Layers of Learning Podcast Layers of Learning

The Layers of Learning Podcast with Karen and Michelle is here to help you get your whole family learning together in your homeschool. We are the sisters behind Layers of Learning. We love getting together to chat about homeschooling and this podcast is just a series of our chats. We’re inviting you to listen in on our conversations.







We both have big families, but we teach almost all of our school subjects to everyone at once. We want to help you find the joy in that too, so we talk a lot about family homeschooling. To see all of our episodes, visit our Layers of Learning Podcast Page. Join us as we explore how to have a happy, hands-on, family-style homeschool.







Middle Grades in Homeschool















In this podcast episode, Karen and Michelle talk about teaching in the middle grades. Middle school is that in-between period where kids aren’t quite learning at a high school level but are beyond the simple, elementary school years. Listen in as we discuss what it looks like to homeschool in the in-between years and also some tips for helping kids prepare for high school. Beyond your kids using the middle grades to prepare for higher learning, you’ll also be preparing yourself, as the mentor, for higher learning. The middle grades are actually are favorite age to teach because most kids still have the enthusiasm for learning and fu projects, but also the maturity to be able to handle deep conversations and some independent work.







Here Are A Few Topics You’ll Hear About In This Podcast









* Benefits of teaching in the middle grades







* Building on the knowledge they have and making connections







* Continuing read-alouds







* Your main job is to scaffold middle grades kids in reading, writing, and thinking







* Fostering independence







* Teaching kids to use planners more independently.







* Middle school kids can begin to apply the six traits of writing and begin learning bigger spelling and vocabulary words







* Watching the news and discussing current events







* Learning to see the world through other peoples’ experiences







* Begin true experimentation and making predictions in science







* Discussing art and relating it to events and causes







* Layers of Learning and accreditation

Year-round homeschooling isn't for everyone. If you're like us and need a break in the summer, listen in for some tips on preventing summer slide.

Student journals are a perfect way to have your kids write about what they are learning in small doses with help from prompts, printables, and their mentor. Each day they add a tiny tidbit in their journal, and over the years, it adds up to an incredible memento of all they are learning about in your homeschool.

Advice on how to find and evaluate sources you learn from in your homeschool. This is especially important as your kids reach high school age and are learning to research.

Having strong, happy sibling relationships isn't automatic, but they are possible. Listen in on how Michelle and Karen have taught their kids to be aware of each other and learn to communicate with kindness.

The Layers of Learning Podcast with Karen and Michelle is here to help you get your whole family learning together in your homeschool. We are the sisters behind Layers of Learning. We love getting together to chat about homeschooling and this podcast is just a series of our chats. We’re inviting you to listen in on our conversations.







We both have big families, but we teach almost all of our school subjects to everyone at once. We want to help you find the joy in that too, so we talk a lot about family homeschooling. To see all of our episodes, visit our Layers of Learning Podcast Page. Join us as we explore how to have a happy, hands-on, family-style homeschool.







Teaching Independence















Teaching independence is hard because it’s something that happens over a long time in a lot of tiny ways. It’s hard to measure and it can’t be taught in a day. Michelle, in particular, LOVES fostering independence. Karen got to ask her all kinds of questions about how she has successfully fostered independence in her six boys as she has raised them.







Teaching independence can start much earlier than many parents think. From the time they are little, we need to equip kids to be prepared to live their own lives. Teaching them life skills so that they gain competance and are eqipped know how to do things not only instills independence but also confidence. Along the way, you have to let go of some of your expectations. It is much easier and faster to do things on your own (and the jobs are done better too!), but if you do everything for your kids, they will never learn to do those things on their own. In the end, if you take the time and put in the work to teach your kids skills, they will be able to accomplish things well on their own. Teach kids how to do something, then let them do it, and then don’t expect it to be perfect. Along the way, be consistent with your expectations and have clear consequences along with lots of positive praise. Independence yields maturity and responsibility.















Here Are A Few Topics You’ll Hear About In This Podcast









* Bit by bit, teach kids how to do each household chore and do it well – laundry, dishes, vacuuming, cooking – your household is the beginning of teaching independence.







* Always keep a kid by your side as you work; you are their life mentor and there is a lot they can learn by watching you and working with you. (You can see a bit more about this and other ways we keep a tidy home in this post!)







* Rotate chores among everyone in your family so they all know how to do all of the tasks well.







* Younger kids naturally have smaller consequences, so teaching your kids independence when they are young is helpful; the consequences aren’t huge or severe yet. The older kids get, the steeper the consequences.







* It’s hard to watch your kids suffer from consequences but those consequences will often be the catalyst for learning.







* Even as a homeschool parent, sometimes you should have due dates, grades, and firm expectations so kids learn to be accountable. Have expectations and follow through so kids learn to live up to their responsibilities.







* Don’t take away their consquences or emotional burdens.







* Establish set consequences and follow through on them.