The Kitchen Explosion

July 16, 2018 by Laura Leave a Comment

In “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.

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

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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

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Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: cooking, family, fun, homeschool, homeschooling, kitchen, Teens

The Kitchen Explosion

July 16, 2018 by Laura Leave a Comment

Tagged With: adventures, family, Home, homeschool, homeschooling, Teens

Reasons to be an Exclusive Homeschool Group

June 28, 2018 by Carol Topp Leave a Comment

Should public-school-at-home parents be joining your homeschool group? Or perhaps your group desires to be more exclusive and have all members be “independent” or “traditionally” homeschooling.

On the I Am a Homeschool Group Leader Facebook page, a question was asked about the pros and cons of mixing homeschool and public-school-at-home students in your group-or, put differently, being inclusive (open at all) or exclusive (limiting membership). Many homeschool leaders contributed their experiences and reason for their group’s decision. In this episode of the HomeschoolCPA podcast, Carol Topp will share some of the reasons that some groups are exclusive and do not allow public school students into their homeschool group including:

Leaders cannot serve everyone!
Overcrowding pre-schools or other activities in the homeschool group
Public school students have their own groups and support networks
It’s easier to be exclusive. There were too many disagreements in inclusive group
The group could lose a place in homeschool sports competitions if public school students are included

In the podcast Carol mentioned the Facebook group for homeschool leaders I am a Homeschool Group Leader. Join 400+ homeschool leaders for ideas, encouragement and respective exchange of ideas. https://www.facebook.com/groups/72534255742/

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FEATURED PRODUCT from HomeschoolCPA:

Homeschool Co-ops:
How to Start Them, Run Them and not Burn Out

Need more information on how to start and run a homeschool co-op? Carol Topp’s book, Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out is packed with helpful tips and advice from other homeschool leaders.

Starting a homeschool co-op can be easy! This book Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out will give you ideas, inspiration, tips, wisdom and the tools you need to start a homeschool co-op, run it and not burn out!

Click Here to request more information!

Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Well Planned Gal

Rebecca from the Well Planned Gal understands the challenges of working within a budget, managing multiple children, and trying to keep up with a variety of information. That is why she created popular planner bundles!

Combine organizational tools with year long encouragement by bundling Well Planned Day planners with the popular Family Magazine. For a limited time, Save 30% with one of her popular planner bundles. Each bundle contains 2 planner products with a one-year subscription to Family Magazine.

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Filed Under: Dollars & Sense Tagged With: Carol Topp, Dollars and Sense, homeschool

Homeschooling Methods

June 22, 2018 by Gina Glenn Leave a Comment

Homeschool Methods can be a confusing topic. There are so many approaches. Join Brook & Israel as they discuss the options.

Homeschool Methods

Brook explains that our methods may change based on our newness to homeschooling.
Our methods may change based on the season of life we are using.
Charlotte Mason method
Textbook method
Israel discusses the approaches and how it might vary child to child.
Online Schooling -Can be viewed as similar to video school.
Unit Studies
and much more

_____________________________________

Join Israel Wayne and his wife Brook, every month as they discusses life, theology, Christian Apologetics, education, family and cultural issues from a Biblical worldview. Israel is an author and conference speaker who often speaks at homeschooling conferences, and churches, as well as marriage and parenting seminars.

Finally, the information he teaches around the nation will be available to listeners like you. Each broadcast will be about a half hour and will feature interviews and thoughtful commentary from Israel and his guests.

_____________________________________

The decision to homeschool is difficult. There is so much to learn, and there are often radical changes that take place in your family. Unfortunately, not everyone will be supportive.

Well-meaning friends and relatives may believe you are going to “ruin your child.” How can you make sure that you have laid a good foundation for your child’s future? How can you respectfully defend your choice to those who disagree with you?

Many studies indicate that Christian youth are leaving the Church, and anti-Christian education has been linked as a major factor in this equation. The Bible is full of instructions on how God desires His children to be educated. IF GOD has a definite opinion about the issue of education, wouldn’t you desire to find out what it is and how best to implement HIS WISDOM? Order your copy here.

Subscribe to Family Renewal HERE.

