Today, I’m excited to share some of my favorite homeschooling blogs that have been a wonderful resource for our family. As I promised you in my previous blog post titled “Exploring Homeschooling Blogs: A Source of Inspiration and Insight,” I shared my top three Muslim homeschoolers whose free printables I found helpful before investing in some of their products. Now, I’d like to reveal some Western homeschooling blogs that have also provided me with valuable ideas and resources along my journey, and in some cases, I’ve invested in their products as well. I want to make it clear that this is an honest review; no one is paying me to share this information. I’m sharing these resources for the sake of helping others, as I know how challenging it can be to start on this homeschooling journey.
Let’s take a look at what makes these blogs beneficial! In shaa Allah, I also plan to compile free resources for mothers who are frugal and would love to homeschool without spending much—hey, I love free stuff too! Some of my curricula are free as well.
Pam Barnhill – Practical Homeschool Help
Pam Barnhill’s blog is an essential resource for homeschool parents seeking a structured yet adaptable approach to education. Her focus on morning routines and organized lessons helps parents establish a consistent rhythm in their homeschooling journey. In 2021, I purchased her book Better Together: Strengthen Your Family, Simplify Your Homeschool, and Savor the Subjects That Matter Most, which delves into the Morning Basket routine and includes interviews with other homeschooling moms about their own practices. It provided valuable insights into simplifying and enriching our homeschool experience.
Earlier this year, I added Plan Your Year to my collection after watching Pam’s YouTube discussion with Sarah about loop scheduling. I also took her Innovative Loop Schedule Masterclass, which explored the concept in depth, offering five variations of loop schedules and practical examples to suit different homeschooling styles. Pam’s practical strategies balance routine and flexibility, bringing clarity and structure to homeschool planning, making it both effective and manageable.
What You’ll Appreciate:
- Comprehensive guides on homeschool planning
- Effective time management techniques and morning basket routines
- Encouragement to achieve a harmonious balance between structure and freedom
Quickstart Guide to Loop Scheduling for Homeschoolers
In the Quickstart Guide to Loop Scheduling for Homeschoolers, Pam Barnhill collaborates with Sarah Mackenzie to provide an insightful overview of the loop scheduling method. In this free YouTube resource, Pam does the heavy lifting by explaining the concept and preparing engaging slides that make the process easy to understand. Their discussion emphasizes how loop scheduling can help homeschoolers create an organized and efficient routine, allowing families to rotate subjects and activities effectively while maintaining flexibility and balance.
In shaa Allah, I’ll be diving into the Quickstart Guide to Loop Scheduling for Homeschoolers, offering my take on Pam Barnhill and Sarah Mackenzie’s insightful discussions. I’ll provide a detailed transcription of the guide along with my personal reflections and practical tips for implementing loop scheduling in your own homeschooling journey. After listening to this conversation last year, I was so convinced that I purchased her Plan Your Year book and the Innovative Loop Schedules masterclass—an unusual step for me as someone with ADHD, who typically only buys planners from fellow ADHDers. Stay tuned as we explore how this flexible yet structured approach can transform your daily routine and make learning a delightful experience for you and your children!
Brave Writer by Julie Bogart – Embrace Your Child’s Creative Voice
If you’re looking to foster a genuine love of writing in your children, Brave Writer is the perfect resource. Julie Bogart’s approach focuses on weaving creativity into learning, making writing an exciting and engaging subject for kids. Her philosophy has been particularly helpful for me in crafting writing activities tailored to my neurodivergent children. I purchased Jot It Down and The Writer’s Jungle back in 2019 or 2020 (I’ll confirm the exact year soon), and I specifically chose Jot It Down because my youngest was, and still is, an enthusiastic chatterbox and storyteller. It was a perfect fit for her natural ability to weave stories!
I’ve also invested in Dart for two books, as a test to see if the materials suit our learning style. I needed to carefully assess whether these resources would benefit our homeschool before committing to the full Dart program. While my children aren’t quite ready for it yet, I plan to revisit it when the time is right. Insha’Allah, I’m planning to invest in Partnership Writing next, as it complements Dart beautifully. The two programs together will work well for our homeschool needs once my girls are ready.
Beyond language arts, I’ve found ways to apply Julie’s methods to other subjects, adding even more joy to our daily learning. Compared to other writing programs, Brave Writer is exceptional for ADHD learners—its flexible, imaginative approach aligns perfectly with the ADHD brain, making it a natural fit. Creativity and ADHD truly go hand-in-hand!
