Sherlock Homeschooling, Cozy Autumn Unit Study. Family Literature and Activity Guide. Sherlock Homeschooling provides secular homeschool curriculum for free - enjoy this community supported Cozy Autumn Unit Study.
Reading and learning together is one of the best things you can do as a family. Family reading helps with academic growth and supports mental well-being. Enjoying books with my kids is my favorite part of the day, and I hope you love it just as much as we do!
At Sherlock Homeschooling, our mission is to provide literacy building resources to any family, regardless of their financial situation. We believe that family learning is too important for anyone to miss out on.
As a community-supported curriculum, we rely on members like you to help spread the word about the benefits of family literacy. If you find this resource helpful, please consider telling others about it or leaving a review so that other families can learn about these resources too.
I love hearing your thoughts, ideas for future units, and stories about how reading together has impacted your family. Feel free to reach out to me at:
I look forward to hearing from you!
Happy learning,
Hannah Ward Sherlock Homeschooling Educational Designer
This is the free online version of the Cozy Autumn Unit Study.
You can download and print the PDF version at this link. It's available on a give-what-you-can basis. You can purchase a color printed coil-bound workbook of this unit study at this link.
You can also support the curriculum financially by buying me a coffee! Thank you. 😊
Click these links to jump to a section in the unit study: Introduction Hello, Harvest Moon Mooncakes Fall Leaves Leaf Man A Tree for All Seasons The Biggest Pumpkin Ever Pumpkin Soup
What is a unit study?
A homeschool unit study is a focused way to learn about a specific topic. Unit studies combine different subjects like reading, science, math, and art into one learning experience.
Instead of studying each subject separately, a unit study ties them all together around one theme. Unit studies are flexible, so you can adjust them to fit your family’s interests and learning styles.
Unit studies can include hands-on activities, projects, and field trips. Including a variety of experiences makes learning fun and memorable. This approach helps students see how different subjects connect and makes learning stick in a memorable way.
What are Sherlock Homeschooling Family Literacy Guides?
Sherlock Homeschooling Family Literacy Guides help your family learn together in fun and meaningful ways. Research shows that when families learn together, everyone benefits—kids, teens, and even adults.
These guides are for everyone in your family. Whether you have little ones, teens, or even grandparents, these guides will get everyone involved. You'll all work together on activities that make learning fun. Explore books, talk about what you read, and try hands-on projects.
The best time to use these guides is during holidays and seasonal changes throughout the year. Pair books and activities with holidays and what’s happening in your community. You can enjoy these activities at home and extend the fun by exploring your local community together.
Getting started is easy. Begin with a great book and the provided literature guide. Then, choose an activity that brings the story to life for your family.
What does the research say about learning together as a family?
Family literacy is more than just a fun activity; it’s a powerful tool for future success. Research shows that reading with young children helps their brain develop and strengthens the bond between parent and child. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents to start reading aloud to their children from infancy. This early reading builds language, literacy, and social skills that last a lifetime and sets the stage for lifelong learning.
The benefits of family literacy extend well beyond childhood. According to Life Literacy Canada, when families learn together, they build important skills like phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing. These skills are valuable for everyone in the family, from the youngest child to the oldest grandparent, and they create a culture of lifelong learning in the home.
Children who grow up in families that prioritize literacy tend to do better in school. They score higher on reading tests and are more likely to continue their education.
The National Institute of Health found that a mother’s reading ability has a greater impact on her children’s academic success than factors like income or neighborhood.
Books and literacy also play a significant role in mental health. Research from Scholastic and the Yale Child Study Center shows that a love of reading can boost self-esteem, increase empathy, and reduce anxiety and depression. The Kids & Family Reading Report highlights how important it is to foster a love of reading, especially during times of stress and uncertainty. Reading can be a key factor in supporting children’s mental health and well-being.
Family literacy also strengthens family relationships. When families read together, tell stories, cook, talk, and enjoy activities together, they create emotional bonds and a supportive home environment. These shared experiences help families connect, laugh, and feel a sense of belonging and security. Family literacy also deepens connections to family history, values, and culture while offering a way to explore the customs and cultures of others around the world.
Where can I find the research?