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Filed Under: Family Renewal Tagged With: Family Renewal, homeschool, homeschool method, homeschooling

1,001 Homeschool Days at the Beach

June 18, 2018 by Laura Leave a Comment

In “Homeschool at the Beach,” Episode #067, Meredith Curtis & Laura Nolette take you back in time to 1,001 homeschooling days spent at the beach and share what they explored and discovered about sand, ocean, marine life, tide pools, crabs, shells, tides, sunburns, swimming, and water safety. So, next time, you decide to homeschool at the beach, don’t feel guilty! There are so many ways to teach geography, marine biology, oceanography, architecture, health, safety, and earth science lessons at the beach. Best of all, you can rest, relax, and play.

Proclaiming Jesus through Bible Studies, Classes, Websites, Blogs, and Podcasts!

Show Notes

Let’s go back in time to the year 2000. We were two thirty-something moms who loved the beach and had nine children between us. And so the adventure began. And continued. We have logged many hours at the beach.

“Finish Math and let’s go to the beach!”

Marine Biology Observation

Bird watching

Dolphin sighting

Manatee sighting

Shark sighting

Fish in the water

Exploring around on the shore

Crab Hunting at Night with Flashlights

Marine Biology

Sea Life: Seaweed, Crabs, Sea Stars, Jellyfish, Fish, Hermit crabs, Mole Crabs

Beach Grass

Oceanography

Low Tide/High Tide moving stuff for tides

Currents

Rip Tides

Ingredients of Sand

Shell Collecting (What animal lived in this shell)

Earth Science

Erosion of Sand on rocks and shells and driftwood

Beach Erosion after Storms

Architecture

Bridges

Draw Bridges

Sand Castles (dealing with water drainage, etc.)

Bridges (Over Intercoastal Waterway)

Lighthouses (Ponce Inlet)

Beach Houses (notice how they are designed to protect from flooding)

Fort at Saint Augustine

History

Treasure Coast Museum

Ponce de Leon Lighthouse Museum

Saint Augustine Fort

Saint Augustine

Geography

Mapping Route to Beach

Looking at Maps of Beach for Inlets, Harbors, Islands, etc.

Landforms: Ocean, Shore, Rivers

Sand Dunes

Human Anatomy/Health/Safety

Burying One Another in the Sand

Water Safety

Rip Tide Safety

First Aid (e.g. Jelly Fish Sting)

Tanning, Skin Care, Skin Protection, Sunburn First Aid

Food & Nutrition

Planning & Packing Lunches, Snacks, Drinks for Hydration

Art

Sand as a Medium/Building Sand Castles

Photography of Nature

Photography of People

Scrapbook the Memories

Collections

Shell Collecting

Character/Leadership

Packing for the Beach

Serving (carrying stuff, setting stuff up)

Leadership (getting things ready to go, packing up when they leave)

P.E.

Climb Lighthouse

Walk Along the Beach

Frisbee, Touch Football, Paddle Ball

Swim, Body Surfing, Surfing, Skim Boarding

Homeschool Resources

Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Well Planned Gal

Click Here to Go to Well Planned Gal

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Filed Under: Finish Well Tagged With: Alternate Learning, beach, Families, family, Finish Well, geography, homeschool, homeschooling, science, Teens

Summertime Favorites – Girls, Again

June 18, 2018 by mediaangels Leave a Comment

Summertime Favorites – this month replaying some of Homeschooling IRL’s best episodes for the summer! Enjoy! —-This is not the first time we have tackled the topic of girls on the podcast. On Episode 10, we talked about many of the common pitfalls we have observed in homeschool families raising daughters. From restrictive environments to preventing any access to higher education, we dove into tough topics.

On this episode, we are getting very practical, especially as it relates to raising daughters into the pre-teen years. Join us as we dive into the discussion on how to navigate the tricky years of hormones and body changes as we sit down to talk about girls, again.

SHOW NOTES:

PREVIOUS PODCASTS:
HomeschoolingIRL Episode 10: Girls

MUSIC USED:
Thank Heaven For Little Girls by Maurice Chevalier – BUY IT HERE ON iTunes

ARTICLES REFERENCED:
Your Daughter’s Hormones – Homegrown Mom Blog

Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Well Planned Gal

Click Here to Go to Well Planned Gal

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Filed Under: Homeschooling IRL Tagged With: Andy Fletcher, Fletch, Girls, homeschool, homeschooling, HomeschoolingIRL, hormones, Kendra Fletcher, podcast, teenage girls

Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared for Severe Weather in the RV

June 15, 2018 by MaryBeth Leave a Comment

Severe weather in the RV can be scary! Don’t be scared, be prepared! The Roadschool Moms discuss in depth, more than 20 precautions to take during severe weather seasons in Episode #181 of Roadschool Moms Radio. The replay is a live recording by the Roadschool Moms team from the back porch and behind the wheel. Holly Giles, the creator of The Giles Frontier, broadcasts from central Florida. This week, Mary Beth Goff, the Road Trip Teacher is behind the wheel from a SouthWest Florida location.

