In “US Geography Virtual Field Trips,” Episode, #213, join Meredith Curtis for a hack that bring US geography to life: virtual field trips. Meredith shares the kinds of field trips she takes her students on during the online US geography course she teaches. With general field trip ideas and a link to a sample of each kind of video, US geography will never be the same in your homeschool adventure.

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When I wrote my US geography textbook and workbook collection, I was determined to keep the theme of travel throughout. Then I taught US geography online at True North Homeschool Academy. How would I do that?

The answer: virtual field trips!

Painted Desert

https://youtu.be/x_hJbNAf8s4?si=pL967IQba2glCJ3a

Texas 4K Video UHD

https://youtu.be/M-CxFhqbApk?si=4bM603aVLY5SIHEw

Sebastian Island Florida – Sebastian Inlet Aerial View

https://youtu.be/yAQUfKtpA3I?si=tRY24YFR-ZwLMDep

Alaska USA – by drone (4K)

https://youtu.be/PRSkjM_N3Fg?si=1BqAa15eX1nfTuGF

Charleston, South Carolina / 4K Drone Footage

https://youtu.be/E0fffg9_cXw?si=wtFDfX-ezLVGmcYk

Trail Camera Setup and Pickup: Hidden Mountain Pool (Arizona Wildlife) – AZ

https://youtu.be/krdtwZbL-Os?si=3YDvZb-VV1rrvYfM

Wildlife at a Sonoran desert water hole – AZ

https://youtu.be/RtsSKMPzgIM?si=NU0PvMpKalN7gyFF

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel – US 13 Eastern Shore Virginia – Time Lapse

https://youtu.be/IF8pDwPafxo?si=itBJ3IInt3UJu-mE

GoPro: Kayaking the Tennessee Rapids with Nick Troutman

https://youtu.be/ghzDZfRnrp4?si=0VI2VFxt911e3qmd

Slow Ride : Life and Times Along the South Carolina Intracoastal Waterway

https://youtu.be/sVeYT3EbKjY?si=F94xInwYyuyXXTIg

Mike Rowe looks at different jobs across America!

The BEST Things to Do in CODY, Wyoming: A WILD WEST Adventure! – WY

https://youtu.be/T86VFuxW8mw?si=LaGEt0jHrYE49aGq

10 Best Places to See in Michigan

https://youtu.be/eoeVn3Ja4rg?si=TRPAdAVybxGLmvtq

Tide Pools Sebastian Inlet State Park & Vero Beach Ghost Crabs

https://youtu.be/Dv1OCfHD7_k?si=ROUA1_EFkgQsFeyZ

10 Things We WISH We Knew BEFORE Moving To AMERICAN SAMOA

https://youtu.be/MudQP_aW-2g?si=_OXY3PI0U3GHFcAf

Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (New York)

https://youtu.be/Ly4PxyeTs9o?si=_ZN1sl2Zh0i_co5j

Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore

(937) Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore – YouTube

Dover Air Force Base

https://youtu.be/6CbeDVtKYcg?si=mWtGAAeaDTrP17BX

Naval Base Kitsap Overview

https://youtu.be/h5PHiKWQAYM?si=oRKODNeNQiM-of6K

Why It’s Hard Eating Healthy in the South

https://youtu.be/CHl9yXeJSBg?si=b_abVpRQnHrEPH26

Ma’am in Not an Insult

https://youtu.be/X4o1WuZjelg?si=T3wuyq7mvzvrf8oF

Signs You Were Born In The Midwest

https://youtu.be/VC_p1DzgN0U?si=a7hthUhM9co14orz

LA vs NY / Jimmy Kimmel Live

https://youtu.be/ekOPaKqPKsU?si=VcrYU92Bizmk-pwR

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In “Reading Adds Joy to Life,” Episode, #212, join Meredith Curtis for inspiration for parents and teens to read books for pure enjoyment! Reading excellent literature for fun works out your brain, stretches your vocabulary, increases your attention span, cultivates compassion, and builds character. Plus when you read for fun, you release endorphins and add joy to life!

