Raising A to Z Homeschool Podcast: Recent Episodes
Amanda Ostrander
An inspirational and informational podcast all about homeschooling. Each week, Amanda, a certified teacher turned homeschool mom will answer questions, cover topics and share ideas on how to homeschool your kids and love it!
Summer is finally here! ☀️
One of the questions homeschoolers get asked all the time is: "Do you take the summer off?"
In today's video, I'm sharing what summer homeschooling looks like for our family, along with our plans for travel, reading, activities, and a little bit of learning.
While we do continue some school through the summer, it's much lighter than our regular school year. Our goal is simply to keep moving forward with math, language arts, and reading while leaving plenty of room for fun, friends, and family adventures.
Intro
Summer Homeschooling routine
Summer Plans
Summer Camp
My summer goals
Outro
Summer has become one of my favourite homeschool seasons because it gives us the flexibility to slow down, enjoy experiences together, and focus on the things we love most.
💬 Do you homeschool through the summer or take a complete break? Let me know in the comments!
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
summerplans #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
Our homeschool year is almost finished, so it's time to look back on everything we learned, loved, and would do differently!
In this video I'm sharing an honest review of our 2025-2026 homeschool year, including our favourite unit studies, biggest challenges, and the books that stood out the most for our family.
Intro
September + Kingdoms and Classifications Unit
October + Canadian History Unit
November
December + History of Christmas
January + Ancient Greece
February + Canadian Geography
March
April + Mammals
May
June
Outro
Every homeschool year teaches us something new, and this one was no exception. From amazing books and memorable unit studies to lessons learned about planning, pacing, and surviving a long Canadian winter, I'm sharing it all.
💬 I'd love to hear from you! What was your family's favorite book or unit study this year?
🔔 Subscribe for homeschool tips, real-life encouragement, and honest conversations about homeschooling.
➡️ https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/
Very Very Far North: https://amzn.to/4ojlF63
Wilderlore: https://amzn.to/3RRBQeG
Heartwood Hotel 2: https://amzn.to/3RNKsTI
Lion, Witch and Wardrobe: https://amzn.to/4x09n6u
Percy Jackson: https://amzn.to/49Gp5tC
Spies on Parliament Hill: https://amzn.to/4vsFkmr
One and Only Ivan: https://amzn.to/4v1jBCf
Harry Potter 4,5,6: https://amzn.to/4g1a9dm
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
homeschoolwrapup #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
The homeschool year is wrapping up, summer break is around the corner, and I'm sharing exactly what I do to close out one homeschool year and prepare for the next.
Last year, I left everything until August and spent all of September feeling behind. This year, I’m re-implementing my simple end-of-year routine that helps me head into summer feeling organized and ready for the new school year.
Here are the 9 things I do now to enjoy the summer and start the next school year on the right foot.
Intro
Make a Plan
Shop for Curriculum
Gather Books
Inventory
Register for Activities
Print Stuff
Upload Manuals
Planner Organized
Shop for Supplies
Outro
These simple tasks make back-to-school season so much less stressful and help us enjoy our summer without worrying about homeschool prep hanging over our heads.
What do you do at the end of your homeschool year? Let me know in the comments!
The planner shown in this video is available here:
Colour PDF: https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/product-page/copy-of-homeschool-planner-academic-calendar-2
Black and White PDF: https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/product-page/homeschool-planner-academic-calendar-black-white
Whether you’re a detailed planner or more relaxed homeschooler, this process helps me stay organized while still leaving room for flexibility throughout the year.
Let me know in the comments — are you already planning next year yet, or are you still recovering from this year first? 😂
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
planning #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
It’s time to plan our next homeschool year! In today’s video, I’m walking through my full long-term homeschool planning process — from reflecting on this past year to mapping out topics, routines, and weekly plans for next year.
Intro
What worked well this year
What didn’t work (and what we’re changing)
Long-term homeschool goals & plans
How I organize unit studies and topics throughout the year
My week-to-week planning process
How I avoid overplanning
A full look through my homeschool planner PDF
Outro
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed trying to plan your homeschool year, hopefully this gives you some practical ideas and encouragement to create a plan that actually works for YOUR family.
The planner shown in this video is available here:
Colour PDF: https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/product-page/copy-of-homeschool-planner-academic-calendar-2
Black and White PDF: https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/product-page/homeschool-planner-academic-calendar-black-white
Whether you’re a detailed planner or more relaxed homeschooler, this process helps me stay organized while still leaving room for flexibility throughout the year.
Let me know in the comments — are you already planning next year yet, or are you still recovering from this year first? 😂
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
planwithme #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
What are we studying this homeschool year? Today I’m sharing all of our homeschool unit studies, novel studies, and writing projects for the upcoming year!
We use unit studies for most of our science, history, geography, and social studies, and this year’s lineup might be one of our favourites yet. I’m also sharing what novel studies we will be doing this year, as well as our new focus for the year: writing!
Intro
Unit studies
Novel studies
Writing Projects
Outro
Forensic Science - https://campfirecurriculums.com/product/forensics/
Titanic - https://campfirecurriculums.com/product/titanic_stepsof/
History 3 - Coming soon to True North History
History of Holidays - https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/product-page/history-of-holidays
7 continents - https://shop.howweelearn.com/products/family-unit-study-the-seven-continents?_pos=2&_psq=con&_ss=e&_v=1.0
Paleontology - https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/collections/paleontology
Amphibians, reptiles and fish - https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/collections/reptiles-amphibians-and-fish
Energy - https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/collections/wonders-of-energy
Novels
Redwall - https://amzn.to/4flJYhe
Impossible creatures - https://amzn.to/4dMTpVD
The borrowers - https://amzn.to/4wEssuY
Artemis Fowl - https://amzn.to/4uQzQkW
Bad beginnings - https://amzn.to/3RKTAYZ
Harriet the Spy - https://amzn.to/4wyeydF
Thirst - https://amzn.to/4ubQ3kR
I Survived…the Titanic - https://amzn.to/4dSk4zx
🔔 Subscribe for homeschool tips, real-life encouragement, and honest conversations about homeschooling.
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
curriculum #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
I'm sharing our full Grade 6 homeschool curriculum picks for the upcoming school year! 📚
In this video, I’ll walk you through exactly what we’re using across all subjects—language arts, math, science, history, and more—and why these choices are working so well for our homeschool right now.
Intro
Language Arts
Math
Science/History/Social Studies
French
Music and Art
Outro
Spectrum Reading: https://amzn.to/4dztrou
Spectrum Languages Arts: https://amzn.to/4fjgm3U
Math Lessons for a Living Education: https://learninghouse.ca/product/math-lessons-for-a-living-education-level-6-st-rev-ed/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22257296836&gbraid=0AAAAADpEWQIOmFPK8II2j8IdHg4sitCwB&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2YDQBhD_ARIsAE1qeSdho6HlSRLorZv6OC5Lnha8Ua9WEfFD85ro5NEDXDD0D8R6jeNtFEEaArjiEALw_wcB
Music Appreciation: https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/products/music-appreciation-1
Canadian Art:https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/product-page/canadian-art-artists
🔔 Subscribe for homeschool tips, real-life encouragement, and honest conversations about homeschooling.
