Homeschooling & Loving It!

Episode 82: Homeschool Assessment

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 02 May 2024 20:49:47 +0000

For some homeschoolers, homeschool assessment can be confusing and even challenging. Join Jamie, homeschool mom of 6, as she shares how you can make it simple and easy.

Once upon a time, in the quiet corners of suburban homes, families embarked on a unique educational journey: homeschooling. As they navigated this path, they encountered various forms of assessment to gauge their children’s progress. Let’s delve into the world of homeschool grading and assessment and explore the different ways homeschoolers evaluate their young scholars.

Types of Homeschool Assessment

Daily Homeschool Grades

The Morning Routine: Every day, homeschooling parents don their teacher hats, armed with pencils and grade books. Their mission? To assess their child’s progress through daily grades or observations. These grades and observations weren’t just numbers; they were windows into understanding.

Formal or Informal? Formal assessment is the giving and taking of quizzes and tests while informal assessment is the observation that we conduct every day as we homeschool our children!

Flexibility and Freedom: Unlike traditional schools, homeschooling allows flexibility. Parents can choose when to grade, how to grade, and whether to grade at all. Some days, they skip the grading altogether, opting for experiential learning—a trip to the local museum or a nature walk.

Placement Tests

The Quest for the Right Level: Imagine a treasure map with an “X” marking the spot. Placement tests served as those “X” marks for homeschoolers. Parents use them to determine the appropriate grade level or mastery level within the grade for their child. Was little Timmy ready for third-grade math or perhaps a leap into fourth-grade beginning algebra?

Portfolio Assessment

The Chronicles of Progress: Portfolio assessment was homeschooling’s grand epic—a saga chronicling a student’s journey. Imagine a thick leather-bound book filled with pages of achievement. Each entry told a tale: a poem penned, a science experiment documented, a painting captured. We’ll use Timmy as an example.

Showcase Portfolios: In the portfolio, showcase sections sparkled. Timmy’s best work—his eloquent essay on ancient civilizations, the watercolor masterpiece of a sunflower—found their place. These were the gems he’d proudly share with visiting grandparents.

Progress Portfolios: Progress portfolios whispered secrets of growth. Timmy’s early attempts at cursive writing, shaky and uncertain, now flowed like a babbling brook. His science notes evolved from scribbles to structured hypotheses.

Working Portfolios: Working portfolios held drafts—the raw clay of creativity. Timmy’s short stories, revised and polished, nestled here. His math scratch paper revealed the journey from confusion to clarity.

Virtual Portfolios: In the digital age, virtual portfolios emerged. Timmy’s blog chronicled his adventures—virtual field trips, coding projects, and book reviews. The internet became his canvas, and the world his audience. Visit this podcast for a cool app that let’s you create Virtual Portfolios with a snap.

State Requirements: Some states demand these portfolios for evaluation. Parents meticulously curate them, ensuring a balanced representation of the child’s learning odyssey.

Get this Free Homeschool Portfolio Cover Page Printable

Overview of Homeschool Assessment

The Patchwork of Laws: Across the nation, homeschooling laws are a patchwork quilt. Some states require detailed reviews, daily grade reporting, and insights into the homeschooling journey. Others simply nod and let families chart their course.

Annual Standardized Tests: In certain states, an annual rite awaits—the standardized test. If this is your fate, please take the time to prepare your students to help avoid test anxiety.

Two Categories of Homeschoolers: First, those accountable to the state—families reporting to comply with laws, their portfolios neatly organized. Second, those not legally considered homeschooled—perhaps virtual academy students. Records are created and maintained by the virtual school.

The Crucial Key, Understanding State Laws: For Timmy’s family, understanding their state’s homeschooling laws was crucial. It determined their testing path, their freedom, and their responsibility. They studied legal texts, joined homeschooling forums, and connected with fellow adventurers. Once their state laws were fulfilled, they had the freedom to choose how to grade and track their student’s achievement with their choice of method.

And so, in the cozy nooks of their homes, homeschool education unfolded—a symphony of achievement, progress, and memories made!

The post Episode 82: Homeschool Assessment first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 81: Homeschooling the Gifted or High Performing Learner

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 20:07:24 +0000

Join Jamie as she interviews Kimberly Langen, a highly educated and gifted educator who started Spirit of Math in 1994 to challenge learners to think differently!

Kimberly has developed an alternative way to helping gifted and high performing learners stay motivated and learn mathematics in ways that align with their particular style of thinking. This podcast was very enlightening and if you have a gifted or high-performing learner you’ll want to listen in. Kim shares a great many practical tips on how to homeschool and keep your learners motivated.

One of my key takeaways was that mathematics needs to be taught in 4 steps:

1 Drill to build automaticity

2 Core Content including topics and spiral learning for younger children

3 Problem Solving in real world application that allows students to use reasoning and logic

4 Collaborative Group Work that elevated thinking, let them talk about it out loud it will stretch them to new reasoning

And something else I learned, in case you were wondering what the difference was between a gifted learner and a high performing learner:

1 Gifted Learner is a student classified as gifted by demonstrating a high level of intellectual ability.

2 High Performing learner is a learner that is simply very motivated to learn!

Don’t forget that it is also important for these learners to learn from failure. Learning from failure often brings about a new level of logical reasoning that wasn’t accessible before.

If you have a gifted or high performing learner and are feeling challenged on how to homeschool them reach out to Spirit of Math. They have regional classes as well as online options for homeschool students.

Listen to More

Helping Your Students Pursue Their Excellence

The post Episode 81: Homeschooling the Gifted or High Performing Learner first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 80: Panel Discussion on Homeschooling

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 19:23:12 +0000

This episode is one of my favorites! In honor of School Choice Week, I was able to join several other homeschooling mamas who shared their ups and downs and encouragement for homeschoolers new and experienced! We had a great time talking about homeschooling and this episode is full of nuggets of wisdom from four very experienced homeschool parents!

If you are interested in learning more about homeschooling please visit our Getting Started Guide to Homeschooling.

The post Episode 80: Panel Discussion on Homeschooling first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 79: You Can Homeschool, Tips for All!

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 20:48:42 +0000

If you’re not sure if you can or even should homeschool, then this podcast is for you. Join Jamie and Stephanie Palazzolo as they chat about the rights you have as a parent and how to get started. Remember, you can start homeschooling at any time!

Some of the best advice for homeschoolers is that you know your child better than anyone, including a teacher. Don’t sell yourself short, you have been your child’s first teacher since the day they were born, and now that you want to homeschool… you can still be that amazing first teacher.

Take time to visit Stephanie at her site The Homeschool Expert to find help and get your questions answered!

Find more information about Getting Started Homeschooling here. Understand the steps to getting started and watch advice videos from our host, Jamie Gaddy. You’ll soon see that homeschooling is a wise educational option for your children.

Discover what your state requires for homeschoolers.

The post Episode 79: You Can Homeschool, Tips for All! first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 78: Helping Your Students Pursue Their Excellence

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 05:03:53 +0000

What is pursuing “Their Excellence?” If you’re not sure, then you’ll want to listen in to this podcast with Jamie and Jessica where they dig deep into how you can encourage your kids and actually PLAN to help them pursue “their” unique excellence!

Our guest today is a leading expert in the growing world of “learning without walls”–Jessica Parnell, CEO of Edovate Learning Corp. Jessica is a published author, professional speaker, and former homeschool mom alum whose passion for children and education drove her to create and provide personalized education for students at all levels. Jessica specializes in e-learning solutions, home education, advanced education, and help for learning disabilities and is always looking to innovate in the homeschool space.

If you are interested in learning more about Bridgeway Academy, please take the time to learn more by reading our Bridgeway Academy Homeschool Curriculum Review.

Also if you are an unschooler and are looking for homeschooling resources, be sure to check out our Elephango Homeschool Curriculum Review and visit the Elephango website for more information.

Listen to apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 78: Helping Your Students Pursue Their Excellence first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 77: Tips for Homeschool Record Keeping with Corrina from Modify

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 21:30:33 +0000

With the growing popularity of homeschooling and the wide selection of materials and resources that are now available, we know that it can be difficult for homeschoolers to find what they need and the basics of what they need to do to organize and keep records in their homeschool. In fact, over the years I’ve often had many questions about what records I needed to keep.

Today Corrina and I are going to discuss homeschool record keeping – – I know this is often a worrisome topic for many homeschool parents. Sometimes we are just not sure what is needed to keep good homeschooling records. It’s our goal today to help clarify just what the homeschooled family needs to be doing to maintain good records. Sometimes it can be difficult to understand.

For some families, the state in which they live will dictate what records are needed. Some states require details while other states require nothing at all.

Modify has developed an app that makes homeschool record-keeping simple. It’s perfect for those families that are more hands-on learning and less formal learning. Students can record and track learning moments independently as well as typical parental tracking. In fact, unschooling families love the Modify app.

Discover all the amazing things that Modify can help you with your homeschool. Click here to learn more about their app!

Listen to apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 77: Tips for Homeschool Record Keeping with Corrina from Modify first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 76 When Failure Hovers How Do You Plan Your Homeschool?

Jamie Gaddy — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 08:57:30 +0000

Jamie shares her heart about family life and difficulties along the journey but also points to the fact that failure isn’t the end. Even if we have to set aside homeschooling for a bit, there is always a fresh start tomorrow. A Quote from Anne of Green Gables books, “Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes.”

Ways to plan your new homeschool year:

Find New Homeschool Curriculum in our Awards

Learn more about Homeschool Products with Our Homeschool Curriculum Reviews

Find Free Planners for you and Your Students

Listen to apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 76 When Failure Hovers How Do You Plan Your Homeschool? first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 75: Understanding Money with Phil Denniston & InflationEducation.net

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 04 May 2023 19:56:19 +0000

Let me introduce you to Phil. Phil Denniston is founder and CEO of InflationEducation.net, better bedtime stories revealing the secrets of the debt-based fiat money system using the pricnipals of liberty, sound money, Austrian Economics, and Natural Law. Phil holds a BA in Economics from the University of Colorado.

With InflationEducation.net Phil was able to marry his two passions: Understanding the history and mechanics of our monetary system AND using story-time with his four children (ages 5-14) to reveal the wizard behind the curtain, preparing them for the debt-based fiat money system that awaits.

It’s common knowledge that our country is in financial trouble. And most of us, as parents realize that we need to a step back and begin educating our children – and sometimes ourselves -about money and for financial stability. But I noticed when I was reading your bio, that you mentioned the “debt-based fiat money system” These are terms that not all of our parents will be familiar with can you take a minute to help us better understand? (read more below)

Listen to apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

Phil’s Response:

One challenge for parents’ intent on preparing kids for the world that awaits is finding materials or curriculum revealing how the money system works. By that we mean not just the basics of finance – saving, spending, investing, compound interest, and borrowing – but the essence of money: What is money, what works in the role, what are its historical properties, and how is money created?

Most parents (and school systems) cannot touch the subject because they don’t even know themselves. All of us were raised to believe today’s money is just what it should be, and the only way it could be. Instead, we’re living – right now – in a historical aberration, using unbacked, debt-based fiat money.

Debt growth (both public and private) has exceeded economic growth (or our ability to repay) for decades, and the inflation that is now accelerating – $7 dollars for a dozen eggs? – is the signal that the money system itself is breaking down, unraveling in plain sight, as ‘fiat’ money always does.

Taking a step back, fiat means ‘by decree’. Thus, fiat money like the US Dollar bill, means ‘money because the government says so’, not money that’s backed by anything real or has been chosen to be in the role by the free market. For 5,000 years, what’s worked best as money is gold or silver. Paper notes or digital representations are fine, if exchangeable at fixed rates. This is called a “gold standard”.

Article 1, Section 10 of the US Constitution calls for just that-

“No State shall… make anything but gold or silver coin a legal tender”.

America’s founders understood the importance of money backed by a measured weight of gold or silver. This is unlike today’s money that can be conjured from thin air by banks and bureaucrats.

At InflationEducation.net, we use ‘better bedtime stories’ to help prepare your family, revealing the secrets of debt-based money using the principles of America’s founding – liberty, sound money, Austrian Economics, and Natural Law. These delightful, full color hardcovers bring it all to light, creating indelible memories for your kids as you mix them in with all the classics during that nightly ritual.

Our customers like to be prepared, thus lean heavily homeschooled. We back it with an unconditional Alliance Guarantee. Buy the bundle, save 40% now and forever, and if you don’t like them, we’ll refund 100% of your money, and you can keep one anyway. It’s that important these stories find your family.

Five titles (so far) include “Where does money come from?”, “Good-Debt, Bad-Debt and the Big Green Blob”, “The Big Bad Business Cycle”, “The Madness of Crowds”, and “The Beautiful Bitcoin Book”.

As wonderful as the stories are, the most valuable thing we offer is totally free. We developed an Ultimate Parent’s Guide to Money, Saving, & Investing, taking 25 years of our own research, shrinking it down to plain English, and using humor to make it simple and fun, including a Silver Saving System for kids, plus a foolproof 10-Step Plan to start them down the path of investing. They have an advantage today that they will never have again – the gift of time – to compound a lifetime of security and abundance.

They grow up fast. One second, you’re cutting grapes in half, and the next, they’re on their own, fending for themselves in a mixed-up world, an unanchored mess of finance and debt. Don’t miss the opportunity to open their mind, revealing the True North that our modern money system lost long ago.

Listen to more of our podcasts here!

The post Episode 75: Understanding Money with Phil Denniston & InflationEducation.net first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 74: Help for Homeschool Burnout

Jamie Gaddy — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 20:45:27 +0000

Over the years in speaking with homeschooling parents, I’ve heard the phrase, “Homeschooling is making me depressed,” more than once from a discouraged homeschool mom. And yet, the majority of those homeschooling parents felt a lack of energy and inspiration specifically during the winter months! Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a harsh reality for many people during the long, dark winter, and adding the responsibility of homeschooling can make it more difficult. Even for people who don’t necessarily struggle with SAD, homeschooling in February is enough to make the most determined and inspired people feel like quitting.

By the time this month rolls around, the fun holidays have passed, and spring break is still far away. You have devoted hours of effort into grading, teaching, planning, organizing, and driving your children to lessons and classes. Homeschool mom burnout is highest at this time of the year, and you’re likely tired enough to feel it in your bones.

We’ve been there! I think it’s the most difficult month to stay strong, power through, and continue homeschooling. We want to help inject fun and encouragement once again in your family before the February blues become homeschool burnout depression. Join Jamie as she shares how she deals with burnout and keeps her perspective fresh.

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 74: Help for Homeschool Burnout first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 73 Advice for Homeschooling During the Holidays

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 18:47:00 +0000

With the holidays upon us, many of us feel more stressed than usual. There are numerous holiday events, relatives to see, places to visit, and gift shopping and preparation to get done. Most of us wonder about holiday homeschooling. How to homeschool amid everything?

The holidays are a great time to take off from structured homeschooling. Don’t sweat the books. They will be waiting for you when the holidays are over!

This looks different for each family, but changing up your homeschool routine to be more flexible and fit your holiday preparation can be fun and exciting. I know with my half dozen kids, any kind of change always perked them up. All of a sudden they were interested in what was going on!

Holiday Homeschooling Ideas

So as we get started let’s talk about schedules.

For many homeschooling moms and dads, planners are their lifeblood. Whether you need to plan the week, month, or even your daily schedules, a sense of organization is key. If you’re like me, my planner is especially vital during the holidays for any semblance of productivity, there are so many moving parts in our family if we didn’t have a schedule to let everyone know where/what/when we’d be lost!

If you’re stressing over your schedule for this coming holiday season, try to step back, pause, and take a deep breath.

First Steps to a Big Change

One of the first things that I find particularly helpful when I’m in a stressful situation, or simply beginning each day (with potential to be stressful) is prayer. If you’re listening to this podcast then you’re looking for something. Maybe it’s wisdom or advice. One of the best places to find wisdom is in prayer.

After all of these years of homeschooling during the holidays, I’ve realized that sometimes the most important thing we can do for our children is to take time with them. The holidays are all about creating wonderful memories and sweet traditions. Take some time to consider what is most important in your family this season.

Once I’ve determined what my focus will be during the holidays, I turn to my schedule. Since there are so many people in our household, even when we aren’t formally doing a lot of homeschooling or any homeschooling at all – – we still need a schedule so that everyone is on the same page. I find this especially important during the holidays. Each of us has a lot of “extra” during this time and a schedule of some sort helps everyone. Be creative, flexible, and fun. As I’ve already mentioned change always gets the kids interested… Here are a few of my creative suggestions for holiday homeschooling.

Practical Ideas for Changing Things Up

- Focus on reading! Take time this holiday season to sit and read with your children. Use holiday weeks to read as many books as you can!
- Consider a holiday unit study. Utilize the holidays as a chance to learn more about their origin and traditions! On the other hand, you could learn more about the wintertime, change in seasons, and make a unit study out of it!
- Make the most out of your field trips. If you have one or two field trips scheduled this month, dig into them and learn everything you can. Take a trip to the library for related books, dive into Google searches, and look for complimentary YouTube videos!
- Similarly, make holiday festivities into learning moments or field trips! You can make lots of holiday activities on educational field trips. Of course, you want to keep them fun, though. For example, when you go Christmas tree shopping, learn about the different types of trees! Christmas caroling: learn about the origins. Sledding: bring in science and figure out how to make your sled go even faster. There are numerous ways to incorporate learning into holiday activities!
- Add in craft days. Your kids will learn how to make adorable crafts while creating gifts or decorations, and most importantly, memories!
- Consider skipping quizzes during the holidays. If you’d prefer to keep up a more consistent schedule during December, consider skipping quizzes or tests. This will help relieve some of the pressure during schoolwork and help it feel more fun!
- Catch up on science projects. Have you been pushing through science lessons and procrastinating on those recommended projects? The holidays are a great time to pause the lessons and catch up on all those experiments!
- Encourage creative writing as a holiday gift. This is such a precious idea, and it doubles as a good way to keep your kids’ writing skills sharp during the holidays. Encourage your children to work on a creative writing project to give as a Christmas present this season!
- Study one subject per week. If you’d like to keep up the book learning during the holidays, consider perhaps working on one subject at a time each week. This will help relax your schedule!
- Make festive memories instead. One of the best holiday homeschool schedules is the one without structured lessons! Perhaps take this time to spend time together and see where the day goes without homeschooling on the daily schedule.
- Just Don’t. You heard me right go ahead and just take a break! Many homeschooling parents take off the entirety of December, or at least most of the month to allow for participating in fun holiday events. Homeschooling is meant to serve you and your family. If you let it or your schedule rule you then things are backward. Don’t worry – taking a few weeks off during the holidays isn’t going to ruin your child’s year.

More on Holiday Homeschooling

Survival Tips for All Holiday Homeschoolers

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 73 Advice for Homeschooling During the Holidays first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 72: The Importance of Homeschool Handwriting

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 21:33:45 +0000

Join Jamie as she interviews Holly Britton, author of the Squiggle Squad handwriting program.

The interview was an amazing opportunity to get some practical pointers for homeschool parents teaching their littles how to write. Here were a few of the tips from the podcast:

Don’t start too early – let it happen naturally.
Rely on natural cause and effect. Crayon to paper – fun marks – movement creates something
Start with building motor skills – shoulder and arm movement – core muscles and sitting
Shouldn’t focus on WHAT but THAT they are drawing/writing
Use coloring as a first step – tracing a line
Don’t worry so much about “making” a letter but just learning letter recognition apart from writing
Let the child be rewarded by the enjoyment of making a mark and making lines and build on that
Learning is intrinsically rewarding
Older children: you can rebuild good foundations by cross-training with other subjects/courses

Episode 71: Interview with Connor Boyack: Civics and Government

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 19:45:03 +0000

We’re excited about our guest this week. The author of the Tuttle Twin’s Book Series, Connor Boyack is here to join us for a chat on why he wrote/is writing these books and about his new history book project. The Tuttle Twins has sold over 4 million copies and is widely discussed from CNN to Fox News. Connor attempts to reveal the truth about free market, government and civics in a fictional storyline that elementary kids and even teens can easily understand and apply to current events.

Connor has a great newsletter that he sends out weekly. A quote you used in your newsletter back in May really stuck with me.

“The educational foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a nation and as a people.” Which was from the National Commission on Excellence in Education – – from 1983. 1983 – If education was mediocre then – – what do we have now? Anyway- this quote resonated with me – first because it is one of the reasons we chose to homeschool. But you pointed out that this mediocrity is at a critical point. I agree and feel that it is especially critical to how ignorant the bulk of our young adults are when it comes to knowledge about history, economics, and government.

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

Other Homeschool Podcasts You May Enjoy

What is Normal Anyway?

Take Your Homeschool From Ordinary to Extraordinary!

The post Episode 71: Interview with Connor Boyack: Civics and Government first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 70: Motivating Reluctant Writers

Jamie Gaddy — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 09:14:22 +0000

We’ve all experienced the struggle. The fear of a blank page intimidates us from writing the thoughts and ideas rushing about in our minds. Join Jamie as she interviews guest and author Joshua Davidson about how to motivate those reluctant writers.

Joshua Davidson is the author of the award-winning book series, Night Zookeeper. The series now has an online learning portal and a cartoon TV series in the U.K.

Listen for great ideas on how to get your students to write creatively in no time!

Night Zookeeper was voted in the top 10 homeschool websites in 2022 for grammar and composition!

Find out more about Night Zookeeper here.

Don’t Miss Our Other Great Homeschool Resources

Free Homeschool Printables

Free Homeschool Unit Studies

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 70: Motivating Reluctant Writers first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 69: Success Without College with Bruce Goodmansen

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 20:51:27 +0000

The question of college is becoming increasingly more difficult for homeschool families. With rising costs, disappointing curriculum, and more students are faced with a decision to find alternatives. Bruce Goodmansen joins us today with his solution. His book is filled with tons of options for students who just don’t want to go the college route.

Visit Bruce at Anything But College.

You can check out his book here 100% Success Without College

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

We all know that helping our teens find direction for their future, and helping them find the right training to accomplish their dreams without breaking the bank is tricky. Bruce’s book really opens your eyes to how overpriced and underfulfilled college education can be. There are many paths to helping your student accomplish their future dreams without attending college. I suggest you buy this book – you won’t regret it!

Supporting Articles About College Alternatives

Alternative Paths to College Credit

Surprising Alternatives for High School Students

The post Episode 69: Success Without College with Bruce Goodmansen first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 68: Interview with John Edelson on Homeschooling Increase

Jamie Gaddy — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 17:33:20 +0000

Join Jamie as she interviews long-time homeschool advocate, John Edelson. John is the founder of Time4Learning.com and has been at the forefront of online homeschooling for the past two decades. John shares his thoughts about how homeschooling has changed over the years, how first-time homeschoolers can get started easily and simple advice for homeschooling without stress.

Interested in finding out more about Time4Learning.com? Visit their free demo page to see how online learning works.

Don’t Miss Our Other Great Homeschool Resources

Free Homeschool Printables

Free Homeschool Unit Studies

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 68: Interview with John Edelson on Homeschooling Increase first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 67: Kirk Cameron Interview on Homeschooling

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 17:29:16 +0000

We all know that homeschooling has changed over the past several years. A change that has been relatively positive across the board. But what does that mean for you, the normal parent wondering if homeschooling might be a good fit?

Join Jamie as she interviews Kirk Cameron about why homeschooling is so important to him, and about his new movie The Homeschool Awakening.

Kirk’s new movie is a wonderful glimpse of homeschooling through the eyes of more than a dozen homeschool families. This movie also helps answer those frequently asked questions and lets viewers see just how fun homeschooling can be.

The Homeschool Awakening will be in theaters on June 13th and 14th and you can find tickets by visiting The Homeschool Awakening website. Enter your zip code to find which theaters in your area are offering the film.

