It’s been on my mind the last several months to start writing here again. I updated my last two Family Fun Inspiration posts: July and August (read on for the links.) If you’ve been a subscriber for a while (think COVID 2020), you may remember when I used to write “Friday Five.” Now that I am homeschooling two middle schoolers (?!), I’m hit with a bunch of new resources (almost daily). And the social marketer/community builder in me needs to share. So I am going to try to put together things that I find in our homeschooling journey. And perhaps they will inspire you in some way. Even if you’re not a homeschooler, I think educating our grownup selves is still a pretty cool thing. I like to do this, it fills my cup.
I think it would be fun to also share other things I come across or do outside my homeschooling journey. So, you may get the occasional recipe, or maybe a way to engage in your community, or stay informed in general. A gardening tip, a helpful thing or process I’ve discovered to lifehack or a good book.
For those of you that don’t know me well, I will offer you this: I worked in public media for 20 years. This was a huge influence on most of my adult life. The PBS KID influence is also very strong. In my career, I helped produce TV series and specials. I also worked on documentaries, events, and nonprofit partnerships. I led the charge in the infancy of social media for our local PBS station. I also worked to promote the huge resource that is PBS KIDS. You’ll see this lens in a lot of the content I share (but not all of it). I find public media to be an amazing resource. It is beneficial not just for everyone, but specifically a great asset for homeschoolers and those on an educational journey.
What I am envisioning for this occasional update is really a place to put resources that I find helpful or possibly helpful to you. This will be separate from my Family Fun Inspiration lists which (hopefully) I will continue to update as time allows. If it wasn’t for the communities in which I take part in, I wouldn’t have the information that I do. And if you find this helpful, please share it with someone you think would benefit.
In case you missed it:
FRONTLINE Conversations: Engaging Students with Today’s Issues
From the YouTube link:
“Watch this engaging professional development webinar designed for 9th- to 12th-grade U.S. History, World History, Civics, Global Affairs, and Current Issues teachers. In this session, you’ll explore how to effectively integrate FRONTLINE resources into your classroom, enabling students to investigate and discuss critical and timely topics such as poverty in America, voting rights, and emerging global challenges regarding China and Russia.” Read more and watch the webinar here.
SEA Homeschoolers Online Conference Series – August 2025
https://seahomeschoolers.com/online-conference-series
SEA Homeschoolers has a large, active, and diverse online community of secular homeschooling families from around the world. The organization hosts four online conferences a year with presentations for secular homeschooling parents and educators. I’m hoping to be able to listen in on some of the sessions. The upcoming conference runs August 15-17. Register for the conference here.
Bonus: read their online Spring 2025 newsletter/magazine.
Back to School AMAZE playlist
Get ready for the new school year with the Back to School AMAZE playlist. This is a collection of videos to help youth feel confident and prepared. The playlist covers topics like friendships, bullying, body image, anxiety, puberty, and yearly checkups.
Free Webinar for Middle and High School Educators – Your Back-to-School Civics Toolkit
Details: August 19, 2025 at 4pm (Pacific Time)
Ready or not, back-to-school time is here! As we approach the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, this year holds a unique opportunity to inspire a new excitement for civics and history. Join a free webinar that provides secondary educators with the tools and resources you need to inspire your students and make this historic moment a powerful learning experience. Register here.
Write Out: National Writing Project
Details: October 12-26, 2025
Write Out is a free two-week celebration that will run October 12-26, 2025 where we step outside the doors of our classrooms, homes, and workplaces to write and create. Everyone is invited—educators, students, families, and friends—and encouraged to explore neighborhoods, parks, and other outdoor spaces. The goal is to be inspired by the world around us and to connect and learn through place-based writing and sharing. Learn more here.
Thanks for reading. Be sure to share any of these things if you found them useful. Until next time.