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
curriculum #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
I'm sharing our full Grade 4 homeschool curriculum picks for the upcoming school year! 📚
In this video, I’ll walk you through exactly what we’re using across all subjects—language arts, math, science, history, and more—and why these choices are working so well for our homeschool right now. I always aim to keep things simple, flexible, and effective, and this year’s plan really reflects that.
Intro
Preface
Language Arts
Math
Science/History/Social Studies
French
Music and Art
Outro
Spectrum Reading: https://amzn.to/4unlKaE
Spectrum Languages Arts: https://amzn.to/42e3iFA
Math Lessons for a Living Education: https://learninghouse.ca/product/level-4-math-lessons-for-a-living-education-bundle/
Music Appreciation: https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/products/music-appreciation-1
Canadian Art: https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/product-page/canadian-art-artists
🔔 Subscribe for homeschool tips, real-life encouragement, and honest conversations about homeschooling.
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
curriculum #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
If you’ve been stressing about homeschooling high school in Canada…this is the video you need.
I’ve been getting so many questions from parents (whether your child is heading into high school soon or you’re just starting out) and most of them come down to this:
“What are we actually supposed to DO for high school?”
The truth? There isn’t just one path—and you have way more options than you think.
In this video, I’m breaking down what homeschooling high school really looks like in Ontario (and across much of Canada).
The biggest takeaway?
Your child’s path after high school should shape what you do during high school—not the other way around.
I’ll also share practical tips on how to research requirements, plan ahead, and build a high school experience that actually fits your teen and their goals.
Intro
Going to High School after homeschooling 8th grade
What do I need to do to prepare my kid if they are going to high school?
Do you need an 8th-grade diploma?
Can you Homeschool High School?
The Options
Doing high school entirely at home (and issuing your own diploma)
Going for an OSSD (and what’s actually required), Using accredited online schools or distance learning (like TVO ILC)
Adult education & Canadian GED alternatives
Hybrid approaches (part homeschool, part school)
Trade programs and co-op opportunities
Get a diploma from somewhere else
Entering university as a mature student
Take University courses, then transfer
Planning ahead means planning backwards
Homeschooling grades 11 and 12 only
Outro
➡️ Ontario Curriculum Checklist (The Canadian Homeschooler): https://thecanadianhomeschooler.com/ontario-elementary-level-curriculum-checklists/
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about homeschooling high school, this will help you see the big picture and move forward with confidence.
🔔 Subscribe for homeschool tips, real-life encouragement, and honest conversations about homeschooling.
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
highschool #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
Homeschooling during the holidays can feel like a balancing act. Do you stay on schedule or jump into all the festive fun?
In today’s video, I’m sharing practical, realistic, and fun ways to homeschool through December without burning out, losing your rhythm, or missing out on Christmas magic.
Whether you want to take the whole month off, switch to Christmas-themed learning, or keep your routine with a few festive twists, I’ve got ideas to help you build the perfect December homeschool plan for your family.
If you want a fun, cozy, festive December without losing your homeschool flow, this video will give you tons of ideas and inspiration!
Intro
How to decide whether to take time off or keep homeschooling
Christmas novel study ideas
Fun Christmas unit studies your kids will love
Simple festive activities to add to your school days
How we structure our own holiday homeschool schedule
Outro
Christmas Novels
A Boy Called Christmas ➡️ https://amzn.to/4o9uv4N
How Winston Delivers Christmas ➡️ https://amzn.to/4pyzE7D
How Winston Came Home for Christmas ➡️ https://amzn.to/3LXErRk
The Christmas Carrols ➡️ https://amzn.to/43PdhCh
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever ➡️ https://amzn.to/44g5TQA
Christmas Unit Studies
Christmas Around the world ➡️ https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1812390966/christmas-around-the-world-unit-study
Christmas Hymns ➡️ https://campfirecurriculums.com/product/caroling_noel/
Signs of the Saviour ➡️ https://littlehouselearningco.com/products/signs-of-the-savior-at-christmas
History of Christmas ➡️ https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/ (this one goes on SALE November 28th!)
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
holidaylearning #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
Looking for the best gifts for kids this year? These tried-and-true favourites are fun, creative, and parent-approved! Whether you’re shopping for Christmas, birthdays, or just because.... these are toys and activities your kids will play with again and again.
✨ Here’s what we’re loving lately:
Intro
Alcohol Markers
Mama Surprise
Polaroid Camera & Printer
Microphone
Magna-Tiles & Add-Ons.
Air Dry Clay – Soft, colourful, and mixable for custom creations.
Lego Flower Kits
Journal with Lock
Board Games
💡 These toys spark creativity, imagination, and connection — and they’ve been kid-tested in our house!
Magna tiles https://amzn.to/3XktRpT
Magna tile doors and windows https://amzn.to/3JLzGJO
Magna tile car bases https://amzn.to/3JoGehC
Mama surprise Big https://amzn.to/49tGSVJ
Mama surprise little https://amzn.to/442O7jA
Air dry clay https://amzn.to/49Leka7
Polaroid Camera https://amzn.to/4qHYfbg
Instax Printer https://amzn.to/3XkYf3u
Lego Flower kit https://amzn.to/4p34fK9
Journal with lock https://amzn.to/4nS0g27
Alcohol Markers https://amzn.to/49HE5bg
Microphone https://amzn.to/43nOwwS
Catan https://amzn.to/3WJMLXd
Ticket to Ride https://amzn.to/43Z8JsY
Hues and Cues https://amzn.to/49b5MZT
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
GiftIdeas #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
This week, I’m sharing some of our family’s favourite board games that focus on language, logic, and co-operative play. These games are fun, educational, and get everyone thinking and laughing together!
These board games are perfect for family game nights, homeschoolers, or anyone who loves a good challenge mixed with a lot of fun!
Intro
Scrabble Jr.
Banana gram
Pickles to penguins
Kids against maturity
Clue
Art society
Hues and Cues
Elf
5-minute dungeon
5-minute mystery
Villainous
Outro
These games are fantastic for building literacy, problem-solving, and teamwork skills (all while keeping things fun and screen-free).
