Our Homeschool History

Donna Reish
Our Homeschool History

Free podcast and videocast with downloadable Teacher's Notebook.

  1. 03/24/2023

    Bonus Replay: #1 Reason We Would Homeschool Today

    We used to get asked a lot WHY we homeschooled…like all the time….twenty years ago or more. Nowadays, reasons for homeschooling are as diverse as the number of people homeschooling. There are not just a handful of reasons any more—and many of the reasons (especially the fear-based ones) are not as prevalent as they were. (Not sure if this is all good….we need to fear some things for our kids.) After thirty-two years of homeschooling (and being done for two years now—well, done with our own kids, but not the 170 kids in our classes and part time programs!), we have narrowed it down to one big reason—with lots of sub reasons. Truly, TIME is the biggest reason that I would homeschool if I had it to do all over again—and is something I would like for you to at least consider in your decision to homeschool or not, go to school or stay home, continue on or end. Because TIME is big—and can never be redeemed. Blessings to you and your family on your journey! Enjoy every moment you have! P.S. Feel free to share this video. I don’t think it is something that people talk about a lot….but it was hugely impactful to our family! ___ I. Starting Out A. Chose homeschooling out of fear of all of the “bad” stuff 1. Bad peers 2. Bad curriculum (secular) 3. Bad environment B. “Pioneers” 1 . We were afraid of everything (unfortunately) 2. Very Bible-driven and character-focused (fortunately) II. Middle Years A. As older kids entered high school 1. Moving away from fear a little and more into reality (these kids need occupations!) 2. Focused in on academics while still keeping a character-basis and a relationship style of parenting B. Began writing curriculum and testing it with homeschooled kids III. Ending Years A. Relationships with adult kids and kids still in school 1. Realized more and more it was the time we have had together 2. Adult kids still needed the time B. Watched siblings as many as ten and twelve years apart develop close relationships IV. The NUMBER ONE Benefit of Homeschooling—Time A. Time cannot be duplicated, redeemed, or reallocated 1. Average American mom spends 13.5 hours a week with her child; average homeschooling mom spends 77 hours a week with her child 2. My own quick math a. 8 hours a day x 180 days b. Yields 1440 more hours per year that kids who are homeschooled are with their parents/siblings c. Probably between 1500 and 2000 per year with 9 hour days, bus rides, before and after school activities, etc. 3. Any way you slice it, it is too much time to try to “make up for” on weekends or holidays or summers. The sheer number of hours is staggering. a. At 1500 hours a year x 13 years b. Nearly 20,000 hours B. Time that kids are with parents 1. Who is going to shape your child during those 20,000 hours? 2. Do we want it to be teachers and peers or us? C. Time to lean in to their strengths and weaknesses 1. Academically 2. Becoming who they will become 3. Emotional support D. Time with siblings 1. Who are your best friends here? 2. Who matters more than anyone else here? E. Time equals influence 1. “You will become the five people you spend your time with” 2. Kids change according to who they are with and what expectations and allowances are made 3. Time influence is the time of the people who ARE influencing your kids (you) and time that peers are NOT influencing your kids. F. The thing we put our time into is what grows 1. Do we want the home to be the center of your child’s world or the school? 2. If our kids go to school, we SHOULD put the effort and time into that school due to the number of hours are kids spend there (don’t send them then complain about everything!) 3. Make your home the center of your family, not the school V. Summary A. Do I think all is lost if kids go to school? 1. No! 2. But it takes supernatural effort and work B. Co-ops, half day programs, Friday School, private tutors, even babysitters overseeing some work can all make it happen more easily 1. Ho

    24 min
  2. 03/16/2023

    #11: Introducing Year 2 of Homeschooling (1984)

