So far in this “Homeschool Rhythms” series we’ve talked about morning time, narration, getting ready, group work, and individual work. We’ve moved our way through morning activities and today we’re going to talk about reading aloud! I want to talk to you today about making read-aloud time a family activity for all time – no matter what your child’s age. This is a beautiful part of the day that can be a little more laid back and relaxing and there are a few different ways you can make it happen. I don’t think many people would argue about the value of reading great literature together but it can easily become something that slips from an overbusy schedule. Reading aloud to your children helps them build vocabulary, creates a bridge for struggling readers, and most importantly creates a shared experience for your family making it a great tool for strengthening relationships. I encourage you to enjoy this nurturing time with your whole family and make it a priority in homeschool. Join me today as I show you how read-aloud time can fit in your day. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR: How to fit read-aloud time in your busy day The benefits of reading aloud as a family Why you should read aloud to kids of all ages How to choose great read alouds Why you shouldn’t focus too much on the time 

Homeschooling Outside the Box

Homeschool Rhythms: Reading Aloud

When you ask a seasoned homeschooler about structuring the day, you will often hear the same refrain: “combine as many subjects as you can.” But what about the subjects that require a certain set of skills for children to master?  You can generally look at academics in two categories: skill-based subjects and non-skill-based subjects. Skill-based subjects are really best taught 1-on-1 or in a very small group of kids at a similar level of skill. I like to chunk these into three categories: Language (learning to read, write, and speak other languages), STEM-L (science, tech, engineering, math, and logic), and Personal Development (spiritual growth, citizenship, arts, and therapy to name a few). In this episode, I’m going to focus on the best way to teach these three categories. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR: Which subjects are best taught as individual work Why 1-on-1 time is worthwhile How to do 1-on-1 time with multiple kids SHOW NOTES What is the Son-Rise Program®? Brain Training Talkbox Zone Work Our Preschool Life Spiral Notebooks 

Homeschool Rhythms: Individual Work

What if I told you there was a skill that would help prepare your child for any job he might pursue in the future? And what if this skill was so attainable, that you wouldn’t have to purchase a fancy curriculum or join an elite co-op to access it? The pandemic that rocked 2020 has thrown us many curveballs but one positive consequence has been a rise in homeschooling. Parents all over the world are realizing that they can provide their children with opportunities and experiences that are not only extremely valuable but can also prepare them for the unique world they are launching into. Homeschool is the ideal environment for fostering creativity in children. Chad Stewart has seen this change happening and is excited about the possibilities. Creativity is the top global skill and he sees homeschool as a fantastic way to equip our kids for the future. In addition to writing an award-winning and bestselling book, Britfield & the Lost Crown (the first in a series of seven), he’s created an online platform, The Britfield Institue, to help kids harness their natural creativity and teach parents how to inspire it. Join us today as Chad and I explore the importance of creativity. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR: How Britfield (the Institute) was born What makes Britfield (the books) such a great series Why is harnessing our kids' creativity is so important Why the homeschool revolution is happening How you can work more creativity into your homeschool SHOW NOTES Britfield Britfield Institute 

The Critical Skill of Creativity, with Chad Stewart, award-winning and bestselling author of Britfield & the Lost Crown

When you ask a seasoned homeschooler about structuring the day, you will often hear the same refrain: "combine as many subjects as you can." Academics can generally be broken into two categories: skill-based subjects and non-skill-based subjects. Anything that is skill-based really is best taught 1-on-1 or in a very small group of kids at a similar level of skill. Some examples are math, reading, spelling, or writing. A non-skill-based subject would be something everyone can learn together no matter how old or experienced they are. Some examples of these subjects would be bible, memory work, history, and geography. And those are the very subjects we're going to talk about teaching today.

