How Our Co-op Began

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Finish Well Radio, Podcast #075, How Our Co-op Began with Meredith Curtis and Laura NoletteIn “How Our Co-op Began,” Episode #075, Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette reminisce together about history days in the early 2000s where they combined families to spend one day a week studying history with hands-on fun, reading aloud, and listening to audios. As they began to include other friends, a homeschool co-op was born. Learn how they used food to involve the entire family in their studies, especially the hungry dads. Glean ideas for your own co-oping adventure.

 

 

 

 


Powerline Productions, Inc. Families Learning Together American History Books

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

We offer books and ebooks to help you homeschool to the Glory of God!

 


Show Notes

Meet Laura & Meredith and their kids

History Days

Reading aloud

Listening to Diana Waring audios

Crafts, Sewing, Art Appreciation, Drama, Creating Radio Shows, Models

Timelines, Maps

Cooking & Baking

What we studied over the years: American History, British History, Geography, World History

Adding Friends

The homeschool friend whose mom started working and wanted some time with other people

The homeschool friend whose mom couldn’t teach physics

The mom who was struggling

A Co-op Is Birthed

Adding more families

What didn’t work anymore: Listening to Audios, laid back schedule

What continued: reading aloud, hands-on fun, timelines, maps

Memories

Which was Better?

Not really sure; both were perfect for us in the season we were in.

Happy Homeschooling!

Resources

Joyful and Successful Homeschooling by Meredith CurtisQuick & EZ Unit Study Fun by Meredith CurtisSeven R's of Homeschooling by Meredith CurtisUnlocking the Mystery of Homeschooling High School by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette

 

 

 

 

 


Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Change is in the Air Movie

This story embraces the imperfections that make us human, offers a way to set ourselves free and asks us all to take a good, long look at the wild birds in the sky.

Watch the trailer here!


Incorporating Life Skills

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Incorporating Life Skills

Podcast #58

In this epidsoce, we discuss incorporating life skills into your homeschool day. It is so important to pass on those life skills to our children. Homeschoolers have a unique opportunity to learn life skills in the home on a daily basis. Incorporating those lessons throughout the day in your homeschool lessons, will help your children be better prepared for adult life.

Some topics we discussed:

  • Time Management
  • Car maintenance
  • Sewing
  • Cooking
  • Personal Finance
  • Meal Planning
  • Grocery Shopping
  • and more!

 

Books we mentioned on our show:

Clean My Space by Melissa Maker

The Organized Homeschool Life: A Week-By-Week Guide to Homeschool Sanity by Dr. Melanie Wilson


Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor, Kiwi Crate!

 

We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Kiwi Crate!

KiwiCo has monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun! Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art, and math — accessible and are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning. Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits.

Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network is excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer, click here to get your first month free today (just pay $4.95 for shipping)


Connect With Us

Find homeschooling information on our website, at www.FPEA.com

Follow us on:

FACEBOOK

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PINTEREST

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The Kitchen Explosion

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Finish Well Radio Show, Podcast #069, The Kitchen ExplosionIn “The Kitchen Explosion,” Episode #069, you will get an inside look at a bustling high-energy homeschooling family. Sometimes in an attempt to make history come alive, I, Meredith Curtis have gone too far. How about you? Have you stepped out with enthusiasm only to have to call the fire department? Should we play it safe or step out with courage to live the adventure? I think learning should be fun and exciting! There is so much to learn everywhere, every day. Even if sometimes, there is an explosion in the kitchen.

 

 

 


PLP Ad, Learn History & Geography in the KitchenPowerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

We offer books and ebooks to help you homeschool to the Glory of God!

 

 

 

 

 


Show Notes

Studying 100 Years War. Wanted to Make it Come Alive.  Gunpowder. Smoky fields.

Making Smoke Bombs. Didn’t realize how dangerous. Pretty pink flame and KABOOM!

Just to make it clear: I believe in safety.

 

The Quest for Adventure

Instilled in us by the Lord who is the God of the Adventure Story.

