Could Online Learning Benefit Your Home School?

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
June 6, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #161, Could Online learning Benefit Your Home School?, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Could Online learning Benefit Your Home School?

In “Could Online Learning Benefit Your Home School?,” Episode, #161, Meredith Curtis talks about online course. She explains how they work, as well as the pro’s and con’s of online learning for parent, teacher, and student. She shows parents how to stay involved with their children’s learning adventure if it includes online learning. Meredith also shares her experience with online learning as a result of COVID.

 

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Show Notes

Our wonderful homeschool co-op was forced to go online in 2020. My adventure with online learning and where I am today.

Online Courses

Whole year or semester.

Live courses v. Go at Your Own Pace.

Like a co-op with class time and work at home.

Pro’s of Online Courses

Teachers often Teach what they love (great if there are subjects you hate teaching)

Great for working homeschool moms

A unique perspective

Gives Mom a break

Build friendships all over the world

Con’s of Online Courses

Can get disconnected from children and what they are learning

Can forget to make sure they are doing their homework

Can hamper spontaneity

Possible clash of worldviews/morals/ values

Easy to get behind in courses for some students

Everybody learning something different (20th Century)

How Parents Can Stay Involved

Listen in to classes occasionally

Meet weekly to discuss what they are learning and what homework is due the next week

Connect with teacher regularly

Encourage children/teens to work hard and do their best

Teaching at True North

Laura Nolette and I (Meredith Curtis) both teach at True North Homeschool Academy. They have been offering live online classes for over a decade and have collectively been involved in alternative education in the form of private schools, classical academies, yeshivas, co-ops, class days, classical charters, online academies, and more.

True North Homeschool Academy teachers are a group of passionate, qualified, creative educators providing carefully curated Core Courses and Clubs, delivered by utilizing cutting-edge technology, gamification, and solid academic pedagogy. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities of homeschooling.

Here are the classes Laura and I are teaching next year:

Grades K-3 Science Exploration

Grades 4-6 Science Exploration

Elementary Middle Ages Exploration

Jr. High Writing Like a Reporter/Exploring Journalism

Jr. High US Geography

Jr. High 20th Century World History

High School 20th Century World History

High School Photo Shop

High School Computer Illustration

Intro to Computer Science II (1 semester)

Intro to Computer Science (full year)

High School Health

High School English Who Dun It

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A Lifetime of Homeschooling

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May 16, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #160, A Lifetime Of Homeschooling, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

A Lifetime Of Homeschooling

In “A Lifetime of Homeschooling,” Episode, #160, as Meredith Curtis celebrates her 60th birthday, she realizes what a huge role homeschooling has played in her life. She takes a look back at six decades of Preparation, Homeschooling Adventuring, and Coaching and counts it all joy! It’s been a lifetime of learning! How about you? What stage are you in? How can you get the most out of it and prepare for the next one.

 

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Show Notes

Turning 60 and looking back at a lifetime of homeschooling.

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Preparation

2 decades of schooling, lifestyle learning, and reading.

Books lovely books.

Traveling to learn.

Discussion.

Acquiring a love of home, family, and learning.

Homeschool Adventure

The book that came by mistake

Gregg Harris Conference

Learning with my Kids

7 Rs: Relationships, Reading, Arithmetic, Writing, Rhetoric, Research, and Right Living.

Passing the baton of faith, home, family, lifestyle of learning, and sacrifice.

Coaching

Cheering Others On.

Coming Alongside

Teaching in Homeschool Co-ops and Online

What Stage Are You In?

Preparation? Homeschooling? Coaching?

The overlap

Getting the most and giving the most in each stage.

60 Birthday Sale

I am celebrating my 60th birthday this week and I want to bless you with HUGE SAVINGS!

Every digital product at PowerlineProd.com is 60% off when you purchase the product on our site.

Use coupon code HappyBD60!

Sale lasts Sunday May 15, 2022 until Sunday May 22, 2022.

HURRY! Grab the code and start saving!

Shop at PowerlineProd.com.

Happy Birthday 60% off sale at Powerlineprod.com. code: HAPPYBD60

 

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How to Create Your Perfect Homeschool

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
October 1, 2020 by 1 Comment

Creating the perfect homeschool

Now, really. Did you just click a title that said, “Create Your Perfect Homeschool” ??

