The Brave & Balanced Homeschool with Mary Berghammer

Go here to see sample grade scales and access the online homeschool grading calculator
www.whatabouthomeschooling.com/gradinghomeschool
 
Not sure how to grade homeschool assignments or wondering if you’re doing it the “right” way? Homeschool grading doesn’t have to be complicated, and you may have more flexibility than you realize.
In this episode of The Brave & Balanced Homeschool, I’m sharing my best homeschool grading tips from more than 20 years of homeschooling my own children. We’ll talk about how grading can look different during the elementary, middle school, and high school years and how to use grades as a tool to help your child learn rather than simply as a number on a piece of paper.
I’ll explain different homeschool grading scales, how to calculate assignment grades, when it may be appropriate to let your child redo an assignment or test, and why your child may not need to complete every problem on an assignment. We’ll also talk about grading online homeschool curriculum, calculating high school course grades, using weighted grades, and keeping good homeschool records for the future.
Most importantly, I want to encourage you to remember that the goal of homeschooling isn’t simply to finish assignments or earn a certain grade. The goal is for your child to actually learn and understand the material.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How to grade homeschool assignments in elementary, middle, and high school• Why grades should help identify areas that need more practice• When to allow your child to correct or redo an assignment• How to calculate homeschool high school grades• The difference between simple averages and weighted grades• Why your child may not need to complete every problem• How to handle grades from online homeschool programs• Why keeping paper copies of homeschool grades and records is important
PLUS, I’ve created a FREE Homeschool Grading Calculator to make grading even easier! Use it to quickly calculate your child’s assignment grades and take some of the guesswork out of homeschool grading.
Visit https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/gradinghomeschool/ to read the full blog post and try the free Homeschool Grading Calculator.
If you’re a new homeschool mom who feels unsure about grading, record keeping, or knowing whether your child is doing enough, this episode will help you approach homeschool grades with more confidence and flexibility.

Click  here for the video mentioned in this episode  whatabouthomeschooling.com/homeschoollessons
 
Are children learning better on computers, or do books and handwritten work still matter?
In this episode of The Brave and Balanced Homeschool Podcast, we're taking a thoughtful look at how today's technology is changing the way our children learn. From digital curriculum and online lessons to physical books and handwriting practice, we'll explore the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and discuss why balance is so important.
We'll also talk about:
The benefits of learning from books versus screens
Screen time and its impact on learning
Helping children retain information
Building strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills
Finding a healthy balance with technology in your homeschool
Technology can be a wonderful tool, but it shouldn't replace the rich learning experiences that come from reading books, writing by hand, and learning alongside real people. As homeschool parents, we have the freedom to choose the methods that best help our children grow academically, emotionally, and spiritually.
If you've been wondering how much technology to use in your homeschool—or whether traditional learning methods still matter—this episode will encourage you to think intentionally about creating a balanced learning environment.
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another homeschool mom who could use some encouragement.

https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/the-mystery-of-history/In episode 44 of Brave and Balanced Homeschool, the host reviews Mystery of History (Volume 1), explaining how the curriculum weaves biblical events together with ancient world history and why that perspective helps students see the Bible in historical context.
The episode covers the curriculum’s format and updates — student readers, the downloadable companion guide, weekly lessons, activities for different ages, memory cards, a unique “wall of fame” timeline, and assessments — and recommends it for multi-grade, classical-minded homeschool families.

For all the links go here: https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/summer-homeschooling/
Episode 43: Should You Homeschool Over the Summer?
If you're wrapping up your school year and wondering whether to keep going or take the summer off — this episode is for you. The honest answer? Do what works for your family. But I'm sharing what we actually did in our homeschool over the summers, why I always kept at least some math and reading going, and how it helped my kids stay ahead without burning anyone out.
I'm also talking about why routine matters even when school is on pause, what to do when your kids hit you with the dreaded "I'm bored," and how lapbooks can make summer learning feel more like a fun project than schoolwork.
Whether you're a year-round homeschooler, a traditional September-through-May family, or somewhere in between, there's something here for you.
In this episode:
Summer homeschooling ideas that don't overwhelm mom
Why I never skipped math completely — and how it paid off
Keeping kids in a routine during summer break
Unit studies and lapbooks for summer learning
Encouragement to do what's right for your family

Check out The Brave & Balanced Homeschool Planner Here!
Check out all the planner links HERE
 
Looking for the best homeschool planner? In this episode of The Brave and Balanced Homeschool, we’re talking all about homeschool planning, homeschool organization, and how to choose the right planner for your family. Whether you prefer a paper homeschool planner, spiral homeschool planner, online homeschool planner, or free printable homeschool planner, this episode will help you sort through the options with confidence.
I share my honest experience after 22 years of homeschooling, using everything from printable planners and assignment notebooks to digital homeschool planners like Homeschool Planet. We also discuss how to plan for multiple children, track attendance, record grades, organize curriculum, and create a homeschool schedule that works in real life.
You’ll also hear about my own Brave and Balanced Homeschool Planner—a simple, peaceful planner created for homeschool moms managing busy days without overwhelm. If you need homeschool planner ideas, homeschool scheduling tips, or encouragement for your homeschool journey, this episode is for you.
 
