Have you ever bought into a myth because “everybody says so”? Lots of misguided folks believe that classical education is just for smart kids; or even that classical education makes kids smart. Join Lisa and her guest Chelly Barnard as they bust that myth wide open! Chelly will help you remember to consider both the purpose of education and the mission of CC; and you’ll discover the tools that might make you “smart” but will lead you and yours to realize the potential the Lord intended you to fulfill all along.
In this new Everyday Educator podcast series, host Lisa Bailey and her guests will do their best to bust some of the most prevalent homeschooling myths—and answer the question “Why do we believe these myths, anyway?” In this episode, Jennifer Courtney helps to dispel the myth that homeschool success rests on finding the right curriculum—and sticking with it. Tune in as these veteran educators discuss what curriculum can and cannot do for you, and stick around to hear Jennifer’s two “best myth buster weapons”!
Are you treating your homeschool journey like a sprint or a marathon? Many of us begin with the enthusiasm of sprinters, and discover that the sprint pace cannot be maintained for the life of our journey! Listen in this week as homeschool veteran Kelli Wilt shares her story and some true wisdom from down the road. You’ll learn to pause, reflect, reassess, recalibrate—and rejoice!
Are you ready, willing, and able to become the Lead Learner in your home? Maybe you are ready, but you’ve bought into a lie that says you’re not able. Maybe you’re willing, but you don’t know how to start. This week’s episode of the Everyday Educator Podcast features Lanelle Lowe, sharing the truth that God is out to redeem what’s been lost or broken in your educational experience! You’ll find encouragement to learn alongside your child, and practical skills that will equip you to unlock the door to confident lead learning.
Is your homeschool for training minds or training hearts? Why would we start with the heart when beginning the homeschool journey? This week, listen as guest Amy Jones and host Lisa Bailey share the conviction that education is for training the mind and heart, in order to think higher thoughts. Glean some practical ideas for cultivating a sweet spirit in your home, and for discerning some spiritual goals for your family.
One of the more profound lessons “from down the road” may well be that there is more to homeschooling than academic pursuits. Join veteran homeschool moms Shelly Stockton and Lisa Bailey as they discuss building character, spiritual habits, relational maturity, and practical life skills while living and learning at home with their girls. Discover how a classical education lived out in community (both home and CC) provides the environment for learning the biggest lessons of life.
Have you ever wished you could ask an “expert” a question about homeschooling? Well, we don’t know many who claim to be experts, but there are those who are farther along on the journey, veterans with wisdom to share. In this new series, host Lisa Bailey talks with some experienced parents who can offer ideas, tips, and encouragement. In this episode, Christy Bradley shares well-earned wisdom on keeping it simple as the way to peace and satisfaction with your homeschool journey. Listen as these friends talk about consistency, curriculum choices, Mission Statements, schedules, and priorities.
Heading into Challenge III or IV with lots of expectations, and maybe a few questions? Join Kathy Donegia and Lisa Bailey for this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, and re-think your assumptions while discovering the real pluses of classical Christian education lived out in community. Explore both the academic fruit as well as the unanticipated life lessons of shepherding your student through these last years of high school.
Challenge I and Challenge II: What are your expectations? Do you have assumptions about the studies, your students, and your role as the lead learner? On this week’s episode of the Everyday Educator, Sonya Lindsey and Lisa Bailey explore both the practicalities and the ideals of these challenge levels. Listeners will gain both insights and ideas, and discover the real blessings of homeschooling teens.
Families preparing for the early Challenge years often ponder the transitions they know are ahead with concern: How will my student manage the increased workload? Will my student accept responsibility for his work? Can we manage the faster pace of assignments? Will we adjust to our new roles as we change and grow? Listen in as Angela Oxford offers insights on the early Challenge years, sharing what is special about each Challenge, and how parents and students find their new roles together as they live and learn as a family.
Heading into Essentials for the second or third time? You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! Listen in as Sarah Pederson shares practical ideas for keeping it fresh from year to year, and for learning English grammar, writing, and math facts family-style. Essentials is meant to be repeated; join us for some encouragement on how to tackle it all again, with increasing ease and understanding.
Are you and your student preparing to join an Essentials community for the first time? Are you wondering what to expect, why it will take three years to learn everything, and where to get more help when you need it? Listen to this week’s Everyday Educator Podcast as guest Randa Clay talks first time Essentials families through the beauties of this program. Be sure to listen for the “surprise lesson” Randa shares at the end!
