41- How to Teach Your Child to Read When Homeschooling (Phonics vs Sight Reading)

43-Homeschooling During the Summer

For all the links go here:  [https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/summer-homeschooling/]https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/summer-homeschooling/ [https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/summer-homeschooling/] Episode 43: Should You Homeschool Over the Summer? If you're wrapping up your school year and wondering whether to keep going or take the summer off — this episode is for you. The honest answer? Do what works for your family. But I'm sharing what we actually did in our homeschool over the summers, why I always kept at least some math and reading going, and how it helped my kids stay ahead without burning anyone out. I'm also talking about why routine matters even when school is on pause, what to do when your kids hit you with the dreaded "I'm bored," and how lapbooks can make summer learning feel more like a fun project than schoolwork. Whether you're a year-round homeschooler, a traditional September-through-May family, or somewhere in between, there's something here for you. In this episode: * Summer homeschooling ideas that don't overwhelm mom * Why I never skipped math completely — and how it paid off * Keeping kids in a routine during summer break * Unit studies and lapbooks for summer learning * Encouragement to do what's right for your family

42-Best Homeschool Planner

Check out The Brave & Balanced Homeschool Planner Here! [https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/homeschoolplanner/] Check out all the planner links HERE [https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/homeschool-planners-review/]   Looking for the best homeschool planner? In this episode of The Brave and Balanced Homeschool, we’re talking all about homeschool planning, homeschool organization, and how to choose the right planner for your family. Whether you prefer a paper homeschool planner, spiral homeschool planner, online homeschool planner, or free printable homeschool planner, this episode will help you sort through the options with confidence. I share my honest experience after 22 years of homeschooling, using everything from printable planners and assignment notebooks to digital homeschool planners like Homeschool Planet. We also discuss how to plan for multiple children, track attendance, record grades, organize curriculum, and create a homeschool schedule that works in real life. You’ll also hear about my own Brave and Balanced Homeschool Planner—a simple, peaceful planner created for homeschool moms managing busy days without overwhelm. If you need homeschool planner ideas, homeschool scheduling tips, or encouragement for your homeschool journey, this episode is for you.

41- How to Teach Your Child to Read When Homeschooling (Phonics vs Sight Reading)

To see all the links to the curriculum mentioned in this episode click HERE [https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/the-most-successful-way-to-teach-your-child-to-read-when-homeschooling/] Teaching reading is one of the most important parts of homeschooling. In this episode of The Brave & Balanced Homeschool Podcast, I share the most successful way to teach your child to read at home based on my experience homeschooling four children — including one with moderate dyslexia. We talk about why phonics is the best foundation for learning to read, why sight reading can cause problems for struggling learners, and how repetition helps children build strong reading skills. I also share practical examples to help you confidently begin teaching reading in your homeschool. If you are a homeschool parent wondering how to teach your child to read, what reading curriculum works best, or how to support a child who struggles with reading, this episode will give you encouragement and practical direction. You’ll also hear my recommendations for strong phonics-based homeschool reading programs that can help your child become a confident and independent reader. Homeschooling becomes much easier once your child learns to read well, and in this episode I’ll walk you through the approach that worked in our homeschool.

Homeschool Curriculum: Why the Bible Really is the Most Important Book

Go here for the free resources mentioned in this episode https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/free-homeschool-resources/ [https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/free-homeschool-resources/]   As homeschool moms, we spend so much time researching homeschool curriculum trying to find that perfect one for our children. Unfortunately, there isn't a perfect homeschool curriculum, but there is a perfect book that you should be using not just in your homeschool but in your every day life. That book is the bible.  In this episode, you will learn why the bible really is the most important book in your homeschool and in your life. Imagine giving your children the best homeschool education, but not giving them the best foundation to build the rest of their lives upon?

39-Bringing Homeschool History to Life--How to Use Timelines in Your Homeschool

Be sure to visit my website and get the free newsletter www.whatabouthomeschooling.com [https://www.whatabouthomeschooling.com] Sonlight timeline book. [https://www.sonlight.com/products/the-timeline-book] Sonlight timeline figures [https://www.sonlight.com/search?q=timeline+figures&options%5Bprefix%5D=last] Homeschool In the Woods Timeline figures  [https://store.homeschoolinthewoods.com/pages/timeline-figure-master-index#CtoC-anchor] In this episode of The Brave and Balanced Homeschool, we’re diving into one of my favorite subjects and one of my facorite history tools — the timeline! Discover how using a timeline book or a “Table of Centuries” can make history come alive for your children and help them understand the flow of time and God’s story throughout history. I’ll share how I used timeline books from Sonlight and Homeschool in the Woods, plus how you can easily create your own budget-friendly version with just a notebook or binder. Whether you follow a Charlotte Mason approach or a more traditional homeschool method, a timeline will help your kids connect people, events, and centuries in a visual, lasting way. If you want your children to see how their own lives fit into the bigger picture of history — and enjoy learning it along the way — this episode is for you!