Coffee With Carrie: Homeschool Podcast

Let's talk about that messy handwriting!  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with the inventor and founder of Legiliners, Polly Benson.  Carrie and Polly share stories of handwriting successes (and failures) as they answer many of your questions:  When should handwriting lessons begin?   Should cursive or manuscript be taught?  If both, which one should students start with?  What are some manifestations of handwriting i...

This week's episode is a a gallimaufry of ideas, impressions, and views all related to home education.  There's really no rhyme or reason to the topics being discussed.  If you are new to CWC Homeschool Podcast or if you need some fresh, new insights, you will find this episode very helpful.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie for a little coffee and conversation about a mix mash of homeschoo...

The words we speak matter.  Our words profoundly shape our children’s development, confidence, and spiritual formation.  There are words we say to our kids that we shouldn’t and there are words we don’t say that we should.  Knowing this is a lot of pressure.  In this week's episode, Carrie sits down with Amy Hughes, the author of the new book, Words Like Honey. Carrie and Amy share how to avoid  speech that creates unintention...

Change your mindset about when, where, and how learning takes place.  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Heidi Christianson about creating learning zones (and you will be surprised at the ten she shares).  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up and join Carrie and Heidi for a little coffee and conversation about when and how learning happens.

Purchase Heidi's new book, The Learning Zone: Connecting Your Stu...

Actually, you don't even need a basket to start a morning time routine and to use this family-style approach to learning.  It doesn't even have to happen in the morning time!  In this week's episode, Carrie answers the most FAQ about starting a morning time basket and about how to simplify your already existent morning time routine.  Whether you are new to this idea of Morning Basket or you have been using Morning Ti...

Have you seen Carrie's "Cook & Chat" reels on TikTok and Instagram?  If so,  you know how much Carrie loves to cook.  Do you have a child who loves to cook or bake?  One of the best ways to learn about cultures and countries around the world is through cooking.  Through the culinary arts, students learn geography, history, and math. The kitchen becomes your science lab.  As you explore foods from around the world...

This week, Carrie is taking a little sabbath break to recoup from conventions and traveling and to spend some time planning a wedding.  This week's episode is an oldie but goodie!  As you plan and prep for a new school year, read one or some of these homeschool books as a way to be encouraged and inspired.   In this week's flashback, Carrie shares her favorite homeschooling books based on different coffee orders that her ...

The Coop (Jessica Carpinelli and Mandi McArthur) are back on the Coffee With Carrie Homeschool Podcast.  This time Carrie, Jessica, Mandi are sharing activities you can do to celebrate the First Day (and 1st Week) of "School."  Carrie and The Coop also share some fun, non-traditional ways to celebrate NOT going Back to School.  Transitioning from summer break to school mode can be a bit challenging.  Transitioning from tr...

Being a homeschool mom does not require a teaching credential, a masters in education, or an expertise in algebra.  Moms can homeschool without these things.  However, there is one thing you cannot homeschool without. It is a sense of humor.  In order to joyfully home educate, moms need to be able to laugh at themselves.  Moms need to laugh like Sarah did in Genesis 21:6.  "Sarah said, 'God has brought me laughter, and ev...

If you have constant battles over handwriting, composition, and/or math lessons, then check out this week's episode.  This week, Carrie explains Dyslexia's cousins:  Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia.  Students with Dysgraphia have extreme difficulties with written expression, fine motor coordination, and language processing.  People with dyscalculia have very poor number sense and may struggle with basic math skills like counti...

Why on earth do classical educators include Latin instruction in their homeschooling?  Even if you aren't a classical homeschooler, you may want to resurrect this "dead" language and teach it to your child.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares the advantages of learning Latin and then she shares simple and fun ways to teach it.  She also shares some of her favorite Latin resources, curriculum, and games.  Seiz...

Don't just survive while homeschooling.  It is time to thrive instead!  What is the secret to thriving instead of just surviving?  It isn't teaching with a particular methodology or using a specific curriculum.  The secret to thriving is living and learning in community!  In this week's episode, Carrie sits down again with Christina Carpenter, speaker, blogger, coach, homeschool mom, and organizer of Bloom & Blos...

Do want or need a summer break but dread the fall out when formal school or lessons begin?  Are your kids whining this summer that they are bored?  Have no fear! Create a summer rhythm that will carry you through the summer and into the school year.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares some simple and fun things you can do during the summer break to make "school time" easier in the fall and that will tame the "...

Homeschooling is full of different transitions.  If not managed correctly, these different transitions times can be quite stressful.  In this week's episode, Carrie shares ideas for making the five most common homeschool transition times smoother and more enjoyable:  

1. Transitioning from one activity to another
2. Transitioning from long breaks back into school mode
3. Transitioning from middle school work into high school level wor...

What does the Bible and creation teach us about Sabbath living? We all need true rest but how do we achieve it?  Where can we find examples to follow?  In this week's episode, Carrie talks with Erin Lynum, master naturalist and author of the new book, The Nature of Rest, to answer some of these questions.  Carrie and Erin discuss how to return to God’s original pattern of rest and work, how to experience daily rest, how to pra...

It is Homeschool Convention Season!  This week Carrie is updating a previous Coffee With Carrie Homeschool Podcast episode that will help you navigate the homeschool curriculum exhibit hall and will help you get the most out of your homeschool convention experience.  In the first half of this episode, Carrie shares her "Plan of Attack" and advice for surviving the Convention Exhibit Hall. In the second half of this episod...

Yes, there are four important "Coffee Dates" every believer, wife, mother, and home educator should make as a priority.  These one-on-one dates will help you build your relationship with God, your spouse, your children, and your friends.  This is one coffee date you don't want to miss.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and join Carrie for a little coffee and conversation about which coffee dates you s...

Should you include foreign language instruction in your homeschooling?  If so, which one?  What if you don't fluently speak a second language?  Can you competently teach your child French, Spanish, Mandarin, or German if you only speak English?  The answer to all of these questions is YES!  The sooner you start, the better the outcome but don't worry, it's never too late to introduce a new language and a new culture ...

Are you thinking about homeschooling but have tons of questions?  Are you bombarded with questions about your homeschooling decision but not sure how to answer them?  Then make sure you listen to this week's  coffee break!  In this week's episode, Carrie and her guests, Mandi McArthur and Jessica Carpinelli answer the most common questions about home education.  Mandi McArthur and Jessica Carpinelli are the co-authors of ...