Learning Outside the Lines

Just a quick message during the holiday season to take time for yourself and give your kids what they really need...time.

I also shared 3 videos on my FB page with holiday and Christmas books that I e…

In this episode I encourage parents to dive into their child's interests and hobbies to see the appeal, what kids are learning, how to make connections with other learning opportunities, and potentia…

The holidays and end of the year can be challenging to get school work done.

In this episode I share some ideas that might help you get some work done when the kids might be distracted and not all tha…

Unstructured play is so important for kids but seems like a long lost idea. In this episode I share some experiences we’ve had and why play and nature is so important for kids.

Please feel free to sen…

In this episode I discuss handling negativity and naysayers during the holidays regarding relatives that don't support homeschooling. Keep it positive!

You don't have to change anyone's mind regarding…

In this episode I want to encourage you to take stock of your homeschool and life in general. It's a good time time midway thru the semester to review the academic, extracurricular, and general homes…

In today's episode I want to give thanks and remembrance to John Taylor Gatto. He passed away on October 25 and will be missed by many around the world.

For those unfamiliar with Mr Gatto, he was a tr…

This week I want to encourage everyone to take advantage of the upcoming NaNoWriMo project (National Novel Writing Month) that takes place every November. This is a great FREE resource to encourage w…

In this episode I discuss homeschooling high school and how it's worked for us.

We have used the Bravewriter philosophy for writing over the years and we have not done a structured/formal language art…

In this episode I share an experience I witnessed with 2 young girls playing with simple tools like squirt bottles, water, brushes, tongs, chalk, etc and how their free play was a great learning epis…

In this episode I discuss the benefits of working a paid job or volunteer service and how they can help with future jobs, college applications, scholarships, and life. Both a job or volunteer service…

In this episode I talk about a term I heard last week called "lawnmower parenting" and what that means and how we can change some of things we might be doing. Many of us are guilty of this "mowing do…

Today's interview with self directed high school student, Moira Ward, gives a wonderful view of self directed education and what can be done with passion and the freedom to pursue an interest and tal…

I want to thank everyone for all their support and feedback over the last few months of this new podcast. I've learned a lot and will be making a few changes going forward to clean things up and impr…

In this episode I talk a bit about planning but not in a structured way.

I discuss planning for peace of mind and our own reality based on our needs and our kids' needs.

I understand everyone wanting …

In this episode I share my excitement and take aways from my state homeschool conference, the HSC Conference in San Jose, CA.

-Homeschool conferences are great for affirming why parents take charge of…

In this episode I share some of my thoughts on learning to read.

I'm a proponent of letting go of arbitrary ages to teach reading and waiting until a child is ready and motivated whether that might be…

In this episode I want to encourage people to let go of "grade levels" and meet your child's needs where they are.

Parents think their child is "behind" or "gifted" if they are behind or ahead of arb…

In this episode I share an alternative view regarding the popular view that all children should try team sports.

Send me comments, suggestions for episodes, or questions to outsidethelinespodcast@gma…

Summer is a time for MANY questions regarding curriculum or programs people are looking to use in the fall. This episode gives tips to get more useful information when asking for input on FB and web …