Sparkle Schoolhouse
The Story is Only the Beginning! With the inspiration of each Sparkle Story as a beginning, the corresponding Sparkle Schoolhouse lesson continues the journey with wholesome enrichment, inspired tutorials and a welcoming community for our homeschooling Sparkle Parents, Adults, Teachers and Children.
FIFTY Study Page- Delaware: "People Like Me"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of New Sweden, New Amsterdam and New York as it relates to the Delaware River area.
An Introduction to Storying
If the language of children is storytelling and the world is made of stories, then the most powerful person in the world … is the storyteller.
FIFTY Study Page- Illinois: "Crossing the River"
the History of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, the biography of Joseph Smith, and an account of the Battle of Crooked River.
FIFTY Study Page- Vermont: "Gift of the Dragon"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of Vermont in relation to New York and New Hampshire.
FIFTY Study Page- Wisconsin "Love Finds You"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of Wisconsin Territory and Statehood.
FIFTY Study Page- Wyoming: "The Golden Rule"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of coal mining and railroad in Wyoming and the Rocky Mountains.
FIFTY Study Page: Texas "Natural Beauty"
In “Natural Beauty”, a German POW captured in North Africa gets off the train in Marfa Texas where he will be living until World War Two is over.
FIFTY Study Page: Virginia "Twigs and Trees"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of African American Civil Rights, post Civil War, and examples of when a small change had huge results.
FIFTY Study Page: Connecticut "My Daughter Can"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of Revolutionary War in Connecticut.
SparkleCast Episode 15 – An Introduction to Homeschooling with Jamie Martin
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.
FIFTY Study Page: California- "Following your Friends"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the History of Asian immigration to the west coast and the history of World War Two - especially the Pacific campaign. We also cover details of the Japanese Relocation Camps.
FIFTY Study Page – South Carolina: "Experiment in Freedom"
In “Experiment in Freedom,” we learn about the citizens of Mitchelville, South Carolina – all newly freed slaves early in the Civil War. When the Union Army takes control of Hilton Head Island off the coast of South Carolina, they have the challenge of what to do with the over 1,000 freed slaves that remained behind.
April Tips for Creating a Day of Rest
As Martin and Sylvia’s family continues their journey of building a weekly Day of Rest in their home, we see Daddy using his own skills of self-awareness and training his children to use theirs.
FIFTY Study Page – Arkansas: "Throwing Curve Balls"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the Great Flood of 1927 and its implications for all states in the Mississippi River System.
FIFTY Study Page – South Dakota: "Trying to Do Some Good"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore Westward Expansion. We also cover compelling biographies of Wild West characters like Wild Bill Hickok, George Custer and Calamity Jane.
Celebrating Spring Equinox
How do you include the Spring Equinox in your life? Easy! Get outside, make crafts from natural materials, and forage for spring greens to eat.
FIFTY Study Page – Alaska: " A Mountain to Conquer"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of Alaska from the Aleut, Spanish, Russian, and then American point of view.
March Tips for Creating a Day of Rest
This month, Martin and Sylvia’s family has been considering the nature of work and asking lots of questions! If your family is anything like theirs, it might be a good time to snuggle up with a bowl of buttered popcorn and have a heart-to-heart chat. You might like to take a few notes during the conversation.
SparkleCast Episode 13 – For the Love of Science with Podcasts "Tumble," "Brains On!" and "The Show about Science"
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.
FIFTY Study Page - New York: "All Have Our Part"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of Immigration in the United States – especially through New York City.
