EPISODE 153| Why do you homeschool? There are any number of answers to that question and sometimes homeschooling comes before or after a bout with public school and at times homeschooling co-exists with public schooling. Does the idea of homeschooling feel daunting? Listen as Janna and her guest Katie Wolfe discuss Katie’s journey of homeschooling her son from pre-k to 12th grade and how she learned that just because you homeschool does not mean you do it all yourself! 

As part of being our guest Katie is offering $5 off on her site https://thewolfepackden.com/. Use code TWP5BSK.

ABOUT OUR GUEST| Katie Wolfe is a former classroom teacher who will graduate her one and only kiddo from their Lone WOLFe Academy in 2024. She's a firm believer that homeschool moms don't need to actually "do it all"...they just need to find the right resources and then manage the process. This belief has allowed her to create and share hundreds of quality printable resources, travel the country with a renowned math teacher, and serve as chairperson on her local library board (in addition to homeschooling and doing her best to cook and clean too.) She lives with her little family, mini Aussie, bearded dragon, massively fluffy cat, and mixed terrier in the middle of Kansas.

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QUOTABLES| 

Homeschooling through high school with a blend of in-person and online classes. (0:04)

Katie Wolf homeschooled her son from pre-K to 12th grade without ever enrolling him in school.

Homeschooling an only child with a focus on travel and socialization. (4:30)

Katie shares how they've been able to enhance their son David's education through traveling together and attending homeschool conventions, with David helping out at Nicola Math Lady's booth.

Homeschooling, parenting, and self-doubt. (9:08)

Katie highlights the importance of making mistakes and learning from them in both homeschooling and life in general.

Empowering students with autonomy and interest-led learning. (15:37)

Janna advocates for empowering children with autonomy and interest-led learning from a young age.

Katie believes that catering to children's interests can lead to a more enjoyable and effective learning experience.

Homeschooling, literature, and flexibility. (20:09)

Janna shares her experience with classic literature, revealing that she didn't appreciate it until later in life and now encourages parents to be more relaxed about their children's reading habits.

Homeschooling approaches and accommodating individual learning styles. (28:10) Katie shares personalized teaching strategies for homeschooling, including accommodating unique learning styles and preferences.

Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.

If you'd like to share an aha moment, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, a book you're loving, or a suggested podcast topic/guest, leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.

EPISODE 152 A lazy morning with grateful children who happily apply themselves to their studies while you enjoy having them all under one roof.  

Sound idyllic? We all want that type of homeschool day but reality is much different. That’s not to say your idyllic homeschool days won’t happen but how do you cope with the days in between? Homeschooling is demanding, it's not some picture-perfect thing that magically happens, it takes hard work. Join Janna and her guest, Gretchen from Demme Learning as they discuss ‘October flats’ as something that can happen anytime in your homeschool journey.

ABOUT OUR GUEST|

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QUOTABLES| 

Homeschooling challenges and finding grace. (0:02)

Gretchen Roe shares her experience as a homeschooling mother of six, highlighting the ups and downs of the journey.

Gretchen advises parents to focus on one task at a time and plan to avoid feeling overwhelmed by October flats.

Homeschooling challenges and trusting the learning process. (7:24)

Janna shares her struggle with being present and in the moment while homeschooling, feeling pressure to juggle multiple tasks and admit her own.

Homeschooling mindset and approach. (9:36)

Gretchen and Janna discuss the importance of patience and persistence in homeschooling, comparing it to farming and social media.

Homeschooling and embracing failure as a learning opportunity. (13:05)

Parents should embrace a collaborative mentality in homeschooling, rather than a control mentality, and view failures as learning opportunities.

Homeschooling, flexibility, and patience. (16:37)

Janna and Gretchen advise homeschoolers to create a "reverse engineering" list of what they want to accomplish, rather than an unrealistic Disney-like version of homeschooling.

Gretchen suggests allowing one to two months for kids to adjust to homeschooling, as they need time to unbuckle from previous learning and figure out how they learn best.

Janna emphasizes the importance of flexibility in homeschooling, as kids are moldable and change constantly, and what works today may not work tomorrow.

