Shows
Homeschool Your WayLAB TO LIFE: BOOKSHARK'S MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCEEPISODE 185 | In this episode, we introduce BookShark’s brand-new middle school science curriculum—a dynamic program designed to bring science to life for homeschoolers in grades 6–8. Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), this innovative curriculum blends engaging literature, guided inquiry, and hands-on experiments to create a seamless and meaningful learning experience.Discover how each hands-on lab is intentionally connected to the literature students have read in the days leading up to the activity, reinforcing scientific concepts through both storytelling and experimentation. Join us as we talk with Amy R. about how this fresh approach builds confidence, promot...
2025-05-3037 min
Homeschool Your WayTHE HOMESCHOOLER'S CONVENTION PLAYBOOKEPISODE 184 | Homeschool convention season is in full swing—and there’s no better way to explore curriculum options, get inspired, and meet fellow homeschooling families than by attending one in person! In this episode, we dive into the value of homeschool conventions and share where you can find BookShark this year. Whether you're just starting your homeschooling journey or you're a seasoned pro looking for fresh ideas, conventions offer a hands-on experience like no other.We’ll cover:Why homeschool conventions are a game-changer for parents and studentsTips for making the most out of...
2025-04-2935 min
Homeschool Your WayBOOKSHARK INSIDER PART TWOEPISODE 174 | In the dynamic world of homeschooling, BookShark stands out for its meticulous book selection criteria that cater to diverse learning needs. From crafting relatable characters in children's books to leveraging literature as a gateway to understanding history and culture, BookShark's approach intertwines educational strategies with emotional connections to enrich the homeschooling experience. By prioritizing character development and cultural relevance in their curated book lists, BookShark empowers homeschoolers with a well-rounded program that educates and fosters a deeper appreciation for literature and the world around us. Learn the how and why BookShark chooses books in Part 2 of BookShark Insider...
2024-04-1633 min
Homeschool Your WayBOOKSHARK INSIDER PART ONE
EPISODE 173 | Ever had a question about BookShark? Now you can get those questions answered by our seasoned experts. Whether you're curious about our homeschooling approach (why we do the way we do) or seeking insights into our range of educational products (why 4 days), our experienced professionals answer all those and more thoroughly and insightfully. Join Janna as she chats with her guest, Maddie Suter, BookShark’s School Liason, as they discuss all the questions they have received at conventions, through customer service and more.
QUOTABLES |
Bookshark's School Liaison, Maddie Suter, joins host JannaCook to a...
2024-04-0923 min
Homeschool Your WayJOY IN THE JOURNEYEPISODE 171 | Ever wondered what it’s like to use BookShark? Today’s guest Pamela has been an experienced user of BookShark for over 7 years. Listen in as she and Janna provide valuable insights into the benefits and challenges of homeschooling. Their appreciation of BookShark for its comprehensive curriculum and high-quality literature fosters a love for learning and critical thinking skills. However, homeschooling can present challenges such as balancing different grade levels and seeking socialization opportunities. Despite these challenges, Pamela's experience with BookShark has been overwhelmingly positive, witnessing academic and personal growth in her child. Her insights offer valuable guidance for...
2024-03-2641 min
Homeschool Your WayHAPPY HOLIDAYSHappy Holidays from all of us at Homeschool Your Way & BookShark.
The holidays are merry and bright but sometimes they can give you the blues because of stress, family or any other number of reasons. Join Janna and her guest Kelly Scimeca in this replay of Tis the Season for Holiday Blues as they chat about the holiday blues: the symptoms, the causes, and how to keep them from ruining your cheery vibe.
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TIMESTAMPS
01:52 Introduction to Kelly
2023-12-2628 min
Homeschool Your WayHOLIDAY HOMESCHOOLING: TRADITIONS & MOREEPISODE 155| Chestnuts roasting by the fire, stringing popcorn on thread, Santa pictures with matching pj’s, and caroling are just a few of the things that come to mind when people think of holiday traditions. Traditions can be an important part of any time of our lives but truthfully most of us have that one, if not more, tradition that brings that warm fuzzy feeling to our hearts and minds. Holidays are often when those traditions occur because family gathers but with that comes stress and the feeling that we have to do more or be more. In today’s pod...
2023-12-0537 min
Homeschool Your WayA NEW WAY TO LOOK AT FRACTIONSMath is a subject that inspires so many feelings in both students and teachers. It’s a subject that some seem to automatically excel in and others struggle. One thing that remains universal is there are varied ways to teach math, which is good because kids learn differently. What makes sense to one child may seem like learning quantum physics to another, but a different way of explaining or seeing how to work a problem or understand a concept can make all the difference! Join Janna as she chats with RightStart Math VP, Kathleen Cotter Clayton about a different wa...
2023-04-2541 min
Homeschool Your WayBOOKSHARK HIGH SCHOOL RELEASE!It’s here, it's actually here!! High School Curriculum! We are so excited about World History & Literature and U.S. History & Literature levels. Today's podcast is for all your questions about books in the levels, how it differs from other levels, why you should consider BookShark’s High School curriculum and more. Janna and her guest Amy R., BookShark’s Curriculum Editor and Designer, discuss the ins and outs of BookShark’s High School Curricula.
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Janna 00:0...
2023-04-1142 min
Homeschool Your WayWHAT TO EXPECT FROM 2023 HOMESCHOOL CONVENTIONSIt’s a whole new year of homeschool conventions! Whether it is your first year of homeschooling and attending conventions are a brave new world for you or you are an experienced convention-goer get some behind-the-scenes tips from the people who get to go to them all! From core curriculum to educational games there are so many options it can make your head spin, get ideas on how to break up the days, navigate the booths and find just what you want to get the most out of your convention.
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2023-03-1431 min
Homeschool Your WayHOMESCHOOLING WITH MICHIGAN BOOKSHARK VIRTUALHomeschooling in Michigan? Or wanting to homeschool in Michigan? Find out how you can get a FREE literature-based curriculum with support and online assessments! Join Janna Koch, BookShark’s Community Manager, as she is joined by Jen Myers and Gwyn Domke, from Michigan BookShark Virtual with Alpena Schools in Michigan. Find out the benefits of using Michigan BookShark Virtual with Alpena and get it for no cost to you!
OUR GUESTS | Jen Myers
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Janna (00:10): My guests, Jen...
