Finish Well

Ultimate Extravagant USA Road Trip III: Midwest States

In “Ultimate Extravagant USA Road Trip III: Midwest States,” Episode, #164, Meredith Curtis becomes your tour guide on a boat and road trip through all 12 states in the Midwest region of the country. You will visit natural wonders, landmarks, and the third largest city in the country. Grab your road map, pack your suitcase, and don’t forget your life jacket—we’ll spend a lot of time in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River! This is the third 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 Midwest states?

Ohio

Great Lakes-Lake Huron, A Christmas Story Museum

Metropolis, urban, rural, museum, movie setting, 1900s history, Great Lakes, Port of Cleveland, Lake Huron

Michigan

Mackinac Island,

Ferry, straits, island, suspension bridge, Great Lakes, Lake Huron

Indiana

Indiana Dunes State Park

Great Lakes, Lake Michigan, sand dunes

Illinois

Chicago, Navy Pier

City planning, skyline, construction, skyscrapers, pier, Lake Michigan

Wisconsin

Apostle Islands

Archipelago, sandstone, sea caves, lighthouses, shipwrecks, winter freeze

Minnesota

Minneapolis, St. Paul

historic buildings, cathedrals, architecture, skyscrapers, restored buildings, Mississippi River

Iowa

Maquoketa Caves State Park

Natural Bridge, Balanced Rock, tributaries, limestone bluffs, caves, overlooks, rock formations, creek, stream, river

Missouri

St. Louis, Independence, Westward Trails

Westward Trails, St. Louis, St. Louis Arch, Independence, Lewis & Clark's Discovery Corps, Mississippi River

Kansas 

Fort Leavenworth

US Army bases, westward expansion, forts, missionaries, soldiers, Native Americans, pioneers

Nebraska

Fort Kearny

Oregon Trail, Fort Kearny, Pony Express, Pawnee scouts, homesteading, archaeology, historical documents

South Dakota

Mt. Rushmore, Deadwood

boom towns, gold, mining, mines, carving stone, Mount Rushmore, Black Hills

North Dakota

Badlands, Cowboy Hall of Fame

Badlands, canyons, ravines, gullies, buttes, mesas, rocks, clay-rich soil, Petrified Forest

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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 II: Mid-Atlantic States & New England

In “Ultimate Extravagant USA Road Trip II: Mid-Atlantic States & New England,” Episode, #162, Meredith Curtis becomes your tour guide on a road trip through each state in the Mid-Atlantic and New England starting with Maryland and ending in Maine. You will visit natural wonders, landmarks, and visit some of the oldest cities in the country. Grab your road map, pack your suitcase, and don’t forget your jacket—it can get chilly in the northeast! This is the second 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 Mid-Atlantic states and New England?

Maryland

Life on the Chesapeake Bay, Delmarva Penninsula

Bays, estuary, port cities, natural harbors, Delmarva peninsula, boating, fishing industry, catching blue crabs, natural resources

Delaware

Dover Air Force Base

Delaware Bay, Delaware River, military, capital, location of bases, military towns, bridges, canals

New Jersey

Cape May

Cape, peninsula, borders, boundary lines, natural disasters, history

Pennsylvania

Independence Hall & Historic Places

Ports, industry, waterways, history, landmarks, symbols, airports, flight

New York

Niagara Falls

Boundary lines, borders, waterfalls, rivers, Great Lakes, interstate highway system, hydroelectric power

Connecticut

Hartford

Capital, capitol, Constitution, landmarks, symbols, resourcefulness

Rhode Island

Newport-the Breakers

History, architecture, homes, scenic drives, islands, island towns

Massachusetts

Boston Freedom Trail

History, harbor, churches,

New Hampshire

Recreation in the White Mountains

Lake, mountains, scenery

Vermont

Stowe

Village, history, ski resort, resort towns

Maine

Puffin & Whale Watching

Fauna (animals), coastline, lobster fishing, ocean

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

Sign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

 

 

 

US Geography Resources

Jr High US Geography

 

Ultimate Extravagant USA Road Trip I: Southern States

In “Ultimate Extravagant USA Road Trip I: Southern States,” Episode, #162, Meredith Curtis becomes your tour guide on a road trip through each state in the Deep South starting with Florida and ending in Arkansas. You will visit natural wonders, landmarks, and taste good ole Southern cooking. Grab your road map, pack your suitcase, and don’t forget your sunscreen—it’s hot in the South! This is the first 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 southern states?

