In this episode, we sit down with Brooke Poston, the dynamic force behind the Home School Resource Co., to delve into the world of homeschooling. Broadcasting from just south of Baton Rouge, Brooke shares her inspiring journey as a pastor's wife and mother of five, with her oldest turning twelve and her youngest at two.

Brooke talks about her early days as a blogger at The Fervent Mama and how her passion for homeschooling led her to create valuable resources for other homeschooling families. She highlights the collaborative spirit that birthed the Home School Resource Co., where educators and parents come together to provide robust educational tools.

Join us as Brooke reveals the challenges and triumphs of homeschooling, the significance of community support, and the innovative ways she has contributed to enhancing the homeschooling experience. Whether you're a seasoned homeschooling parent or just considering the path, this episode is packed with insights and encouragement to help you navigate and enrich your child's educational journey.

In this enlightening conversation, Lisa introduces Jonathan Brush, a trailblazer from Unbound, where education transcends traditional boundaries. Jonathan shares his journey from being homeschooled to pioneering a revolutionary approach to learning.

Lisa dives deep into Jonathan's personal background, exploring how his homeschooling experience shaped his perspectives and leadership at Unbound. Jonathan reflects on the radical decision his mother made to homeschool him in an era when it was unconventional, leading to his unique path into higher education.

Join us as Jonathan recounts his college experience as one of the first homeschooled students admitted, shedding light on the pivotal role his upbringing played in his academic success and personal life. His journey takes unexpected turns, including a delightful twist that involves marrying his college sweetheart.

Throughout the episode, Jonathan's infectious humor and candid storytelling bring to life the challenges and triumphs of his educational journey. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in redefining education and empowering students to take control of their futures. Tune in to gain insights into how Unbound is shaping the future of learning, one student at a time.

Guys, I have a quick question for you. What's the purpose of education? I ask this question all the time when I'm doing live workshops, and everybody kind of pauses—they haven't really thought about it too much. So, I want to give you three important purposes for education, regardless of what level your kids are at, what methodology you use, whether you're homeschool, public, or private school—this is across the board.

As we are in the fourth Industrial Revolution, it is such an important concept to get a hold of because our kids are going to live and work in this world. You've heard me talk about this so much before. There's a blurring of lines between physical, biological, and digital spheres now. This is the world of work and the world of education our kids are going to live in.

I have an interesting stat for you: 85% of the jobs in 2030 haven't been invented yet. Let that sink in. So, understanding the purpose of education is more important than ever before because, like every industrial revolution, some jobs are just going to go kaput, and other industries and jobs are just going to come out of nowhere.

When's the last time you used a cartwright? Nobody even knows what a cartwright was or is—those are the people who make the wheels for a cart or a buggy. But once the automotive industry took the world by storm, guess what? That whole industry just went kaput, bottom up. We're in another industrial revolution, and it's going to happen, and we're seeing it already.

So, what are the three purposes of education? Listen in to Lisa Nehring to learn.

Lisa Nehring dives into the common concern of parents: "Help! My kids don't have a passion!" Join us as we explore practical strategies to help your children discover and develop their passions through homeschooling.

Lisa discusses the importance of creating a "smorgasbord" of opportunities, allowing kids to explore various interests and activities.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding Passion: Learn what passion is and why it's essential for your child's development.
• Creating a Smorgasbord: Discover how offering a variety of experiences and subjects can ignite your child's interests.
• Homeschooling Benefits: Understand the unique advantages homeschooling offers in fostering passions.
• Practical Tips: Get actionable advice on how to encourage your children to explore and find what excites them.
• Role of Parents: Learn the critical role parents play in guiding and supporting their children's journey to find their passion.

Visit It's Not That Hard to Homeschool & True North Homeschool Academy

Episode Title: Homeschooling Elementary: It's Not That Hard!

Host: Lisa Nehring

Episode Description: In this enlightening episode of "It's Not That Hard to Homeschool," Lisa Nehring dives into the essentials of homeschooling elementary-aged children. Drawing from over 20 years of personal homeschooling experience, Lisa provides practical advice and encouragement for parents navigating this critical stage of their children's education. From understanding your child's unique needs to exploring available classes and curriculum, this episode is packed with valuable insights and tips to make homeschooling elementary not just manageable, but enjoyable.

