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Celebrate Jesus on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

December 20, 2021 by Laura Leave a Comment

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #150, Celebrate Jesus on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Celebrate Jesus on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

In “Celebrate Jesus on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day,” Episode, #150, Meredith Curtis challenges you to make Jesus preeminent on what can be the busiest day of the year. With honesty and embarrassment, she shares lessons she has learned about exhausting herself creating the perfect day instead of celebrating a birthday. Glean some simple lessons about focus and intentional living to make your Christmas all about Jesus.

 


Rejoice! for unto to us a child is born! - with Powerline Productions, Inc.

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 

 

 

 

 


Show Notes

The pressure

The abundance of gifts, parties, fun things you don’t want to miss

To-do List

I tried to plan ahead, but…

Christmas is Here

There are things you can’t change

It’s not about a perfect day

It’s about a perfect Gift to Mankind

Ingredients of Christ-Centered Days

Surrender

Trust

Scripture

Music

Worship/Prayer

Christmas is a Birthday

Sing Happy Birthday

Blow up balloons and hang them from the ceiling

Focus on giving more than receiving

Work together

Give Thanks

Our Christmas Morning Devotions & Singing

Family Time

Peaceful, joyful topics of conversation

Play Games

Make something together (food, craft)

Watch an Inspirational Movie

Our Christmas Eve Traveling Dinner

Pray for each other and the lost world He came to save

Attend a church service

Personal Time

Walks

Read the Bible Devotionally

Alone with the Christmas Lights

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100 Homeschool Hacks by Meredith CurtisSign up for our newsletter and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks. You can sign up here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources

Be proactive this holiday season! 😊

Celebrate Thanksgiving by Meredith Curtis Christmas Thoughts and Prayers Journal by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with a traveling dinner by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette Jesus Fill My Heart and Home by Meredith Curtis

Christmas Unit Studies

Celebrate Christmas in Germany Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with Cookies Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas in Colonial America by Meredith Curtis

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

FW Radio - Podcast #55 - Start Strong and Finish Well With Christmas Traditions FinishWell Radio, Podcast #077, Learning from the Pilgrims & Puritans Finish Well Homeschooling Podcast, Podcast #103, Happy Birthday Creator-King, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #124, Create Treasured Memories with a Christmas Unit Study, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network


 

A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor:  Courageous Movie

 

From the Kendrick Brothers, creators of the No. 1 box-office movie WAR ROOM and OVERCOMER, comes the remastered re-release of COURAGEOUS Legacy, in theaters September 24. Celebrating 10 years of impact on families and fathers, this updated version of the film includes new scenes and an enhanced look and sound.

Filled with action-packed drama, COURAGEOUS Legacy will once again have viewers laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children. Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That’s courageous.

Check out the trailer here!


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Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: celebrate, Christian, christmas, Education, family, Finish Well, holiday, homeschool, Jesus, Laura Nolette, Meredith Curtis, Parent, teen

Digital Christmas Cards

December 15, 2021 by Meryl van der Merwe Leave a Comment

Digital Christmas Cards

162: Digital Christmas Cards

Listen to the episode to hear why I think you should encourage your children to create Digital Christmas Cards.

Here are the tools I suggest they use. All have free plans and all allow you to upload your own photographs:

  1. Smilebox
  2. Canva
  3. Adobe Spark
  4. Google Slides
  5. Scratch

FundaFunda’s unit studies that incorporate teaching how to create interactive cards are

  • Intro to Game Programming
  • Intro to Game Programming Lite (free)
  • How to create digital Christmas gifts

————————————————————————————————–
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.

Digital Christmas Cards

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Filed Under: Homeschooling with Technology Tagged With: christmas, Meryl van der Merwe, Technology

The Meaning of Christmas

December 14, 2021 by Lisa Nehring Leave a Comment

True North Homeschool Academy Director is joined by her husband, Dr. David Nehring as they talk about the meaning and importance of Christmas!True North Homeschool Academy Director is joined by her husband, Dr. David Nehring as they talk about the meaning and importance of Christmas!