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Reading for fun is enriching and education.

Flex your brain muscles – improve comphrehension, build thinking & logic skills

Classical literature and well-written works will expose you to a richer vicoabulary. Older books have more description, conversation, and character development.

Opening a book takes us away from short blogs, short movie scenes, and shorter commercials. Trains our brain to focus.

Times change but human problems remain the same. Choosing books with good role models can impact you. He who walks with the wise grows wise.

Everyone loves a good story! Everyone loves an intellectual challenge like a mystery. Or a lovely romance. Or a grand adventure.

Check our reading lists for every age imaginable: https://www.powerlineprod.com/homeschooling/reading-lists/

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In “Career Choices & Decisions,” Episode, #211, join Meredith Curtis on a challenging adventure to make career decisions or guide teens through the process. Some teens know what career path they want to choose early on but most teens graduate from high school not sure what they want to do with the rest of their lives. And that is okay. Exploring career options will help you narrow down your focus. There are specific ways to explore career options and cultivate general work world skills.

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Let’s talk about careers.

Balance between following your dream & earning a living – choose career!

God has a unique call on your life.

Teens are wired for Passion! If they don’t find it serving God, they will look elsewhere

Career Exploration is part of my Economics, Finances, and Business course, a one-credit high school class. Purchase Economics, Finances, & Business in print at Amazon. Purchase the E-book at PowerlineProd.

Economics, Finances, and Business covers everything your teen ever wanted to know about economics, managing household finances, career, college, buying a car, renting an apartment, making a will, and starting a home business.

Soft Skills

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In “Family Road Trips Exploring Early US History,” Episode, #210, Meredith Curtis talks to teens and parents about the benefits of travel to explore Early American History. Meredith takes you to early settlements, colonial towns, the Museum of the Bible, American Revolution sites, Presidential Homes, living museums, and federal buildings.

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We have a beautiful heritage of freedom in the USA. It’s fun to jump in the family van and explore our early history on site! Taking our children to visit amazing places across this beautiful nation of ours can help inspire a love of freedom. 

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In “Celebrate 5 Moms Who Changed the World,” Episode, #209, Meredith Curtis invites you to meet 5 amazing women who changed the world! A Jewish momma, a pastor’s wife, a Victorian mother, the mother of a President, and a modern woman have or are all changing the world. Each faced or face challenges, yet each woman perseveres. Be inspired and encouraged by the lives of these women!

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The hand that rock the cradle rules the world. Meet five women who changed the world!

A young Jewish wife and mother who had only a few years to impart her faith in her son who would grow up to be the deliverer Moses.

After giving birth to 19 children, 10 made it infancy. Two of her sons led a revival in England, one writing over 1,000 hymns. Susannah was purposeful in raising her children for the glory of God.

When Thomas exasperated his teachers, they labeled him “dumb” and “lazy” so Mary kept him home and taught him herself.

Nelle’s alcoholic husband made life difficult for Nelle and her two sons. But her faith in God and heart to serve others gave a future President a good foundation.

In choosing to homeschool, you are changing the world – here’s why!

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In “Teen Life Skill: Plan a Road Trip!,” Episode, #208, Meredith Curtis talks to teens and parents about the benefits of teens planning the next family road trip! She gives the practicals of what to plan and how to budget for a trip. Teens can pack their suitcase, pack the car, and map out the trip. Oh, and don’t forget the itinerary!

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Most homeschool families hit the road in the spring or summer for that wonderful family vacation! Hey Teens, why not plan the next family road trip (with some input and help financially, of course). It’s super-fun and you should get homeschool credit for it!

What does your family love? Sports, beach, mountains, museums, theme parks, boating, hiking?

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In “Reimagine Teen Ministry,” Episode, #207, join Meredith Curtis to reimagine family ministry in the 21st century. How can teens and their families reach this generation and build up God’s forever family? The answers take us back to Scripture, uses updated technology, and involve love that flows from knowing Christ. Reach your city and reach the world while growing closer as a family!

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Your teens and children are not the church of tomorrow; they are the church of today.

