Are You Confusing School With Learning? The Truth Most People Miss
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Release Date: 06/26/2025
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Itâs time for our 8-Week Homeschool Updateâand Iâm keeping it honest. Eight weeks into the school year is when the real picture starts to form. The excitement has worn off, routines are tested, and you can finally see whatâs actually working⌠and what still feels like chaos. In this episode of Making Everyday Magic, Iâm sharing the good, the hard, and the honest truth about where weâre at in our homeschool right now. From curriculum choices that are clicking to the ones weâre still navigating, to the daily rhythm thatâs keeping us mostly on track (with plenty of grace), this...
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Stop forcing socialization. Letâs talk about homeschool socialization in a way thatâs honest, grounded, and long overdue. In this episode of Making Everyday Magic, Iâm unpacking the dark side of forced socializationâand why trying to recreate traditional classroom dynamics at home often does more harm than good. So many homeschool parents carry unnecessary stress around socialization. Weâre told group learning is the gold standard, that kids need constant peer exposure, and that anything outside that model means theyâre âmissing out.â But that story doesnât line up with real...
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Curious if Michael Clay Thompsonâs Language Arts Curriculum is worth it for your homeschool? In this episode, Iâm giving an honest, real-life look at how we use MCT Level 2, The Town, in our 4th grade homeschool. From grammar and vocabulary to writing and reading comprehension, I share how this curriculum supplement brings language arts to life while keeping learning engaging and fun. Youâll hear what works, how we fit it into our day, and tips for making everyday magic while teaching language arts. If youâre exploring secular homeschool language arts options, looking for practical...
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Feeling overwhelmed trying to balance homeschool, housework, and everything else on your plate? You are so not alone. In this episode, Iâm sharing realistic, practical time management tips for homeschool moms that actually work. From building routines that fit your family to staying on top of lessons without burning out, these strategies are designed to make your homeschool days flow with less stress and more peace. Whether you are just starting out or have been homeschooling for years, youâll walk away with actionable tips to: â Stay on top of lessons without burnout â Build routines...
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Finding the right homeschool language arts curriculum can feel overwhelming, especially for middle school. In this episode, Iâm sharing my honest, in-depth review of the Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts program at Level 5. We dive into grammar, vocabulary, writing, and literature, and I give you a real homeschool momâs perspective on how this curriculum flows, what we love, and where it might not be the best fit. After years of homeschooling and testing different curricula, I know how important it is to choose something that actually works for your family. If youâre exploring secular...
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Homeschooling does not have to be expensive to be effective. In this episode, I am sharing practical homeschool budget hacks that help us save money fast while still providing a solid, meaningful education. These are real strategies we actually use, from finding quality free homeschool resources to making smarter curriculum and supply decisions that stretch your budget without sacrificing learning. If you are feeling the pressure of rising costs or wondering how to homeschool well on a tight budget, this episode will help you rethink what is truly necessary and where you can simplify. These...
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Choosing a homeschool math curriculum can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to balance rigor, confidence, and real understanding. In this episode, I share our honest experience with the Denison geometry curriculum and answer the question so many homeschool parents are asking. Is Denison really worth it for homeschoolers? We talk about how this curriculum functions day to day, what worked well for our family, where the challenges showed up, and who Denison geometry is actually a good fit for. If you are navigating homeschool math, considering Denison algebra or geometry, or...
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If youâve been wondering whether Math U See is the right fit for your homeschool, this episode dives into the honest, real-life breakdown youâve been looking for. Today, Iâm sharing the proven strategy thatâs been helping our 4th grade math routine click â and why this curriculum continues to surprise me in the best ways. Math doesnât have to be stressful, overwhelming, or a daily battle. With the right approach, it can actually feel doable and even enjoyable (yes, really). Iâm talking about what works, what doesnât, and the small adjustments that have made a huge difference in...
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If youâve ever wondered how Making Everyday Magic began, this episode is the heart of it all. Today, Iâm opening up about who I am, why I started this journey, and how our homeschool story shaped everything I share here. From the early days of figuring things out, to the messy, real-life moments that pushed me toward creating a space for honest, encouraging homeschool content â this is the story behind it all. And yes⌠I also try coconut water for the first time, because why not? Inside this personal episode, Iâm sharing: ⢠What inspired me to start Making Everyday Magic ⢠How...
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Week one of our homeschool year is officially in the books â and wow, did it come with some surprises. In this episode, Iâm sharing our honest first impressions of the new homeschool routines, the curriculum weâre testing out, and the little lessons that already shifted how weâre approaching this year. If you love real-life homeschooling without the pressure or perfection, this is the recap youâll want to hear. Weâre talking adjustments, wins, what we didnât expect, and how weâre already finding the rhythm that makes everyday magic actually possible. Inside this episode, Iâm...
info_outlineHey friends, Shanna here! đ Today weâre talking about a BIG mindset shift: Are you making the mistake of confusing school with learning? Because letâs be realâschool and learning are not the same thing. đâ
Just because a kid checks all the boxes or sits through all the lessons doesnât mean theyâre actually learning something that sticks. And that pressure to âdo school rightâ can get in the way of some of the best learning momentsâlike those late-night deep talks, kitchen science, or car ride trivia battles. â¨
In this episode, Iâm breaking down how we draw the line between âschoolâ and real learning in our secular homeschool life. Whether you homeschool, unschool, or just want more freedom and flexibility in how your child grows, this is your reminder: learning happens everywhereânot just in a classroom.
đ Letâs keep the convo going:
đŹ Whatâs something your child learned outside of school that actually stuck?
đŹ Ever felt like school was blocking true learning?
Letâs challenge the system, support each other, and raise amazing humans together.
âââ
â Follow for more honest talk on secular homeschooling, parenting, and mindset.
đ Rate + review if this hit home.
đ˛ Share this with a friend who needs to hear it!
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