Learning foreign languages can be an immensely enriching experience, exposing you and your student to new perspectives, cultures, and ideas, and can even help you to understand your native language better as well. While foreign language learning can be full of joy, it’s not without its challenges. Today, we discuss the joys we’ve had and the challenges we’ve faced while teaching foreign languages in our homeschool, as well as all our favorite foreign language resources. And be sure to stay to th...
Mar 24, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 95
Nature is all around us, whether you live in the countryside or in a big city, and it’s important to spend time outside. As Charlotte Mason said, “One should not be indoors when one can rightly be out of doors.” Getting out into nature can soothe the mind and introduce new interests and ideas for child and parent alike. From sitting outside for lunch to big camping trips to national parks, there’s always a way to get out in nature! SHOW NOTES: If you have any questions or comments, please email ...
Mar 10, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 94
What is the Montessori Method? The Montessori Method is an educational method and philosophy that’s been revolutionizing the way children are taught for over 100 years. Starting from a young age and going all the way up to high school and beyond, the Montessori Method teaches students how to build their independence in ways that reach far beyond the classroom. Today, we’re speaking with Nichole Gant, a head of school at an affiliated Montessori school, all about the Montessori Method, its histor...
Feb 24, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 93
Getting your partner involved in your homeschooling takes stress off your mind and lets you relax. When you make the decision to homeschool your children, it’s great to have a partner who supports you. But once the schooling begins, the support doesn’t stop. Even if the bulk of the day-to-day academics falls on one parent more than the other, there are a myriad of ways your partner can help take the stress off your back. Today, our hosts share what their partners have done to support them in hom...
Feb 10, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 92
What is the Charlotte Mason Method? The Charlotte Mason method is a time-honored teaching method incorporating a rich variety of books, music, art, history, and just about anything you can think of. But the Charlotte Mason method is also a philosophy of teaching, stressing the importance of being outside, physical movement, and treating children as full people in their own right. Today, Jennifer and melody interview Holly all about what Charlotte Mason is, how it works, and more! And be sure to ...
Jan 27, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 91
Field trip homeschooling is one of the most enriching and rewarding ways to live a learning lifestyle. From mini-trips to the grocery store to month-long vacations in another country, field trips can fit the size and shape of your homeschool. Can’t go anywhere? Our hosts share their favorite virtual fields trips, with all the fun and learning of going somewhere, but from the comfort of your own home. SHOW NOTES: If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected]...
Jan 13, 2023•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 1
Today, we look back at 2022 in our own lives, and look forward to what we hope for 2023. From all of us who work on The Happy Homeschooler Podcast, thank you for listening to The Happy Homeschooler Podcast this year, we’ll see you in 2023. SHOW NOTES: If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a ...
Dec 30, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 89
Self-care during the holidays can be a challenge, especially for a homeschooling parent. Wrapping up a semester while attending holiday events, making time to shop for gifts, and cooking innumerable holiday treats and meals, can be tough. Stress seems inevitable, but it’s possible to make preparations to ensure your holiday celebrations are a time of comfort and joy, rather than exhaustion and stress. Today, Holly and Melody share the wisdom they’ve learned about self-care during the holidays, w...
Dec 09, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Homeschooling as an introvert can be overwhelming. Far from the quiet and ordered world preferred by an introvert, a learning lifestyle can be one of hustle and multiple balls in the air. Alyssa Wolff of the Unbusy Mom Podcast joins us on the podcast today to help. For years, she’s been giving introverted homeschooling parents the advice and tools they need to ensure a positive and productive homeschooling environment for both parent and child. From how to avoid getting overwhelmed by too many t...
Nov 25, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 87
Many parents begin their homeschooling journey not having met any homeschool graduates. It can create apprehension, not knowing how your children will react to a different learning lifestyle than what might be considered the norm. But today we hear from five homeschool graduates as they tell us everything they loved about being homeschooled, what the advantages and disadvantages were, and how their own thoughts about being homeschooled evolved over time. Homeschooling is a wonderful, life-enrich...