Florida

Everglades, St. Augustine

Pennisula, estuary

Sonny’s, Publix, sugarcane, oranges, sweet corn

Georgia

Savannah

Mouth of a river, Intercoastal Waterway

Waffle House, Chick-Fil-A, peaches, pecans, boiled peanuts

South Carolina

Gullah, Charleston

Barrier islands

Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce

North Carolina

Kitty Hawk-Wright Brothers

Virginia

Jamestown, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Skyline Drive

5 Guys

West Virginia

New River Gorge Rafting

Southern Cooking

Kentucky

Ark Encounter, Creation Museum, Mammoth Cave

Tennessee

Nashville, Smokey Mountains

Alabama

Huntsville

Tuskagee

Mississippi

Gulf Shores National Seashore

Louisiana

New Orleans

Steamboat

Arkansas

Hot Springs

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

Sign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

 

 

 

US Geography Resources

Jr High US Geography

 

Could Online learning Benefit Your Home School?

In “Could Online Learning Benefit Your Home School?,” Episode, #161, Meredith Curtis talks about online course. She explains how they work, as well as the pro’s and con’s of online learning for parent, teacher, and student. She shows parents how to stay involved with their children’s learning adventure if it includes online learning. Meredith also shares her experience with online learning as a result of COVID.

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 

 

 

Show Notes

Our wonderful homeschool co-op was forced to go online in 2020. My adventure with online learning and where I am today.

Online Courses

Whole year or semester.

Live courses v. Go at Your Own Pace.

Like a co-op with class time and work at home.

Pro’s of Online Courses

Teachers often Teach what they love (great if there are subjects you hate teaching)

Great for working homeschool moms

A unique perspective

Gives Mom a break

Build friendships all over the world

Con’s of Online Courses

Can get disconnected from children and what they are learning

Can forget to make sure they are doing their homework

Can hamper spontaneity

Possible clash of worldviews/morals/ values

Easy to get behind in courses for some students

Everybody learning something different (20th Century)

How Parents Can Stay Involved

Listen in to classes occasionally

Meet weekly to discuss what they are learning and what homework is due the next week

Connect with teacher regularly

Encourage children/teens to work hard and do their best

Teaching at True North

Laura Nolette and I (Meredith Curtis) both teach at True North Homeschool Academy. They have been offering live online classes for over a decade and have collectively been involved in alternative education in the form of private schools, classical academies, yeshivas, co-ops, class days, classical charters, online academies, and more.

True North Homeschool Academy teachers are a group of passionate, qualified, creative educators providing carefully curated Core Courses and Clubs, delivered by utilizing cutting-edge technology, gamification, and solid academic pedagogy. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities of homeschooling.

Here are the classes Laura and I are teaching next year:

Grades K-3 Science Exploration

Grades 4-6 Science Exploration

Elementary Middle Ages Exploration

Jr. High Writing Like a Reporter/Exploring Journalism

Jr. High US Geography

Jr. High 20th Century World History

High School 20th Century World History

High School Photo Shop

...

A Lifetime Of Homeschooling

In “A Lifetime of Homeschooling,” Episode, #160, as Meredith Curtis celebrates her 60th birthday, she realizes what a huge role homeschooling has played in her life. She takes a look back at six decades of Preparation, Homeschooling Adventuring, and Coaching and counts it all joy! It’s been a lifetime of learning! How about you? What stage are you in? How can you get the most out of it and prepare for the next one.

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 

 

 

Show Notes

Turning 60 and looking back at a lifetime of homeschooling.

Preparation

2 decades of schooling, lifestyle learning, and reading.

Books lovely books.

Traveling to learn.

Discussion.

Acquiring a love of home, family, and learning.

Homeschool Adventure

The book that came by mistake

Gregg Harris Conference

Learning with my Kids

7 Rs: Relationships, Reading, Arithmetic, Writing, Rhetoric, Research, and Right Living.

Passing the baton of faith, home, family, lifestyle of learning, and sacrifice.

Coaching

Cheering Others On.

