UNPOPULAR THINGS I DO IN MY HOMESCHOOL// RIGOROUS EDUCATION, GRADING, TESTING, SECULAR CURRICULUM

[@Magdalena287]

It’s nice to see another mom homeschooling for excellence, I’ve been homeschooling for almost 10 years and I see so many moms use homeschooling as an excuse for being lazy. I treat it as my job, I chose to keep them home so I choose to make sure they’re getting a good education

[@de5889]

We finish every planned thing every day as well (minus special circumstances). Totally agree with you. As adults we don’t get to stop doing something just because we are tired of it, are having a bad day, or just don’t want to.

[@stephanietuley]

Just found your channel - I do all of these things too. It’s so brave of you to share. The online homeschool community can be so judgmental about rigor!

[@Tirzah18]

Love the video and how you have your homeschool structured!! I do the same with my children and have them redo assignments as well. If they have an answer incorrect while I’m grading their work , for example, I’ll go over it with them and let them see why they’ve gotten it incorrect and then they’ll understand and see and change the answer. Usually it’s because they were rushing to finish their work as to why they had the incorrect answer. We homeschool year round and I do the same with math! We do math continuously, except for our days or weeks we have a break week. It’s just one of those subjects that needs to be continued throughout the year, in my opinion (also we love Math U See!!😊). I also pretty much get my children ready for schooling once they begin talking, learning letters and recognition, numbers, shapes, colors, pretty much the basics.

[@njolno4136]

Love this! Re-doing work is such a good technique for absorbing information. I always retained information better in college when we could correct our missed questions on tests. Going back through the material to find the correct answers without the stress of studying for the test and just focusing on finding the RIGHT answer was so beneficial for me.

[@dicisloth6490]

I totally agree with you. We do the same. We never stop doing math, and we also test a lot. I feel it is very beneficial, and I believe that kids need to be familiar with the testing forms - even for the future... SAT etc. There is nothing wrong with being tested. We always teach our kid that we study for ourselves, not for "school" or "the teacher" or other for other reasons. When kids take tests, they show parents their progress and where they need extra help. Tests also help kids check what they know, giving them an extra challenge, which really works in our son's case. He loves challenges and the grading system. It is fun. Also, he went to regular school till 3rd grade and got used to it. BTW, love your channel! Thanks for all you do.

[@jonid2410]

I really appreciated this! These are unpopular opinions that need to be shared! I am new to homeschooling and there is a lot of content that explains the other side of these opinions, and reason why Homeschoolers do it that way, but not a lot the other way!

[@Kmarion77]

Thank you for this video. I have noticed that you were using more secular curriculum and….you are not alone. I am a black homeschool Christian mom and and use secular curriculum as well. What you do in your homeschool is inspiring and yes, I agree with your methods of teaching. You want to give the best chances to your kids for their future and that is such a precious gift. As moms, it is challenging, but the reward is worth trying. God bless you and your family and congratulations for 10K subscribers 🎉

[@aprilhutchens2105]

I am also in Georgia, and I test every year as well. It's very beneficial for me to learn what we need to focus on at the beginning of the next year.

[@stephaniedawson8933]

I’ve been binge watching your videos and I’m so glad I found you!

[@Thepoweshow123]

At the end of each 9 weeks, before I give out report cards, I go through my grade book and ANY grade that is below an 80% the kids HAVE TO make it up. I do that because sometimes they have some assignments from the beginning of the quarter with low grades and by the end of 9 weeks they are proficient. So that's just a way I can help them put their best foot forward. I agree with your video!

[@bgirl0184j]

I have worked with my daughter since she was a baby but I would make it a part of our daily lives. I noticed she learned better that way than just structured sit down learning and she was reading before 3. I say that to say this we all have the same goal and we should support each other. We as parents know our children best and what best works for them. Thank you so much for sharing I love hearing this.

[@destinydiaz9791]

I don't even have kids and I was never homeschooled. But watching your videos makes me happy because I see how dedicated you are in making sure your children get the best education. Can't wait to see more!

[@Built_Resilient]

Oh my goodness, you are a breath of fresh air! First year homeschooler here and I needed this encouragement to embrace the homeschool mom that I am. I love school and I want my kids to love school…which for me that means yes, I’m going to give my kiddos a schedule and a curriculum and we’ll get through our lessons. Thank you for sharing! I hadn’t thought of doing math through summer, but it makes a lot of sense. Do you do all the lessons in Math-U-See? I’ve heard a lot of people don’t do all the lessons or problems.