2023-03-0732 min
Homeschool Your WayGETTING BACK ON TRACKWe all know life happens. Good or bad life seems to relish throwing out the best-laid plans. So what to do when life does get off track? Join Janna Koch, BookShark's Community Manager with her guest, Tanya Warpula, an advisor for BookShark, a military wife and mother of 5 who homeschools as they discuss getting back on track.
TIMESTAMPS:
Janna (02:29):
I bet. Now, in the years that I've known you, you have done two moves and one of them was just up the coast, but this last one was cross country.
Tanya (05:07):
2023-02-2825 min
Homeschool Your WayBanish Winter LagFeeling unmotivated to homeschool? Things are just harder, whether getting up with the alarm or getting through the assignments for each day? Join BookShark's Community Manager, Janna Koch and Aimee Eucce, owner of Play 'n Talk, in a lively discussion on how to banish the doldrums of winter. From metal detecting along a streambed to using army figures for math, store up the great ideas for you and your student and get tips on how to give yourself grace and to learn to adapt as life moves along.
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2023-02-1425 min
Homeschool Your WayALL ABOUT BOOKSHARKIt's all about BookShark this episode! How it started, the process behind it and more.
Join Janna Koch, BookShark's Community Manager and her guest Greg Thewes, Executive Vice President of Inquisicorp as they chat all things BookShark. Learn about how the brand began, why the name and all the behind-the-scenes in between.
TIMESTAMPS
Janna (01:42):
But if that was the case then BookShark may have never been created because we had extra time back in our day.
Greg (01:49):
Exactly. There was nothing else to do. So in the me...
2023-02-0734 min
Homeschool Your WayLEARN PIANO & MUSIC THEORY THROUGH A VIDEO GAMEMusic is a mental superfood—truly enjoyable and beneficial for both brain and soul! Music awakens imagination and even boosts math skills. Join host Janna and her guest Dana Dominiak as they talk about Piano Prodigy—a video game that teaches kids both music theory and how to play the piano.
About our guest: Both a video game entrepreneur and a professor of Computer Science at Lewis University, Dana Dominiak has extensive experience in both games and education. Dana's companies have created many hit video games for Nintendo and other platforms including Dragonball Z: The Legacy of Goku...
2022-11-1433 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW TO FOSTER IMAGINATION THROUGH READING & WRITINGAnyone can be imaginative. Our job as homeschool parents is to give our children a toolbox with enough variety of options to foster their creativity. Both reading and writing are key vehicles for imagination!
About our guest: Nancy Jo Wilson is a homeschool mother and science fiction writer. Visit her author website here. She's homeschooled for 20+ years in four different states. If she hasn't personally experienced a homeschool hiccough, she knows someone who has. With her sister Carole Jean Flodin, also a homeschool veteran, she wrote The Generic Literature Guide which helps parents find educational value from a...
2022-11-0838 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW TO TEACH A JOYOUS MATH THAT SOLVES REAL PROBLEMSSpecial guest Kathleen Cotter Clayton from RightStart Math believes that homeschool math can be so much fun that you fall off your chair from laughter. In this episode, she helps parents find the beauty, the fun, the giggles—even the joy—of math. Math is not math for math's sake. Math is a tool to solve actual problems. And when kids learn to concentrate steadily on math, they will feel empowered and refreshed!
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TIMESTAMPS
01:15 How Kathleen was introduced to joyous math through card...
2022-11-0136 min
Homeschool Your WayHIGH SCHOOL ADVICE FROM A MOM OF 5 HOMESCHOOL GRADUATESIf you are scared to homeschool high school, fear no more! Special guest Ann Karako of It's Not That Hard to Homeschool has successfully homeschooled five teens through high school graduation. In this episode she shares her insights about dual enrollment, homeschool styles, the family dynamic, gap years, and more.
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TIMESTAMPS
01:07 How Ann's babysitters convinced her to homeschool.
03:34 The inspiration behind It's Not That Hard to Homeschool and how Ann found her niche with homeschooling high school.
07:16 Ann says the fami...
2022-10-2544 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW ETIQUETTE HELPS YOUR KIDS DEMONSTRATE KINDNESSAt its core, etiquette is a set of skills that we use to help others feel valued. Our polite (or rude) behaviors send unspoken messages about what we cherish. If your kids could use help with being more refined or kinder to those around them, this episode with special guest Monica Irvine is for you! Visit Monica's site at The Etiquette Factory and learn about her curriculum that teaches manners. She says that purposeful parenting means creating and recognizing opportunities for our children to practice generosity, compassion, and empathy. That's what etiquette is.
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2022-10-1837 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW TO HANDLE MATH MISTAKESNicole the Math Lady has a unique approach to math mistakes: When errors happen, instead of feeling like a failure, accept mistakes as part of the learning process. Teach your kids not to be perfect math problem solvers but perfect math fixers. Nicole explains how she uses her own bloopers to encourage kids to embrace imperfection and keep trying.
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SHOP SAXON MATH: https://www.bookshark.com/saxon-math
VISIT NICOLE'S SITE: https://nicolethemathlady.com/
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TIMESTAMPS
02:18 Many people don't like math because it's perceived as a rig...
2022-10-1130 min
Homeschool Your WayMATH IS MORE THAN FORMULAS AND NUMBERSPast math trauma or thinking you're not good at math will impact how you approach math in your homeschool. If math is a weak spot for you, tune into this episode with special guest Nicole Thomas of Nicole the Math Lady. She actually became a homeschooler after she started teaching math online. Nicole encourages us to stop thinking about math solely in terms of numbers, formulas, and processes but to turn it into challenges that actually relate to something you're interested in—like how many more Pringles you could fit into a can.
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2022-10-0133 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW TO LEARN ANOTHER LANGUAGE A FEW PHRASES AT A TIMEWhat's your goal for second language learning in your homeschool? Do you want your kids to learn about a language or actually be able to communicate with that language? Adelaide Olguin of TalkBox.Mom takes the later approach. Her second language learning kits teach the entire family just a few useful phrases at a time in an immersive, whole-language approach. Instead of getting bogged down in grammar lessons and long lists of vocabulary words, you are using the language from day one. This episode includes not only tidbits about foreign language learning but also general tips for dealing with h...
2022-09-2743 min
Homeschool Your WayWHAT IS MASTERY-BASED LEARNING?Guest Gretchen Roe from Demme Learning says that math is like death and taxes: you don't get away from either one. She urges parents not to shortchange kids in their math instruction by claim they're just not a math-family.