Homeschooling, parenting, and personal growth. (24:55)

Janna and Gretchen discuss the importance of teaching children critical thinking skills in the age of technology, particularly in navigating information overload and media manipulation.

Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.

If you'd like to share an aha moment, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, a book you're loving, or a suggested podcast topic/guest, leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.

EPISODE 151| Working and Homeschool?! Does it seem like an impossible proposition for you and your family? It might not be as crazy as it sounds. In today's podcast, Janna and her guest, Angela D’Antonio discuss how Angela has homeschooled her two kids for the past decade while she and her husband work full time. She shares her list of the benefits of homeschooling and how they make it all work. Find some ideas to help you as you navigate your homeschool journey.

ABOUT OUR GUEST| Angela D’Antonio has been homeschooling her two daughters for over a decade, beginning with preschool and continuing through high school.  From 2019 to 2023, she worked in sales and customer service for a homeschool curriculum company. She now brings her expertise as a sales and marketing consultant for educational supply companies and schools.  In addition, Angela serves as an academic tutor and offers personalized consulting services, both in-person and online, to support homeschooling families.  Her true passion lies in assisting families in discovering the perfect curriculum for their children and ensuring that their homeschoolers are well-prepared for college.

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QUOTABLES| 

Balancing work and homeschooling with a busy professional. (0:00)

Angela de Antonio has been homeschooling her daughters for over a decade, starting with preschool and continuing through high school.

Homeschooling, community support, and parenting challenges. (4:39)

The speaker reflects on the challenges of homeschooling, including the increased responsibility and lack of predictability, and how they use planning and lists to manage their role as a homeschooling parent.

Homeschooling challenges and realities. (6:40) Janna shares her struggles with balancing work and homeschooling, feeling defeated before even starting due to societal expectations of having it all.

Angela role models imperfection for their children, acknowledging their own limitations and teaching them balance by choosing to prioritize their time and effort in different areas.

Homeschooling, parenting, and work-life balance. (11:26) Janna encourages listeners to accept their limitations and focus on their strengths as homeschooling parents, rather than striving for perfection.

Parenting, regret, and letting go of expectations. (17:12)

Balancing work and family responsibilities. (19:22) Encourages parents to let kids take on more responsibilities, like laundry and cooking, to teach them life skills.

Homeschooling strategies and autonomy. (24:40) The speaker highlights the importance of allowing children to take ownership of their learning and developing executive function skills, which can benefit them in the long run.

Homeschooling and letting go of control. (29:33)

Homeschooling and work-life balance as a working mom. (33:12) Angela reflects on the importance of giving children control over their own education, citing the example of their own children taking college courses in high school.

Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.

If you'd like to share an aha moment, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, a book you're loving, or a suggested podcast topic/guest, leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.

EPISODE 150| Science starts with small experiments and grows to larger ones like antacids and soda as we grow in our understanding of how things work, which makes it fun yet a little scary at times for both the teacher and the student. But it is also an area where children and parents can grow together to see what is out there and expand their worldview. It is also an area where the teacher can guide a student into exploring extraordinary things like the cosmos and more real world like what they could do for a career. Join Janna and her guest Scott Burns as they discuss Science and how you can use it to inspire your students and you.

ABOUT OUR GUEST | Scott Burns is the National Sales Director for Home Science Tools. For over 20 years Scott has been a noteworthy leader in the education and EdTech industry. He is passionately driven to provide science education solutions to learners at all phases of their journey. Scott specializes in building lifelong connections with educators and students to find solutions that help them achieve higher-quality academic experiences. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from St. Norbert College.​

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QUOTABLES|

STEM education and its importance in homeschooling. (0:00)

Scott Burns, National Sales Director at Home Science Tools, discusses the importance of hands-on learning in science education. Emphasize that inspiring students to pursue STEM fields doesn't have to be intimidating, and there are resources available to help parents and students learn together.

Math as a language and its importance in various careers. (6:19) Janna emphasizes the importance of understanding math as a language, not a specialized subject, and how it can be applied to various fields.

Following children's interests in learning. (11:27) Building trust and grit in children through problem-solving and skill development is crucial for their social-emotional well-being and success in 21st-century STEM careers.