[@alejandrav5790]

This was so refreshing! Thank you so much for sharing. People often villianize testing because of what it's done to public ed (I agree), but in a different setting and used for different purposes it can be very helpful and provide important data. Thank you for showing us that.

[@chia3805]

❤loved it, as always ❤

[@julievdw6748]

I loved this video, I love your outlook, and very much appreciated you, a homeschool mom from across the world, sharing this. Thank you for this beautifully presented video. These are brilliant values for building strong, successful, moral adults in whatever they do and it goes hand in hand with true godliness in my opinion. I am trying to do at least partly as well as this, in some adverse circumstances, and keep pressing on towards these goals and values. Your video was inspiring and encouraging to keep on. All the best to you and your house.

[@michellegf]

I do all these things in my homeschool! I appreciate you talking about these topics. I feel like a lot more people feel this way and can relate it’s just your not seeing it being talked about or portrayed on social media.

[@mandigibson30]

I would love a video over secular vs Christian curriculum!

[@JoleenGraves]

This was fantastic! I agree with all of this. I’d be interested in hearing why you do secular curriculum. We are also Christians and love is some Jesus! ❤ However, we are beginning to move more toward secular curriculum in history and science specifically for next your. We will be utilizing Build Your Library. My two main reasons are I find secular curriculum to be MUCH more diverse in representation of cultures, race, ethnicity etc. Secondly, we are of the unpopular Christian group that is open to the idea of an old earth. Not evolution but definitely of the earth being millions/billions years old 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@nanaronhano337]

Can you explain more of your old earth views? I’ve never heard someone believe in old earth creationism.

[@JoleenGraves]

@@nanaronhano337 I just don’t believe in a literal 7 days. The Bible is full of references that God’s time is not ours. That He isn’t constricted by the bounds of time. I believe God created science and that science has an excellent argument for an old earth. But I don’t push it on my children. We use old earth and young earth curriculum and resources. That’s something they’ll figure out on their own one day. It isn’t at all related to the issue of salvation so I don’t worry about it much. But if I mention it in Christian circles I am very often judged 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@JoleenGraves]

@@nanaronhano337 also Science Mama is a channel on YT where she talks about being an old earth Christian. She also references some resources she’s come across the explore the relationship of God and science. It’s interesting

[@nanaronhano337]

@@JoleenGraves The question I have though is that the sun, moon and stars were created on day 4 and plants on day 3. Plants can definitely last a day without the sun. It’s just odd to me because it seems like either you believe the Genesis account or you don’t, you know? If God’s Word is wrong here and some textbook is right, then what else in the Bible is false? Just interesting to me.

[@nanaronhano337]

@@JoleenGraves Also, I just saw we watch a lot of the same people. I love Bindi, Seven in All, Angela Braniff too! Now That We’re a Family is a channel I also like. I used to watch Naptural85 faithfully for yearsss.

[@mandysteffan2958]

I am very purposely sending my three-year-old to a secular, world view neutral homeschool co-op because I want to be the one educating him on our Faith and maintaining that as a personal responsibility rather than outsourcing it in anyway, and I think that goes for curriculum too. We're not there yet, but I have no intention of using faith-based curriculum, specially in history and science. I will teach what is in Scripture separately and if it's not in scripture, I don't want to pretend that it is. So I am definitely with you there.

[@EnglishwithGabby]

You’re my new favorite homeschooler to watch! Thanks so much for your videos. As a Latino family, we’ve been looking through some history and science curricula and have been scratching our heads wondering where the better options are and which ones to use. I took a look at Blossom & Root based on your previous videos and we like what we see so far. I also love your perspective on testing. We plan to test my son often as well to prepare him for the real world. We start homeschooling in August for 1st grade. Thanks again!

[@katherineestrada2318]

Thank you SO MUCH for this video. I think you’re doing an AMAZING job! I’m sure your girls are getting set up for greatness❤

[@2amiles]

This is awesome and very inspiring! Way to go mom 🙌🏾

[@SBGalle]

I’m also curious on what standardized testing you use. I have enjoyed your content. Thank you for sharing!