Learn how a mastery-based curriculum is student-centric, allowing a child to work at the pace they need to fully comprehend the skills (instead of the curriculum determining the length of lessons and how quickly you work through them). Find out why manipulatives are key to learning math and why some kids discard them too soon. Are your math l...
2022-09-2031 min
Homeschool Your WayHELPING KIDS WITH EXECUTIVE FUNCTION, BILATERAL SKILLS, AND MOREIn this second chat with Occupational Therapist Assistant Trish Cauthon, she and Janna delve into the many facets of executive functioning and how to support your child with those skills. Find out what trouble signs to look for in areas such as visual processing, bilateral skills, and fine motor skills. Trish shares simple strategies that can help as you guide your child without frustration through developmental milestones.
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TIMESTAMPS
02:10 What is executive function? And how can we help kids develop theirs?
03:20 What i...
2022-09-1327 min
Homeschool Your WayHELPING YOUR CHILD LEARN HOW TO LEARNWe invited occupational therapist assistant Trish Cauthon to the show to help you equip your young children for their two primary occupations—playing and learning. The field of occupational therapy encompasses multiple key areas such as: motor skills, sensory processing, emotional social skills, self-regulation, and executive functioning. Learn how long you can expect a child to pay attention to a cognitively challenging task. Get multiple suggestions for making learning more memorable so that it sticks. And find out if your expectations for your child are reasonable or not.
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2022-09-0630 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW TO USE PHONICS TO TEACH READINGAimee Eucce is our guest expert, talking about teaching reading with a phonic-focused approach called Play 'n Talk. It's a skills-based program so it works for any age child who needs these skills. Aimee has learning challenges that made reading hard, but this program worked for her as a child, and now she uses it with her own children. Read the full transcript here. Or watch on YouTube here.
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TIMESTAMPS
01:07 Aimee was homeschooled as a child in the 80s...
2022-08-3032 min
Homeschool Your WayMOBILE DEVICE SAFETY FOR HOMESCHOOL FAMILIESBefore your teen drives solo, you offer driver's education with lots of practice behind the wheel under your caring supervision. Naomi Dahl from Cell Phone Permit makes the case that homeschool parents should do the same for smart phones—give young people the tools they need to use mobile devices in healthy ways so they avoid addiction, cyberbullying, and phishing schemes. With this curriculum based on trust and open communication, parents can help tweens and teens navigate social media and productivity apps wisely.
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2022-08-2339 min
Homeschool Your WayNEED HELP WITH HOMESCHOOL LANGUAGE ARTS? TRY LAMPLAMP stands for Language Arts Mentor Program, an exciting new option for parents using BookShark who may feel intimidated about instructing their children in writing. Through the online support of writing coach Dave Myers, students get the feedback they need on their compositions so they can grow as proficient writers. Hear Dave's story from public school English teacher to homeschool dad and his thoughts on the superiority of homeschooling.
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QUOTABLES
Dave: "...the best students are inquisitive. Right? Th...
2022-08-1636 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW TO HOMESCHOOL IN MICHIGAN WITH BOOKSHARK VIRTUALHear how Michigan Bookshark Virtual works for any family in Michigan and how it might be exactly what you're looking for in your homeschool journey—the perfect blend of print curriculum with online support and accountability. With this program, students are mostly learning via reading, discussing, hands-on experiments, and math manipulatives. Only about 25% of the time are students working on the computer. So this isn't a typical computer-based, highly screen-dependent program. It's a book-based program with a virtual component for assessment, grading, and recordkeeping.
Jen Myers: "...being an educator, one of the things that I looked at was...
2022-08-0928 min
Homeschool Your WayTHE HOMESCHOOL ADVANTAGEFind out why homeschooling is the education of the future with Bex Buzzie, a public school teacher and homeschooler. Bex's infectious enthusiasm will pump you up about the many advantages homeschooling provides your children.
This episode is the first of season 3 of the Homeschool Your Way podcast. We have a great line-up planned for you this season, so be sure to subscribe.
Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
TIMESTAMPS
01:53 Bex talks about her show: Homeschool Advantage podcast.
06:02 How Bex ha...
2022-08-0233 min
Homeschool Your WayTHEY ARE SMART!Have you ever wondered if you are smart? Do your children ever ask you if you think they're smart? What is smart anyways? Today's episode explores the theory of multiple intelligences. An IQ test isn't the only way to measure intelligence. My guest, Dana Fohr, discusses the eight ways your kids are smart. You may just be surprised by what you hear.
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QUOTABLE
...
2022-05-1040 min
Homeschool Your WayYOU ARE THE RIGHT TEACHER FOR YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDWondering if you can homeschool your special needs child? The answer is probably yes! Hear from Peggy Ployhar, the founder of SPED Homeschool for fresh ways to look at your role as a parent and teacher. Release yourself from the public school model and give your children what they truly need!
Visit SPED Homeschool for more resources.
LISTENER COUPON CODE
Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com. ★Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com.
TIMESTAMPS
01:28 Introduction to Pegg...
2022-05-0336 min
Homeschool Your WayALTERNATIVES TO COLLEGEThere are multiple off-ramps for your high school senior. Sure, college is one, but not every child is academically inclined. Special guest Cindy Lajoy shares alternatives to college for your homeschooled teens including trades, apprenticeships, tech-jobs, self-employment, entrepreneurship, and military service. Learn how to tailor your homeschool now for your child's future blue collar occupation.
Connect with Cindy at Blue Collar Homeschool.
LISTENER COUPON CODE
★Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
...
2022-04-2642 min
Homeschool Your WayHOMESCHOOL DO-OVERS: WHAT YOU'D DO DIFFERENTLYWe asked homeschool moms what they would do differently and what advice they'd give their younger selves about teaching at home. They didn't say they would work through more curriculum, drive their kids harder and faster, and be super homeschooler. In fact, their answers may give you the permission you've been needing to relax the pace and the reduce the intensity of your homeschool. Use this food for thought as guideposts for your own homeschool experience.
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TIMESTAMPS
03:35 Nugget of...
2022-04-1932 min
Homeschool Your WayYOUR TOP HOMESCHOOL QUESTIONS—ANSWEREDIn this episode, DeeDee, Ximena, and Janna field your homeschool questions including socialization, high school transcripts, how to know when you're doing enough, and how to measure progress. It's an uplifting show that will give you the confidence to trust the process as you homeschool your way!
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TIMESTAMPS
05:08 Let's get started!
06:01 Q1: How will kids be socialized if they are homeschooled?
11:49 Q2: How do you make a transcript for your high schooler to get in...
