Podcast
Welcome to The Sequoia Breeze! Join our host Rebecca LaSavio, a homeschooling mom of four, as she interviews teachers, parents, and other homeschooling enthusiasts. Each unique episode offers encouragement, tips and tricks, practical advice, and inspiring stories that will help you make the most of your homeschool experience.
Having ADHD presents many challenges including difficulty paying attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Whether you or one of your students has ADHD, you’re not alone. Heidi Motto, Clarksville HST and mom of two, joins Rebecca to bring insight and experience to this subject. Listen in as she shares valuable insights and personal experiences to help families navigate the difficulties and recognize the advantages of having an active and creative mind.
- Season 5
This week Rebecca welcomes Josh Manley from CADclass to explore the exciting world of learning to design and print on a 3D printer. Discover how these skills offer homeschoolers creative opportunities and valuable lessons in problem-solving with real-world applications. Check out this episode for an insightful discussion on unleashing creativity and practical skills through 3D printing!
- Season 5
Homeschooling mom and Feather River Board member Stacy MacDonald sits down with Rebecca to graciously share her family’s inspiring homeschool story. As a neuro-divergent family, Stacy and her children have navigated many challenges. Their story is one of resilience, creativity, and the ability to thrive against the odds.
- Season 5
Join Rebecca as she welcomes Megan Nason, Director of Student Support and Special Education, to shed light on the many pathways available at Sequoia Grove to help support ALL learners. Megan will share about the various program options and address common concerns including whether or not a student needs an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This is one episode you don’t want to miss.
- Season 5
In this episode, Sara Greco, Lead Family Liaison and homeschooling veteran, joins Rebecca to talk about homeschooling with our schools. From understanding our unique identity to unraveling the inner workings of our systems, together they explore the options we offer that make us stand out! Be sure to listen in as this episode is packed full of helpful information.
- Season 5
Choosing to homeschool is a big decision. It's natural to feel overwhelmed and have a TON questions. Where do you start? What options are out there? Is homeschooling right for me and my kids? In this episode, Rebecca guides you through the essential steps to kick-start your homeschooling adventure.
- Season 5
A powerhouse trio of highly experienced teachers and homeschoolers joins Rebecca today to discuss the “I Can” statements. How do these state standards work into our homeschools? What does the school need from us? Homeschool families and HSTs alike will find this episode to be helpful and encouraging.
- Season 4
This week, Rebecca welcomes Dr. Alex Ryan, one of our wonderful intervention teachers, to discuss Supporting Your Gifted Learner. Together, they explore the answers to questions including, Is your child gifted? If so, what does that mean for your homeschool? Does a child have to be gifted in all subjects to qualify? What if a child struggles in some areas and excels in others? Listen in as Dr. Ryan helps you identify whether or not your children are gifted and shares some ways you can feed their busy minds.
- Season 4
Are you looking for ideas to help your kids to learn independence?
📚HR Mom Melissa Griffin is back! This time, we tackle the nitty-gritty of helping your kids learn to manage themselves and their everyday responsibilities ⭐️. Don't miss another great episode loaded with great ideas.💡
#sequoiabreezepodcast #HRmom #wearesequoiastrong
- Season 4
Every parent wonders, "Have I prepared my kids to survive in the real world? Did I teach them enough?" Melissa Griffin, also known as HRMom, teaches us how to prepare our kids to enter real life with real problem-solving skills--and less anxiety.
- Season 4
In this episode, we confront the unsettling reality we face when we hear about yet another shooting incident on the news. The initial shock prompts us to turn off the radio and protect our children from the distressing details. However, beneath the relief that our kids are safe from a school shooting, there lingers a nagging fear. Do our children, and do we ourselves, know how to respond if a similar tragedy unfolds in a local store or restaurant?
Homeschool dad and police sergeant Seth Cimino joins the podcast this week to help banish that fear. Together, we aim to equip you with the knowledge to gently train your kids on how to navigate the unthinkable. Tune in as we explore strategies and insights to ensure your family is prepared to handle the worst-case scenario with resilience and readiness.
- Season 4
On this week's episode of The Sequoia Breeze podcast, Rebecca talks with Ginny Yurich about the immense benefits of setting a goal to spend 1,000 hours outside--maybe even until the street lights come on.
More than 7 hours a day...that’s how much time an average American kid spends in front of a screen. What would happen if they spent even HALF that time outdoors, exploring and playing?
On this week's episode of The Sequoia Breeze podcast, Rebecca talks with Ginny Yurich about the immense benefits of setting a goal to spend 1,000 hours outside--maybe even until the street lights come on.
- Season 4
Is homeschooling for high school a good idea? Will your student miss out? Are you up for the challenge? Linda Qian, director of high school for Sequoia Grove, shares her story with us and lays our fears to rest--high school is a great time to homeschool!
- Season 4
Pam Barnhill joins in to talk about how to get your year under control! No more giving up before you've begun. Her book Plan Your Year outlines how to think through what you do and how to do it. Be inspired to keep going each day with some simple preparation.