[@MoniqueAduSustainableLiving]

Hi Brittany. Thank you for this video. I agree with providing framework in testing at home, and I try to do it in a relaxed manner so that the pressure is off. I like to do that, to have a good record of progress and file for keeping. I usually test after completion of a subject chapter, since I am monitoring progress along the way, and seeing where any gaps may lie. I have also, really been challenged in mind and heart recently, and in years before, about the curriculum I use as a Christian homeschooling mom. This is so because, of some of the representations of Yehoshua and the Father, in many many Christian Curriculum. For example, the images of the Son, Bible versions, and other representations that don't quite fit Biblical accuracy, and what I would like to teach my children while honoring Yahweh. So looking into a secular curriculum has come across my table recently too. However, it's so important that as we do this, we really pray for discernment, whether it be for a Christian curriculum or Secular curriculum, as it is so important to make sure that what we are filling our children's minds with, is pure, lovely, of truth, and points them to things above. Words, images, and what we bring into our thought life, are so powerful, and there are things even in children's products, that can be snuck in, without our knowing, that we may not have wanted at that time in their lives. It is quite difficult of course to find that perfect curriculum and balance, but I find the more simply I go in choosing, the more peace I have, while using the Bible as my main source book, with good rich literature, and reading, to really delve into topics to provide that good solid foundation, that many of us hope for in homeschooling. A foundation that will give them strength, and discernment as adults. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Sometimes, it is the unpopular things that we choose to do, that help us to make the best decisions, and honestly many times, it is quite alright to be "set apart".

[@rebekahian]

I found your channel for preschool reviews, but I feel like I've truly found a gem! You make me think deeper and question some things I hadn't before. I appreciate you and your honesty❤️

[@SevenInAll]

We find tests to be very useful tools in our homeschool, in the homeschool student, they can even help the student to realize when they have and haven't mastered content or skills. I also really appreciate the weaving math into everyday life sections in Math with Confidence.

[@keirajones5062]

I have just purchased Math with confidence for my youngest, excited to start using it :-D , I like the sound of weaving it into everyday life like you said. How have you found it overall?

[@SevenInAll]

@@keirajones5062 I absolutely love Math with Confidence--we're about 21 weeks into the K level and it's been a delight--and I'm impressed with how much my son has learned!

[@mrsdomdehoyos]

Love this video and all of your other videos! I am pulling my pre-k and kindergartner after this school year to homeschool them. I have had certain ideas of how I feel I want my homeschool to look so I did a lot of research and came across your videos and I immediately felt like I could relate to you. All of these "unpopular" things were what I was wanting in my homeschool so this video was very refreshing to watch!

[@alisiajimenez]

Hello! I'm a new sub. I agree with everything you said about teaching your children accountability. We follow the same method and the same schedule with 6 weeks on and 1 week off. We use Christiaan curriculum with lessons videos because that's all we could find that helps. Our children don't like us teaching all the time. Plus, whenever I teach our children our school day goes super long and it seems we haven't accomplished anything. Then the stress happens. So video lessons work best for our family. If you know of any curricula that is video led please let me know. I love you girl! Thanks for this video!

[@joyfullyhomeschoolingboys]

I am right there with you on the math. that's usually what they do just to keep their brain fresh for the next year. I love that you keep a consistent schedule I am working on being better at that. You are not alone in doing all these things. People may not talk about these things, but I feel it is still present.

[@brookeally1346]

You and I are on the same page. Everything you are saying is exactly the way I think. I started “formal” education at 2 and 3. The way I look at it is why not start getting them ready now to understand that I’m both their mother and their “teacher” why not get them into a “school” routine now rather than later? I want to do the homeschool all year as well. Even though we only started last year in July, everything has been running so much smoother. Also as a Christian I prefer secular as well. ❤

[@duncanpartyof6513]

Kudos to the standard of redoing work. I agree totally, nor striving for perfection but definitely want to develop a spirit of excellence and good work ethic.

[@rochellearthur1395]

Thanks for this. I have a 3.5yo, and I already feel some of these things as a HS teacher, tests are important. Finishing work is important. Math through the year, yes please!

[@kb8990]

Loved this. I share many of your same practices.

[@DanaK817]

I do all the same things!!! We started homeschooling at the same time and my girl is going into the 6th grade also. She is used to correcting her work and testing.

[@keirajones5062]

Always fun to see how others homeschool. My 4 kids didn't start formal lessons until 7, before then they were learning through play. I don't do standardized testing or any testing, I know what they've retained in basic conversations with them, and in New Zealand there is no testing anyway. We are also very relaxed homeschoolers and apart from math I make our own curriculum, with it increasing in more independent learning as they get older, eg researching topics themselves. And we are the opposite, we are not Christians but we have in the past used Gather round.