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

Wondering how to start homeschooling? Our team has put together a comprehensive guide that will get you started and homeschool your best in no time. Visit the How to Start Homeschooling article on Homeschool.com today.

The post Episode 67: Kirk Cameron Interview on Homeschooling first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 66: American Sign Language in Your Homeschool

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 20 May 2022 00:03:04 +0000

Join Jamie and Emily as they discuss American Sign Language (ASL) how it’s a great fit for homeschoolers and the importance of introducing the language as well as deaf culture to our children.

Want to know more about ASL Virtual Academy? Visit our ASL Virtual Academy curriculum finder listing to see a detailed description and video about their product.

Take time to visit ASL Virtual Academy.

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 66: American Sign Language in Your Homeschool first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 65: Critical Thinking and Worldview Foundations

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 19:50:25 +0000

Faith-Based Podcast

Training our children to be wise, use critical thinking, comparative arguments, and more to establish their worldview is a vital part of child-rearing. Elizabeth shares how she has taught children a simplistic way to recognize truth, falsehood, and opinion and how we as parents can begin with practical simplistic critical thinking activities with even the youngest children.

Visit Foundation Worldview for courses, free webinars, and book clubs.

Related Podcasts

What is Normal Anyway?

Tips to Avoid Burnout

The post Episode 65: Critical Thinking and Worldview Foundations first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 64: The Mystery of History with Linda Hobar

Jamie Gaddy — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:38:49 +0000

Join Jamie as she interviews Linda Hobar author of the well-known series “The Mystery of History.” Find out why teaching history from a Biblical viewpoint can be exciting and enlightening and discover practical ways you can teach multiple children at once.

The post Episode 64: The Mystery of History with Linda Hobar first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 63: Importance of Teaching About The Bible – Rachael Carman

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 09:35:33 +0000

FOLLOW US ON: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER
Join Jamie and Rachael as they chat about the foundational principles that make such a difference in homeschooling and raising children. Find out more about a new curriculum that’s just released and be inspired to embrace the daily investment of pouring into your children as you homeschool.

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 63: Importance of Teaching About The Bible – Rachael Carman first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 62: Preparing Your Teens for Their Future!

Jamie Gaddy — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 16:47:41 +0000

Preparing your teens for their future is a task that no parents find small or insignificant. As you homeschool you’ve grown to realize that it’s a joy, an investment, and so much more. However, many of us feel a bit intimidated when it comes to homeschooling our teens. There seems to be a lot of expectations, and the courses are so much more difficult than the elementary level. But wait – – what if we told you there was nothing to worry about. That homeschooling high school and preparing your teens is much easier than you ever imagined?

Join Jamie and Janine as they chat about this and so much more on this week’s episode of the Homeschooling and Loving It podcast.

High School Homeschool Authoritative Guide

High School Homeschool Planning Tools

Special thanks to Study.com for sponsoring this podcast.

Visit Study.com for more information on homeschooling high school, easy-to-use courses, and other great help!

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 62: Preparing Your Teens for Their Future! first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 61: What is “Normal” Homeschooling Anyway?

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 17:11:55 +0000

This week’s podcast has been a long time in coming…

After a long break due to sickness, and moving we are finally back on track with the Homeschooling and Loving It podcast. Our bi-weekly installments target common homeschooling and parenting concerns and often involve interviewing experienced homeschoolers. We love bringing our homeschool community time-tested inspiration from some of the amazing expert homeschoolers in the homeschool community.

Join Jamie this week as she shares her heart on finding your own Homeschooling “normal.”

Other Podcasts to Listen to:

Tips to Avoid Homeschool Burnout | Melanie Wilson

Teaching for Independent Learning

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 61: What is “Normal” Homeschooling Anyway? first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 60: Homeschool Latin Homeschool Curriculum | Dwane Thomas

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 16:57:57 +0000

Join Jamie and Dwane as they talk about “why” and “how” to learn Latin in your homeschool, and discover some practical pointers for learning other languages. We discuss that you don’t have to have a fancy language curriculum to learn a foreign language! For homeschoolers of all ages and methods.

Dwane notes -I misquoted Dorothy Sayers. It wasn’t in The Lost Tools of Learning. She suggested Latin students start with the Vulgate (the Bible in Latin) and the easier Medieval writers here in this essay: https://www.memoriapress.com/articles/greatest-single-defect-my-own-latin-education/

Dwane’s 3 basic suggestions for a homeschool language study:

Get a grammar book for the language you want to study. Don’t forget to read it!)
Use Duolingo to learn and practice. (Because it’s just really fun!)
Watch cartoons and TV shows in the language you are studying. (Practical application!)

Visit Dwane Thomas here.

View his Visual Latin at Compass Classroom here.

View our Curriculum Finder listing for Compass Classroom homeschool curriculum.

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 60: Homeschool Latin Homeschool Curriculum | Dwane Thomas first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 59: Homeschool Help: Ordinary to Extraordinary | Lee Giles

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 22:02:23 +0000

Join Jamie and Lee Giles from Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschooling as they chat about how to take your homeschool from ordinary to extraordinary. You won’t want to miss this episode because it addresses something we all have issues with!

Be sure to visit Easy Peasy All-in-one Homeschooling for their free homeschool curriculum. It’s Lee’s mission to help homeschool families “homeschool easy!”

Other Podcasts to Listen to:

Tips to Avoid Homeschool Burnout | Melanie Wilson

Teaching for Independent Learning

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 59: Homeschool Help: Ordinary to Extraordinary | Lee Giles first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 58: High School Student Record Keeping| Lee Binz

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 17:06:04 +0000

In this podcast Jamie and Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, chat about how to create grades, credits, and homeschool transcripts. You’ll find very practical information on how to make sense of these crucial homeschool high school records.

Visit our High School Homeschooling Resources Here:

How to Homeschool High School includes:
- Links to our practical high school free ebooks
- Links to Free Record keeping printables
- Links to a High School Transcript ebook guide
- Link to a Free High School Transcript Template

More about Lee Binz:
Lee Binz, The HomeScholar is a dynamic homeschool speaker and author of Setting the Records Straight: How to Craft Homeschool Transcripts and Course Descriptions for College Admission and Scholarships and The HomeScholar Guide to College Admission and Scholarships. She is an expert on how to craft a winning homeschool transcript and get the big scholarships. Lee understands what it takes to graduate homeschool students who are fully prepared for college and for life. Her practical advice and organized presentations have helped thousands of homeschool parents muster up the courage to complete their homeschool journey. Lee’s mission is to encourage and equip parents to homeschool through high school. You can sign up for her free monthly homeschool e-newsletter at HomeHighSchoolHelp.com, where you can also get a daily dose of high school help. Check out the freebies on the website, with training materials, free classes, and eBooks available for homeschool parents, “Free Homeschool Training.” You can also find Lee on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheHomeScholar.

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 58: High School Student Record Keeping| Lee Binz first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 57: Homeschool: High School Tips for Success | Jamie Erickson

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 23:22:56 +0000

Join Jamie and Jamie (LOL! with 11 kids between them) as they chat about best practices for homeschooling high school!

For more information about Jamie Erickson, you can find her at The Unlikely Homeschool.

Jamie is also an author of the book, Homeschool Bravely and co-host of the Mom to Mom Podcast!

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 57: Homeschool: High School Tips for Success | Jamie Erickson first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 56: High School | Test Taking Prep with Jean Burke

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 07:19:42 +0000

Join Jamie and Jean Burke from College Prep Genius as they talk to high school homeschoolers about college prep and how to find free college.

Jean encourages all students to make test prep a priority and to start early rather than later!

Listen to learn more!

Visit CollegePrepGenius here.

Find out more about How to Homeschool High School.

The post Episode 56: High School | Test Taking Prep with Jean Burke first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 55: Alternatives For College Credit | Jennifer Cook DeRosa

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 19:37:24 +0000

FOLLOW US ON: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER
We’ve been talking about homeschooling high school this month… and I’ve been trying to encourage parents who are on the fence that they can do it. AND they can do it well.

One area that I get a lot of questions about is that of alternative ways to earn college credit. Listen in as we discuss a variety of ways to earn college credit, including some without your typical college course.

What are your recommendations for a high school plan that includes alternative college credits?

(1) Earning college credit that aligns with a high school plan. This is as simple as matching up CLEP exams that coordinate to your teen’s high school courses and using dual enrollment courses if they are available.

(2) Associate degree through dual enrollment. Families that have access to dual enrollment will also have access to college advisors. They’ll help you pick courses that meet their associate degree requirements, and your teen can work towards completing a full associate degree in high school.

(3) Bachelor’s degree planning in high school. This 4-part series addresses this unique goal that some families have. In this pathway, a parent maps out alternative credits (like AP, CLEP, DSST, Sophia, Studycom, Straighterline, etc.) to match up with a college’s bachelor’s degree requirements. To be clear, when parents do this, they are doing this without the support or guidance of a college. Most colleges do not endorse this kind of planning, and are unlikely to help you in any significant way.

Visit HomeschoolingforCollegeCredit.com and see all of Jennifer’s amazing resources!

The post Episode 55: Alternatives For College Credit | Jennifer Cook DeRosa first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 54: Homeschooling & Alternatives To College

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 16:36:06 +0000

College, not a good fit? Just not sure what your teen wants to do?

In this podcast, we’ll be talking about alternatives to a college education. Don’t worry! Today’s homeschooled teen is well-equipped to find alternative paths to their future career!

Volunteering While In High School

Volunteering is a great way to determine if you or your teen really want to work in a certain field. Volunteering gives you hands-on experience that will help you know if a field is right for you!

Local volunteering opportunities with local friends and business owners
Habitat for Humanity
Peace Corps
Virtual Volunteering

There are many other volunteer ideas for after high school.

Military Options for Homeschoolers

JROTC – check with your local JROTC
Naval Sea Cadets – after school programs
Civil Air Patrol – apply/pay dues or use the online option
Young Marines – contact your local chapter
Wondering how to get started on a military career. The process is quite similar for homeschoolers as it is for traditional students. Here’s an example from the Army requirements for homeschoolers.

Military Requirements for Homeschoolers

Have a good transcript
Take the ASVAB test
Take The AIM test (army)
Homeschoolers can also participate in the Future Soldiers Program (army)

Enter the Workforce?

Research what is needed for the job they desire.
Speak to someone who has worked in the field
Job shadow
Volunteer to gain experience
Create a resume (goodwill industries is a great resources for resume creation and job preparation)

Begin an Internship

Not sure what an internship is?

Simply put, an internship is when you – as a student or trainee – agree to work somewhere often without pay in exchange for the ability to gain experience in a field. For instance, your student may graduate with a journalism degree but have zero post-college experience in the publishing industry. When your student realizes job prospects are slim without experience, he or she may decide to take on the editor internship opportunity at the local paper. Your student probably won’t receive money for it but he or she will get a foot in the door of the local paper and gain experience at the same time.

The concept of internships stems from the apprenticeships of yesterday. The difference between an apprenticeship and internship is that interns are usually more exploratory. An apprenticeship was a position people took on in an effort to learn a specific trade. Internships, however, allow the individual to pursue various interests. Also, unlike apprentices, interns aren’t bound to work for the same company once the internship is over. While internships can be paid or unpaid, most interns are not paid.

How do internships help?

Gaining experience. – this works for both college grads and non-college-bound adults. Employers don’t want to hire someone without experience.
Networking – internships allow for meeting people within the desired field
Beef up the resume – this is important because employers want to see a well-rounded individual with soft skills as well as experience. You can gain referrals and recommendations through your internship.
Setting the stage. Many times, internships help lay the foundation for your student’s future career. Employers often choose from amongst their own interns when job positions become available.

How to find internships.

Online job boards
Job fairs
Linkedin
internships.com

Become a Homeschool Entrepreneur

Start a Business

Over the years, we have seen that homeschooling is the breeding ground for amazing entrepreneurial skills. If you’ve got the hankering to become your own business owner, take a few classes on business operation and accounting and set about accomplishing your dream! Take a free accounting course on https://www.accountingcoach.com/ It’s important to understand and learn some business basics before embarking on an entrepreneurial adventure!

We have several resources for homeschool entrepreneurs on homeschool.com. But over the years I’ve run across many homeschool high school students that didn’t even wait for graduation to start their own business. Some of these included:

Book author or illustrator
Tutoring
Jewelry designer/creator
Pet Care Business
vlogger/blogger
Car wash/lawn maintenance
Maintenance services
House sitter
Soaps and candle making

Many of these business opportunities require a skill. Most homeschoolers are self-starters and are motivated to learn hobbies and other skills which can easily translate into a business opportunity!

Episode 53: Homeschool High School 4 Year Plan | Rebecca Kochenderfer

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 09:09:14 +0000

Many people only homeschool through elementary school or sometimes Middle School thinking that high school is best served through the traditional school system.

But Jamie and Rebecca and many other homeschooling families have found that homeschooling through high school can be an amazing opportunity to customize your teens education to meet their specific goals.

Join us for this podcast as we talk about high school some of the basics to think about and how to get started with a four-year high school plan.

Grab this free printable to help you Create a Comprehensive Four-year High School Plan.

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 53: Homeschool High School 4 Year Plan | Rebecca Kochenderfer first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 52: Homeschool Middle School Importance | Lee Ann Garfias

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 00:20:55 +0000

Hasn’t the growth of homeschooling been so exciting? It really is, but with that growth parents have the concern about homeschooling as their children get older. We’ve been getting a lot of questions about how to homeschool middle school and how to prepare students for high school.

Middle school is a fairly challenging time, I know with my six kids they tend to hit their growth spurt in 6th/7th grade which often gives them the look of an older teenager. And with that people tend to expect alot from them. I know I’ve had to remind myself when I’ve expected them to emotionally respond like an older child that I need to REMEMBER they’re only in middle school. Middle School is an interesting time in a child’s life.

Join me as I chat with Lee Ann Garfias of Homeschool Made Easy. You can find her at www.lagarfias.com.

Lee Ann is offering our listeners a copy of her book Homeschooling Made Easy as well as Homeschooling High School Made Easy.

You can also find helpful homeschool tools below:

Teen Homeschool Student Planner

Guide to Homeschooling High School

Listen on apple podcasts? Could you give us a review?

The post Episode 52: Homeschool Middle School Importance | Lee Ann Garfias first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 51: 8 Keys for Homeschool Success | Rebecca Kochenderfer

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 18:26:50 +0000

Join Jamie and Rebecca as they talk about the 8 Keys for Your Child’s Success. These aren’t your academic or achievement-based milestones. These are life skills that will serve your child, not just now, but for the rest of their lives!

Integrity
Knowing Failure leads to Success
Speaking with positive purpose and intention
Have a “This is it” attitude – being present now
Commitment
Ownership
Flexibility
Balance

And of course, we all know how difficult it is to stay inspired. Even if we started out great our inspiration and motivation naturally wane as we tire or encounter roadblocks.

Secrets to Staying Inspired in Your Homeschool

Remember the Big Picture
Have more fun!
Fulfill a sense of purpose by being of service and making a contribution
Build confidence with a track record of success
Celebrate the little things!

Want more helpful information on How to Homeschool? Download our free Homeschooling and Loving It Workbook!

The post Episode 51: 8 Keys for Homeschool Success | Rebecca Kochenderfer first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 50: Tips to Avoid Homeschool Burnout | Melanie Wilson

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 19:58:35 +0000

Homeschooling has seen incredible growth in 2020 and even rolling into 2021. Yet, one thing I have noticed, there are a lot of moms and dads that are now at home – homeschooling and working 24/7 and for the first time they are battling depression and burnout.

I know different people have a lot of different answers to this concern… and some can leave you more confused than before. She probably doesn’t know this – but Melanie’s website and podcast is something that I’ve turned to on occasion for words of encouragement when I’ve felt burn out or overwhelmed. One in particular that I enjoyed was the episode about Homeschooling with a Broken Spirit.

One question that we’ve been getting from many parents who are trying to juggle so much, is how do they deal with burnout or even depression.

Is this something that you’ve seen as well?

I feel like the triggers over the past year really are many – from lifestyle changes to pandemic concerns, to political worries. Physical exhaustion? Overworked? Staying indoors too much?

Listen in as Melanie shares some practical tips to help homeschool parents prevent homeschooling burnout!

Visit Melanie’s website psychowith6.com and discover her line of books at Fun to Learn Books.

Comments on this podcast:

“Thank you for the article and podcast on burn out.” Gj de Pillis

“Thank you Jamie. I no longer feel like throwing in the towel and calling it the end.” F. Stewart

The post Episode 50: Tips to Avoid Homeschool Burnout | Melanie Wilson first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 49: Teaching for Independent Learning | Joanne Calderwood

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 17:05:47 +0000

Finding it overwhelming to work and homeschool, even with one child? Got more than one child? Is keeping everything straight making you lose your mind?

We totally get it! Joanne and Jamie are both moms to a big “mess of crazy kids” (14 kids between the two of them) and discovered early on that teaching for independence is an integral part of SAVING YOUR SANITY. Today, Moms and Dads alike are working while homeschooling and finding ways to manage both can be quite the challenge.

Listen in as experienced homeschool mom Joanne shares how she began her journey of teaching her children to be “self-propelled” learners. You’ll be amazed at her suggestions and inspired by how her self-propelled homeschool kids turned out!

For a free copy of her self-propelled student planner email Joanne at [email protected].

Moms who are looking for homeschool record templates, goal planner help, and even meal planning visit our Homeschool Sanity Saver Planner.

The post Episode 49: Teaching for Independent Learning | Joanne Calderwood first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 48: Setting Up Your Homeschool Room | Leah Hudson

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 00:20:33 +0000

I’m so thrilled that the homeschooling community has grown by leaps and bounds… But I’m finding that more and more homeschool families are doing double duty. Most are homeschooling and working from home. This is a wonderful opportunity – but it’s not without challenges!

The question that we get from many parents who are trying to juggle so much, is how to set up their home in a way that creates and fosters a learning environment.

There really are many ways to accomplish this…and I think every seasoned homeschool mom would have some helpful tips – I invited Leah to share because I found several articles on her website Simple.Home.Blessings.com that were super helpful.

So Leah is here today to speak to this common homeschool challenge. Speaking for myself – I’ve been a homeschooler for over a decade and still I search for helpful tips and advice on how to setup my homeschool and get things organized.

Where should we start with using our home for learning? Our homes are used for living, homeschooling, and sometimes working from home… how can we create an atmosphere that is conducive to all three – But most especially learning.
Why is organization so important?
How do you set up your homeschool? Ideas for using a room – kitchen table? Practical tips for making each work well?
Staying on top of teaching materials/supplies/printables
Streamlining our system – from scheduling to curriculum – the organization is more than just a clean/neat house but affects our time, our thinking, and our routines.

Resources:

Settling into Homeschool Routines

Organizing Homeschool Resources

Homeschool.com’s Free Mom Planner (with almost every organizational page you’ll need to homeschool!)

The post Episode 48: Setting Up Your Homeschool Room | Leah Hudson first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 47: Finding Your Homeschool Method | Sonya Shafer

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 14:10:07 +0000

One of the first questions homeschool parents tend to ask is, “What methods are out there to help me teach my children?” Today we have special guest, Sonya Shafer from Simply Charlotte Mason with us to speak to those methods. You’ll get “broad strokes” of what the five main methods of homeschooling are and what they entail, and then we encourage you to take some time to dig deeper to see if any of these fit your family personality.

Traditional Homeschooling Method
Classical Homeschooling Method
Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Method
Unit Study Homeschooling Method
Unschooling Homeschool Method

Sonya shared her information with a free download here.

Take our Homeschool Methods quiz to help you narrow down which methods might be a good fit for you. (Take it more than once to see if you might have a few affinities – that may mean your eclectic!)

Visit our Homeschool Methods resource page to find out more in-depth information about the various methods.

The post Episode 47: Finding Your Homeschool Method | Sonya Shafer first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 46: Multiple Intelligences Learning | Rebecca DeVitt

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 10:02:55 +0000

Hello everyone! I’m Jamie with Homeschool.com and welcome to our new homeschool help series entitled The Homeschool Helping Hand. We’re hoping that this mini virtual conference will be a helpful resource for all homeschooling parents. Today’s episode is being pre-recorded, however, I will be available to answer any questions you might have through the comment section below the video. So, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Before we get started, I’d like to introduce my co-host today – Rebecca Devitt – from New South Wales Australia! Rebecca, we’re glad you could join us! I’ve recently just met Rebecca, but she is a homeschool mom with two children. Rebecca isn’t just interested in homeschooling her own children, she is a Christian and was homeschooled herself and wants to help families figure out how they can homeschool. As a second-generation homeschooler – -Rebecca does a great job of that on her website, How Do I Homeschool.com. I’ll be sure to include links to her site so that our listeners can see the great information, videos, and other helpful information Rebecca shares!

Thanks so much for joining us Rebecca!

This year our world has gained a lot of homeschoolers. So I’m sure some of our listeners today are new – but whether you’re new or experienced homeschoolers – using multiple intelligences to improve and enrich your child’s learning is always a topic of interest.

I’ve been homeschooling for 14 years and though I’ve studied and even written about multiple intelligences I haven’t taken the time to apply these concepts to my daily homeschool plan and how I teach my children.

I’m hoping today that our conversation with Rebecca can help us all take this a step further to make a difference in our day to day efforts of teaching and learning.

Visit Rebecca’s website, How Do I Homeschool?

Take the Quiz – Find Your Intelligences QUIZ

Find Your Homeschool Method Quiz

The post Episode 46: Multiple Intelligences Learning | Rebecca DeVitt first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 45: Homeschool Help: Expectations | Guest Andrea Dillon

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 23:45:09 +0000

Before we get started, I’d like to introduce my co-host today – Andrea Dillon – from A2Zhomeschooling.com. Andrea, we’re glad you could join us! I’ve known Andrea for several years and she is an amazing super smart “teacher turned homeschool” mom of two. She is also a single mom homeschooling – So – for those of you struggling to figure out how to homeschool as a single parent… today is the day to ask your questions! I know Andrea will be glad to share.

So to get our feet wet today – we’re just going to Talk Homeschooling for a few minutes until we get some questions in – and at the end we’ll answer your questions and questions that were sent in earlier.

For those of you just starting out, I know homeschooling may seem overwhelming. But we want to point out that you don’t have to feel alone. We’ve been there – in fact, 14 years ago when I started homeschooling there wasn’t a lot of support. But we want you to know today – we’re right here – supporting you on your homeschool journey.

A lot of our interactions in today’s world are virtual – but don’t forget there may be some amazing support opportunities in your local community. Even with the situation today I would encourage you to reach out for local support. You can also visit our support groups page on Homeschool.com for help finding groups in your area…

Have you heard about homeschool microschools or learning pods?

So – I’m sure many of you are wondering if you’re even cut out for homeschooling? If you started in January – you may be still in the “sticker shock” phase. But, even if you’re wondering if you’re smart enough or if you can really give your kids the education they need – – – the big answer is YES! -no matter who you are, where you live, what your unique abilities are – – you can homeschool your children. AND even prepare them for their future or for college.

The bottom line requirement is simply the ability to foster a love of learning. That takes no special skill – no formal education – and most younger children already have this “inquiring mind” built in… so it’s just a matter of directing them. And for those of us who’ve been doing this a while we’d assure you to make LIFE your most important curriculum.

I want to also say – that when it comes to homeschooling your child – YOU ARE THE EXPERT!

The post Episode 45: Homeschool Help: Expectations | Guest Andrea Dillon first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 44: Mid Year Changes Are Absolutely OK!

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 09:23:12 +0000

If you are a beginner homeschooler, our team at homeschool.com has put together comprehensive resources that will help you homeschool from preschool through high school. There is so much from guides to getting started to printable tools that help you get it done – visit the getting started area on the homeschool.com website to get in on something amazing. Visit Getting Started Resources Here.

For those of you who’ve been homeschooling, this year and have been finding it increasingly difficult or have lost all enjoyment in the process… today’s episode will help you find a solution.

