Little Homeschool on the Prairie: How to HOMESCHOOL with Stunning Confidence, Contagious Joy, and Amazing Focus (DVD & Coursebook) Review

I was excited to see a resource put out from Apologia Educational Ministries on How to HOMESCHOOL with Stunning Confidence, Contagious Joy, and Amazing Focus (DVD& Coursebook). I received a physical copy which includes a DVD and a Coursebook.

I have been homeschooling for over 10 years and I still remember the struggles and questions that plagued me in the beginning of my homeschool journey. I didn’t know anyone at all when I began homeschooling as I was in a new state and just meeting others in my congregation. To be honest, I still struggle at times and even forget some of the lessons I thought I knew after all these years.

What is How to HOMESCHOOL with Stunning Confidence, Contagious Joy, and Amazing Focus (DVD & Coursebook)?

This course is intended those who are considering homeschooling, or have just started to homeschool. I also feel that us who are veteran homeschoolers need to be reminded from time to time some of the lessons taught in this course.

The course is taught by Rachael Carman and Leslie Nunnery who are long time homeschooling mammas. They come from different backgrounds and had different reasons for homeschooling.

This has two DVDs in the case. The presentation is set up in a comfortable warm and welcoming room and they are just talking to one another and to the camera. I felt like I was sitting in that same room with them. They are honest about their homeschool journey both the good and bad. They are Christians and are very encouraging during the video segments. They are realistic with homeschooling and I didn’t feel like I wasn’t doing enough or I’m a homeschooling failure. I don't know about you but, I've read to many homeschool blogs or listened to speakers that make me feel like I'm doing it all wrong. There goes my confidence and even my joy.

The videos are short and to the point. I’d say they range from 8 to 15 minutes. The DVDs are high quality just like all of Apologia’s products.

The Course book is a softbound book and not a spiral workbook like in the picture. There are 72 pages.

The Coursebook has 6 main themes that are covered in 15 chapters in. The Coursebook has 2-3 pages for you to read and it also has an area for notes an a short assignment for you to complete.

Introduction: Join Us on the Journey

Chapter 1: How to Get the Most Out of This Course

Designing Your Road Map:

Chapter 2: Setting Goals for the Journey

Chapter 3: Finding Support

Chapter 4: Choosing Curriculum

Finding Your Way:

Chapter 5: Practical How-To's (Nuts & Bolts)

Chapter 6: Organizing Your Homeschool Stuff

Chapter 7: Organizing Your Homeschool Day

Chapter 8: Tip from Veterans

Navigating the Detours:

Chapter 9: Family Matters-Marriage

Chapter 10: Family Matters-The Rest

Chapter 11: Dealing with Opposition

Arriving at Your Destination:

Chapter 12: High School Graduation and College

Chapter 13: If College Is Not the End Game

Chapter 14: You Can Make It!

Beginning Your Journey:

Chapter 15: Continuing Education and Encouragement Opportunities

As you can see from the content this is going to cover a whole plethora of relevant topics. With all the curriculum, social media, and even friends and family it can be a daunting task with all the different opinions and choices. It's not opinionated like those who know you and has well intended intentions not seeing your unique dynamics from their homeschool. I'm sure anyone who has homeschooled for awhile have been there. It’s nice to have a resource available in one resource. I'm not saying to not ask other homeschoolers opinions or have mentors. Sometimes someone else methods doesn't work for your family.

I enjoyed watching the DVDs and working through this workbook after I tucked my kiddos into bed. It was indeed a blessing as some of the topics covered areas that I needed to be encouraged in with my homeschool. It was like having to Godly mentors guiding me along this homeschool journey. Even after all this years I am still learning and my kids and even the dynamics of my family are changing. Sometimes even as a mamma who been homeschooling for many years I need to adjust and be open minded about some things that could be better in our homeschool. I learned some new things and it’s never too late to tweak your homeschool.

Chapter 7-Organizing Your Homeschool Day has been relevant to me as I found that I need to reevaluate some curriculum that I have been needing to adjust. My kids have more outside activities that has left one day of the week difficult to get some assignments done. I think I have been trying to shove to much into that day. In reality I can change the schedule around to make it a lighter day. The old schedule has worked in the pass but, now that we moved and live out of town I spend over 2 hours on the road and it has put a burden on my sons schedule as it's hard for him to do these subjects now in the car.

I highly recommend this to anyone who is considering homeschooling or just beginning your homeschool journey. For us veteran homeschool mammas we still need encouragement and guidance several times during this journey.

Some members of the Homeschool Review Crew are also reviewing How to HOMESCHOOL with Stunning Confidence, Contagious Joy, and Amazing Focus (DVD & Coursebook) and Internship for High School Credit.