Vintage HS Moms – De-Junking & Homeschool Organization

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Are you ready for a fresh start this coming new year? But where do you start, and how do you avoid losing those important documents or treasured mementos along the way? Fear not, for Felice Gerwitz and Meredith Curtis, experienced homeschoolers, are here to share their invaluable insights and tips on how to navigate the maze of dejunking and organizing for a smooth-sailing academic year.

Let’s Talk About DeJunking & Homeschool Organization for the New Year

Are you ready for a fresh start this coming new year? Want to know more about homeschool organization and decluttering?  But where do you start, and how do you avoid losing those important documents or treasured mementos along the way? Fear not, for Felice Gerwitz and Meredith Curtis, experienced homeschoolers, are here to share their invaluable insights and tips on how to navigate the maze of dejunking and organizing for a smooth-sailing academic year.

with Felice Gerwitz & Meredith Curtis 

You will so love this! Felice and Meredith share years of experience in homeschooling and now, they discuss great tips for getting your life organized and not losing those precious treasures or important documents.

➡️Episode Sponsored by the 10th Birthday Celebration Sponsors of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network ✔️ out the $350 giveaway, too!

 

Felice & Meredith: A Wealth of Experience

As hosts of numerous homeschooling podcasts, authors of insightful books, and mentors to many, Felice Gerwitz and Meredith Curtis bring a wealth of experience to the table. Their journey through the realm of homeschooling has provided them with a deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs that come with the territory.

The Art of Dejunking and Homeschool Organization

Dejunking – a word that might sound a bit daunting, but fear not! Felice and Meredith emphasize the importance of decluttering to create an environment conducive to learning. But how do you begin this process without feeling overwhelmed?

“Start small,” advises Meredith. *”Don’t try to declutter your entire home in a day. Begin with one room or even one corner. Set achievable goals that won’t leave you feeling exhausted or demotivated.”*

The duo also stresses the significance of involving the whole family. Dejunking can be a shared venture, teaching children the value of organization and decluttering while fostering a sense of responsibility.

“Make it a fun activity,”*Felice suggests. “Create challenges or set time limits for decluttering sessions. Encourage kids to find items they no longer use or need, promoting a sense of ownership over their space.”

Organizing: A Key to Success

With a decluttered space comes the need for effective organization. Felice and Meredith understand the importance of preserving important documents and cherished memories.

“Invest in organizational tools,” says Meredith. “Folders, filing systems, or even digital storage can be lifesavers when it comes to keeping track of academic records, certificates, or cherished keepsakes. Labeling and categorizing are your best friends in this journey.”

However, they also stress the significance of finding a balance between sentimentality and practicality.

“While it’s essential to treasure memories,”* Felice shares, *”it’s equally important to be selective about what you keep. Encourage kids to choose their most cherished items, and perhaps consider digitizing some memories to save space.”

The new year brings with it an opportunity for a fresh start, and organizing is the cornerstone of success.

Felice Gerwitz and Meredith Curtis offer a treasure trove of tips and guidance to navigate the often-daunting task of dejunking and organizing. Their insights not only ensure a clutter-free environment but also foster a sense of responsibility and organization among the family members.

So, as you gear up for the new year, take a cue from these seasoned homeschooling experts. Start small, involve the whole family, invest in organizational tools, and find the balance between sentimentality and practicality. Here’s to a well-organized, clutter-free, and successful academic year!


More Dejunking and Homeschool Organization Resources

Exploring Biblical Themes Through Cinema: Teaching the Bible with Movies

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

 Using movies to teach the Bible | Home for Learning blog post

Teaching the Bible with Movies

Hey there, homeschoolers! Are you ready to dive into an exciting world where movies meet the Bible? If you love stories and adventures, you’re in for a treat. We’re about to show you how movies can take you on a thrilling ride through the pages of the Bible, helping you understand its amazing stories and lessons like never before. Get ready for an adventure that combines the magic of movies with the wisdom of the Bible! Be prepared for the Holy Spirit to be on the move and for older children to learn more deeply the story of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Discovering Deeper Meanings in Bible Stories

Imagine stepping into a world where biblical stories come to life on the big screen. Just like your favorite characters in movies, the Bible has its main characters who embark on incredible journeys. These journeys are packed with challenges, triumphs, and important lessons. When you watch movies about these stories, like “The Prince of Egypt” or “The Chronicles of Narnia,” you get to know these main characters like friends. You’ll witness their struggles and victories, and you’ll learn the values and lessons that are hidden within these ancient tales. And the best part is that these scriptural narratives are a true story, teaching Biblical truth through Biblical events.

Learning Through the Magic of Animation

Have you ever watched an animated movie that made you feel like you were part of the adventure? Well, imagine that feeling while learning about Bible stories! Animated Bible movies use colorful visuals and exciting animations to make the stories come alive. For younger homeschoolers, movies like “Finding Nemo” or “The Nativity Story” are not only entertaining but also teach important lessons from the Bible. It’s like learning while having a great time in fresh ways.