First, let me say that I’m a pretty stubborn person, I’m also pretty frugal. So, when things in our homeschool feel like they are unraveling I begin to feel a little panicky and a lump starts to rise in my throat. I know… it sounds rather silly… but I know what’s coming. AND I know that if do what I need to do then I’m probably going to have to change some things around. Sometimes that can cost money – and then of course I start feeling guilty because I didn’t have it all together in the first place and now look – I wasted money on school resources that didn’t work.

Well, that’s a trap – because first of all we can never know what will work and what won’t…our children are unique and change from year to year – – and in reality, homeschooling is a series of trials and errors and learning from mistakes and successes. REALLY there is no room for guilt trips (yeah – I know I’m preaching to myself right there). There is only room for moving on and looking for what does work.

So all of that to say – if you’re feeling like something just isn’t right… if you’re feeling that homeschooling isn’t bringing you joy – instead you dread it each day… then you may need to take inventory of your homeschool to see what’s going on.

Visit the Mid Year Homeschool Changes Article.

Visit Tips for Changing Your Schedule.

Other Mid Year Transition Articles here.

The post Episode 44: Mid Year Changes Are Absolutely OK! first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 43: Black History Program Ideas | YAAHA

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 13:49:35 +0000

Here today to talk with us about ways we can include Black History in our homeschool are two wonderful ladies, Sandy Yocum and Frances Presley Rice with the Yocum African American Historical Association, also known as YAAHA.

Sandy is the founder and President of YAAHA and is joining us from Ohio, and Frances is the co-founder and vice president of YAAHA and is joining us from Florida.

Sandy and Frances thank you for joining us today!

About Yocum African American History Association

YAHAA is responsible for PROFILES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SUCCESS which is an American documentary web series produced by award-winning filmmaker Bayer Mack for his production company Block Starz Music Television. This documentary series features short biographies of African-American businesses and entrepreneurs, and Frances Presley Rice is the screenwriter and Executive Producer of this documentary series.

Several of those documentaries are posted on the website of the Yocum African American History Association. I’ll make sure to include links to their website in the show notes.

However, one of the documentaries really stands out and features Frederick D. Patterson (1871-1932), a black man who had his own car company 100 years ago.

This untold automotive history documentary recounts how Frederick Patterson, a successful African-American entrepreneur, manufactured the Greenfield-Patterson automobile.

Frederick Patterson is the first black man known to have made cars during this period in American history. Hear his story in this podcast!

Help for Teaching Black History Studies in Your Homeschool

YAAHA has several well-researched resources that are perfect for use in a homeschooling setting. The links below will take you to each of them. However, to access the lesson plans you’ll need to register and share your email address, they will only use it to let you know of updates.

The post Episode 43: Black History Program Ideas | YAAHA first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 42: Dual Enrollment Mid-Year | Jennifer Cook DeRosa

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 21:41:58 +0000

Jennifer is joining us today from North Carolina. It really is so wonderful that we can connect from all across the world to encourage and hopefully inspire our homeschool community. Before we get started let me tell you a little about Jennifer.

After two decades in higher education, Jennifer stepped away from college administration and teaching to homeschool her sons and create –Homeschooling for College Credit, an organization that helps homeschooling families earn college credit in high school. When Jennifer realized that college credit could be earned through CLEP testing… she tested it out herself and earned an Associate’s degree. We are thrilled to have Jennifer join us.

Links to information Jennifer shared about CLEP testing and Dual Enrollment:

More information on How to Homeschool High School including free downloads, books, and templates!

The post Episode 42: Dual Enrollment Mid-Year | Jennifer Cook DeRosa first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 41: Virtual Internships For High School Students | Jane Ferris

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 21:22:04 +0000

Hello everyone and welcome back to Homeschool.com’s Homeschooling and Loving It Podcast We are on Episode 41 and today we are talking about Virtual Internships! Typically homeschool high school students look for volunteer opportunities or internships in their prospective career choice, however, with the limitations of social distancing and quarantine this year we’ve had to turn to other opportunities. Virtual internship options are becoming a viable substitute for job shadowing during and after high school.

Here today to talk with us about how Virtual Internships could help your high school homeschooler is Jane Ferris.

Dr. Jane Ferris has spent nearly 20 years in the field of education with experience in both brick-and-mortar as well as blended learning environments and is currently the Dean of Students at Laurel Springs School. She’s recently been involved in coordinating a virtual internship program at Laurel Springs for high school students during the pandemic.

With companies going virtual – virtual internships are becoming a necessity. – Jane Ferris

More information about internships:

Make the Most of Internships

Finding an Internship Opportunity

The post Episode 41: Virtual Internships For High School Students | Jane Ferris first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 40: What is Classical Education? | Guest Leigh Bortins

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 09:04:26 +0000

Hello everyone and welcome back to Homeschool.com’s Homeschooling and Loving It Podcast We are on Episode 40 and today we are talking about Classical Homeschooling! For many homeschoolers, our desire to homeschool springs from a priority to give our children a different more unique educational experience. However, sometimes it can be challenging to find a clear path to accomplishing that.

Here today to help us understand the fundamentals of Classical Education is Leigh Bortins from Classical Conversations.

Leigh is joining us today from South Carolina and of course, I’m here in – not so sunny today – middle Georgia. I just love technology and how we can connect across the country through mutual interests? Leigh is a nationally acclaimed educator and founder of Classical Conversations. Leigh holds a degree in aerospace engineering as well as a D.Min.from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Massachusetts. She has published several books including The Core, The Question, and The Conversation, a series that explores the classical trivium from a parent’s perspective. And Leigh is currently working on developing a math curriculum that maps the structure of learning K4-12 math from a classical, Christian perspective. Yet all of her emphasis on the enjoyment of learning and fundamentals of education stem from her experience homeschooling her four boys.

I’ve had an interest in Classical Education, but felt that it was all very complicated. Leigh skillfully broke down the basic concepts of Classical Education in such a way that I was literally blown away. I could finally see clearly the simplistic way that Classical Education mirrored natural learning. The basic 3 steps of learning anything follow:

Grammar Stage
Dialectic Stage
Rhetoric Stage

Listen in to hear how simplistically Leigh explains these stages and how they can apply to all learning! I promise it will be enlightening.

Favorite quotes from this episode:

Learning is a great big jagged line of success and failure.

I’ve never been presented with this day with my children before.

Every day should contain something that causes struggle and something that causes delight!

You can find out more about Classical Conversations here.

The post Episode 40: What is Classical Education? | Guest Leigh Bortins first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 39: Spending Too Much Time Together | Guest Celeste Orr

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 23:55:22 +0000

Hello everyone and welcome back to Homeschool.com’s Homeschooling and Loving It Podcast Episode 39 and today we are talking about togetherness! As most of the world has experienced more family togetherness in the last few months than ever before. Of course, this is a good thing… but it may cause some challenges.

Here today to talk with us about what we can do when there is too much togetherness is my friend Celeste Orr!

Welcome, Celeste!

Celeste is joining us today from Maine and if you want a glimpse of that beauty you can follow her at @togetherness_redefined on Instagram! Celeste is also the author of the blog, Togetherness Redefined as well as an author of a book by the same name. Make sure to sign up for Celeste’s weekly Togetherness Tips!

We are so excited to have Celeste here today to share practical ways to make a lot of togetherness enjoyable.

Make you check out Celeste’s articles on Homeschool.com about Travelschooling and Togetherness!

Visit the newsletter where this podcast was featured!

The post Episode 39: Spending Too Much Time Together | Guest Celeste Orr first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 38: Teaching Strong Character | Guest Kathie Morrisey

Jamie Gaddy — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 18:31:01 +0000

Welcome back to Episode 38 of the Homeschooling and Loving It Podcast! Today we are talking about Character Training! And to help me really get to the heart of the subject I’ve invited Kathie Morrisey to join us!

Kathie hails from Michigan and is the owner and founder of the The Character Corner, which is a website that encourages parents to be purposeful about raising children with strong character. Kathie is the mother of 8 children and wife to Alan for 42 years. She is also a veteran homeschooling mom of 31 years and is a popular speaker at homeschool conventions and support groups. She is also the author of two character training curriculums as well as several other books. We are so excited to have Kathie join us!

In the podcast Kathie gives several tips for parent to consider while training their children. Our favorites were:

Be the Example!
Be Consistent!
Look for the Positive!
Encourage Your Child!

Kathie has offered our listeners four free character training lessons which can be found at The Character Corner here.

You can find more free character training resources below from Homeschool.com.

The post Episode 38: Teaching Strong Character | Guest Kathie Morrisey first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 37: Memory Tips For Studying | Guest Daren & Kath Denholm

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 09:28:33 +0000

Daren and Kath Denholm are joining us today from South Africa… and I have to say – they are pretty amazing! They have not only competed many times in the World Memory Championships but also work tirelessly every day to help students and adults understand how to improve their memory. Daren is the only person in the world to compete in all 6 world memory championships from 2006 – 2011 and be considered the Highest Ranked Competitor from Africa and the Southern Hemisphere. In fact, Daren went from a struggling student almost failing at university, to being referred to as “The Memory Guy” and being able to memorize a deck of playing cards in as little as 80 seconds. Amazing!

Kath shares 3 practical ways that she applies this strategy to teaching her children:

Equip yourself as the parent with these strategies. You’ll become passionate about it because you’ll realize that you’ve changed.
Start early with your child. The earlier the better. As soon as they can read and write.
It’s not easy. Not a quick fix. Consistency. It takes time. There is no way to do this quickly.

Kath and Daren shared with us how consistency in the process is key. They’ve also shared their “roadmap for success” as a free printable for our Homeschool.com listeners. Register below for your free roadmap to begin the journey to successful strategic learning.

Kath and Daren have also given our listeners a generous discount off of their course package. If you listened to the podcast, it’s easy to tell that they are passionate about making a difference in the lives of students and adults. If you are interested in using the Student Genius and Little Genius courses in your homeschool, visit them at The Genius Series Study Skills Course for older students and adults and the Little Genius Course for young children.

Teach Your Child “How” To Think

Join Kath as she shares with us her essential steps in teaching your child to think about how they think. Our article How To Teach Your Child How To Think is a great resource for all homeschooling parents.

Kath and Daren have spent the last 20 years researching and sharing these tips for strategic learning and they would love to help the homeschool community as much as they can. To do this as budget friendly as possible, they’ve given our listeners their courses at cost. If you want to learn more click below.

1. Little Genius Special:

Link: https://geniusseries.com/memory-training-3/

Coupon Code: homeschoolspecial

The normal price for terms 1 and 2: $177. The discount will take $100 off. A once-off payment of $77. OR if anyone would prefer to pay over 3 installments, you will pay $27 x 3 instead of $59 x 3. Both options are available at checkout. You will just need to insert the coupon code and click the button prompted by the red arrow and the discount will automatically show.

The same applies to the PowerStudying Formula course.

2. Student Genius Special:

Link: https://geniusseries.com/study-skills-course/

Coupon code: homeschoolspecial

Normal price: $297. The discount will take $200 off. A once-off payment of $97. OR if anyone would prefer to pay over 3 installments, they will pay $33 x 3 instead of $97 x 3. Both options are available at checkout. You will just need to insert the coupon code and click the button prompted by the red arrow and the discount will automatically show.

The post Episode 37: Memory Tips For Studying | Guest Daren & Kath Denholm first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 36: Understand Your Constitution | Actress Janine Turner

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 09:00:54 +0000

This year has been so evident that our nation is in trouble. And with that in mind, it is down to us… American citizens to know our laws, our rights, and even our constitution and understand the processes that the Founding Fathers embedded within our nation’s government for individuals to initiate and effect change. We can each, no matter how old or young, be a part of that!

Joining us in Episode 36 is actress, Janine Turner. Janine is the founder of Constituting America as well as a three-time Golden Globe-nominated actress. You might know her from the popular tv shows Northern Exposure, Friday Night Lights, and even feature films like Cliffhanger and Steel Magnolias. She is well-known for her service and civic participation and most recently her development of Constituting America. Welcome, Janine!

The Constituting America Foundation is the only organization that utilizes music, movies, and television – kids’ own works – to inspire Americans of all ages to learn about the U.S. Constitution, by distributing their works through the national media. This year they are offering a full day of workshops and sessions geared toward educating and encouraging young people to get understand their constitution. Sign up for the Free Constitution Day Event here.

If you are interested in Janine speaking to your homeschool group about the Constitution or other aspects of government you can Book a Speech here.

One of my favorites was their Civil Civic Conversation Workshop! You can get in on that workshop during the Constitution Day Event by registering now! Constituting America’s program, “How to Have a Civil Civic Conversation,” gives your students the opportunity to learn about how to have a meaningful Civil Civic Conversation. In America’s current divisive atmosphere, it is important for students to learn how to listen and become informed about opposing points of view. Through the Civil Civic Conversation process, students will discover how to be an active part of the political future of our country, exercising their first amendment rights, protected by the U.S. Constitution.

Constituting America also offers free 90-day study downloads covering everything from the Federalist Papers to the Supreme Court, Congress, and the Constitution. This is a perfect and affordable way to add government studies to your homeschool.

Also, join their weekly Constituting America podcast on Soundcloud which includes students as well as professors from across the country elaborating on our Constitution as well as other important U.S. documents. We enjoyed having such a famous TV series and movie personality, thanks Janine.

Visit our podcast home for other relevant homeschooling podcasts.

The post Episode 36: Understand Your Constitution | Actress Janine Turner first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 35: Overcoming Fear | Guest Melissa Webb

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 09:30:54 +0000

Join Jamie and our special guest Melissa Webb from www.writeonwebb.com!

We all know there are two types of fear, healthy fear, and unhealthy fear.

Without a little fear, we would probably injure ourselves or be negligent in protecting our selves and our families. However, many people tend to allow unhealthy fear to take over their thought processes and keep them from doing some great things!

In light of so many beginning their homeschooling journey this year, fear of failure is at the top of many’s list. Yet, is that realistic?

In today’s episode, Jamie and Melissa talk about fear and how to fight unhealthy fear, reign in our thought process, and establish a healthy view of moving forward with those things we’ve been called to do… In fact, Melissa shares 3 things GREAT ideas for overcoming fear and moving into your amazing!

Free Printable of Melissa’s 3 Takeaways!

Click to download the worksheet!

The post Episode 35: Overcoming Fear | Guest Melissa Webb first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 34: Answers to Your Homeschool Questions!

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 22:00:20 +0000

Every day I get questions in my inbox… so many people starting to homeschool this year need answers. So, today’s podcast is all about sharing answers to the most frequently asked homeschool questions. I apologize in advance for the squeaky chair, I hope it doesn’t deter everyone!

If you still have homeschool questions after listening to this podcast, please download this free book. It’s full of great advice, worksheets, and tips for homeschooling now and for years to come!

The post Episode 34: Answers to Your Homeschool Questions! first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 33: Preparations For Adulthood | Stephanie Wilkins

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 21:29:22 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

Hello and welcome to Episode 33 of the Homeschooling and Loving It Podcast. Today we are talking about our teens and how to prepare them well for college and adult life. So – to give us some great insight on that we have a special guest joining us today! I want to welcome Stephanie Wilkins to today’s podcast.

Stephanie is the Marketing Director for Soaring with Him Ministries and is a veteran homeschool mom of 21 years. Stephanie has had the unique opportunity to have lived in four different countries and four different states. Stephanie is also a board-certified nutrition consultant and founder of “No More Band-Aids” which is a ministry of encouragement to caretakers and those suffering from Chronic Disease. Stephanie’s passions are homeschooling, travel, health and wellness, and her faith.

Many of us are facing teens that are transitioning to adulthood. It’s often difficult when homeschooling teens to know exactly how they are feeling and what they are thinking. Keeping lines of communication open is vital to helping your teen become a successful adult. It’s so important to be willing to talk about anything and everything with your teen. And along the way you’ll be teaching them the life skills they so desperately need.

The post Episode 33: Preparations For Adulthood | Stephanie Wilkins first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 32: How To Talk With Kids About the Tough Stuff!

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 21:08:20 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

Welcome to this week’s episode of the Homeschooling and Loving It podcast. Today we are talking about How to talk with kids about the tough stuff along with staying in touch with your child’s mental health.

Have you noticed your children getting quiet when adults talk about recent events? Have you noticed them get a little irritable after they’ve heard the news? All of those are telltale signs that your child may not be handling these difficult situations well. Many children just don’t have the ability to verbalize how they feel. So with that in mind, it’s important for us to observe them carefully. They may be struggling with how to process what they perceive is happening in the world around them.

How We Respond to Our Child’s Mental Health is Important

These are times that are difficult for us as adults to process and understand, even more so for our children. I know I’ve been personally scared and emotional when watching the news of late. But most importantly, the way we as parents respond to these issues and our children’s concerns will help them be able to process these concerns.

Be Aware of Physical Indicators that Your Child’s Mental Health is in Danger

First, I want to encourage you to be aware of the physical signs of distress in your children.

Everyone deals with anxiety to a certain extent, and at a healthy level, it is an important warning sign for us. However, sometimes, situations can cause our anxiety to rise to unhealthy levels. If you’re concerned your child may be struggling with anxiety, here are several signs of unhealthy emotional stress.

irritability
fatigue
restlessness
concentration
insomnia
stomach aches
tumbling
muscle tension

How to Nurture a Child’s Mental Health

If we determine that our child is indeed struggling with stress or anxiety we need to help our children right away. Don’t pretend the situation will go away on its own, but do make sure that you have your thoughts and feelings straight before you start. But, it’s vital that we step up and have those tough conversations and help support our child’s mental health!

Start small. Take a walk together, do something that is enjoyable and relaxing, and begin the conversation slowly. Introduce the topic and then ask them if they have any questions. They may not be able to verbalize their questions, so ask them questions that they can easily answer with a yes/no.
Make the incident understandable. Use words appropriate for their age and understanding.
Discuss current events in light of historical events. Use it as a homeschool lesson if possible… but take time to explain all the implications of the event. Explain all viewpoints and discuss the ethical/ moral options.
In light of the intense spotlight on racial injustice. Take time to talk through the importance of good character and what that means for us to all races, religions, and cultures. It’s often a good idea to discuss how they feel and then even role-play situations where they would be forced to make a decision.
Use books that teach lessons on character. Homeschoolers love unit studies, this might be a great time to do a unit study on equality and injustice.
Be consistent with your daily routines, it helps children feel safe when their normal routines remain the same
Encourage children to draw or journal out how they feel. Children often find it easier to express their feelings in a non-confrontational way like drawing or writing.
Your child may need your touch more than ever. Be available for lots of hugs and time together. This helps children feel safe and protected.
Stay tuned… Keep listening and asking questions. Keep looking for opportunities to know what’s on your child’s mind. Each day is different and they may struggle one day more than another.
Reassure them that what they are feeling is normal and that even though we may not have all the answers, we can work through it together.

The post Episode 32: How To Talk With Kids About the Tough Stuff! first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 31: Healthy Mindset in Homeschool | Guest Melanie Wilson

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 21 May 2020 09:50:30 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

Let’s welcome Melanie Wilson from psychowithsix.com. Melanie is a Christian psychologist who turned homeschool mom!

Melanie is here today to chat with us about keeping a healthy mindset as we homeschool. I know we all struggle with the tendency to accuse ourselves of failing or of not being enough. And, From my own personal experience and in talking with homeschool moms across the country, the vast majority of us battle feeling like we’ve not done enough, covered enough, taught well enough, played enough. It’s a terrible cycle and I’m so glad that Melanie is here to give us some pointers on how to combat this mindset as we wrap up a school year and begin to prepare for the next.

Why do you think this is such a common issue among homeschooling moms?

These thought patterns can be pretty sneaky… we can be entrenched in this destructive thought process before we even realize it.

What are some warning signs we should know to help us be aware of our thought patterns?

A companion issue is the unrealistic portrayal of perfection that we see around us in Social media, television, Our culture often presents an aura of perfection that isn’t realistic.

How can we foster a healthy mindset when we are surrounded by this unrealistic perfection or by stressing situations?

When I first started homeschooling I expected everything to be like my previous school classroom. And when the tight schedule and structured day didn’t work with my six kids – I just knew I was a failure. In fact, I was ready to quit that first year. But in reality – the only thing wrong was the “way” I was going about it. Once I changed that – we LOVED homeschooling and all of us were much happier… But, These personal unrealistic expectations can be so dangerous.

How do we stop this destructive cycle in our own minds?

Ok -so what about those moms who are already embracing the thoughts of failure? Those who are ready to quit homeschooling, and have already blamed themselves for everything.

Basically, how do you get out of the self-dug trench of despair?
What are some practical methods or baby steps that we can proactively adopt to help avoid a destructive thought process?
Do you find that having an accountability partner helps? I’ve often found great help when I reached out to an older more experienced homeschool mom!
As we wrap up this episode of our podcast, Melanie do you have any final words of encouragement for our listeners?

That wraps up Episode 31 of Homeschool.com’s Homeschooling and Loving It podcast. Also, If you haven’t visited Melanie at psychowithsix.com you need to head over there and look around. Melanie has a great website filled with helpful articles and a wonderful podcast called the Homeschool Sanity Show with helpful episodes that address other pertinent issues we face. Here is a link to her podcast on Black and White Thinking. Please make sure to check it out!

As always, I’m rooting for you homeschool mama – I’m here in your corner cheering you on! So here’s wishing you a great week filled with a healthy homeschooling mindset!

with grace and joy,

Jamie

The post Episode 31: Healthy Mindset in Homeschool | Guest Melanie Wilson first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 30: How to Make Summer Learning Fun!

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 07 May 2020 21:54:33 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

Hello and welcome back to Episode 30 of Homeschool.com’s Homeschooling and Loving It Podcast. This week we have a special guest, one who has been here before and is always such an encouragement! I’d like to welcome Andrea Dillon from A2ZHomeschooling.com

Summer Learning Podcasts

Summer Learning Challenge #1

Summer Learning Challenge #2

Organizing for Summer Learning

Today we’re going to be talking about Summer Learning!

Why do summer learning?

Summer learning slide
What is it?
Is it real?
What can we do about the Summer Learning Slide

Ideas for Summer Learning

Don’t say “school” unless you want a riot
Take a break
Make summer learning different from regular year-long learning
Go bigger and messier in the summer
Create big outdoor versions of your favorite games
Visit museums
Learn new skills
volunteer (add to your high school transcripts)

Remember to keep it low stress and fun!

Andrea and I both wish everyone a summer full of learning adventures and fun!

Until next time,

Jamie

The post Episode 30: How to Make Summer Learning Fun! first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 29: How to Deal with Anxiety in Our Children

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 20:40:40 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

Right now – two things are at the forefront of our minds. 1 to protect ourselves and our loved ones from getting sick and 2 to protect ourselves and our loved ones from anxiety or fear. Throw in learning at home and working from home and it’s a mix that ripe for stress and anxiety.

But today I want to focus on dealing with anxiety in our children. As adults we can process and understand current events, but our children often lack the ability to completely make sense of this situation. Adding to their confusion is the endless conversation on television, radio, and even social media. Though they may not be directly watching or listening to these outlets, they are overhearing what their parents listen to.

So to understand how your child is doing or how they are handling their anxiety there are a few symptoms of anxiety that you can watch for. Sometimes these symptoms can be confused with troublesome behavior when in reality they are a response to the fear and stress they may be feeling. We can lookout for:

Outbursts, obstinate behavior, impatience, temper tantrums, withdrawal, lack of motivation, extreme competitiveness, persistent worry, fidgeting, headaches, stress, irritability, lack of appetite, headaches, stomach aches, inability to sleep, excessive sleeping, potty problems, and any changes that are out of the ordinary.

If you notice that your child has these symptoms, it’s a good idea to gently work up to a conversation about how they are feeling. To do this, it’s so important to make sure they are as relaxed as possible, make them feel safe, and loved and then open a conversation.

