Shifting The Focus in Our Homeschool (Starting with Morning Basket) + How I Choose Our Curriculum

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

There are obviously many more real life topics I want to cover over the years that I didn’t even get to mention in this video. What are some of your real life topics and skills that you’re prioritizing in your homeschool?

[@katiacleroux7376]

After finishing an academically intense year, I'm sitting where you are. Myself and my husband are refocusing what we want for their education.

[@brooklynleighhh]

I’m also feeling a shift into more practical life skills for my young children in addition to their normal lessons! The morning basket is such a great way to incorporate these skills + focus 🥰 totally agree!!

[@SkylarWhitmire]

Oh my gosh, I used to love the Care and Keeping of You when I was a girl. Early 90s baby. I still remember it to this day!

[@lifewithginab]

Love that you're adding a mental health aspect to your morning time :)

[@leeshalake280]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS! ESPECIALLY THIS ONE, SUPER INFORMATIVE! RIGHT ON TRACK WITH THE BOOKS THAT I LIKE AND WHAT IM LOOKING FOR! THANK YOU! :)

[@KayleeKroeker-ck4ub]

Emotions and positivity are huge ones for us! We definitely need to get a handle on that with these girls. 😅 I want to incorporate daily tasks things as well, like self sustainability and financial health. I've never thought of morning basket as a time for this. I love it. Thank you for the ideas! ❤

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I think it makes it easier when it's built in...rather than just getting to it on the fringes of life haha

[@savannahkr8]

I will have a K, 1st, and 2nd grader next year and it’ll be our first year homeschooling. Kinda nervous, kinda excited 😬 Love watching your videos 🥰

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

It's normal to feel ALL those things!

[@budgetnutritionist]

I love how practical it is to include physical and mental health in your morning basket! Fabulous ideas!

[@rebekahsmith9279]

Thank you for your videos. You have been such an inspiration and great resource for me in my first year of homeschooling. I’m so thankful I found your channel!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

That means more than you know ❤

[@GardenMinistry.]

What a great way to do a morning basket, I love your focus this year!!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

❤❤❤

[@angelinacarraway3576]

Ty for doing upcoming detailed videos on how and when u do stuff I’m am so lost and overwhelmed!!! I’m the type I need someone to tell me in detail how to schedule what and when!!! I hav tried to do it on my own and it’s a disaster for everyone

[@sewmightygrateful1584]

I love that you shared this! I've been looking for good books for life skills, emotions, manners, etc. so that my children have the best foundation for life. Love your videos!

[@laurene9166]

Thank you for this video! I love this thought process - thank you for discussing the bigger picture thinking! These resources look wonderful.

[@geekyabode]

Thank you for this! I want to add more mental health topics, character, and life skills into our homeschool time.

[@sarasali3077]

I love these kinds of videos. Thank you for sharing!! And I can’t wait for the video about your schedule!!❤

[@natalie5790]

Thank you Lauren! I enjoy your videos and find them very helpful!

[@laurencliff8185]

My daughter LOVED that body book. I skimmed it to make sure i didn't see anything that wasn't appropriate. Then I allowed her to read it, then we discussed things she had questions about, and talk about changes she noticed in herself. It was good to let her come to me when she had questions because things she had questions about varied in timeline, and allowed her to mentally process, then i was a sounding board. I also talked to my mom, my MIL, and Granny about when they had some body change happenings (like first menstral cycle) so she could get an idea aboit where her genetics might lie.

[@laurencliff8185]

Also i have been semi religiously watching your videos because next year it will be my first time homeschooling my (to be) 6ths grader-F and 2nd grader-M

[@laurencliff8185]

What are you using for Financial Literacy?

[@worldofweeze]

The Who Am I series looks wonderful! I haven’t heard of that but I’m looking into that one! ❤

[@jennakelly4446]

Thank you again for sharing. I really appreciate your thoughts on morning basket. While I love the Charlotte Mason morning it just hasn’t ever been a big hit with my kids and it’s almost made me feel a little guilty not doing that consistently. I love your take of just making it practical and thinking of our long term goals.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I've never been able to do it super consistently either (here and there), but I think it's because I felt like I needed to incorporate that. Now I'm just doing it in a relaxed way, and adding things I'm more passionate about teaching my kids and feel confident I'll be able to be more consistent with this.