Works Cited
ABC Life Literacy Canada. (n.d.). The 3 biggest impacts of family literacy. ABC Life Literacy Canada. https://abclifeliteracy.ca/news/the-3-biggest-impacts-of-family-literacy/
High, P. C., Klass, P., Donoghue, E., Glassy, D., DelConte, B., Earls, M., Lieser, D., McFadden, T., Mendelsohn, A., Scholer, S., Schulte, E. E., Takagishi, J., Vanderbilt, D., & Williams, P. G. (2014). Literacy promotion: An essential component of primary care pediatric practice. Pediatrics, 134(2), 404-409. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/134/2/404/32944/Literacy-Promotion-An-Essential-Component-of?autologincheck=redirected
National Institute of Health. (2011). The role of parents in children’s academic achievement. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3083977/
Scholastic. (n.d.). Kids & family reading report. Scholastic. https://www.scholastic.com/content/corp-home/kids-and-family-reading-report.html
How do I use this guide?
Step 1: Planning Together
Start by getting everyone in the family excited about learning together. Sit down as a group and pick 3-5 picture books from this guide. These books are chosen to interest family members of all ages and will be the foundation of your learning time.
Next, choose activities from the guide that your family will enjoy. These could include cooking, crafts, games, discussions, research, movie nights, or even field trips. These activities will bring your seasonal learning to life, both at home and in your community.
Look for local events or places that connect with what you’re reading. This could mean planning a field trip or attending a special event that ties into your books and activities.
Make sure everyone helps with planning. This keeps everyone excited and involved. The experience is totally customizable, so make it as long or as short as you want. Every family’s experience will be unique.
Step 2: Reading Together
Before you read a book to the kids, read it yourself first. This will help you get ready and think about what to discuss.
Pick out vocabulary words from the list in the guide and talk about them before you read. This will make the story easier to understand. Connect the story to things your family already knows to help make it relatable.
When it’s time to read, gather in a quiet and comfortable spot. Turn off screens and silence phones so everyone can focus.
Encourage everyone to listen quietly, but also pause during the story to discuss and point out interesting details.
After you finish reading, have a discussion. Use the questions in the guide to spark conversation. Plan to read the book several times over a few days. Each time, you’ll notice new details. Let different family members read aloud, and use different questions to keep the experience fresh.
Step 3: Learning Together
Now it’s time to bring what you’ve read to life with fun and meaningful activities. You might be surprised how much your family can learn and remember by doing things like reciting poems or singing songs together. These activities will help make information stick and deepen your learning.
The activities in this guide are designed to build important skills like teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. As you do these activities, connect them back to the books you’ve read. You’ll see how everything ties together and reinforces what you’re learning.
Include activities that involve unique opportunities in your community and reflect your family’s interests. This will make the learning experience personal and create lasting memories for everyone.
How do I use the literature guides?
Choose a few books from the literature guide to read together as a family. Discuss vocabulary words from the provided list and talk about them to help everyone understand the story better.
Take turns letting different family members read the books aloud. Use fun voices for the characters to keep everyone engaged and make the story more enjoyable. Pause while reading to discuss the story, explain new words, and point out interesting parts of the illustrations.
Have a family discussion after reading. There are two sets of question ideas provided: one for the first reading and another for follow-up readings.
Read the books multiple times throughout your unit study to enjoy them more and better understand the story. As you read, notice how the books connect with each other. Talk about the similarities and differences between them.
There are activities related to each read-aloud book in this guide. Select activities that your family finds interesting to make real-world learning connections.
Literature Guides and Activities
Hello, Harvest Moon
Title: Hello, Harvest Moon
Author: Ralph Fletcher
Illustrator: Kate Kiesler
Date Published: 2017
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book Hello, Harvest Moon | Give-What-You-Can PDF Link
Cozy Autumn Unit Study | Color Printed Coil Bound Link What is this book about?
This book uses poetic language to describe a full moon in autumn. It shows how the moon affects the world around it, including plants, animals, and people.
Through vivid descriptions and comparisons, the book helps readers imagine the magical beauty of the harvest moon. It’s a great read for appreciating the changes of the season and how nature connects us all.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
What discussions can we have before we read?
What discussions can we have after we read?
Activity: Moon Phase Experiment
Activity: Moon Calendar Craft
Activity: Nocturnal Animal Research
Activity: Moonlight Stroll
Mooncakes
Title: Mooncakes
Author: Loretta Seto
Illustrator: Renne Benoit
Date Published: 2017
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book
What is this book about?
Mooncakes is a story that brings the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, to life. In this book, a family gathers to celebrate by eating mooncakes, drinking tea, and watching the night sky together. As they enjoy these traditions, Mama and Baba share ancient Chinese folktales.