What you’ll love:
- Focus on creative writing and the Brave Writer lifestyle
- Resources for nurturing a child’s natural curiosity
- Family-oriented writing programs
For those interested in integrating story-based learning into their homeschool from an Islamic perspective, I encourage you to check out my earlier post, “Story-Based Learning in Our Homeschool: Guidelines for Muslim Families.” In that post, I shared rulings from Ustadh Abu Khadeejah and a review from Muslim homeschooler Umm Khadeejah, on how she uses Brave Writer in her homeschool. Her insights offer valuable guidance on aligning Brave Writer’s creative approach with Islamic values, providing a holistic way to nurture both the love of writing and religious principles.
Different by Design Learning by Shawna Wingert – Strength-Based Learning for Special Needs
Shawna Wingert’s blog is an invaluable resource for parents of children with learning differences. Her strength-based approach to homeschooling is especially empowering for families navigating ADHD, autism, and other unique learning challenges. I deeply appreciate her honesty and actionable strategies, which have inspired me to approach my children’s education with compassion and understanding. Last year, I purchased her workbooks focused on strength-based learning and sensory processing disorder, and they have become integral to our routine, significantly transforming our learning experience.
After focusing on preparing all the tools for arts and creativity for my girls, I noticed they fought less; my daughter with ADHD is calmer and more open to learning other subjects now. They love arts to the extent that they don’t want to do anything else, so I’ve made it a point to incorporate creative activities into our lessons, including language arts. I’ll explain this further in a separate post, insha’Allah.
What you’ll love:
- Strength-based learning strategies for neurodivergent children
- Honest discussions about the challenges of special needs homeschooling
- Journals and hands-on activities for personalized learning
Raising Lifelong Learners by Colleen Kessler – Encouraging Gifted and Neurodiverse Learners
I first came across Colleen Kessler while exploring Pam Barnhill’s blog, and as I dug deeper into her content, I discovered her invaluable resources for homeschooling gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) children. Colleen’s insights were exactly what I needed, and I became a regular reader of her blog. When The Homeschool Advantage became available for pre-order through our local online bookstore, Kinokuniya Malaysia, I immediately placed my order. Although I had to wait a month for it to arrive, the free gifts that came with it made the wait worthwhile! Her strategies on resilience, curiosity, and lifelong learning have aligned beautifully with our homeschool vision, helping me embrace my daughters’ unique learning styles.
Together with Shawna Wingert’s Strength-Based Learning workbooks from Different by Design Learning, Colleen’s approach has helped me foster creativity and confidence in my daughters, making our homeschool journey much more rewarding.
As usual, I’ll be sharing a dedicated post diving deeper into the book and how it has impacted our homeschooling experience, so stay tuned for that!
What you’ll love:
- Practical tips for homeschooling gifted and 2e kids
- Encouraging creativity and self-directed learning
- Support for managing emotional and social challenges
Introverted Mom: Your Guide to More Calm, Less Guilt, and Quiet Joy
Simple Homeschool by Jamie C. Martin – Gentle Homeschooling Guidance
Jamie C. Martin’s blog offers a calming and minimalist approach to homeschooling, perfect for families seeking a more relaxed, holistic way to educate. She emphasizes the importance of simplifying homeschool routines, focusing on connection over curriculum, and slowing down to reflect on the deeper reasons behind your choice to homeschool.
Introverted Mom was actually a gift from a friend who assumed I was introverted. While I’m more of an ambivert (a blend of both introvert and extrovert), I still found the book incredibly insightful. Most of my closest friends have been extroverts, though I do have one introverted friend I met online who shares a similar perspective. Jamie’s gentle wisdom felt like it applied to both sides of my personality, and her warm, conversational style drew me in.
The book is filled with deeply personal stories from Jamie’s own life, and each chapter ends with a reflective poem (many of which moved me to tears) followed by insights from other introverted moms. Jamie’s life has been profoundly shaped by literature, and she shares quotes and lessons from four beloved authors—Laura Ingalls Wilder, L.M. Montgomery, Jane Austen, and Louisa May Alcott—who are all considered introverts. It was fascinating to see how their introspective nature played a role in their literary success, offering guidance for quieter, more reflective personalities.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was learning to stop comparing myself to more outgoing, energetic moms. Jamie’s words reminded me to embrace my own strengths and let go of the guilt for not fitting into certain molds. The focus on what I can do, rather than what I think I should do, was a refreshing perspective that’s stayed with me.