2022-04-1236 min
Homeschool Your WayWHAT A COLLEGE WRITING PROFESSOR REALLY THINKS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLED STUDENTSDr. Elaine Roberts is a writing professor who shares her perspective on homeschooled students (and much more) in this episode. You'll get her insights on how to teach writing in your homeschool, why going slow is the secret to going fast, and dealing with student frustration over not already understanding what's in the lesson. Find out her suggestions for setting your teens up for success in college.
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TIMESTAMPS
03:36 Homeschoolers sometimes reach college without ever having written a forma...
2022-04-0548 min
Homeschool Your WaySIBLING CONFLICT AND RELATIONSHIPSAs a mom to eight children, Lynna has lots of practical experience dealing with sibling relationships. In this podcast, she explains how to manage conflicts between brothers and sisters with her acronym SWIM.
Connect with Lynna at:
Sibling Relationship Lab
Heart Investigations - family book guides for conversations to develop emotional intelligence
Single-Session Parent Coaching
Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
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QUOTABLES
Lynna: "My mantra is a go...
2022-03-2942 min
Homeschool Your WayREFRESHING YOUR HOMESCHOOLLearn how to avoid burnout by refreshing your homeschool. Keep your kids motivated, keep yourself on track with your homeschool goals, and finish your school year strong as you lead into a delightful (and well-deserved) summer break!
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QUOTABLES
DeeDee: "So sometimes we think it's too late in the year to make a big change of things, but that's not true. As homeschoolers, we have the freedom to change things whenever we want."
Thanks to show sponsor BookSh...
2022-03-2236 min
Homeschool Your WayPRESCHOOL AT HOME WITH BOOKSHARKFind out how to do preschool at home from travel blogger Stephanie Taleghani who is using BookShark's Pre-K curriculum. Learn why she says it was a perfect match for her three-year-old and why she's working through it a second time now that her daughter is four years old.
Find Stephanie at Consistently Curious.
Find BookShark Pre-K here.
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TIMESTAMPS
02:59 Stephanie started her travel blog as an outlet during postpartum depression.
04:51 What Stephanie looked for in a curriculum to homes...
2022-03-1531 min
Homeschool Your WayHOMESCHOOL THE EASY WAY WITH BOOKSHARKThink homeschooling is an insurmountable task or unbearable burden? In this episode, Janna interviews Sharon, a massage therapist who now homeschools her two children after a theater career. They discuss the lazy (IE easy) way to homeschool — with BookShark! It's simple to use and fully planned, yet still parent-intensive. But it's enjoyable because you're learning by reading great books (only 4 days a week) and discussing them. There's room for rabbit trails of exploration to foster curiosity, too.
Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com. ★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your cou...
2022-03-0833 min
Homeschool Your WayEXPECT GREAT THINGS FROM YOUR KIDSSpecial guest Aaron Brewster brings his insights about expectational homeschooling — expecting great things from your kids to stimulate amazing results. Your kids don't have to be geniuses or gifted to excel. You simply need to nurture their innate abilities with high expectations.
Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com. ★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com.
TIMESTAMPS
02:37 Aaron's background with homeschooling.
06:17 How Aaron's mom planted the roots of what he calls expectational learning.
09:32 Socializati...
2022-03-0159 min
Homeschool Your WayHOMESCHOOLING WITH HONEST EXPECTATIONSAny homeschool parent will admit there are days you just can’t get it all done. And there are seasons when you won’t get it all done. What if, instead of trying to push through, you set yourself up for success by scaling back expectations and honing in on the homeschool basics? Could this process expand space for you to thrive in the hard times while still achieving your homeschool goals?
Sabrina Bryant, from The Simple Happy Life, shares her journey of homeschooling through recurring health issues. Learn how keeping perspective and staying organized allow her homes...
2022-02-2249 min
Homeschool Your WaySOURCES OF STRENGTH FOR YOUR CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTHAs parents, we set the tone for the mental health dialogue in our homes. Sources of Strength is a framework that gives families the vocabulary and resources to dialogue about anxiety, depression, compulsive thinking, anger, and much more. This wellness model gives kids and parents tools for emotional wholeness, with a focus on hope, help, and strength. Youth advocate Katheryn Willie, the special guest in this episode, outlines components of the support wheel and explains how parents can guide their children into resilience and confidence. Visit sourcesofstrength.org for additional family resources.
Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. R...
2022-02-1540 min
Homeschool Your WaySECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING FOR HOMESCHOOLERSWhether you aim for second language mastery at the bilingual or biliterate level or whether you simply want to expose your kids to another language, introducing foreign languages into your homeschool is a worthy venture! Learning another language can be a way to foster appreciation for and connection to your own culture (like Ximena's own story), or it can be a way to boost academics overall.
Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com. ★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com.
2022-02-0129 min
Homeschool Your WayHOMESCHOOLING THROUGH HORMONESHang on for the twists and turns, dips and dives of the roller coaster ride we call homeschooling with hormones! Whose hormones? The kids' or ours? Both! In this episode, DeeDee and Ximena talk about the intersection of puberty for our kids and the typical hormonal fluctuations of moms. When it all gets ramped up, there can be emotional explosions and angry meltdowns. But there's hope for the hassles. Tune in to find out!
Note: if talking about hormone changes, menstrual cycles, and puberty makes you uncomfortable, then this might not be the episode for you.
2022-01-2535 min
Homeschool Your WayHOMESCHOOLING WITH A PRESCHOOLER WITH DOWN SYNDROMELeilani Garcia is a former classroom teacher and a current special needs mom to four. In this episode, she chats with hosts DeeDee and Ximena about her life of parenting and homeschooling a preschooler with Down Syndrome. They'll cover juggling multiple kids when one child has a ton of therapy appointments, how to teach critical thinking, dealing with insecurities, and finding supportive community.
Connect with Leilani on Instagram or YouTube.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or down...
2022-01-1839 min
Homeschool Your WayHOMESCHOOLING TEENS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIESNatalie Vecchione is the special guest on this episode about homeschooling teens with developmental disabilities and how to successfully launch them into adulthood. Natalie's podcast is FASD Hope. Her new book is Blazing New Homeschool Trails: Educating and Launching Teens with Developmental Disabilities.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
TIMESTAMPS
02:25 Natalie talks about how valuable unit studies are for neuro-divergent students and that they can be just a single...
