Inspired by reading challenges offered by many public libraries but limited to people in those specific communities and the success of our 2023 Reading Challenge, GSHE organized a monthly 2025 Reading Challenge for NH’s homeschool community!
It is just for fun, to help young readers explore new authors, subjects, and genres. Our monthly challenges are broad so families may choose whatever book they wish and feel is appropriate for their children and accommodate various reading levels.
Participants are not required to complete book reports, give oral presentations, create a formal project, or send in anything to GSHE. Families are free to incorporate our reading challenges into their child’s learning as they see fit. If you choose to keep a record of participation, it can be part of your child’s homeschool portfolio!
Our monthly challenges can also make fun family-friendly read-alouds! We published a couple articles earlier about research and tips for reading aloud to children of all ages. You can find them here:
Read Alouds: Benefits, Research, and Favorite Books – Part 1
Read Alouds: Tips and Favorite Books – Part 2
GSHE has several resources for free books in our directory that you can access with a free registered account.
Participation
For 2025, GSHE will not collect reading logs, track participation, or issue a year-end prize. Families are free to extend the Reading Challenge in any way they wish; perhaps provide a monthly incentive to encourage your child’s reading such as a new book if they complete all monthly challenges.
For kids that are not reading independently, audio books and books you read together are perfectly fine. Any reading ability is welcome to participate.
Let’s get started!!
For November, learn something new!
This month is all about curiosity and discovery! November’s challenge invites you to pick up a book or manual about something you’ve always wanted to learn — and then give it a try. Think of it as a “how-to adventure” for your homeschool.
Whether it’s baking a new recipe, fixing something around the house, building a project, or exploring a brand-new skill, this challenge is about turning reading into doing. It’s a chance for kids (and parents, too!) to explore hands-on learning that goes beyond academics and builds confidence in everyday life.
Choose a skill-building book and enjoy learning something new together. We also encourage you to check out our article on Life Skills Unit Study for even more ideas.
Suggestions to Explore
- Learn computer coding or a new language
- Try a sewing or crochet project
- Develop a computer app
- Bake from scratch – cake, brownies, muffins, pancakes, etc.
- Construct a catapult
- Build a computer
- Fix a broken household item
- Make a budget
- Plan a camping or road trip
- Learn basic car maintenance – jump start a battery, change a tire, check the oil, etc.
- Plan, budget, and prepare a family meal
- Explore a world language
- Learn how to play chess
- Create a woodworking project (kits are widely available for beginners)
- Try an instrument – guitar, recorder, piano, etc.
- Research part-time job options and the application process
- Practice map and compass navigation
- Research how to care for a pet
- Learn first aid and how to handle common home emergencies (stopping a nosebleed, dialing 911, fire safety, household escape plan, treating minor cuts, etc.)