Well, I’m sorry to say, there is no.such.thing.

What do I have for you today? I have a gift! In honor of Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network’s 7th birthday, today I’m sharing the gift of wisdom.

What is Homeschool Wisdom?

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines wisdom as, “The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. ”

I don’t know about you, but when I began homeschooling I craved sitting down over a cup of coffee with a veteran or vintage homeschool mom. I had so many questions! 

So, it was so much fun to sit down with Felice Gerwitz (of Vintage Homeschool Moms) and ask her questions that I know will be a blessing to you.

 

1. How did you get started in homeschooling?

I had a child that learned differently and it was not an easy decision, as I had planned to return to teaching at some point when my kids were older. It turned into the biggest blessing ever and as I had more children, it became a lifestyle. More of a “who we are,” rather than, “what we do.”

2. What biggest piece of advice would you have regarding your marriage and homeschooling?

I know everyone says take time for date night, but truthfully I was one of those moms that missed my kids when I went out to dinner! Of course, after saying that the first time (and hurting my husband’s feelings) I learned to keep that tidbit to myself. Praying together and talking. I missed adult conversation as a homeschool mom. However, for me, it was being open, kind, and honest in conversations. No character assassination, and no criticism, aka “You are stupid.” Telling him what I was thinking rather than expecting him to guess. Our husbands can’t read our minds and we get upset when they don’t know what we think! Also, trying to be thankful for each other and seeing the best rather than the worse.

3. How would you recommend fostering connection in this Covid time for new homeschoolers?

I have to say, for me, it isn’t so much about outside connections as it is with growth within our own families. This is a time to listen to your kids when they are talking, to appreciate them, and to grow together as a family. Find new hobbies, learn something new together, plant a garden, buy baby chicks. (I’m dying to do this myself.) I do believe this time will pass and there will be field trips and park days. If you have a few friends, invite them to a park day. Learn who is homeschooling in your area and if there is any planned activity happening.
Join our Homeschool Podcast Family and ask us anything! There are some great homeschooling families in that group. Maybe some live near you!

4. Tell me about a time you thought of giving up and how you kept going with homeschooling.

I had two older kids and then had first one, then another and finally a fifth child. By the time my fifth came, I told my daughter, then eighteen she couldn’t leave the house until she taught the baby to read. Of course, I was joking, but the idea of teaching another child to read was not a fun prospect. (I had some struggling readers.) Well, God in his infinite wisdom and mercy took pity on me and Mikey taught himself to read (with a little help on my part) when he was four-years-old. I think sometimes we look at the big picture rather than tackle the every day and thank-God for each day. If you do that it can appear overwhelming.

5. If you had do-overs, what are three things you’d do differently in your homeschool?

Start unit studies earlier in my homeschool journey, especially with my little kids. We learned so much in various grade levels and we had so much fun learning it was not a chore. Once we switched to more textbooks, that is when the burn out began. Reading “real” books, for example, good historical novels, or biographies, the kids will grasp the concepts and actually remember.

6.  We moms know that the responsibility of the actual work of homeschooling usually falls on our shoulders. How do you handle the school/life balance?

I actually came up with what I call a 4-Square Planner and I took a sheet of paper and labeled it. Prayer, School, Home, Kids –or whatever 4 categories I wanted. I have used this for party planning, buying gifts, and homeschooling. It can be a daily page or a week at a glance. Either way, it works great. That way I know what I need to get done! Also, multi-task well as a family. For example, the laundry day ended up being reading in the afternoon day. Clothes were folded while I read, or the kids took turns reading while we all folded clothes and then put them away.

7. Talk to me about the middle school years. What words of wisdom or advice would you share?

I was a middle school teacher, so this is actually one of my favorite stages! Kids are great. They just are. And, if you can appreciate them it will make life so much better. Whenever you get stressed that your middle schooler is getting sassy, or lazy, or fill-in-the-blank, think back to when they wouldn’t wear pink, or insisted on wearing a skirt and pants, etc. There are always an age/stage that your kids go through that can stump us, and that is also a time for prayer. I remember being upset with my then high schooler and not knowing what the punishment would be, so I let the child know I was going to pray about the punishment. My son scoffed at me. When the Lord gave me a sense of what the punishment should be, his car keys hung in a common area (dumb right?), it really worked! So pray if things are going hard and see what the Lord gives you a sense to do!

