Starting a new homeschool year is exciting but can also feel overwhelming. In this episode, I share some of the common challenges we face, like kids resisting lessons or forgetting things over the break. I offer practical tips to ease the transition, like involving your kids in planning, starting with subjects they enjoy, and reviewing key skills before diving into new material.

I also talk about managing that overwhelming feeling by setting a flexible schedule, prioritizing homeschooling, and getting kids involved in household chores. Remember, feeling overwhelmed shows how much you care about your kids' education—and you’ve got this!

Key Takeaways:

• Involve kids in planning to reduce resistance.
• Start with enjoyable subjects and gradually extend lesson time.
• Review key skills forgotten over the summer before moving forward.
• Set a flexible schedule around homeschooling and prioritize it.
• Get kids involved in age-appropriate chores to help manage the household.

Resources and Links:

Homeschool Better Together Community

Math-U-See

Morning Time Plans

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt17

To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

Oh, my goodness! Starting a new homeschool year can feel like a rollercoaster with its ups and downs. In this episode, I share my favorite strategies to make this transition smoother and more enjoyable. We talk about dealing with that first-week exhaustion and finding the right balance between excitement and routine.

Curious about my secrets for a smoother start? Tune in to hear how small changes, handy reminders, and a bit of night-before prep can make a big difference.

Join our free community at pambarnhill.com/freecommunity for more tips and support from fellow homeschoolers. Share this episode with other homeschooling families to help them have a great start to the new school year.

Key Takeaways:

• Strategies for easing into the new school year.
• Balancing excitement with routine.
• Sneak peek at tips involving small changes, reminders, and night-before prep.
• Invitation to join our supportive community for more ideas and support.

Key Resources and Links:

• Homeschool Better Together Community
• Homeschool Planning Tools
• Homeschool Lesson Planning Made Simple
• Morning Time Plans

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt16

To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

As summer winds down, our family loves to kick off the school year with a special back-to-school tradition. For the past few years, we've visited the donut shop, and it's become a cherished ritual for us. From picking out donuts to snapping a photo outside the shop, this simple tradition brings us joy and wonderful memories.

In this episode, I share why having a back-to-school tradition is important and how it can strengthen family bonds. I also offer tips on starting your own tradition, whether it's big or small, and emphasize keeping it simple and meaningful.

Join me as I reflect on our tradition and encourage you to create your own special back-to-school memories. For more ideas and support, join our free community at pambarnhill.com.

Key Points:

• The joy and importance of back-to-school traditions.
• Our family's donut shop tradition.
• Tips for starting your own back-to-school tradition.
• Encouragement to keep traditions simple and meaningful.
• Invitation to join our supportive community at pambarnhill.com.

Resources and Link:

• Homeschool Better Together Community
• Morning Time Plans
• Homeschool Planning Resources

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt15

To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Korte, a seasoned homeschool mom of 10, to discuss the joys and challenges of homeschooling a large family. Lindsay shares her journey of 15 years of homeschooling, starting from the early days of teaching multiple young children together, to adjusting her approach as her kids grew older.

We dive into the importance of family learning and how Lindsay uses resources like our Morning Time Explorations to create a rich, enjoyable homeschool experience for all her kids, from preschoolers to teens. She also shares insights on balancing the chaos of homeschooling with a large family, the benefits of learning together, and how our Wonder Studies have played a key role in her homeschool.

Tune in for practical tips, heartwarming stories, and a peek into how Lindsay keeps the wonder alive in her homeschool.

Key Takeaways:

• Lindsay’s 15-year homeschooling journey with 10 kids.
• The value of family learning and using Morning Time Explorations.
• How Wonder Studies enriches homeschooling for all ages.
• Balancing the chaos and joy of homeschooling a large family.

Resources and Links:

• Wonder Studies
• HSBT Community
• Little Explorers Materials
• Morning Time Journal and Planner

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt14

To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

I’m excited to announce that Your Morning Basket Plus is now Wonder Studies! This new name reflects our expanded focus, which still includes your favorite Morning Time Explorations and Little Explorers programs but now also offers Voyages—unit studies that make it easier for your entire family to integrate learning across all subjects.

We’re offering a special bonus to celebrate: join as an annual member by August 16, 2024, and receive a free Morning Time Journal and Planner!

Tune in for all the details, and feel free to reach out with any questions!

• Wonder Studies
• Homeschool Better Together Community

• Your Morning Basket Plus is now Wonder Studies.
• Wonder Studies includes the original Morning Time Explorations and Little Explorers programs, plus new Voyages—unit studies that cover various subjects for the whole family.
• Join as an annual member by August 16th and receive a free Morning Time Journal and Planner.
• Wonder Studies helps integrate learning across all ages, making homeschooling more cohesive and enjoyable.

Struggling to keep your homeschooling engaging and effective? I’ve got you covered! In this episode of Homeschool Better Together, Laney Homan and I chat about the benefits of unit studies. I share memories of my early homeschooling days, filled with unit studies that made learning come alive for my kids.