Discussing Movies with Your Homeschool Group

Learning with your family and friends can be so much fun. With movies, you can turn learning into a shared adventure. Imagine watching “The Ten Commandments” or “Noah” with your homeschool group, and then discussing the characters’ choices and the messages of the stories. It’s like having your movie club where everyone gets to share their thoughts and learn from each other. You’ll find God’s word to have one great lesson after another.

Journeying Through Different Cultures and Times

Movies have this amazing ability to transport you to different places and times. In the Bible, there are stories from ancient Egypt, the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, and even the story of Noah and his ark. When you watch movies about these stories, you’re not just learning about the Bible. You’re also exploring different cultures and times. It’s like going on a time-traveling adventure without leaving your living room!

Supporting Parents in Teaching Complex Ideas

Parents, just like teachers, sometimes use movies to help explain things more simply. Some Bible stories can be a bit complex, but movies can break them down and make them easier to understand. If you’ve ever wondered about stories like the life of Jesus Christ or the story of Joseph, movies can help you see these stories from a fresh perspective. There are also special apps and websites with tons of Bible movie resources, making learning about the Bible even more exciting!

Bringing the Bible to Life: From Small Screens to Big Lessons

As homeschoolers, you’re on a unique journey of learning, and movies can be your companions along the way. From animated tales to epic adventures like “The Prince of Egypt,” movies help you explore the wonders of the Bible in ways you’ve never imagined. These movies make the stories exciting and engaging, and they’re packed with life lessons that you can carry with you. By watching, discussing, and learning from these cinematic gems, you’re not just learning about the Bible. You’re also building a deep connection with its stories, themes, and teachings.

Bible Movies: a Journey Fun

Congratulations, homeschoolers! You’ve just embarked on an adventure that blends the magic of movies with the wisdom of the Bible. Through the power of animation and cinematic storytelling, you’ve explored ancient tales, witnessed the struggles of the main characters, and learned important life lessons. With every movie you watch, you’re delving into a world where stories from the Bible come alive, guiding you through different cultures and times. So keep watching, keep learning, and keep discovering the incredible stories and teachings that the Bible holds. Your journey through the world of biblical movies has just begun, and it’s a journey filled with excitement, wonder, and the joy of learning.


This blog post is sponsored by:

Route 60: The Biblical Highway

Planning in Strange Times | Replay

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Planning in Strange Times

This week on Life Skills 101 Podcast with Lisa Nehring – Let’s talk about Planning in Strange Times with Tamera Pool!  Listen in for some great tips.

(Favorite FREE RESOURCES found here.)

Here are some show notes for you:

  • Examine what your kids need, and help them plan how to address it
  • Don’t be afraid to ask God what you need
  • Pray for your kids
  • Remember; you don’t always need what everyone says you need
    • Borrow
    • Buy used
  • Know your goals
  • Be specific in your goals
  • Make back up plans in case your plan A isn’t viable
  • Be proactive
    • Don’t get things done at the last minute

Resources from TNHA to help with your planning in strange times!

Using Planners with your High School Students

 

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO Life Skills 101 VIA COMPUTER

  1. 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 iPHONE

  1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone
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  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*

We love coming alongside fellow homeschoolers to offer encouragement and support! Let us know how we can support YOU!

Replay: Communication Skills with Special Needs

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Communication Skills with Special Needs and Struggling LearnersCommunication Skills with Special Needs and Struggling Learners

Do you struggle with communication skills with your special needs or struggling learner? Listen in to this episode with Lisa & Peggy.

with Peggy Ployhar

  1.  Communication is way more than speaking
  2. Communication Skills Improve Future Outcome
  3. The Three Basic means of communications
  4. 4 ways to incorporate communication skills into your regular schooling.

Sponsored by True North Homeschool Academy  True North Homeschool Academy offers live on-line Special Needs Classes-,

Special Needs Academic Advising  and Testing. Live, on-line, small group, dynamic, interactive and fun!

To teach your SPED kids communication skills:

  • Get your kids talking- utilize film- help them see themselves communicating and then give them gentle instruction and ways for improving.
  • Help kids realize that conflict happens when communicating. Give them tools and skills to deal with conflict, including developing empathy and understanding the other side of the story.
  • Above all, listen and obey where God is taking you.

SPED Homeschool

You can tune in every Tuesday evening on the SPED Homeschool Facebook page to watch Peggy host SPED Homeschool Conversations

or you can join her daily on her personal YouTube channel, Daily Revelations.

To see a listing of Peggy’s upcoming Facebook live broadcasts, check out the  SPED Homeschool Facebook Event page. For past broadcasts, check out the SPED Homeschool YouTube channel or podcast site.

