Sparkle Stories Blog

Jenn Chic from Maplerose teamed up with Sparkle Stories to answer some questions around unschooling and share what it looks like for our family — and what it might look like for yours.

In this episode, Andrew, Polly, David, and Rebecca talk about music and ways to introduce or boost music appreciation in your home. They use the Junkyard Tales story “The Band” as a model of how music can create community and be a mechanism for social inclusion. They also show how music can come naturally to children.

In this episode, Laura, David, and Rebecca use the By Thistle By Thimble story “Purple” as the focus of a conversation about inspiring service in children and families. Laura tells the story of how Her Best Foot Forward was started and then talks about how service is central to her family’s life.

In this episode, Lindsay, Sanden, Eric, David, and Rebecca discuss the story “Measuring the World,” recall what got us all excited about science when we were children, and then explore ways to introduce and strengthen a love of science in kids today.

In this episode, Steve, David, and Rebecca talk about “The View from Above," (the first story in our new story series called FIFTY: The Stars, the States and the Stories), explore the difference between history and historical fiction, and ask the question, "What is true?"

In this episode, Jamie, David, and Rebecca use the Martin & Sylvia story “A Map of the Year” to talk about planning, choosing curriculum and finding balance when homeschooling your children.

For this week’s newest Martin & Sylvia story, we’ve partnered with Lusa Organics to bring you a special treat! Unlike spring-time gardening, there is a delayed payoff when planting bulbs in the fall. This is a great hands-on opportunity to teach kids about patience and staying the course while also connecting with nature.

Exploring can start in your very own yard and neighborhood! Below you'll find a series of suggestions and projects to inspire your family to put on their explorer packs and get out the door.

Each January 18th here in the US, we honor the memory of the great civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He worked tirelessly during the 1960's to bring change and create equal rights for the African American citizens of this nation. He was and still is a hero to many and for that we honor him this week with stories about civil rights.

Did you know that our audio stories also make a great companion for homeschool support? Not only that, but we’ve got some wonderfully helpful resources right on the Sparkle Blog to make it even easier to incorporate story time into learning. We’ve gathered some of our favorites below.