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Why you MUST include Entrepreneurship in High School

by | Mar 14, 2023 | Uncategorized

Why you MUST include Entrepreneurship in High School

Why you must include entrepreneurship in high school

The world is changing, but fast. We’re in what’s called the 4th Industrial Revolution, and like every Industrial Revolution before it, jobs and fortunes are lost and made- sometimes incredibly quickly. Developing an Entrepreneurial mindset is one of the best ways to ensure vocational and financial stability, regardless of what’s happening in the world. 

Teaching our kids to think entrepreneurially will allow them to develop the skills to identify and make the most of challenges, opportunities, and failures. It will give them the confidence they need to succeed in a variety of situations and circumstances, despite a crazy economy and ever-changing vocational landscape.

Massive shifts are already underway.  In fact, it’s estimated that by 2024,  87 million jobs will be displaced by shifts to machines. But, it’s not all bad news as 97 million new roles may emerge across various industries and economies (for more on this, check out our podcast on The Future of Work for more on this) Our kids are going to have to be more vocationally agile and flexible than ever before. 

What’s so Important about Entrepreneurship? 

Let’s start with the basics. What exactly IS entrepreneurship? An entrepreneur is, according to the Oxford Dictionary: 

“Entrepreneur: a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.”

Entrepreneurs also play a key role in the economy. They anticipate the needs of society and bring those ideas to bear in the form of products and services. They are willing to take on the risk of creating something new, and as a result, they are rewarded with profit, recognition, and, most importantly,  more opportunities and continued growth. 

In an Industrial Revolution, as societies change and morph,  Entrepreneurs have unprecedented opportunities for profit and growth, particularly as technology creates new opportunities related to transportation and communication.

Furthermore, in a time when there is rapid change, entrepreneurs can create their own stability if they have the wherewithal and ability. 

Skills an Entrepreneur Needs 

You’ll notice that successful entrepreneurs develop skills that allow them to succeed regardless of what they do vocationally.

  1. Versatility- entrepreneurs might find themselves providing customer service, marketing, bookkeeping, sales, graphic design, taking out the trash, and who knows what else. A successful entrepreneur must know things or at least be willing to learn and lean into what they need to know next! 
  2. Flexibility- entrepreneurs must listen and hear from customers and adeptly provide goods and services that meet the needs of their customers. 
  3. Resilience – Grit might be the fine line between successful and unsuccessful in the world of entrepreneurship. Being able to handle disappointments and failure and get up with the determination to succeed is a necessary entrepreneurial skill.
  4. Money Sense – understanding Profit and Loss, Revenue, Cost per Acquisition, Monthly Expenses, and Conversion Rates can mean the difference between failure, mediocre and wild success.
  5. Focused -the ability to set a goal and unwaveringly work towards it.
  6. Understanding of Business – Understanding Business, the Target Market, strengths and weaknesses of the company, and the market are what savvy business owners do.
  7. Communication Skills – All businesses require excellent communication skills- the ability to market, sell, work with vendors, promote, write, and speak are necessary for business owners. 

Types of Entrepreneurs 

There are many types of Entrepreneurs with different abilities and personalities: 

  1. Builders- work to create big biz fast ($5M in a few years that will expand to $100 mil and beyond)
  2. Opportunist– seeks opportunity, grows biz during the height of opportunity, and exits before the opportunity busts
  3. Innovators are those rare individuals that come up with a great idea or product that no one has thought of before. They care more about the influence than the money
  4. Specialists are analytical and risk-averse, building their businesses through networking and relationship building. This usually results in slower growth than for the builder.

What’s this Have to Do with High School? 