    Done Homeschooling Younger Sister Lisa went to and thrived in 9th grade—our year had been a success Joshua (2nd bday) and I spent our days learning, helping others, and learning how to manage a busy home (lots of people in and out!) Wrote preschool curriculum for Joshua   Helping Others With Homeschooling Most local Indiana families were in Christian schools or had moved Had half dozen families (most in Ohio or out of our county) umbrella teacher (advantages & disadvantages) Continued presentations whenever asked   Our Days Structure Play dates Organizing Working in church children’s ministry Field trips, park days etc First (of 6!) Levi Coffin field trips! Did you get one of my writing frameworks freebies yet? A week of writing projects with my video teaching! (Visit: https://languageartsladyblog.com ______ Look me up for more information and links to my resources:    Language Arts Lady Blog: https://languageartsladyblog.com/ Language Arts Lady Store: https://languageartsladystore.com/ Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Language-Arts-Lady-With-Donna-Reish How I Teach YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC20OP_HNTUm8eBMNgMh06sQ Our Homeschool History YouTube Channel: https://www.youtue.com/watch?v=IUKW-AXDovY&list=PLjS7lbVmIJpx-3kxpeE8ianP4Ux1BX5iE Our Homeschool History Episodes: https://languageartsladyblog.com/ourhomeschoolhistory How I Teach Episodes: https://languageartsladyblog.com/howiteach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelanguageartslady/ Monday Mini Mail (Archived Articles): https://languageartsladyblog.com/monday-mini-mail/  10Minute Grammar Podcast: https://languageartsladyblog.com/10-minute-grammar/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/characterinkhs/_created/ Facebook/Language Arts Lady: https://www.facebook.com/charactertrainingfromtheheart Punctuation Puzzles: https://languageartsladyblog.com/articles/punctuation-puzzles/  2022-2023 Classes and Tutoring: https://characterinkblog.com/classesandtutoring/ All LAL Freebies: https://languageartsladyblog.com/freebies/ How I Teach iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-teach/id1552986393

    13 min
  3. 03/09/2023

    #10: First Homeschool Year in Review

    Episode 10! Ready to wrap up our first year of homeschooling with the good and the bad!   Good Learned to systematize Implemented dailies Learned so much about teaching and homeschooling Lisa was ready to go back to school in the fall—especially socially Glimmer of hope for the self-less marriage we desired Bad It was hard work Had the beginning of “homeschool pride”—not the good kind! _____________________ Look me up for more information and links to my resources:    Language Arts Lady Blog: https://languageartsladyblog.com/ Language Arts Lady Store: https://languageartsladystore.com/ Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Language-Arts-Lady-With-Donna-Reish How I Teach YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC20OP_HNTUm8eBMNgMh06sQ Our Homeschool History YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUKW-AXDovY&list=PLjS7lbVmIJpx-3kxpeE8ianP4Ux1BX5iE Our Homeschool History Episodes: https://languageartsladyblog.com/ourhomeschoolhistory How I Teach Episodes: https://languageartsladyblog.com/howiteach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelanguageartslady/ Monday Mini Mail (Archived Articles): https://languageartsladyblog.com/monday-mini-mail/  10Minute Grammar Podcast: https://languageartsladyblog.com/10-minute-grammar/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/characterinkhs/_created/ Facebook/Language Arts Lady: https://www.facebook.com/charactertrainingfromtheheart Punctuation Puzzles: https://languageartsladyblog.com/articles/punctuation-puzzles/  2022-2023 Classes and Tutoring: https://characterinkblog.com/classesandtutoring/ All LAL Freebies: https://languageartsladyblog.com/freebies/ How I Teach iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-teach/id1552986393

    15 min
  4. 03/02/2023

    #9: Week in the Life...1983 (Part II of II)