2022-01-1155 min
Homeschool Your WayCHORE SYSTEMS FOR HOMESCHOOLERSAs homeschoolers, your home is in constant use, and it shows! Enlisting your children to take on household chores is a win-win for everyone. Kids gain self-sufficiency in key life skills, the home stays comfortable and presentable, and you aren't bearing the entire brunt of the work! Get inspired to set up chore systems for your home with this episode hosted by DeeDee and Ximena.
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TI...
2022-01-0543 min
Homeschool Your WaySEX EDUCATION FOR HOMESCHOOLERSThis episode is about the dreaded talk that we need to have with our children. Yes, homeschool moms and dads, it's our responsibility to provide sex education. You may be nervous to dialogue about the birds and the bees, but DeeDee and Ximena have some great tips (and some hilarious anecdotes) to equip you.
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• • • • • •
TIMESTAMPS
03:05 Just because you homeschool doesn't mean your kids aren't exposed to sexual...
2021-12-2832 min
Homeschool Your WayWHY EVERY HOMESCHOOLER NEEDS COMMUNITYTorrie Oglesby is the special guest in this episode about the importance of community and how to find it or create it. Parenting is hard, and homeschooling only adds to the challenge. Having a network of support is essential to well-being!
Connect with Torrie on: Youtube The Oglesby Ohana | Instagram @torrie_oglesby | Podcast: The Fruitful Vine
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
Ximena: "So if parenti...
2021-12-2151 min
Homeschool Your WayINTENTIONAL HOLIDAYS FOR HOMESCHOOLERSCelebrating winter holidays can get in the way of homeschooling. But that's okay! Learn how to merge your holiday memory-making into your homeschool to keep the learning stress-free. For example, wrapping presents and budgeting for gift giving are both life skills that come into play in December. Embrace the mess, lower your ridiculous standards of perfection, and enjoy the holidays with your kids this year!
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
If...
2021-12-1433 min
Homeschool Your WayA GUIDE TO USING UNIT STUDIES FOR HOMESCHOOLWant to light your children's enthusiasm for science, history, and language arts? Structure a UNIT STUDY around the topics they are already crazy about, and you'll naturally draw them into the learning. In this episode, DeeDee and Ximena interview Sara Jordan, a homeschool mom who loves creating and using literature-based unit studies. Learn how to create your own unit studies and how to use them alongside or as a break from your regular curriculum. Find out if your kids would love this approach, and if yes, adapt Sara's brilliant (yet so simple) interest inventory notebook to get started.
2021-12-0735 min
Homeschool Your WayTIPS FOR HOMESCHOOLING AN ONLY CHILDJessica Waldock comes back to the podcast, this time to share her experiences as a homeschooling mom to an only child. Learn if it's harder to homeschool one or many children. Find out why strewing and single-player games are key to Jessica's sanity. Jessica reveals why homeschooling one can feel lonely and what to do about it. Plus learn how to provide the socialization that an extrovert craves.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at booksh...
2021-11-3052 min
Homeschool Your WayRETURN TO JOY: SELF-CARE FOR HOMESCHOOL PARENTSWith endless to-do lists, the responsibility of homeschooling, and adulting in general, it is easy to lose focus on what brings you joy. Self-care is abuzz in homeschool circles, but how can you put one more thing on your plate? Hear the secret to sustainable self-care from Camille Kirksey, founder of The Intuitive Homeschooler. She explains how self-care isn’t an all-day spa retreat or an hour soaking in the tub (but it can be if that’s what works for you!). It’s a simple strategy to return to what brings you joy!
Camille Kirksey has homesc...
2021-11-2337 min
Homeschool Your WayTHE HIDDEN TREASURE OF READING ALOUD TO TEENSJoin special guest Candice Kelly from Homeschool on the Hill for a discussion about sharing books with our middle schoolers and high schoolers. Just because kids can read independently doesn't mean it's time to forfeit all the treasures of reading aloud to them. In fact, the teen years are when the richest discussions come into play! Read-aloud time is also a super way to reconnect as a family since kids tend to become more and more solo in their studies and extracurriculars as they mature. Candice gives a fantastic hack for choosing read-alouds for teens: movies!
★★★ LISTEN...
2021-11-1640 min
Homeschool Your WayTHE GIFTS OF ART & MUSIC FOR YOUR HOMESCHOOLGet motivated to include more art and music in your homeschool by hearing the powerful benefits the arts give our kids. And then be inspired by DeeDee and Ximena's amazing unit studies that teach history by way of music! And like they say, "You do not have to be a musician to teach this!" Art appreciation and music appreciation are easy to enjoy thanks to YouTube, Spotify playlists, and Meet the Classical Composer CD series. Imagine teaching history and science through the lens of music! For example, in the Roaring Twenties, the music industry was born thanks to Thomas...
2021-10-2643 min
Homeschool Your WaySCREENTIME TACTICS FOR HOMESCHOOLERSSpecial guests Dr. Meghan Owenz and her husband Adam peel back the curtain on the negative effects of too much screentime and the addictive quality of games and programs created for children. But better yet, they provide practical tips for managing screens with a healthy attitude, accepting that they can enrich our lives as long as they are their proper place.
Meghan's book: Spoiled Right, Delaying Screens And Giving Children What They Really Need
Screen-Free Parenting.
QUOTABLES
Meghan "...about a fifth of adults say they can't control their media use ... your child's prefrontal cortex isn't f...
2021-10-1946 min
Homeschool Your WayHOMESCHOOL HACKS TO MAKE YOUR SECOND YEAR OF HOMESCHOOLING BETTER THAN THE FIRSTReduce frustrations and get more done each day with Linsey’s matter-of-fact advice about categorizing all of your day-to-day tasks. Linsey and Janna will give you permission to let go of expectations that don’t suit your family so you can homeschool confidently with your own flair. Finally, Linsey encourages families to celebrate the successes of their homeschool year—no matter how unconventional it was. Although you may not have checked all the boxes, rest assured your children have learned this year!
Linsey Knerl is a mom of six, a small-business owner, and author of Homeschool Hacks: How to...
2021-10-1242 min
Homeschool Your WayCANDID TALK WITH FIRST-TIME HOMESCHOOL PARENTSMeet moms Amber Lewis, Eileen Duby, and Sharon Miller who opted to homeschool because of the pandemic. Led by host Janna Koch, these three moms talk candidly about their unexpected school year at home—what motivated them to take their kids out of public school, what they learned about their children and about themselves, their academic wins, and their day-to-day struggles. Teaching their kids at home has pulled back the curtain on the shortcomings of public school and revealed the hidden advantages of homeschooling.
