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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: College Safety and Fun for Homeschool Graduates with Seth and Caroline Tillman- Replay.

College Safety and Fun for Homeschool GraduatesThis is a replay of a favorite episode. We feel like it is useful information for our grads who are heading to college soon.

Featured in this college safety and fun:* Safety Tip #1: Walk in a group * Safety Tip #2: Lock your dorm or apartment doors when you leave * Safety Tip #3: Ride-share advice * Safety Tip #4: If you are walking around while listening to music or podcasts, leave one earbud out * Safety Tip #5: Use the share your location app on your phone * Safety Tip #6: Have a friend who leaves their phone on sound at night for you (and you for them) * Safety Tip #7: When going on college tours, what kind of campus safety measures are in place at the school? * Safety Tip #8: When going to an event, make sure that at least one or two of your group will stand up for you

Vicki’s five homeschool high schoolers are all graduated from college now, even her youngest, Seth, and his newlywed wife, Caroline. Seth and Caroline loved their years of homeschooling. College was a big change for them both, but they loved it and made the most of their experiences there by getting involved in college activities and mentoring relationships. They also made lots of friends.

From the many experiences they or their friends had, Seth and Caroline offered to share some safety tips for homeschool high schoolers who will head off to college (or anywhere in the big, wide world).

Seth and Caroline Tillman, photo used with permission

So here are Seth and Caroline’s tips for college safety and fun for homeschool graduatesSeth is a elementary music education teacher in a local public school. Caroline first worked in the retirement industry but recently transferred to the University of Delaware as academic advisor and assistant to the UD Health Professions program. Both of them have had the adventure of spending part of their year teaching or advising remotely. (Check out Seth’s videos for his music students.) They believe in paying the things they have learned forward to current homeschoolers to help them prepare for college or employment situations.

Safety Tip #1: Walk in a groupAs often as you can, especially at night. If you will be late at the library, call a friend and talk to a friend while walking and use “Find My Friend” app on your phone. (Predatory people tend to prey on lone individuals, so groups are best when possible.)

Safety Tip #2: Lock your dorm or apartment doors when you leaveYou would think this is not something you really need to tell teens. But Caroline shared that she saw the poor outcome of roommates or friends not locking doors a number of times. (Keep a key on a hair tie if you find keychains are too cumbersome.)

Safety Tip #3: Ride-share adviceAsk the driver what YOUR name is. Make sure they and their car look like the descriptions you were told when ordering the ride. Also look for the lit sign in the windshield of the car (Uber or Lyft have signs). If you can, ride with a friend on the ordered ride.

Safety Tip #4: If you are walking around while listening to music or podcasts, leave one earbud outThis makes you more aware of your environment, especially for crossing roads but also for unusual things that might need your attention.

Safety Tip #5: Use the share your location app on your phoneBut only share that with close, safe friends. It is not a social media app!

Safety Tip #6: Have a friend who leaves their phone on sound at night for you (and you for them)If you have car trouble, are locked out of your apartment, or are in an uncomfortable situation, phoning a friend can be a lifesaver.

Safety Tip #7: When going on college tours, what kind of campus safety measures are in place at the school?For example, at the University of Delaware, there are safety blue lights regularly around the campus for calling for help. It is so important for schools to be considering the safety of their students!

Safety Tip #8: When going to an event, make sure that at least one or two of your group will stand up for youLet there be an understanding that if things get uncomfortable, you can say to your friend, “I need to go” and they will actually leave with you.

Okay, now for some uncomfortable topics. Sometimes we homeschool parents try so hard to shelter our teens, that we find it extremely difficult to discuss “adult” topics with our young adults as they leave for college. (As Seth says, your kids are not kids anymore when they leave for college, they are adults…young adults but adults, so need to be prepared for an “adult” world.) Naivety will not work for new adults.

Safety Tip #9: When encountering alcohol, if you see someone heavily intoxicated, please do not leave that person aloneBe aware of your surroundings. If you see someone who is not okay, call the university police or 911. If it is someone you know and you feel safe, help them get back to their dorm. When calling 911, remember it’s better to have folks mad at you about it than have someone die from alcohol poisoning. Also, there is usually a medical amnesty policy that protects you from getting in trouble when you call 911.

Safety Tip #10: Know what alcohol poisoning looks likeFrom Mayo Clinic’s website: confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow breathing, irregular breathing, blue-tinged or pale skin, low body temperature, passing out and cannot be wakened.

Seth and Caroline graduated from a state college. Seth points out that alcohol is common in state colleges, so they were not surprised to see these kinds of things. He also has lots of friends who went to small private or Christian colleges. In the smaller schools, these things happen, too (but mostly in secret).

Safety Tip #11: Monitor what you are drinkingThis is difficult to talk about but important. No matter where you are whether restaurants, parties or get togethers. Vicki jumped in on this to add that, as a counselor who works with college students, she has worked with a number young women who have been “roofied” (a date rape drug slipped into their drink) while at a public gathering. So:

• Keep a lid on what you are drinking when possible
• If you go to the bathroom, have a trustworthy friend watch your drink
• If you start to feel bad and feel like you are “blacking out” and you do not have a trustworthy friend with you but are at a public place, ask staff for help
• If you feel frightened, call 911

Safety Tip #12: If you are choosing to drink (or have friends that choose to drink) alcohol, understand that not all alcohols are alikeSome are stronger than others. Learn about it ahead of time.

Safety Tip #13: Offer rides if you have a carOf course, keep boundaries (some people might think you are an endless free ride) and remember that you can offer but not everyone feels comfortable accepting rides.

Safety Tip #14: Offer your dorm to a safe friend if they are stuck on campus late in the eveningOf course, only if you know they are safe friends

Safety Tip #15: Know what harassment and consent look likeIf you see someone who appears uncomfortable, (and you are safe) walk up to the person who looks uncomfortable and talk right to that person. If you do not feel comfortable, feel free to call 911. Don’t just walk away, err on the side of keeping people safe.

If you are in an uncomfortable situation and do not feel safe, it is okay to lie in order to stay safe, as in: “Sorry, I can’t go with you, I have to meet my roommate here.” Or give out a fake phone number. Remember that actually if you find you are making someone feel uncomfortable, stop and walk away.

Safety Tip #16: Take a self-defense classIt is a genuinely valuable investment of time

Safety Tip #17: Parents: teach your male sons to be respectfulTeach them to be gentlemen. Teach them no means no. Teach them the value of all God’s creation. Teach them good manners.

NOW, before you feel terrified for your young adults (and also we aren’t advocating for any unhealthy behaviors; we just don’t want young adults to be naive), here are some GOOD things that happen in college:* Going out to eat with classmates so you get to know them better and enjoy class together more. * Inviting classmates to study groups at the library (especially those in your major) * Joining a healthy fraternity and sorority (not all of those organizations are about partying and wild living; rather some are about service or building their major) * Joining the university choir * Joining an interest group or club * Getting an on-campus job (Caroline worked in the college creamery, Seth worked in events) * For more tips on making friends in college, check out this post

Join Vicki, Seth and Caroline Tillman for an empowering discussion. Also check out the college success tips interview with their friend, Kendall Smythe.

Watch one of Seth’s digital classes for his elementary music students (his school was online during COVID-19). And his fun project with friends, Newbit.

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College Safety and Fun for Homeschool GraduatesThe post College Safety and Fun for Homeschool Graduates with Seth and Caroline Tillman Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Are your students more like the tortoise or the hare when it comes to learning English? Some homeschoolers find that grammar, writing, spelling, vocabulary, and literature take so long that it feels like they just can’t win. Others find that their kids breeze through English lessons so quickly that they may not be accomplishing the goal of being competent readers and writers.

Fortunately, learning English doesn’t have to take all day. In fact, there’s a way to teach it that’s so enjoyable that you and your kids will want to do it. As a former homeschool mom of six who also taught English to her friends’ kids, I’m going to get you on the fast track to English teaching success. Ready? Let’s go!

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1 Use StoriesThe first step to teaching English quickly and effectively is to use stories. In fact, if all you do is read your kids a story every day, you’re making progress in all the language arts. Stories are one of the best ways to teach vocabulary—which also happens to be the best predictor of academic achievement and life success. Using stories that include advanced vocabulary words like those in Grammar Galaxy will give your kids exposure to the words. Exposure to the words is more effective for building vocabulary than having kids write out definitions—something most students don’t like doing.

In addition to vocabulary, stories teach grammar through exposure. Although some grammar has to be explicitly taught, other grammar is mastered through listening to it used correctly in conversation and story.

Stories can be used to teach literary concepts of course, but they also help students become better writers. Most writers were voracious readers in childhood. They learned how to use the English language to express themselves by reading their favorite authors.

The added benefit of using stories to teach is that they are memorable. A lecture or nonfiction paragraph is forgettable. But stories stick with us and beg to be shared. That’s why I wrote Grammar Galaxy—to use story to teach language arts concepts.

Ask many adults what a prefix is and they won’t know. But in Grammar Galaxy, Prefix is an evil programmer who introduces the re- virus into the galaxy’s computer system. As a result, movies keep rewinding and people keep repeating themselves. Students are guardians of the galaxy who correct the chaos Prefix and his Gremlin accomplice caused. If you’d like to try a free sample of Grammar Galaxy, click here.

2 Skip spelling and vocabulary busyworkIf you’re using story to teach English, you’ve already come a long way. But now let’s take a shortcut. When I first started homeschooling, I thought I needed a separate spelling curriculum—one that presents new lists of words to be memorized. As I tried one curriculum after another like this, I noticed something. My kids already seemed to know most of the words in each list. And those they didn’t either weren’t that difficult to spell, or they weren’t words they used often.

While dyslexic students’ spelling can benefit from focused work on phonics, most students can focus on learning only the words they are misspelling in their own writing. Then they can choose a mnemonic or memory tool that makes remembering easiest. For example, students may find it helpful to remember that piece meaning part is spelled p-i-e-c-e by noting the word pie at the beginning. They can embellish this further with a saying like: “The waitress put a piece of pie in front of Ce.” In Grammar Galaxy, students focus on learning to spell the most commonly misspelled words. They also choose and create a mnemonic that helps them remember them.

I found the same shortcut worked with vocabulary. I didn’t need a separate vocabulary curriculum, but it did make sense to review Greek and Latin word roots that form the basis of so many English words. I added many of these to the vocabulary unit of Grammar Galaxy. As homeschoolers, we save teaching time by not doing spelling or vocabulary busywork.

3 Encourage kids to write faster with milestones, friends, and encouragementWriting is like the last leg of the race. It feels like the hardest part, but that’s mostly psychological.

Florence Chadwick attempted to swim 21 miles from Catalina Island to the California coast in thick fog. She stopped after almost 16 hours of swimming only to discover she was less than a mile away from shore. If she had known, she would have dug deep and finished. How can we use her experience to help our reluctant or slow writers?

The most important thing we can do is break up the long writing process into smaller milestones. Swimming 21 miles must have felt impossibly hard. “Write an essay” can feel like a slog for our students too. So instead of, “Write an essay,” we can say, “write your three main points.” Instead of write a paragraph, we can say, “write the topic sentence.” Shorter sprints completed regularly help students build skills more effectively than a writing marathon.

The next thing we can do to make our writing lessons take less time is have students write with others. If Florence had been trying to beat another swimmer who was still swimming, I think she would have gone the distance. Giving a student an independent writing assignment that doesn’t have to be shared is not as motivating as participating in a class. Having my kids share their writing in our home-based co-op with friends helped them write better and faster. But writing and sharing with family members also helped—especially when we had a funniest writing competition that I participated in and Dad judged.

Finally, we can speed our young writers along by cheering them through to the finish line. If we are alongside them, focusing on when they should have started, and what they could have done better, they will be tempted to quit. Applaud the effort and content first to help them finish writing faster. Only then can we choose one or two things that we’d like them to improve in the next writing assignment.

Students don’t have to be either the tortoise or the hare when it comes to learning English. They can be guardians of Grammar Galaxy who quickly defeat the Gremlin and master language arts. Download a sample from the link here.

Have other ideas for quickly and effectively teaching English? Comment to share them.

Other episodes on teaching language artsWhy Charlotte Mason Would Love Grammar Galaxy

Why You Shouldn’t Worry About Your Child’s Writing

How to Edit Your Child’s Writing

Have a happy homeschool week!

The post Teaching English Doesn’t Have To Take All Day appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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ClassWallet, ESAs & Online State Resources: How Homeschool Funding Actually WorksConfused by ClassWallet, ESAs, and all the “school choice” headlines? In this episode, Gina Steffy joins Felice Gerwitz to break down—in plain English—how these state education funds actually work, what the online state resources really tell you, and how homeschool families can decide wisely.

“School choice” money is everywhere in the headlines, but almost nobody explains the plumbing behind it. What is ClassWallet? Is it the same thing as an ESA? Where do you find the real rules for your state—and how do you avoid the traps? In this conversation on Vintage Homeschool Moms, Felice sits down with Gina to demystify Education Savings Accounts, the ClassWallet platform, and the online state resources every homeschool family should bookmark. You’ll walk away knowing the difference between the program and the platform, what these funds can (and can’t) buy, how accepting money can change your legal status, and the smart-choice questions to ask before you apply. No legal jargon—just a clear, balanced map so you can make the right call for your own family.

What You’ll Learn* What ClassWallet is (and the one thing everyone gets wrong about it) * How an ESA is different from the ClassWallet platform that manages it * The three ways money actually moves: marketplace, direct pay, and reimbursement * Which online state resources are the true source of truth—and which to ignore * What the funds typically cover: curriculum, tutoring, therapies, testing, technology * How accepting funds can change your student’s legal status from “homeschooler” to “program participant” * The testing, reporting, and recordkeeping strings that come with the money * A balanced look at the “should we take the money?” debate * The smart-choice questions to ask before you apply or buy anything

How ClassWallet Works for Homeschool Families: ESAs and Online State Resources, ExplainedIf you’ve spent five minutes in a homeschool Facebook group lately, you’ve seen the questions: What is ClassWallet? Is it free money? Can I use it for curriculum? Does my state have it? The “school choice” headlines are everywhere, but almost no one explains how the money actually works—and that’s exactly where families get tripped up.

In my recent conversation with Felice on Vintage Homeschool Moms, we pulled back the curtain on Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), the ClassWallet platform, and the online state resources every homeschool family should know about. This companion guide gives you the plain-English version you can come back to anytime. (Quick disclaimer up front: I’m a homeschool mom, not a lawyer or tax advisor—so treat this as a friendly map, not legal advice, and always confirm your own state’s official handbook.)

What Is ClassWallet? (And the One Thing Everyone Gets Wrong)Here’s the single most important idea in this whole topic: ClassWallet is not the funding program. It’s just the tool.

Think of ClassWallet as the debit card and online marketplace that several states use to move education money and track how it’s spent. The state decides who qualifies, how much you get, and what you’re allowed to buy. ClassWallet is simply the plumbing that gets approved dollars from the state to the vendor.

So when someone says, “I got approved for ClassWallet!”—what they really mean is they were accepted into their state’s ESA (or a similar program), and ClassWallet is the platform they’ll use to spend it. Some states use ClassWallet; others use different platforms entirely (Florida’s program, for example, runs on a system called EMA). The tool varies. The principle doesn’t.

ClassWallet vs. an ESA: Know the DifferenceAn Education Savings Account (ESA) is the program: the state sets aside a pot of money—often somewhere around $7,000 to $8,000 per student—that you can spend on approved education expenses. ClassWallet is the platform some states use to manage that pot.

Getting this straight matters, because the rules you have to follow come from the ESA program and your state’s law—not from ClassWallet. The platform just enforces what the state already decided.

How ClassWallet Actually Works: Three Ways Money MovesOnce you’re approved and funded, there are generally three ways to spend:

1. The Marketplace. The simplest option. You shop from pre-approved vendors inside the ClassWallet marketplace, and payment happens automatically from your account—no out-of-pocket cost.

2. Direct Pay (“Pay a Vendor”). You request that ClassWallet pay an approved provider directly—say, a tutor or a curriculum company. The provider may need to be registered or approved first.

3. Reimbursement. You pay out of pocket, then submit receipts to be paid back. This carries the most risk: if the purchase is denied, you’re stuck with the bill. That’s why the golden rule is never buy first and hope later.

Online State Resources: Where to Find the Real RulesThe internet is full of blog posts (including this one!) that give you the lay of the land. But when it’s time to actually apply or spend, go to the source. Here’s the hierarchy I recommend:

1. Your state Department of Education’s ESA page and the current handbook. This is the source of truth. Amounts, eligible expenses, deadlines, and approved-vendor lists all live here—and they change almost every year.
2. The program administrator’s portal. In many states an outside organization runs the day-to-day (for example, Step Up For Students in Florida or the Treasurer’s office in Indiana).
3. National overviews for context. Sites like EdChoice and the NCSL are excellent for understanding how programs compare across states—just don’t treat them as the final word on your specific award.

One caution: ignore outdated articles. This landscape is moving so fast that a post from even a year ago may list the wrong amount, the wrong deadline, or a program that’s since changed.

What Can the Funds Actually Buy?It varies by state, but ESA funds commonly cover curriculum, tutoring, online courses, standardized testing, educational materials, therapies for students with special needs, and sometimes technology. Every program publishes an approved-expense guide and an approved-vendor list, and here’s the catch: “educational” in your mind doesn’t always mean “reimbursable” in theirs. Check the guide first, and get pre-approval for anything unusual or expensive.

The Fine Print: Legal Status, Testing, and RecordsThis is the part families most often miss, and it’s the part worth slowing down for.

Legal status. In many states, accepting the money changes your student’s legal category. While in Arizona, an ESA student signs a contract and is not a statutory homeschooler. In Florida, to join the Personalized Education Program you actually have to terminate your home-education program and become a “PEP student.” You’re still teaching at your own kitchen table—but the rules you answer to have changed.

Testing and reporting. Depending on the state, you may owe an annual norm-referenced test, a written learning plan, attendance or portfolio records, or all of the above.

Records. Keep an audit folder from day one: award letters, account agreements, invoices, receipts, and proof of payment. The families who run into trouble are almost always the ones who spent freely and kept nothing.

Should Your Family Take the Money? A Balanced TakeThis is a personal decision, and reasonable homeschoolers land in different places.

On one side, these funds are real, meaningful help—especially for families on a tight budget or those covering therapies and specialized services. On the other side, groups like HSLDA caution that government money can come with strings, and that a funded student is a distinct legal category rather than a protected independent homeschooler; they’d rather see tax credits, where you simply keep more of your own money. Other groups, like THSC, believe a well-designed ESA with strong legal protections can help without eroding freedom.

My honest take? Know exactly what you’re trading. If the trade-offs work for your family, an ESA can be a genuine blessing. If they make you uneasy, there is no shame in keeping your independence.

5 Smart-Choice Questions Before You Apply1. Does accepting funds change our legal status—and are we okay with that? 2. Is the usable award (not the headline number) worth the paperwork? 3. Can we buy what we already use? (Check the approved-expense guide first.) 4. Can we meet the testing and reporting deadlines? 5. What might we give up? (Families of students with disabilities should weigh ESA benefits against IDEA rights and public-school services.)

Your Next StepWant the full picture for your state? Download our free 50-State Homeschool Funding Guide—a plain-English map of what’s available, who qualifies, and what to watch out for in all 50 states. Then head to your state’s official page to confirm the current details before you apply.

And if you haven’t yet, listen to the full conversation with Felice on Vintage Homeschool Moms for the stories and nuance behind these tips.

Resources Mentioned Free download: Homeschool Funding — A 50-State Guide for Families → *[ family guide download page] * ClassWallet (platform overview) → https://www.classwallet.com * EdChoice — School Choice in America dashboard → https://www.edchoice.org/school-choice-in-america/ * National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) — ESA policy scan → https://www.ncsl.org * Arizona ESA (AZ Dept. of Education) → https://www.azed.gov/esa * Indiana Education Scholarship Account (INESA) → https://www.in.gov/tos/inesa/ * Florida Personalized Education Program (Step Up For Students) → https://www.stepupforstudents.org/scholarships/personalized-education-program/ * Related: How to Start Homeschooling | Homeschool Socialization

Quotable Moments* “ClassWallet is the wallet. The state is the boss.” * “The handbook matters more than the headline.” * “Never buy first and hope later.” * “Free money isn’t free if it costs you your freedom—but for some families, it’s exactly the help they need.”

Stay Informed Subscribe to Vintage Homeschool Moms so you never miss an episode * Grab the free 50-State Homeschool Funding Guide → [download link] * Share this episode with a homeschool friend who’s asking “should we take the money?” * Reminder for listeners: This episode is educational, not legal or tax advice. Always verify your state’s official handbook before applying or buying.*

Frequently Asked QuestionsIs ClassWallet free money for homeschoolers? Not exactly. ClassWallet is the platform that manages state ESA funds, and while the money is real and helpful, it comes with rules: an approved-expense list, possible testing or reporting, and in many states a change to your legal status. It’s better to think of it as a state education allowance with a rulebook attached than as “free money.”

What’s the difference between ClassWallet and an ESA? An ESA (Education Savings Account) is the state program that provides the money. ClassWallet is the online platform some states use to distribute and track that money. The state sets the rules; ClassWallet just enforces them.

What can I buy with ClassWallet funds? Commonly curriculum, tutoring, online courses, standardized tests, educational materials, therapies, and sometimes technology—but only from approved vendors and within your state’s approved-expense guide. Always check the guide and get pre-approval before large or unusual purchases.

Does taking an ESA mean I’m no longer a homeschooler? In many states, yes—your legal status changes from independent homeschooler to program participant. Arizona and Florida are two examples where accepting funds changes your statutory status. Read your state’s definition before enrolling.

Where do I find the real rules for my state? Start with your state Department of Education’s ESA page and the current program handbook—that’s the source of truth. Use national sites like EdChoice and NCSL for context, but confirm amounts, deadlines, and eligible expenses on the official page before you apply or buy.

Educational content only—not legal, tax, or accounting advice. Program rules, award amounts, vendors, and deadlines change frequently; always verify the current official handbook for your state before applying or purchasing.

The post ClassWallet and Online State Resources — and How They Work appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Encore presentation from the MBFLP archives — a listener favorite worth hearing again. Sponsored by CTCMath.com

Boys and Noise: Managing a Houseful of Energetic Boys“Got boys? Then probably, you’ve got noise!” This week Hal and Melanie Young open up an email from a desperate homeschooling mom of four boys, all eight and under — two quiet, peace-loving firstborn parents completely overwhelmed by the volume, the wrestling, and the endless bickering. As parents of six boys themselves, Hal and Melanie have been exactly there, and they walk through what actually helps.

The heart of it: boys are noisy, active, and energetic by God’s design — and noise is not the same thing as sin. Your job isn’t to turn your boys into quiet little girls; it’s to train them to know when to let it rip and when to put a cork on it, to stop the meanness without crushing the energy, and to keep your home a safe harbor for everyone in it.

In this episode: Why “one boy plus one boy” equals way more than two boys’ worth of noise * Boys, power, and impact — the God-given wiring behind all that energy * Teaching self-control: inside/outside voices, “commando quiet,” and the Silent Ship game * Burning energy on purpose — outdoor time and mid-day movement (and why large-muscle activity actually helps boys learn) * The bickering: kids are born sinners, so media limits help but the heart is the real issue * “The wrath of man works not the righteousness of God” — why losing your temper never motivates, and how raising your voice differs from losing it * The “knock it off” rule: rough-and-tumble is fine, but stop means stop* — or you’re a bully * Home as a safe harbor: no name-calling, no sowing discord among brothers (Proverbs 6) * Why sibling competition is unfair across wide age gaps — and how to raise a “hero” big brother instead of a bully * The long payoff: the brotherly friendship you build now pays off hugely in adulthood

Chapters: 0:00 — Intro & welcome * 1:16 — The topic: boys and noise * 1:51 — A desperate mom’s email: four boys, eight and under * 3:23 — “We’ve been there” — Hal & Melanie’s six boys * 5:00 — Why boys are so loud (and why some are louder than others) * 7:17 — Power, impact, and God’s design for boys * 8:36 — Don’t turn your boys into girls — make it livable instead * 9:00 — Teaching quiet: ninja/commando, Silent Ship, inside voices * 12:43 — Burn the energy: outdoor time, mid-day PE, movement & learning * 14:51 — Resources for parents of boys * 16:19 — The bickering & nastiness: it’s a heart issue * 17:41 — Ground rules: the wrath of man, and voice vs. losing it * 19:02 — The “knock it off” rule * 20:11 — Home as a safe harbor: names, discord, Proverbs 6 * 21:47 — Competition, fairness, and raising a hero big brother * 24:10 — The long payoff: brotherhood into adulthood * 27:20 — Encouragement: it takes consistency, and it will* get better

A few lines worth remembering:

“Being noisy is not necessarily a sin. It’s not necessarily something you need to punish — but it is something that needs training.”

“The wrath of man works not the righteousness of God. When I yell, when I lose it, it does not motivate them one bit.”

“Whatever’s out there in the world, when you come home you should be completely safe.”

About the hosts: Hal and Melanie Young are the parents of six boys (and more) and the authors and speakers behind Raising Real Men. Find more of their work at halandmelanie.com.

More on raising boys from the show:* Boy-Friendly Homeschooling: How to Help Boys Thrive in Learning * Boys and Books: How to Help Boys Love Reading * Boy Question Free-for-All: Raising Sons Biblically

Noise can be fun. Shop Whismsical and Adventure Gear @ RaisingRealMen.comThe post Boys and Noise: Managing a Houseful of Energetic Boys appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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When Your Child Sees Something They Shouldn’t Online: A Parent’s GuideParent note: this episode discusses pornography and its effect on kids and families. The conversation is frank but never graphic — it’s meant for grown-up ears, so you may want to listen before the little ones are in the room.

It’s not a question of if your child will see explicit content online — it’s when. That’s a hard sentence to read, but it’s the honest starting point of this conversation. Andy “Fletch” and Kendra Fletcher sit down with Barrett and Jenifer Johnson of INFO for Families to talk about what actually helps: not panic, not shame, and not a false confidence that the right filter will keep the world out. Filters and boundaries matter, but the real protection is an ongoing, calm, gospel-shaped conversation you start long before you think you need to.

Whether you’ve just discovered something on a device and your heart is pounding, or you simply want to get ahead of it, this episode gives you language, resources, and hope.

In this episode:

• Why exposure is a matter of “when, not if” — and why no fence or filter is enough on its own
• How to respond in the moment without freaking out or shaming your child
• Starting the conversation early (yes, even with young children) so you’re the first voice, not the last
• Where filters and accountability tools genuinely help — and where they fall short
• Teaching wisdom and compassion, including seeing the people in the industry as exploited rather than villains
• Bringing the gospel into it: “hope shifting” and the path to restoration
• Why restoration is spiritual, relational, and physical — retraining a brain that’s been wired by exposure
• Why this isn’t “just a boy problem” — girls and young women are affected too
• What it means to “run into the burning building” for your kids instead of away from it

Chapters (approximate):

• 0:00 — Fresh intro & parent heads-up
• 0:30 — Fletch & Kendra: the “when, not if” reality (and a nod to The Village)
• 4:00 — Why no filter or fence is enough by itself
• 7:30 — Meet Barrett & Jenifer Johnson, INFO for Families
• 11:00 — Don’t freak out: how to respond in the moment
• 15:00 — Talk to your kids before the world does — starting young
• 20:00 — Filters and tools that help (Circle, accountability software) — and their limits
• 25:00 — Wisdom & compassion: the people behind the industry are exploited
• 30:00 — The gospel and “hope shifting”
• 35:00 — Restoration: spiritual, community, and retraining the brain
• 41:00 — It’s not just boys — girls and young women too
• 45:00 — “Run into the burning building”: encouragement for weary parents
• 49:00 — Next week: Sex Ed for Parents (for couples)

A couple of lines worth remembering:

“It’s not if your kids will be exposed — it’s when. And the best filter you have is the conversation you’re already having with them.”

“Don’t freak out. If your kid feels like they can come to you with the hard thing, you’ve won something no software can give you.”

Resources mentioned:

• Barrett & Jenifer Johnson — INFO for Families (“Imperfect Normal Families Only”): infoforfamilies.com
• The Talks — book and companion 6-part DVD series from the Johnsons
• Good Pictures, Bad Pictures — a read-aloud book for introducing this topic to young children
• Brain Buddy — an app supporting recovery and retraining
• Circle — a home device for managing screens and filtering across your network

If you’re a parent in the thick of this right now: take a breath. You are not behind, and you are not alone. Start the conversation, keep it going, and lead with hope.

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, CTCMath.com

The post When Your Child Sees Something They Shouldn’t Online: A Parent’s Guide appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Homeopathy for Pain Relief – Mini-Training Excerpt

I am asked frequently about pain – Do you have anything for headaches? Do you have anything for backache? Toothaches? Do you have anything for bladder infections? Do you have anything for Earaches? The list goes on!

Yes! We have remedies for all these things specifically, but for the sake of simplicity, I made this two part mini-training for my members – Homeopathy for Pain Relief.

This week I share part 1 on the podcast – a great introduction to the common, go-to type remedies and how to use them.

The rest of the mini-training inside our Members Corner is more detailed about how to zero in on certain “Types” of pain and then how to find the best remedy, specific to the patient. You can join the Members Corner for access to this and over 70 other in-depth mini-trainings on the Members Corner. Click here to see what we have inside: https://members.homeopathyformommies.com/mini-trainings/

Join now: https://members.homeopathyformommies.com

The post Homeopathy for Pain Relief – Mini-Training Excerpt appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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383: AI Through a Teen’s Eyes with Sofia Alvarez de la HozIn this episode, Meryl talks with Sophia Alvarez de la Hoz, a former student in Meryl’s AI for Teens class. Sophia shares what she knew about AI before taking the course, what surprised her, and how her understanding changed as she learned about topics such as large language models, AI ethics, red teaming, and responsible use.

Sophia also explains how she currently uses AI tools for schoolwork and personal projects. She discusses using NotebookLM to study and an AI image generator to develop the design for her eighth-grade graduation cap.

The conversation addresses an important question for homeschool families: How can students use AI for support without allowing it to do the thinking for them? Sophia shares practical strategies, including asking AI to explain a concept without revealing the answer and recognizing when the tool is completing too much of the learning process.

Other topics discussed include:

• Why using AI to cheat ultimately harms the student
• The risk of becoming overly dependent on AI
• How AI may affect future careers
• The importance of understanding how AI works
• Future AI tools that could assist people with disabilities
• Why teens need a balanced understanding of AI
• The skills students should develop as AI becomes more common

Sophia’s central message is that AI is a tool whose value depends greatly on how it is used. Students need opportunities to understand its capabilities, limitations, risks, and ethical implications so they can make informed decisions.

Resources MentionedAI for Teens class from FundaFunda Academy:
AI for Teens is a one-semester, half-credit elective designed for students in grades 7–12.

NotebookLM:
https://notebooklm.google.com/

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Cooking for High School Credit with Angela Smith.

Cooking for High School Credit with Angela SmithAs homeschool parents, we 7Sisters know a win when we see one! How about life skills, cooking, and food science combined for a fun and meaningful high school elective credit?

That’s what we found with Angela Smith at Inquisicook!

Featured in this article:* Angela Smith’s story * Inquisicook’s story * How Inquisicook works * Find Inquisicooks * Learn more about electives

Angela Smith’s storyAngela likes to say that she is “actually a native member of the homeschool tribe”. Her family started homeschooling in 1992 and continued until their last child went to college. These days, Angela is helping with the homeschooling of her twelve grandchildren.

Inquisicook’s storyThe Inquisicook online program combines food science, life skills, and culinary arts into hands-on courses that put delicious food on the family table.

The Inquisicook online program combines food science, life skills, and culinary arts into hands-on courses that put delicious food on the family table.

These practical, elective courses include science labs that wind up as a prepared dish for the family table!

When her youngest child was about ten or eleven years old, she informed Angela that she wanted cooking to be one of her homeschool subjects. They were already cooking together as part of their family lifestyle. (Angela’s family loves to exercise hospitality.)

However, being a homeschool mom, Angela wanted to incorporate a science-driven approach to cooking. She thought it made sense to study the science that’s literally under their noses and that they were engaging with daily.

Angela believes that anybody ought to be able to prepare a tasty dish based on what’s in season, what’s on sale, or what’s in the fridge. She wants teens to be free from the tyranny of an ingredients list that says, “I’ve got to buy, you know, this and this and this, and if I don’t have those things, I can’t make this recipe.”

Angela could not find a curriculum that taught comprehensive, science-based cooking, so (being an industrious homeschool mom), she created her own. It took years to finally have the course in the form she wanted to launch, but it’s ready, and you can get your teens started now!

How Inquisicook worksInquisicook offers two courses. Each of the courses is divided into five units with fifteen lessons. Also included are optional recipes that we call “for further eating”, and teacher resources.

Inquisicook 1 covers eggs, quick breads, salads and dressings, yeast breads, along with herbs, spices, and seasonings. This is combined with soups and stocks.

In this first course, teens also learn the basic culinary art skills, such as:* Knife skills, * How to use a double boiler * Recognizing signs of doneness

Students also conduct sensory evaluations for every recipe they re-prepare, rating it based on appearance, flavor, texture, and aroma. This guides them to think specifically and analytically about their outcomes. It also gives them a pathway to craft improvements or variations for future attempts at the recipes, because we want them to be intuitive cooks, not recipe followers.

These skills help students figure out what the version two of that recipe might look like for their family’s tastes.

Food science in InquisicookOf course, all of the units are packed with science. For instance, they learn about egg protein molecules and how those molecules are transformed when heat is applied to them. They learn the physics of whisking: what is happening to egg proteins as they unfurl and then collect around bubbles to create an egg white foam.

In the science of custards, students learn special techniques to trap moisture droplets within the protein network.

In the quick breads unit, they learn the differences between biological leaveners, physical leaveners, and chemical leaveners. They learn about the different types of wheat, different protein contents of the wheat, and the different ways to capture those little air bubbles that cause bread to rise.

During the soups and stocks unit, students learn about extracting flavor through long, slow cooking and the science behind different flavoring agents in terms of herbs and spices

Inquisicook is an applied science that’s super tasty!

This course would be a good choice as an elective on the high school transcript!

Thanks to Seth Tillman for editing the podcast.

Find Inquisicook at:* Inquisicook.com * Facebook Inquisicook * Instagram Inquisicook

Learn more about high school electives in these Homeschool Highschool Podcast episodes:* Conservation Project with Nathaniel Mack * Fine Arts Electives * Filmmaking Elective

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page. 2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes 3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review

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Read the transcriptWatch on YouTubeIn This Episode* + Why your child’s goals matter more than your goals * + How “busy work” can destroy motivation * + Why bright kids need meaningful challenges * + The hidden cost of constant correction * + How self-control becomes exhausted—and how to restore it * + Simple strategies you can use right away to help your child start trying again

Free Resources Free Grammar Galaxy Sample Discover story-based language arts that turns reluctant learners into enthusiastic readers and writers.

Free Training Aliens Lesson Help your child build self-control, communication, and other essential social-emotional skills through engaging stories.

Find both free resources here: https://funtolearnbooks.com

More Episodes Like ThisReluctant Learners: How to Motivate Them

Helping Students Take Initiative

Homeschooling Smart Kids

SubscribeIf this episode encouraged you, be sure to:

• • Like the video
• • Leave a comment: Which of these five reasons do you think best explains your child’s lack of motivation?
• • Subscribe for practical homeschooling advice, motivation strategies, and curriculum tips every week.

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Have a happy homeschool week!

Have a bright child who suddenly refuses to do schoolwork? You’re not alone. In this episode, I share the surprising reasons intelligent, capable students stop trying—and why the problem usually isn’t laziness.

After homeschooling six graduates and researching motivation, I discovered five hidden causes that can keep bright kids from giving their best. More importantly, you’ll learn practical ways to help your child rediscover their love of learning.

Read the transcriptWatch on YouTubeIn This Episode* + Why your child’s goals matter more than your goals * + How “busy work” can destroy motivation * + Why bright kids need meaningful challenges * + The hidden cost of constant correction * + How self-control becomes exhausted—and how to restore it * + Simple strategies you can use right away to help your child start trying again

Free Resources Free Grammar Galaxy Sample Discover story-based language arts that turns reluctant learners into enthusiastic readers and writers.

Free Training Aliens Lesson Help your child build self-control, communication, and other essential social-emotional skills through engaging stories.

Find both free resources here: https://funtolearnbooks.com

More Episodes Like ThisReluctant Learners: How to Motivate Them

Helping Students Take Initiative

Homeschooling Smart Kids

SubscribeIf this episode encouraged you, be sure to:

• • Like the video
• • Leave a comment: Which of these five reasons do you think best explains your child’s lack of motivation?
• • Subscribe for practical homeschooling advice, motivation strategies, and curriculum tips every week.

Connect with MeFacebook

Instagram

Have a happy homeschool week!

The post Why Bright Kids Stop Trying (And What To Do About It) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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This episode is proudly sponsored by CTCMath — an online math program designed to help homeschool families build confidence and mastery, one lesson at a time.

Try CTCMath →

Business Family DynastiesIn “Business Family Dynasties,” Episode #260, Meredith Curtis introduces you to the US “nobility”- some powerful families that have influenced American business over centuries. Meet the Cathy family, Rockefeller family, Vanderbilt family, Morgan family, DuPont family, & Barrymore family. Discover their impact on the USA.

Powerline Productions, Inc.Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show NotesWe don’t have royalty or nobility in the USA, but we do have political and ministry dynasties. Let’s meet some amazing families.

RockefellerA devout Baptist raised by a godly mother, John was frugal and an astute businessman. Their empire today is vast, and the family tree is filled with governors, senators, and businessmen.

VanderbiltThe Commodore, a Moravian, hard worker, and courageous entrepreneur, became the richest man in America. Over the generations, that wealth has dwindled but there’s still the Biltmore in Asheville, NC.

MorganFrom Massachusetts Bay Colony to the 1960s, this family reigned in banking and investing.

DuPontA nobleman in Paris escaped the guillotine and started fresh in Delaware. Meet the DuPont family.

BarrymoreDestined for law, this British man came to America to act. His daughter Ethel became one of the greatest actresses of all time.

CathyA devoted Christian perfected the chicken sandwich, and the rest is history.

Sign up for our Newsletter:Sign up for our updates and get your copy of US Living Books & Movies List (57 pages) and Sons of Liberty FREE. Sign up here.

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Resources – Shop at PowerlineProd.com!

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Keep Celebrating the USA’s 250th Birthday with More Podcasts

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Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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Part of our guide: Homeschooling a Struggling LearnerHelp for parents who are considering homeschooling a struggling learner!

Do you have a child who works hard yet still struggles with reading, comprehension, spelling, letter reversals, or focus? You are not alone. Many Christian homeschool families face the quiet frustration of watching an intelligent child fall behind or lose confidence.

In this episode of Vintage Homeschool Moms, I sit down with an old friend, Steve Shapiro of The Learning Connection. Years ago I heard him speak on a Christian radio station. I was so excited I pulled over to a safe spot, called him from my phone, and ordered his learning kit for my own struggling learner. Later I introduced him to the leaders at the Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) conference in Orlando, where I had spoken for many years. Steve quickly became a favorite speaker among homeschool parents.

Homeschooling a Struggling Learner: Hope, Root Causes, and Real Help Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Steve Shapiro. I first called him over twenty-five years ago! Later I met him in person and I was able to give a glowing recommendation for his home kit. Steve is now semi-retired, yet he still believes so strongly in the tools God has given him that he wants to share them with a new generation of parents.

Meet Steve ShapiroSteve is a specialized learning disability therapist and educator with more than 40 years of experience helping thousands of children and teens who struggle with reading and learning difficulties. He holds a master’s degree in education with undergraduate work in special education. Early in his career, he discovered that the typical academic approaches were not enough. The underlying root problems were not being addressed.

He has written two books: The Learning Connection and Falling Through the Cracks: Why Intelligent Students Struggle in School. He has spoken extensively across the country, including at FPEA and many other homeschool gatherings.

Steve later met Dr. Guthrie, an optometrist in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who spent his career researching why so many bright students fail to achieve. In many cases, the root issue was not a need for glasses but an underlying vision processing weakness. These children could not properly process what they read. When the two eyes do not work together to process visual information, the brain cannot retain it well. This often shows up as:

• Poor reading skills
• Weak comprehension
• Reversals of letters, numbers, and words (commonly called dyslexia)
• Spelling difficulties
• Short attention span as the visual system fatigues easily

Together Steve and Dr. Guthrie developed what is now The Learning Connection—a therapy program designed to overcome reading and learning difficulties at the root. Most recently Steve created a home computer therapy kit that includes the same tools he used in his office practice for over 40 years. He offers a free home evaluation and a free, no-obligation phone consultation for any family.

Website: thelearningconnection.myshopify.com

Book a complimentary evalutation:https://thelearningconnection.myshopify.com/pages/free-home-evaluation-for-learning-difficultiesQuestions We Explore in This Episode1. How did you begin this work? 2. What makes your approach different? Why do you believe so many children struggle in school? 3. What is typically being done in schools for children who struggle? 4. You have been at this for over 40 years. Looking back, how has God led you through it all? 5. What are some of the symptoms parents would notice at home? 6. Tell us about your free home evaluation and what you offer families who live out of town. 7. Is there any practical skill or tip you can share with our audience today?

These questions open the door to practical hope. Steve explains why traditional methods often miss the mark and how addressing vision processing and related foundational skills can change a child’s trajectory—especially in the flexible, one-on-one setting of a Christian home.

Why This Matters for Homeschool FamiliesHomeschooling gives us the freedom to slow down, observe carefully, and meet a child exactly where he or she is. When a child struggles, the first step is often identifying whether the difficulty is purely academic or rooted in how the brain processes information. Steve’s work reminds us that intelligent children can still fall through the cracks when underlying processing weaknesses go unaddressed.

The free evaluation and phone consultation make it possible for families anywhere to explore whether this approach might help. The home therapy kit brings professional-level tools into the living room so parents can work with their children at a sustainable pace.

More Listening on Vintage Homeschool MomsIf this conversation encourages you, continue with these related episodes:

• Games That Teach (Part 1): Brain Training Games for Homeschool Learning + Special Needs Support
• Auditory Processing with Tara Jenner
• Homeschooling the Struggling Learner
• Homeschooling with Dyslexia
• Homeschooling with Special Needs

Helpful Resources from Media AngelsWhile you strengthen foundational learning skills, consider these practical tools from the Media Angels store:

• The Premium Homeschool Bundle — packed with encouragement, organization ideas, and teaching helps that support families navigating special needs or learning challenges.
• Homeschool Calendars & Goal Setting Bundles — simple planning tools that help you create realistic schedules and track progress without overwhelm.

Browse more at MediaAngels.com/store.

Stay ConnectedSign Up for the newsletter and receive ongoing encouragement, episode highlights, and practical help for your homeschool journey.

You are not alone. With prayer, careful observation, and the right tools, many struggling learners begin to thrive. Steve Shapiro’s decades of experience and heart for families offer a clear next step for any parent who wants to understand the root of the struggle and move forward with confidence.

*This link is an Amazon affiliate link and I may earn a small commission through your purchase.

This episode is proudly sponsored by CTCMath — an online math program designed to help homeschool families build confidence and mastery, one lesson at a time.

Try CTCMath →

The post Homeschooling a Struggling Learner: Real Help When Nothing’s Working appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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382: Summer Tech Challenge 9 – Build a WebsiteCreating a website may sound intimidating, but today’s free tools make it surprisingly simple. This challenge gives you and your children a low-pressure opportunity to experiment with website design and discover how useful this skill can be.

Why should teens learn to build websites?A simple website can be useful for:

• Promoting a teen’s small business, such as photography, babysitting, tutoring, or lawn care
• Sharing information for a Scout troop, 4-H club, sports team, or community organization
• Creating a portfolio of artwork, writing, photography, coding projects, or other accomplishments
• Providing additional evidence of a teen’s skills on college, scholarship, internship, or job applications
• Collecting information about a family hobby, favorite books, movies, or summer experiences

The goal of this challenge is not to produce a professional website. It is to become comfortable enough with the process that you and your children will be willing to create one when a real need arises.

Website-building tools to tryCanvaCanva is my first recommendation for this challenge because it is easy to use and will host your website for free. You can design the pages visually and publish the finished website with a Canva link.

StrikinglyStrikingly is another free option that makes it easy to create modern-looking websites.

Google SitesGoogle Sites takes slightly more time to learn, but it is free and works well for simple websites, portfolios, and collaborative projects.

When you get stuck, begin with the tool’s help section. You can also ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Claude, or another AI assistant to walk you through the specific problem.

This week’s challengeWork alone or with your children to create a simple website about something you enjoy. Possible topics include:

• A family hobby
• Favorite books or movies
• Places you visited this summer
• A collection of artwork or photographs
• A small business or service
• A club, team, or community project

Links and resources* Canva Websites * Strikingly * Google Sites * FundaFunda Academy Computer Applications: Teacher-Graded * FundaFunda Academy Computer Applications: Self-Paced

2 Videos on how to use Canva to create a websiteEntering the Summer ChallengeShare what you did in the challenge on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts or in one of these Facebook groups:

• • Homeschooling with Technology
  • Homeschooling Middle School
  • Homeschooling College-Bound Teens

If you are not on social media, email your entry to meryl@fundafunda.com, and it can be shared on your behalf.

Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card.

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post Summer Tech Challenge 9: Build a Website appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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381: Summer Tech Challenge 8: Create a Video RecommendationVideo creation is becoming an essential skill for today’s students. In this episode, homeschool families are challenged to create a short recommendation video using Canva. Whether you’ve never edited a video before or you’re ready to build your skills, this challenge provides a simple way to get started while creating something useful to share with others.

Students / parents can recommend anything they enjoyed this summer—from books and games to museums, podcasts, travel destinations, or homeschool resources.

In this episode* Why video creation is a valuable college and career skill * Why Canva is an excellent beginner-friendly video editor * How to create a 30–60 second recommendation video * Ideas for topics to recommend * Ways to use images, stock photos, AI-generated images, and video clips * Adding text or recording a voiceover * How AI tools like ChatGPT can help when you get stuck * How to enter the Summer Tech Challenge

Summer Tech Challenge PromptCreate a 30–60 second recommendation video about something you enjoyed this summer.

Ideas include:

• A favorite book
• A board or card game
• A museum
• A vacation destination
• A podcast
• A homeschool resource
• Anything else you’d recommend to others

Use Canva to combine images, video clips, text, and/or a voiceover into a short video.

Mentioned in this episode* Canva for video creation * ChatGPT for troubleshooting while creating videos * FundaFunda Academy Computer Applications course (self-paced and teacher-graded options)

Entering the Summer ChallengeShare what you did in the challenge on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts or in one of these Facebook groups:

• • Homeschooling with Technology
  • Homeschooling Middle School
  • Homeschooling College-Bound Teens

If you are not on social media, email your entry to meryl@fundafunda.com, and it can be shared on your behalf.

Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card.

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post Summer Tech Challenge 8: Create a Video Recommendation appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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📚 Part of our guide: Back to HomeschoolThis week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: How to Plan Your Homeschool High School.

How to Plan Your Homeschool High SchoolLet’s talk about planning high school. We know that planning for homeschooling high school can feel intimidating.

I (Vicki) remember, back in those early days, getting ready to start homeschooling her first high schooler. During those days, I was president of our local homeschool organization. There were not many people homeschooling high schoolers back then.

We were not sure how to plan out our high schoolers’ educations. So, a group of us moms in the homeschool support group got together and started researching how to homeschool high school.

We shared our research results in our weekly meetings, and prayed a lot. When the time came, we felt intimidated, but as ready as we could be. Since then, that group of moms evolved into 7SistersHomeschool and Homeschool Highschool Podcast. We have homeschooled twenty-six of our kids through graduation. Not only that, but we have also advised several hundred other local homeschoolers through our umbrella school.

Featured in this post:* Guidelines for planning homeschool high school including + Guideline #1 of planning homeschool high school: There’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school + Guideline #2 for planning homeschool high school is to know this: What’s your why? + Guideline #3 for planning homeschool high school: Know your teen + Guideline #4: What is your philosophy of homeschooling high school? + Guideline #5: Are there any unusual needs in the family right now? + Guideline #6: Clarify your goals + Guideline #7: What is the budget for this year?

Guidelines for planning homeschool high schoolBy the way, let us share a FREE video course for parents called Are You Intimidated To Homeschool High School? It gets you started, gives you confidence and ideas.

Then if you want a really deep dive with sixteen lessons on how to do homeschool high school, we have a parent video course for that as well.

Guideline #1 of planning homeschool high school: There’s not ONE right way to homeschool high schoolJust because your friend is homeschooling high school in one way does not mean you must homeschool high school as they do. Every teen is different; every family’s needs, rhythms, and interests are different as well.

We are homeschooling to do what is best for our own teens. So, enjoy the process, make it your own, and make it fit your teens!

Guideline #2 for planning homeschool high school is to know this: What’s your why?Ask yourself, “Why am I homeschooling high school?”

There are a gazillion reasons. However, if you are homeschooling high school to help your teen really delve into an interest, then your homeschool high school will be different from a family with a teen who has medical needs.

Perhaps your teen is aiming for a competitive college; their high school will look more academically challenging than a teen who wants to go into a trade.

Write your WHY. On a bad day, it’ll help you remember. A written WHY will help you stay on mission.

Guideline #3 for planning homeschool high school: Know your teenYou are going to spend a lot of time and effort in homeschooling these teenagers. It’s a good idea to know the person you are homeschooling.

Of course, you do not know everything about who they are, but God knows them well. Thus, one thing you do is you pray. You can pray:

“God, help me have the eyes to see and ears to hear and heart to understand my teen and your will for my teen.”

Also, ask yourself:

• Has my teen developed interests? For instance, perhaps they love playing guitar, or studying biology, creating art or music, or playing soccer.
• What is their rhythm? Do they normally move about with a slow or calm rhythm? Or are they naturally busy bees?
• Do they like to get up late or get up with the sun?
• How would you describe their personalities and learning styles? (A wonderful book for this is Anita Gibson’s Starfinder.)
• Do your teens already have life goals? Some do, many don’t have a clue.

Guideline #4: What is your philosophy of homeschooling high school?Many homeschooling families do not have a one-size-fits-all homeschooling philosophy. Instead, our ideas grow and change over the years. That’s okay! For the moment, though, define as best you can what makes homeschooling important to you.

Let’s take a moment and define your homeschooling philosophy for this time in life. What is important to you and your teens?

• Are they like my teens: They enjoy learning most things as long as there is no busywork and that they can “level up” to more rigorous credits in a meaningful way. In other words, do not waste their time and do help them fulfill their dreams.
• On the other hand, some homeschooling families love specific ideologies of homeschooling, such as Classical, Charlotte Mason, or unschooling.

Guideline #5: Are there any unusual needs in the family right now? Sometimes families have some unusual needs or plans for the year that will affect how and where they homeschool.

• Medical needs
• Caregiving for one of the grandparents
• A cross-country move
• A wedding in the family that will require lots of time

These are all time-consuming needs. Be sure when you are planning that you do not leave your teens out of the planning. When teens understand the demands on the family, they can give input and suggestions on best-fit curriculum and extracurriculars.

Guideline #6: Clarify your goalsIt is wise to have written goals for the long-term and short-term (this year).

• Long-term goals describe what you want your teens to have experienced and accomplished by the time they graduate.
• Short-term goals are goals for this school year.

You need both!

Guideline #7: What is the budget for this year? So every year may be different, and that’s okay. If you know what the budget is and you can answer the other questions, then you are set to go to set your plans and choose curriculum.

Get more details and how-tos:* Authoritative Guide to Planning Homeschool High School (free detailed post from 7SistersHomeschool.com) * How to Homeschool High School (interview with Vicki on Vintage Homeschool Moms podcast) * Homeschooling through High School YouTube channel with our friend, CJ * Our friend, BJ, shares her favorite frugal high school curriculum

If you have any questions, join the 7SistersHomeschool Facebook Group. It is such a lovely group of homeschooling parents that can answer questions and encourage you!

Join us on 7SistersHomeschool Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.

Thank you to Seth Tillman for editing and to Stacy Clendaniel for all of the cool videos and graphics that she does for us on social media.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page. 2. OR take this IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on 1. View in “…your favorite podcast source” 3. This will take you to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

OR PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review

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Hey homeschoolers!

As beginning homeschoolers, we tend to be way more focused on our homeschool space and curriculum then we are on relationships. But just as engaged couples should be focused more on the marriage then the wedding, we have to be intentional about developing our relationships. That’s what I will cover in this episode of the Homeschool Sanity Show.

Before I do, however, I want to tell you about The Organized Homeschool Life book and planner. I had good intentions of spending time with God, my husband, and my children one-on-one. But it was amazing how quickly my daily responsibilities got in the way of that. I still face temptations to make other things a priority. That’s why I added space for my time with God and my relationships on the daily page of The Organized Homeschool Life Planner. We make note of what God is saying to us in His Word each day–something that is so important at this time. Then we choose a person or a character quality we want to focus on throughout the day. Keeping relationships in focus is one reason you will come to look forward to your daily planning time. You’ll know that your life and homeschooling are in balance. Try a free sample of The Organized Homeschool Life book and planner at psychowith6.com/tohlplanner.

When it comes to keeping relationships a priority, there are five relationships that are deserving of special attention: God, spouse, children, extended family, and friends.

1 Relationship with GodThe first relationship we have that has to be a priority is our relationship with God. I could not do any of the things I do without the Holy Spirit strengthening and renewing me. I need God’s word each and every day. That’s because I hear other words that run counter to His in abundance. I hear them from the news, the radio, and social media. I even hear them from well-meaning people I talk with. I quickly become confused about what truth is.

As our students need drills on math facts, we need drills on God’s word so we achieve mastery. Reading directly from the Bible each day, even a single page, will be a layer of protection for our vulnerable minds. Audio Bibles are wonderful for busy moms. We can listen while we walk, fold laundry, or cook. Devotionals are another way of reflecting on God’s word that can be enjoyable for us as homeschooling moms. Listening to worship music can also keep us meditating on His word. I have been successful in memorizing God’s word with my kids by using the app MEMLOK just five minutes a day.

Prayer is a vital part of our relationship with God. Rather than turning to others first with a concern, we can train ourselves to go to God. I enjoy writing out prayers each day. When I’m really struggling, I use truth journaling. I write out what I’m thinking and feeling and then respond to myself with the truth. We can pray throughout the day, using waiting, driving, nursing, and sleepless times for connecting with God.

Using the time boundaries we’ve established, we can ensure that we are spending adequate time with God. We can also experiment to find the best time to be consistent in our prayer and Bible time. We could plan it for the morning, the evening before bed, or during kids’ free time. Whenever you plan it, you will be richly rewarded for having time devoted to the Lord.

2 Relationship with SpouseThe second relationship we must prioritize is with our spouse. If you are not married, I encourage you to prioritize time with your main support person. The number one reason our homeschooling records will be demanded is because our spouse is protesting the validity of our homeschooling in divorce court. A happy marriage is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. As far as it depends on us, we must seek a healthy relationship.

That healthy relationship begins with time. In a podcast episode I did with my husband, I was struck by his saying that men want to know that homeschooling isn’t going to take all of the time and energy we have, leaving nothing for them. Homeschooling can become another lover if you will, trying to steal us away. We should not allow that to happen. If we are too tired to engage in activities that our husband enjoys, especially if that’s physical intimacy, we need to adjust our time boundaries once again.

Be intentional about reserving time for your spouse or support person. Put it on the calendar and make it part of your daily routine. Then treat that time with respect, and don’t let just anything crowd it out. How we treat that time speaks volumes about how we feel about the relationship.

3 Relationships with ChildrenThe third relationship we must prioritize is with our children. I don’t think it’s appropriate to say that we have to separate our roles as parent and teacher. I honestly don’t know how to do that because those roles have been blended in my life for over two decades. But it is appropriate to have a separate focus in your time with your children. The teacher in you may be focus on helping your child improve his handwriting, master multiplication facts, or become more adept at grammar. For many of us the parent role is like the law. Our children must learn by the rules and do well.

But if we work from law alone, we will lose our children’s hearts. If you consider your favorite teachers as a child, my guess is they were not strict legalists who loved the law. Instead they were likely teachers who could laugh and clearly loved you as a person. This is what our children want to see in us. Yes we expect them to work hard and learn a lot. But we want to enjoy life with them, too.

We can know if we have become too legalistic in our homeschooling by our children’s reaction. If mild complaining about starting the school day has turned into sullen and angry pupils, we need to take a look at what we’re doing. Have we been allowing violations of our time boundaries? Are we more concerned that our children do their work then grow as people? If you really aren’t sure, ask your children what they think your primary goal is. In The Organized Homeschool Life book and planner, I have an assessment your children can take that will give you great insights into your parenting and teaching.

The easiest way to make sure you are keeping relationships with children at the forefront of your homeschooling is to schedule time with them. Scheduling time for fun activities with all of your children is an easy way to do this. Have a fun Friday in which you do educational activities that don’t seem educational. These can include field trips, videos, and games. You can also plan family activities to fulfill this purpose. A board game night is one example of something to put into your weekly routine.

But one of the most powerful ways of connecting with your children is to plan individual time with them. Depending on how many children you have, you will have to adjust this plan accordingly. With six children, it was impossible for me to do this daily. But many weeks, I could devote time to each child once a week. I gave my children the option of choosing our activities. Their choices told me a lot about them. I had a child who wanted his feet rubbed. His love language is physical touch. I had a child who liked going to a restaurant for a treat with me. Others requestded time to watch a show or play a game with me. Because children often fight to get our attention, spending individual time with them can help decrease sibling rivalry. And as children mature, I would argue that the relationships become even more important to nurture.

4 Relationships with Extended FamilyThe fourth relationship we must prioritize is with extended family. You may have relatives who aren’t supportive of homeschooling. Depending on how negative these relatives are, you may have to limit time with them. But in most cases, we do well to help extended family feel important. Relatives, like husbands, may feel sidelined by a busy homeschooling schedule–explaining at least in part a negative attitude. There are many ways to make family members feel a part of what we’re doing–whether that’s regular calls, letters, or visits. Family should be incorporated into the regular schedule if possible. You may be surprised by how flattered a relative is by being asked to teach your children a skill or even to be regularly involved in teaching.

If you have family members who don’t know much about homeschooling, invite them to watch a video or to talk to a local support group leader who can answer their questions. Some negativity may be coming from homeschooling myths they’ve heard. You can also share what you’ve been learning, even showing family members the materials you plan on using.

5 Relationships with FriendsIf you’re prioritizing relationships with God, your spouse, your children, and extended family, you may conclude you have no time left for friends. You may even believe that spending time outside of the home with friends isn’t appropriate for a homeschooling mom. I believe that even that most introverted home body can benefit from friendships. Without friends to talk with, to pray for us, and to advise us, we can quickly become overwhelmed and depressed.

I don’t know what I would have done without friends when my children struggled with a school subject, character qualities, and even faith. I needed friends to help me see that I was expecting way too much of myself. I’ve needed friends for practical help, too. I still need friends to encourage me.

With busy schedules, participating in an activity where the moms stick around makes socializing easy. If that isn’t possible because of social distancing restrictions, consider joining a virtual Bible study or small support group for moms. But also pursue face-to-face interactions outside or in an environment you are comfortable in.

Time with friends can make the difference between staying the course in homeschooling and giving up.

ConclusionChoosing curriculum and how to organize more materials can be more complicated than focusing on relationships. But relationships do require a commitment of time. I hope I’ve convinced you to make your relationship with God, your spouse, your children, your extended family, and your friends a priority. If you do, all the other aspects of homeschooling become more manageable.

Join me next time as I discuss how to find curriculum that will give you homeschool sanity.

Have a happy homeschool week!

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Ministry & Political Family DynastiesIn “Ministry & Political Family Dynasties,” Episode #259, Meredith Curtis introduces you to the US “nobility”- some powerful families that have influenced America over centuries. Meet the Graham family, Adams family, Harrison family, Kennedy family, & Bush family. Discover their impact on the USA.

Powerline Productions, Inc.Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show NotesWe don’t have royalty or nobility in the USA, but we do have political and ministry dynasties. Let’s meet some amazing families.

AdamsSamuel, John, John Quincy, and their descendants.

HarrisonFrom colonial Virginia to two Presidents in the 1800s, this family has influenced Virginia, Ohio, and US politics.

KennedyFrom PJ to RFK Jr, the Secretary of Health & Human Services.

BushFrom a steel industry businessman to ranchers in Texas and businessmen in Florida, this family has influenced banking, business, and politics.

GrahamsDairy farmers gave birth to this powerful evangelist, and in the 21st century, their great-grandchildren are still involved in ministry.

Sign up for our Newsletter:Sign up for our updates and get your copy of US Living Books & Movies List (57 pages) and Sons of Liberty FREE. Sign up here.

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Science Labs That Actually Work at HomeSponsored by CTCMath.com

Teach science with confidence using hands-on experiments your kids will remember.

Replay Notice: This episode originally aired several years ago and is being shared again because the teaching is still relevant. Please note that any promotional offers, coupon codes, pricing, websites, or product availability mentioned during the episode may no longer be valid in 2026.

Can You Really Teach Science at Home?If the thought of teaching homeschool science feels intimidating, you’re not alone. Many homeschool parents worry most about high school science, especially labs and experiments.

The good news? You don’t need to be a scientist to raise curious learners.

In this replay, Felice Gurwitz shares practical strategies for making science engaging, hands-on, and enjoyable—from kindergarten through high school. Drawing from decades of homeschooling five children, she explains why science isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about encouraging observation, curiosity, and critical thinking.

Whether you’re teaching elementary science or preparing your teen for biology or chemistry, these tried-and-true ideas will help you build confidence.

Listen to the EpisodeIn This EpisodeYou’ll discover:

• Why science is really about exploration—not memorization
• The five keys to successful homeschool science labs
• How to use the scientific method without making it overwhelming
• Simple ways to build a home science lab on a budget
• Why failed experiments can become the best learning experiences
• The importance of giving children ownership in scientific discovery
• Tips for choosing science curriculum that fits your family’s learning style
• How hands-on labs develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Why field trips, museums, and real-life experiences make science memorable
• Thoughts on dissections, virtual labs, and practical science learning

Key TakeawaysScience Begins with CuriosityScience isn’t simply a collection of facts. It’s learning to ask questions, observe carefully, research possibilities, test ideas, and draw conclusions.

Children learn science best when they’re encouraged to investigate rather than simply memorize.

Five Keys to Successful Homeschool ScienceFelice recommends focusing on five essentials:

1. Develop enthusiasm for science.
2. Learn scientific vocabulary together.
3. Practice using the scientific method.
4. Create memorable hands-on experiences.
5. Allow children to contribute their own ideas and questions.

You Don’t Need an Expensive LabMany useful science tools can be collected over time, including:

• Magnifying glass
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Funnels
• Thermometer
• Kitchen scale
• Eyedroppers
• Microscope
• Small containers
• Timer

Organizing these supplies into labeled bins makes experiments much easier to complete.

Experiments Don’t Have to Be PerfectOne of the biggest misconceptions about science is that every experiment should “work.”

Sometimes the greatest learning happens when results are unexpected. Those moments teach children how real scientists think, troubleshoot, and revise ideas.

Encourage Big IdeasOne of Felice’s favorite stories is about her daughter attempting to stabilize hydrogen peroxide for a science fair project.

Instead of dismissing the idea, she allowed her daughter to investigate—and the experience became a lesson in creativity, persistence, and scientific thinking.

Sometimes our children’s curiosity takes them farther than we imagine.

Textbooks Aren’t the Only OptionEvery homeschool family learns differently.

Some families thrive with textbooks.

Others enjoy unit studies, experiments, projects, and discussion.

The goal isn’t choosing the “perfect” curriculum—it’s helping your children understand how science works and encouraging them to think critically.

Hands-On Learning Builds ConfidenceField trips, museums, nature studies, experiments, dissections, and cooperative science labs all give students opportunities to connect concepts with real-world experiences.

Those experiences often become the lessons children remember for years.

Frequently Asked QuestionsCan I teach homeschool science if I don’t have a science background?Yes. Curiosity, preparation, and a willingness to learn alongside your children are often more valuable than having formal science training.

Do homeschool students need science labs?Hands-on experiences strengthen understanding and help students retain concepts. Many labs can be completed at home with inexpensive materials.

Are virtual science labs enough?Virtual labs can be helpful, especially when budget or logistics make hands-on work difficult. Many homeschool families combine both virtual and physical experiments.

What’s the best homeschool science curriculum?The best curriculum is one your family will consistently use. Some families prefer textbooks, while others learn best through unit studies and experiments.

Why is the scientific method important?The scientific method teaches observation, logical thinking, problem-solving, and how to evaluate evidence—skills that extend well beyond science.

Resources Mentioned* Teaching Science and Having Fun (availability and pricing may have changed) * Media Angels * Hands-on science experiment books * Science museums and local co-ops

Final ThoughtsTeaching science at home doesn’t require a laboratory or an advanced degree.

With curiosity, simple materials, and a willingness to learn alongside your children, science can become one of the most rewarding subjects in your homeschool.

Sometimes the best lessons don’t happen when an experiment goes exactly as planned—they happen when your children begin asking better questions.

Author and publisher, Felice Gerwitz of Media Angels, Inc. will discuss tried and true science labs to incorporate science labs within the home – this presentation is taken from her book, Teaching Science and Having Fun.

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380: Summer Tech Challenge 7: Create a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure StoryIn this week’s Summer Tech Challenge, learn how to turn Google Slides into an interactive choose-your-own-adventure story. This activity combines creativity, planning, writing, and technology while giving students a fun way to present what they’ve learned.

In this episode* Why choose-your-own-adventure stories are such engaging learning projects * How this activity builds research, planning, and creative writing skills * Real classroom examples from FundaFunda Academy courses * Why Google Slides is an excellent tool for interactive storytelling * How to map out your story before building it * Creating hyperlinks between slides to allow readers to make choices

Summer Tech Challenge #7Create a summer-themed choose-your-own-adventure story using Google Slides.

Your story could include:

• A family vacation
• A trip to the beach
• A day at the pool
• Camping adventures
• Any original summer adventure you can imagine

Tips for Success* Plan the story on paper before opening Google Slides. * Create all of your slides first. * Use hyperlinks to connect choices to different slides. * Add images after the story structure is complete. * Remember that not every slide needs to offer a choice—some simply move the story forward.

Resources Mentioned* Google Slides * YouTube tutorial on creating choose-your-own-adventure stories with Google Slides

Entering the Summer ChallengeShare what you did in the challenge on one of the FundaFunda Education Instagram or Facebook posts or in one of these Facebook groups:

• • Homeschooling with Technology
  • Homeschooling Middle School
  • Homeschooling College-Bound Teens

If you are not on social media, email your entry to meryl@fundafunda.com, and it can be shared on your behalf.

Each week, one participant will win a FundaFunda Academy unit study of their choice worth $20. Everyone who participates during the summer will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card.

Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss any episodes!

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Middle Schoolers, Transcripts, and High School Courses.

Middle Schoolers, Transcripts, and High School CoursesWe often receive questions from parents of homeschool middle schoolers. They want to know how to record on the transcript their high school-level courses completed during middle school.

They want to know how and where to record those high school-level courses completed during middle school!

Featured in this post:* High school courses in middle school can be done * Why might a middle schooler do some high school-level work? * How do you handle those high school courses your tweens completed? * Ways to show the high school courses completed in middle school on the transcript

High school courses in middle school: It can be done!First, let me remind you there’s not ONE right way to homeschool middle school, and not ONE right way to handle transcripts.

As a side note: Your middle schoolers do not have to rush to do high school. It is okay to wait till high school to do high school work.

Tweens are not in a competition to see, “How can I get ahead in the game?”

If they need time simply to be in middle school and simply enjoy the last few years before transcript life, that is absolutely marvelous. In fact, many of the 7Sisters middle schoolers did not work on high school courses.

Also, we did have some middle schoolers who wanted to jump the gun on things and start some high school courses. There’s really NOT one right way to homeschool middle school.

Why might a middle schooler do some high school-level work?One reason a middle schooler might jump ahead and start taking a few high school courses is that they are academically ready and need the challenge of a high school course. Some kids are raring to go and want to do high school-level work.

Another reason middle schoolers might take a high school course is that they have a particular interest or a gifting that should not be neglected. Some middle schoolers are advanced in areas like music, the arts, science, math, languages, or literature. It is responsible to help them lean into those interests and gifts.

Some middle schoolers are part of a co-op teaching a high school course they are interested in. When the co-op allows middle schoolers to participate and the tween is capable of high school-level work, why not allow them?

Whatever the reason for taking those high school courses, make sure that you keep records to show that each of those courses were completed at a high school level (nothing scaled back for middle schoolers).

So, how do you handle those high school courses your tweens completed?There are several tips to help you handle this process:

Keep records because if you don’t have a record of how they earned that credit, it did not happen. This can include:

• Course description
• Syllabus
• Evidence of the work that was done
• How that credit was earned
• Grades
• Amount of credit

It is wise to keep all this in a binder, portfolio, or wherever you’re keeping records.

Ways to show the high school courses completed in middle school on the transcriptRemember: there’s not ONE right way to record a high school class done in middle school on the transcript. Here are some ways that families we have worked with in our umbrella school have done this.

• Create a transcript that includes an extra box before the 9th grade year on that transcript that says 8th grade year or middle school years
  • Then you list the courses that were done, along with the grade earned for that course and the amount of credit assigned
• Many people use a transcript form that does not include an 8th grade section. At 7Sisters, we offer an editable transcript form with a package of how-tos. It does not have an 8th grade section.
  • Instead, for our teens, we added those courses to the 9th grade year on the transcript.
  • To differentiate these courses from the 9th grade courses, we (in parentheses) would write “completed in 8th grade”.
  • For instance, if they completed Algebra 1 in 8th grade, and we wanted to record that course on the transcript, in the 9th grade year it would say:

Algebra 1 (completed in 8th grade)

• You can choose not to show high school courses taken in middle school.

A caveatWe need to note that some colleges do not count those 8th grade courses. That’s okay, because usually our homeschool high schoolers have many credits when they graduate. They really do not need to show them all on the transcript.

Also, sometimes the courses done in middle school are implied, and so you do not need to show them. So, for instance, if your 9th grader is taking geometry for their math, it’s implied that they did Algebra 1 in 8th grade.

A high school course for a middle schooler is good for middle schoolers…if that’s a good fit for them! (If they are ready for high school work, if it excites them and inspires them, if it challenges them, feel free to have them take the course. Then include it on the transcript…or not!)

A high school course for a middle schooler is good for middle schoolers…if that’s a good fit for them!

Stay in touch

So please join us there at the 7SistersHomeschool Facebook group where you can ask all your questions and receive wisdom and encouragement from all the 7th Sisters out there!

Also, if you’re new to Substack, look up 7SistersHomeschool on Substack.

More help with homeschooling middle school* Great Books and Literature Guides for Middle School * Homeschooling Middle School Your Way * Preparing Middle Schoolers for High School * Reading that Middle Schoolers Actually Like (Based on Suggestions by Middle Schoolers) * Tips for Moms Homeschooling Middle Schoolers

Thanks to Seth Tillman for editing.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page. 2. OR take this IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in “…your favorite podcast source” 3. This will take you to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review

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Teaching Preschool & Kindergarteners to Read at Home – With Amelia Murdock, Founder of Dash Into LearningEpisode OverviewJoin us for an inspiring conversation with second-generation homeschooler Amelia Murdock, who has homeschooled her four daughters for over a decade and turned her love of art and reading into Dash Into Learning – a phonics-first, story-rich early reading program that’s now loved by thousands of families. This episode is packed with practical wisdom, real-life encouragement, and proof that you really can run a thriving business while keeping homeschool mornings sacred.

What You’ll Hear* How a homeschool mom created one of the most beloved beginner reading programs on the market * Why phonics + beautiful stories is the magic combination that turns reluctant readers into kids who beg for “just one more book” * The pandemic story: how Dash Into Learning exploded when parents suddenly needed simple, joyful, at-home learning tools * The superpower of individualized learning and why most kids never experience it in traditional school * Real talk on flexible schedules, weaving arts and music into the week, and protecting focused homeschool time even while running a company * How Amelia structures her days so her four daughters still get rich, unhurried mornings of learning and creativity * Straightforward, no-fluff encouragement for anyone who’s feeling the “homeschool tug” right now

Key Takeaways* Phonics is non-negotiable for confident reading – but it doesn’t have to be dry or boring * You don’t need complicated manuals or a teaching degree to give your child an excellent education * Individual pacing + passion-led learning unlocks talents traditional school often misses * It’s possible (and incredibly rewarding) to build a business and still put your family’s rhythm first * Arts, music, and real books are not “extras” – they’re essential fuel for a child’s soul

This Episode Is Perfect For* Parents who are curious about homeschooling or have recently pulled their kids out of traditional school * Anyone struggling to teach early reading and wanting a joyful, proven approach * Families looking for screen-free, literature-based curriculum that feels like snuggling up with beautiful books (not worksheets) * Homeschooling parents who dream of starting a side business or turning a passion into income * Anyone needing a big dose of “you’ve got this” from a veteran mom who’s walked the road for 10+ years

If you’ve ever wondered whether homeschooling could actually be joyful, sustainable, and even lead to something bigger than you imagined, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to help your kids fall deeply in love with learning.