Science education and career exploration. (16:46) Communication and collaboration are key to problem-solving, with active listening and verbal conversation skills crucial for success. Scott observed a group of mixed-age students drawing scientists and noticed they mostly depicted older men in lab coats, with only one female scientist drawn by a girl.

Homeschooling and STEM education. (23:36) Janna emphasizes the importance of intentionality in homeschooling, recognizing that parents have biases and limitations that can impact their children's education.

Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.

If you'd like to share an aha moment, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, a book you're loving, or a suggested podcast topic/guest, leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.

ABOUT OUR GUEST | Stephanie Cavin is a 2nd generation homeschooler. She has been homeschooling her 2 kids for the past 7 years and loves it. She is a high school teacher and the owner of  Homeschoolers Connect, connecting homeschoolers nationwide with other homeschoolers in lasting friendships through pen pals.

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QUOTABLES|

Second-generation homeschooler Stephanie Cavin shares her experience as a child and as a high school teacher, now dedicating her life to education through Homeschoolers Connect. (0:00)

Homeschooling experiences and resources. (1:13)

Homeschooling and its benefits. Janna shares her experience as a homeschooler in the 1900s, highlighting the diversity of homeschooling methods and the misconception that all homeschoolers have the same experience. (2:29)

Homeschooling, prioritizing education, and connecting with other homeschoolers. Janna and the unknown speaker use Book Shark, a literature-based learning program, to homeschool their children. (6:57)

The benefits of letter-writing for children's development. Janna shares her excitement about the program's delayed gratification aspect, citing the need for more patience and anticipation in today's fast-paced society. (13:26)

Teaching children to write and reflect on their lives. Homeschoolers connect with pen pals, improving writing skills and social studies knowledge. (18:34)

Homeschooling, simplicity, and outsourcing. The guest shares a homeschool hack, looping schedules, to prioritize important subjects and outsource others. (24:52)

Thanks to show sponsor BookShark.⁠ Request a homeschool curriculum catalog⁠ or⁠ download samples⁠ at⁠ bookshark.com⁠.

If you'd like to share an aha moment, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, a book you're loving, or a suggested podcast topic/guest,⁠ leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast⁠. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.

EPISODE 148 SEASON 4 | Art is subjective, right? So how can you teach someone what art is? It’s often a subject that as homeschoolers we may not think to teach or shy away from teaching because teaching art can be intimidating! But one way to look at teaching art is that yes it is subjective so everyone appreciates something different but it is also a chance for you to teach your child other skills as they are being creative.  Being creative or artistic requires them to make decisions, what color here, what medium should I use? It also stretches their brain to come up with new ideas or view things in a different way.

Join Janna and her guest Karen Barge as they discuss art, and how it can elevate your homeschool and also set a wonderful basis for your student as they grow with decision-making and more.

ABOUT OUR GUEST | Karen Barge is a professional illustrator and artist who now teaches online art classes at Sunny Art Academy. Over 20 years, she taught various art classes for ages 5 to 85. She created her own curriculum for five years for the Vista Art Foundation's Gallery 204, including summer camps for kids like Alice in Wonderland and Art Around The World. Then Karen held teaching positions at several Montessori and Catholic schools for another six years. Her years of teaching included how to draw, paint parties, acrylic, watercolor, and oil painting to teens and adults. In the summer of 2023, Karen combined her children's, teen, and adult video art classes into one website, Sunny Art Academy. Karen has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from The University of North Texas and a degree in Computer Graphics in Multimedia.

Link to 7 Reasons Why Homeschooling Parents Need to Teach Art https://www.sunnyartacademy.com/pages/7-reasons 

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QUOTABLES |

Karen Barge is a professional illustrator and art teacher with over 30 years of experience, offering online classes at Sunny Art Academy.

Homeschool parents need to teach art because it helps develop creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, according to Karen Barge.

The benefits of art for decision-making and confidence-building. (5:38)

Janna and Karen discuss the importance of decision-making skills, particularly in college, where students may feel overwhelmed and lack confidence in their choices.

Karen emphasizes creativity and relaxation in her art classes, where parents and children work together to create art.