    Week in the life of….1983..our first year of homeschooling. Part II of II 1. Social Anxiety 2. Fear of people, running into store, bullied at school, low self esteem, anxiety 3. Played clarinet in little church band 4. Helped with small group—and blossomed in this environment 5. Great success socially helping with nursing home services and visitation 6. Exercise at Y; art classes 7.. 2. Indiana law 180 days of equivalent instruction 8. Counted school days (she seldom missed) 9. Counted field trips 10. 3. End of year academic results—tested by her school again 11. Math—from 2nd grade level to 4th grade level 12. Reading—from 2nd grade level to 6th grade level (even though her capacity wasn’t supposed to go that high!) ________ Look me up for more information and links to my resources: Language Arts Lady Blog: https://languageartsladyblog.com/ Language Arts Lady Store: https://languageartsladystore.com/ Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Language-Arts-Lady-With-Donna-Reish How I Teach YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC20OP_HNTUm8eBMNgMh06sQ Our Homeschool History YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUKW-AXDovY&list=PLjS7lbVmIJpx-3kxpeE8ianP4Ux1BX5iE Our Homeschool History Episodes: https://languageartsladyblog.com/ourhomeschoolhistory How I Teach Episodes: https://languageartsladyblog.com/howiteach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelanguageartslady/ Monday Mini Mail (Archived Articles): https://languageartsladyblog.com/monday-mini-mail/ 10Minute Grammar Podcast: https://languageartsladyblog.com/10-minute-grammar/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/characterinkhs/_created/ Facebook/Language Arts Lady: https://www.facebook.com/charactertrainingfromtheheart Punctuation Puzzles: https://languageartsladyblog.com/articles/punctuation-puzzles/ 2022-2023 Classes and Tutoring: https://characterinkblog.com/classesandtutoring/ All LAL Freebies: https://languageartsladyblog.com/freebies/ How I Teach iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-teach/id1552986393

    14 min
  5. 02/23/2023

    #8: Week in the life of….1983 (Part I of II)

    Week in the life of….1983..our first year of homeschooling.   Typical morning Lisa dropped off 7:00 on my mom’s way to work Independent list until I was ready Joshua 12-18 months old…get up, rock, sing, read posters on his wall Once Joshua was ready for day/fed, I checked Lisa’s work so far and taught her reading and math She had joined little church band, so she had several independent activities on her list: Cleaning job, practice clarinet, silent reading, math drill, read to Joshua, misc assigned from our reading and math lessons, biography reading, geography workbook…   2. Typical afternoon I read history and science with her We also baked, cooked, organized, and played with Joshua throughout the day Most days were similar Saved some intense lessons for when Joshua napped She was picked up at 3:30 when Mom got off work unless it was art class or Y night or mid-week service Look me up for more information and links to my resources:  Language Arts Lady Blog: https://languageartsladyblog.com/ Language Arts Lady Store: https://languageartsladystore.com/ Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Language-Arts-Lady-With-Donna-Reish How I Teach YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC20OP_HNTUm8eBMNgMh06sQ Our Homeschool History YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUKW-AXDovY&list=PLjS7lbVmIJpx-3kxpeE8ianP4Ux1BX5iE Our Homeschool History Episodes: https://languageartsladyblog.com/ourhomeschoolhistory How I Teach Episodes: https://languageartsladyblog.com/howiteach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelanguageartslady/ Monday Mini Mail (Archived Articles): https://languageartsladyblog.com/monday-mini-mail/  10Minute Grammar Podcast: https://languageartsladyblog.com/10-minute-grammar/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/characterinkhs/_created/ Facebook/Language Arts Lady: https://www.facebook.com/charactertrainingfromtheheart Punctuation Puzzles: https://languageartsladyblog.com/articles/punctuation-puzzles/  2022-2023 Classes and Tutoring: https://characterinkblog.com/classesandtutoring/ All LAL Freebies: https://languageartsladyblog.com/freebies/ How I Teach iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-teach/id1552986393

