Homeschooling with Technology

Whether you’re on a long trip, stuck indoors on a rainy day, or trying to connect with faraway family, group games to play online can be a great way to build memories and share laughter. In this episode, Meryl shares the games her Science Olympiad team enjoyed during a long bus ride to Nationals—and offers suggestions for how you can use them in your own homeschool (even for educational purposes!).

Heads Up

App-based word guessing game

Best played in person

Use free decks or purchase themed packs

Jackbox Games

Paid game packs with multiplayer party-style games

Family-friendly mode available

Some favorites: Quiplash, TKO, Murder Trivia Party

One purchase is enough for everyone to join via their own devices

Gartic Phone

Free, browser-based game combining drawing and guessing

Great for laughs as phrases mutate like a game of “telephone”

Drawasaurus

Free online drawing and guessing game

Quick rounds, supports large groups

Many of these games allow custom prompts—perfect for reinforcing topics like history, science, or vocabulary in a fun and interactive way!

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post Fun group games to play online appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this episode, host Meryl van der Merwe is joined by returning guest Matthew Jurison, a homeschool teen. Together, they explore why Scratch is an ideal language for beginners learning to code.

What You’ll Learn:

How Scratch compares to text-based languages like JavaScript and Python

Why Scratch’s drag-and-drop interface is approachable for all ages

Matthew’s journey learning programming—from JavaScript to Scratch to Unreal Engine

The benefits of learning through a structured class vs. self-teaching

How Scratch teaches real programming logic in a simplified environment

How remixing others’ games on Scratch can boost creativity and understanding

The importance of critical thinking and problem-solving in programming

Whether kids should still learn to code in an age of AI tools like ChatGPT

A Scratch Game to Try:

This is a simple hidden objects game – click on the items when you see them. Move with the arrow keys and the space bar toggles the list of what you need to find off and on.

Want Your Child to Learn Scratch?  

A semester-long Scratch class (graded with teaching assistant support)

Five-week beginner/intermediate/advanced Scratch options—perfect for summer – also graded and with support

Use code SUMMER10 at checkout on FundaFundaAcademy.com to get $10 off any Scratch class until August 31, 2025.

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post Why Scratch is the Perfect First Programming Language to Learn appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this episode, we explore Duolingo’s newest addition—chess, which of course is gamified the way their languages are.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Why Duolingo has added chess and how it fits into their gamified platform

How Duolingo teaches chess step-by-step, making it accessible even for beginners

How gamified challenges in the app build logical thinking and strategy skills

How Duolingo uses ELO ratings and tracks your progress

Why this might be a great way to introduce chess to homeschoolers, even reluctant ones

Tips for parents on how to use the app with their children

Benefits of Duolingo Chess for Homeschoolers:

Builds strategic thinking

Low-pressure learning through bite-sized lessons

Encourages methodical and logical problem-solving

Fun, puzzle-style progression keeps learners engaged

FundaFunda Contest:
FundaFunda Academy’s Summer Stock Market Challenge is back! For just $10, students get:

Access to the full 2-month competition (June–July)

The accompanying Stock Market Unit Study (a $20 value)

A chance to win Amazon gift cards if they place in the top 3

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post Learn Chess the Fun Way With Duolingo appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this episode, Meryl shares strategies and specific resources for stretching your homeschool budget by leveraging high-quality free curriculum. You’ll hear about four “all-in-one” programs, dozens of subject-specific tools, how to snag freebies from vendors, and tips for DIYing your own courses with AI assistance.

These comprehensive platforms give you daily lesson plans for multiple grades and subjects—often covering 80–90% of what you need.

Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool (grades 8–12; Christian worldview, but easily adapted)

Khan Academy (beyond math: science, history, arts; best as a supplement)

Ambleside Online (Charlotte Mason style; public-domain “living books”; year-based levels)

CK-12 Foundation (flexible “Flexbooks” in math, science, social studies, electives; built-in videos, quizzes, AI practice)

If you need only one or two subjects, pick and choose from these specialized platforms:

Civics & Government: iCivics (interactive games & lessons)

STEM & Finance: EverFi (STEM, history, health, personal finance)

Coding: Code.org (full K–12 computer science courses)

Personal Finance: Next Gen Personal Finance (games, interactives)

Foreign Language: Duolingo (supplement), Mango Languages (library-provided)

Many curriculum publishers offer sample unit studies or mini-courses free when you subscribe:

FundaFunda Academy – “States of Matter” unit study (grades 4–8)

PeanutButterFish Lessons – weekly free unit studies for younger ages

Music in Our Homeschool – free music-appreciation lessons

Literary Adventures for Kids – curated reading lists by grade

Seven Sisters Homeschool – three years of free high-school English outlines

Tip: Use a spreadsheet or digital folder system (see Ep. 219) to track all your downloads, logins, and newsletter freebies.

When you can’t find exactly what you need, build your own:

Gather source materials: library books, YouTube Crash Course videos, open educational resources.

Leverage AI (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.) to generate:

Lesson outlines

Comprehension questions & quizzes

Suggested projects & hands-on activities

Grading rubrics and schedules

Customize by age, credit requirements, and learning style.

