The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton tells the story of a small house in the countryside that slowly becomes surrounded by city life. Through its journey, young readers learn about change, resilience, and the importance of home and belonging. The book gently highlights themes of environmental awareness and appreciating simple joys, encouraging children to think about the world around them and the value of preserving what they love.

Here are just a few ways we integrate The Little House into our literature-based homeschool curriculum:

• Social Studies Connection: We explore the evolution of communities, examining how landscapes and cities transform over time. Children create their own detailed timeline, paralleling the journey of the little house with historical advancements in housing and community development.
• Science Exploration: The story provides a foundation for discussing seasons and their impact on the environment. Homeschoolers engage in hands-on activities, like charting the seasonal changes shown in the book or planting a garden to observe growth over time, tying back to the book's illustrations of the changing surroundings of the little house.
• Art Projects: Inspired by Burton’s artwork, students are encouraged to create their own illustrations. They depict their home in different seasons or environments.
• Language Arts: Drawing on themes from the book, students practice narrative skills, writing their own stories about inanimate objects witnessing the world around them.