Homeschool

All articles about homeschooling, including unschooling, self-directed education, curriculum and resources

Image of a pinboard with posters depicting the autumnal equinox and a painting called The Harvest Moon, above two storage baskets of papers and folders

The homeschool “school room”

Like many homeschooling families that transition from regular public school, we went through a phrase of trying “school at home”. I saw pictures online of beautiful “homeschool school-rooms”, with the children sat at desks or tables, the black boards, bookcases, the educational posters and nature art and thought that was what we needed and I […]

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Podcasts for deschooling

Podcasts have been instrumental in my deschooling journey. They have calmed anxieties – especially in the early days – and introduced me to so many new ideas and incredible people. We wouldn’t be where we are in our journey without them. Listening to a podcast in the car, or when I’m walking on my own […]

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Photo of an Android tablet in a pink case with an Xbox controller sat on top

Tech & Screen Time as Differently Wired Unschoolers

Technology! We use a LOT of tech in our home education. In fact, when asked recently on the Homeschool Together podcast what was the one thing is our homeschool I couldn’t do without, I answered “the internet”. However, tech and screen time are often controversial topics in homeschooling and even unschooling groups – both from […]

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The HomeSchooling Starter Guide: book review

The Homeschooling Starter Guide by Dr Gina Riley is a new book that is approachable and easy-to-read, and that aims to give new homeschoolers everything they need to know to homeschool their kids. Gina Riley PhD is a researcher, a clinical professor and program coordinator of the Adolescent Special Education Program at City University of […]

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Unschooling Homeschool Planning

It’s that time of year, when my social media feed is full of homeschooling families planning their academic years, with curricula, planners, schedules, lesson plans and more. As Unschoolers, we don’t really do that. We’re fortunate to be in a place and situation where we do not need to provide a homeschooling plan, or progress […]

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Image is of the book Play The Forest SChool Way being held up against a background of grass and trees

Play The Forest School Way: book review

Play The Forest School Way: Woodland Games, Crafts and Skills for Adventurous Kids by Jane Worroll & Peter Houghton is written as a guide for parents, teachers and guardians looking to bring some of the principles and activities of Forest School into their time with their kids. It works whether you’re looking to bring some […]

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Image of 2 children standing on a fallen tree in Zion National Park

Top Five Tips for New Homeschoolers

It’s that time of year, when thoughts turn to the new academic year in the UK and US, with some US schools starting back any day now, and school supplies up front in the shops. But what if you’ve made the decision to homeschool/home educate this year? After 3 1/2 years, I finally don’t feel […]

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Deschooling. What is it? Do I need to do it…and how?

Our eldest did 2 1/2 years in an English Primary School before we started homeschooling. My husband and I both have a traditional education background from early years to university, and I’m a former School Governor (bit like an American School Board). A “schooled” mindset is a big part of our past! Deschooling has been […]

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Differently Wired: book review

“Imagine, if you will, what your life would be like if fear, worry, or guilt were no longer part of your day-to-day parenting experience. If you could talk openly about your kid’s wiring without concern that they’d be ostracized or perceived as “less than”. Imagine sending your child to any school or camp or club […]

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Image shows kids on a swing. The kids are blurred to emphasise the feeling of movement

1, 2, 3…no eyes on me?

In a classroom, the classic ways of “ensuring” focus may include sitting still, not doing anything other than listening and eye contact with the teacher. But with neurodivergent or differently wired kids, focus can look very different to what is often expected. Asking differently wired kids to sit still, not doing anything else and maintaining […]

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