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!
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.
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.
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.