Don’t Close the Book Just Yet

One of my favorite parts of homeschooling has always been reading aloud together.

Years ago, when we were just getting started, I remember attending our first MACHE homeschool conference. While we were there browsing the used curriculum hall, another homeschool mom introduced me to the Five in a Row curriculum. She showed me all the beautiful picture books and explained how one story could become the foundation for an entire week of learning.

When I brought it home and gave it a try, something clicked.

We weren’t just reading the book once and moving on to the next thing anymore.

Instead, that one story naturally opened the door to science, social studies, art appreciation, language arts—you name it. Simply by reading a well-written picture book together and slowing down enough to notice all the beauty within it.

That’s when I realized picture books don’t have to be a one-and-done experience.

One meaningful story can spark curiosity. It can lead to deeper conversations, inspire creativity, become the beginning of a nature study, or open the door to talking about faith. And perhaps most importantly, those moments spent snuggled together on the couch with a blanket, a warm cup of tea, and a good book become some of the sweetest family memories.

That experience is what inspired me to create the Story Guide that accompanies Made to Fly Free.

As I planned each homeschool year, I found myself returning to the same kinds of resources—ones where learning didn’t always come from a stack of textbooks. Sometimes one great story or one fascinating topic was enough to launch an entire week of discovery. Looking back, I can trace the Story Guide back to two homeschool resources that left a lasting impression on me.

Inspired by Stories That Went Beyond the Page

Five in a Row is a curriculum I’ve used with every one of our children during those preschool and early elementary years. As our kids grew older, I carried that same philosophy into chapter books and novels. I kept asking myself, “What else can this story teach us?”

Another resource that inspired me as a teacher was Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day. A few years ago, we spent an entire school year studying birds, bats, and insects. The more we observed God’s creation, the more fascinated we became by His incredible design.

In many ways, the Made to Fly Free Story Guide became a blend of those two experiences—the literature-rich approach of Five in a Row combined with the wonder-filled nature study we loved in Apologia.

I discovered that when you slow down and stay with one book for a while, there’s so much more to uncover.

I also remember spending way too much time searching Pinterest for extension activities. There were wonderful ideas out there (and I can’t tell you how many lapbook studies I printed out), but sometimes I just wanted something simple.

So when I created the Story Guide for Made to Fly Free, my goal wasn’t to create another curriculum. I wanted to create a natural extension of the story—a simple collection of ideas families could print, enjoy together, and use to continue the conversation long after the last page.

Stories Connect Learning Naturally

One of my favorite parts of creating the guide was thinking about all the different directions one story could take.

Nature Study

After reading Made to Fly Free, why not head outside?

Can you spot a robin’s nest?
Can you observe birds gathering nesting material?
Can you simply stop and notice the incredible way God designed them?

Bird nests are absolutely fascinating. If you’ve ever asked your child to build one out of grass, you’ll quickly discover just how remarkable a real nest truly is.

Sometimes the best science lesson is simply slowing down enough to observe God’s creation.

Faith Conversations

Stories also create safe places to talk about bigger truths.

Things like:

• finding courage to try something unfamiliar
• trusting God with the season you’re in
• believing His timing is good
• recognizing that He designed each of us with purpose

Those conversations often happen much more naturally after you’ve walked through a story together.

Creative Activities

I also included several hands-on activities because kids tend to remember what they create.

Hannah, my illustrator, sketched Little Peep so children can cut him out and assemble him with brads to make him “fly.” She also illustrated each stage of a robin’s development—from egg to fledgling.

There are coloring pages for little hands, word searches and mazes for older children, and activities that work across a wide range of ages.

One of my favorite sections, though, is the family discussion questions.

Questions like:
“Can you remember a time when you were afraid to try something new?”

Those conversations help children connect with Little Peep’s emotions and often lead to sharing stories from their own lives.

Learning Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

When I finished creating the Story Guide, I laughed when I realized it had grown to 32 pages. Apparently I had more ideas than I thought!

My goal was never to create another curriculum or add one more thing to a parent’s already full plate. I just wanted to help families slow down.

One meaningful picture book can spark a week of conversations, observations, and memories. You don’t need elaborate lesson plans or hours spent searching for the perfect activity. Sometimes the richest learning happens when you stick with a good story just a little longer.

If the Made to Fly Free Story Guide would encourage your family, I’d love for you to download it or share it with another bird-loving family. My hope is that it helps your family linger over the story just a little longer and discover all the learning and conversations waiting beyond the last page.

→ Download your free Made to Fly Free Story Guide here.

Years from now, your children probably won’t remember every worksheet they completed, but they just might remember curling up beside you with a favorite book, wondering together about the birds outside the window, and discovering that some of the best lessons in life begin with a story.

I hope it’s a blessing to your family.