7 Reasons your Homeschooler Must Study Entrepreneurship

  1. Our kids are going to live and work in the Gig Economy, many of them will be going from gig to gig, and they’ll need to know how to market themselves, manage their own finances and taxes, sell, find new opportunities, and more!
  2. Having an understanding of the framework of business allows for flexibility and adaptability.  Most businesses, regardless of their industry or niche, or organized in a similar manner. Understanding the structure of business allows our kids to apply that to whatever circumstance or opportunity they find themselves in.
  3. Failure is an important aspect of success. By now, we all know the famous Thomas Edison quote, “I have not failed 10,000 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 10,000 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work.” Entrepreneurship develops the ultimate growth mindset! 
  4. Through Entrepreneurship, kids learn the 4 C’s of Education
    1. Communication – this is a critical component of any successful entrepreneurial endeavor, as you must communicate with fellow workers, customers, and vendors. This is one of the most important job skills your kids can develop.
    2. Critical thinking – by definition, Entrepreneurs must think critically as they assess their market, set pricing, set up and close sales, negotiate, and so much more! 
    3. Creativity– is there anything MORE creative than developing a business? You’re creating something from nothing, and that’s pretty awesome.
    4. Collaboration- Entrepreneurship means finding people you can trust, setting good and clear boundaries, and working with people in a variety of ways, and with the emerging global economy, 
  5. Develops Work Ethic – Entrepreneurship will develop those work ethics muscles in ways that little else will. 
  6. Develops resiliency
  7. Develops growth mindset for an uncertain future._87 million jobs are going to be lost while 97 million new jobs will emerge

Not sure where to start? Check out our Entrepreneurship Class! And don’t forget to check out our other marketable life skills classes, such as Video Editing, Computer Science, Computer Illustration, Canva, Photoshop and Photography, and Digital Tech. 

Entrepreneur Track

by | Oct 28, 2022 | Uncategorized

HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL

Entrepreneurship for the Homeschool Student

High school students thrive with our creative, interactive online classes. They get feedback and fellowship from the other students as well as the guidance of their teacher. True North Homeschool Academy offers core classes and electives that are fully directed and graded so you can feel confident that your teen is being prepared for success in college or career.

The Entrepreneurship Track is designed for the student who has an interest in any of the following:

  • building a business
  • managing a business
  • interested in ways to make extra money
  • curious about how the business world works
  • likes the idea of the freedom to own their own business
  • can envision themselves as a consultant or service-based business
  • builds pro-types or generates product ideas

Characteristics of budding entrepreneurs:

  • a keen multi-tasker (might come across as playful and unwilling to pay attention)
  • in-charge (they find themselves as the leader in situations)
  • a planner or visionary
  • flexible and enjoys changing things up
  • good at making decisions

 

HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL

Available Classes

The classes are chosen ala carte, but can be added to a Bundle purchase.

 

True North Homeschool Academy recommends Academic Advising for all families, and Academic Advising is included in all Bundle pricing.

 

Entrepreneurship Track Class Offerings

Entrepreneurship (Spring)
Computer Science
Photography & Digital Tech
Video Editing Basic
Graphic Design with Canva (FALL)
Career Exploration
Form & Color
Health
Grammar & Spelling
Writing with Confidence
Life Skills 101
Career Exploration
Entrepreneurship (Spring)
Writing with Confidence
Literature at the Movies Level 1
Exploring Journalism
Writing Copy that Sells
Personal Finance
Environmental Science -CLEP prep
Astronomy

 

 

Beat Homeschool Overwhelm

Beat Homeschool Overwhelm

by | Oct 19, 2022 | Compass Blog

No, we haven’t leapfrogged Thanksgiving and Christmas, but this is the time of year when many homeschooling families start thinking about curriculum and often make a change in Spring. They are feeling the homeschool overwhelm. So, let’s talk about that. Let’s talk about how to beat homeschool overwhelm.

It usually starts with a feeling that something is a little off. We start asking ourselves those questions:

  • What’s wrong with me? I can’t get motivated to do this homeschool thing.
  • Where did my kids’ motivation go? Getting them to pay attention to their lessons is like pulling teeth!
  • I feel so cut off from everyone. I could use a homeschool friend! Maybe my kids feel that way, too! Maybe the naysayers were right about socialization after all! 
  • Homeschooling shouldn’t be this hard. Look how easy it is for other moms. Maybe I’m just not cut out for this. 