Art and creativity in homeschooling. (15:15)

Risk-taking is essential for creativity and learning in homeschool environments, as it allows children to experiment and build upon their mistakes.

The speaker's colleague gave them a list of ideas to draw every day, including a palm tree and a gingerbread man, and this helped the speaker to improve their art skills.

Art and creativity in homeschooling. (22:46)

Janna shares her experience with art and how it's important to show children that learning is a process of failure and growth.

Karen offers a PDF with 7 reasons why homeschool parents should teach art, which can be accessed through the show notes.

Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.

If you'd like to share an aha moment, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, a book you're loving, or a suggested podcast topic/guest, leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.

EPISODE 147 |

https://learningally.org

https://neurolearning.com/

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Homeschooling and dyslexia awareness with a dyslexic and gifted student. (0:04)

Dyslexia and homeschooling experiences. (1:14)

Dyslexia, learning challenges, and academic struggles. (6:18)

Dyslexia, Greek mythology, and academic challenges. (12:12)

Dyslexia awareness and Gold Award project. (16:49)

Dyslexia, learning strategies, and time management. (22:35)

Dyslexia, scheduling techniques, and audiobook resources. (28:16)

Audio books and homeschooling for dyslexic children. (34:03)

Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.

If you'd like to share an aha moment, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, a book you're loving, or a suggested podcast topic/guest, leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.

EPISODE 146 SEASON 4 |

Children can be a source of amazement and marvel. Have you ever looked at your child and wondered, why are you acting like that? Whether positive or negative, children’s reactions to events or tasks can vary dramatically from our own or our partners’. These personality differences are what make each of us wonderfully unique. With the uniqueness our children’s personalities, wouldn’t it be great to have some baseline of understanding why one child acts completely differently in one scenario versus the other? On today’s podcast, Janna and her guest, Mendy Ingiaimo, discuss Mendy’s personality test, Destiny Assessment. Learn what fun animal might best fit your child’s personality and what details will help you understand and knowing the best way to work with them.

ABOUT OUR GUEST | Mendy Ingiaimo: Believes in unique education for every student. Former teacher, administrator, and corporate training manager. Founded schools, book author, developed curricula, and now empowers homeschool moms through Homeschool Moms Academy for tailored, effective learning. Get a free digital copy of Mendy's profile book here.

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QUOTABLES | 

Understanding children's unique personalities for effective parenting and homeschooling. (0:00)

Mindy shares her journey as a former teacher, administrator, and homeschooling parent to help empower other moms.

Personality types in children based on animal analogies. (4:20)

Mendy discusses the different personalities of children, including the elephant personality, which is characterized by being wise, logical, conscientious, and detail-oriented, but can also be challenging due to their perfectionism.

Understanding children's personalities and homeschooling. (14:26)

Janna struggles with understanding her daughter's personality type and its impact on parenting.

Understanding children's personalities and parenting strategies. (18:51)

Parent realizes importance of balancing perfectionism with flexibility in homeschooling.

Parenting and homeschooling strategies. (22:31)

Janna and Mendy discuss the challenge of balancing control and letting children take the lead in their learning, with Janna sharing her approach of becoming a facilitator rather than teacher.

Parenting styles and their impact on family dynamics. (29:58)

Mendy also wrote a children's book, "The Lion, the Elephant, the Horse, and the Lamb," to teach children about their unique strengths and how to contribute to their community.

Personality types and their strengths in children. (34:19)

Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.

If you'd like to share an aha moment, an inspirational quote, a homeschool hack, a book you're loving, or a suggested podcast topic/guest, leave a comment at bookshark.com/podcast. We'd love to feature your reflection on a future episode.

EPISODE 145 SEASON 4 | What makes a successful student or person? While there are a LOT of items on that checklist, there are a set of skills that can make it a great deal easier to be successful. This skill set is called executive functioning. It is a broad group of mental skills that enable people to complete tasks and interact with others. It is a skill set that allows a student/person to write that final paper, plan a business outline, or follow a set of instructions on what chores to do in a specific manner. 