Homeschool Rhythms: Group Work

I have no doubt that when my children are grown people, making their way in the world, they will hear the faint refrain of my voice when they roll out of bed and get ready for their day: “Attitude-dressed-bed” And again after they have breakfast:  “Teeth-face-hair-deodorant-zone” These have been the anthems of our mornings for years and my goal has been to create habits for them to help them (and myself) get the day off to a right start. If the phrase “get ready” sounds reminiscent of “on your mark, get set, go!” that’s not an accident. Starting the day with a proactive posture is important. The day before us is a gift and the duty and stewardship we are bound to as receivers of that gift demand that we face the day boldly. A vibe of adventure and purpose can carry us through even the most mundane tasks. This applies to us as moms as well as our children. After all, if we are to train them in these ways, we should be modeling them ourselves. But if I sound overambitious and a touch unrealistic, just know that I don’t usually wake up feeling this way and I know you probably don’t either. That’s why it all begins with attitude. Show Notes Original blog post with all the links

Homeschool Rhythms: Get Ready

Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart. It requires endurance and initiative. It requires sacrifice and diligence. But it also requires something you might not realize…a sense of humor. We homeschool moms can be so serious; the stakes are high! We’re going against the grain! What if we mess up…this is our kids we’re talking about, after all?! But, but, but…we were never meant to completely reinvent the wheel, and one of the best things we can do for ourselves, our families, and our homeschool is to take ourselves just a tad less seriously. If you are on Instagram, you have no doubt seen memes of classic artwork splashed with humorous text. Betsy Jenkins is the woman behind the memes and it’s her mission to make you laugh. She does an amazing job at this while simultaneously educating people on art and exposing them to a wide range of prints. Betsy’s homeschool memes began as a family thing and she started her Instagram account, “Homeschooling With the Classics” as a simple way to share them with a few friends. These few friends have multiplied into thousands of followers who are thirsty for a refreshing laugh in the midst of their busy homeschool day. She struck a chord in the community and for good reason; laughter is a soothing balm on a hard day and the mental refreshment that we need to persevere towards excellence.  Join us today as Betsy and I indulge the importance of laughter in our homeschools. SHOW NOTES Betsy’s Instagram account, Homeschooling_with the Classics 

The Importance of Humor in our Homeschools with Betsy Jenkins

If there is a quintessential practice in Charlotte Mason’s approach to education, it is the act of narration. You can pick and choose which living books you want to read, you can use watercolors or not in your nature journaling, and you can dictate your own routine in a way that best fits your family, but you simply cannot reap the full benefits of Charlotte Mason’s approach without narration. WHAT IS NARRATION? Narration is the art of knowing. Simply stated, it’s the act of telling back what you have heard in a way that is authentic to you. This isn’t about parroting back the last sentence or idea of a paragraph; it’s about processing the information you’ve received and delivering it back in a meaningful way. Charlotte Mason said, “if you cannot tell, you do not know.” Narration is a challenging demonstration of true knowing and makes multiple-choice, comprehension questions, and the like, unnecessary.  There are two types of narration: oral and written. Join me today as I talk about the benefits of narration. Original post with all the links

Homeschool Rhythms: Narration

“Morning time” is a phrase coined by the great Cindy Rollins. She may not be the first person to ever put those two words next to each other, but the idea that it represents, the “coming together”-ness of it, can largely be attributed by the homeschool community to her. Pam Barnhill calls it “Morning Basket” and has an entire website dedicated to the practice. In episode 46 of this podcast, Melissa McMahan referred to it as their “together time.” Others call it “symposium” or “daily basket” removing the time constraint of the morning. Whatever you call it, the idea is to gather together and learn together. Join me today to find out how morning time can work in your homeschool and what subjects are a good fit for this chunk of your day. Show Notes Blog Post with all the links

Homeschool Rhythms: Morning Time

If given the option, would you choose for your child to have dyslexia? Dyslexia is widely thought of as a challenge that gets in the way of learning but what if we’ve got it wrong? What if dyslexia is a gift? What if dyslexia helps your child to think in a way that many people cannot, therefore, providing an angle of creativity that this world really needs? What if dyslexia is actually….a strength? Rich Sanchez grew up struggling with his dyslexia but as an adult, he has found a way to harness his unique talents. He’s made it his mission to help others do the same thing. Join us today as Rich and I explore dyslexia from a new perspective. In this episode you’ll hear: Rich’s dyslexia story Why dyslexia is really a strength…but not many see it that way Careers that work well for dyslexics Why failure is just part of the process Tools that have helped Rich overcome his challenges What we can teach our children to help them be prepared for life A word of encouragement from Rich just for you SHOW NOTES Dyslexic Sperm Bank Video Rich Sanchez on Linkedin Rich’s company: A Product Fit 