If you missed last week’s video (all about our math and number games), make sure to check that out next! 🔗 https://youtu.be/Aj9jsxaxWNs
Villainous https://amzn.to/4qrZOtK
banana gram https://amzn.to/4huZx5l
Scrabble Jr. https://amzn.to/4qskyS2
5 minutes mysteries https://amzn.to/4qrC7Sg
Kids against maturity https://amzn.to/4ozzAUm
5-minute dungeons https://amzn.to/4nnAh26
Art society https://amzn.to/4nhNzgz
Pickles to penguins https://amzn.to/47Fwc4L
Clue https://amzn.to/3WQPjme
Elf - https://amzn.to/4hMDiYQ
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
boardgames #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
Who says math has to be boring? In this video, we’re sharing our favourite math and number-based board games that make learning fun for the whole family! These games incorporate real math skills—such as addition, strategy, logic, and problem-solving—while keeping kids (and parents!) laughing and engaged.
Whether you’re a homeschool family looking to make math time more exciting, or just want screen-free games that actually teach something, this list is packed with tried-and-true favourites your kids will love.
Kingdomino
Battleship
Honeycombs
Monopoly
Dominos
Dutch blitz
Blokus
Mancala
Catan
Ticket to ride
Rummikub
Tell me in the comments: What’s your family’s favourite educational board game?
Kingdomino https://amzn.to/3L6Z6Sy
Battleship https://amzn.to/4o7p7ja
Honeycombs https://amzn.to/3L9kTcg
Monopoly https://amzn.to/3Wp19Uv
Dominos https://amzn.to/3WjrpzJ
Dutch Blitz https://amzn.to/42YpxA5
Blokus https://amzn.to/3WQPsWO
Mancala https://amzn.to/4ovd9Qg
Catan https://amzn.to/4qwl69S
Ticket to ride https://amzn.to/478rLiT
Rummikub https://amzn.to/3JvUBAu
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
boardgames #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
A few years ago, I attended a mompreneur conference where a mom asked how to balance working with kids underfoot. The speaker’s only advice? “Work while the kids are at school!”
That mom nearly cried... and honestly, as a homeschooling parent, I get it. We don’t have the option of sending our kids off for six hours a day. So, how do you make it work when you’re juggling work deadlines, homeschool lessons, and family life (all under one roof)?
In this video, I’m diving into the real struggles, realistic expectations, and practical strategies that make working and homeschooling possible.
Mompreneur Conference Story
The Struggles – Split attention, guilt, and unpredictability are real—but they don’t mean you’re failing.
Setting Realistic Expectations – Balance doesn’t mean equal time; it means being intentional and giving yourself grace.
Practical Strategies That Actually Work:
Time-blocking to stay focused and productive
Working from home tips – quiet baskets, routines, and focus signals
Working outside the home – flexible schooling hours and prioritizing essentials
Outsourcing help – partners, older homeschoolers, delivery services, and online classes
Outro
You don’t have to do everything perfectly. Homeschooling while working is messy, flexible, and full of tradeoffs—but it’s also doable and rewarding.
🌿 Give yourself permission to find a rhythm that fits this season of your life.
💬 I’d love to hear from you: Do you work while homeschooling? What’s your best tip—or biggest struggle? Share in the comments below!
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
balance #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
Homeschooling your kids means wearing two very important hats (teacher and parent), and learning when to switch between them isn’t always easy.
In this video, we’re diving into what it really looks like to balance those roles without burning out or breaking connection.
We’ll talk about the challenges every homeschool parent faces (yes, everyone struggles with this!) and share practical ways to make both roles work together—so your home stays both a place of learning and love.
Here’s what’s inside this episode:
Intro
Understanding the Dual Role – The “hat-switching” dynamic of being both teacher and parent—why it’s rewarding and tricky.
The Three Core Areas of Tension:
Discipline – When behaviour interrupts learning: is it disobedience or frustration?
Learn how to tell the difference and respond with calm consistency.
Relationship – How to protect your connection so homeschooling doesn’t feel like constant correction.
Academics – Managing the pressure to “cover it all” while keeping the focus on mastery, not perfection.
Practical Strategies for Balance – From setting “school hours” and using role cues, to knowing when to pause for peace.
Homeschooling is a beautiful blend of teaching and parenting, but it takes intention to keep that balance. You don’t have to choose between being a great teacher or a loving parent… You can be both!
💬 Let’s chat in the comments: Which role (teacher or parent) do you find hardest to balance?
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
balance #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
Ever feel like every other homeschool parent is “doing it all”? Spotless house, thriving academics, home-cooked meals, extracurriculars, happy kids… the list goes on. The truth? Nobody is doing it all. And trying to will only lead to burnout.
In this video, I’m breaking down what balance really looks like in homeschooling—and how to create it in your own home. We’ll bust the myths, redefine balance, and share practical steps you can start using this week to feel less overwhelmed and more at peace in your homeschool.
Homeschooling isn’t about doing everything perfectly—it’s about choosing what matters most in this season and letting the rest go.
I’d love to hear from you! What does balance look like in your homeschool right now? Drop a comment below and let’s encourage each other.
Don’t forget to subscribe for the rest of the series on balance in homeschooling.
Intro
“We’re NOT Doing it All!”
What balance really means
Acknowledging Different Seasons
Balance in academics
Balance in the household
Balance in relationships,
Balance in personal rest
Practical strategies
Outro
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
Balance #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
Come spend the day with us as we share a peek into what homeschooling really looks like in our home! From morning lessons to errands, meals, and our cozy bedtime routine, you’ll see how we balance family life, learning, and everyday responsibilities.
Here’s what’s in today’s vlog:
📚 School Time – A look at our homeschool rhythm, what we’re working on, and how we keep learning fun.
🥪 Lunch Break – Simple meals that keep everyone fueled and happy.
🧹 Chores – Pitching in around the house and teaching responsibility as part of our day.
😬 Orthodontist Visit – Fitting real-life appointments into our homeschool day.
🌙 Bedtime Routine – Winding down after a full day with reading, family time, and getting ready for tomorrow.
Morning & Breakfast
Chicken Chores
Morning Basket
Tea
Lessons
Lunch Prep and Piano Practice
Lunch
Laundry
Afternoon Independent Quiet Time
Appointment
Tuesday Evening Activities
Bedtime
Homeschooling isn’t always picture-perfect, but it’s full of moments that make it worth it. I hope this video gives you encouragement and inspiration for your own homeschool journey!
💬 Let me know in the comments what your homeschool days look like—I’d love to hear!
Laundry Folding Board ➡️ https://amzn.to/4gNBz4P
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
dayinthelife #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
A few years ago, we introduced a morning basket into our homeschool, and it completely transformed how our days begin. It’s a simple way to jumpstart learning, add variety, and sneak in a mix of subjects—all in just about 30 minutes! Best of all, the kids love it and don’t even realize how much they’re learning.
Here’s what’s inside our basket:
Intro
Word of the Day
Poem of the Day
Fun Fact Book
Country of the Day
Canada 365
Word Games
Novel of the Month
Wrap-up
In just half an hour, our brains are awake, our creativity is sparked, and we’re ready to dive into the rest of our homeschool day.
