The Brave & Balanced Homeschool with Mary Berghammer

34- Cursive or Print? Teaching Writing in Your Homeschool

🖋️ Mentioned resources are available at whatabouthomeschooling.com
In today’s episode of The Brave and Balanced Homeschool, we’re diving into one of those foundational homeschool topics—writing. Specifically, we’re talking penmanship: should you teach your homeschooled children cursive or print first? I’ll share my personal experience teaching writing to my four children, what I’ve learned along the way, and why I might do things differently if I had the chance to start over.
You’ll hear about the surprising benefits of cursive writing, how it compares to print, and why actual writing (yes, with pencil and paper!) beats typing every time. We’ll also look at how cursive might support children with learning differences like dyslexia, and I’ll give you some practical tips and curriculum suggestions if you’re thinking about teaching cursive from the start.
Whether you’re new to homeschooling or simply rethinking your approach to penmanship, this episode will encourage you to choose what works best for your family—with confidence and peace.
🖋️ Mentioned resources are available at whatabouthomeschooling.com

33- Saxon Math, DIVE, Shorman Math, and the Robinson Homeschool Curriculum

Check the What About Homeschooling Website:  www.whatabouthomeschooling.com
Mentioned is this episode:
Saxon Math at christianbook.com
DIVE and  Shorman Math
Saxon placement tests
Robinson Curriculum
Homeschool classifieds for used homeschool books.
In this episode of The Brave and Balanced Homeschool, we dive into Saxon Math, a secular curriculum known for its structured, incremental approach with plenty of review. While Saxon is not a Christian-based program, it is a solid, traditional math curriculum that has been used in public schools and by homeschoolers alike.
If you’re confident in math or willing to learn alongside your child, Saxon Math is a fantastic, proven curriculum. However, if you prefer more structured teaching support, DIVE or Shorman Math may be better options—especially for higher-level math. Or you can look into how Art Robinson taught his children, or rather how they taught themselves, using Saxon Math.
 

32-When Homeschooling is Hard

Make sure to visit my homeschool website www.whatabouthomeschooling.com
Mentioned in this episode:
Shurley English
HSLDA
Sonlight timeline Book
 
In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges homeschool families face during tough times. Whether you're dealing with personal struggles or family stress, it's essential to know when to pause or slow down homeschooling to prioritize well-being. We also explore how to recognize when your current curriculum isn't working and how to adjust your approach, whether it’s modifying teaching methods or switching to a new homeschooling curriculum altogether. If you're feeling overwhelmed by your homeschooling journey, this episode offers practical advice and solutions to help you find balance, adjust, and thrive.

31-Homeschool Curriculum Review - Math - Teaching Textbooks

https://www.whatabouthomeschooling.com
https://www.teachingtextbooks.com
 
In this episode, I dive into one of my all-time favorite homeschool math curricula—Teaching Textbooks. If you’ve been looking for a self-grading, online math program that simplifies the homeschooling, you’re in the right place! I share how Teaching Textbooks has been a game changer for my family, providing flexibility, ease of use, and a stress-free grading system.
From the ability to access lessons on-the-go to customizing grading for each child, Teaching Textbooks offers everything a busy homeschooling parent could need. I also discuss how the curriculum supports students from grades 3 through high school and provides lifetime access to grades—perfect for homeschoolers who need to track progress or meet state requirements.
Plus, there's a gem that I wish I had known about when my kids were younger—free math tutoring over the phone! If your child struggles with a lesson, just call and get real-time help from the Teaching Textbooks team.
Listen in for a detailed review, pros and cons, and a bonus—how to get your first 15 lessons free to see if Teaching Textbooks is the right fit for your homeschool.

30-Homeschool Math - 3 Things to Look for in a Good Homeschool Math Curriculum

In episode 30, I talk about how to choose the best homeschool math curriculum for your child. We cover three key points: the importance of including math fact memorization, deciding whether math manipulatives are necessary for your child, and choosing between detailed lesson plans versus simplified ones.
Tune in for tips on finding the right fit for your homeschool needs!
Visit my website:
https://www.whatabouthomeschooling.com
Alpha School

29-Homeschooling After the Holidays

Make sure you grab your free downloads. Click the link, and grab them while they are still available!
www.whatabouthomeschooling.com/podcast
 
Homeschooling after the holiday season can be a little difficult. How do you help your homeschooled children keep motivated to finish the school year? How about yourself? Do you feel a little bored with the same day to day homeschool tasks? Listen in for some simple ideas to help you get through the end of the homeschool year.

28- Reading Aloud to Your Homeschooled Children and A Christmas Story

Interested in any of the resources mentioned in this episode.
Just go to my website and find links to all of them.
Being able to homeschool my children was one of my life's greatest blessings!
One thing I did with my children almost every school day was read aloud.
In this episode, published right before Christmas, I share one of my favorite Christmas stories as I read it aloud to you. I hope you enjoy it!

27-Homeschooling by Faith: Your Child's Future after High School Graduation.

www.whatabouthomeschooling.com
Have you ever shed tears over homeschooling? I mean have you ever been so discouraged at teaching your children or about a learning challenge and not knowing how to help them? I have. There were many times that I just didn’t know what to do.
Do you lay awake at night worry about whether they will be prepared for college or be able to be successful in the workplace? This is the episode for you! Listen in and get some homeschool encouragement.

26-Homeschooling and the Holidays

www.whatabouthomeschooling.com
It's almost Christmas! It's time to make some memories with your children and pass on those cherished traditions!
How do you homeschool during Christmas time? Should you even homeschool during the holiday season? How much time should you take off from homeschooling for the holidays? Listen in to find out how I homeschooled during the holidays for over 22 years.

25-Homeschool Curriculum Reviews - Charlotte Mason and AmblesideOnline

Check out my website:      www.whatabouthomeschooling.com
Are you a homeschool mom who wants to know more about alternative homeschool curricula? Have you heard of Charlotte Mason and want to find out more about her philosophy of education? You will want to listen in on this episode of the What About Homeschooling podcast.
If you want to know more about Charlotte Mason and how to add some of her techniques to your homeschool, go check out these websites:
Amblesideonline
SimplyCharlotteMason
CharlotteMasonHomeschooling