Seeing Dyslexia as a Strength

Christmas is no ordinary time of year. It intoxicates our senses; the air smells of pine and sugar. The days are filled with music and stories. The soft, warm sleeves on our arms and thick mittens on our hands, and hat on our head triggers our mind to think cozy thoughts despite the biting cold. Our taste buds crave cocoa and peppermint. Our children’s eyes glow with the sparkle of twinkle lights reflecting in them. And our hearts yearn for something…something more…something transcendent…something that seems just beyond our reach yet simultaneously living inside us. The “Christmas spirit”…or rather, The Spirit of Christmas. Christ incarnate. Immanuel. God with us. What is it about the season that ignites this joy in you? Is it the first time you hear a Christmas song on the radio? A special cookie recipe that’s been passed down through the generations of your family? Is it a particular movie or book that just has to be read every year? A trip you take? Or a favorite party you host? Traditions are the stitches that hold a family culture together. They are woven throughout our year, throughout generations, creating a masterpiece over time. They can be simple and they can change. New ones can be added and old ones fall away. Traditions of the Christmas season are unique to each of our families. Today I’d like to share some of our favorite family Christmas traditions. This is not a checklist to accomplish in December or a formula to ensure a happy holiday; these are just a few ideas that may inspire you and yours to create your own memories. Show Notes The blog post with all the links

10 Favorite Family Christmas Traditions (with special guests!)

Over the years, "autism" has gone from being virtually unheard of to a buzz word to, nowadays, a word a part of the common vernacular. Most people have at least heard of autism or have a personal connection to the disorder. Many people tend to think of a younger child, perhaps preschool - elementary age when they think about a person with autism. But teenagers and adults experience the joys and challenges of autism, too, along with their families. How does autism change in the teen years? What stays the same? How can we help our young adults thrive in the high school years without hitting the panic button and stressing over academics? Raun K. Kaufman is an author, international lecturer, and former CEO of the Autism Treatment Center of America who has worked with hundreds of families just like yours and mine. He's here to help us navigate these years with our wonderful children and encourage us to live beautifully in the tension between unconditional acceptance of our teen and helping him to grow. Join us today as Raun and I explore autism in the teen years. In this episode you’ll hear: Raun’s autism story Why people don’t talk much about autism in the teen years…and why we should How we as homeschoolers are uniquely positioned to help our kids How parents can handle the pressures of academics in the teen years Why your attitude has way more to do with your teen’s behavior than you think A message for the mom who thinks it’s too late to help her teen What next steps you can take to help your teen Show Notes What is The Son-Rise Program®? Inspiring Speech with Kate Wilde, Director of The Son-Rise Program® Seeing Autism in a New Light with Bryn Hogan, Executive Director of the Autism Treatment Center of America® Autism Breakthrough: A Book Review Autism Breakthrough (Affiliate Link) C.S. Lewis friendship quote: “Friendship…is born at the moment when one man says to another “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself…” The Autism Treatment Center of America online program Raun’s email for 1-on-1 sessions: raunraunraun@yahoo.com 

Autism in the Teen Years with Raun K. Kaufman

Childhood is a unique growing time for our children; educators, parents, and experts have known this for years and yet childhood often gets swept under the rug at the expense of rigorous academics and a schedule full of structured activities. Children are, for the first time in history, busy. Schedules have largely replaced curiosity. Organized programs have taken priority over free play. And if we're really honest, I think us mamas can admit...it's just too much. What would happen if we embraced a more "wild and free" approach to childhood in our homeschools? What type of atmosphere might we be able to create for our families? The Wild + Free movement had its humble beginnings about six years ago when Ainsley Arment started an Instagram account to gather and inspire other moms in quest of this "wild and free" type of childhood for their children. What began as a few moms sharing experiences and tips on the internet has grown into an online and in-person community of over 177,000 mamas strong. Wild & Free is not a method; it transcends - and therefore welcomes - many homeschool philosophies and makes room for all mamas to educate their children in a way that works best for their family. Join us today as Ainsley and I explore the benefits of living Wild + Free in your homeschool. In this episode you’ll hear: Ainsley's journey to becoming a Wild + Free homeschooler What a Wild + Free education looks like Why childhood matters & how we can preserve it Ainsley's favorite parts of homeschooling, as well as the most challenging What we're reading right now How to balance it all...or not ;) How to be a Wild + Free mama Show Notes Wild + Free Website Wild + Free Holidays The Call of the Wild + Free Book 