Be sure to check out the Homeschool Start program here.

You can watch this episode on Spotify or YouTube or listen anywhere you get your podcasts!

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351: STEM Gifts That Build SkillsMeryl discusses why STEM gifts matter for kids and teens—and how choosing the right ones can build creativity, problem-solving, and curiosity. Whether you’re catching Black Friday sales or shopping any time of year, today’s episode is packed with practical ideas for skill-building gifts.

Why Choose STEM Gifts? Early exposure: Starting STEM learning early helps children see it as a natural part of their world—and helps parents become more comfortable with it too. * Builds real skills: In an age when many teens rely heavily on AI tools, STEM toys encourage hands-on logic, creativity, and problem-solving. * Long-lasting value*: Unlike many novelty toys, high-quality STEM kits and building sets are used again and again, often across multiple ages.

STEM-Themed Advent CalendarsDid you know Advent calendars aren’t just chocolate anymore? Meryl shares several STEM options your kids will love opening every day in December, including:

• National Geographic Advent Calendars (fossils, gemstones, science experiments)
• Kiwi Co Mechanical Ornaments Advent Calendar – gear and lever–based mini builds
• LEGO Advent Calendars – including themed sets like Frozen
• Purple Cow “Shocking Science” Advent Calendar
• Exit the Game Advent Calendar – a daily escape-room-style puzzle

STEM Gift Ideas for All AgesClixo

A magnetic, flexible building toy (ages 4–99!) that encourages creativity, spatial reasoning, and engineering thinking. Great for travel.

Mbot Robots

Affordable, buildable robots ideal for introducing teens to robotics and coding.

Math Board Games

A fun, screen-free way to strengthen mathematical reasoning. (Search “math board games” at homeschoolingwithtechnology.com for a full episode.)

Classic Building Toys

• K’Nex
• LEGO (including Power Functions to integrate mechanics)
• Keva Planks for bridge-building and other architectural challenges

Circuits Kits

• Snap Circuits Junior / Classic – perfect for younger learners and still engaging for older kids
• Expanded circuit board kits for those who master the basics

Chemistry & Forensics Kits

Hands-on experimentation for budding scientists—everything from volcano-making to mini forensics labs.

Links Mentioned* Educational Advent Calendars * STEM Gifts Under $50

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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Ever wonder about mistletoe and why it’s part of Christmas lore and tradition? Join Julie on this week’s episode to learn about mistletoe secret history and uses. It’s been around a long time!

Mistletoe Secret HistorySome of the mistletoe secret history starts with the ancient Norse, Greek, and Roman legends. In Norse mythology, the god Baldur the Beautiful—son of the goddess, Frigg—was killed by an arrow made from mistletoe. As Frigg wept over her son, her tears became the pearlescent berries. Afterward, she declared that mistletoe would be a symbol of peace and friendship. It is said that she gave the mistletoe to the goddess of love and that everyone who passed under it should receive a kiss in token of its new symbolic meaning.

In Greek and Roman legend, Aeneas of Aeneid fame needs a “golden bough” in order to see his dead father who gives him the vision to found Rome. This golden bough is traditionally thought to be European mistletoe. The ancient Druids thought that mistletoe held some special powers and revered it as a sacred plant. They thought that it warded off evil and they would send messengers around with branches of it to announce the new year.

The origin of the whole kissing tradition is unclear, but probably started among servants in a local village and spread from there. Because mistletoe is green and blooming even in winter, it has long been associated with fertility and life. The mistletoe secret to its winter growth is that it draws all the life from its deciduous host tree!

Mistletoe Secret HabitsMistletoe, or Viscum album, is an evergreen parasitic shrub. They spread their seeds primarily through birds so when a bird drops one of the sticky berries on a tree branch, the berry sticks. Very soon, a little thread-like root comes from a seed in the berry and pierces the bark of the tree branch. It burrows through until it reaches the sap and then derives all of its sustenance from this host tree. The little root, of course, thickens and grows. Sometimes, the mistletoe bush ends up killing the host tree. Like many other evergreens, the yellow-green lobe shaped leaves are waxy and smooth, the flowers tiny. Mistletoe produces pearly white berries in December, which may be the reason why it has long been associated with the winter solstice and later, Christmas. They are considered toxic and some people have been poisoned by them, although birds don’t seem to be affected.

Historic and Modern UsesHistorically, mistletoe was used mostly for complaints associated with the nervous system. It was used to quiet epileptic convulsions in the 17th and 18th centuries, and even considered a specific for the condition. Herbalists at that time also used it for delirium, hysterical disorders, and urinary and heart complaints arising from a disordered nervous system. They also used it to open up circulation to areas constrained or damaged by nervous tension. However, it seemed to work best in smaller, rather than larger, amounts as higher doses tended to aggravate nervous conditions.

In more modern times, research confirms the mistletoe secret weapon for epilepsy and other central nervous system disorders, such as hysteria and headaches. It also shows promise against Alzheimer’s disease. In German speaking countries, mistletoe is often prescribed as part of a complementary approach to cancer and there have been several studies on this with mixed results. The chemical constituents of mistletoe do show anti-tumor and immune system regulating effects, but other factors come into play. And, herbal medicine often requires synergistic and wholistic interactions for the body to heal.

WarningMistletoe is not safe for children and the American variety is not the same as the European species, so don’t interchange them. Also, it is easy to overdose on Mistletoe and accidentally poison yourself. Do not eat the berries!

The post Mistletoe Secrets (Holiday Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Listen to the podcastDeal with DisappointmentThe first reason George and you and I find it hard to be happy through the holidays is disappointment. Maybe your homeschool year hasn’t been going the way you hoped. The kids don’t love their classes or curriculum. You’re already behind schedule. A learning challenge has been indentified. Maybe your finances are stretched even tighter than you thought. You’ve been ill. Or maybe you’ve experienced a loss. A loved one won’t be joining you for the holidays. A relationship has ended. Or you or your spouse lost a job. George experienced many disappointments like these. He lost his father, a chance to go to college, and the income he hoped for.

Thinking about disappointments is depressing, so we may try to avoid thinking about them. Yet they intrude upon our happiness anyway.

That leads me to the first step we can take to be happy through the holidays: Deal with the disappointment. Instead of eating or doom scrolling over it, acknowledge it. You’re disappointed. You hoped and prayed that things would be different, better. But they’re not.

The quickest way out of disappointment depression is through, not around. Sit by yourself with no noise and no distractions. Allow yourself to think about the disappointment and feel the feelings. If you cry, you cry. If you get mad, you get mad. Give yourself as much time as you need to think and pray about it. Journaling works too. Write out everything you’re thinking and feeling, without worrying about anyone else seeing it. When you’re done writing, you can delete it, destroy it, or password protect it.

When you’ve had the time to process it privately, you can then deal with the disappointment by talking to someone you trust who isn’t a part of the disappointment. You don’t want to worry about hurting someone’s feelings as you share your own emotions, unless you’re trying to resolve a conflict. Sometimes you’ll want to make it clear to the listener that you’re not asking them to fix the disappointment for you, just to listen. Talking it out can make a huge difference in your happiness.

Invest in PeopleThe second cause of unhappiness at the holidays is people. People are hard. They disappoint us. We’ve already covered that. People also annoy us. Maybe we expect the bad behavior, so it’s not as disappointing as it is frustrating. We may struggle to know what to say or do when they’re around. Maybe we feel bad about something we’ve said or done in the past, so we have a serving of guilt to go along with our frustration. George had a challenging relationship with Mr. Potter, who was a constant thorn in his side. He also had to deal with selfish bank patrons and an irresponsible uncle.

While we sometimes avoid thinking about disappointments, we will often ruminate about people problems. We replay the negative things people said and did in the past over and over. We fantasize about what we should have said or done in response. And then we worry about what awful things people will do in the future. George Bailey’s ruminations led him to complete despair.

What should we do instead of ruminating about people? Invest in them. The first time I bought a stock, I followed it closely and my mood was up and down with its price. I tried to time the market and cash out at just the right time. If you know anything about stocks, you know that behavior is laughable. Yet it is what we often do in volatile relationships. We say or do something, hoping to see an immediate payoff. We watch the person like a hawk for signs that they are responding to our investment. That’s not what serious investors do. They’re in it long-term. They keep reinvesting and they don’t watch the price. They believe that what they’re giving will pay off. Of course there are times when it makes sense to sell. But if you value the relationship, you’ll want to keep investing for the long haul without worrying if you don’t see the payoff from each interaction.

George Bailey invested in people. He believed in people. He gave them a chance. He sacrificed so they could have full lives. But because he hadn’t seen the value he’d accummulated, he was ready to cash out completely.

Investing in people means that we continue being kind, loving them, and sharing the reason for the hope that we have. Investing in people means that we help people like themselves when they’re with us. We compliment them and express interest in them. We offer them the gift of hospitality and make them feel welcome. We refuse to stop believing in them.

Express GratitudeThe third reason it can be challenging to be happy during the holidays is our experience of injustice. We’re doing everything for our family, but the kids keep complaining. We are the ones hosting or helping or changing our schedule again to accommodate everyone else. We’ve been doing the right things for years, but we aren’t as successful or wealthy as people we know who do the wrong things. George felt that way. He did everything right but was wronged. He expected a punishment he didn’t deserve.

Our experience of injustice can lead to self-righteousness. Self-righteous people are not happy. Instead of focusing on our experience of injustice, we want to express our gratitude. The gift of children or grandchildren to teach is so precious. The fact that we can legally homeschool them is a gift. The extra time we have to be with our children and learn alongside them is worth more than the extra income we could have were we not homeschooling. And having to deal with imperfect people is a blessing compared to being alone.

Gratitude isn’t just something we should express because it’s the right thing to do to honor God. It’s a focus that can make us happier immediately. We can consider every good and perfect gift we have now. That’s the easiest gratitude list to make. But what about gratitude for gifts we experienced in the past? We can express gratitude for the good times we had in relationships and seasons that have ended. I’m thankful that I had family members and friends that were so wonderful that I miss them now that they’ve passed. We can also express gratitude for the good we know God will work together in the future. We don’t know that our circumstances will change the way we want them to in this life, but we know we can look forward to God’s perfect plan and presence in eternity. If you need some encouragement on that topic, I suggest listening to the episode I recorded with Jordan Raynor. We can express gratitude daily in prayer, in writing, and in relationships.

George was focused on the injustice he experienced until his eyes were opened to the many gifts he had to be grateful for. He wanted to go back to the old life he had so bitterly complained about.

ConclusionThe three steps to being happy through the holidays we’ve covered today are dealing with disappointent, investing in people, and expressing gratitude. I recently learned that Jimmy Stewart was in a very similar situation to George Bailey. He was demoralized after serving in the war and was ready to give up acting to run his family’s hardware store when director Frank Capra offered him the role of George Bailey. Although the film wasn’t a box office hit and it didn’t win any of the academy awards it was nominated for, it has become one of the most loved films of all time. Referring to director Capra, Jimmy Steward said, “He not only saved my career; he saved my life.”

I’m so grateful to God for the same reason. He saved my life and gave me the most fulfilling career–first homeschooling my kids and then writing and speaking for homeschool families. I’m also grateful for people like you who listen and read the materials I write. In gratitude, I am offering 20% all materials excluding bundles at FunToLearnBooks.com/shop with code BLACKFRI through Cyber Monday. My prayer is that you will be blessed with happy holidays. And if you haven’t watched It’s a Wonderful Life, I encourage you to watch it soon.

Have a happy homeschool week!

Hey, homeschoolers! We wish each other happy holidays, but sometimes it’s hard to be happy through the holidays. I have three reasons it can be hard that lead to three steps we can take toward happier holidays.

But first I’d like to thank our sponsor for the podcast: NOW Programs.

Sponsor: NOW ProgramsIf you’re homeschooling a student with special needs, check out http://NOWPrograms.com

Listen to the podcastMy favorite Christmas movie is It’s a Wonderful Life. When I find out that someone hasn’t seen it, it’s all I can do to keep from dragging them to my couch and playing it because, of course, I own it. George Bailey found it to challenging to be happy through the holidays. That’s an understatement if you know the movie.

Deal with DisappointmentThe first reason George and you and I find it hard to be happy through the holidays is disappointment. Maybe your homeschool year hasn’t been going the way you hoped. The kids don’t love their classes or curriculum. You’re already behind schedule. A learning challenge has been indentified. Maybe your finances are stretched even tighter than you thought. You’ve been ill. Or maybe you’ve experienced a loss. A loved one won’t be joining you for the holidays. A relationship has ended. Or you or your spouse lost a job. George experienced many disappointments like these. He lost his father, a chance to go to college, and the income he hoped for.

Thinking about disappointments is depressing, so we may try to avoid thinking about them. Yet they intrude upon our happiness anyway.

That leads me to the first step we can take to be happy through the holidays: Deal with the disappointment. Instead of eating or doom scrolling over it, acknowledge it. You’re disappointed. You hoped and prayed that things would be different, better. But they’re not.

The quickest way out of disappointment depression is through, not around. Sit by yourself with no noise and no distractions. Allow yourself to think about the disappointment and feel the feelings. If you cry, you cry. If you get mad, you get mad. Give yourself as much time as you need to think and pray about it. Journaling works too. Write out everything you’re thinking and feeling, without worrying about anyone else seeing it. When you’re done writing, you can delete it, destroy it, or password protect it.

When you’ve had the time to process it privately, you can then deal with the disappointment by talking to someone you trust who isn’t a part of the disappointment. You don’t want to worry about hurting someone’s feelings as you share your own emotions, unless you’re trying to resolve a conflict. Sometimes you’ll want to make it clear to the listener that you’re not asking them to fix the disappointment for you, just to listen. Talking it out can make a huge difference in your happiness.

Invest in PeopleThe second cause of unhappiness at the holidays is people. People are hard. They disappoint us. We’ve already covered that. People also annoy us. Maybe we expect the bad behavior, so it’s not as disappointing as it is frustrating. We may struggle to know what to say or do when they’re around. Maybe we feel bad about something we’ve said or done in the past, so we have a serving of guilt to go along with our frustration. George had a challenging relationship with Mr. Potter, who was a constant thorn in his side. He also had to deal with selfish bank patrons and an irresponsible uncle.

While we sometimes avoid thinking about disappointments, we will often ruminate about people problems. We replay the negative things people said and did in the past over and over. We fantasize about what we should have said or done in response. And then we worry about what awful things people will do in the future. George Bailey’s ruminations led him to complete despair.

What should we do instead of ruminating about people? Invest in them. The first time I bought a stock, I followed it closely and my mood was up and down with its price. I tried to time the market and cash out at just the right time. If you know anything about stocks, you know that behavior is laughable. Yet it is what we often do in volatile relationships. We say or do something, hoping to see an immediate payoff. We watch the person like a hawk for signs that they are responding to our investment. That’s not what serious investors do. They’re in it long-term. They keep reinvesting and they don’t watch the price. They believe that what they’re giving will pay off. Of course there are times when it makes sense to sell. But if you value the relationship, you’ll want to keep investing for the long haul without worrying if you don’t see the payoff from each interaction.

George Bailey invested in people. He believed in people. He gave them a chance. He sacrificed so they could have full lives. But because he hadn’t seen the value he’d accummulated, he was ready to cash out completely.

Investing in people means that we continue being kind, loving them, and sharing the reason for the hope that we have. Investing in people means that we help people like themselves when they’re with us. We compliment them and express interest in them. We offer them the gift of hospitality and make them feel welcome. We refuse to stop believing in them.

Express GratitudeThe third reason it can be challenging to be happy during the holidays is our experience of injustice. We’re doing everything for our family, but the kids keep complaining. We are the ones hosting or helping or changing our schedule again to accommodate everyone else. We’ve been doing the right things for years, but we aren’t as successful or wealthy as people we know who do the wrong things. George felt that way. He did everything right but was wronged. He expected a punishment he didn’t deserve.

Our experience of injustice can lead to self-righteousness. Self-righteous people are not happy. Instead of focusing on our experience of injustice, we want to express our gratitude. The gift of children or grandchildren to teach is so precious. The fact that we can legally homeschool them is a gift. The extra time we have to be with our children and learn alongside them is worth more than the extra income we could have were we not homeschooling. And having to deal with imperfect people is a blessing compared to being alone.

Gratitude isn’t just something we should express because it’s the right thing to do to honor God. It’s a focus that can make us happier immediately. We can consider every good and perfect gift we have now. That’s the easiest gratitude list to make. But what about gratitude for gifts we experienced in the past? We can express gratitude for the good times we had in relationships and seasons that have ended. I’m thankful that I had family members and friends that were so wonderful that I miss them now that they’ve passed. We can also express gratitude for the good we know God will work together in the future. We don’t know that our circumstances will change the way we want them to in this life, but we know we can look forward to God’s perfect plan and presence in eternity. If you need some encouragement on that topic, I suggest listening to the episode I recorded with Jordan Raynor. We can express gratitude daily in prayer, in writing, and in relationships.

George was focused on the injustice he experienced until his eyes were opened to the many gifts he had to be grateful for. He wanted to go back to the old life he had so bitterly complained about.

ConclusionThe three steps to being happy through the holidays we’ve covered today are dealing with disappointent, investing in people, and expressing gratitude. I recently learned that Jimmy Stewart was in a very similar situation to George Bailey. He was demoralized after serving in the war and was ready to give up acting to run his family’s hardware store when director Frank Capra offered him the role of George Bailey. Although the film wasn’t a box office hit and it didn’t win any of the academy awards it was nominated for, it has become one of the most loved films of all time. Referring to director Capra, Jimmy Steward said, “He not only saved my career; he saved my life.”

I’m so grateful to God for the same reason. He saved my life and gave me the most fulfilling career–first homeschooling my kids and then writing and speaking for homeschool families. I’m also grateful for people like you who listen and read the materials I write. In gratitude, I am offering 20% all materials excluding bundles at FunToLearnBooks.com/shop with code BLACKFRI through Cyber Monday. My prayer is that you will be blessed with happy holidays. And if you haven’t watched It’s a Wonderful Life, I encourage you to watch it soon.

Have a happy homeschool week!

The post How To Have Happy Holidays As A Homeschool Mom appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Modeling Gratitude for Our Homeschool High Schoolers.

Modeling Gratitude for Our Homeschool High SchoolersThanksgiving: ‘Tis the season of gratitude! We are so grateful to be part of your lives!

In this episode, Vicki, Sabrina, and Kym talk about what they have learned about modeling gratitude for our homeschool high schoolers. As we all know, character and habits are more easily caught than taught. So, if we homeschooling parents would like for our teens to be more grateful, we can help that along by modeling a mindset of gratitude for them.

Why emphasize gratitude in your homeschool when there are so many academics to handle?Gratitude is part of a healthy lifestyle. Homeschooling goes better when we are in a healthy mindset, and gratitude helps with that. Not only that, but research is finding that practicing gratitude can be healthy to our bodies as well. Hey, Health is a high school core subject, so practicing gratitude can be part of that credit!

7Sisters Health curriculum talks about gratitude.

Here’s some good research on the benefits of gratitude that you can share with your high schoolers for their Health credit:* Gratitude is associated with greater sense of optimism and better feelings about life (research by University of California’s Robert Emmons on gratitude journaling) * It is also associated with being more inclined to exercise and experiencing fewer sick visits to doctors (same research by Emmons) * Gratitude is associated with increased feelings of happiness (research by University of Pennsylvania’s Martin Seligman on writing letters expressing gratitude) * Patients with chronic pain can experience reduced depression and anxiety when practicing gratitude. (Research published in the Journal of Health Psychology.) * Gratitude practices can be related to better mood, better sleep, less fatigue and less inflammation. (Research published in the Journal of Spirituality in Clinical Practice.) * It is also associated with increased activity in the brain (the areas called the anterior cingulate and the medial prefrontal cortex). These areas help moral and social thinking, empathy and value judgement. (Research by Glenn Fox of University of Southern California) * Gratitude can positively affect sleep and mood by increasing activity in the hypothalamus (especially the production of dopamine, a neurochemical in charge of feeling good). (Article shared by National Institutes of Health) * Feelings of gratitude can reduce suicide risk. (Research published in Frontiers in Psychology) * There’s even more information in this post in the Daily Health Post.

Also, Scripture tells us to be gratefulThe Billy Graham Library tells us that, “more than 150 times, the Bible either calls men to thank God or tells them how to give thanks”.

Scripture it does not tell us to give thanks because it is good for our health. It simply says give thanks because that’s the way God works. When we develop a lifestyle of gratitude, we are being faithful to Scripture and God’s instructions. However, isn’t it interesting that when we are grateful, our bodies, minds, and spirits become healthier?

So, why not think about ways to model gratitude for your family?

Ways to model gratitude for your homeschool high schoolers (and the rest of the family)There are SO many ways to create a grateful lifestyle. Here are a few:

An easy way to get gratitude going is to find things that induce laughter.Laughter lightens the mood and helps us to think more positively. Laughter is also good medicine. (A merry heart does good like a medicine. – Proverbs 17:22.)

Each evening, try an Ignatian ExamenThis is an old practice, developed by Ignatius, a monk back in the 1500s, where you examine your day to see where God was working and to be grateful for His work. There are several ways to practice an Examen. This is how Vicki practices a daily examen.

Notice three things that God was doing that day:

1. Where did you see God’s handiwork in nature? God created us to be surrounded by beautiful trees, sky, sunshine, clouds, and birds. When we appreciate the beauty of his creation, we are being grateful
2. Then, where did you notice God blessing somebody else? Because even if I did not feel blessed that day, I can appreciate that somebody else had a blessing. Then you can be grateful for that good thing.
3. Lastly, what did God do for you that day? Where did you see Him working in your life? Sometimes, He simply helped you get through a tough day. Other times it’s a big thing, like getting a good report from the doctor.

Here’s a freebie download from Vicki’s coaching website that gives how-to on the Ignatian Examen.

Notice the little things and mention them to the familyA few years ago, our homeschool umbrella school experienced a season of tragedy when one of our teens’ classmates passed away. It was very, very hard on a lot of the kids. We did a lot of supporting the kids and griefwork. One of the tools that helped them get through the hard times was encouraging the idea of noticing and being thankful for the little things. It gave them some grounding while they did the hard grieving.

Gratitude journalingThis is simply a notebook where teens (this works for moms, too) and write down something(s) they are thankful for. Here’s post from Vicki’s coaching website with how-to do a gratitude journal.

Sabrina’s advice on journaling: “If I could go back and talk to younger Sabrina, I would say make sure this doesn’t feel like a five-paragraph essay that you’re assigning to yourself or your teens!”

In fact, here are a couple of freebie downloadable journaling pages to keep it from turning into an “academic assignment”!

• Gratitude Journal with space for a daily verse
• Simple weekly Gratitude Journal format

Talk about itKym practiced gratitude in her homeschool Spanish classes. During each class, she had the teens share a high and a low. This practice respected hard things but taught teens to notice and be grateful for the blessings.

Tell your homeschoolers that you are grateful for themHave you shared your gratitude for your kids with them lately? It is SO good for them to hear that their parents appreciate them!

Thanksgiving is a good time to startAt some point on Thanksgiving, it is a delightful and meaningful practice to ask everyone to share something they are grateful for!

We are grateful for all of our listeners, and for all of you 7th Sisters and 7Siblings who join us over at our 7SistersHomeschool Facebook group.

See you next week! Thanks to Seth Tillman for editing.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page. 2. OR take this IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on 1. View in “…your favorite podcast source” 3. This will take you to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

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The post Modeling Gratitude for Our Homeschool High Schoolers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Last Minute Planning For The Holidays ~ Episode 508Here we go; the holidays are upon us, and now is the time to fine-tune that list and get to the last-minute planning. I have a sure-fire way to keep you on track, and I will share this method with you on today’s episode!

Thanks to our 10th birthday celebration sponsors. Check out our Homeschool Matters free eBook here

Catch these great podcast:

Last Minute Thanksgiving Treats

Great Gifts Kids Can Make

Thanksgiving Crafts

Have you looked at the calendar yet? Do not stress out – repeat after me, “I am not stressed!” A quick “Dear Lord, help me!” goes a long way as well. No worries, I’ve got you covered. If you are a long-time subscriber to my ezine or have listened to this podcast over the years, you’ve heard me talk about my 4-Square Planner. I am attaching two forms to this episode in the show notes. So, if you want to print them out, you can.

Last-minute planning takes organization, and it is time to find it fast if that is not your gift. I use a method where I take a sheet of paper and divide it into four equal parts. They are not squares, more like oblong boxes. Then I write faith/ prayer, kids, homeschool, and household.

4-Square Planner – Blank

4 Square Planner – Filled Out Example

Quickly fill out this page, and you will have a thumbnail sketch of what needs to be accomplished this week. As I record this, we are fast approaching Thanksgiving, Christmas, and so on. This planner can be used daily or weekly. Personal use is permissible.

Now, here is the secret to last-minute holiday planning: it is okay to cut corners. I know making your favorite dip, covered strawberries, or that favorite pie is at the top of your list. But, this year, I give you permission to delegate where you can and to buy already prepared if needed. (Mashed potato story on-air.)

But I promised help, so here is what we will do. We’ll make a list using the 4-Square planner idea, then cut where we can.

Felice’s 4-Square Planner List:Faith:

• Pray first thing in the morning
• Ask the Lord to guide me
• Pray for discernment.

Kids:

• Postpone unnecessary activities
• Allow time for puzzles or board games
• Enlist the kid’s help
• Assign specific chores.

Homeschool

• Finish assignments
• Put away school books and supplies
• Clean up the schoolroom or area

Household Cleaning!

• Pick up first clear up the clutter

Example of Last-Minute Planning:If you are down to a few days before the holiday, the one place you can cut back is food. Or, you can assign it to others! This year, my brother offered to make a turkey and stuffing and bring it. Yay! That was super exciting to hear. Someone else is bringing some sides and making the rolls. In years past, I’ve done it all and was exhausted. If I make rolls, I make them ahead and freeze them about three weeks before an event. I try not to do anything last minute, but it has happened to the most organized or planned person.

Household Food

• Green bean casserole
• Mashed Potatoes – other
• Homemade rolls – other
• Roast (prep ahead)
• Turkey – other
• Stuffing – other
• Sweet potato casserole – other
• Cheesecake
• Apple pie
• Mini-pumpkin pies
• Dipped strawberries
• Turkey-shaped cookies – other

Does this help? I hope so! Having a quick list that you can scale back, cross out, or call and delegate makes it easier to manage the last-minute planning. No matter what the holiday or the season, there is always so much to do. I pray you have a blessed event, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even if you are listening to this at Easter time! It is always helpful to lean on a friend. Hope I’ve been here for you.

The post Last Minute Planning ~ For The Holidays (Thanksgiving Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Celebrating Thanksgiving: Christ-Centered Traditions & HistoryMaking Biblical Family Life Practical with Hal & Melanie Young

Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays that still says what it means—giving thanks. But how do we move it beyond food, football, and stress, and turn it into a joyful, Christ-centered family tradition?

In this episode, Hal and Melanie share how you can reclaim Thanksgiving as a time of purposeful remembrance, gratitude, and witness to your extended family—without losing the fun or the feast.

In This Episode, We Talk About:Why Thanksgiving is worth “reforming”

• How Thanksgiving is uniquely suited to be a God-centered holiday in modern culture
• The biblical pattern of feasts and memorials (like Passover) as models for our celebrations
• Why Christians should be known for joyful feasting, not just “saying no” to everything

The real story behind the first Thanksgiving

• The suffering and “dying time” the Pilgrims endured their first winter
• God’s providence in Squanto’s story and the empty land where they settled
• Why reading William Bradford and Edward Winslow in their own words gives a truer, richer picture than the typical school version
• How the character of the Pilgrims and Puritans still shapes the American mindset: conviction, courage, and willingness to do hard things

Making Thanksgiving Christ-centered at your house

• Why hosting the celebration yourself lets you set the tone, pace, and priorities
• Using history, Scripture, song, and simple traditions to turn the day into a living testimony
• How these practices can gently impact even very “worldly” or skeptical family members

Practical Ideas You Can Use This Year1. The Thanksgiving Tree
A simple, powerful gratitude habit:

• Tape or pin a paper tree trunk to the wall
• Put a basket of paper “leaves” and a pen on the table
• Every time you sit down to eat, everyone writes one thing they’re thankful for and adds it to the tree
• Over time, the tree fills up and helps your family see just how much God has done—even in hard seasons like job loss or uncertainty

2. Five Kernels of Corn Tradition

To remember the Pilgrims’ real hunger and God’s real provision:

• Place five kernels of corn on each person’s plate
• Have the youngest confident reader read the poem “Five Kernels of Corn”
• As you eat, each person shares five specific things they’re thankful for—one for each kernel
• This tradition humbles us, reminds us of what our ancestors endured, and helps us appreciate God’s daily mercies

3. Reading and Singing Together

Bring back the old, good traditions:

• Read from primary sources about the first Thanksgiving (Bradford, Winslow, historic proclamations from Washington or Lincoln)
• Share the story of God’s providence in the Pilgrims’ lives in their own words
• Sing classic hymns of praise and thanksgiving as a family after the meal
• Don’t be surprised when even very “sophisticated” or non-religious relatives are deeply moved—many people quietly long for meaning, ceremony, and reflection

Resources Mentioned We Gather Together (Thanksgiving e-book) UPDATE 2025: This resource is not titled, “Christ-Centered Thanksgiving”*
A complete guide to celebrating a Christ-centered Thanksgiving:

+ True accounts and quotes from Pilgrim history
+ Thanksgiving proclamations
+ Songs and hymns to sing
+ Planning pages, charts, and forms for stress-free hosting
+ Tried-and-true recipes (including how to cook the best turkey ever!)
+ Scripts and ideas for what to say and do at your celebration Learn more at: **RaisingRealMen.com**

• Pollyanna (Unabridged Audiobook by Melanie Young)
  The original, funny, thoughtful story—not the syrupy version!

  • A pastor’s daughter who always looks for God’s blessing in every circumstance
  • Perfect family read-aloud or listen-together in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving
  • Helps cultivate a “gratitude habit” in your home Find it at: RaisingRealMen.com/Pollyanna

TakeawayYou don’t have to settle for a holiday that’s all about food and football. With a little planning and a bit of boldness, you can:

• Turn Thanksgiving into a family tradition your kids will treasure
• Offer a gentle, powerful witness to your extended family
• Reclaim a holiday that’s already about thanking God, and point the gratitude clearly back to Him

Listen & ShareYou can listen to this episode and others in the series at:
HalandMelanie.com/radio or by searching “Making Biblical Family Life Practical” on your favorite podcast app.

If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to leave a review on iTunes? It helps more families discover the show and recapture their holidays for Christ.

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Name of Episode: Homeschool Sanity: Discover How to Find It with Melanie WilsonEpisode Summary:

In this heartwarming episode of the Homeschool Curious podcast, host Morgan Bergstrom sits down with Dr. Melanie Wilson—a former clinical psychologist turned homeschooling veteran and curriculum creator. Melanie opens up about her unexpected leap from a thriving career in psychology, writing, and speaking to homeschooling her six children for over 20 years (all of whom graduated and pursued college).

She candidly shares how she initially resisted homeschooling but discovered profound fulfillment in it. The secret to her success? Structure and routines that kept chaos at bay while juggling family and her growing passions.

Melanie dives into the passion behind Grammar Galaxy, her story-based language arts curriculum designed to make learning fun and engaging for elementary kids. She also reflects on launching The Homeschool Sanity Show, her podcast packed with practical parenting and homeschooling tips.

The conversation tackles real homeschooling challenges—like discipline, teaching multiple ages, and overcomplicating things—while offering hope: kids are resilient, parenting mistakes don’t define outcomes, and reading aloud remains one of the most powerful tools in any homeschool.

Key Takeaways: Melanie transitioned from clinical psychology to full-time homeschooling—and never looked back. * She was once homeschool curious herself. * Structure is non-negotiable, but homeschooling can (and should) be simpler than we make it. * Grammar Galaxy turns language arts into an adventure. * Discipline trips up most parents—Melanie shares how to stay consistent without losing joy. * The Homeschool Sanity Show is your go-to for sanity-saving advice. * “Kids are very resilient.” (Yes, even after our parenting fumbles.) * “Reading to my kids is the best.” — A daily habit that builds bonds and brains. * Enjoy the journey—homeschooling works best when it’s fun for everyone*.

Whether you’re burned out, just starting, or simply curious—this episode is a masterclass in keeping homeschooling sane, simple, and joyful.

Resources and Links:Get Grammar Galaxy and start training your aliens at Fun to Learn Books

For your weekly dose of sanity, listen to The Homeschool Sanity Show

Follow Melanie on Instagram

You can watch this podcast on Spotify or YouTube

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Ever wondered why holly is associated with Christmas? What even is holly, really? Learn more about holly symbolism, its roots in pagan traditions and beliefs, and its beneficial uses on this episode on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Holly Symbolism and Historic RootsIlex aquifolium, or the Holly tree, is a small evergreen tree with deeply lobed, waxy, prickled leaves native to Europe. Its leaves somewhat resemble oak leaves. It has light colored bark and deep red, toxic berries. It has long been considered sacred in Celtic mythology and ancient druidic beliefs. They believe holly symbolizes peace, goodwill, and good luck. Therefore, they also believed that holly protected them from evil spirits and bad luck. Chieftains wore a wreath of holly as a sort of good luck charm. And, because it resists lightning, they would plant it near their homes to protect themselves from lightning strikes.

The ancient Romans believed holly was the sacred plant of Saturn, the Roman god of the harvest. They gave sprigs of holly as gifts during the Saturnalia festival, which led up to the winter solstice of December 25, the birth of the “Sun.” As Christianity spread, December 25 became a celebration of the Son of God instead, but the holly tradition remained. In addition, Christians adopted holly symbolism into their beliefs. They claimed that the thorny leaves of holly symbolize the crown of thorns of Christ’s crucifixion, the berries representing his blood. In addition, the evergreen nature of holly symbolizes eternal life.

Hear a few other stories about holly on the podcast. On a more practical note, the wood of this tree makes beautiful, artistic designs and people sometimes use it to make chess sets and tool handles. Carriage drivers also used horse whips made from holly, as holly seemed to have an interesting controlling effect on the horses.

Holly BenefitsHolly is not really used in modern herbalism. Historically, people used the leaves as a diaphoretic, febrifuge, and expectorant for things like fever, rheumatism, and bronchitis. One famous herbalist, Nicolas Culpepper said that the bark and leaves are good for broken bones and other members that are out of joint. The fresh juice has been recommended for jaundice. The ancients also used it for fevers and such, but the berries cause violent vomiting and should not be used, especially with children. Julie talks about some of the active constituents of holly on the podcast, so be sure to listen!

Discover weird facts about Christmas herbs and check out her Secret Spice book.

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350: Learning Real-World Skills Through Game Creation with Matt Dalio of Endless StudiosIn this episode, Meryl van der Merwe talks with Matt Dalio, founder of Endless Studios, about why game creation—not just game playing—can equip teens with powerful, real-world skills for future careers.

Matt shares:

His Backstory and Mission* How early experiences living in China and working with orphans shaped his desire to create worldwide access to digital skills. * Why technological literacy today is lower than literacy in the Dark Ages, and why that must change. * His belief that millions of young people can gain job-ready technical skills through creating games.

Why Game Creation Matters* Uses real professional tools such as Unity, Unreal, Godot, Blender, and GitHub. * Teaches computational thinking, teamwork, project management, design, and coding. * Mirrors real-world workflows used in startups and tech companies. * Allows kids to shift from consumers to creators.

Tools Matt Recommends for StudentsAll of these are free to download:

1. EndStar
   Endless Studios’ tool built on Unity, designed to take students from Minecraft-level skills to professional-level game engine skills. It includes wiring systems, logic blocks, and gradual scaffolding into real scripting.
2. Godot
   An open-source engine that runs well on low-end computers. Endless Studios is building scaffolding tools on top of it, including block coding and collaborative editing features.
3. Roblox Studio
   Ideal for kids already using Roblox. Uses Lua scripting and has a large online community.
4. Scratch
   A simple entry-level environment that helps absolute beginners understand basic logic and design principles.

Matt also recommends courses on Udemy, Coursera, and similar platforms for structured learning. Many students, like past podcast guest Matthew, have taught themselves professional-level skills using these resources.

The Power of Community LearningMatt emphasizes that students learn best through collaboration. Platforms like GitHub allow students to contribute to real-world projects, receive mentorship, and learn modern software development workflows. This form of apprenticeship is one of the most effective and scalable ways to build proficiency.

Key Takeaways for Homeschool Parents* You do not need to know anything about game design to support your child. * Game creation teaches real workforce skills, even for students who never plan to work in gaming. * Encourage your students to shift from playing games to building them. * The motivation and joy that come from creating something they love are powerful teaching tools.

Interested in Endless Studios Creating a Homeschool-Friendly Product?Matt welcomes interest from parents. Email: m@endlessstudios.com

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattdalio/

Links Mentioned* Endless Studios: https://endlessstudios.com * EndStar: Free download from Endless Studios * Godot Game Engine: https://godotengine.org * Roblox Studio: https://create.roblox.com * Scratch: https://scratch.mit.edu * Udemy: https://udemy.com * Coursera: https://coursera.org

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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Episode Title: No Tech Degree Needed with Meryl van der MerwePodcast: The Homeschool Curious Podcast
Host: Morgan Bergstrom
Guest: Meryl van der Merwe, founder of Fundafunda Academy and host of Homeschooling with Technology podcast

Episode SummaryCan you homeschool confidently in today’s tech-driven world—without a tech degree? Absolutely. In this energizing episode of The Homeschool Curious Podcast, host Morgan Bergstrom sits down with veteran homeschool mom and tech-savvy educator Meryl van der Merwe to explore how families can use everyday technology to make learning more engaging, flexible, and future-focused.

Meryl shares her journey from reluctant homeschooler to digital innovator, revealing how she turned free tools like Google Maps, Canva, live webcams, and even AI into powerful teaching allies. Her message to parents is simple but profound: you don’t need to be an expert to raise curious, capable, tech-ready kids—just willing to learn alongside them.

What You’ll Learn Necessity sparked innovation: Meryl began homeschooling because of limited school options, but it became a passion for lifelong learning. * Homeschool success stories: Her kids earned college acceptances, proving that homeschoolers can thrive academically with creativity and consistency. * Tech as a co-teacher: Discover how tools like Google Earth and AI writing assistants make lessons interactive and real-world relevant. * Free tools, big impact: Turn everyday apps like Canva and Google Maps into virtual field trips and creative project studios. * Creativity over memorization: The future belongs to problem-solvers—so let your kids design, build, and explore their way to understanding. * Parent as learner:* You don’t need to know it all—just model curiosity, flexibility, and a growth mindset.

Perfect For Parents who feel “non-techy” but want to introduce digital tools with confidence * Families looking for creative, hands-on learning ideas * Anyone preparing their kids for a tech-driven future* while keeping education personal and purposeful

Resources Mentioned* Fundafunda Academy – Online classes for homeschoolers in coding, science, graphic design, and more * Homeschooling with Technology Podcast – Meryl’s show offering 15-minute tech tips for homeschool parents * Tools: Google Maps, Google Earth, Canva, AI writing tools, and live webcams for real-time exploration

Key Quote

“You don’t have to be a tech expert to help your kids thrive—you just need to be curious enough to explore the tools together.” – Meryl van der Merwe

Watch or Listen Watch on YouTube or Listen on Spotify and your favorite podcast apps.
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Homeschool Curious Podcast for more inspiring conversations that help you homeschool with confidence, creativity, and curiosity.

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347: BaseCampEd: Building Community and Connection for HomeschoolersHost Meryl van der Merwe talks with Morgan Bergstrom, creator of the BaseCampEd app, a new tool designed to help homeschool families build community and connection.

Morgan shares how her own homeschooling journey and frequent military moves inspired her to create a platform that makes it easier for homeschoolers to find and connect with local families. She explains how the app works, the importance of privacy and simplicity in its design, and the growing features that make it a one-stop resource for homeschool parents and educators.

Topics covered include:

• Morgan’s homeschooling story and the inspiration behind BaseCampEd
• How the app helps homeschoolers find nearby families and teachers
• Why privacy and user control were key priorities
• The growing role of small, intentional homeschool groups
• Future plans for the platform, including business listings and desktop access
• How homeschoolers can support and expand the app’s reach

If you’re looking for new ways to connect with other homeschooling families or find resources in your area, this episode will give you a great overview of how BaseCampEd can help.

Learn more and download the app at: https://www.basecamped.com

Connect with Morgan:
Instagram & Facebook

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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Christians and Jews are sometimes called “People of the Book” because we rest our beliefs on the written word of God. It’s natural for a new believer to have a new desire to read the Bible — but there are a lot of different versions on the shelf! What makes them different? Which Bible is best for new believers? What would we recommend for young readers? We’ve used many different Bibles over the years, and this episode we’re talking about what we’ve experienced, what we used with our family, and what we’d recommend for someone new to the faith!

RESOURCES YOU MIGHT FIND HELPFULAre you a new believer, or do you know one?

You might find our last episode helpful:

Episode 312 – Going to Church for the First Time?

We visited Washington, DC, and recorded this episode from the Museum of the Bible. If you’re there in the city full of museums, this one is definitely worth a stop!

Episode 308 – The Bible is Reliable

Bible Programs We Like Hal likes Bible App by Olive Tree and Melanie uses the ESV Bible App by Crossway. Both have reading schedules to help you make Bible a daily habit and keep you on track! Some of our young people like YouVersion, too. All of these are available for Android or iPhone users.

A more complex app (and website) Hal uses for study is The Blue Letter Bible

This free app allows you to choose from more than 15 English translations, the Latin Vulgate, multiple Greek versions, and a large number of modern languages, too — along with links to commentaries and study tools. Really useful for deep personal study, or just to clarify a confusing verse (how do other translations phrase this?)

The best part of a phone app is you always have the Bible with you – and it’s easy to look up references or passages with the search function, too.

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In this heartwarming and insightful episode of Homeopathy for Mommies, host Sue Meyer sits down with licensed homeopath Wendy Henn, a passionate Catholic mom of four who shares her unique journey from homeschooling during COVID to becoming a practicing classical homeopath. Wendy opens up about balancing family life, faith, and a late-starting career in homeopathy, while reflecting on deeply moving client cases that show the profound intersection of spiritual belief, emotional healing, and homeopathic care.

Together, Sue and Wendy explore the role of shared values in case-taking, the wisdom of waiting in consultations, and how healing is often as much spiritual as it is physical. They also address common concerns about faith and the foundations of homeopathy, providing clarity and encouragement to Christian listeners exploring natural medicine.

Whether you’re a student, a practitioner, or simply a seeker, this episode offers inspiration, practical insight, and a beautiful reminder of why we do the work of healing.

Wendy Henn, LPH, CPH is a mother of four with a Bachelor of Arts in Clothing Design and Construction from Central Michigan University. Her early career was rooted in creativity—designing dresses, hemming pants, creating custom curtains and throw pillows, and crafting high-end handmade purses and accessories. Alongside her artistic pursuits, Wendy also contributed to her family’s dental practice, assisting her father in various capacities for much of her adult life.

As her family grew, Wendy turned her creative energy toward developing natural, handmade cleaning, skincare, and hygiene products—always backed by careful research. She enjoys needlepoint, beading, Cricut crafting, and baking, and is an unabashed tech enthusiast.

Over the past decade, Wendy discovered homeopathy and quickly became captivated by its potential to bring healing to families and communities. She immersed herself in the study of homeopathy through podcasts, books, and classes—eventually choosing to pursue formal training over her alternative interest in database design. Through prayer and discernment, she recognized the world’s greater need for homeopaths and committed herself fully to the profession.

A graduate of the Academy of Homeopathy Education (AHE), Wendy continues to combine her love of healing with her technical expertise, developing data management systems for AHE while practicing as a homeopath. She has furthered her education through studies with renowned teachers Karen Allen and Jeremy Sherr, deepening her classical training.

Wendy holds both the Licensed Homeopathic Practitioner (LPH) and Certified Homeopathic Practitioner (CPH) credentials—assurance to her clients that she practices with knowledge, ethics, and ongoing professional development. (She previously held the Certified Classical Homeopath credential, CCH, before updating to the more comprehensive designations.)

Grounded in her faith and enriched by her wide range of life experiences, Wendy brings compassion, insight, and dedication to her homeopathic practice. She is committed to helping individuals and families restore health and embrace the blessings of true well-being in mind, body, and spirit.

Website: https://www.experiencehomeopathy.com

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We know what to do when our child gets hurt – a skinned knee, a bruise, a cut. But we may feel ill equipped to help when our child’s heart is hurting. Teasing, feeling different, even bullying can cause woundedness. I have written Training Aliens Social & Emotional Skills curriculum because I am passionate about kids and parents having tools to build confidence. That’s why I wanted my guest to share her unique approach to helping parents and kids respond to hurts. Listening will encourage you as you guide your child.

Ruth Wilkey is an educator, musician, and storyteller with a heart for nurturing the souls of children and families. Raised in a generous German-Lutheran family known for their hospitality and faith, Ruth learned early the power of love shared through stories, songs, and community. After earning her teaching credential from Christ College Irvine, she taught English, Spanish, music, and drama before founding Creative Cottage Piano Studio, where she inspired students for over thirty years. Today, through Sonflower Press and her new children’s book series at SociableBunny.com, Ruth continues to shine God’s light, helping families grow in love and joy through story and song.

Watch on YouTubeRead TranscriptSponsor: CTC MathBefore I share our chat, I want to thank CTC Math for sponsoring the podcast.

Resources for Children Who Are HurtingTraining Aliens

Sociable Bunny books and questions

Sociable Bunny on Facebook

Sociable Bunny on Instagram

Have a happy homeschool week!

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Help for Overwhelmed Homeschool Moms with Whitney Whitten.

Help for Overwhelmed Homeschool Moms with Whitney WhittenWe have all been there at some point: feeling overwhelmed. That’s why Vicki was so excited to talk to a read homeschool mom who really has some real advice for helping with the overwhelm!

Whitney is a homeschool mom and life coach at Sensational Moms who works with homeschool moms. Vicki met Whitney Whitten at a workshop together with a mutual friend (and a 7Sisters Cousin) Teresa Wiedrick from the Homeschool Mama Support Facebook group.

Whitney’s storyWhitney calls herself one of those “accidental homeschoolers”. She did not know that I valued homeschooling until she had four kids that were five and under. She looked at reality of their family schedule would be if we went to traditional school.

Also, Whitney served as pediatric occupational therapist, so she worked with kids. She knew just the value of having time to play and learn through life. She thought to herself, “Well, how are we going to be able to do that if we’re in two different carpool lines?”

So she started off homeschooling when her oldest was in kindergarten.

Now, six years later, those core values of wanting to have the time together as a family and be able to explore stay the same. Also, Whitney found that as her kids grow, the family has time to invest in their individual interests, as well as develop those real life skills together.

Homeschooling moms who are overwhelmed with Sensational MomsThe homeschooling families that Whitney coaches are not so much the “how do we choose curriculum?” families. Rather, these are homeschooling moms who are experiencing on real-life things like feeling “overwhelmed, overstimulated, too much stuff”.

The refrigerator storyYou will love Whitney’s refrigerator story:

“We went to a couple of states, stayed in three different hotels over the course of six days. This, as you know, with a family of six can be a lot in itself…A good thing, but a lot!

So, we were glad to get home.

We get home, open the door to the refrigerator… and something smelled funny. But you know, maybe just leftovers?

So, well, it wasn’t leftovers! Our whole refrigerator had spoiled!

This created an “off week”. But, as you know, returning from a trip is always a bit of an off week. A broken refrigerator made it more so!

So, we ordered a new refrigerator but it was broken! So they replaced it.

And you know, here we were. After five days of being back, trying to get into a routine of homeschooling. It had just been one constant inter interruption after another. Not to mention, the dentist appointments besides all the refrigerator chaos.

I knew that we could all homeschool fairly easily if we had a nice, little, tidy window of time that would never be interrupted or bombarded! But that’s just not how life is.”

Whitney realized that she, like many homeschool moms moms spend so much of our time like a ping pong ball. It can be a lot. It can be overwhelming and depending on the way that your particular nervous system is set up, we can hit overstimulated really easily.

We can find ourselves, realistically asking ourselves:

“How do we hold things together when most of our weeks aren’t going to be uninterrupted weeks?”

So, Whitney decided to help herself AND her homeschool mom community! That’s how Sensational Moms happened.Whitney is like many homeschool moms, all her children are different and have different interests and needs. (Some are neurodivergent.) She also has refrigerators and everything else going on in life. At the same time, she and her family love homeschooling, even when she is ping ponging back and forth.

“That’s the way us moms do is we’re doing this and then we’re doing that- whether with our kids or in our heads, trying to keep track of everything!”

So, Whitney has worked in her homeschool life and with her coachees to calm the overwhelm, settle down the overstimulation, and get a handle on the “too much stuff”.

Whitney’s advice to overwhelmed homeschool momsWhen we homeschooling are feeling overstimulated and overwhelmed here are some tips.

Listening to what’s going on in our bodies and our minds before we get to a boiling pointStress starts with a soft simmer. Then the little bubbles before the rolling boil and then the lid blows. Busy moms can be so quick to ignore their own body signals.

So intentionally take some time to really learn your body’s cues. Sometimes we have to work hard to describe what’s going on inside us. It can help to ask yourself, “What words would I describe that feeling to my children?”

Try deep pressure and muscle engagementThese are two places that are really helpful to start calming your body. Here are a couple of examples:

• Wall pushups
• Climbing up and down stairs
• Push your hands together and then pull them apart
• Squats

What will that do for our bodies? These movements tap into a sense called proprioception. That is a sense that is lets you know what is going on in your muscles, joints, and your fascia in your body. It helps you feel that you can “be in your own body” and feel safer.

Take deep breathsOxygen is important for calming down. Try taking a few deep breaths. While it’s not a magic pill, it helps lower the stress hormones in your body.

Change location for a few minutesSometimes homeschooling can cause a lot of clutter. You will feel better when it gets tidied up. However, in the middle of a busy homeschool day, there is no way to get everything done. So, sometimes you need to go to another room for a few minutes or take the kids outside. These things help calm the body.

Live in the momentTry not to waste time worry about the future unnecessarily. Instead, try to live in the moment with your family. Try make those moments better moments.

Get supportJust like with any parent anywhere, you will sometimes need a little support. When you contact Whitney, she will listen and help you with:

• Make and practice a plan for adapting to overwhelm, overstimulation, or too-much-stuff.
  • Put reminders for how to calm and care for yourself during stressful times (maybe sticky notes on the bathroom door).
• Moments happen! Model self-regulation (calming down) for yourself and your kids.
  • This helps them learn self-regulations by watching you!
• Repair relationships when things go wrong. Life happens and sometimes things fall apart.
  • If you have a tough moment, apologize to your kid!
• Have another adult, friend, or coach to process with.
  • We all need someone to talk to, who listens, and cares.
• Remember: Homeschool life is rarely like an adorable Norman Rockwell painting. But it is a good life!

How to get in touch with Whitney Whitten* Check out her website: Sensational Moms * Listen to her Sensational Moms podcast

Join Vicki and Whitney Whitten for helpful tips for dealing with overwhelm while homeschooling!

Thank you to Seth Tillman for editing!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page. 2. OR take this IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in “…your favorite podcast source” 3. This will take you to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review

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“ There are a few things I would do differently but the first is to know that relationship is the most important ‘R’ in reading, ’riting, and ’rithmetic. I would concentrate on snuggling on the couch and reading together more and not be so concentrated on independent reading. I’d move away from textbooks and use more living books. I’d find a homeschool community sooner. I’d start narration and dictation sooner… I’d bite back criticism, and give grace freely but still hold my daughter to a high standard.”

If there’s a golden thread that weaves through every homeschool journey, it’s relationship.

Today’s Podcast Gold Nugget is a love letter to every mom who’s ever felt torn between checking the boxes and cherishing the moments. It’s a reminder that homeschooling isn’t just about academic progress — it’s about connection.

The best reading lessons happen under a blanket, not under pressure. The best conversations happen while cooking dinner, not grading papers. The best education happens when we slow down enough to listen — really listen — to our children.

Faith, grace, and gentleness are the true teachers in the homeschool life.

Listen & Learn:
Choose from a wide variety of episodes on this podcast gold nuggest from all of our podcasters. See here.

Your Golden Takeaway:
Start sooner. Snuggle longer. Let the lessons unfold through love. The curriculum will come and go — but the relationship will last forever.

Download the 12th Birthday Treasure Chest!
We’re celebrating 12 years of homeschool encouragement with our Podcast Gold Treasure Chest — a free downloadable bundle packed with printables, planners, and homeschool freebies!
When you download, you’re automatically entered to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

Download yours now!

Sponsored by: Media Angels, True North Academy, CTC Math, Math Mammoth, BaseCampEd, Powerline Productions, Funda Funda Academy, Raising Real Men, 7 Sisters Homeschool, and Galaxy Grammar Books.

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Halloween and the ReformationHalloween and the Reformation may not seem to have much in common. What does Halloween have to do with the Reformation? In this episode listen as you learn about Halloween alternatives.

Be sure to follow this episode several ways! One by subscribing to this podcast here – and another is listening on iTunes, Spotify, download or listen on this website. Look up this podcast on any podcast app! You can also share this with a friend.

Among the secular holidays, Halloween probably is the most controversial … with good reason. Is it just a festival of candy for children in costume, or a throwback to Druidic rites and demonic celebration, or something in between? This episode we talk about how we’ve chosen to mark the season, and its connection with the Reformation that swept Europe in the 1500’s – with effects to this day. In this way, our children enjoy a celebration. A celebration of something we can believe in!

Thank you to the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network Sponsors: CTC Math, True North Academy, and Math Mammoth.

Things You Might Find Interesting about Halloween and the Reformation:5 Tips for Reformation Day Fun (from Concordia Publishing House)

Our interview with Luther biographer Danika Cooley (episode 99)

Reformation Day: A Celebration of Heroism (from our blog, Raising Real Men)

Reformation Myth Busters: Truth That Changed the WorldAll around us, October is filled with darkness, fear, and make-believe — but for believers, this season points to something real and world-changing. Over 500 years ago, a handful of ordinary men and women took a stand on an extraordinary truth: that salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

This month, we’re separating myth from truth in our Reformation Myth Busters series. Join us as we uncover what really happened in the Reformation, why it matters for our families today, and how we can redeem October 31st by celebrating light over darkness and truth over fear.

Follow along on Facebook and Instagram @raisingrealmen — and download our Reformation Day Celebration Guide to help your family mark the day with meaning and joy!

Get the guide here »

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True North Academy: Navigating High School with Purpose, Faith, and ExcellenceEvery homeschool family eventually reaches the high school years, and that transition can bring questions: How can we maintain faith and character while preparing for college or career? Where do grades, transcripts, and expectations fit in? True North Academy offers a compelling answer: live, online classes led by experienced Christian teachers, integrated with guidance and community rooted in faith.

The True North Promise: More than classesTrue North isn’t just a virtual school—it’s a partner. Here’s what sets it apart:

• Teacher-led courses: Live lectures, meaningful interaction, and accountability—not just recorded videos.
• Faith-infused curriculum: Every subject is taught through a biblical lens, so logic, science, literature, and history still point back to truth.
• Support for parents and students: Transcripts built-in, community groups, and advising help reduce the overwhelm that often comes with high school.
• Flexibility for real life: For families who move, travel, or have nontraditional schedules, True North’s structure, without rigid physical attendance constraints, eases transitions.

Why families choose True North Peace of mind: Knowing your child is taking rigorous courses with integrity. * College-readiness: Courses and transcripts designed to align with admissions expectations. * Relational environment: Rather than faceless teaching, students interact with their instructors and cohort, defending ideas and engaging community. * Mission-minded focus*: True North seeks to train not just students with knowledge, but disciples who live ideas.

A suggested spotlight: Homeschool Curious & the TNA giveawayAs part of your birthday campaign, the Homeschool Curious Podcast episode with Lisa Nehring (founder of True North) highlights wisdom in navigating education choices with curiosity and faith. Featuring that episode and offering a free spring class giveaway via BaseCamp Ed helps prospective families see what True North can bring to their homeschool table.

This synergy amplifies True North’s mission and offers listeners a tangible, no-risk way to try the experience themselves.

Potential challenges & how to mitigate Scheduling conflicts: Live classes mean time zones and schedules must align. Most families can request flexibility or access to recordings. * Cost: While not inexpensive, TNA often provides financial help or tiered pricing for multiple courses. Budget ahead. Check out their Dual Degree Program to save thousands on college. * Transition learning curve*: Moving from parent-led to teacher-led can be an adjustment—stepping back requires intentional parenting and trust.

Tips for getting the most from True North Academy* Start with one or two classes before fully committing. * Use the advising tools and community forums early. (They offer free Edvising and Dual Degree Advising) * Encourage students to engage questions, interact, and build peer relationships.

Final thoughtsTrue North Academy bridges the gap many homeschooling parents fear: providing rigorous academic training without sacrificing faith and community. It’s not just about graduating; it’s about developing purpose-driven learners who are ready for what comes next.

The post True North Academy: Navigating High School with Purpose, Faith, and Excellence appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Empowering Confident Learners: Why CTC Math Works for Homeschool FamiliesWhen a homeschool mom tells you she sees her child’s confidence grow, you take notice. That’s exactly what many families report when using CTC Math as their core math curriculum. In a space crowded with options, CTC Math stands out—not because it’s flashy, but because it’s dependable, intuitive, and built for homeschoolers who want results without burnout.

Why CTC Math resonates with so manyOne of CTC Math’s strengths is its self-paced, mastery-first structure. Rather than forcing all students to march through the same material at the same rate, it lets kids move forward when they’re ready and revisit lessons when they need reinforcement. The Homeschool Scientist calls it “intuitive, self-paced interface … uncomplicated and easy to follow.” The Homeschool Scientist

Parents also appreciate the multi-sensory approach: video tutorials, worked problems, interactive tests, and immediate feedback. Blessed Homeschool notes that CTC uses a “multi-sensory approach to learning math” as part of its design. Blessed Homeschool

Plus, the administrative side is robust. Reports, transcripts, and student progress tracking are built in—features many homeschool parents dread building themselves. Cathy Duffy reviews praise CTC Math as “easy to navigate” and “efficient in both the tutorials and presentation.” Cathy Duffy Reviews

Where CTC Math truly shines: bridging gaps, building consistency Remediation or catch-up: Because students can retake modules and pause progression until mastery, it’s a strong tool when switching curricula or helping a child who has gaps. * Independent learners: Older students often use it with minimal parental involvement, freeing mom/dad for other teaching or oversight. * Transparent accountability*: Built-in reports make it easy to show progress to yourself, co-ops, or outside evaluators.

Things to watch out for (and how to handle them) Minimal hands-on manipulatives: If your child learns best through physical tools, you may still need to supplement with manipulatives at times. * Short lessons may feel too fast: Some students prefer more repetition. While CTC allows review, the default pace might feel brisk. * Internet dependence*: As an online curriculum, access and stability are required. Rural or spotty Internet could pose challenges.

How to get started wisely Use placement tests* thoughtfully to avoid frustration. * Supplement with manipulatives or physical practice where helpful. * Set a rhythm — even though it’s self-paced, consistency matters (e.g. 3–5 modules/day). * Use the reporting tools weekly to spot weak spots early.

Final thoughtsCTC Math offers homeschool families a powerful blend of structure and flexibility. Its ability to guide independent students while still giving parents oversight makes it a favorite among many. If you’re searching for math that keeps moving forward, without leaving children behind, CTC Math deserves serious consideration.

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“I would attempt to stick with a curriculum and slow it down to meet my child’s level, instead of jumping ship. Sometimes that’s necessary, but I feel I moved my eldest to a different math curriculum and I should have just waited and slowed down to work at their pace.”

Every homeschool parent has been there — a curriculum that isn’t clicking, lessons that feel too fast or too hard, and the temptation to scrap it all and start over.

But this gold nugget reminds us of something timeless: sometimes the best progress happens when we pause. We need a little homeschool pace and patience!

When we slow down and meet our children where they are, we build confidence instead of frustration. We make space for mastery instead of racing through material. And we teach something far deeper than math or grammar — we model perseverance.

That patience creates lifelong learners who know that growth takes time, and that learning at your own pace is still learning.

Listen & Learn:
In Homeschooling with Technology, Meryl van der Merwe shares practical ways to make your homeschool more efficient — without sacrificing peace.
In her episode 12 Homeschool Tech Hacks, she explains how digital tools can help you stay organized and adjust lessons to fit your child’s pace.

Dr. Melanie’s episode, 12 Homeschool Hacks That Changed Everything, is filled with wisdom, humor, and grace for the busy homeschool parent.
Listen to the episode here

Your Golden Takeaway:
Don’t rush the process. Slow down. Adjust. Stick with it. The goal isn’t to finish faster — it’s to grow stronger.

Treasure Hunt Tip:
The next Golden Nugget is hidden inside the show notes of 12 Homeschool Gold Nuggest from Finish Well Podcast. Go find your clue — it’s your next piece of Podcast Gold!

Download the 12th Birthday Treasure Chest and see if it inspires homeschool pace and patience in your homeschool!
We’re celebrating 12 years of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network with a gift just for you! Download our Podcast Gold Treasure Chest — a free bundle filled with homeschool resources, printables, and special offers from our incredible partners. Plus, when you download, you’re automatically entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card!

No purchase necessary — this is a free resource made possible by our generous sponsors: Media Angels, True North Academy, CTC Math, Math Mammoth, BaseCampEd, Powerline Productions, Funda Funda Academy, Raising Real Men, 7 Sisters Homeschool, and Galaxy Grammar Books.

Download your Treasure Chest now!

The post Day 5 of Homeschool Podcast Gold: Slow Down and Stick With It appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Homeschool Without Quitting Your Job with Stephanie Cavin Homeschool Curious Podcast | Hosted by Morgan from Basecamp Ed

What does it look like to homeschool your kids and work full-time? In this inspiring episode, Morgan sits down with Stephanie Cavin, better known as @ThatCalTeacherLife on Instagram — a second-generation homeschool mom, California-certified teacher, and thriving content creator with nearly 500,000 followers. Stephanie recently made the bold leap from public school teaching to full-time entrepreneurship as the founder of Homeschoolers Connect, a platform built to support working parents who want to homeschool without burning out.

In This Episode: Stephanie shares her story of growing up homeschooled before it was popular — and how that free-range, hands-on learning shaped her entrepreneurial spirit. * She opens up about what it was like to work as a public school teacher, witnessing the system’s limitations, and how that experience reaffirmed her choice to homeschool her own kids. * Discover how she and her husband creatively balanced work schedules to homeschool their children — and why “homeschooling in just two hours a day” actually works. * Stephanie reveals her two-hour school day model*, helping parents ditch burnout and focus on what truly matters in education. * She also talks about the freedom of entrepreneurship, working with her husband full-time, and empowering other families to design a flexible lifestyle that works for them.

You can watch this episode on YouTubeAbout Stephanie:Stephanie Cavin is passionate about helping working parents homeschool with confidence and balance. Through her Working Parent Homeschool Network, she offers coaching, community, and practical guidance on how to make homeschool fit real life — not the other way around.

Special Offer:Listeners can DM @ThatCalTeacherLife on Instagram with the code Network25 for $25 off her Working Parent Homeschool Network lifetime membership!

Episode Takeaway:Homeschooling doesn’t have to mean giving up your career or spending six hours a day on worksheets. With the right mindset, creative scheduling, and supportive community — you can work, homeschool, and thrive.

Connect with Stephanie:
Instagram: @ThatCalTeacherLife
Website: Homeschoolers Connect

Connect with Basecamp Ed:
Find your homeschool community, local co-ops, tutors, and educators at basecamped.com.
Follow @BasecampEdApp on Instagram and Facebook.

Sponsored by Basecamp Ed — Building your village for the homeschool journey. Download the free app today!The post Homeschool Without Quitting Your Job with Stephanie Cavin appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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“Do more subjects together as a family — even with large age gaps.”

If you’ve ever tried teaching multiple grades at once, you know the juggle is real.
Math for one, grammar for another, science experiments bubbling over, and a toddler who wants to “help.”

But today’s Podcast Gold Nugget reminds us that one of the best parts of homeschooling is something that schools can’t replicate:

“Do more subjects together as a family — even with large age gaps.”

Learning as a family isn’t just efficient — it’s powerful. When we read aloud together, explore history side by side, or worship through music as a group, we’re doing more than teaching — we’re discipling.

Homeschooling gives us a front-row seat to shared discovery — where big kids model curiosity for little ones, and parents learn alongside their children. Those shared moments are the ones they’ll remember long after the books are closed.

Listen & Learn:
Tune in to the Homeschool Sanity Show with Dr. Melanie Wilson to discover more tips like this for your homeschool in her newest podcast episode, “12 Homeschool Hacks That Changed Everything.“

Your Golden Takeaway:
Don’t be afraid to combine lessons and ages. Let older kids help teach younger ones. Turn read-aloud time into discussion for everyone. Family learning isn’t chaos — it’s community.

Treasure Hunt Tip:
There’s a golden clue hidden in the show notes for today’s featured episode! Visit 12 Homeschool Hacks That changed Everything to find your next piece of Podcast Gold.

Download the 12th Birthday Treasure Chest!
We’re celebrating 12 years of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network with a gift just for you! Download our Podcast Gold Treasure Chest — a free bundle filled with homeschool resources, printables, and special offers from our incredible partners. Plus, when you download, you’re automatically entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card!

No purchase necessary — this is a free resource made possible by our generous sponsors: Media Angels, True North Academy, CTC Math, Math Mammoth, BaseCampEd, Powerline Productions, Funda Funda Academy, Raising Real Men, 7 Sisters Homeschool, and Galaxy Grammar Books.

Download your Treasure Chest now!

The post Day 4 of Podcast Gold: Learning Together as a Family appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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344: 12 Homeschool Tech HacksIn this special birthday episode, to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network, here are 12 homeschool tech hacks that will make your homeschool more efficient, engaging, and fun!

Bonus: Celebrate the 12th Birthday of the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network with giveaways, bonus mini-episodes, a treasure hunt, and a gift basket full of freebies and discounts!
Visit UltimateRadioShow.com/birthday

Download the 12th Birthday Treasure Chest!
We’re celebrating 12 years of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network with a gift just for you! Download our Podcast Gold Treasure Chest — a free bundle filled with homeschool resources, printables, and special offers from our incredible partners. Plus, when you download, you’re automatically entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card!

No purchase necessary — this is a free resource made possible by our generous sponsors: Media Angels, True North Academy, CTC Math, Math Mammoth, BaseCampEd, Powerline Productions, Funda Funda Academy, Raising Real Men, 7 Sisters Homeschool, and Galaxy Grammar Books.

Download your Treasure Chest now!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Voice-to-Text Note Taking – Speed up writing projects and help struggling writers.
2. Shared Digital Planners – Organize assignments and family schedules with Google Calendar or Trello.
3. AI as a Study Buddy – Use NotebookLM, ChatGPT, or Gemini for custom quizzes and explanations.
4. Digital Library Tools – Unlock free eBooks, audiobooks, and online classes through your local library.
5. Custom YouTube Playlists – Keep kids safe online with curated video collections using Padlet, Wavelet, or Google Slides.
6. Canva for Learning – Teach graphic design and visual communication through posters, infographics, and comics.
7. Creative Alternatives to Reports – Replace essays with videos, animations, or interactive slideshows.
8. Virtual Field Trips – Explore the world online through Google Earth and museum tours.
9. Reuse Old Devices – Turn unused tech into dedicated tools for learning or reading.
10. Screen Recording for Tech Help – Show (not tell) when troubleshooting.
11. Chatbots for Solving Tech Problems – Use AI tools to fix software issues and learn new features.
12. Gamified Reviews – Make learning fun with Kahoot, Blooket, Quizlet, Vocabulary.com, and ClassTools.

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post 12 Homeschool Tech Hacks appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Rules are a good and necessary part of running a home and raising a family.Why do our best efforts sometimes breed resentment or even rebellion, when it’s all so well-intentioned? This episode we’re looking at the crucial balance between rules and relationship in our home!

Treasure Hunt Tip: Listen to the podcast to hear a Golden Homeschool Nuggest from fellow Ultimate Homeschool Network Podcast show host, Dr. Melanie Wilson from the Homeschool Sanity Show!

Download the 12th Birthday Treasure Chest!We’re celebrating 12 years of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network with a gift just for you! Download our Podcast Gold Treasure Chest — a free bundle filled with homeschool resources, printables, and special offers from our incredible partners. Plus, when you download, you’re automatically entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card! No purchase necessary — this is a free resource made possible by our generous sponsors: Media Angels, True North Academy, CTC Math, Math Mammon, BaseCampEd, Powerline Productions, Funda Funda Academy, Raising Real Men, 7 Sisters Homeschool, and Galaxy Grammar Books.

Download your Treasure Chest now!

Scriptures We ReferenceThe Ten Commandments – Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:1-21

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40)Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. (Romans 14:5)

Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (Ephesians 6:1)

So then, my beloved, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)

The repentance of Ahab – 1 Kings 21:17-29

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Day 3 of Podcast Gold: Relationship Over Rigor

“Relationship is the most important ‘R’ in ‘reading, ’riting, and ’rithmetic.’ I’d read together more, move away from textbooks, start narration and dictation sooner, and find a homeschool community earlier.”

When most of us first start homeschooling, we focus on getting the academics right. We fill in checklists, chase grade levels, and try to recreate school at home — because that’s what feels familiar.

But somewhere along the way, we realize something sacred: homeschooling isn’t just about academics. It’s about connection.

Today’s Podcast Gold Nugget captures that realization perfectly:

“Relationship is the most important ‘R’ in ‘reading, ’riting, and ’rithmetic.’ I’d read together more, move away from textbooks, start narration and dictation sooner, and find a homeschool community earlier.”

This wisdom reminds us that the heart of homeschooling is relationship — not rigor. Our kids will forget some facts, but they’ll never forget how it felt to learn beside us.

Those snuggled read-alouds, messy science projects, and conversations over cocoa? They’re the moments that shape character and family culture — the kind of education that lasts.

Listen & Learn:
Hal & Melanie Young from Making Biblical Family Lfe Practical share this same truth often: learning happens best in the context of relationship. In their episodes about confidence and connection, she reminds us that joy comes when we stop trying to do homeschool like everyone else — and start building something that works for our family.

Your Golden Takeaway:
Before you open the math book, open your heart. The relationship you build with your child is the foundation for lifelong learning.

Treasure Hunt Tip:
There’s a golden clue hidden in the podcast for today’s featured episode! Visit Making Biblical Family Life Practical: Rules and Relationship to find your next piece of Podcast Gold.

Download the 12th Birthday Treasure Chest!
We’re celebrating 12 years of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network with a gift just for you! Download our Podcast Gold Treasure Chest — a free bundle filled with homeschool resources, printables, and special offers from our incredible partners. Plus, when you download, you’re automatically entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card!

No purchase necessary — this is a free resource made possible by our generous sponsors: Media Angels, True North Academy, CTC Math, Math Mammoth, BaseCampEd, Powerline Productions, Funda Funda Academy, Raising Real Men, 7 Sisters Homeschool, and Galaxy Grammar Books.

Download your Treasure Chest now!

The post Day 3 of Homeschool Podcast Gold: Relationship Over Rigor appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Hey, homeschoolers! I love hacks. A hack is a simple, creative strategy or shortcut that makes homeschooling easier, more effective, or more enjoyable. In my case, there are 12 hacks that changed everything for me as a homeschool mom. I hope you’ll listen to them all and will find one or more than will change everything for you too. I’m recording this episode in honor of the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network’s birthday celebration. Take a moment to visit the website this week and download free gifts we’ve provided at ultimateradioshow.com.

Watch on YouTube

Sponsor:Thank you to the NIV Application Bible for sponsoring this episode. We love our sponsors who help us bring you hacks like these.

Hack #1: Daily DevotionsThe first hack that changed everything for me is daily devotions. I wrote about my experience with establishing a devotional habit in my book The Organzied Homeschool Life. The short version is speaker Becky Tirabassi convinced me to commit to having an appointment with the King daily. I read the entire Bible in a year and prayed daily, even in the hospital after giving birth. At the time I thought the great blessing of my devotional practice was it educated me about the faith I professed. I knew only stories and Scriptures here and there before reading the entire Bible. I also recognized that I had more peace as I prayed. I would wake up overwhelmed with everything I needed to do. I would pray and God would often supernaturally manage my schedule or supernaturally manage me. But I now understand that the most powerful change that occurred is I learned that God was trustworthy. I did not have a lot of experience with trustworthy people before that time. After that first year, my devotional habits changed as my life changed. I still read the Bible and prayed most days, but sometimes I spent time with God in the middle of the night, nursing an infant. Other times, I prayed as I cleaned the kitchen. I listened to devotionals and sermons as I got ready in the mornings. I had a time of legalistic devotions too that blessedly became a grace-filled time that I look forward to. I give God my worries, record connections with the Scripture I read, and pray for myself and others. I don’t believe I would have succeeded in my homeschooling without this practice or at least with my sanity intact. I was recently asked about where to start if you’re new to Scripture reading. If you are in a challenging season, I suggest starting with the book of John. If you want to get the full story, start with Genesis. If you really don’t have much time to yourself, read the Bible with your kids for school. You’ll have more quiet time as your kids get older.