Key Points:

1. Understanding Your Child:

   • Learning Styles: An overview of different learning styles and how to identify your child's preferred method of learning.
   • Interests and Strengths: How to recognize and nurture your child's interests and strengths to keep them engaged and motivated.
   • Developmental Stages: What to expect at various developmental stages and how to tailor your homeschooling approach accordingly.

2. Available Classes and Curriculum:

   • True North Homeschool Academy: Highlighting the offerings for grades 4-6, including popular subjects like science and Expedition classes.
   • New Classes: Introduction to new classes such as Writing Skills 6: Ancient History, and how they integrate into a broader educational plan.
   • Curriculum Choices: Discussion on various curriculum options, from traditional textbooks to online resources, and how to choose what's best for your family.
   • SAMR Model: Explanation of the SAMR Model (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition) and its application in the elementary program at True North Homeschool Academy.

3. Tips from Over 20 Years of Experience:

   • Organization and Planning: Practical tips for organizing your homeschooling schedule and planning lessons effectively.
   • Balancing Structure and Flexibility: Finding the right balance between structured learning and flexibility to adapt to your child's needs.
   • Community and Support: The importance of community and how to connect with other homeschooling families for support and shared resources.
   • Incorporating Fun and Creativity: Ideas for making learning fun and incorporating creative activities into your homeschooling routine.

Resources Mentioned:

• True North Homeschool Academy: Learn more about the elementary programs and classes available here.
• Facebook Group: Join the "It's Not That Hard to Homeschool High School" Facebook group for ongoing support and community here.

Call to Action:

• Subscribe and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast and leave a review to help others find it.
• Connect with Lisa: Follow Lisa Nehring on social media for more homeschooling tips and inspiration.

Closing Thoughts: Lisa wraps up the episode with a heartfelt message of encouragement, reminding listeners that homeschooling elementary children, while challenging at times, can be a deeply rewarding and fulfilling experience. With the right tools, community, and mindset, it's truly not that hard!

In this exciting episode, Lisa Nehring interviews Leigh from Little By Little Homeschool to discuss the innovative summer self-paced classes offered by Home Hacker Camp. These classes focus on STEM education, specifically in robotics and programming, providing an engaging and hands-on learning experience for students.

Leigh shares her passion for making STEM accessible to all students and discusses the benefits of self-paced learning, especially during the summer months. She highlights the key features of Home Hacker Camp, how the classes are structured, and the outcomes students can expect.

Whether you're a homeschooling parent looking to enrich your child's education or simply interested in STEM, this episode offers valuable insights and resources to help you get started.

Links Mentioned:

• Home Hacker Camp - Discover more about the summer self-paced classes in robotics and programming.

Keywords: Leigh, Little By Little Homeschool, Home Hacker Camp, summer classes, STEM education, robotics, programming, self-paced learning, homeschooling high school

Join Lisa Nehring as she interviews Kristin Marais, a seasoned educator with nearly 15 years of experience in traditional and online classrooms. Kristin shares her journey from earning a BS in biochemistry from the University of California Riverside to completing an MS in Teaching at Western Washington University. With a Washington state certification and endorsements in chemistry, biology, and general science, Kristin has spent a decade teaching in public school districts, including seven years as an online instructor.

In this episode, Kristin discusses her passion for chemistry, her expertise in online education, and her dedication to student success. Beyond teaching, Kristin's commitment to making a difference extends to South Africa, where she founded the nonprofit "FALSA" (Free-a-Life-South Africa), which supports addicts in Johannesburg through detox, rehab, and post-rehab programs.

Tune in to learn more about Kristin's diverse experiences, her love for coffee, hiking, camping, and travel, and her dedication to mentoring teens.

Links Mentioned:

• Discovery Institute Academy - Learn about the courses offered, meet the instructors, and register for classes.
• Discovery Institute - Discover more about the Discovery Institute and their initiatives.