Nov 11, 2022•55 min•Season 1Ep. 86
Extracurriculars are events and activities outside the lesson plan. Maybe for you it’s sports, music, or Scouts. Extracurriculars add much needed variety and spice to your learning lifestyle. In extracurriculars, your students can discover passions they never thought they’d have. In today’s episode, we discuss what extracurriculars are, why they’re important, and how they can get out of control. But don’t worry, we also discuss how to manage your extracurriculars, folding them seamlessly into th...
Oct 28, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 85
Homeschooling on a budget is important, especially these days. With prices going up at the grocery store it can be hard to know where to cut spending, but a low-cost education does not mean a substandard one. World-class low-cost and no-cost homeschooling options abound, if only you know where to look. Today, we’ll be discussing why people find themselves looking for low-cost options, ideas on how to save money, and share amazing resources right at your fingertips that are completely free of cha...
Oct 14, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Everyone can learn how to teach history. Much more than a just series of important dates to remember, history is the story of all the people of the world. Through history, you can discover new worlds and fascinating people, learning along with your students and building interests you never knew you had. Whether at home, on the road, or through the web, there’s history anywhere and everywhere. Today we discuss How to Teach History, and we share our favorite ways we’ve taught it. And be sure to st...
Sep 27, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 83
Every homeschooler will parent a teen at some point, and understanding your teen better is crucial. Awash with new experiences, challenges, and feelings more intense than ever before, teens require new tactics for parents. Every experience they go through will affect the others. Academic difficulty can lead to emotional issues, or vice-versa. Understanding your teen better will allow you to be better prepared. For those with younger children, you can get off on the right foot before your child i...
Sep 13, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 82
There are a lot of homeschooling resources out there, whether for the teacher or student. But homeschooling is a learning lifestyle, and you need more than just pencils and curricula to make sure your homeschool runs smoothly. That’s why today we’re sharing our favorite homeschooling resources. We’ve gathered our favorite resources for teachers, students, organization, home management, and our favorite apps that make life and homeschooling easier and more joyful. And be sure to stay to the end t...
Aug 25, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 81
New homeschoolers can sometimes become overwhelmed with all the new duties a learning lifestyle entails. Having someone who knows what it’s like and how to get off to a good start can be a lifesaver. That’s why we’re interviewing Mary James today. She’s a long-time homeschooler (since 1989!) who founded a support group for new homeschoolers, and those who still feel a little new too. It’s called Smoothing the Way and we think you’ll love Mary’s story of Smoothing’s inspiration, founding, and gro...
Aug 09, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 80
Whether you’re still new, or you’re a seasoned homeschooler, there are always important questions to answer before starting the school year. Today, we’re asking Who, What, Where, When, and Why. By answering these five questions, you’ll be able to focus on building your school year, planning for ups and downs, and understanding your student better. Join us today while we discuss what each of the questions mean to us, share our own plans for the coming school year, and share fun stories from our l...
Jul 26, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 79
The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is turning 2, and we’re celebrating the occasion! On today’s episode, we’re chatting about our histories with the podcast, how it’s changed over the years, what we’ve learned by being part of it, and where we hope to see it go in the future. And as a special 2-year treat, we’ve got Matt Bass himself– founder of Transcript Maker and producer of The Happy Homeschooler Podcast– giving us a peek behind the curtain, discussing his own history with homeschooling, how he ...
Jul 12, 2022•56 min•Season 1Ep. 78
If more traditional homeschooling doesn’t suit your life or your family, these alternative homeschooling styles might just be what you’ve been looking for! On today’s episode, your hosts discuss why one might need to switch up their style of homeschooling, how to recognize when you should, and which alternative homeschooling styles are best for you. And stay to the end when we answer a listener email! SHOW NOTES: Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our g...
Jun 28, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 77
Volunteering is a regular part of many homeschoolers lives, but if you haven’t yet made it a habit, you may be wondering where to start. In today’s episode, we discuss volunteering, how to find volunteering opportunities, challenges you may face, and all the rewards that can come from volunteering. And be sure to stay to the end of the episode to hear Holly, Jennifer, and Melody discuss their favorite TV show of all time. If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolp...