This broadcast gives specific advice for those living the fulltime RV lifestyle; however, many topics discussed are beneficial to Roadschool Moms no matter where in the world you are!

Before You Hit the Road

There are several ways to arm your family with the proper tools and precautionary measures to deal with inclement weather factors that may arise down the road. The key to this part of being prepared is to be proactive. A few things to do before you hit the road include

Download a good weather app with key features such as Accuweather or The Weather Channel
Gather adequate roadmaps for all areas of the journey ahead
Always travel with a weather radio with the seven NOAA channels
Keep a charged computer or tablet nearby with the appropriate cords
Maintain a current selection of various campground directories such as the Big Rigs Best Bets directory
Create an emergency survival kit as well as a bug out bag for each family member

Finally, before you take off on the next road trip adventure, talk with all passengers, especially the kiddos, to demonstrate at least two (2) ways out of the RV in case of an emergency. A final inspection of the RV, tow vehicle, or toad is also non-negotiable. The last checkmark on the list to playing it safe is to put back sufficient cash to cover basic expenses including fuel, food, and accommodations for several days in case the family is displaced due to an accident or weather-related situation.

Severe Weather in the RV

Severe weather is scary no matter where in the world you live. Fulltime RVing families face even more challenges in weather-related situations. Often, RV travel takes place in regions of the country that are unfamiliar. Someone who grew up in Colorado may have no clue what to look for during hurricane season in Florida. A few no-brainer tips to remember are

Keep a mobile device charged at all times
Check satellite radio often for weather updates
If near the coast, be aware of tropical storms brewing
Keep fuel, propane, and water tanks full when weather predictions are unstable

It is imperative to be weather aware when you are on the road. If you sense a change, pull over to a safe location and check the changing weather conditions. Remember, an RV is not a safe location during severe weather. Finding safe shelter is a must to avoid the risk of injury o even death. Retail stores, the library, a hospital, the post office, or any structure that you can reach with ample parking is good for an emergency. If it becomes necessary to pull over on the road, do not park next to a guard rail or any obstruction that will keep you from exiting the RV.

Take No Chances

The best advice is to take no chances during even the possibility of severe weather. Never set up camp next to creeks, rivers, or waterways. Awareness of how the surroundings can change in a flash flood is key such as near mountain slopes, canyons, or wash areas in the desert. Always retract your awing when you are parked if bad weather is in the forecast. This is also a good time to empty the black tank while making sure fresh water and fuel tanks are full. Analyze at least two (2) ways out of the RV site if downed power lines become an issue. Make mental notes of the best way and the backup plan for evacuation if necessary. Hit the replay to listen to more details on these and other tips for safety in severe weather.

Follow the encouragement to learn something new everyday from Learning Lifestyle Revival membership.

More about Roadschool Moms

Looking for a roadmap for your next learning adventure? Scroll through the RSM library on iTunes to find more than 180 podcast replays. Subscribe on iTunes, rate the show and leave a review. Not sure how to do that? Check out the video – It’s as easy as 1-2-3! Android users follow on Stitcher.

Homeschool enrollment is on the rise. As a result, more and more families are moving into a home on wheels. Further, the Roadschool Moms record this broadcast to present resources that meet the challenges of today’s roadschooler. These roadschool defined adventures don’t stop there. Holly Giles, founder of The Giles Frontier, and Mary Beth Goff, creator of Road Trip Teacher, team up every week to offer listeners a fresh take on homeschooling from the back porch of your home and behind the wheel across America’s backyard.

Roadschool Moms: Season 13

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Filed Under: Road School Moms Tagged With: 911, be prepared, be safe, blizzard, don't be scared, emergency, Home, homeschool, hurricane, ice, roadschool, roadschool moms, rv lifestyle, rv travel, severe weather, snow, tornado, typhoon

Summertime Making Family Memories

June 4, 2018 by mediaangels Leave a Comment

Summertime – Making Family Memories

Episode 277

Making family memories is one of the most important things you will ever do as a family. As homeschool parents, we naturally make memories with our children each day, but in this episode, we explore making positive memories!