The post Episode 29: How to Deal with Anxiety in Our Children first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 28: Creative Ways to Homeschool and Work

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 08:02:52 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

Are you overwhelmed? Do you feel a little stressed with the idea of homeschooling and working!

Start with the heart of the matter!

Is your plate too full? Start with what’s on your plate first! Take a hard look and see if there is anything you can say “no” to.

Get a Head Start

Wake up before the kids and fill your cup!

Have a Plan

Organize your time and find what works best for your family. Stagger work hours with your spouse, stagger homeschool hours afternoon and evening are options too! Create a loose schedule and have a daily rhythm!

Use Time Organization Methods
Be Intentional about your time!
Be consistent
Teach for Independence
Choose Homeschool Curriculum Wisely
Organize
Make Family Time a Priority

**I want to note I mention productivity and efficiency a lot… but when you are homeschooling children make room for discovery learning, outdoor learning, and adventure!

And remember there is not “one way” to homeschool!

The post Episode 28: Creative Ways to Homeschool and Work first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 27: 5 Tips for Beginning Homeschoolers

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 01:04:11 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

Homeschooling has become mainstream overnight, and many parents are wondering just what to do!

Join us on Episode 27 of the Homeschooling & Loving It Podcast where Jamie shares 5 Tips for Beginning Homeschoolers!

R – Relax – more is caught than taught!

E – Enjoy learning with your child!

S – Schedule or…not!

T – Tailor your space and how you homeschool to fit your child!

! – Explore online curriculum if you haven’t been given a learning plan from your child’s teacher!

Any questions? Reach out to Jamie and ask away! [email protected]

The post Episode 27: 5 Tips for Beginning Homeschoolers first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 26: FAQ on Homeschooling High School

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 17:57:04 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

Join us today for Episode 26 of the Homeschooling & Loving It show – FAQ on Homeschooling High School!

Worried about homeschooling high school? Join me and my special guest today as we answer the most commonly asked questions about homeschooling high school! Joy is here from Let’s Homeschool High School. If you haven’t had a chance to visit Let’s Homeschool Highschool you need to. It’s one of the web’s most comprehensive resources on homeschooling high school with e-courses, ebooks, video how to’s and even a series of printables that will cover all your record-keeping needs. I’ve used Let’s Homeschool High school through the years as I’ve homeschooled my kids and I have to say it compares to the websites that many homeschooling families pay for memberships to… and the most unique thing about Let’s Homeschool High school is that it is free – completely free.

Frequently Asked Homeschool High School Questions

~ listen in to find out our responses!

Question 1 How do I know what to do or even where to start?

Question 2 – I can’t teach those difficult high school courses – how in the world will they learn?

Question 3 – Will I be able to adequately prepare my student for college?

Question 4 – College isn’t everything – how can I help my teen find and prepare for an alternative path to their career choice?

Question 5 What about college admissions? Will my homeschooled teen be frowned upon?

Question 6 What about scholarships? Will my homeschooled teen be able to get scholarships?

Question 7 What is a credit, how do I give credits and how many do they need to graduate?

Question 8 – What about transcripts?

Question 9 How does my teen get a diploma?

Question 10 – How will my teen socialize?

The post Episode 26: FAQ on Homeschooling High School first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 25: Have You Listened to the Lies?

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 19:03:51 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

Have you listened to the lies? Homeschooling lies that is! Today we’re talking about how easy it is to let our own minds and thoughts accuse us – and how we can stop the cycle! Join us!

We all do it – we listen to the lies and accusations that our mind throws before us. But we don’t have to live there. We don’t have to listen!

My daughters and I were sitting at the table this morning working through today’s lesson from the Bible study “Lies Younge Women Believe,” I thought about how this really correlates to homeschooling as well. How often do we as mamas listen to the lies about our ability to homeschool? How often do we let them break us? Wear us down?

As I was thinking about the lies or accusations that I’ve battled with over the years that I’ve homeschooled, I wondered if my close homeschool friends did too. I took a second and shot out a text to my “squad” (as my daughters would call it) and asked them!

Guess what? Everyone had a grocery list response for me of homeschool related lies that they’ve battled over the years.

Wonder which was the most common lie homeschool moms battle? Think about it see if you can guess – stay tuned to the end of the podcast and we’ll see if you guessed correctly!

There were many accusations that my homeschooling friends had in common – and sadly each one had many that they shared that they say they battle frequently.

Does this sound familiar? Maybe you’re struggling with one or two or many of these lies right now. It isn’t easy to discern the lies from what you think maybe the truth. But the bottom line, there is truth and it will set you free. I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but so often we are our own worst enemy. We set ourselves up with unrealistic expectations and then believe the accusations as truth when we don’t feel that we’ve lived up to those crazy guidelines.

A lie can only trip us up if we believe it, right? And, only if we get our eyes off the truth. I like to think of this homeschool journey as just that, a walk of life in a special direction. But, when we walk or even run, we keep our eyes ahead. We keep our eyes on the goal, and if we look behind us or somewhere off, we trip up. Remember dear friend, just as a runner must focus his glance- keep your eyes on the truth and the lies won’t trip you up.

If you’re in this place, take a minute and read through some of the most common lies that we face as homeschool mamas.

The LIE

I’m not __________ enough. Fill in the blank there. My friends and I struggled with everything from being smart, organized, to being educated enough.

The Truth

Sometimes this lie stems from a deep-rooted emotional hurt Sometimes it’s something we’ve believed since childhood. Sometimes we have to go back to those hurts and see them for what they really were. Destroy the lie at the root – if you will. But take a long look at your life, haven’t you shown your smart enough? Haven’t you done amazing things? Even if it’s just being a good parent. You are enough. You are your child’s parent. You love that child more than anyone else on earth and as long as you are doing your best – you are enough. You don’t have to be THE smartest or the MOST educated as long as you find ways to help your child learn and achieve you are exactly what you need to be. Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Exodus 3:11-12a But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you…”

The LIE

Every other homeschool mom is doing better than I am and looking down on me.

The Truth

As I realized when I asked my close homeschooling friends about their struggles today, most of them had some version of this lie on their list. We all battle the lie that others are so much better. Why do we worry about what others think? It’s a trap so many of us fall into. If we can embrace the truth – and let this lie go – trust me – it will be freeing. I struggle with this lie alot – after alot of soul searching and even a dear friend telling me I needed to stop worrying about what others thought – – I began to feel release and freedom.
It’s such a trap to think others are looking down on you – When the truth is everyone is too busy worrying that they aren’t enough that they don’t have time to worry about what you are doing! And if they do have time to look down on you, then they aren’t doing everything they need to be doing in their own homeschool. The truth is that worrying about what others think will always bring us down. Proverbs 29:25 It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.

The LIE

We don’t have much money to spend on homeschooling, I know our kids will miss out on something.

The Truth

Homeschooling requires very little monetary investment to acquire an amazing education. Some of the most educated homeschoolers I’ve known spent little to nothing to homeschool their children. They used the library and other free opportunities to help them educate their children. Remember the truth that Joshua 1:9 shares, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

The LIE

I’m not preparing them well enough for adulthood.

The Truth

No parent ever in the history of mankind has ever felt that they have fulled prepared their child for adulthood. No. ONE. So, dear friend, again you wake up each day and invest in those preciousgifts we’ve been given and each day you give them your best. And then, one day it’s time for them to leave. Yes, you’ll think you haven’t done enough and you need more time… but Wait. Watch. You’ll be amazed at the person they’ve become. And all of investments you’ve made over the years are evident. Rejoice in that… be thankful for them…Remember the truth that no matter how hard we try and think we need to “take care of things,” God has it under control. Daniel 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: Luke 12:6,7 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

The LIE

I keep hearing that homeschoolers are weird and unsocialized, and I don’t want my kids to be weird.

The Truth

I think the weird issue comes from isolated experience or someone’s opinion that others have just “picked up.” Often they think homeschoolers are weird because they are mature and well socialized. I know we can all stand and testify to the fact that socialization is a non-issue with homeschoolers. There is just so much scope for human interaction at so many diverse levels for the homeschool child. But at the end of the day, we can let this accusation come in the back door in other forms. We worry that they’ll function well in the future and not be too “abnormal” to get a job, meet a spouse, raise a family. But what is at the root of our worry? Matthew 6:33,34 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.

I remember a funny story, my brother in law once told me that he always thought homeschoolers ended up weird. Harsh. That is until he got to know our children. Then he said, “Wow, they’re pretty cool kids.” (Like he was so surprised!) For the first time, he began considering homeschooling as a viable means of educating. And, the rest of the story…Guess what? Yep – my brother in law and little sister are now homeschooling their four children!

Yes, there are people out there that are weird. There are homeschoolers that are weird and public schoolers that are weird. But, the bottom line is that you are raising these kids with your heart – your preferences – your convictions – and your guidelines and that is GOOD and RIGHT because God has given you those kids.

Our children are our mission – our clearly appointed task in this life. They need us to think healthy and right. So, our job is to focus on the truth and keep our eyes on it as we journey this walk of life! Dear friend, don’t let the accusations and lies distract you from the truth right before you!

The post Episode 25: Have You Listened to the Lies? first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 24: What To Know BEFORE Homeschooling

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 02:53:54 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

This is Episode 24 of Homeschool.com’s Homeschooling and Loving It podcast… and today we’re gonna be completely transparent and share with you the dozen or so things that I REALLY wish I had know when I first started homeschooling!

So, back to my revelation of the 12 or so Things, I wish I had know BEFORE I started homeschooling… Some of these I guarantee will make you wonder – how in the world I DIDN’t know them… so no judging… here we go!

Just for fun, I’m starting at the bottom of my list…

#12 It’s so important to praise your kids.

#11 Embrace – Guard – Protect – the fact that you CANT do it all. You can’t – I CAN’T –

#10 Take time for yourself – Don’t get me wrong… I’m not promoting self-centeredness – but there is truth in the fact that you can’t pour yourself into your family without first being full yourself.

#9 Make your home a happy place. This ties in with the superwoman point – if your home has to be perfect 24/7 then your kids may feel that they can’t relax – can’t play- can’t have fun while homeschooling. Play fun music, play learning games, enjoy your homeschooling days together – – trust me they are over all too quick!

#8 Ease into homeschooling. Especially your first year, if you are completely new to this don’t jump in with an intensive curriculum. That will rob your joy faster than anything… and a sure-fire way to discourage yourself on Day 1. Find your fit – find a rhythm that works for you and run with it.

#7 Ignore the naysayers. There will always be someone who thinks you’re crazy. Get used to it.

#6 Take Breaks! Long breaks – short breaks – snack breaks – whatever you need! There aren’t any homeschool nazis here… in fact, everyone will homeschool better and enjoy it more if you DO take breaks!

#5 Don’t expect your children to learn alike. This was a big assumption that was also based on the next few I’ll mention.

#4 Homeschool doesn’t need to be “school at home” – Another one of my big “face-plants.”

#3 Embrace the Freedom – For a long time, I felt that we HAD to complete grades by a certain time or accomplish certain learning milestones.

#2 Homeschooling Should Meet the Child Where they are – So in all of my trial and error – what I was missing most was the most important!

#1 Understand how your child learns… Yes, I’ve already mentioned that each child learns differently – and that homeschooling needs to meet them where they are – – but you can’t do either of those without truly gaining a working understanding of how your child learns – what makes them tick – what is their favorite way to learn? What is their learning personality?

What have you learned through your journey? Share it with me, I love to hear your stories too!

The post Episode 24: What To Know BEFORE Homeschooling first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 23: Answering Intrusive Homeschool Questions

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 17:01:49 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

If you’ve been homeschooling any amount of time, you’ve probably experienced this. It’s so easy to get annoyed or even defensive when the questions feel intrusive or even ignorant. But that right there is the key… Is the questioner just ignorant of homeschooling in general? Many people are truly clueless about homeschooling and in their ignorance, ask questions. We may be the only people they know that homeschool, and by our response can help them better understand what homeschooling is all about. Take the crazy and often ridiculous questions as an opportunity to enlighten them

But then… there are some that aren’t ignorant but just find it insulting that you would even consider homeschooling. Of course, they may be rude… but again what would be reciprocating their rudeness accomplish? Consider taking a breath and reminding yourself that what you say next could change their perspective of homeschoolers in general!

My first tip:

Understand WHY they are asking!

This may include various reasons from being rude to genuinely wanting to understand, to actually being interested and trying to wrap their minds around the huge shift in thinking. And truly that is the fundamental key, to embrace homeschooling you need an open mind. Some people just aren’t there yet, but we can take every conversation as an opportunity to change their perspective. Ask yourself a few questions before responding:

Are they just being rude?
Are they angry because they feel like my choice inherently makes their choice look wrong?
Are they struggling to wrap their minds around the paradigm/cultural shift you’ve embraced?
Are they just making casual conversation?

My second tip:

Ask yourself how you can turn the conversation into something positive!

If the questioner is rude – or quizzes your child on their math or history facts… just turn the conversation to them and how they must love math or be a history buff. One of my favorite resources on this topic is the book, Manners that Matter for Moms by homeschool mom Maralee McKee. Maralee encourages us to deflect the conversation by asking them about the subject that they brought up or to intervene if our child gets caught in the pop quiz situation and shift the conversation to one of his or her strengths.

If the questioner is concerned and has valid points – let them voice their opinion. Give them time to share what’s on their heart, and then voice your opinion and your reasons for homeschooling. Don’t feel defensive or threatened, this is your decision and at the end of the day, you and your spouse/partner are the ones who must live with it. Simply let them know that you understand their concerns, but you request that they respect your decision.

If the commenter expresses that they could never homeschool – just let it be. They are probably not looking for a response and because they feel like they could never homeschool doesn’t mean they are dissing you because you are. In fact, they may secretly wish they could!

If the questioner asks about socialization – don’t get snarky and share with them how we were told not to socialize in school! If you feel that they deserve a response, take this opportunity to teach them that socialization is not 25 children of the same age together all day. But in its best form socialization is interaction with people of all ages and types, which our homeschooled children get in various ways.

If the questioner asks why you homeschool – determine his or her motivation first. Are they just being rude? Then a short answer is appropriate because you have no obligation to justify your homeschool decision. If they are really looking for more information give them the full treatment. Here is your opportunity to make homeschooling shine! Let them know how great homeschooling is and how it produces amazing students and graduates that colleges across the country are recruiting!

These guidelines are pretty simple and straightforward, but I know if we can turn our frustration into a positive way to present homeschooling it may make a difference!

Now to answer the fun fact question from the beginning of our segment. Our survey results showed that 28% of homeschoolers choose to homeschool primarily out of frustration and dissatisfaction with public education. This fact itself is a perfect piece of information to use if you’re asked critical questions regarding your decision to homeschool. Just a little ammunition to help you out this time of year!

Finally, I’d like to thank today’s sponsor – A2ZHomeschooling.com — My friend Andrea has created amazing resources for homeschoolers, in fact, you really need to head over there! You’ll find information about local homeschooling events and state laws that are sure to be a useful resource for years to come. That’s A2Z: A, the number 2, Z, homeschooling.com

And, once again, I want to encourage you to take a deep breath before you answer a challenging and intrusive homeschool question during the holidays… remember.. You might be the only homeschooler they know – thank you for representing us well!

Wishing you a happy holiday and an amazing new year!

Jamie and Homeschool.com

The post Episode 23: Answering Intrusive Homeschool Questions first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 22: How To Homeschool As A Single Parent

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 21:15:03 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

Hi everyone! Today’s podcast is all about homeschooling and working! – I know that is something that more and more homeschool parents are facing and it can be quite the challenge – But, we have a very special guest with us today, Andrea Dillon. Andrea is the face of A2Z Homeschool – – and if you’ve never visited over there you really need to. That’s A2ZHomeschooling.com. There is always great stuff happening at A2ZHomeschool so make sure you pay Andrea a visit!

Just to give our listeners some background – – I think Andrea is amazing… and definitely one of my homeschool heroes. She not only homeschools her two children and works from home, but she is also a single mom – she is doing all of this herself!

So Andrea tell us a little about yourself, your children, and your work situation.

So how do you schedule your work and homeschooling hours? Do you keep them separate or do you work while the kids school?

Do you tend to be a pretty relaxed homeschooler? I have discovered over the years that it helps both the kids and I to have a more relaxed homeschool style.

Do you have a quitting time? How do you handle that?

I feel like one of the keys to homeschooling and working from home is the foundation. I had to teach my kids that there was a protocol (what to do when) when mom was working, and I also had to teach them how to be independent in more than just their school work. Have you found that to be true? (We’ll chat about examples of how we’ve both incorporated that in our homeschool)

Another aspect that I’ve intentionally tried to develop in our homeschool is automation. I use a planner – I have the kids use planners. We use chore charts – in the form of a community chalkboard. I feel strongly that we need to share the home responsibilities if I’m going to work. For example, I run the washing machine and dryer, but the kids do all the folding and putting away the laundry. Do you agree? If so -How does that look in your homeschool?

Finally, I think being as efficient as possible really does make a difference. Is that true for you?

For everyone that looks different, but our homeschool room is pretty small so if it gets trashed we definitely can’t work efficiently so keeping things organized and tidy in the room – also keeping the kid’s supplies organized and having a loose daily schedule really help us maximize what time we do spend homeschooling.

Any closing words of encouragement for single working moms who are needing to homeschool and work?

Click the articles below for more great tips on homeschooling and working!

The post Episode 22: How To Homeschool As A Single Parent first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 21: Encouraging and Teaching Kids Gratitude

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 20:31:14 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

Today we’re talking about thankfulness and Gratitude. Sadly – It seems to be a rather elusive character trait in our American culture today. So today we’ll be discussing some practical ways we can encourage this in our children. It’s so needful!

Joining us today is Amanda! Amanda is a homeschool mom of 9 and one of our Homeschool.com contributing writers – She is originally from Colorado but now living in Texas. Welcome, Amanda, it’s great to have you join us today.

Thank you, I’m grateful to be here.

So Amanda – our topic of How to Encourage a Heart of Gratitude in our Children is really a tough one. But wouldn’t you say – – as with most character training – – the old adage – -more is caught than taught – – would be the best starting point?

It is definitely where we have to begin.

I’ve really tried to be more intentional about this in my own life. To be careful about how I speak – and how I act/react in this area. To be an example of gratitude.

As a mom of 9 I’m sure you’ve had your ups and downs with the kids in this area – as I have

BUT What ways have you found most effective in instilling a true spirit of gratitude in your kids?

We enjoy creating conversation starters/questions that we put in a glass jar on the kitchen table. We’ll pull one out and ask each member of the family.

Don’t you feel that having the kids live out acts of kindness to others tends to incite gratefulness in their own hearts for the blessings that they have? I know My kids have at times gone to nursing homes and sang – we’ve taken gifts of necessities to the homeless shelter… and my kids have always come away with a better attitude. But it’s something that has to be fostered. We tend to forget as do our children – so reminders of how blessed we are and how others may be in difficult situations tend to help us be mindful of how we need to be grateful.

Do you have some suggestions for activities that may encourage gratitude?

If you can’t get out to the nursing home or other places, try picking up trash in the neighborhood or checking on elderly neighbors you may have.

I love those ideas. Practicing gratitude helps us internalize it and make it part of our everyday lives.

Do you have any fun ways to intentionally encourage thoughts on gratitude in our daily homeschooling routine?

We use a grateful journal. Each morning we write about 3 things that we are grateful for. This helps the kids to really think about the blessings in their lives. I’ve also seen a Gratitude Wall idea that would go great with the conversation starters.

I love the gratitude wall idea – we have a chalkboard in the kitchen and I think I’m going to tie a piece of chalk to it and encourage the kids to write one thing each day that they are grateful for! I love it – thanks for sharing!

Amanda do you have any final thoughts or encouragement for our homeschoolers?

Amanda is a contributing writer for Homeschool.com and you can find her article on Kid Activities that Encourage a Heart of Gratitude.

Thank you so much for joining us today! And special thanks to Amanda for encouraging us to be more intentional about encouraging our children to be grateful.

Hoping you have week full of things to be grateful for…

With grace and joy,

Jamie

Additional Helpful Podcast Episodes

What to Do When the Kids Aren’t Getting It

Practical Advice for Christian Character Training

How to Deal With Anxiety in Our Children

The post Episode 21: Encouraging and Teaching Kids Gratitude first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 20: What To Do When Homeschooling Isn’t Working Out

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 14:41:36 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

We’re so glad that you could join us on this wonderful day. But maybe your day isn’t going as wonderful as you’d like it to? Are you struggling with homeschooling this year? Are things just not working out as you envisioned?

Today we’re going to talk about what to do when your homeschool isn’t working out as you had planned.

I know for your first time homeschoolers this may feel like an end of the world situation… and I completely get that. I’ve been there. But over the past 15 years of homeschooling my kids I’ve realized that there are seasons. Times when things feel like they couldn’t get any worse… and then times when it’s so good you can scarcely believe it. But don’t be discouraged if you’re in one of the rough seasons, it won’t last forever.

But what do you do? How do you handle the rough spot?

Well, You need to diagnose yourself. Right? Because there isn’t a doctor of homeschooling urgent care center that you can rush off to. You’ve got to determine what it is that is causing this difficult season. Then you can apply some practical principles to help things improve.

Ask yourself “why” you are homeschooling.
- What do you hope to accomplish by homeschooling
- What are your personal expectations?
- For example – Faith – Special needs – Unschooling – Special interest; like ballet, cooking, acting, or a sport – Travel – Better education – Independence – To catch up – Science – Get into an ivy-league college – Independence
Ask yourself “how” you need to be homeschooling.
- What is your family’s homeschool style? What method of teaching/learning works best for you and your children?
- What is your child’s learning style? What process of learning works best for them. Do they do well with text-based learning or do they need something interactive like online learning?
Ask yourself if your WHAT aligns with your how and your why. This could be the exact place where everything is derailing.
Finally – Ask review these questions and determine where the problem lies.

While there are several reasons a family may feel the need to change things up – you may think that reason isn’t “good enough” to justify not using something you spent good money. Here are some of the most common reasons homeschoolers give for changing curriculum:

You need to change your style or method. As the saying goes, when you know better; you do better. Did you start homeschooling without taking into consideration your child’s learning style – or a homeschool method that really fits your family as a whole? Many times the issues with homeschooling happen right here. Sometimes we have personal expectations and fail to weigh in the individual needs of our children. But for homeschooling to be successful we’ve got to look at the big picture and make decisions that support each child’s abilities. That may look like a different curriculum for each child… and that is absolutely doable. In fact, I’m doing that right now.
It’s taking up too much time. The amount of time it takes to homeschool will vary based on the ages of your children and their levels of independence. That said, it should certainly get less time-consuming (not more) as they advance grade levels. If this isn’t the case, it might be time to consider something that takes up less of your time.
School “never” happens. You’re homeschooling for a reason (or hundreds…), but if you don’t find yourself doing much “school” at all, it may be because the curriculum you’re using is overwhelming you. Get out of the entrapment by changing the curriculum.
Your children aren’t actually learning (or retaining) anything. The purpose of educating our children is to teach them and for them to learn. If learning isn’t taking place, that could be a sign that your curriculum isn’t doing your family any justice. When that happens, it’s time to find something new – regardless of what time of year it is.

Homeschool.com has a great little printable that helps you work through these questions and determine your why, your how and your what. This is truly the foundation for all the other aspects of homeschooling. If your curriculum isn’t working – it’s down to something out of place in your foundation. If your kids are completely unhappy – it’s down to something out of sorts with the foundation principles…

Trust me, take a minute do the worksheet – it’s actually fun and helps to make your homeschool foundation strong. It’ll make a world of difference in your day today.

Wishing you the best -As always – with grace and joy,

Jamie

The post Episode 20: What To Do When Homeschooling Isn’t Working Out first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 19: What to do When the Kids Aren’t Getting It!

