Hiya, sisters! We are excited to bring this week's episode to your earbuds because we know we have oodles of Outschool fans in the Sisters community. And if you haven't heard of Outschool yet, you're going to want to pull up a chair and get comfy for a second because we might just rock your homeschool world. 

In this week's episode, we welcome Amir Nathoo, founder and CEO of Outschool. What a fun conversation it was! We chat about education, learning, and the sheer joy of a personalized education. Amir shares his experience with a traditional educational path and also shares how alternative paths, like the homeschool movement, have helped to shape the Outschool experience. We also discuss how a child's uniqueness, or quirkiness, is something to treasure and how this uniqueness might transform into desired skills when our kiddos enter the job market.

- The Importance of a Personalized Education, with Amir Nathoo, Founder and CEO of Outschool [Episode 140]

Here at The Homeschool Sisters Podcast, we get A LOT of questions about planning. Whether you're someone who lives and breathes all things homeschool planning, or if you're someone who has been struggling to find the perfect planning system from the get-go, you're going to love this episode.

This week, The Homeschool Sisters Podcast welcomes Robyn Calvi, a veteran homeschool mom to six children and the COO of Homeschool Planet. In this episode, Robyn keeps it real. She advocates for holding your homeschool plans loosely and being flexible so that you can meet your children's unique needs. At the same time, Robyn shares ways to make planning super easy, even for those who struggle with planning and for the sisters who prefer to plan behind. So, please grab a cup of your favorite beverage and join us for a great conversation!

- Episode 139: Keeping Your Life On Track When Life Isn't Simple

Hey, sisters! If you love rabbit holes and learning, you're going to LOVE this episode.

Please welcome Brandon Hendrickson of Science is WEIRD to The Homeschool Sisters Podcast. Brandon Hendrickson is the founder of Science is WEIRD, but in this episode, we talk about SO much more than "just" science. From Mr. Roger’s to Taylor Swift's hidden Easter eggs to the horrors of balloon animals, to riddle culture in medieval times, to Greek mathematics, to golf, to cartoon wars, to fossils... we even talk about tombstones! Pour yourself a cup of your favorite warm beverage, hunker down with us for a bit, and hang on to your hats. It's a fun ride!

https://my-little-poppies.com/more-than-science/

What if you are homeschooling a child who doesn't plan on attending college? How do you create a non-college-bound educational track for your child, especially in high school? How does one document this type of learning? How do you field questions and comments about your child's future? If you have a tween or teen with learning challenges, is it okay to stretch high school beyond the traditional four years?

In this week's episode, Cait shares a question submitted to the site and phones a friend. Shawna Wingert is our homeschool cousin. She's been on the podcast more than any other guest and with good reason! In this episode, Shawna shares her experience with all of the questions mentioned above and more!

-  Episode 137: For The Child Who Is NOT College Bound, with Shawna Wingert

Please welcome Dennis DiNoia to The Homeschool Sisters Podcast. In today's episode, we take a deep dive into the world of education, homeschooling, parenting, and how to raise self-directed learners who aren't afraid to explore their passions, set goals, and pursue a career that they love.

- Episode 136: More Than Math, with Mr. D

In today's episode, Cait discusses a submission from the Sisters community. 

What is the difference between being an "excellent student" and an "excellent learner," and how do we help children transition from a traditional school setting to a homeschool routine? What do we do if our children put enormous pressure on themselves? How do we help them follow their interests and not worry about being/doing/achieving "enough?" 

- Episode 135: Excellent Students vs. Excellent Learners

Happy 2024, Sisters! In our first episode of '24, Cait takes a look back at 2023 and all of the big changes and transitions that happened during the year. Then, Cait shares a sneak peek into the upcoming season. We have an incredible line-up of guests and episode topics that you are going to love!

- Show Notes for Episode 133: Homeschooling in 2024: A Homeschool Sisters Update

What is the best way to teach your child to read? When should you start teaching your child how to read? What should you look for when choosing a reading curriculum? How much time should you spend on reading lessons? And when should you worry? What are the warning signs that might mean your kiddo needs some extra support when it comes to early literacy and reading development?

I receive all of these questions and more in my inbox every month. Today, I am phoning a friend, and I think you'll LOVE this conversation!

Are you homeschooling a unique learner? Are you homeschooling a high schooler? Are you worried about creating transcripts? Does the thought of college applications make you break it into a cold sweat? Are you looking for practical tips and strategies for making the college application process easier? If so, you're going to love today's episode. Please welcome Jessica Nelson from Collegewise.

Please welcome Sarah Mackenzie of Read-Aloud Revival and Waxwing Books to the podcast. Are you curious if reading aloud to tweens and teens is still important? Do you want to read aloud to your teens, but they aren't interested? What do you do if you've fallen out of the habit and want to re-establish a read-aloud routine with your kids? Plus, get a behind-the-scenes peek into what it's like to be a children's author and discover what is coming up for Read-Aloud Revival and Waxwing Books!

https://my-little-poppies.com/reading-aloud-and-older-kids-with-sarah-mackenzie