Student success might seem more elusive than ever before. Education is facing a crisis, and everyone seems to be aware of it. Public schools admit the problems and issues are reported regularly in the mainstream news. Parents and even students recognize that there are problems, including violence, loneliness, failing test scores, rising expenses. These are just a few of the challenges that families are grappling with as they wrestle with how to educated their children!
So, What’s a Parent to Do?
Sure, homeschooling is often touted as a great alternative, but let’s be honest here—there can be challenges with homeschooling as well. There’s many reason why homeschooling can be challenging, both parents are working full time, kids might have learning challenges or crazy dream beyond the parents skills set. And what if your kids simply lack motivation and refuse to listen or do schoolwork?
We are living in a really unique time! Families can literally pick and choose from a wide variety of educational options. It’s quite possible to participate in public school sports, belong to a homeschool coop, take online classes as well as Dual Enrollment at a local college. The sky is the limit!
For many families, choosing online classes, both synchronous and asynchronous, allows them ultimate freedom. It makes it possible to provide academic oversite, ensure a healthy and safe physical environment for their kids as well as provide academic excellence for a mere fraction of what a private school would cost.
3 Fundamental Aspects of Future Success!
As you consider where your kids will be educated, consider three fundamental aspects of success: developing study skills, fostering flexibility, and nurturing a strong foundation of faith.
First and foremost, it’s essential to equip your children with effective study skills. Our kids will need to pivot quickly throughout life. Study skills allows them to upgrade their skills and pivot as necessary. This ability to adapt is crucial as we navigate the uncertainties of the future.
Second, focus on cultivating flexibility. In addition to study skills, your children will need a range of soft skills; most importantly flexiblity. Flexibility will allow your student to navigate new challenges, seize opportunities, and adapt to the demands of a changing job market.
Third, don’t overlook the importance of a strong foundation in faith. In a world bombarded with diverse ideologies, our kids will face countless influences. Equipping our kids with the tools they need to stay grounded provides them with a precious gift that will serve them well throughout their lives.
While the core principles of education remain steadfast, it’s also crucial to adapt the curriculum to an unknown future!
Classes that are Highly Beneficial for Every Student
Career Exploration: A solid career exploration class can be a game-changer. It will save both your children and you valuable time, money, and frustration. Students will gain insight into their own skills, abilities and interests. Students will begin to think about what kind of life they want to lead. Students will consdier the cost of college as well as alternatives. A solid Career Exploration class can literally change your student’s life!
Entrepreneurship: These skills will be invaluable as most of us will be working in a global, gig economy in the future. Encouraging your children to embrace entrepreneurial thinking will empower them to create their own opportunities. This will be more important than ever before in a disrupted, competitive market.
Foreign Language: In an increasingly globalized world, being bilingual or multilingual will undoubtedly give your children a competitive edge. It will open doors to diverse cultures and opportunities. Furthermore, it will boost their confidence and enabling them to connect with people from all walks of life.
World Geography: Often dismissed as just another “nice-to-have” class, world geography is so much more. It provides a holistic understanding of politics, history, and the economy. By grasping the interconnectedness of nations and regions, your children will develop a broader perspective on the world, fostering empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a deeper appreciation for diversity.
Student Success is Possible!
By reimagining education and incorporating these classes into high school curricula, we can equip our children with the tools they need to thrive in an uncertain future. Let’s prepare them to become lifelong learners, adaptable problem solvers, and compassionate global citizens. Together, we can transform education and pave the way for a brighter future.
Save big this summer!
True North Homeschool Academy is offering a BOGO deal on all their summer classes. 6 Weeks of skill building and fun June 5- July 15! Classes include Study Skills, Career Exploration and more!
Sign up now and get twice the learning for half the cost!
No coupon required! It’s this simple: choose two classes, add to cart and the $149 discount will be automatically applied!
Looking for good clean summer fun and learning, critical thinking skills, creativity, collaboration? Board games have it all! Not only do we love playing board games on holidays, but they are one of our favorite vacation and long summer afternoon activities!
If you’re like most families you have a pile of board games sitting in a closet somewhere, waiting to be dusted off and played ‘round the table. Put it on your schedule once a month- or week- to pull out an old favorite- or try a new- board game!
We’ve gathered 50 of the best board games by genres; each one with a specific focus. And while we love board games where it’s every man – or woman- for themselves, we also love cooperative games, where everyone playing works to achieve a common goal.
Resurgence of Board Game Playing in the last 10 Years
It’s probably no surprise that the Board Games sales increased by 20% in 2020, jumping in on the decade-long resurgence of board game playing, with many people playing board games more than once a week. What you might not know is that the Indie Board Game Industry has taken off, with many new designers getting their games in front of enthusiasts with social media and crowd-funding resources. In fact, there are more board games available than ever before and it’s a multi-billion dollar business! And from an educational point of view, I approve. There are so many great lessons to be learned from board games, including critical thinking, strategy, cooperation, negotiating, and economic analysis, internal decision making, tree-style thinking, and situational awareness. Board games might seem like mindless fun; often they are chock full of learning opportunities!
