Beatrice Finch 6/8/25 Beatrice Finch 6/8/25

FREE Homeschool Printable for Summer Reading: Discover the Peacemaker + Liberty Square

As Liberty Square prepares for big changes at Walt Disney World, we’re using this moment to explore deeper stories of unity and peace. This post includes a FREE homeschool printable for The Peacemaker by Joseph Bruchac—a powerful summer reading pick for ages 9–14. Discover the story behind the Iroquois Confederacy, learn how storytelling builds peace, and use our printable to guide meaningful discussions at home or on your next educational Disney trip.

Beatrice Finch 6/8/25 Beatrice Finch 6/8/25

5 Shows, 1 Day: Our Epic Theater-Filled Field Trip to Hollywood Studios

Looking for an unforgettable homeschool field trip? Discover how we turned our summer theater unit into a day of live shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. From Indiana Jones to Beauty and the Beast, this guide walks you through how to see 5 theatrical performances in one day—plus fun facts, educational takeaways, and planning tips for homeschoolers looking to blend learning with Disney magic.

Beatrice Finch 6/7/25 Beatrice Finch 6/7/25

Beat the Heat at EPCOT: A Moana-Inspired Homeschool Adventure into the Water Cycle

When the Florida sun is high and the parks are buzzing, Journey of Water at EPCOT offers the perfect mix of cool mist, lush pathways, and hands-on learning. Inspired by Moana and brought to life with interactive water features, this immersive exhibit becomes the foundation for a full homeschool lesson on the water cycle, rain gauge reading, and scientific reflection. With help from the Ultimate EPCOT Workbook and a few simple tools, families can turn a theme park day into a meaningful, memory-making learning adventure.

Beatrice Finch 6/7/25 Beatrice Finch 6/7/25

Raising Critical Thinkers: Why This Must-Have Book Belongs on Every Homeschool Parent's Shelf

In Raising Critical Thinkers, Julie Bogart offers more than just parenting advice—she gives homeschoolers a roadmap for raising children who are reflective, empathetic, and intellectually curious. Through relatable stories, practical strategies, and powerful insights, this book challenged me to examine my own thinking first, then guide my child with the same intentionality. It’s not just about teaching facts—it’s about raising wise humans. This is the kind of book you’ll want to read with a highlighter in hand and revisit at every stage of your homeschooling journey.

Beatrice Finch 6/5/25 Beatrice Finch 6/5/25

Goodbye, Tom Sawyer Island: Remembering a Quiet Corner of the Magic Kingdom

Disney announced that Tom Sawyer Island will close on July 7, marking the end of a beloved Magic Kingdom experience. This post reflects on its legacy and shares how homeschoolers can continue exploring the spirit of adventure and classic literature through a Mark Twain-inspired learning packet.

Beatrice Finch 6/5/25 Beatrice Finch 6/5/25

John Holt, Homeschooling, and Healing My Inner Student

When I first picked up How Children Learn by John Holt, I didn’t expect it to echo so many of my own thoughts as a homeschooling parent — or stir up so many emotions about my own education. Holt’s observations of children as natural, capable learners validated the way I teach my daughter: with curiosity, flexibility, and trust. But what surprised me most was how deeply this book challenged me to reflect on my own school experience — and how part of homeschooling, for me, is about breaking that cycle. In this post, I explore Holt’s key ideas, why his work still matters today, and how reading this book helped me heal my inner student.

Beatrice Finch 5/23/25 Beatrice Finch 5/23/25

Rethinking School by Susan Wise Bauer: A Down-to-Earth Review for Homeschool Parents

Thinking about homeschooling or questioning your child’s current school experience? In this post, I review Rethinking School by Susan Wise Bauer—a must-read for parents exploring alternatives to traditional education. I share key takeaways from the book and include a free printable parent worksheet to help you reflect, plan, and move forward with confidence. Perfect for homeschool parents looking for practical tools and inspiration.

Beatrice Finch 5/21/25 Beatrice Finch 5/21/25

How to Teach Art and Perspective at Disney’s Magic Kingdom (Main Street U.S.A.)

Discover how to turn your trip to Disney’s Magic Kingdom into a hands-on art lesson about perspective. In this homeschool-friendly guide, we focus on Main Street U.S.A. to teach key art concepts like horizon line, vanishing point, foreground, and background. Using the Ultimate Magic Kingdom Workbook, a free printable, and an optional perspective sketchpad, you'll guide your child through an engaging educational experience in the park and at home. Perfect for homeschoolers, Disney-loving families, and parents looking to make travel more meaningful.

Beatrice Finch 5/18/25 Beatrice Finch 5/18/25

How I Complete Our Homeschool Academic Year

As we wrap up our homeschool year, I still incorporate standardized testing—but thoughtfully. After trying IXL, STAR, and Edmentum, I realized my daughter was more affected by the format than the content. It raised a bigger question: are we really testing knowledge, or just test-taking ability? While we homeschool to move away from rigid systems, I still use testing to help her build confidence and resilience. But the heart of our year-end reflection lies in creating a personalized portfolio—a meaningful keepsake that celebrates her growth through field trips, projects, and books read. Here's how we blend assessment with joy.

Beatrice Finch 5/12/25 Beatrice Finch 5/12/25

How to Plan a Homeschool Day at Animal Kingdom’s Pandora (Ages 8-12) With AVATAR Movie Tie Ins

Discover how to plan an engaging homeschool day at Disney's Animal Kingdom with an Avatar-themed unit study in Pandora. Perfect for ages 8–12, this lesson uses metacognitive learning, QR-linked activities, and cross-curricular projects tied to Avatar: The Way of Water. Includes educational prep tips, book recommendations, and reflective prompts to deepen learning in the park.

Beatrice Finch 5/6/25 Beatrice Finch 5/6/25

Prepping for a Homeschool Day at EPCOT (Mexico Pavilion Edition) Ages 8-12

Discover how to plan the ultimate homeschool day at EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion with this step-by-step guide for kids ages 8–12. Learn how to integrate history, geography, language arts, and metacognitive skills using the Ultimate EPCOT Workbook, a free KWL chart printable, and engaging educational books. Perfect for homeschoolers visiting Walt Disney World, this post shows how to turn your Disney trip into a cross-curricular learning adventure focused on ancient civilizations, Mexican geography, and cultural storytelling.