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 15:21:43 +0000

TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | GOOGLE PLAY | STITCHER

Being a parent is tough. Homeschooling is even tougher. And, staying positive and consistent even when you aren’t seeing the fruit of your labor requires the patience of Job!

It’s one of the most difficult things that we’ll eve do whether we are homeschooling or not. We pour ourselves into our children every day and for some of us every hour of every day. And there are days when our children will seemingly forget or abandon those lessons we’ve been working so hard to instill in them.

It can be so discouraging especially when we think they’re getting it! And then seemingly all the fruit of our labor is – – gone.

But dear friend, we don’t quite – WHY – because we’re parents. We love those kids even at their worst. WE’ll fight for them with our last breath… even if we wonder if we have a last breath.

It’s a lot. But I’m here to share that we can make it – we can keep on even if our labor appears to be in vain.

Because – dear friend – no matter what you may think TODAY you are investing in your children – and that huge investment is never in vain! It’s one of the best things you’ll ever do in this life.

But what about now?

What about today?

How will we get through the nasty now and now?

Let me share a few basic tips with you…

As many of you know – I’m a Christian so personally, my faith in God is fundamental to my ability to parent and my ability to make it through each day. God is my strength and so first and foremost I ask Him for help.
I ask God to help me be consistent. Consistency is key. Even though being consistent is what drains us – it’s vital!
Focus on one thing, one habit, one character trait or one big struggle and make it your priority. Look for it in your kids and praise them if you see them doing it!
Practice patience – I know I hear you – you feel like you’ve been so patient you don’t have any left. But find just one day more… don’t give up on the brink of a miracle!
Make yourself reminders! I love writing Bible promises on cards to help me remember – but I also do this with other things I want to be intentional about. Reminding myself to watch for opportunities to catch my kids doing right – showing that fruit that I want to see! Praise is often the key because it encourages them to do it more!

Dear friend I hope that these few simple things that have helped me on dark days will help you today!

with grace and joy

Jamie

The post Episode 19: What to do When the Kids Aren’t Getting It! first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 18: How To Stay On Task and Stop Wasting Time!

Jamie Gaddy — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 21:50:05 +0000

Not enough time to fit it all in? Does chaos rule your life? Are you easily distracted? All of these scenarios are typical at my house.

Five kids at home can make for a pretty chaotic day! Even when I plan my week – have a nice homeschool schedule – a detailed work schedule – and attempt making meal plans… somehow – somewhere I seem to derail!

And being productive is almost negated by the stress of having so many things that require my attention. What is that old saying – “jack of all trades – but master of none” I think I could relate that

It’s typical about this time of year I begin to feel the pressure of my schedule – from our homeschool schedule – my college teaching schedule – my church ministry schedule and all the other things that I do on a regular basis – forget trying to keep the house clean or make regular home-cooked meals!

It all feels so big. Way bigger than me.

I’ve gotten myself in this situation before. Feeling frustrated and maybe even close to burnout. And then what I’ve shared with you in newsletters and blog articles haunt me as I realize I need a dose of my own advice… all those helpful things I’ve said about saying yes to too much – about trying to do it all yourself – and even feeling like you are never “off duty as a homeschool mom.”

And then I think about my daily routine. Am I wasting time? How could I do this better? What can I change or get rid of that isn’t helping? Am I multi-tasking so much that nothing is getting done well?

All these questions tend to swirl around in my brain as I’m trying to fall asleep at night. Sometimes I’ll wake up and add them to my reminder list so I’ll think about them later… but sometimes even that won’t get those concerns to let me sleep!

The struggle is real. And I’m pretty sure I’m not alone. Polls say that over 40% of moms feel distracted each day – 25% feel disorganized and then do we even need to go into the number of how many hours moms spend on social media or email? So, yes, I’m not alone… and I think that you’re wanting to find some practical ways to lessen distractions and help yourself at least feel more organized.

So let’s dig deep – let’s get completely real with ourselves. Take a hard look at what we are really doing with our time.

Step 1 – Take a week to track what you ACTUALLY do each day. Yeah, I’ve got a schedule and a “loose” routine but I know I’m getting derailed and distracted. What is it that is distracting me. Keep a journal and document those distractions and at what time each day they occur.

Step 2 Analyze what you found. Look for patterns. This happens and then I do this. Be honest with yourself. Are you spending way too much time on social media? Do you click into your inbox only to wake to reality an hour later? Are you texting friends and not being present in the moment with your children? I know – it’s painful when we see ourselves in the harsh light of reality.

Step 3 Brainstorm ways to change those undesirable habits.

Just taking the time to diagnose and work through some of the undesirable habits that suck our time and distract us is a huge start to making a difference in your every day. Here are some ways to replace the undesirables with positive habits. It’s so important to make good habits stick. Take baby steps and introduce a good habit in short increments and then reward yourself. Instead of social media first thing when you wake up try 15 minutes of stretching or exercise and then reward yourself with an amazing cup of coffee. Do the same thing every morning.

Just a few things that others do that helps to increase productivity throughout the day.

Eat a good breakfast
Don’t get on social media or check your email first thing. When you do check them set limits. For example – say to yourself I will check my email for 15 minutes and then get a snack.
Prioritize. Think about your day the night before. Make a list of top priorities and things that need done. Make a plan if that’s what works for you. Help your kids prioritize by laying out their needs the night before or by making them a list for the next day. Make it clear for each of you.
Reduce distractions. If you and the kids are working silently – use earphones with soft wordless music or earphones with nothing playing. The average person once distracted takes about 20 minutes to get back on task.
Take a lunch break. You and I need lunch, our brains need lunch! Seriously – Our brains consume 20% of the calories we eat. Some moms have found that eating lunch alone without kids around or texting friends during lunch helps them refresh and refocus. If you find that the kids enjoy watching their favorite educational video while they are eating lunch (a great one is the Drive Thru History Series!!) that’s a perfect time for you to grab a few minutes of alone time. And DON’T SKIP lunch! IDK about you – but sometimes we would be so busy doing math or some other subject that we would forget completely about eating. Not good. You may get an extra subject or two complete but you and the kids will be hangry and far less productive.
Work in increments. Try methods like the Pomodoro Technique for homeschool. This uses a series of 3 – 25-minute work cycles with a 5-minute break between. Then after completing 3 rounds of 25 minutes on with 5 minutes off take a longer 15-minute break. I’ve used this with the kids while we homeschool and it seems to work really well for them! But if you’re working – Stats show that 90 min intervals is ideal for adults. Our minds only really work well for 90-120 minutes before they are tapped out!
Have an end time – a time when homeschool is over for the day or when you finish working or the day. Have a quitting time.
3 pm slump. Almost everyone hits this. You may not be exactly a 3 pm er – – yours may hit at 4. My new goal is to try to get homeschool wrapped up before 3 pm. I know my kids hit a slump at this time of day and to avoid that we get going in time to finish before the slump gets us. With my work, it isn’t always possible, but I’m trying to stop for a snack around this time to give me a little boost to finish out the workday strong!
Did you know that on average humans procrastinate about 2 hours? Wow. If we’re being completely honest – we all have that thing we do that allows us to check out. Whether it’s online shopping – twitter feed scrolling – whatever. We each have one BUTwhat could we do with that extra two hours if we reclaimed it?
Use things that help you focus. Mine is music. If I play soothing word-less music I am clearly much more focused and productive when I’m working on a task. It definitely puts me in the zone – find your zone!

I know I’ve barely scratched the surface of ways that we can manage our time, rework our schedules and feel more productive in both our homeschool and work efforts! If you’ve got any additional ideas, share them with me! Or if you just want to chat or get some help with reworking your schedule… email me at [email protected] I’ll be glad to chat!

Have a great weekend –

Yours With grace and joy

Jamie

Resources

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Franklin Covey

Hubspot’s How to Be More Productive Ebook

The post Episode 18: How To Stay On Task and Stop Wasting Time! first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 17: Homeschooling and Working!

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 19:14:44 +0000

Hello, this is episode 17 of the Homeschooling and Loving It! Podcast. Today we’re talking about Homeschooling and Working from home.

In today’s culture, it’s so very difficult to make ends meet on one income. In fact, statistics from 2016 show that 66% of married American couples needed two incomes to cover their cost of living. Also, we’ve got a good percentage of single parents out there that would love to homeschool as well. But have the added challenge of being the sole breadwinner.

There’s no doubt about it – living on just one income is hard these days. Very hard. But how can you work and homeschool? Is that even a thing?

The good news is that it IS a thing and is doable. It carries with it its own challenges, but with a little creativity and planning, you can find a way. Today, I’m going to share with you 3 ways that you can modify to make homeschooling and working possible.

Stagger hours – If you can stagger hours with your spouse, you’ll always have the home base covered. Someone will always be home, so you will just need to set up a schedule that works for your family and make sure everyone is aware of and sticks to it. By working opposite shifts from your spouse, you may find it hard to spend much time together. However, you can maximize the time you do get to spend together by trying to have the same days off.

Work from home – These days, there are loads of work-at-home opportunities that are all legit, legal, and scam-free. (Keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming article on this exact thing VERY soon!) By working from home, you’ll have the advantage of always being at home with your children while still bringing in some income. Depending on the ages of your children, you may want to hire someone to help with childcare while you spend time working. But 4 productive hours are much better than 10 or 12 hours that are mediocre because you were constantly called away by children!

Homeschool in the evening – If you haven’t landed a job working from home and can’t stand the thought of staggering hours with your spouse, then consider trying to work the same hours your spouse works and splitting the homeschooling responsibilities in the evenings (or whatever hours you’re available). There is nothing written anywhere that says learning only takes place between the hours of 8AM and 3PM. Perhaps for your family, it would be easier to start homeschooling around 4PM? Maybe you’re all night owls who’d rather stay up late working and sleep in later in the daytime hours. Whatever your situation is, keep in mind that schooling can take place ANY hour of the day.

Click the articles below for more great tips on homeschooling and working and visit our podcast on Homeschooling and Working as a Single Parent.

The post Episode 17: Homeschooling and Working! first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 16: Homeschooling Resources: MindMuzic

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 08:02:56 +0000

Welcome to The Homeschool Resource Series under the Homeschooling and Loving It Podcast… today we are here with the folks from Mind Muzic… a company that creates music with lyrics that promote learning!

Kristopher is the talent behind Mind Muzic and is joining us today from the West Coast!

Hello Kristopher – how are you?

Hi, Jamie I’m doing great, I’m here in Los Angeles California with my mom and co-founder, “Gayorgiahna.”

{Mom} Hi, Jamie thanks for having us on your program we’re excited to be here.

So tell us a little about your company, how did Mind Muzic find its beginning?

Well, first off it was my mom’s idea. Mind Muzic began when I was in the United States Army serving overseas. My mom called me and said we should create a hip-hop version of Schoolhouse Rock for my nephew to help them remember school topics.

Can you tell us just what Mind Muzic is?

Absolutely, Mind Muzic is an online music subscription program that offers teachers and homeschool parents an affordable and exciting way to teach History, Science, English, Math, and Vocabulary through music for grades k-12.

Our mission is to motivate and educate children to learn more effectively and have fun doing it.

Isn’t it amazing – how kids can remember EVERY LYRIC to EVERY SONG.

But sometimes can’t remember what they learned in school today?

Mind Muzic songs are memorable and fun to learn!

And That is why Mind Muzic is so effective.

How do you choose what topics to turn into music?

That’s a great question, we take song requests from teachers and homeschool parents from around the world. We allow you, the audience to tell us what challenges you’re having with your children at home or in the classroom. What we would need from you is all the research and facts you desire to be taught, then we create new songs and add them to the library.

I noticed that there were quizzes and other additional materials that may be available on your site soon – can you tell me about that?

Yes coming soon we will create individual lesson plans that will include a video, a review track, the lyrics, a quiz and the instrumental track so children can create their own ideas to music as well.

How do you see Mind Muzic being used?

Many of our current users have adapted Mind Muzic into their daily routines. The most effective way to use Mind Muzic is just press play over and over again. It’s all about repetition.

Remember learning is always happening with music.

And Jamie, you would be surprised how some of our biggest advocates for Mind Muzic were parents who initially said they would never let their children listen to hip hop because of the negative stigma it sometimes carries.

Mind Muzic is just a very effective way of learning and we are excited to share it with your home school audience.

Awesome stuff! For my listeners, I’ll be including links to these resources in the show notes so be sure to check out Mind Muzic!

Click here to visit MindMuzic!

Click here to visit Mind Muzic Bible Stories!

The post Episode 16: Homeschooling Resources: MindMuzic first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 15: Special Needs Homeschooling: ADHD

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 09:29:04 +0000

This week we interviewed Kat Taylor. An amazing mom of two boys who are now graduated from homeschoo

l. One of her sons had a Traumatic Brain Injury which contributed to his intense ADHD. Kat shared some practical tips for keeping a child with ADHD focused and learning without pushing them.

Kat’s son is now graduated and attending college as well as holding an online computer-based job.

Here’s a snippet of our show notes. If you’d like more information on ADHD, please visit our Special Needs section.

Are you wondering if your child has special needs or a learning disability?

Hi everyone we’re picking up today with our series of podcasts on Homeschooling Children with Special Needs. We have a very special guest with us today. Kat Taylor is here to share about her journey with homeschooling a special needs child. Welcome Kat –

Kat, would you share with us some of your background and a little about your son?

How did you handle his homeschool education?

Did you use a particular curriculum or did you modify the curriculum to suit your needs?

Thank you so much for joining us Kat – we’ve really enjoyed chatting with you! I hope our listeners will join us again next week!. As always wishing you the best – – With grace and joy, Jamie

The post Episode 15: Special Needs Homeschooling: ADHD first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 14: Homeschooling Down Syndrome – Interview with Janet

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 08:47:59 +0000

Welcome back to the Homeschooling & Loving It podcast. We are starting a series of Interviews with moms who are homeschooling children with special needs. This week we are interviewing Janet. Janet has been a long-time fellow homeschooler… and I’ve had the privilege to watch her graduate several of her homeschooling children. She has a beautiful and amazing daughter with Down Syndrome.

Hi Janet, Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’ve been homeschooling about 18 years years. My oldest attended public school, but we homeschooled our 3 youngest children from kindergarten through high school. I’m still homeschooling my daughter, who has Down syndrome. If she were in school now, she’d be graduating soon, but being that she’s homeschooled, she definitely will continue to do her studies at home and continue to learn academics as well as life skills.

The post Episode 14: Homeschooling Down Syndrome – Interview with Janet first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 13: Importance of Teaching Life Skills

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 19:35:37 +0000

Hello and welcome back to the homeschooling and loving it podcast! This week is episode 13 and we are Talking about the Importance of Teaching Life Skills!

Just for fun, I have a bit of trivia for you? The National Household Education Survey Program says that there are approx. 1,689,726

homeschooled children in the US – – Do you think this is accurate? Stay tuned at the end of the show we’ll chat about that more!

Have you ever heard of life skills? Sure I know we just did a podcast on Character training, and while I believe wholeheartedly in giving your child a solid foundation with good character traits. Life skills are equally important. And what are life skills you might ask? They are considered to be those fundamental skills that every person needs to participate fully in everyday life.

It’s important that we teach our children practical life skills–skills that teach them how to survive in society–how to thrive in society. These practical life skills can be divided into at least six categories and the skills that fall within each category are many, varied and probably endless. The question then arises as to which life skills you value and which life skills you and your spouse want to teach to your children. I’d like to share with you what I am teaching my children–

Communication skills. It is absolutely critical that people learn how to effectively communicate with one another, both verbally and through the written word. I’m teaching my kids the following–
- Be truthful–your word means everything
- Speak kindly–don’t be hurtful with the words you use
- Say please, thank you, no thank you, etc. People appreciate manners
- Eye contact is very important
- As important as your words are, your actions are even more important
- When in doubt, ask questions
- Being able to organize and write your thoughts down on paper is important
- Realize that what you write may be read by many people–unintended readers as well as intended readers
- Be very careful what you write/post on social network sites
- Never, ever, ever use your communication skills to bully or make fun of anyone
A similar important skill set is the formation and maintenance of relationships. The ability to form and maintain relationships affects every aspect of our lives. Relationship beliefs and skills that I want my children to master include–
- Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself
- Do not confuse kindness for weakness. Recognize and value kindness
- It’s important to be reliable
- There is no such thing as being too polite, too kind, or too reliable
- Value other people’s time
- Friends come and go–but your family is forever! Homeschoolers tend to this more.
- Empathy–it’s very important
- It is better to love and to be hurt than never to love at all – – Tis better to have loved and lost, / Than never to have loved at all” is from Tennyson
- You love people for their faults as well as their strengths. It goes both ways… you love them in entirety and they’ll love you.
- It’s important to treat animals kindly
- Treat other people’s property with respect – just ask!
- Actions speak louder than words!
- Be kind to those that love you – return kindness for kindness!
- You have instincts for a reason. If something or someone doesn’t feel right trust those instincts!
- Compromise is important
- You don’t always have to be right
- It really is more fun to give than to receive

So back to the trivia question – – In my humble opinion the National Household Education Survey is way off – because of several things

They don’t include students who have had to homeschool temporarily as homeschoolers
They don’t include students who are homeschooling through the public school’s online homeschooling programs – – like K-12 and the FL Virtual School
Those students who have chosen to homeschool yet report to an umbrella school are also not included in the homeschool numbers

I’m thinking the number of homeschoolers in the U.S. is at least 2 million if not more. What are your thoughts?

Thanks for joining us this week on the Homeschooling and Loving It Podcast HOpe you have an amazing week and as always-

With grace and joy,

Jamie

The post Episode 13: Importance of Teaching Life Skills first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 12: Advice For Teaching Christian Character Traits

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 19:17:11 +0000

Character Training is an absolutely vital part of parenting our children. Great character doesn’t just happen, it’s intentionally built and encouraged. As parents, we all desire to teach and train our children in the way they should go… but that takes work. REAL WORK.

Why Character Train?

Parents, our task is not easy… in fact, it’s the biggest most difficult task we’ll ever tackle. We’ve been given these children, as a direct blessing from God. But with that huge blessing, we are responsible to invest in them. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

This training task is also something that we need to be proactive with. We can’t train our children well when we only teach them in a heated reactionary moment. Training must be proactive and not reactive. The best lessons are intentionally taught with an eye toward building life-long habits. These heart lessons, rooted and grounded in a solid Biblical foundation and brought to fruition with a personal faith are what give our children the strength of character in the tough times. Which is an example of just how important reaching the heart of our child is – Proverbs 4:23 says to “Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.”

How Does Character Training Make a Difference?

I hate to be Captain Obvious, but character training builds good character in our children. The second part of Proverbs 22:6 gives us hope. It says, “when he is old he will not depart from it.” Now, don’t get me wrong… this isn’t a guarantee, but a principle of investment. Whether or not our children do “stick with it” when they are old is on them, but whether or not we teach and train them is on us. We must be intentional in our efforts because half-hearted attempts just won’t cut it. Parents must be the ones who in their child training efforts, teach consistency by example. And I completely get that it’s tough. I have six kids and consistency means getting up off the couch or out from under that comfy blanket where you’ve been reading and go deal with a situation with a calm and patient attitude ready to teach and train them! Shew… definitely not easy.

Yet, we have to look beyond the momentary inconvenience and realize that this training is building good habits for life… it’s an eternal investment! Not to mention the fact that character training, if done intentionally, gives you a game plan for guiding your child’s character. It can actually relieve frustration with your child’s wrong behavior. Why? Because you can address the undesirable behavior with a positive lesson on the right character trait he/she should be having. We can begin dealing with life lessons instead of referees correcting problems.

How to Start Character Training?

I think I’ve said this several times already, but intentional consistency is the key! I guess I just can’t say that enough! If we try to teach a lesson and then the next time they act out and we don’t reinforce that lesson, we’ve lost a teachable moment and have actually reinforced the wrong character trait. So, yes, that inconvenient aspect of staying consistent is VITAL.

When you get down to the nitty-gritty and are ready to create a game plan for your character training method, you’ll want to work through a few steps. Trust me, doing this will really help you be intentional and consistent.

Assess Your Situation

Just like we’ve learned in homeschooling, we need to know “about” our children before we can teach them well. The same in this situation. Take some time to do some recon. Watch and take notes on your child’s behavior for at least a week. When you do this you’ll track the good and the bad and also details about when, where, and who are involved in the behavior moments you record.

Create a Game Plan

Grab your notes and a cup of coffee and go somewhere quiet. I remember taking some time to pray before I started on this. Why? Because what you are doing isn’t something trivial, it’s so important to raising children that can go on to be a blessing. Pray, review your notes and ask God to help you look for root causes and connections between your child’s behavior and the root character trait needs work. Make a 3 columned list detailing the negative behaviors that need to be corrected, the non-existent character traits that need to be taught, and the good behaviors that need to be built.

Then I like to brainstorm ways or lessons that will reach the heart of the child and motivate them to change. Focus on the positive when teaching the lesson and correcting the negative behavior. Remember this – a negative behavior is often a misused positive character trait. Just like a very honest person can tend to be brutal or harsh, remember that at the heart of it is a good character but children need to be taught how to keep that character in check.

I also take time to name and define each character that I feel needs addressed. I usually do this on the 3 columned chart. So, if I have time I’ll create a quick guide for character lessons customized for each child. That tool really helps when you are in the middle of a heated situation. You can grab your chart and use it to bring objectivity to a touchy moment.

Implement Your Training

Remember again, the source of the issue is the heart. Pray and seek to train them using God’s word. Proverbs 16:23 says, “The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.” It starts in the heart.

Focus on one at a time. It really is a good idea to keep things simple. Don’t try to cover your entire game plan in a week. Building good habits with character training takes time. Focus on one character until you see fruit. That may take a week or maybe two!

Create daily lessons. Yes, this is so beneficial. Use that chart you created as a guideline for working systematically through the character qualities that you want to work on. This is perfect for a morning quiet time or morning basket. Remember to use positive examples and stories to illustrate your point as well as negative examples and the natural consequences that follow.

Build Your Lessons.

Introduce the character and give the meaning. Proverbs 14:6b “Knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth” Always be sure to give the meaning when teaching a concept.
Involve the senses. It is a proven fact that humans learn best when additional senses are used.
Use pictures, stories, dramatized audio, or acting lessons out. Again using a variety of methods to teach your lessons can make a huge difference.
Be observant. Look for the good. Catch your child doing something great and praise and encourage them to continue that behavior.
Keep on! Don’t give up when you have a difficult day. Because I can promise you will see tough times before you see a good character take root.

Remember, this is something that as parents, we are in for the long haul. Character training isn’t something that is “one and done.” Parents continue teaching and training both through lessons and by example throughout their child’s life. It’s something amazing that you’ve determined you’ll do. You’re investing in the future, one character lesson at a time!

The post Episode 12: Advice For Teaching Christian Character Traits first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 11: My Homeschool Mistakes and Lessons Learned!

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 21:59:54 +0000

Hello everyone and welcome back to episode 11 of the Homeschooling and Loving It Podcast!

Today I’m sharing something a little difficult…

My worst moments as a homeschooler…

Recently overheard someone mention me, “I trust Jamie, she’s homeschooled six kids over the past 15 years.” That really made me want to laugh out loud – and then it hit me…

IF ONLY they knew. I’m probably one of homeschooling’s biggest mess-ups. I’ve made so many mistakes, I’ve blown it so many times it’s a living, breathing miracle that my kids are ok. ( Well, the jury might still be out on that one…)

But, after contemplating what this dear homeschooler said, I wanted to come clean with the world!!

If there appears to be any success stemming from my convoluted efforts, I must claim the grace and mercy of God. I look back at the years and wonder how anything good could have come from my crazy attempts, and REALLY I’m amazed and humbled that we’ve come as far as we have!

