Finish Well Finish Well Team

Map God’s World the Fun Way

In “Mapping God’s World the Fun Way,” Episode, #187, Meredith Curtis shares out-of-the-box creative ways to map God’s amazing world. From using large outline maps and cooking/coloring in to map contests and mapping on the bathroom wall, who says mapping can’t be fun? Get back to basic mapping the world and have a blast!

 



 



 



 











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Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 







Show Notes

God’s Word tells us that the earth belongs to Him and all the people who live in it (Psalm 24:1) and Jesus told us to make disciples of all nations starting right where we are and moving across the entire world (Matthew 28:19 and Acts 1:8). Best of all, He loves all the people in the entire world so much that He sent Jesus so anyone who believes in Him will have everlasting life! (John 3:16). That’s exciting!

As a homeschool mom, I want to teach my children about the world God made and loves. If God calls them to go to Calcutta to share the Gospel, I want them to know where it is!



Little Ones Map Continents & Oceans

Start with blank outline maps of the entire world. Give children crayons or let them dictate names of the continents and the oceans.

Puzzles



Older Children Landform Map

Here are some of the Basic Landforms Children Should be able to Map by the time they are starting high school:





* Andes Mountains

* Amazon River

* Patagonian Desert

* Argentinean Pampas

* Amazon Rain Forest

* Nile River

* Congo River

* Sahara Desert

* Kalahari Desert

* Congo Rain Forest

* Ganges River

* Yangtze River

* Tigris River

* Euphrates River

* Jordan River

* Arabian Desert

* Gobi Desert

* Manchurian Plain

* Mongolian Plain

* Kazakh Steppe

* Himalaya Mountains

* Daintree River

* Great Victoria Desert

* Australian Savanna

* Daintree Rain Forest

* Great Dividing Range

* Mississippi River

* Great Basin Desert

* Canadian Prairies

* American Great Plains

* Rocky Mountains

* Sierra Nevada Mountains

* Danube River

* Rhine River

* Great Hungarian Plain

* Alps

* Caucasus Mountains

* Ring of Fire



Political Map Fun

Continue with Outline Maps – Filling in

Map Contests

Compare Political Maps from Different Time Periods – Overlay maps are great for this

Geography Cookbook & An Outline Map

Geographical Fiction

Seterra Online Quiz Game

Mapping the Bathroom Wall



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US Geography Resources

Jr High US Geography

Math Success in High School

In “Math Success in High School,” Episode, #186, Meredith Curtis talks about that subject that many homeschool moms dread – MATH! High school success is easier than you think. You need confidence, a game plan, good study habits, and sometimes help from outside the home. You will be encouraged from this podcast and have a workable plan to move forward.

 



 



 



 











Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 







Show Notes

If you don’t like Math, don’t tune me out.



4 Reasons Students Do Poorly in Math



* They think they can’t do it

* They have poor study habits when it comes to Math

* They do it in spurts rather than consistently

* Moms are afraid of Math and pass on the fear



What’s Great about Math?



* Concrete – right or wrong

* Incremental

* Teaches Problem-Solving

* Exercise for the Brain

* Exercise for our Logic Muscle



Why Kids Can Be Confident in Math



* Each child is fearfully and wonderfully made

* Each child can do ALL THINGS through Christ who gives us strength

* Negative Voices in the Head can be Silenced

* Study Habits & Game Plan are Key in Conqueroring Math



Game Plan & Study Habits



* Do Math first thing (or as soon as you are awake) 4-5 times a week

* Lead from Success to Success to Success

* Learn each concept well before moving on (fractions, decimals, borrowing, order of operation, making 10)

* Memorize Multiplication Tables

* Memorize Basic Formulas



My Experience with Math



* Early years to High school

* Challenges & What I Did

* Getting Help



Get Help!



* Tutoring

* Online Classes

* Tutoring & Online Classes both Available at True North Homeschool Academy

* Leanne - Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Algebra II



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Online Math Classes 

Check out all the great classes at True North Homeschool Academy!





















 





Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

Travel to Learn US Geography

In “Travel to Learn US Geography,” Episode, #185, Meredith Curtis shares ways to teach US geography as if you were on a road trip through each US state and territory highlighting natural wonders, historic landmarks, and interesting people and places. Learn to use mapping, road mapping,  sightseeing, drone videos, cooking, baking, and research to discover our beautiful country. Grab your road map, pack your suitcase, and don’t forget your camera—we’ll see lots of beautiful places! Traveling, even from your family room, is a great way to learn geography the fun way!

 



 



 











Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 







Show Notes

Hi! I love to travel. If only I could pack up the minivan and travel from state to state for a year or two.



Country Overview



* How USA grew

* Regions: Landforms, Climate

* Farming



Road Trip & Packing



* If we were going.

* Why it’s their favorite class.



Regional Overview



* Maps – colorful and fun

* Mapping

* Food, culture, music, landmarks, natural wonders, rivers, lakes



Take a Tour



* State Description

* Places to See

* Food, crops, resources, fun things to do



Research



* Statehood, flower, bird, fun facts

* Copy flag – make it beautiful



Road Mapping



* Lost skill with GPS

* Where roads go and how they meander

* g. Interstate highways (S to N even) (W to E odd)



Cooking & Baking



* I dish or meal from each region

* Kids LOVE this!



In Class Online

US Geography course at True North Homeschool Academy



Use God Bless the USA Exploring States & Territories

God Bless the USA State Capitals & Abbreviations





















* Videos (esp Drone, travel, adventure)

* Games

* Questions: “What do you notice about this state flag (seal, capitol, coin, stamp)

* Photo of Map Shape: “Give me the capital and abbreviation)



US Geography Online Class

Jr High US Geography



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US Geography Resources













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Essential Computer Skills for Teens

In “Computer Science Online ,” Episode, #184, Laura Nolette & Meredith Curtis discuss Laura’s Introduction to Computer Science course online at True North Homeschooling Academy and the essential computer skills for teens. Laura, a 30+ year veteran and continuing student of the IT world, offers some insight into why students need a computer science class and what they can learn in this one. Meredith and Laura talk about the computer related challenges they have helped homeschool students overcome as they learn online.