Christmas is the season of Light in the Darkness, as we celebrate the coming of Christ!

Being born into this world is a death sentence; nobody gets out alive! Which is why we are all in need of a Savior!

The Book of Joshua reminds us to be Strong and of Good Courage, but also to remember!

Join us this spring for classes that will encourage, delight and challenge k-12th grade students! Our Old Testament: Adam to Nehemiah class and New Testament Overview take students on an entire journey of Biblical Discovery!

We love coming alongside fellow homeschoolers to ensure your academic and future success at True North Homeschool Academy! Sign up for our weekly email for support, class and clubs sales and specials and encouragement on your homeschooling journey!

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Filed Under: Soft Skills 101 Tagged With: Christ-Centered Christmas, christmas, Christmas traditions, Family traditions, holidays

Gift Giving in a Big Family – MBFLP 273

November 20, 2021 by Hal and Melanie Young Leave a Comment

This week we’re talking about gift giving – it’s Biblical, you know!  But how do you manage it without being immersed in the commercialism of a secular holiday, while glorifying God and having fun together? We’ve found that being more intentional and deliberate in choosing gifts and even in how we open them together, and encouraging our children to think of people rather than stuff at Christmas, has great benefits!

Biblical Passages We Mentioned

The wise men who brought gifts to Jesus – Matthew 2:1-11

The people feasted and shared with each other over joy in God’s word – Nehemiah 8:9-10 – And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God … Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

How Our Family Christmas List is Structured

We described how our family keeps up with everyone’s “wish list” – not just at Christmas, but all year long! Here’s the basic framework – each person’s section of the family list is divided into price brackets, and it’s the responsibility of each person to keep their list up to date. And when the shopping happens, gift-givers quietly delete items so others don’t duplicate their gift!

NAME

Updated: (be sure to make a note here when you make changes to your list!) 

  • $1-$5 Gifts: Your categories may differ, depending on the ages in your family and your personal budgets. We have to consider young children, teenagers, college students, and adults of all sorts.
  • $5-$15 Gifts: If you have specific items in mind, you might include links to places these might be found. Many in our families are avid readers, so we often have lists of books here – and links to Amazon.com or Thriftbooks.com to make it easy
  • $15-$30 Gifts:  Grown-up level
  • Big Gifts: Because you never know when someone might find a great deal, or several people collaborate
  • Crafts, Work, and Services: Busy people may appreciate help with a particular hard-to-schedule need. One of Hal’s hopes last year was for help replacing our garage door – and two of our adult sons came over and made a weekend project of it!

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Filed Under: Making Biblical Family Life Practical Tagged With: big family gifts, christmas, Christmas shopping, gift giving, wish list

Holiday Stress – and What We Do About It! – MBFLP 271

October 26, 2021 by Hal and Melanie Young Leave a Comment

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” the song says … and one of the busiest and most stressful, too! What can we do to maintain the spirit of celebration while the season’s demands pile on top of our already-full lives? What practical steps can we take to lighten the load and get the really important things done? As the homeschooling parents of eight kids, starting and running a business from home at the same time, trust us – we’ve been there. Join us in this special edition where we talk about the realities of homeschooling, home business, and the holidays!

Holidays are Opportunities

The Bible has some holidays which were commandments, at least to the Israelites. God gave the ceremonies of Passover and told the people that when they came to the promised land, “you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever.” (Exodus 12:24) Why was that? “It shall be as a sign to you … and as a memorial …” (Exodus 13:9). There are questions and answers expected so the elders pass on their faith to the younger generations –

“Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you …” (Deuteronomy 32:7)

Even though we don’t have a Biblical commandment to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas, they are opportunities to connect our families — and ourselves — with the goodness of God in His provision for life now and life hereafter!

[For good measure, consider when the exiles returned to rebuild Jerusalem and celebrated the recovery of the Law. After a marathon reading of the Word of God, the governor Nehemiah told the people, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)]

The challenge to us is to be sure to focus on the message, and not be overwhelmed by the daily responsibilities and the seasonal additions!

