Holly Leary 6/5/25 Holly Leary 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.

Holly Leary 6/5/25 Holly Leary 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.

Holly Leary 5/23/25 Holly Leary 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.

Holly Leary 5/21/25 Holly Leary 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.

Holly Leary 5/18/25 Holly Leary 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.

Holly Leary 5/12/25 Holly Leary 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.

Holly Leary 5/6/25 Holly Leary 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.