Hear encouraging stories when moms realized their kids were truly learning and their re...
2021-10-051h 02
Homeschool Your WayPOSITIVE PARENTING FOR HOMESCHOOLERSIf you struggle to get your kids to listen or follow directions, this session is for you! Jill Jackson, mom of 3 and a professional counselor, applies her expertise to help homeschool parents break out of negative habits so we can thrive in the daily grind of living and learning with our children nearly 24-7.
Discover the downside to telling your child no and don’t.
Learn the key perspective shift that counteracts fatigue.
Find out how shorter conversations and positive affirmations are more effective than long lectures, yelling, and negative accusations.
See how Jill uses a simple chart to...
2021-09-2855 min
Homeschool Your WayWHY YOU SHOULD CHILL OUT: FACING YOUR HOMESCHOOL FEARSReally. Just chill out. While your fears are totally normal, they are mostly not worth stressing about. In this episode, DeeDee and Ximena breakdown the most common anxiety-provoking elements of homeschooling and explain why you need to take a deep breath and trust the process. You are not failing your kids!
QUOTABLES
Ximena: "That's something I get from a lot of people that don't know much about homeschooling. They're like, 'Oh, I'm sure it's really hard for your kids to see you as a teacher when they see you as a mom.' Yeah, it i...
2021-09-2132 min
Homeschool Your WayBACK TO (HOME)SCHOOL: MOTIVATION & PLANNINGBack-to-school season is time for anticipation, inspiration, preparation, and expectations. Get back into the homeschool groove with your hosts Ximena and Dee as they recount their overly ambitious summer plans and what they're doing to set the stage for an excellent year of learning with their kids.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
DeeDee: "Again, we all have different personalities. I'm surrounded by people who are pretty intense...
2021-09-1432 min
Homeschool Your WayTHE MONTESSORI APPROACH FOR HOMESCHOOLINGLearn how to bring the joy and freedom of a Montessori school to your home. Special guest Jessica May explains how to homeschool with a Montessori minimalist approach — even with reluctant learners or middle schoolers. Helicopter parents, brace yourselves. With the Montessori method, you need to embrace messes and give your child more autonomy.
QUOTABLES
Jessica: "The Montessori approach, in a nutshell, is self-directed, it's hands-on. In the early years it's abstract, and it becomes concrete later, when they're older... You don't sit people down with worksheets... that's kind of the gist of it ... following and...
2021-09-0736 min
Homeschool Your WayWORKING PARENTS CAN STILL HOMESCHOOLIt can be done! With schedule flexing and creative thinking, it's possible to homeschool as a working parent. Shift your mindset out of the traditional schooling mold and learn how to create a lifestyle of learning that makes room for education, work, as well as play and rest.
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QUOTABLES
Paulette: "...humans are such creatures of habit. So we think Saturday is for chores or Sunday [is] when we do the cleaning or ... our errands. And we live in a 24/7 world...
2021-08-2451 min
Homeschool Your WaySUPER CHARGE YOUR HOMESCHOOL WITH CO-OPS, CHARTERS, & BOOKSHARK VIRTUALLearn how to leverage the power of the village through co-ops, hybrid learning, and virtual options. All of these learning avenues can extend your at-home experience and build a supportive community for you and for your children.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com.
TIMESTAMPS
02:35 Homeschool Co-ops
Co-ops are great for community and for electives beyond your main curriculum.
14:08 Hybrid homeschooling
Hybrid situations are great for families that want to homeschool but don't want to bear all of the respons...
2021-05-1838 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW TO MAKE SCIENCE WORK AT HOMEShed your science insecurities and join your kids as a fellow learner! That's the main advice in this podcast hosted by Janna with special guest Amy Ratliff, curriculum designer at BookShark. Amy says that the biggest part of teaching your kids science is to engage their curiosity. Enjoy the scientific process even when things don't go exactly right.
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QUOTABLES
Amy: "There's actually a million and one variables that go into every experiment ever, and if anything is slightly off, it...
2021-05-1127 min
Homeschool Your WayWHAT DO STANDARDS MEAN FOR MY HOMESCHOOL?When we're thinking about standards, it's common to worry our children will be behind. The good news is that it's easy to know what your state standards are because they are very clear and published online. You can compare your curriculum to the standards and reassure yourself that you're covering all the bases.
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QUOTABLES
Lynn: "Again, don't be afraid of the standards, it's just a measure by which each state wants to make sure that they're doting their Is and c...
2021-04-2740 min
Homeschool Your WayTEACHING MULTIPLE AGES AND STYLES: YOU CAN DO THIS!Homeschooling a wide swath of ages and personalities means juggling multiple needs at once. Tanya has found success by combining her children as much as possible with a literature-based curriculum. She makes adjustments for each child as needed, but she doesn't create her own lesson plans. Learn why Tanya finds life skills so important and hear her tips for extracurriculars, socialization, and finding community in this encouraging episode.
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QUOTABLES
Janna: "We're never really behind when we're teaching our children...
2021-04-1338 min
Homeschool Your WayHOMESCHOOLING HIGH SCHOOLWhen you hit the high school years, yes, you need a plan, and it's best to stick with it instead of flip flopping around. But that doesn't mean you throw out all the fun! Learn how to relax through the high school years with special guest Candice Kelly who has already graduated one son.
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QUOTABLES
Candice: "... when you get into high school, you really have to have a four year plan. You can't just wing it, year by year."
2021-04-0643 min
Homeschool Your WayAVOIDING HOMESCHOOL BURNOUTBurnout in homeschool is very common and it's almost inevitable if we're not intentional. Sadly, burnout is often our own fault! Learn the signs of homeschool burnout. (Do you have it?) And then find out the ways to resolve or hopefully avoid it.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
Ximena: "I think at the beginning, I did have burnout, at the beginning of homeschool because I was the ty...
2021-02-0926 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW TO CHOOSE CURRICULUMOne of the most difficult decisions a homeschooler makes is which curriculum to use. For the most part, your choice will carry you through an entire school year, so you want your curriculum pretty close to being the perfect fit. You can always tweak a program to suit you though. It's a lot like buying a formal dress. You may expect to make small alterations to the fit to make is suit your body better, but overall you love the dress.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show...
