Traditional testing is not the best way to discern what your child has learned.  In this episode we'll talk about other (and better!) ways to find out what your child knows.

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Resources mentioned:

• Notebooking in a Large Family (post)
• Notebooking Made Easy (Podcast #42)
• Teaching Textbooks (Review and Tips)
• Apologia Elementary Science (Review & Tips)
• NEA Timeline of Standardized Testing

For many years, I lived in the season of toddlers and babies. How do you navigate the end of the season when it's all you've ever known?

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Resources mentioned:

• It's Not a Season I'm In (post)
• Podcast 128 - Holier Than Thou Homeschoolers
• Peaceful Preschool (curriculum)
• A Year of Learning (curriculum)

How to truly make your homeschooling journey your very own experience alongside your unique family.

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Resources mentioned:

• Podcast #124 - How to Take a Jubilee Homeschool Year
• Modern Miss Mason by Leah Boden
• Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola
• Tapestry of Grace homeschool curriculum
• Teaching Textbooks homeschool math curriculum
• Educating the Whole Hearted Child by Clay & Sally Clarkson

As I prepared for my husband to return from a year long deployment, I began to contemplate the future of the blog and podcast...

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Read the Large Family Homeschool Life posts HERE!

Every Autumn, my homemaking habits change with the season.  Here are a few cozy ways I celebrate the Fall season in my kitchen and elsewhere!

GET IT NOW FOR FREE! Fall Family Traditions Bundle!

Resources mentioned:

• Corinthian Bells
• Farmhouse on Boone - Sourdough Starter, Sourdough Rolls, Sourdough Loaf, Pumpkin Spice Latte Concentrate
• RoseRed Homestead on YouTube
• Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
• 30 Minute Pizza Recipe
• White Pizza Recipe
• Hearty Winter Oven Stew Recipe
• Winter Soup Recipe
• Taco Soup Recipe
• Sourdough Discard Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
• Pumpkin Crumble Cake Recipe
• Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe
• Podcast #173 - Large Family House Sizes & Layouts
• Decluttering Template (free download)

Over the years, our large family has lived in many different sizes of homes.  A listener asked me to share what I've learned from living in large and small homes and what I feel is crucial space to have in a large family home!

Mentioned in this podcast:

• Max & Lilly Bunk Bed
• Trifold Mattress
• Podcast #66 - Maximizing Space in Kids' Bedrooms
• Large Family Bedrooms (post)
• Living in a Garage While Building Your House Debt Free (post)
• Large Family Organization page on Raising Arrows

How to make your kitchen work efficiently and effectively while you homeschool!

Today's Sponsor: WriteStories by Scriptive Encourage reluctant writers and emerging storytellers to write their own stories using illustrations from children's books!

Resources mentioned:

• Table Chores (post)
• Master Grocery List

A listener asked if I "make" my kids go outside, and the answer is a resounding YES!  If you struggle to get your kids outside, this podcast is for you!

Resources mentioned:

• Our Charlotte Mason Nature Bag (post) (podcast)
• Autumn Homeschooling Ideas (post)
• Tapestry of Grace (curriculum overview)
• 1000 Hours Outside (podcast) (trackers)

If you know you are going to have a busy homeschool year or if you just want to keep your homeschool schedule open and flexible, here's how you can plan for the upcoming year without stressing yourself out!  This is the method I have been using for years with great success!

For more help, get my book: Flexible Homeschool Planning

Resources mentioned:

• Flexible Homeschool Planning (book)
• Are Local Homeschool Groups, Co-ops, and Classes a Waste of Time? (post)
• How to Put Your Homeschool on Autopilot - Podcast #50
• Five in a Row (curriculum)
• Rod & Staff ABC Series Workbooks (curriculum)

Not every homeschool mom is excited to start the new school year.  Here's what to do if YOU are that mom!

Get these books to help you manage this homeschool year!

Homeschooling with Purpose

Home Management for the Homeschool Mom

Resources mentioned:

• The Truth About Burnout (post) (podcast)
• Burned Out Mom (video)
• A Mother Who Never Burns Out (post)
• How to Put Your Homeschool on Autopilot (post) (podcast) (video)
• Simply Convivial classes
• How to Take a Homeschool Mom Sabbatical (post)
• How to Take a Jubilee Homeschool Year (post) (podcast)
• Year Round Homeschooling page on Raising Arrows
• Homeschool Planning Inspiration (podcast) (video)