Reclaiming a Wild + Free Childhood for Our Kids with Ainsley Arment

To understand the importance of heritage, we must first make sure we're all working with the same definition. In regards to heritage, the Bible says, "Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him" (Psalm 127:3, NIV). Dictonary.com defines it as "something that is handed down from the past, as a tradition;" "something that comes or belongs to one by reason of birth; an inherited lot or portion;" or "something reserved for one." The tone is one of joy and sacredness; a passing of something treasured and valuable. Amber O'Neal Johnston didn't always recognize the importance of heritage. In fact, it took a troubling experience with her daughter for Amber to open her eyes to the special heritage she could be passing down; it was an experience that made her pivot in her homeschool. This pivot has become a gift to all of us, merging the beloved Charlotte Mason philosophy with ideas, books, and resources that breathe life into our particular families by embracing each of our unique heritage while making room for and honoring the heritages of others. Join us today as Amber and I explore the benefits of weaving heritage into our homeschool studies. In this episode you'll hear: Amber's experience with her daughter concerning skin color How the Charlotte Mason philosophy allows you freedom for adaptation Why heritage matters in our homeschool How to help your child know where they fit in the tapestry of people The benefits of being intentional in our curriculum choices How to begin making small changes in your homeschool Why picture books are a great low-hanging fruit What embracing different heritages has to do with Outside-the-Box children Why life-giving books don't always have to be "living books" Why our kids need both mirrors and windows in their life How you can find Amber and her fantastic resources online Show Notes Amber's website 

The Importance of Heritage with Amber O'Neal Johnston

Homeschooling High School...what is it about this phrase that makes even the most confident homeschool mama shake in her boots a little? The expectations seem to go through the roof. The pressure from the elusive yet always present critics "out there" seems to double. And the group of moms who've gone ahead of you who have the credibility to cheer you on seems to thin out drastically the longer you homeschool. Melissa McMahan - YouTube host and mother of five lovely daughters - has homeschooled from the beginning and is still going strong with high schoolers in the mix and she's here to tell you...don't give up. High school can be a really wonderful and rewarding time with your children despite the extra weight that it brings. Join us today as Melissa encourages us to find the joy in homeschooling our children during high school and use it as a time of connection and preparation for their launch into the world. In this episode you’ll hear: Why you should take the high school years seriously...but not in a fearful way How humility is the secret trick to homeschooling high school How mom's role shifts  How to have a "together time"  How the high school years look when you have younger ones The value of car time Why homeschooling high school is ideal for OTB kids How to get prepared to launch your kids into the world 

Homeschooling High School with Melissa McMahan

Keeping a nature journal is a big part of a Charlotte Mason education. Miss Mason had plenty to say about nature study and spending time in the great outdoors. If you’re looking for a way to encourage nature study, My Nature Journal: One Year of Observation is just the resource you need to gently guide your child in this delightful habit. Maybe you're like me and you love the planning process of homeschooling. I revel in laying out our routine, putting in those curriculum orders, and organizing the schoolroom. But if you are like me, then you can probably relate that when reality kicks in, all of a sudden what looked really good on paper seems to have a few holes. It feels like for all of your thorough planning something is...missing. For years in our family that "something" was nature study. As a Charlotte Mason-inspired homeschooler, I knew nature study was a big deal - a core philosophy if you will. I knew it was important for us - mind, body, and soul - to be outdoors and explore. I also knew nature study was the springboard for developing awesome habits like attention and observation, and that it led to awe and wonder at our Creator.  But I just couldn't seem to make it happen...until I did. Show Notes Wild + Free Conference The Wonderful Sally Clarkson Nature Study My Nature Journal: One Year of Observation Nature Anatomy 

That Time I Met Sally Clarkson and My Nature Journal: One Year of Observation

Homeschooling Outside the Box is the podcast that encourages and equips moms who homeschool an outside-the-box child. Join the host, Cindy Rinna, as she talks autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Charlotte Mason's philosophy, great books, therapy, special needs' friendly curriculum, and all the ups and downs of homeschooling an outside-the-box child.