Since Beatrix Potter’s style of writing is so rich, all ages can benefit from a careful study of the language in these books. To further that, two levels of dictation study are included with this study so that you can adapt the dictation to the ability of the child. Beatrix Potter was a great naturalist and should be studied as such by older children as well as the younger ones. There is MUCH nature study this time. Don’t leave the older children out. She is also an artist in her own right and picture study could proceed along traditional Charlotte Mason lines. Some comparative studies are suggested as well. Instead of studying one poet, we will study several poems with spring themes. Make good use of sketchbooks and watercolors to illustrate poetry, as well as poetry to accompany nature observations! All poems can be found in Ferris’ Favorite Poems Old and New. Bear in mind that the sixth week involves a party and a chance to show off what you’ve learned together. Keep artwork and writing samples and anything you collect on nature hikes with this in mind. You will notice that in both the beginning phonics and the studied dictation, there are references to "rimes." For further information about onsets and rimes in teaching reading, consult Patricia Cunningham’s Phonics They Use or the archives of the CatholicCMason list. The tiles to which I refer are available from Lakeshore Learning Materials (buckets of word families) or can be made at home. The bucket may not include all the rimes or onsets in this study, so you may have to supplement with homemade tiles. I have allowed two weeks for each of the advanced readers. The Redwall books are meaty and some children may find them challenging. Other children will devour them and there are plenty in the series to keep them going for six weeks.

(Instead of the Saints’ Read Aloud, Stories From the Book of Virtues could be substituted.)

Each day, child will narrate the saints’ selection while Mom keyboards. Then, she’ll illustrate. If the child is able, use the narration daily for reading practice.

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny

(Note: With Easter approaching, there will be lots of bunny-themed things in the drugstores. No need to load up on junk, but keep your eyes out for fun surprises, like small bunny-shaped watercolor sets at the dollar store)

Beginners: Alphaphonics, Do each lesson, according to Blumenfeld’s lesson plans and then do the additional assignment in the box below the reading schedule.

Advanced Handwriting and Language Study: Studied Dictation:

Level 1: Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail, who were good little bunnies, went down the lane to gather blackberries.

Level 2: Peter was most dreadfully frightened; he rushed all over the garden, for he had forgotten the way back to the gate.

Read Aloud: The Wind in The Willows, chapters 1-6

Poet Study: Learn "The Lamb" by William Blake

Picture Study: Choose your favorite illustration from the story and study it carefully. Poster-sized prints are available at amazon.com. Also, consider purchasing a Beatrix Potter calendar to use for picture study prints.

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Saints’ Read Aloud: Sixty Saints For Boys

Each day, child will narrate the saints’ selection while Mom keyboards. Then, she’ll illustrate. If the child is able, use the narration daily for reading practice.

Beginners: Alphaphonics, Do each lesson, according to Blumenfeld’s lesson plans and then do the additional assignment in the box below the reading schedule.

Level 1:The squirrels followed and listened.

Level 2: "Old Mr. Brown, will you favor us with permission to gather nuts upon your island?" note: this was edited to include the US spelling of "favor."

Read Aloud: Wind in the Willows chapter 7-12

Poet Study: Learn William Blake’s "Little Lamb, Who Made Thee"

Picture Study: Look at Beatrix Potter’s childhood drawings & nature sketchbooks on the website. Compare these to her mature drawings. Discuss how she developed her style--from lifelike representations of nature (in the sketchbook) to the characters in her picture books. Might be fun to compare her style to Jan Brett’s, Tasha Tudor’s, other well known picture book illustrators.

Saints’ Read Aloud: Sixty Saints For Boys

Each day, child will narrate the saints’ selection while Mom keyboards. Then, she’ll illustrate. If the child is able, use the narration daily for reading practice.

Beginners: Alphaphonics, Do each lesson, according to Blumenfeld’s lesson plans and then do the additional assignment in the box below the reading schedule.

