Homeschool Companion

Our devotional is about grandmothers. During our Arts-n-Crafts we play in the sandbox. In our Curriculum section we discuss how children learn to read differently. Then we go to our interview with Brenda Crouch. In Fight Forward, Brenda Crouch bravely shares her story of overcoming the abuse she suffered as a child and an adult. She offers practical solutions that will help you. Find courage to di...

God gives us many examples of His love through His creation, and today we look at the octopus. During Arts‑n‑Crafts, we make an octopus out of a handprint, and then we explore how to connect math to God’s design. Our interview with Janet McHenry takes us from Genesis to Revelation as she guides us through God’s promises with a yearly Bible‑reading plan, focus verses, personal stories, and Scriptur...

The Mother Spider is the title of today’s devotion. When my son was a teenager, he had a pet wolf spider—and we learned so much from the experience. In Curriculum Corner, we explore how attitude influences learning, while Questions Parents Ask examines which states are best for homeschooling. Our interview with Janey McHenry will inspire you to dive into God’s Word daily and grow your faith with j...

Be a Blessing. This simple command can be a leading light. During Arts-n-Crafts, we look at the POW WOW--Pray Over Worries; Worship Over Wonders. Then we begin unpacking Kolberg's Theory of Moral Development to better understand our teens. Next, we look at one of Del’s latest books. Lamba’s Journey with Jesus. Lamba is a little lamb who wants to see the world. One night, he wanders away from his s...

How Can I Praise God? We are instructed to rejoice always, and in this episode we explore hands‑on ways to praise God as a practical expression of that command. Building on the theme of guidance, we consider an important question: if the word curriculum means “path,” how can we help teenagers embrace the path we’ve chosen for them? After our segment Questions Parents Ask, we return to our conversa...

Snow Globe Faith is the title of today’s devotional. During Arts-n-Crafts, we make forest paintbrushes and discuss ways to be creative with minimal supplies. During Curriculum Corner, we discuss another aspect of the Universal Design for Learning. Next, we go to our interview with Phil Cooke, founder and producer, who talks about how to get your message heard through communication strategies. Afte...

Bird Nests are always a source of curiosity. After watching a video about the Baltimore Orioles, we made a bird craft. Then we look at the educational philosophy of Performing Creative, which aims to reach the child through head, heart, and hand. Next, we go to our interview with Ed Grifenhagen and his book 365 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know: A Daily Devotional. Ed continues with his sto...

Dolphin Love. During Arts-n-Crafts, we watch a video about dolphins, and then we make a dolphin sun catcher. During Curriculum Corner, we look at what a Lawful Traditionalist is and how it applies to educating children. Then we begin our interview with Ed Grifenhagen. For much of his life, Ed dismissed the Bible as nothing more than a book of fairy tales—useful for moral guidance perhaps, but hard...

Today’s devotional is about Rubies. So, during Arts-n-Crafts, we make synthetic gems. During Curriculum Corner, we talk about Lawful Neutral, which refers to a person who strictly follows the rules but is entirely detached from the questions of “Good” or “Evil”. Then we conclude our interview with Bill and Mike Federer. Michael’s lessons offer a prominent dose of his father’s renowned historical e...

Spiderlings Surviving Widowhood is our devotional topic. It is taken from the book 40 Devotions for Surviving Widowhood. Because the book was written by artists during the Arts-n- Crafts time, we look at art supplies that would be nice to have on hand regularly. Our guests are Michael Federer who is the son of historian, author, and public speaker Dr. William J. “Bill” Federer. Together, the two a...

Tears are prayers from the heart when you cannot speak. During Arts-n-Crafts, we dry flowers and leaves. During Curriculum Corner, we explore the Universal Design for Learning (UDL). And the impact of neuroscience on learning. Phil Cooke, founder and producer of Cooke Media Group, will talk about how to get your message heard through communication strategies, video, web development and design, soc...

Betrayal is one of the hardest trials to go through; we are betrayed by our family members. We might be betrayed by our colleagues. Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples. After our devotional and during Arts-n-Crafts, we explore the craft of Stop-motion. Next, we conclude our interview with Gaylyn Williams. She shares from personal experience, including: abandonment as a child, deaths of her...

