The Brave & Balanced Homeschool with Mary Berghammer

Mary Berghammer
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The Brave and Balanced Homeschool with Mary Berghammer Equipping homeschool moms with practical tools, homeschool curriculum reviews, and biblical encouragement.  The Brave and Balanced Homeschool is the go-to podcast for Christian homeschool moms who want practical guidance, biblical encouragement, and simple strategies for creating a peaceful, purposeful homeschool. Each episode equips you with actionable homeschool tips, curriculum insights, honest homeschool curriculum reviews, organization ideas, and faith-building encouragement so you can homeschool with confidence and lead your home with clarity. Whether you're choosing the right homeschool curriculum, planning your school year, navigating challenges, or seeking a more Christ-centered approach to learning, you’ll find the support and direction you need here. With over two decades of homeschooling experience, I share real-life wisdom, proven systems, and Scripture-based inspiration to help you stay organized, balanced, and rooted in God’s Word. For even more homeschool help, free resources, and practical tools, visit WhatAboutHomeschooling.com, where you’ll find guides, printables, and encouragement to strengthen your homeschool journey. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter while you are there! If you’re ready to simplify your homeschool, strengthen your faith, and build a joyful, confident, Christ-focused learning environment—this podcast will walk with you, one brave step at a time.

  1. 5d ago

    46-Need Help Grading Homeschool Assignments? My Best Tips for Homeschool Moms

    Go here to see sample grade scales and access the online homeschool grading calculator www.whatabouthomeschooling.com/gradinghomeschool   Not sure how to grade homeschool assignments or wondering if you’re doing it the “right” way? Homeschool grading doesn’t have to be complicated, and you may have more flexibility than you realize. In this episode of The Brave & Balanced Homeschool, I’m sharing my best homeschool grading tips from more than 20 years of homeschooling my own children. We’ll talk about how grading can look different during the elementary, middle school, and high school years and how to use grades as a tool to help your child learn rather than simply as a number on a piece of paper. I’ll explain different homeschool grading scales, how to calculate assignment grades, when it may be appropriate to let your child redo an assignment or test, and why your child may not need to complete every problem on an assignment. We’ll also talk about grading online homeschool curriculum, calculating high school course grades, using weighted grades, and keeping good homeschool records for the future. Most importantly, I want to encourage you to remember that the goal of homeschooling isn’t simply to finish assignments or earn a certain grade. The goal is for your child to actually learn and understand the material. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How to grade homeschool assignments in elementary, middle, and high school • Why grades should help identify areas that need more practice • When to allow your child to correct or redo an assignment • How to calculate homeschool high school grades • The difference between simple averages and weighted grades • Why your child may not need to complete every problem • How to handle grades from online homeschool programs • Why keeping paper copies of homeschool grades and records is important PLUS, I’ve created a FREE Homeschool Grading Calculator to make grading even easier! Use it to quickly calculate your child’s assignment grades and take some of the guesswork out of homeschool grading. Visit https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/gradinghomeschool/ to read the full blog post and try the free Homeschool Grading Calculator. If you’re a new homeschool mom who feels unsure about grading, record keeping, or knowing whether your child is doing enough, this episode will help you approach homeschool grades with more confidence and flexibility.

  2. Aug 2

    45- Homeschool Lessons: Why I Still Believe Books and People are The Best Teachers

    Click  here for the video mentioned in this episode  whatabouthomeschooling.com/homeschoollessons   Are children learning better on computers, or do books and handwritten work still matter? In this episode of The Brave and Balanced Homeschool Podcast, we're taking a thoughtful look at how today's technology is changing the way our children learn. From digital curriculum and online lessons to physical books and handwriting practice, we'll explore the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and discuss why balance is so important. We'll also talk about: The benefits of learning from books versus screens Screen time and its impact on learning Helping children retain information Building strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills Finding a healthy balance with technology in your homeschool Technology can be a wonderful tool, but it shouldn't replace the rich learning experiences that come from reading books, writing by hand, and learning alongside real people. As homeschool parents, we have the freedom to choose the methods that best help our children grow academically, emotionally, and spiritually. If you've been wondering how much technology to use in your homeschool—or whether traditional learning methods still matter—this episode will encourage you to think intentionally about creating a balanced learning environment. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another homeschool mom who could use some encouragement.

  3. Jul 14

    44-Mystery of History: Homeschool History Curriculum Review

    https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/the-mystery-of-history/ In episode 44 of Brave and Balanced Homeschool, the host reviews Mystery of History (Volume 1), explaining how the curriculum weaves biblical events together with ancient world history and why that perspective helps students see the Bible in historical context. The episode covers the curriculum’s format and updates — student readers, the downloadable companion guide, weekly lessons, activities for different ages, memory cards, a unique “wall of fame” timeline, and assessments — and recommends it for multi-grade, classical-minded homeschool families.