Level 1: A great big water-beetle came up underneath the lily leaf and tweaked the toe of one of his galoshes.

Level 2: "Good-day, Babbity Bumble; I should be glad to buy some beeswax. But what are you doing down here? Why do you always come in at a window and say ‘’Zizz, Bizz, Bizzz’?"

Read Aloud: Beatrix Potter: The Story of the Creator of Peter Rabbit (Buchan)

Christina Rossetti: "The City Mouse and the Country Mouse" or

Rose Fyleman: "Mice"

Read about Beatrix Potter’s landscape painting. Monet has some lovely landscapes as well. Compare the styles. Which would you rather copy?

Saints’ Read Aloud: Sixty Saints For Boys

Each day, child will narrate the saints’ selection while Mom keyboards. Then, she’ll illustrate. If the child is able, use the narration daily for reading practice.

The Tale of Mr. Samuel Whiskers (This is a long one. Feel free to break it up over two or three days).

Beginners: Alphaphonics, Do each lesson, according to Blumenfeld’s lesson plans and then do the additional assignment in the box below the reading schedule.

Advanced: Studied Dictation:

Level 1: Tom Kitten was quite unable to jump when walking upon his hind legs in trousers.

Level 2: But one day their mother—Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit—expected friends to tea; so she fetched the kittens indoors, to wash and dress them, before the fine company arrived.

Read Aloud: The Secret Garden

Poet Study: Elizabeth Coatsworth: "The Bad Kittens"

Choose your favorite illustration from the story and study it carefully. Poster-sized prints are available at amazon.com. Also, consider purchasing a Beatrix Potter calendar to use for picture study prints.

Saints’ Read Aloud: Sixty Saints For Boys

Each day, child will narrate the saints’ selection while Mom keyboards. Then, she’ll illustrate. If the child is able, use the narration daily for reading practice.

Beginners: Alphaphonics, Do each lesson, according to Blumenfeld’s lesson plans and then do the additional assignment in the box below the reading schedule.

Level 1: She was rather burdened with bunches of herbs and two onions in a bag.

Level 2: Her print gown was tucked up, and she was wearing a large apron over her striped petticoat. Her little black nose went sniffle, sniffle, snuffle, and her eyes went twinkle, twinkle; and underneath her cap—where Lucie had yellow curls—that little person had PRICKLES!

Read Aloud: The Secret Garden

Read Wordsworth’s "Daffodils."

Choose your favorite illustration from the story and study it carefully. Poster-sized prints are available at Amazon. Also, consider purchasing a Beatrix Potter calendar to use for picture study prints.

Compare Durer’s "The Hare"  with Beatrix Potter’s illustrations

Saints’ Read Aloud: Sixty Saints For Boys

Each day, child will narrate the saints’ selection while Mom keyboards. Then, she’ll illustrate. If the child is able, use the narration daily for reading practice.

Beginners: Alphaphonics, Do each lesson, according to Blumenfeld’s lesson plans and then do the additional assignment in the box below the reading schedule.

Level 1:"The top oven bakes too quickly," said Ribby to herself.

Level 2: She shook the mats out at the front door and put them straight; the hearth-rug was a rabbit-skin. She dusted the clock and the ornaments on the mantel-piece, and she polished and rubbed the tables and chairs.

Beginners: The Beginner’s Bible

Advanced Beginners: Child and parent read aloud every day, alternating pages. Be sure a different person starts on alternating days so the child practices all the pages. If the book is mastered, use the child’s own writing (Bible narrations and the story written by the child, for reading practice.) Also use the poetry for the week for reading practice.

Independent Readers: The Trumpet of the Swan

Advanced Readers: Mattimeo

Read Aloud: The Secret Garden

Picture Study: Compare Potter’s Illustrations with those of Jill Barkelm (Brambly Hedge),  Cicely Mary Barker (The Flower Fairy) and Christopher Denise (Redwall)