Hack #2: RoutinesHack #2 that changed everything is routines. If you’re a regular listener, you’ve heard me say it dozens of times. When I started homeschooling, or should I say when I said I was starting homeschooling, I had no routines. I got up at all different times and did nothing in a particular order. I put out fires all day, usually not getting dressed. I accomplished nothing other than taking care of my three kids. With this kind of chaos, I wasn’t able to teach my preschooler using any of the books or materials I had purchased. I was ready to quit and stop having more kids. Then a friend told me about a woman named FLYLady. Like me, she was a messy, disorganized person. But she began to string together simple habits into routines. The first habit was shining her sink–making sure the dishes were in the dishwasher and that everything else was clean. It seems crazy to me now that I used to go to bed with a sink full of dirty dishes. Waking up to that was demoralizing. Beginning with that simple habit changed my life because it kept expanding. Soon my whole kitchen and home was tidy before I went to bed. My clothes were laid out and I was ready for the next day. An evening routine became a morning routine which became a school routine. I wrote about my experience for Woman’s Day Magazine and my dream of being a freelance writer was realized. This disorganized woman went on to help homeschool moms establish routines of their own. My interview with FLYLady on routines.

Hack #3: Praying with KidsAs part of our morning routine, the kids and I would do chores together. That’s a bonus hack, but I include it in routines. Having their help cleaning and picking up was essential for my sanity. BUT invariably there were kids who weren’t doing the chores they were assigned or they were doing them poorly. There were squabbles and delays so that by the time we started school I was NOT happy. But we had a practice of beginning with prayer. First, each of us would say what we were thankful for. It was nice to hear gratitude from the kids. But the second part of our group prayer is the hack that changed everything. We would go around and say what we were sorry for. Invariably, the child I was most miffed at would confess their poor behavior. I was usually humbled about my own reaction to it. The final part of our prayer was asking for help from God for yourself or someone else. Usually the child would say they needed help with the thing they were sorry for. Understandable as that’s usually how I pray too. If you’d like to start this prayer routine, I recommend modeling it for the kids by going first.

Hack #4: Reading Historical Fiction / Biographies AloudAfter our prayer time, I felt the closest to the kids as I read aloud to them. We used Konos and then Mystery of History for our history lessons. Konos incorporated read alouds automatically. When I started using Mystery of History, I would look up recommended titles to go along with the time period we were studying on Sonlight’s website. Stories not only make history more memorable, they are also key in teaching character and social and emotional skills. My kids loved our read alouds and usually begged for another chapter. I was happy to oblige. Our success with learning through story prompted me to create language arts and social and emotional skills curriculum using stories. You can learn more at FunToLearnBooks.com.

Hack #5: Independent Work with SupervisionI talk to new homeschoolers whose schedules with work and other commitments require independent learners. We now have computerized curriculum and online classes that can make independent work possible, even for kids who aren’t yet reading fluently. My caution concerns kids’ need for relationship and interaction. Most adults don’t want to stare at a screen all day. Kids are the same. The younger the child, the more they need that interaction and the less maturity and attention they have for sustained work. Having to give six kids’ individual attention, I did them to have periods of independent work. After finding out that some of my kids were struggling to accomplish anything on their own, I had them all sit at our school table to do independent work on the same subject. So everyone had their math in front of them. Then for 20 minutes, they would all get to work while I walked around the table. They had no opportunity to mess around, but they had every chance to ask for help. It worked brilliantly. I allowed my sophomores and up to work completely independently. By this point, they were mature enough to handle it.

Hack #6: Homeschool Co-opWhen I decided to use Konos curriculum, I also wanted to find other families to participate in a co-op. One day a week we would complete the group activities and field trips related to the topic we were studying. Originally, we met in a church basement. The kids had a blast doing the hands-on activities, crafts, and games together. When one family moved, I suggested that we meet at my house. I had little ones that still napped in the afternoons. I also had the most kids and it was easier for me to stay home. Forming this kind of co-op had unexpected benefits. First, it made my kids love homeschooling. They said it was their favorite part of it. Next, they built close friendships. This kind of co-op as opposed to a class or two in a learning center, is most likely to help your child form close friendships. It helped me build close friendships too. I made no friends when I later had my kids enrolled in a learning center. Finally, a co-op in which all the moms were responsible for the activities created much-needed accountability for me. I could not blow off the preparatory lessons. The kids had to have their papers or projects done. And because I was hosting it, my house had to be clean. My kids would have learned far less if we had not participated in a co-op.

Hack #7: Exercise as Part of the School DayMy husband and I have always been committed to fitness. Exercise is the #1 way of promoting physical and mental health, so we wanted to emphasize it for our kids. We had them in sports with practices and games. They played outside and rode bikes, but it wasn’t a regular fitness routine. That’s when I realized I could make fitness a part of our school day. We had times when we would lift weights together. I had many light dumbbells and we would lift in a slow and controlled fashion that is safe for kids. Then we started doing video workouts together before lunch. I got a workout in and my husband would join us when he was home. The workouts went by quickly and we laughed a lot. Today our kids are all committed to fitness. I highly recommend including it in your school day.

Hack #8: Loop SchedulingI have always been someone who tries to do it all. As a homeschooler, that created stress for me. An introduction to loop scheduling helped me fit more things in without frustration. If you aren’t familiar, a loop schedule simply means that on a given day or during a specific time period, you will loop or rotate through a set of options. If you want to do baking, calligraphy, and nature study on Fridays, but you can’t do all three, you bake the next Friday you’re home. In a traditional schedule, you would have calligraphy on the schedule for the second Friday. But if you have a field trip that Friday, you’d miss your calligraphy day. With a loop schedule, you’ll do calligraphy the Friday after your field trip. An unexpected benefit of loop scheduling is you will learn what really matters to you. If you are set to do calligraphy, for example, and you realize you’d really like to do nature study instead, you can drop calligraphy from the loop. You’ve trimmed your activity list without much fuss.

Hack #9: Delegating Difficult SubjectsI believe that we are capable of teaching any subject to our kids at home. There are so many resources out there that we can DIY it all. But do we want to? I tried and tried to teach my kids piano, but I kept avoiding it. I think part of it was that I didn’t feel confident in teaching it, despite many years of piano lessons. But the other issue is I didn’t want to teach it. I was teaching all the other subjects and teaching piano wasn’t enjoyable for me. I paid an excellent piano teacher to come to our home and teach it instead, and it was worth every penny. As a side note, I took lessons with my older kids and seeing me practice motivated my kids. I did the same thing with science labs. I could do it, but I didn’t want to. I had my friend who enjoyed science labs and was excellent at leading them teach them. I taught her kids literature, writing, and speaking which I love to teach. If a subject is difficult or not enjoyable for you to teach, consider delegating it.

Hack #10: Interest-Led AfternoonsUnschooling was fringey when I started homeschooling. I didn’t know people like Karla Marie Williams, who has shared how to provide a quality unschool education on this podcast. But I did fall into a bit of unschooling in the afternoons when I found myself worn out. I would work on my own projects and allow the kids to do independent work and hobbies in the afternoons. Some amazing things happened as a result. One son started creating with paper and started a YouTube channel about it. My daughter wrote a paper to convince us to let her get guinea pigs. I felt guilty for not providing more structure in the afternoons than I did. Now I know that it was a blessing I didn’t.

Hack #11: ApprenticeshipMy son applied for a job running slides for our church. He learned the program and was the leader for that aspect of worship. But most importantly, he was being mentored by the pastors and other leaders at church. Another son worked closely with the youth leader at church and grew in his faith and leadership ability. I taught yet another son how to edit my podcast. All of our kids have helped my husband and me exhibit and sell books at conferences. My kids have helped me with proofreading and shipping books over the years, too. This summer, my youngest, a computer programming major, was an apprentice with me in multiple aspects of my business. It was a wonderful experience for me to share dilemmas and get his help. I think it was excellent experience for him as well. If I were starting over in homeschooling, I would start my kids as apprentices at even younger ages.

Hack #12: Community College in High SchoolIf you have this option where you live, I commend it to you. One semester college course is a full year’s high school credit. These courses will limit the studies you have to supervise at home. Community college classes in our area are half the cost of homeschool learning center classes. The credit they earned was transferred to the four-year university they attended. Going to community college gave my kids a chance to further develop their study and writing habits and gain confidence. They learned that they could handle college-level work and it wasn’t just mom saying they were doing well. I also had the opportunity to talk through the worldview of secular coursework with them before they left home. Even if you plan to send your student to a Christian college, they will encounter views that don’t mesh with your family’s. It is also a good trial if your student isn’t sure what they want to do after high school. Daily devotions, routines, prayer with the kids, historical read alouds, independent work with supervision, co-op, exercise in school, unschooling afternoons, loop scheduling, delegating difficult subjects, apprenticeship, and community college. I would love to hear which one of these hacks you’ll try next. Comment on this post. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. Have a happy homeschool week!

Your Golden Takeaway:

Small, intentional changes can transform your homeschool. Whether it’s starting the day with devotions, creating peaceful routines, or learning side by side, every little “hack” builds toward something bigger — a home filled with grace, growth, and connection.

There’s a golden clue hidden in the podcast for today’s featured episode! Visit Making Biblical Family Life Practical: Rules and Relationship to find your next piece of Podcast Gold.

The post 12 Homeschool Hacks That Changed Everything appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Family Activity For The New Year ~ Episode 545What family activity can you do as you close the year or ring in the new year? In this episode, Felice shares how she began the idea of family activities that have a lasting impact and unite the family.

Thanks to our sponsor, NowPrograms. I wholeheartedly agree with this unique approach, “Don’t accommodate, remediate. ” Check out the website today!

How can you share an activity with your family that will have an impact for years to come? No matter how old (or young) your children are, they can benefit from this idea. When my children were little, most family activities were related to what we did. We cooked, baked, and shared movie night together. There was a routine for these things. If it was movie night or pizza night, we ordered or made pizza, and we picked out a movie to watch as a family and dressed in pjs beforehand. We ate popcorn or some other snack and enjoyed this time together. The person who completed their entire school checklist, including all chores without reminders, could select the movie for the family. There were variations of this for movie selection, which could get contentious between siblings!

Family Activity:The family activity had these three elements:

1. Food – breaking of bread
2. Uniting
3. Enjoyable

The breaking of bread or eating together has a Biblical symbolism. In fact, many cultures enjoy the family meal, and that is actually a topic of an upcoming podcast in the new year. The family meal is a time to sit together, discuss the happenings of the day, and enjoy each other’s company. Our family rule was to ask permission to leave the table and stay until everyone finished. You may add things like no cell phones or come to the table with one thing you’d like to discuss or talk about — to give the kids time to think and prepare.

The developed or planned family activity grew from my children becoming teens and young adults. It was as if I went into hyperdrive to ensure that all that I wanted to teach them about important things were covered before they left. The activity parameters this time were different. It was more about uniting the family, having a faith focus, and ongoing.

Let me explain my reasoning so that you can use this as a starting point for your family and add to it as ideas come to you.

Family Activity – Gift That Keeps On Giving:1. Uniting: This brings the family together in some way that helps us realize we are a family that God put together for a reason. 2. Faith Focus: Teaching a deeper truth. God loves us, yes–but there is more. Do we practice the Gifts of the Holy Spirit? 1 Corinthians 12 3. Ongoing: Something that we think and pray about year-round.

When do we do this? We typically hold our activities on the second-to-last day that everyone is with us for the Christmas holiday, but the ideas have been brewing for a while.

The ideas came in prayer, but then I tweaked them to make them work the best for our family. One idea stemmed from a favorite Christmas movie, “The Christmas Card.” The story was about a faithful young woman who wrote Christmas cards each year to the soldiers overseas. One of her cards went to a hardened sergeant who, when ordered, took leave and traveled to the town to see for himself if the town was as beautiful as the card made it seem.

The family activity was to write a Christmas Card to each other (randomly drawn names) and include a note encouraging them all year long. This turned out to be wonderful, and I treasure the card I received from one of my sons, which sits in my Bible. I take it out from time to time to read. As a family, we do not write to each other, especially when we all live under the same roof and even when the kids leave. It is so much easier to send a text or call. This was one of my favorite activities.

Another one was repurposing some cardstock door hangers. I printed them out with one side showing a beautiful mountain scene and a Scripture verse, and on the back, it was blank. I passed out stickers, each labeled with a fruit of the spirit. You can look up the fruit of the Spirit in the book of Galatians 5:22-23. In a nutshell, they are:

1. love
2. joy
3. peace
4. patience
5. kindness
6. goodness
7. faithfulness
8. gentleness
9. self-control

I asked each person to star the one they wished they had in abundance and put their name on the back of the door hanger. Then I collected them and passed them out randomly to each person. If someone gets their own, they hand it back or trade it with someone else. The “activity” is a year-long prayer for the person who received to receive this gift. I would remind the kids to pray for their “person,” and often, I was told, “Mom, I do each night!”

These activities are wonderful examples of how we can take a craft or event even and turn it into a memorable lesson for us all. Parents are included – I’m not sure I mentioned that earlier. Let me be honest here: my adult kids groaned every time I presented this type of thing and then fought with each other (good-naturedly), wanting to do the best job (at the craft part – at least). Did I say I have a very competitive family of athletes?

Be sure to let your spouse know about this activity in advance so they can pray in advance and give you ideas or suggestions.

This past Christmas, the idea centered around the Power of Three. This is Biblical because numbers are often repeated in the scriptures to teach a more profound truth. We think of the three of the Trinity – one God and three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We think of three in the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and so on. I explained this to my family, and then I explained that we would do a tangible activity and something they could keep in their Bibles for the year and consider the idea of the power of the Gospel and its impact on our lives.

I passed out a sheet of paper and had my family fold them into threes, horizontal and vertical, with the final square being small. Then, I asked them to open the paper and write the “threes” in Scripture that stood out to them. I also site the Scripture verse, Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

They dove into this activity, even “cheating” by pulling up the concept on their cell phones and citing the number of times three is used in scripture (467). After completing this, we discussed the importance of family and praying together. I then paired the family into two as prayer partners. Two or more symbolized the two, and the third was bringing God into their prayers.

This tiny idea was brewing for some time. At one point, I considered some memento, perhaps on a keychain, that reminds them to pray for each of us in the family. Instead, the folded paper idea won out. If you have ideas, contact me or post them on the website—VHM Episode 545. I’d love to see how you celebrate the new year with your family.

I pray this gives you some ideas for an activity you can do with the family after the Christmas holiday or whenever you gather together. I pray you had a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Thanks for listening in, and stay tuned for incredible new and exciting shows from Vintage Homeschool Moms and all of us at the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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A homeschool success planner? As we step into a new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect, regroup, and refocus. Whether you’re new to homeschooling or a seasoned pro, planning is key to making this year both productive and meaningful for your family.

That’s why I’m so excited to share the 2025 Homeschool Success Planner with you! This isn’t just a planner—it’s your companion for intentional living, purposeful homeschooling, and faith-filled days.

[Click here to get your FREE 2025 Homeschool Success Planner + Bonus “Just for Kids” Planner!]

Here’s why you’ll love it:

1⃣ Reflect on What Matters Most with the Homeschool Success PlannerThe After-Action Review section helps you pause and think:

• What worked well last year?
• What could be better?
• How can you lean into God’s blessings in the year ahead?

Reflection is powerful, and this planner makes it easy to build on past successes and lessons learned.

2⃣ Plan with Clarity and PurposeWith the Year-at-a-Glance and Q1 Planner, you’ll map out goals, priorities, and key events in one place. This bird’s-eye view helps you stay focused on what matters most for your homeschool and family life.

3⃣ Stay Encouraged Along the WayThe Journal Pages invite you to capture your thoughts, prayers, and reflections. As you look back on these moments, you’ll be reminded of God’s faithfulness every step of the way.

4⃣ Get Inspired with a 28-Day Podcast Challenge Inside the Homeschool Success PlannerNeed a little extra motivation? The 28-Day Podcast Listen Challenge is packed with uplifting episodes that will inspire you to maximize your planner and live intentionally. The best part? Each episode is an active link—you can listen right from the planner!

5⃣ Focus on What Truly MattersThe Eisenhower Matrix Template is a game-changer for organizing your tasks. It helps you prioritize what’s important, so you can spend your time where it counts the most.

Bonus for Subscribers: “Just for Kids” Planner!When you opt in for the 2025 Homeschool Success Planner, you’ll also receive the “Just for Kids” Planner as a special bonus. This fun and interactive planner helps your kids get excited about their own goals and routines, making planning a family affair!

Ready to Start Your Most Intentional Year Yet?Don’t wait—this planner is designed to set you up for success and bring joy to your homeschool journey.

[Click here to get your FREE 2025 Homeschool Success Planner + Bonus “Just for Kids” Planner!]

Let’s make 2025 the year of purposeful planning, joyful learning, and seeing God’s hand in every step of the journey. You’ve got this, and we’re here cheering you on!

Love,

Felice Gerwitz, Vintage Homeschool Moms Podcast

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306: Getting started with AI in your homeschoolHappy New Year! As we kick off 2025, it’s clear that AI is set to continue transforming our world—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. In this episode of Homeschooling with Technology, we’re diving into how you can begin integrating AI into your homeschool. Whether you’re completely new to AI or feeling a bit overwhelmed, this episode will give you practical steps to get started.

Key Takeaways:1. Why You Should Embrace AI in Your Homeschool: * Ease Your Workload: AI tools can simplify planning, grading, and research. * Teach Responsible Use: Equip your kids with the skills to use AI ethically and effectively. * Shape the Future: Understanding AI empowers you to influence how it impacts your family and society. 2. Understanding AI: * You’ve likely been using AI already—think Netflix recommendations, Facebook ads, Grammarly, and more. * Recent advancements like ChatGPT and other generative AI tools have made AI more accessible and versatile. * Generative AI creates new content, such as text, images, music, and videos, based on patterns it learns from data. 3. How to Get Started: * Learn First, Then Teach: Familiarize yourself with AI tools before introducing them to your children. * Create a Plan: Dedicate 15 minutes a week (or even a month) to explore new tools. * Use a Spreadsheet: Track tools, resources, and ideas for incorporating AI into your homeschool. * Focus on Pain Points: Identify challenges in your homeschool routine (e.g., lesson planning, grading, or finding resources) and prioritize AI tools that can address those issues. * Review Old Episodes: Revisit past episodes of this podcast for guidance on specific tools and strategies to get started with AI in homeschooling. * Start Small: Begin with one tool or feature that aligns with your immediate needs or interests.

Please complete this survey so I can help you integrate AI and other tech in your homeschool Listener Survey:* Click here to fill it out.

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies. Sign up for their newsletter to get monthly AI tips and learn about cool online resources. Follow their Instagram for weekly Tuesday Tech Tips.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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Let Your Teen Pay: Empower Your Teen with Financial OwnershipEpisode Summary:

In this episode, Matt and Charla discuss the importance of teaching teens financial responsibility by giving them ownership over their own expenses. They explore practical strategies to help teens understand the value of money and make informed financial decisions.

Discussion Highlights:

Real-Life Financial Management:

– Charla emphasizes the importance of teens handling real-life expenses, not just allowances for trivial items. This includes significant costs like extracurricular activities and college savings.

Decision Making and Budgeting:

– By giving teens a budget, they learn to make choices based on their priorities. For example, choosing between a high-end item or several less expensive ones fosters better financial decision-making.

Building Financial Muscle:

– Allowing teens to experience financial tension prepares them for future financial independence. This practice also helps them develop a better understanding of budgeting and saving.

Parental Involvement:

– While teens manage their allocated budget, parents should still guide and support them. This dual approach ensures that teens are learning while still having a safety net.

Examples of How to Let Your Teen Pay

1. Extracurricular Activities:

– Teens often want to participate in numerous activities without understanding the associated costs. By providing them with a set budget for these activities, they learn to prioritize and manage their expenses. This includes registration fees, equipment, and travel costs.

1. Food:

– Give teens a weekly or monthly food budget for their snacks and extras. This helps them learn to shop wisely and manage their own food expenses. It’s a practical way to teach them about the costs of their dietary choices and encourage them to make healthier, budget-friendly decisions.

1. College Expenses:

– Discuss the costs of college early on and set clear expectations about financial contributions. Encourage teens to save for college and seek scholarships. This helps them appreciate the value of their education and motivates them to perform well academically.

Practical Tips for Parents:

1. Set Clear Budgets:

– Provide a specific amount for activities, food, and other expenses. Make sure teens understand they must stay within this budget.

1. Encourage Work:

– If teens want more than their budget allows, encourage them to find part-time jobs to cover the additional costs. This teaches them the value of earning money.

1. Discuss Long-Term Goals:

– Have open conversations about future expenses like a car, living expenses and college. Make sure teens understand the financial commitment from the family and start saving early to help make those future plans succeed.

Connect With Us:

To read more about this (or past topics) go to Charla’s blog: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog

To subscribe to the weekly email with links to our podcast and blog, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/subscribe-1

To learn more about our unique products designed to increase your children’s understanding of how money works in the real world, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/

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New Year’s Eve Family Fun Episode 318New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to make resolutions for the new year and share them with your family. In this episode, we explore ways to make New Year’s Eve memorable.

New Year’s Eve is associated with parties and festivities but with family, the ideas will be more in keeping with what really matters! With New Years Day approaching it is fun to make a New Year’s Resolution and prepare with your children ahead of time.

• Help children think about New Year’s Resolution. Talk about character qualities but don’t point out flaws.
• Share what you will resolve
• For example: pray what you will resolve, acts of service, etc.

Food & Things To Do:

• Think light foods – finger foods and snacks
• Game Day — play board games or outdoor games if time permits.
• Read: read aloud books
• Walk
• Call relatives – use visual
• Bake/ prepare for New Year’s Day meal
• Movie
• Light dinner, pizza or a tray of snack foods
• Countdown to the New Years Day!

Thank you to our sponsor, NOW Programs.

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7 Things To Stop Doing For Your Kids – Episode 17Introduction:

– Welcome back to “It’s Not About Money,” the podcast for intentional parents.

– Join us as we guide you through empowering your tweens and teens on their journey to adulthood.

Episode Highlights:

1. Stop Waking Your Teens Up:

– Encourage independence by letting your children wake themselves up in the morning.

– Create an environment where it’s safe for them to fail and learn from natural consequences.

1. Teach Self-Care:

– Encourage your kids to pack their own snacks and lunches for school or outings.

– Allow them to experience natural consequences if they forget, helping them learn responsibility.

1. Avoid Micro-Managing Clothing Choices:

– Don’t engage in battles over what your child wears, as long as it’s appropriate for the weather and situation.

– Let them learn from their own experiences, such as feeling cold without a coat.

Parenting Insights:

– Matt and Charla share personal anecdotes and insights from their own parenting journey.

– They emphasize the importance of allowing kids to take responsibility and learn from their actions.

– Natural consequences can be powerful teachers and help kids develop critical life skills.

Conclusion:

– Empowering your kids involves letting go of certain parental responsibilities.

– Visit the podcast’s website or show notes for more details on the 7 things parents should stop doing.

– Remember, guiding your children towards independence is key to their growth and development.

Note: These show notes capture the essence of the episode’s discussion on empowering kids. For the full context and additional insights, listen to the complete podcast episode.

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Realistic Holiday Expectations- Special Replay.

Realistic Holiday ExpectationsAhhh, it’s Christmas Eve!

The Yule log glowing in a Christmas fireplace. Children, dressed in Christmas finery gathered neatly about as they listen enraptured to their grandparents recall family holiday memories. Christmas music plays softly in the background. All the gifts are wrapped. All the decorations are neatly in place. Everyone is enjoying a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows and spices…

Okay, enough of that. Let’s talk about REALISTIC holiday expectations so that you don’t break your heart or get snookered by the myth of perfection this Christmas.

Join Sabrina, Kym and Vicki while we have a fun, encouraging chat about realistic holiday expectations.

Let’s start out with how to make a wonderful idea gone awry into a funny story!Yep, that is the best thing you can do when the best laid plans of moms and men gang aft a-gley! Why weep or get angry. Look for a way to take a breath and predict some laughing.

For instance:* Kym tells the story of the Christmas when the turkey wouldn’t thaw. * Sabrina shares about the crock pot ham cooked for twelve hours on high (accidentally). * Vicki tells about going into labor when she leaned over to put the turkey into the oven.

We imagine most folks have some stories that are funny now but were unexpected at the moment! Look for the laugh as quickly as you can.

Different Christmas-love languages!We all have different Christmas-love languages. Let’s talk about six different people and their expectations for Christmas based on their Christmas-love languages (or lack thereof).

Sophie: the gift giver and receiverSophie loves everything about gift giving- from choosing gifts to wrapping them while Christmas music wafts through the air. She also love the joyful moments of receiving gifts, as well. Sophie LOVES Christmas and the gifts!

Bertha: the hustle and bustle momBertha also loves Christmas! Especially all the special events and activities. The choirs and teas and parades and movie and gardens! She especially loves the family events. Bertha’s Christmas-love language is hustle and bustle!

Matthew: the tradition keeperMatthew is a Christmas guy! He loves the traditions of Christmas and the quality time with families. Matthew treasures those family rituals that he can predict will happen each Christmas. Matthew’s Christmas-love language is traditions.

But also, there’s not ONE right way to do Christmas!So, let’s look at the relative who have other Christmas-love languages.

Maria: doesn’t mean to be a Scrooge, but she’s exhausted. She could use a little peace.Maria has a really full life- homeschooling the kids, working a side job, caregiving her aged parents, struggling to make ends meet. She feels overwhelmed with all the extra Christmas She loves Jesus, her family and her life, but the expectations of Christmas leave her feeling tired. Maria’s Christmas-love language is: I could use a little peace.

Scott: he’s financially taxed. He could use a little Christmas people-giving-him-pass-on-the-presentsScott actually claims that he’s not a Christmas person! However, what he really means is that the unexpected and long-term financial strains he’s been through have left him broke. Scott loves his gift-giving cousin, Sophie, but feels bad because he can’t reciprocate. (He even feels bad receiving gifts because he can’t give this year.) Scott’s Christmas-love language is: People giving him a pass on the presents.

Deloris: She’s going through griefDeloris feels sad at Christmas. She had a really tough Christmas season a few years ago. The losses that year were so sad and traumatic, that her body triggers sadness every year at Christmas. Deloris’ Christmas-love language is: sit with me and listen nonjudgmentally and don’t expect “happy Christmas” from me this year.

Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list of Christmas-love languages. What would you say is yours?

How to handle your own Christmas-love languages and holiday expectationsWe can identify our own Christmas-love languages and clarify what we think we are expecting. Then we can make decisions that make the most of the holidays by adjusting our expectations in a realistic way!

Not only that, if we admit that we all have different Christmas-love languages and holiday expectations, we can also be open to clarifying those of our family members, too! This is a great idea when it comes to homeschooling high school.

Kym talks about their annual cookie-baking day. Her teens complained that cookie day can easily become a production line rather than an interpersonal, fun day.

Talk about expectations with your teensTeens’ tend to be busy. It’s a good idea to talk together with them to clarify their needs, schedules, and wants. Come to agreement on what to expect for this holiday season.

For instance, if you have a Bertha, who loves the activities, but there’s not time for everything, talk about things. Give some extras to Bertha but set boundaries where you must. It helps to ask for everyone’s top three wishes, then see if you can make some or most of those happen.

Sabrina’s family is a blended family with a husband on shift work. It took a while to figure out how to get everyone together for the holidays. The family talked together and came up with a later date for their family celebration time. They call it: Merry NewYearsMass.

Grandparents, parents and family-story traditionsWhen families get together, it’s not uncommon for the older generations to fall into “remember-when” stories. Teens sometimes get tired of hearing the same stories over and over. Lots of older people are Christmas-love traditionalists.

Give your teens some holiday social skills for patient and polite listening. It will help them grow stronger… AND one idea you can give them. Have them jot down one of their grandparents’ stories. Then use 7Sisters Holiday Family Narrative Guide to create an amusing short story (and one of the annual required English/Language Arts papers).

Remember the culture of the groupIn other words, notice the different Christmas-love languages in your family and friends! Teach teens to be kind and patient with other Christmas-love languages and cultures.

Help teens plan ahead for irritating moments. Give them these ideas:* Be slow to take offense. * Look at the eternal value. Will this matter in twenty years? + As Kym says: Learn to be a duck, not a doormat. * Is it important to argue now? Is this the time?

Beware of HALTIn the holidays, schedules are hectic and weird, and food is different. People will at some point everyone will hit HALT:

• Hungry
• Angry
• Lonely
• Tired

If you’re in HALT, things will NOT go well.

Be flexible and keep your expectations of others VERY smallModel a grateful heart for your teens. Be happy for what goes well but don’t worship traditions. Don’t micromanage others or be grumpy if they don’t want to do things your way.

Let go of the idea of a “perfect Christmas”. There’s really no such thing in real life! When you set realistic expectations for the holidays, you and yours will be happier!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page. 2. OR take this IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on 1. View in “…your favorite podcast source” 3. This will take you to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

OR PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review

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Faith Building Activities Episode 325Having fun and learning while teaching the faith, yes! Faith-building activities are discussed, as well as ways to help your children see the spiritual connection between faith and the Bible.

So, we all want to help our children grow in the Lord; in fact, the Scriptures tell us this Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. And of course, Deuteronomy 6:5-9 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

Scriptures as Faith BuildersThou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole strength. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart: And thou shalt tell them to thy children, and thou shalt meditate upon them sitting in thy house, and walking on thy journey, sleeping and rising. And thou shalt bind them as a sign on thy hand, and they shall be and shall move between thy eyes. And thou shalt write them in the entry, and on the doors of thy house.

There are so many more Scriptures as well! However, the most amazing thing I’ve learned, and I am sure you’ve experienced this, is that our kids pick up our worse habits! And, I’m sure it is because it is the ones that are modeled the most – yes, I’m talking to myself here as well. But the good news is that if we model great behavior, praying, reading our Bible, and doing Bible Study, the kids will also pick up our habits.

Prayer as a Faith BuilderFirst, stop and pray. Ask the Lord how best to teach your children. Ask the Lord to help you to find those teachable moments that bring home the love and compassion the Lord has for each one of us and especially His unconditional love for us!

You know, when you look at other religions outside of Catholicism and Christianity, you find that the gods that these faiths worship require different things. Some require obedience and submission, others require worship or ritualistic sacrifice. Our God only requires our obedience and love, and He returns His love to us.

Christianity is the truth. It is the real thing. It is not a falsehood. And, with that comes an amazing responsibility to teach our children and share the good news.

Here are my top 10 favorite Faith Building Activities:The First 5 Faith Building Activities1. Attending Church 2. Praying as a family – before meals, in the evening. 3. Daily praise reports – what are we thankful for each day? We do this every evening after our evening prayers or devotionals 4. Reading the Bible – and add a journal for older kids, be sure to check out this podcast on Teaching the Bible 5. Listening to good Christian audios: Such as Christian music, or teaching audios like Adventures in Odyssey

And 5 More Faith Building Activities1. Watching good Christian films, for example, on sites like PureFlix. 2. Story Starters: make a list of questions such as: What would Jesus do? Give them different scenarios, such as when mom asks you to pick up your clothes, help with the dishes, or do chores in general. 3. Games that teach Christian concepts – https://childrensministry.com/10-active-indoor-sunday-school-games/ One we use to play as kids focused on the need to trust. What you would do is have someone stand in front of an adult and tell the kid to fall back. Most of the time, kids just can’t let go. The idea is that God is there all the time for us, and we need to let go to feel his arms around us, His embrace. Another fun game that was in the handout link on the show notes is giving two different kids a set of combination locks. One is given the combination, and the other isn’t. One will struggle, and the other will open the lock easily. The point here is to show that when we try to do things on our own, without listening to God, we struggle. But if we listen to God and follow His instructions, things will go so much easier. 4. Acts of service. Helping at a food kitchen, collecting clothes and gently used toys to donate, visit the elderly at nursing homes. 5. Memorizing Scripture and Prayers.

RememberFriends, remember that the best way to teach about our faith is by demonstrating your love of God to others and setting an example. I pray that this podcast has been helpful and ask that you share the show with a friend, give me a star rating on iTunes or any podcast app where you listen, and please join me next week when I discuss helpful tips for parenting.

This holiday replay episode is sponsored by NOW Programs.

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In this episode Sue focuses on the remedy known as Histaminum Hydrochloricum (Muraiaticum) and the various allergic reactions that this remedy can address. Homeopathic histamine is derived from a salt form known as histamine hydrochloride. The preparation process involves serial dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking) to create a remedy that retains the energetic imprint of the original substance. Homeopathic Histaminum works by helping the body regulate its own histamine production, allowing for allergy relief without the drowsiness associated with traditional medications.

The content of the Homeopathy for Mommies Radio show, website, and resources is designed to support homeschooling families and families in general with information on natural health and wellness. All information shared, whether in text, graphics, audio, or images, is provided for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

We encourage homeschooling parents to seek the guidance of a qualified health professional before making any health-related changes, including:

Adjusting any current medication or treatment routine for themselves or their children
Discontinuing any medication or treatment
Starting any new medication or treatment based on information presented on Homeopathy for Mommies
The information on this site is for general educational use and may not apply to individual health situations. Our goal is to empower homeschooling families with knowledge to make informed health decisions alongside their healthcare providers.

Please note that any natural remedies discussed in our episodes are not evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We aim to share what other families have found beneficial in their own experiences but make no claims about specific health outcomes.

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The 7-Day Just for Kids Podcast Challenge: Fun, Learning, and Character Growth!Are you looking for a simple way to spark your child’s character growth and encourage their love of learning? The 7-Day Just for Kids Podcast Challenge is here to inspire them and help them take small steps toward big growth.

Felice Gerwitz, a mom, grandmother, and homeschool veteran, created this challenge with love and personal experience. It’s designed to engage young listeners with fun, faith-filled, and educational content. Whether your children are curious adventurers, budding thinkers, or just love a good story, this challenge is the perfect way to connect with them while filling their days with joy and purpose.

How Does the Challenge Work?It’s simple! For the next seven days, your child will listen to a new podcast episode daily from the Just for Kids series. Each episode is short, engaging, and packed with lessons on character, creativity, and life skills.

One listener shared that her child began paying attention in an area they had struggled with because, “Felice said to!”

The Just for Kids Planner makes it easy to follow along. Your child can use it to jot down favorite episodes, take notes, or draw something inspired by what they’ve learned.

And parents, don’t miss out! Listen along with your children. These episodes are perfect for sparking meaningful conversations and shared learning moments.

Why Podcasts Are Great for Kids or How to Inspire Kids with podcastsPodcasts encourage active listening and ignite the imagination. Unlike screens, they allow children to visualize stories and think deeply about what they hear. Each episode teaches values like perseverance, kindness, or creativity in a way that’s fun and relatable. This combination makes podcasts an ideal tool for learning and family bonding.

A Gift of Love from FeliceFelice Gerwitz created this challenge and planner out of her passion for teaching and inspiring children. As a mother and grandmother, she knows how important it is to find tools that educate and delight. This challenge reflects her dedication to equipping families with resources that build families up.

If you’re looking for more, explore the Character Planners from Media Angels. These tools work perfectly alongside the podcast series, teaching lessons in integrity, responsibility, and kindness.

Included in the Podcast Challenge for Kids & Planner* a single episode just for kids, every day; listen in order or mix and match * a simple chore chart for younger children * homeschool lesson tracker for older children

Take the Challenge Today!Grab your kids, open the planner, and dive into the 7-Day Just for Kids Podcast Challenge! This isn’t just about listening—it’s about making memories, building character, and enjoying quality family time.

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Hard times! As much as we might like it to be, life is not all ponies, rainbows, and watercolor daisies.

On this episode of HomeschoolingIRL we discuss the issue of homeschooling when life gets hard. Difficulties can look different in every family – marital stress, tragedies, health challenges, financial loss – and we’ll consider how each of these hardships can put unusual stress on a homeschooling family.

What is our response? What should it be? Join us as we interview homeschooling mom and blogger Linda Difino, who shares her story of homeschooling through multiple hard times.

For complete show notes and links to what we discussed on this episode, go to our website: HomeschoolingIRL.comThanks to NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences.For the rest of the year, we will be running a “Best of” series of the Homeschooling IRL episodes. Many of these episodes were earlier episodes that you might have missed. Enjoy!

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For Kids! What Happened To The Dinosaurs? Episode 7To understand a bit about what happened to the Dinosaurs, it is best to begin in Genesis. Understanding how man sinned shows us that the Garden of Eden a haven for Adam and Eve and all the animals became a world far from perfection.

Thanks to our sponsor: NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences.

Then along came Noah! He was a righteous man and he saved the animals at the time of The Flood. While some think the flood was only in specific areas of the world, this is not true! You can find more information about Flood Geology in the book Creation Geology a Study Guide to Fossils, Formations & The Flood. The Flood was worldwide, the podcast contains information about some of the ways we know this.

The Ark design was unique (Genesis 6:14-16) There was room for 2 of each animal, food and storage, Noah and his family. The ark design is one of the most stable of any boat. When God said He wanted Noah to take two of each kind, what does it mean? A “kind” is not a “species.” For example, a “dog kind,” includes dogs, wolves, coyotes, etc.

What Happened To The Dinosaurs?

Where are the dinosaurs? Dinosaurs were believed to be on the ark. Juvenile dinosaurs were onboard and the average size of the dinosaur was the size of a small chicken. So, for all those skeptics, yes – dinosaurs were on the ark!

When the rains stopped and the flood waters receded, 150 days later the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The mountains became visible in the tenth month.

Before the Flood, the earth was warmer. It is believed there was more carbon dioxide in the air that made the plants and animals grow bigger (and people lived longer). There are many plants and animals found in the fossil record that did not survive the flood.

What Happened to the Dinosaurs?

After the flood, many plants and animals died and the dinosaurs and other large creatures could not live in the reduced atmosphere or without some of the plants that did not survive, so they became extinct. Many plants and animals were buried rapidly which caused fossils. Fossils are often found in groups. The rocks showed the catastrophic deposits with large scale erosion into the newly deepened oceans. There was also a post-flood Ice Age.

Geologic formations formed and the rapid burial showed that many fossils found were not commonly found together in nature. The Fossils were only preserved when they are rapidly buried.

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In our busy lives, it’s easy to overlook the organization of important papers. But imagine this: An emergency strikes, and you need to evacuate your home quickly. Do you know where your birth certificates are? Can you quickly locate your homeowners or renters insurance policy? This month, let’s focus on creating an emergency document binder that could make all the difference in a crisis.

Get Your Emergency Grab & Go Binder Here:The Power of PreparednessAs a mom and homeschooler, I’ve learned the value of being prepared firsthand. A few years ago, my family experienced a frightening incident that drove home the importance of having our critical documents organized and easily accessible.

It was an ordinary day when suddenly, a fire broke out in the wooded area across the street from our home. Within minutes, fire trucks arrived, sirens blaring. As some firefighters battled the blaze, others drove up and down our street, using loudspeakers to order an immediate evacuation.

In the chaos of the moment, we left with nothing but the clothes on our backs. While we were fortunate that our home was spared, the experience was a wake-up call. Had we been better prepared with an emergency document binder, we could have grabbed it on our way out, ensuring that our most important papers were safe and with us.

Creating Your Emergency Document BinderAn emergency document binder is designed to be easily grabbed in crisis situations. Here’s how to create and maintain one:

1. Choose the Right Container: Use a durable three-ring binder. If possible, invest in a fire-safe bag to hold the binder for extra protection.
2. Location is Key: Keep your binder in a safe yet accessible place. A locked safe is ideal, as long as you can quickly access it when needed.
3. Organize Your Documents: Use dividers or slip sheets to categorize your documents. Include sections for:
   • Identification (birth certificates, passports, social security cards)
   • Financial information (bank accounts, credit cards)
   • Insurance policies (home, auto, life, health)
   • Medical information (health records, prescriptions, allergies)
   • Emergency contacts
   • Property information (deeds, titles)
4. Add Extra Helpful Information: Consider including:
   • Health details for each family member
   • A list of important birthdays
   • Information sheets for babysitters and pet sitters
5. Regular Updates: Set an annual reminder to review and update your binder. This ensures all information remains current.
6. Digital Backup: While a physical binder is crucial, also consider backing up documents to a secure cloud service. However, remember that even digital storage isn’t foolproof – data breaches can happen.
7. Password Protection: Include a printed list of important passwords. This can be a lifesaver if you lose access to your digital accounts.

Beyond EmergenciesAn organized document binder isn’t just for catastrophes. It can be incredibly helpful in daily life too. Need to fill out a school form? Applying for a loan? All the information you need is in one place, saving you time and reducing stress.

A Personal TouchRemember, this binder is about your family’s unique needs. Customize it to include what’s most important to you. Maybe you want to add copies of treasured family photos or a list of your children’s allergies. The goal is to create a resource that gives you peace of mind and proves invaluable when you need it most.

In our unpredictable world, being prepared is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and our loved ones. So, take some time this month to organize your important documents. It’s a small investment of time that could make a world of difference when it matters most.

Stay safe and happy planning!

~ Christina Moss

P.S. For more homeschooling and family organization tips, join our community on Facebook: Homeschool Podcast Family

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Looking for a Fall Planner for Kids?Get Your Planner HereAs the leaves begin to change and the air grows crisp, I’m thrilled to introduce our comprehensive Fall Planner, designed to enrich your homeschooling journey during this magical season. This planner is a treasure trove of autumn-inspired activities, carefully crafted to engage learners of all ages and interests.

What’s Inside the Fall Planner for Kids?Our Kids Fall Planner is bursting with exciting content:

• Seasonal checklists to keep you organized
• Tracing pages for developing fine motor skills
• Challenging mazes to stimulate problem-solving abilities
• Thought-provoking writing prompts to spark creativity
• And so much more!

These resources are designed to seamlessly integrate the wonders of fall into your curriculum, making learning both relevant and exciting.

The Beauty of Seasonal LearningFall offers a unique opportunity to connect our homeschooling efforts with the natural world around us. As a homeschooling family based in Florida, our autumn experience might differ from those in other regions, but it’s no less fascinating!

Our Florida FallWhile we may not see the dramatic color changes or feel the biting chill in the air, we have our own autumn adventures. As I write this, we’re preparing for the outer bands of a hurricane to brush our coast. This means we’ll experience:

• Gusting winds that dance with the palm fronds
• Intermittent rain showers followed by brilliant sunshine
• The excitement of tracking weather patterns in real-time

Though the hurricane won’t directly impact our area, it provides an invaluable learning opportunity about meteorology, geography, and safety preparedness.

Embracing Your Unique Fall Experience with the Fall PlannerI encourage you to use this season as a springboard for exciting discussions with your children:

1. Explore your state’s geography and how it influences your local climate.
2. Compare your autumn experience with those in different regions.
3. Discuss the science behind seasonal changes, even if they’re subtle in your area.

Remember, the goal is to cultivate awareness and appreciation for the natural world, regardless of where you live. Whether you’re raking colorful leaves or enjoying year-round warmth, there’s always something new to discover!

Making Fall Fun for EveryoneLet’s make this autumn unforgettable with engaging activities for the whole family:

• Embark on a fall-themed scavenger hunt in your neighborhood or local park.
• Create homemade decorations using materials inspired by the season.
• Use our resource pages to make a festive paper chain adorned with autumn images.

My children absolutely love transforming our home with warm, autumnal colors and handmade crafts. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the season and create lasting memories.

Join Our Homeschooling CommunityWe’d love for you to become part of our growing homeschool family! By opting in to our newsletter, you’ll receive:

• Regular updates with seasonal activities and resources
• Tips from experienced homeschoolers across the country
• Early access to new planners and educational materials
• Invitations to virtual homeschooling events and webinars

To join, simply visit our website and enter your email address. It’s that easy to stay connected and inspired throughout your homeschooling journey!

Explore More Fall ResourcesFor even more autumn-inspired homeschooling ideas, be sure to check out the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network (UltimateHomeschoolPodcastNetwork.com) and search for “fall”. You’ll find a wealth of episodes packed with creative ideas, practical tips, and encouraging stories from fellow homeschoolers.

As we embark on this beautiful season together, I hope this planner serves as a springboard for exploration, learning, and family bonding. Embrace the change, celebrate the wonder, and create unforgettable autumn memories with your little ones.

Wishing you a joyful and enriching fall season!

Warmly, Christina Moss

P.S. Don’t forget to opt in to our newsletter for year-round homeschooling inspiration and support. Together, we can make every season a time of growth and discovery for our children!

The post Embracing the Magic of Fall: A Homeschooler’s Printable for Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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In this episode, we dive into the world of whooping cough (pertussis).
Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. It is characterized by severe coughing fits that can make breathing difficult, often accompanied by a distinctive high-pitched “whoop” sound during inhalation. It often begins with mild cold-like symptoms, which can progress to intense coughing spells. These spells can be particularly distressing for children, leading to a characteristic “whooping” sound as they struggle to inhale after a coughing fit.

Additional Notes:

Symptoms and Stages

The illness progresses through three stages:

Catarrhal Stage: This initial stage lasts about 7 to 10 days and presents with cold-like symptoms, including a runny nose, mild fever, and occasional cough. This stage is highly contagious.
Paroxysmal Stage: Lasting from one to ten weeks, this stage is marked by intense coughing fits, thick mucus production, and the characteristic whooping sound. These coughing fits can be exhausting and may lead to vomiting, especially in infants.
Convalescent Stage: The final stage sees a gradual improvement in symptoms, although coughing spells may still occur.

Potential Complications

Potential complications of whooping cough, such as pneumonia, dehydration, and even hernias due to the violent coughing can occur. It is important to treat symptoms early to prevent these complications.

Homeopathic Remedies for Whooping Cough – you can download a FREE handout here for remedies Sue suggests!

https://homeopathyformommies.com/2018/02/whooping-cough-with-homeopathy/

Additional Supportive Measures

Hydration and Nutrition

Recommendations: Light, easily digestible foods such as soups, broths, and vegetable juices. Avoid heavy foods and sugars, as these can hinder recovery.
Benefits: Proper hydration and nutrition support the immune system and help the body recover more quickly.

Epsom Salt Baths

Recommendations: Hot baths can help soothe symptoms, although some children may prefer cooler treatments.
Benefits: Epsom salt baths can help relax the muscles and reduce discomfort associated with coughing fits.

Sun Exposure

Recommendations: Encourage children to spend time outdoors, away from drafts.
Benefits: Sunlight boosts the immune system and promotes overall health.

Preventative Measures

Sue stresses the importance of preventative care in maintaining family health. She encourages parents to adopt a proactive approach by using homeopathic remedies like Aconite and Belladonna at the first sign of illness. This can help bolster the immune system and reduce the likelihood of more severe infections.

The post Homeopathic Strategies for Support During Whooping Cough appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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294: Online Contests for StudentsIn this episode, we explore a variety of online contests for students that homeschoolers can participate in. These contests provide great opportunities for students to challenge themselves, develop new skills, and even win prizes.

Contests Mentioned in This Episode:

1. PicoCTF
   • A cybersecurity Capture the Flag (CTF) contest for ages 13 and up. Students work individually and in teams to solve challenges and develop critical thinking skills. Free training materials and practice challenges are available on the website.
2. Exploravision
   • A research-based contest where students, mentored by professionals, investigate a real-world problem. Available for high school and possibly younger students.
3. EngineerGirl Writing Contest
   • A writing contest focusing on engineering topics. Open to 3rd-12th graders, divided into different grade levels. The contest includes both boys and girls despite its name.
4. The Stock Market Game
   • A team-based game where students invest virtual money in the stock market. Open to students nationwide, it also includes an essay contest, InvestWrite, where students can win money and recognition.
5. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Contests
   • Patriot’s Pen: An essay contest for middle school students.
   • Voice of Democracy: A speech contest for high school students. Students record and submit their speeches, and winners can advance to regional and national levels.
6. Scholastic Art & Writing Contest
   • This well-known contest includes categories like art, writing, and even programming. Winners can earn recognition like the Golden Key Award, which looks great on college applications.
7. Jane Austen Essay Contest
   • An essay contest for fans of Jane Austen, with cash prizes for winners. Essays from previous winners are available for review on the website.
8. Classics and Mythology Contests
   • Offered by etclassics.org, these online contests focus on Latin, Greek, and mythology for different age groups and ability levels.
9. 15-Second Vocabulary Contest
   • A creative challenge hosted by the New York Times, where students create 15-second videos defining vocabulary words.

Bonus Resource: Showsponsor Fundafunda has compiled a comprehensive guide with over 30 contest opportunities for homeschoolers. You can find the Homeschool-friendly Contests pdf on the FundaFunda Academy website for just $2.99. It includes a description of each contest, grade levels, and whether they are free or require a fee.

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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Project Ideas to Generate CashThey discuss how these experiences can help foster responsibility, financial independence, and a solid work ethic, all while equipping young people with valuable life skills.

Key Points Discussed:

– No Paying for Chores: Charla shares why she’s firmly against paying children for chores, explaining that chores are essential household tasks that everyone must contribute to, not something to be seen as optional or something to be negotiated. By reframing the approach, chores are presented as a responsibility rather than a money-making opportunity.

– Allowance and Budgeting: The hosts discuss how to give kids an allowance, but with a twist. Instead of giving money for discretionary spending, the allowance is tied to necessities like school clothes, activities, or supplies. This method teaches kids how to manage a limited budget and make tough choices when they overspend or need to save for future purchases. It’s about giving them responsibility over their finances while learning from their mistakes.

– Project List for Earning Money: Charla introduces a curated list of 12 projects that kids can undertake to earn money, including tasks like organizing household spaces, yard work, or even pet care for neighbors. These projects not only help them earn extra cash but also reinforce the value of working hard for what they want, creating a sense of achievement and independence.

– Learning Through Consequences: The episode is full of personal anecdotes, such as Charla’s son Jack, who accidentally ruined his white shoes by mowing the lawn, turning them green. These stories highlight how kids can learn from real-life consequences and gain a deeper appreciation for their belongings and the cost of replacing them.

Call to Action:

1. Download the full project list in the blog linked in the show notes.
2. Start implementing a project system in your home when your kids have wants that fall outside of regular gift giving occasions.
3. Reflect on how you’re teaching financial responsibility in your family—whether through allowances or entrepreneurial projects.

Connect With Us:

– Read Charla’s blog for more tips: Beyond Personal Finance Blog

– Subscribe to our weekly email with links to our podcast and blog: Subscribe Here

– Explore our financial literacy products for kids: Beyond Personal Finance Products

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Some things are unquestionable, life-changing moments – an unexpected death in the family, a natural disaster, a major accident. But what about things which just show up and disrupt everything? The smaller emergencies which aren’t big enough to awaken heroism, but are big enough to bring out all our doubts, fears, frustrations, and temper? The “breaking news” which could be really unpleasant, but you can’t be sure?

We’ve dealt with this – frequently, and even recently! So this episode, we’re talking about some practical ways to meet stressful news with calmness and faith … even if it takes a few minutes to make the adjustment!

Passages We ReferencedMatthew 10:29-31 (Jesus): “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God

Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Books We MentionedJudith Viorst, The Tenth Good Thing About Barney. This is a great children’s book about remembering the good things in the middle of sad times. It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the stress of the moment, and forget that happiness is real just like sorrow – and life will have some of both.

Eleanor H. Porter, Pollyanna – check out the audiobook version narrated by Melanie!** The book is much better than the Disney version (more clearly Biblical, for one thing), and funny as well as thought-provoking. Even our teenaged sons enjoyed it, though the main character is a young girl at the time. Important lessons about always finding a reason to rejoice, even in difficulty.

NEXT TIMEHelping your kids through stressful times …

UPDATE –We mentioned that our van broke down on a speaking trip in July, and at the time of recording, had been in the shop for several weeks waiting on an engine replacement. We’re glad to say that the van is now repaired and back home – thank you for your prayers and support!

A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor: Thanks to NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences.

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Catnip is a popular herb for a bit of fun with our cats, but do you know catnip uses for humans? Join Julie on this episode of Crunchy Christian podcast to learn more about catnip.

Thanks to NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences.

Catnip Uses in HistoryNepeta cataria is a native to Europe and Asia.The Greeks and Romans knew it and probably the Egyptians as well. After all, they revered cats. It is rumored that Nepeta is named after Nepete or Nepi in central Italy, where it grew prolifically. There aren’t many specific records of its use outside of medical texts. Sorry no mythology or weird historical stories. Old herbals speak of catnip uses to promote sweating, cure fevers, relieve congestion and phlegm, and help with coughs and colds. The English used it as a tea before the arrival of black tea.

While cats love it, rats, deer, and many insects hate it. While the tea made from the leaves is mildly sedating, the root has quite the opposite effect and has been rumored to make a gentle person quarrelsome.

People have long used catnip for childhood infections, fevers, aches and pains, bad-tempered moods, sleeplessness and digestive upsets. Once upon a time, it was even recommended as a front-line treatment against the dreaded fever of smallpox.

Growing CatnipCatnip is a perennial that looks a lot like other members of the mint family with square stems and toothed somewhat heart-shaped leaves. It has small, purplish flowers. Catnip likes to grow in well-drained average soil in full sun but will tolerate some shade. It can become weedy like other members of the family, so manage the plants to prevent this. It doesn’t need fertilizer or other help and repels insects, so it’s pretty easy to grow.

Modern Catnip UsesModern research shows that the essential oil of catnip protects the liver from damage caused by acetaminophen use.

Research has also suggested catnip has antimicrobial activity against fungi and gram-positive bacteria. And other possible catnip uses could be as a possible natural food preservative as it is effective against common food-borne pathogens. In addition, a study published in Iran in 2013 showed that the essential oil of catnip was effective in killing oral microbial infections, especially candida.

Learn more about catnip on the podcast!

WarningsCatnip does have possible emmenagogue and abortifacient effects, so it is best to avoid using it during pregnancy.

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Hey, homeschoolers! September and all of its new-school-year excitement is behind us, leaving us to face a longer October. If you struggled to complete your plan (or to get your kids to complete the plan), you may be feeling a bit concerned. How will this month be better? Should you rely on push motivation? Do you need a new system? These are both issues I’ve discussed in recent episodes.

Today, though, I want to help you determine if you truly have a motivation problem. If not, the solution may be much, much simpler to implement.

Watch on YouTubeBefore we dig in, I want to thank our sponsor: CTC Math.

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Visit c-t-c-math.com today to start your free trial.

If you didn’t get things done in your homeschool this month the way you hoped and planned, one of the first culprits to suspect is motivation. You’re just not motivated. Or your kids aren’t. You don’t wake up passionate to learn and create and clean. You’re not brimming with energy and enthusiasm and you can’t blame it on Seasonal Affective Disorder. And after you carefully chose curriculum and activities and a schedule, that’s just not acceptible. So…

You think you have a character problem. You need to study diligence in the Bible with the kids and memorize Scripture. And you need to actually read one of the many books you’ve purchased for yourself about self-discipline.

You may also suspect you chose the wrong activities or classes. They seemed great and the reviews were glowing, but they may not be a good fit for you and the kids after all. You have to go back to the drawing board and find new ones that will keep the motivation flying high beyond September at the least!

You probably also need to rework your schedule. You may need to start earlier since things tend to fall apart after lunch. Or you need to start with the least favorite subject. Or try loop scheduling. Maybe you should start school in the afternoon?

Or maybe you need to toss the curriculum and schedule and try Unschooling or Charlotte Mason or unit studies. You’ll want to watch some more YouTube videos on that to be sure.

It could also be that you or the kids have an undiagnosed condition or learning challenge that is the real culprit. You should have them take an online diagnostic quiz and talk to friends whose kids have learning issues so you aren’t missing anything. Maybe it’s ADD and you’re going to have to change everything about your homeschool to accommodate it.

My ExperienceI’m not homeschooling right now, but I still went through this process. I am working on a reference book to go with Grammar Galaxy. Or should I say I wasn’t working on it. Obviously a motivation problem. I needed to listen to one of my books on self-discipline and meditate on related Bible verses.

But I also wondered if the book was the wrong project for me to work on right now. If it was the right one, I would be looking forward to it, wouldn’t I? I needed to look again at all the projects I could be working on and rate them all. I should ask my writer friends what they think.

Then again, maybe I wasn’t working on the reference book because I had it in my morning schedule when I’m working on Level 2 of Training Aliens. Perhaps I would get it done if I moved it to afternoon or evening.

I could also just wait until I felt inspired and passionate to work on it. Maybe the problem was that I was trying to force it. If I was inspired, I could get the project done quickly. I should wait for Pull Motivation like Mark Forster describes.

Then again, I am perimenopausal (yes, still at my age) and that is killing my motivation. Maybe it’s impossible to do this project until my hormones are in balance.

This is my real thought process. I am not trying to bore you to death, promise. I am trying to show you how focusing on motivation can lead us down many dead-end trails that don’t result in homeschool progress.

I am not saying that you don’t need to focus on any of these motivational issues. Perhaps you do. But before you do, allow me to share an alternative to motivation for your consideration.

I began planning the final quarter of the year, something you might want to do as well. You have three months to achieve your homeschool goals and that can give you a fresh start, even though you’re already a month or two into a new school year.

As I planned, I decided that I really did want to complete this reference book this quarter. Every quarterly planner will take a goal like that and ask you to break it down into smaller goals with deadlines. Uhhhhh. I had no idea what those smaller deadlined goals should be. I had to evaluate the project and get a rough estimate of what I had completed in the hours worked. I hadn’t worked many hours on it and the reference book is already organized into entries. I determined that I was completing ten entries per hour. That allowed me to estimate the number of days I would need to complete the entries. But that was based on a schedule with no missed days. I decided to add 20% more days than I needed to the deadline to account for the unexpected. I had to plan more than this to finish the project, but I came up with several intermediate milestones until the end of the quarter.

The day after creating the plan, I worked on the project in the morning as before. I wasn’t super inspired by the project. It is a reference book after all and not story-based like my curriculum. And my hormones have been as wonky as ever. But I accomplished three days’ work in one day. Now I should get the project done ahead of schedule, barring any major interruptions. How did that happen?

While I did not have motivation, I did achieve clarity. Unbeknownst to me, the project felt like a huge amorphous blob that would never be done. Anything I did accomplish felt like a drop in the bucket. When I thought about the project or even sat down to work on it, I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do in that work session.

Clarity Instead of MotivationWhen you or your kids lack clarity, you are likely to respond in the same way. If your child doesn’t know what “done” looks like or what a good school day looks like, they are unlikely to make progress. Imagine playing a video game that has no finish line and no indication of progress. Most people would quit playing that game very quickly. That’s why I had quit working on my project. I was spinning my wheels. I didn’t know when I would be done or how much, if any, progress I’d made.

Although you may have a motivation problem, I would argue that it isn’t fair to determine that until you’ve produced clarity. Do you know exactly what you have to accomplish today or this week in order to be on track? In order to finish your curriculum and activities by the end of the semester? If not, that is the first step.

Determine the number of school days you have this semester to achieve a particular goal. I recommend that you use 80% of this number to allow for unforeseen circumstances. Then divide the number of lessons or pages or minutes for the goal by that 80% number. To use a very clean example, say you have 100 potential school days left this semester. Using 80% of that means 80 days. If you have 80 pages of history to read together, that is one page to read per school day. Easy peasy. In fact, you’ll be done ahead of time if you happen to have an uneventful semester.

But let’s say it’s not easy peasy. Perhaps you have a very ambitious goal. When you do the math, you realize that your student has to read 100 pages of literature per day to get through all the books you’ve assigned. While you now have clarity about what has to be done, you don’t have confidence. Your student will likely feel overwhelmed. If I had struggled to complete ten entries an hour, I likely would have given up on the goal. The answer is to adjust the goal so it feels achievable. Adjusting can be disappointing. If I had to admit to myself that I couldn’t complete the project this semester, I wouldn’t like it. But I would get it done faster by moving my goal back three months than I would by expecting too much of myself.

ConclusionDo you really have a motivation problem? If you’re unhappy with your progress, don’t automatically assign your kids and yourself diligence memory work. Don’t immediately research new curriculum, homeschool approaches, and WebMD. Instead, get clarity about what you want to accomplish this semester. Make sure you and your kids know exactly what they need to do to achieve the goal and that you and both feel confident you can do it.

If you use this approach, please screenshot this episode and tag me or email me at melanie at homeschoolsanity (dot) com. I would love to hear about it.

Thanks again to CTC Math for sponsoring the podcast.

Have a happy homeschool week!

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: How to Have Good Conversations with Your Teen.

How to Have Good Conversations with Your TeenCommunication is key with teens! Join Vicki for some tips on ways to strengthen relationships with your homeschool high schoolers by sharing meaningful conversations with them.

We homeschool moms wear multiple hats, from teachers to mentors and referees and counselors, and naturally, we want to have those kinds of connections with our teens. But let’s be real – some teens open up like books, while others need a whole invitation to get past “fine” when you ask them how their day was.

Strategies For Having Good Conversations with TeensFirst things first, it’s important to remember that not every teen is the same. Some are natural-born chatterboxes, while others are more introspective and observers.

It’s important to recognize that each teen has their own personality and preferred way of communicating

If your teen is not the type to pour out their thoughts right away, try not to take it personally. It does not necessarily mean they do not want to talk. It might just means they might need a different approach.

Let’s try some of these approaches:We at 7Sisters had all kinds of teens. Here are some of the different approaches that we found worked with various teens.

Pick the Right Time and PlaceThat leads to the first strategy – pick your time and place. For instance, trying to engage a night owl teen at 7:30 AM is a recipe for disaster. And if your early bird is ready for a chat, 10 PM might not be the best time.

Likewise, sometimes a neutral setting, like grabbing a coffee or taking a car ride, can make all the difference. Car rides, in particular, can be magical because no one has to make eye contact, and the movement seems to ease the pressure. Vicki found car rides were the number one location for deep and meaningful conversations with her teens.

Talk with FoodAnother helpful tip? Let food facilitate a fun conversation!

It’s funny, but sometimes sitting down with snacks creates an atmosphere where teens feel more comfortable. It’s like sharing food levels the playing field and makes even tough conversations feel less formal.

You do not have to go all out – a simple snack at the kitchen table or a stop at a drive-thru can help facilitate a smoother exchange.

Plus, if it’s an especially challenging conversation, food can offer a little comfort to both of you.

Be Judgment-FreeWhen talking with teens, it’s crucial to make them feel safe in expressing themselves without fear of judgment.

Sometimes teens may assume we already have all the answers or are not genuinely interested in their thoughts, but a simple question like, “What did you think about that?” or “I wonder why you feel that way?” can unlock deeper conversation.

It’s essential to approach these talks with an open mind, giving them the space to share, even if their perspective challenges your own. Remember: relationship is the emphasis!

Don’t Try to Fix it – Just Let Them TalkIf your teen has an opinion that you do not fully agree with, resist the urge to jump in and “fix” it. Let them talk it out, and then ask follow-up questions that show you are genuinely curious.

Encouraging them to explain their thought process not only makes them feel heard but also helps develop critical thinking skills.

And hey, sometimes they might surprise you with a new perspective you had not considered. Remember, adolescence is the time our offspring need to try on different ideas and goals. The more you listen and hold back from quickly jumping in, the more they can grow under your loving, watchful and prayerful eyes. (Also, let them make some mistakes… unless those mistakes are too dangerous, of course.)

Use Conversation StartersLastly, do not underestimate the power of using shared experiences as conversation starters. Whether it’s discussing a book, a movie, or even something seen on social media, these external sources can be gateways into deeper topics.

They take the pressure off the teen to come up with something to talk about on their own and can make tricky subjects feel more approachable.

How to Have Good Conversations with Your TeenThe bottom line is this:

Conversations with your teen are not just about exchanging information; they are about connection. It’s about creating a space where your teen feels seen, heard, and valued.

So next time you’re facing a conversation that feels complex, take a deep breath, grab some snacks, and remember—it’s all about heart. BTW- Also, we can extend conversations into the way we homeschool- check out Sabrina’s talk on conversational homeschooling.

Thank you for Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and for Richie Soares with Homeschool and Humor for writing this blog post!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our iTunes page. 2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes 3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review and give us some stars and a comment to help others find us more easily. 7. Thanks!

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Inspire Kids To Succeed ~ Episode 536Success comes in different ways, yet you can inspire kids to succeed by setting the stage in your home for achievement. In this podcast, the fourth in the series, we delve into practical ways to strive for greatness all within your own home.

Thanks to NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences.

Today’s focus is inspiring kids to succeed.

Have you read articles about kids writing novels, setting records, or doing extraordinary things such as collecting blankets for the disadvantaged? How do the children excel without a parent nagging them to do better? I looked at these situations and recently read an article about successful teens. What stood out was one story about a teen whose laptop fell out of his backpack and broke. He talked about how he decided to start a lemonade stand to earn money to repurchase his laptop.

This is stunning. He didn’t run home and ask his parents to buy him a new computer—or maybe he did, and his parents gave him an alternative, earning money for the purchase. The story related that not only was he able to earn the money to replace the laptop, but he also donated extra money to a charity his mother ran. This makes me think of the saying, “Lead by example.”

We are often proud of our family, no matter what they accomplish, yet we want our kids to be the best they can be based on their ability. I see many highly talented children who are complacent, uncaring, and bored with life. Why is this? What is the difference between the child who solves problems, or starts cottage industries and the child who would rather do the least they can, even if they are more talented?

Over the course of my career, I’ve written or co-authored a total of nineteen books. This does not include the forty-eight-plus planners offered on the Media Angels website. Yet, I have friends who are so much more talented than I am. One wrote one book, and the other suddenly died several years ago without ever writing the book she had planned.

I think success stems from deciding to do it and just doing it. In a few minutes, I will list ten points to review with your children, but if you are an adult who has always wanted to write a book or host a podcast, do it! (If it is a homeschool or Christian-based topic, reach out to me, as I am always looking for new podcasters to join our network.)

I’d like to challenge you, and you, in turn, challenge your children.

Of course, we all want the best for our children, and while we can argue that success is relative—what you consider successful may not be the same as what I consider a success—we can agree that when we read stories of amazing teens, we wonder what motivated them. What influenced these teens to tackle these projects, and what influence did they have from their parents or other role models?

So, how do you cultivate successful traits in your teens? Can you help your children set themselves up for long-term success? How can you help your children thrive in an ever-changing world?

The basics to this is giving your kids the opportunity to succeed. If you have scheduled your child’s life to the max, it is difficult to give your child time to think. Giving kids time to think is important. Giving your children opportunities is also important. Often, we jump in to fill in the gaps or to make things right. Just as in the case of the laptop that broke, a parent may say, “We have a warranty on itthat computer,” or we will pay to replace it since it was an accident. Yet, overcoming adversity is a key to success. The ability to be flexible and creative all contribute.

Building good habits is another way to teach your child responsibility. Having routines, having chores they are expected to complete, and having items your child is responsible for–whether that is laundry or keeping to a schedule. Good habits come out of routines and allow your child to have more time, as well as teach time management.

Which brings me to time management. My husband came up with the brilliant idea to put a time allowance next to each subject on my children’s weekly check-off homeschool lists. This came after I complained about how long it took them to complete independent work such as math, writing, or other assignments. Having a time frame gave the children a start and finish. Even if it was not perfectly adhered to, my husband reinforced it each evening by asking when they completed their schoolwork. This helped with time management, and often, my daughter would get up early to complete her math assignment before she came down for breakfast because she wanted to get the hardest subject over with first. This also opened her time for writing in the afternoon, and she was my co-author of the Truth Seekers Mystery Series. Here is a link to the interview I did with my daughter! She completed the last book when she was a freshman in college.

Opportunity is another factor in encouraging your child to succeed. My daughter had the opportunity to write and mentorship because her mom (me) was an author. While it ensured a publishing contract, it did not ensure success. Having the opportunity does open doors, but having the drive and the vision is what brings a person to the finish line.

Field trips are another way to open up a child’s horizons. In homeschooling, in particular, parents are unapologetically cautious about who or what they expose their impressionable children to, and rightly so! Field trips are an opportunity to give children experiences they might not otherwise have. And it opens the door for mentorship in high school.

Understanding the basics of success is helpful. Successful kids, teens, young adults, or adults all share some common traits: ambition, self-awareness, motivation, overcoming setbacks, determination, time management, strength of character, flexibility, responsibility, maturity, and self-fulfillment.

You can copy this list, give it to your children, and see how they answer.

1. Ambition:
   • Where do you fit in, or where do you stand out?
   • Do you have a purpose, an idea, or a self-direction?
   • Do you have a goal you want to achieve?
2. Motivation:
   • What is your motivation?
   • What do you want to do, create, or achieve?
   • Are you self-motivated?
3. Setbacks are a challenge.
   • How do you overcome obstacles?
   • How do you improve on or learn from your mistakes?
4. Determination:
   • Never say never.
   • How do you continue on when everyone says to give up or take a less strenuous path?
   • How do you stay focused?
5. Time management:
   • How do you manage your schedule?
   • How do you focus on priorities?
   • How do you fit in your ambitious projects without compromising?
6. Strength of character:
   • How do you stay honest and have understanding without compromising your beliefs?
   • How do you exhibit self-control?
7. Ability to change:
   • How do you adapt when needed?
   • How do you refocus or regroup when needed?
   • Do you have flexibility?
8. Responsibility:
   • How do you continue your must-dos and responsibilities while striving for your passion?
   • How do you complete your chores and household responsibilities?
   • How do you make sure everything is completed timely?
9. Maturity:
   • Do you recognize your emotions?
   • Are you serious or driven?
   • Can you balance your ambitions with being a kid?
10. Self-fulfillment:
    • Do you focus on your goals?
    • How do you accomplish what you have set out to do without worrying about what others think?
    • How do you stay satisfied with any progress without rushing things?
    • How do you measure your success?

The bottom line is giving your child an opportunity, encouraging them in their success and failures, and allowing them to make mistakes and correct them on their own.

The next podcast in the series is inspiring your child to empathize with the importance of this in the hurting world in which we live. Empathy has a two fold purpose that I will reveal in the next episode.

Five Part Series

• Inspire Kids to Listen
• Inspire Kids to Learn
• Inspire Kids to Cooperate
• Inspire Kids to Succeed (this episode)
• Inspire Kids to Empathize
• Inspire Kids ~ Self Esteem

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Thanks to NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences.

Executive Function and Dyslexia: What Homeschool Parents Need to KnowAs you navigate the unique challenges and joys of educating your children at home, you may encounter terms like “executive function” and “dyslexia.” Understanding these concepts is crucial, especially if your child struggles with reading or organization.

Today, we’re diving into an enlightening discussion about executive function and its role in learning, particularly for children with dyslexia. This information, drawn from a recent episode of the “Now Programs” podcast, will equip you with valuable insights to support your homeschooling journey.

Unpacking Executive FunctionIn a recent episode, neuropsychologist Dr. Tim Conway and dyslexia advocate Stephen Yearout explored the depths of executive function and its impact on learning, especially for individuals with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities (SLDs) like ADHD.

It encompasses five crucial elements, which play a vital role in how we learn and manage our daily tasks.

However, it’s important to note that it doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s intricately connected to other sensory, motor, and cognitive brain systems, including:

• Language skills
• Visual processing
• Memory
• Sensorimotor skills
• Attention and focus
• Mood and anxiety management

This complexity explains why many individuals with dyslexia and other SLDs may struggle with the efficiency of their executive function, even though there isn’t a specific “Executive Function Disorder” listed in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

The Impact on LearningFor homeschool parents, understanding how deficits in executive function can impact learning is crucial. The discussion highlighted several key points:

1. Executive function challenges can significantly affect a child’s ability to organize, plan, and complete tasks – all essential skills for successful learning.
2. These difficulties may be particularly pronounced in children with dyslexia, potentially compounding their struggles with reading and writing.
3. While there’s growing evidence supporting the role of executive function in learning disabilities, the relationship is complex. It’s a bit of a “chicken or egg” situation – do executive function challenges contribute to learning difficulties, or vice versa?

Strategies for SupportThe podcast offers valuable insights for homeschool parents looking to support their children:

1. Focus on empowering foundational skills before tackling executive function directly.
2. Be cautious about claims made by “Executive Function Coaches” – while support can be beneficial, the effectiveness of such interventions may vary.
3. Consider multi-faceted approaches that address both the specific learning disability (like dyslexia) and executive function challenges.
4. Explore strategies promoted within the dyslexia community for support, but remember that what works for one child may not work for another.

The Path ForwardAs homeschool parents, you’re in a unique position to tailor your approach to your child’s specific needs. While challenges can be daunting, remember that with understanding and targeted support, your child can make significant progress.

The “Dyslexia Discussions & More” video einterview encourages parents to stay informed about the latest research and interventions. They also remind us that the goal is to empower our children to achieve their full potential, regardless of the challenges they face.

