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Pocket Homeschool

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Melissa Brander

Melissa Brander is the founder of Pocket Homeschool and the SMART Homeschool Society. She focuses on helping homeschool moms feel enough, recognize their strengths, and equip themselves with lifelong learning in order to homeschool successfully by providing SMART resources that are simple to implement, meaningful family experiences, academically oriented, reasonably priced, tools for explorative learning. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and their two boys who have been homeschooled their entire lives.

The Seed of Faith Book Review

October 29, 2025 by Melissa Brander

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Seed of Faith by Daniel Petronelli, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. This post contains a Bookshop affiliate link, for which I receive a small percent …

Read moreThe Seed of Faith Book Review

What is homeschooling with aphantasia like?

September 2, 2025 by Melissa Brander

I remember the first time that I realized that I had aphantasia. I was driving in the car side by side with my husband and I asked him, “How do you know what car is what car?” Because he’s very good at identifying car brands, makes, and models. And he responded to me, “I just …

Read moreWhat is homeschooling with aphantasia like?

All the Reasons We Love Online Homeschool Program IXL (Review)

August 25, 2025 by Melissa Brander

Disclosure: I received free access to IXL and was compensated for my time, talent, and expertise in working on this post. All opinions are my own honest opinions. From the early days of our homeschool, screens have always played some kind of a role. When they were younger, apps helped them practice their skill. And, …

Read moreAll the Reasons We Love Online Homeschool Program IXL (Review)

Personal Finance for Tweens and Teens with Beyond Personal Finance (Review)

July 31, 2025 by Melissa Brander

This is a sponsored post, which means I was compensated for my time and talent in writing it. I was also provided access to Beyond Personal Finance for free. As always, all opinions are my own. When we started homeschooling, I knew that strong academic skills were important to me. But my desires for my …

Read morePersonal Finance for Tweens and Teens with Beyond Personal Finance (Review)

What Could Recess Look Like for Homeschoolers? (Review)

July 2, 2025 by Melissa Brander

I received free access to Recess in order to write this review and was compensated for my time and energy in writing it. All thoughts and opinions are my own and reflect our experience. Have you ever heard a kid say that recess is their favorite part of school? Recess is often the time where …

Read moreWhat Could Recess Look Like for Homeschoolers? (Review)

Oakwoods Series Books #1-5 Review

June 24, 2025 by Melissa Brander

I voluntarily received copies of books one through five of the Oakwoods Series for free from the author. All opinions are my own. Welcome to the Blog Tour for the Oakwoods Series by Kathy J. Perry, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! About the Series Pip O’Possum (Work Then Play) Sally Skunkskin (Grumbles to Grateful) Benjamin …

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A boy watches a video with the intro to the video that says My Spanish Magic Zone shown. Learn Spanish for homeschoolers with My Spanish Magic Zone.

Learn Spanish Naturally with My Spanish Magic Zone

June 23, 2025 by Melissa Brander

I received access to My Spanish Magic Zone for free in order to write this review. If you use my coupon codes, I will receive a portion of the money made through that sale at no extra cost to you. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks for your support! When my son told …

Read moreLearn Spanish Naturally with My Spanish Magic Zone

How to Kill a Giant Book Review

June 13, 2025 by Melissa Brander

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. Welcome to the Blog Tour for How to Kill a Giant by Carol Schlorff, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! About the Book Title: How to Kill a Giant Series: How to Be …

Read moreHow to Kill a Giant Book Review

Kit Kat Camp Book Review

April 2, 2025 by Melissa Brander

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Kit Kat Camp: No Electronics by Kathy Dixon Dye, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. The Bookshop link below is an affiliate link, which I earn off …

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Come to the Midwest Homeschool Expo

March 27, 2025 by Melissa Brander

I am so excited to be speaking at the Midwest Homeschool Expo this summer! I am very excited about this expo and about meeting so many awesome people working in the homeschool space and other homeschool parents too! Can I make a confession? The Midwest Homeschool Expo is going to be my first homeschool convention! …

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A Star Appears Book Review

March 13, 2025 by Melissa Brander

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received for free from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Star Appears by Addison Dixon, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! About the Book Title: A Star Appears Series: The Star & Cicatrix Legacy …

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Jesus Loves Me, This I Know Book Review

February 27, 2025 by Melissa Brander

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. The Bookshop link below is an affiliate link. About the Book Title: Jesus Loves Me, …

Read moreJesus Loves Me, This I Know Book Review
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Pocket Homeschool

I help homeschool moms feel enough, recognize their strengths, and equip themselves with lifelong learning in order to homeschool successfully. I accomplish this by providing SMART resources that are Simple to implement, Meaningful family experiences, Academically oriented, Reasonably priced, Tools for explorative learning.

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