So, I need ya’ll to know that I’ve probably made more messes in my homeschool years than I could count! das

Really that’s what learning is all about, isn’t it? We fall on our faces – – say ouch that hurt…

Brush ourselves off and get back to it… hopefully in a different better way!

BUT I’ve got to say — those mistakeshave been my teachersand also mygreatest heartaches.

I must say for me, my mistakes are the events in life that teach me the most. I haven’t always done things the best way, I haven’t always been diligent and consistent, but I have loved my kids and wanted the best for them. At the end of the day, that is the heart of it!

Well…Here goes my highlight reel of our homeschool bloopers!

Classroom at Home. So I started homeschooling fresh from a classroom. And, I thought I could simply carry over everything that I did in the classroom to my homeschool. In theory, you’d think that would work. But, the classroom and the school environment is very controlled… and my home… is very relaxed. I expected an orderly classroom, but instead I had diapers to change while teaching math, and crying toddlers to hush while teaching pre-algebra. It was crazy… and I started to go crazy!
Detailed Lesson Plans. We’re talkingdetailed.What I didn’t realize is that I was setting myself up to feel like a failure. Creating detailed lesson plans far in advance gave me no wiggle room…and boy did I need wiggle room. Every time I did not complete those lesson plans I felt awful, and that awful feeling led quickly to burnout!
No Plan or Schedule. Yeah, sooo… after those first two mistakes, I foolishly thought that going completely relaxed would cure my burnout. I was so wrong. Not having any plan or schedule was complete chaos! The kids learned very little this year and no surprise. We need goals to shoot for, and without them, we were lost!
Adopt Someone Else’s Life. Shew… are you seeing a pattern here yet? I was lost. I had not found my own personal groove. So this year, I thought I had to be just like someone I looked up to. My homeschool would be perfect if I could be like her! NOPE. Wasn’t perfect. It was awful. You see her homeschool fit her and her family, not me and mine.
Round Peg – Square Hole. So this mistake sort of carried over a few years. I have a child who has some learning difficulties. Instead of completely embracing those with her, I kept trying to educate her in the same way I had taught my other children. I put expectations on her that would never work. And I kept trying – over the course of several years. This resulted in frustration on my part and a dislike for learning on her part. Shame on me. I’m trying to repair that these days…
Fitting into a Homeschool Method. So for a time, I thought I had to claim a homeschool method to validate my homeschooling efforts. Wrong. It’s nice to know about the different kinds of homeschooling/learning methods and to use them as a tool, but what I didn’t realize is that no one fits perfectly into just one method. Most often homeschoolers straddle the fence and really homeschool using several different methods. When I realized this, it was revolutionary and FREEING for me!
Haunted by Unrealistic Expectations. This one is hard. I’m a perfectionist by nature. I love order and beauty – peace and serenity. (God sure does have a sense of humor to give me six kiddos!!) I rarely get all of those things in my life… but I have a constant battle with longing for them. Looking at social media and seeing what appears to be perfect homeschooling mamas with beautiful homes, obedient children, reading aloud, learning from nature, sketching their own planners from scratch… makes me covet that life. And, that is a dangerous place to be. Simply because I’m not grateful or content with what I have. I’ve learned that I’m not pleasant to be around when I’m grasping those unrealistic expectations. I force them on myself and on my family… not nice. So – grasping – clinging to a heart of thankfulness for the fact that I have been blessed with a wildly different yet beautiful life makes all the difference! I still lose a battle now and again – but I know my enemy and can be intentional in the fight!

Well, there are sooo many more ugly mistakes that I could bring up…but I feel like these seven are really root issues that a lot of my other mistakes grew from….it’s true we all have to work through ups and downs before we find our way!

Anyhow – as you walk your path and make your own mistakes don’t be discouraged… remember mistakes are our best teachers! Fall on your face – – get up – – brush yourself off – – learn from the mistake and move forward to do it better next time!

As always with grace and joy,

Jamie

The post Episode 11: My Homeschool Mistakes and Lessons Learned! first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 10: Homeschool Methods Part 3

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 19:38:47 +0000

Hello and welcome back to Episode 10 of the Homeschooling and Loving Podcast. Today we’ll be finishing up our series on the different homeschooling methods. We’ve already covered a lot of ground, and if you are interested in listening to our previous conversations go back and listen to part 1 and 2 which can easily be found on our podcast page at homeschool.com.

So today I hope to talk with you about the last four homeschooling styles. Unschooling, Charlotte Mason, Waldorf, and the Eclectic Method.

Since we have a lot of ground to cover, let’s jump in.

The Unschooling Homeschool Method

I think this one tends to get a bad rep and is really very misunderstood by many homeschoolers! But the Unschooling homeschool style is also known as natural, interest-led, and child-led learning – very similar foundations as a few of the other homeschooling methods we’ve discussed. Unschoolers learn from everyday life experiences and typically do not use school schedules or formal lessons. Instead, unschooled children follow their interests and learn in much the same way as adults do-by pursuing an interest or curiosity. In the same way that children learn to walk and talk, unschooled children, learn their math, science, reading, and history. John Holt was one of the leaders of the unschooling philosophy and once said, ““Birds fly, fish swim, man thinks and learns. Therefore, we do not need to motivate children into learning by wheedling, bribing or bullying. We do not need to keep picking away at their minds to make sure they are learning. What we need to do, and all we need to do, is bring as much of the world as we can into the school and classroom (in our case, into their lives); give children as much help and guidance as they ask for; listen respectfully when they feel like talking; and then get out of the way. We can trust them to do the rest.”

Unschoolers embrace that freedom and believe strongly that learning happens naturally and effortlessly and they trust in their child’s ability to direct their own learning.
The advantage of using the unschooling homeschool method is that unschooled children have the time and can develop research abilities to become experts in their areas of interest.
The disadvantage is that because unschoolers do not follow the typical school schedule, they may not do as well on grade-level assessments and may have a difficult time if they ever do choose to re-enter the school system.
For help, unschoolers turn to other homeschoolers and to the community. They often set up classes and clubs together. They trade private lessons with other homeschoolers. They do not take tests and do not teach to state-mandated standards or schedules. It’s important to compare your personal style to find the types of homeschooling methods that work for you! Many families using this approach will vary greatly with their philosophy regarding the use of the pre-made curriculum. Some families are vigorously opposed to curriculum in any form, preferring to let their child learn primarily from their natural interactions with the world around them. Other families may use a formal curriculum for specific subjects that they feel are essential and allow their students to pursue their own interests for the rest of their studies. Some students actually crave a certain amount of structure—especially if they are coming in to homeschool from a traditional background. And of course, the flexibility of homeschooling allows parents to meet these individual needs.

The Charlotte Mason Method

Charlotte Mason was a British educator and author of the late 1800s. Though Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education has withstood a century, it has seen a revival among the homeschool community over the last decade. Many have compared the Charlotte Mason method to Classical and all I can say is that Charlotte Mason was a classical educator so of course, her method will have similarities. One thing that does stand out is the addition of handicrafts in the Charlotte Mason method.

Charlotte Mason Homeschooling has at its core the belief that children are persons in their own right deserving of respect. According to Charlotte Mason, children should be given time to play, create, and be involved in real-life situations from which they can learn. According to Mason, education is “an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.”
Students of the Charlotte Mason method take nature walks, visit art museums, and learn geography, history, and literature from “living books.” (Books that make these subjects come alive).
More specifically, the Charlotte Mason Method will include:
Narration/Dictation – an activity that consists of the child telling back a story she has heard or read. It is done orally when the child is young, and as she grows older, she begins to write out her narrations.
Language arts in the form of journaling and copywork – transcribing a piece of literature as handwriting practice.
Nature Study – a study of living science, with a focus of observation of things seen on nature walks. Includes plenty of time spent outdoors and an appreciation for the natural world.
Living Books – books written in an alive, engaging way by an author who has a passion for the subject. This would be in contrast to textbooks, which are often created by committees to achieve government-set school standards.
The development of an appreciation for art and music.
The advantages of the Charlotte Mason Method are many and support a holistic view of education. The Charlotte Mason educational model seeks to help students create positive habits that affect not just their schooling, but their lives.

The disadvantages of this method are that there are many interpretations out there. For the most part, I would encourage you to study about the foundational philosophy of Charlotte Mason Learning and then build your own homeschool method. Popular books on this method include “A Charlotte Mason Education” and “More Charlotte Mason Education,” both by Katherine Levison.

Waldorf Homeschooling Style

Waldorf education is based on the work of Rudolf Steiner and stresses the importance of educating the whole child- body, mind, and spirit. Steiner developed this model in Germany in reaction to the educational system at the time. Steiner purposely steered clear of focusing on intellect only. He built his school taking into account the acceptance of all children with equal education between boys and girls, and to extend this education for 12 years. His educational method has gained popularity in the United States over the last decade and many schools dedicated to Waldorf have sprung up across the country. And, we’ve seen this popularity transfer into the homeschool community.
In the early grades, there is an emphasis on arts and crafts, music and movement, and nature. Older children are taught to develop self-awareness and how to reason things out for themselves. Children in a Waldorf homeschool do not use standard textbooks; instead, the children create their own books.
Waldorf education is often characterized by:
The Waldorf approach to early childhood education de-emphasizes academics
A focus on age-appropriate learning
Art, music, gardening, and foreign language are key focuses in the elementary years
No textbooks are used in the first several grades
No formal grades are assigned during the elementary years; instead, children are assessed by the progress made
Integration of the natural world into all aspects of education

The Waldorf homeschooling method also discourages the use of televisions and computers because they believe that computers are bad for the child’s health and creativity. Books about the Waldorf method are available from the Rudolf Steiner Bookstore (916-961-8727).
The advantages to using the Waldorf Method include a stronger more naturalistic approach to child learning.
The one disadvantage to the Waldorf Philosophy is that Steiner was also a formulator of anthroposophy. In case you’re all wondering what anthroposophy is – it stems from the idea that humans are able to communicate with spiritual worlds with their intelligence.
This, of course, brings up some interesting complexities. Though not everyone adds this aspect into their Waldorf education, there are some schools and proponents that do hold to some of these philosophies which include: a propensity to not vaccinate and the fact that some proponents have leaned toward racism. Of course, this does not have to affect your homeschool in any way if you feel that the Waldorf foundation methods would work for your home. You can pick and choose which parts you will actually use.

Eclectic Homeschool Method

“Eclectic” homeschooling is the method used most often by homeschoolers. Basically, eclectic homeschoolers use a little of this and a little of that, using workbooks for math, reading, and spelling, and taking an unschooling approach for the other subjects.
For the family who practices “relaxed” or eclectic homeschooling, mornings are often used for more formal, “have to” work, and afternoons are used for hobbies and other special projects. There are no specific times set up for each subject, but instead, the child is expected to meet certain educational goals.
Basically -The eclectic homeschooler uses what works for them. And for each eclectic homeschool, this will be a unique combination.
The advantage of the Eclectic method is that the parent feels that the “important” subjects are being covered thoroughly. This method also allows the family to choose textbooks, field trips, and classes that fit their needs and interests. Use formal learning for one subject and informal unschooling for another. The eclectic approach develops a tailor-made curriculum that fits your family’s needs perfectly.
A possible disadvantage of this method is that for many homeschoolers that are just starting it may seem daunting since the responsibility for developing the foundational plan lies with the parent. Also, some parents worry that their child isn’t getting everything they need and may have gaps… which pretty much can happen no matter where you learn in school or at home. But the good news is that over the course of 12 years – you end up closing most of those gaps!

Well, that wraps up our series on the main homeschooling methods… of course… there are probably many others out there that I haven’t touched on and if you use one of these send me a message and let me know about it and how you’ve implemented it in your homeschool. I’d love to hear from you!
Tune in next week for a special edition podcast about a learning resource that’s a modern twist on schoolhouse rock!
As we journey this homeschooling path together – I hope the rest of your week is amazing!
As always, with grace and joy,
Jamie

The post Episode 10: Homeschool Methods Part 3 first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 9: Homeschooling Methods Part 2

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 18:50:22 +0000

Hello everyone and welcome back to Episode 9 of the Homeschool and Loving It podcast. Today I’m podcasting from Tennesee – -where I’ve taken a car load of youngins to camp. So, bear with me if you hear outdoor sounds – – or even the occasional kid screaming as they run by!

Anyway – We’re glad you’ve joined us today – as we chat about Homeschooling Methods and how to easily implement them into your homeschool.

Last week we talked about Montessori homeschooling, as well as the Reggio Method and the Moore Formula. If you’re interested in any of those homeschooling methods – you’ll want to check out that podcast and get the scoop on those! This week we’ll talk about the School-at-Home, Multiple Intelligences, and the Classical method!

So. Let’s get started. The School at-home approach is often called traditional homeschooling since it takes on a similar form as traditional education in America. The school at home is often what many beginning homeschoolers choose simply because it is very familiar to what they have known from the school system.

Traditional homeschoolers often use the lecture style of teaching and will rely heavily on a regular daily schedule. It’s also common for traditional homeschoolers to use regular tests and quizzes to track progress and many will align their homeschool studies to what the local school system is studying.Also, some families use the school-at-home approach, but make up their own lesson plans and find their own learning materials.

The advantage of this style is that families can know exactly what to teach and when to teach it. That can be a comfort when you are just starting out, sothis method is great for new homeschoolers or those very concerned about “getting it right.”

The disadvantageis that this method requires much more work on the part of the teacher/parent and the lessons are not always as much fun for the children.Studies have also shown that this method has the highest burnout rate for parents. Statistics show that many homeschoolers often migrate away from this method after they’ve gained confidence in their homeschooling abilities.

The good news is that the school-at-home approach is typically pretty easy to implement and the resources available for those using this method are quiteextensive. Planning can be easier as well since the curriculum is often accompanied by a full-year plan.

The Multiple Intelligences Approachis an approach developed by Howard Gardner and Harvard University’s project zero. The basic fundamentals of this method are that everyone is intelligent in his or her own way and that learning is easiest and most effective when it uses a person’s strengths and not their weaknesses. We often hear this quote in conjunction with the Multiple Intelligences Approach – – “If you judge a fish by how well it can climb a tree, it will spend its whole life thinking it is stupid.” So often we miss the mark in this area by placing expectations on our children that are simply a bad fit.

Within the Multiple Intelligence Homeschool Philosophy, most homeschoolers have found success by naturally emphasizing their children’s strengths and automatically tailoring their teaching to match the child’s learning style. Successful homeschoolers also adjust their learning environment and schedule so that it brings out the child’s best.

There are several categories that are often used in determining a child’s strengths

Verbal-linguistic (or Word Smart)
Logical-mathematical (or Logic Smart)
Naturalistic (or Nature Smart)
Interpersonal (or People Smart)
Intrapersonal (or Self Smart
Visual-spatial (or Picture Smart)
Bodily-kinesthetic (or Body Smart)
Musical-rhythmic (or Music Smart)

Gardner discovered that most often people have two or three kinds of intelligence or “smarts.” This combination is what sets each individual up for success and the homeschool parent’s responsibility is to nurture these intelligences.

It’s best to avoid teaching to only one type of intelligence/or labeling a student by one. Students can change over time, and even develop an unexpected type of intelligence. That’s why it is good for teachers to expose students to all the possible abilities in order to discover their unique tendencies.

Note: Multiple Intelligence approach is *NOT* the same thing as learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic). Learning styles involves the various senses to take in information. Multiple Intelligence theory is about how the brain processes information.

The advantages of this homeschool method are obvious, the student can develop and pursue learning with the modality that best fits their intelligences. Using their strengths can give them the tools necessary for success!

The disadvantages of this method often lie in the difficulty of discovering a students intelligence modes.

Links to several multiple intelligences tests:

Multiple Intelligences Test

Multiple Intelligences and Learning Style Test

The Classical Homeschooling Method uses a three-part process to train a child’s mind. True classical homeschooling has been used to educate for centuries. However, over the past several decades schools and homeschoolers have found the importance of returning to this historical method.The instructional style is based on a method developed by Latin writer Martianus Capella in the Middle Ages and popularized during the Renaissance period. The original purpose of classical education was to create a uniform way of teaching all human knowledge.In fact, the overall goal is to get children thinking for themselves! The Classical Method of homeschooling is a very literature and language-based method of learning!

The three parts of study that classical homeschooling uses is referred to as the Trivium model. In each stage of the trivium, there is a distinct focus. In the elementary level, there is the grammar stage. This is focused on the foundational principles of learning and relates more to concrete terms and relates more to memorization and repetition. Simply put, in the elementary years a core foundation of knowledge is built in the subject areas of math, language, social studies, and science. In addition, an emphasis is put on Latin learning throughout the school years.

The second stage of the Trivium is the Logic or Dialectic Stage… and this assumes that students are moving from concrete thinking to a more analytic approach. At this point, students should begin to ask questions, compare and contrast ideas, and make connections between various aspects of their understanding. The keyword during this stage is “why”, and students are encouraged to dig deeper to find the answer.

The final stage of the Trivium is referred to as the Rhetoric Stage, and this stage builds on the previous two stages. Students combine the concrete understanding they acquired in elementary with the reasoning skills they developed in middle school to be able to articulate and their opinions and reasoning with debate and writing skills. Students in high school will be intent on refining all aspects of communication including writing skills, public speaking, politics, and even economics.

The advantages of this homeschooling method are historically proven. Most of the founding fathers of our country were educated using these principles. And, if you haven’t read their histories, they were highly educated men… knowing several languages was a common quality in addition to being well versed in all of the other core subjects.

Homeschool Curriculum for the Classical Method is also readily available and of high quality, which makes it fairly simple to implement a Classical Education in your homeschool.

If you are wanting to know more about the types of curriculum that align with each of homeschool styles – check back at the end of July – because we’ve got an article piece coming together that should be a great help!

Thanks for joining me today, and I hope you have an amazing week…

As always – – with grace and joy – – Jamie

The post Episode 9: Homeschooling Methods Part 2 first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 8: Homeschooling Methods Part 1

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 05:16:27 +0000

Hi Everyone! Welcome back to Episode 8 of the Homeschooling and Loving It Podcast – today we’re starting our series on Homeschooling Methods and Philosophies. Have you ever nailed down what type of homeschooler you are? Did you know that your homeschool method can affect everything you do in your homeschool – so it’s super important to figure that out…

Even though that isn’t what I did… so I’m encouraging you from my own past mistakes! For many years I homeschooled. PERIOD. I had no idea there were special ways to homeschool, I just jumped in and started homeschooling like I had taught my class when I was a teacher. After a lot ( and I mean a lot) of trial and error (aka falling on my face) I found my groove. My own personal homeschooling method which as it turns out is a quite an interesting blend of a few methods. Which works great – – each of us is different and each homeschool is different so mixing together a few methods to meet your unique needs is a great way to go!

Today it’s so great… we have clearly delineated homeschooling methods and philosophies that make it so easy for the homeschooling parent to find guidelines and encouragement for meeting their unique needs. Not to mention the fact that some of these tried and true teaching methods can really save you the hassle of making a mess of things. But discovering what kind of homeschool method you lean toward takes a little research. I recommend starting with a homeschool methods quiz – there is a quick and fun online quiz on homeschool.com – – just search homeschool methods quiz and you’ll see it! This will give you a nice starting place with a general idea of what type of homeschooling you are looking for your family.

After you’ve got a general idea of a few methods you have tendencies toward, you’ll need to dig a little deeper. I know – – homework – right? Yuk – but trust me – you won’t regret doing this homeschool homework! Take the methods that you had a propensity for – typically everyone leans toward more than one homeschool style – and research everything you can find about them. How the method is implemented in a homeschool setting as well as the different types of curriculum or courses that align with that style.

To help you get started in that direction, we’ll take some time during the month of July to talk about the different homeschooling methods and give you an idea of what each entails. So, today we’ll be looking at the Montessori method and a couple of additional methods that are very similar, including the Reggio Method and Moore Formula.

The Montessori Method was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 20th century. Dr. Montessori focused on how young children learn. Out of her research she developed a philosophy of learning that changed early childhood education. Even today daycares, schools and homes continue to be influenced by Dr. Montessori’s philosophy.

The Montessori philosophy of education was originally developed for classroom use, but many homeschoolers have seen the benefits in the home as well. This approach is child-centered and focuses on each child as unique. Many homeschoolers begin with Montessori principles from birth. Students are encouraged to seek knowledge for themselves and parents strive to provide opportunities for exploration. Stemming from this concept, “self-regulation” is an important part of daily learning and encourages the child to regulate his or her learning and conduct appropriately.

The room where the child learns is very important in the Montessori philosophy since it is the incubator or preparatory location for life. It should encourage learning with all sorts of educational opportunities to investigate.

It’s with this idea in mind that parents can look at their home through the eyes of a child. Look for ways that your home can be set up as a place conducive to learning. Do you see an empty shelf – display interesting educational books or toys. Do you have an empty corner? Set up a craft area, music area, or woodworking station. Leave it there until the child’s interest is exhausted. These centers for learning invite the child to learn and follow their interests. As the child gets older this same process can continue. Montessori learning follows the delight directed learning path and produces amazing results. Children typically develop a strong love for learning.

For the most part, Montessori homeschooling does not have to be expensive, and most of the resources can be made by the parent. As children grow and advance in their learning, parents can provide experiences as well as suggest studies that would fulfill certain basic requirements. But with the suggestions students should still be given options and allowed to choose what to study. The child is never forced to do lessons or read specific material, and parents are encouraged to model patience and kindness and personal love for learning.

If you are looking for Montessori materials, there are several good websites that provide Montessori supporting materials as well as great books on how to implement this method in your homeschool.

Before we close I’d like to mention two other homeschooling methods that are very close to the Montessori method. The first one is the Reggio Method. When I was researching it, it is truly so close to Montessori…

Reggio Emilia began in a small town by the same name in Italy in the 1960s. This small community wanted to start a preschool that would focus on developing a child’s intelligence with a desire to learn. A few hallmarks of this method include:

1. Children should be allowed to develop and follow their own interests

A multi-sensory approach to learning is encouraged.
The environment is considered another teacher so materials are carefully selected and the room is to have natural light, beauty and order
Project-based learning is fundamental. Children will often have more than one project going on at once.
Students are encouraged to research their passions and interests from many different angles. What they want to learn about, they read about, write about, and even do art about.
Documentation and communication are vital. Project examples are display and teachers record what the student communicated.
Reggio Emilia Method asserts the concept of the One Hundred Languages of Children. By this they mean that children can express their learning in a hundred different ways.
The use of mirrors throughout the learning area is said to promote the understanding of a different perspective in learning.

Finally, the other method that I wanted to mention is the Moore Formula. Unlike the other two – this method was designed specifically with the homeschool in mind. Raymond and his wife Dorothy were often referred to as the grandparents of homeschooling. Their formula for learning is designed to be low cost and low stress as well as have a focus on being God directed learners.The Moore Formula tailors the curriculum to each child, balancing study with work and service which teaches how to earn a living. It is high in basic skills – science, math, and language. It builds character and creativity.

Some of the foundational concepts for the Moore formula are:

1) STUDY — from a few minutes to several hours a day, depending on the child’s maturity. Readiness is vital!

2) MANUAL WORK and ENTREPRENEURSHIP — at least as much work in family or other business as a study.

3) HOME and/or COMMUNITY SERVICE — an hour or so a day. Focus on kids’ interests and needs. Be an example in consistency, curiosity, and patience.

The Moore Formula says that work is encouraged becauseselfless service is a cornerstone of character.

Did any of these homeschool methods stand out to you? They’ve definitely piqued my interest…

Of course, if you have any questions you can connect with me on FB or IG or email me at[email protected]

As always I hope you have an amazing week –

With grace and joy

Jamie

The post Episode 8: Homeschooling Methods Part 1 first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 7: Organizing for Summer Learning

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 21:05:40 +0000

Hello and welcome to Episode 7 of the Homeschooling and Loving it podcast!

