The Sequoia Breeze

There are many ways to homeschool, and understanding different educational philosophies can help us discover what works best for our families. In our new “Introducing” series, we're exploring the ideas behind a variety of homeschooling approaches, from Charlotte Mason to unschooling and beyond.

Have you ever wondered what a Charlotte Mason education looks like? In this episode, experienced homeschooler, curriculum author, and podcaster Nicole Williams introduces us to the wonder, order, and beauty of this time-tested philosophy. Discover how rich literature, meaningful learning experiences, and the cultivation of good habits come together to nurture a lifelong love of learning—and why Miss Mason believed education is “an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life.”

Show Notes

A Delectable Education, episode 1

Home Education, by Charlotte Mason

Sabbath Mood Homeschool

Charlotte Mason Plenary

Alveary Curriculum

Strings, Straightedge, and Shadow by Julia Diggins

What if memorization isn’t just about remembering facts, but building a foundation for deeper thinking?

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Julie Walker from IEW about the surprising connection between memorization and thinking. We’ll talk about why memorizing poetry, great writing, and other worthwhile things gives children a bank of language, ideas, and experiences they can draw from for years to come. Julie helps us look beyond the question of “Can my child memorize this?” to a bigger question: “How do I want to furnish my child’s mind?”

If you’ve ever wondered whether memorization really has a place in your homeschool, this conversation may change the way you think about it.

Show Notes:

All 6 Levels of Understanding (on Bloom’s Taxonomy) (2026)

Forgetting curve - Wikipedia

The AI chatbot you use every day has a point of view. Researchers proved it.

Andrew Pudewa: By Heart: The Goodness of Memory

Memory Work for Homeschool: 100 Things for Kids to Memorize

IEW's Memorizing Poetry

There are SO many ways to customize learning, and this program is a great example!

In this episode, we’re welcoming Brieana DeMelo, an Agriculture Sciences teacher at our schools, to hear about all the exciting things happening in Ag Science. In just a short time, Brieana has created a vibrant, hands-on program for students in grades 6–12—and it’s still growing!

Listen in to discover the many ways students can learn where their food comes from, explore careers in agriculture (hint: it’s SO much more than farming!), and connect with other students who share their interests.

There’s a whole world of agriculture to dig into!

Show Notes:

• Ag Pathways Flyers - Contains graphics outlining the two agriculture pathways and course descriptions for all of the agriculture courses offered. Also lists the course rotation.
• Agriculture Website on The Bridge - Has a program overview and links to agricultural scholarships at the bottom.
• Ag Club Google Classroom Join Link - Open to students grade 5-12 to join. Class Code is: x3ecs7fi
• SGCA Article - An article about the agriculture program that was recently added to the bridge.
• brieana.demelo@sequoiagrove.org - Email me to get added to the monthly agriculture newsletter, give me feedback, or ask questions!
• SGCA Agricultural Club - Wednesdays @ 3pm, 6th-12th grade

Season 9 kicks off with a conversation that's just as relevant today as when it first aired.

We're revisiting one of our favorite episodes as Rebecca sits down with Executive Director Jenell Sherman to talk about the heart, mission, and vision behind Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance.

Whether you're hearing it for the first time or listening again, you'll come away with a deeper understanding of what makes the Sequoia Grove schools so unique. Jenell is the driving force behind Sequoia Grove's "Homeschool Heart," and her passion, wisdom, and leadership continue to shape our families' experience. We think you'll be glad you got to know the woman helping keep our school true to its mission.

Show Notes:

Watch the video about Sequoia Grove that Jenell refers to here.

California Dashboard--A school's 'report card.'

​Spoiler: none of us can teach our children everything they’ll need to know before they leave home. So what can we give them? A love of learning, the confidence to try new things, and the curiosity to keep growing long after graduation.

In this special episode, Rebecca explore the idea of lifelong learning—not just for our kids, but for us as parents too. What have you been learning lately? Do your children see you pursuing new interests, taking risks, asking questions, and growing?

Featuring fun sound bites and ideas from parents and staff--and even Rebecca's dad--this episode is full of encouragement to stay curious, keep learning, and become more interested in your own life.

​Most of us think in terms of 24 hours in a day, but what if we started thinking in terms of 168 hours in a week? Suddenly, time feels a little different.

So where does all that time go?

In this episode, we explore how to approach our days with more intention and less overwhelm, drawing on insights from author and time expert Laura Vanderkam and her books Tranquility by Tuesday and Big Time. Discover practical ways to rethink your time, build rhythms that work, and move through your days with a greater sense of calm and purpose.

Listen in and discover just how much time you really have.

