In today's story:

It is the first week of school and in Martin and Sylvia's house, that means transforming the dining room table into the homeschool work table. Everybody is excited about new books, new materials and indeed, new subjects to learn. This year, Martin is nervous that he will not learn the same things as his friend Sasha who attends the neighborhood school. Momma and Daddy suggest they make lists of all the things each family member wants to learn this year. They compile all of the lists into something like a map. A Map of the Year!

*This story is the subject of our conversation about homeschooling with Jamie Martin, editor of simplehomeschool.net and author of "Give Your Child the World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book at a Time."

About SparkleCast:

SparkleCast explores the use of story in parenting and education. One week we share a free story for you to enjoy, and the next week we discuss the story with an expert and thought leader – with the aim of using the story (and all stories) as a parenting and educational tool.

For more stories and tutorials, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com

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Enjoy!