Year End Review Of Our Homeschool | The Flexibility That Saved Us
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Release Date: 07/31/2025
8 Weeks Into Homeschool: The Good, The Hard & The Honest Truth āØ | Making Everyday Magic
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Itās time for our 8-Week Homeschool Updateāand Iām 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 whatās actually workingā¦ and what still feels like chaos. In this episode of Making Everyday Magic, Iām sharing the good, the hard, and the honest truth about where weāre at in our homeschool right now. From curriculum choices that are clicking to the ones weāre still navigating, to the daily rhythm thatās keeping us mostly on track (with plenty of grace), this...
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The Dark Side of Forced Socialization (What Homeschoolers Need to Hear) āØ | Making Everyday Magic
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Stop forcing socialization. Letās talk about homeschool socialization in a way thatās honest, grounded, and long overdue. In this episode of Making Everyday Magic, Iām unpacking the dark side of forced socializationāand why trying to recreate traditional classroom dynamics at home often does more harm than good. So many homeschool parents carry unnecessary stress around socialization. Weāre told group learning is the gold standard, that kids need constant peer exposure, and that anything outside that model means theyāre āmissing out.ā But that story doesnāt line up with real...
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Is Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts Worth It? 4th Grade MCT Level 2 Review
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Curious if Michael Clay Thompsonās Language Arts Curriculum is worth it for your homeschool? In this episode, Iām 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. Youāll hear what works, how we fit it into our day, and tips for making everyday magic while teaching language arts. If youāre exploring secular homeschool language arts options, looking for practical...
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Time Management For Homeschool Moms | Simple Tips That Actually Work
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Feeling overwhelmed trying to balance homeschool, housework, and everything else on your plate? You are so not alone. In this episode, Iām 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, youāll walk away with actionable tips to: ā Stay on top of lessons without burnout ā Build routines...
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Is MCT Level 5 the Best Language Arts Curriculum for 8th Grade? Honest Review and Insights
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Finding the right homeschool language arts curriculum can feel overwhelming, especially for middle school. In this episode, Iām 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 momās 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 youāre exploring secular...
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Save Money Fast With These Homeschool Tips | Real Budget Hacks That Actually Work
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
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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Is Denison Really Worth It for Homeschoolers? An Honest Geometry Curriculum Review
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
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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The Proven Math U See Strategy That Actually Works for 4th Grade
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
If youāve been wondering whether Math U See is the right fit for your homeschool, this episode dives into the honest, real-life breakdown youāve been looking for. Today, Iām sharing the proven strategy thatās been helping our 4th grade math routine click ā and why this curriculum continues to surprise me in the best ways. Math doesnāt have to be stressful, overwhelming, or a daily battle. With the right approach, it can actually feel doable and even enjoyable (yes, really). Iām talking about what works, what doesnāt, and the small adjustments that have made a huge difference in...
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Why I Started Making Everyday Magic: Our Homeschool Story
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
If youāve ever wondered how Making Everyday Magic began, this episode is the heart of it all. Today, Iām 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 ā this is the story behind it all. And yesā¦ I also try coconut water for the first time, because why not? Inside this personal episode, Iām sharing: ā¢ What inspired me to start Making Everyday Magic ā¢ How...
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Surprising Lessons From Week One of Homeschool
Making Everyday Magic: The Podcast
Week one of our homeschool year is officially in the books ā and wow, did it come with some surprises. In this episode, Iām sharing our honest first impressions of the new homeschool routines, the curriculum weāre testing out, and the little lessons that already shifted how weāre approaching this year. If you love real-life homeschooling without the pressure or perfection, this is the recap youāll want to hear. Weāre talking adjustments, wins, what we didnāt expect, and how weāre already finding the rhythm that makes everyday magic actually possible. Inside this episode, Iām...
info_outlineWe made it, friends! š In this Year End Review Of Our Homeschool, Iām reflecting on what mightāve been our most unpredictableāand most meaningfulāyear yet. Life got messy, but homeschool let us breathe through the chaos and come out stronger.
This episode dives into:
š What actually worked (and what totally didnāt)
š How flexibility carried us through the hard stuff
šæ The real-life lessons we didnāt plan for
š” Why Iām feeling hopeful and already dreaming about next year
If youāve ever wondered what itās really like to homeschool through a hard season and still find growth and joy on the other sideāthis oneās for you.
āØ Whether youāre planning, pivoting, or just survivingāyou are not alone. Letās wrap up the year with honesty, gratitude, and a little bit of magic.
š¬ What did you learn this homeschool year? Come share your wins and lessons with me!
#YearEndReviewOfOurHomeschool #MakingEverydayMagic #HomeschoolReflection #EndOfHomeschoolYear #FlexibleHomeschooling #SecularHomeschool #HomeschoolWins #HomeschoolMomLife #RealLifeHomeschool #HomeschoolReview
-šShanna
Just a mama making magic!