The OnlySchoolers Podcast: Helping You Homeschool

A sign-off episode for the OnlySchoolers Podcast as we take a permanent hiatus. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

Here are the famous quotations the OnlySchoolers are talking about in this episode. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ― Winston S. Churchill “It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” ― Leonardo da Vinci “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” – Theodore Roosevelt “Fortune befriends the bold.” — Emily Dickinson “Success isn’t about the end result, it’s about what you learn along the way.” — Vera Wang “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” — Henry Ford “There is little success where there is little laughter.” — Andrew Carnegie Listen to our The One Where It All Works Out playlist on Spotify. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

Here are the famous quotations the OnlySchoolers are talking about in this episode. “If you give a mouse a cookie, he's going to ask for a glass of milk. When you give him the milk, he'll probably ask you for a straw. When he's finished, he'll ask you for a napkin. Then he'll want to look in a mirror to make sure he doesn't have a milk mustache.” --Laura Numeroff "'Curiouser and curiouser,' cried Alice." -- Lewis Carroll "What other function do books have, the great ones, but to change the reader? Books to comfort. But most of all, books to disturb you forward." --Jon Cohen "Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another." — G. K. Chesterton "Dwell in possibility."— Emily Dickinson “No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.” — Amelia Earhart “One cat just leads to another.” —  Hemingway Listen to our One Thing Leads to Another playlist on Spotify. Thanks for listening! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

Here are the famous quotations the OnlySchoolers are talking about in this episode. “And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” - John Muir “The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” —Henri Matisse “We still do not know one thousandth of one percent of what nature has revealed to us.” – Albert Einstein “Nature is pleased with simplicity. And nature is no dummy.” – Sir Isaac Newton “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” – Lao Tzu Listen to our Over the River and Through the Woods playlist on Spotify. Thanks for listening! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

Here are the famous quotations the OnlySchoolers are talking about in this episode. “By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.” - Shakespeare “Awake, chaos; we have napped.” - e.e. cummings “In all chaos, there is a cosmos, in all disorder, a secret order.” - Carl Jung “Without order, nothing can exist—without chaos, nothing can evolve.” - Oscar Wilde “Chaos contains information that can lead to knowledge—even wisdom.” - Toni Morrison Listen to our Chaos - A Force for Good playlist on Spotify. Mark Hatmaker Video about Rivers  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

Here's the list of the #QUOTES we're talking about during this episode devoted to Teens. “Small children disturb your sleep; big children, your life.” - Yiddish proverb “Little children, headache; big children, heartache.” - Italian proverb. “The average teenager still has all the faults his parents outgrew.” - Unknown “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” - e.e. cummings “That’s what it is to care for a person…if you’re not afraid, you’re not doing it right.” - Jonathan Auxier “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” - Ghandi "If I Should Have a Daughter" - Sarah Kay Listen to our The Thing About Teens playlist on Spotify. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

The OnlySchoolers are talking Early Childhood in this episode, and the quotes we're tackling are: “Play is the work of childhood.” - Jean Piaget “Play is the work of the child.” - Maria Montessori “Play is the work of children. It’s very serious stuff.” - Captain Kangaroo “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning.” - Fred Rogers “Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.” - Fred Rogers “Do not keep children to their studies by compulsion but by play.” - Plato “It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them.” - Leo Buscaglia “It is a happy talent to know how to play.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

What #QUOTES are we talking about this episode? “Good fences make good neighbors.” - Robert Frost No is a complete sentence.” - Anne Lamott “Don’t set yourself on fire trying to keep others warm.” - Penny Reid “Don’t ever take a fence down until you know the reason it was put up.” - G.K. Chesterton “Your personal boundaries protect the inner core of your identity and your right to choices.” - Gerard Manley Hopkins "Not my circus. Not my monkeys." - Polish Proverb --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

Here are the quotes we're looking at during this episode: “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.” -- Frederick Buechner “Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.” -- Benjamin Franklin “Beware for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.” -- Mary Shelley “The question isn’t about who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” -- Ayn Rand Check out the OnlySchoolers Fearless Homeschooling Playlist on Spotify! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

Quirky and Unusual: the OnlySchoolers Take on Excerpts and Sayings or #QUOTES "Life is a journey, not a destination." --Ralph Waldo Emerson "Throughout the centuries, there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision." -- Ayn Rand "Start by doing what is necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible." St. Francis of Assisi "Not all those who wander are lost." J.R.R. Tolkien Check out the OnlySchoolers Journeying Playlist on Spotify! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

Every September, Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to write books that express differing ideas and experiences, as well as the freedom to access, choose, and read books that expand our learning. Here at the OnlySchoolers, we are book lovers. Banned Books Week was last week, but today we’d like to replay this episode from Season 3 where we talk about some of the books we love…and, as it turns out, a fair number of them have been challenged at some point.  What can we say? We like banned books! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

