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Layers of Learning

Listen as Michelle and Karen get together to talk homeschooling. Learn to get more organized, keep records, feel happy in your homeschooling, use Layers of Learning effectively, learn how to family homeschool, be a learner in your homeschool and not just a teacher, plus so much more.

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Episode 80: Our Homeschooling Routines

A homeschool routine gives your day structure without having to stick to a strict schedule. Let your routines evolve and grow with your family. In this episode, Michelle and Karen share their homeschool routines.

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Episode 79: Making Dinner & Homeschooling

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……

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Episode 78: Library List Tips

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……

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Episode 77: Teaching With A Long View

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……

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Episode 76: Eliminating Distractions

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……

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Episode 75: Flexible Planning

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……

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Episode 74: Introducing Units

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……

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Episode 73: Is Homeschooling Dangerous?

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……

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Episode 72: A Magical Blend of Homeschooling Styles

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……

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Episode 71: Middle Grades in Homeschool

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……

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Episode 70: Listen As We Plan a Unit

Listen to this off-the-cuff planning session to hear how Michelle and Karen each plan units using Layers of Learning.

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Episode 69: Skills Versus Content

Learn the difference between content knowledge and skills, then watch your kids flourish as you dovetail them both in your homeschool.

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Episode 68: Unit Overviews

Every Layers of Learning begins with a Unit Overview sidebar. Here are some fun suggestions for ways to use this learning tool in your homeschool!

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Episode 67: Sharing the Pen

Guidance for teaching emergent writers how to write by making lessons fun and interactive along with breaking down the writing process into baby steps and sharing the pen.

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Episode 66: Lessons We’ve Learned As Homeschool Moms

Listen in for lessons we've learned after two decades of homeschooling!

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Episode 65: Raising Bookworms – Our Favorite Family Read-Alouds

The single best decision we made as homeschool moms was to create a family culture of reading aloud to our kids. In this episode, we share our favorite read-alouds and what to look for in a book to help your kids become bookworms.

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Episode 64: Teaching Independence Teaching Independence

Teaching independence in kids feels cumbersome and difficult, but there are big pay-offs. You are raising people to live their own lives, not your life, and those lessons begin when they are little. In the end, independence fosters capability, responsibility, and confidence.

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Episode 63: Sibling Relationships

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.

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Episode 62: Evaluating Sources

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.

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Episode 61: Student Journals

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.

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Episode 60: High School in Homeschool

Homeschooling in high school can feel intimidating, but it doesn't have to. With just a few adjustments to your mindset, you can help your teen find themselves as they grow into independence, prepare for college or careers, and grow through the high school years.

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Episode 59: Layers of Learning 101

Learn all about the Layers of Learning curriculum, directly from the authors. Listen to how it's organized, what it covers, and how to adapt it to meet your family's needs and create your dream homeschool.

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Episode 58: Library Lists

Each Layers of Learning unit begins with a Library List. The Library Lists are a resource to help you locate great resources, but it isn't a checklist. Listen in for tips on how to acquire resources and incorporate reading in your homeschool.

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Episode 57: All About Planning

Tips on homeschool planning from "Minimalist Michelle" and " Perfectionist Planner Karen." Hopefully, you can find a happy medium somewhere in the middle!

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Episode 56: Why You Should Teach Art

Art is the overlooked subject in the educational world, but it is so important! Listen in to find out just what an art education provides.

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Episode 55: Teaching Kids To Listen

Here are some tips for teaching kids to listen...this one skill will transform your home and your homeschool.

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Episode 54: Preventing Summer Slide

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.

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Episode 53: Preschool

Are you homeschooling and wondering how to do preschool? Here are some tips for helping little learners get ready for their school years in your homeschool.

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Episode 52: The Brand-New Layers of Learning

An introduction to the brand new Layers of Learning curriculum along with answers to all of your questions.

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Episode 51: Baby Steps

Everyone goes through tough homeschool seasons. Sometimes all you can do to get through those is to take tiny baby steps. Taking even the tiniest of baby steps will allow you to progress. Those small bits add up and then one day, you'll look back and see how far you've come.

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Episode 50: Word Work

Word Work is the spelling and vocabulary component of Writer's Workshop that will have your kids learning all about words through a variety of written, manipulative, physical, and verbal activities that will appeal to lots of learning styles.