 



 



 











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Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 







Show Notes

What Students Need to Know About Computer Science



* Basic history of computers

* What computers do

* How they work

* How they think

* What’s in a computer

* What works with a computer

* What is computer programming or game design

* The internet - How it works how it was built

* Internet safety

* How can you use the internet to make money?

* Office application

* How to make apps work

* How to find work on your computer

* How to organize your computer

* How to customize or personalize your computer



Teaching Computer Science Online



* Learn What They Need Now

* Learn What They Will Need in the Future

* Start with the Basics

* Using the internet to learn

* Using the internet to share or submit documents

* Compare & Learn To Use Different Systems

* Microsoft Office 365 – including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

* Google Chromebook – including Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

* MacBook or iMac – inclkluding Apple Pages, Numbers, and Keynote



Teacher Experience



* Been around computers since childhood

* Worked as a IT professional for over 30 years

* Involved in the beginnings of the internet

* Siblings are all IT professionals

* Taking more classes still



Always keep learning

















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More Online Classes with Laura, Meredith, and Leanne

Check out all the great classes at True North Homeschool Academy!

























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Cozy Mystery English Online

In “Cozy Mystery English Online,” Episode, #183, Laura Nolette & Meredith Curtis discuss Meredith’s Who Dun It high school English course online at True North Homeschooling Academy. Writing a novel in high school and creating Who Dun It high school English course has been a win-win for their teens. Who Dun It is fun in a co-op and online classes where students read and write cozy mysteries. This out-of-the-box high school English course is a blessing to many homeschool families who want to experience the adventure of clues, red herrings, plot twists, creating suspects, and leading their detective on a merry chase until the murderer is apprehended.

 



 



 











Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 







Show Notes

Our experience with novel writing in high school and eventually writing a who-dun-it.



Writing a Cozy Mystery



* Cozy -no gore, clean, focus on solving a puzzle

* Create detective, sidekick, friends, and suspects (characterization)

* Create a scene-by-scene plot

* Suspect’s Motives

* Clues/Red Herrings

* Setting/Tone/Mood/Christian Worldview

* Plot Twists

* Logic – Wrapping It Up



Who Dun It At Home



* Read “Golden Age” Mystery Novels & Short Stories

* Discuss Novels & Short Stories

* Write a Short Story first semester

* Write Novel second semester

* Create Well-Rounded Characters/Introduce to Family

* Read Sections of Short Story & Novel Aloud to Family

* Get Input from Family

* Watch Cozy Mysteries & Discuss with Parents





 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Who Dun It in Homeschool Co-op



* Read “Golden Age” Mystery Novels & Short Stories

* Discuss Novels & Short Stories

* Write a Short Story first semester

* Write Novel second semester

* Create Well-Rounded Characters/Introduce in Class

* Read Sections of Short Story & Novel Aloud

* Peer Review Writing Club Style

* Watch Cozy Mysteries & Discuss





 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Who Dun It Online





* Read “Golden Age” Mystery Novels & Short Stories

* Discuss Novels & Short Stories

* Write a Short Story first semester

* Write Novel second semester

* Create Well-Rounded Characters/Introduce in Class

* Read Sections of Short Story & Novel Aloud

* Peer Review Writing Club Style

* Watch Cozy Mysteries & Discuss



Who Dun It at True North Homeschool Academy

Literature & Composition: Who Dun It



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20th Century World History Fun Online

In “20th Century World History Fun Online,” Episode, #181, Laura Nolette & Meredith Curtis talk about Meredith’s 20th Century World History Class online at True North Homeschooling Academy. First, they talk about history co-oping and how they ended up leading a co-op and teaching online. They discuss history labs (design an amusement park, diaromas, acting out battles, radio shows, commercials) and how they add depth and fun to history studies.

 



 



 











Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 







Show Notes

Our experience  history co-oping and teaching online



History Classes In Person – Co-op



* All ages together for history lab

* Separate classes for discussing history material

* Archaeological Dig

* “Olympic Games”

* Quill Pens & Berry Ink

* Tin Punching

* Act Out Stagecoach Robbery

* Underground Railroad Game (similar to capture the flag)



History Labs in the 20th Century



* Games through the Century

* DIY Miniature Gold

* Diaroma of Battlefield – Trench Warfare

* War II Poster

* Listen to Music from each Decade

* Radio Show – Truthful Reporting from Vietnam

* Create an Airplane Company & Make Commercial

* Plan a Trip on Route 66

* Design an Amusement Park

* Mapping

* Family Trees

* Much more!



Why Teaching the 20th Century Is Needed



* So much of history is being rewritten

* 20th Century impacts 21st Century

* Socialism/Communism needs to be understood

* Wars/Terrorism/Civil Rights Movement/Eugenics/

* Set them up for success in the more formal years



World History 20th Century



* Online classes at True North Homeschool Academy

* 2 Classes – Middle School & High School

* Textbook & Workbook at Home

* Powerpoint, Videos, Project Sharing, and Discussion online



Benefits of Online History Fun



* Teen LIKE history

* Teens learn with other teens

* Just one hour a week for 15 weeks/semester

* Pleasant, wholesome atmosphere



20th Century World History at True North Homeschool Academy



* World History of the 20th Century for High Schoolers







 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



* Twentieth Century History Modern World for Jr. High Students







 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

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History Resources