Everyday Educator

Searching for the right schedule to regulate your homeschool days this year? You probably suspect that finding the perfect schedule might be impossible…but finding the right rhythm is exactly what Lisa's guest Jennifer Courtney is ready to discuss! On this week's podcast you'll hear some great suggestions for crafting your family's learning plan, hear a few "non-negotiables" mentioned, and even learn the "Leigh Bortins way" of schooling with multiple kids of different ages and abilities.

It's time to start Foundations; are you ready? Listen in as Courtney Bradshaw, CC Academic Advisor, gives us some tips for getting ready for a fantastic year with our Foundations students. From seeing the big picture to getting your home ready, Courtney has the news that will help you and your children start the Foundations year off right. (She also gives you the insider info on where to go for great downloadable helps and a place to get your questions answered.)

To paraphrase C.S. Lewis, wonder is when Divinity makes its presence known. How can we learn to be better "wonder-ers"? Join host Lisa Bailey as her guest Amy Jones leads us to think about the connection between time, space, questions, and wonder. Here's the good news: Wonder is a skill you can build! Listen, and commit to finding wonder as you go this fall.

What do you want to teach your children while you homeschool—besides reading, writing, and arithmetic? What "life skills" are you determined to pass on—and how compatible is teaching those skills with your classical, Christian education plan? On this episode of the Everyday Educator, guest Stephanie Meter talks to her mom Lisa about what skills she took from homeschooling into adulting. It's an entertaining and eye-opening episode!

What's the best way to ready yourself and your student for the upper Challenge program? How can you position your family to make the most of this amazing learning opportunity? Listen as guest Brittany Lewis shares insights and encouragements that make Challenges II-IV super appetizing; you'll appreciate Brittany's thoughtful tips on how best to prepare and on the skills you and your child will gain.

It's almost time to begin the Challenge year! Want some help to get ready? Listen in as Lanelle Lowe, experienced mom, tutor, and curriculum developer, gives us some preparation tips for Ch A, B, and I. Find out what the uniques are for each level, and what your family has to look forward to as you learn together this year. You'll get the scoop on all the "learning curves" for both students and parents and learn how to meet the challenges.

Didn't always love math? Then you have lots in common with Leigh Bortins, creator of The Math Map, CC's developing math curriculum for families! On this episode, listen as guests Leigh Bortins and Kirsty Gilpin share how studying math in a new way might be the key to seeing God's riches in creation, in art, in music, in building, in literature…You'll be encouraged by the thoughts of studying math together as a family, with purpose that goes beyond practicality

Looking for something fun to read (or listen to) and something fun to do after reading? Listen as Lisa shares some reasons to read stories of all kinds with your kids; this week's read alouds include a poem, a fable, and 2 nature stories. Lisa also offers ideas on how to continue the conversation after the story is over, as well as some inspired ideas that will bring life to your storytime.

How do you savor a story? In today's podcast, Lisa shares some ways to appreciate and enjoy stories with your family, extending the fun and making the read-aloud experience even more memorable. Listen as she shares a poem (celebrating the vigor dads bring to story time) as well as two American Tall Tales that might inspire your family to spin a yarn or two of your own!

Read Aloud time is not just for fiction; try some biographies, some poetry, a travel log, a bird watching guide…Reading starts conversations, and conversations lead to explorations and explorations create family memories! This week we say, "Happy Birthday, America!" Join Lisa for this All-American Read Aloud, and enjoy bringing stories to life with your family this holiday.