(continued …)

Think About Priorities

Have you seen the illustration of loading rocks and gravel into a big container? The only way to maximize what fits is to load the biggest things first, then smaller ones to fill in the gaps. Your daily (weekly, monthly) plan is the same way – you need to consider the most important, top-priority matters first, and fit them into your schedule before the secondary things.

And in a season when you need to be sure your children and your family hear the good news of the Messiah’s birth and really think about God’s mercies and provision over the past year … maybe it’s not as critical to do every single worksheet in the curriculum every day. Sometimes you can bring holiday-related subjects into the schoolwork (baking and cooking is a great way to work on weights and measures and fractions; Charles Dickens and George MacDonald can provide reading materials; personalized greeting cards are good handwriting practice!)

Listen in for more thoughts and ideas that can make your holiday season less anxious and more joyful this year!

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Filed Under: Making Biblical Family Life Practical Tagged With: christmas, entertaining, family gatherings, family stress, holidays, stress, thanksgiving

Investigate the Mystery of Christmas

December 21, 2020 by Laura Leave a Comment

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #126 Investigate the Mystery of Christmas, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Investigate the Mystery of Christmas

In “Investigate the Mystery of Christmas,” Episode, #126, Meredith Curtis calls you to put on your detective hat and solve a mystery with her! Meredith takes you on a tour of the Old Testament looking for clues that point to a spectacular event in Bethlehem! Are you ready to investigate the Mystery of Mysteries?

 

 


Rejoice! for unto to us a child is born! - with Powerline Productions, Inc.

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 

 

 


Show Notes

Have you ever read a cozy mystery?

You match wits with a detective to figure out who did the dastardly deed?

There is a mystery in the Old Testament. It includes a dastardly deed in a Garden and a hero who makes a plan to save the day! He leaves clues throughout the centuries to raise the expectation level of those who need to be rescued.

The Snake Clue (Seed of a Woman)

Clue: Genesis 3:15

Mystery Revealed: Galatians 4:4

The Genealogy Clue (Descendant of Abraham)

Clue: Genesis 12:3

Mystery Revealed: Galatians 3:16

The Second Genealogy Clue (Tribe of Judah)

Clue: Genesis 49:10

Mystery Revealed: Matthew 1:1

The Descendant Clues (Descendant of David)

Clue: Psalm 132:11 & Jeremiah 23:5-6

Mystery Revealed: Romans 1:1-3

The Deity Clue (Son of God)

Clue: Proverbs 30:4

Mystery Revealed: Matthew 3:17

The Name Clues (Called Jehovah God)

Clue: Jeremiah 23:5-6 & Isaiah 9:6

Mystery Revealed: John 8:24 & John 8:58

The Miracle Birth Clue (Born of a Virgin)

Clue: Isaiah 7:14

Mystery Revealed: Luke 1:34-35

The Hometown Clue (Born in Bethlehem)

Clue: Micah 5:2

Mystery Revealed: Luke 2:4-6

The Ministry location Clue (Minister in Galilee)

Clue: Isaiah 9:1-2

Mystery Revealed: Matthew 4:13

The Miracles Clue (Jesus’ Miracles)

Clue: Isaiah 35:5-6

Mystery Revealed: John 11:47

The Resurrection Clue (Resurrection from the Dead)

Clue: Psalm 16:10

Mystery Revealed: Acts 13:35-37

The Gold Medal Victory Clue (Victory Over Death)

Clue: Isaiah 25:8

Mystery Revealed: Hebrew 2:14 & John 19:30

The Priest Clue (A Priest like Melchizedek)

Clue: Psalm 110:4

Mystery Revealed: Hebrews 5:5-6

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100 Homeschool Hacks by Meredith CurtisSign up for our newsletter and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks. You can sign up here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources

Celebrate Christmas with Anne of Green Gables Unit Study by Meredith Curtis and Powerline Productions Celebrate Christmas in Germany Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with Cookies Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas in Colonial America by Meredith Curtis
Christmas Thoughts & Prayers Journal by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with a traveling dinner by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette Christmas Counting Worksheets by Meredith Curtis Maggie King Mysteries: Legend of the Candy Cane Murder by Meredith Curtis

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

Finish Well Homeschooling Podcast, Podcast #103, Happy Birthday Creator-King, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network Finish Well Radio Badge, Podcast #060, 7 Benefits of Reading Classics Inexpensive Presents Your Peeps Will Love Finish Well Radio, Podcast #079, Why We Love Hallmark Christmas Movies, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network

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Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: Bible, Christian, Christianity, christmas, Education, Families, family, Finish Well, holiday, homeschooling, Jesus, Laura Nolette, Meredith Curtis, Mystery, Parent, Prophesy, teen

Virtual Gift Ideas for Homeschooling Families

December 16, 2020 by Meryl van der Merwe Leave a Comment

112: Virtual Gift Ideas for Homeschooling Families

Virtual Gift Ideas for Homeschool Families

If you are looking for a last-minute gift, these virtual gift ideas will help you out.

1. DIY Virtual Gifts – listen to our previous episode for ideas.

Show sponsor FundaFunda Academy has a unit study to guide your children through creating digital gifts – you can find that here.

2. Premium Version of apps – Some examples: Strava, All Trails, Spotify

3. Digital Magazines

4. Digital Escape Rooms

Show sponsor FundaFunda Academy sells two – Mystery of the Amber Room and Mosby’s Treasure.

5. Annual subscriptions to National Parks, Zoos, Museums, etc

6. Gift Cards – some example: Steam, Uber Eats, H&M

7. eBooks

8. Subscription boxes – Kiwi Crate, Coffee, International Snacks, Makeup boxes

9. Online Classes – some examples: Masterclass, Airbnb virtual experiences
Show sponsor FundaFunda Academy sells an Intro to Game Programming Class that comes with a printable gift certifcate that makes a great option for 4th – 12th graders.

10. Digital Games – iPad, Steam

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. We would love to hear how you are using tech in early elementary homeschooling!

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.

Virtual Gift Ideas for Homeschool Families

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Filed Under: Homeschooling with Technology Tagged With: christmas, Gifts, homeschooling, Meryl van der Merwe, podcast

11 Reasons Books Make Great Gifts

December 7, 2020 by Laura Leave a Comment

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #125 11 Reasons Books Make Great Gifts, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

11 Reasons Books Make Great Gifts

In “11 Reasons Books Make Great Gifts,” Episode #125, Meredith Curtis gives you remarkable evidence that giving books for Christmas and birthday presents is a super idea and a lifetime investment in those you love. Meredith inspires you to give books and then gives a host of book gift suggestions! Get ready to rock Christmas this year with all kinds of literature, living books, and picture books.

 

 


Rejoice! for unto to us a child is born! - with Powerline Productions, Inc.

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 

 

 


Show Notes

Think about your favorite Christmas present.

Do you still have it? Probably not.

Yet, I have read Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, and Anne of Green Gables numerous times and they’re still on my bookshelf.

Let me inspire you with 11 reasons books make great gifts a give as Christmas and birthdays presents.

 

Books Are Not Expensive

Books are much cheaper than a bicycle, PlayStation, or designer sneakers.

 

Books Are Easy to Buy Online

Online bookstores are everywhere! Many have free shipping if you spend a small amount of money. My favorite online bookstores:

  • Great Christian Books
  • Lifeway
  • Media Angels
  • Master Books
  • Our Books At Amazon

You can even find used bookstores online that let you know what condition the book is in. This allows you to give a “like new” used book as a Christmas present.

My favorite used bookstores:

  • Thrift Books
  • Bright Light Books

You can buy E-books for people, too. Besides Kindle on Amazon, you can shop here at our store, Powerline Productions.

 

Books Are Easy to Wrap

I love how easy books are to wrap!

