Podcast
The Sequoia Breeze
Hosted by Rebecca LaSavio · ENGLISH
A podcast for homeschool families brought to you by Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance. Encouragement, tips & tricks, interviews with HSTs and curriculum help.
74episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Where Does All the Time Go?
2w ago00:46:34Tap to summarizeMost of us think in terms of 24 hours in a day, but what if we started thinking in terms of 168 hours in a week? Suddenly, time feels a little different. So where does all that time go?In this episode, we explore how to approach our days with more intention and less overwhelm, drawing on insights from author and time expert Laura Vanderkam and her books Tranquility by Tuesday and Big Time. Discover practical ways to rethink your time, build rhythms that work, and move through your days with a greater sense of calm and purpose.Listen in and discover just how much time you really have.Show Notes:LauraVanderkam.comTranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What MattersBig Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance
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Animals in Our Homeschool
Apr 600:56:44Tap to summarizeDoes your family have animals? Are you considering it? Whether you have cuddly pets, reptilian friends, or animals that serve a purpose in your home, there is much for students to learn and gain from their presence. In this special episode, we take you inside several families’ experiences with animals—exploring what students have learned and how their lives have been enriched along the way. Join us for a heartwarming episode that’s sure to put a smile on your face!Show Notes:Snake Discovery YouTube ChannelZoo Books & Ranger RickLakeshore LearningTeachers Pay Teachers (TPT)4H curriculum
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Unleash Your Genius!
Mar 201:03:22Tap to summarizeState testing season is here. For many homeschool families, that can bring questions—or even a little stress.In this episode of the Sequoia Breeze Podcast, we take a clear and honest look at CAASPP. You’ll hear from school leaders about why testing matters and how our schools are cheering your family on. You’ll also hear from three homeschool moms who share simple, practical ways they helped their students prepare with confidence.This episode isn’t about teaching to the test. It’s about recognizing growth, building important life skills, and helping students show what they already know.If you’ve ever wondered whether state testing can be more than just a requirement, this conversation will leave you feeling encouraged and prepared.Tune in today so you can be ready to take the next step with confidence.Show Notes:Beast AcademyCA DashboardCAASPP practice testWriteReflectionsProdigy MathLove of LearningQuizlet Freckle (Renaissance)Touch Type Read SpellIEW Adventures in Writing
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Conquering the CAASPP with Mr. D!
Feb 200:46:02Tap to summarizeDid you know there’s real support available when state testing feels overwhelming?This month on The Sequoia Breeze, Rebecca LaSavio is joined by Denis DiNoia, creator of Mr. D Math and a well-known advocate for homeschooling and charter education. Together, they talk about Conquer the CAASPP, a test prep course designed specifically for California students. But this course isn’t about cramming or drilling. It’s about helping students build confidence, work through fear and anxiety, and walk into testing feeling prepared, capable, and ready to do their best.This fast-paced, engaging conversation is packed with practical wisdom, real-life examples, and ideas families can use right away. If testing season feels stressful in your home, this episode offers reassurance, tools, and a reminder that confidence is just as important as content.Show Notes:Conquer the CAASPP
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Consistency: The Secret to Homeschool Success
Jan 500:58:24Tap to summarizeWhat does real consistency look like in a homeschool—beyond perfect plans and good intentions? In this episode, I sit down with longtime homeschooler and community leader Dawn Garrett to talk about the kind of steady, everyday effort that truly shapes learning and family life.We talk about why consistency matters, what can make it hard, how to start small, and why “showing up” can look different from season to season. Dawn shares honest lessons from her own journey, simple routines that work, and encouragement for the days when it feels like you’re starting over… again.If you’ve ever struggled to keep going—or wondered if everyone else has it more together—this conversation is a reminder that consistency is something we build over time.Listen in, and then tell us: What does consistency look like in your home right now?Show Notes:Minimum Viable Day - Start HereMorning Time on the Go podcast episodeBlog: Why I Need a Scheduled RoutineHomeschool Better TogetherContact: LadyDusk.comInsta ladyduskcommunity.pambarnhill.comhttps://pambarnhill.com/how-to-be-more-flexible-with-your-homeschooling/https://pambarnhill.com/kids-awake-early/https://pambarnhill.com/finding-time-for-morning-time/https://pambarnhill.com/how-to-homeschool-with-confidence/https://pambarnhill.com/benefits-homeschool-consistency/https://pambarnhill.com/scheduled-routine/https://pambarnhill.com/best-morning-habits/https://pambarnhill.com/quick-and-easy-homeschool-breakfasts/