✨ Whether you’re new to morning baskets or just looking for fresh ideas, I hope this gives you some inspiration for your own routine!
Word of the Day - Old - https://amzn.to/4mKguul
New- https://amzn.to/41Am2za
Poem - https://amzn.to/4m2NNaP
Canada 365 - https://amzn.to/41Cjtwy
Weird But True Canada - https://amzn.to/4g9cqS1
Countries of the world https://amzn.to/42ffZjF
iPad - https://amzn.to/47p6PEK
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
morningbasket #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
In this video, I’m walking you through how I lay out our weekly homeschool rhythm. I start by plugging in the non-negotiables (outside activities and commitments), then add in family routines that support our health and connection, and finally layer in the homeschool subjects that happen daily or on specific days.
Here’s how our week looks:
✨ Outside commitments – Jiu-Jitsu, co-op, choir, Girl Guides
✨ Family health & rhythms – Tea Time, errands, and Family Game Night
✨ Homeschool subjects – Language Arts and Math every day, plus Art, Unit Studies and weekly Spelling Tests
This system keeps us organized without being overwhelming. It gives structure, helps me see where the “fixed” pieces of our week are, and makes it easier to plan lessons around real life.
Whether you’re brand new to homeschooling or just need ideas for a smoother routine, I hope this gives you inspiration for planning your own homeschool week.
Intro
Planning - to start
Adding some details
Deciding what lessons
Week Walk-through
Outro
PDF Planners available at True North History https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/
Printed Planners:
Rainbow Stained Glass: https://amzn.to/3VI5sK1
Black and White flower: https://amzn.to/483oTo0
Undated: https://amzn.to/45SMruD
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
weeklyplanning #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
Homeschooling parents love a good planning video, and for good reason—seeing how others organize their days can spark fresh ideas and keep you motivated.
In this video, I’m walking you through exactly how I plan a full month of homeschooling in just one sitting.
Monthly Homeschool Planning
Gathering and organizing all materials
Schedule your subjects
Gather Your Supplies
Library book order
Tidying and resetting our space
Wrap up
✨ Whether you’re brand new to homeschooling or just looking for new tips to stay organized, this planning routine will help you start your month with confidence.
PDF Planners available at True North History https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/
Printed Planners:
Rainbow Stain Glass: https://amzn.to/3VI5sK1
Black and White flower: https://amzn.to/483oTo0
Undated: https://amzn.to/45SMruD
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
homeschoolplanning #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
In our house, unit studies rule! They are a great way to add variety and to spice up learning. And, with so many great and affordable options for unit studies, they are an easy and accessible choice for many families.
One of my favourite things to do is to take a simple unit study curriculum and expand it. Add in things to make the learning deeper and richer. And it’s actually a lot easier than you might think.
Today I’ll walk you through some simple things I do to take a basic unit study and make it better.
How to Take a Simple Unit Study and Make It Richer
Starting with Curriculum
Novel study
Books!
Documentary
Movie
Activity or Project
Field Trip
Build out a Bird Unit with me
Outro
Ra the Mighty: Cat Detective ➡️ https://amzn.to/45Pmg6w
The Trumpet of the Swan ➡️ https://amzn.to/4lZnXVb
The Magic School Bus: The Complete Series ➡️ https://amzn.to/3HZWDbl
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
unitstudies #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
I'm entering my 7th year of homeschooling. 7 YEARS! When I started homeschooling, there wasn't a lot of advice or even a lot of people who could give me advice. With the start of a new year, I'm sharing a few things I wish someone had told me in my early days.
7 Things I wish I knew....
There is no one perfect way to homeschool
Each kid has their own pace
Find/build your community
Family learning is the BOMB!
Keep it simple!
Consistency matters
Homeschooling is a lifestyle
Outro
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homeschooling #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
We are busy enjoying the last few weeks of summer holidays, but in the back of my mind, I’m slowly prepping and planning for a new school year.
With our official start of a new academic year coming up, I thought I’d share a few of our favourite ways to start a new year!
From pictures to days out to special gift bags, there are lots of ways to celebrate a new year and create some great traditions for years to come. And best of all, they are all perfect for homeschoolers!
Start of School Year Traditions
Annual Picture
Gift bag
Field trip
Not-back-to-school community event
Games day
Special meal
Date day
New books
First week fun
Rundown of our first week
Outro
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backtoschool #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
It’s back-to-school season for a lot of people. As a homeschool mom, I like to take advantage of the sales and get enough supplies to last us all year. I’m going shopping and bringing you along with me and showing you exactly what I bought in this back-to-school supply haul!
Back-to-school
Shopping
School Supply Haul
Pencil top erasers ➡️ https://amzn.to/45nCkfD
True North History ➡️ https://www.truenorthhistory.ca/
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backtoschool #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Whenever I post about going to our homeschool co-op, I get a ton of questions about it.
How long is it? What do you do there? How much does it cost? Is it academic or more of a social thing?
This week I’ll answer all the questions you’ve asked me about homeschool co-ops and even show you how easy it is to start your own!
Co-ops 101
Academic or social?
How often?
Where do you meet?
What’s the cost?
What do you need to bring?
Where do you find a co-op?
How hard is it to start your own?
What does our co-op day look like?
Outro
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
coops #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
Printable Checklist ➡️
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k6kbWrDr6QHEWM5ELHgWIYRn025_ufCD/view
A few years ago, I came up with a plan... a monthly checklist of tasks to complete before Christmas. This plan has made the holidays so much easier and less stressful. And, while I was sharing this plan with a few of my homeschool mom friends the other day, they went nuts for it. And so I thought all of you might want to like the plan, too!
Prepping and Planning for Christmas
September
October
November
December
Outro
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
christmaspreparations #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
⬇️ Get your Essential Writing Journal here! ⬇️
✨✨. https://raisingatoz.com/shop/✨✨
What does our schedule look like as a homeschooling family? How do we fit lessons, classes, activities and family time into a week? Well, I’ll tell you!
Every homeschooling family is going to have a different schedule, but seeing how others do it can be useful as inspiration when building your own schedule.
Here’s what our week looks like!
Our Homeschool Schedule
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Outro
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homeschoolschedule #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
⬇️ Get your Essential Homeschool Planner here! ⬇️
✨✨. https://raisingatoz.com/shop/✨✨
My goal with my morning basket is to make it as simple and quick as possible, while also making it as fun and educational as possible. I also want to take some of the thinking and decision-making out of those first few minutes of the day, so I can save that for more in-depth lessons later.
Here’s what’s currently in our homeschool morning basket.
