Our Just-Right Homeschool Year: Curriculum Picks for My 5th Grader
Discover our 5th grade homeschool curriculum picks for a gifted learner who loves reading and science but needs creative support in math. Includes Beast Academy, Hearth and Story, History Quest, and custom science units on cells.
What Is Place-Based Learning? How We Use the World Around Us to Teach
Learn what place-based learning is and how to use your local environment—from small towns to theme parks—to turn everyday experiences into meaningful homeschool lessons.
How I Plan a Week of Homeschool for My 5th Grader
Curious how to organize your homeschool week without stress? Here’s how I take our monthly learning goals—like science, math, reading, and more—and break them into simple, doable weekly plans for my 5th grader. Includes a free printable weekly planner!
A Disney Homeschool Study of Japan: Cultural Respect and Natural Wonder at EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion
Discover how to teach cultural values like respect, remembrance, and connection to nature through a hands-on study of Japan. This Disney homeschool unit uses the Ultimate EPCOT Workbook, beautifully illustrated children’s books, and an immersive visit to EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion to bring Japanese traditions to life through stories, art, festivals, and reflection.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Think Like an Imagineer: How to Model Critical Thinking and Creativity for Your Kids
Help kids think like Disney Imagineers! Download a printable to teach critical thinking, STEM + story, and problem-solving skills in your homeschool.
Let’s Talk About Castles: Disney Dreams, Real History, and a Free Printable to Explore It All
Discover how Disney castles were inspired by real-life history. Includes a free printable for kids about Neuschwanstein and the magic of castle storytelling.
Project-Based Learning at Home: How to Foster a Creative Milieu for Your Homeschooler
Discover how to design a home environment that nurtures creativity, curiosity, and independent learning. Inspired by Lori Pickert’s Project-Based Homeschooling, this guide helps you craft a space where your homeschooler can thrive.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.