Coming Alongside

Teaching in Homeschool Co-ops and Online

What Stage Are You In?

Preparation? Homeschooling? Coaching?

The overlap

Getting the most and giving the most in each stage.

60 Birthday Sale

I am celebrating my 60th birthday this week and I want to bless you with HUGE SAVINGS!

Every digital product at PowerlineProd.com is 60% off when you purchase the product on our site.

Use coupon code HappyBD60!

Sale lasts Sunday May 15, 2022 until Sunday May 22, 2022.

HURRY! Grab the code and start saving!

Shop at PowerlineProd.com.

 

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Homeschooling Wisdom for Screen Time

In “Homeschooling Wisdom for Screen Time,” Episode, #159, Meredith Curtis honestly shares how the power of the internet took her by surprise as a parent and as it became more emeshed in our daily lives, she needed wisdom! Meredith talks honestly about the damage she has seen from attention span issues to pornography addictions. She has sound insight that must be transmitted to our children so they can participate in making wise choices and become responsible in their screen time usage as adults.

 

 

 

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 

 

 

Show Notes

When I homeschooled my oldest daughter, the internet wasn’t really a big part of our lives. As I homeschooled down the line, the internet became a bigger and bigger aspect of daily life. Soon it was on our phones and even homeschool assignments at co-op involved the internet.

The internet felt like a big monster that was ready to gobble my children up.

Nowhere to Hide from the Internet

Sneaking TV shows online

Things I didn’t want my children to see

Online games, Online gaming

Research

Hanging Out with Television Characters

Psych, Marvel superheroes

We become like those we hang out with—that includes characters on shows and movies

Proverbs 13: 20 says, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”

Old TV Shows Worth Watching

Screen Time Impacts Your Attention Span

Limited older more than younger

I wanted the kids to read, draw, paint, create, play music, and play outside. I didn’t want them to waste hours in front of a phone, TV, computer, or tablet.

Never too late.

Created to Be Addictive

Moms on Instagram

Game creators

Old TV Shows Worth Watching

Pornography & Predators

If the internet was a mall with 10,000 stores in it. 9,900 of those stores would be pornographic or sexual in nature. The internet sells sex. It is a haven and stomping ground for sexual predators and sex traffickers.

Sad situations

Researching? Remember Google has a Political Agenda

If anything the last election taught us it’s that Google, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter have a political agenda and use it aggressively.

If we want our children to hear both sides of a political or more issue, we need to show them where to look.

Conservative news sites

Creation science sites

Teach Our Children & Teens

* They need to remember that TV characters they watch often will impact their own character.

* Screen time will limit their attention span.

* Social media sites, online games, and almost everything online is designed to be addictive, especially pornography.

* Predators and sex traffickers prowl online regularly for children, teens, and young adults. They lie about their identity all the time.

* And, finally, if they are going to research online they need to remember that the search engine Google (and many others) actually have a political agenda that is contrary to the teachings of Scripture.

* We live in a world where we must use the internet. We can use it safely, but we need to not just protect our children but share these truths and envision them to take part in protecting themselves.

Books Guys Love

In “Books Guys Love,” Episode, #158, Meredith Curtis, mother of a son who loves to read now, but didn’t always in those early years, had to search out books for her son to read. She found a treasure trove in authors like Howard Pyle, Paul Hutchens, RM Ballantyne, GA Henty, Sir Walter Scott, and Scott O’Dell. Meredith will share 21 authors that boys will enjoy reading throughout the homeschool years.

 

 

 

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 

 

 

Show Notes

As much as times change, the things that beat in the hearts of little boys and young men stays the same. Let me introduce you to some timeless classics that still captivate the hearts of guys of all ages who still love thrilling adventures and fearless heroes.

What Kind of Books Should You Give Your Children?