For more information on dyslexia remediation and language skill development, you can explore resources like The Morris Center (www.TheMorrisCenter.com) and NOW Programs (www.NOWprograms.com).

Remember, every child’s journey is unique. By staying informed and adaptable, you’re providing your child with the best possible support on their learning adventure.

Happy homeschooling!

Listen to the podcast interview with Dr. Tim Conway and Felice Gerwitz: Unlocking Learning Potential

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FAFSA – 12 Best Kept Secrets Application Tips with Jean Burk Episode 62Sponsor: Thanks to NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences.

Here are the FAFSA 12 Best Kept Secrets. Did you know that 80-90% of families make mistakes on the FAFSA that cost them tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship money? This information is timely before October 1 – so please listen and share this show with your friends with college-bound students.

Visit College Prep Genius, and Jean Burk- author of the award-winning curriculum for SAT prep.

Show Notes: FAFSA 12 Best Kept Secrets

Did you know that many times students do not complete the FAFSA application completely? You must complete the FAFSA all the way through. It is an application for low-interest student loans and grants. If you don’t complete it, you can lose out on thousands of dollars.

You can do this beforehand to be prepared to fill out the FAFSA application. Pre-work – download the PDF from the website. http://www.FAFSA.ed.gov

FAFSA 12 Best Kept Secrets:

1. Scams: Be aware of scam copies – A company purchased this website àcom they will charge you for the FAFSA – it is a FREE application. http://www.FAFSA.ed.gov
2. ID: Get your FAFSA ID ahead of time. You get a username and a password. If you are considered a dependent student, you need your separate ID. It can take a few weeks to get your ID. There can be a backlog at the last minute. Do not share your ID with others. This information you are putting on your FAFSA is sensitive information. Store it in Lastpass.com (you can get a free account) or a paid account is $20 per year, and it keeps your ID safe.
3. Date October 1 in your senior year. Many states will run out of money early. You can put in ten colleges when you are filling out your FAFSA. You use your prior-prior taxes or two years before you apply for the loan. You need to pull that out and bring out the information. If you have had a decrease in income from 2015 to now – that can also be adjusted – an addendum must be filled out with each college.
4. Deadlines: To maximize your scholarship opportunities, fill it out by October 1 – Each school and state will set their deadlines. October 1 is the FIRST day you can apply – deadlines are months later, but why wait?
5. Which ID? Do not use your ID (parents) when you start your FAFSA – they will give you the option to enter the student information. USE the student ID – it will automatically add your personal information.
6. Knowing the lingo on the FAFSA helps – certain questions that you automatically know, but you may make mistakes –
   1. Legal guardianship – Students will answer yes here. You are not considered a legal guardian of yourself! So the answer is NO.
7. NUMBER: The number of family household members – specific definition. Many students put the wrong number down. It has no bearing on who claims the parents in a divorce situation. How many are in your household – that is in your entire family. Siblings. Read instructions carefully.
   1. The number of family members who are in college and private school. If you are thinking about just your siblings. Don’t forget to include yourself. You are also going to college.
8. Common Mistakes:
   • If it says You or YOUR – it means the student.
   • Put in your full name as it appears on your social security card – no nicknames. It will bring you delays if you are not accurate.
   • Double-check your social security number.’
9. Income Information:
   • How much income tax – not your AGI (adjusted gross income) – IRS data retrieval tool that will tell you how to fill it out.
   • Be sure to see if they ask for your income vs. your parent’s income. Do not get them confused.
10. The parent section is color coded – you can fill out the parent information. (Even if you live on your own. It still can help you.)
11. Add More Colleges: Students may only consider one or two colleges. You have up to ten schools you can list. Take advantage of this tool; the other colleges cannot see the schools you are sending this to. You can always remove and add more schools.
12. Sign It! Don’t forget to sign your FAFSA; this will cause an incomplete FAFSA. You sign it with your ID number. You can mail a signature page if you want. It is not necessary. You can check the status of your application at any time.

Show originally aired 9/17/2024

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In this show Vicki Tillman, of Seven Sisters, shares insight into flexibility and adaptability.

“Anything worth doing is worth doing badly.” G.K.Cheserton

Resiliency- the ability to jump back when disappointments and failure hit.

Sponsor:Thanks to NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences.

Failure is not an end point- we need to teach our kids to get back up and try again.

Often failure ends up being blown out of proportion- we need to learn from it.

In homeschooling, we often feel like all eyes on our us and we have to respond as Mary Poppins.We need grace so that we can let some things go. We can’t be all things at all times

• great mom
• great cook
• great homeschooler

Time management is so important but we also have to let go of our ideas.

Rely on grace and the strength of God to bounce back.

Be careful to not get sucked into disappointments and OUR laws of the universe- How things “must” be.

• Teach our kids to learn to lean into the things that they enjoy
• Develop strengths
• Lean into the market –what does it take to be hip? What are the trends? How can our kids be relevant and strategic in today’s world?
• Guard against FOMA culture (Fear of Missing Out).

Gratitude can change your Brain- teach your kids the art of being grateful and keeping a gratitude journal!Teach a daily written gratitude list

How gratitude changes your brain

How to Really Love Your Teen by Ross Campbell

Secondhand Lions

Nichoals Nickelby

7 Sisters Career Exploration Bundle

Vicki Tillman Coaching

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It’s our birthday! Can you believe it? The Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network is turning 11! For over a decade, we’ve been right here with you, supporting your homeschool journey every step of the way. From those first tentative days of deciding to homeschool, through the challenges of curriculum choices, to celebrating your children’s achievements – we’ve been honored to be part of your homeschool story.

Theme: 11 Years, 1 Community, a Big BirthdayThis milestone isn’t just about us – it’s about YOU, our amazing community of homeschool families. You’ve shared your stories, your struggles, and your triumphs. You’ve inspired us and each other.

Together, we’ve built more than a podcast network; we’ve created a family.​

A Brief Trip Down Memory Lane:* 2013: UHPN launched with one of our first shows, “Vintage Homeschool Moms“ * 2017: Reached our 200th episode milestone​ * 2018: Expanded to cover topics from preschool to college prep​ * 2020: Supported thousands of families transitioning to homeschooling during global changes​ * 2023: Crossed 6 million downloads!

And now, in October of 2024, we’re celebrating 11 years of growth, learning, and community. What’s Coming as We Celebrate Our Birthday * Emails featuring our top shows and episodes * Exclusive content and early access for our loyal subscribers * Interactive contests and polls (with prizes!) * Special offers on resources you’ll love

Stay tuned – in just one week we’ll be highlighting some of your favorite UHPN podcasts and their most popular episodes!

Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to many more years of learning, growing, and homeschooling together!

Are you ready to celebrate our big birthday as we celebrate you?

Love,

Felice Gerwitz

About Felice:

My name is Felice Gerwitz and my husband, Jeff and I own Media Angels, Inc. Jeff is the CEO and I am the President and Founder. We have homeschooled our five children since 1986 and are at the end of our journey. Our youngest is dual enrolled (college and homeschool) and our second youngest is in college. We have seven grandchildren (yay!) that keep us busy and focused on family first! Felice is and author, a publisher and a host of the Ultimate Homeschool Expo, since the fall of 2010, and a podcast for writers since 2008. She currently hosts VintageHomeschoolMoms.com weekly, and the Ultimate Radio Show – as time permits. She loves encouraging moms and dads to homeschool.

Felice created the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network. In an effort to serve the Christian homeschool community She began this podcast venture. I asked a few of my friends (Hal and Melanie Young, Kendra and Andy Fletcher, Meredith Curtis, Sue Myer, Carol Topp, Mary Jo Tate, Melanie Wilson, and Israel and Brook Wayne), to join me. And they said, “Yes!” We’ve added many wonderful and talented people since then! Check out our show page for new shows and be sure to sign up for our eZine for up to date info.

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293: Nearpod: The Homeschool Resource You Never Knew You NeededIn this episode,guest Melissa Muir, shares how she uses Nearpod, an incredible tool that can transform your homeschooling experience. Melissa has been homeschooling her children in Ecuador for 13 years. She works with online teachers and homeschoolers, providing resources, self-paced classes, and tech-based tools to make learning more fun and effective.

What is Nearpod?
Nearpod is a platform offering a wide range of pre-made lessons across subjects. It’s free to start and offers interactive content such as:
– PDFs and videos (without YouTube distractions)
– Virtual Reality (VR) field trips
– Drag-and-drop activities
– Gamified quizzes
– PHET simulations and 3D models

How to Use Nearpod in Homeschooling
Melissa explains how homeschoolers can use Nearpod for specific topics or subjects that need extra resources. From history lessons to foreign languages, Nearpod provides engaging, supplemental learning activities.

Plans and Costs
Nearpod offers a free plan (Silver), which gives access to plenty of content but limited storage. Paid plans like Gold ($159/year) offer additional storage and logins. Melissa share a code for 3 months of Gold free

Why Use Nearpod?
– Access to curriculum you may not own or feel equipped to teach
– Student-led, interest-based learning
– Easy to search by grade level and topic for ready-to-use lessons

Resources and Links
– Nearpod
– 3 months of Nearpod Gold free:

Where to find MelissaMelissa Is Teaching on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissaisteachingMore from Melissa Is Teaching: https://melissaisteaching.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaisteaching

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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In this episode of Homeopathy for Mommies, Sue Meyer welcomes Elesha from Pennsylvania, who shares her transformative journey with homeopathy. Alicia recounts her initial skepticism, the challenges she faced after medical traumas, and her eventual decision to work with a homeopath. The episode highlights the importance of finding a trustworthy homeopath, the emotional and physical healing Elesha experienced, and the profound impact homeopathy had on her family’s well-being. Elesha’s story serves as an inspiring testament to the potential benefits of homeopathy and encourages listeners to explore this alternative health approach.

Timestamps:
Elesha’s Initial Experience with Homeopathy (00:00:34)
Elesha shares her early use of homeopathy for her daughters, highlighting a shift after medical traumas.

Finding a Homeopath (00:01:53)
Elesha discusses discovering homeopathy through a friend and her journey to find a supportive homeopath.

The Consultation Process (00:05:40)
Elesha explains how to find a trustworthy homeopath and the significance of free consultations.

First Appointment Experience (00:15:17)
Elesha discusses her initial two-hour appointment with the homeopath, highlighting its significance.

Emotional Release and Trust (00:17:20)
Elesha reflects on the emotional breakthroughs she experienced during her first appointment.

Ongoing Healing Journey (00:18:57)
Elesha describes her ongoing healing process and how she feels stronger and more balanced.

Detoxing and Healing (00:23:30)
Elesha discusses her family’s detox journey prior to starting homeopathy.

Personal Healing Goals (00:24:08)
Elesha outlines her specific healing goals and her commitment to the homeopathic process.

Homeopathy for Prolapse (00:32:31)
Elesha discusses her experience with homeopathy for her prolapse issue and its effectiveness.

Communication with Homeopaths (00:33:53)
The importance of open communication with homeopaths about health issues and changes.

Supportive Husband’s Journey (00:35:22)
Elesha’s husband initially skeptical, grows to appreciate homeopathy’s benefits for their family.

COVID and Homeopathy Challenges (00:36:34)
Elesha recounts a challenging time during COVID when homeopathy helped diagnose a kidney infection.

Learning Through Experience (00:37:29)
Elesha describes her learning curve with homeopathy remedies and their effects on her family.

Elesha’s Daughter’s Health Journey (00:38:55)
Elesha shares her daughter’s progress and healing from health issues with homeopathy’s support.

Justifying Homeopathy Costs (00:42:38)
Elesha explains the long-term benefits of homeopathy versus traditional medical expenses.

Health of the Mother (00:44:11)
The discussion emphasizes the importance of the mother’s health for overall family well-being.

Homeopathy Journey (00:47:10)
Elesha discusses her family’s experiences with homeopathy and the challenges of affordability.

Family Growth (00:48:35)
Soumya reflects on how homeopathy has positively impacted her family, mentioning her growing number of grandchildren.

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Gratitude in Three StepsIn this episode of It’s Not About Money, Matt and Charla share their insights on teaching children gratitude by letting them experience the weight of their responsibilities. Through humorous stories and real-life examples, they discuss how gradually shifting responsibilities to kids can help them understand the value of effort and develop a sense of gratitude.

Key Points Discussed:

– The Burden of Responsibility: Charla explains how carrying all of your children’s responsibilities prevents them from developing a sense of gratitude. She describes a vivid analogy of parents carrying a figurative 50-pound weight for their kids, which leads to kids seeing responsibility as overwhelming and something to avoid.

– Gratitude Through Relief: They explore how gratitude is cultivated when a child experiences the relief of a burden being lifted. Charla shares how she temporarily takes over tasks for her daughter, Kate, during stressful times, allowing her to feel grateful for the support.

– Chore Assignments and Teamwork: The episode emphasizes that contributing to household chores shouldn’t be about helping mom and dad, but about sharing responsibility for the family’s well-being. Matt and Charla also talk about the importance of using language that reflects teamwork rather than extra help.

– Allowance and Money Management: Charla suggests giving children an allowance that isn’t tied to chores, explaining that kids need to experience both the fast spending of money and the slow process of earning it. These lessons help foster discernment and gratitude.

– Earning and Spending: Matt and Charla emphasize the importance of children learning the value of work by requiring them to get jobs as teenagers. This teaches them to be mindful of spending and appreciate the effort that goes into earning money.

Call to Action:

1. Reflect on how much responsibility your child carries and whether you are unintentionally holding too much for them.
2. Dive deeper by reviewing Charla’s allowance blog: Teaching Financial Responsibility through Allowance
3. Consider having a family meeting to assign shared responsibilities and communicate that everyone contributes to the household.

Connect With Us:

Read more on this topic and others on Charla’s blog: Beyond Personal Finance Blog

To subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get updates on the podcast, visit: Subscribe Here

Learn more about our products designed to teach financial literacy in a fun and engaging way: Explore Our Products

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Hey, homeschoolers!

In 2019, I started a monthly podcast series I called the Trust Project. I wanted us to focus on how to trust God in multiple areas of our lives.

Today, though, I’d like to check in with you–not by asking whether you’re trusting God in your homeschool, for your kids, for your health, and so on–but by asking you WHAT you’re trusting in. Life can be very difficult when we trust in something other than God. We may live in constant fear. We don’t have peace or joy. And we are unlikely to be successful in what we undertake.

Watch on YouTubeI want to begin our discussion of trusting God with the account of King Asa from 2 Chronicles 15. If you end up believing that you’re like Asa and not putting your trust in God, I’ll have a suggestion for changing that.

Sponsor: NOW Programshttps://www.nowprograms.com

2 Chronicles 15:1 reads, “The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded. 2 He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. 3 For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law.”

The Israelites were not following God at this time. Homeschooling also became popular again at a time when fewer people were following God. Certainly fewer were following God in public education. And parents like me were distressed about it.

2 Chronicles 15 continues…4 But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them. 5 In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. 6 One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. 7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

When we first begin homeschooling, we need that encouragement to be strong and not to give up because it rarely goes the way we hope and expect. Those of us who persevere believe that our work will ultimately be rewarded.

Continuing with 2 Chronicles 15:

8 When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of[a] Oded the prophet, he took courage. He removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the portico of the Lord’s temple. 15 All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side. 17 Although he did not remove the high places from Israel, Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life. 18 He brought into the temple of God the silver and gold and the articles that he and his father had dedicated. 19 There was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign.

When we made the decision to keep our kids home, where we could teach them God’s Word, I was relieved. Like Asa, I felt a lot more secure because of God’s blessing of our family. But as time went on, a temptation entered.

2 Chronicles 16 reads: In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah. 2 Asa then took the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the Lord’s temple and of his own palace and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. 3 “Let there be a treaty between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.”

King Asa had to deal with a rebellious king of Israel. Sometimes when we have a rebellious child or another challenge that God doesn’t seem to be handling, we think we have to take control. We need to lean on our own understanding. We are willing to let go of what should be sacred in our homes. Continuing with 2 Chronicles 16:

4 Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel. They conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim[a] and all the store cities of Naphtali. 5 When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah and abandoned his work. 6 Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they carried away from Ramah the stones and timber Baasha had been using. With them he built up Geba and Mizpah.

It seems like King Asa succeeded in his efforts. And often when we rely on something other than God to help us, we see initial success. But what’s the long-term implication? We read in 2 Chronicles 16, beginning in verse 7.

7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. 8 Were not the Cushites[b] and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen[c]? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”

Uh-oh. It honestly didn’t seem like a foolish thing at first, did it? And so often our choices in response to trouble seem wise. But if we aren’t trusting in the Lord, we will likely live to regret it.

Like Asa, we may trust in political power rather than God. We may put our trust in our country’s bill of rights, our state’s favorable homeschool laws, or a pro-homeschooling leader. But even though these are blessings we want to support, they are not what we want to put our trust in. This election season, we want to remember that God is ultimately in control. Romans 13:1-2 reminds us: “There is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” and Proverbs 21:1 explains, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”

Politics aren’t the only foolish choice for our trust. We can place our trust in classes in curriculum. We may believe if we just choose the right ones, our kids will be sure to succeed. We want to consider the options and pray over them, of course, but there is no class, curriculum, or college that will guarantee our kids’ success. Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”

We may also trust our alternative healthcare approach, our money, or our prepping for our health and safety in these tumultuous times. Yet Psalm 4:8 encourages us: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Despite the truth that we should trust God with every aspect of our lives, we are constantly being tempted to trust in other things. From the beginning, our enemy Satan has questioned whether we can trust God. Now we are bombarded by media with the same message.

When what we are truly trusting in is gone, we may panic as Asa did. That’s how we know we were trusting in it. Ask yourself what besides God gives you security for the future. Of course, we don’t have to eliminate these things! But we do need to put more trust in the One who can truly deliver us from any disaster.

How can we do that? My number one tip is what I’ve already demonstrated in this episode: spend time in God’s Word. Asa quickly forgot how the Lord had delivered him despite being outnumbered. Had he often reviewed God’s character and actions, he likely would have sought the Lord first and avoided war in the future.

How much time do we need to hear from God? Consider the ratio. How often are you hearing from the enemy? I know for me it’s constantly. Here are some practical tips for increasing your time in the Word.

1. 1. Read or listen to the Bible in short sessions throughout the day. Start by reading Titus 3. It’s a wonderful reminder for such a time as this.
2. 1. Meditate on and memorize Scripture as you drive or drift off to sleep.
3. 1. Write out Scripture with your kids for handwriting practice.
4. 1. Follow social accounts that share Scriptures.
5. 1. Sing hymns and Scriptural songs.
6. 1. Read devotionals as a break after completing a task.
7. 1. Do Bible studies online or with family and friends.
8. 1. Listen to sermons and biblical podcasts as you cook, clean, or exercise.
9. 1. Attend church regularly.
10. 1. Tell others about God’s faithfulness in your life. I always want you to know that every blessing I’ve had in my homeschooling life is from the Lord. It’s certainly not my doing.

This single approach of spending more time in God’s Word is simple to implement, but we will experience resistance to it. We will be interrupted, too tired, or just bored. But at these times, pick up a dollar bill and read our country’s motto that is still In God We Trust. We must fight the good fight to keep living that motto out.

Have a happy homeschool week!

The post What Are You Trusting In? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Homeschool Graduate and Entrepreneur: Lydia Smith.

Homeschool Graduate and Entrepreneur: Lydia SmithToday, we’re excited to share the inspiring story of Lydia Smith, a homeschool graduate who has already journeyed on an entrepreneurial adventure. Lydia has combined her passion for creativity with her homeschooling foundation to launch her own business, Pieces of Forever. This interview showcases Lydia’s homeschool experience, her entrepreneurial tips, and her journey in turning memories into cherished keepsakes.

About Lydia SmithLydia Smith was homeschooled for her entire academic life, and she credits homeschooling for providing her with unique learning experiences and flexibility.

One of her fondest memories is sitting under a blanket with her mom during preschool, imagining the pillar of fire with a candle as they studied the Ark of the Covenant.

This creative approach to education gave Lydia a deep love for learning early on, especially in reading and writing.

As the oldest of eight children, Lydia appreciated the flexibility that homeschooling offered, especially when it came to tailoring her education to her strengths and weaknesses.

For example, she was able to dive into advanced literature like The Chronicles of Narnia in first grade, while also receiving the support she needed in math, which didn’t come as easily to her. This individualized pace allowed her to excel where she had a passion and take her time in areas that needed more focus.

As Lydia put it, “The flexibility was just incredible.”

Continuing the Love of WritingLydia’s love of literature continued through high school, where she enjoyed reading classics like Moby Dick, Jane Eyre, and Shakespeare. She credits a rigorous literature course she took in high school, Right at Home Literature (formerly Wasco Lit), for deepening her appreciation for challenging texts.

But as a homeschool graduate, Lydia didn’t just stop at reading. Her passion for writing blossomed, and today, she’s involved with The Author Conservatory, a program that mentors young writers who aspire to be full-time authors.

She joined the program during her senior year of high school and is currently working on a project about Eliab, the oldest brother of King David. Her story explores the theme of being the forgotten older sibling – a topic close to her heart as the eldest of eight!

More creative writing ideas at 7SistersHomeschool for co-op or individual.

About Pieces of ForeverThe real reason we’re highlighting Lydia today is entrepreneurial project: Pieces of Forever. This unique business transforms cherished pieces of clothing into decorative throw pillows, giving people a tangible way to hold onto special memories.

From graduation gowns to baby clothes and even quirky cat sweaters, Lydia turns items that would otherwise sit in storage into functional and sentimental keepsakes. How incredible – and creative – is it to see potential in everything around you!

Lydia’s idea for Pieces of Forever came from her work with The Author Conservatory, where students learn not only how to write but also the business side of being an author. Part of the program includes creating a small business to practice entrepreneurship skills.

Lydia, who has loved sewing for over a decade, saw an opportunity to combine her love of fabric with the need to preserve memories.

“I’ve always loved sewing, and I had this idea in the back of my mind for a while. When I brought it to my instructors, they said, ‘Do it,’ and I did,” Lydia explained.

Making a Difference, One Pillow at a TimePieces of Forever is more than just a business for Lydia. It’s also a way to bless others!

She shared one touching story about a man from Pennsylvania who had recently lost his wife. He sent Lydia a pajama shirt of hers to be turned into a pillow.

When he received the finished piece, he sent Lydia a heartfelt note explaining how much it meant to him to have a tangible reminder of his wife.

“That was incredible,” Lydia recalled. “It was so important and meaningful to him.”

But it’s not just grieving loved ones who find comfort in Lydia’s work. She’s created pillows out of everything from baby clothes to graduation gowns, and even humorous items like cat sweaters.

She’s even done joke pillows, too! Anything that’s going to make someone’s day a little brighter, she wants to do it.

Lydia’s Tips for Aspiring EntrepreneursFor homeschool high schoolers who may want to start their own businesses one day, heed a few tips Lydia shares:

• Start with the Skateboard:
  • Lydia advises starting small, with something familiar. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Start with something you know how to do, like mowing lawns or sewing, and build from there. You’ll learn valuable skills along the way that will help you take on bigger projects later.
• Learn As You Go:
  • Stop planning endlessly and just start. You can’t prepare for everything. There will always be surprises, so it’s better to get going and learn as you go.
• It’s Okay to Make Money:
  • Remember that running a business is a way to bless others, even in small ways. It’s not selfish to make money. If you’re filling a need, like walking a dog or mowing a lawn, you’re helping someone. It matters.

Interview with Lydia Smith, Homeschool Graduate and EntrepreneurLydia’s journey is a wonderful example of how homeschooling can foster both academic success and entrepreneurial spirit. Her story reminds us that with creativity, passion, and a little bit of flexibility, homeschoolers can achieve great things – even before they graduate. Thank you, Lydia, for sharing your journey with us!

How to Connect with Lydia

If you’d like to learn more about Pieces of Forever or place an order, you can find Lydia on Etsy at Pieces of Forever Co. She also shares process videos on her YouTube channel.

More advice for young entrepreneurs on Homeschool Highschool Podcast:* How to be a Homeschool High School Entrepreneur, Interview with Samantha Shank * Lessons from a Homeschooler, Interview with Noah Tetzner

Thank you for Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and for Richie Soares with Homeschool and Humor for writing this blog post!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our iTunes page. 2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes 3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

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What is a “buy-in mentality? How do you inspire your kids to cooperate with your family values, do their school work, and strive for excellence? In this podcast, we’ll discuss the idea of “buy-in” and how important it is to work together as a family.

Inspire Your Kids To Cooperate ~ Episode 535What is a “buy-in,” and how do you incorporate this idea into your family? It’s really simple. It’s the idea of the importance of being part of a family and basically cooperating with the family ideals. How do you “inspire” your kids to cooperate? Ah, that is a bit more tough. Inspiration is a great idea if you are inspired as well. I think we need to examine our motivation and how we view our family. This would mean setting aside some time to discuss this with your spouse. Even if you are a single parent, take some time to prayerfully jot down why family is important and how you can convey the idea of unity without sounding preachy.

Thanks to NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences.

I’m going to focus on two aspects. One is the idea of family and cooperation because you want to be part of a family and work together. The second is consequences: what will happen when there is a failure to follow through on the basic family requirements? What is a “buy-in mentality? How do you inspire your kids to cooperate with your family values, do their school work, and strive for excellence? In this podcast, we’ll discuss the idea of “buy-in” and how important it is to work together as a family.

Inspire Your Kids To Cooperate ~ Episode 535

What is a “buy-in,” and how do you incorporate this idea into your family? It’s really simple. It’s the idea of the importance of being part of a family and basically cooperating with the family ideals. How do you “inspire” your kids to cooperate? Ah, that is a bit more tough. Inspiration is a great idea if you are inspired as well. But I believe we can all get on board with the idea of having a family that works well together. We need to examine our motivation and how we view our family. This would mean setting aside some time to discuss this with your spouse. Even if you are a single parent, take some time to prayerfully jot down why family is important and how you can convey the idea of unity without sounding preachy. The biggest thing to convey to your children is your love for them, and it is difficult to show love when we are constantly correcting our children.

Thanks to NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences.

I’m going to focus on two aspects. One is the idea of family and cooperation because we want our children to understand they are not in this alone. They are part of a family. They enjoy all the benefits of being in a family, love community, support, and care. Being in a family also means working together toward a common goal. For Christians, it is heaven. The second point I want to focus on is the idea of consequences: what will happen when there is a failure to follow through on the basic family requirements? What does cause and effect mean, and how does that factor affect your decisions?

These two parts, cooperation and consequences, work together to create a family dynamic that works.

Inspire Your Kids To Cooperate ~ Cooperation

Cooperation in a family goes along with succeeding and accomplishing. It makes me very happy to accomplish something daily, even if I do not have written goals or a list. It is a feeling of success and self-fulfillment.

This is an adult thing. Adults have many responsibilities that deal with their family, perhaps work, and managing a busy life as a homeschooling mom or dad. How do you encourage your children to feel the same way?

Kids sit back and wait for an adult to tell them what to do; interestingly, my son said something humous that brought this idea home to me. He is twenty-four, a First Lieutenant in the Army, and in charge of about 50 men. Under his command are about eight sergeants and privates under them. He recounted a situation where a private approached him with a serious request. My son answers, “Well, we need an adult for that.” The private said, “You are an adult, sir.” He was joking of course, but what he meant was – I don’t want to handle this and I wish there was someone else to do it for me.

Often, our kids try to get out of doing what they need to do and just want someone else to handle it. In fact, some children go out of their way to be scarce, to act innocent (I didn’t know you meant that), or even worse, feel no guilt for their inaction. Some will take on a passive-aggressive strategy. They can say yes and then fail to follow through, which frustrates parents. How do we explain the importance of taking responsibility for yourself and what you must do as part of your family?

That is the goal, the “buy-in,” the cooperation.

Begin with a plan and an idea about what makes your family special. How often do you sit and have serious conversations with your family? We had family meetings in our family at least four times a year. After the first few times, the children knew that this was a place to list grievances or issues within the family dynamics in general and work on solutions. These convened when things were getting out of hand regarding discipline. Family meetings were called when we felt the children were excessively bickering and when things felt out of control.

In retrospect, this should have been done before this point! I’ve heard of families that have monthly mandatory meetings to check in and see how things are going, share progress and praise reports, and deal with issues that crop up from time to time.

Begin the meeting by calling it a Family Meeting (or whatever you want to call it.) Let your children know that you love them, are there for them, and have their backs. Explain that as a family, each of us is responsible for ourselves and being helpful to each other. That does not mean we take advantage of each other or become frustrated when someone younger needs our help. It does mean that as a family, we work together.

You can explain it like this:

Why do we work together? Because we are a family. In the same way, we go to the park, enjoy ice cream or treats at home, or do something fun. So why can’t we cooperate each day in the same way? No one has to be forced to participate in a party or the fun we have, right?

There are rules for each meeting. No one other than the parents are allowed to talk out of turn; everyone must listen politely, and each person will have a chance to respond if they wish. In addition, no finger-pointing! If we discuss an issue, that means you are involved in some way.

The discussion at these meetings centered on general topics; it was not a time to point out individual shortcomings or problems. For example, if one of your children doesn’t follow through with a chore, address that separately.

Think big picture. These are chronic issues that happen repeatedly. For example, kids leave out toys after playing, or everyone leaves the table without helping, or no one helps to bring in the groceries without being asked. Maybe the children are instigating each other to sin. I explained that fighting, arguing, and acting disrespectfully are sinful. Sin is the absence of doing good. And we don’t want to sin.

My husband and I previously discussed the issues at hand, and then he presented them. We were a united front, and the kids knew we meant business. Disrespect was also discussed at this time. Excessive complaining was not allowed. Some of you listening have the patience of a saint; this was not a trait the Lord blessed me with, and I have worked hard to overcome my hasty decisions. I have a very low tolerance for complaining, saying I’m sorry without meaning it, and saying things are an accident. (Which I address below in the section on consequences.)

Explain that when a family cooperates and gets along, it opens the door for so many opportunities. Ask them to give you examples.

Some of these can be:

1. We can go to the park this afternoon if we finish our chores.
2. Not fighting with each other helps our home be peaceful.
3. Getting along as a family is important because we are here for each other.
4. Let’s be helpful so we can have time for something fun, such as a movie.
5. If we are upset, we can discuss things calmly.

Inspire Your Kids To Cooperate ~ Consequences

As adults, we are naturally required if not motivated to do chores such as grocery shopping or laundry to keep our children fed and clothed. But our kids don’t have the same level of responsibilities, and they often rely on us to orchestrate their every move. This can cause us to become weary, to say the least! In addition, it is frustrating to hound our kids to complete simple chores.

The following solutions are simplistic ideas at best—yet they work!

Consequences.

Many times, the consequences or examples are “in kind.” Rather than a punishment, it is helpful that the consequence be effective. Explain work equity. My husband began this when our oldest two were young, and it is brilliant because it works! He would say his garage needed to be cleaned up. The children were all puzzled by the remark, but he further explained that moving forward, if the children disobeyed or did not complete what they were tasked to do, he would require help in the garage. It was hot and humid out there, and living on acreage, it is often dusty and dirty! Organizing the garage was not a fun job. Or, he would say the weeds needed to be pulled.

Some of these jobs were Saturday morning activities handled by the entire family. Yet, as a consequence, or “work equity,” it would mean the bulk of the work was done by one person. This was a major ordeal, and everyone was warned, yet it happened on rare occasions, and I’m happy to report that it was effective because the offender never had the chore twice. I remember one son saying, “That was horrible, and I’m never going to do that (offense) again because it is so not worth it!” Work equity worked as a deterrent.

One of my very helpful children went to help the person in trouble; we allowed that to happen. It was an act of kindness, and it bonded them as brothers. It came out naturally.

In addition, understanding cause and effect shapes character. What happens if a fragile glass falls on the tile? It will shatter into many pieces. This not only breaks the glass but it creates a mess with consequences; if someone steps on the glass barefoot, it will cause injury.

Explain the idea of consequences to your children. Here are some examples that might be helpful.

Problem 1:

Let’s take laundry, for example. You don’t want a bedroom filled with dirty clothing on the floor, so typically, as a family, you have solutions, such as a laundry basket or somewhere to put soiled clothing. If a child leaves the clothing on the floor, you are most likely making your child go back into the room and pick up their clothing. But let’s say it is chronic. What can you do?

Explain there will be consequences that will require

Solution 1: Consequences that make sense.

1. Ask the child if they know where the dirty laundry goes. If so, have them show you, and while you are watching, have them pick up the dirty clothing.
2. Require the children to help you with the laundry.
3. If the child is older, give the job of doing laundry.
4. Ask the child to pick up toys when it is time to clean up.
5. It requires some other chore that is similar to picking up a mess.
6. Work equity of your choice.

Problem 2 Children Bickering.

This is probably one of the most irritating things a parent must deal with within the family and one thing that can tear families apart. It is my pet peeve, and I handle it differently depending on the child’s age.

Explain that it is sinful to bicker, especially when most situations are petty. At least to adults!

Solution 2:

1. The offending children sit in chairs facing each other to politely work out their differences. They were not allowed to leave unless the solution was mutual.
2. You explain why the situation is untenable (yelling, hitting, etc.) and decide on a punishment. Time out works well, especially if the child is younger. Have the child explain to you why they are being punished and ways to avoid this in the future.
3. Work equity for recurring situations.
4. Work on relationships between the children. Read the Cain and Able scripture account in Genesis, and ask the children why jealousy and evil intent often lead to extreme sin.

I have an entire set of Character planners LINK HERE that can be helpful with scenarios children work out with different character emphasis.

Learning to cooperate is the groundwork needed for success in your child’s future life the topic “succeed” is next.

• Inspire Kids to Listen
• Inspire Kids to Learn
• Inspire Kids to Cooperate (this episode)
• Inspire Kids to Succeed
• Inspire Kids to Empathize
• Inspire Kids ~ Self Esteem

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Happily Married While Homeschooling?Happily Married and Homeschooling, podcast episode of Making Biblical Family Life Practical with Hal & Melanie Young.

Everyone tells you that homeschooling isn’t an educational choice, but a lifestyle! Should we be surprised if we discover that homeschooling has an impact on our marriage? It’s true, and if we’re not watchful, our marriage could be a weak spot in our family’s new endeavor. Hal and Melanie have been married for 27 years and homeschooling for 20, and this week they share some ideas of stumbling blocks to avoid and how you can make both your homeschool and your relationship strong!

This episode sponsored by CTC Math.Are you looking for a new Math Curriculum?

CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Favorably reviewed in Cathy Duffy’s 102 Top Picks and The Old Schoolhouse Crew Review, the lessons are short and concise to help your children break down concepts and appreciate math in a whole new way!

The lessons are taught the traditional way, not to a “test”.

Each one of the video tutorials is taught by an internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, who is renowned for teaching math concepts in a simple, easy-to-understand way (and in only a few minutes at a time). Using a multi-sensory approach having the combination of effective graphics and animation synchronized with the voice of a friendly teacher together with practical assessment. This three-pronged attack makes learning so much easier and more effective. Even students who struggled with math are getting fantastic results! And ones who were doing OK before are now doing brilliantly.

Visit c-t-c-math.com today to start your free trial.

Real. Authentic. Practical.We’re Hal and Melanie Young. We’re not just authors and speakers, but we’re the parents of six sons (in a row!) and two daughters. The experience of raising this van-full has proved two things – you need God’s wisdom to raise a family, and you need help to make it practical!

That’s our goal and message—start with Biblical foundations, then share how to put principles into practice.

The reality is that God gave each family a mix of parents, children, and personalities, in a particular time and circumstance. They’re all unique, so every family’s “practical” may be a little different, and still be totally Biblical. That’s why we focus on principles instead of checklists. Instead of more law, we need more grace!

And it’s grace that drives us to Jesus Christ, the one who ultimately makes our family what it ought to be. We want to help families find practical ideas, but the risen Savior as well.

The post MBFLP – How To Be Happily Married While Homeschooling (Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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It’s not too early to plan for homeschool retirement! Here are my best tips for preparing for this season now.

Watch on YouTubeSponsorAre you looking for a new Math Curriculum?

CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Favorably reviewed in Cathy Duffy’s 102 Top Picks and The Old Schoolhouse Crew Review, the lessons are short and concise to help your children break down concepts and appreciate math in a whole new way!

The lessons are taught the traditional way, not to a “test”.

Each one of the video tutorials is taught by an internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, who is renowned for teaching math concepts in a simple, easy-to-understand way (and in only a few minutes at a time). Using a multi-sensory approach having the combination of effective graphics and animation synchronized with the voice of a friendly teacher together with practical assessment. This three-pronged attack makes learning so much easier and more effective. Even students who struggled with math are getting fantastic results! And ones who were doing OK before are now doing brilliantly.

Visit c-t-c-math.com today to start your free trial.

Takeaways

View homeschool retirement as a new season, not a sad one Continue teaching and mentoring your children even after homeschooling Invest in your marriage and spend time developing the relationship Cultivate non-homeschooling friendships and maintain a social circle Consider different options for work after homeschooling Explore new hobbies and continue learning for personal growth

Resources

How to Have a Strong Homeschool Marriage

Marriage Secrets with Mr. Wilson

Have a happy homeschool week!

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: How To Ask for a College Recommendation Letter.

How To Ask for a College Recommendation LetterFor many years, 7Sister Vicki served as junior/senior advisor for our local homeschool umbrella school, while the rest of the 7Sisters taught these teens. SO we all have written a LOT of college recommendation letters for our homeschool students! Here are so tips that we always told our teens.

Plan Ahead for Recommendation LettersOne of the most important steps in securing a college recommendation letter is to plan ahead. Start the process early, ideally in the summer before senior year.

Start talking with your teen about getting recommendation letters and, together, try to identify potential recommenders. Anyone they have worked with can be a good recommender, such as teachers, coaches, mentors, youth pastors, volunteer leaders.

When it’s time, give your recommenders at least three to four weeks’ notice to ensure they have ample time to craft a quality letter. These are all people who who can provide valuable insights into their character and abilities, work ethics and commitment, and a growth mindset.

So understand the application timelines!In addition to brainstorming with your teen on who to request a recommendation letter from, you will also want to understand the timelines for college applications, especially for those using the Common App.

This will help your teen manage time effectively and ensure that everything is submitted before the deadlines. It’s important to stay organized and keep track of all the requirements for each college or university your teen is interested in or applying to.

Empower Your Teen to AskWho asks for the recommendation letter? Not you! It’s time for your teen to prepare for the next stage in life, and that includes reaching out to appropriate individuals themselves for recommendation letters.

So encourage your teen to personally ask for the recommendation letter. This is an essential life skill that teaches them the importance of polite and direct communication. Whether in person or via a well-composed email, your teen should clearly request the favor, expressing gratitude and respect for the recommender’s time.

Ask in Private and Follow UpAsking for a recommendation letter is one thing, but how your teen asks is equally as important. Coach your teen to ask for the recommendation letter in a private setting, not in front of others.

Doing so ensures the request is taken seriously and remembered. You do not want to assume the recommender will say “yes” and by asking in an open setting, your teen is putting the recommender in an uncomfortable situation..and possibly an embarrassing one for your teen as well.

After your teen does ask, they should follow up with an email. This puts the request on the recommender’s radar and provides a written record of the conversation. Do not be afraid to follow up multiple times too.

People get busy and things get pushed to the wayside the busier we become. Do not take it personal. Just politely bump it back up in the forefront of their attention by following up.

Provide Supporting InformationOnce the recommender agrees, it’s a good idea for your teen to promptly send a list of their accomplishments and experiences, such as an experiential resume. This information helps the recommender highlight specific achievements and qualities, making the letter more personalized and impactful. Provide clear examples and anecdotes that showcase the your teen’s strengths and skills.

This can significantly enhance the credibility of the recommendation letter, and if it has been a while since they worked with your teen, it could refresh their memory of their experiences.

Then after the recommendation letter is written, encourage your teen to thank the recommender sincerely. A heartfelt email or even a handwritten note can go a long way in showing appreciation. It’s not mandatory but this really sends the message of gratitude and ends it with a nice touch of appreciation. It not only acknowledges the effort the recommender put into writing the letter but also fosters positive relationships.

You never know when their paths may cross again in the future!

How To Ask For A College Recommendation LetterSecuring a strong college recommendation letter is a vital part of the admissions process for soon-to-be graduating homeschool students. Use these steps to only help your teen in obtaining a compelling recommendation but also to teach them valuable life skills during the process.

Have questions or need more advice on college recommendation letters? Join the 7Sisters Homeschool Facebook group for support from experienced homeschool parents. Share your experiences, ask questions, and become part of a warm and friendly community dedicated to helping homeschool families succeed!

Thank you for Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and for Richie Soares with Homeschool and Humor for writing this blog post!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our iTunes page. 2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes 3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review and give us some stars and a comment to help others find us more easily. 7. Thanks!

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Make America Literate AgainIn “Make America Literate Again,” Episode, #216, Meredith Curtis will inspire and equip you to take part in a movement to get children and teens reading quality literature again so that as teens and adults they can read great works. I know there are some out there already on board (parents and teens) – please spread the news and get more folks reading! For those who aren’t on board yet – please listen to my compelling reasons for reading quality literature, timeless classics, and great works that have changed history.

Powerline Productions, Inc.Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show NotesMy favorite President Ronald Reagan coined the phrase “Make America Great Again.” We needed it. We were demoralized with Watergate, POWs still held by Vietnam, hostages held by Iran, and a failing economy. President Reagan injected hope and passed laws to improve the life of everyday Americas. It was morning in America again in the early 1980s.

President Trump loved the phrase “Make America Great Again” and uses it in his campaign. Robert F Kennedy, Jr. who just endorsed Trump and will work with him if elected, has adapted the slogan “Make America Healthy Again.”

Inspired by these three men, I want to make a slogan, too: Make America Literate Again.

Reasons to Make America Literate AgainLeaders are Readers. The quality of what they read

Founding Fathers – Cicero, Adam Smith, John Locke, Samuel Rutherford,

Freedom is maintained by Readers & Hedonism leads to Totalitarianism

We can read ABOUT great works or read those great works THEMSELVES.

Substitutes for Reading in Our Culture* Scrolling on Phone * Social Media * Video Games * Movies, Streaming, TV * Pornography * Gamification

Step-by-Step to Literacy America Once EnjoyedThe Process with Explanations on Podcast

1. Read Aloud & Read in Front of Children
2. Teach to Read
3. Beginning Readers
4. Introduce Age-Appropriate Classics
5. Read, Read, Read – Bible, Fables, Stories, Biographies, etc.
6. Read & Talk about Classic Literature (book clubs)
7. Middle School to Adult – Read & Talk about Literature & Classic Works (book clubs)
8. Bounce Back & Forth
9. Read Great Works – City of God, Wealth of the Nations, The Prince, Ecclesiastical History of the English People

What Happens to Literate PeopleBrainwashing doesn’t work.

They know who the “experts” really are

They Value FREEDOM.

They discuss ideas not just people and events

Resources for Literature Based LearningAt Powerline Productions, we love books! We included book lists everywhere – in cookbooks, timelines, history curriculum, geography curriculum, unit studies, and, of course, English courses.

Grab our FREE Reading Lists.

Sign up for our NewsletterSign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

Resources for Literature Based Learning + our whole store!

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Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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Please don’t listen to all the voices that say you can’t do it. Moms, you are enough! Many times, we doubt our abilities. Should we homeschool? Should we put our children in a co-op? Should we put our child in a private school or public school? In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz breaks down the critical concerns of homeschool moms and gives you the tools to thrive in your home.

Moms, You. Are. Enough. ~ Episode 532I’m working on an “Inspire Series.” This is a blueprint for encouraging excellence in our children and our homes. But before I release that series, I really felt the need to encourage you. If you are a mom or dad or even a caregiver, welcome. This episode is geared toward those trying to navigate a hostile world where we are told we need experts for everything. We are also told that we don’t know enough or can’t think for ourselves and need those outside voices, whether it is social media, the news, your favorite app, or even worse, your parents, inlaws, or spouse.

The good news is that I believe, even without meeting you, that you are more than enough and that you have the tools you need. I mean, somehow, you found this podcast, perhaps the entire Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network, and in particular, Vintage Homeschool Moms. You found me somewhere in the midst of the noise and the naysayers. That tells me you are incredibly resourceful, open, and willing to learn all you can to be the best you can be at this point in time. You can fill in the blanks.

Moms You Are Enough:

I am a ____________ (Christian, spouse, mom, dad, grandparent, caregiver) to my children. I am enough.

Moms You Are Enough vs. Moms You Are The BestWhat’s the difference between being enough and being the best? First, being enough means being comfortable with who we are and our mistakes. I am not the most graceful person. If there is a step, I will trip over it. That doesn’t mean I will avoid steps, but it does mean I am aware of my shortcomings and failure to notice details, and I am extremely careful when navigating steps. My husband and I were walking along a sidewalk, and I tripped on a crack. He actually went back to look because neither of us saw it, and sure enough, there was a tiny elevation along one side. But again, that doesn’t keep me from walking or trying or thinking, “Oh my gosh, I’m such a clutz!” (Okay, so I am, but I’m okay with that.)

What area are you concerned about?

In the near future, we will, God willing, offer a call with some of the podcasters on this network and me who are willing to participate. This is in celebration of our 11 years on the air as a homeschool podcast network. This is because I see such a need for a one-to-one discussion about the greatest needs homeschool parents have today. I’ve learned that many of us struggle not so much thinking we are covering enough information with our children, or hoping our children will fit in socially, or praying that we don’t mess up our kids in some way.

I believe that we can overcome this way of thinking. Homeschool Moms are resilient and strong. If you don’t think you are, that is what we are here for today!

Moms You Are Enough: Parenting* I believe that God does not make mistakes. As a Christian, I know that before I was born, God knew my name, and therefore my life has meaning. Your life does as well! * I believe that you, too, are not a mistake, your kids are not a mistake, and your lives have meaning. * I believe that our minds trick us into worry and concern about problems in the future or even events in the past, and we need to focus on today. (Mindfulness: Christians.) * I believe that you are given the tools you need to parent, homeschool to nurture, and protect your children and that you have a group of us (this homeschool network) that will come alongside you and help you in any way that we can.

While I believe in all of the things above, what do you believe? Our minds are powerful, and we have the creativity and drive to do great things in our families if we give ourselves some credit.

Try it, what do you believe? How about believing that you are enough? Start your sentence with: “I am enough because…” and list all of your beliefs. What are you finding? If you are stuck, pray about it and see what pops into your head that is positive, not negative.

Some podcasts you might enjoy

• Redeeming Your Time
• Being Present To Your Family
• Mindfulness – Being Present

Positive MindsetWe can take authority over our minds by focusing on the good and starting each day in giving thanks. When I wake up I immediately focus on thanking God for another day and praising Him. We can be thankful for the little things. Years ago, during a really difficult time in my life, I started keeping a praise journal. I was thankful for the sky, and the beautiful clouds. I was thankful for the weather, even when it rained. I focused on being thankful, and my outlook changed dramatically.

Praise. Gratitude. Positivity.When you praise God, when you are grateful for the little things, and when you focus on positivity in your life, the outcome is so much different. Does that mean we can’t have a pity-party on occasion? Of course, we can. (Share Deacon David’s story.)

Get Rid of the “If Only_____ I will be happy.”Do you have any “if onlys” in your life? Do you have any of these thoughts? If only we didn’t rent an apartment. If only we had a house. If only our car wasn’t in the shop. If only we had enough money to do the things we’d like to do. If only______ fill in the blank.

The if-onlys are buzzkills; they are detrimental to our health, our mind, and our spirit. (More on air.)

Getting another car is not going to make me happy. If it does, it is fleeting. How do I cope? I thank God my car runs, even with the check engine light a few days ago that indicated low oil. I thank God that I have a car. I pray, “Lord, I am happy with this car and don’t need another one.” Truthfully, I don’t, but in my mind, I wanted to give it to a family member who could use it.

Sometimes, we have to die to ourselves to our wants, focus on what is important, and continue on. We are thankful for what we have, and believe me, the if-onlys never make us happy in the long run. (Tell Sanibel lady story.)

What makes us happy? Our spouses, family, friends, and groups online encourage us as mothers, spouses, fathers, grandparents, and caregivers to remember that bringing up our children is the most important thing we do. Maybe your list is different, but think about this and list all the things that make you happy.

You are enough because you are giving your time, your talents, and your resources to raise children who I pray love and serve our Lord and are wonderful adults someday. The Inspire series coming up next is my way of helping you with some key points in parenting, in education, and in our lives to focus on what is truly important.

Do you believe you are enough now? I pray you do!

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Today, on Crunchy Christian Podcast, Julie talks about four ways for food to grow indoors. Maybe you live in an apartment, have a small yard or patio, or your region allows for only a short growing season. Here are some ways to maximize your ability to grow your own food. You may not be able to grow squash indoors, but you can still grow many other plants, including lettuces; kale, spinach, and other greens; strawberries; peas and green beans; onions, garlic, and herbs; and others. Check out these methods and see if one of them might work for you.

Four Ways for Food to Grow IndoorsThank you to our sponsor, CTC Math.

Grow HerbsGrowing herbs indoors in a greenhouse window in your kitchen or in small pots. Herbs are a great way to get started growing your own food. They smell good, add flavor and variety to cooking, and can be dried for year-round use. On the podcast, Julie shares the best herbs to grow indoors. And, don’t forget that culinary herbs are not the only herbs you can grow!

Grow sprouts and microgreensMicrogreens are the young plants of wheat, barley, broccoli, radish, watercress, beans, and a few others. The plants are generally less than 3 inches tall when eaten, thus the name “micro.” There are special trays for growing microgreens or you can use a sprouting jar. These are easy and quick to grow and are super nutritious! Listen in to find out more about the benefits of growing and eating them, as well as some tips for using a sprouting jar.

Try hydroponics for food to grow indoorsThis system uses a special water solution and no soil. It often the water solution with a clear lid to capture the plants’ respiration and to create a greenhouse effect. This is best for smaller garden plants, like lettuces and other greens. It also requires a bit more work and special equipment.

A vertical garden works well indoorsThough there is a constant debate about aquaponics vs hydroponics – a vertical garden uses some hydroponics technology and some composting to grow food vertically indoors in controlled environments. You can purchase a ready-made one or build your own using old gutters, PVC pipe, or other materials. This is probably the most involved, expensive way of growing food indoors, but it also produces the highest yields. It is possible to provide a small family with fresh vegetables year-round with a vertical farm system. Cities all over the world have converted old warehouses into vertical farms to help meet growing food needs.

ResourcesAll You Ever Wanted to Know About Microgreens

What is hydroponics? Learn the six types of hydroponics

How to Build Your Own DIY Vertical Farm: This offers a supplies list and step-by-step instructions. The finished vertical garden can live indoors or outdoors. An alternative to building your own is a product called Tower Garden (no affiliation).

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A reader writes, “I need suggestions how to discipline my 14-year-old son.” She’s finding out what we all discover – if you try to discipline your 14-year-old like he was still six, you’re likely to have a fight on your hands! So what do you do with this young person who’s growing so tall, but still needs a lot of guidance and discipleship?

Thank you to our sponsor, CTC Math.

It’s more than behavior managementWith younger kids, a great deal of our training is behavior – “Don’t tease the cat,” “Don’t touch the stove,” “Stop hitting your brother!” Tedd Tripp points out that Ephesians 6:1 is fundamental for the younger set: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

And external behavior is important – that’s what hurts others and damages things! But as they move into the early teen years, our children need more coaching and discipleship to reach their deepest need – the condition of their heart. They need to be confronted with Right and Wrong in a larger sense than, “Honor your father and your mother.” When they realize their failing and sin, they are more likely to grasp their need for a Savior!

And when we recognize that their behavior is more than “You’re on my nerves!” but something rooted on their human fallenness … maybe we can be a little more compassionate and not as quick to react.

As they change, we should tooA lot of parent-teen relationships are strained or broken because parents don’t adapt to their young person’s changes. When they reach adolescence, they’re not kids any more! We need to understand they aren’t the little ones we’ve raised so far, but young adults-in-training. We can’t just continue the old discipline models and expect the same response. Appropriate correction for a four-year-old is humiliating, at best, to a 14-year-old.

More and more, we need to move our discipline to adult responses. What does that look like?

Well, consider what happens when we make a mistake or cause an offense as an adult. Are we sent to stand with our nose in the corner until we say we’re sorry? Does our boss or pastor or neighbor give us a sharp swat on the hand? Of course not. Instead, we are likely to experience “natural consequences.”

Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operetta The Mikado includes the chorus, “Let the punishment fit the crime!” Humor aside, that’s actually quite Biblical. Over and over again in Scripture, you see principles of repentance followed by restitution. We use this as a guide with our teens – if you break it, you fix it – whether it’s a broken toy or a damaged relationship. It’s a hard lesson, but we impress on them that being an adult sometimes means we accept responsibility for things that aren’t strictly our fault. Maybe something happened by accident, or someone took offense by misunderstanding – we still need to step up and try to make things right.

Occasionally the problem isn’t actual sin but rather just high spirits or too much energy. Maybe they really are on your nerves, and that’s most of the problem!

How did Coach handle it?Sometimes the best correction is just to work it off. How did your high school coach handle it if you were goofing off during practice? What did your drill instructor do at boot camp if you weren’t putting your back into the job?

A bit of strenuous exertion can be a lifesaver here! “Drop and give me ten!” – a call for some push-ups is a good manly punishment for a minor but irritating infraction. You can have them run up and down the stairs, or laps around the back yard. Ask Dad for advice, since he’s probably received similar correction in his time! It’s not offensive or demeaning, but it can use up some energy and help your son focus again.

It’s not supposed to be easy or fun. Hebrews 12:11 says,

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

(continue …)

The most important partBut the most critical thing to remember is the foundation you’re laying for the long term. What sort of relationship are you building with your teenager?

Our relationship with God is more than just crime-and-punishment – that’s part of it and unavoidable, but it’s not the full relationship. If that’s all we know of our heavenly Father, there’s a lot that’s missing!

Likewise with our kids. Of course we’ll have times of conflict or confrontation, but the question will remain – what sort of relationship do we have now, and what sort are we building for tomorrow? … Tune in for practical applications!

The post Effective Discipline for Teens – MBFLP 261 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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289: Create your own Digital PlannerIn this episode, we discuss various tools and methods to create your own digital planner, perfect for homeschooling or managing other aspects of life.

We mention practical and customizable options like Google Calendar, Google Sheets, and Trello, and then talk about more visually appealing solutions using Canva and SlidesMania.

Key Takeaways:

• Google Calendar: Create multiple calendars for different aspects of your life (homeschooling, chores, etc.) and customize them with color coding. Easily share and collaborate with others.
• Google Sheets: Use spreadsheets to organize your homeschool plans by subject and week. Great for those who prefer a simple, column-based approach.
• Trello: A project management tool that can be adapted as a planner. Organize tasks by subject or child using lists and cards, with easy drag-and-drop functionality.
• Canva: Ideal for creating visually appealing planners. Start with customizable templates and adapt them for homeschooling.
• SlidesMania: Free templates in Google Slides or PowerPoint format, offering flexibility and organization in a well-structured format.

Resources Mentioned:

• Google Calendar
• Google Sheets
• Trello
• Canva Personal Planners
• SlidesMania Planner Templates

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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Stuff Your Teen Can Fail AtAllowing teens to experience and learn from failure in a supportive environment helps build their confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills, preparing them for future challenges.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Encouraging Self-Belief and Independence in Teens:

– Allowing teens to fail in low-stakes situations helps build resilience and problem-solving skills.

– Experiencing failure prepares them for significant future challenges.

1. Examples:

– Clothing Choices: (1) Letting teens pick their own clothes, even if it’s inappropriate for the weather. (2) Teaches them about natural consequences and critical thinking.

– Filling Out Forms: (1) Encouraging teens to complete forms for activities on their own. (2) Helps them learn responsibility, attention to detail, and the importance of deadlines.

– First Job Experiences: (1) Allowing teens to navigate their first job without parental intervention. (2) Teaches the importance of dedication, effort, and adhering to standards set by an employer.

1. Parental Struggles with Letting Go:

– Acknowledging it’s hard for parents to watch their kids fail.

– Emphasizing the importance of trusting the process and letting children learn from their mistakes.

Printable Resource:

A printable list of the ideas discussed in this episode and many more:

1. Weather Fails
2. Forms Fails
3. First Job Fails

Call to Action:

Download the Printable: Get the list of examples to implement in your daily life. The link is in our show notes.

Share Your Stories: Email us with a story of a failure that seemed challenging at the time but has turned into a valuable lesson for your teen. We’d love to feature it on our next episode!

Subscribe and Stay Connected: Make sure to subscribe to our blog and podcast for weekly insights, tips, and resources.

Connect With Us:

You can read more about this (or past topics) on Charla’s blog: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog

To subscribe to the weekly email with links to our podcast and blog, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/subscribe-1

To learn more about our unique products designed to increase your children’s understanding of how money works in the real world, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Why Study Psychology in High School?

Why Study Psychology in High SchoolPsychology is such a fun and useful topic for homeschool high schoolers. It’s not just about filling a slot on their transcript; it’s about giving them tools for life. Diving into psychology helps teens become more self-aware, understanding the intricate workings of their minds and bodies. So, why study psychology in high school? Join Vicki for reasons why teens should study Psych!

Why Studying High School Psychology is BeneficialImagine your teen gaining insight into their emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and how all these elements interplay. This kind of self-knowledge is priceless and can help them navigate the complex world of high school, relationships, and beyond.

But that’s not all. Studying psychology isn’t just beneficial for personal growth. It also makes their high school transcript shine! (BTW- here’s a Psychology course description for your teen’s records.)

For college-bound students, a half-credit in psychology fits a social sciences requirement or a highly attractive elective.

Even if college isn’t in their immediate plans, psychology offers a rich, engaging elective that shows a willingness to explore and understand diverse fields. This kind of exploration adds breadth to their education, making them well-rounded and more prepared for whatever path they choose.

Plus, the skills they gain (like critical thinking, empathy, and understanding human behavior) are universally valuable, no matter their future career.

So, why study psychology in high school? Because it’s a stepping stone to a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them, setting them up for success in all areas of life.

Let’s dive even deeper into why studying psychology in high school can be transformative for your teen!

Why Study High School Psychology?There are lots of reasons to study (and like) Psych!

Psychology Helps Teens Understand Their Brain and BodyOne of the most compelling reasons is that it equips them with practical knowledge about how the brain and body function together. This is not just academic theory, it’s about understanding real-life applications.

For instance, learning about perception, genetics, and the basics of learning and behavior helps teens grasp why they think and act the way they do. This kind of insight can improve their academic performance, personal relationships, and even their mental health.

Also, psychology is a subject that resonates with many teens because it offers immediate relevance to their lives. From understanding personality theories to exploring the science of sleep and dreams, psychology covers a broad range of topics that are both fascinating and applicable.

These myriad of topics within this subject matter can ignite a passion for learning and encourage them to pursue further studies in psychology or related fields.

Psychology Helps Teens Develop Necessary Life SkillsAnother critical aspect of why study psychology in high school is its impact on developing essential life skills. Topics such as communication, needs and motivation, and abnormal psychology provide teens with tools to navigate their personal and social lives more effectively.

Understanding the basics of psychological testing and research methods also hones their critical thinking skills, enabling them to evaluate information more effectively, which is a crucial ability in our information-saturated world.

Studying Psychology Can Lead Towards A CareerAt the same time, for those students who find themselves drawn to the subject, psychology can be an introduction to a rewarding career.

There is a growing demand for mental health professionals, and an early introduction to the field can inspire teens to pursue further education and eventually contribute to this vital area.

By studying psychology, they are not only preparing for potential future careers but also learning how to support their own well-being and that of others.

Psychology Can Help Your Teen Learn More About GodIncorporating psychology into your teen’s homeschool curriculum can be a unique opportunity for faith-based learning. For instance, the 7Sisters Psychology curriculum offers an introduction to psychology from a Christian perspective, ensuring that the subject matter aligns with your family’s values.

This approach makes the material more relatable and also ensures that your teen can explore these concepts in a way that complements their worldview.

And for those concerned about academic rigor, 7Sisters’ curriculum provides flexibility- whether your teen is aiming for a standard credit or an honors level course. That’s because the curriculum is designed to be adaptable by offering leveling-up, enrichment activities for teens to choose as they create a rigorous credit that is personally meaningful.

It allows students to delve deeper into topics of interest, fostering a love for learning without overwhelming them with busy work. This balance ensures that your teen can enjoy and appreciate the subject, regardless of their academic goals.

Psychology Offers A Well-Rounded Education For Your TeenAnd let’s not forget the practical aspects. Many colleges look for a well-rounded transcript that includes social sciences like psychology.

Even if your teen is not aiming for a highly competitive college, having psychology on their transcript can showcase their willingness to explore diverse fields and their commitment to a comprehensive education.

Incorporating psychology into your homeschool high school years can also be a fun and engaging experience for the whole family. Psychology curriculum can include interactive elements like videos and personality tests, which can make learning more dynamic and enjoyable.

Whether used in a co-op setting or for individual study, these resources can help bring the subject to life and foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the material.

Why Study Psychology In High SchoolStudying psychology in high school offers a multitude of benefits, from personal growth and academic enrichment to practical life skills and career preparation. It’s a subject that fulfills educational requirements while also enriching your teen’s understanding of themselves and the world around them.

So, if you are considering adding psychology to your homeschool curriculum, know that you are making a choice that will have a lasting positive impact on your teen’s life. Take a look at 7Sisters’

• Introduction to Psychology from a Christian Perspective textbook
• Introduction to Psychology edition for states that reimburse for curriculum
• Introduction to Psychology video course (the textbook is also required)
• Introduction to Psychology syllabus (free)
• Introduction to Psychology Lesson Plans (for co-ops or simply, more enrichment)

Thank you for Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and for Richie Soares with Homeschool and Humor for writing this blog post!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our iTunes page. 2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes 3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review and give us some stars and a comment to help others find us more easily. 7. Thanks!

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Time Management Parents Episode 412There is hope! Are you ready for time management that will help you to reclaim your day and feel good at the end? Is this too good to be true? No, it is a reality, and if I can do it, you can as well. How does it happen? Well, very easily with one sheet of paper and four squares. Today I will help you figure out the main issues that steal your time and the hope on how to reclaim it.

Thanks to our sponsor CTCMath, a wonderful Math curriculum for the entire family of school-aged children. This one-stop shop has grades K-12; check it out. Homeschoolers can save 50%!

Let’s get our time management back!Does your day lack focus? Are you overwhelmed with the shuffling of papers, trying to get school “done,” and keeping up with the household chores? You can see why there is such burnout among moms, especially moms who homeschool. Even at the beginning of the year! I have to say I struggled with this for many years, and it left me feeling tired, defeated, and like I wasn’t getting anything accomplished each day. I felt like a young mom with little children. If I kept everyone safe by the end of the day, it was a win!

However, I wanted so much more. Especially for those who are new to homeschooling or even if you are a pro, you need the help that comes from getting all of your ducks in a row. Let me cut to the chase here. I was out of time because my time was managing me instead of the other way around. What was interrupting my day? What’s getting in the way of time management?

Easy, three things:1. Talking on the phone (substitute social media here and texting). 2. No set schedule for household chores. 3. Disobedient kids

I had a defeatist attitude and could not wait until my husband came home so I could dump all of my daily woes on him, and guess what? That didn’t work out too well. My husband ran his own business and often needed my help to do the payroll or help with management and the details of filing payroll taxes, filling out forms, and so much more.

Fast forward, and we raised five kids and have not one but three businesses that we run out of our homes successfully. How did this happen? Believe me, it was not overnight, but now I can share those tips and techniques with you, and these are even better than what I had in my toolbox at the time.

Rules are made to be broken, but sometimes you can look at them as good suggestions, so take heart as I share some quick ones with you.1. Just because you get an idea, it does not mean you have to act on it right now. Write it down and look at it at lunchtime or after dinner, and plan for it. Quickly one thing I do not do, even with a business, is looking at emails in the morning – emails such the life and my day away from me. Unless I have planned for this, I don’t do it until after lunch. People who really need to get hold of me quickly know how to do this. Everything else can wait. 2. I learned my time wasters. See number one – but there were others. I let myself get sidetracked, and once I learned the keys to keeping myself on track, it worked. 3. Make a plan and stick to it – I know, for those of you kindred spirits that are spontaneous. But believe me, it works. 4. Every self-help book or how to get organized is not going to help you get organized if you refuse to do what it suggests (same with this broadcast) 5. Seek help when needed.

I think that is important to note that many times we think an issue is one problem when it is really something else. Another issue with time management is that we have false expectations or, perhaps, no expectations at all! So first, it is homework time. I am going to encourage you to stop this recording and write out your most pressing need and what you hope to accomplish. What is your main expectation? Is it a peaceful home? Does happiness that surpasses all understanding? Is it kids that get along, laundry washed, dried and folded, and put away in one day? Is it meals planned? What is that? What is important to you?

So the first thing to do is look at your expectations, hopes, and dreams and break them down into a day, week, month or even a year. Remember the old saying, “Rome wasn’t built in one day.” But I am going to add my Felice twist here – “But the fires that destroyed Rome were set on purpose.”

What fires are you setting for yourself? I’ve looked at my expectations and goals and realized that they were so grandiose and my expectation so unattainable that I was setting myself up for failure. It wasn’t going to happen even with a household of full-time employees! So, let’s get realistic. I’m not going to tell you the platitudes I’ve read like, “make every minute count,” or “delegate,” or “make easy-to-serve meals.” This is a duh, duh, and double duh. We are talking about surviving the day here. But what I will tell you is that you need to use what you have on hand.

I’m an author, which I do believe most of you know, and years ago, my daughter wanted to write a novel. I told her, “Christina, I don’t know how to write a novel,” and she said, “Mom, we are homeschoolers. We will figure it out.”

Moms and Dads, if you are listening. You may or may not be homeschoolers – but if there is something you want to do, you can figure it out. The one novel turned out to be three and sold in catalogs such as Christian Book Distributors, currently on Amazon and my website, MediaAngels.com, and have been around the world. We figured it out.

Time management is what is important to you. The list usually looks like this:1. Need to manage the kids. 2. Need to manage the home. 3. Need to teach school (for those who are homeschooling.) 4. Need time with my spouse. 5. Need to keep my sanity.

Kids always seem to be number one when they should not hold that revered position. As a Christian, the first thing that should be on the list is a time of prayer. I’ve talked about this before, but the days I did not wake up, grab a cup of coffee, my Bible and have a short prayer session with the Lord was the day that all heck broke loose.

So, we need to rearrange the list and have it look something like this.

1. Keep my sanity. Begin the day with God.
2. Time with my spouse – figure out when to have a meaningful conversation, spend time and date night even if it means to put the kids to bed and grabbing some popcorn and watching a movie at home.
3. Manage my home. What is pressing? Laundry? Food? Use your weekends, bulk cook, and freeze. Just like a copy machine is a blessing to every homeschool family, so is an upright or chest freezer.
4. Manage my kids. Mean what you say and say what you mean. Follow through. Practice good behavior. If this means having your kids repeat after you, do it. I have several audios on this topic, and I also have audios I have created for the kids. See the links below. Have your kids listen to them. Side note here – Tell your kids you are on the same side. Sometimes I think we are in a battle, and the kids need to know there is one leader, it is you as a parent, and the troops need to file in… if you do not have a set of consequences this is important to think about. Ahead of time.
5. School! Yes, this is last. My kids learned despite my beautifully created curriculum or lessons. Read, read, and read. If you want your kids to learn life lessons do it in books, if you want your kids to learn math get a curriculum. I have a series of character-quality free downloads I give away every month on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network, you can sign up to get them and past sets are for sale on my website at MediaAngels.com. Why is this? Because prior to the 1960s, character was infused and morality in schools, families, and churches. Now, it is all revisionist and secular. Interestingly I read a quote recently from a past president that shocked me. In the words of John Adams: “Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any others.”Friends, this is the key; we must bring morality and all that is good and holy into our homes. If that means restricting screen time, do it – if it means only watching good movies, get Pureflix. I realize this is a challenge for some of you, but I have faith in you. You can do it!

Lastly, the key here – how to do it how to get organized. Fast Track.

1. One week at a glance. Take a sheet of paper and draw a horizontal line and a vertical line. So, it has 4 squares. Faith, Kids, School Household. You can use different headings on each of these squares for whatever you want. This is an overall sketch of what you are going to do and accomplish. The weekly goals if you will. You will not get detailed with the kid’s schooling, other than maybe to put a time frame, or perhaps books you are going to read as a family, etc.
2. Square one: Faith you can add spouse there as well. But first, you need to get right with God. You need to be filled up before you can pour into others. My show – AFewMinutesWithGodPodcast.com
3. Square two: Kids – what are your overall goals – is there something in particular or one kid, in particular, that is the squeaky wheel that needs help. Whether it is academic or discipline. At a time of war they always went after the leader, so if there is one child that is leading the others astray begin there.
4. School. Once again the overarching here – do you have a field trip, are you going to do a science experiment, watch a specific video -put this on your list.
5. Household. When are you doing the laundry, prepare meals – you can have a start time, etc … list it here:

Whatever you use make it work for you! Make it your own. I really do believe you can figure this out and reclaim your time. Time management is you managing time and making an effort to not allow it to manage you!

Resources: Past Vintage Homeschool Moms Podcasts and Show notes to help you!

1. I have several past podcasts and if you look at the show notes page, you will see links to download a bunch of forms!
2. Here is one on Homeschool Forms and another on
3. Last-minute Christmas prep – contains a 4-square planner
4. Running Your Home Like a CEO
5. Easy Way Planning link here

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If you know me, you know I love Mr. Rogers. As I was researching the history of Fred Rogers and his TV show, I realized that his show started about the same time my mom found out that she was expecting me. I guess you could say that I have been in Mr. Rogers Neighborhood from the very beginning.

Thank you to our Sponsor, CTC Math.

Mr. Rogers had an impact on an entire generation. Once I took a closer look at what made this man a legacy, I knew I had to share my findings with you.

1. LOVE was the root of Mr. Rogers work with children.

“Deep within us – no matter who we are- there lives a feeling of wanting to be lovable, of wanting to be the kind of person that others like to be with. And the greatest thing we can do is to let people know that they are loved and capable of loving”

– Fred Rogers

1. Mr. Rogers understood children.

2. He studied child development and the brain research behind his field.

3. He was willing to go out of the box to reach a child.
4. The child determined the approach.
5. Mr. Rogers Knew Learning Involved Feelings.

What Do You Do with the Mad You Feel?

What do you do with the mad that you feel

When you feel so mad you could bite?

When the whole wide world seems oh, so wrong…

And nothing you do seems very right?

What do you do? Do you punch a bag?

Do you pound some clay or some dough?

Do you round up friends for a game of tag?

Or see how fast you go?

It’s great to be able to stop

When you’ve planned a thing that’s wrong,

And be able to do something else instead

And think this song:

I can stop when I want to

Can stop when I wish.

I can stop, stop, stop any time.

And what a good feeling to feel like this

And know that the feeling is really mine.

Know that there’s something deep inside

That helps us become what we can.

For a girl can be someday a woman

And a boy can be someday a man.

What Do You Do with the Mad that You Feel?

By Fred M. Rogers

© 1968

1. Mr. Rogers chose his words carefully when talking to children. He understood that the way we talk to a child becomes their inner voice.

2. Mr. Rogers made EVERY child feel Special.

3. Mr. Rogers valued the WORK of PLAY.

4. Mr. Rogers Remembered.

Thanks to my dear friend, Keri for always sharing great photos of her little ones!!

Also, if you haven’t checked out our new summer curriculum at The Homegrown Preschooler, it is not too late. That and our hand drawn journal are now on sale for a great bundle price!

Say YES and have a great week!!!

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for me to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let me know. Just email me at kathy@thehomegrownpreschooler.com or shoot me a message on social media.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

Thank you to The Homegrown Preschooler for sponsoring this Podcast! Check out the blog post Kathy mentioned, Farmhouse Schoolhouse, to read more about A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase atThe Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.The post Mr. Rogers and Me appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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287: Bringing History to Life with TechnologyIf your children find history boring, here are 8 ideas on bringing history to life with technology

1. 1. Videos: * Use YouTube channels, documentaries, and docudramas to visualize historical events. * Battle simulation videos and feature movies can also provide an immersive experience. * Compare movies to actual historical facts for a deeper learning experience.
   2. Online Games:
      • Incorporate games like Mission USA, “Be George Washington,” and Oregon Trail to make history interactive.
   3. Video Games:
      • Civilization and other strategy games can be used to learn about different civilizations
   4. Virtual Museum Field Trips:
      • Explore museums online, such as Ellis Island or Anne Frank’s house, to experience history virtually.
   5. Reading Old Newspapers:
      • Use Chronicling America to access historical newspapers and explore what life was like in the past
   6. Museum Websites:
      • Museum websites, like the Smithsonian, offer primary sources and interactive resources
   7. Google Maps & Google Arts and Culture:
      • Virtually visit historical sites and explore ancient ruins to connect with history.
      • Google Arts and Culture offers specific experiences related to historical events
   8. Digital Escape Rooms:
      • Engage with history through digital escape rooms that require problem-solving and critical thinking.