What’s in our Homeschool Morning Basket
Our Basket
What Stays the Same
What Changes
What Keeps Them Entertained
Outro
Word of the day https://amzn.to/4dgkpdA
Poem of the day https://amzn.to/3AmuMy9
Countries of the world https://amzn.to/4dFRRtY
Weird but True Canada https://amzn.to/4cprU0F
Table Topics - https://amzn.to/3MlrC0h
Planner - https://amzn.to/4g3rvnp
Dogpile https://amzn.to/4dHTSWw
Kadoodle https://amzn.to/3YIaM2L
Adult colouring book - https://amzn.to/4dAT7Pg
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
morningbasket #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
⬇️ Get your Essential Homeschool Planner here! ⬇️
✨✨. https://raisingatoz.com/shop/✨✨
It’s our first week of the new homeschool year, so come plan with me, 1 month of homeschool lessons, activities, and classes. While that might seem a little overwhelming, it’s easier and simpler than you might think. I'll explain how and why I plan the way that I do and how it helps keep us on track with our homeschooling lessons.
How I plan out 1 Month of Homeschooling
Supplies
Planning
Outro
Planner ➡️ https://amzn.to/476tjIr
pen/pencil ➡️ https://amzn.to/476ZkjA
Sticky notes ➡️ https://amzn.to/4g4CUmZ
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
homeschoolplanning #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
I’m going back-to-school shopping as a homeschool mom! Come with me as I go on my annual Walmart run (we don’t have Target in Canada at the moment, so this is as good as it gets).
I’ll show you what I bought, how much and why for all the supplies I picked up to get ready for a new year of homeschooling.
Back-to-School Shopping: Homeschool Edition
Shopping
Supplies
Outro
Planner: https://amzn.to/3WGCWc1
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
backtoschoolhaul #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
⬇️ Get your Essential Homeschool Planner here! ⬇️
✨✨. https://raisingatoz.com/shop/✨✨
What supplies do you actually need to get started as a homeschooler? If you base it off of social media, you might think you need a million things, from globes, to art supplies, to computers, to a whole classroom setup.
But the reality is that you don’t actually need that much to get started. I’m sharing the things you actually NEED, a few nice extras and a few things to invest in for the long run. The length of the list might surprise you!
What You Need to Get Started Homeschooling
The Basics
Invest in
Nice Extras
Outro
Planner: https://amzn.to/4difXv5
Silicone cups - https://amzn.to/3LLOp4U
Thermos - https://amzn.to/3YnHw1e
Water bottle - https://amzn.to/3A3uHzf
Bento box - https://amzn.to/46zn6V5
Ecotank - https://amzn.to/4dqRgMD
HP Printer - https://amzn.to/3ygi4jJ
Electric Pencil Sharpener - https://amzn.to/3ylxq6A
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
gettingstarted #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
It’s the start of a new school year for everyone, even homeschoolers! Celebrating the beginning of a new year as a homeschooler is a unique challenge. I’ve got some simple, inexpensive, and fun ideas to kick off a new academic year! And best of all, these are all super easy to implement as an annual tradition. Whether you have a special meal, day, or even week, let’s start our homeschool year off with a bang!
⬇️ Get your Essential Homeschool Planner here! ⬇️
✨✨. https://raisingatoz.com/shop/✨✨
Back-to-school traditions for homeschoolers
Gift
Special meal
Field trip
Game day
Teatime
Coffee date
Go to the library
Playdate
Bookmark
Picture
Wrap-up
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backtoschool #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
Summer isn’t over yet! There’s still time for a little summer reading. Take some time to get inspired, get informed, and get ready for a new homeschool year! This is especially true if you will be homeschooling for the first time this fall. I’ve got a few book recommendations that I give to all my friends and clients and I am sharing them with you!
✨This week’s video is sponsored by Night Zookeeper! Use the link to get a 7-day free trial and 50% off a year-long subscription.
✨✨➡️ ➡️ ➡️ https://www.nightzookeeper.com/en-us/parents/special_offers/1-2024?referrer=raisingatoz_august24&utm_source=raisingatoz&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=yt_august24
Reading for Parents
Brave Learner
Dumbing Us Down
How to Start Homeschooling
How to Raise a Reader
Night Zookeeper
The Read-Aloud Family
1000 Hours Outside
The Call of the Wild and Free
Wrap-up
Brave Learner - By Julie Bogart - https://amzn.to/3YkHnf3
Dumbing Us Down - John Taylor Gatto - https://amzn.to/4drsa05
Raise a Reader - https://amzn.to/3WpzmTA
The Read-Aloud Family - https://amzn.to/4fiU6VL
1000 hours outside - https://amzn.to/4d5LdgK
How to Start Homeschooling https://amzn.to/3LLNhOI
The Call of the Wild and Free - https://amzn.to/3Wtvfpm
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
summerreading #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
We homeschool all summer long. But that doesn’t mean our children are deprived of summer. In fact, it gives us a nice sense of structure. During the summer our schedule is different than our fall schedule. We do different activities and less workbooks, but still lots of learning. Here’s our summer homeschooling routine.
Summer Homeschooling
Different Schedule
What We Do
Our 1 Summer School Rule
Wrap-up
➡️ Homeschool Planners and More ➡️ https://raisingatoz.com/shop/
➡️ Writing Journals ➡️ https://raisingatoz.com/product/the-essential-writing-journal-plume/
Summer Reading ⬇️
James and the Giant Peach: https://amzn.to/3VD217h
Matilda: https://amzn.to/4eyYVK1
The Witches: https://amzn.to/3KXZEXG
Fantastic Mr Fox: https://amzn.to/3VSjdH8
We’ve been homeschooling for 6 years. But, for the last 3 years, we’ve embraced a year-round homeschooling schedule. Which means we homeschool our kids all summer long. And that blows people's minds that our kids do school over the summer. There are several excellent reasons why we choose to keep schooling over the summer. It might make you consider trying it out too!
Why we homeschool over the summer
Less learning loss
More realistic life
A life of learning
More flexible schedule
Makes September easier
They aren’t deprived
Wrap-up
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summerhomeschool #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
The Good and the Beautiful is one of the most popular homeschool curriculum companies out there. I decided to give them a try!
I recently purchased one of their science units called "Birds" and we’ve been using it out all month. How did I like it? Spoiler: I loved it!
The Good and the Beautiful Birds Science Unit
The price: Is it worth it?
Raising A to Z Sponsored Segment
Religious (How religious is it?)
The Available Science Units and Add-Ons
What’s included
Walk-Through & Layout
How to get a Free Trial
Wrap-up
https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/pre-k-8-curriculum/science-health/
My planners, journals, and more! ➡️ https://raisingatoz.com/shop/
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
thegoodandthebeautiful #RaisingAtoZ #Homeschooling
It’s been a while since I’ve given you an update. So, consider this our term 2 update. What’s been going on in our lives and how this homeschooling thing is going in real life. It’s been a bit of a challenging term to say the least, but we’ve gotten through it, learned a lot and are seizing the day so to speak!