We’re gonna chat about organizing for summer learning! Awesome right? (kinda like putting learning on auto-pilot)

Much of our homeschool learning takes place in our homes… so it makes sense that we would organize to make that learning as seamless as possible. We don’t always have to be the imparter of knowledge… our kids learn through so many ways… and in my opinion, the best learning comes through independent discovery. So think of this type of organization as a way to set your child up for discovery learning!

Let’s start with organizing some activity centers. When I was a classroom teacher, I loved creating centers in my classroom. It was a great way to extend their learning with very little effort on my part. So, creating activity centers in your home is a perfect way to give your child a way to explore creative pursuits and hidden talents!

I love setting up art centers, music centers, and even nature exploration centers. If you’re wondering how you’d even start… just choose an area in your home and set out a small table add all the elements that your child will need to dive in. For example, an art center might include a roll or stack of paper, colored pencils, markers, water color paints, pastels (for the brave – they get messy), clay and other mediums that you’re child might want to creatively explore!

A music center might consist of several instruments for them to explore. Or if you want to be slightly more directed, you can include a simple instrument and some index cards with “how to” steps to learn how to play. An easy one to do that with is the recorder… an instrument that a child could learn to play well during the course of a summer. We’ve shared an awesome totally free recorder class in our freebies section on homeschool.com. Once children learn the basics of playing a recorder, they can easily move into asimple flutewhich has such a lovely “Lord of the RIngs” sound to it!

It’s always fun to leave out a microscope with some interesting slides. Kids love to see the micro world! And as we take walks or explore the woods around our home we pick up interesting things like turtle shells, bird feathers, and odd stones. All the things that we can return home and dig deeper to find out more!

When you set up an activity center be sure to work through the process you envision your child accomplishing while at that center. Make sure that every needed supply is readily accessible. And that any additional information for extended study can be easily found.

Use Your Kitchen as an Activity Center

Summer is the perfect time to develop kitchen skills in our kiddos! I know sometimes it’s difficult to relinquish our kitchen to the messiness that seem to accompany our youngsters when they try to cook – but just remember you are encouraging creativity and building life skills… and one day they may just cook for you! Hang on to that while you clean up the mess together!

There are some really great kid cookbooks that simplify the cooking process and make it easy to accomplish great things!

Turn Clutter into Weekly Activity Bags

Ok, this is where the organization really kicks in… take the kid chaos cluttered spaces of your home and turn them on their head. Yep – so we all know our kids usually have way too many toys. They often play with just a few favorites and the rest are left in the bottom of the toy box or under the bed. Take this clutter and use it to your advantage!

To create weekly activity bags, have several large plastic totes enough for a month or so and big enough to hold playthings for a week. Select a variety of items for inclusion into each week’s tote. Making sure that you include toys that foster creativity, fine motor, imaginative and sensory games. Put all the other totes up and only bring out one per week. As time rolls on your child will actually miss some of those forgotten toys and when the new tote is brought out each week it will be awesome! The amazing thing is that with less distractions a child’s ability to focus deepens and play can become more imaginative!

Create outdoor learning spaces

If you have space for this, it’s an amazing way to get your kids outside and using their imagination. I know sometimes that is difficult, especially if you live in the deep south like us. Outside play during the middle of the summer is like visiting Satan’s front porch. For us, though we have some deep woods and it tends to be cool. We’ll often play out there, if we spray thoroughly with insect repellant or my kids adventure may end with Lymes Disease.

Anyhow, organizing for outdoor imaginative play is so fun. Set up an area with bug catching tools like nets and containers magnifying glasses, and gardening tools. The best bugs are often found under stuff! Also giving the kids wood scraps and hammer and nails is an amazing way to foster creativity. I mean who didn’t love building their own fort when they were growing up?? Just Don’t forget sunscreen and bug repellant.

And Finally – – let’s organize our vehicles for learning adventures!

You know so many of us travel during the summer that this just makes sense. It’s fun to put together our own Roadschooling Activity Kits. We all know that long trips can really try our patience. But putting together learning activities will help with keeping the kids engaged and provide some independent summer learning. A win on both counts.

Think about your vehicle as an extension of your home… and then envision ways that you can maximize on that space for learning. One of the best tools for this is the backseat organizer. You can pick this up everywhere but I’m adding a link in the show notes for one of my favoriteback seat organizerson Amazon.

Take time to fill the backseat organizer with a roadschooling kit full of a variety of visual, auditory, and tactile items. Some of our favorites include activity books, manipulatives like a Rubik’s cube, small action figures, flashcards, reading materials, and snacks. Just like we did with the clutter boxes… make a few roadschooling kits and change them out each week. The kids won’t get tired of them and you may find more peace in the car than you ever imagined!

Well, that wraps up our podcast for this week… I hope you found these tips to be helpful! If you’ve been able to incorporate any of these into your summer routine – let me know! You can always email me at[email protected]or message me on any of our social channels!

As always I’ve enjoyed sharing this time with you and hope that you have a wonderful and blessed week – – with grace and joy – – Jamie

The post Episode 7: Organizing for Summer Learning first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 6: Tips for Buying Homeschool Curriculum

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 19:27:34 +0000

Hello again! Welcome back to Episode 6 of the Homeschooling & Loving It Podcast!

We’re so glad you decided to join us again! Below you’ll find the show notes that I hope will help you find the curriculum that will make this year amazing!

SHOW NOTES

Tips for Buying Homeschool Curriculum

Not sure where to start with buying curriculum this year? I get it! Buying a homeschool curriculum can cause even the bravest parents to shiver in their boots!

The first few times I had to purchase a curriculum I felt so lost! I eventually figured out that I needed to set up some guidelines for myself. Once those were in place buying curriculum each year got a little easier! But of course, I have to have some willpower to stick to those guidelines….

So, one of the first things that I tell my homeschooling friends, is that you need to revisit your purpose and mission for homeschooling. Why are you homeschooling and how do you plan on accomplishing your mission? This then leads you to think about the best way to accomplish that mission- which is often your best-fit homeschooling method. I encourage you to ask yourself the hard questions if you haven’t already, and write it all down. This is the beginning of your “process” – get to know yourself!

Once you’ve decided on the homeschooling method that you’ll use this year, it’s wise to then think about each of your children. How do they learn best? What really motivates them? Nail down their primary and secondary learning styles – get to know what makes them tick! This will help you find their best-fit curriculum.

Now it’s time to do some research… using both the homeschooling method and your child’s learning styles you can enter the great big world of homeschooling resources. Use the internet to find homeschool resources that fit both criteria!

So that may sound fairly easy… but as I’m sitting here thinking about all the resources available for homeschoolers right now – – I know your job is far from being over!

In fact, There are still some guidelines that I had to set for myself even after I had my direction and plan in place. Because the resources are so extensive and so many are just STINKING awesome… it’s hard to say no to ALL THE THINGS!! And trust me – I’ve learned the hard way that we can’t do all the wonderful shiny new curriculum that appeals to mommy.

So here are my self imposed curriculum buying guidelines:

Make a list – and keep an inventory! Start with a plan… you’ve done the research so you know what’s available. Make a list of what you need and what you think might work – give yourself a few options. Homeschool conventions are great for getting a chance to check out your options. You can look it over – open it up – see if it is everything you imagined it would be… But also have a list of the inventory that you have on hand. Most homeschool families save curriculum for the younger siblings and then often forget what they have… but an inventory helps you remember what you’ve got ready and waiting! And what you need to purchase for the coming year.
You’ve just developed/rehearsed your mission and purpose of homeschooling, buy curriculum that aligns with that purpose and mission. Don’t ever think that a curriculum will magically fix or change your homeschool. OR that because it worked super for a friend that it will work the same with your family. It never works that way. Buy your curriculum to fit YOUR homeschool, your style, your children.
Don’t buy new curriculum just because…this one is especially hard for me. I’ll see the new amazing curriculum and want to try all of it! But that doesn’t work for me or my kids. if what you have is working don’t change! As the old adage goes – IF it’s NOT BROKE DONT FIX IT!
Don’t buy a curriculum for future years. Yes, I know it’s so hard to pass up good deals, and we all want to reuse that curriculum that our oldest child loved. But wait! Every child is different and unique – – every child deserves to be evaluated and fit to a curriculum that best serves their unique needs. Buying ahead of time may be a waste of money if your student changes or begins to dislike a curriculum.
Limit yourself. Again – especially important if you are attending a homeschool convention. Have a list, have an inventory, have a good understanding of what might work and then get what you need. Remember WHAT YOU NEED – not what looks fun – or pretty – or what you think you might get the kids interested in…dodon’t be distracted… if they aren’t artsy – don’t buy an art program! Be practical and then when it’s time to organize your homeschool room – you’ll be so glad you did!
Dig deep – Check out the curriculum in depth. Read reviews. Look at it if possible. Go over the teacher’s books and ask yourself some questions? is it laid out in a sequence that flows? Does it make sense? Is it challenging? Does it meet the basic requirements and learning goals that I have for my children this year?
Find a curriculum that piques your interest. Yes, I know – I said not to be distracted… but on the other hand, your curriculum needs to interest you and your children. Does it excite you? Are you ready and anxious to dig in?
Don’t always fall back on the curriculum. We often think the curriculum is the only way to go… but sometimes it’s so much fun to jump out of the box and get creative. Visit the library, participate in a co-op, join a class at a museum, or whatever fun learning experience is available in your local area!!

I’m sure there are other guidelines that you could add, but these are my tried and true! In fact, this year my kiddos are older elementary and junior high school so I’m giving them a little more responsibility in helping me determine our best fit curriculum for this coming year! I’d love to hear about your adventures in finding curriculum! Just email me at[email protected]and let me know!

Once again, I enjoyed our chat and hope that these few curriculum buying tips help you as you begin your homeschooling adventure for this year! And join us next week for another podcast on Organizing your home and car for summer learning!

As always wishing you many blessings until next week- with grace and joy – – Jamie

The post Episode 6: Tips for Buying Homeschool Curriculum first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 5: Chad Stewart, Author of Britfield & the Lost Crown

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 16:11:58 +0000

Hi there! And welcome back to Episode 4 of the Homeschooling and Loving It Podcast

Today we are interviewing the author of a new fast-paced young adult fiction book that just released… entitled Britfield & The Lost Crown.

Already receiving amazing reviews this book is a must-read for your summer list…

the author states that “Britfieldis more than a book; it’s a Movement in creativity, leadership and education.” I don’t know about you – but I’m curious to find out more – -so everyone let’s welcome the author Chad Stewart!

The questions we asked today were…

Tell us more about Britfield & the Lost Crown… what is the central theme of this book?

Awesome – I love those themes – they are definitely parent approved…

You mention that “Britfield is more than a book; it’s a movement in creativity, leadership, and education. “ Can you explain what you mean by this? And tell us how this book could be a movement!

Your target age range for this book is middle grade/young adult – why choose this age range?

I’ve seen so many new works published for this age range that are fantasy – why did you choose to write realistic fiction?

Tell us why it was so important to you to include detailed accurate descriptions of, geography, history, art, and architecture. This surely isn’t typical of your Middle grade/ young adult book.

You lived in England for a time isn’t that right? Tell us about that and how that inspired the Britfield series?

The book deals with a fictional family dynasty that has a possible claim to the British

throne, specifically the Britfield dynasty. Is this family dynasty based on any historical

family? What inspired the idea of a modern-day threat to the British throne?

As a parent, I love that the book teaches life principles. So, what can you tell us about the next book – any sneak peeks you can give us? And when do you think it will be available?

I’ve heard that Britfield & the Lost Crown may be developed into a movie in the next few years, is this true?

** If you are interested in purchasing Britfield & the Lost Crown or would like to watch the book trailer or explore Britfield you can do so by clicking the links in the show notes, or in the description of this podcast!

Once again – thank you for joining the Homeschooling & Loving It podcast! Join us again next week as we talk about Best Practices when Buying HS Curriculum! Looking forward to chatting again soon –

With grace and joy

Jamie

Britfield Book Trailer: http://bit.ly/BritfieldTrailer

Review BritfieldInstitute.org

Experience Britfield.com

Engage www.facebook.com/OfficialBritfield/

The post Episode 5: Chad Stewart, Author of Britfield & the Lost Crown first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 4: Summer Learning Challenge #2

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 23 May 2019 16:37:49 +0000

Hello everyone! Welcome back to episode 4 of the homeschooling and loving it podcast. I love talking about summer – it’s my favorite time of year – I enjoy all of the outdoor fun and easy-going days! But over the years I’ve come to respect the fact that my kiddos do need some mental challenges during the summer or I have to pay when we start the school term in August. Have any of you found that to be true with your own children?

If you’re interested in the statistics surrounding summer learning loss, be sure to check out our previous podcast episode! We talk all about those stats and what they mean for all of us as homeschoolers!

Last episode I gave you a challenge – a summer learning challenge –

And it has everything to do with reading! Because of course, the first part of the summer learning loss stats has to do with the loss of reading skills during the summer. But summer learning loss also affects children’s math skills – – sometimes losing up to two months of learned math skills. To me, that just translates to more work for me in the fall… and no way do I want that!

So, this week I have a second SUMMER LEARNING CHALLENGE for you!

Summer Learning Challenge #2

USE MATH EVERY DAY!

Just like reading, math can be a fun and natural part of a relaxed summertime routine. As you wrap up this school year, take some time to pinpoint exactly where the kids might need a little extra practice. Make a list of the concepts or skills and then get creative about how you might be able to turn practicing those skills into something super fun this summer!

Here are a few of my ideas for using math every day with my kids.

Plant a garden. Work together to plan, plot, and then determine what should go in your garden. There are a lot of math skills in determining the right size – how many rows of veggies you’ll have and more! So much fun! Then peruse the garden catalogs together and choose their favorites to plant. (Don’t forget to get them to keep it up too – or you’ll be stuck with weeding all summer! – – but side note – – we found that old newspapers and grass clippings work great to keep down the weeds and keep the workload manageable.
Plan your summer vacation together – everything from budgeting to scheduling your days uses math! Let them get detailed – it’ll be fun! (Unless they have you eating at McDonald’s the whole time!)
Play STORE with the kids! Sure have them rob their toybox and set up a toy store on the kitchen table. Make play money and have brothers and sisters come to shop and buy what they want. There will be counting and making the correct change – all super math skills to practice with fun play! Check the show notes for a link to some awesome printable money!
Play board games! One of our favorites! This uses counting and adding and if you play games like Monopoly there’s lots of math involved! Be sure to check the show notes for a link to 21 Free Printable Math Games to use this summer!
Choose a Do It Yourself Project. Encourage the kids to learn a new skill whether it be woodworking for the boys or sewing for the girls… it’s a great way to use math and learn a new skill!
Plan a home remodel project. This is something that we love to do at our house! We’ve remodeled two 100-year-old homes and then built a new home and every time we get the kids involved. They learn some serious life skills that will serve them well when they have their own home, but they also have to use those math skills! Get the kids involved in your project from the ground up… budgeting, plans, shopping for supplies, and the actual work! You’ll make great memories and build skills your kids can be proud of!

Summer Learning Goals

Summer is the perfect way to use out of the box ideas to keep your kid’s minds fresh! As you develop your summer learning road map, always keep these fundamental points in mind:

Keep it fun!
Create innovative environments and schedules that inspire

learning and creativity.

Let your kids be the primary architects of their own summer

learning plan.

Establish goals for the months ahead, but be open to the

possibilities that they may evolve along the way.

Develop individualized learning plans that best suit your child’s

learning style and interests.

Have many resources on hand.
Get outside—often!
Get organized. Identify tools and systems that work best for

your family and use them.

See new things.
Meet new people.
Make the world a better place by broadening your child’s mind

and exposing her to important issues and volunteering opportunities.

Be realistic and creative when considering how to finance

summer opportunities.

Seek out natural, fun ways of incorporating reading, writing,

math and science into your regular routines.

Avoid trying to do too much. Focus on the specific needs and

desires of your family. Throw out the have to’s and focus on the WANT TO’s!

Making fun a priority… even though learning is fundamentally part of what you’re doing.

Consider this:

In creating artificial divisions between school time and vacation time,

we send our kids the message that learning is something unpleasant

we get to escape from in the summer. When families make it a point to

pursue learning opportunities enthusiastically throughout the year, we

are telling our kids that we value learning. We let them know that being

open to new experiences, knowledge and discovery is our family’s way

of life. It may look more sparkly, quirky and colorful in the summer than

in February perhaps, but the message remains the same—always, we are

individuals striving to learn, to grow and to try new things.

Learning doesn’t stop during the summer – it just looks different!

How can you bring math learning into your summer fun? I’d love to hear your ideas!!

As always – I’ve enjoyed chatting with you today – – be sure to join us next week for an author interview you won’t want to miss!

Have a blessed week with grace and joy

Jamie

The post Episode 4: Summer Learning Challenge #2 first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 3: Summer Learning Challenge #1

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 09 May 2019 17:37:27 +0000

For those of us who need the summer break, summer learning loss is a real concern. In this week’s Homeschooling & Loving It! podcast we discuss the statistics that show the seriousness of summer brain drain and what it means for all of us as homeschoolers. And, NO… I’m not encouraging lesson plans and worksheets for summer learning! I’m doing the nice thing and giving you a summer learning challenge that is FUN! That’s right, with 10 smaller challenges to implement in your summer daily routine! So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get started…

Show Notes:

Challenge #1 – – Just read. Experts seem to think that reading at least six grade/age-appropriate books during the course of the summer will curb any brain drain that might want to sneak up on your poor unsuspecting kiddos! But don’t turn reading into another chore – – try using some of these challenges to make it fun!

#2 Make library visits part of your daily summer routine — like every Monday – or whatever day the library has something fun for the kids! While you’re there do some fun things – let the kids choose their own books – enroll in some fun events.

#3 Join a summer reading challenge. Most libraries have a summer reading challenge with a reward for finishing – but there are others like Scholastic that hold a summer REad a Palooza – – and even Good reads is hosting a summer reading challenge. Find one that your family thinks is fun and get reading!

#4 Can’t find a challenge you like? – Start your own! Involve your own kids – your homeschool co-op – or even the neighborhood… I’m sure your neighbor moms would love it!!

#5 Encourage your child to read every day… how you may ask – – by reading with them! Sure it’s summer and we all want a break – but for me getting to read a book for pure enjoyment is an opportunity that I don’t get much. Take the summer as a chance to share that experience with your kids… I like to do it right after breakfast before everyone gets off playing or working.

#6 Read to your kids! Yeah, even the older kids like to be read to… and if you can’t find the time or don’t feel comfortable reading aloud – use audio books. There are so many free audiobooks that your kids would love. Alternate between books they read and audiobooks to keep it interesting!

#7 One of our favorite summer pastimes is visiting the zoo, museums, and state parks. I love it! But my kids also tease me – yes – I confess I’m a sign reader – I have to read every sign at the museum… so I’m always the last one out and it takes me forever. But I promise I’ll speed read if someone wants to go to the museum with me this summer!!

#8 Ask friends and family that are traveling this summer to send your kids postcards with a few details about the places they’ve visited. This is a super fun way to sneak in a little reading – – and what child doesn’t love to get mail??

#9 Get cooking! Yes, even cooking is a way to get in a little reading practice. Have the kids search for the recipe they want (using indexes) and then plan and determine what they have and what they need and make a grocery list. Quite an adventure!

#10 Play board games – – yep you heard that right – – and you don’t need to go buy those fancy learning games. The good old fashioned games like SCRABBLE, Monopoly, and BOGGLE are perfect for practicing spelling!

The post Episode 3: Summer Learning Challenge #1 first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 2: Inspire Yourself to Embrace Motivation

Jamie Gaddy — Fri, 03 May 2019 17:11:05 +0000

Motivation is a tricky thing… or should I say a mental thing? We all need words of encouragement… and some days even more… but so often daily motivation comes down to ourselves.

I know I’ve got to get to stuff, but then I just don’t want to… I lack internal or intrinsic motivation! Well, in my effort to help myself “get over the hump” with this challenge – I did a little research… we’d love for you to join us in our podcast about Inspiring Ourselves to Embrace Motivation!

There are a lot of ways that we can be intentional about encouraging ourselves to stick with it! Trust me you’ll enjoy this one! I wrote this to myself – – so it’s super practical (inspirational) and easy to implement one step at a time!

Additional Homeschool Resources

Realizing Motivation: A Guide for Homeschool Moms

Have You Listened to the Lies?

How to Keep a Healthy Homeschool Mindset

Simplify Homeschooling with an Online Homeschool Program

The post Episode 2: Inspire Yourself to Embrace Motivation first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Episode 1: Homeschooling & Loving It! Introductions

Jamie Gaddy — Thu, 02 May 2019 20:35:17 +0000

Welcome to the new – Homeschooling & Loving It! Podcast… we are so excited to begin this new journey. I’d love to get to know each of you – so I thought I’d start it out with a little introduction. We all love hearing homeschooling stories – don’t we? Just to get things rolling I’m sharing my personal and rather accidental homeschool journey!

The post Episode 1: Homeschooling & Loving It! Introductions first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: How to Motivate Your Kids

Guest Author — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 20:25:06 +0000

Learn how to motivate your kids in this interview with Debbie Elder! Today’s podcast is titled: Motivation is as Easy as Pie! Sounds delicious, so join us as we chat about ways to keep our homeschooler motivated! Learn how to motivate your student to become a lifelong learner. She wants parents to keep in mind that 1. Every child wants to succeed. 2. Every child wants to please you, the parent. How can we make it easy for them to give us what we need and want from them? She discusses two strategies that can help you achieve those two different principles of teaching.

Related links:

The post Podcast: How to Motivate Your Kids first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: A God’s Eye View of Education

Jamie Gaddy — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 17:30:17 +0000

In this podcast we discuss Christian homeschooling with guest Barb Chilton. Barb specifically speaks about “A God’s Eye View of Education.” She elaborates on what Christian homeschooling really means as well as how it differs from general perceptions in society.

Related links:

The post Podcast: A God’s Eye View of Education first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: The Well-Trained Mind

Guest Author — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 00:32:42 +0000

In this podcast, Homeschool.com interviews author Susan Wise Bauer about her book, “The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education.” Susan was homeschooled herself and as a parent, homeschools her own children with her husband. She has been especially interested in learning and sharing about classical education because of her own homeschooling motivation for her children. She wanted them to know that learning is not confined to 12 grades of school, rather, that it is a lifelong journey. With classical education, there is great emphasis placed on learning how to learn, utilizing critical thinking skills, and becoming an intrinsically-motivated self-directed learner.

This podcast was recorded live from a phone conference as part of Homeschool.com’s “Homeschooling How-To Marathon.”

Related links:

The post Podcast: The Well-Trained Mind first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families

Guest Author — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 00:32:15 +0000

Homeschool.com speaks with Dr. Stephen Covey about his book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families.” Dr. Covey is well-known for one of his related books called, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

In this podcast, listeners will specifically learn about his idea of a family mission statement as a fundamental element of highly effective families. In summary, Dr. Covey emphasizes the decision-making process and how a mission statement can work effectively for unifying families. Listen to learn more!

Related links:

The post Podcast: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Calming the Chaos of Clutter in Your Home

Guest Author — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 00:30:05 +0000

Homeschool.com speaks with Elizabeth Hagen about clutter and how it affects peace in a home. Elizabeth Hagen is part of the National Association of Professional Organizers, a business owner, and mother of 5. In this podcast episode, Rebecca and Elizabeth discuss organization and time management. Personally, Elizabeth experienced that as her home and life became more organized, their home environment functioned better and she felt more peaceful.

Related links:

The post Podcast: Calming the Chaos of Clutter in Your Home first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Is Your Child At (Or Above) Grade Level?