Honestly, these feelings are totally normal.

Homeschooling is a marathon, not a sprint. 

So, how do we handle burnout, overwhelm, and lack of motivation in our homeschools? 

1. Know Your Why << click here.

When things get hard, and they do, revisiting the reason you’re homeschooling in the first place can give you a fresh vision for your homeschool. 

2. Check Your Goals <<< click here.

If you’ve looked at your Why, give your goals a revisit. Many families look at homeschooling as a calling. For others, it’s purely academic. Do your goals match your Why? 

3. Could You Use a Little Organization?  <<< click here.

Let’s face it; this is one area that can bring us right to the door of overwhelm. Give your organization a once over, and don’t be afraid to pivot to make it work for you.

4. Know Your Students – Highschooler? Struggling Learner? <<< click here.

The high school years can be challenging, so learn to focus on the important things. If you’re homeschooling a child with learning differences, having a support system in place makes all the difference.

5. Are you dealing with Executive Functioning issues? <<<click here.

If you, or your kids, are struggling with knowing what to do when, how to get started, or feel overwhelmed with processes, this may be a real issue in your homeschool. Understanding how to handle executive functioning issues with workable strategies can bring relief. 

6. Do you have Balance in Your Homeschool? <<< click here.

Balance doesn’t come naturally; you have to make opportunities for it. See what’s causing stress, and give yourself grace. Lots of it!

7. Are you trying too hard? <<< click here.

You don’t have to DIY homeschooling. Period. Post-2020, we look at socialization differently and can be selective and intentional about how and why we connect with others. But it’s not a rule that you must do it alone. 

8. Connection, Connection, Connection <<< click here. 

Having a group of moms (and dads!) who are in the same season of life, dealing with the same issues and struggles, that you can turn to for advice and support is essential. 

These suggestions won’t answer every issue in your homeschool, but they are a good start. Sometimes, just practicing the pause — revisiting our foundation, can give us the direction we need. 

I know. I’ve been there. Let me know how I can pray for you.

Love,

Lisa

TrueNorthHomeschool.Academy

PS. Here are some podcasts from my LifeSkills101 Podcast I think will help, too. 

5 Quick Tips for Homeschool Balance

5 Quick Tips for Homeschool Balance

by | Oct 10, 2022 | Compass Blog

Homeschooling asks a lot of us as parents. Especially when it comes to time management. Having a flow or rhythm to your homeschool day can go a long way to giving you peace and confidence. And what homeschooling parent couldn’t use that?

Let’s start at the top and look at where we are.

  • Curriculum ordered? Check.
  • School supplies? Check, check.
  • Homeschool sanity? Help!

From the outside, especially if you’re new to homeschooling, it can look as easy as ordering our curriculum and school supplies. Throw in a pretty, functional planner, and we should be good, right? In a perfect world, yes – these are the functional ingredients. But, let’s face it, life happens.

Children have to be fed, washed, and managed. Kids get sick. Spouses travel. Things happen. And without some basic and flexible structure to your homeschool, you find yourself quickly overwhelmed, maybe even on the verge of quitting. Don’t give up! Get real! Use these quick tips to give yourself the breathing room necessary to succeed long-term!

 

5 Quick Tips for Homeschool Balance

Think big picture.

  1. What is the natural rhythm in our home? Do we have early risers? Are we night owls?
  2. What are the ages of the children?
  3. What are the things I must take care of to take care of my home? (Dishes, cooking, laundry, etc.)
  4. Am I using Smart Goals to keep us on track?
  5. What’s my current planning system?

Grab a Notebook or Journal to Get Started

Thinking of these questions above, sit down with a cup of coffee and do a brain dump. Give yourself space and permission to write out all the things you find yourself doing, including those areas that are a struggle. There’s no format for a brain dump, so write your heart out. Your list can be as long as you need it to be. The next section, we’ll use our five quick tips to help you get to your homeschool flow!