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The Wisdom of Generations
Dec 100:30:05Tap to summarizeIn this special episode that’s just in time for the holiday season, Rebecca sits down with author Isabel Tom to explore the heart behind her book, The Value of Wrinkles. Drawing from her unique upbringing living with grandparents and her career serving older adults, Isabel challenges the cultural fears we often carry about aging. She shares why intergenerational relationships matter, how they enrich our families, and what wisdom we miss when we separate our lives by age. Whether you're looking to strengthen family connections or simply see aging through a more hopeful lens, this conversation will inspire you to embrace the wisdom and experience that age provides.Show Notes:ValueofWrinkles.com
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Confidence & Flexibility: Making the Most of Course Outlines in High School
Nov 300:54:58Tap to summarizeHigh school brings exciting opportunities for deeper learning and personal growth. With the right tools, homeschooling through this stage can be both manageable and meaningful.In this episode, join Rebecca as she sits down with high school content specialist Robin Caminiti to talk about how Course Outlines can support both flexibility and academic success. Whether you're new to homeschooling high school or just looking for ways to stay organized and confident, you'll learn how these outlines work, how to make the most of the built-in resources, and how Sequoia Grove’s team is here to support you every step of the way.This is a must-listen episode for any family navigating the high school years with creativity and confidence!Contact our Content Specialists:Robin: robin.caminiti@sequoiagrove.orgArpi: arpine.ovsepyan@sequoiagrove.orgYou can get a copy of Course Outlines from your HST or find them on the Bridge.
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Finding the Essentials in Homeschooling
Oct 601:00:23Tap to summarizeWhat does it look like to homeschool with more peace and less overwhelm? In this episode, Rebecca sits down with friend and fellow Family Liaison, Beka Heath, a homeschool mom of seven, to talk about how the book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less has shaped the way they think about homeschooling. Together, they explore what it means to choose “less but better” when it comes to curriculum, daily rhythms, and the expectations we place on ourselves. Beka shares practical ways she’s applied these ideas in her own home—along with a few laughs and real-life moments from her busy household. If you’re craving focus, clarity, or just a little encouragement, this conversation will help you cut through the noise and make space for what really matters.Show Notes:Essentialism by Greg McKeownRead Aloud Revival Episode #220 Essentialism for HomeschoolersThe Sequoia Breeze Podcast Plan Your Year with Pam Barnhill
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Homeschooling with Purpose
Sep 100:39:17Tap to summarizeHomeschooling isn’t about doing all the things — it’s about doing the right things. With so many curriculum options and extracurricular opportunities available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this episode, HST Jaime Happ helps us pause and reflect on the “why” behind our decisions — so we can make more intentional choices about how we spend our time, energy, and resources. Whether you're navigating too many options or unsure where to focus, this conversation will leave you feeling grounded, clear, and confident in your next step.Notes:Blog: The Proverbial Homeschool *this is a religious resourceSimon Sinek Start with WhyPam Barnhill’s Minimum Viable DayCharlotte Mason is known for her motto, “I am, I can, I ought, I know.”Printables from Jaime:Tips for Schooling Multiple AgesHomeschool Philosophy Worksheet
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Continuing the Conversation: An AB 84 Update
Jun 2500:54:20Tap to summarizeCynthia Rachel from A.P.P.L.E is back! AB 84 has passed the Assembly and is now headed to the State Senate. If signed into law, this bill could significantly impact our flex-based charter school model and the families we serve. Cynthia breaks down where the bill stands, clearly explains the recent updates, and shares how we can take meaningful action to ensure our voices are heard by our representatives. Don’t miss this important conversation.Show Notes:A.P.P.L.E websiteA.P.P.L.E. Facebook PageCalifornia Legislature Position Letter PortalFind Your Senator
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