Guest Author — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 00:29:33 +0000

Homeschool.com answers various homeschool-related questions in this episode. Learn answers to frequently asked questions, such as:

“How to homeschool multiple ages?”
“How to juggle homeschooling and work?”
“How to stay motivated throughout the year?”
“How to afford a complete education without burning out?”
“How to prepare for high school and college?”
…and more!

Related links:

The post Podcast: Is Your Child At (Or Above) Grade Level? first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: How To Unschool With Your Child’s Strengths & Interests

Guest Author — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 00:28:42 +0000

Join us as we speak with Pat Farenga about the subject of “unschooling” and where this concept of independent learning came from. They talk about the pioneer of unschooling, John Holt, who said that children could teach themselves and didn’t need to be in a classroom in order to learn. Learning did not have to take place at home and it didn’t need to resemble schooling. Learn more about “unschooling” and the key concepts of using this method such as:

What exactly is “unschooling”?
Background information about John Holt and how his thoughts on how children learn best evolved over the years.
The importance of not duplicating school at home.
Allowing children to explore much like they do before five years old.
The concept of helping people do things better.

Podcast: Homeschooled Teen Writes Best Seller

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:58:55 +0000

Join us as we speak with author Christopher Paolini about his book, “Eragon.” Christopher was a homeschooled student and originally a self-published author. The book was successful enough to be picked up by a publishing house and has been made into a major motion picture. Additionally, Christopher has followed “Eragon,” with three other books in the series. This is a homeschooling success story at its best!

Related links:

The post Podcast: Homeschooled Teen Writes Best Seller first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Finish Faster and Learn More With Accelerated Learning

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:56:51 +0000

Join us as we talk with Dr. Kuni Beasley who is an expert in accelerated learning strategies. He tells about Dr. Adler, author of How to Read a Book: The Ultimate Guide, and how he developed four levels of reading: Elementary, inspectional, analytical, and syntopical. In this podcast, listeners will learn how to teach their students study and reading techniques to get the most out of their textbooks including:

How to take notes from a textbook so you can get the most out of what you read.
Teaching students to read in such a way that they know which material they need to focus on and remember.
Applying systematic techniques to reading
Getting the most out of time spent studying

Podcast: Let’s Stop Illness Now

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:56:16 +0000

Join us as we talk with Dr. Nick Hall a renowned naturopathic doctor and researcher. He specializes in body chemistry evaluation and finding the true causes behind disease. His motivation was to find a faster and more effective way of eliminating disease and symptoms.

Related links:

The post Podcast: Let’s Stop Illness Now first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Test Taking Strategies for a Test Crazy World

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:53:34 +0000

This podcast is part of the 2005 homeschooling teleconference with Rebecca Kochenderfer talking with Bobbi DePorter. Bobbi DePorter is the President of the Quantum Learning Network and co-founder of the SuperCamp program. She was an early pioneer in the application of accelerated learning. She has written many books including “Quantum Learning: Unleashing the Genius in You”. With the big focus on test-taking, Bobbi helps parents learn that better teaching methods equal better test scores rather than “cramming” for the test. She explains how to set up your students for success with a strategy and a system applied for learning information.

Related links:

The post Podcast: Test Taking Strategies for a Test Crazy World first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Storytelling as a Way to Teach History & Science

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:52:19 +0000

Join us as we speak with author Joy Hakim for some informative information about different techniques for teaching science and history. Joy Hakim is the author of the popular “The History of Us” book series. Textbooks can tend to be watered down, dull, and politically correct so as not to offend someone. Adding storytelling to the learning process can make history and science come to life for students and help them retain information.

Podcast: Homeschoolers & Money

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:51:47 +0000

In this podcast we are talking with Robert and Kim Kiyosaki. Robert is an American businessman and author and the founder of Rich Global LLC and the Rich Dad Company, a private financial education company that provides personal finance and business education to people through books and videos. He explains how he writes books and creates products to teach people to have money work hard for them instead of them working hard for money. Kim Kiyosaki strives to help women learn how to take charge of their own finances and involved in their own investments.

Related links:

The post Podcast: Homeschoolers & Money first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Is There a Book in You?

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:47:45 +0000

Join us in this podcast to discuss book publishing with author Dan Poynter. He specializes in self-publishing and has pioneered self-publishing since the 70s. He is often thought of as the father of self-publishing. Learn about how he has never lost money on a book even with publishing over 120 titles.

Related links:

The post Podcast: Is There a Book in You? first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: How to Win the School Game

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:44:00 +0000

Hear about how to help your child succeed in learning with Pat Wyman, known as “America’s Most Trusted Learning Expert.” Pat helps provide a blueprint of learning success for parents, which can seem like a mystery for their children. Learning how to learn is vital foundational knowledge for education, so Pat explores strategies to help families meet their goals.

Related links:

The post Podcast: How to Win the School Game first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Homeschooling the Different Learner

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:43:02 +0000

In this podcast, we chat about homeschooling learning styles with Christine Field. Christine talks about how oftentimes, our children are just different from us in their personalities or learning styles and it is not a negative thing, but it can still be challenging to relate. She discusses how to approach homeschooling when our children learn differently from us as parents.

Related pages:

The post Podcast: Homeschooling the Different Learner first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Does Your Child Have a Hidden Reading Problem?

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:41:53 +0000

Join us as we talk with Pat Wyman about how vision therapy can improve learning, reading, and even athletic abilities. Regular vision screenings can miss certain things that can cause reading difficulties. Pat Wyman is “America’s Most Trusted Learning Expert” and a reading expert!

Podcast: Ignite the Entrepreneurial Spirit in Your Child

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:27:27 +0000

In this podcast, we talk with Sharon Lechter about educating our children on finances. She discusses how money management is a life skill, which is often not taught in traditional schools. In today’s education, students are prepared for being employees rather than seeking entrepreneurship. If your children are motivated to branch out on their own with their careers, here is excellent information to spark their entrepreneurial spirits!

Podcast: Juilliard Success Story

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:26:26 +0000

This podcast is an interview with the Brown family — the parents and the adult children. These 5 homeschool graduates are expert pianists. By the age of 9, each had played with a major symphony orchestra. All siblings attended New York’s Julliard as the first homeschool family to have all children accepted. The Browns even signed a record deal with Sony after moving to New York. They went on to record three CDs, each of which spent time as #1 on Billboard’s Classical chart and participated in a nation and international concert tour. This is a homeschooling success story at its best!

Related links:

The post Podcast: Juilliard Success Story first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Homeschooling at the Speed of Life

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:23:52 +0000

In this podcast episode, we discuss balancing home organization and homeschooling with speaker, author, and homeschool mom Marilyn Rockett. You’ll hear about finding balance between trying to get it all done and keeping up with homeschooling. Marilyn talks about how one of the biggest stressors for homeschooling mothers is a lack of organization and trying to get everything done. With books, talks, and conferences, Marilyn Rockett has plenty of helpful information to share on the topic.

Related links:

The post Podcast: Homeschooling at the Speed of Life first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: College by Twelve

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:23:01 +0000

This podcast is an interview with Mona Lisa Harding who is the author of the book, “College by Twelve”. She and her husband Kitchener decided after four kids to start homeschooling. They now have ten children and their success paved the for their children to start college by the age of twelve and go on to great careers in medicine, engineering, architecture, and more. She discovered with her four oldest children the fastest and easiest way to get them to do their schoolwork independently.

The post Podcast: College by Twelve first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Help Your Child Discover their Life Purpose

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:19:57 +0000

In this podcast, we talk with Marilyn Mosely. Marilyn Mosley Gordanier is an American educator, speaker, author, and founder of the Laurel Springs School. She is known for creating the first online K-12 school in the United States, Japan, and Korea.

She explains how important it is to purposefully let children know they are important and have a reason for being here. This helps to give them a desire to do good work and make a difference in the world by acknowledging the early dreams that kids have of a life’s purpose. Homeschooling gives you time to work with your children, time to develop their self esteem, talents, and gifts in a loving environment. One of the most important tools in doing this is –the power of appreciation, when someone feels appreciated they feel free to become their own best self. Home is a great place to develop this in a child.

Related links:

The post Podcast: Help Your Child Discover their Life Purpose first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: How to Train Your Child’s Brain for Success

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:19:15 +0000

In this podcast, we talk with John Assaraf. John spends much of his time focusing on Brain Research & Brain retraining. He’s also an entrepreneur, business growth expert & lecturer. Through numerous types of brain research, he develops programs to help others obtain success in all areas of their life. Using the techniques he discovered over the years he learned how it could be used to train a child’s brain to succeed. He explains about the two parts of our brain; conscious and subconscious , training the subconscious part of the brain to automatically learn what a child needs to know.

Related links:

The post Podcast: How to Train Your Child’s Brain for Success first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Better Your Homeschool Family – Marriage and Children

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:16:58 +0000

Join us as we chat about intentionally working on our relationships while homeschooling. It can be easy to settle for just good enough and get into a rut instead of pursuing the investment for better relationships. This is all about not just settling for good when we can pursue spectacular.

Podcast: Motivate Your Kids to Be Lifelong Learners

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:15:08 +0000

Join us for an enlightening interview with Wally Amos. He is the founder of Famous Amos cookies and is a famous TV personality, author, and entrepreneur.

Have you ever wondered how in the world you could motivate your child to learn or at least “desire” to learn? It can be a challenge for certain students and especially for the parents who are homeschooling them!

Motivation is the key… finding ways to encourage your child to learn independently will make all the difference!

Wally talks with us about motivating our children to become life-long learners!

Related links:

The post Podcast: Motivate Your Kids to Be Lifelong Learners first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Achieve Any Breakthrough Goal in 30 Days

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:12:46 +0000

Today, Cynthia Kersey joins us to talk about a simple process to achieve any goal in 30 days. Author of “Unstoppable Women,” which is a compilation of interviews about successful women in addition to their habits and traits.

We tell our children they can achieve anything in life, but we may get too busy to follow our own goals and model that approach for them. Cynthia shares that for her book, she wanted to learn how to find passion and purpose in life.

Related links:

The post Podcast: Achieve Any Breakthrough Goal in 30 Days first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Goal-Getter Experience

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:11:19 +0000

Lynn Rose joins us to speak about setting goals for your kids, motivating your children, and discovering your own #1 goal. In this podcast, she presents a simplified version of her program for goal-setting. As a renowned entertainer and motivational speaker, she has consulted with leading motivation experts to create a proven structure and process for meeting your goals. This process can apply to homeschoolers to help us reach greater success.

Related links:

The post Podcast: Goal-Getter Experience first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Inspiring Teens to be the Voice of Change

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:04:04 +0000

Julie Jenkins Sathe, the author of “Teens! Change is Your Choice! Solutions from Within.” She talks with us about how the potential for the change you need is already within yourself. You may need to take several steps and put in hard work to get there, but you already intrinsically have the potential to make that change. Learn more here!

Related links:

The post Podcast: Inspiring Teens to be the Voice of Change first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Song Journaling for Teens

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:03:36 +0000

Today we talk with Kim Culbertson about song journaling. Kim teaches teen song journal workshops, writing, and writing workshops. Here, she talks about creating a song journal with writing exercises. According to Kim, a song journal begin with songs that remind people of a place or experience. She says, “each of us walk around with our own soundtrack.” Creating a song journal is a fun way to practice writing by recalling the people and experiences in memories tied to songs.

Related links:

The post Podcast: Song Journaling for Teens first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Homeschool’s Answer to High School

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:03:08 +0000

Today’s podcast is a discussion with Aneladee J. Milne about homeschooling teens and socialization during these important years. The Milnes created a one day/week school with other parents so their teens could have more interactions with peers without enrolling in traditional school. These schools are called The Commonwealth School and they have surfaced in more than 6 states and in Canada. This style of community-based homeschooling for teens may be a great idea for homeschooling parents!

Related links:

The post Podcast: Homeschool’s Answer to High School first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Self Teaching to Help Your Child Ace the SAT and Other Exams

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:02:26 +0000

This podcast is a discussion with Joanne Calderwood, known as the self-teaching lady. She chats with us about the self-teaching method, which has been immensely helpful in her 17 years of homeschooling 8 children. The self-teaching method has led to incredible success for her children on standardized testing. For example, her son Nick earned perfect scores on the SAT multiple times and ranked in the top 100% of high school seniors in the nation. Colleges began coming to her teens to offer scholarships. As a testing expert, Joanne helps parents learn how to help their children become motivated and do the work for themselves, not just for their parents.

Podcast: Using An Advanced Placement Test For High School

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:01:46 +0000

Join us as we talk with Mark Cruthers about AP tests for high schoolers. He is a California credentialed teacher and has been teaching for 16 years. Mark teaches numerous AP classes and his pass rate with homeschoolers is 100%. He works with The College Board and as one of the individuals reading and grading the AP tests, he is uniquely qualified to help students prepare for these exams.

Podcast: Design a Memorable High School Graduation Ceremony

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:00:28 +0000

Join us as we speak with Barb Shelton about creating a unique high school graduation for your homeschooled student. Barb reflects on her oldest’s graduation ceremony, which was with 92 other homeschool graduates. She states that though it was lovely, it did not reflect the years of memories accumulated with homeschooling. Instead, for her next graduate, she designed an individual graduation ceremony to commemorate their homeschool experience. Learn how to design an extra-special homeschool graduation ceremony.

Podcast: Homeschool High School Record Keeping And More

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:59:57 +0000

Barb Shelton joins us again to share about high school record-keeping. High school is intimidating for many parents and especially for homeschooling parents. High school often comes with a lot of pressure for correct, thorough documentation, college preparation, and career exploration. Learn how to approach homeschooling high school as well as how to keep records as needed.

Podcast: How to Complete High School in Half the Time

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:59:14 +0000

Howard Berg speaks with us about speed reading methods. Howard is the World’s Fastest Reader from the Guinness Book of World Records. He teaches speed reading, speed math and speed writing. With his methods, high schoolers have finished high school in 2.5 years and graduated with 35-40 college credits. Twenty of his students completed college before age 20 (or younger), and three 13-year-olds enrolled in college (one of which graduated at 16 with a 4.0 GPA in economics and another was a senior at 16 with a 3.9 average in engineering). Learn how to learn more effectively here!

Related links:

The post Podcast: How to Complete High School in Half the Time first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Car Schooling (Turn Car Time into Learning Time)

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:54:26 +0000

We are joined by Diane Flynn Keith to learn about car schooling. Diane is a homeschooling expert and has homeschooled her own children through high school. In this podcast, she chats with us about how to utilize all the time spent in the car driving between classes, lessons, and group meets. If you have found yourself not having time for academic homeschooling between all the time spent driving, Diane’s methods for car schooling may be helpful for your family!

Podcast: How to Use the Internet Resources in Your Homeschool

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:53:27 +0000

Patricia Inman speaks with us about using the internet as a learning resource in your homeschool. Online resources present many opportunities to enrich your child’s education. However, this resource is not without its dangers. It’s important to take precautions to take full advantage of its educational benefits.

Podcast: How to Work With Your Child’s Strengths and Interests

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:51:57 +0000

Dr. Pat Mirenda speaks with us on unschooling and working with our children’s strengths and interests. John Holt invented the word “unschooling” to replace the word “homeschooling” because he felt it didn’t reflect all the kinds of learning that can happen outside of traditional school. Dr. Mirenda shares that unschooling at its core to recognizing all the ways children learned before they went to school and continue to build on those. Learn more here!

Podcast: The Education of the Future (Entrepreneurial Education)

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:50:27 +0000

Rhea Perry speaks with us about her philosophy of Entrepreneurial Education. Her journey toward this philosophy began with her own educational experience. Even though she graduated with a college degree in education, she felt unprepared for certain practical aspects of life, such as finances. When she began homeschooling her children, she realized it had to be practical so her kids would be prepared for life and prepared for leaving home, whether to college or not. Learn about how to incorporate practical life skills in your homeschool here!

Podcast: Unit Studies Made Easy

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:49:00 +0000

Unit studies are a great way to differentiate learning. Join our podcast as we discuss with Valerie Bendt how to create a unit study that is easy to implement and a joy to use! Valerie Bendt is a top homeschool expert on unit studies. She has homeschooled her children all the way through and discovered the benefits of unit studies. Unit studies are not textbook studies with subjects covering different topics. Instead, they are topical studies with all the subjects tied together. Learn more here!

Related links:

The post Podcast: Unit Studies Made Easy first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Give Your Child a Thomas Jefferson Education

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:47:16 +0000

Joining us is Dr. Oliver DeMille, author of “A Thomas Jefferson Education.” Dr. DeMille explains that this model of education is about leadership. In his research, he found that many great leaders throughout history have had this type of education, which is about training leaders, not specific to job training. Leadership education is designed to train an individual to take virtue and leadership into life. Learn more here!

Related links:

The post Podcast: Give Your Child a Thomas Jefferson Education first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: The Self-Teaching Method of Homeschooling

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:45:55 +0000

We are joined by Joanne Calderwood to talk about the self-teaching method. She shares how to help your children desire learning for themselves and become self-motivated. Her oldest children have had incredible SAT results after becoming self-learners. Joanne also believes self-teaching is very helpful for large homeschool families and teaching multiple grade levels.

Related links:

The post Podcast: The Self-Teaching Method of Homeschooling first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Ways to Make Your Homeschooling More Fun

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:36:46 +0000

Join us as we speak with Gail DeGiulio, the founder of SimplyFun: a resource for fun learning resources. According to Gail, many studies have shown the connection between play and learning. Psychologists have determined that play/games can have therapeutic benefits. Learning games have a profound effect on educational success because they offer a non-threatening, no-pressure learning environment. Learn more here!

Related links:

The post Podcast: Ways to Make Your Homeschooling More Fun first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: How to Avoid Homeschool Burnout

Guest Author — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 22:32:03 +0000

Christine M. Field is the author of several books on homeschooling, adoption, and specifically, Christian homeschooling. She shares her ideas for avoiding homeschool burnout. Christine discusses that even though people tend to feel pressured to present an image of homeschooling being wonderful 24/7, it is still stressful and challenging at times. When those stages hit new homeschoolers, especially, they may feel like homeschooling isn’t for them. In actuality, it is something all of us experience from time to time. Here’s what to do about it!

Related links:

The post Podcast: How to Avoid Homeschool Burnout first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: When Homeschooling Gets Tough

Guest Author — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 19:15:17 +0000

Joining us is Diana Johnson, an author of several books including “When Homeschooling Gets Tough.” Diana and her husband have been homeschooling since the 80s, so she is uniquely qualified to speak to the joy and struggles of homeschooling. There are tough days in homeschooling just as there are ups and downs in any endeavor. Homeschool burnout happens to all of us. Diana wanted to write about the difficulties of homeschooling after realizing homeschool moms frequently feel overwhelmed. Mothers often feel inadequate, and Diana states that she deals with it as well, so she wanted to share the truth of the situation even when her feelings were in denial. Learn more here!

Related links:

The post Podcast: When Homeschooling Gets Tough first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: Learning Preferences, Key to Confidence

Guest Author — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 19:13:29 +0000

In this podcast, we interview Mariaemma Willis about learning styles and related effects on confidence and success. She is a Learning Success Coach and offers many tools to help parents and students succeed according to their leaning style. Learning style information is important because many students grow up thinking that they aren’t smart or successful as a result of trying to teach every person in the same exact way. Instead, learners often find far more success when they learn according to their learning styles.

Related links:

The post Podcast: Learning Preferences, Key to Confidence first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Podcast: How To Teach Your Preschooler at Home

Guest Author — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 19:12:33 +0000

Diane Flynn Keith joins us to talk about why and how to teach preschoolers at home. Diane has been homeschooling her sons for 14 years and has written helpful books on homeschooling, such as “Carschooling.” In this podcast she talks about universal preschool and homeschooling your younger children. Join us for more information about preschooling!

Related links:

The post Podcast: How To Teach Your Preschooler at Home first appeared on Homeschool .com.

Homeschooling & Loving It!

Episode 82: Homeschool Assessment

Types of Homeschool Assessment

Daily Homeschool Grades

Placement Tests

Portfolio Assessment

Overview of Homeschool Assessment

Episode 81: Homeschooling the Gifted or High Performing Learner

Episode 80: Panel Discussion on Homeschooling

Episode 79: You Can Homeschool, Tips for All!

Episode 78: Helping Your Students Pursue Their Excellence

Episode 77: Tips for Homeschool Record Keeping with Corrina from Modify

Episode 76 When Failure Hovers How Do You Plan Your Homeschool?

Episode 75: Understanding Money with Phil Denniston & InflationEducation.net

Episode 74: Help for Homeschool Burnout

Episode 73 Advice for Homeschooling During the Holidays

Holiday Homeschooling Ideas

First Steps to a Big Change

Practical Ideas for Changing Things Up

More on Holiday Homeschooling

Episode 72: The Importance of Homeschool Handwriting

Other Articles on Homeschool Handwriting

Episode 71: Interview with Connor Boyack: Civics and Government

Other Homeschool Podcasts You May Enjoy

Episode 70: Motivating Reluctant Writers

Don’t Miss Our Other Great Homeschool Resources

Episode 69: Success Without College with Bruce Goodmansen

Supporting Articles About College Alternatives

Episode 68: Interview with John Edelson on Homeschooling Increase

Don’t Miss Our Other Great Homeschool Resources

Episode 67: Kirk Cameron Interview on Homeschooling

Episode 66: American Sign Language in Your Homeschool

Episode 65: Critical Thinking and Worldview Foundations

Related Podcasts

Episode 64: The Mystery of History with Linda Hobar

Episode 63: Importance of Teaching About The Bible – Rachael Carman

Episode 62: Preparing Your Teens for Their Future!

Special thanks to Study.com for sponsoring this podcast.

Episode 61: What is “Normal” Homeschooling Anyway?

Other Podcasts to Listen to:

Episode 60: Homeschool Latin Homeschool Curriculum | Dwane Thomas

Episode 59: Homeschool Help: Ordinary to Extraordinary | Lee Giles

Other Podcasts to Listen to:

Episode 58: High School Student Record Keeping| Lee Binz

Episode 57: Homeschool: High School Tips for Success | Jamie Erickson

Episode 56: High School | Test Taking Prep with Jean Burke

Episode 55: Alternatives For College Credit | Jennifer Cook DeRosa

Episode 54: Homeschooling & Alternatives To College

Volunteering While In High School

Military Options for Homeschoolers

Military Requirements for Homeschoolers

Enter the Workforce?

Begin an Internship

How do internships help?

How to find internships.

Become a Homeschool Entrepreneur

Start a Business

Episode 53: Homeschool High School 4 Year Plan | Rebecca Kochenderfer

Episode 52: Homeschool Middle School Importance | Lee Ann Garfias

You can also find helpful homeschool tools below:

Episode 51: 8 Keys for Homeschool Success | Rebecca Kochenderfer

Episode 50: Tips to Avoid Homeschool Burnout | Melanie Wilson

Episode 49: Teaching for Independent Learning | Joanne Calderwood

Episode 48: Setting Up Your Homeschool Room | Leah Hudson

Episode 47: Finding Your Homeschool Method | Sonya Shafer

Episode 46: Multiple Intelligences Learning | Rebecca DeVitt

Episode 45: Homeschool Help: Expectations | Guest Andrea Dillon

Episode 44: Mid Year Changes Are Absolutely OK!

Episode 43: Black History Program Ideas | YAAHA

About Yocum African American History Association

Help for Teaching Black History Studies in Your Homeschool

Episode 42: Dual Enrollment Mid-Year | Jennifer Cook DeRosa

Episode 41: Virtual Internships For High School Students | Jane Ferris

Episode 40: What is Classical Education? | Guest Leigh Bortins

Episode 39: Spending Too Much Time Together | Guest Celeste Orr

Episode 38: Teaching Strong Character | Guest Kathie Morrisey

You can find more free character training resources below from Homeschool.com.

Episode 37: Memory Tips For Studying | Guest Daren & Kath Denholm

Teach Your Child “How” To Think

Episode 36: Understand Your Constitution | Actress Janine Turner