Show Notes:
- Season 4
Unsure what the Lending Library has to offer? Have you given up trying to get logged in and reserve books? Join me as I interview the Head of Library Services, Chris Hermann. We take an audio tour of the immense store of resources available to you and your family. Don't miss this informative episode that tells what is there and how to get it!
Lending Library Information and How-to’s
Destiny Discover–the website to reserve books
Link to choose your Park Day location
Contact Rebecca!
- Season 4
Amazing projects, clever creativity, big ideas...great things are happening with our Sequoia Grove students! Hear what it was like inside a Student Showcase in May 2023--gather inspiration and join us next year!
- Season 3
Four kids and two continents....this is Rebecca's homeschool journey. She shares the good and the regrets. Listen in for ideas, lessons learned, and encouragement in your own homeschool.
- Season 3
Do your kids have the words to describe how they're feeling? Emotional well-being is crucial for a good learning environment. In this episode, Mary Stein introduces us to the world of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Listen in for some great resources for all students, TK-12th grade, and even parents!
- Season 3
Equipping our kids to be safe in the digital world, while still helping them to learn the necessary skills is a tricky job! Trisha Brandow joins me to talk about how to navigate this important topic.
- Season 3
It can be confusing to keep track of all that's going on with Sequoia Grove. Are you feeling confused by the opportunities available? Join Rebecca and Sara, two of our Family Liaisons, as they chat and share suggestions to help you "Get the Most Out of Your Sequoia Grove Experience." Listen in as they show you where you can go to access the most up to date and accurate information available to our schools.
- Season 3
Many of us are intimidated by the idea of teaching math. A google search for "homeschool math curriculum" will turn up almost endless results. So we ask friends what they use...
- Season 3
Is homeschooling high school a good idea? As a parent, we worry about all the things for our teens--the difficult subjects that need to be covered, social activities, and preparing our kids for life after high school. Our resident high school expert, Shannon Breckenridge shares why homeschooling for high school is not only possible, it's a good idea!
- Season 3
I'm teaching my kids to write and speak well, but how do I equip them to have something worth saying? Andrew Pudewa, joins me to answer the question "How do we teach our kids to think?"
- Season 3
You are not alone! Listen to other Sequoia Grove parents talk about how their families tackle state testing. Why do they even bother? You're sure to gain new ideas and insights...
- Season 3
Do you dread state testing? Are you wondering if you should even bother having your kids participate? Listen in and hear why it's critical to our schools AND how it can benefit your kids!
- Season 3
Concluding the conversation with Carrie Carlson, reflecting on her family's homeschool journey. Carrie has many insights and tips along the way.
- Season 2
Carrie Carlson, Sequoia Grove TK-8 Program Administrator, shares insights and memories from her family's homeschool journey.
- Season 2
Intimidated by science? Do you always leave it for last and there's never time? Amy has great ideas for these problems and motivation for so much more!
- Season 2
Ronni Ernenputsch talks to us about the lifelong benefits that come from experiencing performing arts.
- Season 2
Beth Oakes, creator and storyteller from HiGasfy, joins me to talk about learning about art through compelling stories.
- Season 2
Reading aloud is essential for our children. Listen in and be inspired to build this healthy habit into your homeschool.
- Season 2
HST Kelley Soper shares her long experience with homeschooling and teaching math. Listen in for some great ideas and resources!
- Season 2
Listen in while HST Scott Steffens talks about creative ways to teach fascinating history and inspires us to help our kids think deep thoughts about the past.
- Season 2
Carl Azuz from CNN10 joins me for a fun conversation to talk about current events and the importance of news-trality.
- Season 2
ellow Family Liaison Beka Heath joins me to talk about how to plan out your homeschool day. Lots of great ideas and advice!
- Season 2
Jenell Sherman is at the helm of our schools. Go behind the scenes at Sequoia Grove and hear about her heart and vision for our schools. Listen in and learn what it takes to keep us afloat.
- Season 2
Join Karen Dreager and I for the conclusion of our discussion about the Myers-Briggs personality types and how understanding them can help your homeschool run more smoothly. Karen shares scheduling and curriculum ideas, as well as insights into how to best encourage your child based on their personality type. So much helpful information!
- Season 1
Karen Draeger tells us how understanding your child's and your own personality throught the Myers-Briggs personality assessment can enhance your homeschooling (and parenting!) experience.
- Season 1
HST Elva Burlingham shares her passion for helping parents teach kids to write well. She explains what curriculum she's seen work with kids from all ages and stages.
- Season 1
Join me to gather some helpful tips and tricks to thinking through and preparing so you are ready for your school year!
- Season 1
Erin Emerson joins me to conclude our series about teaching your child to read.
- Season 1
Erin Emerson continues her conversation with me about teaching your child to read.
- Season 1
With Erin Emerson, talking about teaching your child to read. Today we talk about join sound and letters as a child takes their first steps into reading.
- Season 1
Erin Emerson joins me as we talk about teaching your child to read. Today we cover reading readiness and phonemic awareness.
- Season 1
Sara Greco joins me to introduce you to Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance.
- Season 1