True North Homeschool Academy is her to come alongside you as you homeschool your Special Needs or Struggling Learner.

Special Needs Classes- Live, on-line, small group, dynamic, interactive and fun!

Special Needs Academic Advising 

Testing – done in the privacy of your own home. Safe, secure, results come to you!

Listen to more episodes here!

Homeschool Teaching Checklist | Replay

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

the best homeschool teaching checklists s podcast replay vintage homeschool momsLet’s Talk About Your Homeschool Teaching Checklist!

with your host Felice Gerwitz

Do you have a Homeschool Teaching Checklist? It’s time to get personal. How are you doing? But you may be saying, “Hold on! We just started school.” And that’s why this podcast is soooooo important. Before the year gets away from you and you waste an entire year, let’s look at your methodology, how the kids are doing, and most importantly, the sense you feel at the end of the day. Is it one of satisfaction or one of thinking you are not getting enough done? I’ll explore some tried and true methods and explain ways to short-cut your child’s education without sacrificing true learning.

Listen to this podcast on giving your child time to find their passion here.

Handout: 49-VHM_TeachingCheckList

Show notes: 

 

Thanks to our sponsor, CTCMath.com – we are pleased for their continued excellence in education and dedication to the homeschool community. It is due to sponsorships that our programs continue to come to you without cost. Please visit the website and check out their curriculum.

Different teaching philosophies in the homeschool world:

 

  • Charlotte Mason
  • Classical Education
  • Notebooking
  • Unit Studies
  • Textbook/Workbook
  • Eclectic
  • Unschooling

Enjoy this podcast? Try these Vintage Homeschool Moms podcasts:

Just for homeschool moms. Vintage Homeschool Moms preserves the best of the past while blessing future generations with the fruit that comes from putting God first and using the experience as a teacher. Your host, Felice Gerwitz, is a Christian wife, mother, and educator-turned-homeschool-mom in 1986. She began homeschooling as a trial and never looked back.  Felice’s topics range from home education, child-rearing, enterprising moms, SAHM (Stay at Home Moms), WAHM (Work at Home Moms), and so much more.

Top Vintage Homeschool Moms Podcasts

Homeschool Lifestyle
Last Minute DIY Tips
Money Saving Field Trips
All About Teaching
Raising Spiritually Strong Kids
Six Homeschooling Insider Tips
Best Staycations for Kids
Avoid Curriculum Pitfalls
Top 10 Parenting Secrets
45 Family Date Night Ideas

 

Special Replay – New Year New Focus

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

New Year New Focus: Meredith and Felice cover three important goals each have set for their well-being.

Special Replay – New Year New Focus
Meredith Curtis & Felice Gerwitz

Join Meredith Curtis and Felice Gerwitz monthly for Lunch with Meredith and Felice the first Monday of each month. This month Meredith and Felice cover three important goals each have set for their well-being. If you are a Christian wife, mother and a homeschooler you will benefit from this session.

Here is a printable for you to hold onto or take notes on as you listen to today’s session. NewYear_NewFocus_LunchwithMeredith&Felice

Special Replay – Teaching History

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this session you’ll hear some of the ways that both Meredith & Felice have taught history to their children from the zany to the classes Felice asked her brother-in-law to teach to homeschool kids!Special Replay: Let’s Talk About Teaching History

with your co-hosts, Felice Gerwitz & Meredith Curtis

History is about a bunch dead people and stuff that happened long ago or so I thought when I was a kid. As a homeschool parent I found that history is actually “HIS” story and when it is revealed we find so many wonderful lessons to learn. In this session you’ll hear some of the ways that both Meredith & Felice have taught history to their children from the zany to the classes Felice asked her brother-in-law to teach to homeschool kids!

Please give us a rating on iTunes – go to iTunes, find our show (Vintage Homeschool Moms – or type in Felice Gerwitz) and rate it! AND… use the social media buttons on this page to share the show with your friends.

Meredith and Felice discuss their favorite resources – here is a list of their combined books, below the audio player.

American History: Class DVD hosted by Media Angels, Inc (Felice Gerwitz)- Fabulous Facts & Pres Event – $50 discount coupon VHM50 – HERE

World History Reading List  – All rights reserved Media Angels, Inc. 2014

September Reading Books

  1. In the Days of Noah by Gloria Clanin
  2. Life in the Great Ice Age by Michael and Beverly Oard
  3. The Mystery of the Ark by Paul Thomsen
  4. The Lost Kingdom (Reg Danson Adventure #2) by Clint Kelly
  5. Adam and His Kin: The Lost History of Their Lives and Times by Ruth Beechick
  6. Genesis: Finding Our Roots by Ruth Beechick
  7. Dinosaurs in God’s World Long Ago by Henrietta Gambill
  8. What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs? (DJ and Tracker John) by John Morris and Ken Ham
  9. Priceless Jewel at the Well: The Diary of Rebekah’s Nursemaid, Canaan, 1986-1985 B.C. (Promised Land Diaries)
  10. The Magic School Bus Shows and Tells: A Book About Archaeology by Jackie Posner
  11. Exploring Ancient Cities of the Bible by Michael and Caroline Carroll