FundaFunda Academy Discount Offer:

Special offer: 50% off with code HWTHISTORY until 30 September 2024 for:

1. 1. • World War II web-based unit studies— “Who’s Who World War II” and “World War II Year by Year.” * Mystery of the Painted Pyramid * Two digital breakouts: “Mosby’s Treasure” (American Civil War) and “The Mystery of the Amber Room” (World War II).

High School History Classes from FundaFunda Academy mentioned in this episode

1. 1. • World History * US History

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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3 Traits That Define A True AdultIn this episode of “It’s Not About Money,” Matt and Charla dive into the essentials of intentional parenting, focusing on the crucial skills children need to develop into responsible and capable adults. They explore the concept of raising adults, not just kids, and emphasize the importance of fostering independence, accountability, and financial literacy from an early age.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Raising Adults, Not Kids:

– Charla shares her philosophy that the goal of parenting is to raise adults who can take on the responsibilities of adulthood.

– The importance of helping children mature and prepare for the next stages of life.

1. Independent Decision Making:

– Encouraging children to make their own decisions, from minor choices like dinner to major ones like career paths.

– Teaching kids to trust their judgment and learn from their decisions.

1. Accepting Responsibility:

– The significance of letting children accept responsibility for their actions and decisions.

– Avoiding the temptation to intervene too much and allowing kids to advocate for themselves.

1. Financial Independence:

– Preparing children for the financial realities of adulthood.

– The necessity of choosing a career that supports their desired lifestyle.

– Charla discusses her program, Beyond Personal Finance, designed to teach teens about the expenses of real life and the importance of financial planning.

Printable Resource:

– A printable checklist highlighting the three key skills discussed in this episode:

1. Making Independent Decisions
2. Accepting Responsibility
3. Managing Finances Effectively

Call to Action:

– Reflect on how you can incorporate these principles into your parenting style.

– Encourage your children to make decisions, accept responsibility, and understand the value of money.

– Download the printable checklist to use as a guide.

Connect With Us:

You can read more about this (or past topics) on Charla’s blog: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog

To subscribe to the weekly email with links to our podcast and blog, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/subscribe-1

To learn more about our unique products designed to increase your children’s understanding of how money works in the real world, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/

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“What makes you think you’re qualified to homeschool?”That’s one of the frequently asked questions, isn’t it? And if nobody in your family, church, or neighborhood asks — you’ll probably ask yourself. Don’t you have to have a teacher’s certificate to really be a teacher? Shouldn’t you go to college and get an education degree first? Or is the credential less important for a homeschool than a classroom?

This episode, we’re taking a listener’s question and talking about homeschooling with confidence – without specialized training or professional certification. We did it, and you can too!

Do you have a question or a suggestion to share?We’d love to hear from you! Call our Listener Response Line and leave a message, and maybe we can answer your questions in a future episode!

Visit our sponsor:

Are you looking for a new Math Curriculum?

CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Favorably reviewed in Cathy Duffy’s 102 Top Picks and The Old Schoolhouse Crew Review, the lessons are short and concise to help your children break down concepts and appreciate math in a whole new way!

The lessons are taught the traditional way, not to a “test”.

Each one of the video tutorials is taught by an internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, who is renowned for teaching math concepts in a simple, easy-to-understand way (and in only a few minutes at a time). Using a multi-sensory approach having the combination of effective graphics and animation synchronized with the voice of a friendly teacher together with practical assessment. This three-pronged attack makes learning so much easier and more effective. Even students who struggled with math are getting fantastic results! And ones who were doing OK before are now doing brilliantly.

Visit ctcmath.com today to start your free trial.

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Is your child struggling with math? Do you have a gifted child that needs to secure a good math foundation that will let them soar? Is your 5, 9 or 15 year old having trouble remembering their math facts? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, this is the podcast for you!

Thank you to our sponsor, CTC Math.

Dr. Jan will lead you through the foundation and cornerstone of math.

Foundation:
1. Rote counting – Counting CD
2. Understanding quantity – first count accurately, then be able to look at fingers, pictures on a page, and dice and be able to recognize the quantity
3. Counting from any random number to a specific number
4. Skip Counting
5. Concept of math operations:
a. What is addition, subtraction, multiplication or division?
b. Progression through the different aspects of each operation, i.e. multi-digit addition all the way through 2 and 3 digit division. This progression is made available through Visual Circle Math
(downloadable & printed copy), a way to advance quickly through understanding of concepts if a child is advanced in math. Great also for remediation if a child is struggling with math as
they can go at their own pace. Also available in: Visual Circle Math (download only)

1. Word problems – holding pieces together long enough to figure out what is important information requires good auditory processing.

Get your free Auditory Processing Test Kit at LittleGiantSteps.com
Cornerstone:
Math Facts – Rapid Recall System be sure to choose the operation you want (addition, subtraction, etc. or get all four operations at a major discount).
See handout for special Ultimate Home School Radio discounts on all products mentioned on today’s podcast.

Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!

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Are you facing the challenge of a child who seems uninterested in their homeschooling journey? Do you hear complaints of, “I’m bored. This is boring!” You’re not alone. Many parents encounter this hurdle, but with the right strategies, you can turn this around. Inspired by insights from the podcast “Goldilocks and the Teen Years,” let’s explore how you can reignite your child’s passion for learning.

Thank you to our Sponsor: CTC Math.

1. Finding the Spark: Motivating Your Homeschooler Beyond Being BoredFirstly, understand that motivation is key. Every child has unique interests and learning styles, and tapping into these can make a world of difference. Try incorporating diverse teaching methods – maybe your child thrives on visual aids, or perhaps they’re more hands-on learners. Remember, the goal is to make learning engaging and fun. Celebrate their achievements, no matter how small, and set realistic goals together. This not only motivates but also gives them a sense of accomplishment.

2. Setting Realistic Expectations forBored TeensIt’s important to remember that age matters. What works for a teenager might not be suitable for a younger child. Tailor your curriculum and teaching style to match your child’s age and developmental stage. This doesn’t mean lowering standards, but rather aligning them with your child’s capabilities. Be patient and be prepared to adjust your approach as they grow and their interests evolve.

3. The Goldilocks Principle: Just Right LearningThis principle, as discussed in “Goldilocks and the Teen Years,” is about finding the ‘just right’ challenge for your child. Not too easy, not too hard, but just enough to stretch their abilities without overwhelming them. It’s about creating a learning environment that’s neither overly structured nor too lax, but perfectly suited to your child’s individual needs.

You’ve Got ThisEvery homeschooling journey is unique and comes with its own set of challenges. Remember, it’s okay to seek help and advice. Stay flexible, stay patient, and most importantly, stay connected with your child’s learning needs and interests. Together, you can overcome the hurdle of boredom and create a fulfilling and enjoyable homeschooling experience.

Welcome to the Life Skills 101 Podcast, proudly presented by Blue Collar Homeschoolers and the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. Whether you’re an experienced homeschooling family or just starting your homeschooling journey, this podcast is your go-to resource for equipping your family with the skills and knowledge needed for a successful future.Subscribe and Stay InformedCheck out our other podcasts & subscribe.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to provide your family with the best possible homeschooling and career preparation resources. Subscribe to the Life Skills 101 Podcast and stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and valuable insights.

GRAB YOUR FREE TIMELINE TO HOMESCHOOL SUCCESS RIGHT HERE

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Jamie, Arlene, and I had so much fun recording our podcast for last week, we decided to keep the party going and record a second one. At every conference people ask us how we homeschool children across the ages. We figured it might be something the podcast world would want us to talk about as well, so we did.

Every homeschooling family is unique. Some people homeschool year round, some 3 days a week, some 8-12 everyday. It is hard to tell others exactly HOW to homeschool, but we all agreed on the following for those homeschooling different ages at the same time.

1. Find the rhythm for YOUR family, don’t compare.
2. Make sure your youngest gets some quality time by creating an engaging environment for them.
3. Partner children up to work together. For example, while you are working with the middle child, have the oldest and youngest work together. While you work with the oldest, have the middle and youngest work together, etc…
4. Don’t be afraid to seek the help of tutors, enroll some children in a hybrid, or partner up with other homeschooling families to meet the needs of your children.
5. Take advantage of early mornings and naptime. Be willing to change your schedule and remember this is just a season. Flexibility is KEY.

You’ve got this!

Find a way to #sayyes today.

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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How does a homeschooling parent possibly educate older kids while at the same time juggling preschoolers, toddlers, and babies? Is it even realistic to think we could do a good job while spinning so many homeschool plates?

On this episode of Homeschooling in Real Life, Fletch and Kendra talk about how they’ve managed to homeschool 8 kids, how to structure a day so that schooling actually gets done, and how mom can survive and thrive during the demanding years of homeschooling multiple ages.

SHOW NOTES:

Recommended Resources:Three Essential Keys to Homeschooling Multiple AgesPreschoolers and Peace Website

Betty the Surf Dog – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website
Rasta The Chocolate Lab – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website
Fletch Twitter
Kendra Twitter

Previous Episodes Mentioned:All of them

Music clips used on this episode:None

LISTEN HERE

Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor: CTC Math

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Hey, homeschoolers! I’ve always been fascinated by life change, thus my pursuit of a career in psychology. But psychology alone didn’t produce the changes I desired in my life. And what’s funny to me is that I can only share steps for how to change your homeschool life in hindsight. I didn’t have a plan. So if you’d like some things to change in your homeschool life, stay tuned for what I learned along the way.

SponsorAre you looking for a new Math Curriculum?

CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Favorably reviewed in Cathy Duffy’s 102 Top Picks and The Old Schoolhouse Crew Review, the lessons are short and concise to help your children break down concepts and appreciate math in a whole new way!

The lessons are taught the traditional way, not to a “test”.

Each one of the video tutorials is taught by an internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, who is renowned for teaching math concepts in a simple, easy-to-understand way (and in only a few minutes at a time). Using a multi-sensory approach having the combination of effective graphics and animation synchronized with the voice of a friendly teacher together with practical assessment. This three-pronged attack makes learning so much easier and more effective. Even students who struggled with math are getting fantastic results! And ones who were doing OK before are now doing brilliantly.

Visit c-t-c-math.com today to start your free trial.

Step 1: Make a daily appointment with the king.

I took the first step in changing my homeschool life before I even began homeschooling. I made a daily appointment with the king and worked to believe Him for the changes I wanted to see in my life.

Becky Tirabassi

The second step was added to that cornerstone: building routines. You’ve heard me say it many times, but if there is something new you want to do, pair it with a routine task.

Importance of Routines

The third step in changing my homeschool life was prioritizing relationships: husband, kids, friends. Prayer and routines allowed me to do this.

Training Aliens

The fourth step was self-care. The first three steps are part of self-care. But I had to prioritize time for exercise and hobbies and unscheduled time. Women who feel burdened by obligations are most likely to overeat. I don’t have research, but I believe they’re also most likely to be angry.

Self-care

The fifth step was self-talk. Still working on this. If we silently tell ourselves that we’re lazy, unlovable, or undisciplined, our minds will seek to fulfill this prophecy. Whatever it is you want to change (even if it’s your kids behavior), change the way you talk to yourself about it first.

What to Say When You Talk to Yourself

If God can change my homeschool life, He can change yours too. With daily devotions, routines, relationships time, self-care, and positive self-talk, you may wonder at that the changes just as I do.

Thanks again to CTC Math for sponsoring the podcast.

Have a happy homeschool week!

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Boxed vs out-of-the-box Curriculum.

Boxed vs Out-of-the-Box CurriculumOne amazing thing about homeschooling is the ability to tailor education to your family’s unique needs. When you are choosing curriculum, you will likely find yourself pondering whether to try boxed vs out-of-the-box curriculum approaches. Join Vicki and Sabrina to look at the benefits of each.

Boxed CurriculumA boxed curriculum provides a comprehensive, all in one, total package, typically including all necessary materials, such as books and resources, along with a suggested syllabus.

Boxed curriculum can look like a myriad of things. For instance, some boxed curriculum can be completely online, with or without the need to print worksheets. Others can be a mix of both online lessons and physical textbook lessons and activities. While yet other boxed curriculum can strictly be purely physical books and resources.

This option is appealing for its organized structure and convenience – it’s already put together and planned out for you. With this sort of curriculum approach, parents feel confident that they are covering all required subjects, and the provided syllabus helps keep the family on track.

Boxed curriculum might offer financial savings through bundled resources, making it a cost-effective choice for many families. It can also be a relief for parents who prefer not to spend time piecing together different resources or who feel less confident in certain subject areas.

Of course, the price of boxed curriculum varies from company to company, from affordability to highly expensive, with each having their own set of pros and cons.

One drawback of the structured nature of boxed curriculum can be that it ay sometimes feel restrictive. And it may not always align perfectly with your family’s unique interests or specific needs of a child. Parents might worry about cramming their child into a one-size-fits-all educational model. But the key is to remember it’s completely okay to skip the parts of the boxed curriculum that you don’t like or that doesn’t fit your family.

You can be in the boxed curriculum but not be bound by the boxed curriculum!

We 7Sisters call our boxed curriculum “bundles”. Our English/Language Arts Bundles are popular for busy families with homeschool high school. They include literature study guides, writing guides, grammar resources, vocabulary (in the literature guides), public speaking activities. Take a look:

General/Mixed Literature Topics* One Year of High School English/Language Arts (A Good Fit for 9th Grade) * Another Year of High School English/Language Arts (A Good Fit for 10th Grade) * One More Year of High School English/Language Arts (A Good Fit for 11th Grade) * A Final Year of High School English/Language Arts (A Good Fit for 12th Grade)

Focused Topic Literature Topics* A Full Year of English/Language Arts: Cinema Studies for Literature Learning and Composition (A Good Fit for 9th or 10th Grade) * A Full Year of English/Language Arts: Great Christian Writers Literature and Composition (A Good Fit for 9th or 10th Grade) * A Full Year of English/Language Arts: American Literature and Composition ((A Good Fit for 10th or 11th Grade) * A Full Year of English/Language Arts: British Literature and Composition (A Good Fit for 11th or 12th Grade) * A Full Year of English/Language Arts: World and Ancient Literature and Composition (A Good Fit for 11th or 12th Grade)

Out-of-the-box CurriculumOn the other hand, an out-of-the-box curriculum approach allows for complete customization. Here, you can select resources that match your child’s interests and learning style, creating a more personalized educational experience. This kind of flexibility can lead to higher enthusiasm from your teens for learning.

An out-of-the-box curriculum can also be called an a la carte approach, where you can pick and choose different curriculum to meet your teen’s needs and subject matter. This can be particularly beneficial for subjects when your teen has a strong interest or even where the parent has strong expertise.

It also allows families to incorporate real-life experiences and spontaneous learning opportunities, such as field trips or project-based learning. This flexibility makes for a more personalized and engaging educational experience for teens, helping them to connect their learning to the world around them.

However, the freedom of an out-of-the-box, or a la carte, curriculum comes with its own set of challenges. Without the structure of a pre-packaged curriculum, parents must invest more time in planning and ensuring they cover all necessary topics.

It may also be harder to track progress and stay organized, especially for those new to homeschooling. When parents are piecing together every bit of a child’s education, it could get overwhelming, especially if you have multiple children in different age groups to plan and purchase for.

Our homeschooling high schoolers who loved to pick and choose curriculum loved 7Sisters Literature Guides and Writing Guides.

Here is a complete list of 7Sisters no-busywork Literature Study Guides

• Essay Writing Guides for High School (suggested for 9th-11th grades)
• Poetry Writing Guides for High School (suggested for 9th-11th grades)
• Short Story Writing Guides for High School (suggested for 9th-11th grades)
• Research Paper Writing Guides (suggested for 9th-11th grades)
• Real-World Writing Guides (suggested for 11th-12th grades)

Boxed Curriculum vs Eclectic: Finding the Right BalanceThere is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of boxed curriculum vs. out-of-the-box curriculum. In fact, there is no “right way” to homeschool.

The best approach depends on each family’s specific needs and preferences. Some families might thrive with the structure and convenience of a boxed curriculum, while others might prefer the flexibility and personalization of an out-of-the-box approach.

For many, a hybrid model works best. This could involve using a boxed curriculum for core subjects and supplementing with customized resources for areas of special interest or need.

Flexibility is key, and it’s important to remember that the chosen curriculum should serve the family’s educational goals, not the other way around.

Boxed Vs Out-of-the-box CurriculumBoth boxed vs out-of-the-box curriculum have their merits. Understand the strengths and limitations of each one and how they compare with your family’s specific needs and preferences. When you do that, you can make an informed decision that best supports your homeschooling journey.

Whether opting for a structured package or a personalized mix of resources, the goal is to create a fulfilling and effective educational experience for your teens.

Thank you for Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and for Richie Soares with Homeschool and Humor for writing this blog post!

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There are many educational philosophies in general but not many for homeschooling. Homeschooling for excellence is a way to encourage your children to grow and excel in the homeschool environment. In this podcast, Felice shares tips on successful outcomes in your homeschool journey.

Homeschooling For Excellence – Episode 530How do you homeschool for excellence when you can barely get your teen kids up in the morning, and yet the younger kids are up before dawn? It can and will happen, but it takes a homeschool-for-excellence mindset. It is the way we think about homeschooling. Listen, no one wants to be told how to homeschool their kids; I get that. As homeschool parents and families, we are very strong-willed and independent people. We are, in essence, swimming against the current, and it would be easier in a sense to send our children off in the morning and let someone else deal with their education. But at what cost? In the society in which we live, many of us are shocked when we find out what is being taught in our schools, especially public schools. This curtain was drawn back during the 2020-2021 school year, and many parents have not recovered from the shock.

Thanks to our sponsor, CTCMath.com, It is due to our sponsors that we are able to bring quality homeschool-focused podcasts and great curriculum providers to your attention. Check them out.

Homeschooling for excellence involves how we regard our homeschooling journey. Here is a short list of reasons why people homeschool.

1. Faith
2. Parents don’t like what is being taught in the public schools.
3. Private and Christian schools are too expensive.
4. A struggling learner needs additional help.
5. Bullying
6. The desire to teach their children with a flexible schedule.

There are so many other reasons why people homeschool. I started because my educational background was in special needs, with an elementary and early childhood education degree. My struggling learner did not fit into the private school mold. Public education was not an option for me; having spent two years teaching in a broken system, I saw firsthand how children were left behind. Over the years, it has changed to a focus on our Catholic/Christian faith, values, and an emphasis on excellence.

Ask Yourself:

1. What are your goals?
2. What is your vision for your homeschool year?
3. What are your expectations?
4. Are your expectations reasonable?
5. How will you attain your goals?

Excellence is a state of mind. It is how we see our homeschool journey going, and it is how we expect our children to succeed.

Years ago, a family came out of nowhere and wrote a book, Homeschooling For Excellence-here. The book highlighted their four children and how they went to Ivy League colleges. This set off a firestorm among homeschoolers. Everyone wanted to be like this family, and this family was put on a pedestal. I watched interviews with this family at the time, and they were surprised by all the attention. Why was this so amazing? Because excellence and success in the outcome results were unheard of at the time. Now, homeschoolers have a track record. Homeschooling is mainstream, many young people in sports homeschool and many young people excel in the flexibility of the homeschool schedule.

I was a conference speaker during this time and was approached by countless parents about my homeschool philosophy and one of the questions they asked, “Do you want your children to attend an Ivy League school?” The answer will surprise you.

“No.”

That was not my goal; my goal for success was well-rounded children who had a good educational foundation, who loved the Lord and their family, and who demonstrated good character and a virtuous life. I wasn’t 100% successful, but I am happy to report that three of my children graduated from college, with their faith intact and strong, with Magnum Sum Laude and Cum Laude honors. Two of these children were struggling learners at one time. One of my sons is an entrepreneur who is highly successful, and the other is a Lyft Driver (currently) who is kind and courteous to his customers and has a five-star rating.

Homeschooling for excellence does not mean all of our children are a “success” by the world’s standards, only by the standards we set as parents.Here is what I’ve found in my own homeschool journey, as well as those I’ve talked to throughout my ten years on this podcast and thirty-two years of homeschooling. It all starts with us. The parents, the caregivers, and those who want our children to be successful. How do you approach your homeschool? What do you expect out of your children? Do we expect our kids to be the best they can be, or do we just want to get through the day so we can throw in a load of laundry in peace?

What is the Solution for homeschooling with excellence?The solution is to expect that your children will excel and have the goals explained to each of them. The best way I can explain this is to give you an example of my own homeschooling. I realized early on that my kids were super bright but struggling with reading, spelling or retention of math. Yet, I didn’t throw up my hands and make accommodations for them; I expected them to learn and do it well. Did we take things slower at times? Yes–but progress was still made.

I found a curriculum that worked; when it didn’t, I used something else. I used a hands-on approach, and we had many, many field trips that reinforced what we were studying and learning. My children excelled and looked forward (at times) to homeschooling. They knew what was expected.

The Key Is Expectation.I know I’m being repetitive, but it works. My grandchildren can be a handful at times. I love having them spend the night and recently had four of them, ages 11 to 5, three boys and one girl, for an evening and an entire day. The first thing I do is explain my expectations, often talking about myself in the third person! “Grandma expects you to listen when I talk and to follow the rules. You must ask me before you go outside, and if you want to go swimming, I need to be with you. I also expect you to be kind to each other with no yelling and talking mean.” Then, I ask them to tell me what my expectations are and ask questions. I then ask the children what will happen if they do not do what is asked. (The threat–which I’ve never had to follow through with is to call their parents to pick them up so that they could go home.)

The kids are young, but they are smart enough to know that they will have a wonderful time here, and being on their best behavior is a small price to pay for having fun.

Kids are smart, and as my husband says, they are gamblers. They are betting that you will not follow through, but I have a track record for following through with their mother and they have all heard the story. It only takes one time of following through to get the results we would like to see and the results are well worth it.

While expectation is key, surrounding yourself with like-minded families is important as well. We encourage each other, and we work together for common goals. But that, too, can be a bit much. I participated in homeschool co-ops only when my children were younger. These were parent-taught and led; we all took turns teaching a specific topic or unit. But, I pulled out of them with all of my children in the high school years. This seems counterproductive and against what I see many parents doing. The reason is that I wanted my children to learn independently and to research without being told what is right and what is wrong, with me available to help, to discuss, and to direct the learning. This independence and direction helped my college-bound children when they found their classmates were sheep wanting to “know” the right answer without challenging the professor. (Yes, this can backfire–but it is important that your children are independent thinkers).

How can we have independent thinkers who are good, wholesome, and honorable? It takes a good foundation. For our family, this foundation is strong in the Bible and in examples of godly men and women who lived virtuous lives. I read my children so many books that emphasized this type of behavior. We had open discussions, and my children challenged me, and I challenged them. My husband and I were available for our children.

Friends, excellence is whatever you make it, stay strong, join our homeschool podcast family and share your thoughts with me!

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: How to Choose High School Curriculum.

How to Choose High School CurriculumChoosing curriculum for high schoolers can feel intimidating. As veteran homeschoolers ourselves, we know how the process of finding homeschool curriculum has changed. Join Vicki in discussing how to understand your teen’s learning style and give you practical guidelines for selecting the best resources.

The Evolution of Homeschool CurriculumIn the early days of homeschooling, curriculum choices were limited. Few publishers were willing to sell to homeschoolers, leading parents to create their own resources, which is what we did at 7SistersHomeschool.

Pioneers like Bob Jones University, Abeka, and ACE were among the few who supported the homeschool community. Over time, the landscape dramatically changed, with a wide array of curriculum options now available from traditional publishers. In fact, there can be so many options that choosing curriculum can feel intimidating.

Guidelines For Choosing Homeschool High School CurriculumOne of the key points is that there is not ONE right way to homeschool high school. Each family and student is unique, and what works for one may not work for another.

Another key point to keep in mind is, if someone says their curriculum is the “right” curriculum for your child, take it with a grain of salt.

For instance, even though 7Sisters Homeschool curriculum serves multiple kinds of homeschoolers, it may or may not fit well your family or your unique situation – and that’s okay. Don’t let anyone tell you which curriculum you must use in order to “do homeschooling right”.

Identify Learning StylesWhen considering how to choose high school curriculum, it can help t to think about your teen’s learning style, as well as your family’s educational philosophy.

If you have been homeschooling for some time or have transitioned your teens from traditional school to homeschooling, you might have noticed that each teen has a unique combination of learning styles. However, one style may be particularly prominent.

BTW- If you are unsure about identifying the most effective learning style for your teens, we highly recommend Star Finder by Anita Gibson. Anita, a dear friend of ours, authored this insightful book to help parents observe and understand their children’s learning preferences, uncovering their innate talents and the gifts they possess.

Four Basic Learning StylesThere are four basic learning styles (though people will define them in different ways). Teens tend to have a mixture of them, but usually there is one that really stands out. (However, don’t get too stressed about it if you just can’t figure out which one is your child’s learning style- this is just food for thought):

1. Visual
2. Auditory
3. Reading/Writing
4. Kinesthetic

Visual LearnersTeens with visual learning styles are those who need pictures. They need curriculum that will have

• photographs
• graphs
• diagrams
• illustrations
• links to videos, and so on,

because they need to see something with their eyes and something that includes color. It’s just the way they work.

In the early days of homeschooling, some of the textbooks, particularly the older ones, lacked illustrations. For someone who learns better visually, this was a significant barrier.

Recognizing that visual aids are crucial for many learners, especially teens, we ensured that our 7Sisters curriculum has plenty of images. We have also included links to videos at the end of chapters to cater to those who benefit from a more dynamic form of learning.

Nowadays, most curriculums are designed with visual learners in mind, making it easier for them to find resources that suit their learning style. However, when faced with multiple options, it’s beneficial to include your teen in choosing curriculum that resonates with them.

Auditory LearnersAuditory learners thrive when they can listen and absorb information through their sense of hearing. This learning style requires educational environments where auditory engagement is a key component, whether it’s through:

• co-op and group classes
• online live classes (like those offered by our friends at FundaFunda Academy)
• self-paced courses
• or, of course, one-on-one discussions with a parent or tutor.

These learners excel when lessons are delivered verbally because hearing the information helps them to understand and remember it more effectively. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this approach. It’s simply a unique strength.

Fortunately, there are many choices for auditory learners.

In the spirit of helping auditory learners find resources that cater specifically to their strengths, 7SistersHomeschool has been dedicated to expanding our collection of self-paced, asynchronous courses on the Teachable platform. Feedback from teens indicates that these courses are not only enjoyable but also highly effective in meeting their unique learning needs.

Reading/Writing LearnersThe next category of learners is the reading-writing learner. These individuals have a profound love for reading and writing, embracing both activities with enthusiasm.

Far from being intimidated by the written word, they find joy and satisfaction in engaging with texts, whether through reading, note-taking, or crafting outlines. This affinity for the literary world often means they thrive in academic settings that prioritize these skills.

They enjoy taking in information from textbooks and delight in the process of writing papers.

For reading-writing learners, traditional textbooks can be a valuable resource. However, they truly excel when exposed to a curriculum rich in actual literature. Integrating real books into their studies, especially in subjects like history and science, allows them to engage deeply with the material.

• Historical nonfiction, historical fiction, and science texts not only enrich their learning experience but also provide a more engaging and comprehensive understanding of the subjects.

Moreover, reading-writing learners are particularly well-suited to creative academic approaches. They can earn credits or level-up to achieve honors status on their transcripts by undertaking additional writing projects.

This flexibility in learning strategies not only caters to their strengths but also encourages a deeper exploration of topics of interest.

Kinesthetic LearnersKinesthetic learners, even at the high school level, thrive on hands-on experiences. They engage and absorb information more effectively through interaction. Many of us benefit from interacting with our learning material, whether it’s something as simple as clicking a link to engage with interactive content online.

A prime example of a homeschool high school curriculum that leverages this learning style is our 7SistersHomeschool Financial Literacy course. It encourages students to interact with the material by navigating through links, experimenting with forms, and completing interactive exercises.

This approach not only makes learning more engaging but also ensures the knowledge has a lasting impact.

Physical movement can be crucial for some teens. For instance, Angela O’Shaughnessy has shared with us several times how her kinesthetic learners are deeply engaged with American history through reenactments.

• Participating in Civil War and Revolutionary War activities allowed them to learn through movement and immersive experiences, earning credits by logging hours in these activities.

However, it’s not all about movement. Sometimes, kinesthetic learners need to sit down with a textbook, like for math, but there are also opportunities to be creative, particularly in science and history.

Resources such as EFMeducation.com offer valuable support. Our Cousin, Dr. Rochelle Matthews-Somerville, for example, offers consulting and teaches classes designed for kinesthetic learners, providing them with the tools they need to succeed.

Parents and students often wonder about how to choose high school curriculum that aligns with college admission requirements.

Consider Your Own PreferencesChoose a curriculum that aligns with both your teaching style and lifestyle preferences. In a perfect world, identifying how your teenagers learn most effectively can guide you to the most suitable curriculum for their learning style.

Then, consider what suits you best. For instance, when my teens were in high school, I found that engaging with subjects together was crucial. However, if the textbook lacked visuals, I found it disengaging. For my own satisfaction, it was essential that the text included illustrations, which, fortunately, is commonly available nowadays.

Consider your own preferences. If you’re a parent who thrives on adventures and loves organizing field trips, then perhaps you could lean towards courses that accommodate this. If your family enjoys read-aloud sessions, as mine does, you can incorporate this into language arts, history, and science.

My children, now adults, still cherish read-aloud sessions when they get together. It’s a practice we never outgrew.

It’s about finding what works best for your teaching style and incorporating that into your educational approach as much as possible.

Evaluate StructureDetermine how much structure your family needs, from highly structured programs like Keystone to more relaxed, project-based approaches. Consider evaluating the needs and preferences of each family member, as well as your overall goals and values, to determine the ideal level of structure for your family.

Set GoalsAdopt a goal-driven mindset, focusing on long-term objectives and short-term milestones. This will help you maintain clarity and direction as you work towards your ultimate vision. It’s important to stay flexible and adapt to changes as you progress towards your goals.

Parents and students often wonder about how to choose high school curriculum that aligns with college admission requirements. It is important to understand that different colleges may have varying requirements and preferences when it comes to high school curriculum.

Research and consider the specific colleges or universities that the student may be interested in attending and then align the courses up accordingly.

Exploring Different Educational PhilosophiesThink about the kinds of homeschooling methods that work best for you and your family. Similar to the curriculum choices, we have so many, and again, there’s not one right way to homeschool. So you do what’s best for you.

Considering the many methods available for homeschooling, it’s helpful to find what resonates best with you and your family. Homeschooling does not need a one-size-fits-all approach!

Think of the philosophies, or methods, like a spectrum of curriculum choices to suit various needs and learning styles:

• On one end of the spectrum, you have extremely rigid and structured environments
• and on the other end of the spectrum, are the most relaxed learning environments

That’s how we will go through these different approaches now, beginning with the extremely structured approaches.

All-In-One ProgramsFor those who prefer a highly structured learning environment, programs like Keystone or K12 might be appealing. These are akin to traditional school settings, offering a structured curriculum that guides students through their educational journey, much like a classroom experience.

For instance, Abeka’s online classes, which replicate filmed classroom sessions, cater to students who thrive in a well-organized setting.

Textbooks ApproachOn the other hand, the textbook approach offers a slightly less rigid structure but still requires selecting specific textbooks for each subject and following a systematic plan. Creating a syllabus, especially at the high school level, can greatly benefit students.

Utilizing resources such as the free syllabi offered by 7Sisters’ curriculum can help maintain organization and focus throughout the school year.

For those interested in exploring different textbooks and curriculum options to choose from, Cathy Duffy’s reviews are an invaluable resource, providing comprehensive insights into a wide range of homeschooling materials.

Classical Education ApproachClassical education represents another structured approach, rooted in the teachings of ancient Greek philosophers and adapted over centuries. It emphasizes a chronological learning process, doing things in a certain order using certain books, and includes the study of Latin, grammar, rhetoric, and logic, fostering critical thinking and communication skills.

Publishers like Veritas Press and Classical Academic Press specialize in this educational model, offering resources for those interested in adopting a classical education framework.

Charlotte Mason MethodLess structured than the classical method, the Charlotte Mason approach focuses on reading, narrative writing, beauty, and observational learning through real books and experiences.

This method has proven successful for students aiming for competitive colleges, thanks to its emphasis on communication skills.

For those interested in this approach, Dreaming Spires Home Learning and Mater Amabilis offer programs inspired by Charlotte Mason’s methodologies.

Goals-Driven ApproachIn the middle of the structure spectrum lies a goal-driven homeschooling approach. This method, championed by us here at 7Sisters, emphasizes balance, avoiding the stress often associated with rigid educational frameworks.

We are kind of stuck in the middle. We do not believe in getting ulcers over anything being too rigid or overly formatted. Instead, we want to set goals and teach our teens to set goals and work towards those goals. And so we start high school, and every year, with long term goals as well as short term goals.

Choosing a curriculum that aligns with each teen’s goals for the year, with a clear vision of what they aim to achieve by graduation and how they wish to be prepared for life in the long term, is crucial.

For us, the essence of high school education is teaching teens to adopt a goal-driven mindset, and the curriculum is the tool that facilitates this development. Here’s more on 7Sisters Homeschool curriculum philosophy.

Our friend and Cousin Karim Morato’s Homeschool Spanish Curriculum exemplifies this goal-oriented approach exceptionally well.

Relaxed HomeschoolingRelaxed homeschooling and project-based homeschooling present unique avenues for educational engagement, focusing on a teen’s interests to drive learning.

This approach emphasizes exploration and project completion as tools for learning, allowing students to accumulate credits and build a transcript around their passions.

Our friend and Cousin Theresa Wiedrick, of Homeschool Mama Self-Care, exemplifies this method. She has successfully guided her teens through project-based homeschooling, leading them to college and beyond while fostering self-discovery and impressive achievements. Teresa offers coaching for those interested in shifting towards an unschooling approach with their teenagers.

This more relaxed, interest-driven approach naturally cultivates a student’s motivation and self-direction. It challenges students to earn their credits in a way that resonates with their personal interests, empowering them as they prepare for college or the next chapter of their lives.

Additionally, incorporating notebooking projects and other hands-on activities enriches the learning experience. Resources and examples, such as those from our friend and Cousin, Tisha Messing who has extensively utilized notebooking with high schoolers, offer practical insights and inspiration.

Unschooling ApproachTransitioning through the spectrum of educational philosophies, one encounters unschooling at the opposite end of the traditional curriculum-based approach. Unschooling is profoundly led by the learner’s interests, steering clear of the conventional “school-like” education that often saps the joy from learning.

It’s predicated on the belief that genuine learning struggles to take root if the learner resents the subject matter. Unschooling champions the idea of following one’s passions and curiosities.

It emphasizes a personalized exploration and deep dive into subjects that truly captivate the learner, thereby transforming engagement into educational credit through innovative strategies.

To further explore unschooling, you would like our interview with Julie Polenko.

Recognizing that each teen is unique, unschooling presents an alternative pathway to homeschooling that eschews a one-size-fits-all method.

Homeschooling offers a range of methodologies from highly structured to unschooled approaches, allowing families to tailor the educational experience to their preferences and goals. Exploring these options and leveraging available resources can help create a fulfilling and effective homeschooling environment, which will lead you to how to choose high school curriculum for your homeschoolers!.

Adapt to Life CircumstancesRemember, there’s not ONE right way to choose curriculum and your strategies will naturally evolve over time. What works one year might not be the best fit the next, and that’s completely fine. You are free to adapt and change.

Consider these thought-provoking questions to help you make some decisions about your curriculum choices.* Are there things in our lifestyle right now that may affect what we need for curriculum? + For example, are you planning to travel or have a new baby soon? * Does my child have any special interests or talents that could be incorporated into their learning? * What are our long-term goals for homeschooling and how can our curriculum choices support those goals?

When you are considering different curricula and have a few ideas, it’s helpful to reflect on your current lifestyle and how it might influence your needs. For instance, you may want to do more independent learning or unschooling or even online courses if you know you’re going through a particularly hectic year, perhaps:

• you’re moving
• caring for someone with a chronic illness
• managing the needs of aging parents with frequent doctor’s appointments
• maybe you have a new baby or several young children at home.

The key is making informed choices that acknowledge your unique situation.

Choose a curriculum that accommodates your current life situation, whether it’s a busy year or specific family needs. Select a curriculum that is flexible and adaptable, one that has this year’s educational journey aligning with your unique circumstances for the year.

And lastly, if you are in the throes of a busy year, consider programs that offer online or remote learning options to provide convenience and accessibility. These programs can be beneficial for individuals with busy schedules or limited access to traditional educational institutions. They can offer a wide range of courses and subjects to cater to diverse interests and learning styles.

How To Choose High School CurriculumChoosing the right homeschool high school curriculum for your teenager can seem daunting, but when you follow these guidelines, it can become a manageable, and even enjoyable, task. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and it’s okay to adapt and change as needed.

Thank you for Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and for Richie Soares with Homeschool and Humor for writing this blog post!

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Do your children exhibit good character and values? What is the difference? We struggle occasionally to instill good behavior in our children; in this podcast, we will discuss how you can demonstrate and discuss good behavior in a way that sticks.

Values and Children ~529Many families are planning for back-to-school. Even though summer is still in full swing, there is an eye to school in the near future. For homeschoolers, it is important to teach academics, but many of us focus on virtues and good character as well. When my two little ones fought (it seemed 24/7), it alerted me to a problem that needed to be addressed. One time, I stopped school, placed them each in a chair facing the other, and said, “You two need to work out your problem. You are the only ones in your “class,” and if you don’t get along, this is going to be a miserable year.” I appealed to them to work together instead of against each other. I also told them that while “school” and “academics” are essential, their getting along was more important to me, and things needed to change.

I then walked away (within hearing distance) and listened to them work it out. Sure, voices were raised, and tears flowed, but eventually, they agreed to stop fighting. One of my children said, “If you just listened to me, things would be easier.” Insert head smack here!

That sounded like something I would say, and it brought home the truth. My children modeled my behavior and mirrored my words to them.

We all want our children to exhibit good values, and if you are like me, you’ve spent many dollars on books on character qualities. While we are told good character is to be caught and not taught, a balance must happen in this thought process.

Virtues – Character – ValueWhich are important to you and your family?

What are Values?I once heard a sermon on values and the ones most important to leading a good life. Values are the building blocks of the Christian moral life, but there is more. Values are habits that help us choose what is right and good, basically doing the right thing. Being good. Easier said than done!

What are good habits? These are things that are demonstrated and exhibited.

Values and CharacterFirst, character qualities are core values instilled in our children through example or lack of example and reinforced. Character is then exhibited in actionable traits or values that manifest in different life incidents. Sometimes, we look at our children (I know I do) and are amazed that they exhibit qualities we didn’t know they had — for example, I have a son who is very quiet. He doesn’t say much in a family of talkers unless it is really important to him. Yet, recently, at my daughter’s wedding rehearsal, he asked the person in charge (at the church) if they could practice processing down the aisle again. It was haphazard the first time; the wedding coordinator provided by the church was not in the back of the church telling people when to process down and when to wait, and it was disorganized.

He took charge, and truly, it was a good thing. He did this not because of a sense of righteousness, or I know better than you, but more so for a sense of justice, determination, and competency. He felt the entire first trial was a mess. What surprised me was his determination and fearlessness about what others might think. My husband and I chuckled slightly to see this in our son, who is 28 now.

Our children have watched my husband and I start our own businesses and watched good times and struggles. They have watched us budget and work around obstacles that happen from time to time. Once, the three youngest wanted a dog, and when I told them there was no money in the budget to buy one, they pooled their resources, looked online, and found a rescue. It still cost them $100 combined, but they pooled their money, lots of it loose change, and raised the money for the dog we had for over sixteen years.

Simply put, children learn values by observing what you do and drawing conclusions about what you think is important in life. Regardless of what you consciously teach them, your children will emerge from childhood with clear views of their parent’s values and a well-developed value system.

Many adjectives describe values, and I will probably use the words value and character interchangeably. Still, my shortlist, for the sake of focussing on behavior, includes the following alphabetically—this is not the order of importance, just how my list looks.

*Take some time to research a list of values and character traits that you would love to see your children exhibit, and make your own top 10 or 20.

1. compassion
2. competency
3. determination
4. faith
5. honesty
6. justice
7. kindness
8. loyalty
9. peace
10. reputation
11. respect
12. responsibility
13. self-respect
14. service
15. trustworthiness

So, how will this be implemented? Kids learn values by watching those around them; they draw conclusions. What are these conclusions? We won’t know unless we talk to them and learn how they process the information. A child’s idea of righteousness typically surrounds how things affect them. It doesn’t matter how you purposely teach them. They will form their own ideas of what is right and what is wrong. If you demonstrate your values in a clear way, it will have an impact on them as well.

For example, have you walked out of the grocery store only to find a jar of jam stuck in the corner that was not charged on your receipt? How difficult is it to load everyone back out of the car, and walk in the store, and go to customer service and pay for the jar of jam? Very. Yet, if a parent does this, it will set an example of how important it is to be honest, even when it is highly inconvenient. I remember one incident where I was leaving the bank, and a car was parked incorrectly, and when I backed up, I nicked the number. No one was in the parked car, yet I pulled over and left a note on the windshield with my name and phone number to exchange insurance information. Again, while it was difficult and upsetting (my SUV tank had no damage), I had to show my children that even when something happens and it is wrong and “no one sees,” doing the right thing is so important.

I watched a friend do a similar thing. I saw them run into another car, look around–apparently to see if anyone was looking, and take off from the parking lot. My estimation of this person and my respect went downhill. Why didn’t I report it to the car owner? Because the car was mine. There was a small dent, and again I was driving a seven-year-old large SUV, yet whether or not my car was old or new it was not right to take off and leave without letting me know. I never had the dent fixed; only my children knew about it.

What do you think? Should I have approached this “former friend?” That is something, perhaps, I should have done.

Or what about learning that my curriculum had been used verbatim in another science textbook without obtaining my permission? I contacted the large company, whose answer was, “We put a link to purchase your book on your website.” Yes, they did in the footnotes at the back of the book, where no one looks. At the time, I didn’t have the money or resources to hire an attorney and fight it. However, I did ask them to take it out of future reprints, and they did unless they wanted to obtain my permission and give me a footnote within the body of the text. They declined and removed it from future printings. This was a Christian company.

Sadly, as a Christian, I’ve noticed that that alone does not mean the person is honorable or just. Does Judeo/Christian faith increase a person’s chance of having good values? Yes. Unfortunately, we all know people who break that rule, and sadly, some of them are former close friends or, even tragically, within our own family.

We can “preach” without words, and I will be the first to admit that it is not easy. Truthfully, it is a painful lesson for all of us to be the main people our children look toward for what is good, righteous, honest, and just! You can buy the best curriculum in the world; demonstration is still the best. I created a 24-book series of activities for parents to use with their children (and I’m working on 12 more for the future) that include a list of questions you ask your children and have them answer or demonstrate in a small group. These are activities I did with my own family as a homeschooler. Check them out! Character 12 pack here and another 12-pack here.

The goal is to have enjoyable children who we enjoy having around us. Are all five of my children enjoyable? No, and from time to time, even as young adults, we share our displeasure over behavior, but it is minimal. They are now adults, and I am very proud of the people they have become.

Don’t lose heart if you feel it is an uphill battle. Keep at it. Demonstrate to your children, and have them demonstrate to you the ways they can improve their character. Role-playing works! Even with older teens. Ask them questions or discuss real scenarios. Situations happen all the time, especially if your children are involved in outside activities, sports, and lessons. These situations are perfect for discussing justice and injustice.

My young son and I traveled out of town while he played on a travel baseball team. He was a pitcher, and one of the coaches who was a dad also had a son who was a pitcher. My friends kept coming up to me and asking why they were not putting Mike in as he was a better pitcher, and I shrugged and didn’t have a good answer. Yet, another mom approached me and commented, “I’m amazed at your son’s character; look at him!” I had not noticed, but he was rooting on his team, pulling waters out of the cooler for players coming in, and encouraging those who sat there discouraged. Ultimately, we lost the game, and the team was disheartened walking to our cars.

I hugged my son and suggested we go to Cracker Barrel on the way home for dinner as a celebration. He was surprised, but I shared what I noticed (after it was pointed out – because this was behavior I had come to expect from him, caring for others). We had a great time. We purchased a mini checker set and a triangle puzzle and played while we waited for our dinner. It took longer to get home, but when we arrived, my husband, who had taken our daughter and another son to games in town that weekend, applauded him for his good sportsmanship. This son is currently a First Luitenant serving in the Army.

Friends, we can only do our part, and it isn’t easy. Demonstrating values, good character, and good sportsmanship, especially when we feel our children have been slighted or wrong, is not easy. We have taken drastic steps when necessary. My daughter played softball on a team at a college in Missouri, where she received a full academic scholarship. After her home run on her birthday, she rarely played again. There were too many girls on the team, and there were favorites, and she was not one of them. It happens. But that, combined with the toxic anti-Christian atmosphere on campus, caused us to encourage her to try out at another school (a university where my youngest son attended). She made the team and received a much lesser scholarship, but it was a fabulous move for her in the long run. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a master’s degree, all the while playing softball, a game she enjoyed.

I could share so many other stories. We are not a perfect family. My Italian temper came out more times than I am proud to admit, but I want to encourage you in this podcast as you plan a strategy for your homeschool year. We keep moving toward the goal of kids who listen at home because they will listen outside the house and be responsible citizens and valued members of our society. We desperately need this, and our homeschool community is the hope I see for our humanity!

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Jews and Christians are known in many cultures as “The People of the Book.” Our faith is grounded on the truth of God’s word! But there is a definite history of how that word was given, recorded, and distributed over the centuries. This episode, recorded at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., we’re talking about teaching your family about that history and the reliability of the text we have today!

Resources We RecommendJosh McDowell, More Than A Carpenter
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ

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284: YouTube Channels to Supplement Your Homeschool History CurriculumThese are all YouTube channels you can use to supplement your homeschool history curriculum and make history lessons more engaging for students

For even more ideas, visit this Facebook post by the Homeschool Historian.

1. The History Channel:
   • Offers a wide range of history-related content, including documentaries and series on various historical periods and events.
   • Provides in-depth and well-researched content suitable for older students
2. Crash Course:
   • Offers entertaining videos on U.S. and world history.
   • Known for high production quality, engaging visuals, and clear explanations.
   • Speaks fast!
3. Khan Academy:
   • Provides extensive history content with a focus on detailed explanations and thorough coverage of historical events.
   • Sometimes a little dry
4. Tom Ritchie:
   • Focuses on AP courses, but useful for everyone
   • Offers a serious yet engaging teaching style, with visual aids similar to Crash Course.
5. Heimler’s History:
   • Known for concise and engaging history lessons, usually 5-7 minutes long
   • Uses clear explanations and visual aids to help students grasp complex historical concepts
6. Mr. Betts Class:
   • Provides historically accurate content through parodies, cartoons, and memes.
   • Bridges the gap between modern media and educational content, making history relatable and enjoyable for students.
7. Horrible Histories:
   • British series, ideal for middle school students
   • Features reenactments and comedic presentations of historical events.
   • Covers European and some American history, including topics like ancient civilizations and world wars.
8. The Daily Bellringer:
   • Provides quick, engaging history lessons designed to capture students’ attention
   • Uses a lively and dynamic teaching style to make historical events and concepts memorable.
9. Hip Hughes:
   • Known for energetic and enthusiastic teaching, covering a wide range of historical topics.
   • Combines humor with clear explanations to make history accessible and fun for students of all ages.

Tips for Using These Channels:

• Use these channels as supplements to a primary history curriculum.
• Pair video lessons with assignments to ensure active learning and retention.
• Utilize platforms like Edpuzzle, Kahoot, Quizizz, and Quizlet to incorporate quizzes and interactive elements.
• Encourage note-taking and discussions to make the learning experience more interactive.

History Classes from FundaFunda Academy mentioned in this episode

• World History (high school)
• US History (high school)
• World War 2 Year by Year web-based unit study (4th – 8th grade)
• Who’s Who in World War 2 web-based unit study (4th – 8th grade)

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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6 Essential Steps When Considering a Credit CardIn this episode, Matt and Charla McKinley dive into the often contentious and anxiety-inducing topic of credit cards. Charla, the creator of “Beyond Personal Finance,” shares her unique perspective on teaching teens about credit card usage. Matt & Charla firmly believe in the importance of hands-on financial training and practical experience for teens and that includes the wise use of credit.

Step 1: Understanding Credit

– Charla’s philosophy on credit cards and why she believes in teaching responsible usage.

– The contrast with Dave Ramsey’s approach and the rationale behind it.

– The power of credit cards to build or destroy credit and the importance of understanding this balance.

– How simulating adult life helps teens grasp budgeting, career choices, and financial planning.

– The role of credit cards in building a credit history and its long-term implications.

– Adding teens to your credit card and teaching them to manage payments.

– The significance of borrowing money and the cost associated with it.

– Charla’s hands-on approach to financial education through her program, “Beyond Personal Finance” for parents who need additional support in teaching the financial basics.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Credit Card

– Evaluating credit card options based on individual goals and needs.

– The benefits of starting with a manageable card, like one from a familiar bank.

– Transitioning to more beneficial cards as teens become more financially savvy.

Step 3: Reading the Fine Print

– Understanding the critical details in credit card agreements.

– The consequences of missing payments and the hidden costs associated.

– Real-life experiences and lessons learned from overlooking fine print details.

Connect With Us:

You can find the rest of the steps and read more about this (or past topics) on Charla’s blog: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog

To subscribe to the weekly email with links to our podcast and blog, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/subscribe-1

To learn more about our unique products designed to increase your children’s understanding of how money works in the real world, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/

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Do your children have an awareness of the impact of good etiquette? Today Dr. Jan Bedell speaks with Monica Irvine about how life-enhancing proper etiquette can be.

“If you are not taught, you don’t know,” is what Monica has learned from speaking with parents who have used her products. It is never too early to start your children on the road to good manners. Monica has help for all ages. Preschoolers to high schoolers can benefit from these life-enhancing social graces. These lessons touch on everything from wedding and funeral etiquette to cellphone manners. Monica has been told by many parents that their children have grown in confidence when they understand these etiquette skills.

“Children learn best when they can relate [to their environment] with the [proper] etiquette skill,” says Monica. Our society no longer teaches etiquette the way it has been taught in the past. Our children need to be taught because we are sending messages to others no matter what we do. Do we want to send a message that we are thinking of others or thinking of ourselves? Tune in, to today’s Brain Coach Tips to learn how to teach your children how valuable it is to prefer others in social situations.

Sponsored by CTC Math.

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Hey, homeschoolers! I think media literacy is a course we should consider including in our high school curriculum plan. When I learned that friend Nate Noorlander was teaching a class on it, I asked him to rejoin me on the podcast to discuss it. Nate gave me a new perspective that I hope blesses you as it did me.

Watch on YouTubeTakeaways* + Media literacy is an important skill for high school students to navigate the internet safely and critically evaluate information. * + Determining source reliability, bias, and perspective is crucial in media literacy. * + Epistemological humility, the willingness to doubt oneself and be open to different perspectives, is a valuable skill in media literacy. * + Finding accurate information in the age of social media and the 24-hour news cycle can be challenging. * + Having conversations about media literacy with children is important, and parents can take media literacy courses alongside their children. * + The Nomadic Professor offers courses on media literacy, American history, free speech, and world history.

Media Literacy ResourcesTeaching History on Location

Media Literacy on Nomadic Professor.com

Media Literacy through Aim Academy

NomadicProfessor.com

Instagram.com/nomadicprofessorcourses

YouTube Nomadic Professor

Have a happy homeschool week!

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast:7Sisters Curriculum Eligible for State Reimbursement- Replay. This post is running concurrently on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

7Sisters Curriculum Eligible for State Reimbursement- ReplayThis week Sabrina explains how 7SistersHomeschool curriculum will work for state reimbursement. Now, do not get too excited! Not all states offer any reimbursement programs for curriculum! (Take a look at all the 7Sisters curriculum that meets reimbursement criteria.)

However, some states DO offer at least partial reimbursement for curriculum purchases. Every state’s laws are different. Often states that offer reimbursement programs have very specific rules on how to go about being reimbursed. SO, if you are not sure what your state’s rules are, check your local homeschool organization or Homeschool Legal Defense Association.

If you DO live in a state that gives your a tax credit or reimbursement, then this episode is for you!

Is the curriculum from 7SistersHomeschool acceptable for reimbursement programs?Until recently, we would have said, “maybe not”. That is because, each of us 7Sisters are of the Christian faith. We are each from different denominations but our overall worldview is shaped by our faith. Thus, it is often explicitly mentioned in our textbooks. (However, we are never pushy, judgmental or preachy with our messaging…just to be clear.)

In recent years, we have had consistent and increasing numbers of homeschooling parents who live in states that reimburse. They want to be good stewards of the family finances, which means it makes sense to avail themselves of the reimbursement programs. However, most states that give tax credits or have reimbursement programs require that curriculum NOT be used for “religious instruction”.

Often the term, “religious instruction” means that in the textbook there is mention of religion or is intended as religious instruction (or could be construed as such).

So HOW did 7Sisters handle this dilemma?We want to help our 7th Sisters and their families. (BTW- there are six of us 7Sisters: Sabrina, Marilyn, Kym, Vicki, Allison and Sara. SO, who is the 7th Sister? YOU are!)

How could we help our homeschooling friends in states that reimburse use 7Sisters texts and still qualify for reimbursement? First, we thought and prayed and came up with a unique solution. Then we evaluated each:

• Textbook
• Literature Study Guide
• Cinema Study Guide
• Writing Guide

First, we searched through each text and guide and found the curricula that we could create a state-approvable version that does not damage the integrity of the material. Then we removed material in these curricula that was gave the appearance that we were giving (or attempting to give) religious instruction, teach the Bible or Christian ways of living or model preachiness of any kind.

However, if you download a piece of curriculum that you do not feel will not meet your state’s guidelines, pay attention to your gut! It was our intention to present curriculum that did not include any semblance of religious instruction. When we evaluated the adapted texts and guides, we feel we did well with this. But if your gut says you do not think it will work in your state, contact us and ask for a refund. As you probably know, 7SistersHomeschool is proud of our:

10-Day No-Questions-Asked Money-Back Guarantee on all 7Sisters EBook curriculum!

SO you do not have any risk when you purchase our curriculum! Just scroll down in the 7Sisters bookstore to the category: Curriculum Acceptable for State Reimbursement. There you will find the titles that have been adjusted to be free from religious instruction.

Please note: Some 7Sisters curriculum could not be adapted to be free from religious instruction!Some of our textbooks and guides simply could not be adapted to be reimbursable. Take for instance:

• Financial Literacy from a Christian Perspective
  • This teachings of this text rely deeply on Biblical ideals and principles. This text could not be adapted.
• Great Christian Writers
  • Well, this one is obvious. No explanation even needed.
• CS Lewis Study Guides
  • One of the main purposes of Lewis’ writings is instruction in religion!

However, some textbooks and guides could be adapted to be free from religious instruction while maintaining the integrity of the materialIf there is a character in a study guide who is a person of faith (such as the priest in Les Miserables), we ask questions that work on literature analysis. Thus, we do not ask religiously-oriented questions.

Some titles that have been adapted to be acceptable for state reimbursement for 7Sisters curriculum include:Health* High School Health

English/Language Arts* ELA Bundles: + One Year of High School ELA + Another Year of High School ELA + One More Year of High School ELA + A Final Year of High School ELA * American Literature, Full-Year Course * American Poetry: Reading and Writing * APA Research Paper Writing Guide * British Literature, Full-Year Course * Chicago-Style Research Paper Writing Guide * MLA Research Paper Writing Guide * Research Readiness Guide * World Literature, Full-Year Course * Writing Your Personal Mission Statement

Career Exploration* Career Exploration Textbook

Psychology* An Introduction to Psychology

PLUS, many other guides:Check out these on the 7Sisters estore

• Cinema Studies for Literature Learning Guides
• Literature Study Guides
• Shakespeare Study Guides
• Writing Guides (Short Stories, Essays, Poetry, Creative Chronicling, College Essays)

Not only that but ALL four Complete Bundles (Literature, Writing, Vocabulary, etc) have been adapted to be acceptable for state reimbursement, such as:One Year of High School English/Language Arts (a good fit for 9th grade)

Look for the RED STICKER on the cover of textbooks and guides OR simply scroll through the bookstore to the category: Curriculum Acceptable for State Reimbursement.

Join Sabrina for encouragement for choosing reimbursable curriculum AND if you need more information on choosing curriculum, check out this Homeschool Highschool Podcast episode.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page. 2. OR take this IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in “…your favorite podcast source” 3. This will take you to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review

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Sound Strategies: Boosting Academic Success with Auditory ProcessingIn this episode of the Vintage Homeschool Moms podcast, Felice Gerwitz is joined by special guest Terra Jenner to look into the critical role of auditory training in education. Terra shares invaluable insights on how auditory processing can significantly impact reading, spelling, and comprehension skills.

This episode sponsored by CTC Math.

Special Guest: Terra Jenner

Host: Felice Gerwitz

Episode Highlights:

• The Sound-to-Code Connection: Discover how the English language operates as a sound-to-code system and what this means for learners.
• Understanding English Sounds: Learn about the number of sounds in the English language and their significance.
• Demystifying Dyslexia: Terra explains what dyslexia really is and why it’s often mistakenly associated with letter reversals.
• The Link Between Auditory and Written Language: Uncover the surprising connection between auditory skills and written language proficiency.
• Practical Tips and Fun Games: Get practical advice on how to teach individual sounds and engage children with fun and educational auditory games.

Do you have a child who struggles academically?

This episode is packed with practical tips and insights that can help improve your child’s learning experience through auditory processing training. Terra Jenner’s expertise will provide you with new strategies to support your child’s academic journey.

Tune in to this episode to unlock the potential of auditory processing in your homeschool curriculum.

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It’s summertime, and like many families, we’re on vacation! Our annual trip to the lake is a tremendous encouragement after all the travel and work of conference season. You know what else is encouraging? To realize the Bible supports the idea!

God established a pattern of work and rest from the very beginning – creating the world in six days and ceasing His work on the seventh. It was a matter of civil law in the Old Testament, but Jesus explained that the day of rest was a blessing given to man.

In the Gospels, Jesus took His disciples aside for a time of rest after a strenuous period of ministry. (Not unlike our vacation!) And sometimes special occasions would call for a pause in the daily routine – like a wedding.

So there are examples in the Bible of doing just this – taking time off work and doing something different. It’s meant to restore our strength and courage for the tasks we return to. It may be a time to relax, or a time to do something active – but a change from our regular work.

WHAT SHOULD IT LOOK LIKE?“Vacation” doesn’t have to be a multi-thousand-dollar cruise or resort stay. We’ve done all kinds of things on a tight budget (raising eight kids on one income, and part of that time in ministry!).

• “Daycations” – go visit nearby museums, state parks, or other places you might have overlooked
• Camping – We have literally camped across the U.S., in tents – no RVs! National Forest campgrounds are inexpensive and they’ve always been well-maintained. And you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment – we found when we camped often while traveling, we got to be minimalists with our gear. (It’s not cheating for Mom and Dad to have an air mattress, though)
• Business trips – Often our whole family went with Dad on training and meeting travel. While he was in class, the rest of the family visited historic sites, museums, and natural attractions. Often, the company would cover the cost of gas instead of the airfare they expected!
• Add a few days to a college trip – We often did this when moving a student into or out of the dorms. You’re already going there, why not enjoy the local places together?

SCRIPTURES WE REFERENCEThe pattern of work and rest was established before the Fall!

Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day … Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it … (Genesis 2:1-3)

A weekly time of rest is a blessing to mankind

“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” (Jesus, in Mark 2:27)

There are seasons when it is appropriate to set aside regular work

“When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife whom he has taken.” (Deuteronomy 24:5)

Jesus saw the need for recuperation after extended work

Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. (Mark 6:30-32)

You Might Find Helpful …Long Distances with Little Ones

Family Travel Hacks

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283: Online Resources for Learning Computer ScienceComputer science encompasses more than just coding and programming; it includes history, hardware, software, algorithms, computational thinking, the internet, cybersecurity, and more.

Highlights and Resources:

1. ScienceTrek.org
   • A fun and interactive site with various options including games
   • Includes books and facts that cover the history of computers, how they work, and internet safety.
2. Studio.Code.org
   • Offers numerous programming and computer science resources.
   • Filterable catalog by grade, duration, topic, device, and curriculum.
   • Includes Hour of Code activities for short, engaging lessons.
3. Khan Academy
   • Known for its math courses, but also offers comprehensive computer science resources.
   • Includes AP options and modules on digital information, the internet, and online data security.
4. CSFieldGuide.org.nz
   • Features interactive simulations and curriculum on various computer science topics.
   • Useful for teaching concepts like algorithms, data representation, and binary.
5. Crash Course
   • Provides video content on computer science, including history and how computers work.
   • Videos are about 16 minutes long, suitable for high school students.
6. CodeHS.org
   • Offers a complete computer science curriculum that aligns with state standards, including Tennessee.
   • Allows for comprehensive learning or picking and choosing resources.
7. ClassCentral.com
   • Database of university-level MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) in computer science.
   • Suitable for advanced high school students looking for a challenge.

Computer Science Class from FundaFunda Academy

• New Class: an online computer science class for high schoolers, also suitable for advanced middle school students

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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On this week’s episode, Sue Meyer welcomes her friend and one of the Members from the Members Corner, Peggy from Irving, Texas. Peggy shares her personal journey with long COVID, detailing symptoms like exhaustion, brain fog, high blood pressure, and a persistent rash. She shares about the benefits of vitamin D3 and sunlight exposure in alleviating her symptoms. Peggy also discusses her research on anticoagulant therapy and the use of homeopathic remedies as an alternative option.

Links mentioned:
Immune Boost Kit: https://theoutpostmercantile.com/Immunity-Mini-Kit-p490731380
Vitamin D: https://theoutpostmercantile.com/Rudys-Vitamin-D3-p89354190

—–

DISCLAIMER:

The content of the Homeopathy for Mommies Radio post or page, including text, graphics, images, or information contained in text or audio, or other content, is offered on an informational basis only. No content is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice and guidance of a qualified health professional before: Changing or making any adjustment to any medication or treatment protocol you are currently using.

Stopping any medication or treatment protocol you are currently using.
Starting any new medication or treatment protocol, whether or not it was discussed on the Homeopathy For Mommies Radio show, page or post on this website.
Information on this site is informational and not as specifically applicable to any individual’s medical problem(s), concerns and/or needs.
These products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat or prevent disease.
In each audio remedies are recommended. We are not claiming that the product will cure any of these problems or disorders. We are merely reporting that people have used the product to aid these conditions.

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Let Your Teen Pay: Empower Your Teen with Financial OwnershipEpisode Summary:

In this episode, Matt and Charla discuss the importance of teaching teens financial responsibility by giving them ownership over their own expenses. They explore practical strategies to help teens understand the value of money and make informed financial decisions.

Discussion Highlights:

Real-Life Financial Management:

– Charla emphasizes the importance of teens handling real-life expenses, not just allowances for trivial items. This includes significant costs like extracurricular activities and college savings.

Decision Making and Budgeting:

– By giving teens a budget, they learn to make choices based on their priorities. For example, choosing between a high-end item or several less expensive ones fosters better financial decision-making.

Building Financial Muscle:

– Allowing teens to experience financial tension prepares them for future financial independence. This practice also helps them develop a better understanding of budgeting and saving.

Parental Involvement:

– While teens manage their allocated budget, parents should still guide and support them. This dual approach ensures that teens are learning while still having a safety net.

Examples:

1. Extracurricular Activities:

– Teens often want to participate in numerous activities without understanding the associated costs. By providing them with a set budget for these activities, they learn to prioritize and manage their expenses. This includes registration fees, equipment, and travel costs.

1. Food:

– Give teens a weekly or monthly food budget for their snacks and extras. This helps them learn to shop wisely and manage their own food expenses. It’s a practical way to teach them about the costs of their dietary choices and encourage them to make healthier, budget-friendly decisions.

1. College Expenses:

– Discuss the costs of college early on and set clear expectations about financial contributions. Encourage teens to save for college and seek scholarships. This helps them appreciate the value of their education and motivates them to perform well academically.

Practical Tips for Parents:

1. Set Clear Budgets:

– Provide a specific amount for activities, food, and other expenses. Make sure teens understand they must stay within this budget.

1. Encourage Work:

– If teens want more than their budget allows, encourage them to find part-time jobs to cover the additional costs. This teaches them the value of earning money.

1. Discuss Long-Term Goals:

– Have open conversations about future expenses like a car, living expenses and college. Make sure teens understand the financial commitment from the family and start saving early to help make those future plans succeed.

Connect With Us:

To read more about this (or past topics) go to Charla’s blog: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog

To subscribe to the weekly email with links to our podcast and blog, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/subscribe-1

To learn more about our unique products designed to increase your children’s understanding of how money works in the real world, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/

The post Let Your Teen Pay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Hey, homeschoolers! Whether you are interested in motivating yourself or your children, understanding the three motivational states described in Mark Forster’s book How to Make Your Dreams Come True will help you achieve your goal.

SponsorAre you looking for a new Math Curriculum?

CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Favorably reviewed in Cathy Duffy’s 102 Top Picks and The Old Schoolhouse Crew Review, the lessons are short and concise to help your children break down concepts and appreciate math in a whole new way!

The lessons are taught the traditional way, not to a “test”.

Each one of the video tutorials is taught by an internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, who is renowned for teaching math concepts in a simple, easy-to-understand way (and in only a few minutes at a time). Using a multi-sensory approach having the combination of effective graphics and animation synchronized with the voice of a friendly teacher together with practical assessment. This three-pronged attack makes learning so much easier and more effective. Even students who struggled with math are getting fantastic results! And ones who were doing OK before are now doing brilliantly.

Visit c-t-c-math.com today to start your free trial.

Takeaways– Push mode involves pushing ourselves and our kids to achieve goals through scheduling, planning, consequences, and accountability. – Drift Mode occurs when we reject Push mode and seek downtime and freedom, but it can lead to feeling sluggish and demoralized. – Pull Mode is about using inspiration and connecting goals to personal interests and passions. – Strategies for push mode include scheduling, planning, using consequences, and accountability. – Strategies for pull mode include describing and visualizing goals, connecting goals to personal interests, and consuming motivational content. – Finding a balance between Push Mode, Drift Mode, and Pull Mode is important for maintaining motivation in homeschooling.

ResourcesHow to Have a Better Homeschool Year

Unschooling with Karla Marie Williams

Have a happy homeschool week!

The post 3 Motivational States For Homeschoolers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: How to Start the Homeschool High School Year.

How to Start the Homeschool High School YearStarting a new homeschool high school year can be both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschool mom or just beginning this journey, having a solid plan in place is crucial. Let’s explore effective strategies for how to start the homeschool high school year by selecting the right curriculum, managing schedules, and fostering a positive learning environment for your high schooler.

Setting Long-Term and Short-Term GoalsThe very first thing we want to do is make sure we get our planning under control. What are the long term goals that you have? It’s essential to establish both long-term and short-term goals because that helps you with the planning.

Discuss with your teen what they hope to achieve by the end of high school and break these down into yearly objectives. This will guide your planning and ensure that your teen’s educational journey aligns with their aspirations.

What should those goals be? It depends on what the career interests or the subjects they need to take to be ready for college.

If your teen is preparing for college, consider how much exposure they need to specific subjects. Take the time to sit down and discuss the courses they should focus on this year. Then, decide together how long the academic year should be.

And you both should be on the same page – or as close to that as possible!

Curriculum ChoicesLet’s dive into choosing the ideal curriculum for our teens, recognizing that preferences can vary significantly by individual and subject. For instance, some teens prefer the straightforward structure of a textbook, particularly for subjects like math where progressing page by page offers a clear path.

However, when it comes to electives or subjects conducive to hands-on learning, such as history, many teens thrive on experiential learning opportunities. This could include engaging with interactive projects, videos, or logging hours spent on practical activities to earn credit – methods that emphasize learning by doing.

For those who favor flexibility, asynchronous online courses present a valuable option. Platforms like 7Sisters offer a variety of courses ranging from Human Development to Shakespeare, allowing students to learn at their own pace.

This is particularly beneficial for those who might find their most productive study times outside the conventional school hours, whether early in the morning or late at night, without the distractions of siblings or other commitments.

On another note, live online courses are gaining popularity among teens who enjoy the structure and community aspect of traditional classroom settings, albeit virtually. Numerous online academies cater to this preference, offering a diverse range of subjects that can complement any homeschool curriculum.

The landscape of homeschooling has evolved dramatically since its early days. Where once resources were scarce, and obtaining curriculum was a challenge, today’s families have access to an abundance of options. From local co-ops and group classes to online academies and beyond, the variety is vast and varied.

Reflecting on our experiences, the 7Sisters Homeschool curriculum comes highly recommended. Our approach has always been to adapt our curriculum based on direct feedback from teens, focusing on engagement, minimizing busywork, and maximizing enjoyment.

Our aim is to inspire and fulfill the academic needs of our students in a way that feels most aligned with their learning styles and preferences.

When choosing the best curriculum for your teen, consider exploring various options togetherThere are so many choices when choosing curriculum! Browse websites, review samples, and consult with peers to make informed decisions. The key is to engage in an open dialogue about what feels right for them, ensuring a tailored learning experience that meets their unique needs and aspirations.

Scheduling the School YearWhen it’s time to figure out the scheduling of your homeschool year, remember: There’s not ONE right way to schedule!

Flexibility is one of the greatest benefits of homeschooling. Decide together whether a year-round schedule or a more traditional school calendar works best for your family. Be sure to account for holidays, family events, and any potential disruptions to create a realistic and adaptable plan.

So some families homeschool year round. This may be a 52-week school year, but it also gives them space to take off a few weeks at at ime, such as for Christmas, or to take a family road trip while logging geography hours.

Or some families want to do a 32-week year or a 30-week year. What’s important is how it fits your family, so figure that aspect out together by looking at what’s on your family schedule for the year.

It’s also wise to consider planning around significant events or occurrences that might disrupt the regular school schedule. Whether it’s a family trip, someone undergoing surgery, or any other event that requires a break from the routine, it’s beneficial to account for these in advance.

This might mean scheduling some time off from lessons and adjusting the school calendar accordingly. For example, you could structure the academic year to run from September to early December, taking the entirety of December off, or extend it to the end of January with a break before resuming until spring break.

Tailoring the homeschool schedule to fit your family’s unique needs is the most effective approach.

Weekly and Semester PlanningOnce you’ve settled the initial steps, it’s time to consider the structure of your week throughout the semester. It’s crucial to recognize that learning preferences vary among teens.

Some may opt for a balanced daily schedule, incorporating a bit of English language arts, math, science, and so on each day.

Others might prefer block scheduling, where they dedicate an entire semester or a focused two-month period to mastering math, immersing themselves in the subject intensively. This approach allows for concentrating on one or a few subjects at a time, rather than juggling all subjects simultaneously, by dividing their learning into more manageable segments.

There’s no universally correct method; it’s about aligning with your personal learning style, understanding your needs and goals, and deciding the most effective strategy for you.

Time ManagementLet’s talk about the concept of scheduling backwards, a strategic tool that’s incredibly beneficial for high school teens managing their myriad of projects and papers. The idea is to prevent the all-too-common last-minute cramming by organizing tasks well in advance.

I’ll share a personal story to illustrate this point, one that many of you might find familiar. My daughter, during her college years, shared a valuable insight with me. She never had to cram for exams.

Curious, I asked her to elaborate. Her strategy was simple yet effective: she would review her notes daily, immediately after her classes. This consistent, bit-by-bit study method meant that by the time exams rolled around, she was already well-prepared, avoiding the stress of last-minute studying.

This approach is a prime example of effective time management – planning ahead and dedicating a little time each day to stay on top of your studies.

Engaging in regular discussions about these strategies with teens can be incredibly helpful. It’s a good practice to have regular one-on-one check-ins, perhaps weekly or bi-weekly, to discuss what’s working and what isn’t.

Life is unpredictable, and sometimes, a planned curriculum or schedule might need to be adjusted. That’s perfectly okay. Adapting to change is a crucial life skill, embodying flexibility and resilience.

This adaptability is at the heart of what we call a growth mindset. When something doesn’t work out, rather than seeing it as a failure, view it as a learning opportunity. Together, we can navigate these challenges, learning and growing along the way.

Let’s be open to changing course when necessary, fostering a mindset that embraces growth and learning as integral parts of the educational journey.

Starting the School YearSabrina always shares a valuable insight for engaging in long conversations with teens: do it over food.

Whether preparing snacks at home or stepping out for coffee, discussions seem to flow more naturally with food on the table. (By the way, this approach works wonders with adults as well.)

When planning how to kick off the school year, consider what tone you want to set from day one. Do you prefer a gentle start, mixing a bit of academic work with relaxation? Or are you inclined to dive right in, tackling a full schedule of subjects to swiftly adapt to the routine?

Another option could be to infuse the beginning with excitement, perhaps dedicating a week to field trips related to your year’s focus, like American history, and exploring how many related outings you can fit into that week.