Show Notes:

https://lauravanderkam.com/

Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters

Big Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance

Does your family have animals? Are you considering it? Whether you have cuddly pets, reptilian friends, or animals that serve a purpose in your home, there is much for students to learn and gain from their presence.

In this special episode, we take you inside several families’ experiences with animals—exploring what students have learned and how their lives have been enriched along the way. Join us for a heartwarming episode that’s sure to put a smile on your face!

Show Notes:

Snake Discovery YouTube Channel

Zoo Books & Ranger Rick

Lakeshore Learning

Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT)

4H curriculum

State testing season is here. For many homeschool families, that can bring questions—or even a little stress.

In this episode of the Sequoia Breeze Podcast, we take a clear and honest look at CAASPP. You’ll hear from school leaders about why testing matters and how our schools are cheering your family on. You’ll also hear from three homeschool moms who share simple, practical ways they helped their students prepare with confidence.

This episode isn’t about teaching to the test. It’s about recognizing growth, building important life skills, and helping students show what they already know.

If you’ve ever wondered whether state testing can be more than just a requirement, this conversation will leave you feeling encouraged and prepared.

Tune in today so you can be ready to take the next step with confidence.

Show Notes:

Beast Academy

CA Dashboard

CAASPP practice test

WriteReflections

Prodigy Math

Love of Learning

Quizlet

Freckle (Renaissance)

Touch Type Read Spell

IEW Adventures in Writing

Did you know there’s real support available when state testing feels overwhelming?

This month on The Sequoia Breeze, Rebecca LaSavio is joined by Denis DiNoia, creator of Mr. D Math and a well-known advocate for homeschooling and charter education. Together, they talk about Conquer the CAASPP, a test prep course designed specifically for California students. But this course isn’t about cramming or drilling. It’s about helping students build confidence, work through fear and anxiety, and walk into testing feeling prepared, capable, and ready to do their best.

This fast-paced, engaging conversation is packed with practical wisdom, real-life examples, and ideas families can use right away. If testing season feels stressful in your home, this episode offers reassurance, tools, and a reminder that confidence is just as important as content.

Show Notes:
Conquer the CAASPP

What does real consistency look like in a homeschool—beyond perfect plans and good intentions? In this episode, I sit down with longtime homeschooler and community leader Dawn Garrett to talk about the kind of steady, everyday effort that truly shapes learning and family life.

We talk about why consistency matters, what can make it hard, how to start small, and why “showing up” can look different from season to season. Dawn shares honest lessons from her own journey, simple routines that work, and encouragement for the days when it feels like you’re starting over… again.

If you’ve ever struggled to keep going—or wondered if everyone else has it more together—this conversation is a reminder that consistency is something we build over time.

Listen in, and then tell us: What does consistency look like in your home right now?

Show Notes:

Minimum Viable Day - Start Here

Morning Time on the Go podcast episode

Blog:Why I Need a Scheduled Routine

Homeschool Better Together

Contact:

http://ladydusk.com

Insta ladydusk

http://community.pambarnhill.com

https://pambarnhill.com/how-to-be-more-flexible-with-your-homeschooling/

https://pambarnhill.com/kids-awake-early/

https://pambarnhill.com/finding-time-for-morning-time/

https://pambarnhill.com/how-to-homeschool-with-confidence/

https://pambarnhill.com/benefits-homeschool-consistency/

https://pambarnhill.com/scheduled-routine/

https://pambarnhill.com/best-morning-habits/

https://pambarnhill.com/quick-and-easy-homeschool-breakfasts/

In this special episode that’s just in time for the holiday season, Rebecca sits down with author Isabel Tom to explore the heart behind her book, The Value of Wrinkles. Drawing from her unique upbringing living with grandparents and her career serving older adults, Isabel challenges the cultural fears we often carry about aging. She shares why intergenerational relationships matter, how they enrich our families, and what wisdom we miss when we separate our lives by age. Whether you're looking to strengthen family connections or simply see aging through a more hopeful lens, this conversation will inspire you to embrace the wisdom and experience that age provides.

Show Notes:

http://valueofwrinkles.com

High school brings exciting opportunities for deeper learning and personal growth. With the right tools, homeschooling through this stage can be both manageable and meaningful.

In this episode, join Rebecca as she sits down with high school content specialist Robin Caminiti to talk about how Course Outlines can support both flexibility and academic success. Whether you're new to homeschooling high school or just looking for ways to stay organized and confident, you'll learn how these outlines work, how to make the most of the built-in resources, and how Sequoia Grove’s team is here to support you every step of the way.

This is a must-listen episode for any family navigating the high school years with creativity and confidence!

Contact our Content Specialists:

Robin: robin.caminiti@sequoiagrove.org

Arpi: arpine.ovsepyan@sequoiagrove.org

You can get a copy of Course Outlines from your HST or find them on the Bridge.