  4. Jun 28

    43-Homeschooling During the Summer

    For all the links go here: https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/summer-homeschooling/ Episode 43: Should You Homeschool Over the Summer? If you're wrapping up your school year and wondering whether to keep going or take the summer off — this episode is for you. The honest answer? Do what works for your family. But I'm sharing what we actually did in our homeschool over the summers, why I always kept at least some math and reading going, and how it helped my kids stay ahead without burning anyone out. I'm also talking about why routine matters even when school is on pause, what to do when your kids hit you with the dreaded "I'm bored," and how lapbooks can make summer learning feel more like a fun project than schoolwork. Whether you're a year-round homeschooler, a traditional September-through-May family, or somewhere in between, there's something here for you. In this episode: Summer homeschooling ideas that don't overwhelm mom Why I never skipped math completely — and how it paid off Keeping kids in a routine during summer break Unit studies and lapbooks for summer learning Encouragement to do what's right for your family

  5. Apr 26

    42-Best Homeschool Planner

    Check out The Brave & Balanced Homeschool Planner Here! Check out all the planner links HERE   Looking for the best homeschool planner? In this episode of The Brave and Balanced Homeschool, we’re talking all about homeschool planning, homeschool organization, and how to choose the right planner for your family. Whether you prefer a paper homeschool planner, spiral homeschool planner, online homeschool planner, or free printable homeschool planner, this episode will help you sort through the options with confidence. I share my honest experience after 22 years of homeschooling, using everything from printable planners and assignment notebooks to digital homeschool planners like Homeschool Planet. We also discuss how to plan for multiple children, track attendance, record grades, organize curriculum, and create a homeschool schedule that works in real life. You’ll also hear about my own Brave and Balanced Homeschool Planner—a simple, peaceful planner created for homeschool moms managing busy days without overwhelm. If you need homeschool planner ideas, homeschool scheduling tips, or encouragement for your homeschool journey, this episode is for you.

  6. Mar 7

    41- How to Teach Your Child to Read When Homeschooling (Phonics vs Sight Reading)

    To see all the links to the curriculum mentioned in this episode click HERE Teaching reading is one of the most important parts of homeschooling. In this episode of The Brave & Balanced Homeschool Podcast, I share the most successful way to teach your child to read at home based on my experience homeschooling four children — including one with moderate dyslexia. We talk about why phonics is the best foundation for learning to read, why sight reading can cause problems for struggling learners, and how repetition helps children build strong reading skills. I also share practical examples to help you confidently begin teaching reading in your homeschool. If you are a homeschool parent wondering how to teach your child to read, what reading curriculum works best, or how to support a child who struggles with reading, this episode will give you encouragement and practical direction. You’ll also hear my recommendations for strong phonics-based homeschool reading programs that can help your child become a confident and independent reader. Homeschooling becomes much easier once your child learns to read well, and in this episode I’ll walk you through the approach that worked in our homeschool.

  7. Jan 28

    Homeschool Curriculum: Why the Bible Really is the Most Important Book

    Go here for the free resources mentioned in this episode https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/free-homeschool-resources/   As homeschool moms, we spend so much time researching homeschool curriculum trying to find that perfect one for our children. Unfortunately, there isn't a perfect homeschool curriculum, but there is a perfect book that you should be using not just in your homeschool but in your every day life. That book is the bible.  In this episode, you will learn why the bible really is the most important book in your homeschool and in your life. Imagine giving your children the best homeschool education, but not giving them the best foundation to build the rest of their lives upon?

  8. 10/13/2025

    39-Bringing Homeschool History to Life--How to Use Timelines in Your Homeschool

    Be sure to visit my website and get the free newsletter www.whatabouthomeschooling.com Sonlight timeline book. Sonlight timeline figures Homeschool In the Woods Timeline figures  In this episode of The Brave and Balanced Homeschool, we’re diving into one of my favorite subjects and one of my facorite history tools — the timeline! Discover how using a timeline book or a “Table of Centuries” can make history come alive for your children and help them understand the flow of time and God’s story throughout history. I’ll share how I used timeline books from Sonlight and Homeschool in the Woods, plus how you can easily create your own budget-friendly version with just a notebook or binder. Whether you follow a Charlotte Mason approach or a more traditional homeschool method, a timeline will help your kids connect people, events, and centuries in a visual, lasting way. If you want your children to see how their own lives fit into the bigger picture of history — and enjoy learning it along the way — this episode is for you!

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The Brave and Balanced Homeschool with Mary Berghammer Equipping homeschool moms with practical tools, homeschool curriculum reviews, and biblical encouragement.  The Brave and Balanced Homeschool is the go-to podcast for Christian homeschool moms who want practical guidance, biblical encouragement, and simple strategies for creating a peaceful, purposeful homeschool. Each episode equips you with actionable homeschool tips, curriculum insights, honest homeschool curriculum reviews, organization ideas, and faith-building encouragement so you can homeschool with confidence and lead your home with clarity. Whether you're choosing the right homeschool curriculum, planning your school year, navigating challenges, or seeking a more Christ-centered approach to learning, you’ll find the support and direction you need here. With over two decades of homeschooling experience, I share real-life wisdom, proven systems, and Scripture-based inspiration to help you stay organized, balanced, and rooted in God’s Word. For even more homeschool help, free resources, and practical tools, visit WhatAboutHomeschooling.com, where you’ll find guides, printables, and encouragement to strengthen your homeschool journey. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter while you are there! If you’re ready to simplify your homeschool, strengthen your faith, and build a joyful, confident, Christ-focused learning environment—this podcast will walk with you, one brave step at a time.

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