    15 min
  6. 02/09/2023

    #7: When we knew we wanted a character-based homeschool

    (1.) Within a few months of homeschooling Lisa, we went to a character training seminar held at a local church/Christian school This was taught by Ron and Rebekah Coriele almost forty years ago.  Mrs. Coriel told a story about the oldest daughter who told her friend she couldn’t be dishonest because…” my mom won’t see, but God will” We knew that his character-filled lifestyle was what we wanted for our family.  (2) We began immediately.  Nursing home ministry  Explaining everything  Character teaching  Scheduling  Deference  Diligence Following instructions  (3) Our approach did have some downfalls that would later take us years to figure out and fix.  Everything was black and white (which is good in parenting but not a great world view when trying to teach empathy etc ). We were choosy in who we should serve—and gave a negative impression to our kids about people who didn’t agree with us. ___________________________ Look me up for more information and links to my resources:    Language Arts Lady Blog: https://languageartsladyblog.com/ Language Arts Lady Store: https://languageartsladystore.com/ Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Language-Arts-Lady-With-Donna-Reish How I Teach YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC20OP_HNTUm8eBMNgMh06sQ Our Homeschool History YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUKW-AXDovY&list=PLjS7lbVmIJpx-3kxpeE8ianP4Ux1BX5iE Our Homeschool History Episodes: https://languageartsladyblog.com/ourhomeschoolhistory How I Teach Episodes: https://languageartsladyblog.com/howiteach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelanguageartslady/ Monday Mini Mail (Archived Articles): https://languageartsladyblog.com/monday-mini-mail/  10Minute Grammar Podcast: https://languageartsladyblog.com/10-minute-grammar/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/characterinkhs/_created/ Facebook/Language Arts Lady: https://www.facebook.com/charactertrainingfromtheheart Punctuation Puzzles: https://languageartsladyblog.com/articles/punctuation-puzzles/  2022-2023 Classes and Tutoring: https://characterinkblog.com/classesandtutoring/ All LAL Freebies: https://languageartsladyblog.com/freebies/ How I Teach iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-teach/id1552986393

    14 min
  7. 02/02/2023

    #6: What have dailies looked like over the past 40 years?

    (1) My history of discovering Dailies.    (2) If I can’t keep up with the dailies, how will I do harder and harder things with homeschooling and home management as our family grows?   (3) Early on with Joshua as a toddler—Dishes, Laundry, and Trash every day before anything else.    (3) Dailies grew as our family grew.  Morning routines for kids for personal dailies House Dailies—everybody’s daily chores  My personal Dailies  Evening Dailies   (4) Peak of our homeschooling with several students  Dailies—dishes, laundry, trash woven into daily chore sessions  Youngest child who could do the job did it!    (5) Today—two empty nesters with 100+ students coming in and out every day and 24 family members (10 little ones!) in and out We both have our Dailies for the house  I have my personal Dailies in the morning and evening  Still living the “Dailies” life!    Check out my downloadable, undated “Prioritizing Planner”—where you’ll learn how to prioritize each day—after your dailies, of course!  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Prioritizing-Planner-2315748   Subscribe to Language Arts Lady at the blog, YouTube, and I-Tunes so you don’t miss an episode of “Our Homeschool History” and “10 Minute Grammar”! https://languageartsladyblog.com   Grab my freebie for the first two weeks of February—Keep Close Coupons. Perfect for ❤️ Day! https://languageartsladyblog.com/freebies                  EMAIL    Subject line: What do Dailies look like? (Our Homeschool History 6)     Happy February,     !   This week’s episode of “Our Homeschool History” is more about those “Dailies”—specifically what Dailies looked like for us over the past forty years!   1) My history of discovering Dailies.    (2) If I can’t keep up with the dailies, how will I do harder and harder things with homeschooling and home management as our family grows?   (3) Early on with Joshua as a toddler—Dishes, Laundry, and Trash every day before anything else.    (3) Dailies grew as our family grew.  Morning routines for kids for personal dailies House Dailies—everybody’s daily chores  My personal Dailies  Evening Dailies   (4) Peak of our homeschooling with several students  Dailies—dishes, laundry, trash woven into daily chore sessions  Youngest child who could do the job did it!    (5) Today—two empty nesters with 100+ students coming in and out every day and 24 family members (10 little ones!) in and out We both have our Dailies for the house  I have my personal Dailies in the morning and evening  Still living the “Dailies” life!       I want so many great things for you and your students!   Love and hope  Donna  aka language arts lady  LAL—one-stop writing source for ages 8 to 18!     P.S. Check out my downloadable, undated “Prioritizing Planner”—where you’ll learn how to prioritize each day—after your dailies, of course!    P.S.S. Grab my freebie for the first two weeks of February—Keep Close Coupons. Perfect for ❤️ Day! __________________ Look me up for more information and links to my resources:      Language Arts Lady Blog: https://languageartsladyblog.com/   Language Arts Lady Store: https://languageartsladystore.com/   Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Language-Arts-Lady-With-Donna-Reish   How I Teach YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC20OP_HNTUm8eBMNgMh06sQ   Our Homeschool History YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUKW-AXDovY&list=PLjS7lbVmIJpx-3kxpeE8ianP4Ux1BX5iE   Our Homeschool History Episodes: https://languageartsladyblog.com/ourhomeschoolhistory   How I Teach Episodes: https://languageartsladyblog.com/howiteach/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelanguageartslady/   Monday Mini Mail (Archived Articles): https://languageartsladyblog.com/monday-mini-mail/    10Minute Grammar Podcast: https://languageartsladyblo

