Brave Writer

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331. A Slew of Practical Hacks for Your Homeschool Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Ever have one of those homeschool days when your brain feels completely empty?

We’ve been there too. In this episode, we share a long list of practical, creative hacks that can revive your homeschool when energy is low. From painter’s tape timelines and DIY history games to geocaching adventures, urban walking tours, and quick art projects, we explore simple ways to bring curiosity back into learning. We also talk about focus tools, seasonal nature activities, and building systems that make everyday homeschooling run smoothly.

If you need fresh inspiration or a reminder of the good ideas you already have, this conversation is for you. Tune in and start your own “good ideas” list today.

To help you put these ideas into action, here’s the full checklist of practical homeschool hacks we discussed:

Adhesive whiteboard that sticks to your wall. Lap-sized whiteboards for math & handwriting practice & general doodling.
Painter’s tape for timelines + write events on index cards and tape to wall.
Make-your-own Chronology game (this is an actual card game, but we made our own with index cards)
Combine geocaching with local geography & history.
Watch urban planning videos — you learn so much about how neighborhoods are constructed!
A spin on this — put your own area into the Youtube search bar with “buildings” or “urban planning” or other terms. We’ve been learning about specific Portland buildings & landmarks this way. Also: look up the origin of place names in your area. Great local history!
Cookie sheet with magnets for car trips with littles (and other uses)
Make a FOCUS-FIRE-FAST-FUN grid for triaging tasks
A little thing that makes a big difference: assign pencil sharpening to a weekly time slot. Get a good sharpener! Also — scissors and tape in every room.
Have the kids do wet-on-wet watercolors and then cut into bookmarks. Leave a stash on every bookcase
Take an afternoon to create playlists for yourselves: one for afternoon tidy-up chores, one for instrumental music while reading, one for songs you play to transition between daily activities, etc.
Check out Joshua MacNeill’s book: 101 Brain Breaks & Educational Activities
Have a day for choosing the best squishy stuff for playing with during readalouds - what does each kid like best? Beeswax, Sculpey, modeling clay, silly putty, playdough, wiki stix. Make the texture exploration an activity by itself.
With spring coming — plant some peas & sweet peas! An old custom in some regions was to plant your peas on St Patrick’s Day. They like cold soil. Cheap, easy activity for rapid payoff.
Decorate by cutting out frames from black card stock, stick to clear contact paper, make designs out of pieces of tissue paper. Easy holiday window decor.
Look up local foraging groups. Might be able to join a walk & learn about edible plants.
Learn about wildlife corridors. Can your yard become one? Some easy ways to assist. Pick one species you’d like to help. Look up its needs: for example, if a butterfly: what host plant is native to your area? What nectar plants attract it? What else might it need – a dish of water with stones for perching on? Or - mason bees. Various birds. Start with a single species and learn how to spot it. Notice who else shows up. A literary tie-in for older kids: Read The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
A nice tie in – a poetry anthology like The Wonder of Small Things (edited by James Crews) or Sing a Song of Seasons: A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year (Fiona Waters & Frann Preston-Gannon). Consider propping on a bookstand turned to each day’s page.
In that vein – any kind of seasonal nature book is great to prop open. Like a field guide turned to a bird your kids might encounter.
Make a list of short stories you’d like to discuss with your kids. Keep this on hand for times when you want a short-term literary activity — say, between longer books, or whenever life is filling up with appts/distractions/new baby/etc and you want something self-contained. A good short story immersion can span a single afternoon (but will likely stick with your kids forever).
Melissa’s daughter keeps a visual reading journal: she chooses a sticker to represent each book. When she finishes a book, she puts the sticker in her notebook with the date, gradually creating a page full of stickers. On the facing page, she writes details about the books.

You don’t always know how much you know! Make a GOOD IDEAS notebook or Apple Note!

Resources:

Learn more about geocaching at https://www.geocaching.com.
Find books mentioned in this episode in the Brave Writer Book Shop
Brave Writer class registration is open!
Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!)
Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing
Find community at the Brave Learner Home
Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms
Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com

Connect with Julie:

Connect with Melissa:

Produced by NOVA

330. Board Games: Let Them Do the Teaching! Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

What if the best critical thinking curriculum is already in your closet?