Laney, a busy mom of eight, brings her real-life experiences to the table. She shares tips on integrating unit studies into a busy homeschool schedule. Laney explains how unit studies can simplify planning, foster closer family relationships, and make learning together more enjoyable.

Resources and Links:

• HSBT Community

Key Ideas:

• Discover the components of the Wonder Studies program, including Little Explorers for early education, Explorations for the arts, and Voyages for content subjects like history and science.
• Learn how the program is designed to accommodate children of varying ages, with tasks tailored to the child's age and skill level, including differentiated written and oral narrations for older children.
• Explore the benefits of unit studies, including making connections across different subjects, creating consistency in learning, and reducing burnout for both children and parents.
• Understand how the Explorations approach integrates natural connections across subjects, avoiding contrived links, and provides flexibility by not adhering strictly to a historical timeline.
• Hear insights from Laney Homan on using themed morning time explorations, how it has helped her children make better connections in history, and enhanced their overall subject understanding.
• Recognize the challenges of homeschooling, the importance of perseverance, and the value of finding a homeschooling method that works uniquely for each family.
• Learn about the mentorship opportunities provided through the Wonder Studies membership, including 15-minute calls with Laney Homan to guide parents and create a supportive homeschooling community.

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt13

To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

Feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of homeschooling methods? You're not alone! In this episode of Homeschool Better Together, I explore the diverse world of homeschooling options, from classical education to unschooling. I share my personal journey of “uschooling” and highlight the importance of creating a personalized education plan that fits your family’s unique needs.

You'll find practical advice on researching and implementing different homeschooling methods, along with valuable resources like a downloadable cheat sheet and interviews with moms who use various methods.

Tune in to learn how to step out of the overwhelm and into the wonder of homeschooling, finding a method that brings joy and effectiveness to your educational journey.

Resources and Links:

• Put Your Homeschool Year on Autopilot
• Pam's Homeschool Methods Blog Post with FREE Methods Reference Sheet
• HSBT Community
• For the Children's Sake by Susan Shaffer McCauley
• Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book Of Homeschooling by John Holt
• In Vital Harmony: Charlotte Mason and the Natural Laws of Education by Karen Glass

Key Takeaways:

• Discover the benefits of the autopilot planning process, making homeschool planning easier and more efficient, even if you start late in the summer.
• Understand the concept of "uschooling," focusing on creating a homeschool experience unique to your family’s needs rather than strictly adhering to any single method.
• Learn about various homeschooling methods, including classical education, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, and unit studies, and their foundational views on children’s education.
• Access resources like interviews with homeschooling parents to gain insights into different teaching methods and how they are applied in various family settings.
• Recognize that while understanding different homeschooling methods can be beneficial, it’s crucial to prioritize what works best for your family over strict adherence to any method.
• Explore the potential pitfalls of over-committing to a particular method, such as causing stress and dissatisfaction within the family dynamic.
• Get recommendations for approachable reading materials to better understand and incorporate different educational philosophies without becoming overwhelmed.

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt12

To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

Are you ready to make civics a fun and engaging part of your homeschool? Pam Barnhill and Meg Angelino discuss the new "Citizenship Together" curriculum, designed to bring government and citizenship concepts to life through detailed, engaging lessons. Meg, with her extensive background in history and education, shares practical tips for seamlessly integrating this curriculum into your homeschool, making planning easier and more efficient.

In this episode, Pam and Meg tackle the challenges of creating unbiased educational materials and explain how "Citizenship Together" can help your family have respectful political discussions. They highlight the importance of teaching kids about government functions, election processes, and their impact on everyday life. Tune in to learn how to foster closer family relationships while making learning about civics enjoyable and relevant for your children.

Resources and Links:

• Citizenship Together Curriculum
• HSBT Community
• For Which We Stand: How Our Government Works and Why It Matters by Jeff Foster

Key Takeaways:

• Discover the benefits of teaching citizenship and civics through a curriculum designed to be inclusive and manageable for homeschool families, reinforcing children's understanding of their roles and responsibilities in society.
• Learn about discerning accurate information on social media and the internet, and the importance of teaching young people to critically evaluate sources and understand government-related topics.
• Engage children in respectful political discussions, helping them understand that divergent opinions can be discussed civilly, and the importance of these discussions in fostering a healthy understanding of democratic processes.
• Explore the comprehensive unit that covers various aspects of government and elections, from the presidency to local elections, branches of government, special interest groups, and the supreme court, emphasizing their interconnectedness.
• Understand the significance of integrating primary sources like the Constitution and Bill of Rights into the curriculum, and how discussions and activities around these documents can deepen children's understanding of US government principles.
• Hear about practical ways to involve children in the political process, such as taking them to vote, visiting polling places, and participating in local community activities, making the experience educational and memorable.
• Recognize the importance of making learning feel personal and relatable by using the term "citizenship" over "civics," and how this approach helps children connect more deeply with the subject matter and their role in the community.

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt11

To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.