5 Quick Tips for Homeschool Balance

When establishing a flow, there’s a priority to planning that can make your life easier. It’s simple but will go a long way to relieving stress. We’ll use that method in our quick tips!

Quick Tip #1: The Role of Responsibilities

When creating balance in your homeschool, establishing jurisdiction is the first order of business. If you’re saying, “huh?” just hang with me. Jurisdiction simply means that each person has responsibilities within the flow of your homeschool day that, when not attended, cause your homeschool to feel like it’s spiraling out of control. The good news here? You’re the homeschool manager, and you get to establish those areas if you have older teens sign off on.

In your brain dump list, highlight those items that are in your jurisdiction in yellow. Next, mark in some way those items that belong to someone else.

For example, you may be responsible for cooking breakfast, but if cleaning dinner dishes from the night before is someone else’s responsibility and they aren’t done = disruption! Or, you may need to work on phonics with your five-year-old, but to have the time to sit down with her, your ten your old needs to be self-directed with her library book time. If she’s coming to you asking what she should read, how long she has to read, etc. = disruption!

Okay, let’s move to our next quick tip, handling disruptions.

Quick Tip #2: Plan for Disruption

    Okay, we’ve made our list of responsibilities, identified who should be doing what, and now we’re going to brainstorm ways to head off disruptions. Planning ahead for those homeschool speed bumps can give you the tools you need to maintain the flow. They are a huge time saver because you’ve already thought them through. So, how do we do this?

    • Take a good look at that brain dump and highlighted responsibilities list.
    • Think through your priorities. What’s most important to accomplish each month, week, and day?
    • Now, plan for your disruptions. Where do responsibilities overlap? What are your dependencies, and if/then? (If a isn’t done, we can’t do b.)
    • Write out what you expect to hear from your children when it comes to holding them accountable. How do you plan to hold yourself accountable for the responsibilities that belong to you?
    • Determine what you need to have done for your day to feel good to you. What can you do to avoid disruption?
    • Consider your natural God-given energy flows throughout the month. As women, this can be very helpful!

    Before moving on to the next quick tip, ask yourself if you’ve given enough thought to disruptions. Have you considered social media scrolling, texting, and phone calls? I’m not saying don’t have these. I’m saying plan for them.

    This quick tip will set you up for success, so don’t be afraid to be detailed!

    Quick Tip #3: Give Yourself a Break

    This quick tip will help you homeschool from a place of rest rather than hurried overwhelm. Plan your schedule to include a day off. Depending on your homeschooling goals, this can look different for everyone, but these suggestions for a day off will inspire you to try it!

    • Use a single day to focus on bigger household chores, such as laundry, deep cleaning, etc. Involve the kids and reward them a fun and easy lunch!
    • Schedule a library day.
    • Plan to visit the park.
    • Do a day in reverse! Declare a pajama day and let everyone work on their free-reading list. Have breakfast for dinner (aka silly supper).
    • If finances allow, employ a sitter (or willing grandparent) for a day or two per month and run errands alone.
    • Have a prep day each week to evaluate what worked last week and what you’d like to address moving forward.

    You can rotate these ideas or add one of your own.

    Quick Tip #4: Give Grace

    Understand the principle of the dropping ball. You can plan everything, prepare for disruption, and find momentum in your homeschool, and suddenly, you’ve dropped the ball. The tip here? Give yourself grace. And give grace to those around you. Balls will drop. Revisit your plan, evaluate your flow, and move on.

    Quick Tip #5: Equip Yourself for Success

    The last quick tip is about utilizing the right tools for your homeschool. Ask yourself questions to see if you’re using the best tools for you and your family!