Did you guess what this episode was going to be about?  If there's one thing that pretty much sums up the philosophy of the OnlySchoolers, it's Ownership of Education. Find out what it is, why it's so important to our homeschools, and how to make sure your kids are owning their educations, too. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

Can you believe it? Christyn found a couple of essay topics that imply homeschoolers lack a sense of self and motivation!  How crazy is that!? Tune in to see what the OnlySchoolers have to say about them apples! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

Our kids aren't the only ones who are learning something!  In this episode Gina and Christyn talk about how homeschooling has been a tool for learning and growth for each of them. Three questions they consider are: What lessons did they personally learn as educational facilitators for their kids? What growth did they experience? What insights did they gain about themselves and homeschooling?  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

Christyn and Gina share some of their all-time favorite reads for readers of all ages. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

As parents, we're often telling our kids to "Use your words." The words we use and the way we use them are incredibly important for successful communication.  Join Gina and Christyn as they share their experiences with confusing homeschool jargon, and discuss ways to make sure we're using words that invite and reassure, rather than confuse and overwhelm. And here's your link to the homeschool terminology web site we mentioned during the show : https://www.homeschool.com/articles/know-your-homeschool-terminology/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

It's July and that means backyard BBQs, watermelon, and fireworks! Join Gina and Christyn as they explore the idea of homeschool independence and offer a few ideas on how you can take the step to declaring it for your own homeschool. No dumping tea into the harbor necessary!TECHNICAL NOTE: We always work to provide you with a clear listening experience, but because of a weird technical issue, there is a bit of wonky audio from about the 2:41 mark through 3:14 -- we promise it clears up!3:56  Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states; there are just different requirements and levels of state supervision4:23   This is a two-part series with the theme of how declaring homeschool independence and embracing the resulting freedom can transform your homeschool. It's our best advice on how to make your homeschool your own!4:57   We all come to educational independence in different ways and our homeschools reflect that6:17   Consider the following as you declare independence:1) What are your homeschool goals?2) What is your homeschool style?3) What is your homeschool's focus?6:49   Step 1: Gina talks setting homeschool goals and talks about her personal goal of fostering family relationships8:52   Christyn's goal is similar: to prioritize family time and build a family culture, and also includes developing a personalized education that accommodates asynchronous development11:45    In Marvel's "Endgame" there are is only way to win out of over 14 million possibilities. Fortunately, that's not the case in homeschool! Make your own choices from the over 14 million available to you!13:05   Step 2: Think about your homeschool style by setting aside what others are doing and seeing what actually works for youhttps://homeschoolon.com/the-homeschool-style-quiz/14:40   Christyn discusses how she arrived at her eclectic homeschool style16:27   Gina discusses the road to her unschool-y style18:22   The process of allowing kids to take control of their education is a daunting part of declaring homeschool independence but it's so exciting to watch it unfold18:50  Step 3: What is the focus of your homeschool? 19:28   Christyn's focus: foster the understanding that learning is lifelong21:37   Gina's focus is the same: focus on continuous learning and rise to the challenges that come along. Ignite and nurture that little spark of learning!22:31   How to light an educational sparkler23:25   To declare your homeschool independence, know what you want and what's best for your family, then work toward creating that homeschool --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

It’s summertime in our area and gardens are growing! Join Gina and Christyn as they discuss a different kind of garden: the homeschool garden. See how the same things that nurture a plant garden apply to educating your kids, allowing them to flourish. Go on…get your hands dirty! 1:10     Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? Gardening as a metaphor for homeschool 2:06     Homeschool garden basics            1) Determine your garden type            2) Figure out what you’re going to plant             3) Think about what helps it grow             4) Don’t forget about weeds and pests  2:46   Just as there are different gardens, there are different kids. Each is unique and the differences are desirable. In homeschool, the “garden” is your child 4:00    One home might have several different types of gardens.   4:13    There is no one right, perfect garden. Be honest with yourself and accept your child for who s/he is and work with that 4:53    Christyn’s Canterbury Bells experience reminds her of her daughter’s strengths 7:00    Gina embraces her son as a native wildflower garden and watches him flourish 8:00    Love and nurture the “garden” you’ve got. Honor the heart and soul of the garden you’re entrusted with 8:40    In homeschool, the “seeds” are the curriculum and educational activities you choose to plant. There’s a huge variety and you can’t include everything 9:19    Christyn’s homeschool “seeds” that were planted, but didn’t take off 11:22   The homeschool “seeds” that Gina rejected 13:38   The beauty of homeschool is that it lets things bloom in their own time 13:50   Christyn and Gina share examples of right gardens, right seeds, and flourishing kids 15:42   The seeds need water, sunshine, and fertilizer to grow. It’s important to find the balance 16:49   Water as the “work” of learning, necessary to germinate the curriculum seeds 18:10   Sunshine and heat are essential; just balance the intensity so students don’t suffer. Include some downtime for the work of rest 19:20   Add the “fertilizer” – the challenges and hardships that promote long-term growth 22:12   Gina and Christyn talk about the various weeds and pests they’ve encountered in their homeschool gardens 24:39   All the work of gardening leads to that moment after a good round of digging in the dirt where you step back and think, “Oh, yeah. That was worth the wait.” --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

