Everyday Educator

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 homeschoolin...

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, sharin...

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 le...

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 consi...

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 eac...

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...

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 readi...

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 v...

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, sm...

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 explor...

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-e...

Are you looking for a new way to "celebrate summer" as a family?  Have you ever considered…camping?  Listen in as Heatherly Sylvia shares her family's love of camping, and gives us all some ideas of how traveling around as a family builds bonds that last.  Even if you can't get out and go this summer, Heatherly will bless you with some ideas that will generate excitement and draw your family toget...

Summer gives us time to enjoy family traditions as well as embrace summer surprises!  If you are looking for ways to make every day a celebration, tune in to this episode of the Everyday Educator and grab one some suggestions from Amy Jones.  Amy shares practical ways to pray, play, read, explore, and serve with your family, building a family culture that will make this summer truly special.

Summer is almost here, and your family is likely ready to celebrate!  On this edition of the Everyday Educator Podcast, Delise Germond and Chelly Barnard regale our host with ideas that draw families together, celebrate simple pleasures, and build lasting memories.  Listen in for some new ideas that will make doing life together feel fresh and celebratory this summer.

Looking for a way to "celebrate summer" with your family this year?  Become Explorers!  On this episode of the Everyday Educator Podcast,  Jeremiah Wentz and Delise Germond introduce us to CC's Explorers Camp, and help us see how exploring is really about learning to love the world around you as you find your place in it.  You'll hear about what to expect, how to prepare, where to register, and wh...

In this episode, Daniel Shirley, homeschool graduate and Challenge IV tutor, talks with long-time homeschooling moms and CC leaders: Amanda Butler, Academic Director, and Heather Shirley, Academic Officer, about new training opportunities for licensed directors and tutors. If you liked what you heard about how CC trains homeschooling parents, consider becoming a CC tutor. Visit  classicalconversat...

Everybody loves a good story, and we have a new collection to tell you about.  Join the Everyday Educator podcast this week as Jennifer Courtney tells us why these "ancient stories" are so timely for your family!  You'll also discover some ways to use these wonderful read alouds to start great conversations, and maybe encourage a budding storyteller in your midst.

As you approach graduation with your student—or imagine what it will be like in the "sweet by and by"—are you filled with gratitude, excitement, or trepidation?  This Everyday Educator podcast will remind you of the causes for celebration in this milestone, and perhaps reframe your thinking as you look toward a new beginning with your child!  Join Brittany Lewis and Lisa Bailey as they celebrate t...

Why should we pay attention to art education with our children, or be intentional about reclaiming our own educations in the arts?  What does art have to do with Truth?  Does art make us more human?  If these questions intrigue you, or if you just want to know what the Five Canons of Rhetoric have to do with fine arts, this latest Everyday Educator podcast is for you!  Join Chelly Barnard and Lisa...