Everyday Educator

Ready for another story? Listen in as Lisa shares tips on making stories come alive and why you should read and listen with your children this summer. This week, listen to some tall tales of Paul Bunyan, and get some insights on his inventions and some encouragements to make some inventions of your own this summer!

What's so special about reading aloud? Whether you're looking for reasons to read aloud this summer, or just someone else to read aloud for you, this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast will deliver! Join Lisa as she shares tips on making read alouds come to life, and enjoy a read aloud of "The Frogs and the Crane" and "Over in the Meadow"—plus some great ideas to take this selections to the next level.

What makes Scribblers At Home: Recipes From Lifelong Learners such a "must-have" resource? Who might want it? Who might benefit the most? Why are we so excited?? Listen in as Lisa and Shelly Stockton reminisce about their early days of homeschooling and how Scribblers provides so much of what they wish they had known then. How can this one book meet so many families where they live?

If you've got questions about the CC Masters Program, you will find answers on this week's podcast with Lynn Doto. Maybe you've wondered how anyone could find time for extra studying; perhaps you question why you "need" a degree to validate your time spent homeschooling. Lynn and Lisa explore the CC Masters Program with Southeastern University, answering practical "how" questions as well as bigger "why" questions. You will come away understanding the Masters of Arts degree as a way to "love a life of learning" as well as training in loving your neighbor well.

Join guest host Kelli Wilt as she chats with National Memory Master winner Lousana and her mother Renée Guichard. Discover the wonderful world of memory mastery and gain insights into Lousana's study techniques and her triumphs and challenges along the way. We hope this episode inspires your family to take on the challenge by shedding some light on the incredible abilities and aspirations of these exceptional students.

Have you ever wished someone would come alongside you and show you some ways to make homeschooling more fun? Ways you could intentionally encourage play with a purpose? This month on the Global Homeschool Minute, we welcome Lisa Bailey to the podcast. A homeschooling veteran, Lisa shares her excitement about Classical Conversations' newest curriculum, Scribblers @Home, which will be released this spring. This relaxed, enjoyable, at home curriculum is designed by experienced parents with a desire to share what they wish they had known when they started out. Scribblers, packed with "recipes" for parents to enrich their homeschooling, will help you create a family culture of learning. Whether you are new to homeschooling or already a seasoned Classical Conversations parent, come catch the excitement for this new curriculum!

Lisa Bailey is the host of Everyday Educator, a long-running Classical Conversations podcast, and is also the Lead Curriculum Developer for the Global Curriculum team of our publishing company, Classical Conversations MultiMedia (CCMM). Since joining the Classical Conversations family in 2004 as a Challenge B Director, Lisa has graduated two daughters out of the Challenge program and has served in various roles within the company. In this episode, Robert and Lisa discuss her homeschooling journey from why she first chose to homeschool to the importance of committing long-term to the homeschool process.

It's the ultimate crossover episode . . . Delise and Ginny are joined by CC legend and host of the Everyday Educator podcast Lisa Bailey! Lisa recently became a grandmother, so in this conversation, she chats about parenting versus grandparenting. As a parent, she was often so focused on doing everything right that she missed out on opportunities to enjoy the small, simple moments of her children just growing up. But now, as she is blessed with the chance to relive those moments with her grandson, she can be more present and treasure every minute. Of course, with the much-anticipated release of Scribblers at Home: Recipes from Lifelong Learning, Lisa also talks about her involvement in creating this new Classical Conversations® resource and what it really means to play intentionally with our children. Finally, she shares some practical tips for setting boundaries as a parent and emphasizes the importance of asking our children questions instead of rushing in to give them the answers. As you listen, we hope Lisa's wisdom and joy shines through this conversation and leaves you inspired and uplifted!

"The best part of community is_______." How would you fill in that blank? (Is it the accountability? The comradery? The encouragement?). For many CC families, community is what keeps us moving forward! Listen in as long-time CC mommas Jennifer Courtney and Amanda Butler share insights on the value of community for students and families; their thoughts might surprise you; they will inspire you.

What's the big deal about Practicum? What's it all about? How will it help me and my family? If you're wondering about Practicum, and trying to decide whether to go, and what you'll find once you get there, this week's podcast is for you! Join Lisa as she talks to Krystal Cano about the best reasons to attend Practicum this year; you'll discover how first-time attenders and seasoned Practicum lovers alike will delight in the layered learning and the sweet community to be found.

