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what if you don't finish the homeschool curriculum

What if We Don’t Finish the Homeschool Curriculum?

Do you ever worry that you’re not on pace to make it through the curriculum or finish in time or cover it all… or [insert your fear about your kids’ progress or lack there of.] I’m going to say something very controversial in the homeschool world. It might ruffle your feathers. You might vehemently disagree. …

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20 Delightful Rhyming Picture Books Kids Love (Ages 3-7)

Here are 20 Word Play Picture Books we have read time and again with all of our kids. Our youngest just turned 3 and he’s starting to sit for longer picture books like these.  Where to Buy Picture Books & How to Afford Them  I default to using the library for most books we read, …

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Episode 005 Episode 002 Everyday Homeschool Crystal Paine

Episode 005: Love Centered Parenting

Joining me in today’s episode is Crystal Paine, author and founder of MoneySavingMom.com. With 3 teens and 3 toddlers, including a sweet adopted little guy who has down syndrome, Crystal speaks candidly about the trials and joys of parenting. In this episode, you’ll hear: Seriously, I took away so much from our conversation, and I …

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Episode 004 everyday homeschool

Episode 004: Ohhhhh You Homeschool….

In this episode, I share the 3 basic questions I get any time we get into that conversation in public and someone says, “Ohhhh… you homeschool.” I’m half kidding about the tone of the stranger’s response. Most people respond positively when it comes out that we homeschool. But honestly, their opinion isn’t my responsibility! I …

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Episode 003 Mary Prather

Episode 003: Music Appreciation in Your Homeschool with Mary Prather

In today’s episode of Everyday Homeschool, I had a great conversation with Mary Prather, founder of SQUILT Music Appreciation and Homegrown Learners. Mary shares her homeschooling journey and how she teaches music appreciation online to hundreds of homeschool kiddos. She is so enthusiastic about this topic! As a former music teacher, I just loved listening …

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Everyday homeschool podcast renee cook cover

Episode 001: Welcome to Everyday Homeschool

Episode 001 of Everyday Homeschool is an introduction to the show & the host, Renee Cook (that’s me). I’m a homeschool mom of 4 and creator of the Musical Memory program. I’m starting a homeschool podcast because I love thinking, learning, and talking about: I truly believe anyone who really wants to homeschool can do …

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Variety in homeschool curriculum feature image

Why Use Variety in Homeschooling Resources?

Think about when you really want to learn something…. How do you go about it? You probably immerse yourself in the writings or videos of people who’ve already mastered the topic. You may find various books & articles. You likely start doing or practicing the thing or thinking about it regularly. The resources probably look …

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Independent Work List Ideas for Homeschool K-5

I started dabbling preschool homeschool when our oldest was 3 years old. (I was eager… what can I say?) I also wanted to see if it would “work.” By the time she would have started kindergarten, we had 4 kids under 6. We decided to homeschool kindergarten and see what happened! (Spoiler alert, we loved …

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bamboo trees and homeschooling

Bamboo trees & homeschooling 🌱

Do you know about Chinese Bamboo Trees?  You must very carefully monitor their water & temperature for the first 5 years, and nothing happens. You have to water often and weed and make sure it stays at the perfect temperature… but you won’t see a single sprout. Not an ounce of visible growth.  But in …

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