 

Books Can Be Read Over & Over Again

Books are reusable. You can read them again and again and again.

 

Books Are Always The Right Size

Forget about returning something because it doesn’t fit. Books are always the right size.

Keep in mind larger print for children and older folks, speaking of size.

 

There Are An Endless Variety Of Options

There are so many possibilities when it comes to books. Purchase a book about a hobby, a biography of someone admired, an inspirational book to offer hope, a how-to book for the do-it-yourselfer, historical fiction for the history buff, travel books for the traveler, classic novel for the literature-love, and I could go on and on and on. There are endless possibilities when it comes to books.

And don’t forget picture books. Everyone loves a well-written beautifully illustrated picture book. Oh, and picture books for adults are called “coffee table books.”

 

Books Last A Lifetime

If you take good care of a book and store it properly on a sturdy bookshelf, books last a lifetime.

 

Books Take You On Adventures

Stories take you on an adventure. Crack open a novel and you could end up chasing pirates, spying in a foreign country, catching bank robbers, guarding a queen, backpacking across Europe, meeting the love of your life, or meeting your long-lost grandfather. Literature can be thrilling!

 

Books Can Take You To Other Places & Time Periods

Novels and living books take you to other times and places around the world. Travel back in time through a history book or historical fiction. Use a travel guide, living book, or geographical novel to take you to another place.

 

Books Impact A Person’s Mind & Character

Books, like movies and TV shows, shape our character and impart values. If you give wholesome, Christ-honoring books to people, you are impacting them at the deepest level.

 

Giving Books Places High Value On Books & Reading

When you give books, you give a shout-out for education. You declare that books are valuable and reading is not only for education, but for pleasure, too.

 

Book Ideas for Young Children

 

Here’s our family’s favorite Christmas picture books.

Powerlineprod.com Blog, Inspirational Pictures Books Your Children will Love by Meredith Curtis

 

 

Here’s are family’s favorite picture books.

Powerlineprod.com Blog, Our Family's Favorite Picture Books, by Meredith Curtis

 

Here’s some amazing Christian hero picture books.

PowerlineProd.com Blog, Inspire Your Children with Christian Super Hero Picture Books, by Meredith Curtis

 

These picture books teach kids about geography and counting at the same time!

PowerlineProd.com Blog, Geography/Counting Picture Books Your Children will Love, by Meredith Curtis

 

Book Ideas for Children

Inspire children with Christian hero biographies!

PowerlineProd.com Blog, Inspire Your Children with Christian Super-Hero Biographies, by Meredith Curtis

Great list of children’s mystery series in this post!

Old Schoolhouse Magazine Blog, Classic Mystery Series for Young Mystery Lovers, by Meredith Curtis

 

Book Ideas for Teens & Adults

These books are amazing! Great ideas here!

PowerlineProd.com Blog, Classics Every Christian Should Have in Their Library, by Meredith Curtis

 

Consider give your favorite cozy mystery buff a vintage “Golden-Age” novel.

PowerlineProd.com Blog, Vintage Books for the Cozy Mystery Lover, by Meredith Curtis

Books for Mom!

PowerlineProd.com Blog, My Favorite Books on Motherhood, by Meredith Curtis

Book Ideas for Homeschooling Families—All Ages

More than books in this list, but great book ideas here for your ancient history buff.

PowerlineProd.com Blog, Ancient History Resources Your Family Will Love, By Meredith Curtis

 

Here are some books and other resources for the archeology buff!

