You do not have to figure everything out at once. I’m Mrs. Emily, and I can help you find your way to the people, experiences, and support that fit your family.
How exciting that you’re considering homeschooling! Often, our first question is, “What do I need to buy?” We start gathering ingredients, as if we’re getting ready to bake a cake. Before you fill your basket, though, take a little time to understand yourself.
You will choose the resources that make up your curriculum and the activities your children use to explore new concepts. Your educational philosophy—even if you haven’t named it yet—and the way you like to learn will influence those choices. We naturally notice things that appeal to us.
Start by exploring what you believe about education, how you enjoy learning, and your own strengths and challenges. Then consider your children: what helps them understand, where they shine, and where they need support.
You don’t have to disregard your own philosophy or preferences. We can find ways for everyone to enjoy this journey. The goal is to recognize our own strengths and challenges while teaching to our children’s strengths and supporting the areas where they struggle.
Welcome to the journey! The homeschool profile will help you begin understanding yourself. Then we can start putting the pieces together for your children.
Begin with your beliefs about education and the way you like to learn. Explore homeschool philosophies before choosing curriculum and activities for your children.
Mrs. Emily’s Field Trips & More began with events I hosted. Today, it’s also a place where other planners, businesses, and organizations share what’s happening in our local area.
Discover something new on a local field trip.Make room for celebrations and new friendships.
Amy Kibbey shares her family’s experience choosing an approach, adapting as her children grew, and keeping a love of learning at the center.
“I don’t think there is one philosophy that is the best philosophy for every family.”
Amy Kibbey · Veteran homeschool momRead Amy’s full perspective
Truth be told, I don't think there is one philosophy that is the best philosophy for every family. While it works for many people, I've never used classical because it is a framework that you have to stay in until high school in order to get the most out of it and I always wanted to make my decision for the next year based on how my kids reacted to their studies the year before. Also, I have health problems so I will never do a curriculum that would not transfer well into a traditional school setting.
By high school I tend to let my kids choose whatever they want to study as long as they are on track to graduate. If they missed a traditional class like physics or calculus that would make a STEM career easier, that's okay with me. I figure whatever gaps they have in their education will be filled in the first year of college anyway. So far it's worked well for my oldest son who graduated a few years ago and I have another one graduating this year. This is the only time in their life where they don't have the pressure of financial responsibilities like family and house so they can make up whatever they miss out on if they are pursuing a passion.
Now if you are talking about elementary school, I think it's more important to choose a curriculum that keeps the mom from burning out. Most students can adjust to whatever form of education is chosen for them but it has to be what the mom likes to teach. A burnt out mom is the reason why kids don't like school. And the goal should be to get kids out of elementary school loving learning.
Also, in the educational system middle school and junior high are known as the gap filling years. So if you missed something in elementary school, it's 5–8 where the kids will learn what they missed.
I hope this helps! Please don't put added pressure on your kids! Have fun with them and enjoy this limited time you have to build a unique relationship with them! They will learn and grow up no matter what you do lol.
A glimpse of the possibilities
My Homeschool Calendar
Mrs. Emily & Friends · Learning, activities, and connections with our community affiliates.
Choose the experiences that fit your family. This sample shows the kinds of classes, outings, friendships, and service opportunities you could make room for.
Sample only — not a current schedule. Check our current events for confirmed dates, times, and registration.
Our sample learning rhythm: Aim for about 4 hours of learning each day, combining classes, learning experiences, and homeschool work at home. Mondays add 2 hours of social studies and math at home; Thursdays add 2 hours of ELA and math at home. On full outing days, add 15 minutes of reading and math review. Choose the activities that fit your family and adjust home time around them.
LearnPlayServeAppointments: Speech, therapy, and medical appointmentsHome time: Homeschooling with a parent
Week 1
Monday
Learn: Classes with Mrs. Emily9–11 a.m. · Language arts & math
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent2 hours · Social studies & math
Play: Wild at Hart park playdate1–3 p.m.
Play: Theater, dance, or musicEvening
Serve: Manna HouseChoose a time between 1–5 p.m.