What does it look like to homeschool with more peace and less overwhelm? In this episode, Rebecca sits down with friend and fellow Family Liaison, Beka Heath, a homeschool mom of seven, to talk about how the book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less has shaped the way they think about homeschooling.

Together, they explore what it means to choose “less but better” when it comes to curriculum, daily rhythms, and the expectations we place on ourselves. Beka shares practical ways she’s applied these ideas in her own home—along with a few laughs and real-life moments from her busy household. If you’re craving focus, clarity, or just a little encouragement, this conversation will help you cut through the noise and make space for what really matters.

Show Notes:

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Read Aloud Revival Episode #220 Essentialism for Homeschoolers

The Sequoia Breeze PodcastPlan Your Year with Pam Barnhill

Homeschooling isn’t about doing all the things — it’s about doing the right things. With so many curriculum options and extracurricular opportunities available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this episode, HST Jaime Happ helps us pause and reflect on the “why” behind our decisions — so we can make more intentional choices about how we spend our time, energy, and resources. Whether you're navigating too many options or unsure where to focus, this conversation will leave you feeling grounded, clear, and confident in your next step.

Notes:

Blog: The Proverbial Homeschool *this is a religious resource

Simon Sinek Start with Why

Pam Barnhill’s Minimum Viable Day

Charlotte Mason is known for her motto, “I am, I can, I ought, I know.”

Printables from Jaime:

Tips for Schooling Multiple Ages

Homeschool Philosophy Worksheet

Cynthia Rachel from A.P.P.L.E is back! AB 84 has passed the Assembly and is now headed to the State Senate. If signed into law, this bill could significantly impact our flex-based charter school model and the families we serve. Cynthia breaks down where the bill stands, clearly explains the recent updates, and shares how we can take meaningful action to ensure our voices are heard by our representatives. Don’t miss this important conversation.

Show Notes:

A.P.P.L.E website

A.P.P.L.E. Facebook Page

California Legislature Position Letter Portal

Find Your Senator

In this episode, your host, Rebecca LaSavio, sits down with Stephanie Slade, the visionary founder behind the Northern California Homeschool Convention. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooler or just getting started, this conversation will open your eyes to the incredible value of homeschool conferences. From building community and discovering new resources to getting energized for the school year ahead, Stephanie shares why these events are much more than just vendor halls and workshops.

Find out what’s in store for this year’s convention, including keynote speakers, new offerings, special sessions for new families, and more. If you’ve ever wondered whether attending a conference is worth your time, this episode will convince you it absolutely is.

So grab your coffee, get comfy, and let’s dive into a conversation that might just reshape your homeschool journey.

Show Notes:

Convention website: http://thenchc.us

Coupon Code for $10 off ticket: SG2025

AB 84 is a bill that, if passed, could drastically impact our flex-based charter school model and affect all of our families. In this episode, Rebecca interviews Cynthia Rachel, who offers a knowledgeable and clear explanation of what this bill means for us and how we can take action to make our voices heard by our representatives.

Don’t miss this vital conversation.

Show notes:

http://stopab84.com/

A.P.P.L.E. Website

A.P.P.L.E. Facebook Group

Rebecca concludes season 6 with a wrap up of 11 great episodes and asks you to join her in remembering the highlights!

Show Notes:

Clarksville Voice Message

Feather River Voice Message

Lake View Voice Message

Come back for more! In Part 2 of this conversation, Rebecca and her sisters-in-law continue discussing how to give our TK and Kindergarten students a healthy start to school. Dive into the conversation about the importance of play and music. This episode has lots of encouragement for parents and educators of our curious, busy, always-learning, littles!

Featuring guests Eliza Reed and Elisabeth Harmon.

Show Notes:

“Play is the serious business of children” seems to be an idea taken from psychologist Jean Piaget (“Play is the work of children”) and Fred Rogers, who said “Play is often talked about as a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning.”

Roxaboxen by Alice McLarren

The Raft by Jim LaMarche

Tchaikovsky

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

In this week's episode, Rebecca sits down with Eliza Reed and Elisabeth Harmon to discuss homeschooling ideas for our littlest, and most excited learners—TK and Kindergarten students!

Eliza, a mother of four and the owner of a Montessori-style preschool, and Elisabeth, a homeschooling mom of five, share their experiences and tips for teaching young children. From finding the balance between structure and play to discovering the "educational sweet spot" for 4- and 5-year-olds, this episode is packed with wisdom and laughter. Tune in for practical advice, real-life lessons, and plenty of inspiration for making learning fun for your littlest homeschoolers.

Show Notes:

Curious George Compilations