Excited, eager, curious, hopeful…the countdown to Foundations Cycle 1 has begun! Whether you’re brand new to Classical Conversations Foundations or a returning community member, guest Lindsey Winter will be a blessing to you. She’ll share what to expect this year, how to extend your enjoyment at home, and ways to find wonder that will last!
Getting ready to jump into Foundations? If you’re looking for answers, resources, encouragement, or new ideas, this episode of the Everyday Educator Podcast is for you. Guest Sarah Pederson offers insights on how to get started, what to expect, how to extend the learning at home, and which resources will bless your whole family.
As you prepare for the new academic year, questions about setting up a schoolroom, building a collection of resources, and finding that perfect schedule may be swirling in your mind. Listen in as veteran homeschoolers Jennifer Courtney and Lisa Bailey talk about what to gather, where to store it, and when to use it. You’ll gather ideas for cultivating good family habits and maintaining the consistency that will make learning together a blessing.
As you prepare for a new homeschool year, what questions are you asking yourself? On this week’s episode of the Everyday Educator Podcast you’ll find some answers—and some advice on which questions you might really need to answer! Listen in as Kelli Wilt and Lisa Bailey offer suggestions on how to make sure you get your mind right, not just your school supplies!
As July unfolds and we continue to celebrate summer, our minds inevitably begin to turn to preparing for the fall season of homeschooling. This week, our new series “Celebrating Summer, Prepping for Fall” begins with a throw-back podcast from 2018. Enjoy “Blueprints for the Best Education” as you set your minds toward the coming academic year and join us for this new series that will look at each CC program and how to prepare for family success.
Are you building a family legacy? Do you want to start?! Listen to this week’s Everyday Educator Podcast and hear how one family is making memories that will last as they attend “Cousins Camp”. Guest Chelly Barnard (the “Fun Aunt”) shares spot-on tips for enjoying low-tech high-fun good times with her youngest relatives at Cousin Camp. It will make you long for a summer camp experience at your house—and give you the practical details on how to pull it off!
Some people find history as dry as summer without rain…not this week’s podcast guest! Join Lisa Bailey as she talks to Kelli Wilt about celebrating summer by “playing with history” on this week’s Everyday Educator podcast. You’ll be encouraged to explore the history of your hometown, to find history at a family reunion, and to fuel the imaginations of your kids as they act out what they’re reading about with you. Gain some practical ideas that sound like so much fun you’ll want to play too!
Grab some new ideas for nature explorations on this episode of the Everyday Educator Podcast; join Amy Jones and Lisa Bailey for a rousing conversation about the blessings and benefits of exploring the outdoors with your family. Practical suggestions are offered for outside AND inside science study that will bring rest, peace, camaraderie, and fun to your summer!
Think studying Latin doesn’t sound much like a celebration of summer? Think again! Listen to these inviting suggestions for incorporating a little Latin learning into your summer celebrating and discover how to strengthen the skills that will make learning languages easier as your kids grow. Playing games, solving puzzles, dressing up, reading stories-even some Latin ideas to incorporate into vacation travel! Guest Denise Moore is a fountain of enthusiasm and good ideas!
You have what seem to be competing goals: extend and build on the math skills your kids acquired during the year AND have a restful, fun-filled summer break; is there a resolution? Of course! On this week’s Everyday Educator podcast, Kelli Wilt and Lisa Bailey brainstorm some easy ways to incorporate math skills into the fun you have with your family: building projects, cooking experiments, small business opportunities, and other “as you go” suggestions for creating memories as you play with numbers together.
Did you know that ants have cows? Really! I learned all about it from listening to Stephanie Meter talk about our new Copper Lodge Library selection Exploring Insects with Uncle Paul! If you want to discover more about this read-aloud resource, listen to this week’s Everyday Educator podcast; you’ll be reminded about using read alouds to start your morning off well, and how easy it is to explore creation when you pique the curiosity of your kids. Stephanie introduces both Uncle Paul and the new Kings of Rome volume, and helps us see why stories of all kinds fuel our imaginations, build family relationships and encourage wonder. Find new material for your morning baskets and prepare for Cycle 1 at the same time!
Are you looking for fun, creative ways to bring more reading into your summer? Or maybe you’re pondering ways to bring the words you read to life, to do something with what your family is reading? Listen in this week as guest Chelly Barnard offers up some awesome ideas for building activity into reading, and for building relationships as you read together this summer.
As you and your family ease into summer, keep in mind that these long days offer lots of opportunities to “play with intention” and enjoy family fun while preparing for lifelong learning. Listen in this week as Jennifer Courtney and Lisa Bailey reminisce about play that promotes important pre-reading skills, the fun and utility of phonics, and the possibility that summer is made for simple self-education for us parents.