One school year is winding down…and it’s just about time to start thinking about the next one! In Episode 5, Gina and Christyn help you think about ways to plan your school year. From Big Picture planning to the focus on details to fun tools and supplies, take a listen to see how you, too, can ”love it when a plan comes together.” 1:30        Homeschool planning like the A-Team: “I love it when a plan comes together.” 2:50        Three easy steps: Big Picture Planning, Nuts-and-Bolts focused planning, fun tools and supplies 3:02        Christyn talks about using the “What’s next?” method of Big Picture Planning in elementary and junior high; high school is "What's next?" times four! 4:21        Gina’s planning technique is an organic process 6:41        Two types of planning: 1) Big Picture Planning and 2) Focused Plans 9:00        Plan high school accordingly. There are different needs for college-bound, trade school, or job-hunting 10:45     Reconciling unschooling with structured planning 12:00     When a plan goes differently, but ends up being better than you could have imagined 14:10     When the nuts and bolts come together Christyn’s spiral notebook brain dump gets translated to a weekly planner Gina starts with calendar page print-offs, known dates, and scheduled events https://www.patreon.com/onlyschoolers 18:00     Plan for the integral parts of what your kid does (ice skating, choir, etc.) 18:30     Planning for breaks gives you something to look forward to 21:35     Tools of the trade: the fun stuff! Christyn: spiral notebook, PDF paper planner, PaperMate click-y pen, Bic Wite-Out Easy Correct tape Gina: Calendars, Me & My Big Ideas calendar planner and sticker, ultra-fine mechanical pencils Don’t forget the black Ticonderoga pencils! https://meandmybigideas.com/ https://www.walmart.com/ip/BIC-Wite-Out-Brand-EZ-Correct-Correction-Tape-White-4-Count https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ticonderoga-2-HB-Soft-Pencils-Wood-Cased-Graphite-Black-Pencil-24-Pack/158960196  28:33     Planning the Big Picture is good, but only schedule the details for one to two weeks at a time so there’s room for modification and flexibility 30:55     Like all things homeschool, planning is personal and individual 31:31     Planning a year of educating your child can feel incredibly overwhelming. Just take some easy steps to ensure you love the plan that comes together 31:44     Our best advice: 1) Start with the Big Picture Planning 2) Move to smaller, focused bits – fill in the details as you go 3) Find fun tools you’ll actually use – it makes a difference! 32:38     The plan you start with might not be the plan you finish with…but you can love it, anyway     --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support

In Episode 4, Gina and Christyn discuss the idea of homeschooling year-round…or not…or creating a hybrid calendar that suits your family and lifestyle. So many options! What are the advantages and concerns of year-round homeschooling? Listen in as Gina and Christyn talk about the lifestyle of learning and the delight in taking a refreshing “iced tea break” in your homeschool year. 1:38     We enjoy rich conversations at the rink…until the kids come off the ice for a break 2:12     The idea of homeschooling year-round or finding a spot to take our own refreshment break 3:03     Homeschools are not tied to the traditional public school calendar, so there’s more flexibility in deciding when the homeschool year starts and stops 3:16     “Kinda-sorta” – Gina’s take on year-round homeschooling 4:45     Christyn’s considered it, but ends up doing her own thing instead 5:02     “Is skating season over?” Never – and that’s the same with learning 5:57     There is no end to learning opportunities in life, and that idea is reinforced by  year-round homeschooling 6:32     But sometimes you might need an “iced tea” break; find a natural spot to stop for a bit 7:25     Advantages of year-round homeschooling: consistency/routine; flexibility; avoiding “summer slide” 7:45     Consistency and routine: Gina and Christyn talk about how that works in their homeschools 9:48     Discuss the idea that we’re all Classical Homeschoolers in the fall, Charlotte Mason followers in the winter, and Unschoolers in the spring (https://blog.bravewriter.com/2009/03/26/by-spring-unschooling/ ) 12:10   Flexibility 12:55   Gina discusses “emergency flexibility” – when something comes up and plans suddenly change 13:44   That’s different from “planned flexibility” – when you factor outside commitments into your school year 14:40   Christyn reflects on taking planned breaks that are convenient and being able to use the whole calendar year – all twelve months – when planning a school year 17:26   Avoid “summer slide” – how does that concept look in a homeschool situation? 20:23   Drawbacks of year-round homeschooling; burnout for students AND parents is the biggest concern 21:30   Mrs. Frankweiler suggests that while learning something every day is good, we should also have days where we allow what we learn to swell up and touch everything inside us (From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler) 23:40   William Wordsworth felt that there should be a time of introspection before writing    poetry (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45521/i-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud) 25:13   In the end, weigh the advantages and concerns and do what makes sense for your family --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onlyschoolers/support