With the plethora of games on the market, it can be tough to sort through which ones are worth the money. So, with the help of one of our good friends and Board Gaming Aficionado, we’ve compiled a great list. But, before we get to it, let’s chat for a minute about the genres of board games, of which there are many.
Genres of Board Games
Abstract Strategy Games (AS)
This often refers to games of perfect information with alternating turns and no randomness.
Cooperative Games (C)
These are board games where the players cooperate together to achieve a common goal. So, for game players that love cooperation rather than competition, this is for you!
Deck Construction Games (DC)
Each player possesses their own deck of cards which they continually cycle through, reshuffling the discard pile to form their deck when needed. The cards often represent a type of currency and players can purchase new cards for their deck, increasing its effectiveness. Also many deck building games also give players the ability to discard less useful cards.
Dexterity Games (D)
Players achieve their goals by using manual dexterity or eye-hand coordination, using hands or other body parts to accomplish a challenging action.
Dungeon Crawler Games (DC)
This is a type of fantasy role-playing game in which the hero navigates a labyrinth environment (i.e. a dungeon). The hero must avoiding traps, battling monsters and creatures, solving puzzles and collecting or looting any treasure they can find.
Party Games (PG)
These are games that are played at social gatherings to facilitate interaction and provide entertainment and recreation.
Resource Management Games (RM)
These include most strategy games and involve spending limited resources to completing a task or earning points.
Strategy Board Games (SG)
Players make uncoerced, autonomous decisions that have a high significance in determining the outcome. Strategy games require decision tree style thinking and very high situational awareness.
War Games (WG)
This type of game realistically simulates warfare
Worker Placement Games (WP)
Players control a pool of workers, in the form of meeples. Each round, players assign their meeples to various places, or locations on the board, most often with a limited number of spaces per meeple.
What is a meeple you ask? A meeple is a playing piece, used to represent a player in a board game.
Genres can be a really useful tool as we incorporate them into our educational plan or family time. We can choose games based on fun, or to learn or enhance specific skills!!
So, without further ado, check out our Mega list of fun and challenging board games!
Settlers of Catan (RM)
Lords of Waterdeep (RM) + (WP)
Agricola (RM) + (WP)
Eclipse (RM)
Terraforming Mars (RM)
Wingspan (RM)
Puerto Rico (RM)
Dice Wars (RM)
Ticket to Ride (RM)
Rails and Trails (RM)
Small World (RM)
Pioneers (RM)
Tzolkin; the Mayan Calendar (WP)
Stone Age (WP)
Rise of Tribes (WP)
Lords of Waterdoom (WP)
Imperial Assault(DC)
Hero Quest (DC)
Pandemic (C)
Knights of Arrethtrae (C)
Lord of the Rings Journey’s in Middle Earth (w/app) (C)
Flick ‘Em Up (D)
Star Trek Conflict (D)
Jenga (D)
Caroms (D) vintage
Pirate Ships (D)
Twister (D)
Dominion (DC)
Thunder Stone (DC)
Legendary Marvel (DC)
Axis & Allies (WG)
Risk (WG)
Risk Legacy (WG)
Star Trek Ascendancy (WG)
Eclipse (WG)
Hellenica: Story of Greece (WG)
Blokus (AS)
Sagrada (AS)
Stratego (AS)
Azul (AS)
Chess (AS)
Checkers (AS)
Chinese Checkers (AS)
Code Names (PG)
Apples to Apples (PG)
Decrypto (PG)
Scattergories (PG)
The Game of Things (PG)
Pictionary (PG)
Exploding Kittens (PG)
For all the scoop on board games, check out BoardGameGeek.com – the webpage for board gaming.
For kids who want to get a jump start on winning, or creating thier own board games, Informal and Formal Logic is a great place to start!
Informal Logic
This class will equip them with the tools they need to argue well! In this year-long course, students will study and learn 28 logical fallacies in the first semester, equipping them to discern between well-thought-out and reasoned arguments and those that aren’t.
Formal Logic is the science and art of reasoning well. As a sub-discipline, Formal Logic focuses on the structural validity of arguments. In formal logic, the process of deductive reasoning is employed by studying the movement from a statement or series of statements to a conclusion.
One of the best months of my life was the month I spent in the High Unitas Wilderness Area in Utah the summer before I started college. With nothing but what we packed on our back, 40 of my college pals and I set off for the adventure of a life time! In fact, I turned 18 out in the wilds, after a harrowing day of hiking with a friend who was struggling with Montezuma’s revenge! Listen in HERE as I share the harrowing day before my 18th birthday and the importance of teamwork!