But I Didn’t Know is the title of today’s devotional. This story gives a glimpse into the life of June Hunt, a well-known psychologist and radio host. During Arts and Crafts, we look at an animating app called Puppet Pals. During Curriculum Corner, we go through all the modes included in the term multi-model. Our guest, Gaylyn Williams, is the executive director of Relationship Resources, an inter...

Our story today is about the miraculous birth of Tamara’s second daughter. During Arts-n-Crafts, we take movie-making to the next level. During Curriculum Corner, we unpack what a successful day in homeschooling looks like. Then we resume our interview with Tamar Bauttager and her book Written in Heaven, which showcases powerful stories of unwavering faith and triumph from Tamara Hester Battaglia...

Today’s devotional begins with an experience Tamara had with infertility. Following this, we move on to a discussion of using video and other multimodal projects to help children explain their learning. In Curriculum Corner, we then highlight the advantages of using a virtual high school to support your homeschooling high school students. Building on these themes, we begin our interview with Tamar...

This archived show is an interview with Elder Paul Moore (October 4, 1933 — November 6, 2023), founder of Life Talk Radio. As a child, he often walked barefoot to school until the weather became cold. He started working in the fields and orchards with his family when he was very young. By the age of five, he was picking asparagus. Being so young, he was allowed only half a wage. By the age of eigh...

Old Dakota Three Toes is a well-known wolf from long ago who evaded farmers and wolf trappers. Even though he caused widespread destruction, he was admired for his perseverance and cunning. In the second half of the show, we conclude our interview with Brenda Walsh. Brenda likes to focus on what God has done for her. She is a dynamic speaker who travels around the world to speak at churches, camp...

Today’s devotional is about Tent Caterpillars. I have used these creatures for numerous science experiments, but probably the most fun is having races with them. During our Questions Parents Ask section, we talked about how you really know God. Our guest today is Brenda Walsh, a television host/producer and best-selling author of many books, including her life story, Battered to Blessed; a five-vo...

Weeds aren’t always Weeds, the title of today’s devotion. That may lead to collecting wildflower seeds and making your own wildflower garden. In our Curriculum Corner, we continue the discussion of celebration and its benefits for one’s health. We continue our interview with Randy Fishell, editor of Guide magazine, a character-building story publication for young people ages 10-14. He is the autho...

Today, we talk about the Jimson weed and help others learn to recognize it. Next, during Curriculum Corner, we discuss why celebrating is important. Following that, in our Questions Parents Ask section, we address common concerns before beginning our interview with Randy Fishell, Editor of Guide Magazine. He shares that Guide has developed a Young Writers course designed for middle- and high-schoo...

The betrayal of Judas causes us to pause and examine our own motives and actions. During Arts-n-Crafts, we make sensory bottles. Even older kids love to make these. We talk about Carnegie Units in high school and what they mean for college-bound students. Then we go to our interview with Steve and Becky Harling, who believe that strong listeners enjoy greater credibility, navigate conflicts better...

What are all the ways a family can show compassion, first toward each other and then in their neighborhood and community? During Arts-n-Crafts, we learn first aid, make sympathy cards for shut-ins, and practice our listening skills. During Curriculum Corner, we debate homeschooling high school vs. traditional high school. Next, we segue to our interview with Pastor Wayne Jamel. He works as a Pasto...

What are all the ways a family can show compassion, first toward each other and then in their neighborhood and community? During Arts-n-Crafts, we learn first aid, make sympathy cards for shut-ins, and practice our listening skills. During Curriculum Corner, we debate homeschooling high school vs. traditional high school. Next, we segue to our interview with Pastor Wayne Jamel. He works as a Pasto...

How does a family embrace their calling? What is a Calling? This topic is discussed during the first part of the show. During Arts-n-Crafts, we make a family collage, survey our children’s interests, and have a home fire drill/plan. Then we debate co-ops vs. microschool. At last, we complete our interview with Dr. Dick Stenbakken about his highly professional enactments of Biblical and Historical...

The Title of today’s devotion is Capturing Faith Memories. Then, during Arts-n-Crafts, we make a family album and paint a rainbow in watercolor over a scripture verse. Next, we debate online learning vs. textbook learning. Then we go to our interview with Dr. Dick Stenbakken. Dr. Stenbakken has presented first-person narratives all over the globe with clients as diverse as small rural churches to...