Life & Homeschool Update
January
February
March
April
May
Into June and Summer
Wrap-up
Planners and Journals here! ➡️ https://raisingatoz.com/shop/
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
Panners and Journals!!! ➡️ https://raisingatoz.com/shop/
I’m planning out my whole homeschool year. I’ve already decided on curriculum and unit study topics for next year, but now it’s time to put that all together in a way that makes sense for us.
I’ll walk you through my review process, how I decided what to study when and a little on how I’ll build out my unit studies with projects, novels and movies.
Plan with Me - The Essential Homeschool Planner
Planning Review
Long-Term Planning
Unit studies and Novels
New in the Planner This Year
Journals
Wrap-up
The Magic School Bus (Complete Series on DVD) ➡️ https://amzn.to/4bXzfVu
Novels ⬇️
Nims Island: https://amzn.to/4dUlaK1
How to Train Your Dragon: https://amzn.to/3wULgMq
Barren Ground: https://amzn.to/3wZL52g
A Boy Called Christmas: https://amzn.to/44Wau9T
Winston Delivers Christmas: https://amzn.to/4aG9Uyf
Julieta and the Diamond Enigma: https://amzn.to/3ViF2PW
Odder: https://amzn.to/3Kk1L7W
Mr. Limoncello’s Very First Game: https://amzn.to/4bWVTgs
The Very Very Far North: https://amzn.to/4bWVTgs
The Human Body Theater: https://amzn.to/3Kkj4FH
As I’m busy planning what our next year will look like for homeschooling and curriculum, I’ve been busy deciding what unit studies topics we will be doing. Unit studies are the primary way we do science and social studies in our home. And, I love letting my kids have a say in what we learn about.
So, after many chats and discussions, we’ve finally narrowed down our list and what curriculum we’ll be using!
-Picking unit study topics
-Space
-Forensic Science
-Simple Machines and Motions
-Kingdoms and classifications
-Human Bodies
-Vikings
-1st Colonizers in Canada
-Poetry
-Wrap-up
Curriculum choices:
Space - https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/products/space-science/
Forensic Science - https://www.harborandsprout.com/collections/forensic-science/products/forensic-science-elementary-unit-study
Simple Machines and Motions - https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/products/motion-and-simple-machines/
Kingdoms and classifications - https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/products/kingdoms-and-classification/
Human Bodies - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Human-Body-Systems-Unit-Skeletal-Muscular-Nervous-Digestive-Circulatory-579820 + some I’m adding myself
Vikings - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vikings-Viking-Life-Activity-Pages-Unit-Study-Worksheets-3850685
1st Colonizers in Canada (building myself)
Poetry - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Unit-21-Patterns-that-are-perfect-for-writing-poems-Digital-or-Print-137308
I’m planning what next year’s homeschooling will look like and what we are using in terms of curriculum. My youngest, Zoé, will be starting grade 2 in the fall. With second grade right around the corner, I’ve started pulling curriculum for next year and making some decisions. Here’s what we will be using to homeschool grade 2.
I’m planning what next year’s homeschooling will look like and what we will use in terms of curriculum. With my oldest Alexie turning 9 this summer, she would be in fourth grade come September. But she’s been blowing through her curriculum and already finished all her grade 3 stuff back in March. We’ve technically already started grade 4. So, here’s what we’re using and will continue to use next year.
As a homeschooling parent, it’s easy to run on empty. Between keeping a house, fixing meals, teaching lessons, chauffeuring to classes and groups, and taking care of kids, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. It’s also easy to wait until you are exhausted and overwhelmed to do something about it.
I recently heard that a lot of self-care we see is actually called after-care. This is what we do after we’re already tired and burnt out. Self-care is about doing things that can help you take care of yourself before you burn out.
But, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
I’m sharing some of the self-care things I do regularly to help my mental and emotional health as a homeschooling parent.
In this economy, everyone is on a budget. When you’re homeschooling, that budget might be even tighter. Between curriculum, supplies, and classes, the costs can add up. For some, this can feel like a barrier to homeschooling.
But, it doesn’t have to cost a lot to homeschool your children. There are lots of great and simple ways to save money and costs on homeschooling. It just requires a little planning and some creativity.
Here are 10 tips to help you stretch that budget.
Today’s video is all about unit studies. Unit studies can be a great approach for homeschoolers and it can be a great tool to have in your back pocket, even if you are using other curriculum or approaches.
Unit studies are a great way to spice things up and follow your child’s interests.
This video will cover everything you need to know about how unit studies work, where to find them, why we love them and everything in between!
Download and print my free unit study planner ➡️ https://raisingatoz.com/how-to-build-a-unit-study/
Homeschool Q&A ➡️ https://youtu.be/GRQfEZtpLxo?si=RsW849pXFZFUFTep
How to Build a Unit Study ➡️ https://youtu.be/nbFpusAbjKs?si=-IPf8mXn8JS8GGaj
Gather 'Round Review ➡️ https://youtu.be/i0020ZgIp0c?si=if_pIr1Y9j6Bm54i
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
I love answering your questions and lately, I’ve got a bunch. So, I thought I would do a little Q&A video! Today I’ll be answering some of the questions that you sent in.
This is part 2. If you are looking for part 1, you can find it here ➡️ https://youtu.be/GRQfEZtpLxo
If you’ve got questions, leave them in the comments below and I’ll answer them!
Tips for Homeschooling Preschoolers ➡️
https://youtu.be/Y_jYh8zU1N8
Homeschool Co-op Groups 101 ➡️
https://youtu.be/_Ku-h8G7dbA
List of Canadian Homeschool Conferences ➡️
https://www.canadianhomeeducation.com/canadian-home-school-conferences
I love answering your questions and lately, I’ve got a bunch. So, I thought I would do a little Q&A video! Today I’ll be answering some of the questions that you sent in.
This is part 1. Part 2 will be out next week!
We recently decided to try out the Brave Writer program as a literacy curriculum, and so far, I am impressed!
This literature-based program focuses on great novels, and copywork from the text, and uses that copywork to teach all integrated parts of literacy including spelling, grammar, writing, and reading comprehension. I’ll walk you through how this program works, what it contains and why we’re loving it.
About a year ago, we decided to add some more French to our homeschooling curriculum. We gave Duolingo a try. Our oldest, Alexie, did one lesson and the rest has been history.
Today, she’ll help me give an honest review of the free program that has improved her French dramatically over the last year. From the interactive games, lessons and the competitive league, she’s hooked on learning a new language!
Headphones: https://amzn.to/3VjIPwE
I’ve been using the All About Reading program to teach reading to my youngest daughter, Zoé. I also used it with Alexie, and I find it’s an excellent program.
