All Episodes

More than 7 hours a day...that's how much time an average American kid spends in front of a screen. What would happen if they spent even HALF that time outdoors, exploring and playing? Ginny Yurich shares with us the immense benefits of setting a goal of 1000 hours outside--maybe even until the street lights come on.Notes:1000hoursoutside.comThere’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda McGurk52 Ways to Walk by Annabel StreetsOutdoor Kids in an Inside World by Steven RinellaComfort Crisis by Michael EasterJohn Taylor GattoLearning All the Time by John HoltDominance Factor by Carla HannafordSmart Moves by Carla HannafordBooks by Ginny:Until the Street Lights Come On1000 Hours Outside Activity BookThe Little Farmhouse in West Virginia  1000 Hours Outside: Activities to Match Screen Time with Green Time

Is homeschooling for high school a good idea? Will your student miss out? Are you up for the challenge? Linda Qian, director of high school for Sequoia Grove, shares her story with us and lays our fears to rest--high school is a great time to homeschool!

Pam Barnhill joins in to talk about how to get your year under control! No more giving up before you've begun. Her book Plan Your Year outlines how to think through what you do and how to do it. Be inspired to keep going each day with some simple preparation.Show Notes:PamBarnhill.comhttps://simplyconvivial.com/2016/character-building/Plan Your YearContact me!Clarksville ButtonFeather River ButtonLake View Buttonpodcasts@sequoiagrove.org

Unsure what the Lending Library has to offer? Have you given up trying to get logged in and reserve books? Join me as I interview the Head of Library Services, Chris Hermann. We take an audio tour of the immense store of resources available to you and your family. Don't miss this informative episode that tells what is there and how to get it!Lending Library Information and How-to’sDestiny Discover–the website to reserve booksLink to choose your Park Day locationContact me!Clarksville ButtonFeather River ButtonLake View Buttonpodcasts@sequoiagrove.org

Season 4 drops August 16, 2023

Amazing projects, clever creativity, big ideas...great things are happening with our Sequoia Grove students! Hear what it was like inside a Student Showcase in May 2023--gather inspiration and join us next year!

Four kids and two continents....this is Rebecca's homeschool journey. She shares the good and the regrets. Listen in for ideas, lessons learned, and encouragment in your own homeschool.NOTES:BookSharkDot to Dot in the SkyAfrica is Not a CountryQuote attributed to Jen Wilkin, “Women of the Word.”

Do your kids have the words to describe how they're feeling? Emotional well-being is crucial for a good learning environment. In this episode, Mary Stein introduces us to the world of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Listen in for some great resources for all students, TK-12th grade, and even parents!Show Notes:Lakeshore LearningMarc Brackett and the Mood MeterBrene Brown: The Power of VulnerabilityCasel Framework (Casel 5)Cori Doerrfeld booksThe Invisible Boy by Trudy LudwigRuby Finds a Worry by Tom PercivalHow Full is Your BucketMy Mouth is a Volcano Julia CookEnemy Pie 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens7 Habits of Happy KidsAndrew Pudewa episodeHarmonySEL.org

Equipping our kids to be safe in the digital world, while still helping them to learn the necessary skills is a tricky job! Trisha Brandow joins me to talk about how to navigate this important topic.Common Sense Media EducationHow to Break Up with Your PhoneThe Safetech Family PodcastSOS FBI curriculumGoogle Internet Safety CurriculumGood Pictures/Bad PicturesFight the New DrugResources from Trisha:Digital Literacy and Internet Safety Parent ResourcesDigital Literacy and Internet Safety Parent Presentation

It can be confusing to keep track of all that's going on with Sequoia Grove. Are you feeling confused by the opportunities available? Join Rebecca and Sara, two of our Family Liaisons, as they chat and share suggestions to help you "Get the Most Out of Your Sequoia Grove Experience." Listen in as they show you where you can go to access the most up to date and accurate information available to our schools.Have a suggestion for an upcoming episode? Want to hear about a specific topic? Reach out to Rebecca at podcasts@sequoiagrove.org to share your ideas.Homeschool HelperSequoia Sign UpClarksville IGFeather Rivier IGLake View IG

Many of us are intimidated by the idea of teaching math. A google search for "homeschool math curriculum" will turn up almost endless results. So we ask friends what they use...and every answer is different. How can we know what to choose? Nicole the Math Lady, an experienced teacher and homeschooler, helps us narrow down the options and find the math match that works for our family and students.Nicole the Math Lady WebsiteIXLVARK

Is homeschooling high school a good idea? As a parent, we worry about all the things for our teens--the difficult subjects that need to be covered, social activities, and preparing our kids for life after high school. Our resident high school expert, Shannon Breckenridge shares why homeschooling for high school is not only possible, it's a good idea!

I'm teaching my kids to write and speak well, but how do I equip them to have something worth saying? Andrew Pudewa, creator of IEW, joins me to answer the question "How do we teach our kids to think?"Show Notes:The Art of ArgumentArgument BuilderFallacy DetectiveThe Joy of Reading AloudWordly WiseWord Roots

You are not alone! Listen to other Sequoia Grove parents talk about how their families tackle state testing. Why do they even bother? You're sure to gain new ideas and insights from the experiences shared here.Show Notes:https://writeonmelissawebb.com/

Do you dread state testing? Are you wondering if you should even bother having your kids participate? Listen in and hear why it's critical to our schools AND how it can benefit your kids! You'll hear great ideas about how to make testing easier on your students--and you! Lacey Carroll and Brad Mumaw join in from the testing team.

Season 3 releases February 1!

Concluding the conversation with Carrie Carlson, reflecting on her family's homeschool journey. Carrie has many insights and tips along the way.

Carrie Carlson, Sequoia Grove TK-8 Program Administrator, shares insights and memories from her family's homeschool journey.

Intimidated by science? Do you always leave it for last and there's never time? Amy has great ideas for these problems and motivation for so much more!

Ronni Ernenputsch talks to us about the lifelong benefits that come from experiencing performing arts.

Beth Oakes, creator and storyteller from HiGasfy, joins me to talk about learning about art through compelling stories.

Reading aloud is essential for our children. Listen in and be inspired to build this healthy habit into your homeschool.

HST Kelley Soper shares her long experience with homeschooling and teaching math. Listen in for some great ideas and resources!

Listen in while HST Scott Steffens talks about creative ways to teach fascinating history and inspires us to help our kids think deep thoughts about the past.

Carl Azuz from CNN10 joins me for a fun conversation to talk about current events and the importance of news-trality.

Fellow Family Liaison Beka Heath joins me to talk about how to plan out your homeschool day. Lots of great ideas and advice!

Jenell Sherman is at the helm of our schools. Go behind the scenes at Sequoia Grove and hear about her heart and vision for our schools. Listen in and learn what it takes to keep us afloat.

We're back! First episode drops on September 7. You won't want to miss it!

Join Karen Dreager and I for the conclusion of our discussion about the Myers-Briggs personality types and how understanding them can help your homeschool run more smoothly. Karen shares scheduling and curriculum ideas, as well as insights into how to best encourage your child based on their personality type. So much helpful information!

Karen Draeger tells us how understanding your child's and your own personality throught the Myers-Briggs personality assessment can enhance your homeschooling (and parenting!) experience.