What you’ll love:
- Encouragement for simple and slow homeschooling
- Resources for family-centered education
- Support for incorporating spirituality and life skills into learning
Read-Aloud Revival by Sarah MacKenzie – Inspiring a Love of Reading
Sarah MacKenzie’s Read-Aloud Revival blog is a gem for families who want to make reading aloud a key part of their homeschool experience. Her blog focuses on the importance of reading to your children to build connections, foster literacy, and create memories. Sarah’s booklists, podcasts, and resources have been invaluable to our homeschool, especially in making read-aloud time something to look forward to every day.
I first came across the spiral notebook method through Pam Barnhill’s Plan Your Year. While many homeschoolers use Sue Patrick’s Workbox system, I found it a bit overwhelming (maybe it’s just me not knowing how to use it) and we have limited homeschool space. So, I prefer a simpler, old-school approach. Instead of relying on a spiral notebook, we use whatever suits us, whether it’s a composition book or an exercise book. You can check out Sarah’s blog for her post about the spiral notebook method or her YouTube video discussing it.
What you’ll love:
- Curated booklists for all ages
- Guidance on building family connections through reading
- Inspiring podcasts with interviews from authors and educators
I own Sarah’s book, The Read-Aloud Family, and found Part 2 of the book particularly helpful in shaping our read-aloud sessions. Her insights have helped me focus more on fostering a love for reading, making it a key component of our homeschool experience. Reading is already something we love, and her suggestions remind me that it can also deepen our family bonding.
Yes, I Can Write by Idzie Desmarais – Exploring the Freedom of Unschooling
Although I don’t fully embrace unschooling, I find its philosophy alluring and have always been drawn to its core belief in trusting children to be natural learners. One blog that beautifully captures this approach is Yes, I Can Write by Idzie Desmarais. As a passionate unschooling advocate, Idzie shares her personal journey of growing up unschooled and how it shaped her views on education. Her blog is a source of inspiration for those of us who admire the freedom and creativity that unschooling offers, even if we don’t fully adopt the approach ourselves.
What I love most about Yes, I Can Write is how Idzie shows the possibilities of learning through curiosity and exploration. Her reflections encourage me to incorporate more freedom into my homeschooling, even if I maintain some structure. She provides a fresh perspective on education that can be incredibly enriching for any homeschooler.
What you’ll love:
- Insightful reflections on the unschooling lifestyle
- Encouragement to trust children’s natural learning instincts
- Honest discussions about the benefits and challenges of unschooling
- Inspiration for adding more creativity and freedom to your homeschooling, even if you’re not an unschooler
- A warm, authentic voice that speaks to the heart of child-led learning
While I’m not an unschooler, Idzie’s blog helps me see the value in giving my children more autonomy in their learning journey. Her posts are a wonderful reminder that education can be flexible, joyful, and full of discovery.
Lori Pickert – Project-Based Homeschooling: Nurturing Independent Thinkers
Lori Pickert’s blog, Project-Based Homeschooling, along with her book, is an invaluable resource for families looking to foster independence, creativity, and critical thinking through hands-on projects. In her book, Lori emphasizes that children should take the lead in their own learning by pursuing projects that ignite their curiosity. This approach encourages deep exploration of subjects, allowing children to become confident, self-directed learners.
Since purchasing her book, I’ve been inspired to incorporate more project-based learning into our homeschooling routine. Lori’s philosophy resonates with me, as it allows my children to dive into topics they are passionate about, keeping them engaged and motivated. It provides a wonderful balance to our structured learning approach while still giving my kids the freedom to explore and create.
What you’ll love:
- Practical advice on how to set up and manage long-term projects
- Insights into encouraging self-directed learning and independent thinking
- Strategies for guiding children without overshadowing their projects
- Ideas for creating an environment that fosters creativity and exploration
- Opportunities to integrate Islamic values and teachings into projects
Lori Pickert’s project-based homeschooling philosophy empowers me to balance structure with creativity, making it a perfect fit for our Islamic homeschooling framework. Her book has been a wonderful addition to our resources, providing guidance on nurturing my children’s interests through meaningful projects.