October Reading Books

  1. Tutankhamun by Robert Green
  2. Tirzah by Lucille Travis
  3. Mummies, Tombs, and Treasure: Secrets of Ancient Egypt by Lila Perl
  4. Miriam’s Cup, a Passover Story by Fran Manushkin
  5. Learning About Passover by Barbara Soloff Levy
  6. Shadow Hawk by Andre Norton
  7. Adventures in Ancient Egypt by Linda Bailey
  8. The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
  9. The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt by Elizabeth Payne
  10. The Riddle of the Rosetta Stone : Key to Ancient Egypt by James Giblin
  11. Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
  12. Mummies Made in Egypt by Aliki
  13. Kids Discover: Ancient Egypt
  14. The Peaceful Warrior: The Diary of Deborahs Armor Bearer, Israel, 1200 B.C. (Promised Land Diaries)
  15. Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson
  16. Journey for Tobiyah by Barbara Morgan
  17. King Solomon’s Navy by Nora Benjamin Kubie
  18. The Temple at Jerusalem by Jacqueline Morley

November Reading Books

  1. The Usborne Story of Music by Simon Mundy
  2. The Usborne Story of Painting by Anthea Peppin
  3. The Usborne Book of Living Long Ago: Everyday life through the Ages, by Felicity Brooks and Helen Edom
  4. God King: A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah by Joanne Williamson
  5. Aesop’s Fables for Children
  6. Hour of the Olympics (Magic Tree House #16) by Mary Pope Osborne
  7. The Seven Voyages of Sinbad (and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights) retold by Gladys Davidson
  8. King Solomon’s Mines (Puffin Classics) by H Rider Haggard

December Reading Books

  1. The Odyssey for Boys and Girls by AJ Church
  2. Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  3. Famous Men of Greece by John Haaren and AB Poland
  4. The Librarian Who Measured the Earth by Kathryn Lasky
  5. Usborne: The Greeks by Susan Peach & Anne Millard
  6. Adventures in Ancient Greece by Linda Bailey
  7. Cyrus the Persian by Sherman A Nagel
  8. Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher
  9. Within the Palace Gates: The King’s Cupbearer by Anna P. Siviter
  10. The Greek and Roman Eras: (Journey Through History) by Carme Peris and Gloria & Oriol Verges
  11. Hand Me Another Brick by Charles Swindoll
  12. Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights

January Reading Books

  1. Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile, Egypt, 57 B.C. (The Royal Diaries) by Kristiana Gregory
  2. About the History of the Calendar by AE Evenson
  3. Battle of Actium (Great Battles Through the Ages) by David Califf
  4. The Runaway by Patricia St. John
  5. Fountain of Life by Rebecca Martin
  6. Adventures in Ancient China by Linda Bailey
  7. A Grain of Rice by Helena Clare Pittman
  8. Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
  9. The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
  10. Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace
  11. Titus: A Comrade of the Cross by Florence Morse Kingsley
  12. Augustus Caesar’s World by Genevieve Foster
  13. Famous Men of Rome by John Haaren & A.B. Poland
  14. Rome and Romans (Usborne Time Traveler) by Heather Amery and Patricia Vanags
  15. I and II Maccabees from the Apocrypha (available in Bibles that include the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books)
  16. Life Stories Of Men Who Shaped History, From Plutarch’s Lives
  17. Pompeii…Buried Alive! by Edith Kunhardt
  18. The Robe by Lloyd C Douglas
  19. Masada by Tim McNeese (Sieges That Changed the World)

February Reading Books

  1. Devil’s Island by John Hagee
  2. Outcast by Rosemary Sutcliff[
  3. See You Later, Gladiator (Time Warp Trio) by Jon Scieszka
  4. Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld
  5. The Eagle (previously published as The Eagle of the Ninth) by Rosemary Sutcliff
  6. The Story of Valentine by Wilma Pitchford Hays
  7. Augustine, the Farmer’s Boy of Tagaste by P. De Zeeuw
  8. The City of God by Augustine
  9. Ancient Rome: How It Affects You Today by Richard J. Maybury
  10. The Ides of April by Mary Ray
  11. Beyond the Desert Gate by Mary Ray
  12. Jesus Freaks: Martyrs by dc Talk
  13. Foxe’s Book Of Martyrs by John Foxe (many different editions of this work are available)
  14. Saint George and the Dragon retold by Margaret Hodges
  15. Saint Patrick: Pioneer Missionary to Ireland by Michael McHugh