There’s no single correct approach. It’s about aligning with your family’s dynamics, energy levels, and your teens’ current interests. Decide whether to begin the year on a tranquil note or with a burst of energy.

What matters most is making these decisions together, ensuring a collaborative and effective start to the year.

How To Start the Homeschool High School YearStarting a homeschool high school year requires thoughtful planning and open communication. The key is to find what works best for your family and be willing to adapt as needed.

How do you plan your homeschool high school year? Share your tips and experiences in our 7Sisters Homeschool Facebook group!

Thank you to Richie Soares with Homeschool and Humor for writing this blog post and to Seth Tillman for editing this podcast!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our iTunes page. 2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes 3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review and give us some stars and a comment to help others find us more easily. 7. Thanks!

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Talking with Kids About TragedyTragedy. In terms of media and social media, tragedy has become a staple of our daily diet. The world seems to be going crazy and the news is full of stories that are difficult for kids to process and understand. How do we talk to our children about race issues, murder, terrorism, and other tragic current events?

On this episode, we dive right into modern events and take on the headlines of the day. We discuss ages and appropriateness of content and conversation, how to address our children’s fears, and of course how to bring the gospel into every conversation.

Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!CTC Math.

The post Talking With Kids About Tragedy – Special Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Show Notes: LifeSkills101 Podcast Episode – “The One Skill Your Kids Need to Graduate High School”Sponsored by: CTC Math

In this episode of LifeSkills101, we delve into an essential skill. It’s not math or science. It’s the art of selling. Selling is crucial for high school graduates. It’s not just about business. It’s about communication and persuasion. Our kids use selling daily. They negotiate with peers, teachers, and even us, their parents.

The One Skill: SellingFirst, selling teaches effective communication. Kids learn to express ideas clearly. They learn to listen and respond to feedback. This skill is vital in any career. It helps in resolving conflicts and building relationships.

Emotional Intelligence is a SkillSecond, selling enhances emotional intelligence. It requires understanding emotions in oneself and others. Kids learn empathy and how to influence feelings positively. This emotional awareness is key in personal and professional success.

Resilence and RejectionThird, selling fosters resilience. Rejection is part of selling. Kids learn to handle it without losing confidence. This resilience is crucial for life’s challenges. It teaches them to persevere and adapt.

The Skill of Goal SettingFourth, goal setting is another benefit. Selling involves setting and achieving goals. Kids learn the importance of planning and hard work. They understand that effort leads to results. This mindset is valuable for any future endeavor.

Problem Solving SkillsFinally, selling builds problem-solving skills. Kids learn to identify needs and offer solutions. They think creatively and critically. These skills are applicable in any situation.

To cultivate this skill, encourage your kids to practice selling. They can start small, like selling old toys or organizing a garage sale. Support them in school fundraising activities. Discuss their experiences and the lessons learned.

Also, teach them the value of preparation. Understanding the product and the audience is key. Role-playing can be a fun way to practice. It helps them anticipate questions and objections.

Honesty and IntegrityHighlight the importance of honesty and integrity. Selling is not about tricking people. It’s about offering real value and building trust. Teach them to believe in what they’re selling. Their enthusiasm will be contagious.

Lastly, remind them that selling is a journey. They will face rejections and failures. Encourage them to see these as opportunities to learn and grow.

Wrap UpIn conclusion, the art of selling is invaluable for high school graduates. It equips them with skills needed for success in life. It’s about communication, emotional intelligence, resilience, goal setting, and problem-solving. Encourage your kids to embrace selling. Support them in their journey. They will not only graduate high school but also thrive in life beyond it.

Remember, the goal is to prepare our kids for the real world. Selling is a skill that opens doors and creates opportunities. Let’s help our kids master it. Join us next time on LifeSkills101 for more insights into equipping your kids for success.

Subscribe and Stay InformedCheck out our other podcasts & subscribe.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to provide your family with the best possible homeschooling and career preparation resources. Subscribe to the Life Skills 101 Podcast and stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and valuable insights.

GRAB YOUR FREE TIMELINE TO HOMESCHOOL SUCCESS RIGHT HERE

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Special Replay! School approaches … can you believe it? Here’s a special replay with some special tips to help you get ready to have a calm school year!

Thanks to our sponsor, CTC Math.

As this school year approaches, I thought I would share some of my plans to have a calm year! This year I have one 7th grader, one 9th grader, two high school seniors, one in Estethecian School and one junior in college. Whew, that is a lot. I will be honest, the first couple of weeks I find myself struggling to get us all on the same page. Between school, jobs, sports, etc… keeping this house running smoothly is a challenge.

Here are some of my tips for surviving back to school:

1. Create Dream Posters.
2. Create a Healthy Meal Plan.
3. Follow Through on Healthy Meal Plan.
4. Plan a family night to make dream posters. You will need poster board, markers, magazine, and glue. Invite your children to create a dream poster and display them in your home.
5. Have a Dream Poster Date Night with your partner/spouse.
6. SLEEP… get sleep. Make sure everyone in the home is getting enough sleep.
7. Organize your space and remember less is better. Don’t forget to create a cozy corner for reading books/getting away.
8. Take time to watch and listen. What are your kids talking about, playing with, dreaming of? What pushes their buttons, brings them joy, challenges them?
9. Create a realistic routine that you can live with. Encourage children to stick with routine.
10. Be Flexible – If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to change it.

Say YES and have a great week!!! Don’t forget that The Homegrown Preschooler’s biggest sale of the year is going on until Labor Day, save $35 off any order of $150 or more.

Thanks for listening. If you have topics you would like for me to discuss or people you would like to hear from, let me know. Just email me at kathy@thehomegrownpreschooler.com or shoot me a message on social media.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!! Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase at The Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

. Thank you to The Homegrown Preschooler for sponsoring this Podcast! Check out the blog post Kathy mentioned, Farmhouse Schoolhouse, to read more about A Year of Playing Skillfully.

Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase atThe Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.

The post Special Replay: Keeping Your Calm This School Year appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Math The Easy Way – Episode 435Special Replay

Are you ready for math the easy way? Enjoy my special guest Pat Murray – he’s been a math teacher and coach for more than thirty-six years.

And would you believe that Over that time, the programs and courses Pat and his company developed have helped students and families numbering in the tens and hundreds of thousands in more than seventy-two countries. So no matter where you live this information is accessible!

Pat and his beautiful wife Maree live in Sydney Australia, have 10 children, and 7 grandchildren – soon to be 8 (next month).

So, we are going to delve into seven of the most valuable tips for teaching math to kids –of all ages. I was amazed that your math programs have one low cost for a year, per family and it covers grades 1 through high school which is amazing and only a man with a big family understands what a blessing that is to parents with many children….

1. Short concise explanations – clarity is important.
2. Immediate practice – get them to practice it quickly and feedback.
3. Rote learning memorizing, times tables, important facts. [Great examples given on the audio!]
4. The sequence can make a difference. Start with the easiest stuff first, encourage success.
5. Discovery and inquiring learning that is taught first by example.
6. Puzzles and problem solving – a fun activity. Build interest.
7. Parents – avoid frustration. Kids will avoid help, due.

Pat shares a mathematical trick – kids can learn as a parent to impress their kids.

Visit our sponsor:

Are you looking for a new Math Curriculum?

CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Favorably reviewed in Cathy Duffy’s 102 Top Picks and The Old Schoolhouse Crew Review, the lessons are short and concise to help your children break down concepts and appreciate math in a whole new way!

The lessons are taught the traditional way, not to a “test”.

Each one of the video tutorials is taught by an internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, who is renowned for teaching math concepts in a simple, easy-to-understand way (and in only a few minutes at a time). Using a multi-sensory approach having the combination of effective graphics and animation synchronized with the voice of a friendly teacher together with practical assessment. This three-pronged attack makes learning so much easier and more effective. Even students who struggled with math are getting fantastic results! And ones who were doing OK before are now doing brilliantly.

Visit ctcmath.com today to start your free trial.

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“My son shows me disrespect.” “How can I deal with the disrespect from our kids?” “What can I do to teach my children to be more respectful?” It’s something we all have to deal with as parents, and yet it’s hard – and some of us struggle more than we expected! This episode, we look at the very real question of respect – teaching our kids to show it, dealing with them when they don’t, where this may be coming from, and what God expects from all of us!

Thank you to our episode sponsor, CTC Math.

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282: Online Olympic Resources for Homeschoolers

Here are several online Olympic resources that will help you extend the excitement of the games into educational opportunities for your children. From interactive apps and science videos to music lessons and virtual museum tours, we’ve got a variety of tools to make the most of the Olympic season in your homeschooling journey.

Key Resources Discussed:

1. Official Olympics App – Free, provides schedules and update
2. 15-minute Music Lesson on Olympic Music (from Music in Our Homeschool)
   • Free printable download available that goes along with the lesson
3. Science of the Summer Olympics: Engineering and Sports
   • Nine educational videos on various Olympic topics
4. Fan School
   • Free Olympics prediction game
   • Opportunity for kids to write articles
5. Olympic Bingo Board
   • Available from FundaFunda Academy for $0.99
6. FundaFunda Academy’s Mini Unit Study on Olympic History and Culture
   • Web-based, $5, covers both summer and winter Olympics
7. Literary Adventures for Kids – Online Book Club
   • “The Boys in the Boat” – Middle school and high school versions available
8. Olympic Museum Online Resources
   • Virtual 360 tours of the Olympic Museum
   • Various PDFs and educational materials available

Additional Tips:

• Use videos on EdPuzzle for ad-free video watching with embedded questions
• This blog post has some more ideas and a giveaway for the mini unit study

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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12 Essential Attributes to Prioritize Over the Pursuit of HappinessIn this episode, Matt and Charla discuss 12 attributes parents should prioritize over happiness when raising their children. They delve into why focusing solely on happiness can be counterproductive and offer insights into the long-term benefits of teaching children qualities like patience, self-control, and grit.

The Myth of Prioritizing Happiness:

– Parents often say their highest goal is for their children to be happy.

– Happiness is a byproduct of a life well-lived, not the primary goal.

– Instead reflect on the 12 attributes we believe should be placed above happiness.

Importance of Patience:

– Teaching patience helps children make better decisions and be better friends.

– Charla shares her personal struggle with patience due to her upbringing.

Self-Control:

– Matt talks about his own challenges with self-control and how lack of routine in his childhood affected him.

– The importance of practicing self-control for long-term benefits.

Independence:

– Encouraging children to do things themselves fosters independence and self-esteem.

– Charla emphasizes the need to teach children to be self-reliant.

Grit:

– Grit helps children face challenges and overcome difficulties throughout life.

– Angela Duckworth’s work on grit is highlighted as a key resource.

Other Attributes to Prioritize:

– Beyond happiness, focus on teaching children responsibility, wisdom, courage, and more.

– These qualities help build confidence and resilience.

Listener Takeaways:

– Parenting Challenge: Reflect on the 12 attributes discussed and identify which ones your children need to develop further.

– Practical Tips: Look for resources and strategies to help your children build these attributes.

– Long-term Perspective: Understand that fostering these qualities will lead to a happier and more fulfilling life for your children in the long run.

Connect With Us:

To read more about this (or past topics) go to Charla’s blog: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog

To subscribe to the weekly email with links to our podcast and blog, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/subscribe-1

To learn more about our unique products designed to increase your children’s understanding of how money works in the real world, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/

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On today’s episode of Homeschooling In Real Life, Martha called in to ask, “How Do I Make My Homeschool Fun?” We loved this question, so both Fletch and Kendra take a stab at answering. As you have come to expect, their answers line up perfectly with the “have to” parent and the “get to” parent. Tune in to make your homeschool fun!

Enjoy the “Best of” series of the Homeschooling IRL episodes. Many of these episodes were earlier episodes that you might have missed. Enjoy!

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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Hey there, learners! Today, we’re talking about something important: homeschool burnout. Ever felt super tired, both in your body and mind? That’s what we call burnout. It can happen to both parents and students. But wait, how is it different from regular stress? Well, stress is like having a lot on your plate, but burnout is when that plate overflows. It’s not fun for anyone! So, let’s figure out the signs and consequences of homeschool burnout together. Ready to dive in and learn how to make homeschooling feel balanced and awesome again? Let’s do it!

Thank you to our episode sponsor, CTC Math.

Navigating the Complex Terrain of Homeschool BurnoutWelcome to the Life Skills 101 Podcast, proudly presented by Blue Collar Homeschoolers and the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. Whether you’re an experienced homeschooling family or just starting your homeschooling journey, this podcast is your go-to resource for equipping your family with the skills and knowledge needed for a successful future.

Show Notes for LifeSkills 101 Podcast Episode with Lisa NehringIn today’s episode, we delve into a topic that resonates with many homeschooling parents and students: navigating homeschool burnout. Homeschooling is a rewarding journey, but the demands it places on both parents and students can lead to a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. It’s crucial to recognize the signs of burnout and understand the difference between stress and burnout. Join us as we uncover the root causes of homeschool burnout and share practical strategies to restore balance in your homeschooling journey. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooler or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights to help you overcome burnout and create a fulfilling and sustainable homeschooling experience.

• Brief overview of homeschool burnout
• Importance of recognizing and addressing burnout
• Purpose of the episode: providing guidance to navigate and overcome homeschool burnout

Understanding Homeschool BurnoutAlright, curious minds, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of understanding burnout. Imagine your energy tank running on empty – that’s burnout! It’s not just feeling tired; it’s feeling super, duper tired in your body, your heart, and your brain. Now, here’s the cool part: we need to figure out how burnout is different from regular stress. Stress is like having a bunch of homework to do, but burnout is when it feels like you’ve got way too much homework, and your brain is saying, ‘Nope, I need a break!’ So, buckle up for this learning adventure as we explore what burnout really means and how it can sneak up on us. Ready to be a burnout detective with us?

• Definition of burnout
• Differentiating between stress and burnout
• Impact of burnout on parents and students
• Recognizing signs and consequences of homeschool burnout

Addressing the Root CausesEver wondered why you feel so tired or stressed? It’s time to ask some important questions to uncover the real reasons behind it. Imagine you’re solving a mystery – we’re going to be like Sherlock Holmes, but for homeschool burnout! What are the things that might be secretly making us feel overwhelmed? It’s time to be super sleuths and figure out the clues that will help us understand what’s really going on. Ready to put on your detective hats and uncover the secrets behind burnout? Let’s crack the code together!

• Importance of identifying root causes
• Essential questions to uncover underlying issues
• Creating awareness of potential triggers contributing to burnout

Strategies to Overcome Homeschool Burnout* Taking Breaks * Importance of breaks for rejuvenation * Incorporating short breaks into the daily routine

Establishing Routines– Creating a structured daily schedule
– Balancing flexibility with routine for optimal learning

Setting Realistic Goals– Significance of achievable objectives
– Strategies for setting and adjusting realistic goals

Prioritizing Self-Care– Role of self-care in preventing burnout
– Incorporating self-care practices into daily life

Seeking Support for Homeschool Burnout– Importance of a support system in homeschooling
– Strategies for reaching out and building a network

Experimenting with Teaching Methods– Need for variety in teaching approaches
– Trying new methods to keep homeschooling engaging

Going on Field Trips– Benefits of experiential learning outside the home
– Incorporating field trips into the curriculum

Delegating Tasks– Recognizing the need to share responsibilities
– Strategies for delegating tasks effectively

Reviewing and Adjusting Your Approach– Importance of ongoing assessment and adaptation
– Making necessary adjustments to the homeschooling approach

Seeking Professional Guidance for Homeschool Burnout– Knowing when to seek professional help
– Resources and avenues for professional support

Subscribe and Stay InformedCheck out our other podcasts & subscribe.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to provide your family with the best possible homeschooling and career preparation resources. Subscribe to the Life Skills 101 Podcast and stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and valuable insights.

GRAB YOUR FREE TIMELINE TO HOMESCHOOL SUCCESS RIGHT HERE

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Surviving SummerThank you to our episode sponsor, CTC Math.

Well, it was the week of July 4th and summer is in full swing. Boat rides at the lake, sun in the fun at the pool, cookouts, and fireworks. What makes those events even more fun is one of your besties coming in town to celebrate with you.

Ashley and I had a blast hanging out and we decided that we had some thoughts on surviving summer that we wanted to share!1. Have a flexible routine. If you are like me, the strict schedule goes out the window the minute school is out. Well, let’s be honest, I am not a strict schedule kind of mom. However, we do have tighter routines in the school year, especially bedtime. With four teenagers and a tween at home, sleep is often overlooked in our home. I have to encourage my kids to keep on a decent routine or everyone will be walking around like zombies.

1. Don’t focus on the serious academics during the summer. Take this time to learn a new hobby together, Help your child learn about a topic they have been asking about, read fun books, draw/ paint. Enjoy the FUN in the summer!

2. Find time for YOU. Summer months are make alone time challenging. However, alone time is very needed for moms taking care of children all day. Hire a sitter, swap off with a friend, ask your hubby to help you… do whatever it takes to get a few minutes to yourself on a regular basis.

Have fun! Give your children (and yourself) permission to discover, explore and have a sense of wonder!!!

Find a way to #sayyes today.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast and leave a review on iTunes!!!

Also, to thank you for listening, you can receive a 10% discount on any purchase atThe Homegrown Preschooler by using the code, THEREALKATHYLEE.The post Surviving Summer with Ashley Smoot appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Hey, homeschoolers! In this episode, I’m sharing my top tips for getting more done.

SponsorAre you looking for a new Math Curriculum?

CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Favorably reviewed in Cathy Duffy’s 102 Top Picks and The Old Schoolhouse Crew Review, the lessons are short and concise to help your children break down concepts and appreciate math in a whole new way!

The lessons are taught the traditional way, not to a “test”.

Each one of the video tutorials is taught by an internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, who is renowned for teaching math concepts in a simple, easy-to-understand way (and in only a few minutes at a time). Using a multi-sensory approach having the combination of effective graphics and animation synchronized with the voice of a friendly teacher together with practical assessment. This three-pronged attack makes learning so much easier and more effective. Even students who struggled with math are getting fantastic results! And ones who were doing OK before are now doing brilliantly.

Visit c-t-c-math.com today to start your free trial.

TakeawaysDeveloping a devotional habit can provide wisdom, focus, and peace of mind. Creating routines can help homeschoolers stay organized and reduce stress. Developing an exercise habit can increase energy levels and improve overall health. Planning your week and day can help you stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Envisioning your day and using loop scheduling can increase motivation and productivity. Randomizing tasks and using truth journaling can help overcome procrastination and negative thoughts. Stopping worry and trusting God can reduce stress and improve mental well-being.

ResourcesThe Organized Homeschool Life

The Organized Homeschool Life Planner

FLYLady on Routines

A Year of Living Productively

Great Homeschool Conventions

Random.org

Truth Journaling

Freedom from Procrastination

Trust Project

Have a happy homeschool week!

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Self Care for Life Transitions for Homeschool Moms.

Self Care for Life Transitions for Homeschool MomsLife’s transitions can be challenging, especially when juggling homeschooling responsibilities. But self-care is a vital component of sustaining your ability to care for others – and not a selfish act. Proper self-care can help manage stress and ensure that you are emotionally and physically prepared for whatever life throws your way. Let’s talk about how we do our self-care for life transitions while we’re being healthy moms of adult young people and caregiving for older people.

What are Life Transitions?Life transitions are periods of change and adjustment that we experience throughout our lives. These can include both expected and unexpected events, such as starting a new job, getting married, moving to a new city, or going through a loss or illness.

These transitions can bring about a range of emotions and challenges, from excitement and anticipation to uncertainty and stress.

During these times of transition, it is important to prioritize self-care in order to maintain mental and emotional well-being. This means taking the time to focus on your needs and engaging in activities that bring you joy and peace.

It also involves being mindful of your thoughts and feelings during this time, acknowledging them without judgment.We used to do a lot of this. We’ve had different transitions in life.

We transitioned our kids through high school and then graduation, and that’s a big transition. And as they’re doing their adult things, all of a sudden, we have adult kids and aging parents at the same time.

When your kids graduate high school, especially the oldest, that could be a tough life transition.

Another one, like us, is when we had twins. We didn’t know we were having twins until the second one showed up!

Practicing Self-Care StrategiesThere are lots of ways to practice self-care during life transitions.

To soothe your mind and help choose calm over anxiety, engaging in a deep conversation with another person can be incredibly effective. Surrounding yourself with individuals who positively impact you can be nourishing for the spirit.

J.O.Y.We homeschool moms often are trained that self-care is selfish! In fact, we were taught the acronym J.O.Y (Jesus, Others, Yourself)- with the implication that we are selfish if we manage to include the Y in the acronym. We have often been conditioned to believe that Jesus and Others matter- but not you.

However, we have to keep body, soul and spirit healthy. If we do not, will can burn out or get sick. Engaging in activities that nourish your spirit, such as playing an instrument or gathering with supportive friends, can significantly impact your well-being.

As Kym says,

Joy: If you don’t include the Y, all you have have is JO!

Recognizing God’s presence in everyday moments and finding joy in simple pleasures like nature can be profoundly restorative.

Let us note two things so that everything needs to stay in balance:We don’t want to get so caught up in self-care that we invent the word: YJO!

Also, be careful of escaping uselessly (as in hours of scrolling). Instead, do something good for body, soul or spirit if you are working on self-care.

Community and Support SystemsLean into your support systems. We should be looking out for one another and sharing what we learn along the way. Having some prayer partners, or bffs that you can have coffee breaks with (or simply texting during tough times).

(Trivia for health class: when you have a nice conversation with friends, it literally down-regulates your vegus nerve- which helps you feel calmer and improves your immune system.)

Noticing practicesIn transition times, it is helpful to take moments here and there to notice something outside that God has created. (Vicki notes a helpful noticing practice is the Ignatian Examen mindfulness prayer practice.) Kym points out that in stressful times, taking walks in nature are one of her most important self-care tools.

7Sisters Homeschool Facebook GroupOne place to ask for help is in the 7SistersHomeschool Facebook group. There’s such a nice bunch of sisters there. People will reach out and not just answer each other’s questions but also share information to help each other. (Remember, there are six of us 7Sisters. So who’s the 7th Sister? YOU are!)

Sharing is beautiful.

Planning For Self-CareOne thing I think some people don’t think about in terms of self care is how to plan for it wisely. Scheduling self-care activities is crucial.

You are placing a priority on something when you give it a spot in your planner. And we often put things on there that need to be paid or meetings that we need to attend, even things like medical appointments and deadlines. But we don’t put on the calendar the time to rest, to enjoy nature, to pray, to create, to grow.

And by putting it on your calendar, you are telling yourself this has priority and this is an important thing.

Of course, you cannot always plan for every transition. Sometimes life happens. In those times, treat yourself and the family with grace, ask for help, and keep breathing!

Teens need to learn self-care, tooCheck out this post to get lots of tips for helping teens handle tough times.

Self Care for Life TransitionsSelf-care is a non-negotiable aspect of navigating the homeschooling journey, especially during significant life transitions. Taking care of yourself is not just beneficial for you but also for those you care for. Start putting it on your calendar today and witness a huge beneficial transformation!

BTW- Our 7Sisters’ Cousin, Teresa Wiedrick, is a specialist in self-care for homeschool moms. Check out her podcast, Homeschool Mama Self-care and her FB group: Homeschool Mama Support Group.

Thank you for Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and for Richie Soares with Homeschool and Humor for writing this blog post!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our iTunes page. 2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes 3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review and give us some stars and a comment to help others find us more easily. 7. Thanks!

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Unlocking Learning Potential Begins Today ~ Episode 528Are you ready to learn how to free your child from the grips of learning struggles and focus on unlocking learning potential? In this episode, Felice Gerwitz interviews special guest Dr. Tim Conway, Ph.D., and discusses NOW!® (the Neuro-development of Words), The Morris Center, and The Einstein School; you won’t want to miss it!

I receive some interesting emails from time to time with requests for interviews. Over the year about ninety-nine percent make it to the trash, but this one caught my eye. Dr. Conway owns and operates the Morris Center, which has helped those with dyslexia with great success. In fact, the parent of a student who went through the program was in contact with me about her child’s success. My own children were struggling learners (some of them), and my background in Elementary Education, Early Childhood, and Specific Learning Disabilities (as it was called then) prepared me in some ways and hindered me in others. As educators, we were instructed to “teach to the child’s strengths.” But what about the child’s weaknesses? How do we remediate and not compensate?

In this podcast, we will discuss:

Dyslexia defined

Warning signs and red flags that your child is struggling and needs early intervention. (Intervention at any time is beneficial.)

How to test and screen for dyslexia, Dr. Conway shares how.

How to determine effective intervention.

The key role of Occupational Therapy in language development.

Dr. Morris noted that family history is instrumental in uncovering the likelihood of learning struggles, with an 80% increase in the likelihood of a parent who struggled in some way. He shared some ways to conversationally ask young children different questions (repeat after me) in identifying potential struggles. We learn to read with different strategies, from sounding words out to memorizing words that can not be sounded out (visual memory and auditory memory). Some children leave out sounds, repeat a sound, or perhaps reverse sounds. These are ways to identify struggling learners as well. (Much more on the broadcast.)

Resources for Unlocking Learning Potential: NOW! Programs -Advice, Support, and Praise Group

Neurodevelopment of Words- NOW Programs

The Morris Center

YouTube Channel – Unlocking Learning Potential The Morris Center Clinics

NOW Programs

TED Talk

Websites:

The Morris Center

The NOW Program

Dr. Conways research

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This week on Homeopathy for Mommies, Sue Meyer invited her mentor and certified homeopath, Barbara Lowry, to discuss prostate issues and homeopathic remedies. This episode delves into the intricacies of prostate health, exploring physical, emotional, and homeopathic aspects. The importance of diet, environmental factors, and emotional well-being is emphasized, along with the value of seeking professional guidance.

Five Top Homeopathic Remedies for Prostate issues from Dr. Vikas Sharma at www.DrHomeo.com –
Credit goes to Dr. Sharma for the following information.
SABAL SERRULATA
CONIUM MACULATUM
LYCOPODIUM
BARYTA CARB
CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA (“kim-uh-FIL-uh”) (“uhm-bell-AY-tuh”)

Links:

Carolyn Myss, book, Anatomy of the Spirit – Link: https://amzn.to/3XFV3AR
Dr. Paul Marik’s book, Cancer Care – Link: https://amzn.to/3RLG053

There will be a live Q&A with Barbara Lowry inside the Members Corner on July 9th at 10 AM CST. If you would like to attend you can sign up here: https://members.homeopathyformommies.com

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There’s more than academics at stake!The post Are They Ready for College? – MBFLP 305 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Episode 281: Is Writing Proficiency Still Important in the AI Era?Guest Jennie Miller, English Teacher at FundaFunda Academy, shares her thoughts on the relevance of writing proficiency in the AI era.

Jennie’s Classes:

• Freshman English: Introductory high school English class focusing on academic writing and basic novels.
• American and British Literature: Traditional literature courses exploring classic texts.
• Senior English: An independent course delving into deeper themes and extensive writing projects.

Key Discussion Points:

1. The Importance of Writing Skills:
   • Writing proficiency is still essential despite advancements in AI.
   • Writing fosters critical thinking and deeper understanding of complex issues.
   • Learning to write helps students articulate thoughts and opinions effectively.
2. Concerns About AI in Writing:
   • AI can produce factually incorrect information.
   • Over-reliance on AI can hinder the development of critical thinking and essay structure skills.
   • Mastery of writing involves understanding MLA format and following detailed instructions.
3. The Value of Traditional Writing Education:
   • Organic learning and the struggle of writing are crucial for intellectual growth.
   • Writing helps students learn to express themselves and develop a personal voice.
   • Personal experiences and stories in writing are irreplaceable by AI.
4. Real-Life Applications:
   • Writing skills are essential for professional communication, such as emails and reports.
   • Critical thinking and the ability to articulate thoughts verbally are enhanced through writing practice.
5. Teaching Strategies:
   • Encourage students to write independently and resist the temptation to use AI for assignments.
   • Parents should discuss the importance of writing with their children and monitor their work.
   • Teachers need to be aware of students’ writing styles to detect discrepancies indicating AI use.

Conclusion:

• Writing proficiency remains critical in the AI era for developing critical thinking and effective communication skills.
• Parents and educators should emphasize the importance of learning to write independently

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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3 Parenting Lessons I Learned the Hard WayCharla shares three significant parenting lessons she learned through her own experiences.

Lesson 1: Overprotecting Children Can Hurt Their Development

– Empowering Kids: When parents take on their children’s burdens, it sends a message that these problems are too big for the children to handle themselves.

– Personal Example: Charla shared a story about her son’s struggles with baseball. Although he often wanted to quit due to lack of practice and skill, she resisted the urge to rescue him or solve his problems. This approach helped him learn about effort and responsibility.

– Parent’s Role: It’s crucial for parents to guide their children through challenges rather than fixing the problems for them, fostering independence and resilience.

Lesson 2: Parents’ Presence Can Sometimes Hinder Kids’ Growth

– Independence: Charla noticed her son behaved differently when she was not around. He was more outgoing and independent without her presence.

– Example: During preschool activities, her son was lively and participative when she wasn’t there but became reserved and dependent when she was.

– Encouraging Autonomy: Parents need to step back occasionally to allow their children to develop social skills, confidence, and the ability to navigate situations on their own.

Lesson 3: Words of Warning Are Not Enough

– Experience Over Warning: Simply advising children about the importance of good choices and frugality isn’t sufficient. They need to experience consequences to understand these lessons fully.

– Real-life Example: Charla’s son got fired from a job because he didn’t heed her advice about maintaining his uniform. This real consequence taught him more than any verbal warning could.

– Hands-On Learning: Parents should let their children manage money, make decisions, and face the outcomes of their actions to prepare them for adult responsibilities.

Connect With Us:

To read more about this (or past topics) go to Charla’s blog: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog

To subscribe to the weekly email with links to our podcast and blog, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/subscribe-1

To learn more about our unique products designed to increase your children’s understanding of how money works in the real world, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/

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US Geography Virtual Field TripsIn “US Geography Virtual Field Trips,” Episode, #213, join Meredith Curtis for a hack that bring US geography to life: virtual field trips. Meredith shares the kinds of field trips she takes her students on during the online US geography course she teaches. With general field trip ideas and a link to a sample of each kind of video, US geography will never be the same in your homeschool adventure.

Powerline Productions, Inc.Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show NotesWhen I wrote my US geography textbook and workbook collection, I was determined to keep the theme of travel throughout. Then I taught US geography online at True North Homeschool Academy. How would I do that?

The answer: virtual field trips!

Jr High US GeographyHD Drone VideosPainted Desert

https://youtu.be/x_hJbNAf8s4?si=pL967IQba2glCJ3a

Texas 4K Video UHD

https://youtu.be/M-CxFhqbApk?si=4bM603aVLY5SIHEw

Sebastian Island Florida – Sebastian Inlet Aerial View

https://youtu.be/yAQUfKtpA3I?si=tRY24YFR-ZwLMDep

Alaska USA – by drone (4K)

https://youtu.be/PRSkjM_N3Fg?si=1BqAa15eX1nfTuGF

Charleston, South Carolina / 4K Drone Footage

https://youtu.be/E0fffg9_cXw?si=wtFDfX-ezLVGmcYk

Watering HolesTrail Camera Setup and Pickup: Hidden Mountain Pool (Arizona Wildlife) – AZ

https://youtu.be/krdtwZbL-Os?si=3YDvZb-VV1rrvYfM

Wildlife at a Sonoran desert water hole – AZ

https://youtu.be/RtsSKMPzgIM?si=NU0PvMpKalN7gyFF

Bridges & Boat TripsChesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel – US 13 Eastern Shore Virginia – Time Lapse

https://youtu.be/IF8pDwPafxo?si=itBJ3IInt3UJu-mE

GoPro: Kayaking the Tennessee Rapids with Nick Troutman

https://youtu.be/ghzDZfRnrp4?si=0VI2VFxt911e3qmd

Slow Ride : Life and Times Along the South Carolina Intracoastal Waterway

https://youtu.be/sVeYT3EbKjY?si=F94xInwYyuyXXTIg

America WorksMike Rowe looks at different jobs across America!

• How it works: Steel production https://youtu.be/xJIlSJ-2qEM?si=M7DOGh-jJC51QFtg
• ‘How America Works’: The glass industry https://youtu.be/ivfyzDFf5z4?si=nKhUWeVC10cC1o3q

Travel VideosThe BEST Things to Do in CODY, Wyoming: A WILD WEST Adventure! – WY

https://youtu.be/T86VFuxW8mw?si=LaGEt0jHrYE49aGq

10 Best Places to See in Michigan

https://youtu.be/eoeVn3Ja4rg?si=TRPAdAVybxGLmvtq

Personal Travel VideosTide Pools Sebastian Inlet State Park & Vero Beach Ghost Crabs

https://youtu.be/Dv1OCfHD7_k?si=ROUA1_EFkgQsFeyZ

10 Things We WISH We Knew BEFORE Moving To AMERICAN SAMOA

https://youtu.be/MudQP_aW-2g?si=_OXY3PI0U3GHFcAf

Company & Club VideosErie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (New York)

https://youtu.be/Ly4PxyeTs9o?si=_ZN1sl2Zh0i_co5j

Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore

(937) Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore – YouTube

Military VideosDover Air Force Base

https://youtu.be/6CbeDVtKYcg?si=mWtGAAeaDTrP17BX

Naval Base Kitsap Overview

https://youtu.be/h5PHiKWQAYM?si=oRKODNeNQiM-of6K

Funny VideosWhy It’s Hard Eating Healthy in the South

https://youtu.be/CHl9yXeJSBg?si=b_abVpRQnHrEPH26

Ma’am in Not an Insult

https://youtu.be/X4o1WuZjelg?si=T3wuyq7mvzvrf8oF

Signs You Were Born In The Midwest

https://youtu.be/VC_p1DzgN0U?si=a7hthUhM9co14orz

LA vs NY / Jimmy Kimmel Live

https://youtu.be/ekOPaKqPKsU?si=VcrYU92Bizmk-pwR

Sign up for our NewsletterSign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

US Geography ResourcesJr High US Geography

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Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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Have you ever wonder if it is really necessary to teach your child cursive?Do you have a child that just doesn’t get it? Today Dr. Jan Bedell visits with Prisca Lecroy one of the co-owners of CursiveLogic.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, CTC Math.

Prisca shares how their method of teaching cursive came about when her mother was tutoring a 23-year-old young man who needed to be able to sign his name to take the driver’s test. She developed a method that help this young man (age 16) sign his name in a 45-minute session. Since then many others have benefited from their easy method of learning cursive including those children with learning struggles.

They discuss the neurodevelopmental benefits of writing and reading cursive. As well as the importance of being about to read historical and family documents from the past. Tune into the Brain Coach Tip of the day to find out more about CursiveLogic.

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Title: LifeSkills101 with Lisa Nehring – Back to Homeschool TipsShow Notes:

Thank you to the episode sponsor, CTC Math

Introduction:
Welcome back to LifeSkills101, the homeschooling podcast where we equip parents and students with essential life skills for a successful homeschooling journey. I’m your host, Lisa Nehring, and today we’re diving into the topic that’s on the minds of every homeschooling family – “Back to Homeschool Tips.” Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooler or just starting, we’ve got some valuable insights to help you kickstart the new academic year with confidence and joy.

Episode Highlights:

1. Set Clear Goals and Expectations:– Begin the homeschool year by setting clear academic and personal development goals for your child. This will help both of you stay focused and motivated throughout the year.
   – Encourage open communication with your child to understand their expectations for the upcoming year and address any concerns they may have.

2. Organize Your Homeschool Space:– A well-organized and clutter-free learning environment can significantly impact your child’s productivity and focus.
   – We’ll discuss practical tips to create a dedicated homeschool space, whether it’s a room, a corner, or even a portable setup.

3. Plan Your Curriculum and Resources:– Choosing the right curriculum is crucial to meet your child’s unique learning style and interests.
   – We’ll explore various curriculum options and how to incorporate additional resources such as online courses, educational apps, and field trips to enhance the learning experience.

4. Develop a Flexible Schedule:– Flexibility is one of the greatest advantages of homeschooling, so embrace it!
   – We’ll provide tips on creating a daily and weekly schedule that balances academics, extracurricular activities, and downtime.

5. Nurture a Positive Learning Environment:– A positive learning atmosphere fosters a love for learning and encourages your child to explore their passions.
   – We’ll discuss ways to celebrate achievements, overcome challenges, and foster a supportive homeschool community.

6. Personal Growth and Life Skills:– Homeschooling offers a unique opportunity to incorporate essential life skills into your child’s education.
   – We’ll share ideas on teaching financial literacy, time management, communication, and other crucial life skills.

7. Self-Care for Parents and Educators:– As a homeschooling parent or educator, it’s vital to prioritize self-care to avoid burnout and remain effective in your role.
   – We’ll explore simple self-care practices that can make a significant difference in your well-being.

Conclusion:Thank you for joining us on this episode of LifeSkills101 with Lisa Nehring. As we venture into another exciting homeschooling year, remember that homeschooling is not just about academics but also about nurturing a love for learning, personal growth, and building strong family bonds. Embrace the journey with patience, adaptability, and a sense of wonder. Be sure to check out our website for additional resources and support.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review. Your feedback helps us create content that resonates with you. Until next time, happy homeschooling!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO Life Skills 101 VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page. 2. OR take this IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in “…your favorite podcast source” 3. This will take you to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

OR PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Life Skills 101 4. Tap the Life Skills 101 icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review

We love coming alongside fellow homeschoolers to offer encouragement and support! Let us know how we can support YOU!

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Can we talk about parenting? July 4th is always a favorite holiday for our family. For the past few years, one of my dearest friends on the planet shows up for coffee, long talks, and sitting by the pool. I always try and record a podcast episode during Ash-a- lee’s visit and was so excited that we were able to chat early this morning about a subject that has been on my heart for a few weeks now.

During some recent outings, I have observed lots of little children that appear “starved” for attention. As I began watching closer, I realized that parents are disengaging with the children and it is happening on a regular basis.

The episode sponsored by CTC Math.

Do any of you feel you disengage too often with your kids? If so, have you noticed a difference in your child’s behavior when you “check-out”? How can we be intentional about engagement so that we help our children become emotionally healthy adults? I get that we need to escape from the burdens of this parenting gig from time to time, but I worry that unless we make a commitment to intentionally engage, we are going to cause damage to our children’s hearts and soul.

Ashley and I suggested the following to help you on this engagement journey:1. Keep a basket of books close to the sofa and say YES to reading to your children. 2. Set a time every day to check social media so that you are not looking on your phone all day long. 3. Be present. 4. Participate in family activities (the bowling story). 5. Ask each child three, open-ended questions every day!

You won’t regret investing in your children’s emotional well -being. Investing when they are young, will pay off during those teen and early adult years.

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Holiday Family Story Project.

Holiday Family Story ProjectPlanning your next homeschool year? Let’s talk about holidays (it’s Christmas in July)!

Are you looking for an engaging and educational project perfect for the week after Christmas? Join Vicki for a discussion of 7Sisters’ Holiday Family Narrative. It is an activity not only brings families together but also enhances your homeschool high schoolers’ writing skills! They can turn cherished family stories into written narratives and create lasting keepsakes while honing their creative writing abilities.

Rediscovering Family StoriesDuring holiday gatherings, families often reminisce about past events, sharing anecdotes about relatives and memorable moments. These stories, whether frequently told or nearly forgotten, can serve as the foundation for a wonderful writing project.

Encouraging teens to capture these narratives on paper preserves family history and provides a meaningful way to redirect potentially uncomfortable holiday conversations.

What are Family Narrative Guides?7Sisters Holiday Family Narrative Writing Guide is a downloadable workbook that helps students transform spoken stories into written stories, focusing on character development, storyline structure, and appropriate dialogue. Simply put, teens can turn a given family tale into a well-crafted story using these guides!

(BTW- 7Sisters Homeschool offers another affordable Family Narrative Guide designed for one-week projects. In a family narrative, you simply take a general family story.)

In the Holiday Family Narrative, you could pick either a Christmas story or any kind of holiday family stories come up. You are using the holidays as an excuse to capture that story down on paper.

Teens simply ask relatives to tell holiday stories. Once the story outline and details are gathered, the Family Narrative Guide helps students through the writing process. Teens will learn to develop characters, set the mood, and structure the story effectively.

After completing the narrative, students can turn their stories into cherished keepsakes. Whether through binding, creating a scrapbook, or designing a cover using tools like Canva or PicMonkey, the final product can be shared with family members as a special memento.

Academic BenefitsWhen teens engage in creative writing projects, they also strengthen their overall writing skills. For instance, creative thinking helps teens to write well when they take on more formal assignments like research papers and essays.

Example of a Family Story ProjectMy great grandmother lived in Louisville, Kentucky in the farmland around the town, during the early days of the Model T Fords. In her little neck of the woods, a bit outside the city limits, everybody’s telephones were connected. (You may have heard of party lines, where the telephone line goes from house to house, and everybody in the neighborhood can be on the same line at the same time.

Which also means, if you wanted to be a nosy neighbor, you could pick up the phone and listen in on the conversation of others’ that were on the line.

My great grandmother saved up money to buy herself a model T Ford. And this was the biggest deal in that town. All the little farm families around where she lived were so excited. Everybody wanted to see that model T Ford, and she was excited to drive it.

Once it was delivered, she got into her little model T Ford, and she drove it from her house into town. When she drove, she would pass the next house and then the next house.

And as she passed these houses, the neighbors would pick up their phone and tell them that she just passed by. Everybody would be on the party line waiting for her to pass so they could tell everyone on the party line. It became a big, excited ordeal.

Then her husband wanted his chance to drive the car. He climbs into the Model T, and he drives by all the neighbors, who are again just so excited to see the car driving by. It goes down the party line that he’s passing by, and he turns around and comes back and it goes back up the party line.

And as you know, he’s never driven a Model T Ford before; he’s always driven his horses. With the new car, they’re going to also park this Model T in the barn.

Normally, when he gets in the barn with his horses, he would say, “Whoa..” and the horses would stop. Then he could unhitch them, put them in their stalls, and so on. Horses are very obedient.

Similarly, when he drove the Model T Ford into the barn, he told the Model T to “Whoa, whoa…” But the Model T didn’t stop. Instead, it just went right through the back wall of the barn.

This is an example of a family narrative story. And you can see, it’s endured generation to generation because it’s so cute and just so special to that time period in history.

Gathering Family StoriesPart of the Holiday Family Story Project, then, is to get your teens to pry stories out of their relatives. These stories could be a certain time period or a trip they went on.

Your teen will gather these stories from their relatives so they can start somewhere with the project.

Developing the StoryOnce your teen has the basic outline of a story or even just some details, have them ask a few more questions to flesh it out.

Like our example story above, they could find out what kind of clothes they wore in those days? What color was the Model T?

Ask questions to drag out as much information about these stories that they can.

Use the 7Sisters Narrative GuidesUse the 7Sisters Holiday Family Story Project the week after Christmas to work through the process each day. It will help your teen turn the story they heard into a story on paper.

They will also include character development and be able to describe the family members and share about their personality.

The Family Narrative Guides will take your teen through the entire process of developing the storyline, adding in simple dialogue, and structuring the appropriate mood of the story.

Editing and FinalizingBefore you bind the story to finalize it, make sure your teen does their editing for it first. Because if you’re going to share it with the relatives, you want to make sure this copy is edited well.

Once the final draft is ready, then you could take it to get bound, either at an online printing source or to a local copy shop, or even make your own DIY binding. Make additional copies, too, for other relatives to enjoy.

Once your teen puts it all together, you all have a really cool keepsake for the whole family to enjoy for years to come!

Holiday Family Story ProjectAs you can see, turning family stories into written narratives is a delightful and educational post-Christmas project for homeschool high schoolers. Not even just for post-Christmas enjoyment, though, but any time during the year.

Download Holiday Family Narrative and help preserve family history as well as improves writing skills and having fun. Teens can create meaningful keepsakes that will be treasured for years to come through these family narrative guides by 7Sisters Homeschool!

Thank you to Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and to Richie Soares with Homeschool & Humor for writing this blog post!

The post Christmas in July! Holiday Family Story Project appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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So you love the idea of homeschooling, but you are totally disorganized? Is this a deal killer? Should you pack up your kids and send them off to the local school house where they will be kept on track by rigid teaching plans that maintain scope and sequence?

Thank you to our sponsor: CTC Math

It’s time for us all to get real with one another. Is your lack of organization thwarting your efforts at homeschooling? At the end of the day, the week, the month, are you constantly playing catch-up and putting out the fires caused by disorganization? If so, this is the episode you will want to listen to.

What about the other side of this issue? As a busy productive homeschool parent, have you forgotten along the way that relationships need to come before agendas? Are you such a task-master that you forgot the children God gave you to develop loving relationships with?

Organization in the homeschool can be both a blessing and a curse. On this episode of Homeschooling In Real Life, join Fletch and Kendra as they get transparent with their listeners and have the discussion out loud about balancing the need to bring organization into your family and preventing that same organization from destroying relationships.

Thank you to our sponsor: CTC Math

The post Back to Homeschool: I Love Homeschooling But I Am Totally Disorganized appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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4th of July Planner for KidsOrganize a fun and festive 4th of July with our special planner designed just for kids! This planner is perfect for helping little ones get involved in the celebrations, from planning games and activities to choosing their favorite holiday treats. Make this 4th of July memorable and stress-free with a planner that puts kids at the heart of the festivities.

Celebrate Independence Day All Month LongEnjoy these activities with your children as you celebrate Independence Day, not just on the fourth but throughout July. There’s no need to pack all the fun into one day. Embrace the spirit of red, white, and blue all month long! This approach is especially helpful if you plan to host a 4th of July party. Enjoy the festivities and the company of family and friends, and revisit these activities throughout the month.

When teaching children about historical events like America’s Independence, breaking the information into manageable pieces over several days or weeks can enhance understanding and retention. Consider checking out some library books that explore the history and people behind America’s birthday. It’s a great way to make learning fun and engaging.

Taking your time to enjoy the holiday and integrate learning experiences allows children to reflect on what they’ve learned and to formulate meaningful questions. So, slow down, savor the summer, and perhaps enjoy a few treats from our planner and activity book at the end of your exploration.

Get Your July 4th Planner for Kids Now!And as a bonus, you will also get the A Few of My Favorite Things Planner just for mom.

Ready to start your next adventure?

Sign Up Here & Get Exlusive Access to Our Monthly Planners!

PS. Check out additional planners at Media Angels.

Recommended Resources to Help You Make the Most of Your HomeschoolUltimate Checklist Planners

Our most popular printables are now updated! Do you like to use checklists for all of your needs? You’ll get all 12 months of planning sheets all at your fingertips. Use it in your home and homeschool.

The post 4th of July Planner for Kids appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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A Few of My Favorite Things PlannerStaying organized in a bustling world full of recommendations can be tough. How many times have you had a friend suggest a must-read book or must-see movie, only to forget about it later? Or maybe you’ve saved such recommendations on your phone, only to lose track of where you stored them. We get it, and we’re here to help streamline your organization.

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our newest planner, “A Few of My Favorite Things.”This planner is crafted to suit your organizational needs, ensuring you never miss a beat. Whether it’s books, movies, or websites, this planner is your new go-to resource for keeping track of all the essentials.

For those who are new to our planners, we recommend grabbing the entire set, which will soon be available at MediaAngels.com. I personally love the convenience of having all my planner pages in one place. While I often use digital notes, there’s something reassuring about having a physical copy that won’t disappear with a misplaced click.

This planner is not just about keeping personal reminders; it’s also a great tool for recording gift ideas.Ever caught yourself forgetting what your child desired for their birthday, even though they mentioned it just last week? Our planner includes a dedicated gift list section for such occasions, perfect for jotting down ideas for friends and family throughout the year.

Feel free to customize your use of the planner—keep the pages that work for you and remove the ones that don’t.

We hope you enjoy this planner as much as we do.

Blessings,
Christina Moss

Sign Up Here & Get Exlusive Access to Our Monthly Planners!

PS. Check out additional planners at Media Angels.

Recommended Resources to Help You Make the Most of Your HomeschoolUltimate Checklist Planners

Our most popular printables are now updated! Do you like to use checklists for all of your needs? You’ll get all 12 months of planning sheets all at your fingertips. Use it in your home and homeschool.

The post A Few of My Favorite Things Planner appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Soldier Lessons ~ Just For Kids ~ Episode 493 | Special ReplayWhat are soldier lessons? These are things we can learn from soldiers and apply to our lives. The military men and women are tough and become tough through training and the ideals of protecting others. They give of themselves for noble causes. In this JUST for Kids episode, we can learn from the men and women that serve our country.

This episode is brought to you by CTCMath.com – a wonderful math curriculum for all of your homeschool needs, or to brush up on new skills.

I want to welcome you to this podcast and encourage you to like this episode and share it with a friend, this helps us tremendously and in doing so, pays it forward.

Do you know a soldier?Perhaps you have a family member or a neighbor, or maybe you live in a town that has a military base. Maybe you know what a soldier does, and maybe this is new information for you. In my family, my youngest son is in the Army and he is a 2nd Luietnent. I’ve watched him work very hard to get in shape and eat right. This is way before he was sent to training.

I think we can learn so much from soldiers and that is what this episode is all about, learning by watching others and using the useful information in your own life. Each branch of the military has a set of rules the soldiers follow, but most are very similar.

There are words like loyalty, honor, respect, duty, giving of yourself (selfless), courage, and integrity.Do these words mean anything to you? In a family we do these things, we are loyal to our family and have respect for our parents and siblings, we have our duties, the things that are required of us, and we give of ourselves when we are asked to do things that are above what is expected. Having integrity means not cheating or stealing and doing what is right, these are also called morals. Courage may not be something that is used as much in families because you should feel safe in your own family. But maybe you might need courage if there is something you must stand up for, even yourself. We will get back to these traits in a minute.

Something remarkable that I’ve noticed about my own soldier son and his friends is that many are self-motivated.What does this mean? It means they do the hard things because they are supposed to not because someone makes them. I watched my son fill a backpack with forty-five pounds of weight and walk and run until he could do at least five miles well. It turns out he had to do 12-14 miles or more rucks – that means walking and running with a heavy weight on your back. He said sometimes his pack weighed 100 lbs. He trained in water, in the mountains, and in the swamps and this prepares the soldiers for the different terrain they may experience.

What these young men do is train to be ready.Are you ready? Ready for what? For your life? How are you training to be the best you can be? Many times we try to get away with doing the least amount of work, right? What if you are asked to clean up your room? Is it easier to pick up your clothes and put them away or is it easier to kick them under the bed for another time? What did you say? If you said kick them under the bed, that is a short-term solution – this means you will eventually have to do the work of getting those clothes out and taking care of them, so why not do it right away?

In your life, you can be the best you can be or the worse.Who wants to be last or be a loser? No one. You might say you don’t care, but all of us care. What can we learn about life from a soldier? Soldiers must do the best they can or they will be cut out, fail their training, be sent to the end of the training to do it again, or worse get dropped. That means they will get jobs that no one else wants. If a soldier does the best they can they will be selected for important jobs because they have proved they can do it. Don’t you want to get the best jobs instead of the worse? If you show you can do the easy stuff you will. It takes practice. No one not even a soldier is great at a job the first time.

Let’s say you are not happy OR you may think no one cares about you so why should you try? The only person you can make care of is yourself. You should want to do the best you can because you can, not because of what you think others will say. That is being a soldier, the kind of soldier that puts integrity and honor first. Integrity is doing what is right and not cheating someone and trusting yourself to make good choices. Honor is carrying respecting others and serving others in a way that is right and just.

Write down the words loyalty, honor, respect, duty, giving of yourself (selfless), courage, and integrity.Think about how you live your life and think about ways you can improve. All of us can get better and learn from others, not just kids but adults as well. How can you be more loyal? Show honor and respect within your family. How can you do your duty in a way that is correct and how can you give of yourself to your family and friends? What about courage and integrity? How can you use those in your daily life?

In the training that some soldiers go through they are sleep deprived and don’t have enough to eat.Sleep deprivation means they are not allowed to sleep very much each day, and often work through the night. Sometimes they stay up all day and all night. Not having enough to eat is hard, it means the soldiers go hungry. Why does this happen? To make the soldiers stronger, and to show them that if they can withstand this type of hardship they can do anything. They keep going, they do not stop, they do what they are told, and they do it to the best of their ability. They are hungry. They are tired. They have to push beyond their limits. That makes them stronger.

Thankfully in your life, you can go to bed at a decent time, and no one makes you wake up to take a walk in the woods to do training, thankfully! In your life, you can eat three meals a day and often have snacks if you are hungry. Try to be like a soldier and don’t eat your snacks or dessert one day. How does that make you feel? If you can deny yourself a treat, you can deny yourself something else like doing the wrong thing. You may be tempted to sneak that cookie before mealtime when your mom tells you to wait or do something else that is not right. Showing yourself that you have the willpower (that is the power to go against the easy way or what you want to do) will make you a stronger person.

I hope this makes you think about the ways you can improve your life.Can you make a plan to try one thing a day? One day try to be loyal, another respectful, try to do your chores or school work the best you can, another time be helpful to others and another has the courage to stand up for what is right and to have integrity in all that you do. Can you imagine if we all tried to live lives like this we would be so much stronger and better!

When people do not act the best it causes all of us to pay for it in some way. We lock our cars and our homes because we are worried someone might steal from us. We put our money in the bank for the same reason. People get hurt when others do not act honorable. But the best place to show that you can be the best is at your own home. If you can try these things without anyone knowing about it – and I am sure your brothers, sisters, and parents will notice. Just like being bad gets attention, being good and doing what is right does as well.

I pray that looking at the good qualities of a soldier that is to fight and protect us is very helpful to our own country. It is designed to keep us safe. Acting honorably in your own family will be helpful to all!

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This week on the Homeopathy for Mommies Podcast, we’re celebrating the 10 year anniversary of this podcast! Joy Rhodes interviews Sue Meyer and shares some recordings submitted from the audience and Sue answers a few questions that were also submitted.

If you would like to send Sue a note, you can do that here:
https://homeopathyformommies.com/anniversary

Thank you for celebrating this 10 year milestone with us!

Links Mentioned:

Join the Members Corner: https://members.homeopathyformommies.com

Recommended homeopaths: https://homeopathyformommies.com/recommended-homeopaths

Cough and Respiratory Homeopathic Remedies – Part I and Part 2
Part 1: https://ultimateradioshow.com/coughs-respiratory-homeopathic-remedies-part/
Part 2: https://ultimateradioshow.com/coughs-respiratory-homeopathic-remedies-pt-2/
How Homeopathy Heals:
https://ultimateradioshow.com/how-homeopathy-heals/
Homeopathy and First Aid: Hemorrhage:
https://ultimateradioshow.com/homeopathy-and-first-aid-hemorrhage/
Remedies Mentioned:
Mag Phos – https://theoutpostmercantile.com/Magnesium-Phosphoricum-p62014224
Phosphorus – https://theoutpostmercantile.com/Phosphorus-p62014225

The post 10 Years of Homeopathy for Mommies! – Special Bonus Episode with Sue Meyer appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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280: Board games that promote STEM skillsGuest Haley Story shares board games that promote STEM skills – and she has many ideas for all ages.

Why board games?

• A fun family time
• Great for summer
• Also some solo games for screen-free time

The kinds of board games she discusses

• All of these games involve meaningful decisions—no Candy Land!
• No party games or word games
• Not only teaches children about cause and effect of their decisions—makes the games tolerable (and usually fun) for adults
• STEM focus. All of these games involve making decisions based on:
  • Math to optimize score
  • Probability
  • Logical reasoning
  • Computational skills and reasoning
  • Spatial reasoning

How to learn rules (parents learn first!)

• If you (or your spouse) don’t love reading rules… Try Youtube!
• Also, many of the more complicated games have online versions and some people prefer learning that way

Games that reinforce math facts for young kids* Uno * Connect 4 * Darts (there are great kid-friendly magnetic versions) * Rummy Cube –slightly older kids (Caleb started around 5…kids have to learn to rearrange numbers/sets in their head to make the best moves…logic and some pattern recognition (mathematical sets) and some probability ) * Five Crowns Junior * Blokus * Katamino * Wedgits building tower with cards * Pyramid stacking toy

Games for slightly older kids that teach mathematical logic and computational skillThese are all solo challenges, but kids tend to enjoy them, and the games come with a deck of challenge cards that begin easy and increase in difficulty

• Laser Maze
• Gravity Maze
• Rush Hour
• And others by ThinkFun–REALLY good for computational skills and logic

Similar reasoning, but multi-player

• Tsuro

For middle school/older:Fast games:

• Point Salad
• Century, Golem edition: longer game. But to calculate your optimal deals and trades, need to scale the math of the point values for each gemstone–some are better deals than others! Lots of optimization
• For Sale and Incan Gold
• Silver and Gold

Longer Games:

• Settlers of Cata
• Splendor
• Space Cowboy
• Azule
• Gizmos: A super-fun game, though longer and more involved. Computational thinking skills: stacking your cards to trigger multiple events and optimizing each turn
• Potion Explosion: another longer, involved game that teaches some computational thinking and optimization skills. A bit of spatial logic as well picking marbles from the track. A super fun game to play with your kids: recommend for upper elementary and older.
• Cribbage (lots of adding to 15/31, and counting/probability in odds of getting cards that will add to 15).
• Acquire–great for introducing stock market and risks and rewards of investing, aslo with a small spatial component as companies have to be formed on a Cartesian grid.
• Modern Art–a favorite! You are the owner of a modern art gallery and must make money selling paintings. But modern art’s worth is solely based on its current popularity and past performance. Besides the super fun theme, to do well at this game players need to calculate their expected return for each card they sell, but based on the probability of what other players will do. A brilliant game that combines bidding and math. Downside: it’s a bit long to play, and probably will not appeal to kids who can’t sit still and strategize for at least an hour New edition. Old edition on Ebay
• Lost Cities and Battle Line: 2-player. Both are great for similar reasons: The scores are directly based on addition and multiplication of the cards you are able to PLAY, but players need to understand the probability of their gaining advantageous cards in time to play them. Also need to be able to do enough mental math to decide which moves will turn out to be the largest net benefit for you in the end

Hopefully you have discovered some board games that teach STEM skills to introduce in your homeschool!

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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13 Privileges to be EarnedIn this episode, Matt and Charla discuss the importance of granting privileges based on a child’s maturity and responsibility rather than age or peer pressure. They emphasize the significance of tying privileges to demonstrated responsibility and provide practical examples and strategies for parents to implement this approach effectively.

*The Concept of Earned Privileges:*

– Children often feel entitled to privileges because of their age or because their peers have them.

– Privileges should be granted based on maturity and responsibility, not just age.

– The importance of engaging children in their own growth and responsibility.

*Maturity and Responsibility as Your Guide:*

– Parents should set expectations and grant privileges based on their child’s ability to handle responsibility. Examples include managing screen time, handling money, and taking care of belongings.

– Bedtime should be adjusted based on a child’s ability to wake up independently and manage their sleep schedule. Privileges like a later bedtime should be tied to demonstrated responsibility.

– Phones and other tech should be granted based on responsible behavior. Charla emphasizes leveraging a child’s desire for technology to teach responsibility.

– Allowances should be tied to a child’s ability to manage their belongings and demonstrate responsibility. Charla suggests a trial period to monitor responsibility before granting an allowance.

*Growing Responsibility:*

– Privileges should increase with demonstrated responsibility, similar to leveling up in a video game.

– Charla and Matt discuss how to define and measure responsibility in children.

– Avoid comparing children to their siblings when granting privileges.

– Set clear standards for responsibilities and expectations.

Connect With Us:

To read more about this (or past topics) go to Charla’s blog: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog

To subscribe to the weekly email with links to our podcast and blog, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/subscribe-1

To learn more about our unique products designed to increase your children’s understanding of how money works in the real world, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/

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Episode #13- Interview with Stepheny Seabolt: I Don’t Have to Look Like the Public SchoolOn this episode, meet Stepheny Seabolt, who explains how her view of homeschooling has changed and how she now chooses and utilizes curriculum with the insights she’s gained through nearly a decade of homeschooling under her belt, and why she doesn’t have to look like the public school.

Public School vs. Homeschooling= the Route ForwardTen years ago, when Stepheny began encountering problems with her local public school, she reached out to the school administration, who seemed unwilling to address her concerns. When charter school didn’t work out either, Stepheny and her husband decided to homeschool. At first, upon recommendations from other homeschoolers in online groups, she used free homeschool programs. But, as her daughter got older and she added two more children to the mix, it became more difficult and time consuming to use the free programs.

She also realized that with three children vying for her time, she needed a home education program in which she could combine multiple ages for different subjects. Stepheny admits, “I was the one who thought we had to do all the worksheets and all the flashcards and all the drills, and it almost drove me insane.” Her advice for new homeschoolers as they search out homeschool curriculum options is to know that “you don’t have to do everything.” Stepheny shares that she eventually realized, “I don’t have to look like the public school.”

What’s Working: I don’t have to look like the public school.Nowadays, Stepheny says, “What I use changes based on each kid because each has their individual needs.” This ability to be flexible and to determine what works best for our family is a huge benefit of homeschooling!

Listen in to hear more of Stepheny’s insights from nearly a decade of homeschooling and using many different curricula over the years. She also shares what she looks for in a homeschool program.

About StephenyStepheny Seabolt is the wife of one amazing husband and the mama to three very interesting kiddos, ages 12, 13, and 16. A West Virginia gal through and through, even though she’s currently stuck in North Carolina. She and her family are getting ready to start their tenth year of homeschooling next month. Stepheny went back to school in 2016 and received her associate’s degree in business administration. She also runs a homeschool bookstore from home and works with The Old Schoolhouse to help other parents get started homeschooling. In her free time, Stepheny loves to cook from scratch, read, sing, and add to the list of places she doesn’t have to wear shoes!

Resources:

• Mystery of History
• SchoolhouseTeachers

Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone; tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or have show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

You might also enjoy these podcasts on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network:

Military Family Chooses Homeschool and Public SchoolFrom Public School Teacher to Lifeschooler – Tina HollenbeckThe post I Don’t Have to Look Like the Public School: Interview with Stepheny Seabolt appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Summer Fun On A Shoestring Budget ~ Episode 527The summer is in full swing, and you have weeks left before school starts. How do you instill summer fun in the remaining months? What can you do to keep the children from fighting or saying those dreaded words, “I’m bored!” In this podcast, veteran homeschool mom, mom of five, and grandmother of nine will share tried-and-true activities to keep the kids learning, mostly without them knowing!

Visit the MediaAngels.com website for fun ideas and planners you can print and use.

So, it’s summer or some other time when the children are finding it difficult to use their time wisely. Maybe you are similar-minded and feel that children should not be on a tablet, computer, or television most of the day. What do you do when they’ve exhausted their normal activities and find they’d rather bother each other than find something else to do? This is the time I pull out the activities I save for the proverbial “rainy day,” even if the sun is shining brightly. These activities tend to keep the children occupied and having fun.

Summer is a time to learn a new skill, my children learned to ride bikes in the summer. Or, start a new hobby or sport. Maybe you’ve wanted to teach your children about the explorers or classical music. I wanted to do a classical music study around Christmas and never found time, but I switched it to the summer, and it was so much fun. Even if the children never loved classical music the way I do, they enjoyed learning about the composers and learned how to identify different musical instruments in an orchestra. In the winter months, we attended a concert, and they enjoyed it because they understood a little about compositions and the instruments.

I group my activities into different categories. Ones that don’t take many supplies, just brain power, and others that do take supplies that I try to have on hand. Either way, the results are the same. Mom is happy, and the kids are happier! I break down my list into Indoor and Outdoor Activities and then further break down into the following groups: few or no supplies, some supplies, and many supplies.

Here is a free summer printable for you with ideas: HERE

Indoor Activities for Summer Fun:Few or No Supplies:

• Scavenger hunt
• Word Cross or Activity Pages (try our new planners just for kids – there are pages you can use for this activity)
• Puzzle pages
• Make your own puzzle

Some Supplies:

• Coloring pages
• Drawing with pencils, colored pencils, or markers
• Paper airplanes
• Make a fort with sheets
• Read
• Write a story (story starters)

Many supplies:

• Arts and Crafts
• Painting
• Kite Making
• Water balloons
• Balloon crafts
• Homemade rockets

Outdoor Activities For Summer Fun:Few or No Supplies:

• Nature walk, see and identify
• Bird watching
• Wind activities
• Collect (rocks, shells, etc.)
• Races / Tag / Hopscotch, etc.

Some Supplies:

• Run through sprinklers, slip, and side, or swim
• Fly kites
• Bug catchers
• Make a fort with sheets
• Make giant bubbles

Many supplies:

• Cook with the sun
• Contests: beach ball (how long can you keep it up?) timer
• Create a map that starts with your yard, neighborhood, etc.
• Map the grocery store (park, etc.) without going, then visit to see how accurate.
• Nature hike with backpack and supplies
• Picnic in the backyard or park

Does this list help you to think of ideas of your own? I hope so, and I’ve included some other links for you to explore with even more ideas.

More Summer Fun Resources:

Summer Fun Water Pressure

Summer Fun: Write A Book

Summer Fun Project: Write A Book

Summer Fun: Family Business

Summer Projects For Families

The post Summer Fun On Shoestring Budget appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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279: The Fourth Industrial Revolution and your homeschoolThis episode discusses how we are living in the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution driven by technologies like AI, nanotech, blockchain, Internet of Things, etc. and how this affects our homeschool

The 4th Industrial Revolution started around 2011 and is characterized by AI, IoT, nanotech becoming mainstream and integrated into daily life, even if we don’t realize it (Netflix recommendations, Siri/Alexa, etc.) You can find interesting blog posts about it on the World Economic Forum

The recent release of ChatGPT has brought AI technology into the forefront. Some ways to use AI in your homeschool

• for personalized learning
• differentiating reading levels,
• creating custom videos/slideshows
• explaining concepts via analogies

Prevent an over-reliance on AI:

• Teach critical thinking so kids don’t just turn to AI for everything
• Ensure they build core knowledge in subjects, not just turn to AI
• Model responsible AI usage and discuss ethics around it
• Be aware of risks like bias, misinformation in training data
• Don’t let kids treat AI chatbots as real friends who give advice

Potential AI benefits discussed include medical advancements through rapid data analysis, communication aids like sign language-to-speech, etc. But risks like deepfakes, cheating in classes, and losing core skills are covered as well.

Meryl recommends talking about when AI use is okay vs. cheating, establishing a family “secret word” to verify identity, and never naming AI chatbots with human names

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post The Fourth Industrial Revolution and your Homeschool appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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8 Benefits of a Part-Time JobIn this episode, Matt and Charla discuss the numerous benefits of part-time jobs for teenagers. They share personal anecdotes, insights, and practical advice on how part-time work can help teens develop essential life skills, financial independence, and a strong work ethic.

*Family Dynamics and Part-Time Jobs:*

– Discussion on their daughter Kate, a rising senior who hasn’t worked in a paying job outside the home. Contrast with their son, who started working at a younger age.

– Charla explains her tailored parenting approach based on each child’s personality and needs.

The importance of channeling energy and improving soft skills through part-time jobs.

– Kate’s volunteering and unpaid marketing work as a way to gain real-world experience.

Transition to her upcoming part-time job and her mixed feelings about it.

*Benefits of Part-Time Jobs:*

– Matt and Charla outline the eight benefits of part-time jobs for teens.

– Focus on financial independence, work ethic, time management, and building confidence.

– Matt shares his experiences with demanding managers and the valuable lessons learned.

– Charla recounts her time as a hostess and learning the importance of staying productive at work.

*Parenting Tips:*

– Encouraging teens to work to develop a sense of responsibility and independence.

Balancing work, school, and personal life to foster time management skills.

– Importance of experiential learning and stepping out of comfort zones.

Connect With Us:

To read more about this (or past topics) go to Charla’s blog: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog

To subscribe to the weekly email with links to our podcast and blog, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/subscribe-1

To learn more about our unique products designed to increase your children’s understanding of how money works in the real world, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Fun Financial Literacy – Interview With Mindy Muller.

Fun Financial Literacy – Interview With Mindy MullerAre you looking for innovative ways to make financial literacy fun and engaging for teens? Our special guest, Mindy Muller from Wealthy and Rad, is a homeschool mom who turned the challenge of financial education into an exciting adventure! Discover how Mindy’s journey from public school frustrations to homeschooling triumphs paved the way for a vibrant, hands-on approach to teaching finance to high schoolers.

BTW- Some folks ask us about sharing info about curriculum from other publishers when 7Sisters provides our own version of Financial Literacy. That’s because we believe that homeschooling is a community. We do not compete, we life each other up. So we are excited to share our friend, Mindy’s Financial Literacy materials! (For an explanation of what Financial Literacy courses include, check out this Authoritative Guide post.)

About Mindy MullerMindy Muller, a mother of five, was frustrated with the overwhelming homework load and lack of meaningful learning in public school, like many homeschool moms today. And, like them, Mindy decided to take a stand.

She researched the detrimental effects of excessive homework and communicated her findings to her children’s teachers. But while some teachers were supportive, others were resistant.

One of the teachers even targeted Mindy and her kids when she refused to have her kids doing all the homework! This led Mindy to consider homeschooling. And, inspired by a dream, she embraced the role of educator for her family, finding it to be a fulfilling and successful experience!

Her oldest was pulled out of public school and into homeschooling in her junior year of high school. Now, she works for a solar company.

Mindy’s triplets have graduated as well. One is a surgical technician, another one is climbing the corporate ladder for Jiffy Lube, and the third is still in a college.

And Mindy’s last daughter, she decided to re-attend public school, which is always somewhat of an internal struggle for us homeschool moms when or if our kids mention the desire to go to public school. As you can imagine, Mindy’s heart was heartbreaking because she enjoyed homeschooling her other four so much.

However, her homeschool story may not be over just yet – her daughter is reconsidering returning to homeschool! Sometimes we have to live and learn, depending on our personalities.

Every one of our homeschool stories is different – not a single one will ever be the same. And this holds true to every one of Mindy’s children’s educational experience.

Experimenting With Fun Financial Literacy ActivitiesMindy’s passion for financial literacy was sparked when her husband was laid off in 2016. Observing her children’s spending habits, she realized the need for a more engaging financial education.

Teaming up with her business partner Kendra, they experienced creating a curriculum that made learning about finance fun and interactive. This is when Wealthy and Rad was born.

The approach to understanding financial literacy involves games and activities that bring financial concepts to life. These kinds of activities help ensure that teens not only understand but enjoy the learning process.

One standout activity is the Compound Interest Game, where teens use corn kernels to simulate earning and investing money. It’s hands-on games like these that help students grasp the power of compound interest in a fun and memorable way.

Mindy says: Compound interest is remarkable. That’s how the average person becomes a millionaire, through compound interest.Because poor health is a significant financial strain on the average budget, Mindy also created other activities that focus on investing in health and education. This allows students to use real money to make meaningful choices that impact their well-being and knowledge.

These fun financial literacy activities are designed to be immersive, making financial literacy a dynamic and enjoyable subject.

Creating Wealth and RadMindy felt like kids needed something that was a little more engaging for financial literacy. Through the successful use of the curriculum in their local commonwealth, Mindy and Kendra were inspired to share their curriculum with a wider audience.

Wealthy and Rad now offers group and independent study options, complete with engaging materials and support for teachers. Their website features colorful, interactive content that makes financial education accessible and exciting for teens across the globe.

Fun Financial Literacy – Interview With Mindy MullerMindy Muller’s journey from public school struggles to homeschooling success is such an inspiration! Through the creation of their fun financial literacy curriculum, Wealth and Rad, financial literacy can be engaging for teens, transforming traditional teaching methods into exciting hands-on activities.

Their story is a testament to the impact of innovative education and the power of homeschooling to meet the unique needs of each family!

Connect with Mindy and Wealthy and RadAre you ready to make financial literacy a fun and engaging experience for your homeschooler? Visit Wealthy and Rad to explore their curriculum and discover how you can bring these exciting activities into your home.

They have several different curriculums, such as for group study or independent study.

You can also visit the Wealth and Rad Facebook page and join their Facebook community group, where you can ask questions.

You can also find them on Curriculum Square by searching Wealth and Rad on the website.

And remember, it’s not too late (or too early) to get a financial literacy curriculum on your kids’ schedule.

Thank you for Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and for Richie Soares with Homeschool and Humor for writing this blog post!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our iTunes page. 2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes 3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review and give us some stars and a comment to help others find us more easily. 7. Thanks!

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Reading Adds Joy to LifeIn “Reading Adds Joy to Life,” Episode, #212, join Meredith Curtis for inspiration for parents and teens to read books for pure enjoyment! Reading excellent literature for fun works out your brain, stretches your vocabulary, increases your attention span, cultivates compassion, and builds character. Plus when you read for fun, you release endorphins and add joy to life!

Powerline Productions, Inc.Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show NotesReading for fun is enriching and education.

Reading is a Brain Workout!Flex your brain muscles – improve comphrehension, build thinking & logic skills

Improves VocabularyClassical literature and well-written works will expose you to a richer vicoabulary. Older books have more description, conversation, and character development.

