The Happy Homeschooler Podcast

Many homeschooling parents wonder how to teach current events. Some think it only means teaching politics, some worry about how to talk to their kids about difficult topics. But current events is a much broader topic than most people realize. From local happenings to global news, from sporting events to pop culture touchstones, current events reaches every aspect of our lives. Today, we discuss how to teach current events! SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! Propaganda Analysis — Propaganda Critic Crash Course Navigating Digital Information - YouTube Kids News from BBC - CBBC Newsround Both Sides of the Issue - Stossel in the Classroom NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt: Kids Edition | NBC News The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our logo is by Norah Williams and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

Homeschooling in California has the reputation for being difficult, but that couldn't be further from the truth! While every state will have its pros and cons, California gives lots of freedom to its homeschooling parents. Today, we sit down with a homeschooler from California to discuss everything you need to know about homeschooling in California. Whether you're moving to California or you're already there and wanting to homeschool, or if you're just curious how homeschooling is done in our nation's most populous state, this is an episode you can't miss! SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! Austin Orienteering Club The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our logo is by Norah Williams and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

Project-based homeschooling is getting more and more popular, and there's no wonder why! By engaging your student's interests and encouraging their curiosity, you not only shape them into a motivated self-learner, but you also allow them to learn a wider variety of things than you might otherwise, using set curricula. Join us today as we discuss everything about Project-Based Homeschooling! SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! Project-Based Homeschooling: Mentoring Self-Directed Learners, by Lori Pickert on Amazon The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our logo is by Norah Williams and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

Astronomy is tied into many subjects homeschoolers may be studying. Whether history, mythology, or navigation. But it also exposes your children to the beauty of the universe, from the planets of our solar system, to igniting clouds of dust millions of lightyears away. Today, we discuss How to Teach Astronomy. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! Best stargazing apps 2024: AR Apps and Virtual Star Maps The Stars: A New Way to See Them, by H.A. Ray on Amazon The Night Sky Book: An Everyday Guide to Every Night, by Jamie Jobb and Linda Bennett on Amazon The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our logo is by Norah Williams and our music is by The Great Pangolin.  

Ever since 2020, homeschooling has been booming. As such, not only are there more people than ever needing help navigating the world of homeschooling, but the world of education in general is transforming to meet the needs of this new homeschooling population. Join Holly and Jennifer as they discuss the ever-increasing growth of homeschooling. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! On today's episode, Holly recommended: Cathy Duffy Homeschool Curriculum Reviews (cathyduffyreviews.com) Rainbow Resource (rainbowresource.com) The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our logo is by Norah Williams and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

Contests and competitions can create much-needed external motivation for students and can foster skills and abilities in our kids that will help them in their future. But for some people, competition is a dirty word, so how can you make sure you're doing it right? Today, we'll be discussing the ins and outs of using contests and competitions in your homeschool. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our logo is by Norah Williams and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

Geography is an important subject to teach. Through geography we can better know the world around us, the people that live in it, and how to navigate it. But many homeschoolers wonder just how to teach geography. Far from a series of dull facts and scientific definitions, geography can come alive in your homeschool! Today, we'll be discussing all of our best methods for teaching geography. How we engage our students with hands-on learning, and how to make it fun. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! Recommendations from today's episode: Stack the States in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store Stack the Countries in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store Ticket to Ride on Amazon GeoGuessr - Let's explore the world! Globle (globle-game.com) MapMaker (nationalgeographic.org) The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our logo is by Norah Williams and our music is by The Great Pangolin.

When you're new to homeschooling, it's invaluable to have people there to help you. Whether recommending curricula, giving advice, or just being there for you, it's a vital resource. So, when you're the experienced hand and you see someone new, it's important to be there to help them, too. Today, we'll be discussing the importance of mentoring new homeschoolers. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin. If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

When you decide to homeschool, you feel like you're making the best choice for your child and your family. But sometimes you can face pushback from more traditional family members. Often it's genuine curiosity, but just as often it's not. How can you handle family members intruding into your homeschooling? And how far is too far? Today, we discuss handling intrusive family members. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! This episode featured: Deck the Halls B by Kevin MacLeod http://incompetech.com Creative Commons — Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/deck-the-halls-b Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/RzjZ-WdVeyk The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin. If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

As homeschooling parents, we're fiercely independent. But that can sometimes lead us to isolation when times are hard, feeling as though we have to go it alone. But you don't have to. Today, we discuss the importance of taking care of your mental health as a homeschooling parent and share how we maintain our mental health. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! List of Hotlines for Mental Health Help This episode featured: Deck the Halls B by Kevin MacLeod http://incompetech.com Creative Commons — Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/deck-the-halls-b Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/RzjZ-WdVeyk The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin. If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Children learn to read, so they can read to learn! But even more than an educational aid, reading is a pleasure enjoyed by millions of people every day. Today, we're joined by the Heritage Mom, Amber O'Neal Johnston, to learn how she chooses books for her homeschool and her family! SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! Amber's Book Recommendations: The Old Truck, by Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey When Stars Are Scattered, by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed Saving Savannah, by Tanya Bolden Visit Amber's Website: Heritage Mom Buy Amber's Book: A Place to Belong Follow Amber on Social Media: Instagram, Facebook This episode featured: Deck the Halls B by Kevin MacLeod http://incompetech.com Creative Commons — Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/deck-the-halls-b Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/RzjZ-WdVeyk The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin. If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and there's still a whole month of holiday season left! As homeschoolers, we value our family time, and the holiday season is full of special family activities. But we also care about our children's education. It can be hard to figure out how to balance everything. Melody, Jennifer, and Holly have been through this countless times. Today, our hosts sit down and share how they've handled holiday homeschooling. And be sure to stay until the end, when we discuss an important big question. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin. If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