March Reading Books

  1. Anna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett
  2. Famous Men of the Middle Ages by Haaren and Poland
  3. Augustine Came to Kent by Barbara Willard
  4. Beowulf
  5. The Shining Company by Rosemary Sutcliff
  6. Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People
  7. The Big Wave by Pearl S. Buck
  8. Against the World: The Odyssey of Athanasius by Henry W. Coray
  9. Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam by Diane Stanley
  10. The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow by Allen French
  11. Le Morte D’Arthur by Sir Thomas Mallory
  12. The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla
  13. The Book of Pastoral Rule (also published as Pastoral Care) by St. Gregory the Great
  14. The Song of Roland (an epic poem)
  15. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain
  16. Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle
  17. Idylls of the King by Alfred Lord Tennyson
  18. Camelot by AJ Lerner (script for the Broadway play)
  19. Viking Raiders (Usborne Time Traveler) by Civardi, Graham-Campbell, & Wingate

April Reading Books

  1. Famous Men of the Middle Ages by Haaren and Poland
  2. Son of Charlemagne by Barbara Willard
  3. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
  4. A Chaucer Reader edited by Charles W. Dunn
  5. Leif Eriksson: First Voyager to America by Katherine B. Shippen
  6. In His Name by Edward E Hale
  7. Paula the Waldensian by Eva Lecomte
  8. Lost Baron: A Story of England in the Year 1200 by Allen French
  9. Macbeth by Shakespeare
  10. Hamlet by Shakespeare
  11. El Cid, retold by Geraldine McCaughrean
  12. Don Quixote (also published as Don Quijote) by Cervantes
  13. A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E. L. Konigsburg
  14. The Hidden Treasure of Glaston by Eleanore M. Jewett
  15. Castle by David Macaulay
  16. Cathedral by David Macaulay
  17. The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli
  18. The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman
  19. Knights and Castles (Usborne Time Traveler) by Judy Hindley
  20. The Striped Ships by Eloise McGraw ***
  21. The Third Crusade: Richard the Lionhearted vs Saladin (Great Battles Through the Ages) by Samuel Willard Crompton
  22. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle (who also drew original illustrations for this book)[
  23. The King’s Shadow by Elizabeth Alder

May Reading Books

  1. Men of Iron by Howard Pyle
  2. If All the Swords in England: A Story of Thomas Becket by Barbara Willard
  3. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
  4. Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde by Harold Lamb
  5. A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael Chronicles–we recommend this series) by Ellis Peters)
  6. Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray
  7. The Dragon and the Raven (The Days of King Alfred) by G. A. Henty
  8. The Magna Charta by James Daugherty
  9. The Inferno of Dante: A New Verse Translation by Robert Pinsky
  10. The Life and Words of St. Francis of Assisi by Ira Peck
  11. In Freedom’s Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce by G. A. Henty
  12. The Beggars’ Bible by Louise Vernon
  13. Ink on His Fingers by Louise A. Vernon
  14. Morning Star of the Reformation by Andy Thomson
  15. Henry V by Shakespeare
  16. Joan of Arc by Mark Twain
  17. The Pied Piper of Hamlin by Robert Browning
  18. The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric Kelly
  19. Constantinople (Sieges That Changed the World) by Tim McNeese[/easyazon_link]
    [easyazon_link asin=”0374457433″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”ultihomeradin-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]A Parcel of Patterns by Jill Paton Walsh[/easyazon_link]
    [easyazon_link asin=”0375802320″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”ultihomeradin-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Joan of Arc by Nancy Wilson Ross[/easyazon_link]
    [easyazon_link asin=”0891076026″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”ultihomeradin-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]The Hawk and the Dove by Penelope Wilcock[/easyazon_link]

Time Boosters for Mom

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

With the time boosting strategies I'm about to share with you - you will learn how to be the master of your own time, increase your productivity and never let the lack of time get the best of you!Let’s Talk About Time! Time Boosters to Increase Your Time Daily

with host Felice Gerwitz

Everyone lives under the impression that there is not enough time to complete all the things you want to do each day, and I know, because I’ve lived with this concept for years. However, with the time boosting strategies I’m about to share with you in this podcast- you will learn how to be the master of your own time, increase your productivity and never let the lack of time get the best of you!

FREE Handout Instant Download: TimeBoosters_Handout_VintageHomeschoolMoms

Books I recommend:

Mary Jo Tate: Flourish at Home

Crystal Paine: Goodbye to Survival Mode

Special Replay – Let’s Talk About Teaching History

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

History

History is about a bunch of dead people and stuff that happened long ago or so I thought when I was a kid. As a homeschool parent, I found that history is actually “HIS” story and when it is revealed we find so many wonderful lessons to learn. In this session, you’ll hear some of the ways that both Meredith & Felice have taught history to their children from the zany to the classes Felice asked her brother-in-law to teach to homeschool kids!

Meredith and Felice discuss their favorite resources – here is a list of their combined books, below the audio player.