Thanks to our sponsor – Media Angels Membership. For your curriculum needs on a budget visit the website to learn how to receive all the books and classes I’ve created to give your children a Christian worldview!

I was at a homeschool conference once where the customer asked if I could come and teach her child the subject, of course, we both laughed. But, in one of the bundles you will find classes where I teach your children the content in my study guides – visit MediaAngelsMembership.com for more information – and we will learn more a bit later on!

The topic of making family memories is very important to me, and I recall my own parents trying very hard with a meager budget to create memorable events for us each summer. There were eight siblings and they all pitched in to buy a house in upstate New York. I remember the house being very small but most of what I remembered was the stream with running water that ran across the property and we happily played in, the baths outside in a big steaming metal tub, and the huge play balls we enjoyed with my cousins. The food was delicious, the fresh watermelon and barbeque chicken on the grill.

This was a family adventure and we spent time there every summer up until I was in the third grade. One of my uncles was part owner of this house and when he aged and retired to Florida, he and my aunt were frequent visitors to our home and family events. He would smile as he surveyed the table, the decorations or the big homemade cake and his comments resonated with me, he would say that no matter what we do with our children each day, making memories is the most important.

I recently heard the same quote at a business meeting – and that seemed like the Lord’s confirmation that this is something so many of us need to hear. The quote was something like this, “People will forget what you say, what you do, but they will not forget how you make them feel.”

This is the basis for so many successful businesses. How do you feel when you walk into a coffee house, or a small mom and pop business where people say hello when you walk in the door? There are several brands that focus on the user experience – and that is the key to their success. Another brand continually updates their food, their product line because they listen to the customers and again they want to make the customer welcome and a “regular.”

Applying business principals to our families seems rather cold, but in reality, it is a good way to look at things through a different set of filters. I know what it is like to be sleep deprived and wake up early to see my husband off to work, then stay up late with a little one who just would not go to sleep! There was nothing special I thought I was doing during those years, but I was wrong. Spending time with your children is so important – listening to your children is another aspect of parenting often overlooked.

When I discussed this podcast with my husband I asked him for his input and this is what he said was important and foundational for him:

Sharing the children’s interests
Learning about their passions
Making an effort to listen and be involved

Making memories with your children takes into consideration so many different aspects of raising kids. It’s those little things that the kids will remember and believe me, the strangest things you’ve done as a family stand out. When I asked one of my kids what they enjoyed the most about their week, they said helping Daddy paint! I have to admit it was a bit of a messier proposition than my husband had hoped and of course, it took longer but my son remembered that as the fun activity of the week.

Top 10 Activities to Make Memories with your family

Faith building events
1. Retreats
2. Camps – as a family
3. Bible studies
4. One day events
Camping
1. Slowly build up your camping gear
2. Look for sales
3. Ask around or borrow
Campfire Stories
1. Begin with a topic
2. Each person adds to a story
3. One person shares a made up story
Cooking together
1. Use a boxed set of ingredients
2. Try something new
3. Use skewers
Work on a project together
1. Painting
2. Planting a garden
3. Set up swing set
Pets
1. Visit pet store
2. Think about pet sitting
3. Think about purchasing a pet
Road trips/traveling
1. Day trips – upcoming podcast
2. DIY trips – here and here
3. Visit friends or family on the cheap
Volunteer work as a family
1. Habitat for Humanity homes
2. Soup kitchen
3. Ask at your local church, adopt a family
Backyard or neighborhood stargazing
1. Learn about the stars
2. Invest in good binoculars
3. Go to the planetarium or local nature center
Collections – rocks, shells, antiques, etc.
1. Decide on a collection
2. Figure out storage – box under the bed or shelves, etc.
3. Go on trips to collect

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Filed Under: Vintage Homeschool Moms Tagged With: big families, family activities, family vacations, homeschool, making family memories, making memories, making memories with your kids

Our Homeschool Convention Perspective

June 3, 2018 by Holly Giles Leave a Comment

Have you been to a homeschool convention? We are talking the pros and cons of a convention near you in episode 180. The replay is a live recording by the Roadschool Moms team from the back porch and behind the wheel. Holly Giles, the creator of The Giles Frontier, broadcasts from central Florida. This week, Mary Beth Goff, the Road Trip Teacher stops by Holly’s back porch to talk about their homeschool convention experiences.

Do you go to a homeschool convention every year? Are you going to your first one this year? Holly and Mary Beth share their experiences with a little twist.

