
Brave Learning: Why Reading Aloud Matters

Recently on Brave Learning…
Why Reading Aloud Matters [Public]
It’s the core of education.
Reading Together
I spent hours of my adult life nestled in the corner of the sectional, feet tucked under me, with a book in my hands. Sometimes a baby sucked on a bulging breast at the same time, and one of those babies didn’t like to listen to my voice resonating through my chest cavity. Some well-timed nips to the nipples drove home that message. Ouch!
Other times a toddler couldn’t be calmed or a middler would knock over the orange juice onto the carpet and the book would get flung back into the library basket. Reading time over! Waving the white flag.
But those were exceptions.
We made it a daily priority to read together for an hour. Read aloud time signaled the start to our homeschool day. It was the “coming together” of all of us of all the ages in all our stages, and it told us: “Yes, we homeschooled today.” [More]
P.S. I gave a FREE webinar about reading aloud (tears were shed!). Here’s the replay.
[Podcast #291] Big Excitement Over Booklists!

There’s something special about the way a great book can bring families together. At Brave Writer, we spend months curating our Dart, Arrow, and Boomerang book lists—not just for educational value, but for the joy and connection they foster.
Our guides are crafted to:
- turn read-alouds into vibrant conversations,
- gently teach language through real literature,
- and empower kids to see themselves as writers.
This podcast episode dives into the thought and care behind our book selection process, the flexibility of our literature guides, and the many ways families can make reading a shared adventure. Whether you’re a long-time Brave Writer or just curious about what we offer, you’ll come away inspired to make reading the highlight of your homeschool year.
Want to experience the magic for yourself? Tune in to the full episode for a behind-the-scenes look at how we pick our books and support your family’s reading journey.
Show Notes
There’s a unique kind of magic that happens when a family gathers to read together—whether it’s cozying up on the couch, passing a beloved book back and forth, or pressing play on an audiobook during a car ride. At Brave Writer, we believe that the heart of language arts isn’t found in dry workbooks or rigid rules, but in the living literature that sparks curiosity and conversation.
Each year, we pour our energy and enthusiasm into selecting the book lists for our Dart, Arrow, and Boomerang literature guides. This process is much more than curating a set of titles—it’s about crafting an experience. We imagine families laughing, pondering, and bonding over stories that matter, with guides that turn reading into a journey of delight and discovery.
Why our book selection process matters
Selecting books for our programs is an act of deep intention. We read widely, listen to recommendations, monitor new releases, and even ask our community for their wish lists. Our goal is to create a book list that isn’t just educational, but deeply engaging—one that introduces young readers to a diversity of voices, genres, and experiences. Each year’s list balances fantasy and realism, animal tales and human adventures, familiar authors and hidden gems.
We’re always thinking about the full picture: Can this story spark big conversations? Will it foster empathy? Does it offer a fresh perspective or language that lights up a child’s imagination? Above all, we look for books that are “read-aloudable”—stories meant to be shared, discussed, and cherished together.
From books to conversations—and beyond
Our guides use hand-picked passages to gently teach grammar, punctuation, literary devices, and writer’s craft—all in the context of vibrant stories. We don’t treat language as a set of rigid rules, but as a set of conventions that evolve over time and serve communication. We aim to demystify writing without taking away its magic. When kids discover what onomatopoeia or personification means, or swap nouns and verbs in a sentence, they step into the world of writers and begin to see themselves as authors of their own stories.
The best moments aren’t about ticking off grammar points—they’re the conversations that spill over from stories. Our “big juicy questions” are designed to invite connection: What would you do if you were this character? Has your perspective changed now that you’ve finished the book? These aren’t quizzes, but jumping-off points for real discussion—whether that’s at the breakfast table, while doing dishes, or during a long walk.
Literature guides that grow with your family
We know every family is unique, so our resources are flexible. Whether you’re dipping into a single literature guide, combining programs for multiple ages, or building a unit study around a favorite topic, you’ll find tools that meet you where you are. And yes—listening to audiobooks counts! However you engage with stories, you’re building language and connection.
At Brave Writer, we’re passionate about helping you build a reading life filled with joy, meaning, and shared adventure. The right book can change everything. Here’s to another year of turning pages, making memories, and growing together.
Resources
- Don’t miss the replays of our confetti-filled book reveals that kick off a year of reading, learning, and connection! Tune in here: bravewriter.com/landing/book-reveal
- Purchase Quills, Darts, Arrows, Boomerangs, and Slingshots in Brave Writer’s June sale
- Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing!
- Check out Julie’s new author website: juliebogartwriter.com
- Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters: Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic
- Try out our Brave Writer Practice Pages
- Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
- Read all Brave Writer class descriptions
- Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
- Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
- Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Connect with Julie
- Instagram: @juliebravewriter
- Threads: @juliebravewriter
- Bluesky: @bravewriter.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter
Connect with Melissa
- Website: melissawiley.com
- Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
- Instagram: @melissawileybooks
- Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social
Produced by NOVA
Get in the Party Spirit!