Wilderness adventures – be they tame or wild- are such a great way to build team-work! They provide situations that are free of normal distractions and can include out of the ordinary like backpacking, canoeing, and cooking over an open fire.
Camping often takes us to places of breathtaking natural beauty, re-orienting us to the fact that God is an amazing Creator, who delights in simple beauty.
Camping Printables & Tips
Maybe you can’t get out in the wilderness right now but would still love some camping fun. These camping printables are just what you need! These can even be printed and used on your way to the adventure!
Do your kids love camping but hate writing? Maybe it’s time to try some camping writing prompts! Check out the following pages to combine camping and writing for your student.
Other Great Camping Tips & Tricks
Want to make that camping trip extra special? Then check out these ideas below! From food to crafts to great tips, we have you covered.
Camping and outdoor adventure is such a great way to build teamwork- one of most important interpersonal skills your students will develop as they prepare to strike out on the adventure of young adulthood!
So there you have it, some amazing posts about camping with your family. What are you waiting for? Get out there today! Where will your adventures take you as a family?
Father’s Day is a special occasion that allows us to express our gratitude and appreciation for the significant role fathers play in our lives. It’s a day to celebrate the love, guidance, and support that fathers provide to their families. In this blog post, we will delve into the history of Father’s Day, tracing its origins and highlighting its significance. Additionally, we will explore the statistical importance of fathers in the family structure, shedding light on the profound impact they have on the development and well-being of their children.
The History of Father’s Day
The origin of Father’s Day can be traced back to the early 20th century when a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd in Spokane, Washington, envisioned a day to honor fathers. Inspired by Mother’s Day, which had gained popularity, Sonora wanted to establish a similar celebration to pay tribute to fathers. She sought to recognize the love and sacrifices her own father had made while raising her and her siblings after their mother’s passing.
Sonora’s efforts gained momentum, and in 1910, the state of Washington officially recognized Father’s Day. Over the years, the idea spread to other states, and in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation declaring Father’s Day a national holiday, to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June each year.
The Importance of Fathers in the Family
Fathers play a vital role in the family structure, contributing to the emotional, social, and cognitive development of their children. Research consistently highlights the positive impact involved and engaged fathers have on their children’s well-being.
Emotional Development: Fathers provide emotional support, serving as a source of stability and security for their children. Their involvement in nurturing activities fosters a sense of trust, confidence, and self-esteem in their offspring. Studies have shown that children with involved fathers tend to have stronger emotional intelligence and develop healthier relationships as they grow.
Social Development: Fathers play a crucial role in shaping their children’s social skills and behavior. Through their presence and active involvement, fathers teach their children important values, such as empathy, kindness, and respect. They serve as role models, imparting crucial life lessons and guiding their children towards responsible decision-making and positive social interactions.
Cognitive Development: Fatherly engagement has a significant impact on a child’s cognitive development. Fathers often engage in stimulating activities that promote cognitive skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Their involvement in educational activities, reading together, and encouraging exploration contributes to enhanced academic performance and intellectual growth in their children.
Health and Well-being: The presence of involved fathers has been linked to better physical and mental health outcomes for children. Research indicates that children with supportive and caring fathers are less likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as substance abuse and delinquency. Additionally, fathers’ involvement has been associated with lower rates of depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems in children.
10 Ways to CELEBRATE!
Father’s Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate the incredible dads in our lives. To make this day memorable, here are ten fun activities that you can plan to show your appreciation and make your dad feel special. These activities range from adventures to relaxing moments, ensuring there’s something for every dad’s taste.
Outdoor Adventure Day: Plan an exciting outdoor adventure tailored to your dad’s interests. It could be hiking, fishing, cycling, or even a friendly game of golf. Spend quality time together while enjoying the beauty of nature and engaging in some friendly competition.
Backyard BBQ Cookout: Fire up the grill and treat your dad to a mouthwatering BBQ cookout. Let him sit back and relax while you take charge of preparing his favorite grilled dishes. Create a festive atmosphere with decorations, good music, and perhaps a few lawn games for added fun.
Movie Marathon: Set up a cozy movie night at home and create a lineup of your dad’s favorite movies. Prepare a selection of snacks and drinks, and spend the evening laughing, reminiscing, and enjoying some quality father-child bonding time.
DIY Workshop: If your dad loves working with his hands, organize a DIY workshop where you can create something together. Whether it’s building a birdhouse, refinishing furniture, or tackling a home improvement project, the shared experience of creating something will make the day extra special.
Sports Spectator: Find out if there’s a sports game or event happening on Father’s Day that your dad would enjoy. Get tickets and take him to the live event, or plan a fun viewing party at home with his favorite snacks and beverages. Cheer for his favorite team together and enjoy the excitement of the game.