With many people wanting to see what it’s all about, I thought I would give you a detailed review and walkthrough of the program. This systematic and phonetic approach to teaching reading can be a great resource.
Available at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Ijz0XQ
Or the Learning House: https://amzn.to/3Ijz0XQhttps://www.learninghouse.ca/products/1237/TLH/math-lessons-for-a-living-education.html
I’ve used Masterbooks Math Lessons for a Living Education for several years.
Today I’ll give you an honest review of the program, what I like and don’t like about it. I’ll also give you a detailed walkthrough of what it looks like inside, from the expectations of a week to their gentle, spiralled approach.
I’ll also show you the inside of the new companion book, Practice Makes Perfect.
Available at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Ijz0XQ
or
The Learning House: https://amzn.to/3Ijz0XQhttps://www.learninghouse.ca/products/1237/TLH/math-lessons-for-a-living-education.html
Many parents are curious to know if hybrid homeschooling is an option. Can they send their kids to school part-time while also homeschooling them the rest of the time?
In some areas, this might be an option but it really depends if the school system there is set up for part-time homeschooling.
I live in Ontario and our system is not really set up for hybrid homeschooling and for most, it’s not an option.
I’ll explain why it’s rarely an option in Ontario, from a teacher’s point of view and how it makes schooling very complicated based on our current educational system.
P.S. Some areas have schools that are set up to accommodate part-time homeschooling. But they are few and far between. This video discusses hybrid homeschooling with a standard, traditional public school.
Use the link below and the coupon code ATOZ for a 55% discount off a yearly membership of Teach from Chalkboard Publishing.
https://app.chalkboardpublishing.com/?utm_source=atoz&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=teach
Have you tried adding French to your homeschool curriculum? If you have, you’ll notice just how hard it is to find a good French curriculum, despite Canada being a bilingual country. What’s up with that?
I’ll share some of the struggles and limitations of French homeschooling as well as offer some suggestions on where to look for French materials.
What do you do when your kids refuse to do their schoolwork? As a homeschooling parent, this can be the most frustrating thing to experience.
And it can make you feel like a failure.
It happens in every homeschool family. But how do you handle it?
I’ll talk about some ideas, strategies and a kind of flowchart of how to handle work refusal.
Screen time is super controversial and there’s a wide spectrum on how much, when and what kids should be doing with screens. Some parents are pretty lax about screens while others ban them altogether.
Our family falls somewhere in the middle. I look at several factors when determining screen time for my kids and we focus on teaching our kids how to use screens safely, creatively, and for learning.
Use coupon code RAISINGATOZ for a 25% discount off any first subscription, gift, or one-time kit. It cannot be used with any other coupons.
World in a Box ➡️ https://worldinabox.ca/
(THE TRIP MONTAGE CAN BE VIEWED ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE: https://youtu.be/OIGD-Unq1Lk )
I honestly believe one of the best things we can do in our lives is travel and we make that a priority for our kids as homeschoolers. What better way to learn about the world, than to actually go and see it?
So we recently booked a trip to Mexico and decided to keep it a secret from the kids. They had no idea until we were in the hotel the night before.
First, I’ll share my favourite tips and supplies for travelling with kids internationally. Then of course, you'll get to see the kids' reactions to the trip and a few of our favourite highlights as we spent time at the resort!
Items to Check Out! ⬇️
Rollsup - https://amzn.to/4aYuE5o
Crayola twistables - https://amzn.to/3vy4ZR8
Suckers https://amzn.to/3HjXksg
Skip bo - https://amzn.to/3u2tMfv
Duet - https://amzn.to/3vEJFJO
Masks - https://amzn.to/4aZcmRy
Join my channel with a membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/mexicana
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/andrey-rossi/tiki-torch-bounce
We like to make a big deal about the first day of the new homeschool year. It’s an exciting time as we start new curriculum, new activities, and learn new skills. I kind of consider it the REAL New Year's Day.
When we started homeschooling, I did all the planning to make the first day exciting and fun. But now the girls are older. They have their own ideas, expectations and some activities that they consider traditions. So, here’s what we did on our first day of homeschooling.
Join my channel with a YouTube membership! ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/raisingatoz/join
How to Start Homeschooling: When You Have No Idea Where to Start Book: https://amzn.to/3rLpEiu
Planners
Floral - https://amzn.to/3NN0MzX
Peony - https://amzn.to/41euVLu
Colourful Clouds - https://amzn.to/42zknHU
Lemons - https://amzn.to/3NQ6XmO
Colourful Garden - https://amzn.to/3nDmXOp
Butterfly Garden - https://amzn.to/3NMAQUZ
Downloadable PDF Planner Dated - https://raisingatoz.com/product/the-essential-homeschool-planner-dated-pdf/
Downloadable Planner PDF Undated - https://raisingatoz.com/product/the-essential-homeschool-planner-undated-pdf-download/
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/move
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danger-lion-x/searching
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/sweet-summer
Does the thought of planning your homeschooling stress you out? What about the idea of planning a whole month at once? Well, let me show you how I plan out a month for my family.
Watch me plan a month from start to finish, including activities, workbooks, co-ops, classes and more. It’s easier than you think. Let me show you how to plan out a month of homeschooling easily.
How to Start Homeschooling: When You Have No Idea Where to Start Book: https://amzn.to/3rLpEiu
Planners
Floral - https://amzn.to/3NN0MzX
Peony - https://amzn.to/41euVLu
Colourful Clouds - https://amzn.to/42zknHU
Lemons - https://amzn.to/3NQ6XmO
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With many families starting a new year of homeschooling over the next few weeks, I figured it was time for a pep talk. Homeschooling can seem daunting in the beginning. And it’s easy to become over-ambitious and influenced by the pretty homeschool Instagram accounts.
But we need to be realistic about our year and set out good and healthy intentions in our homeschool.
Here are the things we are and the things we are not going to do this year!
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One thing that holds a lot of parents back from homeschooling is the cost. When you look on Instagram and see the gorgeous homeschool rooms and supplies, it can make you feel like you don’t have enough money to get everything you need for homeschooling.
The reality is that you actually don’t need a lot to homeschool. You can homeschool with very little setup and supply costs. But what do you absolutely need to start homeschooling? What are the must-have supplies to really get started and what are the nice bonuses to invest in down the line?
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It’s back-to-school time for most people, which means it's time for back-to-school shopping. But, even as homeschoolers, it’s a great time to stock up on supplies.
I love to take advantage of the sales and savings at this time, getting everything I’ll need to homeschool my two kids. Some things I’ll give as gifts spread throughout the year, and most go into their first-day-of-homeschooling gift bag.
I’ve also included a PDF shopping list if you are wondering what you might need.
Supply Shopping List PDF Download:
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Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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This is the time of year when a lot of parents make the decision to homeschool. Whether they decide to keep their kindergarteners home or start the new school year with their older kids as homeschoolers, it’s a very popular time to start homeschooling.
