Finish Well Finish Well Team

Should I Join a Homeschool Co-op?

In “Should I Join a Homeschool Co-op?,” Episode, #170, Meredith Curtis discusses homeschool co-ops and how they benefit homeschooling families. She explains the difference between support groups, co-ops, enrichment classes, and umbrella schools. From a wealth of experience, Meredith shows how to co-op wisely when seasons allow.

 



 









 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 







Show Notes

Our Experience with Homeschool Co-ops



Differences Between Co-ops, Support Groups, Erichment Classes, Umbrella

Each different purpose, cost, personal responsiblity



Should I Join a Homeschool Co-op?

What season are you in?

Where do you need help?

What classes are you willing to NOT teach?



Roles in a Co-op

Cooperative – each one plays a role:





* Administrator

* Teachers

* Helpers

* Treasurer

* Support (Nursery/Study Hall)



Theme

Co-ops might have a theme: History Day, Travel thru Time, Science Fun

Co-ops might just be enrichment

Coo-ops might cover core classes & Enrichment

Co-ops might be online



Possible Classes

Core – English, Math, Science, History, Geography

Out-of-Box Core – Who  Dun It, Travel Around the World

Life Skills/Enrichment – Bible, Homemaking, Art, Music, Labs



Standards

Do their standards match yours?





* Faith/Beliefs

* Behavior

* Conversation



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Resources

All our curriculum is built around living books























 





Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

7 Classic Books Every Homeschool Mom Should Read

In “7 Classic Books Every Homeschool Mom Should Read,” Episode, #169, Meredith Curtis shares her favorites with you – books that have inspired, equipped, and encouraged her. These books will change your life and your perspective. Grab a cup of tea or mug of coffee and learn about some classic books that you will want to read and reread again.

 









 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 







Show Notes

The bookcase outside my door.

Books impact our lives. Some of my books are like special friends who have spoken into my life and brought forth something new.



L’Abri by Edith Schaeffer

Frances & Edith Schaeffer’s ministry in Switzerland.

Focus on creating a nurturing environment and ministering in and from the home.



For Better or Best by Gary Smalley

As a young couple, we attended this author’s conference and had our first introduction to the vast difference in the way men and women think. Also how different their needs are.

He also wrote If Only He Knew.



Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

My favorite book on parenting. It really shows how to parent by imitating Jesus as a shepherd of our children’s hearts.



Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer

I love art and beauty and classic books. Edith opened my eyes to the true art involved in creating a home from interior decorating to fostering integration of ages, I love this book!



Creative Counterpart by Linda Dillow

A great book on how to be a wife from the relational to the practical including organization.



The Christian Family by Larry Christenson

Every Christian should read this book on the the how, what, and why of God’s design of the Christian family. Covers roles and responsibilities, including the family’s Saviour – Jesus and parent’s role in the spiritual nurture of their children.



Spirit of Loveliness by Emilie Barnes

Lovely inside and out, Emilie reminds us to add beauty in our world to fee our soul. I love all her books but this is my favorite!



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Resources

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Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

Career Exploration with Special Guest Vicki Tillman

In “Career Exploration with Special Guest Vicki Tillman,” Episode, #168, Meredith Curtis interviews homeschool mom/counselor/curriculum creator Vicki Tillman about future careers for homeschool grads. They start by sharing the careers of their 10 homeschool graduates – all so different and some very specialized. Vicki and Meredith discuss ways to help our teens explore various careers in high school – classes, investigating careers, talking to people about their jobs, ministry, apprenticeships, starting their own businesses – so they can enjoy successful careers in the future.

 









 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 







Show Notes

Welcome to Special Guest Vicki Tillman with Seven Sisters, a homeschool podcast and curriculum provider.



Careers of All Our Grown Children

All graduated from Homeschool & College

Vicki’s Kid’s Careers

Meredith’s Kid’s Careers



Career Exploration

How to Help Teens Explore Career

God’s part in Career Exploration

God’s Will, Experiences, Giftings, What They Enjoy, Values

Apprenticeships



When to Learn About Careers

No Right Way

Sometimes a Little at a Time

Sometimes a Semester Class

Adding to Economics Class

Starting Your Own Business

Vicki’s Career Exploration Class

Ministry

Listen to Vicki Tillman’s Podcast: The Homeschool High School Podcast

Purchase Seven Sisters Career Exploration Bundle HERE.



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High School Resources











































 





Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

Teens Take Charge of Your Health! … for high school credit!

In “Teens Take Charge of Your Health! … for high school credit,” Episode, #167, Meredith Curtis shares practical things to include in your teen’s health class that will motivate healthy lifestyle changes. Teens can do health as an independent study if they want to start adding healthier habits to their lives. Or parents can create a health class that is practical and helpful. Healthy nutrition, exercise, hygiene, sleep, and relationship habits can start now and last a lifetime.

 









 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 



 



 







Show Notes

I started 2 habits related to health in high school – 1 good and 1 bad



Nutrition

What nutrients does your body really need? What is the best way to get it?



Exercise

What are the 4 kinds of exercises teens need? What is the funnest way to do them?



Sleep & Fresh Air

Teens need more sleep – why? Why does fresh air matter?



Avoiding Sickness

Simple investments to avoid sickness –-> huge dividends



Personal Hygeine

Body odor, acne, shaving, and clothing all matter for teens.



Healthy Communication & Relationships

Communication and relational skills called soft skills – make a huge difference in the 21st century.



Sexual Purity

How on earth can teens stay pure in a seductive world?



Addictions

Common addictions among teens and how to find freedom.