    15 min
  8. 01/26/2023

    #5: My organization Insanity comes to a head—and I start learning about Dailies

    Come along with me on my journey to share Our Homeschool History. Here are some of the things I share in this episode: 1) Always a big thinker/doer—huge responsibilities when 12; taking on big projects on student council; projects in teachers college were my delight (as long as they didn’t take art skills or laminating!); homemaker—endless projects!  2) First year of homeschooling eighth-grade sister; Joshua was one 3) Ray came home and took him by hand to show him projects (laminated shelf labels that I had colored out of coloring books, animals divided by jungle, farm, aquatic, etc, closets, and drawer, etc) 4) Elaborate systems—laminated and contact paper boxes, put stickers on the baby wipe containers people gave me, so much detail that neither I nor anyone else could keep it up. 5) Dishes, laundry, undressed toddler, etc all undone —Ray always rescued me as he affectionately called me a “closet lady”! 6) Read sidetracked home executive—divided into dailies, weeklies, etc 7) Learned about the dailies!!! These would come to make a significant impact on our homeschool and my mental health (!) in years to come 8) Dailies—the things you do habitually each day—before other “extra” things Check out my downloadable, undated “Prioritizing Planner”—where you’ll learn how to prioritize each day—after your dailies, of course! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Prioritizing-Planner-2315748 Subscribe to Language Arts Lady at the blog, YouTube, and I-Tunes so you don’t miss an episode of “Our Homeschool History” and “10 Minute Grammar”! https://languageartsladyblog.com/ I have so much to share with you about our thirty-two years of homeschooling! I want so many great things for you and your students! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Look me up for more information and links to my resources: Language Arts Lady Blog: https://languageartsladyblog.com/ Language Arts Lady Store: https://languageartsladystore.com/ Teachers Pay Teachers Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Language-Arts-Lady-With-Donna-Reish How I Teach YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC20OP_HNTUm8eBMNgMh06sQ Our Homeschool History YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUKW-AXDovY&list=PLjS7lbVmIJpx-3kxpeE8ianP4Ux1BX5iE Our Homeschool History Episodes: https://languageartsladyblog.com/ourhomeschoolhistory How I Teach Episodes: https://languageartsladyblog.com/howiteach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelanguageartslady/ Monday Mini Mail (Archived Articles): https://languageartsladyblog.com/monday-mini-mail/ 10Minute Grammar Podcast: https://languageartsladyblog.com/10-minute-grammar/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/characterinkhs/_created/ Facebook/Language Arts Lady: https://www.facebook.com/charactertrainingfromtheheart Punctuation Puzzles: https://languageartsladyblog.com/articles/punctuation-puzzles/ 2022-2023 Classes and Tutoring: https://characterinkblog.com/classesandtutoring/ All LAL Freebies: https://languageartsladyblog.com/freebies/ How I Teach iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-teach/id1552986393

    11 min

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