Join Janna and her guest Dr. Lauran Kerr-Heraly as they discuss time management and other executive functioning skills. Learn how you can help your child as they move through their educational journey.

ABOUT OUR GUEST | Lauran Kerr-Heraly is an award-winning educator and author who has dedicated her career to transforming lives through education. She was homeschooled all the way through high school, which allowed her to develop a deep appreciation for self-directed learning and a passion for helping others to take control of their education. Lauran has worked in college readiness in American high schools, taught in international and British schools in England, and currently serves as a professor in an American community college. Her innovative teaching includes turning a classroom into an escape room, multidisciplinary projects showcasing personal food histories and environmental justice, and experimental learning spaces. She helps students and parents develop a holistic approach to college success, which includes a focus on essential skills, executive function, and emotional awareness. Get 10% off any product at https://www.alteringcourse.com/ Use code bookshark .

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QUOTABLES |

Executive functioning challenges in homeschool students. (0:00)

Dr. Lauran Kerr-Heraly, homeschooling pioneer and educator, discusses executive functioning and its impact on students and parents. Acknowledges the challenge of balancing the need for structure and oversight in their children's education, particularly as they transition to college or high school environments.

Time management and emotional regulation for high school and college students. (7:15)

Advocates for open communication with college students, asking them to arrange dedicated time for studying (0:08:33).

Discusses time management and emotional regulation in college students, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and support systems (0:09:33).

Emotional regulation and executive function in young adults. (13:26)

Eliminating the source of stress can change the entire scenario for young adults, allowing them to feel more in control of their emotions and decisions.

The speaker realized they were a perfectionist procrastinator in college, leading to late-night computer lab escapades.

The speaker's student client found a creative solution to assignments by turning them into a graphic novel character, showing that finding a personalized system works best for individuals with ADHD.

Supporting children with executive function challenges. (19:20)

suggests inviting students to share their struggles before they become dire, rather than addressing issues after they've escalated.

Homeschooling, executive function skills, and parental grace. (24:35)

Janna shares her experience as a homeschooling parent and the importance of giving oneself and children grace in the face of societal pressure.

Lauran emphasizes the significance of maintaining a close relationship with children, especially for those who are neurodivergent or have learning challenges.

Janna suggests using literature-based learning to build executive functions by reading and discussing books with children

Improving executive functioning skills for children. (33:02)

Lauran offers virtual executive function cohorts and 10% off products with code bookshark for listeners.

EPISODE 144 SEASON 4 | The beauty of homeschooling is that you get to build it however you want. What better way to create supplement your curriculum than finding different pieces to make it a successful learning experience? Incorporating nature and animals into a part of homeschooling is what Sarah Skebba, founder of EdZOOcating EdZOOcating, does. EdZOOcating is an educational approach that integrates animal-based experiences into your child's learning journey. From field trips to animal sanctuaries to interactive lessons with live animals, EdZOOcating provides an immersive and engaging educational experience that sparks curiosity and empathy.

Whether you're a seasoned homeschooler looking for fresh ideas or someone considering homeschooling for the first time, this podcast episode will provide valuable insights and make it a truly enriching experience. Join us as we embark on a journey to empower your child's education through homeschooling your way and EdZOOcating!

ABOUT OUT GUEST | Sarah Skebba is the founder and CEO of EdZOOcating, an education platform designed to use wildlife, nature, and conservation to engage kids in core science topics. She grew up in the Cleveland Metroparks where she developed a love for nature at an early age. After moving to Arizona to attain a BS in Conservation Biology and Ecology, she participated in several wildlife studies exploring animals like rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, iguanas, and more. She gained experiences as an educator at a variety of zoos, aquariums, and nature centers where she furthered my passion for both wildlife and teaching. During her furlough at the start of COVID, she was eager to continue educating both kids and adults about wildlife and conservation. What started as a website filled with animal facts and sustainable living tips transformed into hundreds of live Zoom classes, a K-8 science curriculum program called EdZOOcating Adventures, and 3 years of engaging homeschoolers from across the world in science using the wonders of the natural world. 

You can find them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @edzoocating

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The plants in Ohio are very different from what she grew up with and how they were used hundreds and hundreds of years ago.