Sep 10 2026

Apologia vs. Berean Builders: Which Homeschool Science Curriculum Is Best?

Posted on September 10, 2026 by Adriana Zoder

Choosing a Christian homeschool science curriculum? Two popular options are Apologia and Berean Builders. Both take a creation-based approach to science, but they offer different learning experiences. So, which one is right for your family?

The answer depends on your child, your teaching style, and your homeschool goals. Watch this review on YouTube.

Apologia vs Berean Builders

Apologia: Structured, Textbook-Based Science

Apologia offers a broad range of science courses, from elementary science through high school subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and anatomy.

Its approach is textbook-centered and academically structured. Students read, answer questions, complete activities and experiments, and often keep a notebook or journal.

Aug 11 2026

IEW vs Brave Writer: Which Writing Program Gets Better Results?

Posted on August 11, 2026 by Adriana Zoder

Writing is one of the subjects homeschool parents worry about most. Are we teaching enough grammar? Enough creativity? Enough structure?

When you compare Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) and Brave Writer, you are really comparing two different philosophies of teaching writing—not simply two different curricula.

Watch this review on YouTube. Click this link.

IEW vs Brave Writer

IEW: Structure Before Independence

Created by Andrew Pudewa, IEW takes a highly structured, step-by-step approach. Students learn specific writing techniques, study models, take notes, imitate good writing, use checklists, and gradually apply what they have learned to their own work.

Think of IEW like learning music: you learn the scales before composing your own songs.

This approach can be especially helpful for analytical learners, reluctant writers, and families who want clear Continue reading »

Jul 10 2026

Mystery of History vs. Story of the World: Which Homeschool History Curriculum Is Right for You?

Posted on July 10, 2026 by Adriana Zoder

Choosing a homeschool history curriculum can feel overwhelming. Once you’ve decided to homeschool, you’re suddenly faced with dozens of history programs, each promising to be the best. Two of the most popular choices are Story of the World and Mystery of History. Both are excellent, but they represent different approaches to teaching history. Here is the YouTube video if you would rather listen to this information: MOH vs SOTW on YouTube.

Mystery of History vs Story of the World – see the YouTube video

Story of the World: Learning Through Stories

I personally used Story of the World with my children, completing all four volumes twice—once when my oldest was in first grade and again beginning in fifth grade. Continue reading »

Jun 10 2026

Singapore Math vs Saxon Math: Which Homeschool Math Curriculum Is Right for Your Child?

Posted on June 10, 2026 by Adriana Zoder

If you’re choosing between Singapore Math and Saxon Math, you’re not just picking a curriculum—you’re choosing a completely different way of learning math. And that difference can have a real impact on your child’s confidence, not just their grades. Both programs are widely used in homeschooling, but they approach math from opposite directions. Understanding how each one works will help you match the right fit to your child’s learning style.

Singapore vs Saxon Math

Two Different Approaches to Math Learning

At a basic level, the difference is this: Continue reading »

May 10 2026

Why Alliteration Helps Children Learn the Alphabet Naturally

Posted on May 10, 2026 by Adriana Zoder

What makes certain words and phrases stick in our minds for years?

Think about famous brand names like Coca-Cola, Best Buy, or Dunkin’ Donuts. Or famous literary lines such as Shakespeare’s “I count the clock that tells the time.” What they all share is alliteration — the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of nearby words.

An Alliterative Alphabet

In a recent episode of the Homeschool Ways podcast, illustrator Laura Wy discussed how she and her sister-in-law Lee created An Alliterative Alphabet, a delightfully quirky picture book that teaches children the alphabet through playful language, unexpected scenarios, and memorable illustrations. Continue reading »

May 1 2026

Making Bilingual Learning Fun with Patchi and Sebastian

Posted on May 1, 2026 by Adriana Zoder

What if introducing your child to a second language could feel more like story time and less like schoolwork?

In a recent conversation on the Homeschool Ways podcast, actress, musician, and author Fernanda Romero shared how she created the Patchi and Sebastian bilingual children’s book series to help young children naturally absorb both English and Spanish through rhythm, rhyme, storytelling, and imagination.

Colores del Mundo by Fernanda Romero

Her first book, Colores del Mundo, is far more than a vocabulary book. It introduces children to colors, animals, geography, continents, and culture in a playful way that feels effortless. The text rhymes in both English and Spanish, helping children retain language through sound patterns and repetition. Continue reading »

Apr 24 2026

RightStart Math vs. Math Mammoth: Which Homeschool Math Curriculum Fits Best?

Posted on April 24, 2026 by Adriana Zoder

Choosing a math curriculum early on can shape whether math feels smooth and confident—or frustrating and emotional—later in high school. If math has ever ended in tears, you’re not alone. Often, the issue isn’t math itself, but the fit of the curriculum.

RightStart Math vs Math Mammoth Curriculum Review

This comparison is based on real homeschooling experience using both Math Mammoth and RightStart Math since 2013. Watch on YouTube or keep reading. The goal isn’t to declare a winner, but to help you choose what fits your child best. Continue reading »

Apr 14 2026

IEW vs Writing With Ease – Which Is Better?

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Adriana Zoder

If writing feels hard, you’re not alone. Writing is one of the most complex skills kids learn—it pulls together vocabulary, grammar, structure, organization, narration, and even research. So when parents feel overwhelmed teaching it, that’s completely normal. Watch on YouTube or keep reading.

Institute for Excellence in Writing vs Writing With Ease Curriculum Review

Here’s a simple breakdown of two popular homeschool writing curricula—IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) and Writing With Ease—and how to decide which one fits your child best. Continue reading »

Apr 4 2026

Story of the World vs Notgrass History: Which Homeschool Curriculum Is Best?

Posted on April 4, 2026 by Adriana Zoder

If history feels like a struggle in your homeschool, the problem may not be the subject—it’s the method.

When taught well, history comes alive. So how do you choose between Story of the World vs Notgrass History?

The answer depends on your child. Watch on YouTube or keep reading.

Story of the World vs Notgrass History

Story of the World: Engaging and Story-Driven

Story of the World presents history as a narrative, covering ancient to modern times across four volumes. Continue reading »

Mar 31 2026

How to Put a Child to Bed (Ages 3–8): Calm Bedtime Routines That Actually Work

Posted on March 31, 2026 by Adriana Zoder

Putting a child to bed is easy when they’re babies. But what about ages 3–8—after a full day of stimulation, energy, and emotions?

That’s where many parents struggle.

Calm Bedtime?

In a recent interview on Homeschool Ways, I spoke with children’s author Karen Brough about how to create calm, connected bedtime routines that actually help kids settle down. Continue reading »