Springtime brings flowers, birds, and …eagerness to be DONE with school! Are students in your family having a hard time staying focused? Listen in as Kathy Donegia joins Lisa to talk about how the partnership between student, parent, and community helps us all finish well. Kathy shares how her Challenge IV students find blessings in learning together in community and making memories through family discussions as well.

What's the big deal about Rhetorical events? How important are they? How can I help my student do something I've never done?? If thoughts like this have ever crossed your mind, here is a podcast for you! Join host Lisa Bailey and guest Brittany Lewis for an enlightening look at CC's Rhetorical events, from science fair to senior thesis. You'll see just what your students are gaining as they practice the skills they've honed for years, and how those skills are lived out within a community of friends.

Community days are ending for the year….but that doesn't mean the learning is done! Join veteran homeschool mom Denise McLain for some tips on how to keep the family learning together! Denise and Lisa share some ideas for learning some new things, practicing some "old" skills, and taking our families into the community as we learn to love our neighbors well.

Have you ever questioned the usefulness of our classical tools outside of academic pursuits? How, for instance, could they help a plumber, or a missionary, or an army captain? Answer: they prepare us for LIFE! Listen in as guests Angela and Emma Oxford share about the classical tools of learning and how they help us have conversations that lead to sharing Jesus, no matter where we are.

Guest host Delise Germond invites Lisa Bailey to share the Why, the What, and the What Next about CC's newest resource, Scribblers At Home: Recipes from Lifelong Learners. Listen in and hear about the beginnings of Scribblers, the behind-the-scenes stories, and the features that will make learning together easy for families. Scribblers at Home is ready to be delivered to your door now, so visit classicalconversationsbooks.com and order your copy today.

Why did God give your children to you? What does He want you to tell them? Show them? Do alongside them? At Classical Conversations, we believe God trusts parents with their children! Charity Brown and her husband believe they've been called primarily to shepherd the hearts of their children toward God. Listen to hear just what things look like in their home…

What are your most memorable homeschooling moments? What do you want your children to remember about your home and the learning you do together? Join Lisa today as she talks to Chelly Barnard about the best ways to cultivate the memories we want to keep! Chelly provides an honest look back at what worked, what didn't, and what she finally decided were the most important memories to make.

What's "Protocol" all about? Is it just about good manners and fancy outings? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Listen as guest Sarah Davis breaks it down for us, sharing how Protocol is actually about honor, mercy, grace, and loving your neighbor. "It's not about 'putting on airs', but about elevating the people you're with!"

What do you wish you knew about Challenge B? About Challenge B students? About Mock Trial? This week's guest offers a wealth of insight from a lifetime of experience! Join host Lisa Bailey as she talks to Stephanie Meter about how Mock Trial is actually the perfect capstone to the Challenge B year, synthesizing the skills of Challenge B in a way that transforms the students.

Have you ever asked yourself this question: "Why should I consider homeschooling?" The purpose we assign to education will often answer the question for us! But…are we practicing what we preach? How can we practically align our purposes with our daily routines, our lesson plans, even our assessments? Listen in as guest Julie Melendez and host Lisa Bailey offer honest testimony to what this can and does look like at home.

If you're intrigued by the bits and pieces you've recently heard about Scribblers At Home: Recipes from Lifelong Learners, you will definitely want to listen to this episode! Amy Jones joins Lisa as they share how Scribblers sets families up to delight in learning together. All of us "want to do it right" when it comes to educating our kids; Scribblers gives us ideas and encouragement to create natural and winsome ways to learn together at home.

Do you know someone who is considering joining a Classical Conversations community? This episode of the Everyday Educator will answer so many "why" and "what" questions for potential families! Denise Moore shares the real reasons families get involved, and what the real benefits are to those who invest in a CC journey. Beyond that, Denise's honest reflections remind us ALL of why we want to be involved, and how we are parents are benefiting!

If you're looking for a quick overview of the CC Challenge program, or if you've ever wondered which challenge is the BEST, this episode of the Everyday Educator has the information you're looking for! Listen as Tim Knotts, Heatherly Sylvia, and Karin Carpenter advocate for their favorite Challenge, giving us all insights into the fun parts, the stretching parts, and the family blessing of each of our Challenge levels.