This Simple Balance by June – A Journey Towards Unschooling
Another homeschooler, or should I say unschooler, I admire is June from This Simple Balance. I followed her blog when she identified as a relaxed homeschooler, and I’ve enjoyed witnessing her gradual shift towards unschooling. One of her blog posts that particularly resonated with me was her review of The Writer’s Jungle. It deepened my interest in Brave Writer and its approach to writing education, showcasing how a relaxed and creative environment can foster a love for learning
Happiness Is Here by Sara – Embracing Unschooling
Another inspiring voice in the world of unschooling is Sara from Happiness Is Here. Her blog beautifully captures the essence of unschooling, emphasizing the importance of following a child’s interests and fostering a love for learning. I particularly enjoyed her post titled “The Planning Unschoolers Need,” and I’ve saved it, dreaming of the possibility of embracing unschooling one day, Allah knows best. Her perspective encourages me to embrace the freedom of learning at our own pace, allowing curiosity to guide our homeschooling journey.
My Take After Reading Homeschooling Blogs
I can be identified as a relaxed homeschooler. While Islamic studies hold a crucial place as the foundation of our educational journey, I believe that the rest of our subjects can be approached in a more laid-back manner. Prioritizing Islamic studies first allows us to focus on tarbiyah, instilling values and knowledge that guide our lives. This flexibility in other subjects enables us to embrace learning as a natural, enjoyable process, fostering curiosity and exploration. By creating a nurturing environment, my daughters can thrive academically while developing a deeper understanding of the world around them, enriching our homeschooling experience and encouraging a love for lifelong learning.
Other Homeschooling Blogs you might want to explore:
Please check out the rest of these homeschooling blogs for more inspiration and resources:
- Free Homeschool Deals: A treasure trove of daily deals, free homeschool curriculum, worksheets, and more. Perfect for families looking to stretch their budget with quality educational resources.
- 1+1+1=1: Tons of printables and homeschool curriculum options, categorized by grade to make lesson planning simple and efficient.
- In All You Do: From preschool to high school, this blog offers a wide variety of printables while focusing on the home as a holistic learning environment.
- After Thoughts: A must-read for those following the Charlotte Mason method, with a rich series dedicated to her educational philosophy.
- Confessions of a Homeschooler: Erica provides free printables, curriculum reviews, and valuable tips for both new and experienced homeschoolers.
- Cornerstone Confessions: Encouraging women to succeed at home and in homeschooling through faith-based resources and practical teaching tools.
- Homeschool Giveaways & Resources: A great site for accessing free and low-cost homeschooling resources, helping parents save time and reduce stress.
- Hip Homeschool Moms: This blog offers tips on homeschooling, homemaking, frugal living, and even an active Facebook community for support.
- Money Saving Mom: A blog packed with budgeting tips and money-saving strategies, all from the perspective of a homeschooling mom.
- My Joy-Filled Life: Offers ideas on homeschooling, activities for kids, and homemaking advice, plus deals and freebies.
- Only Passionate Curiosity: A great resource for unit studies, book lists, and lesson planning to make homeschooling more engaging.
- Organized Homeschool: A blog for those who love organization, with tips to streamline your homeschool and personal life.
- Teach Kids Engineering: DIY projects and activities to help you engage kids in early engineering concepts.
- The Homeschool Mom: A wealth of information, including curriculum reviews, lesson plans, and downloadable printables.
- The Homeschool Scientist: Science activities, projects, and experiments that make learning science fun and hands-on.
- The Unlikely Homeschool: Christian-based homeschooling resources and printables, designed to help busy moms stay organized.
- Sprittibee: Full of creative homeschool ideas, from art projects to practical homeschooling tips.
Stay tuned for my upcoming posts where I’ll dive deeper into some of these resources!
A Word of Caution: Using These Resources with an Islamic Filter
As a Muslim homeschooler, it’s important to approach these resources through an Islamic lens. While many of the homeschooling blogs I’ve shared provide excellent tips and inspiration, they come from various perspectives—some are secular, and others are Christian-based. It’s crucial to be mindful of the content you use and ensure it aligns with Islamic values.
In our homeschool, we maintain an Islamic foundation in all areas of learning. When using secular or Christian resources, I take extra care to filter content and adapt it to fit our beliefs. For instance, when activities or stories contain elements that don’t align with Islamic teachings, I either modify them or omit them altogether.
Islamic Filter Guidelines:
- Stay grounded in your values: Always evaluate the material through an Islamic perspective and remove or adjust content that contradicts our beliefs.
- Be selective: Choose elements that benefit your child’s education without compromising on deen.
- Incorporate Islamic teachings: You can infuse Islamic concepts into lessons and activities to ensure a holistic, value-based learning experience.
I’ve shared these resources because they offer valuable educational insights, but always refer to my educational choices disclaimer and apply your judgment when using them. Homeschooling offers us the flexibility to tailor content to our children’s needs, ensuring their learning remains aligned with Islamic values.
Happy homeschooling!