Increase Attention SpanOpening a book takes us away from short blogs, short movie scenes, and shorter commercials. Trains our brain to focus.

Cultivate Compassion & CharacterTimes change but human problems remain the same. Choosing books with good role models can impact you. He who walks with the wise grows wise.

Add the Joy!Everyone loves a good story! Everyone loves an intellectual challenge like a mystery. Or a lovely romance. Or a grand adventure.

What Shall I Read?Check our reading lists for every age imaginable: https://www.powerlineprod.com/homeschooling/reading-lists/

Sign up for our NewsletterSign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

Book Lists for All Ages

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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50 Summer Projects For Kids – Episode 431There are so many fun ideas for summer, but what about 50 summer projects for kids? Summertime is a chance to learn new things, explore and have a great time, but it can also be easily wasted doing nothing. Here is a list of ideas to get you started.

Welcome to this Just for Kids episode!Here is a list of my 50 top ideas for kids and they are not in any particular order, but it gives you a starting place to come up with ideas of your own. For example, anyone can read one book, but what about an entire series? Sure, this may take time if you are reading something like the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew. But, it will take less time if you are reading Little House on the Prairie. Even if the book is for younger kids take a chance, especially if you have not read the series before.

1. Read a series of books.
2. Start a business. Think of things you’d like to do.
3. Manage money. See how much you can save.
4. Learn to cook, bake or create new recipes.
5. Learn a new skill.
6. Learn a new sport.
7. Learn to play a musical instrument.
8. Learn a new language.
9. Create an obstacle course.
10. Create something that flies.
11. Make something out of recyclables.
12. Learn to draw.
13. Write with your non-dominant hand.
14. Make a list of things you’d like to collect and start a collection.
15. Make a list of movies you’ve watched and the ones you want to watch.
16. Make a list of books you have read and the ones you want to read.
17. Make a new friend.
18. Help a neighbor or friend.
19. Each day say something nice to each member of your family.
20. Start a new habit, like fixing your bed.
21. Plan a trip for the family.
22. Plan a family event, like a game night.
23. Plan an entire month of fun activities. These can be simple.
24. Stage a play. Write, and produce it for others to act.
25. Write a short story.
26. Create a podcast. What would your show be about?
27. Create a scavenger hunt.
28. Learn about geocaching.
29. Go on a treasure hunt.
30. Organize pictures. On a phone, or computer.
31. Learn to take good pictures.
32. Learn to sew a button.
33. Write an mail a letter to a relative or a friend.
34. Learn to write a thank-you card.
35. Jobs – what do you think would be fun to have as a job.
36. Build something.
37. Create a fort.
38. Learn first aid.
39. Create a list of rules for different things.
40. Play a game using a different set of rules.
41. Create something new. Think about this.
42. Create an exercise routine.
43. Learn to eat healthy.
44. Grow something from a seed.
45. Start a garden.
46. Create a challenge with someone in your family.
47. Learn to play chess – or another game you don’t know.
48. Learn a new craft.
49. Create a kite.

As you can see some of these fun projects can take some time and others can be done easily. If you like some of these ideas, make a plan on when you will start to do them and write them in your calendar. Learning to set deadlines and goals is an important part of learning to accomplish and get things done! This also helps us to be creative and figure out ways to make things work. I hope one or many of this ideas help you.

You might also like these Rainy Day Summertime Activities.

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In this episode of Homeopathy for Mommies, Sue interviews Catherine, a listener and member of Sue’s Members Corner, who shares her profound journey through fertility struggles and her recent successes with classical homeopathy. Catherine recounts her experiences with conventional medicine and naturopathy, which left her physically and emotionally drained. Discovering homeopathy through a local event, she found hope and healing, particularly during her pregnancy. Catherine’s story is a testament to the hope and healing that homeopathy can bring, even in the face of daunting challenges. Her journey is a beautiful reminder of the power of faith, personalized care, and the incredible potential of natural alternative medicine.

If you or a family member are looking for a homeopath to help you with individualized care, check out Sue’s list of recommended homeopaths here: https://homeopathyformommies.com/recommended-homeopaths

The 10 year anniversary of this podcast is coming up! If you would like to leave a review, personal note, or voice recording for Sue to celebrate this milestone, visit https://homeopathyformommies.com/anniversary

—–

DISCLAIMER:

The content of the Homeopathy for Mommies Radio post or page, including text, graphics, images, or information contained in text or audio, or other content, is offered on an informational basis only. No content is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice and guidance of a qualified health professional before: Changing or making any adjustment to any medication or treatment protocol you are currently using.

Stopping any medication or treatment protocol you are currently using.
Starting any new medication or treatment protocol, whether or not it was discussed on the Homeopathy For Mommies Radio show, page or post on this website.
Information on this site is informational and not as specifically applicable to any individual’s medical problem(s), concerns and/or needs.
These products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat or prevent disease.
In each audio remedies are recommended. We are not claiming that the product will cure any of these problems or disorders. We are merely reporting that people have used the product to aid these conditions.

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278: Learning with Micro:bitGuest Jospeh Lemke shares with us how he is learning with Micro:bit and why this is a great way for students to explore coding.

What is a Micro:bit?

• programmable microcontroller, like a tiny computer
• has built in sensors like temperature, gyroscope, compass, microphone, speaker, touch button, blue tooth antennae to talk to other microbits and your phone
• has enough computing power to do a lot of things

What are the strengths of Micro:bit?

• it’s a good starting microcontroller because has a good programming platform
• microsoft makecode – graphical platform or text code
• microphython is another option

How do I get started?

1. Purchase a starter kit for about $25 on Amazon.
2. Go to Makecode.microbit.org, and work through the Tutorials

What are some of the favorite projects you’ve made with micro:bit?

• drink dispenser
• controlled dot matrix printer from the 80’s
• Borg costume
• fingerprint reader for light switch

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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How to Use AI to Find Your PathIn this episode, Matt and Charla delve into the practical ways parents can utilize artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, to help their teens explore potential career paths. Whether your child is college-bound or looking into trades, this episode offers valuable insights on leveraging AI to navigate the often overwhelming process of career selection.

*The High Cost of College:*

– Matt and Charla discuss the significant financial investment in college education today compared to the past.

– They stress the necessity of making informed decisions to avoid unnecessary expenses and delayed entry into the workforce.

– In today’s economic climate, it’s crucial for students to have a clearer idea of their career interests before investing in higher education or specialized training.

– Charla shares personal anecdotes about her son Jack’s uncertainty in choosing a career.

– The importance of identifying a broad career field (like business) before college is highlighted, allowing for more focused exploration during higher education.

*Using AI for Career Exploration:*

– Matt and Charla introduce ChatGPT, affectionately nicknamed “George” by Charla, as a tool for career exploration.

– Charla explains how she uses ChatGPT to generate ideas, improve her writing, and help her students find career paths.

– Teens can ask ChatGPT questions like “What type of careers are good for people who are [insert trait]?”

– AI provides a starting point, but further research and human interaction are essential for detailed understanding.

– Charla encourages using social networks to connect with professionals in various fields for informational interviews.

Connect With Us:

To read more about this (or past topics) go to Charla’s blog: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog

To subscribe to the weekly email with links to our podcast and blog, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/subscribe-1

To learn more about our unique products designed to increase your children’s understanding of how money works in the real world, go here: https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/

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Podcast Title: LifeSkills101: Final FarewellEpisode Title: Seasons in HomeschoolingHost: Lisa NehringDuration: 23 minutes

Episode Summary:

In this heartfelt final episode of LifeSkills101, Lisa Nehring takes listeners on a reflective journey through the different seasons of homeschooling and life. Using the changing seasons as an analogy, Lisa beautifully illustrates the ebb and flow of homeschooling experiences and personal growth.

Key Points:

1. Introduction: Seasons in Homeschooling
   • Lisa opens the episode with a warm welcome and introduces the theme of seasons in homeschooling.
   • She explains how each season—spring, summer, fall, and winter—mirrors the stages and transitions in the homeschooling journey.
2. Spring: New Beginnings
   • Discussion about the excitement and freshness of starting a new homeschooling journey.
   • Tips for embracing new beginnings and fostering a love for learning.
3. Summer: Growth and Exploration
   • Highlights the importance of taking time to explore and grow during the homeschooling journey.
   • Encouragement to pursue interests, hobbies, and deeper learning during the summer months.
4. Fall: Harvest and Reflection
   • Lisa reflects on the rewards and achievements gathered over time.
   • The significance of evaluating progress, celebrating milestones, and preparing for the next steps.
5. Winter: Rest and Renewal
   • The necessity of taking breaks and allowing time for rest and rejuvenation.
   • How to use the winter season to plan and set goals for the future.
6. New Beginnings at True North Homeschool Academy
   • Lisa shares exciting news about the new developments and programs at True North Homeschool Academy (TNHA).
   • Details on how these new commitments are taking more of her time and focus, but how fulfilling it is to serve TNHA families.
7. Saying Farewell to LifeSkills101
   • A heartfelt goodbye to the LifeSkills101 podcast and its listeners.
   • Lisa’s reflections on the journey and the decision to end the podcast to focus on TNHA.
8. Encouragement and Resources
   • Encourages listeners to make the most of the available LifeSkills101 podcast episodes.
   • Recommendations for other great podcasts on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network:
     • Homeschooling High School
     • Vintage Homeschool Moms
     • Homeschool Sanity
9. Final Thoughts and Gratitude
   • Lisa expresses her gratitude to the listeners, guests, and everyone who has supported the LifeSkills101 podcast.
   • Encouragement to embrace each season of homeschooling with grace and adaptability.

Resources Mentioned:

• True North Homeschool Academy
• Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network
  • Homeschool High School Podcast
  • Vintage Homeschool Moms
  • Homeschool Sanity Show

Connect with Lisa Nehring:

• True North Homeschool Academy Website
• TNHA on Instagram

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the seasons of homeschooling and life. Embrace each season with love and adaptability. Until we meet again, happy homeschooling!

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Job Hunting Skills for Homeschool High Schoolers- Special Replay.

Job Hunting Skills for Homeschool High SchoolersIt can be really stressful for teens to look for their first jobs. They are stressed because they have never done this before and often do not know where to start! And face it, it is been a LONG time since we moms have had to search for a first job! Want some tips to help? Join Vicki for this quick, concise coaching session on job hunting skills for homeschool high schoolers.

So as a quick, encouraging review on what to do. Here are ten tips.Here are some basic tips that help teens as they look for their first job.

1 Develop an experiential resumeTeens may think they do not have anything they could put on a resume because they have not had a “real” job yet. However, they CAN create an experiential resume.

Experiential resumes highlight skills that teens have been developed through their volunteer work, travel or other experiences. By the time a young person reaches high school, they have lots of skills. Homeschool high schoolers can highlight those on a resume that shows various experiences rather than showing a job timeline. Some experiences they might include would be:

• Volunteer experiences
• Travel experiences
• Interesting academics that show ability to go above and beyond the average
• Hobbies and special interests
• Extracurriculars

You can download 7Sisters Experiential Resume Writing Guide to help your teens with this project.

2 Develop a cover letterA cover letter explains why your teen wants a job at a specific job at a specific place. Teens will not always need a cover letter for entry-level jobs. However, knowing how to write one will help if they find a job that needs one. You can download 7Sisters Cover Letter Writing Guide to help with this.

3 Ask reference-givers permission to list them as references.This is one of the most important job hunting skills for homeschool high schoolers. Teens will need to list some references on most applications. Reference-givers need to have a politely-worded request ahead of time and a follow-up thank you afterwards. I highly recommend you have your teens read this post on how to ask for favors and not leave a terrible impression.

4 Make a listMany first jobs come from people you or your teens know. In fact, networking is the way many jobs are found- even jobs well into an adult’s career. SO, sit with your teens and make a list of people your teen knows:

• youth pastor
• friends’ parents
• relatives
• co-op teachers
• coaches

5 Make the askOnce your teens know their “network”, they can ask each person if they know of any job openings. Have your homeschool high schooler rehearse telling each of those people they are looking for a job. Then they can also ask if they know anyone who needs help. Here is a Great episode on how this worked for our friend Angela’s son.

6 Look for help wanted signsTool around local businesses and the mall. See if you see any “help wanted” signs. If so: have your teen run in, drop off the resume. They may be given an application to fill out right then and there (or more likely: told to apply online). If they are filling out an application in person, remind them to take a breath, be calm and write neatly.

7 Look for online applications from bigger corporations or for local grocery stores or businessesYour teen can look on job sites like Indeed or Monster OR simply look at local stores’ websites. (Help them spot spam on Indeed or Monster- jobs too good to be true.)

8 Work on interview skills.Practice questions and non-verbal. Have questions ready to ask in return. Here are some links to interview skills handout and article.

Remind your homeschool highschoolers to: Show up early, dress professionally, bring a copy of their resume along with pen and paper for notes.

9 Got the job!Remind your teens to: Show up early for work with a smile. Give everything 100%.

This builds the resume for the next job!

10 Make sure you include Career Exploration on the homeschool transcriptThese first jobs can count as a Career Exploration elective. Here’s a how-to for that. And if your homeschool highs chooler has not completed a comprehensive Career Exploration course, you might want to consider it as an important part of the upcoming year’s curriculum!

Hope you get some encouragement with this quick, helpful chat with Vicki!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our iTunes page. 2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes 3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review and give us some stars and a comment to help others find us more easily. 7. Thanks!

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Hey, homeschoolers! I am excited about today’s episode, not only because of the topic that I think addresses a real need we have as parents, but also about my guest.

I experienced the pain of feeling different as a child and so did my kids. There’s different good and different bad, right? But kids don’t often like any kind of difference that makes them feel alone. How can we help our kids through that? That’s the topic of the conversation I had with Ali Gilkeson.

Ali is a member of the popular Christian folk band Rend Collective. If you’re like me and you aren’t good with band names, you’ll likely recognize their hit song “My Lighthouse.” A gifted communicator, Ali began to travel around Ireland speaking to young people in her early twenties. She is the mother of three children she has raised partly on the road, starting when each one was six weeks old. She and the other members of Rend Collective, including her husband, Gareth Gilkeson, are the founders of Rend Co. Kids, a platform dedicated to creating music that children under the age of thirteen can sing and find hope in. She currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her family.

Ali is down-to-earth and relatable and her new children’s book My Lighthouse is absolutely beautiful. I will be adding it to my library for future grandchildren. Here’s my talk with Ali.

Watch on YouTubeResources MentionedFind Amazon link to the book in the show notes below:

My Lighthouse book

https://rendcollective.com

Rend Co. Kids – YouTube Channel

https://www.instagram.com/aligilk

https://www.instagram.com/rendcollective

https://www.facebook.com/rendcollective

https://twitter.com/rendcollectivehttps://www.youtube.com/@RendCollective

https://www.tiktok.com/@rend_collectiveHave a happy homeschool week!

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Are you ready for an adventure through God’s amazing Creation? With our Creation Camp, you can explore the wonders of the world right from your home! Each day, you’ll dive into a new day of Creation with fun activities, experiments, and art projects.

Let’s explore what you’ll learn (scroll to bottom for details) and some fun ideas you can start with right way, teaching each day to your students!

And … don’t miss the Creation Science Podcast on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Day 1: Let There Be Light! On the first day, God created light, separating it from the darkness.

Teaching Idea:

• Experiment with Light: Use a flashlight in a dark room to show how light can change the environment. Discuss how light helps us see and makes us feel safe.
• Art Project: Create a “light and dark” collage using black and white paper. Let students cut out shapes and glue them to show the contrast between light and darkness.

Day 2: Sky and Water On the second day, God made the sky and separated the waters.

Teaching Idea:

• Sky in a Jar: Fill a clear jar with water and add a few drops of blue food coloring. Shake it up to see how the water and sky might have looked.
• Cloud Watching: Lie down outside and watch the clouds. Ask students to describe what they see and imagine the sky God created.

Day 3: Land, Sea, and Plants On the third day, God gathered the waters to create seas and made dry land appear. He also made plants and trees.

Teaching Idea:

• Planting Seeds: Give each student a small pot and some seeds to plant. Watch them grow over the week and talk about how plants need water, light, and soil.
• Create a Mini-Landscape: Use clay or playdough to create models of land and sea. Add small plants or grass to show vegetation.

Day 4: Sun, Moon, and Stars On the fourth day, God made the sun, moon, and stars to light up the sky.

Teaching Idea:

• Star Gazing: Take students outside at night to look at the stars. Use a star map to identify constellations and talk about how vast the universe is.
• Solar System Mobile: Make a mobile using paper or cardboard cutouts of the sun, moon, and stars. Hang them from strings to create a moving display.

Day 5: Birds and Fish On the fifth day, God created birds to fly in the sky and fish to swim in the sea.

Teaching Idea:

• Bird Watching: Spend some time observing birds in your backyard or a local park. Have students draw the birds they see and describe their behaviors.
• Fish Tank Fun: Set up a small fish tank or a bowl with fish (even paper ones!). Discuss different types of fish and their habitats.

Day 6: Animals and Humans On the sixth day, God created animals and humans.

Teaching Idea:

• Animal Parade: Have students draw their favorite animals and share fun facts about them. You can also watch documentaries or read books about different animals.
• Human Body Exploration: Discuss the human body and how amazing it is. Use diagrams to show how different parts of the body work.

Day 7: Day of Rest On the seventh day, God rested.

Teaching Idea:

• Quiet Time: Encourage students to have some quiet time for reflection or reading. Discuss the importance of rest and how it helps us recharge.
• Create a Relaxation Space: Make a cozy corner with pillows and blankets where students can relax, read, or meditate.

Join Our Creation Camp! Our Creation Camp kit comes with everything you need to host your own camp at home:

• Teacher’s Manual: Complete day-by-day instructions, reproducible sheets, and directions for each activity, experiment, and art project.
• Student Notebook: Activity sheets, crossword puzzles, vocabulary games, word search, and a separate field guide book to decorate and put together.

You can complete the camp in one week or spread it out over a longer period—it’s up to you!

Ready to start your Creation Camp adventure? Click here to learn more and get your kit today!

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What makes homeschool co-ops good? And what makes them bad or downright ugly? Are there certain things that we should look for when we try to find a co-op?

On this episode, veteran homeschooler Christi Deason and I tackle the issue of homeschool co-ops and try to answer these questions. When Christi was homeschooling her children, the landscape of homeschooling and co-ops looked different than it does now. We talk about what has changed and where we see problems developing.

Co-opsIt seems everyone these days who homeschools is involved in a homeschool co-op of some sort. In fact, in the survey we conducted before this interview, all the respondents except one indicated that they had been involved in a co-op at some point in their homeschooling.

But is it truly necessary for all families to even be involved in co-ops?Our opinion is, simply, no. What works for some, may not work for your family. And there is nothing wrong with being your child’s sole teacher! For the homeschool pioneers, this was normal. Remember, homeschooling is about freedom, and your children will be successful if you follow the Lord’s leading.

So how do you know if co-ops are right for your family?We give some suggestions to help you determine if a homeschool co-op is right for you and some ideas of what to look for. Here are a few tips:

• Look for something small
• Look for something with families you know and respect
• If your children are young, keep it fun-focused (not academic)
• Look for something with some flexibility
• Look for something that fills a true need

Here are some other things to remember:

• Pray first and ask God if this is the right direction for your family
• Be okay with the fact that what works this year may not work another year
• Always be willing to “shift” if things don’t work out

There are some great co-ops out there! Just be careful to pray first and be discerning during the vetting process. Know what you want and don’t settle for any homeschool co-op simply because you think you need to. At the end of the journey, YOU are the teacher and you and your spouse are the ones responsible for your children’s education. God will show you what is best if you trust Him.

This podcast sponsored by Media Angels and the Truth Seekers Novels

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Order your set today.

The post Co-ops: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly | Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Homeschool Grades: How to Assign and Track Your Learner’s ProgressIn this episode, Crystal discusses the ins and outs of homeschool grades. And hopefully, by the end of the show, you’ll better understand how to grade your homeschooler and come away with a few tips to keep it all organized.

How to Assign and Track Your Learner’s Progress

Episode #35 – So, you’ve decided to homeschool your kiddos. Everything is ready- from the best homeschool curriculum to the perfect learning space in your home. You’ve got all your bases covered! Or, you thought, until someone asks how you’ll grade your homeschooler. That’s when it hits- how are homeschoolers graded? If this sounds familiar, or you just want to be sure you’re doing things correctly- then you’re in the right place!

A perspective on homeschool grades

Any experienced homeschooling parent will tell you one main perk of homeschooling is its flexibility. Yes, there are requirements in each state that may direct how many hours you have to educate your child, and there may even be requirements specific to what grading system you must use; however, most often, parents are free to decide what best suits their family’s needs. So, evaluating your homeschooler’s progress comes down to one central question: to grade or not to grade?

Why does grading matter?

The answer to this question depends on a couple of factors. First, if your state requires letters or percentage grades for homeschooled students, there is no way around it; you must grade your homeschoolers. If there are no specific requirements, whether to grade or not becomes more of a personal choice.

What about college?

Many homeschooling families choose to wait until high school before introducing a structured grading system, and this is because their students will be entering college in a few short years. Implementing grades at this level helps colleges assess the student’s competency and readiness for college-level learning. However, for those not keen on switching over to formal grades, a grading system is not necessarily the “golden standard” for homeschoolers entering college.

The ‘how and when’ of grading

As highlighted above, grading your homeschooler is often a personal choice. If grading is what feels right, then go for it. But it is essential to find a grading system that works best for you and your students.

Luckily, there are several different grading systems to choose from. Some options include:

• Grading percentages: This system is a 0-100 percent grading scale, often used along with letter grades.
• Letter grades: This option includes using grades from A to F.
• Standard-referenced grades: This system compares students with other students using a letter grade (this system may be more difficult with smaller groups of students).
• Mastery level: This grading system uses terms such as “masters” or “passers” to show students’ comprehension of a subject.
• Standard scale: This option uses pass or fails only.
• Absolute standards: Parents can compare their student’s learning and work against the established competency levels (most school districts provide expected learning goals for each grade level, which parents can use for this grading system).
• Narrative grading: This system includes a written assessment of student learning and allows for personalized tracking.

For grading art and other subjective assignments, options include:

• Focus on other concepts like art appreciation or comprehension of a topic, which may include additional parts to an assignment, such as narratives and oral presentations to demonstrate knowledge.
• Grade according to effort and following directions.
• Simple rubrics that include the student’s input to encourage self-reflection on learning.
• Standard grading using a 1-4 scale (4= exceeds expectations, and 1 basic).

How to record and track your homeschooler’s grade

Fortunately, as with grading systems, there are plenty of options for logging and tracking grades:

• Journals
• Flow sheets
• Rubrics
• Spreadsheets
• Websites

Listen in to learn why grading matters and options for grading. Some examples include percentage and letter grades, pass or fail, standard, and narrative grading. And while these grading systems are easy to apply to subjects such as English and math, a different approach is often needed for more subjective lessons, such as art. Fortunately, there are many options for grading subjects like art as well. Lastly, once you’ve decided which way to go for grading, there are great options for tracking your student’s progress. From journals to websites, there are plenty of choices to keep everything organized, making it easy to find when you need it.

Resources:

Psychological Effects of Grades on Students – Edsys Blog

Applying to College as a Homeschool Student: What to Know | Applying to College | U.S. News (usnews.com)

Art Teacher Tips: How do you grade art? (artclasscurator.com)

Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone, tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast, and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

1. Subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
2. Subscribe to your favorite podcast listening app
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Evolution Taught To Kids As Truth ~ EpisodeI’ve heard it all! Evolution has nothing to do with a kid’s faith. But when evolution is taught to kids as truth the problems begin. It is one of the reasons that kids leave their faith as they get older. There are many excuses given for how a kid raised in a Christian, God-loving home can leave their faith behind. Maybe the kids never believed. Maybe they didn’t really mean it when they accepted the Lord as their personal Savior. Maybe they didn’t make their faith their own, or they weren’t really “saved.” No one can answer this question other than the person who once believed and now doesn’t.

In my experience talking to hundreds of parents in the years since I co-authored my first book on the topic of Creation, in 1994 the common theme was, evolution. The child bought into the lie taught as fact in the schools they attended. The biggest question I’ve asked is why is a theory taught as a fact? I think the answer is as varied as the person asking the question. Again, the common theme is because the “other” (Creationism) is faith and evolution is science. Evolution is a theory. It is not a scientific law.

Science, Faith, and TruthIn fact on further examination evolution contradicts scientific laws like Thermodynamics. But of course, we sweep this under the rug. Upon digging deeper we also learn that Darwinian evolution is discounted (because the fossil record never substantiated Darwin’s theory) and neo-Darwinism is in. Or is it? Now scientists think neo-Darwinism is in need of a replacement.

Many Christian households teach a Biblical Creation as stated in Genesis 1: God created… and many also are at a loss on how to fit their faith into evolution. News Flash! You don’t have to “fit” faith into evolution because evolution is a lie. Is there microevolution, changes within a kind. Absolutely. But macroevolution – goo to you by way of the zoo is a myth. Now scientists realize that what they thought was DNA “junk” randomly evolving human genome can’t happen. In fact, 95% of human genomes can not evolve. Really? We knew this. So, why do evolutionists keep insisting that Genesis is a myth?

Evolution Taught To Kids as Truth – The ProblemOnce kids are taught that evolution is a “valid” theory (aka educated guess) kids think their parents lied, or worse. They park their faith at the door and feel that maybe Genesis is the fairy tale. In my many years of study into creationism and evolution, I learned that kids need to be taught both of the faith systems because truthfully both are based upon faith. We have faith in the unseen, we were not present when God created the world and we were not present when the big-bang or whatever other theory started the world, and from this disorder came order – and everything in between. There are many theories of origins and as demonstrated earlier, they keep changing. Some Christian believe that Almighty God chose to begin the world by evolution (Theistic Evolutionists).

Debating Evolution Taught to Kids as TruthSo much of this has been debated and truthfully, it is up to each one of you to make this determination on your own. But, I’m warning you, if your kids are brought up with a strong faith and yet believe in evolution as a theory of molecules-to-man, they will be hard-pressed to defend their faith when they are in higher education. My co-author on the Creation Science Series, Jill Whitlock use to lament that those who believed in Theistic Evolution were lost, souls. I don’t go that far. Sure, you can believe in God, have a relationship with the Almighty and still believe in evolution. But what a loss.

Explaining to children that the Bible (especially Genesis) is an allegory or fairy tale, and then jumping to Genesis 1:27 – “Oh, but we believe that God created Adam and Eve, just not as He said in Genesis. You see, these organisms evolved and then at some point when a human was formed, God infused a soul into the first man and then the first woman, and called them Adam and Eve.” That is confusing to say the least. We must believe that Almighty God used death and destruction and “chance” as the molecules formed themselves eventually into a human, to then infuse a soul? Wow.

Never mind that there is no evidence that evolution happened. No fossil record. No verifiable scientific data. Only a theory.

Why are people so adamant that Creationism is false? That Genesis is not to be read literally? Because then a person must change and follow God and the “rules” which they believe are limiting.

Recently some big names in the Christian world have abdicated their faith. They’ve decided they are no longer Christians because of the “definition” of what it means to be a Christian. In the same sentence they added – oh, by the way, I am also getting divorced. We see the tragedy of sin in the priest scandal. We see pastors of various denominations falling prey to sin. How does this happen? It begins by turning away from the truth and coming up with the slang of the day “speaking your own truth.”

And when evolution is taught to kids as truth then nothing is sacred.Kids begin to question:

• We don’t have to believe the Bible as written?
• Do we have to believe in Noah’s ark? That was pretty far fetched, anyway.
• Jonah and the whale – yeah, that was hard to believe, too.
• Moses parting the Red Sea – yeah, totally weird.
• Jesus born of a Virgin? How can that be?
• Jesus the Son of God? Wow. I don’t know.
• Jesus and the miracles of the loaves and fishes. How can that happen?
• Jesus dying for our sins? If Adam and Eve didn’t exist then why did he have to die?
• Jesus rising from the dead? Not sure about that one either.

Never mind that the disciples that walked with Jesus (except for John) were all martyred for their faith as well as thousands upon thousands of Christians. You don’t give your life for a myth or allegory.

Kids think in ways that many adults tend to think and if we begin questioning the truth of the Bible or a loose interpretation of it, then nothing is sacred. Friends, don’t believe me. Research creationism side-by-side with evolution. No one has all the answers but evolution is sure based on a bunch of theory by scientists who have very little if any evidence that points to a conclusion that is substantiated.

Hug your kids. Teach them the truth. You will be happy you did.

Are you ready to host your own Creation Camp — at HOME?

Each day you study one day of God’s amazing Creation! One Week of Full Activities or break it up into a longer period of time. Your choice.

Comes complete with all the instructions, a Kids’ book you may copy for multiple children, supplies that can be shared and a Teacher’s Instruction Manual. Teacher’s Manual includes complete day by day instructions, reproducible sheets, and complete directions for each experiment, activity, and art project, and the answer keys! Student notebook: Students receive a notebook with activities sheets, crossword puzzles, vocabulary games, word search, and a separate field guide book that they can put together and decorate.

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EverydayPeacemakerAre you a peacemaker? Recently I’ve been convicted that I need to aim toward that goal, in a focused way. As parents it is not always easy to have peace or to facilitate peace among our children or even our spouse. In this podcast, we explore the elements of peacemaking and show your children through examples how to demonstrate this gift with others.

Are You A Peacemaker?As a parent, you will more than likely find some portion of your day spent keeping children from fighting or keeping the peace between your child and spouse. If you have a large family, you are definitely in this role whether you want to be or not. I never considered myself a peacemaker, especially with two younger siblings. They were seven and eight years younger than me, and my role was firmly entrenched. I thought I was the boss. I didn’t have an opportunity to babysit for other families since my parents had a built-in babysitter. But, I didn’t mind. I realized later that I was in the role of peacemaker because I kept the two brothers (only thirteen months apart) from fighting.

We all strive for peace in our homes, it makes it so much easier to manage our household when our children get along. We find that our days go so much better and we can actually accomplish much! In order for this to happen, we must have cooperation and an understanding that can be forged, especially when the children understand the consequences. Before I deliver into specifics, I wanted to share with you what a quick search turned up.

If you search for the definition of a peacemaker, you will be disappointed with the results of an AI-generated search. AI, as we know, lacks heart, and here is an excerpt of what I found.

THIS IS AI-GENERATED ONLINE – Read bits of it aloud and comment.

“A peacemaker in your family is often the person who takes on the role of mediator, intermediary, and mediator to pacify those who are irritable or angry. This role is often assigned to them by their parents or caregivers when they were young, and it can be a heavy burden to carry. The peacemaker’s job is to keep the peace by smoothing out differences and avoiding conflict, often at the expense of their own needs and desires.”

(This was AI-Generated online.) Do your own search, does it lack heart? Let me continue reading, see if you agree or disagree with these statements: (FIRST READ then comment).

Characteristics of a Peacemaker

• They are often drawn into complaints of tension with other family members

I don’t think any of us are drawn into complaints. I do believe we set the record straight, and either we allow our children to figure out a beneficial solution or we help them in some way.

• They may have a hard time saying no or setting boundaries

That is not true – if you are a peacemaker, you do set boundaries – otherwise, chaos would ensue – if there is no peace!

• They may prioritize others’ needs over their own

Umm – yes, this applies to all parents. By definition, a good parent is selfless – not to the detriment of the child (in other words, we don’t let them act horribly), but we do many things we’d rather not like get up in the night, to care for our children when they are hurt or sick, cook, clean, you know, parent!

• They may struggle with anger or assertiveness

That is rich! Because you are a peacemaker you are angry? Assertive – yes, I can see this, but angry. How can peace and anger co-exist? Don’t you love AI?

• They may feel responsible for others’ emotions and well-being

This one is not as much of a stretch. I think we sometimes fail at parenting because we want everyone happy and sometimes blame ourselves, but again, that is part of parenting.

It goes on about the effects of being a peacemaker and the difficulty one has in this role, but I will spare you that list. What I will say is that the answer to breaking free from the role of a peacemaker is narcissism. The suggestions, I believe, are ridiculous. I do believe that being a peacemaker means communicating effectively and assertively; in addition, it means setting boundaries. Harmony in families takes place when there is mutual respect. Often respect is expected but not given in return. We found this out with our teen son. He knew how to tell his younger siblings how to act and what to do. However, the same standard did not apply to him. This is sometimes how we as parents are seen by our children. Do what I say and not what I do. Just as in expecting good character, it should be demonstrated by our daily actions in order to be copied.

This brings me to the list of suggestions and ideas that may be beneficial to your family. The first is from scripture – Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Yes, Jesus meant women too – sons and daughters of God. To be a peacemaker means to be peaceful yourself. You know how we never put ourselves first (most of us, that is)? Now might be a good time to take a look at your schedule and get up a bit earlier or stay up a bit later and relax. For me this was a bath nightly. It was a luxury to have thirty minutes alone and relax. I was so rejuvenated afterward and it helped me to sleep. (That is, until I had to wake up to feed the baby.) What is it that you can do to create that little bit of time when you can think or just relax? Getting recharged is important.

Here are some past episodes and blog posts you may enjoy:

Relax and Refresh

Encouragement for Moms

Summer Planning Sign up to receive our latest planner.

Creating a Home Mindset

Everyday Peacemaker – Conflict ResolutionHow do you deal with conflict? Do you expect your children to figure it out on their own (typical in larger families), or do you get involved? This is a huge indicator of how loud or effective the conflict resolution will turn out. I watched my grandchildren right before an event my daughter was hosting. Two of the siblings ran upstairs (one chasing the other) demanding a toy that the other had “taken.” My daughter continued to finish her preparations, and other than asking the boys to keep it down, there was no other comment. When the older of the two grandsons came downstairs, I quietly said, “You are blessed that you have the mother you have because if I was your mother, you would have been in trouble. You do realize that making your brother angry is not productive.” He answered, “Yes, grandma, but if you were my other, you would have nipped this with (he named another sibling) who apparently started the incident, taking the item and handing it off to the youngest, knowing the alteration would take place! I laughed and said, “Yes, heads would have rolled.” We both laughed at that.

We parent differently. The boys did figure it out loudly, but apparently, that is allowed. If my daughter micromanaged every situation, it would be exhausting. The children, however, have some parameters (not a right or wrong, just an observation) that allow this behavior.

Look at your parenting style. What behaviors (right or wrong) do you allow? This is an indicator of the behavior of the children. I realized that I was a “threatening repeating parent” after attending a parenting seminar. Once I realized this I learned how to remedy it by actually following through and doing what I said I would do (in the threat). The children quickly learned it was no longer an empty threat and mom would follow through.

Being a peacemaker can be taught as well – asking your children, especially those who tattle, if they are being peacemakers (you may need to define this first). Here is the breakdown of how this looks:

1. Telling on each other (when it is not life-threatening) is a way to get someone in trouble for no good reason.
2. Ask the child if he is being a peacemaker or trying to get his/her sibling in trouble.
3. If he answers in trouble, ask for an apology and better yet, to apologize to the sibling.
4. Taking it one step further ask your child how he can encourage his brother/sister to make good choices.

My daughter often asks her children if they are making a good choice. This is a great way to put the responsibility on their shoulders. It is effective, and the response (or lack of response) is telling.

Making a good choice can be something you practice. You can put the children through different scenarios (all of the Character Planners contain lessons that focus on the character and questions the children can answer and act out!) Check out the Media Angels store here – There are two twelve-pack planners and here is another one (smaller bundles available as well)

In addition, teaching the children that choices have consequences is part of the “follow-through” I discussed above. Focus on the Family has a great article here that covers some of the same points and additional ones. The main idea is that if you attempt to bring the family together do it in positive ways ahead of the conflict. When bored, children find ways to entertain themselves, and unfortunately, it is to the detriment of others! Keeping the family united and under one roof is the goal of many; having peacemakers in your family is a blessing we shouldn’t take for granted. I pray this episode was beneficial. Please share this episode with a friend and until next time!

The post Everyday Peacemakers appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Summer is a great time to relax, enjoy some downtime, and have a whole lot of fun! Whether you’re going on a vacation or having a staycation at home, there are so many ways to help your family recharge and relax.

A Staycation? Yep.With a few hints, your kids will find ways to entertain themselves, especially if they are a little older. It’s important to remember that not every minute has to be filled with an organized craft or activity. Embrace the slower pace and help your children do the same.

Our family loves camping, nature hikes, swimming in the pool, and trips to the beach. You might enjoy these activities too!

Maybe there’s a lake nearby where you can cool off when it gets really hot. Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air is great for everyone. In Florida, it gets quite hot, so our kids enjoy playing outside in the mornings or after an early dinner.

More Staycation TipsDuring the middle of the day, when it’s too hot to be outside, you can keep your kids busy with crafts, activities, and indoor adventures. This can help them avoid asking for electronics or watching movies all day long.

If your family allows screen time, you can motivate your kids (especially tweens and teens) by having them complete their chores or a list of activities first. Your list might include:

• Chores
• Outdoor time
• Reading
• Art or music
• House or sewing projects
• Crafts

If your kids complete the items on the list before asking for screen time or if you set a designated time for these activities, it cuts down on them asking you all day long. Even house or sewing projects can bring you closer together as a family.

So, make the most of your summer by balancing fun, relaxation, and a bit of learning. Enjoy the time together and create some wonderful memories! And get those summer memories planned with the Ultimate Staycation Planner for Kids.

Get Your Ultimate Staycation Planner for Kids Now!Don’t miss out on this essential travel companion. Opt-in today and get your Ultimate Staycation Planner for Kids from the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. Plan, explore, and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones.

And as a bonus, you will also get the Ultimate Travel Checklist Planner: Your Perfect Companion for Family Adventures

Ready to start your next adventure? Share your email below to get your Ultimate Travel Checklist Planner and embark on your journey with confidence!

Sign Up Here & Get Exlusive Access to Our Monthly Planners!

PS. Check out additional planners at Media Angels.

Recommended Resources to Help You Make the Most of Your HomeschoolUltimate Checklist Planners

Our most popular printables are now updated! Do you like to use checklists for all of your needs? You’ll get all 12 months of planning sheets all at your fingertips. Use it in your home and homeschool.

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277: Finding and Using Online Classes for Homeschooling EffectivelyIn this episode we look at the importance of finding and using online classes as part of homeschooling effectively.

Choosing the Right Online Class:

1. Determine your goals and what’s best for your children.
2. Consider your children’s learning styles and your budget.
3. Decide on the level of flexibility needed (live classes vs. asynchronous classes).
4. Accommodate any learning disabilities your children may have.
5. Decide whether the class will be the sole learning source or a supplement.
6. Ask for recommendations from friends, homeschool groups, and online forums.
7. Read reviews and watch class demos to narrow down your choices.
8. Get input from your high school-aged children.

Using Online Classes Effectively:

1. Remember that you are the homeschool parent in charge of your children’s education.
2. Monitor your children’s progress and ensure they complete assignments on time.
3. Provide technical assistance and help with scheduling, especially for younger children.
4. Communicate with teachers about any learning disabilities or family issues.
5. Teach high schoolers how to communicate with teachers directly.
6. Monitor grades and address any issues promptly.
7. Discuss the appropriate use of AI in classes with your children.

Previous episodes mentioned

Episode 220 – How to use the internet to find the right curriculum for your child

Episode 194 – The role of parents in online classes

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post Finding and Using Online Classes for Homeschooling Effectively appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Top Skills for CollegeIntroduction:

Welcome back to the “It’s Not About Money” podcast, The Money Podcast for intentional parents, featuring hosts Matt and Charla. In this episode, Matt & Charla delve into a crucial topic: “Top Skills for College Success.” Their engaging banter sets the stage for a discussion filled with practical insights and valuable parenting tips.

Introduction to Topic:

Charla shares her inspiration for today’s topic based on her son’s transition to college and the skills he learned. Matt highlights the relevance of the discussion to parents regardless of their children’s age or educational stage. This sets a relatable tone for parents navigating various phases of their children’s growth and development.

Top Skills for College:

The episode unfolds as Charla lists six key skills essential for college success. Each skill is discussed in detail, accompanied by practical examples and anecdotes from their experiences with their own children. This approach not only educates but also resonates with listeners on a personal level.

Personal Responsibility and Self-Care:

Matt and Charla delve deeper into the importance of teaching children personal responsibility and self-care. They emphasize tasks like making appointments and managing personal finances, highlighting Charla’s method of giving her kids debit cards to handle transactions independently. These insights provide actionable strategies for parents to empower their children with vital life skills.

Assertiveness and Experience:

The hosts further explore the significance of assertiveness and experience in a college student’s journey. They discuss how teaching children to be assertive in advocating for themselves fosters confidence and adaptability, crucial traits for success in academic and social settings. Matt’s contributions add valuable perspectives on the role of experience in shaping a student’s capabilities and mindset.

Wrap-up and Resources:

As the episode concludes, Matt and Charla invite listeners to visit Charla’s blog to download the full list of the top skills for college. They encourage questions and engagement through their website, expressing gratitude for the audience’s support and participation in meaningful discussions.

Conclusion:

In summary, this episode provides a comprehensive guide for parents on cultivating essential skills in their children for college success and beyond. By combining personal experiences, practical advice, and relatable anecdotes, Matt and Charla deliver a compelling narrative that resonates with parents seeking to empower their children for a successful future.

The post Top Skills for College appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Watch on YouTubeSummary

In this conversation, Melanie Wilson shares a life-changing strategy for homeschoolers to have a better homeschool year. She introduces the ‘What’s Better’ strategy and explains its benefits for self-image, mood, and behavior. She provides examples of how to implement the strategy and offers tips for dealing with negative experiences. Melanie also discusses using the ‘What’s Better’ list with various resources and encourages listeners to start implementing the strategy today.

Resources for a Better Homeschool Year

How to Make Your Dreams Come True by Mark Forster

Grammar Galaxy, Training Aliens, The Organized Homeschool Life, A Year of Living Productively

Great Homeschool Conventions

Have a happy homeschool week!

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Careers that Don’t Require College, Interview with Susan Stewart- Special Replay.

Careers that Don’t Require College, Interview with Susan StewartGod creates all kinds of children. All kinds of children develop all kinds of interests and giftings. We need to make sure that teens are not pressured into going to college if their callings include careers that do not need a college degree. Why waste talent, time and money on that?

One our of favorite topics at 7SistersHomeschool is Career Exploration (in fact, our Career Exploration text is one of our top sellers), so Vicki was really excited to be joined for this HSHSP episode by Susan Stewart of Practical Inspirations. Susan serves the homeschool community as advisor and blogger (and now has a book: Harried Homeschoolers). She has three homeschool graduates who are all doing well careers and life. None of them have college degrees.

Here are thoughts from our discussion on careers that don’t require college.Susan starts off with a little encouragement for homeschool moms:

• Things aren’t perfect
• Things fall apart sometimes
• You are not a failure because of that
• We are not God, he has simply given you the job of raising his kids
• God has made you enough for what he has given you

Susan and her husband did not have the homeschool goal of raising kids who go to college. Their goal was training Godly adults. So they concentrated on life skills and teaching to their homeschoolers’ needs and interests.

Susan reminds us: Not all teens are called to go to college!Redefine success. We can fall into the trap that in order to be successful, our teens must earn a four-year degree. That is not true. Success is growing and fulfilling God’s plans!

Susan reminds us that her three kids learned that their career callings did not need college degrees. Her husband is an electrician and so her kids knew by watching their dad that career satisfaction comes from a satisfactory career, not necessarily a college degree!

• Her kids were tired of education so graduated and just “got a job”. Her daughter got a job with a tech company and is now in management, climbing the ladder.
• One son had some learning difficulties. He tried photography but decided he loved repairing mechanical instruments. His trouble shooting skills have made him valuable to his company.
• One son started out in the Marines. After his stint, he made the most of his love of travel by becoming an over-the-road truck driver. He loves earning a living by doing the thing he loves: seeing America.

Susan says: We homeschoolers need to remember not be snobs about jobs. If a job is honorable and fits a person’s needs, it is a good job.Because her older homeschool high schoolers were not interested in college, Susan invested in her children with some life preparation skills and experiences which included:

• Part-time jobs (watering plants at a local plan nursery). Began resume building
• Service opportunities (they did Meals on Wheels, library volunteer)
• Job application skills (resume, interview skills, filling out application- especially answering short essay questions)
• Financial Literacy
• Community involvement (they did theater and other community activities)

Susan’s homeschool graduates have found that these extracurricular activities on the high school transcript can be as important (or even more important) in early employment opportunities.

Sometimes there is some discussion on whether homeschooling families should bother with an official transcript and diploma. Susan felt like it was a good investment for her teens. Vicki pointed out that sometimes employers want to see the transcript and/or diploma. This is also true sometimes when getting a passport or college applications, if they decide to go to college later.

What are some careers that don’t require college?Trades* Training can include: + Union courses + Apprenticeships + Classes at local community college * Carpenter * Welders * Surveyors * HVAC * Mail carriers * Railroad workers * Masons * Heavy equipment operators * Truck drivers * Painters * Steel workers * Construction contractors * Line workers * Electricians

Service* Training can include + Apprenticeships + Special courses + Classes at local community college * Cosmetologists * Barbers * Dog groomers and trainers

TechnologyThis field is growing so quickly, there is no way to keep up with the job descriptions. Here’s a try:

• Training can include
  • Apprenticeships
  • Special courses
  • Classes at local community college
• Computer-user support
• Junior data analyst
• Digital marketer
• Podcast and digital media editor
• Web developer

Arts* Training can include + Apprenticeships + Classes at local community college * Photography * Local dance teachers

Retail, Food Service and Banking* Training can include: + Learning hands-on + Avail themselves of free training within the corporation + Taking courses on MOOCs such as EdX

Fitness and Personal Training* Training can include: + Training schools + Apprenticeships

Real Estate* Training can include: + Courses from various agencies

Law Enforcement* Training includes: + Specialized academies

Military* Here are Susan’s suggestions for the military: + Develop a military-attractive transcript like she did for her son who started out in the Marines: - Civil Air Patrol in high school. - Talk to recruiter. (For information on what military recruiters are looking for check out this Homeschool Highschool Podcast episode.) - Take the ASVAB military career test (not a test that can be failed, simply identifies best-fits for military careers). - Susan suggests for teens who don’t have a clue what they want to do be sure to do after graduation take a GAP year.

Gap YearSome teens need a year to transition from homeschooling high school before they settle into seriously thinking about a career. Here are some of Susan’s suggestions for a gap year:

• Get an entry-level job
• Travel
• Do short-term missions
• Volunteer in a local ministry or organization
• Check out this interview about Gap Year on Homeschool Highschool Podcast
• Volunteer in a local ministry or organization

Want some more ideas about homeschooling high schoolers who are not called to go to college? Check out these HSHSP episodes:* Career Exploration for Teens who Don’t Have a Clue * Helping Non-College-Bound Teens Find Success (one of our most popular episodes) * My Career-Bound Teens, Interview with Angela O’Shaughnessy * Preparing Teens for Military Careers, Interview with Gretchen Mahoney * Check out this review of 7Sisters Career Exploration by our friend CJ at Homeschooling Through High School.

Join Vicki and Susan for this encouraging episode and check out Susan’s resources.

• Susan Stewart online at PracticalInspirations.com
• Harried Homeschoolers Facebook group
• Harried Homeschoolers book

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our iTunes page. 2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes 3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

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The post Careers that Don’t Require College, Interview with Susan Stewart- Special Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Career Choices & DecisionsIn “Career Choices & Decisions,” Episode, #211, join Meredith Curtis on a challenging adventure to make career decisions or guide teens through the process. Some teens know what career path they want to choose early on but most teens graduate from high school not sure what they want to do with the rest of their lives. And that is okay. Exploring career options will help you narrow down your focus. There are specific ways to explore career options and cultivate general work world skills.

Powerline Productions, Inc.Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show NotesLet’s talk about careers.

Balance between following your dream & earning a living – choose career!

First Things FirstGod has a unique call on your life.

Teens are PassionateTeens are wired for Passion! If they don’t find it serving God, they will look elsewhere

Be Curious about Careers* Ask Questions * Career Panel * Ask Questions and Share w Each Other * Listen to Podcasts * Spend a Day at Work

Volunteer* Teaching Sunday School * Coaching Sports * Sound Team at Church * Giving Tours * Tutoring * Planning Events * Catering * Photography

Apprenticeships* Plumbing * Mechanic/Garage * Museums * Medical * Dental * Business Office * Church Office

Online Surveys* DISC Personality Inventories * Skills, Interests, & Values Assessments * Resources for Career Exploration

Resources for Career ExplorationCareer Exploration is part of my Economics, Finances, and Businesscourse, a one-credit high school class. Purchase Economics, Finances, & Business in print at Amazon. Purchase the E-book at PowerlineProd.

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Economics, Finances, and Business covers everything your teen ever wanted to know about economics, managing household finances, career, college, buying a car, renting an apartment, making a will, and starting a home business.

Life SkillsSoft Skills

• Manners
• Integrity
• Faithfulness
• Good Work Ethic
• Communication Skills
• Interview Practice
• Fill Out a Job Application
• Write a Resume

Sign up for our NewsletterSign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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Science Labs on a Shoestring BudgetWant to do science at home? Tried and true science labs are finally easy to do at home. With labs on a shoe-string budget, you will find the information you need to stock your science lab at home.

What is contained in a tried and true science lab?All purpose science kit.

Biology Kit

Chemistry Kit

Physics Kit

Tips on keeping all of your materials organized.

Where to purchase “real” science equipment.

Science labs depend on good equipment but also a good curriculum. This book has hundreds of recommended books and many are available in libraries.

Tried and true lab sheets!An added bonus to this book contains blank science experiment sheets – we’ve used these over the years with our children and hundreds of children have used them in science labs I’ve hosted. These lab sheets will keep the kid’s notes organized and are great for science lab notebooks.

Author and publisher, Felice Gerwitz of Media Angels, Inc. will discuss tried and true science labs to incorporate science labs within the home – this presentation is taken from her book, Teaching Science and Having Fun.

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This is a replay of episode 95 – you can find the original show notes here.

The Stock Market Contest run by show sponsor FundaFunda Academy is happening this summer – June 1 to July 31 for grades 4 – 12. You can register here.

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The Waiting GameA Roadmap for Developing Waiting Skills

Setting the Scene:

– Acknowledging the podcast’s focus on intentional parenting and discussing today’s central topic: patience.

– Introduction of Matt & Charla, their personal experiences, and their shared understanding of the struggles related to impatience.

Parental Responsibility in Teaching Patience:

– Sharing personal stories about impulsive behavior in youth due to a lack of emotional maturity.

– Recognizing the dual role of parents in safeguarding children from premature adult activities and guiding them towards patience.

Establishing Boundaries and Milestones:

– Emphasizing the importance of enforcing rules and creating milestones that require patience, such as delaying certain activities until an appropriate age.

– Highlighting the need for consistency in rule enforcement to instill a sense of responsibility and understanding in children.

Celebrating Waiting Periods and Milestones:

– Discussing the significance of celebrating small achievements and waiting periods as important milestones in a child’s development.

– Sharing personal anecdotes about family celebrations and the positive impact on reinforcing the value of patience.

Teaching Delayed Gratification:

– Comparing patience to a muscle that can be strengthened over time through practice and reinforcement.

– Offering strategies for parents to teach delayed gratification, such as modeling patience in their own actions and decisions.

Effective Communication and Language:

– Advocating for using positive language like “not now” to communicate delayed rewards rather than outright denial.

– Encouraging open communication with children about goals, timelines, and the importance of waiting for the right time.

Conclusion and Encouragement:

– Encouraging parents to reflect on their family’s milestones and rules, recognizing that each family’s journey is unique.

– Inviting listener engagement and questions through the podcast’s website to continue the conversation on intentional parenting and patience.

– Reiterating the podcast’s commitment to supporting parents in navigating the challenges of intentional parenting.

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Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable family adventure? Whether you’re planning a cross-country road trip, a local weekend getaway, a camping expedition, or even a staycation, our Ultimate Travel Checklist Planner is here to make your journey seamless and enjoyable.Why Choose the Ultimate Travel Checklist Planner?This planner offers something for everyone, ensuring that no detail is overlooked. From packing essentials to fun activities, it’s designed to help you plan and have fun every step of the way. Making incredible memories with your family is something you will never regret! While there will be snags and changes of plans along the way, make the best of it and know you will laugh about it later!

What’s Inside?Our planner is packed with every list you could possibly need to ensure your trip is a success:

• Packing Lists: Comprehensive lists for the entire family, including clothes, toiletries, and travel essentials.
• Activity Ideas: Keep the kids entertained with a variety of fun and engaging activities tailored to your travel mode.
• Meal Planning: Tips for packing meals and snacks that keep everyone happy and well-fed.
• Safety Checklists: Make sure you have all the necessary first aid supplies and safety gear.

Tips and Travel HacksTo give you a taste of what our Ultimate Travel Checklist Planner offers, here are some of our favorite travel tips and hacks:

• Lists, Lists, and More Lists: We’ve got you covered with detailed lists for everything you need, from packing to activities.
• Flying Tips: Give your kids lollipops for takeoff and landing. The sucking helps their ears adjust.
• Entertainment Hacks: Bring stickers and a notebook to entertain your children, or pack Legos in a plastic container (we found ones at the dollar store).
• Stay Hydrated: Put a cooler in the back of your van filled with water, juice pouches, soda, or whatever your family prefers to drink. This will help you stay hydrated and save money and time.
• Special Snacks: Pack a picnic and include something special, like a dessert or a fun snack you don’t usually buy. This keeps the experience special and exciting.
• Self-Serve Snacks: Use small plastic organizers to keep snacks. Filling each cube with different snacks in small portions gives your kids variety and something fun to eat.
• Road Trip Essentials: Add a plastic bin with a change of clothes for the kids, a first aid kit, extra diapers, and medicine. This way, you’re prepared for any situation.

Make Every Trip SpecialWith the Ultimate Travel Checklist Planner, you’ll be prepared for anything. From unexpected delays to spontaneous detours, our planner ensures you’re ready to handle it all with grace and humor. Enjoy making incredible memories with your family, and let our planner take care of the details.

Get Your Ultimate Travel Checklist Planner Now!Don’t miss out on this essential travel companion. Opt-in today and get your Ultimate Travel Checklist Planner from the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. Plan, explore, and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones.

Ready to start your next adventure? Share your email below to get your Ultimate Travel Checklist Planner and embark on your journey with confidence!

Sign Up Here & Get Exlusive Access to Our Monthly Planners!

PS. Check out additional planners at Media Angels.

Recommended Resources to Help You Make the Most of Your HomeschoolUltimate Checklist Planners

Our most popular printables are now updated! Do you like to use checklists for all of your needs? You’ll get all 12 months of planning sheets all at your fingertips. Use it in your home and homeschool.

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276: Making Math Fun: Building a Thriving Homeschool Math ClubMy guest, Haley Story, has built a thriving homeschool math club and taught children that math can be fun. Haley was on episode 243 where she talked to us about Math Contests

These are the questions Haley answers in this episode:

1. Why did you start a math club
2. How did you get the word out
3. What do you do during math club? What resources do you use?
   4 How many attend and how do you cope with the different ability levels.
4. How do you make it fun

Resources used in the Math Club

• The National Math Club by Mathcounts
• Art of Problem Solving – for advanced students and for contest prep
• Logic puzzles and warmups: Critical Thinking Company
• Challenge problems: practice contests from Noetic
• Problem of the Week from Mathcounts
• Beast Academy for younger students
• Math Is Fun
• Math board games, dice games, and card games

Board games that are NOT “math games” but that do a great job of teaching math

• For Sale
• Incan Gold
• SET!
• Farkle
• Quixx
• Nertz/ Dutch Blitz
• 6 Nimmt – original German Version, US version
• Skyjo

Be sure to listen to the episode to hear exactly how Haley started the math club and runs it!Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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Our StoryIntroduction:

Welcome to “It’s Not About Money,” the podcast that dives deep into personal finance and education. In this episode, Charla and Matt share the inspiring story of Beyond Personal Finance and how it evolved from a homeschool project into a nationwide financial education program.

Origins of Beyond Personal Finance:

Charla recounts the genesis of Beyond Personal Finance, which began as a homeschool project for her son, Jack, in 2014. Recognizing the need for engaging and impactful financial education, Charla created a unique curriculum that combined real-world financial principles with interactive lessons, games, and simulations.

The Evolution of Financial Literacy:

The podcast delves into the evolution of financial literacy education over the years. Charla emphasizes the importance of moving beyond traditional, dry curriculum formats to capture the interest and enthusiasm of students, ultimately empowering them with essential financial skills.

Interactive Learning and Engagement:

Charla and Matt highlight the benefits of interactive learning experiences in teaching financial literacy. Through games, simulations, and real-life scenarios, students gain a deeper understanding of financial concepts and develop critical thinking skills related to money management.

Impact on Students and Families:

Charla shares heartwarming anecdotes about the impact of Beyond Personal Finance on students and families. The program not only educates students about financial principles but also fosters a sense of responsibility, motivation, and long-term planning.

Parental Involvement and Support:

Matt acknowledges the pivotal role of parents in supporting financial education initiatives like Beyond Personal Finance. He encourages parents to explore the curriculum, engage with their children in financial discussions, and participate in the learning process together.

Expanding Reach and Curriculum Offerings:

As Beyond Personal Finance approaches its 10th anniversary, Charla discusses the expansion of curriculum offerings, including a new elementary curriculum co-written with her son Jack. The program’s success has led to partnerships with co-ops and schools, providing opportunities for broader access to quality financial education.

Closing Remarks:

Listeners are invited to visit the Beyond Personal Finance website to explore the curriculum, resources, and upcoming events. Charla and Matt express gratitude to the supportive community and encourage everyone to take proactive steps in enhancing financial literacy for themselves and their families.

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Hey, homeschoolers! This is one of the topics I have been asked to talk about over the years but I’ve frankly avoided. Not only can it cause problems with website and social media platforms that flag the posts but there are strong opinions about the issue. I don’t like wading into controversial waters if I can help it.

But then I met Kristen Miele at the Great Homeschool Conventions who was speaking about this very issue. I was so impressed with her background and her message that is grounded in research AND the gospel, that I invited her to be a guest on the podcast. We will discuss how we can protect our kids from the harmful effects of pornography with sex education. This is an earbuds episode, though the content is not graphic.

Kristen Miele has been educating youth on the topic of sex for nearly 15 years. She has experience teaching ages 3 and up on content related to sex and sexuality. She is the founder and owner of Sex Ed Reclaimed and has a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Community Health from the University of Illinois. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist. Kristen has one daughter, Emma Joy and has been married to Anthony since 2012. They live in Columbus, Ohio. Here’s my chat with Kristen.

Watch on YouTubeSummaryKristen Miele shares her journey into sex education and discusses the challenges of protecting children from pornography. She emphasizes the importance of starting early and having open conversations with kids about healthy relationships, puberty, and the dangers of pornography. Kristen has created resources, including age-appropriate videos and workbooks, to help parents educate their children about sex in a God-honoring way. She encourages parents to reclaim sex education and be proactive in teaching their kids before the culture does.

Podcast ResourcesSexEdReclaimed

Sex Ed Reclaimed on Instagram

Sex Ed Reclaimed on TikTok

My Approach to Screens for Teens

Have a happy homeschool week!

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Resources for Struggling Students, Interview with Cheryl Carter.

Resources for Struggling Students, Interview with Cheryl CarterWhen looking for fantastic resources for homeschooling high school students, it can be a hit or miss situation at times. For this reason – but many more reasons – we are so excited we share with you all about The Capable Scholar by founder Cheryl Carter! Cheryl shares her expertise and insights on supporting struggling learners, building confidence, and preparing students for college and beyond. Let’s explore the world of The Capable Scholar and discover how it can empower your homeschooling journey, along with learning about some fantastic resources for struggling students!

About Cheryl CarterCheryl Carter is a seasoned homeschooling parent with five children, two of whom have already successfully completed their homeschooling journey and achieved impressive academic milestones, with another in graduate school, and her younger two twins currently in their teens.

In addition, Cheryl is one of our 7SistersHomeschool Cousins. These are homeschooling good friends who offer resources and/or support that we can trust. You can see what they have to offer on 7Sisters’ Stuff We Like page.

With a background in special education and as a college professor, Cheryl has dedicated her career to helping struggling students excel in their studies. Her passion for empowering students with learning differences led her to create The Capable Scholar.

The Capable Scholar is a comprehensive resource that focuses on helping students with learning differences, disabilities, and those who simply struggle academically. Cheryl believes that every student is capable of success and aims to instill confidence and a love for learning in each student she works with.

About The Capable ScholarThe Capable Scholar offers a range of resources, including a writing curriculum, Outschool classes, personalized support, and even opportunities for students to get published.

One unique aspect of Cheryl’s approach is teaching grammar through the students’ own writing. She’s found that students with learning differences thrive when they can apply grammar rules to their own work.

In fact, some of her students have even gone on to get their work published, building impressive portfolios for college admissions.

It’s important to note, however, that The Capable Scholar is not just for students with formal diagnoses or IEPs. If you are a parent who knows your child is struggling, even without a specific label, she’s here to help. Whether it’s writing or math, Cheryl can provide the best strategies and approaches to ensure your student’s success.

On The Capable Scholar, you’ll find Cheryl’s writing curriculum, which covers grades 6 to 12, and even extends into the first year of college. It’s designed to build confidence and provide the necessary skills for college-level writing.

Additional Resources for Struggling StudentsIn addition to using the writing curriculum at The Capable Scholar, Cheryl recommends focusing on English, math, history, and science.

For English, the Grammar Review inside The Capable Scholar is a great resource that covers all the essentials.

When it comes to math, she suggests using a college remedial algebra book like Martha Liao’s or the Life with Fred series. These resources ensure your student masters the necessary algebra skills for college.

For history and science, she highly recommends exploring the CLEP exams. They offer a less stressful alternative to traditional exams like the ACT or SAT, which can be overwhelming for students with anxiety. Modern States and 7Sisters have excellent resources for CLEP preparation.

One final tip for resources is to use checklists to keep track of what your student needs to accomplish. This helps them see their progress and builds their confidence.

And remember, it’s never too late to fill in any gaps in their learning. There are programs available, like the REWARDS program, that can help students of all ages master essential skills.

Resources for Struggling Students- Interview with Cheryl CarterIt’s important for parents to remember that they do not have to do everything exactly like a traditional school or other homeschoolers. Homeschooling your teens is about finding what works best for your student and providing them with the tools they need to succeed. Every student is unique, and it’s crucial to tailor their education to their specific needs.

It’s all about believing in your students and helping them believe in themselves.

Connect with CherylYou can find more information and access Cheryl’s resources on The Capable Scholar website. BTW- Cheryl also helps college-prep teens with their writing skills. She shares her advice for college preparation that should be done now with us at 7Sisters.

And remember, you are not alone on this homeschooling journey. We are here to support you every step of the way!

For more resources for struggling learners:* Authoritative Guide to Out-of-the-box Credits for Homeschool High Schoolers * Sam Young’s Exciting Resource for 2e Teens * 10 Meaningful Reading Materials for Reluctant Readers * 5 Strategies for Handling Reluctant Learners * Transition Planning for Teens with Special Needs * Practical Credits for Reluctant Learners, Interview with Carol Anns Swett * Research Paper Help for Reluctant Writers (free how-to guide from 7Sisters)

Thank you to Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and to Richie Soares with Homeschool & Humor for writing this blog post!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page. 2. OR take this IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in “…your favorite podcast source” 3. This will take you to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review

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Family Road Trips Exploring Early US HistoryIn “Family Road Trips Exploring Early US History,” Episode, #210, Meredith Curtis talks to teens and parents about the benefits of travel to explore Early American History. Meredith takes you to early settlements, colonial towns, the Museum of the Bible, American Revolution sites, Presidential Homes, living museums, and federal buildings.

Powerline Productions, Inc.Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show NotesWe have a beautiful heritage of freedom in the USA. It’s fun to jump in the family van and explore our early history on site! Taking our children to visit amazing places across this beautiful nation of ours can help inspire a love of freedom. 😊 😊

Spanish Settlements* St. Augustine (Florida) * The California Mission Trail

English Settlements * Jamestown, Virginia * Plymouth, Massachusetts

Colonial Towns* Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia * New Castle, Delaware * Charleston, South Carolina

American Revolution* Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania * Mount Vernon, Virginia – the home of George Washington * Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia – the home of Thomas Jefferson * Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation Red Hill, Virginia * Old North Church Historic Site, Boston, Massachusetts

Early America* Lewis & Clark Boat House & Museum, St. Charles, Missouri * Fort Boonesborough State Park Living History (NPS), Richmond, Kentucky * Daniel Boone Homestead, Birdsboro, Pennsylvania * Hagley Museum, Wilmington, Delaware

US Federal Buildings * US Supreme Court, Washington DC * US Capitol, Washington DC * US White House, Washington DC

Museum of the Bible * Washington DC * The Museum of the Bible is an amazing museum dedicated to God’s Word. Exhibits focus on the stories of the Bible, archaeology, Bible history, art treasures, the Bible’s impact on the world and, drum roll, the Bible’s impact on America! This is the perfect section to learn about Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, Religious Freedom in America, and the Abolition Movement. This museum is amazing! The Museum of the Bible is located at 400 South Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024. Visit online: museumofthebible.org/

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US Geography Resources

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Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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Fun Summer Project: Write a Book – Episode 432Why write? It is fun, and what better fun summer project than to write a book. For some children, this may be just what they need to get their creative juices flowing and for others, it may be better to begin with baby steps. This is a just for kid’s episode but parents are always invited, so get your kids and let’s begin!

Did you know storytelling is something that people did long ago for entertainment? Now we have television, video, and streaming apps, but long ago the way that people enjoyed themselves was to tell stories of real events or to exaggerate things that happened to make them more exciting.

Tips to Write a BookFor example, instead of saying… I was walking down a path, and I got to the end, and I turned right. After that, I kept going until I got home. Boring right?

Well, someone might tell the story like this. As I was walking down a path I thought I heard something rustling in the bushes, in fact, the noise got closer and closer, so I hurried along trying not to make it obvious that I was afraid and really, really scared. There are often lions in the woods and I knew that it was close to their feeding time, and if I didn’t hurry I might be some lucky lion’s dinner. As I walked I looked back, and the rustling was still following me and it was getting faster.

So, I picked up my speed. And, yes – you guessed it the thing – whatever it was in the bushes was also picking up speed as well. I saw my house ahead and I ran as fast as I could as if my life depends on it. Because it did. As I opened the door and threw myself in, I heard a roar and a whoosh of air right behind me. Then a horrible scratching at my door. I looked out of my front window and there is was an angry, pacing lion who had just lost its tasty dinner. Me.

Which story would you want to read? The first one or the second one? I agree the second one sounds more exciting and both say the same thing just in different ways.

Writing FictionFiction is very close in some ways to true events and if you can think of something that has happened to you, you may be able to turn it into a short story that people will enjoy. Because that is what storytelling is, it is a way to entertain or bring enjoyment to another person. And, who doesn’t want to make someone else happy?

I wrote three novels with my daughter and that is called being a co-author. We wrote different parts of a story and put the parts together. I wrote some scientific facts in the book and she wrote the fun, action-adventure, mystery part. We worked on it together and it was a wonderful experience. You can find the books on my website at MediaAngels.com and they are the Truth Seekers Mystery series.

How did we come up with this idea? I wanted novels that taught good information and my daughter wanted to write an action novel with kids that actually did something that wasn’t dumb. For example, if there is a noise in the basement no one is dumb enough to go down the dark stairs alone to check it out like in all the books where they get caught. I have a podcast where I interviewed my daughter and you can get more of an idea, here.

So – back to writing.

Let’s say you always wanted to write a book and just didn’t know how to begin. One of the best ways to begin is through brainstorming. If you can brainstorm an idea, it helps to work out the angle you want to take. My daughter and I did this with the Truth Seekers Mystery Series TM. So you can begin with a marker board or a large sheet of paper. You can draw a diagram, and start with a circle in the middle and write the word, story… then draw spokes around your primary topic or goal. And add to these, it can have characters (and spokes off of that circle to name your main characters), or it can have a setting, or a theme, or problem that must be solved.

Most books have a specific theme or another word for it is TrOps… look up the word tropes – which is pronounced trOp – the o is long. This is an overused or cliché … this may give you something to start with. For example, think typical kid mysteries, or time travel, finding treasure, you know things that most books or movies are about.

You keep drawing these spokes and circles until you run out of ideas. This is also called mind mapping and you can look that up as well.

What if you don’t think you can write a long story? Well, start small.

Here are some quick tips:

1. Start with a short story
2. What is the problem? If there is no problem to overcome there is no story.
3. Write one chapter at a time – and before you do – write a few sentences about what the chapter is about.
4. Know your character. What is it about your character that makes him/her lovable or not likable? What is going to be different or change in the character? Will the character be stronger, or happier? Will the character learn something or be better for the trial they experienced?
5. Keep the story moving… add a lion or two (remember the story I told you about walking home with the lion in the background?) I kept you in suspense not telling you what was rustling in the woods. Authors or good storytellers do this to keep the reader engaged – you want to know what is going to happen next OR you put down the book.

For more practice one thing you can do is retell a favorite story – you can change something in the story. For example, if the character is a boy make it a girl. If it is set in a mountain town make it a beach town. If they are finding buried treasure, change it to a valuable artifact – something that may be washed up on the seashore after a storm. So, the book is similar to the book you like but you change everything you can… the character’s names, and more to make it your own story. That is one way to start writing if you don’t know how.

Storytelling is all about the “what if” questions. What happens if the lion is faster than the person running away, what if the person had a bow and arrow, what the kid’s best friend or little brother was outside playing when the kid came running home chased by a lion?

Another way to jump-start ideas is to use open-ended stories or story starters … you can start reading a book and then put it down and write the rest of the story yourself. Don’t peak! After you are finished you can read the book and see how yours is better or how you can improve upon your idea.

You can do what I did with the first novels I wrote and that is to write with a partner. It is important if you do that one of you at least can take criticism. Because we were going to publish our books and they were going to be in catalogs and online stores, I gave the book to over 40 families to read and got feedback from the people reading the book to see what they liked or did not like.

Then we changed our books to include the good ideas that people gave us. Some people do not like feedback or their feelings get hurt. Like an artist or anyone who puts their work or ideas out there – if you like it, and your family likes it? Well, that is all that matters. If you want ot look up the Missing Link Found on Amazon, you can read some of the comments that people have made on the book. As you can see there are good and bad. Another book I wrote, A Few Minutes with God also got good and bad reviews. But, you know what? It is okay. Some people do not like to share their work with others because of fear of what someone might say. I am not like that or I would not have over 20 different books published.

You can use software like Google docs if you have a Gmail account. You can share this with a parent or they can set it up for you.

Use Google docs – allows parents and children to access the document if permissions are set correctly at the same time, OR use a word document and allow tracking for corrections and comments when you edit.

So, what are you going to write? Is it a mystery? A nature story? Is it a discovery? Did your character discover a lost island, or what about a bug? I have a friend who did discover a specific type of bug. Maybe you are writing about a tropical rain forest, or a vacation on the coast, and a big storm comes in and you find something exciting (or someone exciting) that is washed up on the shoreline. Imaginations can begin working if you give it some ideas to start with…

I wrote a book on writing and publishing for adults, but it is valuable if you ever want to publish your book, it is called Information in a Nutshell Writing and Publishing, and tells you more about the keys to writing. Another book on how to write fiction is by a good friend of mine, Susan Marlow, and it is called Reach For the Stars and is available with my eBook bundle on the MediaAngels.com website and if you want the print version, Susan sells it on her website. This book walks you through step by step guide on how to write fiction.

If you have any questions stop by this post and I’ll be happy to answer them.

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275:` Web Development for Homeschoolers

In this episode, host Meryl van der Merwe interviews Robert Walsh, an experienced web developer and educator from Excalibur Solutions Stem Academy. They dive into the fundamentals of web development, discussing HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and the advantages of learning to code websites over using drag-and-drop builders. Robert shares insights on the ideal age for kids to start learning web development, free online resources, and the benefits of taking a structured web development course.

Robert Walsh was also a guest on Episode 266 where he talked about teaching students to use Tinkercad.

What is Web Development?* Creating content that displays inside a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) * Building dynamic and interactive web pages with coding * Requires knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript + HTML = Structure + CSS = Appearance + JavaScript = Interactivity and behavior

Why Learn Web Development Instead of Using Drag-and-Drop Tools?* Drag-and-drop tools have limitations and may not give the desired result * Learning HTML, CSS allows customization beyond drag-and-drop capabilities * Adding custom JavaScript enables complex behaviors not possible with drag-and-drop

Age to Start Learning Web Development:* Middle school age (6th or 7th grade) can conceptually grasp the basics * Need to be comfortable with a computer keyboard * Ability to differentiate syntax between HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Free Resources for Learning:* W3Schools (https://www.w3schools.com/) * Mozilla Developer Network (MDN Web Docs) (https://developer.mozilla.org/) * YouTube tutorials and online resources (search for “web development tutorials”)

Benefits of Taking a Web Development Course:* Get feedback and assistance from experienced instructors * Learn best practices and coding conventions * Structured curriculum and guidance

Robert’s Web Development Course Offerings* Half-credit high school course, but open to middle schoolers from show sponsor FundaFunda Academy – Intro to Web Development * Robert’s Excalibur Solutions STEM Academy (subscription model) provides access to web development along with other STEM courses

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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Allowance at Every AgeIntroduction:

Welcome back to “It’s Not About Money,” the podcast for intentional parents. In this episode, Charla and her husband delve into the sensitive yet crucial topic of teaching kids about money through the concept of allowance.