Have you ever thought, "What's the big deal about memorizing anyway?" This episode of the Everyday Educator Podcast will shed some light on this question! Listen in as Kelli Wilt and Olivia Walsh share how memory is something to be celebrated by all of us; they'll also give us the details of what a Memory Master is, what a NATIONAL Memory Master is, and what blessings families can find from pursuing each! Bonus: hot-off-the-press details on how to get involved in the 2023 National Memory Master Competition!

Here in the winter months, after the fun of the holidays, the homeschool days can seem looooong. It is easy to forget that we are not alone on this journey! We all have a CC story to share, and hearing about someone else's journey feeds our community mindset. Listen in this week as international homeschoolers (and Country Coordinators) Koreen Mazurek and Dawna Ferguson share how running toward something instead of away from something makes homeschooling a richer experience—wherever you are!

New Years, for most of us, means new beginnings. Whether it's a new goal or recommitment to a habit we're already cultivating, New Years acts as a marker for us to turn over a new leaf. This week Lisa is joined by Kelli Wilt to discuss what it means to "raise adults," and explore what it looks like beginning with the end in mind.

Please enjoy this special holiday re-run of one of our most downloaded episodes. One of the more profound lessons "from down the road" may well be that there is more to homeschooling than academic pursuits. Join veteran homeschool moms Shelly Stockton and Lisa Bailey as they discuss building character, spiritual habits, relational maturity, and practical life skills while living and learning at home with their girls. Discover how a classical education lived out in community (both home and CC) provides the environment for learning the biggest lessons of life.

In this final Advent episode, join Lisa as she considers how God spoke all the love languages as He become Emmanuel. Consider with your family how God incarnate has come to you—and how you might live Him before your neighbors this Christmas!

In this third Advent devotional, host Lisa Bailey encourages us to consider that joy is a choice. What allows us to choose joy when life's circumstances dictate otherwise? How can we express joy amid burdens? Mary had the answer; listen in and be blessed. This would be a great family listen…

Join Lisa for this second Advent episode, calling us to embrace the Peace of Christmas. Take a break (even with your family) to think about how becoming an ambassador of peace fulfills our mission to know God and to make Him known!

Join us all month for this series of Advent thoughts, perfect for provoking thoughts that turn our Christmas preparations to Jesus. In this first episode, discover an interesting connection between forest fires, birds, and the hope of Christmas.

Families, if you're looking for a way to pass the time "on the way to Grandmother's house" this year, give a listen to this Thanksgiving episode of The Everyday Educator! You'll enjoy poems, Scripture, a few jokes, and the audio version of an oldie but goodie: "The Truth About Thanksgiving". It's our family's gift to yours!

Is assessing ever a blessing?? According to guest Kelli Wilt, that depends on your perspective! Join host Lisa Bailey as Kelli shares how Blue Book exams can be a celebration of what we know, and an opportunity to indulge in some deep conversations. Parents, you'll hear some helpful tips for preparing for Blue Books all semester long; directors, Kelli gives some great practical ideas for making Blue Books fun!

Join host Lisa Bailey this week and discover how the seeds of classical Christian education are blooming all over the world! Guests Koreen Mazurek and Dawna Ferguson share how families in Chile and Canada are "knowing God and making Him known" through their participation in CC programs in their homelands. Their powerful testimonies will bless you; their prayer requests will inspire you. We are drawn together by our mission and our method; just listen!

What comes to mind when you ponder "family learning?" Most of us wonder what we should be learning and how to make learning all together doable. Maybe the most important question, though, is why is learning together so pivotal? On this episode of the Everyday Educator Podcast, Tim Knotts helps us answer all the questions, and it begins with ….conversations! Listen in and find out how the 5 Canons of Rhetoric really do help you have the conversations that make learning family-style a joy and a blessing.

What can our family learn together? How do we bring everyone into the conversation? Can we stay connected as the children study different things? Family learning sounds great…but sometimes feels hard! On this episode of The Everyday Educator, Lisa talks with Andrew and Laura Brafford about how their family is using the 5 Common Topics as conversation guides for some deeply satisfying family learning experiences!