American History Online Course 

World History Reading List  – All rights reserved Media Angels, Inc. 2014

September History Reading Books

  1. In the Days of Noah by Gloria Clanin
  2. Life in the Great Ice Age by Michael and Beverly Oard
  3. The Mystery of the Ark by Paul Thomsen
  4. The Lost Kingdom (Reg Danson Adventure #2) by Clint Kelly
  5. Adam and His Kin: The Lost History of Their Lives and Times by Ruth Beechick
  6. Genesis: Finding Our Roots by Ruth Beechick
  7. Dinosaurs in God’s World Long Ago by Henrietta Gambill
  8. What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs? (DJ and Tracker John) by John Morris and Ken Ham
  9. Priceless Jewel at the Well: The Diary of Rebekah’s Nursemaid, Canaan, 1986-1985 B.C. (Promised Land Diaries)
  10. The Magic School Bus Shows and Tells: A Book About Archaeology by Jackie Posner
  11. Exploring Ancient Cities of the Bible by Michael and Caroline Carroll

October Reading Books

  1. Tutankhamun by Robert Green
  2. Tirzah by Lucille Travis
  3. Mummies, Tombs, and Treasure: Secrets of Ancient Egypt by Lila Perl
  4. Miriam’s Cup, a Passover Story by Fran Manushkin
  5. Learning About Passover by Barbara Soloff Levy
  6. Shadow Hawk by Andre Norton
  7. Adventures in Ancient Egypt by Linda Bailey
  8. The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
  9. The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt by Elizabeth Payne
  10. The Riddle of the Rosetta Stone: Key to Ancient Egypt by James Giblin
  11. Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
  12. Mummies Made in Egypt by Aliki
  13. Kids Discover: Ancient Egypt
  14. The Peaceful Warrior: The Diary of Deborahs Armor Bearer, Israel, 1200 B.C. (Promised Land Diaries)
  15. Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson
  16. Journey for Tobiyah by Barbara Morgan
  17. King Solomon’s Navy by Nora Benjamin Kubie
  18. The Temple at Jerusalem by Jacqueline Morley

November Reading Books

  1. The Usborne Story of Music by Simon Mundy
  2. The Usborne Story of Painting by Anthea Peppin
  3. The Usborne Book of Living Long Ago: Everyday life through the Ages, by Felicity Brooks and Helen Edom
  4. God-King: A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah by Joanne Williamson
  5. Aesop’s Fables for Children
  6. Hour of the Olympics (Magic Tree House #16) by Mary Pope Osborne
  7. The Seven Voyages of Sinbad (and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights) retold by Gladys Davidson
  8. King Solomon’s Mines (Puffin Classics) by H Rider Haggard

December Reading Books

  1. The Odyssey for Boys and Girls by AJ Church
  2. Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  3. Famous Men of Greece by John Haaren and AB Poland
  4. The Librarian Who Measured the Earth by Kathryn Lasky
  5. Usborne: The Greeks by Susan Peach & Anne Millard
  6. Adventures in Ancient Greece by Linda Bailey
  7. Cyrus the Persian by Sherman A Nagel
  8. Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher
  9. Within the Palace Gates: The King’s Cupbearer by Anna P. Siviter
  10. The Greek and Roman Eras: (Journey Through History) by Carme Peris and Gloria & Oriol Verges
  11. Hand Me Another Brick by Charles Swindoll
  12. Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights

January Reading Books

  1. Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile, Egypt, 57 B.C. (The Royal Diaries) by Kristiana Gregory
  2. About the History of the Calendar by AE Evenson
  3. Battle of Actium (Great Battles Through the Ages) by David Califf
  4. The Runaway by Patricia St. John
  5. Fountain of Life by Rebecca Martin
  6. Adventures in Ancient China by Linda Bailey
  7. A Grain of Rice by Helena Clare Pittman
  8. Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
  9. The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
  10. Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace
  11. Titus: A Comrade of the Cross by Florence Morse Kingsley
  12. Augustus Caesar’s World by Genevieve Foster
  13. Famous Men of Rome by John Haaren & A.B. Poland
  14. Rome and Romans (Usborne Time Traveler) by Heather Amery and Patricia Vanags
  15. I and II Maccabees from the Apocrypha (available in Bibles that include the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books)
  16. Life Stories Of Men Who Shaped History, From Plutarch’s Lives
  17. Pompeii…Buried Alive! by Edith Kunhardt
  18. The Robe by Lloyd C Douglas
  19. Masada by Tim McNeese (Sieges That Changed the World)