This week, we explore why board games and card games do more than pass the time. From Monopoly and Settlers of Catan to Quiddler, Pandemic, and even Operation, we unpack how games build patience, strategy, communication skills, resource management, and flexible thinking—all through play. We share personal stories, favorite family games, and one powerful rule: when your child asks to play, say yes.

Ready to rethink learning? Pull out a game tonight and let it do the teaching.

Resources:

Find our favorite board games in the Brave Writer Book Shop
Brave Writer class registration is open!
Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!)
Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing
Find community at the Brave Learner Home
Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms
Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com

Connect with Julie:

Connect with Melissa:

Produced by NOVA

329. Accidental vs. On-Purpose Learning Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Are you wondering if you’ve done “enough” this year? What if the real question isn’t about subjects completed—but about the atmosphere you’re creating?

Melissa developed a simple framework to help her notice what was filling her children’s days. She called it the “Rule of Six”:

Living Books – Rich, engaging books written by authors with passion and depth.
Encounters with Beauty – Art, music, and nature woven into daily life.
Meaningful Work – Household responsibilities and academic efforts that truly matter (not busywork).
Imaginative Play – Unstructured time for creativity, games, and exploration.
Big Ideas to Ponder and Discuss – Narration, conversation, and reflection on what’s being learned.
Reflection – Ending the day with gratitude, prayer, or thoughtful review.

This week, we revisit this concept as a method of filling our children’s days with living books, beauty, meaningful work, imaginative play, big ideas, and reflection. From accidental learning to on-purpose instruction, we explore how to balance immersion with explicit teaching—so our kids gain both joy and skill. If you’re feeling that mid-year wobble, this conversation will help you notice what’s thriving, what’s missing, and how to move forward with clarity.

Resources:

Read about Melissa’s Rule of Six
Discover our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop
Brave Writer class registration is open!
Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!)
Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing
Find community at the Brave Learner Home
Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms
Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com

Connect with Julie:

Connect with Melissa:

Produced by NOVA

328. A Critical Thinking Bill of Rights Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

What do you—and your kids—have the right to think, question, and say?

This week, we unpack a “Critical Thinking Bill of Rights” and apply it to homeschooling life. We explore the pull of group identity, the courage to disagree with leadership, the power of private thoughts, and the freedom to change your mind. We talk about fairness in co-ops, resisting performative values, and raising kids who can think for themselves without fear. If you’ve ever felt pressure to conform or questioned whether you’re “doing homeschool right,” this conversation will steady you.

Join us—and then talk through these rights with your kids.

Resources:

Read Julie’s Substack post on her Critical Thinking Bill of Rights
Find our favorite readalouds and nonfiction in the Brave Writer Book Shop
Brave Writer class registration is open!
Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!)
Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing
Find community at the Brave Learner Home
Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms
Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com

Connect with Julie:

Connect with Melissa:

Produced by NOVA

327. Becoming a Critical Thinker Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

What does it really mean to think critically in a world that never stops shouting at us? In this episode, we slow things down and explore how to stay grounded when information, emotion, and opinion collide. We talk about noticing our own reactions, asking better questions, and learning how to separate facts from the stories wrapped around them. Along the way, we share practical tools you can use with your kids—and yourself—to build clarity, curiosity, and courage. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the noise or unsure how to model thoughtful engagement, this conversation offers a steady place to begin. Join us, and keep thinking well.

Resources:

Find Raising Critical Thinkers and Becoming a Critical Thinker on Julie’s website at juliebogartwriter.com
Brave Writer class registration is open!
Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!)
Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing
Find community at the Brave Learner Home
Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms
Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com

Connect with Julie:

Connect with Melissa:

Produced by NOVA

326. Big and Little Families Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

Homeschooling looks different depending on how many kids you’re teaching—and that’s exactly the point. In this episode, we explore the real-life rhythms of homeschooling in both big families and small ones, offering practical strategies for group learning, one-on-one time, and everything in between. We talk about releasing guilt, using creative resources to keep kids engaged, and recognizing the unique opportunities that come with each family size. Whether you’re juggling many ages or navigating the intensity of homeschooling an only child, this conversation is full of reassurance, ideas, and perspective. Join us—and let’s rethink what “doing enough” really means.

