blocks next to the couch * a new batch of playdough on a tray after their nap * a set of measuring cups for their sensory bin These days, my kids are spending their free time designing escape rooms for their parents. Time + boredom = creativity.
There are so many things I love about living in th There are so many things I love about living in the Midwest, but this time of year, I miss my hometown. I can still smell the Texas Mountain Laurels through this old photo -- even though it's been 8 years. What are the sights and smells of spring in your neck of the woods?
"How do you teach kids of different ages at the sa "How do you teach kids of different ages at the same time?" Some of you may know that I spent my teaching years in multi-age classrooms (two grades at the same time). I loved it because I could structure our lessons around the basic truth that no two children learn the same. My last "official" year in the classroom, I had a class of 12 first- and second-graders. We did a lot of learning together: science, social studies, read-alouds, music, and religion. Spelling was individualized -- every one of my students had their own list of words to work on throughout the week. When it came to reading, I had three or four grade levels of students. Two of my firsties needed additional time with phonics, while some of my other students were reading well above grade level. I taught mini-lessons each day in both reading and math and invited a small group of students that needed more instruction to join me. When it came to these two subjects, my kiddos knew that their grade level didn't matter. We celebrated everyone's accomplishments, and we met everyone's needs...right where they were. Little did I know that those years in the classroom would prepare me for a completely different kind of teaching: homeschooling. My own two children both have a "grade level" that they use for activities and co-ops, but that grade level doesn't necessarily translate to the work they are doing on a daily basis. 😉 Choosing materials is as simple as looking at their interests and academic needs and matching them up. My kiddo LOVES science and needs extra practice with handwriting, so I bought a non-fiction reading workbook with a reading passage and short-answer blanks (instead of multiple choice) for her to complete this year. (Reading, handwriting, and science ALL in one subject! Why NOT double dip?) Starting out with learning at home, it can be daunting to teach multiple children and different levels...but the more you do it, the easier it gets. Learning is not meant to be "one size fits all." ❤
Color-mixing is such a fun activity for kids! Afte Color-mixing is such a fun activity for kids! After we read Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni, I like to offer a small batch of playdough from both colors and let the kids mix it up (strengthening those hand and arm muscles!). It's also fun to do with colored water -- working a squeeze dropper builds those fine motor skills that are needed to hold a pencil. Swipe to see! Want to extend this activity? Check out our Activity of the Week video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8Ii_N36UVWY #homeschoolpreschool #preschoolathome #earlylearning101 #littlelearners #totschool #toddlerfun #toddlerlearning #preschoolplay #preschoolfun #earlyyearsideas #preschoollearning #preschoollife #preKathome #playbasedpreschool #toddleractivities #preschoolactivities #preKactivities #kidsactivities #homeschoolingideas #homeschoolideas #invitationtoplay #simpleplay
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • Blog
  • Family Activity Guides
  • FB Group
  • Learn Their Way Podcast
  • The Play School Club
  • Facebook
© Rolling Prairie Readers | Disclosure and Privacy Policy
effortlesswebkits ♥ by SMC
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT