The Sequoia Breeze

What if memorization isn’t just about remembering facts, but building a foundation for deeper thinking?

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Julie Walker from IEW about the surprising connection between memorization and thinking. We’ll talk about why memorizing poetry, great writing, and other worthwhile things gives children a bank of language, ideas, and experiences they can draw from for years to come. Julie helps us look beyond the question of “Can my child memorize this?” to a bigger question: “How do I want to furnish my child’s mind?”

If you’ve ever wondered whether memorization really has a place in your homeschool, this conversation may change the way you think about it.

Show Notes:

All 6 Levels of Understanding (on Bloom’s Taxonomy) (2026)

Forgetting curve - Wikipedia

The AI chatbot you use every day has a point of view. Researchers proved it.

Andrew Pudewa: By Heart: The Goodness of Memory

Memory Work for Homeschool: 100 Things for Kids to Memorize

IEW's Memorizing Poetry

There are SO many ways to customize learning, and this program is a great example!

In this episode, we’re welcoming Brieana DeMelo, an Agriculture Sciences teacher at our schools, to hear about all the exciting things happening in Ag Science. In just a short time, Brieana has created a vibrant, hands-on program for students in grades 6–12—and it’s still growing!

Listen in to discover the many ways students can learn where their food comes from, explore careers in agriculture (hint: it’s SO much more than farming!), and connect with other students who share their interests.

There’s a whole world of agriculture to dig into!

Show Notes:

• Ag Pathways Flyers - Contains graphics outlining the two agriculture pathways and course descriptions for all of the agriculture courses offered. Also lists the course rotation.
• Agriculture Website on The Bridge - Has a program overview and links to agricultural scholarships at the bottom.
• Ag Club Google Classroom Join Link - Open to students grade 5-12 to join. Class Code is: x3ecs7fi
• SGCA Article - An article about the agriculture program that was recently added to the bridge.
• [email protected] - Email me to get added to the monthly agriculture newsletter, give me feedback, or ask questions!
• SGCA Agricultural Club - Wednesdays @ 3pm, 6th-12th grade

Season 9 kicks off with a conversation that's just as relevant today as when it first aired.

We're revisiting one of our favorite episodes as Rebecca sits down with Executive Director Jenell Sherman to talk about the heart, mission, and vision behind Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance.

Whether you're hearing it for the first time or listening again, you'll come away with a deeper understanding of what makes the Sequoia Grove schools so unique. Jenell is the driving force behind Sequoia Grove's "Homeschool Heart," and her passion, wisdom, and leadership continue to shape our families' experience. We think you'll be glad you got to know the woman helping keep our school true to its mission.

Show Notes:

Watch the video about Sequoia Grove that Jenell refers to here.

California Dashboard--A school's 'report card.'

​Spoiler: none of us can teach our children everything they’ll need to know before they leave home. So what can we give them? A love of learning, the confidence to try new things, and the curiosity to keep growing long after graduation.

In this special episode, Rebecca explore the idea of lifelong learning—not just for our kids, but for us as parents too. What have you been learning lately? Do your children see you pursuing new interests, taking risks, asking questions, and growing?

Featuring fun sound bites and ideas from parents and staff--and even Rebecca's dad--this episode is full of encouragement to stay curious, keep learning, and become more interested in your own life.

​Most of us think in terms of 24 hours in a day, but what if we started thinking in terms of 168 hours in a week? Suddenly, time feels a little different. 

So where does all that time go?

In this episode, we explore how to approach our days with more intention and less overwhelm, drawing on insights from author and time expert Laura Vanderkam and her books Tranquility by Tuesday and Big Time. Discover practical ways to rethink your time, build rhythms that work, and move through your days with a greater sense of calm and purpose.

Listen in and discover just how much time you really have.

Show Notes:

LauraVanderkam.com

Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters

Big Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance

Does your family have animals? Are you considering it? Whether you have cuddly pets, reptilian friends, or animals that serve a purpose in your home, there is much for students to learn and gain from their presence. 