    • Am I buying paper planners I never use? Maybe a digital planner would work better, or vice versa.
    • Do I over-plan our actual homeschool tasks? Lightening the load or using a loop planner would give you more freedom.
    • Can I plan for meals and shopping more efficiently? Think of 10 meals your family loves that you can put on repeat. This will simplify your shopping and meal prep and free up your brain!
    • Do I refuse help because I feel that homeschooling is my responsibility or someone else couldn’t manage all the tasks? Let your spouse or grandparent surprise you!
    • Do I use an After Action in my homeschool to reflect on what’s working and set up realistic expectations?
    • Can I establish S.M.A.R.T goals?
    • What personal habits can I work on?

    Free Family S.M.A.R.T Planners

    I hope you’ve been inspired and challenged to do the work to establish that flow, peace, and freedom in your homeschool. I want to share some resources with you that will help you on your way!

    S.M.A.R.T. Planners

    Getting Started Homeschooling Printable

    S.M.A.R.T. Planner Printable for Homeschool

    3 Month Mom (or Older Teen) S.M.A.R.T. Planner (new!)

    Podcasts from Life Skills 101

    Goldilocks and the Teen Years

    Life Skills Your Kids Need Before They Launch

     Feeling Frazzled?

     Why a Morning Basket

     Typical Course of Study

     

     You Can Do It

     Pray about it. Align your goals. Set your priorities. Plan for disruptions. Embrace your own homeschool rhthym.  You’ve got this!

     

     

    free smart planner printable
    How Online Learning Can Level Up Your Homeschooling Game

    How Online Learning Can Level Up Your Homeschooling Game

    by | Jul 1, 2022 | Compass Blog, Homeschool Planning, Homeschooling, Online Homeschool Resources

    You Can Homeschool, Online Learning Can Help

    With the current state of the world, many parents are finding themselves in the position of homeschooling their children. While this can be a daunting task, there are many resources available to help make the transition smoother. One of the best resources available is online learning. Online learning can help to supplement or even replace traditional homeschooling methods, and it has many benefits. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the ways that online learning can level up your homeschooling game.

    Benefits of Online Learning

    Flexible Planning

    One of the great things about online learning is that it provides a more flexible schedule. Homeschooling can be a full-time job, and it can be difficult to find the time to fit everything in. With online learning, you can set your child’s school day up in a way that works for you. You can also take advantage of online resources to help you plan and organize your homeschooling schedule.

    Range of Online Courses Available

    Another benefit of online learning is that it offers a more diverse range of courses. When you homeschool, you may be limited by the courses offered by your local school district or by what you are able to find online. With online learning, you have access to a much wider range of courses. This means that you can tailor your child’s education to their specific interests and needs.

    Individual Learning Experience

    Online learning also provides a more individualized learning experience. In a traditional classroom setting, it can be difficult for children with different learning styles to get the attention they need. With online learning, each child can learn at their own pace and in their own way. This means that your child will be able to learn in a way that is best suited for them, and they will be more likely to retain the information they are taught.

    Preparing Children for the Future

    Finally, online learning can help to prepare your child for the future. Many jobs that didn’t exist a few years ago now require some level of online skills. By getting started with online learning now, you can give your child a head start in developing the skills they will need to be successful in the future.

    Opportunity for Social Interaction with Online Learning

    Some parents worry that online schooling won’t provide enough social interaction for their kids. However, there are many ways to ensure that your child still gets plenty of social interaction. You can sign them up for extracurricular activities or have them join a homeschooling co-op. You can also connect with other families who are homeschooling and set up playdates or field trips. With a little planning and effort, you can make sure that your child gets plenty of social interaction. Our live, virtual dynamic classes have a social outlet baked in. The classes take place via Zoom, where students interact with other students and the teacher.

    Is Online Learning a Good Fit for Your Family?

    As you can see, online learning has many benefits. If you are considering homeschooling your child, online learning should definitely be a part of your plan. With online learning, you can give your child the best possible education while still maintaining a flexible schedule and providing a more individualized learning experience. Online learning is an excellent way to level up your homeschooling game.

    Do you homeschool your child? What online learning resources do you use? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!