How To Keep Growing in their Relationship with God

Silver, Kit Carson, Carson City, Virginia City

Silver and gold mining, mining towns, ghost towns, Kit Carson, mountain men, capital, capitol, desert



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High School Resources

Ultimate Extravagant USA Road Trip V: Pacific States & Territories

In “Ultimate Extravagant USA Road Trip V: Pacific States & Territories,” Episode, #166, Meredith Curtis becomes your tour guide a final trip through the USA—this time it’s a cruise starting in Alaska and making our way down the west coast and out to Hawaii. From the island state, we’ll make our way to our five territories. You will see some breathtaking views, enjoy delicious seafood, and venture into the Ring of Fire. Grab  your navigation chart, pack your suitcase, and don’t forget your swimsuit and life jacket—there’s lot of miles sailing over the ocean! This is the fifth in our series of USA road trips—traveling is a great way to learn geography the fun way!

 



 









Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 







Show Notes

Hi! Today, I’m your tour guide. Ready for a whirlwind trip through the Pacific states and our 5 inhabited territoreis?

Pacific Ocean, extremes, Ring of Fire, seafood.



Alaska

Largest state, Mt. Denali, mountains, glaciers, moose, caribou, bears, bison, reindeer

Peninsula, Denali, fauna (animals), tundra, national parks & preserves, ports



Washington

Mount Saint Helens, Olympic National Park, Mount Olympus

Volcano eruption, “geological layers,” rainforest, waterfalls, mountains



Oregon

Crater Lake, Crater lake National Park

Extinct volcano, alpine lakes



California

Redwood National Forest, Sequoia National Park, Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree, Death Valley

Agriculture, volcanoes, islands, mountain ranges, deserts, valleys, fertile farmland, earthquakes



Hawaii

Missionaries, Coral Church

Archipelago, volcanoes, multicultural population, missionaries



American Samoa

Fiafia, Christian influence

Archipelago, natural harbor, coral reefs, volcanoes, mountains, rainforests, tropical flowers, tropical fruits



Northern Mariana Islands

Tinian, Diving for WWII weapons or artifacts

Mariana Trench, World War II, shipwrecks, diving



Guam

Pacific War Musuem, Capital Hagnatna

World War II, history of island, division between Guam and Northern Mariana Islands



US Virgin Islands

Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, Estate Whim Plantation, coral reef diving

Archipelago, Danish culture, archipelago, sugar mill, sugar plantation, coral reef, SCUBA diving, snorkeling



Puerto Rico

Fort Fortaleza, Castillo San felipe del Morro, Palacio de Santa Catalina

Tropical archipelago, mountains, hurricanes,



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We are celebrating the launch of our newest series, God Bless the USA (see books below).

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US Geography Resources

Jr High US Geography





















 

Ultimate Extravagant USA Road Trip IV: Southwest & Western States

In “Ultimate Extravagant USA Road Trip IV: Southwest & West States,” Episode, #165, Meredith Curtis becomes your tour guide on a road trip through 10 states and two tribal nations in the Southwest and West region of the country. You will see some breathtaking views and meet some wild west heroes. Grab your road map, pack your suitcase, and don’t forget your camera and extra water—we’ll spend a lot of time driving—there’s a lot of miles to cover in this wide-open country! This is the fourth in our series of USA road trips—traveling is a great way to learn geography the fun way!

 



 









 



 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 



 



 







Show Notes

Hi! Today, I’m your tour guide. Ready for a whirlwind trip through the the Southwest & West?

Spanish & Native American Influence.



Cherokee Nation

Trail of Tears—from NC to OK. Cherokee Heritage Center

Native lands, reservations, Trail of Tears, Native populations



Oklahoma

Oklahoma City: Underground, capital, National Cowboy Hall of Fame

Capital, capitol, city planning, oil refining, stockyards, cattle ranches



Texas

Culture of Texas, The Alamo

Spanish influence in Southwest, forts, missions, Texas indepence, wars, Texas statehood, landscape



New Mexico

Culture of New Mexico, Santa Fe, San Miguel Chapel, Pueblos

Native Americans, Pueblo homes, Spanish missions, oldest capital city in USA, landforms



Four Corners

Navajo Nation, Four Corners

Territories to states, boundary lines, desert, mountains, landmarks, Native tribes



Arizona

Desert, Grand Canyon

Desert, saguaro cactus, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, canyons, cliffs, rock formations, living in a desert



Colorado

Mountains, Ski Resorts

Colorado mountains, snow line, mountain safety, mountain recreation, valleys, mesas, forests, canyons, plateaus, lakes, rivers



Utah

Bonneville Salt Flats, National Parks

Red sandstone cliffs, arches, rock formations, mountains, desert, salt flats, salt lake, mining salt



Nevada

Silver, Kit Carson, Carson City, Virginia City

Silver and gold mining, mining towns, ghost towns, Kit Carson, mountain men, capital, capitol, desert



Wyoming

Cowboys, Rodeos, Native Americans, Yellowstone National Park

Cattle ranching, rodeos, Native Americans, tribal land, national parks, mountains, plains, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, geysers



Montana

Fourth largest state, mining, copper mining, Ringing Rocks

Forests, rivers, waterfalls, mountains, valleys, farming, cattle ranching, mining boom towns, ghost towns, ski resorts



Idaho

Potato farming, farming, ranching, gems, birthplace of TV, Lava Hot Springs

Hot springs, farming, ranching, gem mining, westward trails, rivers, white water rafting, resort towns



Sign up for our Newsletter

We are celebrating the launch of our newest series, God Bless the USA (see books below).

To celebrate, we have giveaways subscribers can enter, freebies subscribers can download, and fun for everyone.

Not a subscriber? Don’t worry. You can subscribe right here