Joseph, Samuel, David, Naaman’s servant girl, Daniel, Boy with his lunch

Teens are wired for Passion! If they don’t find it serving God, they will look elsewhere

Great Commission

Creation Mandate

Call to Love

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In “Hosanna Hallelujah Easter Fun,” Episode, #206, join Meredith Curtis and learn to celebrate Holy Week and Easter in a meaningful way. Pass on biblical truth and values to your children through family traditions, devotions, crafts, food, and fun. Experience the depth of the Holy Week & Resurrection celebrations with role playing and object lessons. Don’t worry – Meredith likes to celebrate the easy way!

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Every Gospel Writer shares the details of Jesus’ final week from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection.

The Final Week – Biblical Events (Resurrrection Eggs, Laminated 8”x11” posters)

Resurrection Power

Celebrating, Thanking, Worship, Sharing the Good News

Church, Devotions, Extended Family Meals, Palm Sunday Parade, Egg Hunts, Hats, New Easter Dresses, Crafts, Scripture Placecards

Family Devotions Start Palm Saturday to Sunday after Easter

Jesus Anointed, Palm Sunday, Jesus Clears Temple, Passover, Garden, Arrest, Trial, Cross, Burial, Resurrection, Appears to Disciples, Walk to Emmanus, Jesus Reinstates Peter, Ascension

Easter Wheel, Resurrection Eggs,

Passover Seder: Roasted Chicken, Lamb, Apple & Walnut Charoset, Carrot Salad, Potato Latke, Cheese Blintzes, Apple Tartlets

Good Friday Ideas: Lamb or Roast or Fish, Parslied Potatoes, Asparagus, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Red Grape Juice

Easter Breakfast Ideas: Broccoli Quiche, Cinnamon Rolls, Raspberry Cheese Danish, Orange Juice, Coffee

Easter Dinner Ideas: Ham or Roast, Potato Salad, Jello Salad, Deviled Eggs, Minted Peas & Carrots, Carrot Cake, Coconut Cake, Key Lime Pie

Dress Up & Act It Out

Podcast, Radio Drama, Video

Resurrrection Eggs

Lamb Blood & Snake Venom

When snake venom is injected into a lamb or sheep, the animal will create antibodies to fight the poison.

When the sheep is bitten by a poisonous snake, it will have difficulty swallowing, the tongue will protrude from the mouth, and the animal will dribble saliva. Often the animals will be unable to stand after he expels his stomach contents through his nose. After remaining motionless for a period of time, the sheep will regain consciousness.

The sheep’s stomach contains a special enzyme found in the stomach that breaks down the venom.

2 weeks of Family Devotions & Crafts

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In “Of the People, By the People, For the People,” Episode, #205, join Meredith Curtis and her friend Linda Salmon as they describe what the Founders had in mind when they created a brand-new government based on God-given freedom that gave the power to the people. Linda and Meredith discuss the environment that fosters freedom and what factors destroy liberty. Homeschoolers are in an unique position to foster a love of freedom and skills to maintain freedom in their children. Merey and Linda share practical ways to do just that!

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Historically, leaders create empires, nations, and cities to enrich themselves. The USA was a grand experiment in self-government and freedom. After all, our rights come from God. Government’s job is to protect those rights and leave people free to live their lives responsibly.

Representative government. Republic not democracy.

Purpose is to protect freedom not to enrich leaders.

In American, every citizen has a voice and a vote.

Love of Freedom. Freedom of Speech. Respect for Other People. Educated. Well-Read. Marketplace of Ideas. Rights not encroached.

Corrupt Leaders. Looking to Government to Care for the People rather than Protect Freedom. Victim Mentality. Heavy Taxation/Inflation. Government Usurping Power and Trying to Take Away Rights.

Uncover God’s Purpose & Agenda in this fresh innovative look at government. Since God is the source of authority, He delegates that authority to the individuals, families, churches, and sovereign nations with clearly defined responsibilities and limits. Let’s dive into the the Lord’s way to govern your life, family, church, and nation at the state, local, and national level.

