Reflecting on the past school year is so important as a home educator, but we often find ourselves too busy to think to do it. Even for homeschoolers who school year-round, May is a good time to take a moment, breathe deep, and look back at everything that worked and didn’t last year. In today’s episode, we discuss our own 2022-2023 school years, our triumphs and challenges, and we look forward to the summer and fall. And stay until the end to hear a very inspiring homeschooling news story.

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Book Riot – 8 Home Library Apps To Keep Your Book Collection Organized

KXAN News – 19-year-old Texan becomes youngest African American to graduate law school in US

The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

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Family resistance to homeschooling can come in different ways. From simple misunderstandings to serious disagreements, from aunts and uncles to sometimes one’s own spouse. For those unfamiliar with homeschooling, it can seem strange or confusing. But you know you’ve made the right choice, living a learning lifestyle that grows your family closer together. So how to you respond when you meet family resistance to homeschooling? Jennifer and Holly meet up today to discuss what kinds of resistance they met, and how they brought people over to their side. Listen and learn how to be confident when telling your family about the wonderful choice you’ve made! And be sure to stay to the end of the episode, when we discuss an important warning for homeschool Facebook groups!

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Free to Learn by Peter Gray

Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto

How Children Learn by John Holt

The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning and Life by Julie Bogart

Teenage Liberation Handbook, How to Quit School and Get a Real Education by Grace Llewellyn

Teach Your Own by John Holt and Pat Farenga

The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer

What Is a Family? by Edith Schaeffer

Season’s of a Mother’s Heart by Sally Clarkson

The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

You don’t have to be Da Vinci or Picasso to know how to teach art! Many homeschoolers wonder how to teach art to their students, it can cause a lot of stress. But Holly, Melody, and Jennifer are here to tell you not to worry, teaching art can be one of the most fun and fulfilling subjects to explore! Join us as we discuss why it’s important to learn about art, how to combat teacher and student resistance, and our favorite ways to incorporate art into our homeschool! And be sure to stay to the end, when we discuss a big question Holly has for her homeschooling Facebook groups.

If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected]

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Drawing with Children, by Mona Brooks

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards

Drawing Textbook, by Bruce Mcintyre

Kids Create!: Art & Craft Experiences for 3- To 9-Year Olds, by Laurie Carlson

The Kids’ Multicultural Art Book: Art and Craft Experiences from Around the World

Sister Wendy’s Story of Painting

Artistic Pursuits

Ambleside Online

The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

We often see questions about homeschooling preschoolers. From what curriculum, if any, to use to what homeschooling groups are right, it can be a stressful experience before you even begin. That’s why in today’s episode, we’re helping you navigate your way through homeschooling preschoolers. We’ll discuss challenges you’ll face, mistakes to avoid, and even share what we did our own preschool students. And be sure to stay to the end, where we will discuss an important homeschooling news story.

If you have any homeschooling questions or comments, please email us at [email protected].

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Alabama Daily News – Marsh bringing amendment to school choice bill, not willing to ‘gut’ it

The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

What are unit studies? They may just be the most versatile educational method out there. By tying all your subjects into a common theme, you can streamline your schooldays and reinforce the lesson all day long. Today, Jennifer, Holly, and Melody discuss everything you need to know to start incorporating unit studies into your learning lifestyle.

Discussion topics include: Why to choose unit studies, our favorite unit study resources, and how to design your own unit studies. And be sure to stay to the end when our hosts discuss some timely news…

If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected]

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Konos – Learning Made Fun

Progeny Press

UnitStudy.com – Taking Curiosity to New Heights

How to Homeschool by Gayle Graham

How to Create Your Own Unit Study by Valerie Bendt

Confessions of a Homeschooler

Good and Beautiful

Gather ‘Round Homeschool

The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

When we think about college readiness, we tend to think about studying, extracurriculars, and exams, but there’s another side that’s crucial to preparing your kids not just for college, but for adulthood!

Many college students find themselves needing to learn these skills on the fly, leading to distraction from their studies and unneeded stress. Making sure your children have the best footing possible as they leave the home is crucial. Ranging from small skills like household chores, to more complex skills like budgeting and saving, non-academic college readiness is crucial to not only for college students, but for everyone.

If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected]

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National Endowment for Financial Education

LibriVox – Free Public Domain Audiobook

The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Are you experiencing homeschooling burnout? You’re not alone! Every year around this time, homeschoolers all over start getting “yellow bus syndrome.” You might think to yourself, “There’s a yellow bus that stops at my corner, maybe we should try that.” We’re here to say don’t do it! Melody, Jennifer, and Holly have been homeschooling for a long time, and they know all the signs of burnout. But better yet, they know how to handle it as well! Listen today and learn how to recognize and resolve your homeschooling burnout. And be sure to listen to the end to hear our hosts answer a big question from a Happy Homeschooler Podcast listener like you!

If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected]

SHOW NOTES:

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The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Co-ops are a centerpiece of many home schools, and it’s never been a better time to join one! Or even create one…? Today we’re discussing all you need to know about co-ops. Topics range from why co-ops are great and how to choose the right one for your students, all the way to the nitty gritty of making a co-op of your own from the ground up. And be sure to stay to the end, when Jennifer and Holly discuss some big homeschooling news.

If you have any questions, comments, or homeschool news stories, please email us at [email protected]

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No more pencils: New SAT will be shorter, all online and report scores faster (nbcnews.com)

The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Homeschool organization is crucial no matter what kind of homeschooler you are! Whether you’re homeschooling for one semester or for the rest of your life, Holly and Jennifer’s longtime homeschooling experience will set you right. Topics include keeping your house tidy, record keeping, homeschooling rooms, and more! Homeschool organization will be a cinch! And stay to the end of the episode, when Holly shares an interesting observation about reading.

SHOW NOTES:

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The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

The benefits of homeschooling are well known, whether it’s the freedom to choose your curricula, or teaching to proficiency rather than teaching for an exam. But there are a whole host of unexpected benefits too! They may not be why you chose to start homeschooling, but they’ve improved your lives immeasurably. Holly, Melody, and new co-host Jennifer discuss all the wonderful unexpected benefits they’ve encountered through their years of homeschooling!

If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected]

SHOW NOTES:

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The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!