The Philosophy of Allowance:

Allowance serves as a method for parents to instill financial literacy in their children. It goes beyond just giving money; it’s about providing hands-on experience for kids to learn how to manage and make decisions with money responsibly. This approach helps children understand that money isn’t just free cash but a tool for learning and planning.

The Framework for Allowance:

The discussion introduces a structured framework for managing allowance. It involves dividing the money into different categories like current spending, long-term savings, emergency funds, and charitable giving. This framework encourages kids to budget, plan their expenses, and prioritize their financial goals, thereby teaching them valuable skills early in life.

Transitioning from Chores to Allowance:

Matt & Charla emphasize the importance of not paying children for routine chores but rather using allowance as a means to teach financial responsibility. By moving away from paying for chores, parents can focus on larger projects or responsibilities that align with real-world scenarios, helping kids understand the value of their efforts and money.

Teaching Responsibility Through Money:

The discussion highlights how allowance serves as a practical tool for teaching time and project management skills to kids. It encourages them to save for long-term goals and make informed spending decisions based on their priorities and needs.

Parental Involvement in Allowance:

Parents play a crucial role in setting clear expectations and limits regarding how allowance should be managed. As children grow older, the allowance can be adjusted to reflect their increasing responsibilities and financial needs, such as clothing, transportation, and social activities.

The Importance of Mistakes:

Allowing kids to make mistakes with their money is an essential part of the learning process. Parents are encouraged to let children experience natural consequences, such as overspending or making poor financial choices, as these experiences can lead to valuable lessons and a deeper understanding of money management.

Conclusion:

Listeners are invited to explore more detailed information on the Beyond Personal Finance blog and engage with the podcast through the “It’s Not About Money” website for questions and feedback. The episode concludes with a motivational message, encouraging parents to empower their children to become financially responsible adults through thoughtful allowance management and financial education.

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Tips for Homeschooling High School, Interview with Natalie Mack- Special Replay.

Tips for Homeschooling High School, Interview with Natalie MackVicki and Natalie are so excited to finally connect! We have been waiting to connect to share Natalie’s expertise on homeschooling high school!

Natalie Mack is a retired Navy chaplain’s spouse (after thirty-four years of service). She is a passion military spouse advocate because she knows that the military spouses are the ones who are holding military bases and military families together. The whole family serves!

Not only that, but she is a homeschool mom (who is a passionate advocate for all homeschooling families- and especially military homeschooling families). She has five kids.

• Her oldest graduated from Liberty University and George Washington University (Masters in International Education- fluent in Mandarin and conversational in Russian). She is currently an International Baccalaureate coordinator for the Washington DC public school system.
• Natalie’s second daughter is a “kick-butt soccer athlete” who played Division One soccer for Liberty University. She recently completed her Masters in Social Work at Howard University. Besides preparing for her social work career, she is also on a professional indoor soccer player.
• Her oldest son graduated from American University’s School of International Service. He worked on a Congressional campaign for a season and is now working for a nonprofit.
• Natalie’s second son is an Honor College student at George Mason University, a Bonners scholar there.
• Her youngest son is fifteen. He is kind of like an only child now because his siblings are all in college or beyond.

Despite being down to one high schooler at home, Natalie is still super busy. When her kids asked her why she was still so busy, she told them that she is finally doing all the things she could not do when she was homeschooling five kids as a military wife. This is a new season but there is no time to sit around eating bonbons!

These days, when she is not working on lessons with her youngest, Natalie is:* Teaching homeschool co-op and group classes * Working for Homeschool Legal Defense Association as an outreach co-ordinator to military families and homeschooling high school parents * In leadership in a large military homeschool support group at Fort Bell (she has been in military homeschool family leadership for nineteen years) * Writing a NEWLY released book of homeschooling success tips- 101 Tips for Homeschoolers: Loving Your Homeschool Experience

Advice from Natalie about homeschooling high school:Natalie has gained lots of wisdom over many years of homeschooling high school! Here are a few.

When things feel thankless, remember that someday your teens will be grown up- they will thank you thenNatalie knows from experience. Sometimes homeschool days can be thankless. On those days, you have to keep on keeping on- putting one foot in front of the other. You will make it. You can do this!

Trust the processYou may feel like you are venturing into the unknown when you start homeschooling high school. That is okay. You can do this. Try not to get overwhelmed by the newness of it all (and the fears of failure). You can trust the process where you are learning how to homeschool high school right along with your teens.

Take time to enjoy your teensOf course, while your teens are in high school, academics are priority. However, try not to get so focused on those academics that you do not have time to enjoy your teens. Who says that every day you have to max it out till four o’clock? If you and your teens work on academics intensely all day, every day, you (and your kids) will not have anything left to give.

Use the flexibility of homeschooling to take time to enjoy. You will want your teens to still like you (and it is hard for them to do that if they feel burned out).

There will be bad days when no schooling gets doneNo one will go to hell just because it is a rotten day and schoolwork needs to be set aside. Tomorrow is a new day full of grace for you and your teens. You can model resilience for your teens- it is a GREAT life skill.

So on terrible, no-good, very-bad days, remember grace and fresh starts tomorrow!

Join a support groupNatalie knows how the support groups have been important for her homeschool success and encouragement. She suggests to look for:

• Local homeschool support groups
• Military homeschool communities
• Also, check out homeschool Facebook groups:
• Natalie is part of Simply Homeschool Facebook group
• And she likes 7SistersHomeschool Facebook group

Remember lots of prayerPrayer is the key to success! You need God’s strength, grace and peace for the homeschool high school journey! God is there to helpl.

Join Vicki and Natalie for a good dose of encouragement and some tips for homeschooling high school!

Also check out these Homeschool Highschool Podcast episodes if you have a teen who is thinking about a military career:* What Military Recruiters Are Looking For * Preparing Teens for Military Careers

AND check out Natalie’s Ted Talk about homeschooling!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page. 2. OR take this IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in “…your favorite podcast source” 3. This will take you to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review

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Overcoming The Fear Of Not Being Good Enough with Brook WayneMommy Jammies Night – with Brook Wayne!Homeschooling our youngsters has its ups and downs, especial when the lesson plans don’t pan out, the children aren’t interested, or when we’re distracted and discouraged. On those “down days” when nothing seems to go right, it is easy to start wondering if we really are enough for the job of homeschooling. Brook Wayne is our “Mommy Jammies Night” featured guest and mother of nine who offers her thoughts and gives us hope that, “Yes! You, mom, are enough!”

Brook is co-author with her husband, Israel of: “Pitchin’ a Fit! : Overcoming Angry & Stressed-out Parenting”

Israel and Brook co-host the show – Family Renewal on this podcast network here

Show Notes for Overcoming the fear of not being good enough:

Handout: FearHandout-CopyrightBrookWayne2016

Scriptures:

1. 2 Corinthians 10:12
2. Philippians 4:6
3. Deuteronomy 6

We may not feel adequate in this areas:

1. Academically
2. Emotionally
3. Practically
4. Spiritually

Check out these resources at Family Renewal – Full Time Parenting

• Family Renewal – Facebook
• Follow Israel Wayne on Twitter – @IsraelWayne
• Podcast with Brook and Israel Wayne – Here
• Website – Here

The post Overcoming The Fear of Not Being Good Enough with Brook Wayne appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Creation and Evolution BeliefsCreation and evolution beliefs are just that – a topic that deals with looking at the evidence and perhaps with a different conclusion. In this podcast, Felice shares her research with a creation scientist as well as her curriculum that has received inclusion in Cathy Duffy’s 100 and 101 Top Homeschool Curriculum. Jill Whitlock and Felice Gerwitz co-authored a series of curriculum for the homeschool and Christian school market. You can find our books at MediaAngelsMembership.com as well as on Amazon.

Visit our sponsor – WellPlannedGal.com – wonderful planners for everyone and all interests

And, our MediaAngelsMembership.com

Creation and evolution beliefs can follow you anywhere!Felice attended a health conference for doctor’s and one talk was entitled the Embryo Defensive Human Life. And as you know, with a topic of a creation and evolution, that’s one of the big things that come up with a definition of what human life is. The talk was hosted by professor Robert George, he is a Princeton University professor. What was amazing was the fact that the discussion these days has gone to the definition of life, as a Christian, I believe that life is at the moment of conception and the human embryo is totally human. It is a humankind. It has a potential to grow into an adult. Professor George had to be transported to and from the airport by a deputy sheriff of Lee County. And it was, I’m sure for his safety, he had to be escorted because he has had death threats on his life. While we may consider that we live in a free society when you see things such as this, it is hard to believe. And right now I just praise God that there is this ability to speak frankly about the importance of the beginning of life, which is important to the future of our children! Be sure to teach your children that God created is wonderful, commendable, and should be done.

He’s written many books and was so articulate and so logical to me that much of it dovetails into this discussion of creation and evolution. Let me just preface this, talk with a couple of things and one of them is my lack of knowledge beginning any discussion on the topic. I met Jill Whitlock many years ago now and she was a scientist. She was an oil and weld geologists by degree. And when I met her she was telling me about the topic of creation and evolution.

Teaching Creation and evolution beliefs side-by-side is important.I had just attended a conference at the state convention the year before. And I said I was left with a lot of questions. I bought a lot of books, but I didn’t know what to do with these books. She had made a ten-year study at the time and invited me over. She started out the discussion with the second law of thermodynamics and I hit pause on the recorder and I said, okay, we need to stop here. I didn’t even know there was a First Law of Thermodynamics and here you are talking about a second Law of Thermodynamics. And I said, well, what is the thermodynamics? After we stopped laughing she went on and explained and opened my eyes to the world of science and how important it was to teach both concepts to your children.

Many times in our in our homeschool world, children are taught biblical principles and are taught values, virtues, and character qualities. And all of these things are very important and very pivotal. And I do this as well in my own schooling of my children. But I want to challenge you to go one step further and I want to challenge you to consider teaching creation and evolution side by side.

And here’s the reason why. For many, many years, I’ve had friends in all walks of faith in the homeschool world and outside of it that serve the Lord, yet their children have strayed. Some even believe that it is anti-Christian because anybody who is open-minded could not possibly consider that God used the book of Genesis as fact, many consider it an allegory. I don’t argue the point anymore. What I do say is educate yourself and whatever you decide is between you and your maker, if you believed there is one or not. And it’s not anything. I can only present the information and then you can decide how you’re going to teach it.

And you know, I know there’s some wonderful curriculum available. Our books are geared with a very, very detailed outline that Jill came up with after many, many, many years of research.

My challenge to you with today is to give your children a foundation that will stay with them after they leave your home and go into adulthood. At some point, your kids will need to make a choice and hopefully, they can make a choice for God! However, they must understand the evolutionary perspective. You can’t put God in a box, however, I believe that the book of Genesis. should be taken literally, we take every word in the Bible literally. It’s not up to me to decide, everyone needs to make up their own mind. As a Christian we discuss Genesis 12 and consider that literally because it discusses Abraham and the lineage of David, leading to Christ.

Points discussed on this podcast:

1. It is important not only for me to teach my children the Biblical truth, but also to teach them that evolution does not hold the answers.
2. Discuss with your children – when does life begin.
3. Creation and evolution are both very important. Charles Darwin is considered the father of evolutionary thought. He basically preempted another author when he wrote the book Origins of Species and it became based on some of his observations that was published in 1859 and has become the dominant scientific theory of origins amongst influential scientists.
4. Today scientists today no longer believe in evolution as proposed by Charles Darwin. In fact, they call it neo-Darwin and Neo Darwinian. Darwin said that the fossil record would prove all the transitions that he speculated about in his observations in the fossil record is still sadly lacking what in, in not sad for us to set for evolutionists.
5. When studying about creation versus evolution, there have been three things that have really shaken the evolutionary foundation.
   1. And one is the scientists claim that DNA can be traced back to one set of parents. One scientist refer to this as the Mitochondrial Eve. This is bad press for an evolutionist, because of the reference to the Bible, but totally in line with what creation! Teach that all mankind comes from one set of parents. And if you believe in the biblical principles, we call them Adam and Eve.
   2. The second amazing thing with scientists believing they can test the effects of the beginning of time. Again, a big shock to them because they believed that the big bang or rose from an eternal universe, and now if they can see a beginning, then the question becomes who started it?
   3. The third shock in the scientific community is when red blood cells were found and dinosaur bones. Now, this is impossible since it is believed that dinosaurs lived millions of years ago. The blood cells should have dissipated, are fossilized — but here they were not. In fact, and we use this as a topic in our second novel in the truth seekers mystery series, dinosaur quest.
6. Everything you read about evolution teaches it as a given fact. Beware of this. They use words such as millions of years ago or we know that millions of years ago that… And so these are the things that really bother me when I read them teaching creation and evolution side by side. It says it all because your student, your child has been a constantly been be bombarded with evolutionary information from secular sources. Second, we need to teach evolution so that our children will understand the problems with the theory and learn how to counter what they see and hear in the media through science by definition is observable, repeatable, and testable.
7. We cannot go back and observe or redo creation, nor can we observe or a test evolution than they are both. Belief systems both require faith to believe.
8. There are so many scientists who are so eager to believe the lies of evolution when there’s so much evidence contrary to evolution, but it is censored. And the opinions of scientists are presented as facts.
9. We either say things are a theory, proven or a hypothesis. Science teaches the theory of evolution is a valid hypothesis based on, “all of this evidence” that is still missing.
10. Do you kids understand or could they debate a college professor who claims that Carbon14 dating is valid? My daughter did this in college and I share the details in this podcast. It is important for your children (and you) to understand the difference.
11. Teach your children to think through things logically. Children who are being taught to think logically, are able to combat those who are illogical.
12. Artifacts for example, of a fossilized beetle, are supposed to be 60 million years old, yet it is unchanged from a modern living beetle. We can point out and show our children. (My daughter and I used this topic in our third novel (http://www.TruthSeekersMysterySeries.com – Keys To The Past: Unlocked)
13. The majority of people today, including many Christians, think the theory of evolution was founded by Darwin and is supported by scientific effort. And it actually began before the ancient Greeks. And again, there is no scientific basis that really, really definitively says, you know, here’s the information, you know, we’re done with it, there’s no more discussions, you know, the theory of evolution caused from the new changes over time and allows one species to change into a totally different species over millions of years.
14. Macroevolution does not exist and there is no evidence. People try to say that microevolution has also evolved. Now micro is a change within a kind and that is not at all what we consider evolution. I have no problem with microevolution.
15. When people talk about Noah’s Ark and look at feasibility studies that had been done about it, it is astounding that each kind of animal was on the Ark. You know, even some of the dinosaur kinds. And most dinosaurs were actually very small about the size of a chicken.
16. Dr. Henry Morris was a tenured scientist who left to found the Institute for Creation Research. And he was for a sore point in the side of “real scientists” because he was a real scientist. He was a tenured scientist at a secular university.
17. James Watson and Francis Crick were scientists who recognized that nothing could have evolved by random chance or mutations over time. And this spawned the Intelligent Design debate.
18. Intelligent Design says that our world is so complex it must have an Intelligent designer –proponents of this are across the board in their belief systems from Christian groups, Christian, Catholics, Jewish atheists were all part of this group and still are today. Many videos are available by Michael Behe on YouTube.
19. Evolution is still considered a theory. There is no law of evolution. Biogenesis states that life can only come from life. And therefore, evolution violates the Law of Biogenesis and if you try to ask a scientist that you will get every other answer, but a direct response. And to me it’s so amazing and these are the kinds of things that happen when people turn their backs to Christian principles.
20. Many students lose their states and reject the biblical teaching of their families and churches and essentially lose their fate due to evolution.

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Develop your Student’s Standout FactorAnd garner scholarship dollars and opportunities!

What is a Stand-Out Factor?

A Stand out factor can be many different things but they are most likely to include:

• Initiative –student initiated, led and directed
• Passion – student has personal investment
• Individuality –has to do specifically with the students core values
• Strategy –student has strategized to achieve

I would also recommend that a Stand-Out Factor include:

• Positive impact on others
• Uniqueness
• Broad Reach & Big Win

How can you tell if you have developed your stand-out factor?

It’s the difference between ordinary and extraordinary

How to develop your Develop your Child’s Standout Factor:

• Write, perform and publish a quality play,book, music or film
• Develop art skills like throwingdrawing and painting, pottery, creating stained glass windows/ lamps, blacksmithing, etc and enter art contests
• Hike a trail for a cause or a challenge
• Raise money to travel abroad and serve on a mission
• Breed and trademark a type of fruit or flower
• Breed and sell a pet- iguana, dogs, miniature cows
• Win money as a prize bowler, archer, skier, etc
• Start a business, track your earnings and impact
• Help run a state ornational political campaign, work as a legislative Paige,
• Study and PerformShakespeare
• Learn multiple languages, particularlyCritical Languages
• Travel internationally; create guidebook or blog about travels, do international community service or charity work
• Do hundreds of hours ofCommunity Service
• Build a functioning web-site
• Build something impressive- like a Robot, Drone or Plane, or replicate all of the Enterprises’ ships as models
• Earn a license or Certification– pilot’s, drone, PADI
• Learn tech- 3-D Printing, Robotics, Photoshop, Photography and it’s many digital uses!
• Earn Awards such as the National Latin Exam, German National Exam,
• Participate in and win National Competitions- Geography, History,Bible, Poetry
• Participate in CAP or Jr ROTC
• Turn your interest in performing into becoming a juggler or clown
• Turn your interests into an opportunity to impart your knowledge to others and teach a skills you’ve learned in person, or online

Use What You Have to Develop your Student’s Standout Factor!

Outsource When Needed

High School is the perfect time to develop your students stand out factor, through clubs, projects and course work that helps them understand themselves and opportunities more robustly, such as our Orienteering course.

Read the Blog Post!

| Dr. David and Lisa Nehring talk about helpful communication skills!* Communication Skills Part I * Communication Skills Part 2 * Communication Skills Part 3 * Communication Skills Part 4 |

If you need help identifying or knowing how to further develop your students stand out factor, we’d love to help! Check out our Academic Advising program.

Hear Lisa speak in person at the Great Homeschool Conventions in SC, OH and TX! She’ll be talking about the Future Proof Your Kids Towards Success and Credits, Transcripts and Tests, Oh My!

Marketable Skills Classes at True North

• Entrepreneurship
• Video Editing
• Photography & Digital Tech
• Computer Science
• Graphic Design

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO Life Skills 101 VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page. 2. OR take this IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in “…your favorite podcast source” 3. This will take you to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

OR PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe 6. Please tap Ratings and Review

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Episode #25- This week, Crystal tackles the top three questions she receives from military homeschooling families: How do I start homeschooling? Can I use Home of Record to register our homeschool? Are we able to homeschool when stationed overseas?

All three of these frequently asked questions have been answered in more depth on previous podcast episodes. This episode aims to bring all three of these FAQs conveniently together in one place.

Question #1: How do I start homeschooling?

Probably Crystal’s most frequently asked question. Here’s a quick 5-step guide to get you started homeschooling:

1. Find out the legal requirements for homeschooling in your area.
2. Research curriculum options.
3. Devise a flexible homeschool schedule.
4. Create a support system.
5. Check out homeschool curriculum fairs and attend a homeschool conference.

Question #2: Can we use Home of Record when declaring (or registering) our homeschool?

The quick answer is, unfortunately, no.

The longer explanation is- You are not able to use Home of Record when registering that you homeschool unless it’s the state where you are actually currently and actively residing. Otherwise, you must use your current address, the locale where you are actually residing for 30 days or more.

Question #3: Can we homeschool when stationed overseas and how?

Yes, military families may be able to homeschool overseas. However, it’s important to note that the family must be on the sponsor’s orders.

If you and your children are on your sponsor’s orders, and let’s say the sponsor gets orders to Germany. If it’s a country like Germany that has the Status of Forces Agreement, then you can homeschool because the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has no regulation over homeschooling.

Crystal also touches on two additional questions, so be sure to listen in to this week’s show!

Resources:

Episode #9- How to Start Homeschooling Checklist for Military Families

Episode #21- Practical and Legal Aspects of Homeschooling for Military Families

HSLDA Resources for Military Families

If you have a question that Crystal did not address today, you can email your question to MilitaryHomeschoolPodcast@gmail.com. Crystal would love to connect with you!

Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone, tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast, and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or have show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

The post Military Homeschool Q&A: How To Start, Home of Record, Overseas (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Organization Hacks For The Busy Mom – In Five Minutes or LessReady for some organization hacks that can save you hours of time in just five minutes? In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz will share a proven method for reclaiming your time. The podcast may run a little longer than five minutes, but the time you’ll save is worth it.

Ready to take control of your time? Visit the Media Angels website for a range of products, planners, and other time-saving tools. We’re here to support you on your journey to better time management.

As a busy mom, I felt that some days nothing was accomplished! In fact, I called it a win if I had the children clothed, fed, and safe for the day. Many times I felt frustrated because I was wasting so much time finding lost items, to say nothing of never getting to errands that needed to be completed. So, after much frustration, I sat down and made a plan. In fact, it came to me as I was cleaning up yet another of my little one’s spilled juice. (This was before the days of sippy cups; be happy for those innovations, Mom!) Remember, you’re not alone in these struggles.

Method for Organization Hack #1The first thing I did was take a sheet of paper and fold it into four squares. On each square, I wrote one thing. My headings used to say – Personal Needs – Kid’s Needs – Must Do Today – Errands for the Week. But it morphed into the samples below that I used each week during the days I homeschooled my children. Faith – Kids – School – Household. This simple act of organizing my tasks into these four categories brought a sense of relief and control to my chaotic days.

4-Square Planner – Blank

4 Square Planner – Filled Out Example

It doesn’t matter what your headings read; what is underneath them counts. Start small.

Questions to Answer – Organization Hack #21. What has to get done today? 2. What can wait for another day? 3. What will make you feel better if it gets done today?

If you can answer these questions, that will help your anxiety and allow you to accomplish more. I have learned that when I stress, I can’t think; when I can’t think, that’s right! Nothing gets done. When I was able to plan out my 4 squares weekly, the checks beside the list grew because I had all the things clearly laid out and briefly. I didn’t make long, detailed lists; there wasn’t a need.

Routines – Organization Hack #3I didn’t have detailed plans because many things on the list were routine items we did each day.

1. Wake up, make coffee, pray
2. Wake up, kids (if you are not already up). If the older children are up, they are to play quietly until breakfast.
3. Eat breakfast (mom reads Bible story and short lesson).
4. Start school (another set schedule).
5. Lunch / one or two chores as time permits
6. Finish school
7. Lessons, sports, free time, etc.

Errands – Organization Hack #4Going on errands used to be a time-and-day wrecker! I learned to plan for multiple errands on one day and to plan a route so that I could mimimze my time. I would think about where I needed to go and plan my errands (if possible) to the closet to the house first (on the right side of the road), with the last errand being the closest to the house that needed cold or frozen things stored -such as groceries. At times I needed to go to the bank and it was opened yet, so I’d leave that for on the way home. Now we have apps that make auto deposits, and checks you can deposit via apps!

Yet even those times need to be planned. If you are doing household chores, plan a time for paying bills or checking emails. Do not, and I repeat, do not check emails or social media first thing in the morning. Which brings us to hack number five.

Ignore Distractions – Organization Hack #5Please recognize and ignore distractions, this will free up hours of your time. There are things that are our weaknesses, let’s just agree we all have them, we are human after all! I had to learn that even with a business, I had to ignore my emails, or I would get sucked into the vortex of trying to answer the major ones and finding that hours had gone by without me knowing it. My kids didn’t bother me because if they did, they’d have to start their schoolwork. I didn’t hop on social media until everything was finished and I could set a time for my time spent.

This method, making a plan, answering a few questions, having routines, organizing my errands, and ignoring distractions saved me hundreds if not thousands of frustrating hours. When people ask me, “How did you have time to write a book, create a class, or host a podcast?” Now you know why. You have the inside scoop. Any one of these methods will save you time.

Start small and see if any of them work for you – and let me know! Share this podcast with a friend and thanks so much for stopping by.

The post Organization Hacks For The Busy Mom appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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274: Ethical AI Use for Scholarship SuccessGuest, Monica Matthews, a scholarship expert, talks to us about Ethical AI use for scholarship success for your children.

Monica was also the guest on episode 117 where she shared tips for completing online scholarship applications that will help students be successful.

Find Monica at her website, How 2 Win Scholarships, her Facebook page and her Facebook group, Scholarship Help and College Talk for Parents.

Topics Covered:* Using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to write scholarship essays – why it’s a bad idea * Red flags that scholarship providers look for to detect AI-written essays (strange word choices, lack of personal stories/details, similar phrasing across essays) * Potential positive uses of AI for scholarship applications (grammar correction, brainstorming ideas, rephrasing) * How scholarship requirements may change due to AI (more personal questions, video essay submissions) * Importance of developing your own authentic voice and not relying too heavily on AI

Key Takeaways:* Scholarship providers want to hear your unique personal story – AI cannot replicate this * Use AI as a tool for brainstorming, grammar checks, etc. but don’t let it write your essays * Be prepared for scholarship apps to crack down on AI use and require disclosure * Work on developing skills like video editing as more visual components may be required * The ethical use of AI writing tools is crucial for long-term success

Resources Mentioned:* Monica’s website: http://howtowinscholarships.com * Facebook group: Scholarship Help and College Talk for Parents * Monica’s ebook guides * Sign up for Monica’s newsletter for upcoming scholarship lists * Episode 15 on finding/winning scholarships Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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7 Things To Stop Doing For Your Kids – Episode 17Introduction:

– Welcome back to “It’s Not About Money,” the podcast for intentional parents.

– Join us as we guide you through empowering your tweens and teens on their journey to adulthood.

Episode Highlights:

1. Stop Waking Your Teens Up:

– Encourage independence by letting your children wake themselves up in the morning.

– Create an environment where it’s safe for them to fail and learn from natural consequences.

1. Teach Self-Care:

– Encourage your kids to pack their own snacks and lunches for school or outings.

– Allow them to experience natural consequences if they forget, helping them learn responsibility.

1. Avoid Micro-Managing Clothing Choices:

– Don’t engage in battles over what your child wears, as long as it’s appropriate for the weather and situation.

– Let them learn from their own experiences, such as feeling cold without a coat.

Parenting Insights:

– Matt and Charla share personal anecdotes and insights from their own parenting journey.

– They emphasize the importance of allowing kids to take responsibility and learn from their actions.

– Natural consequences can be powerful teachers and help kids develop critical life skills.

Conclusion:

– Empowering your kids involves letting go of certain parental responsibilities.

– Visit the podcast’s website or show notes for more details on the 7 things parents should stop doing.

– Remember, guiding your children towards independence is key to their growth and development.

Note: These show notes capture the essence of the episode’s discussion on empowering kids. For the full context and additional insights, listen to the complete podcast episode.

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If you feel like your homeschool year is fizzling out, you’ll appreciate these tips for ending well.

LISTEN ON ITUNES

LINKSGrammarGalaxyBooks.com/treasure.

Instagram at Psychowith6

Rochelle Barlow’s Learn American Sign Language in 31 Days

The Organized Vacation Challenge

my recent podcast on being disappointed in your homeschool year

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Top Tech Tools for Homeschool High Schoolers with Meryl van der Merwe.

Top Tech Tools for Homeschool High Schoolers with Meryl van der MerweIf you are looking for something to enhance the homeschool experience for high school students, there is a range of tools and resources available. From technology and career preparation to organization and community service, these tools can help students thrive academically and beyond. Here, we want to dive right into the top tech tools with our friend, Meryl van der Merwe, fellow podcaster at Homeschooling With Technology as well as owner of Funda Funda Academy. So, let’s dive in and explore the exciting world of homeschooling with technology!

BTW- Meryl has shared her wisdom with Homeschool Highschool Podcast several times. If you have missed them, check these episodes:

• Helping Teens Own Their Education
• Choosing Elective Credits for Homeschool High School
• Tech Skills for Teens

About Meryl van der MerweOriginally from South Africa, Meryl moved to the United States 20 years ago and decided to homeschool her children due to their advanced academic abilities.

Meryl’s passion for teaching led her to start teaching online and eventually establish Funda Funda Academy, where she and a team of teachers offer a wide range of online classes.

On top of Funda Funda Academy, Meryl ventured into podcasting and connected with Vicki, our very own 7Sisters Homeschooler, through the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast network, their shared podcasting network.

Merrill’s amazing podcast is called Homeschooling with Technology. If you are looking for resources on the best technology for homeschooling, this is the podcast you don’t want to miss.

Favorite Top Tech Tools for HomeschoolLet’s talk about some of the best technology for homeschooling you can use that happens to be Meryl’s favorite top tech tools that she encourages you to check out.

GrammarlyFirst up is Grammarly. Grammarly is a free app that helps with grammar and spelling. It’s like having a personal editor that highlights any mistakes you make. Good grammar is important for high school writing requirements.

It is incredibly helpful, especially when writing essays or any other written work. Trust me, your teens will thank you for introducing them to Grammarly.

Vocabulary.comNext on the list is Vocabulary.com. This is another free tool that is fantastic for building vocabulary. It is essential for understanding what you read and improving your writing skills.

Plus, having a strong vocabulary is crucial for standardized tests like the ACT and SAT. And here is a little secret: even though many colleges are going test-optional, scholarships still require test scores.

It’s important to help your children develop a robust vocabulary and thanks to Vocabulary.com, it becomes a fun and engaging process!

Google AppsYou are probably familiar with the Google apps, but let’s emphasize their importance. Many college students use these apps for group work and collaboration.

It’s essential for your children to be familiar with Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Forms. They are free and incredibly useful for organizing and working together on projects.

CanvaAnother tool beloved by Meryl is Canva. It’s like the one tool to rule them all when it comes to graphic design!

Canva started as a simple tool for creating graphics, but it has grown into a powerful platform with features for photo editing, video creation, and even comic strip design. It is free and user-friendly, making it perfect for creating portfolios, marketing materials, and more.

Not only that, but it also has thousands upon thousands of templates, including but not limited to, business cards, presentations, videos, worksheets, printable activities, planners and schedules, and much more.

It also includes a print-on-demand feature for, say, creating and ordering invitations, business cards, flyers, or even prints on a t-shirt!

ChatGPT and AI ToolsAI may be somewhat intimidating for some but it really is here to stay. Instead of fearing it, try to embrace it and its many capabilities.

One AI tool is ChatGPT. It can be used for brainstorming ideas, improving essays, and even generating content.

Even so, it’s important to teach your children to use AI responsibly and not rely on it entirely. AI is a tool, not a replacement for critical thinking and creativity.

Online ServicesThe first online service opportunity is Zooniverse.org, where kids can participate in citizen science projects. This allows them to contribute to real scientific research while learning about various topics.

The second online service opportunity is a platform within the Library of Congress site called By The People, which allows volunteers to transcribe historical documents. It’s a fantastic opportunity for kids to learn about history and gain valuable experience while also making a difference.

Top Tech Tools With Meryl van der MerweThese are just a few highlights, and there are countless other tools and resources out there. Children should be encouraged to use these tools responsibly and with a discerning eye, always keeping in mind that their contributions and actions can have a real impact.

Technology can truly enhance your homeschooling experience and prepare your children for the future. Don’t be afraid to explore and try new things. You’re not alone on this journey. We’re here to support and guide you every step of the way.

Connect With Meryl van der MerweIf you want more in-depth information on the top tech tools for homeschooling, be sure to listen to the Homeschooling with Technology podcast.

You can also visit her website, Funda Funda Academy, or join her Homeschooling College Bound Teens Facebook group.

Thank you to Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and to Richie Soares with Homeschool & Humor for writing this blog post!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our iTunes page. 2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes 3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone 2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen 3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast 4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon 5. Tap Subscribe

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Celebrate 5 Moms Who Changed the WorldIn “Celebrate 5 Moms Who Changed the World,” Episode, #209, Meredith Curtis invites you to meet 5 amazing women who changed the world! A Jewish momma, a pastor’s wife, a Victorian mother, the mother of a President, and a modern woman have or are all changing the world. Each faced or face challenges, yet each woman perseveres. Be inspired and encouraged by the lives of these women!

Powerline Productions, Inc.Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show NotesThe hand that rock the cradle rules the world. Meet five women who changed the world!

JochebedA young Jewish wife and mother who had only a few years to impart her faith in her son who would grow up to be the deliverer Moses.

Susannah WesleyAfter giving birth to 19 children, 10 made it infancy. Two of her sons led a revival in England, one writing over 1,000 hymns. Susannah was purposeful in raising her children for the glory of God.

Mary Eliot EdisonWhen Thomas exasperated his teachers, they labeled him “dumb” and “lazy” so Mary kept him home and taught him herself.

Nelle ReaganNelle’s alcoholic husband made life difficult for Nelle and her two sons. But her faith in God and heart to serve others gave a future President a good foundation.

You!In choosing to homeschool, you are changing the world – here’s why!

Sign up for our NewsletterSign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

Resources for Mom – Shop at PowerlineProd.com!

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Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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Let’s Talk About The Best Graduation Gifts that Teens Really Want!With five children and a group of friends with many children, I’ve participated in my fair share of graduation celebrations in recent years. However, it was after really thinking about my own graduation and those of my children that I realized what children really desire is not what they receive. In this podcast, Felice shares her ideas of what a graduation celebration should be and ways you can make lasting memories with your own special graduates.

Show Notes – Best Graduation Gifts A study by Hallmark reveals:

• 95 percent give money for gifts for graduation from high school or college
  • $25 is about the average amount spent for a close friend (or child of a close friend)
  • 67 percent believe that $50 or more is appropriate for a close relative
  • $20 is the average for a not-so-close friend
  • And many would give no gift to a not-so-close friend, but they might send a card.

Some of the Best Graduation Gift Ideas:1. A book where the child can begin their memoirs – one leather-bound book entitled: “My Life Story Thus Far” 2. Jewelry 1. Necklace, bracelet, earrings 2. Watch 3. Money Clip Holders 4. Posters with great sayings on it. 5. Personalized gifts 1. Personalized wooden box 2. Personalized jewelry – necklace/ ring/ bracelet 3. Mugs, glasses 4. Candy wrappers 5. Picture albums 6. Backpacks 7. Picture frames 8. Baseball bats 6. Luggage 7. Throw Rug 8. A Bible with their name engraved – if they don’t already have one. 9. Popular gifts but they also become dust collectors 1. Paperweights 2. glass shadow boxes – elegant glass boxes with your grads name so they can store and see their special treasures 3. a globe that is made of cork with pushpins to mark the countries visited 4. The year with a spot in the 0 for their picture 5. Personalized wooden box 6. Personalized jewelry – necklace/ ring/ bracelet

Nothing replaces spending T-I-M-E with your teen or soon-to-be graduate, making memories through gift-giving, if the right gift is selected helps.

Podcast #83 – Creating Memories on Vintage Homeschool Moms

• Are you an eZine member? If you are you received a LINK to the free eBook
• You must be a subscriber to receive yours – Subscribe here

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Today on Homeopathy for Mommies, I want to share with you the insights from one of our most sensitive and personal subjects: hair loss, or alopecia, as it’s medically known.

Hair loss can be a distressing experience, affecting not just our appearance but also our self-esteem. It’s a condition that doesn’t discriminate, impacting men and women, young and old. In our recent episode, we delved deep into the causes and remedies of hair loss from a homeopathic perspective.

Before we can address hair loss, it’s crucial to understand its root causes. Hair loss can stem from a variety of factors, including hereditary predispositions, hormonal changes, underlying medical conditions, certain medications, and even stressful life experiences. As a homeopath, I stress the importance of looking at the whole person, considering their health history, hormonal fluctuations, stress levels, exposure to toxins, and other contributing factors.

Homeopathy shines in its ability to tailor remedies to the individual. It’s not just about treating hair loss in isolation but understanding the person’s unique perception of the world and how it influences their health. This holistic approach can lead to the most beneficial remedy for each person’s specific type of hair loss.

In our discussion, we highlighted several homeopathic remedies, such as sulfur, lycopodium, and sepia, which are known for their effectiveness in addressing different patterns of hair loss.

One of the most encouraging aspects we discussed in this episode is the body’s remarkable ability to recover and regrow hair, especially when the triggering factor is identified and addressed. Physical injuries, for example, can have a profound impact not only on our hair but also on our psyche. The body’s response to such shocks can be mitigated with the right homeopathic remedies, promoting recovery and healing.

Hair loss, while challenging, is not insurmountable. With the insights from homeopathy and the support of a professional, there’s hope for recovery and regrowth. Remember, your health journey is unique, and with the right approach, you can find the remedy that resonates with your individual needs.

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273: Engaging online art history resourcesIn today’s episode, guest Holly Egan who teaches the Art History class for teens at show sponsor FundaFunda Academy, shares her favorite online art history resources.

Main supplemental websites for her art history class:

Smart History -Has over 800 contributors from all over the world

https://smarthistory.org/

National Geographic – great art history section with engaging articles

Art History School – artist biographies explored by Paul Priestly

Artthropology.com– a collection of art history videos an art history teacher has put up on her site from various sources

Khan Academy – their art history videos

Art Museum Websites

MoMA

The Met

The Whitney

YouTube Channels for Videos:

National Galleries Scotland & Royal Academy of Arts – videos on movements, artists, exhibitions

The Magnificent Paintbrush – excellent, short artist bios from an elementary art teacher

Tate YouTube Channel:

The National Gallery YouTube Channel

Favorite art channel on this list is The Art Assignment. It’s a PBS Digital Studios channel uploads videos focus on contemporary art. Host Sarah Urist Green interviews the artists from around the world and the artists give an assignment to the audience.

Holly’s Art History Class

Art History 2024

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

The post Engaging Online Art History Resources appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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Is Your Teen Ready?Introduction:

Charla & Matt welcome listeners back to another episode of “It’s Not About Money – The Money Podcast for Intentional Parents,” discussing the challenges and joys of parenting teenagers and preparing them for financial independence.

Opening Banter:

Charla & Matt discuss their current podcasting setup and the absence of their kids, who are growing up and starting to face the realities of adulthood. They reflect on the transition to becoming empty nesters and share humorous anecdotes about their children’s perspectives on family dynamics and finances.

Setting the Scene:

They set the stage for discussing important financial questions to gauge teens’ understanding of money management and adult responsibilities. They emphasize the need for parents to approach these conversations carefully, considering each teenager’s unique personality and level of awareness.

Teenagers as “Tigers”:

Charla uses a metaphor comparing teenagers to tigers (something Matt takes issue with!), highlighting the importance of approaching them with caution and sensitivity when discussing financial topics. She shares insights from her experience as a teacher, noting that open-ended questions can encourage dialogue without making teens feel pressured or judged.

Reality Check for Teens:

They delve into specific questions that can help gauge teens’ financial awareness, such as the cost of a cell phone plan or monthly savings contributions. They emphasize the gap between teens’ perceptions of financial independence and the realities of adulting, stressing the importance of practical experiences and financial education.

Lessons from Personal Finance Classes:

Charla shares experiences from her personal finance class, where students simulate adult scenarios to understand the complexities of budgeting, expenses, and financial decision-making. She highlights the value of such courses in preparing teens for the responsibilities of adulthood.

Empowering Teens Through Education:

Charla & Matt discuss the role of financial education in empowering teens to make informed decisions about money. They mention resources like “Beyond Personal Finance,” a comprehensive course designed to teach teenagers the fundamentals of financial literacy and long-term planning.

Promoting Dialogue and Understanding:

The hosts encourage parents to engage in ongoing conversations with their teens about money, using tools like the provided questions as a starting point. They stress the importance of creating a supportive environment where teens can learn and grow without feeling overwhelmed or judged.

Closing Remarks:

Charla & Matt wrap up the episode by thanking listeners for tuning in and reaffirming their commitment to helping parents navigate the challenges of raising financially literate and responsible teenagers.

The post Is Your Teen Ready? appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Helping Teens Make New Friends. Give your high schoolers the networking skills that will help them now and in adulthood.

Helping Teens Make New FriendsDelivered by 7SistersHomeschool’s very own licensed professional counselor, Vicki is here to talk about one of her most favorite topics: helping teens make new friends. In Vicki’s other hat, besides having raised her kids through the homeschooling process, she’s worked with all kinds of teens on how to make new friends. No matter where you are in life, there are times where you need a new set of friends, whether that’s moving to a new area, joining a new church or breaking up with a homeschool co-op group. You’ll learn all the pointers you need to know in these tried and true tips!

Share Basic Life SkillsFirst, know that helping teens make new friends doesn’t mean you make the friends for your homeschool high schoolers. We can’t do this for our teens, but we can give them the skills needed to pursue friendships, for making those friends themselves, and for creating their own network. This is a skill that, if learned now, can apply to the rest of their lives, well into their careers.

Also, work with your teens on basic life skills so they can have the tools already in their toolbox to use. And they need to know they can choose to use these or they can choose not to use these tools. It’s their choice. As long as teens feel like they have a choice in something, they will very often use those skills.

Even shy teens can learn skills like these to build their confidence.

Find New Things To Try LocallyWhen your teen finds some things to try, this doesn’t mean it’s something that they are already passionate about, nor is this necessarily something they want to do. They just need to try some new things. It’s one of the most important things we can do for learning and practicing skills and actually discovering some things that we don’t know whether we like or not until we try it.

Local Support GroupsIf you’re new to an area, or you’re beginning your homeschool journey brand new, look around your local area and start simple. Find some things that have other teens involved. For instance, look to see if there is a local homeschool support group or other organization. That is a good place to start looking, and then see if they have a youth group. Check out their website, or see if they have an online schedule or calendar to see what is happening.

Local ClassesIf there’s not a support group with just some youth activities, are there some classes that they can take locally? Regardless if they need the class or not, enroll your teen in an umbrella school class or two at a homeschool umbrella school or someplace where there’s group learning.

Church Youth Groups and Service OrganizationsFor teens, church youth groups and church missions trips are another way to be around other teens doing something.

Service organizations for teens that are out in the community, such as library volunteers or food bank volunteers. See what different things are available where there are groups of teens going out and/or volunteering. Maybe even have your teen join a sports team. All those things are places where teens will meet new people.

Pick One Thing to TryOnce you pick a thing, unless they’re an extroverted teen, you don’t want to overwhelm them with 42 different things. What you do, instead, is make an agreement with your teen on what they are going to try.

For instance, have your teen agree to give that specific activity or organization a try. In most cases, you will know how it fits after at least two sessions or two events. Sometimes you will even know after the first time that it’s not a good fit.

Give It An Honest GoThere have been times when Vicki visited new churches or new organizations and nobody is at the door to greet or welcome her. No one spoke to her the entire time of the meeting or event, not a soul spoke a word to her.

If this happens to you, just know they’re not your people.Realize there is never a lost event and that you will always come away with an insight or new perspective or learning something new.

But don’t stop there. Although it’s definitely not fun, you can even try it twice to see if that was a fluke the first time, to see if someone will talk to you the second time.

What most often happens is that, upon the second or third visit to an organization or group, you’ll notice a shift. The initial tension or formality begins to fade, making interactions more relaxed and straightforward. This ease develops as familiar faces become friendlier, and the overall atmosphere becomes more welcoming.

It’s during these subsequent visits that true connections start to form, and it becomes noticeably easier to engage and collaborate, them with you and you with them.

Let Your Teen Handle the First Visit On Their OwnBefore you arrive at the group or event, it’s important to not accompany your teen inside the building (unless there’s a specific rule stating otherwise). Teens must navigate this event independently.

Extroverted kids likely won’t mind handling this on their own, while introverted ones might feel anxious. In such cases, it’s okay to discuss how far into the building you’re willing to walk with them. However, it’s crucial not to impose. Instead, respond to your teen’s cues.

Tips To Help Your Teen Warm Up to the New SettingMagic Non-verbalsBefore they step out of the car, encourage them to place their hands on their hips. This simple gesture can boost their confidence, preparing them to face the event on their own terms.

Adopting a posture with arms akimbo and counting to fifteen — thousand one, thousand two, and so on — has an interesting effect on our bodies. This stance, even if held for just a few seconds, triggers the release of testosterone. Yes, even women have testosterone coursing through their bodies.

This hormone boosts confidence. It’s like a biological encouragement that says, “You can do this.” And so, you do.

Before any significant event, it’s valuable to discuss these techniques. It’s not something to spring on someone last minute, say, in the car ride over. Share these strategies in advance: “Here are some skills we can use.”

Just before entering the venue, encourage a slight adjustment in posture: pull the shoulders back and lift the chin slightly — not too high, but just enough. When we’re anxious, we tend to hunch our shoulders and lower our chins, gazing down at the floor, closing ourselves off. However, adopting a posture with shoulders back, chin up, and a gentle, Mona Lisa-like smile can transform our nonverbal communication.

These “magic non-verbals” make us seem more approachable, signaling to others that it’s okay to engage with us. Have your teen employ these nonverbals before walking into the building and then periodically check throughout the event to ensure they’re maintaining them. Shoulders back, chin up, and that soft smile can make all the difference, inviting positive interactions and boosting your confidence.

Learn more about non-verbals in 7Sisters Introduction to Psychology.

Hold Something In Your HandThis confidence invites people to come and talk to you. Generally, within a certain period of time, somebody’s going to wander over and start talking. If it’s one of those events where you are socializing, and there are snacks, tell your teen to grab some snacks so that they have something to hold in their hand.

This is called a tool. And you don’t even have to like whatever it is you hold in your hand. You don’t have to eat it all. You just need to have something in your hand. There’s something about holding something in your hand that is appropriate for the setting, like a cup of soda or some cookies, that makes you even more open for people to come and talk to.

Scan the RoomOnce there is something in your hand, if no one is talking to you yet, go stand near the table where the snacks are at, and then scan the room. Look to see where the clusters of people are, if there’s anybody on the outskirts that might be a new person too.

Because believe it or not, there’s new people at things all the time. And if you see someone that’s just standing by themselves, kind of at the edge and, maybe looking a little bewildered, walk slowly over to them and smile and greet them. Ask them a question. They’ll greet you as well and hopefully they’ll ask you a question back.

Prepare Questions Ahead of TimeHave questions that you’ve already planned ahead of time that you can pull out of your pocket. Some questions you can ask are:

• If they’re an old timer here
• What do they like about that group
• Do they have any siblings
• If you’ve been homeschooling long, what’s your favorite subject,

Just ask them questions. When you talk to somebody and you ask them questions, and they start talking about themselves, they feel like you like them, even though you don’t know them yet. And they are more likely to ask you some questions in return. This helps them feel connected and comfortable to you. And you’ve already got a first friend.

Popular Kid SyndromeFor younger teens, very often they worry about cliques and popularity, especially if they’ve been in a public school system or some traditional setting for a while. Think about the kingdom of Heaven. When Jesus came, did He go hang out first with the popular kids? He was looking for people who weren’t the popular kids because in God’s kingdom, it’s backwards.

The kids who might be shy are the ones that are more popular kingdom-wise. We have to have the boldness and the faith to set aside worrying about talking to the wrong person. Take that pecking order mentality out of your younger teens brains and have them thinking along the lines of God’s kingdom. How do we want to be in God’s kingdom in this group?

The John Maxwell StoryHere’s a story that complements this tip: In one of his books, John Maxwell recounts a memorable journey from the airport to a conference with a friend. They shared a cab and, being naturally sociable, struck up a conversation with the driver.

Eager to learn about the driver’s life, Maxwell and his friend peppered him with questions, uncovering fascinating stories about his family and experiences. Throughout the ride, they shared nothing about themselves except for their destination, the conference they were speaking at.

As the cab approached the conference venue, the driver, preparing to say goodbye, expressed his enjoyment of the conversation and wished them well at the conference. Remarkably, despite knowing little about Maxwell and his friend beyond their participation in the conference, the driver felt a sense of acceptance and connection.

This interaction epitomizes the Christ-like virtue of showing genuine interest in others, fostering a feeling of warmth and acceptance with a simple, attentive conversation. And that becomes the beginning of a friendship.

Remember, tell your teen to keep those non-verbals going as often as they can.

Describe ThemselvesIn between events, have your teen work on being able to describe themselves. You can start this before you go to an event, but definitely keep this an ongoing conversation.

Questions to incite self-description:

• Who are you?
• What do you like to study?
• What do you want to do after high school?
• Do you have any hobbies?
• Take some personality tests. What are your personalities?
• What are the service projects you’ve done?

This way, if people ask your teen questions, they don’t have to stare at the floor, fumbling on what to say as they’ll already know how to answer these questions.

One way to practice describing themselves is through a speech class. Have them write an elevator pitch about themselves, which is what they could say to somebody about themselves. Or, act like they have a business and they are between the first and third floor of an elevator ride.

An elevator pitch is something very short, just little soundbites they can say about themselves.

Once they establish their elevator pitch, have them practice a little bit at home on how to continue a conversation. When they say something about themselves, have them as the person a follow-up question.

The Second Visit or EventOnce your teen gets to the second event, one of the best things to do is for them to start looking for ways to get involved. If there’s a service project, a side project, or people set up for cleanup, for example, they want to get involved doing those things because that gets them in on the kinds of kids who also do things. And those kinds of kids are generally the friendlier and more fun kids over time.

What can they volunteer for? The people who are engaged and active are the ones that are more likely to be the ones who are friendly over time.

Volunteering can open doors to new friendships and other things. When you’re volunteering to help out, you’ll be working alongside people. You’ll likely carry on a conversation with them, and just that little moment of conversation is the beginning of a connection, taking a stranger to an acquaintance level.

And maybe if they volunteer enough together, they might become homeschool friends. At minimum, they will have some acquaintances every time they go to that meeting, where they will have someone to talk to and do the service together. Doing projects together is one of the very, very best ways to start making new homeschool friends.

What Went WellTo wrap it all up, one of the most important things we want to do is make sure your teens are telling you what went well.

Let’s be realistic. Not all teens are going to want to talk about it because some of them just need to think about it. Suggest or encourage them to tell you a few things that went well so they can put that into focus and see it as a positive experience, shedding any anxieties from it in the future.

When you leave an event and head home, your mind often races with thoughts of regret: “Why did I say that? Why didn’t I do this?” This self-criticism and guilt can lead to unnecessary stress, teaching your brain to associate these social events with negative feelings. Your brain starts to signal “danger” at the thought of attending future events, fearing the stress that may follow.

However, it’s crucial to shift this mindset. Instead of them dwelling on what went wrong or what they didn’t do, have them focus on the positive aspects of the experience. Have them think about what went well, what felt good, and end their day on a note of positivity and gratitude.

Though it might sound cliché, embracing a positive outlook and gratitude can significantly impact your mental well-being. Remembering the positives and expressing gratitude deactivates the stress response in your brain and activates the regions associated with smart thinking and emotional health.

From a counselor’s perspective, ending an event with a sense of gratitude not only aligns with the biblical encouragement to give thanks but also places you in a better biological and spiritual state. Focusing on the positives encourages your brain to view future events more optimistically, making you more likely to approach them with enthusiasm rather than anxiety.

Helping Teens Make New FriendsWhen you follow these tips, you’ll find it easier to help your teen make new homeschool friends. We hope these tips help!

Don’t forget, we have the 7Sisters Homeschool Facebook group too. It’s a really friendly and supportive Facebook group, where people share all kinds of homeschool high school questions and feedback, sometimes about younger ones all the way to a lot of high school stuff. It’s such a good, supportive place!

Thank you to Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and to Richie Soares with Homeschool & Humor for writing this blog post!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our iTunes page. 2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes 3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

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5 School Break Boredom Busters That Homeschoolers Will Love ~ Episode 38

On this episode, Crystal shares a list of five school break boredom busters that homeschool parents and kids will love! Even better- most of these activity ideas will keep your kids learning, but shhh, it’s our secret!

We are quickly approaching the time of the year when public and private schools alike are anticipating Spring Break, with summer soon to follow. Many homeschoolers are also planning their vacation week. While some families plan road trips or visits to amusement parks, others prefer a low-key agenda that includes natural learning opportunities for their children.

Or, you and/or your kiddos may simply be feeling a bit burned out with the normal day-to-day homeschool routine and need something new and different while taking time away from school books and worksheets.

Whatever your reason, if you’re looking for ideas on keeping your kids occupied, you’re in luck! On today’s episode, Crystal shares some great spring break activities that your kids will love. And most of these activity ideas will keep your kids learning, but shhhh it’s our secret!

• Give those new recipes a try! Need ideas? Try these kid-friendly recipes.
• Start a garden! It’s really pretty easy! If you need some inspiration, watch this great YouTube video on how to get a simple garden going.
• Scavenger hunts galore!
  • Color-themed
  • Location-themed
  • Alphabet-themed
  • Easter-themed or other holiday themes
  • If you are looking for more ideas, check out these fun scavenger hunt ideas for kids!
• Camp out under the stars! In addition to the ones mentioned in the podcast, here are some other family-friendly backyard camping ideas you can enjoy with your kids.
• Get crafty! Here are some crafty projects, with links, so you can follow the step-by-step instructions and recipes:
  • Homemade slime: This recipe only requires two to three ingredients to make a basic slime, or your kids can make a puffy slime if that’s what they like. This craft is a perfect chance to learn about chemical reactions and how the ingredients interact to create the slime. Note: since this recipe calls for borax, this craft project is better suited for older kids, as they’ll understand that they can’t eat the slime!
  • DIY bird feeders: What to do with those plastic jugs leftover from water and milk? Well, save them for this project! Your kids will enjoy using recycled plastic jugs to make their bird feeders. Once up, your kids will see and learn about all the birds that venture into your yard.
  • Build a bug hotel: Another DIY project you can do using recycled materials mixed with some nature is a bug hotel. Little kids will love the silliness of building a hotel for bugs, all while learning about the different bugs that might want to stay there!

So, there you have it! My list of five school break boredom busters that homeschool parents and kids will love! Try them out, and let me know what you think! And if you have any other ideas for keeping the kids busy, please share!

Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone; tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

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Top Summertime Healthy Snacks Episode 279Summertime Healthy snacks do not have to taste like cardboard or break the bank. In this episode, of Vintage Homeschool Moms, I will share some yummy snacks with you that are crowd pleasers and even the kids will love them–promise!

There are so many healthy snacks that appeal to kids! However, I’ve learned that my kids will eat different things when they help in the prep! Teach kids some safety rules.

1. Wash hands before preparing any food to eat.
2. Use care with knives. Don’t put your hands by the blade.
3. Use a cutting board when slicing fruit or vegetables.

Listen to the audio to learn about many more!

Summertime Healthy Snacks1. Cucumber sandwich – you can use two slices of cucumber, sharp cheese, and sliced meat. 2. Crackers and peanut butter. 3. Frozen yogurt 4. Hard boiled eggs. 5. Cucumber and tomato salad. Drizzle olive oil. 6. Smoothies – use your child’s favorite fruit and blend with ice. 7. Banana and peanut butter popsicles. Blend bananas and peanut butter until creamy. 2 large bananas or 3 small bananas – ripe work best plus 2-3 Tablespoons of peanut butter (or your favorite nut butter). Nutella works well. 8. Apple muffins are always a favorite. Use grain-free alternatives if needed for gluten-free. 9. Ketogenic – high fat, low-carb. Shakes as well as various snacks such as coconut balls. See recipe here. 10. Chocolate peanut butter: Mix 1 tablespoon of peanut butter with 5-10 chocolate chips, eat with a tiny spoon 11. Melt peanut butter with coconut oil – unless you live in FL like I do and coconut oil is liquid here, stir in the cocoa and add the sugar. Take it off from the heat and mix in the van. extract. Pour it into a candy mold – or simply line a cookie pan – lipped with wax paper and pour it in, cut into tiny squares or break once it is cooled. You may need to put it in the frig to Harden. 12. Use mixed nuts and place in a shallow pan, toast them in the oven and sprinkle’ with sea salt. Drizzle with melted chocolate and refrigerate until set. Store in a mason jar and enjoy 13. Kale chips – wash and place leaves on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt and drizzle with olive oils – be sure to watch carefully and bake until toasty – break up into chunks, cool and eat. Very low cal and yummy. Great rainy day activity. 14. Homemade Applesauce – Wash apples in vinegar to take off waxy polish sometimes on the skin. Core the apples and place whole in boiling water until mushy. Take out and process in a food processor or remove the skin and mash with a fork. Sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy! 15. Roll banana in peanut butter and then roll in crunchy cereal 16. Snack tray — pretzels, applesauce, banana chips, raisins, nuts, cereal 17. Yogurt and fruit parfait. Try instant pot recipes for yogurt – super yummy! 18. Yogurt bark. Spread yogurt on parchment paper, top with fruit such as blueberries or strawberries. Freeze. Break into chunks once froze. A family favorite. 19. Frozen banana pops. Cut bananas in half, thread popsicle stick in banana. Dip the banana in melted chocolate. Place on wax paper lined cookie sheets and freeze. 20. Pinwheels: take a soft, tortilla and use a spread such as mayo or mustard. Layer your meats or cheeses, add lettuce, tomato, roll up and slice. Have the children add their favorites. 21. Melted chocolate. Use fresh fruit to dip! 22. Frozen grapes. Try them, they are a yummy snack! 23. Homemade trail mix – add your favorites. 24. Fruit and veggie platters. Use favorite salad dressing for a dip. 25. Scooped chips filled with fresh salsa.

This list of twenty five snacks will help to jump start your own ideas. What did I leave out? Leave your favorites with me!

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272: Vacation Planning with AIIn this episode one Vacation Planning with AI, Meryl discusses using AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, and others to plan their upcoming summer road trip out west in their Sprinter van. She shares her experience asking the AI for suggestions on stops, restaurants, activities and more along their route through states like Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma and others before arriving at Capitol Reef National Park.

She also covers using AI to plan a hypothetical trip to Boston with kids aged 6, 9 and 14, asking for child-friendly museum recommendations under $40 total, outdoor activities, novels/websites to prepare them for the trip, and more.

Key Topics:

• Using different AI tools like Claude, Anthropic, ChatGPT, Copilot to plan a road trip
• Asking for stop suggestions with specific interests like hiking, cycling, kayaking, historic sites
• Getting restaurant recommendations for certain cuisines and price ranges near highways
• Planning a family trip to Boston with age-appropriate activities under a budget
• Requesting book/website recommendations to prepare kids for the Boston trip
• Tips for crafting effective prompts when using AI for planning

In Summary: Meryl summarizes the pros and cons of using AI for vacation planning based on her experience:

Pros:

• Using it as a family activity to introduce kids to AI
• Finds unique suggestions you may not have considered
• Provides a lot of relevant information in one place (activities, restaurants, books, websites)
• Allows for very specific queries (price ranges, cuisine types, interest filters)
• Good for getting a jumpstart on planning

Cons:

• Some responses were completely off-base or useless
• Incorrect information given at times (e.g. non-existent books)
• Still has limitations, paid versions likely much better
• Requires learning how to craft effective prompts

If you want to follow along on Meryl’s real trip out west, you can do that by following show sponsor FundaFunda Academy’s Instagram account – https://www.instagram.com/fundafundaeducation/

All online tools mentioned in this episode

Destinations.AI– Did not find it useful

Gemini

CoPilot

ChatGPT

Claude

Perplexity

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group, especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology into your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

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4 Things a Debit Card Can TeachIntroduction:

Charla & Matt warmly welcome listeners to another insightful episode of “The It’s Not About Money Podcast.” Today’s episode is special as they are joined by their daughter Kate. A 17 year old junior who brings a unique perspective on financial independence for teens.

Opening Banter:

Charla and Kate share a light-hearted banter about their roles in the family and how Kate has grown up learning financial responsibility under Charla’s guidance. Kate reflects on her journey from receiving her first debit card to becoming proficient in managing her finances.

Parenting Philosophy and Financial Tools:

Charla & Matt discuss their parenting philosophy, emphasizing that money is a tool that requires hands-on experience to master. Charla compares money practice to learning to play the piano, highlighting the importance of practical experience rather than theoretical knowledge alone.

Kate’s Experience with Debit Cards:

Kate shares her experiences with using a debit card, including moments of discomfort and learning. She talks about managing her monthly expenses, budgeting for personal and family needs, and the importance of financial independence in relationships.

Lessons Learned and Challenges Faced:

Kate recounts a humorous incident at a restaurant where she misunderstood the tipping process, leading to a funny yet insightful lesson about financial transactions. Charla and Kate discuss the value of making mistakes and learning from them in the journey towards financial literacy.

Teaching Moments and Real-Life Scenarios:

Charla emphasizes the importance of allowing teens to experience real-life financial challenges, such as a declined card or budgeting for different expenses. These experiences, although challenging, are crucial for building resilience and practical money management skills.

Recommendations and Wrap-up:

Charla & Matt recommend using practical financial tools like debit cards from reputable banks, sharing their positive experiences with Bank of America’s mobile app. Charla teases upcoming episodes and encourages listeners to subscribe for more valuable insights on parenting and financial wellness.

Conclusion:

With laughter and valuable lessons shared, Charla, Matt and Kate wrap up the episode, thanking listeners for joining them on this journey of financial empowerment.

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Hey, homeschoolers! If you have a teen daughter, I think this episode is a must-listen. I interview Shannon Popkin and Lee Niehuis, authors of Comparison Girl for Teens, and I haven’t been able to stop talking about it. There is so much wisdom here about our girls and how to help them manage comparison and friendship in a God-honoring way.

Shannon Popkin invites you to drink deeply of God’s story, and live like it’s true. Shannon’s books include Control Girl, Comparison Girl, Comparison Girl for Teens (2024), and Shaped by God’s Promises(2024). Shannon also hosts the Live Like It’s True Bible podcast and has been featured on Revive Our Hearts, FamilyLife Today, The Gospel Coalition, and Proverbs 31. She’s happy to be sharing life with Ken, who makes her laugh every day. Together, they have the joy of watching their three young-adult kids become the amazing people God created them to be.

Lee Nienhuis is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher. She cohosts the Martha & Mary Show and the You Can Tell the Children podcast with Bible2School. Lee’s books, Brave Moms, Brave Kids and Countercultural Parenting are a clarion call for parents looking to raise wholehearted Christ followers. Lee and her husband, Mike, have four kids and live in West Michigan.

Here’s my chat with Shannon & Lee.

Watch on YouTubeSummary

In this conversation, Shannon Popkin and Lee Nienhuis discuss the topic of comparison and its impact on teenage girls. They share personal experiences and insights on how comparison relates to anxiety and depression. They also discuss the role of family and church background in shaping a girl’s self-perception. The conversation highlights the importance of parents in helping their daughters avoid the pitfalls of comparison and offers practical advice on how to do so. The speakers also introduce their book, ‘Comparison Girl,’ and provide additional resources for further exploration.

Have a happy homeschool week!

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This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Homeschool AI Courses, Interview with Chris Remboldt.

Homeschool AI CoursesAs we transition into an era of artificial intelligence (AI), we can see how influential it could be for our kids today, both by including homeschool AI courses for learning about its applications and also by using it to pursue knowledge. One such AI wizard is Chris Remboldt from Future Homeschool. Chris is passionate about AI and believes in empowering young people with the knowledge and skills to harness its potential. Learn more about Chris’s journey into AI exploration and it helped shape Future Homeschool into making AI education accessible and engaging for teenagers.

BTW- Technology courses are useful for homeschool high schoolers. In fact, a few states require a some kind of technology course for high school graduation. (For a look at what credits teens need for graduation, check out this post.)

About Chris RemboldtChris’s homeschooling experience had a profound impact on his life. From a young age, he was immersed in a hands-on and book-rich environment from kindergarten through twelfth grade, and he never attended public school. In fact, the closest he got to it was taking standardized tests in Kansas.

Chris says he was a “nerdy kid.” And his mom is still proud of the fact that he tested at a college level in most subjects when he was just ten years old.

With no screens or video games, Chris’s childhood was filled with books, Legos, and the wonders of nature. He loved reading books like Little House on the Prairie and nature field guides.

His parents encouraged him to explore and learn, instilling in him a love for knowledge and discovery. Moving to Tennessee, they began a truly unique educational journey: building their own house.

Chris learned practical skills and the value of hard work, doing everything from plumbing to electrical work, and they even tamed the land around the house. Chris recalls it as an incredible education and upbringing, and he considers it the best homeschool story because it taught him that all of life is education, learning so much through that experience

From Building Houses to Hacking AIChris’s fascination with technology began early on when he tinkered with VTEC laptops and wrote his first lines of computer language. As he grew older, he dabbled in hacking video games, pushing the boundaries of what was possible. This curiosity and desire to explore the edges of possibilities in technology led him to AI.

Chris has been studying AI since 2018 and has used it to build web apps and create innovative projects and explore the endless possibilities it offers. His journey from building houses with the Pythagorean theorem to hacking AI showcases his passion for pushing the limits of what is possible.

AI has become an extension of his exploration of the world and a tool that empowers him to do things that would have required an entire team of developers just a few years ago.

The Importance of AI Education for HomeschoolersAI has the potential to shape the future, and Chris believes that homeschoolers are the perfect audience to embrace and harness its power. By equipping teenagers with AI knowledge, they can become the architects of a better world.

Future Homeschool offers a platform where Chris adds a new lesson each week based on his experiences in AI. Each week, students receive a new lesson based on what Chris has learned in AI. These artificial intelligence lesson plans cover a wide range of topics, from large language models to online entrepreneurship, providing teens with a comprehensive understanding of AI and its applications. There’s even a free course on Chat GPT that you can learn more about.

The course is structured to be an elective, allowing students to earn credit for their homeschool transcript, all while fostering a supportive community where students can connect and collaborate.

Homeschoolers are the perfect audience for Future Homeschool because they are creative, curious, and wise. Chris’ goal is to equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to make a positive impact in the world by providing them with the tools and knowledge to navigate the world of AI.

He hopes to see graduates of his course starting their own tech companies. And, as an entrepreneur himself, Chris also plans to invest in startups that emerge from the Future Homeschool community, fostering a cycle of innovation and growth.

Homeschool AI CoursesIn a world driven by technology, it is crucial to equip young people with the skills and knowledge to navigate the ever-evolving landscape. Future Homeschool offers a unique opportunity for homeschoolers to learn more about the world of AI, explore its possibilities, and develop their entrepreneurial mindset.

Chris Remboldt is paving the way for a future where teens can utilize technology to create positive change. Learn more about Future Homeschool, where your teen can join the exciting AI journey that will undoubtedly shape their future.

Keep pushing the boundaries, exploring new possibilities, and embracing the power of education. You are the future, and your potential is limitless.- Chris Remboldt

Connect with Chris RemboldtYou can learn more about how your teen can join Future Homeschool by Chris Remboldt. Also, learn how AI continues to shape our world through the Future Homeschool YouTube channel.

Also, for more technology ideas, check out the Homeschooling with Technology Podcast, here on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Thank you to Seth Tillman for editing the podcast. Also, thanks to Richie Soares with Homeschool & Humor for writing this blog post.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO HSHSP VIA COMPUTER1. Follow this link to our iTunes page. 2. IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in iTunes 3. This will take you to iTunes and our own podcast page. 4. Click SUBSCRIBE. 5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!) 6. Thanks!

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Successful Parenting That Works ~ Episode 522As parents, we want to be appreciated, but what does successful parenting look like? Are your goals met? Do you have goals, and where do you see your child in five, ten, or even fifteen years down the road? In this episode, we will look at some misconceptions about parenting and ways you can have a peaceful home.

Visit MediaAngels.com for books, classes, and downloadable printables.

Have you ever felt that success or failure is typically in the eyes of the beholder? I certainly have, and the articles I’ve read often discuss the fact that we set our own standards. In other words, what you consider a success or a failure might not fit my definition. I’ve come to realize that without a plan, I will struggle and fail. Unfortunately, parenting does not come with a manual, although some would argue that the Bible is all the manual you need! But even Christians like me face challenges when it comes to parenting.

Parenting Little Ones:

Your kids aren’t little forever, and when I was expecting my first I read every parenting book I could get my hand on. There is a ton of advice now on blogs, video and everyone is an expert, just ask them. While I’m not saying I’m an expert, I’ve spent most of my adult life as a wife and mother. More than 43 years at this point with five children and nine grandchildren. When my grandkids come to Sunday family meals, they know what is expected. Sometimes it takes a gentle reminder, or I appeal to my daughter, their mother for help. When kids know what is expected it is so helpful!

One misconception about parenting is that there is one right way, and your neighbor is doing a better job than you or anyone else. Another misconception is that parenting is one size fits all—or, in some cases, most! We equate our success in parenting with how well our children listen or like the family rules (if you have them).

Parenting is not the same as friendship. Sure, you should have a relationship with your child, but parents who attempt to be “friends” with their children end up struggling with discipline.

I have felt successful with some of my children and a failure with others. I can list all the excuses, but that doesn’t help with a solution. This is regarding children who are now grown up. Parenting looks different when the children are younger.

No matter what your level of success or failure, one thing that is certain is there is always room for improvement and apologies when needed. It is okay to admit you were wrong; it isn’t easy, but it is necessary and can go a long way toward repairing damage in relationships.

Successful Parenting That Works for Elementary Age:1. You have family rules. These are fluid and may change, but your children know what is expected. 2. You say what you mean and you do what you say. (Threatening and repeating parents rarely are happy with the outcome.) 3. Your child knows there will be follow-through. 4. You are encouraging and look for opportunities to praise and encourage. 5. Punishments work.

Successful Parenting That Works Looks Like This: (Older Children/Teens and Young Adults)1. You and your child have mutual self-respect. 2. You listen (and they listen). Discussion is allowed. There is open communication, you may not like what they have to say, but you will hear them out. 3. Advice is considered and taken. 4. Rules are mutually set, with the parents having more weight on the final outcome. (Especially for children who live at home or dependent children.)

There is, God willing always tomorrow for a “do-over” if you’ve had a very bad day. Children will test the limits of our patience and our rules and structure. However, if they know we will follow through the odds are in our favor that the outcome will be acceptable for all. I remember telling my teens that our home was a monarchy and I was the Queen. Yes, it may not have been my proudest moment, but I was struggling with the boundaries that they were pushing in full force! We did regroup, discuss and come to a compromise that was accepted by all.

My husband was never the disciplinarian, and I had to be okay with that, but I decided early in our marriage that I’d rather have well-behaved children than stress over who was the stricter parent. In the end, we did work together, and as long as we had discussions in private—not in front of the kids—when we disagreed with parenting, all was good.

I want to end with words for Christian parents. Many Bible verses are helpful, but first, it depends on your mindset.

Proverbs is a wonderful book filled with useful information, I especially like Proverbs 3:1-4 (Read on air).

As a Christian parent, I believe that God put our family together, giving me the spouse I needed and the children I needed, not necessarily for perfect happiness, although happiness can be found in family life, for the salvation of all. We, as a family, work to encourage each other toward the goal of eternal life, and it isn’t an accident. We are family. (Yes, salvation is through faith and Christ. However, those who are saved can go off the righteous path without nurturing whether adults or children.)

Keeping the commandments is more than just at home – 1 Kings 2:3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.

There are many other verses that deal with discipline, but I think that going to prayer and praying for our children is one of the best things you can do! As a mom of adult children, I will tell you I pray for them every day, and I prayed for them when they were younger. Friends, don’t be disheartened! If you have pressing concerns or advice you’d like to share, leave it on the post, or join our Facebook Family page and share there as well!

Some Notable Podcasts* Top 10 Parenting Secrets * Top Parenting Questions Answered * Best Homeschool Parenting Tips * Parenting with Influence * Greatest Homeschool Tips

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Show Notes: LifeSkills101 Podcast – “Boys with Pens” with Special Host, Beth PurcellIn this special episode, we welcome Beth Purcell, a renowned writing coach from True North Homeschool Academy. Beth shares her expertise on teaching writing to boys, focusing on their unique linear thinking patterns.

Beth starts by explaining linear thinking. It’s a straightforward, logical process that many boys naturally adopt. This way of thinking influences how they approach writing tasks.

Understanding this linear mindset is key to teaching boys effectively. It’s not about changing how they think but leveraging it. Beth suggests strategies that align with their logical progression of ideas.

First, use structured writing assignments.These provide a clear framework for boys to follow. Outlines and templates can guide their thoughts from start to finish.

Introduce writing exercises that build on their interests.Topics like sports, science, or technology can motivate boys to write. Engagement increases when they’re invested in the subject matter.

Incorporate visual aids and graphic organizers.Tools like mind maps help boys plan their writing visually. This method complements their linear thinking style.

Beth emphasizes the importance of short, achievable writing tasks. Breaking down assignments into manageable parts reduces overwhelm. It encourages boys to tackle writing with confidence.

Feedback should be constructive and specific.Highlight what they’re doing right and where they can improve. This approach fosters a growth mindset towards writing.

Encourage revision as a natural part of the writing process.Beth suggests showing examples of revised works. This demonstrates that even good writing can be made better with effort.