Explore American exceptionalism, forms of government, the roots of freedom, our Constitution, elections, politics, military, manners (self-government), citizenship, and personal freedom. Discover what God values in leaders and how He works in us to grow as leaders. People often have very different ideas about how to run societies and countries, yet we need to compare these ideas to the Word of God, our standard of truth. Discover what happens when man’s agenda conflicts with God’s purpose and plan.

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In “Travel to the Netherlands III,” Episode, #204, join Meredith Curtis on a trip back in time to the Netherlands during and after World War II. Discover the impact World War II had on families and children who became heroes who hid the Jewish people and made life hard for the occupying Nazis. Learn about the Evian Conference and Anne Frank. Meet Dutch heroes like Corrie ten Boom and Brother Andrew. Discover how World War II changed the Netherlands.

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The Netherlands is a plucky little nation in Northern Europe with a fascinating history. World War II brought horror to the nation, but the Dutch people fought back by hiding Jews and making life difficult for the occupying Nazis.

In July 1938, a conference was held in Evian-les-Bains, France. Would anyone take the Jews? Denmark and the Netherlands. Hitler used the response of the world’s nations to justify his “Final Solution.” Some Jews did indeed flee to the Netherlands and Denmark.

The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I but was invaded by Hitler’s Nazi army in 1940 and was occupied by German troops until 1945 when they were liberated by the Allies.

Jews were rounded up to die in concentration camps. Many brave Dutchmen and Dutchwomen, like Corrie ten Boom and her family, risked their lives to hide Jews in secret rooms built in their homes. Others like Brother Andrew sabotaged the Nazi invaders.

Friends of the family hid the Franks in a secret attic room. Otto, Edith, and their two daughters Margot and Anne hid in the secret room for a little over two years before the Nazis found them. During that time Anne kept a diary. Otto was the only one to survive the camps and he was given the diary that the family who hid the Franks kept for him. The house is now a museum.

In 1844, Corrie’s grandfather, Willem was approached by a Messianic Jewish pastor who asked Willem to start a weekly prayer meeting for the Jewish people.

“When Casper was warned of the danger of hiding Jewish people, imprisonment and death, Casper declared that he felt it a great privilege to give his life to save God’s Chosen People.” Corrie and Betsy shared his heart.

Final Raid – ten Booms arrested. Jews stayed hidden and escaped. Corrie’s ministry.

Visiting the Hiding Place.

Andrew van der Bijl’s life was abruptly changed when the German Nazis invaded in 1940. Andrew and others like him determined to do everything they could to thwart the Nazis: Hide and care for the Jews, help Allies, blow up bridges and destroy railroads to keep the Germans from moving men and supplies.

Andrew’s education stopped when the Nazis invaded. All food Dutch farmers grew was sent to German soldiers. Dutch men were kidnapped and forced to serve in German factories. Andrew’s teen years were filled with horror and hunger. Yet, God protected him and after serving in the military, he gave his life to Christ.

He and his wife Corrie started a ministry called Open Doors to minister to persecuted Christians behind the Iron Curtain (those Christians in Communist Europe) and later the Bamboo Curtain (those Christians in Communist Asia). Near the end of his life, he ministered to persecuted believers in the Middle East.

After the war was over, there were years of rebuilding from the terrible destruction. Following World War II, the Dutch gave their colonies their independence too. Indonesia regained her freedom in 1949, Surinam in 1954, and the Antilles islands in 1954. The Netherlands and the Netherlands Antilles together form the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Each country has its own government, but they share the queen or king.

Lost: devout faith enjoyed by majority. Steady decline of morality

Gained: Agriculuture, Technology (cassette, Cd, Dvd, WiFi), Trade, Business.

One thing that really impacted the Dutch people was starving during the Nazi occupation. Determined to not starve again, they are on the cutting edge with efficient and productive farming techinuques. The Netherlands is the second largest exporter of food topped only by the US.

Movie Return to the Hiding Place

Join me for a 4-week unit study touring the plucky little country that once ruled the seas!

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