They tell stories about a magical tree that can never be cut down, the Jade Rabbit who lives on the moon, and a brave woman's journey to eternal life.
This book highlights the importance of family and offers a glimpse into Chinese culture and traditions.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
What discussions can we have before we read?
What discussions can we have after we read?
Activity: Research the Moon Festival
Activity: Make a Mid-Autumn Festival Lantern
Activity: Act Out a Moon Festival Story
Activity: Mid-Autumn Festival Tea Party
Fall Leaves
Title: Fall Leaves
Author: Loretta Holland
Illustrator: Elly MacKay
Date Published: 2014
Book Type: Non-Fiction - Picture Book - Poetry
What is this book about?
This book uses playful language to explore autumn. It shows how the season changes and highlights the science behind it.
Through poetic and fun wordplay, the book discusses things like falling leaves, bird migration, and weather changes. It also features informational text about nature, including how animals and plants prepare for winter. This book is a blend of art and science.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
What discussions can we have before we read?
What discussions can we have after we read?
Activity: Leaf Imprints with Crayon
Activity: Research Fall Around the World
Activity: Autumn Outfit Planning
Activity: Autumn Observation Walk
Leaf Man
Title: Leaf Man
Author: Lois Ehlert
Illustrator: Lois Ehlert
Date Published: 2005
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book - Reference
What is this book about?
This book features a man made of leaves who is blown away by the wind and travels to different places. The story uses colorful photo collages and cut-out pages to illustrate his journey. It explores autumn and nature with a touch of fantasy.
The book includes photographic references to help identify different leaves. The text is written in poetic verse.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
What discussions can we have before we read?
What discussions can we have after we read?
Activity: Leaf Identification Walk
Activity: Make Leaf Art
Activity: Research Nature Inspired Art
Activity: Leaf in the Wind Experiment
A Tree for All Seasons
Title: A Tree for All Seasons
Author: Robin Bernard
Illustrator: (photographs - National Geographic)
Date Published: 2001
Book Type: Non-Fiction - Picture Book
What is this book about?
This non-fiction picture book shows how a sugar maple tree changes throughout the seasons. It uses real photographs to take you through the tree’s life cycle, from spring to winter. You’ll see how the leaves grow and change colors, how the tree helps animals, and how it plays a part in making maple syrup.
The book also explains the science behind these changes, making it easy for kids to understand how the tree adapts to different weather and seasons. It’s a great way for children to learn about nature and the life of a tree.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
What discussions can we have before we read?
What discussions can we have after we read?
Activity: Research Maple Syrup
Activity: Cooking with Maple Syrup
Activity: Canadian Flag Research
Activity: Photographing Autumn Trees
The Biggest Pumpkin Ever
Title: The Biggest Pumpkin Ever
Author: Steven Kroll
Illustrator: Jeni Bassett
Date Published: 1993
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book
The Biggest Pumpkin Ever | Give-What-You-Can PDF Link Cozy Autumn Unit Study | Color Printed Coil Bound Link
What is this book about?
This book is about two mice who each secretly help a pumpkin grow into "the biggest pumpkin ever," but for different reasons.
The story covers how pumpkins grow from seeds, their lifecycle, and the process of caring for them. It shows how pumpkins start as tiny seeds, grow into plants, and develop into large pumpkins over time.
The book also highlights how the mice work together, even though they don’t know what the other is doing. It includes themes of cooperation and teamwork. This sweet story touches on pumpkin growing contests, showing the excitement of growing and showcasing a big pumpkin.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
What discussions can we have before we read?
What discussions can we have after we read?
Activity: Research Pumpkin Growing Contests
Activity: Pumpkin Dissection
Activity: Jack-O-Lantern Shadow Puppets
Activity: Make a Pumpkin Lifecycle Chart
Pumpkin Soup
Title: Pumpkin Soup
Author: Helen Cooper
Illustrator: Helen Cooper
Date Published: 1999
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book
What is this book about?
In this book, Cat, Squirrel, and Duck are friends who work together to make a pumpkin soup. As they prepare the soup, they argue about who should do each job.
Their arguing almost causes Duck to leave, which would end their friendship. The story shows how important it is to cooperate, share tasks, and work as a team.
Set in autumn, the book highlights the fun and challenges of cooking together, and it’s a great read for learning about friendship and teamwork.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
What discussions can we have before we read?
What discussions can we have after we read?