Building an atmosphere of learning sounds great, but how do you do it? What makes it easier for a family to learn together, especially if the kids are different ages? Everyday Educator has some answers for you! Listen in as Olivia Walsh and Lisa Bailey offer some simple steps and easy ideas for learning all together, using the 5 Core Habits you've heard so much about!

Are you looking for ways to extend your family learning? Want some practical ways to integrate what all your students are studying? Listen in as Lisa talks this week to Angela Oxford (mom, Challenge director, Training and Support leader) ; you'll hear simple yet effective ways to write your family's learning story, making learning a team effort. Find out how projects such as the Science Fair can bring your family together, keeping hearts and minds connected

Building a family learning culture is one of the most satisfying aspects of homeschooling. When your family learns together, you are making memories, and binding your hearts together! On this episode of the Everyday Educator, Lisa talks with Jennifer Courtney about habits we can cultivate early on that will help us build that family learning culture. Listen as these homeschool veterans share specific ways everyone in your family can participate in conversations about what you're all learning. BONUS: learn how to use the new Scribblers At Home material (now in Limited Digital Release on CC Connected) as a catalyst for learning as a family.

What do you love about your CC community? What blessings have you discovered? Join host Lisa Bailey and Foundations/Essentials director Kim Lawson as they share the impact that community makes on learning and on growing in Christ. Get some ideas for Open House season, and some reminders of why we share what we love with others.

At Classical Conversations we're always looking for ways to know God; is your community looking for a way "to make Him known"? Join Lisa Bailey and guest Julie Melendez as they share how Excellence in Education events provide just such an opportunity. Julie offers great ideas you can replicate, as well as inspiration on how these events have already impacted local communities, and helped our students practice the skills we're eager to pass on.

As the reality of a new homeschool year settles in, parents everywhere are thinking about how to get it all done with all the people they have to shepherd. Looking for some words of wisdom here? Listen as guest Kamilah Carter, veteran mom of 5 CCers from Foundations to Challenge III, shares practical suggestions and wise insights. A delightfully real mom, Kamilah just might reframe your thinking about schedules!

Looking for ways to make getting out the door for community day less stressful? Join host Lisa Bailey and guest Lia Gerkin for practical ideas for arriving at community with all your resources and brain cells intact. Hear how one mom of 6 is training her kids to develop habits of responsibility and service. How will God equip you to have a great year this year?

As you begin the new academic year, do you feel like one smart mama? Join Lisa Bailey this week as she picks the brains of two smart mamas: Delise Germond and Ginny Tran. Discover what smart mamas know, and where they look for support.

Are you excited about reading? About reading with your family? About reading Challenge A literature? Well, you will be after you listen to this episode of the Everyday Educator Podcast! Find out what distinguishes a good book from the other kind, as well the reasons behind the Challenge A literature choices.

Why is Essentials so important? Listen in as Lanelle Lowe and Lisa Bailey discuss how the program is both a foundation and a bridge. Discover what you'll study, what materials you need to get started, and how to make it enjoyable as you go. Bonus: These veterans will reveal how Essentials will become the gift that keeps on giving!

Are you ready for Foundations? Join this week's Everyday Educator and discover how a spirit of rest will make this fall a wonder-full new season with your children. Tune in to discover the logistical details that will ensure a happy start to your community days; stay as Kelli Wilt helps us recognize the habits that will get us all off on the right foot.

Parents, are YOU ready for the Challenge program this fall? Find out how to best prepare for a successful fall with your student in the Challenge years by listening in as Chelly Barnard shares with Lisa Bailey encouraging words and practical tips. Your student will thank you, and you will find confidence and rest in a season of family learning.

Are your thoughts turning to the fall semester already? Are you and your student getting ready for Challenge, and do you wonder how best to prepare? Join veterans of the CC Challenge program Emma Oxford and Anthony Clendenin on this week's Everyday Educator podcast. Discover how students can prepare for Challenge success by hearing what students need to know, need to do, and need to gather for the coming year.

Does studying logic sound like fun? It will after you listen to this episode of the Everyday Educator Podcast! Guest Kathy Gibbens shows us why studying logic is so important today, and gives us great ideas for promoting clear thinking with our families.