Journey Through Homeschooling

Called to Follow: Trusting God with your Homeschool Journey

Welcome back to the Journey Through Homeschooling podcast with your hosts, Jami Thornsberry, and Adonna Pryor. In today’s episode, we’re diving deeper into "Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace" by Sarah McKenzie, unpacking the powerful ideas found in the introduction. Join us as Jami and Adonna share their personal journeys and candid struggles with anxiety, self-doubt, and what it truly means to be “called” to homeschool.

Cultivating Unshakable Peace In Your Heart

In today's episode, Jami and Adonna begin a conversation about Cultivating Unshakable Peace In Your Heart: Thoughts from Reading Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie.
As homeschool moms we often find ourselves striving, anxious, and overwhelmed by the calling to teach and mother our children well.  But, are strife and anxiety a part of the job God called us to do?
Join the conversation as we explore this topic.

A New Homeschool Year with ECA

In this episode of Journey Through Homeschooling, Jami and Adonna talk about the ways Exodus Christian Academy will be providing support and encouragement to homeschool families throughout the 2025-26 school year.  As the new semester approaches, it is our desire to help each family succeed in their homeschool journey.  So, join the conversation today.

From Overwhelm to Order: Tools for Managing Home and Homeschool Togethe

In today's episode, Jami and Adonna tackle the real-life challenges of homeschooling while trying to manage busy households filled with little ones, family obligations, and never-ending to-do lists. From juggling laundry and dishes to setting boundaries with outside distractions, they share practical encouragement and honest reflections from their own journeys—including the messy realities, mindset shifts, relatable failures, and lessons learned along the way.

The Great Summer Debate: To School or Not to School Year-Round

As summer approaches and traditional school years wind down, many homeschooling families find themselves debating whether to continue formal academics or embrace a true break. In today’s conversation, Jami and Adonna dive deep into the pros and cons of year-round learning versus taking a seasonal pause.
They share their personal experiences with flexible school schedules, discuss how family dynamics, climate, and lifestyle can all influence your approach, and examine the importance of letting kids experience boredom—and the creativity and self-direction it can spark.

Navigating Extracurricular Activities in Homeschool: Finding Balance and Purpose

In today’s episode, Jami and Adonna wrap up their series on teaching specific subjects by diving into a practical and often daunting topic for homeschool families: extracurricular activities.
If you’ve ever wondered how to balance core academics with art, music, sports, or finding unique enrichment opportunities for your children—without burning out or breaking the bank—this conversation is for you. Jami and Adonna candidly share their personal experiences, lessons learned, and the boundaries they set for their families when it came to joining activities outside the home. From church leagues and art classes to spontaneous learning from neighbors and using local resources like state parks and extension offices, they cover a wide range of creative ways to add enrichment to your homeschool routine.

Practical Writing Instruction: Grammar, Spelling, and Inspiration for Homeschool Families

In today's episode we dive deep into the practical side of teaching writing in your homeschool. Jami and Adonna share their real-life experiences, challenges, and successes when it comes to helping their children become confident writers—without tears! They discuss why formal grammar can wait until later years, how reading aloud builds a solid grammar foundation, and the pros and cons of various spelling and writing curricula. You’ll hear about the benefits of hands-on handwriting programs, creative journaling prompts, and even the value of learning Latin and Greek roots to boost vocabulary and comprehension. Whether you’re worried about those early years of penmanship or looking for strategies to make writing enjoyable and meaningful, this episode is packed with encouragement, practical tips, and plenty of laughs to help you guide your kids through every stage of becoming good—maybe even great—writers.

Teaching Reading at Home: Patience, Play, and Personalized Paths

In today’s episode, host Jami Thornsberry and Adonna Pryor dive into one of the most challenging—and sometimes intimidating—aspects of homeschooling: teaching children how to read. Drawing from their own personal experiences and different perspectives, Jami and Adonna open up about their initial fears, misconceptions, and the unique approaches they took with their own kids. Whether reading was seen as a purely technical skill or a source of lifelong joy, both agree that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to reading instruction.

History as the Backbone of Homeschooling: Building a Comprehensive Curriculum

Join Journey Through Homeschooling as we talk about teaching history in your homeschool.  Adonna and I look back at our own educational experiences, the role of history in shaping critical thinking, and the impact of cultural narratives over time. Discover the techniques and curricula we recommend for instilling a love for history in children and why this subject is more than just memorizing dates and events.

Teaching Science at Home: From Curiosity to Creativity

In today's episode, this is the second in a series about teaching your children.  Today we are sharing practical tips and encouragement for teaching science in your homeschool.
Whether you're just beginning your homeschooling journey or are a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical tips for incorporating science into your child's education, all while keeping curiosity and imagination at the forefront. So grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and join us as we embark on this enlightening conversation about teaching science at home. Let's dive in!