[@MysteryExodus]

This resonated with me. I’m looking at curriculums and when I see heavy emphasis on say, Shakespeare, it doesn’t seem practical. I’m not saying it’s not good to know, but honestly I find it boring to read so I don’t think I could even teach it well.

[@donnabolt5847]

I got to say i chuckled about the ripped book jacket and your daughter's concern. I had actually thrown mine away...😳 the book is on great condition. Its just, um, old because im going in my wiser years now 😅

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

Definitely interested to hear your thoughts on Care and Keeping of You. I looked through it and there were a few things I didn’t really want to address yet or at all. 😊

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Yes, definitely not bringing up certain topics...not interested in planting seeds in their heads that don't need to be planted.

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

@@thepracticalhomeschooler My husband and I feel the same way. 👍🏻

[@grandmasoneroomschoolhouse261]

I just accidentally came across a KZbin post about a curriculum that, I think, does what you were talking about with putting world history and American history in the same time period. It's called A Gentle Feast. Charlotte Mason curriculum. Four books. They actually incorporate ancient history and British history along with the world and American. I don't know anything about the curriculum, like I said I just came across it, but I wanted to share with you about it.

[@KatieMAmador]

Love all this information and these resources! Do you have anything picked out for finance/budget?

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Not this year! That will be coming in the next year or so…but I’ve heard people like Dave Ramsey financial peace Jr. I honestly haven’t looked into it yet though, so I can’t say.

[@donnabolt5847]

Love love Shel Silverstein. Im doing that this year with my kiddos too. I actually have where the sidewalk ends from when i was a child!! My older kids loved it. So so fun. Are you worried about being overwhelmed with a precious new little one and the 3? Im trying to figure out just 3 and they are all a lot hands on for me. I am trying out new curriculum thats more independent for my 6th grader but... we will see.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Yes I am 🫣 I’m talking about it in an upcoming video but yes I do. I know it will all work out but i do get nervous thinking about it. Something I’m giving over to God and trying to let go of things I can’t control

[@katiacleroux7376]

I was wondering if you looked at the not consumables bible studies? I'm debating between them and apologia

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I have a bit, yes. Just decided to go with this one though ☺️

[@gingerdillard1664]

What are your top choices for gratitude journals? I’m looking too and would love to get some suggestions. Blessings!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I’ll link the ones I’m looking at!

[@grandmasoneroomschoolhouse261]

In the Apologia Bible do they incorporate Bible verse memorization?

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Not that I've seen in the book, but maybe in the workbooks that come with it.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

They do have a “hide it in your heart” section in each lesson where they offer Bible verses to memorize….we just read aloud them but you can definitely use those!

[@grandmasoneroomschoolhouse261]

Thank you, I've been looking into it and I do believe you were right that it's in the workbook.

[@theoneiltvchannel775]

How many hrs u do for homeschool daily?

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

It depends on the year. We’ve done anywhere from 2 hours when it was just my oldest 2 in preschool and 1st. But with a 6th, 4th and 2nd it will take longer.

[@andrewjessicahersh9466]

If I’m not mistaken, I believe some of those poetry readings are from the author themselves! Might be worth trying out for a more dynamic experience.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

O really? Ok, I didn't realize that! I'll definitely check them out then. Thanks!

[@AlwaysBooked]

What ages do you think Who Am I is appropriate for?

[@AlwaysBooked]

I have 3 girls and these books all look so good! I can’t wait to hear what you think of them all!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I think it depends on the kids but mine will be in 6th, 4th and 2nd and I think it will be a perfect age for all of them and we can have good discussion. It will hit for a variety of ages!

[@AlwaysBooked]

@@thepracticalhomeschooler I have an almost 1st grader and then younger kids. I love the idea of character building through Christ. Do you have any recommendations for younger kids?

[@calliek7239]

I want to home school my baby so bad but I’m just now starting to look into homeschooling I love hearing your experience and what you want your kids to know I hope I can do something similar