 

To see all the links to the curriculum mentioned in this episode click HERE
Teaching reading is one of the most important parts of homeschooling. In this episode of The Brave & Balanced Homeschool Podcast, I share the most successful way to teach your child to read at home based on my experience homeschooling four children — including one with moderate dyslexia.
We talk about why phonics is the best foundation for learning to read, why sight reading can cause problems for struggling learners, and how repetition helps children build strong reading skills. I also share practical examples to help you confidently begin teaching reading in your homeschool.
If you are a homeschool parent wondering how to teach your child to read, what reading curriculum works best, or how to support a child who struggles with reading, this episode will give you encouragement and practical direction.
You’ll also hear my recommendations for strong phonics-based homeschool reading programs that can help your child become a confident and independent reader.
Homeschooling becomes much easier once your child learns to read well, and in this episode I’ll walk you through the approach that worked in our homeschool.

Go here for the free resources mentioned in this episode
https://whatabouthomeschooling.com/free-homeschool-resources/
 
As homeschool moms, we spend so much time researching homeschool curriculum trying to find that perfect one for our children. Unfortunately, there isn't a perfect homeschool curriculum, but there is a perfect book that you should be using not just in your homeschool but in your every day life. That book is the bible. 
In this episode, you will learn why the bible really is the most important book in your homeschool and in your life. Imagine giving your children the best homeschool education, but not giving them the best foundation to build the rest of their lives upon? 

Be sure to visit my website and get the free newsletter www.whatabouthomeschooling.com
Sonlight timeline book.
Sonlight timeline figures
Homeschool In the Woods Timeline figures 
In this episode of The Brave and Balanced Homeschool, we’re diving into one of my favorite subjects and one of my facorite history tools — the timeline! Discover how using a timeline book or a “Table of Centuries” can make history come alive for your children and help them understand the flow of time and God’s story throughout history.
I’ll share how I used timeline books from Sonlight and Homeschool in the Woods, plus how you can easily create your own budget-friendly version with just a notebook or binder. Whether you follow a Charlotte Mason approach or a more traditional homeschool method, a timeline will help your kids connect people, events, and centuries in a visual, lasting way.
If you want your children to see how their own lives fit into the bigger picture of history — and enjoy learning it along the way — this episode is for you!

www.whatabouthomeschooling.com
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The world of homeschool curriculum can be both a blessing and a burden—so many options, but where do you start? In this episode of The Brave and Balanced Homeschool, we cut through the overwhelm by focusing on two key questions every parent should ask before choosing a homeschool curriculum.
We’ll explore:
How much time you realistically have to teach each day
How long you plan to homeschool your children
Whether you're looking for a full homeschool curriculum package, online homeschool options, or traditional textbooks, these questions will help you narrow your search and make confident choices. I also share personal examples of how our family used both online and parent-led homeschool curriculum during different seasons.
You’ll also learn why your long-term educational goals matter when selecting a homeschool curriculum—especially if your child may return to public or private school later on.
If you’re just beginning your homeschool journey or feeling stuck in decision fatigue, this episode will help you move forward with clarity and peace.
🎧 Tune in now—and don’t miss part two, where I’ll share specific homeschool curriculum recommendations and helpful resources!

Welcome back to The Brave and Balanced Homeschool Podcast! This is Part 3 of our “Getting Ready to Homeschool” summer series, and today we’re pressing pause on curriculum talk so we can get to the heart of your homeschool journey—your vision.
Before we jump into what to teach and how to plan it all, let’s stop and reflect on why you want to homeschool in the first place. In this episode, I’ll walk you through my free Homeschool Vision Worksheet, a simple tool to help you lay a strong foundation for your year.
We’ll talk about:
Why your “why” matters more than your curriculum choice
What your mission and values look like in your homeschool
Choosing a guiding scripture and writing a prayer for the year
How your vision will bring clarity when challenges come
Grab a pen and paper, or download the free worksheet by joining the waitlist for The Brave and Balanced Homeschool Membership at www.whatabouthomeschooling.com
Or just grab the worksheet here whatabouthomeschooling.kit.com/vision
Let’s get grounded in purpose—so you can homeschool with confidence.