The Flood, The Tower, Elijah and the Prophets of Baal, Fiery Furnace, Daniel in the Lion’s Den, Lazarus, The Resurrection.

 

Try Something New

Fly an Airplane

Pick Up an Instrument

Write a song….or a poem….or a novel

Pets (Cat Show, Skipper)

 

Do It a Different Way

Painting a Map on the Bathroom Wall

Make a Website

Interview Someone Who Was There

Make a Radio Show

 

Get Your Hands Dirty

Dissections. Yuck!

My labs in college.

Panning for Gold.

Gardening

 

Travel

Learning Never Takes a Vacation.

Sand Crab Hunting

Sea World Passes

Teddy Roosevelt’s House Sagamore Hill, NY

Let’s Stop in Puerto Rice on the Way to Pittsburgh

 

Parties

Medieval Banquet

Luau

Victorian Teas

Olympic Games

Passover Feast

Sock Hop

Literary Party

Balancing “Perfect” and Family – MBFLP 153

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

 

Hal and Melanie 1400x1400

 

Don’t blame Pinterest – there has always been a temptation to seek the perfect house, the perfect project, the perfect celebration … and frustration that our very imperfect spouse and children gum up the works. Before there was social media, there were glossy magazines, and before that, critical in-laws and neighbors to keep up with.  While it’s nice to have nice things and impressive events, we shouldn’t ignore that the skills we teach and the memories we make with our family will be a large part of the legacy that remains when children leave home and grandparents pass away! This episode we talk about balancing the desire for perfection with the reality of our family!

This program is brought to you in part by
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Teaching Your Kids to Cook – MBFLP 135

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

MBFLP 135 Teaching Kids to Cook V

In the hurry and distraction of modern life, one critical skill which is falling aside is cooking – and we don’t mean microwave dinners or shake-the-box mac and cheese! Having the ability to plan and prepare even a few simple meals will open doors for independence, family life, and even ministry opportunities. You don’t have to be an executive chef to win this game. This episode, Melanie goes to the home of great American cooking, the Pelican State – Louisiana – and talks with our good friend Jan Smith about how to teach kids the basics of good, balanced, and delicious home cooking. It’s easier than you think … and you can start earlier than you probably imagine!

This program is brought to you in part by
Schoolhouse Teachers banner-468x60Click here for more information!

MBFLP 114 – Three Days to Un-Stress Dinner

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

MBFLP - UnStress Dinner

 

“I’m hungry, Mom!” or “What’s for dinner, Honey?” – two statements that strike dread in your heart?

We tried the once-a-month cooking plan and came to dread it!

Instead, Melanie created her own plan which can help you save time and money but offer more flexibility in your menus – and less destruction in your kitchen!

CLICK HERE for downloadable ideas to save time and trouble in the kitchen! 

VISIT our FACEBOOK page!

 

MBFLP 109 – Christmas Baking

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

MBFLP - Christmas Baking V

We love Christmas for so many reasons, but one thing we look forward to the most is the baking — and since we’re a large family, we do a lot of it. If you’ve got the recipes, the trick becomes how to manage it all – what to cook when, deciding which child should help with which thing, and keeping the creative destruction from annihilating your kitchen! This episode, Melanie shares some of her secrets for filling a home with sweet aromas and memories that linger even longer —

Laundry and Dishes and Dust–Oh My! FAH Episode 8

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Laundry dishes dust

Laundry and dishes and dust–oh my! Laundry and dishes and dust!

Do you ever feel like you’re walking through a dark, creepy forest, but instead of the unknown threats of lions and tigers and bears, you’re facing a never-ending mountain of laundry and dishes and dust?

Sometimes the busyness of life can overwhelm us and tempt us to forget the profound significance of our work as homemakers. In this episode, we’ll consider the importance of homemaking with a grateful heart; learn some practical tips for housework, organization, and cooking; and find encouragement in the real significance of even the seemingly small tasks of our daily lives.