One of the questions I get asked most often by other homeschool parents is, "What do you use for math?" Every homeschooling parent has to make a decision about how they'll teach math, and there are so many good options available. This is simply the one that's worked well for our family. How We Started When I began homeschooling my oldest son as a first grader, I already knew he was working well above grade level in math. I wanted to challenge him, so I started researching cur

One of my favorite parts of this experience has been hearing directly from Charlotte Mason herself instead of relying on podcasts, blog posts, or social media summaries of her ideas. While I'm grateful for modern interpreters, there's something refreshing about reading the original source. Her convictions, her wit, and even her occasional sharp critiques come through much more clearly when you encounter her words firsthand.

Watching instructional craft videos, history documentaries, or playing chess online aren't bad things. In fact, I think they're wonderful uses of technology. But I also know my kids. If I gave them unlimited access, even educational screen time could easily consume most of the day. Every minute spent on a screen—even for good reasons—is a minute not spent outside, building forts, drawing, reading, inventing games, or simply being bored long enough to come up with something cr

August is 10 years old and in the fifth grade. He’s conscientious and creative, and we started homeschooling because of him! Though we tried our local public school when he was in kindergarten, by the end of that school year we knew he would thrive in a different environment. His math and reading skills have always been well above average, and he wanted to be freed up to explore his own interests. Lately those interests have included worldwide flags and airport codes. He lo

Felicity is 8 years old. Felicity is always making crafts (over the summer she held a weekly Craft Club at our house), and she listens to audiobooks and podcasts constantly. Halfway through her 1st grade year we decided to shift Felicity from homeschooling to attending a nearby small private school. It's called Austin Christian Academy, and she loves it. Of the Esparza kids, she's the biggest thrill-seeker and enjoys going on all the big roller coasters with her dad. She also

Micah is six years old. He may be the youngest of his siblings, but he keeps up and fits in well with older kids. This past year Micah has been obsessed with space and birds. He has become quite a young birder and has identified over 150 “lifer” birds on the Merlin app. Micah finished his kindergarten year in homeschool and has been a part of our co-op since he was two years old. He says his favorite part of co-op is nature walks, snack time, and playing with friends.

We begin our homeschool year when the rest of the kids in town begin. Our homeschool co-op waits until September, but by mid-August the whole town is buzzing about back-to-school. The children’s programming at church and other extracurriculars kick back up, and we get into the swing of it, too. I call it a soft launch . We do many of our daily lessons, practices, and read-alouds, but things will ramp up even more when co-op days begin. Felicity will be going to a private scho

Post date: January 2024 Micah is nearly four years old. He was born in March 2020, the week the pandemic came to Austin. Thinking of how old his is helps us remember how long it has been! Micah goes to our church's Child Development Center two days a week and he does homeschool and play with us the other days. He is so much fun to be around! As a three-year-old, though, he is constantly seeking attention. So we are glad to have two days a week for him to play with his friends

Felicity is 6 years old. She is working at the kindergarten level. Things Felicity likes: Dancing Taking pictures with her polariod camera Selling juice and lollipop trees

August is 8 years old and technically in the 2nd grade. I say "technically" because homeschoolers are put into grades in the same way that public school kids are. He's socially and emotionally similar to other 2nd graders his age, but August works on what is labeled as 5th grade math, reads at a ... not sure - what level, but it's quite high. I have met homeschooled kids in the past and asked them what grade they were in. Their hesitation in answering me annoyed me a bit beca

January 2024 blog post Definition of Curate: noun: a minister with pastoral responsibility verb: to select the best or most appropriate, especially for presentation, distribution, or publication Every day I serve as a curate. I am a pastor in my church. The etymology of the word "curate" comes from the Medieval Latin curatus which means one who is charged with the care of souls. I think that in fact all parents serve as a curate in their own homes. But vocationally, that is s