Living Books

Classic Books (doesn’t matter age—classics are timeless)

Wholesome Books

Books with Good Role Models

Meet the Authors and Find Out Why Guys Love Their Books

George Sheldon

Felix Sutton

Scott O’Dell

Hugh Lofting

Albert Payson Terhune

William O. Steele

Jim Kjelgaard

Howard Pyle

Paul Hutchens (Sugar Creek Gang series)

Walt Morey

Quentin Reynolds

RM Ballantyne

GA Henty

H Rider Haggard

Robert Louis Stevenson

Sir Walter Scott

Rudyard Kipling

Mark Twain

James Fenimore Cooper

Jules Verne

HG Wells

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Resources

These resources help your teen grow in virtue and life skills/soft skills

 

Resurrection-Powered Homeschooling

In “Resurrection-Powered Homeschooling,” Episode, #157, Meredith Curtis honestly shares how to face the everyday stress and struggle of homeschooling with Resurrection-Power available to every Christian. We know it’s ours, but how do we walk in it. Start today!

 

 

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 

 

 

Show Notes

Why we need power for homeschooling

Jesus’ Resurrection

Appearing to Thomas, Peter, Road to Emmaus

Paul wants to know the power of His Resurrection

"Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" (Philippians 3:20-21)

It is a quest!

Paul says, "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death" (Philippians 3:10)

Wait. Why is Paul mentioning resurrection power and suffering in the same passage?

Wisdom to Know Him Better

Ephesians 1:17-23

God Raised Jesus from the Dead

We died with Christ and are raised with Him?

What does that look like?

Homeschooling Dead to Me; Alive to Christ

Ephesians 1:17-23

Surrender

Receiving

Practical Examples

Remember who you are in Christ!

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Resources

These resources help your teen grow in virtue and life skills/soft skills

 

Homeschooling with Hot Flashes & Broken Bones

In “Homeschooling with Hot Flashes & Broken Bones,” Episode, #156, Meredith Curtis honestly reveals her own aging challenges and how they have impacted her homeschooling. She learned to work around hot flashes and broken bones—and you can too! Prepare to laugh a little, nod in agreement, and feel inspired to stay the course through it all—all while homeschooling effectively.

 

 

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 

 

 

Show Notes

Breaking bones and trying to play soccer with teens stories.

Menopause

My first hot flash

Osteoporosis/Weakened bones

Grumpiness, Emotions Running High

This Age You Might Start Caring for Aging Parents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Homeschool While Body is Aging

* Making time for gentle exercise and weights.

* Nutrition

* More sleep

How to Homeschool When Recovering from an Injury

* Find comfortable positions

* Homeschool in spurts

* Back hurting, I can lay on my side

* They read aloud or listen to audios and discuss

* You can homeschool from bed!

How to Homeschool During Menopause

* Gentle exercise & weights make symptoms easier

* More sleep

* Stay in the Word!

* Learn to converse with God

* Tell the children how you are feeling when you are having a bad day and ask them to pray for you

* Be real! But be godly!

The Joys of Growing Older

* Time alone

* Grandchildren

* Time to create

* Enjoy now but don’t fear what is to come!

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Resources

These resources help your teen grow in virtue and life skills/soft skills

 

Small Churches Are A Blessing for Homeschooling Families

In “Small Churches are A Blessing for Homeschooling Families,” Episode, #155, Meredith Curtis explains the benefits of small churches to Christian homeschooling families since most Americans go to a small church. These benefits include relationships, age integration, opportunities to serve, and internships/electives.

 

 

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 

 

 

Show Notes

The average church building holds about 200 people with only about 65 people in attendance.

Since 2000, the average congregation size has gone from 140 to 65 people on a Sunday.

A small church is typically between 25 to 200 people. But, 60% of church goers attend a church with less than 75 members.

Here are five reasons small churches benefit homeschooling families.

Relationships

Lives are Changed in the Context of Relationships

Knowing Your Pastor

True Fellowship

Age Integration

Age Segregation is NOT Biblical

Age Segreation Leads to Self-Centeredness

Age Integration Enriches Us with Relational Skills, Fun, Wisdom, and Empathy

Opportunities to Serve

Room for Everyone

Greeting, Sunday School, Nursery, Sound Team, Powerpoint, Worship Team, Ushering, Hospitality, Hosting Church Events, Planning Church Events, Administration

These Opportunities Cultivate/Develop Life Skills/Soft Skills

These Opportunities Cultivate a Servant’s Heart

Internships

Possibilities: Pastoral Assistant, Administration, Worship Leader Assistant, Leadership

Electives

Sound Technology

Child Development

The Great Commission

Bible Classes

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Resources

These resources help your teen grow in virtue and life skills/soft skills