Jun 14, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 76
Reflecting on the past school year is so important as a home educator, but we often find ourselves too busy to think to do it. Even for homeschoolers who school year-round, May is a good time to take a moment, breathe deep, and look back at everything that worked and didn’t last year. In today’s episode, we discuss our own 2022-2023 school years, our triumphs and challenges, and we look forward to the summer and fall. And stay until the end to hear a very inspiring homeschooling news story. If y...
May 24, 2022•59 min•Season 1Ep. 75
Family resistance to homeschooling can come in different ways. From simple misunderstandings to serious disagreements, from aunts and uncles to sometimes one’s own spouse. For those unfamiliar with homeschooling, it can seem strange or confusing. But you know you’ve made the right choice, living a learning lifestyle that grows your family closer together. So how to you respond when you meet family resistance to homeschooling? Jennifer and Holly meet up today to discuss what kinds of resistance t...
May 10, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 74
You don’t have to be Da Vinci or Picasso to know how to teach art! Many homeschoolers wonder how to teach art to their students, it can cause a lot of stress. But Holly, Melody, and Jennifer are here to tell you not to worry, teaching art can be one of the most fun and fulfilling subjects to explore! Join us as we discuss why it’s important to learn about art, how to combat teacher and student resistance, and our favorite ways to incorporate art into our homeschool! And be sure to stay to the en...
Apr 26, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 73
We often see questions about homeschooling preschoolers. From what curriculum, if any, to use to what homeschooling groups are right, it can be a stressful experience before you even begin. That’s why in today’s episode, we’re helping you navigate your way through homeschooling preschoolers. We’ll discuss challenges you’ll face, mistakes to avoid, and even share what we did our own preschool students. And be sure to stay to the end, where we will discuss an important homeschooling news story. If...
Apr 12, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 72
What are unit studies? They may just be the most versatile educational method out there. By tying all your subjects into a common theme, you can streamline your schooldays and reinforce the lesson all day long. Today, Jennifer, Holly, and Melody discuss everything you need to know to start incorporating unit studies into your learning lifestyle. Discussion topics include: Why to choose unit studies, our favorite unit study resources, and how to design your own unit studies. And be sure to stay t...
Mar 22, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 71
When we think about college readiness, we tend to think about studying, extracurriculars, and exams, but there’s another side that’s crucial to preparing your kids not just for college, but for adulthood! Many college students find themselves needing to learn these skills on the fly, leading to distraction from their studies and unneeded stress. Making sure your children have the best footing possible as they leave the home is crucial. Ranging from small skills like household chores, to more com...
Mar 08, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 70
Are you experiencing homeschooling burnout? You’re not alone! Every year around this time, homeschoolers all over start getting “yellow bus syndrome.” You might think to yourself, “There’s a yellow bus that stops at my corner, maybe we should try that.” We’re here to say don’t do it! Melody, Jennifer, and Holly have been homeschooling for a long time, and they know all the signs of burnout. But better yet, they know how to handle it as well! Listen today and learn how to recognize and resolve yo...
Feb 22, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Co-ops are a centerpiece of many home schools, and it’s never been a better time to join one! Or even create one…? Today we’re discussing all you need to know about co-ops. Topics range from why co-ops are great and how to choose the right one for your students, all the way to the nitty gritty of making a co-op of your own from the ground up. And be sure to stay to the end, when Jennifer and Holly discuss some big homeschooling news. If you have any questions, comments, or homeschool news storie...
Feb 08, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 68
Homeschool organization is crucial no matter what kind of homeschooler you are! Whether you’re homeschooling for one semester or for the rest of your life, Holly and Jennifer’s longtime homeschooling experience will set you right. Topics include keeping your house tidy, record keeping, homeschooling rooms, and more! Homeschool organization will be a cinch! And stay to the end of the episode, when Holly shares an interesting observation about reading. SHOW NOTES: Visit Transcript Maker and get yo...
Jan 25, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 67
The benefits of homeschooling are well known, whether it’s the freedom to choose your curricula, or teaching to proficiency rather than teaching for an exam. But there are a whole host of unexpected benefits too! They may not be why you chose to start homeschooling, but they’ve improved your lives immeasurably. Holly, Melody, and new co-host Jennifer discuss all the wonderful unexpected benefits they’ve encountered through their years of homeschooling! If you have any questions or comments, plea...
Jan 11, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 66