8. What do you think the role of a a co-op might be in homeschooling?

I loved co-ops when my kids were younger and some people love them when the kids are older. It is a good time to get together with other kids if there is a subject you don’t want to teach. Or, if you can teach something well you can offer to teach.

9. There are so many blogs and podcasts to read and listen to nowadays. How can I be discerning regarding which ones will be a benefit and grace to my homeschool?

Truthfully, I love podcasts, especially from those on my network. I know most of the podcasters personally. These people walk-the-walk. I feel that so many blogs are copies of other blogs and the information is so watered down. Also, I avoid blogs that are full of ads. They are too hard to navigate even with good information.

10. What is your favorite homeschool resource and tell me about your own resources.

My all-time favorite history curriculum is a set my brother in law created for my own kids. We were able to record them and my kids know much about the Constitution and history. It is taught from a factual perspective. It can be used by all denominations as it is not heavily Christian but definitely has that as an undertone. In addition, I co-authored a Creation Science unit studies and four were featured in Cathy Duffy Top 100 and 101 Curriculum Picks, along with the Teaching Science and Having Fun books. Those books are on my Media Angels Membership (you can save 50% off with the code FOREVER50) and it has all of my curriculum and resources including the History courses. I also love our novels. They are creation based and while the story is fiction, the science is the truth!

Felice Gerwitz

Author and speaker, Felice Gerwitz, is an outside of the box thinker. Her books reflect a love of learning and education with an eye toward retention.

She is a graduate of Florida Southern College, a former teacher with a degree in Elementary Education, Learning Disabilities and Early Childhood Education. She began Media Angels Publishing in 1994.

Eight of Felice’s titles have been selected by noted book reviewer, Cathy Duffy in both her 100-Top and 101 Top Homeschool Curriculum Picks. Her science fair book was selected as book of the month by God’s World Publishing.

There are no coincidences in life, so Felice believes it is by Divine Intervention that she publishes curriculum with a Biblical Creation focus and many other educational products.

Felice owns and podcasts at the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network and the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. Her podcast topics include homeschooling, parenting, spiritual life and a podcast for aspiring authors and podcasters.

Get in on the par-tay fun! Join us for our GIVEAWAY and celebration! 7 years is a big deal. 🙂 

It’s our birthday today and we like to celebrate all month long! We will be offering some fun freebies and resources for you this month that you don’t want to miss.
Let’s kick off our 7th year celebration with an awesome giveaway!
You can enter HERE:
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Giveaways

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Refresh your home & homeschool this year with the Organize It! Planner for September

The September Organize It! Planner from Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network is a game-changer for homeschooling families and anyone seeking to stay organized. Packed with practical features and thoughtful designs, this planner is a reliable tool for planning, scheduling, and tracking daily activities. With dedicated spaces for lesson plans, goals, to-do lists, and meal planning, it empowers users to achieve greater productivity and balance in their lives. The planner’s user-friendly layout and high-quality materials make it a joy to use, while its August focus ensures seamless integration into the academic year. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooler or a busy parent, the August Organize It! Planner is a must-have companion to streamline your days and boost overall efficiency.

Download Today and get organized! (Sign up below)

FREE homeschool planner to use with your children.

 

 

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Get convenient links to all the latest homeschool podcasts each week- PLUS new printables every month! A free gift from the author, Felice Gerwitz, Ultimate Homeschool Radio owner and podcaster at Vintage Homeschool Moms!

 

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Top 20 Homeschool Podcasts

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
September 30, 2018 by 77 Comments

top 20 homeschool podcasts | The Top 20 Homeschool Podcasts by speakers, authors, bloggers and moms and dads just like you! #homeschool #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #top20homeschoolpodcast

Meet my friends! The top 20 Podcasts on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network

I’ve seen many lists of top homeschool podcasts, but this list is important and special to me. This is the list of the top 20 homeschool podcasts on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network! People measure success in different ways and I feel the network has been successful first because it has been an answer to prayer and second because it has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of homeschool families. Many of these shows have thousands and thousands of downloads. But to me, there are things more than numbers — although we have over TWO MILLION downloads; more importantly, you are about to meet the people who work hard to create amazing podcasts – the best in homeschooling, as well as the wonderful support team of those who help run this network!