The Newbie

Attending a homeschool convention can be sensory overload. Plan ahead for what your intentions are for the event.

Is your spouse attending or going with another mom?

We recommend making a plan and not taking your children into the exhibit hall. Why?

You can’t concentrate on why you are there.
They get distracted, hungry, irritated and bored.
You leave frustrated and didn’t accomplish your goals for the trip.

Do your homework

Research vendors ahead of time. Make a list of who you want to see. Map out your route and gather information to look at later. Leaving room for a variable is important.

12:38 Break

The vendor perspective

Holly shares her family’s perspective as a vendor and speaker at homeschool conventions. You may be surprised at why you should give a little time to the smaller cottage industry booths.

18:30 What is the difference in a big name for-profit conventions and a state non-profit convention. Why should you care?

Holly and Mary Beth will be in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the Chattanooga Homeschool Expo July 20-21.

This episode of Roadschool Moms is sponsored by The Giles Frontier. Check out Blaze New Trails, Nature and community-based adventures for every family.

Roadschool Moms Information

Looking for a roadmap for your next learning adventure? Scroll through the RSM library on iTunes to find more than 170 podcast replays. Subscribe on iTunes, rate the show and leave a review. Not sure how to do that? Check out the video – It’s as easy as 1-2-3! Android users follow on Stitcher.

Roadschool Moms: Season 12

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Filed Under: Road School Moms Tagged With: Home, homeschool, Homeschool Conventions, memories, roadschool, roadschool moms

Raising Young Entreprenuers

May 26, 2018 by Holly Giles Leave a Comment

What makes a young entrepreneur? Is it innate or the environment? That is what we discuss in episode #179. The replay is a live recording by the Roadschool Moms team from the back porch and behind the wheel. Holly Giles, the creator of The Giles Frontier, broadcasts from central Florida. This week, Mary Beth Goff, the Road Trip Teacher stops by Holly’s back porch to talk about raising young entrepreneurs.

What is it about a successful entrepreneur that sets them apart? Were they raised by entrepreneurs? Where they born with the desire or was it all in the way they were raised to look at life?

Childhood

4:45 Mary Beth has always been in business for herself. She has had several successful businesses in different areas. Her dad taught her the ropes. He has always had his hand in business. His tenacity and drive were a big influence in Mary Beth’s life.

Risk

7:05 Learning to evaluate risk at a young age helps as you grow into adulthood. The nurturing of play is important. Exploration and imagination play a huge role in developing characteristics of a young entrepreneur.

Problem-Solving

10:20 This starts on the playground. Let kids work out social issues and find their own boundaries. Helicopter parenting prevents children from experiencing natural interaction with other children. Critical thinking is a life skill that can happen naturally if we don’t step in and solve every issue.

Abilities

Holly shares the story of her son Grayson and working through the stroke he suffered as a child. Teaching independence and self-motivation played a key role in his successful lawn business.

17:15 Break

Grit

Grit is the number one factor in many successful entrepreneurs. Don’t give up. Work hard and don’t sell your kids short of their abilities.

Rabbit Trails

22:00 Mary Beth shares an awesome story about her son selling rocks at concert events. After that, the ladies move into their opinion on what is different in this modern culture that prevents success in our children today.

Listen in as they banter frankly about the changes in our society.

Roadschool Moms Information

Roadschool Moms: Season 12

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Filed Under: Road School Moms Tagged With: entrepreneurs, Home, homeschool, roadschool, roadschool moms

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

The Quest for Adventure

Try Something New

Do It a Different Way

Get Your Hands Dirty

Travel

Parties

Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Well Planned Gal

Homeschool Methods

Subscribe to Family Renewal HERE.

Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Well Planned Gal

Proclaiming Jesus through Bible Studies, Classes, Websites, Blogs, and Podcasts!

Show Notes

Marine Biology Observation

Marine Biology

Oceanography

Earth Science

Architecture

History

Geography

Human Anatomy/Health/Safety

Food & Nutrition

Art

Collections

Character/Leadership

P.E.

Homeschool Resources

Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Well Planned Gal

Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Well Planned Gal

Before You Hit the Road

Severe Weather in the RV

Take No Chances

More about Roadschool Moms

Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Well Planned Gal

Summertime – Making Family Memories

The Newbie

Do your homework

The vendor perspective

Roadschool Moms Information

Childhood

Risk

Problem-Solving

Abilities

Grit

Rabbit Trails

Roadschool Moms Information

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