[@abibarker1869]

I have been using Math with Confidence for about 6 months now and have missed that part of the curriculum so thank you for showing me this!! 😊

[@kalonmontgomery8213]

Hello. Thank you for being vulnerable. I honestly don't see anything wrong with the unconventional things you're doing in your homeschool. When it comes to Christian homeachool curriculum, I often find it lacking. I know that's not a popular opinion, but that's been my experience.

[@brittanyolga]

To be honest, I have experienced the same thing with most of the Christian homeschool curriculum I have tried vs the Secular curriculum I am using as well. 🫣

[@kalonmontgomery8213]

@@brittanyolga I thought I was alone. I stopped using a popular Christian curriculum, because I didn't like the Bible stories. They felt watered down to the point they seemed romanticized. I also didn't like the academic side, because it didn't feel like enough.

[@faithfullyinfertile]

@@brittanyolgayes I have noticed this too.

[@HomeschoolwithRachel]

I do nearly all these things in my homeschool too! Keeping a routine is so vital in our home for keeping a home where everyone knows their purpose, their expectations, and bedtimes are met for well-rested bodies. Tired kids and parents are no fun 😂

[@rusticheritagecrochet]

Loved this video! ❤️ I related to much of what you shared that you do in your homeschool, and have at times been criticized for doing things the way I do. I would enjoy seeing a video on the Christian/secular curriculum topic. While I use some Christian curriculum, I also use other things that aren't. It comes down to it being our responsibility as parents to educate our children and not solely the curriculums job. That includes sharing our faith. I'm so glad this is a topic you're passionate about and would love to see a video on your thoughts. Thanks so much for sharing your homeschooling journey! Blessings! ❤️

[@gatheredandgroundedhomeschool]

I rarley hear about other homeschools that test- we still use the MAP test because my kids were doing it in public schools- I love that test!

[@kadieschaefer2874]

Sounds like we approach homeschool very similarly!! Go Mama, go!

[@pizzapartytime1826]

Redoing assignments will help them later in life. So they are use to it.

[@kanniaplancher]

I love this video. Some of those habits were expected of me growing up and it still shows (I wasnt homeschooled though). Please share more about why you choose more non-faith based curriculums vs faith based.

[@a.violet5905]

We all homeschool to suit our families. I would peg you for a type A sort of person and maybe your kids are also type A as well, so it fits. I'm type A with special needs kids, so I have to loosen things up for them in some areas and wait on their development. I still do math tests and we take our spelling lists from the dictation we use. As for Christian vs. Secular curriculum, when I first converted I used mostly secular curriculum with some Christian thrown in. We moved to Bookshark and it was great while I was still working things out. My family are now Orthodox Christians, so much of the Protestant curriculum isn't suitable for us, as it contradicts our beliefs as Orthodox Christians. We went into Charlotte Mason style education and it has been a great blessing. We are members of the Alveary and their curriculum uses up to date science and very diverse history. Their Bible is just us studying and discussing the actual Bible without a catechesis element to it. They leave it up to the parents to teach doctrine. It's really nice. Anyway, it's your homeschool so you run it however you like. That's the beauty of it. There is no homeschool police out there. They're your kids.

[@tanettacaleb7767]

Love this video and agree with everything. Great channel!

[@brittanyolga]

Thank you so much 😊

[@ItchyMilk]

Oh my goodness! Why do you live so far away. I didn't know any of these were controversial because I do most of these. We have spelling tests and math tests, we are structured , 6 weeks on and 1 week off. Thank you so much for this video!

[@victoriasbooktalks8882]

I'm in Georgia too! I plan to test yearly as well.

[@laureeso99]

Thank you for this video!! I would love to see one on your secular curriculum and reasons why. Specifically about things that may point back to evolution. Do you use a neutral science?

[@velvetme22]

I’m also a 4th grade teacher with a K student and I absolutely make her resubmit. And I make my 4th graders resubmit. Because #lifeskills. Whiteboards are great for this because erasing and rewriting are satisfying and fun (doesn’t feel punitive)

[@leghornlife]

When we started homeschool, 3 yrs ago, I did test in my own way , this past year, after watching some other KZbinrs, I decided to drop the testing. Now I know next year, we are going back with testing.....simply because 1. I feel it sharpens their thinking and 2.. I had a job application that came with a very long test and it was super stressful and it made me think, probably not a bad idea to at least practice this.