In this special episode, we take you inside several families’ experiences with animals—exploring what students have learned and how their lives have been enriched along the way. Join us for a heartwarming episode that’s sure to put a smile on your face!

Show Notes:

Snake Discovery YouTube Channel

Zoo Books & Ranger Rick

Lakeshore Learning

Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT)

4H curriculum

State testing season is here. For many homeschool families, that can bring questions—or even a little stress.

In this episode of the Sequoia Breeze Podcast, we take a clear and honest look at CAASPP. You’ll hear from school leaders about why testing matters and how our schools are cheering your family on. You’ll also hear from three homeschool moms who share simple, practical ways they helped their students prepare with confidence.

This episode isn’t about teaching to the test. It’s about recognizing growth, building important life skills, and helping students show what they already know.

If you’ve ever wondered whether state testing can be more than just a requirement, this conversation will leave you feeling encouraged and prepared.

Tune in today so you can be ready to take the next step with confidence.

Show Notes:

Beast Academy

CA Dashboard

CAASPP practice test

WriteReflections

Prodigy Math

Love of Learning

Quizlet 

Freckle (Renaissance)

Touch Type Read Spell

IEW Adventures in Writing

Did you know there’s real support available when state testing feels overwhelming?

This month on The Sequoia Breeze, Rebecca LaSavio is joined by Denis DiNoia, creator of Mr. D Math and a well-known advocate for homeschooling and charter education. Together, they talk about Conquer the CAASPP, a test prep course designed specifically for California students. But this course isn’t about cramming or drilling. It’s about helping students build confidence, work through fear and anxiety, and walk into testing feeling prepared, capable, and ready to do their best.

This fast-paced, engaging conversation is packed with practical wisdom, real-life examples, and ideas families can use right away. If testing season feels stressful in your home, this episode offers reassurance, tools, and a reminder that confidence is just as important as content.

Show Notes:
Conquer the CAASPP

What does real consistency look like in a homeschool—beyond perfect plans and good intentions? In this episode, I sit down with longtime homeschooler and community leader Dawn Garrett to talk about the kind of steady, everyday effort that truly shapes learning and family life.

We talk about why consistency matters, what can make it hard, how to start small, and why “showing up” can look different from season to season. Dawn shares honest lessons from her own journey, simple routines that work, and encouragement for the days when it feels like you’re starting over… again.

If you’ve ever struggled to keep going—or wondered if everyone else has it more together—this conversation is a reminder that consistency is something we build over time.

Listen in, and then tell us: What does consistency look like in your home right now?

Show Notes:

Minimum Viable Day - Start Here

Morning Time on the Go podcast episode

Blog: Why I Need a Scheduled Routine

Homeschool Better Together

Contact: 

LadyDusk.com

Insta ladydusk

community.pambarnhill.com

https://pambarnhill.com/how-to-be-more-flexible-with-your-homeschooling/

https://pambarnhill.com/kids-awake-early/

https://pambarnhill.com/finding-time-for-morning-time/

https://pambarnhill.com/how-to-homeschool-with-confidence/

https://pambarnhill.com/benefits-homeschool-consistency/

https://pambarnhill.com/scheduled-routine/

https://pambarnhill.com/best-morning-habits/

https://pambarnhill.com/quick-and-easy-homeschool-breakfasts/

In this special episode that’s just in time for the holiday season, Rebecca sits down with author Isabel Tom to explore the heart behind her book, The Value of Wrinkles. Drawing from her unique upbringing living with grandparents and her career serving older adults, Isabel challenges the cultural fears we often carry about aging. She shares why intergenerational relationships matter, how they enrich our families, and what wisdom we miss when we separate our lives by age. Whether you're looking to strengthen family connections or simply see aging through a more hopeful lens, this conversation will inspire you to embrace the wisdom and experience that age provides.

Show Notes:

ValueofWrinkles.com