While we are saying Happy 5th Birthday to the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network, we have many gifts for you! PRIZES! Currently, we have amazing giveaways from our sponsors – to enter all the contests please visit our giveaways page on this website here.

How does our network work?

  1. Join our eZine for up all the upcoming shows and freebies such as our weekly printables.
  2. Listen to the shows on this website. You can play any show you want for free.
  3. Download the shows on your computer. Listen on your time.
  4. Stream the shows on any podcast app on your phone or computer. Instructions here.

Our Sponsors Bring You This Podcast Network for Free:

When I began in 2013 I handled everything. Any small techie issues, updating the website information, sending out the newsletter (and often breaking the code), and all of the social media. Now, thanks to our listeners and amazing sponsors like Notgrass, WriteShop, True North, Luma Learn, Bright Ideas Press as well as all of our participating podcasters we can bring you contests as well as our network!

Our Team. A Big Thank-you to the following people:

Joy Rhodes: This website could not run without our behind the scenes techie, Joy! She is the one we all turn to for website issues and sends out our weekly eZine with free printables for you each month.

Gina Glenn: Any social media you see is orchestrated and scheduled by Gina. She is an amazing asset and our go-to person for anything social!

Thanks to our special brand ambassadors: Longtime podcast listener Orilla Crider and virtual assistant, Nakisha Blain. These ladies are so helpful in sharing our podcasts with all of you!

To the original Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network podcasters who began alongside me, I want to say thank-you!

I am blessed to be joined by so many of my friends, many who began five years ago alongside me. Some original podcasters now have shows in archives but they are still available! These friends have current shows and took a chance. I had no experience (other than the three years I spent podcasting, elsewhere), I had no idea what number was good for downloads, about feeds, tags or graphics. My goal was not to make money but to serve the homeschool community and allow you to access the podcasts for free.

Thanks to:

So, who funded the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network the first few years? Media Angels, Inc. my publishing company. The majority of the investment came from the sale of books, audios, and downloadable products. As the owner of this website, my goal is always to bring you the best of homeschool focused podcasts!

Success equals helping one homeschool family at a time!

I’m grateful the Lord gave me this idea years ago to create a homeschool podcast network with some of my friends, fellow homeschoolers, authors, conference speakers, and bloggers. All of us love to encourage you –  while our curriculum, our family size and even where we worship may look different — we are united in our belief that the Lord called us to homeschool and it is our job to encourage you!

top 20 homeschool podcasts | The Top 20 Homeschool Podcasts by speakers, authors, bloggers and moms and dads just like you! #homeschool #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #top20homeschoolpodcastSo, let me introduce you to our top 20 podcasters and their shows…

Vintage Homeschool Moms – flagship show with Felice Gerwitz — Over 300+ podcasts! 

I began this show the last week of September of 2013 even though our launch was in October. In that way, if anything went wrong we could catch it! On my show, I share the experience of over 30 years of homeschooling! I’m a graduated homeschool mom (my last of five homeschooled children graduated in 2018).  Many months I have themes, this month is “Stress-free” and these podcasts contain the ideas that worked, shortcuts and a heartfelt message that you can do it! I also share on the Creation Science Podcast some of the best from my creation expos. I am blessed to rank as NUMBER THREE on our network! (And that is fine with me! I’m a proud “mama” and love to see my podcasters do well even if they “beat” my numbers!)

Hal and Melanie Young – Making Biblical Family Life Practical Over 200+ Podcasts!

With their North Carolina accent, homeschool parents, husband and wife Melanie and Hal share not only their humor but their extensive parenting advice, marriage, raising sons and real-world issues! Listen in and it will soon YOUR favorite. They talk about large families, homeschooling, and heart issues as well. You may meet them in real life since they are keynote speakers and travel extensively on the homeschool conference circuit. Congratulations on ranking NUMBER TWO on our podcast network!

Carol Topp – Homeschool CPA Podcast & Dollars and Sense Over 145 Shows

Carol is a graduated homeschool mom who studied for her CPA exam while homeschooling! Hence, Homeschool CPA! On this network we are flexible and Carol came to me asking if she could rebrand her show from Dollars and Sense with a focus more about saving money, careers and more to her show now that deals with running homeschool programs and money management. Carol podcasts twice a month!