[@faithfullyinfertile]

I enjoyed this! I would love to hear more about the Christian curriculum.

[@nimahkubyana382]

Can you do more videos like this. Your videos have been really helpful. I am in my third month and honestly I feel like everything I do is wrong especially maths. But your videos have been helpful

[@paulie3090]

We do year round homeschooling. My 13 year old (grade 7) has dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and slow processing. I too agree with you. “If you don’t use it, you lose it” It’s hard enough getting information into her long term memory. I am looking for a standardized test. I was looking into the CAT test but now I’m curious, how is the MAP test? I’m looking for something that gives detailed results.

[@faithhomeschool2789]

What tests do you use for your oldest? We stay on routine no matter what. We do give the kids July off that is when we take advantage of beach days, stem kits. Yes to biblical discernment.

[@sheenagravell7475]

I live in a state where we need to give assessments and quarterly reports (NY state). We do standardized testing every other year after 3rd grade....then every year in the high school years. It doesn't really allow for creativity I feel yet I'm starting to find curriculum that works. I used to hate that but I'm kind of starting to embrace it.

[@brittnay5297]

Hello, another great video ❤ I agree with you on math and also testing but I have never really tested my kids on other subjects except spelling so can you explain the testing you use .

[@Neener1437]

We are black homeschoolers- who are Christian but we use all secular curriculum. There is a lot of questionable ideology in a lot of these “Christian “ homeschool curriculum s. I’ll leave it at that😂

[@EnglishwithGabby]

Oh my goodness, I’ve felt the same way looking through a lot of curricula! Especially history! I’m flipping through some of these like 👀. I was hoping to find other homeschooling families of color who would have better resources and thankfully this channel has exactly that!

[@JustAnotherViewer10]

@@EnglishwithGabby Forgive me, I'm not a person of color, but decolonization and using antiracist history curriculum is VERY important to me. We're finding Curiosity Chronicles, River of Voices, and Oh, Freedom! are awesome for that.

[@ilovetyandsarah]

I love that you give written tests to your older daughter. I work in the college setting and professors always say they love homeschool students because they are self motivated learners and interact with the information and are respectful smart kids, but they are across the board awful at test taking. For the MAP testing you do - how do you sign up for that and administrator it?

[@tiajatrice2021]

I, too, am in Georgia and will be doing standardized testing for the first time this year. May I ask what standardized tests do you use? We have looked at so many options and it’s overwhelming. 😅

[@de5889]

Fellow Georgian here. We’ve always used the California Achievement Test. I researched with my first kid and this one seemed more affordable and easier to administer than other offerings.

[@JustAnotherViewer10]

I am in Georgia, too. We do the MAP test and the California Achievement Test (CAT). You can do them online and untimed.

[@velvetme22]

I love this topic. We are “afterschoolers” so my daughter does a mix of Abeka, Singapore and other supplements. I don’t talk about it a lot because man are folks opinionated!!!!

[@lisaroper421]

I am definitely contemplating all year school so that we don't have skill loss!

[@StephanieMT]

Interested in this video

[@theheartslegacy]

Can we get a skin care routine ur skin is flawless ❤

[@ginagiberti9283]

Great video! There are a handful of Christian homeschoolers who use secular materials here on KZbin. Maybe you can all do a collab on this 😀

[@MsSunshine1469]

Your in Georgia! I'm recently moved here as well...We should meet up and do a play date!

[@tamararuth8692]

Just discovered your videos. Thank you for all the unpopular things because I’m planning to go that route too! Many reasons. I would like to know why you’re going away from Christian based curriculum.

[@jackieboeni5694]

Can I ask you which Standardized test do you use?

[@benettacousins5919]

I want to know also ❤

[@srb218]

Curious if any of your “routine” takes you outside of home? Either during your regular school schedule or during “breaks”. You don’t talk about that much.

[@Trekkifulshay]

We are Christian but some of the ideas some popular Christian curricula will teach as fact [young earth or that Europeans colonized the world for Jesus] we just cannot support. I'm not too worried about our math coming from a Christian company we seek books and supplements from diverse voices for a more well-rounded outlook.

[@sarahe7515]

Honestly, in 2017 I bought Sonlight. I thought it would be inspiring because it was labeled as Christian. Their Bible section is just stuff that I can buy from Christian book and my kids just don’t recite verses. I think that Campfire Curriculum offers more Christian into their stuff than Sonlight did so I do different things but my main curriculum is not “Christian.”