The Real Kathy Lee – Momfessions

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

real kathy leeLet’s Meet The Real Kathy Lee Momfessions – with Felice Gerwitz and Kathy H. Lee

Podcast 191

Meet the Real Kathy Lee “momfessions, and discuss her awesome podcast, when she joins Felice Gerwitz to discuss homeschool successes, do-overs and what she wish she had known when she started homeschooling! Kathy was involved in public education and was often in front of other educators discussing how to engage early learners. However she always knew she wanted to homeschool … and she did, all ten of her children. Learn more about Kathy, what she shares on her own podcast [Momfessions here] and how to use the great advice she shares.


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About the “Real” Kathy Lee “momfessions”- Kathy is a mom of ten children, biological and adopted. She is determined and honest, in that she made mistakes…many! She hosts a podcast on this network, “Momfessions ~ with The Real Kathy Lee.” She interviews guests and does solo podcasts weekly. Visit Kathy on her website KathyHLee.com- here.


Show Notes: Meet The Real Kathy Lee Momfessions:

We discussed:

The need to savor every day. We discussed how quickly it (homeschooling) goes by! Also, that every single day isn’t critical.

Homeschool Success: According to Kathy it was the ability to allow her children to play and discover learning during play. In addition, she allowed her children to study according to their areas of interest.

I asked if she could do something over again, what would that be? Homeschool Do Over: Trust my instincts – intuition said it wasn’t best for a specific child and it wasn’

Kathy Lee’s curriculum: The Homesgrown PreSchooler 

When pre-schoolers kids say they want to do school, what this generally means:

  • I want to be big – let the children role playing – setting up pretend school – as a play station…
  • Rotate kids – older child can work with the younger, doing a sensory activity or art project
  • Do together – let the little ones sit there doing something tactile – while you do the read aloud activity with the older children.

Find many more ideas and tips in Kathy’s book as well as on her website. The links are above.

Yearly Evaluations

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

yearly evaluationsLet’s Talk About Yearly Evaluations with Felice Gerwitz

Podcast #190

Do you worry about yearly homeschool evaluations? Each year homeschoolers are required by law to provide evidence of an increase of knowledge. Depending on several factors including location (where you live) and legalities – your state’s policy or homeschool support or “umbrella school,” requirements your stress level can soar! Don’t worry, veteran homeschool mom will help you overcome testing anxiety with practical tools such as understanding your options or identifying which method will work best for you.

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Show Notes: Yearly Evaluations  

Standardized Tests

  • Standardized Tests –for yearly evaluations
    1. Know deadlines
    2. Retest or not
    3. Prepare your kids to sit and bubble in
    4. Don’t cheat
    5. Don’t teach the test
    6. Scores –
      1. Percentile and rankings
      2. Stanine
      3. Grade equivalent

Standardized tests are logic tests they don’t test what a child knows – keep this in mind!  – Listen to College Prep Genius Podcast

  1. Don’t freak out
    1. Keep results in perspective –
    2. Remediation – BrainCoachTips.com and  littlegiantsteps.com
  • Yearly Evaluations – special issues or not
    1. Evaluation is when a teacher (certified) looks over your child’s work progress – typically a portfolio evaluation
    2. Who will you get to do the evaluations?
      1. What to ask evaluator
      2. Simple tests – can be administered
      3. Should get the evaluation on the spot – (I recommend) a letter saying nothing specific goes to the school board
      4. Send school board a basic letter that say your child has made progress.
      5. Don’t like the results? You have the option of turning it in or not.
  • Portfolios for Yearly Evaluations
    1. Simply a 3-ring binder with work progression
    2. A collection of the beginning, middle and end of the year – papers, videos, picture albums, collection of math or writing papers, any tests, or samples of work, list of field trips, books you’ve read as a family and the child individually – any curriculum you’ve used, name and publisher – with of course work samples – I liked to slip sheet some stellar work to highlight in their notebook, lapbooks, etc. – again depending on what is required by law
    3. Your child may be required to be in attendance and most kids love the evaluations so they can show the person all they’ve learned.
    4. Umbrella school requirements –Umbrella school may require attendance
  • Ways to alleviate parental stress:
  1. You don’t have to use the test scores
  2. You can give the test again – or seek a different approach
  3. Seek an evaluation
  4. Start early with fun review
  • Safeguards to ensure that your kids are on track to make progress
  1. Beginning, middle and end of the year check up
  2. Evaluate your year as you move along
  3. Change curriculum or remediate
  • A review process that is fun and effective
  1. Play educational games – low stress for kids
  2. Be relaxed.
  3. Use manipulatives to teach difficult concepts or struggling learners.
  4. Creative teaching: Cooking– to teach fractions, etc.
  5. Look at your curriculum –use assessments as practice.

Related Podcasts

Music 101 In The Homeschool

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.


music 101 in the homeschool
Let’s Talk About … Music 101 In The Homeschool with Felice Gerwitz and Meredith Curtis

Is music 101 the focus in the homeschool? Do you use music in your homeschool? Do you realize the mathematical, emotional and focus as a musician? In this podcast, Felice and Meredith focus on several points to introduce you to thoughts of placing music in your home. Your child is never too young to learn about music!

Podcast: # 188

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Show Notes: Music 101: In The Homeschool

  1. Music is mathematical (talk about math in music and how music helps math)
    1. Helps to understand the foundational mathematical element
    2. Helps our children to excel in math
    3. Music may come naturally to children who are mathematical
  2. Music is emotional (a great outlet for emotion in a positive way)
    1. Different types of songs
    2. Rhythm, count – musical instruments
    3. Dance
  3. Studying the Composers
    1. Studying different compositions
    2. Studying musical instruments
    3. Classical music appreciation
    4. Listen to a live performance
  4. How to grow from playing and instrument to being a Musician
    1. Piano lessons
      1. Simple scales
      2. Moving through several octaves
    2. Start with piano
      1. With weighted keys – you can learn music theory
    3. Guitar – a little more tricky
    4. Voice
      1. A voice is an instrument
      2. Develop and grow your voice
    5. A musician:
      1. Practices all the time.
        1. Scales, fingering, drills
        2. Set aside practice
        3. Practice makes permanent
      2. Grow in their gifts
        1. Struggle with one or two things
        2. Take care of their instruments
        3. Learn new things on their instruments
        4. Listen to other players
        5. Performs