We’ve talked about the educational importance of parties. Essential.
But what if you’re nervous? Or what if you’re not quite ready to throw a big themed party?
Here are ways to dip your pinkie toe into the water.
- Begin with “Arghhh. Ahoy mateys! What’ll ya have for br-r-r-r-r-reakfast?”
- Continue by wearing a wig (or hat or tree branch).
- Put M&Ms in a bowl unattended for the whole day.
- Join the board (or video) game right when they ask. Yell, shriek, be competitive!
- Binge-watch the extended version of LOTR or all of the Bluey episodes or every season of Abbott Elementary.
Got it? These will warm you up!
Which one will you do first?
This post is originally from Instagram and @juliebravewriter is my account there so come follow along for more conversations like this one!
Brave Learning: Congratulations to the Class of 2025

Above image: Noah, after high school graduation, in Cinque Terre, Italy
Recently on Brave Learning…
Congratulations to the Class of 2025 [Public]
If you have a graduating student this year, my heartfelt congratulations! That is no small feat! In your honor, I offer your family this commencement address.
Noah, my oldest, said to me once when I tried to shoehorn him into my fear-based vision of what his future ought to be:
“Mom, you raised me in an unconventional way—now you want me to be a conventional person?”
Zinged by my own values! My own kid!
Homeschooling, whether you realize it yet or not, is the radical unconventional status-quo defying choice your parents made on your behalf when you were too young to know better. Instead of yellow school buses, apples for the teacher, and lunch boxes, you stayed home. [More]
Subscribe to Brave Learning on Substack where we chat, discuss, problem-solve, and create together. Here’s what you can expect: weekly themed content, freewriting prompts, and a podcast for kiddos called Monday Morning Meeting (first 6 are free)!
[Podcast #290] Beyond the Classroom: Embracing the Unique Journey of Homeschooling

Do you ever wonder what makes homeschooling truly different from traditional school?
In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore the real meaning of “home” in home education. We discuss the flexibility, comfort, and connection that only learning at home can offer, and why the heart of homeschooling isn’t about rigid schedules or perfect cooperation.
Instead, it’s about:
- nurturing curiosity,
- making learning relevant to your child’s world,
- and embracing big, juicy conversations that help both parent and child grow.
If you’re curious about how to make learning come alive in your home—or if you’re struggling with doubts about socialization, grade levels, or your own readiness—this episode offers fresh perspective and encouragement.
Join us as we reimagine what education can look like beyond the classroom. Tune in to hear more stories, insights, and practical advice for your unique homeschooling journey!
Show Notes
Do you ever catch yourself wondering if “homeschool” is just school at home with cozier furniture? Many families enter homeschooling imagining their children happily tackling math in a sunbeam or breezing through workbooks without complaint. The reality, of course, is far richer—and far less predictable.
Homeschooling isn’t about recreating the classroom at your kitchen table. At its best, it’s about crafting an environment where learning fits the rhythms and personalities of your family. It’s the freedom to pause a lesson because the toddler needs a snack, to take a spontaneous trip to the museum, or to scrap the schedule entirely when curiosity pulls you elsewhere. Unlike the rigid routines of traditional school, home is a place of flexibility and authenticity, where children—and parents—can truly be themselves.
Learning Through Connection and Comfort
Instead of bell schedules and standardized desks, we cultivate learning through conversation, comfort, and connection. A child sprawled on the couch with a clipboard, cat in lap, is just as engaged as the one sitting at the kitchen table. Learning flourishes when kids can move, snack, or cuddle while working—because home is built for the care of human beings, not just the completion of assignments.
From Fantasy to Real Engagement
But let’s be honest: our dream of self-motivated, always-eager learners often butts heads with reality. Real learning isn’t always tidy or cheerful. Sometimes, the most meaningful breakthroughs come from frustration, mistakes, and even tears. What matters is not the appearance of engagement, but whether a child cares. Engagement is born when learning feels relevant to their lives—not because we insist they’ll “need it someday,” but because it matters now.
Following Curiosity and Making Connections
One of our favorite ways to inspire genuine curiosity is to connect academic subjects to our children’s interests. Instead of imposing abstractions, we ask: How does math show up in their world? What history is embedded in their favorite hobbies? When kids care—about chess, video games, sewing, or poetry—they learn deeply and eagerly. Sometimes a simple “magic door” opens: a passion for lacrosse unlocks an interest in First Nations history, or a love for baking sparks entrepreneurial skills and math know-how.
Celebrating Learning and Relationship
Homeschooling is also about relationships—big juicy conversations, eye contact, and shared laughter. We value the cozy moments: poetry tea time, board games as math lessons, or spontaneous parties celebrating the Gold Rush or Middle Ages. It’s in these moments that learning comes alive and memories are made.
Trusting the Journey and Modeling Learning
This approach can feel energy-intensive, especially when facing fears about socialization, grade levels, or your own abilities. But the energy invested in authentic connection and curiosity pays back tenfold in joyful, meaningful learning. We remind ourselves: education at home is not about ticking off boxes or keeping up with the neighbor’s curriculum. It’s about nurturing eager learners—and modeling that eagerness ourselves.
When we embrace the unique journey of homeschooling, we free ourselves from rigid expectations. We become curriculum directors, janitors, cheerleaders, and, most importantly, fellow learners. Our role is not to dream on our children’s behalf, but to collaborate with their dreams, offering the courage and flexibility to help them find their own magic doors.
Resources
- Don’t miss the replays of our confetti-filled book reveals that kick off a year of reading, learning, and connection! Tune in here: bravewriter.com/landing/book-reveal
- Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing!
- Check out Julie’s new author website: juliebogartwriter.com
- Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters: Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic
- Try out our Brave Writer Practice Pages
- Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
- Read all Brave Writer class descriptions
- Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
- Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
- Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Connect with Julie
- Instagram: @juliebravewriter
- Threads: @juliebravewriter
- Bluesky: @bravewriter.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/bravewriter
Connect with Melissa
- Website: melissawiley.com
- Substack: melissawiley.substack.com
- Instagram: @melissawileybooks
- Bluesky: @melissawiley.bsky.social
Produced by NOVA