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Where Build Your Library Falls Short: A Call for Greater Inclusivity in Secular Homeschooling
Build Your Library is often recommended in homeschooling circles as a well-structured, secular, and literature-rich curriculum. For families searching for a Charlotte Mason-inspired approach without religious content, it can feel like the golden ticket. It’s organized, affordable, and offers a book-loving path through education, which is no small thing. But while BYL has many strengths,…
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Why I Use Levels Instead of Grades in Our Homeschool
When people ask what “grade” my kids are in, I usually pause. Not because I don’t know—but because that word doesn’t mean what it used to in our home. We don’t really do grades. We use levels. And there’s a good reason for that. For years, I tried to make grade levels work. I matched…
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What We Mean by “Secular and Inclusive”
In the world of homeschooling, the words secular and inclusive get thrown around a lot. But when you start looking closely, those words don’t always mean what you think they mean. You’ll find “secular” programs that still frame science through a religious lens. You’ll find “inclusive” resources that offer little more than a token picture…
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Is BookShark Secular? Inclusive?
For many secular homeschoolers, finding an open-and-go curriculum that doesn’t include religious bias can be challenging. BookShark has been applauded by many as a “secular” option, often marketed as an alternative to Sonlight, a well-known Christian homeschool curriculum. BookShark itself seems to be moving away from calling themselves “secular” and instead is calling themselves “faith…
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Introducing My Free 36-Week Kindergarten ELA Guide (Based on Fishtank Learning!)
If you’ve ever tried using a high-quality classroom curriculum for homeschooling, you know it can be a lot to adapt. Fishtank Learning is an amazing, free resource designed for classroom teachers, but it isn’t always homeschool-friendly. That’s why I created a 36-week Kindergarten ELA guide—to make it easier for homeschoolers to follow while keeping the…
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Common Core as a Homeschooler: What You Need to Know
If you’re a parent, you’ll have heard debates about Common Core. Some parents swear by it, while others avoid it at all costs. But what exactly is Common Core, and should you use it in your homeschool? Let’s break it down. 1. What is Common Core? The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are a set…
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The Levels of Secular Homeschool Material: How Far We’ve Come
The Levels of Secular Homeschool Material: How Far We’ve Come When I started homeschooling 14(ish) years ago, finding truly secular materials was infinitely more difficult. So much of the resources homeschoolers had easy access to were overtly religious. What we now consider truly secular curriculum were rare to non-existant. Homeschool families who wanted a secular…
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Homeschooling Insights for New Families
Starting homeschooling can feel overwhelming, but after years of experience, I’ve learned a few things I wish I had known when I started. If you’re considering homeschooling, here are some key insights that might make your journey smoother. 1. Deschooling is Essential(even if they haven’t been to traditional school) If your child has been in…
Rabbit Hole Learning 