Resources:

Find great readalouds and read-alones in the Brave Writer Book Shop
Brave Writer class registration is open!
Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!)
Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing
Find community at the Brave Learner Home
Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms
Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com

Connect with Julie:

Connect with Melissa:

Produced by NOVA

325. The Myth of Magicmaking Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

What if enchanting learning didn’t require themed parties, elaborate prep, or constant performance? In this episode, we unpack the myth of magic-making and show why real enchantment is rooted in connection, not production. We share simple, practical ways to revive lessons that feel stuck, from eye contact and movement to snacks, forts, music, and letting kids take the lead. Along the way, we explore how curiosity, comfort, and collaboration create learning that actually sticks. If you’ve been feeling burned out or pressured to “make school magical,” this conversation offers a deep exhale and a fresh way forward. Join us and rediscover how easy magic can be.

Resources:

Listen to our episode with Emily Glankler on “Not Boring History”
Find Julie’s favorite book on improv in the Brave Writer Book Shop
Brave Writer class registration is open!
Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!)
Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing
Find community at the Brave Learner Home
Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms
Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com

Connect with Julie:

Connect with Melissa:

Produced by NOVA

324. The Practice of Active Wondering Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

What happens when we slow down long enough to really wonder? In this episode, we explore the difference between rabbit trails and rabbit holes—and why both matter in learning and in life. From telephone poles and faded signs to classic children’s literature and everyday neighborhood mysteries, we reflect on how curiosity deepens when we resist quick answers and allow questions to linger. We talk about active wondering, mental stillness, and the surprising richness of slow learning in a fast world. Join us as we rediscover how noticing, wondering, and waiting can transform ordinary moments into meaningful education.

Resources:

Listen to our episode on Rabbit Holes and Rabbit Trails
Find John Stilgoe’s Outside Lies Magic in the Brave Writer Book Shop
Brave Writer class registration is open!
Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!)
Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing
Find community at the Brave Learner Home
Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms
Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com

Connect with Julie:

Connect with Melissa:

Produced by NOVA

323. Silent Reading Parties Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

What if the most powerful way to strengthen focus, creativity, and connection in your home is…quiet? In this episode, we explore the growing trend of silent reading parties and why shared, sustained reading helps both kids and adults reclaim attention in a scrolling world. We talk about body doubling, device fatigue, reading rituals that actually work, and how simple practices like DEAR time or candlelit reading can change the rhythm of a homeschool day. If your family struggles to settle into books, this conversation offers gentle, practical ways to read together again. Join us—and then grab a book.

Resources:

Grab a discounted copy of our Brave Writer Guide to the Winter Games!
Big props to Christopher Frizzelle, whose Silent Reading Parties are one of the inspirations for this episode.
Find Sue Monk Kidd’s Writing, Creativity, and Soul in the Brave Writer Book Shop. And don’t miss our selection of books that make great companion reads for the Winter Games!
Brave Writer class registration is open! Our Building Brave Writers classes are a great pick for a winter jumpstart.
Check out the Boomerang for Jack London’s The Call of the Wild and White Fang
Share William Wordsworth’s sonnet “The World Is Too Much With Us” with your kids
Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!)
Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing
Find community in our membership forum, the Brave Learner Home
Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms
Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com

Connect with Julie:

Connect with Melissa:

Produced by NOVA

322. Parenting a Spicy One with Mary Van Geffen Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

What if your child’s hardest behaviors aren’t a problem to fix, but an invitation to grow? In this episode, we sit down with Mary Van Geffen, author of Parenting a Spicy One, to explore what it really means to raise a strong-willed, sensitive, or explosive child. We talk about nervous systems, repair after blow-ups, and why slowing down is often the most effective parenting move. You’ll hear practical strategies, deeply humane insights, and a reframing of “difficult” kids that just might change everything. Join us, and let’s rethink what supportive parenting can look like.

Resources:

Preorder Parenting a Spicy One for special bonuses! Details at Mary Van Geffen’s website: https://www.maryvangeffen.com
Follow Mary on Instagram @maryvangeffen
Find books mentioned in this episode in the Brave Writer Book Shop
Brave Writer class registration is open!
Visit Julie’s Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!)
Purchase Julie’s new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing
Find community in our membership forum, the Brave Learner Home
Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programs
Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention
Give your child the gift of music! Sign up for a free month of private lessons with Maestro Music and let your child discover their own musical voice: www.maestromusic.online/brave
Subscribe to Julie’s Substack newsletters, Brave Learning with Julie Bogart and Julie Off Topic, and Melissa’s Catalog of Enthusiasms
Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684
Interested in advertising with us? Reach out to media@bravewriter.com

Connect with Julie:

Connect with Melissa:

Produced by NOVA

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