2021-02-0226 min
Homeschool Your WayHOMESCHOOLING TEENS AND TWEENSLittle kids are cute, but they are also a ton of work! And that's why homeschooling tweens and teens (even with all the emotions, insecurities, and headphone isolation) is so rewarding! You get to shift in your role and see them blossom in independence. Parenting and homeschooling gets better every year! Tune in to hear what you have to look forward to in the tween/teen years. If you're already there, you will relate to these common frustrations but also the profound joy of raising teens.
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2021-01-2635 min
Homeschool Your WayWHEN HOMESCHOOL ISN'T WORKINGMost every homeschool parent has considered quitting from time to time. Homeschool is tough, and we have to find ways to stay motivated and keep things fresh for ourselves and for the kids. If the daily grind is getting you down, we want to help you process those feelings and recharge. This episode covers what to do when you are fed up with homeschooling and ready to throw in the towel from frustration.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog...
2021-01-1925 min
Homeschool Your WayLANGUAGE ARTS FOR HOMESCHOOLLanguage arts is a huge chunk of your homeschool education, encompassing reading, literature, writing, vocabulary, spelling and even handwriting or typing. Avoid teaching these skills in isolation. Instead, use the natural approach to language arts by exploring these skills in context of great literature and meaningful writing assignments.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
DeeDee, about loving to read: "I didn't have librarians, teachers, or parents who were en...
2021-01-1227 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW TO REFLECT ON YOUR HOMESCHOOL YEAREvery year needs its own reflection and its own decisions. Whether you are at the start of a new calendar year or a new school year, take stock of your homeschool experience with DeeDee and Ximena as your guides!
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
DeeDee: "... when you're feeling stressed out, burnt out, your perspective is off. So maybe things aren't as bad as they feel at the mom...
2021-01-0528 min
Homeschool Your WayHOMESCHOOLING GIFTED KIDSIs your kid super smart, intense, and also a bit odd ... like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole? Your child may be gifted— the term defining a person with an IQ of 130 or above. Join guest Jen Vail as she tells her story of homeschooling when public school couldn't meet her son's needs.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
Jen: " [Our son's giftedness] did not l...
2020-12-1538 min
Homeschool Your WayHOMESCHOOLING DURING THE HOLIDAYSWhen December rolls around, you probably feel like you're ready for a break, but how can you relax when the holidays add a dozen complex projects on your to-do list: shopping, decorating, menu planning, etc.? What's the secret to managing the holidays while homeschooling? DeeDee and Ximena share the tactics that help them truly enjoy family time so these weeks truly can be the "most wonderful time of the year."
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download sample...
2020-12-0824 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW TO HOMESCHOOL WITH CONFIDENCEDon't let fear keep you from choosing to homeschool. And don't let lack of confidence keep you from trusting your instincts as a parent. Here's how to be a more confident homeschooler, one who isn't afraid to take risks. Remember that no choice is a forever choice. You can always fix it! So don't be afraid to mess things up. You know what's best for your child.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com....
2020-12-0130 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW TO NURTURE GRATITUDE IN YOUR CHILDRENWe all want our kids to whine less and say thank you more often! The benefits of gratitude are scientifically proven: increased happiness, improved sleep, and boosted self-esteem. DeeDee and Ximena discuss all the clever ways they nudge their children, tweens, and teens towards a greater realization of all they have to be thankful for.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
Ximena: "We always say in our house...
2020-11-2427 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW TO HAVE THE BEST FIELD TRIPS AS A HOMESCHOOLERYes, field trips require time, money, and a dose of planning and patience. But the world is filled with interesting places and people to explore! Field trips model to our kids that learning takes place in the real world and not only from the pages of books.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
Laena: "My kids, aren't going to remember the great math lesson I taught. But they wi...
2020-11-1734 min
Homeschool Your WayTEACHING POETRY IN YOUR HOMESCHOOL WITH TEA & POETRY DAYSWhen you study a poem, you are learning how to extract information from a different kind of text. Analyzing poetry has so many benefits: not only verbal skills, but also memory, writing, imagination, and vocabulary. All it takes is pleasant exposure to poetry to gain these benefits. Just read, enjoy, recite, and memorize poems to learn language arts the natural way. Get inspired by DeeDee and Ximena as they reveal how they have poetry and tea days to teach poetry in their homeschool.
Download a free poetry analysis guide.
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2020-11-0329 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW TO HOMESCHOOL KIDS WITH A LARGE AGE GAPImagine you have a baby or toddler, an elementary aged child, and a teen. That's a family with a large age gap among kids! Our guest Crystal has a family like that. She shares her tips for managing homeschooling a broad mix of ages with a baby in tow. Take a peek into her day with this episode.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
Crystal: "Schooling and learnin...
2020-10-2732 min
Homeschool Your WayIS A HOMESCHOOL CO-OP RIGHT FOR YOU?A homeschool co-op can provide support and friendships for you and your children. Plus the mix of parents means that you can offset some of your own weaknesses as a teacher with the strengths of others. Ximena and DeeDee met in a homeschool co-op, so of course, they've had a great experience and want you to glean the benefits from them, too.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
Ximen...
2020-10-2028 min
Homeschool Your WayHOMESCHOOLING WITH A CHARTER SCHOOLLet's look at the pros and cons of educating through a charter school and a few tips for making the most of the experience should you go that route.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
DeeDee: "...even though we are enrolled in a public charter school, we are the homeschool parents. And so we are able to homeschool. We're able to give our children that rich educational experie...
2020-10-1329 min
Homeschool Your WayGETTING KIDS TO LISTEN: TIPS WITH BRAIN ORGANIZATIONDanielle Perrecone-Alomoto is a neurological reorganization consultant from In the Cortex who, in this episode, talks about communicating so that kids will listen and follow directions.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
Danielle: "My children are four years old and 16 months and I'm still messing up. And I know this information. So there's a huge element of being human. And it's just learning the awareness and then underst...
2020-10-0628 min
Homeschool Your WayDISTANCE LEARNING: HOW TO MANAGE THE HEADACHESDistance learning is not easy. There are a ton of headaches to navigate. This podcast is about how to make the most of virtual learning and why you may want to consider a full shift to homeschooling instead.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
DeeDee: "So talk about ... frustration! You've got the kids frustrated with their learning environment, with their lack of socialization. The parents [are] frustrated becaus...
2020-09-2933 min
Homeschool Your WayDISTANCE LEARNING: HOW TO MANAGE THE HEADACHESDistance learning is not easy. There are a ton of headaches to navigate. This podcast is about how to make the most of virtual learning and why you may want to consider a full shift to homeschooling instead.