Meredith Curtis – Finish Well Radio

Meredith is a graduated homeschool mom and her husband Mike is Pastor at Powerline Church. Meredith along with many teens and young adults from their church help the listener to grow in Christ. With many timely shows that help teens prepare for life after graduation, Meredith podcasts the first Monday of every month. If you have teens this show will be such a blessing especially in the world where we find ourselves today.

Melanie Wilson – Homeschool Sanity – Hundreds of Podcasts

Melanie is a homeschool mom, a Christian clinical psychologist with six kids! So there is no mystery why she titled her show, Homeschool Sanity! Melanie has amazing insight and currently ranks as our NUMBER ONE podcaster for the second year in a row! Go, Melanie! Her show airs every Tuesday and she shares much of her insights and fun tips with you.

Israel and Brook Wayne – Family Renewal

Our second husband and wife team, Israel and Brook Wayne! The Waynes share big family living and cultural issues from a Biblical worldview. Israel travels extensively. He is an author and conference speaker so look for him at homeschool conferences. The Wayne’s podcast one time per month.

Gina Glenn – Mommy Jammies Night

Gina took over the monthly show, Mommy Jammies Night some years ago and has rebranded and shares some interviews with amazing moms who will bless you! Gina is a graduated homeschool mom with four children and has volunteered for a wide variety of ministries over the years. She has a heart for helping you the homeschool mom. She is one of the sweetest people I know and you will enjoy her show!

Sue Meyers – Homeopathy For Mommies

Sue is a homeschool mom who used homeopathy to reclaim her health and those of her children. Sue wrote a book for her children and grandchildren about homeopathy and I love her book and refer to it often! Her show is well on it’s way to one of the top shows with over thousands of downloads each week! Congratulations Sue, your show ranks NUMBER FOUR.

Jean Burk – College Prep Genius

Jean joined our network soon after we launched and I co-host this much-needed podcast with her twice a month. Jean writes and updates her College Prep Genius curriculum often to keep current with the SAT and ACT changes. She is the authority on all things college prep testing. Join us to listen to her advice which has helped earned both of my younger children college scholarships!

The Homeschool Highschool Podcast

Everything high school happens here with Vicki, Sabrina, and Kim our ladies from the 7 Sisters! These ladies know their stuff and have over twenty years of homeschooling advice, tips and more. Need transcript advice, information about classes or just encouragement? This is the show for you! You will enjoy their heartfelt advice and humor!

New Shows!

Felice Gerwitz – Creation Science Podcast

I share podcasts from my Creation Science Expos much of the information comes from my experience as co-author of the Creation Science Series with Jill Whitlock. These books were mentioned in the 100 and 101 Top Homeschool Picks by Cathy Duffy. You can find more information at the Media Angels website.

Peaceful Mom Talk – Marianna Chambers

Marianna has a wonderful voice and when I listen to her podcast it makes me feel calmer! As a brand new podcaster, Marianna is helping moms who feel overwhelmed by their blessings! If you want to hear sage advice about parenting, talking to children calmly and ways to deal with stress when we are overwhelmed be sure to tune into her show. She podcasts one time per month.

Literary Cafe Podcast – Katie Glennon

Katie homeschooled for fifteen years and shares some of her insights into the world of literature, language arts and writing. She has wonderful tips and ideas to make your homeschool easier. That is what our podcasters do, they come alongside you and Katie shares her vast knowledge and experience with you! She podcasts one time per month.

Life as a Lifeschooler – Danielle Papageorgiou

Danielle use to podcast elsewhere and has moved over her shows to our network! We are so excited to have a podcast with not only a focus on interviews, but also on sharing a wealth of information with you from various people. People you’d love to sit down and chat with about homeschooling and parenting if you had the chance! You will enjoy this wonderful show and visiting two times a month with Danielle and her special guests.

Homeschooling with Technology – Meryl van der Merwe

Meryl not only has a wonderful British accent but a love and expertise in the world of technology. Having homeschooled, taught coding and runs a website for those who want to learn more, she shares the best advice about apps, ways to improve productivity and her techie skills with all of us! She is the newest on our list of podcasters! Please join me in a warm welcome for Meryl!

More shows on the network! 

And there is more! We have a sister network you might not know about. The Ultimate Christian Podcast Network hosts podcast that will bless you with Christian focused shows. But, I could not do this without all of you our listeners.

Is there a show or topic you want to hear more about? Please share it with all of us!

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