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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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.

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

Who Dun It Online

Literature & Composition: Who Dun It

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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.

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Our experience  history co-oping and teaching online

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In “Science Fun Online,” Episode, #181, Laura Nolette & Meredith Curtis talk about Laura’s science class Science Exploration at True North Homeschooling Academy. First, they talk about homeschool co-oping and how they ended up leading a co-op and teaching online. What takes the intimidation out of learning science? Is hands-on science fun possible online? How do children respond and learn science online? Laura and Meredith answer these questions and more!

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Our experience  homeschooling, co-oping, and teaching online

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In “Leadership Principles from the Life of Jesus,” Episode, #180, Meredith Curtis looks at Jesus’ example of leading strong. See how He treats His followers, makes decisions, and accomplishes His mission. You can apply these leadership principles to parenting, homeschooling, ministry, and at work. Jesus is our perfect example in every way and He provides the Holy Spirit so we can lead like Him.

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Jesus lived a perfect life and left us a perfect example. As we follow Him and walk in His footsteps, we can experience freedom and joy!

Are you overwhelmed as a homeschool mom? Trying to give your kids real life skills and the ability to make wise decisions, but it’s not that easy? Here’s help from over 30 expert homeschoolers who want to answer your questions.

Join Me for Life Skills Leadership Summit during February 20-24, 2023. Give your kids real life skills and the ability to make wise decisions. You’ll be encouraged, with tools to confidently finish your school year strong. Learn more here:

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Our curriculum and Bible studies work great at home; or in church, homeschool co-ops, and online classes, too!

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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In “Will the Real Nicholas, Valentine, & Patrick Please Stand Up,” Episode, #179, Meredith Curtis uncovers the real St. Nick, St. Valentine, and St. Patrick, debunking popular stereotypes of these men and the holidays celebrated in their honor. Meet 3 Christian superheroes who stood tall in their generation loving God, standing for truth, making disciples, and pastoring churches. You will be inspired by these men and I hope you will introduce them to your children.

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Is St. Nick a roly-poly sleigh rider? Does Valentine love pink hearts and chocolate candies? Is St. Patrick really a lepruchan? It’s time to meet the real men behind these holidays celebrated in their honor.

Are you overwhelmed as a homeschool mom? Trying to give your kids real life skills and the ability to make wise decisions, but it’s not that easy? Here’s help from over 30 expert homeschoolers who want to answer your questions.

Join Me for Life Skills Leadership Summit during February 20-24, 2023. Give your kids real life skills and the ability to make wise decisions. You’ll be encouraged, with tools to confidently finish your school year strong. Learn more here:

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

Raise men who stand tall in their generation! Our curriculum works great at home; or in homeschool co-ops and online classes, too!

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

The post Will the Real Nicholas, Valentine, & Patrick Please Stand Up appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In “4 Kinds of Exercise Every Teen Needs,” Episode, #178, Meredith Curtis explains four ways our bodies need to workout to stay healthy and fit: aerobic, strength, balance, and stretching. After giving a wide variety of workout examples and sports that cover two or more kinds of exercise, she shares how teens can design their own workout schedule to fit their taste and style. She also encourages teens to find a lifetime sports and shares how that plays a role not only in lifetime health, but happiness as well. Teens can build healthy habits now that last a lifetime.

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Teens, are you worried about spending too much time in front of a screen and not enough time working out? Or maybe you are a parent concerned about your teen’s health? Exercise is a big part of staying healthy from birth to old age.

First let’s talk about 4 kinds of exercise our bodies need.

Many sports and workouts combine them all.

Works heart muscle. Makes heart pump harder and faster. Gives our lungs a workout too with a greater need for oxygen.

Muscle strength is the amount of work your muscles can do.

Muscle endurance is how long a group of muscles can work effectively.

You build muscle strength and endurance through strength training where you focus on a particular body part (e.g. situps) or in the process of aerobic workout (e.g. running builds leg muscles)

“he’s ripped!” – when you work out to build muscle mass, you actually damage/tear muscle and when the muscle repairs itself, it is bigger than before.

Low weight + Many reps = Toned muscles

Heavy weight + Fewer reps = Large muscles

Balance is the ability to maintain poise and physical equilibrium in various body positions. Gynastics, ballet, ice skating, soccer, and football all required balance.

Balance easy – stand on 1 leg; then the other and other easy exercises

When you stretch a body part you lengthen (stretch) the muscles and associated soft tissues.

Benefits

Most importantly, stretching before and after working out, warms the muscles and keeps them from tightening up, preventing injury of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Physical Anatomy (How the body works & what the body needs)

Personal Responsibility (what will they do to take care of their bodies?)

I have written my own high school health course. I also teach health at True North Homeschool Academy.