QUOTABLES
DeeDee: "So talk about ... frustration! You've got the kids frustrated with their learning environment, with their lack of socialization. The parents [are] frustrated because they see that this is not the best learning experience for their kids. And they're frustrated with the schools and what they're asking. It's a recipe for disaster."
DeeDee: "...
2020-09-2933 min
Homeschool Your WayHOW HOMESCHOOLING IMPACTS THE FAMILY DYNAMICHomeschooling affects everyone in the family! DeeDee and Ximena share how to make those impacts positive instead of negative. They also encourage you to nurture your relationships beyond your role as a homeschool mom/dad. Don't forget you are a child to your own parents, a friend, and (maybe) a spouse. Those bonds deserve attention, too.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
Ximena: "The high school years go the f...
2020-09-2229 min
Homeschool Your WaySCHOOLING AT HOME IS NOT THE SAME AS HOMESCHOOLINGDue to the pandemic, many families have experienced schooling at home, distance learning, or online school. Of course, this has been tough and has given some parents the idea that they aren't cut out for homeschooling because they hate it. But schooling at home isn't the same thing as homeschooling. Although both provide more flexibility and require parental involvement, homeschooling is so much better! You can adjust the pace, the volume of assignments, the methods you use, your daily schedule, etc. Kids don't need to ever fail a quiz, a test, or a subject because they can keep trying...
2020-09-1528 min
Homeschool Your WayTHE BASICS OF HOMESCHOOL SCHEDULING (PLUS A FEW PRO TIPS)A big part of homeschooling is figuring out a good schedule for your family. Schedules help you accomplish your long-term goals and provide an anchor that lets you enjoy flexibility. Without a schedule, you can take a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants approach. But when life gets in the way, you may find chaos dictating your journey versus your dictating where you're going.
PRO TIP: Using CRAM CAMPS when you complete 2 weeks of curriculum in 1 week.
PRO TIP: Spotify Playlists for transitions.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks t...
2020-09-0835 min
Homeschool Your WayTHE PRICELESS JOY OF ENJOYING BOOKS TOGETHEREnjoying books with your children is much more that just reading aloud to them, although it includes that, too!
QUOTABLES
Ximena: "Audio books are not cheating."
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
TIMESTAMPS
02:22 What does it mean to enjoy books together? Read-alouds, audio books, and book club.
02:38 Benefits of enjoying books together.
03:46 Most parents stop enjoying books with their children once th...
2020-09-0126 min
Homeschool Your WayDO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO HOMESCHOOL?Is the homeschool parent a special breed, someone with a unique gene that gives them super-human patience and a knack for teaching? Not at all. DeeDee and Ximena don't feel they are especially patient; neither is a professional teacher. Yet they successfully guide their children through the curriculum. Your objections to homeschooling can be overcome. If you want to homeschool (or need to homeschool), you can!
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
...
2020-08-2530 min
Homeschool Your WayTIPS FOR HOMESCHOOLING AS AN INTROVERT: HOW TO GUARD YOUR ENERGY RESERVESIntroverted parents don't choose to homeschool just so they can avoid people altogether. But they do typically find benefits in terms of managing how their energy is spent day-to-day. DJ and her special guest Bethany Ishee of bethanyishee.com discuss the pros and cons of homeschooling as an introvert plus provide tips for getting that elusive downtime that introverts crave. Hear them dish on co-ops, possibly one of the most energy draining aspects of the homeschool life.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Reques...
2020-08-1856 min
Homeschool Your WayYEAR-ROUND HOMESCHOOLING: THE PERKS & MYTHSYear-round homeschooling doesn't mean that you do lessons all the time without any breaks. It simply means you spread out your breaks more evenly through the year instead of taking a massive summer break. It also means you can start and stop your school year anytime you like versus mimicking the public school's pattern of starting a new curriculum each August or Sept. Year-round homeschooling is a fantastic way to homeschool your way!
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalo...
2020-08-1126 min
Homeschool Your WayUSING MORNING BASKETS FOR HOMESCHOOLThis episode is all about a trendy new phrase in homeschooling which is really just a rework of circle time. Learn how your homeschool might benefit from the routine of a morning basket — especially if you are teaching more than one child. Find out exactly what it is and how to set one up. Spoiler: It doesn't even have to be in a basket!
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
TIMESTAMPS...
2020-08-0432 min
Homeschool Your WayCOPING WITH COMMON HOMESCHOOL FRUSTRATIONSAlthough every homeschool is unique, there are some common frustrations that all families will likely face at one time or another: kids being discouraged about their progress, kids having bad moods, moms getting angry and feeling behind, etc. In this episode you'll find your frustrations aren't unique only to you, and hopefully you'll find some solutions that will make a difference for you.
PRO TIP: Spotify Playlists for signaling transitions.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or dow...
2020-07-2832 min
Homeschool Your WayLARGE FAMILY HOMESCHOOLING: TIPS FROM A MOM OF FIVEDigging into her experience teaching five children, DJ shares how it's not as hard as you might expect to homeschool a large family. Keys to her sanity and providing a good education for her kids are staying flexible, teaching her kids together instead of separately, and training kids to do some work independently.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
DJ: "We can really complicate our homeschools, especially if we'r...
2020-07-2833 min
Homeschool Your WayTRANSITIONING FROM TRADITIONAL SCHOOL TO HOMESCHOOLINGWhen you take your child out of public school to educate at home, the adjustment can be really hard both for the child and the homeschool parent. In fact, expect the first two years to be the hardest. But it gets so much easier after that because you've established your own way of doing things and figured out what works.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
DeeDee: "I've me...
2020-07-2827 min
Homeschool Your WayHOMESCHOOLING WITH ANXIETY: TIPS FROM A MOM OF FIVEIf you want to homeschool but fear you can't because you have anxiety, this podcast is for you. Or if you're already homeschooling and dealing with anxiety, DJ's experience will probably resonate with you and hopefully provide you some peace. Mr. Rogers said anything that's human is mentionable and anything mentionable can be more manageable. When we talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. So let's talk about homeschooling with anxiety.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request...
2020-07-2834 min
Homeschool Your WayAN INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE-BASED HOMESCHOOLINGUsing literature to teach kids is powerful! Kids can relate to the characters in a biography or a book of historical fiction in a way that never happens by reading a textbook. This connection has so many benefits! First kids retain the information and gain a deep understanding. And kids also gain a sense of compassion for others through great books.
★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.
QUOTABLES
DeeDee...
2020-07-2826 min