PowerlineProd.com Blog, Archaeology Resources Your Family Will Love, by Meredith Curtis

Sign up for our Newsletter

100 Homeschool Hacks by Meredith CurtisSign up for our newsletter and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks. You can sign up here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources

Celebrate Christmas with Anne of Green Gables Unit Study by Meredith Curtis and Powerline Productions Celebrate Christmas in Germany Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with Cookies Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas in Colonial America by Meredith Curtis
Christmas Thoughts & Prayers Journal by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with a traveling dinner by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette Christmas Counting Worksheets by Meredith Curtis Maggie King Mysteries: Legend of the Candy Cane Murder by Meredith Curtis

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

Finish Well Homeschooling Podcast, Podcast #103, Happy Birthday Creator-King, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network Finish Well Radio Badge, Podcast #060, 7 Benefits of Reading Classics Inexpensive Presents Your Peeps Will Love Finish Well Radio, Podcast #079, Why We Love Hallmark Christmas Movies, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network

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Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: Bible, book, Christian, Christianity, christmas, Education, Families, family, Finish Well, Gift, holiday, homeschooling, Jesus, Laura Nolette, Meredith Curtis, Parent, teen

Hosting the Holidays

November 19, 2020 by Sharon Rice Leave a Comment

Hosting the Holidays

Hosting the Holidays – Episode 90

 

In this episode, we talk about some ideas and tips on how to host the holidays stress free!

 

Tips:

  1. Plan your menu

  2. Make a schedule

  3. Plan your table – create a table setting

  4. Don’t forget serving dishes

  5. Make a shopping list

  6. Prepart ahead – make and complete tasks ahead of time if you can.

  7. Keep to your schedule.

And breathe! Relax and Enjoy!

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter

Please visit www.fpea.com to learn more about who we are!

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Filed Under: FPEA-Connects, Uncategorized Tagged With: christmas, holidays, hosting, thanksgiving

Create Treasured Memories with a Christmas Unit Study

November 16, 2020 by Laura Leave a Comment

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #124, Create Treasured Memories with a Christmas Unit Study, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Create Treasured Memories with a Christmas Unit Study

In “Create Treasured Memories with a Christmas Unit Study,” Episode, #124, Meredith Curtis gives you step-by-step instructions to create your own unit study after she shares how unit studies refresh your family for the month of December. Breakaway from the routine with a unit study so you can celebrate Christmas all month long, create memories, make gifts, decorate, and prepare for the holidays while you learn! If you want a Christmas educational and wonder-filled adventure for your family, you will love this podcast!

.


Rejoice! for unto to us a child is born! - with Powerline Productions, Inc.

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 

 

 


Show Notes

Christmas is a busy time for the homeschool Mom. May I suggest a lighter schedule or even a complete change of pace?

There are two different tracks you can take.

  1. Count Christmas activities and preparations as school.
  2. Do a Christmas Unit Study

 

Count Christmas Activities as school

  • Handwriting (address or sign Christmas cards)
  • Home Ec (bake Christmas cookies)
  • Art (make Christmas presents)
  • Music (go Christmas caroling)
  • Geography (celebrate traditions from other countries)
  • History (listen to older family members tell stories)
  • Writing (write the family Christmas letter)

 

Do a Christmas Unit Study

  • Subject of unit study focuses on Christmas
  • The Christmas hustle/bustle is part of school

 

Our Favorite Christmas Unit Studies

  • Celebrate Christmas in Colonial America
  • Celebrate Christmas with Anne of Green Gables
  • Celebrate Christmas around the World
  • Celebrate Christmas in Victorian England (except we couldn’t find a goose)
  • Celebrate the First Christmas
  • Celebrate Christmas in Florida
  • Celebrate Christmas in Mexico

 

So many treasured memories of crafting, cooking, decorating, shopping, wrapping presents, and throwing parties.

Choose a Topic

  • What sounds fun?
  • Age and interest level of children?
  • Ability to read, write, and research
  • What sounds Christmasy?
  • What are some things that we’ve always wanted to do at Christmas?
  • What are some things we just have to do at Christmas?
  • What are some things we’d like to learn about Christmas (or another topic)?
  • What makes everyone say, “WOW! That sounds fun!”

 

Center Unit Studies on Good Books that you Read Aloud

Nothing is more Christmasy than snuggling up together and listening to a good book.  There are many good Christmas read alouds, but it doesn’t have to be a Christmas book.

NO ONE is TOO old for a beautifully illustrated well-written picture book.

