What Kind of Homeschooler Am I?
Philosophy Holly Leary Philosophy Holly Leary

What Kind of Homeschooler Am I?

Feeling overwhelmed by homeschool labels? In this post, I explore 10 popular homeschooling styles and share how I stopped trying to fit into a method and started trusting myself. Discover how Classical, Charlotte Mason, Montessori, and more can work together to create a flexible, joyful, child-centered homeschool.

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How To Disney School With A Castle Theme
Holly Leary Holly Leary

How To Disney School With A Castle Theme

Looking to turn your homeschool curriculum into a magical, castle-themed adventure? This guide shows you how to create a multi-age castle unit using hands-on resources, storytelling, and cross-curricular learning—plus how to bring it all to life during a visit to the Magic Kingdom. Includes a printable castle scavenger hunt designed for Disney homeschoolers.

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Teaching Snow White as More Than a Fairy Tale: Blending Literature, History, and Entrepreneurship in Homeschool Lessons
Holly Leary Holly Leary

Teaching Snow White as More Than a Fairy Tale: Blending Literature, History, and Entrepreneurship in Homeschool Lessons

What if teaching Snow White could be more than just reading a fairy tale? In this Disney-inspired homeschool unit, we explore how to blend literature, medieval history, and entrepreneurship into one meaningful lesson. Your child will uncover the historical roots of the story, imagine what it took to start a business in Snow White’s time, and build cross-curricular skills that go far beyond the page. This is the kind of interdisciplinary learning that makes homeschooling magical — and practical.

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Homeschooling with Pirates of the Caribbean: Economics of Piracy
Holly Leary Holly Leary

Homeschooling with Pirates of the Caribbean: Economics of Piracy

After being featured in the Wall Street Journal for our Pirates of the Caribbean homeschool lesson, I’m sharing how a Disney ride inspired deep learning. From the economics of piracy to pirate codes, word origins, and critical thinking, this post shows how to turn a theme park attraction into a powerful educational experience.

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What It’s Really Like to Learn with Disney Homeschool Curriculum
Holly Leary Holly Leary

What It’s Really Like to Learn with Disney Homeschool Curriculum

When The Wall Street Journal featured our homeschool journey, it was this simple, beautiful poetry project—centered on nature, Na’vi, and a moonlit haiku—that captured their attention. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we brought Disney homeschool learning to life.

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Prime Day Homeschool Book Deals: Save 50% or More on Must-Have Reads
Holly Leary Holly Leary

Prime Day Homeschool Book Deals: Save 50% or More on Must-Have Reads

Books are the heart of our homeschool, and Prime Day is the perfect time to stock up without overspending. My daughter is a visual learner and an avid reader, so I’m always on the lookout for titles that are both engaging and educational. This year’s Prime Day deals include some of our all-time favorites—many marked down 50% or more. Whether you're planning your next unit study or just want to refresh your shelves, this list will help you grab quality books at incredible prices.

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The Myth That Homeschoolers Aren’t Socialized
Holly Leary Holly Leary

The Myth That Homeschoolers Aren’t Socialized

The idea that homeschoolers aren’t socialized is one of the most common misconceptions—and one of the most misunderstood. In this post, I explore what socialization really means, how homeschool families cultivate it through everyday experiences, and how my curriculum is designed to build real-world communication and connection. From Cast Member conversations at EPCOT to collaborative storytelling activities, our homeschool model is anything but isolated.

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Top 10 Educational Shows on Disney+ Every Homeschool Family Should Watch
Holly Leary Holly Leary

Top 10 Educational Shows on Disney+ Every Homeschool Family Should Watch

Discover how Disney+ can become one of your most surprising homeschool tools. This guide features 10 educational shows with recommended ages, learning topics, companion books or activities, and guided questions to help your child think deeply and critically—all while enjoying quality screen time.

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Reading Peter Pan This Summer: A Classic Tale That Sparks Big Thinking for Ages 7–10
Holly Leary Holly Leary

Reading Peter Pan This Summer: A Classic Tale That Sparks Big Thinking for Ages 7–10

This summer, we explored Peter Pan as our read-aloud for ages 7–10, diving into the original story by J.M. Barrie with a cross-curricular novel unit designed to spark creativity and critical thinking. Inspired by the Disney ride but rooted in classic literature, our unit connects reading, writing, geography, and emotional learning in a fun, age-appropriate way. Whether you're homeschooling or simply adding intention to your summer reading, Peter Pan is a magical place to start.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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John Holt, Homeschooling, and Healing My Inner Student
Holly Leary Holly Leary

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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