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post Free online curriculum appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Google Talking Tours (part of Google’s Arts & Culture “Play” area) are free, guided virtual tours where you explore famous places while a narrator points out what you’re seeing. Think of it as a virtual field trip your kids can take from the couch — no permission slips required.

Is it free? Yes — completely free in any web browser, no account needed.

In this episode we take a deep dive into Google Talking Tours, an AI-powered tool from Google Arts & Culture that lets users explore landmarks and cultural sites around the world with automatically narrated tours.

Whether you’re teaching geography, history, writing, photography, or just looking for an engaging and free activity, here are 10 innovative ways homeschool families can use this tool to create meaningful learning experiences.

Found in the Google Arts & Culture Experiments

Allows students to explore locations via Google Street View

Narration starts automatically, offering historical and cultural facts

Users can:

Take snapshots

Ask questions

Navigate by category or keyword search to select the place to explore

Alternate History Stories

Create a Travel Brochure or Video Ad

Scavenger Hunt Challenge

Dream Day Itinerary

Creative Writing Prompt

Soundtrack Challenge

Prediction Game

Photography Composition Practice

Be the Tour Guide

Art vs. Reality Comparison

Google Talking Tours

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice while integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode.

The post Google Talking Tours: A Free Virtual Field Trip Tool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This is a replay of episode 187. Go to that episode for the show notes.

The post Replay: How to use Movies in your Homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this episode, Meryl chats with Krisa Wynn about Homeschool Heroes, an online platform designed to support homeschool families with children who have learning challenges — or as they call them, “unique learners.” Krisa shares how the platform provides free and paid resources, community groups, learning assessments, consultations, and quarterly day-off events for homeschoolers.

Homeschool Heroes is an expansion of the original SPED Homeschool nonprofit, but now offers even more ways to connect, support, and empower homeschool families, including those dealing with ADHD, autism, trauma, and other special circumstances.

Meryl and Krisa also discuss how Homeschool Heroes offers a better alternative to Facebook groups by avoiding algorithm issues, and allowing real peer-to-peer connection and expert access.

Meryl shares how FundaFunda Academy (the show sponsor) also supports students with learning challenges through flexible, tech-integrated, asynchronous online classes.

What Homeschool Heroes is and how it grew from SPED Homeschool

Free resources available, including downloads for curriculum enrichment and high school support

How the community groups work — even for free subscribers — and why they offer a better experience than Facebook groups

The tagging system that helps homeschoolers find exactly the resources they need

The Mindprint Learning cognitive assessment tool for identifying strengths and learning needs

The quarterly “Homeschool Parent Day Off” events (next event: May 8, 2025)

One-on-one consultation services for personalized homeschool help

How Homeschool Heroes connects parents with trusted homeschool providers like FundaFunda Academy

Homeschool Heroes Website  

Register for the May 8th Day-Off Event (Free and online!)

Learn about Mindprint Cognitive Assessments

Facebook

Instagram

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice while integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode.

The post Online help for homeschool children with learning challenges appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this episode, host Meryl van der Merwe is joined by Mina Neuberg from Wonder Math, to explore why making math fun is essential.

The connection between math and technology careers

Why so many students and parents struggle with math anxiety

How a growth mindset can transform math learning

What makes Wonder Math unique: live instruction, gamification, story-based learning, and continuity

The importance of contextual, real-world math applications

Simple, practical ways to bring joy and play into your homeschool math lessons

Ideas for helping kids who already believe they are “bad at math”

Parental attitude matters: When parents say they hate math, kids absorb that belief.

Math is more than memorization: Wonder Math helps students embrace mistakes and view math as a problem-solving journey.

Gamification works: Earning rewards can help shift a child’s mindset from dread to excitement.

Start small: Use cooking, tipping, budgeting, or sports stats to teach math concepts in fun ways.

Context matters: Math taught through stories or student interests is easier to retain.

Try Wonder Math free for a month using the code MERYL at wondermath.com.

Khan Academy

YouTube videos on “fun math” topics customized to your child’s interests

Wonder Math Blog – especially the Homeschool and Math Fun categories

Facebook – Wonder Math Education

Instagram – Wonder Math Education

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice while integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode.

The post Why Math Should Be Fun appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This is a replay of episode 127. Go to that episode for the show notes.

The post Replay: Online Poetry Resources appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Summer is almost here, and while a real vacation might still be a few weeks away, you and your homeschoolers can start exploring the world right now—take a virtual vacation!

In this episode, discover Virtual Vacation, a free and engaging website that lets you experience cities around the globe through walking, driving, and flying tours. It’s more immersive than Google Maps and a fantastic way to make geography and cultural studies come alive.

Highlights from the episode:

What Virtual Vacation  offers and how to use it

Types of tours: walking, driving, flying, monuments, road trips, live cams, and virtual windows

The built-in City Guesser game (similar to GeoGuessr) that tests your geography knowledge

Creative ways to use the platform in your homeschool:

Creative writing prompts based on real-world settings

Comparative studies across multiple cities

Language learning by listening to real conversations

Memory games inspired by game show-style recall activities

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice while integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode.

The post Virtual Vacation: Travel the World Without a Passport appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.