 

Example of Celebrate Christmas with Cookies Unit Study

Picture Book each day

Singing Christmas carols each day

Devotion, cookie baking, and activities match up!

  Celebrate Christmas with Unit Studies at Powerline Productions

 

End Unit Study with a Party & Giving Gifts to Family & Friends

  • Caroling Party for C C w C
  • Tea for C C in C A
  • Wreathes and Booklets were our family Christmas gifts that year of the CCinCA unit

 

What makes a Christmas Unit Study Different?

  • Don’t straight-jacket yourself, be creative
  • Think about what you need to accomplish for the holidays
  • Think about what you and the children…..and your husband….would really enjoy
  • Think about any baking, cooking, gift wrapping, shopping, or crafting that needs to be done.

 

Don’t Forget Field Trips

Almost every store, museum, bank, business, and church decorates for Christmas.  Just going on your weekly errands, you can discuss Christmas decorations.  You can observe whether these places are saying, “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.”  You could even collect data and make a bar graph!

“Tour of Homes” where you get to visit lovely homes decorated for Christmas.  Often they serve hot drinks.  Going at night is usually the best because of all the candlelight and twinkle lights.  There is so much history to learn on these tours, as well as information on architecture and remodeling.

Holiday concerts, plays, and productions are annual events in your city that you and your children may have not yet enjoyed.  Our local community college, Seminole Community College, offers free holiday concerts that are wonderful!

Free Messiah sing-a-long that we have enjoyed participating in.

Free church performances in our area.  The talent in the Body of Christ never ceases to amaze me.  We have enjoyed concerts and plays that were excellent for free or a nominal fee.

“Walk Through Bethlehem”

 

Don’t Limit Yourself!

Even Christmas shopping can be educational if you start with a budget.  Your children can make a list and check it twice, comparing sales, and sticking to the money allotted.  They can do the same with holiday grocery shopping!

 

How to Plan a Unit Study

  • List books you want to read aloud
  • List all the activities you would like to do
  • Lay out paper or computer file with topics for each day (you won’t use up all the topics each day, but you can use this to evaluate balance of for time and mess!)
  • Divide them by categories and days

 

Topics to Fill for Record Keeping & Variety’s sake!

  • Bible
  • Information
  • Read Aloud
  • Handwriting
  • Homemaking
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Music
  • Science
  • History/Geography
  • Math
  • Service/Hospitality
  • Field Trips
  • More Fun

 

Resources

We have 4 amazing Christmas unit studies that you will love! Visit PowerlineProd.com to explore our easy-to-use unit studies and start making memories with your family right away!

 

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Resources

Celebrate Christmas with Anne of Green Gables Unit Study by Meredith Curtis and Powerline Productions Celebrate Christmas in Germany Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with Cookies Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas in Colonial America by Meredith Curtis
Let's Have Our Own Victorian Tea by Meredith Curtis Welcome Inn: The Art of Hospitality in Jesus' Name by Meredith Curtis Jesus Fill My Heart and Home by Meredith Curtis Quick & EZ Unit Study Fun by Meredith Curtis
Christmas Thoughts & Prayers Journal by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with a traveling dinner by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette Christmas Counting Worksheets by Meredith Curtis Maggie King Mysteries: Legend of the Candy Cane Murder by Meredith Curtis

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

Finish Well Radio Podcast #016, Jerusalem News with the Finish Well Team, on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network Christmas Traditions Teens Love, Finish Well Radio Show Podcast #028 on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network FW Radio - Podcast #54 - The Birthday That Cut History In Two FW Radio - Podcast #55 - Start Strong and Finish Well With Christmas Traditions

https://media.blubrry.com/uhsrnetwork/p/ins.blubrry.com/uhsrnetwork/fw-124-christmas.mp3

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Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: Bible, Christian, Christianity, christmas, Education, Families, family, Finish Well, holiday, homeschooling, Jesus, Laura Nolette, Meredith Curtis, Parent, teen, unit study
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