Homeschooling isn’t about doing all the things — it’s about doing the right things. With so many curriculum options and extracurricular opportunities available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this episode, HST Jaime Happ helps us pause and reflect on the “why” behind our decisions — so we can make more intentional choices about how we spend our time, energy, and resources. Whether you're navigating too many options or unsure where to focus, this conversation will leave you feeling grounded, clear, and confident in your next step.

Notes:

Blog: The Proverbial Homeschool *this is a religious resource

Simon Sinek Start with Why

Pam Barnhill’s Minimum Viable Day

Charlotte Mason is known for her motto, “I am, I can, I ought, I know.”

Printables from Jaime:

Tips for Schooling Multiple Ages

Homeschool Philosophy Worksheet

Cynthia Rachel from A.P.P.L.E is back! AB 84 has passed the Assembly and is now headed to the State Senate. If signed into law, this bill could significantly impact our flex-based charter school model and the families we serve. Cynthia breaks down where the bill stands, clearly explains the recent updates, and shares how we can take meaningful action to ensure our voices are heard by our representatives. Don’t miss this important conversation.

Show Notes:

A.P.P.L.E website

A.P.P.L.E. Facebook Page

California Legislature Position Letter Portal

Find Your Senator

In this episode, your host, Rebecca LaSavio, sits down with Stephanie Slade, the visionary founder behind the Northern California Homeschool Convention. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooler or just getting started, this conversation will open your eyes to the incredible value of homeschool conferences. From building community and discovering new resources to getting energized for the school year ahead, Stephanie shares why these events are much more than just vendor halls and workshops.

Find out what’s in store for this year’s convention, including keynote speakers, new offerings, special sessions for new families, and more. If you’ve ever wondered whether attending a conference is worth your time, this episode will convince you it absolutely is.

So grab your coffee, get comfy, and let’s dive into a conversation that might just reshape your homeschool journey.

Show Notes:

Convention website: thenchc.us

Coupon Code for $10 off ticket: SG2025

AB 84 is a bill that, if passed, could drastically impact our flex-based charter school model and affect all of our families. In this episode, Rebecca interviews Cynthia Rachel, who offers a knowledgeable and clear explanation of what this bill means for us and how we can take action to make our voices heard by our representatives.

Don’t miss this vital conversation.

Show notes:

stopab84.com

A.P.P.L.E. Website

A.P.P.L.E. Facebook Group

Rebecca concludes season 6 with a wrap up of 11 great episodes and asks you to join her in remembering the highlights!

Show Notes:

Clarksville Voice Message

Feather River Voice Message

Lake View Voice Message

 Come back for more! In Part 2 of this conversation, Rebecca and her sisters-in-law continue discussing how to give our TK and Kindergarten students a healthy start to school. Dive into the conversation about the importance of play and music. This episode has lots of encouragement for parents and educators of our curious, busy, always-learning, littles! 

Featuring guests Eliza Reed and Elisabeth Harmon.

Show Notes:

“Play is the serious business of children” seems to be an idea taken from psychologist Jean Piaget (“Play is the work of children”) and Fred Rogers, who said “Play is often talked about as a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning.”

Roxaboxen by Alice McLarren

The Raft by Jim LaMarche

Tchaikovsky

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

In this week's episode, Rebecca sits down with Eliza Reed and Elisabeth Harmon to discuss homeschooling ideas for our littlest, and most excited learners—TK and Kindergarten students!

Eliza, a mother of four and the owner of a Montessori-style preschool, and Elisabeth, a homeschooling mom of five, share their experiences and tips for teaching young children. From finding the balance between structure and play to discovering the "educational sweet spot" for 4- and 5-year-olds, this episode is packed with wisdom and laughter. Tune in for practical advice, real-life lessons, and plenty of inspiration for making learning fun for your littlest homeschoolers.

Show Notes:

Curious George Compilations

Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay. What are the implications of artificial intelligence for our students? Can AI be a helpful tool in homeschool education? How do we teach our kids to use it wisely when we may not fully understand it ourselves? In this week's episode of The Sequoia Breeze, Rebecca welcomes back Trisha Brandow, one of our administrators and a devoted homeschool parent, to help us navigate these and other pressing questions. Trisha discusses the benefits that AI can offer within our homeschool settings, while also highlighting the caution we should exercise. This timely and insightful episode aims to empower parents and educators to embrace AI thoughtfully, ensuring our kids are equipped to use it responsibly. Tune in for a conversation that promises to inform and inspire.

Tools to Help You Learn More About AI

Please start here if you are just starting to learn how to navigate this digital world with your child:

• Digital Literacy and Internet Safety Parent Presentation

ChatGPT Unveiled: Presentation (an overview of what ChatGPT is and how it can be used)

Prompts to Try to help you learn how ChatGPT works:

• Help with emails
• Lesson Planning Help
• Personal Life Help
• Setting Goals
• Just for Fun

Sal Khan (Khan Academy) on How AI Could Save (Not Destroy) Education

• Khanmigo (Khan Academy’s AI-powered teaching assistant)

Common Sense Media: (A great resource for all things tech and parenting)

• Common Sense Education: AI Literacy Lessons for Grades 6-12
• Common Sense Media: Parents' Ultimate Guide to Generative AI

Google’s Free Course: Introduction to Generative AI

Magic School (Free, AI powered tools for teachers)

In this episode, Rebecca welcomes Jenna Clifton, Lead Art Teacher, and Carrie Liebrich, Music Teacher to discuss the launch of Sequoia Studio, a brand new program dedicated to enhancing visual and performing arts experiences for TK-8th grade students enrolled in our schools. 

With the recent passing of Proposition 28, which provides funding for arts and music education in California schools, Sequoia Studio’s mission is to ignite curiosity, nurture creativity, and cultivate a deep appreciation of the arts.

Join Rebecca, Jenna, and Carrie as they share their excitement about the music, visual arts, and theater lessons their teachers are bringing to Park Days, Clubs, and other schoolwide events. Listen in as they discuss the importance of high-quality arts instruction and share about the numerous opportunities they are creating for students. We guarantee this episode will leave you inspired and ready to join a Park Day or Club session TODAY!

Educational best practices increasingly emphasize using questions that ignite curiosity and engage students deeply in the learning process. This inquiry approach goes beyond simply asking what a student wants to learn; it's about sparking genuine interest. When applied effectively, it “hooks” learners by gradually shifting responsibility for the learning process from teacher to student. So how does this work in the homeschool setting?

In this informative podcast, Erika Barrish, a Lake View HST and homeschool parent, guides you through crafting quality questions that inspire thinking and exploration in your kids—and even yourself. You’ll discover that with the right questions, there’s no limit to creative learning.

Notes:

What is Inquiry?

• Social Studies: InquirED.org Blog post on Inquiry
• Science: Description of the 5 Steps of Inquiry from The Wonder of Science

Some Good Resources for Building Inquiries in Social Studies and Science 

• National Archives Educator Resources: Register for a free account to utilize DocsTeach for primary source documents organized by topic.
• Library of Congress: Primary Source Sets under Teachers: Classroom Resources.
• The Wonder of Science: has a great bank of Phenomena and resources to support Inquiry in the sciences.
• Smithsonian Science Education Center: Navigate to Free Resources under the Curriculum menu.

Some Resources for Teaching Strategies to Support Inquiry:

• The Right Question Institute
• Thinking Routines Toolbox: Project Zero from the Harvard Graduate School of Education
• Learning By Inquiry