Tuesday
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent4 hours · Core subjects
Appointments: Speech or other therapy1 hour
Learn: Math help at Mathnasium
Wednesday
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent4 hours · Core subjects
Play: Parent meetup
Play: Theater, dance, or musicEvening
Thursday
Learn: Classes with Mrs. Emily9–11 a.m. · Zoology & geography
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent2 hours · ELA & math
Friday
Home time: Reading & math review15 minutes
Learn: High school career explorationGuest speaker
Learn: Huntsville Museum of Art
Week 2
Monday
Learn: Wonderwalks with Carrie HawkinsMorning
Learn: Classes with Mrs. Emily9–11 a.m. · Language arts & math
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent2 hours · Social studies & math
Play: Wild at Hart park playdate1–3 p.m.
Play: Theater, dance, or musicEvening
Tuesday
Home time: Reading & math review15 minutes
Appointments: Speech or other therapy1 hour
Learn: Tigers for TomorrowMEFT ecology classes
Wednesday
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent2 hours · Core subjects
Learn: Botanical Garden
Play: Parent meetup
Play: Theater, dance, or musicEvening
Thursday
Learn: Classes with Mrs. Emily9–11 a.m. · Zoology & geography
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent2 hours · ELA & math
Learn: Meet the ZoologistCritter Mountain
Friday
Home time: Reading & math review15 minutes
Learn: High school career explorationLocal business visit
Learn: American Village
Week 3
Monday
Learn: Classes with Mrs. Emily9–11 a.m. · Language arts & math
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent2 hours · Social studies & math
Play: Wild at Hart park playdate1–3 p.m.
Play: Theater, dance, or musicEvening
Tuesday
Home time: Reading & math review15 minutes
Appointments: Speech or other therapy1 hour
Learn: Burritt on the Mountain
Wednesday
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent4 hours · Core subjects
Play: Parent meetup
Play: Theater, dance, or musicEvening
Thursday
Learn: Classes with Mrs. Emily9–11 a.m. · Zoology & geography
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent2 hours · ELA & math
Friday
Home time: Reading & math review15 minutes
Learn: High school career explorationInterview attire & mock interviews with the transition team
Learn: Field trip
Week 4
Monday
Learn: Wonderwalks with Carrie HawkinsMorning
Learn: Classes with Mrs. Emily9–11 a.m. · Language arts & math
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent2 hours · Social studies & math
Play: Wild at Hart park playdate1–3 p.m.
Play: Theater, dance, or musicEvening
Tuesday
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent4 hours · Core subjects
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent4 hours · Core subjects
Play: Parent meetup
Play: Theater, dance, or musicEvening
Thursday
Learn: Classes with Mrs. Emily9–11 a.m. · Zoology & geography
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent2 hours · ELA & math
Friday
Home time: Homeschool at Home with a Parent4 hours · Core subjects
Learn: No classes with Mrs. Emily
Learn: Music lessons at Musicology
PE with Coach P · Thursday or Friday; time to be added.
Choose what fits your family. You don’t have to do it all.
Read the sample calendar
This is an example month, not a list of confirmed events. Activities vary.
Mondays: Classes with Mrs. Emily, 9–11 a.m. (language arts and math); Wild at Hart park playdates, 1–3 p.m.; evening theater, dance, or music. Week 1 adds Manna House service with a time chosen between 1–5 p.m. Weeks 2 and 4 add morning Wonderwalks with Carrie Hawkins.
Tuesdays: One hour of speech or other therapy. Week 2 adds Tigers for Tomorrow ecology classes for MEFT; week 3 adds Burritt on the Mountain; week 4 adds service at Women’s, Infants & Children’s.
Wednesdays: Parent meetups and evening theater, dance, or music. Week 2 also includes the Botanical Garden.
Thursdays: Classes with Mrs. Emily, 9–11 a.m. (zoology and geography). Week 2 adds Meet the Zoologist from Critter Mountain.
Fridays: High school career exploration: a guest speaker in week 1, a local business visit in week 2, and interview attire and mock interviews with the transition team in week 3. Other examples include Huntsville Museum of Art in week 1, American Village in week 2, a field trip in week 3, and a combined seasonal party with Wild at Hart in week 4.
Thursday or Friday: PE with Coach P; time to be added.
Coming up · Connect in person
Homeschool Show & Share 2027
January 22–23, 2027 · Huntsville
Weather contingency: February 19–20, 2027
New to homeschooling? Meet experienced parents, explore curriculum, and discover local opportunities for your family. Bring your questions and find encouragement as you take your next steps.