Activity: Family Cooking - Pumpkin Soup
Activity: Explore Banjo and Bagpipe Music
Activity: Working Together Game
Activity: Design a Pumpkin-Themed Restaurant
The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night
Title: The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night
Author: (traditional folksong)
Illustrator: Peter Spier
Date Published: 2014
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book
The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night | Give-What-You-Can PDF Link Cozy Autumn Unit Study | Color Printed Coil Bound Link
What is this book about?
This book tells the story of a fox who travels through the New England countryside to find dinner for his family. The book is filled with illustrations that show the beautiful fall scenes and farm animals in the area.
The story is written in a folk song style with rhyming and repetition, making it enjoyable to read aloud. Sheet music for the song is provided in the back of the book.
The book features colorful pictures and is a great example of children's literature that combines poetry with storytelling. It’s a Caldecott Honor book, which means it’s recognized for its outstanding illustrations.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
What discussions can we have before we read?
What discussions can we have after we read?
Activity: Sing “Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night”
Activity: Fox Research
Activity: STEM Challenge - Protecting Livestock from Foxes
Activity: Design a Family Fox Den
Winter is Coming
Title: Winter is Coming
Author: Tony Johnston
Illustrator: Jim LaMarche
Date Published: 2014
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book
Winter is Coming | Give-What-You-Can PDF Link Cozy Autumn Unit Study | Color Printed Coil Bound Link
What is this book about?
This beautifully illustrated nature book shows how animals in the forest prepare for winter. Each day, from September through November, you see different animals like foxes, bears, and deer searching for food as the weather gets colder.
The book offers a peaceful look at how animals adapt to the changing seasons, making it a great inspiration for nature journaling. With its poetic language and detailed art, it's a wonderful way for children to learn about wildlife and the transition from autumn to winter.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
What discussions can we have before we read?
What discussions can we have after we read?
Activity: Autumn Nature Journaling
Activity: Autumn Animal Observation
Activity: Local Conservation Area Exploration
Activity: Research an Animal from the Story
The Leaf Thief
Title: The Leaf Thief
Author: Alice Hemming
Illustrator: Nicola Slater
Date Published: 2021
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book
What is this book about?
This book is about a squirrel who loves looking at the beautiful, colorful leaves in the fall. But every day, more and more leaves disappear, and Squirrel starts to think someone is stealing them!
The story is funny and playful, with Squirrel's misunderstanding adding humor. It also teaches children about why leaves fall off trees in autumn. The book is a fun way for kids to learn about nature, emotions, and the changing seasons.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
What discussions can we have before we read?
What discussions can we have after we read?
Activity: Squirrel Poem Exploration
Activity: Bird and Squirrel Feeder
Activity: Squirrel Video Observation
Activity: Research Types of Squirrels
Rowan the Red Squirrel
Title: Rowan the Red Squirrel
Author: Lynne Rickards
Illustrator: Jon Mitchell
Date Published: 2018
Book Type: Fiction - Picture Book
Rowan the Red Squirrel | Give-What-You-Can PDF Link Cozy Autumn Unit Study | Color Printed Coil Bound Link
What is this book about?
This book is about two little squirrels, Rowan and Hazel, who live in a crooked old tree with their mom. Hazel is brave and loves to explore, while Rowan is shy and worries a lot. For the first time, they leave their home on their own and go on an exciting adventure in the woods. Rowan is nervous about the strange noises and remembers his mom's warning to watch out for the fox.
The story is told in rhymes and features beautiful watercolor pictures of Scottish wildlife. It's a sweet tale of two siblings discovering their own strengths.
What should I point out in the illustrations?
What vocabulary should I discuss?
What discussions can we have before we read?
What discussions can we have after we read?
Activity: Researching Red Squirrel Homes
Activity: Act Out “Rowan the Red Squirrel”
Activity: Animals of Scotland Research
Activity: Scottish Forest Blackberry Muffins
Hannah Ward, M.Ed., is the homeschool mom and educational designer behind Sherlock Homeschooling and Little House Kindergarten. With years of experience teaching students from preschool to university, Hannah’s work is grounded in research-based principles and is designed to empower parents as their child’s first and most important teacher. She holds a Master of Education degree in Education Technology and Instructional Design, as well as a Master of Science degree in Management and Leadership.
Hannah is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership and English. She lives in the Ozarks with her husband and three children, where she continues to create inspiring curriculum resources that support global literacy and community education.