But, as a homeschool newbie, what do you do? How exactly do you start? It’s easier than you think. You can start homeschooling in just 7 simple and easy steps.
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It’s time to start gearing up for a new year of homeschooling for many families. We like to start our homeschool year with a bang!
We’ve got a few traditions that we like to do on our first day of the year. My kids look forward to all these traditions every year and we can’t wait to do them again this year!
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We are year-round homeschoolers. That means that we not only homeschool during the traditional school year, but we also homeschool over the summer. But, don’t worry! Our kids aren’t deprived of their summer by doing workbooks during those months.
Our summer schedule is a lot different and it gives us a lot of time to do different kinds of learning. Since my husband (a high school teacher) is off for two full months, we’ve got big plans for the summer and there will be lots of learning that takes place!
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It’s been a while since I’ve done a term update, so that’s what’s happening today. Over the past 6 months, we’ve studied some pretty cool stuff and I can’t wait to share it all with you. From our unit study topics and projects to our struggles and triumphs, the kids learned a lot — and I learned a few things, too.
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I’ve been busy planning out what our next academic year will look like. So, come plan with me as I take time to reflect on what worked this year, what I want to change for next year, and what we want to do. I’ll also give you some tips and tricks as I complete my long-range plans, figuring out when we’ll study our different units and topics. And, you’ll get a great look inside the Essential Homeschool Planner, too!
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The kids have spoken and we’ve finalized what our unit study topics for next year will be. We’ve got a nice blend of science and social studies topics for us to cover and I’m excited to dive into these awesome unit study ideas and try a few new curriculums while we’re learning.
Every spring, I get busy planning out next year’s homeschooling curriculum. I’m excited to share what my plans are for my soon-to-be third grader, Alexie! We’ve got some exciting workbooks and programs that I think are really going to help us have a great year in grade 3!
Every spring, I get busy planning out next year’s homeschooling curriculum. And, I can hardly believe that I’m planning Zoé’s curriculum as she gets ready for first grade. It feels like a significant milestone for her —and for me. As she prepares for her elementary years, I’m getting busy finalizing all our plans, curriculum, and workbooks for the 2023-2024 academic year.
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I’m a huge believer in following a child’s lead, especially when it comes to education. But, how do you let kids decide what you study in a homeschooling year? What does that look like?
I let my kids decide what we learn and study in our homeschool. They pick the topics, ask the questions, and make a lot of the decisions. Why? Because, I truly believe that when kids are interested, they will learn more, and learn deeper. And, because they are interested, they will love learning.
But, how exactly do I let the kids decide? What does that look like? How do I get them to make good choices? I’ll cover all that in today’s video.
I’m not required to keep any legal records when it comes to homeschooling in my area. In some places you do need to keep certain records, so make sure to follow your provincial or state policies.
I don’t need to keep records, but I still do. I can barely remember what I did last weekend, let alone last year. For my own sanity, I keep some lists and records during our homeschooling year. These are lists of what we’ve covered, what we’ve used, and what we might use in the future.
One of the first questions new homeschool parents ask is... "What curriculum do I need and where do I find it?"
What you need is dependent on a lot of factors and a topic for another day. But today, I’ll look at where to find your curriculum.
Because there are literally thousands of homeschool curriculum options out there, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out where to find them since there isn’t one singular contained place to find them all. It’s a little like going on a treasure hunt. Here are some places to start shopping for homeschool curriculum.
I’ve had a lot of parents ask me recently “How do I homeschool my toddler?” The answer might surprise you! When it comes to what is developmentally appropriate, what can you do with a toddler? How do you fill their day? Here are some things that you can do to add educational value to your toddler’s day.
Did you wake up today, and the thought of homeschooling just made you want to go “ugh”? Are you tired, unmotivated or overwhelmed? So, how do you homeschool your kids when you’re having an off day?
In this podcast, I share what I do when I’m having a rough day and homeschooling is the last thing on my mind.
Homeschooling isn’t free, but neither is public school. And while there are some people out there who can afford to spend thousands on homeschooling and supplies, I’m not one of them. I’m looking to build a great homeschool for my kids without breaking the bank. As a one-income home, sticking to a budget isn’t easy but I’ve got some great tips on how to save money and stretch a budget.
I get a lot of questions about where I find my unit studies. And honestly, it’s a little all over the place. But one of my favourite places to find affordable unit studies and printables is TPT, formerly known as Teachers Pay Teachers. I’ll share my review of the site, why I like it, and some great tips on how to search and navigate the site and find some great printables.
We’ve been using Math Lessons for a Living Education as our math program for a few years. We have been loving it and my girls think it’s great. I get a lot of questions about the program, what it looks like and why we like it. So, I’m going to share some insights into this program. And I’ll also share who this program is good for, who might not like it and why — because no program is perfect and not every program is good for every family. I’ll give you an honest review and share the good and the bad.
While I’m not worried about my homeschoolers being unsocialized, I do make a point of giving my kids opportunities to get out of the house. We’ve got a pretty busy routine with lots of outings, activities, and chances for my kids to socialize with others. So, here’s a run down of what our week looks like.
What about socialization? It’s the most common question I get asked when people find out we homeschool. A lot of people are worried that my kids aren’t going to know how to behave in society or they are going to be weird and awkward. So, let’s put some of those myths and doubts to bed.
A lot of people are shocked when they hear how long our homeschooling takes. Because my kids spend only a fraction of the time doing seat work compared to public school kids. But, how does that break down, timewise? How long does it actually take? And why does it take so much less time than traditional school? I’ll answer all those questions in today’s video.
I love unit studies. And since I use and buy a lot of unit studies I get asked for a lot of recommendations and my opinion on different companies.
One that I get asked about most often is Gather ‘Round. I decided to give it a try and see what all the fuss was about and if it was something I would recommend or use for my kids.
I purchased 2 levels of the Artist unit study (not sponsored) and will share what I think of this curriculum. I’ll share the good, and the bad and talk about who might like it and who might not.
How do you plan a unit study if you don’t have any curriculum to go off of?
This is a great question and I’ve got an answer. Since I ask the kids what they want to learn about, inevitably there's at least a topic or two that aren’t common and very difficult to find a curriculum for. So I often end up building these unit studies myself.
And it’s a lot easier than you might think.
I’ve recently been asked how I plan out my unit studies. How do I break down my printed unit study curriculum and what does it look like to plan out?
So I’m going to walk you through exactly how I plan out my unit studies for a whole month. And it’s way easier than you might think.
How do you teach 2 kids at the same time? What does that look like and how do you make that work?
I get these questions a lot. These parents wonder just how I make homeschooling work when I have 2 kids at different levels and I’m teaching them at the same time. The simple answer is that some lessons are done together as a family and some are done individually. Here's how I make that work!