Archive for the ‘Podcasts’ Category

[Podcast #258] Turning Around a Day Gone Wrong

Brave Writer Podcast

Ever have one of those days where the kids won’t stop bickering, everything seems difficult, and overall there’s just bad energy?

In today’s Brave Writer podcast episode, we give you tips and tricks on how to turn the mood around…or at least keep your own internal peace.

We give ideas that are focused on the body: movement and the five senses. We also give tips that are focused on the surroundings: making a small new setting in your home or even going out to new learning spaces.

Brave Writer Podcast

For a full list of the ideas we share in this episode, go to our website and download the PDF we have ready for you (it’s FREE)!

Show Notes

Bad Moments, Not Bad Days

Bad moments are just that: moments. Moments end. Just because a day is going poorly doesn’t mean that day can’t get better. And, of course, bad moments, or even bad days, don’t mean that you have to lose your inner peace. It’s okay to sometimes put the kids in front of the TV, find a small space all to yourself, and eat some chocolate.

Concrete Ways to Stop Bad Moments and Start Good Ones

There are lots of ways to stop the downward spiral of your homeschooling day and start an upward spiral instead. Many of these have to do with changing the current physical experience of your kids:

  • go for an observation walk,
  • light a scented candle,
  • blow and pop bubbles,
  • do texture-rich handicrafts. 

For a full list of energy-shifting tips and tricks, download our PDF.

And don’t forget: with the holiday season coming up, make sure to let doting grandparents and other family members know that zoo and museum passes are a great gift. Sometimes, when your house is a zoo, the best option is to go to one!

Resources

Connect with Julie

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Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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[Podcast #257] The Right to Play: An Interview with Eloise Rickman

Brave Writer Podcast

What does it mean to be adultist? Do children have a right to not brush their teeth… or the right not to have cavities? Eloise Rickman joins the show today to discuss her new book, It’s Not Fair, Why It’s Time for a Grown-Up Conversation About How Adults Treat Children.

Eloise Rickman
Eloise Rickman

We have a big juicy conversation about:

  • human development,
  • education,
  • societal structures,
  • lived experiences,
  • and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

If you’re looking for absolute answers, then this episode isn’t for you. But if you want to hear three homeschool moms discuss how they find the daily balance between guiding children and listening to them, you’re in the right place.

Show Notes

What is Adultism

Adultism is the concept that children across all areas of society tend to occupy a minoritized, discriminated against position. Adultism is a structural concept, not something that is happening in individual homes. Using the lens of adultism, we can critically examine things like educational policies that are harmful to children’s full development and current environment.

Being a Responsible Adult

What does it mean to be a responsible adult through the lens of adultism? Does it mean you should let your child eat only candy, never brush their teeth, and stay up all night? No, it means engaging with your child in a respectful manner, honoring their individuality and development stage. 

Eloise points to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a starting point for adults, and even kids, who are curious about this topic.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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Welcome Back Julie! Plus Lessons from Spain

Brave Writer Podcast

The sound of Moroccan Arabic, the smell of dried buffalo chips, the taste of sugary mint tea, the view of an open prairie—on today’s podcast we reflect on immersive learning experiences and how education becomes a part of a person for the rest of their life.

Julie is back from her trip to Europe, having spent a significant amount of her time in Spain. Always the homeschooler, she describes events on her journey that illuminated the true meaning of learning and teaching. We then discuss the joy that comes from being a lifelong learner alongside adult kids.

As the academic new year begins, fall back in love with education!

Show Notes

Adult Homeschooled Kids

The joy of homeschooling your kids, guiding them through self-empowering learning, doesn’t stop when they graduate. It continues throughout your adult relationships with them. As adults, they teach you new things and make you grow through new perspectives. You can continue to enjoy immersive learning experiences with them, no matter their age.

Immersive Learning on a Budget

Trips to Europe might be wonderful once your homeschooled kids are adults themselves, but often money is tight when they are little. Don’t worry, you can still give your young kids immersive experiences on a budget.

  • Take them to cultural festivals in your city,
  • teach them to soak in paintings at a museum,
  • and cook different cuisines.

It might be tempting to skip experiences like these for more formal coursework. But remember: immersive experiences are what makes learning really really “stick.”  

As the new academic calendar starts, we wish you all the joy and wonder that comes with learning alongside your kids.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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[Podcast #255] Brave Writers Thriving in College

Brave Writer Podcast

As homeschooling parents, one of our biggest concerns is ensuring our children are ready for college when the time comes (if they choose that path). Today, we’re joined by Elizabeth Christie, homeschooling mom of six, who tells us about how her Brave Writers are now excelling in college.

Tune in to hear how:

  • Elizabeth’s kids sailed through college application essays,
  • her daughter was recruited to be a well-paid student writing tutor,
  • and her son has excelled as a technical writer. 

If you’ve ever wondered about the power of read-aloud time or chunk writing, this is the episode for you.

Show Notes

The Writing Tutor

When Elizabeth’s oldest started university, she was almost immediately recruited by professors to be a writing mentor for other students. They noted how she had a writing voice and knew how to use it. She agreed to take the position and is now a well-paid student tutor.

The Technical Writer

Elizabeth’s second oldest is very interested in computers. That doesn’t stop him from using his Brave Writer skills, though. He’s an accomplished technical writer.

Both of Elizabeth’s kids sailed through their college application essays without breaking a sweat. She anticipates her younger four children will also be competent and confident when their turn comes. She credits Brave Writer read-aloud time, chunk writing, and the beloved book reveals.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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[Podcast #254] Book Parties!

Brave Writer Podcast Book Parties

“Structure” might be one of the most anxiety-provoking words for a homeschooling parent. If you feel like you’re always struggling to achieve structure in your household or if you don’t even know what level of structure is best for your kids, this podcast episode (was a previously-recorded webinar) is for you. Yes, structure and parties are one and the same in the Brave Writer world!

Let’s Party!

Parties are, in fact, highly structured events. And this episode is full of examples of how to use the party-structure lens in your homeschooling:

  • snacks,
  • candles,
  • games,
  • movement,
  • decorations,
  • music,
  • and more!

You’ll be surprised how much easier learning happens with this structure, even if you have to put up with a little more confetti on the floor.

Show Notes

Parties as Structure

Parties have indicators of beginning, middle, and end stages. They have the clear purposes of reducing stress, increasing interactions between people, and making memories– which happen to be the foundational pieces of deep learning. 

Examples of Using the Party Structure 

So, does this mean you have to host a chaotic neighborhood party every week with sugar-crashing kids and mass home destruction? No. The idea is to apply a party lens to your everyday homeschooling.

  • It can be as simple as allowing your kids to have a snack during their least favorite subject.
  • It can be decorating a corner of your house as a reading nook based on their favorite book.
  • Another Brave Writer favorite is Poetry Teatime, which can just be some Gatorade in a cheap pitcher.

Using a party lens to build your homeschooling structure might sound like additional work, but it actually introduces more ease and joy into your homeschooling. Plus, lowering your child’s resistance to learning activities and creating embodied, deep learning is a powerful way to increase their retention and critical thinking.

Resources

  • Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention.
  • Find “Becoming a Critical Thinker” in the Brave Writer Book Shop.
  • Check out all class descriptions here. 
  • Take a look at the Braver Writer fall class schedule. 
  • Sign up for Brave Writer 101. 
  • 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

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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