Picnic in the Park: Pack a delicious picnic lunch and head to a nearby park or scenic spot. Find a comfortable spot to spread out a blanket and enjoy some quality time together amidst nature. Play games, fly kites, or simply relax and engage in heartfelt conversations.
Family Game Night: Gather the whole family for a fun-filled game night. Choose your dad’s favorite board games or card games and let the friendly competition begin. Laughter, excitement, and a little friendly teasing are guaranteed to make the evening memorable.
Wash and detail Dad’s Car! You can take it to a shop, or DIY it. Either way, it’s a gift Dad will appreciate!
Surprise Getaway: Plan a surprise getaway for your dad, whether it’s a weekend trip to a nearby destination or a day trip to a place he’s always wanted to visit. Take care of all the arrangements and surprise him with the adventure, creating lasting memories together.
Do some yard work! Cut the grass, do the edging, clean out the flower beds while Dad sits porch side and catches up on his favorite news or novel!
This Father’s Day, go beyond traditional gifts and celebrate your dad with memorable activities that cater to his interests. Whether it’s an outdoor adventure, a relaxing day at home, or an exciting outing, these activities are designed to make your dad feel loved, appreciated, and cherished on his special day!
Give Dad what he really wants for Father’s Day! It’s not just about helping him with the yard work- it’s about letting him know he is appreciated for who he is. Every homeschool dad is unique but we know he’ll love our printable Father’s Day coupons because they come from you!
These printable coupons are a quick last-minute gift that is easy and yet, thoughtful.
Memorial Day is a solemn holiday that holds deep historical significance in the United States. It is a day dedicated to honoring and remembering the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the armed forces. Let’s explore the rich history of Memorial Day, its evolution over time, and the profound meaning it holds for our nation and its citizens.
The Origins of Memorial Day
The roots of Memorial Day can be traced back to the aftermath of the American Civil War, one of the deadliest conflicts in U.S. history. In the spring of 1865, shortly after the war ended, communities in various states began organizing tributes to honor the fallen soldiers. These gatherings involved decorating the graves of soldiers with flowers, a practice that gave rise to the term “Decoration Day.”
The first widely recognized observance of Decoration Day occurred on May 30, 1868, when General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Union veterans, proclaimed it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Over time, Decoration Day transformed into Memorial Day and expanded to honor fallen soldiers from all American conflicts.
Memorial Day becomes a National Holiday
National Recognition of Memorial Day took place in 1971 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as a federal holiday to be observed on the last Monday in May. This change aimed to create a three-day weekend and provide an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the sacrifices of the nation’s military heroes.
While Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of the summer season, it is crucial to remember its true purpose. The holiday offers an opportunity for Americans to collectively pay tribute to the men and women who selflessly gave their lives to protect and preserve the values we hold dear.
The Meaning and Significance of Memorial Day
Memorial Day serves as a solemn reminder of the courage, valor, and sacrifice displayed by the fallen soldiers. It is a day for reflection, gratitude, and unity as we honor their memory and express our deepest appreciation for their service.
Beyond the parades, barbecues, and sales, Memorial Day calls upon us to visit cemeteries and memorials, to place flowers and flags on the graves of the fallen. It is a time to participate in ceremonies, observe moments of silence, and express heartfelt gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Moreover, Memorial Day is an opportunity to support the families and loved ones left behind by fallen soldiers. It is a day to recognize their strength and resilience and offer them comfort and support.
The observance of Memorial Day is a testament to the gratitude we owe to those who fought and died for our freedom. It serves as a reminder that the liberties we enjoy today were won at a great cost. Memorial Day serves to inspire patriotism, foster unity, and instill a sense of duty to honor the sacrifices of our fallen heroes by upholding the values they fought to protect.
As Memorial Day approaches, let us remember the true meaning behind this important holiday. It is a time to reflect on the profound sacrifice of those who laid down their lives in service to our nation. By honoring their memory, we keep their spirit alive and ensure that their legacy endures. May we approach Memorial Day with gratitude, reverence, and a commitment to supporting those who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. Let us unite as a nation to pay tribute to our fallen heroes, for their bravery and selflessness deserve our eternal remembrance and respect.
Studying U.S. History helps students understand and grapple with complex questions and dilemmas by examining how the past has shaped our country and how we interact as a country globally, nationally, and locally. Studying history will also help students understand how we develop relationships between societies and people.
American History is a full-year high school-level course. Students will study United States History using videos and films as the primary “texts.” Films will include award-winning full-length feature films, dramas, comedies, documentaries, and educational shorts, such as YouTube videos. We will examine a wide range of topics, including politics, economics, war, religion, culture, sports, and technology.