Teens can figure out what sports they like to play already and/or would enjoy adding to their life

Benefits of at least exposure to serious team sports

Choose a lifetime sport

I teach Health online at True North Homeschool Academy

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In “Truth Your Family Needs to Know in 2023,” Episode, #177, Meredith Curtis combats the most popular lies of the age with Truth from God’s Word. In a world of lies, we need to teach what is TRUE, not tickle people’s itching ears. Now more than ever, we need to take a stand for biblical reality especially in our hearts and homes.

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Have you heard what is being said on social media, in movies, on TV, by politicians, by influencers, and in some churches?

“We weren’t made to work hard” story

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23 NIV)

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord [x]rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality” (Colossians 3:23-25)

Biblical work week

Every secular movie and some Christian ones

“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NASB1995)

Man or woman or something else? Can you define a man or a woman?

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1: 26-28 NIV)

“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral” (Hebrews 13:4 NIV)

Is something right for you but not for me?

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12)

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16)

We talk so much about race in a way that divides. Is that what the Bible teaches?

We are all descendants of Adam and Noah. One race the human race; yet many nations.

Western culture is a combination of Jewish, Christian & Pagan.

Every tribe and tongue around the throne. (Revelation 7:9)

The sin of every man, woman, and child will be punished.

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles“ (Romans 1:18-23)

Our sin will be punished in hell or on the cross where Jesus died.

Gospel:

If we are truly born again – we will live a holy life tho we will sometimes sin (see I John 1)

Abide / Surrender (John 15)

Hide the Word (Psalm 119:8-11)

Worship & Prayer (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication-ACTS)

Live a holy life (I Thessalonians 4)

Share the Gospel!!!!!!!!!

Speak Out!

Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’ does not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will He not repay each person according to what He has done? (Proverbs 24:11-12)

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In “Our Christmas Morning Traditions,” Episode, #176, Meredith Curtis shares her Christmas morning traditions, established in 1986 and continued to this day. Starting with special Christmas devotions and a homemade cinnamon roll “birthday cake” and ending with presents, these morning traditions have helped us to celebrate joyfully while keeping our focus on Jesus, the One we celebrate. The Curtis Christmas morning traditions have impacted relatives and friends who have occasionally visited our family for the holidays. Precious to this day, Meredith encourages listeners to create their own Christmas morning traditions that meet the needs and desires of your own family. Merry Christmas!

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His & Hers & Ours

Writing the Devotions

House Decorated & Tidy

Cinnamon Rolls Made & Rising

Breakfast Casserole, Orange Juice Ready, Kitchen Island Ready

Christmas T-shirts

Coffee, Juice, Hot Chocolate

“Fireplace” on TV, Christmas Lights On

Devotion Books

Homemade Cinnamon Roll & “Happy Birthday to Jesus”

Impact on Visitors

Eat Breakfast while Opening

Open Gifts – one at a time (we open stockings on  Christmas Eve after the Traveling Dinner)

Making a List for later Thank-You Cards

Grandparents, Aunts/Uncles

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Be proactive this holiday season!

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In “Christmas Around the World,” Episode, #175, Meredith Curtis introduces you to Christmas celebrations & traditions from Germany, Mexico, England, Bethlehem, South Korea, and the Philippines. Learn about each nation, make a flag ornament or banner, and try out one Christmas tradition from each country.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Christmas is celebrated with joy around the world!

Learn about different Christmas traditions & incorporate them into your Christmas this  year.

Advent Calendars, Christmas Trees, Christmas Cookies, Christmas Markets, Christmas Villages, Church & Presents Christmas Eve, Christmas Family Day, Second Christmas Give to Poor

Bake German Gingerbread Cookies

Nacimiento (nativity scenes), Poinsettias, Pastorelas (Christmas plays), Pinatas, Farolitos (light in bags), Las Posadas, Christmas Eve Mass

Enjoy a Pinata!

Advent Wreath, 12 Days Christmas, Decorate with Holly, ivy, & Mistletoe, Christmas Lights, Candlelight Carol Services, Caroling, Cards, Christmas Eve Services, Christmas Crackers, Boxing Day

Make a Christmas Cracker

Prophecies about little Bethlehem, Decorations, Each Denomination has its own procession past special sites, Christmas Eve parade & fireworks, Chuch Services

Watch Bethlehem parade on TV

Church, Light Displays, Visit Loved Ones carrying Candles house to house, Christmas feast (barbequed meat with rice, sweet potato noodles, kimchi, bean paste, and vegetables), Christmas cake (made w rice flour)

Make a Korean Christmas Dinner

Parol (Christmas lanterns), Christmas trees (made of metal, plastic, or wood), Simbang Gabi (from 12/16 to 12/23 before sunrise services), Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, Christmas cakes (made from rice flour), Ginger Tea

Make a Filipino Christmas Cake & Drink Ginger Tea

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Be proactive this holiday season!

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