February Reading Books

  1. Devil’s Island by John Hagee
  2. Outcast by Rosemary Sutcliff[
  3. See You Later, Gladiator (Time Warp Trio) by Jon Scieszka
  4. Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld
  5. The Eagle (previously published as The Eagle of the Ninth) by Rosemary Sutcliff
  6. The Story of Valentine by Wilma Pitchford Hays
  7. Augustine, the Farmer’s Boy of Tagaste by P. De Zeeuw
  8. The City of God by Augustine
  9. Ancient Rome: How It Affects You Today by Richard J. Maybury
  10. The Ides of April by Mary Ray
  11. Beyond the Desert Gate by Mary Ray
  12. Jesus Freaks: Martyrs by dc Talk
  13. Foxe’s Book Of Martyrs by John Foxe (many different editions of this work are available)
  14. Saint George and the Dragon retold by Margaret Hodges
  15. Saint Patrick: Pioneer Missionary to Ireland by Michael McHugh

March Reading Books

  1. Anna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett
  2. Famous Men of the Middle Ages by Haaren and Poland
  3. Augustine Came to Kent by Barbara Willard
  4. Beowulf
  5. The Shining Company by Rosemary Sutcliff
  6. Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People
  7. The Big Wave by Pearl S. Buck
  8. Against the World: The Odyssey of Athanasius by Henry W. Coray
  9. Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam by Diane Stanley
  10. The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow by Allen French
  11. Le Morte D’Arthur by Sir Thomas Mallory
  12. The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla
  13. The Book of Pastoral Rule (also published as Pastoral Care) by St. Gregory the Great
  14. The Song of Roland (an epic poem)
  15. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain
  16. Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle
  17. Idylls of the King by Alfred Lord Tennyson
  18. Camelot by AJ Lerner (script for the Broadway play)
  19. Viking Raiders (Usborne Time Traveler) by Civardi, Graham-Campbell, & Wingate

April Reading Books

  1. Famous Men of the Middle Ages by Haaren and Poland
  2. Son of Charlemagne by Barbara Willard
  3. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
  4. A Chaucer Reader edited by Charles W. Dunn
  5. Leif Eriksson: First Voyager to America by Katherine B. Shippen
  6. In His Name by Edward E Hale
  7. Paula the Waldensian by Eva Lecomte
  8. Lost Baron: A Story of England in the Year 1200 by Allen French
  9. Macbeth by Shakespeare
  10. Hamlet by Shakespeare
  11. El Cid, retold by Geraldine McCaughrean
  12. Don Quixote (also published as Don Quijote) by Cervantes
  13. A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E. L. Konigsburg
  14. The Hidden Treasure of Glaston by Eleanore M. Jewett
  15. Castle by David Macaulay
  16. Cathedral by David Macaulay
  17. The Door in the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli
  18. The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman
  19. Knights and Castles (Usborne Time Traveler) by Judy Hindley
  20. The Striped Ships by Eloise McGraw ***
  21. The Third Crusade: Richard the Lionhearted vs Saladin (Great Battles Through the Ages) by Samuel Willard Crompton
  22. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle (who also drew original illustrations for this book)[
  23. The King’s Shadow by Elizabeth Alder

May Reading Books

  1. Men of Iron by Howard Pyle
  2. If All the Swords in England: A Story of Thomas Becket by Barbara Willard
  3. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
  4. Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde by Harold Lamb
  5. A Morbid Taste for Bones (Brother Cadfael Chronicles–we recommend this series) by Ellis Peters)
  6. Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray
  7. The Dragon and the Raven (The Days of King Alfred) by G. A. Henty
  8. The Magna Charta by James Daugherty
  9. The Inferno of Dante: A New Verse Translation by Robert Pinsky
  10. The Life and Words of St. Francis of Assisi by Ira Peck
  11. In Freedom’s Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce by G. A. Henty
  12. The Beggars’ Bible by Louise Vernon
  13. Ink on His Fingers by Louise A. Vernon
  14. Morning Star of the Reformation by Andy Thomson
  15. Henry V by Shakespeare
  16. Joan of Arc by Mark Twain
  17. The Pied Piper of Hamlin by Robert Browning
  18. The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric Kelly
  19. Constantinople (Sieges That Changed the World) by Tim McNeese[/easyazon_link]
    [easyazon_link asin=”0374457433″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”ultihomeradin-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]A Parcel of Patterns by Jill Paton Walsh[/easyazon_link]
    [easyazon_link asin=”0375802320″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”ultihomeradin-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Joan of Arc by Nancy Wilson Ross[/easyazon_link]
    [easyazon_link asin=”0891076026″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”ultihomeradin-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]The Hawk and the Dove by Penelope Wilcock[/easyazon_link]

10 Tech Tips and Tricks for Homeschool Families

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

homeschool mom planning and using tech to schedule her homeschool10 Tech Tips and Tricks for Homeschool Families

By Meryl van der Merwe

 

Homeschooling is time-consuming and homeschool moms are constantly juggling many things at once. I decided this was the perfect time of the year to share 10 tech tips and tricks that help me to be more productive and organized. Best of all, these tools are free!