One of the very best things about homeschooling is the freedom it provides you. We've discussed homeschooling at the beach and on vacation before, but worldschooling blows it all out of the water. With worldschooling you can be a world traveler and still give your kids a world class education! Today, we sit down with our friend Amanda Coate to learn the ins and outs of worldschooling! SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! Check out Amanda's Instagram! We are Worldschoolers | Facebook Trailblazing Families | Facebook Worldschool Popup Hub | Facebook Worldschoolers | Facebook The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin. If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Today, we bring you an interview with homeschooling author and podcaster, Debra Bell! Debra uses her expertise in neuroscience to teach us all the benefits that homeschooling has for students. Listen and learn all about the neuroscience of homeschooling! SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! Listen to Debra's podcast: Homeschool Works (buzzsprout.com) The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling, by Debra Bell Homeschool Curriculum | Find Online Homeschooling Curriculum For All Grades (homeschoolbuyersclub.com) The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin. If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Homeschooling has never been more popular. With more and more families choosing homeschooling for their children's educational needs, it's more important than ever to know exactly how it works. The thing is, homeschooling is different in each state, with different rules and regulations that go with it. That's why today we're beginning a new series: Homeschooling Across America, starting with Texas! Listen in and learn all about how homeschooling works in the Lone Star State. SHOW NOTES: Visit our website at www.happyhomeschoolerpodcast.com If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin. If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

When you make the decision to homeschool, you take on another job. With all the extra time you spend preparing and teaching lessons, it can sometimes be hard to find the time to figure out what to eat every day. Meal planning takes the stress out of your meals. With a little prep and a little forethought, dinner can end up being the easiest item on your to-do list. Today, Holly and Jennifer discuss all their tips and tricks for meal planning for homeschoolers. SHOW NOTES: If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin. If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

The Waldorf Method is a time-honored educational philosophy that focuses on developing students' intellectual, artistic, and practical skills. While Waldorf is often seen in the context of private schools, the freedom of homeschooling allows you to choose any educational philosophy you desire. Today, we sit down with our longtime friend (and longtime Waldorf homeschooler) Alison, to learn all about the Waldorf Method! SHOW NOTES: If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! Waldorf Without Walls Taproot Teacher Training | Art of Homeschooling Little Angels Service Team The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin. If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Science is one of the most enjoyable subjects you can learn at home, and there's so many ways to teach science that put the subject right in the hands of your students. Today, we discuss how our different educational philosophies informed how we taught science and reminisce about our favorite science projects and experiments! And be sure to stay to the end, when we discuss a big homeschooling news story! SHOW NOTES: If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! A Drop Of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder, by Walter Wick Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe, by Theodore Grey Mystery of the Periodic Table, by Benjamin D. Wiker Thames and Kosmos - Chemistry and Science Sets Carolina Biological Supply Parents explain why they homeschool kids: covid, ADHD, race, religion - The Washington Post The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin. If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Youth civic organizations like scouting can be a great opportunity to foster your child’s independence while bolstering their education. But where do you start? How do you find the right organization for your child? And are there any downsides? We answer all these questions and more today, so join us and learn all about youth civic organizations! SHOW NOTES: If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! Youth Civic Organizations Mentioned Today: 4-H Boy Scouts of America Girl Scouts of the USA Keepers of the Faith Civil Air Patrol Camp Fire Wild Explorers Club The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin. If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Back to school can be a stressful time, even for homeschoolers! But with the homeschooling boom still going strong, there’s lots of new homeschooling families that are getting back to school in a whole new way. So today, we’re discussing back to school in two parts. First, we talk about back to school for new homeschoolers. We discuss tips to allow it to go smoothly, and we speak frankly about what challenges you may face — and how to overcome them! In the second part, we discuss how we’re prepping for the new school year. Whether beginner or old pro, today’s episode is stuffed full of great ideas for how to get back to school… Homeschool! SHOW NOTES: If you have any questions or comments, please email us at happyhomeschoolpod@gmail.com Visit Transcript Maker and get your 14-day free trial! Like our page and join our group on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! Previous episodes you might find helpful: 031: Low Cost, No Cost Homeschooling 068: How to Start a Co-Op 079: 5 Questions to Answer Before Starting the School Year 80: Help for the New Homeschooler 084: Homeschooling on a Budget Jennifer recommends ChatGPT to help with your lesson planning, check out the AI tool that’s sweeping the nation here. The Happy Homeschooler Podcast is a Transcript Maker Production. It is hosted by Holly Williams Urbach, Melody Gillum, and Jennifer Jones, produced by Matthew Bass, and edited by Norah Williams. Our graphic design is by Pete Soloway and our music is by The Great Pangolin. If you liked this episode, and you’d like to help us grow, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!