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Episode 49: Organizing Layers of Learning Notebooks

Listen to the latest podcast episode, where Karen and Michelle offer advice for organizing Layers of Learning Notebooks. Learn about the two notebooks you'll need, as well as the optional Student Journals that are available to keep your homeschool organized and on track.

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Episode 48: Teaching the Love of Stories

Teaching your kids to love stories will unlock excitement for learning that you can't gain any other way. These tips will help your family begin to truly love books and also learn about your library, how it's organized, and the Dewey Decimal System.

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Episode 47: Deep Thoughts

Help your kids develop deep thoughts by asking effective questions and having discussions in your homeschool. Use the free Bloom's Taxonomy Question Stems printable to spur on deep thoughts within your family.

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Episode 46: Homeschool Traditions

Homeschool traditions are a simple way to sprinkle a bit of fun into your homeschool. Karen and Michelle share some of their favorite back-to-school, homeschool, holiday, and end-of-year traditions from their families.

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Episode 45: Teaching Tolerance

Difference can divide us or connect us. In your homeschool, you have a unique opportunity to break down walls and let you your kids experience so much of the world's stories, recipes, ideas, people, and more. In this episode, we talk about teaching your kids tolerance.

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Episode 44: Q & A With Karen & Michelle

The homeschooling sisters answer questions from homeschool parents about everything from how to choose books to how to handle a toddler during homeschool.

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Episode 43: The World Is Your Classroom

Learning can and should happen everywhere! Here are some tips about how to take your homeschool away from the kitchen table and out into the world. From learning in your yard to expeditions in your town and vacations across the globe, the world is your classroom.

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Episode 42: Tests in Homeschool

To test or not to test...that is the question for many homeschool parents. The Layers of Learning sisters chime in on when and how to give kids tests in homeschool.

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Episode 41: Learning Challenges

A relaxed and gentle approach to homeschooling kids with learning struggles can help kids find their strengths while they work on the skills that don't come as easily to them. Recognizing their abilities as much as their disabilities is the key.

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Episode 40: How Long Is Your Homeschool Day?

Are you wondering how long your homeschool day should be? Are you spending enough time doing school work? Are you expecting too much? Michelle and Karen talk about how to create balance in a day and incorporate just the right amount of learning.

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Episode 39: Focus on Learning Skills, Not Content

Most homeschool parents worry that they will miss something as they provide an education for their kids. Karen and Michelle talk about why you need to set aside the expectations of mastering all of the content and instead, use the content as a means for developing learning skills that they will use throughout their lives.

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Episode 38: Our Daily Routines

Michelle and Karen chat about what a homeschool day looks like in their homes. Routines rule over schedules and a rhythm is more important than exact plans. Each day, week, and year is flexible and made to fit an evolving family who is learning and growing together. Daily routines are the key to flexible stability.

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Episode 37: How To Use Kids’ Planners

Using kids' planners in your homeschool is the backbone to helping your kids grow into independent, motivated, thriving learners. Listen in for tips to help your kids use planners effectively and learn how they will progress into greater independence with each passing year.

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Episode 36: Homeschooling Q & A

The Layers of Learning Homeschoolers Facebook Group submitted questions for Karen and Michelle to answer, and that's just what the sisters did in this bonus Homeschooling Q and A podcast episode. Listen for answers to your questions from two veteran homeschooling moms and the creators of Layers of Learning.

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Episode 35: How To Teach Art

Once you understand not just HOW, but also WHY you should teach art in your homeschool, it will change your experience. You have the ability to open your family's eyes to the world in new ways and with deeper insight as you learn to look at and create art.

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Episode 34: How To Teach Science

Homeschool families often struggle with knowing how to teach science. It can seem intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. Listen in on this podcast episode as the authors of Layers of Learning talk about how to use scientific principles and hands-on experiments to create a successful approach to homeschool science.

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Episode 33: How To Teach Geography

Listen in on how to teach geography in your homeschool. Karen and Michelle talk about everything from what to teach and how to schedule it to the fun hands-on projects that will help it stick in your kids’ minds.

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Episode 32: How To Teach History

Teaching history can feel overwhelming. How do you cover it all? Where do you start? Karen and Michelle talk about their philosophy about teaching history and what the lessons look like in their homeschools.

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Episode 31: Diving Deep

Karen and Michelle compare scuba diving to studying history and encourage you to dive deep into your studies to gain a new perspective and open a world of understanding that might just change your worldview.

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