Simplify Your Life With Google Drive

If you aren’t already using Google Drive and the Google Drive apps, be sure to listen to episode 2 of my Homeschooling With Technology podcast to learn other ways you can use these amazing apps! Google Drive apps make it easy to share anything: documents, spreadsheets, slides, surveys and more can all be shared with your children, husband, and homeschool friends.

Using Google for Homeschool Assignments

When your children submit assignments using Google docs or slides, you can comment and make suggestions for improvements right in the document. Because you simply share the Google Drive files with others, you are both always looking at the latest version. You save time and effort (and confusion) since you avoid emailing multiple files back and forth! If another user accidentally messes up someone else’s changes you can easily go back to an earlier version! Google saves your changes automatically.

Send Large Files Using Google Drive

Ever tried to email a video or other large file to someone and you can’t because the file is too large? Just upload it to Google Drive and then share the link and you are set!

Organize Links With Evernote

How many times have you found an amazing website, read a great blog post, or watched an interesting video – and thought you would remember where you saw it? Bookmark them all so you can come back to them whenever you want. There are many ways to bookmark links, but my favorite is to use Evernote. Create folders and save links in the relevant folder so they stay organized. If you use the Chrome browser, there is an Evernote extension that lets you “clip” any URL or highlighted text to save it in your folders.

Keep Your Browser Uncluttered

Maybe you are like me – really bad at having a LOT of tabs open at the same time. Recently I discovered a tool that has helped me declutter my browser. Often when I see something mentioned in a newsletter or a blog post that looks interesting, I am not yet certain that I want to save it. Now instead of keeping the tab open (which slows down my poor laptop dramatically), I use Toby! It allows me to drag the open tabs into a storage place. The Toby extension is available for the Chrome, Firefox and Opera browsers which makes the process super fast. Now I assign things I see to Toby and when I am ready to go through them, I open a new tab – and there they are.

Digital Scheduling Tips

When you use technology to schedule your children’s schoolwork and chores, it is simple to update their schedules every week or even daily. Effortlessly copy the parts of the schedule that remain the same and only update what needs to change.  Move part of the schedule to another day using Google Sheets or the Google Calendar. These are both great scheduling tools but my personal favorite is Trello. With Trello you can have lists for each child and use those to post their assignments or chores for each day. They can check tasks off as they complete them allowing you to keep track of how they are doing. Trello is available for desktop or as an app, so it is ideal for teens who like being on their phones.

Online Study Tools

Online flashcards are great study tools! Websites like Studystack and Quizlet allow your students to learn with games and create their own flashcards. This is a fun way for them to review and hone their memory skills!

Streamline Grocery Shopping

For years now I have used the Anylist app on my iPhone. My husband and teens each had it on their phones so that whenever someone noticed something was running low they could add it to our list. The app is also great for keeping track of supplies for homeschool projects. With Anylist the shopping list is updated and on my phone, so no more shopping lists left at home! And if my husband is stopping at the grocery store on his way home, he can pick up everything else on the list and save me a trip.

Proofreading Tricks

Use Grammarly as your proofreader. Add the Grammarly extension to your Chrome toolbar and you have an automatic grammar and spelling checker everywhere you type online. In fact, it is what I am using as I type this post! Teach your children to use it to check their work. If you don’t use a Chrome browser, you can still sign up for Grammarly. Just cut and paste your child’s essay and Grammarly will highlight errors.

Stay Informed and Get Inspired

Keep up to date with your favorite podcasts! As you teach your children, don’t forget you need to grow and learn yourself. I struggle to find time to read the many blog posts I find, but podcasts have become my favorite way to self-educate. The Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network has many shows that are useful to homeschool students and parents.  The Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network website (right here) makes it easy to find podcasts from experts on homeschooling and Christian parenting. You can subscribe and listen on your favorite apps, listen right here from the website or sign up for a weekly email with links directly to all your favorite homeschool podcasters.

In fact, if you found these tips and tricks useful, be sure to subscribe to my podcast, Homeschooling with Technology for more on using tech to simplify your homeschool and your life! Each podcast episode is just 15 minutes long but is full of practical information you can use every day. The beauty of following your favorite podcast is that you can listen while you exercise, on trips to the store or while waiting to fetch a child from an activity. You don’t even have to listen to a whole podcast at a time – sometimes it takes me all week to listen to a long episode. Most podcasts (mine included) have show notes, so it is easy to look up a resource that is mentioned when you get back to your computer.

More Planning Tools

Finally, it’s back to homeschool season and some of the best resources for planning a curriculum, adding fun to your lessons, creating a new schedule or organizing your days, can be found online. Visit with me at the Homeschooling With Technology podcast this week and find many more Online Resources to Help you Select Curriculum. I invite you to join in the discussion with the rest of our online community on Facebook and gather more ideas with us on Pinterest and Instagram.

Did you find these tips and tricks useful? Which are you already using and which do you plan to try? I would love to know – so leave me a comment here or email me!