Homeschool Minnesota

Nature-Based Learning: Engaging Activities for All Learning Styles

In this episode of Home School Minnesota, host Dayle Annand welcomes Amanda Dykes, author of 'A Pocketful of Wonder.' They discuss the importance of outdoor activities for children, the significance of fostering a sense of wonder, and how nature can deepen children's understanding of God. Amanda shares insights on creating engaging activities that cater to various learning styles and ages, emphasizing the joy and peace that come from exploring the natural world together as a family.
 
Links:
Amanda's blog, books, and activities:  https://amandadykes.com/
To contact MACHE:  https://mache.org/
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to A Pocketful of Wonder03:06 The Heart Behind the Book06:01 Activities and Engagement with Nature09:07 The Significance of Wonder11:58 Fostering a Wonder-Spotting Lens15:00 Activities for All Ages17:53 Building Relationships Through Nature20:57 The Impact of Nature on Faith23:51 Conclusion and Encouragement to Explore Nature
 
Keywords
homeschooling, nature activities, parenting, outdoor learning, children's books, family bonding, wonder, education, faith, creativity
 
 

Self-Care a Biblical Perspective: Spiritual Cleansing & God's Restoration with Melany Zepelak

Summary
In this episode of Home School Minnesota, Mellany Zepelak discusses the importance of self-care from a biblical perspective, emphasizing that true restoration comes from Jesus. The conversation explores the process of cleansing oneself spiritually, the significance of continuous self-assessment, and the foundational truths about God, sin, and Jesus Christ. The hosts encourage listeners to reflect on their relationship with God and to seek His cleansing and restoration in their lives.
 
Links
To find Mellany's blog:  https://www.sanctuaryofhome.com/
To contact MACHE:  https://mache.org/
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Self-Care Series02:44 Understanding Restoration in Self-Care09:08 The Process of Cleansing17:06 The Truths About God, Sin, and Jesus21:48 Understanding Sin and Separation25:45 The Good News of Jesus Christ29:47 The Process of Restoration37:20 Responding to God's Invitation
 
Keywords
self-care, restoration, Jesus, cleansing, faith, God, sin, podcast, Christian, self-improvement
 
 

God, What Do I Do? a Bible Study on Judges with Katie Reid

Summary
In this episode of Home School Minnesota, host Dayle Annand speaks with Katie Reid, a Bible teacher and homeschool mom, about her book, God What Do I Do?. They discuss the importance of understanding one's identity as a child of God, making decisions in uncertain times, and the significance of collaboration in overcoming challenges. Katie shares insights from her book 'God, What Do I Do?' and emphasizes the need for community support and the power of remembrance in faith. The conversation encourages listeners to embrace their struggles and to seek God's guidance in their lives.
 
Order Katie's book and visit her website, blog, and podcast: https://www.katiemreid.com/
 
To contact MACHE:  https://mache.org/
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Homeschooling and Faith02:01 Katie's Journey: From Public School to Homeschooling06:40 Making Decisions in Uncertainty11:06 Lessons from Deborah: Strength in Collaboration14:40 Overcoming Obstacles: The Iron Chariots17:33 Finding God in Dark Times23:20 Moving from Sidelines to Frontlines28:14 Encouragement for Families and Community
 
Keywords
homeschooling, faith, decision making, Bible study, parenting, collaboration, overcoming obstacles, God, encouragement, community
 
 

Self-Care for Homeschool Moms: The Mary and Martha Balance Every Parent Needs with Mellany Zepelak

Summary
In this episode of Home School Minnesota, Dayle and Mellany discuss the importance of self-care from a biblical perspective, emphasizing that self-care is not selfish but essential for spiritual and emotional well-being. They recap previous episodes, explore the consequences of neglecting self-care, and share biblical stories, particularly the story of Mary and Martha, to illustrate the need for balance between service and rest. The conversation highlights practical solutions for incorporating self-care into daily life, the significance of receiving love, and concludes with an invitation to spend intentional time with God.
 
Links
To find Mellany's blog:  https://www.sanctuaryofhome.com/
To contact MACHE:  https://mache.org/
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Self-Care and Spiritual Battles01:23 Recap of Previous Episodes on Self-Care04:27 The Importance of Self-Care in Daily Life05:16 Consequences of Neglecting Self-Care10:07 Biblical Perspectives on Self-Care16:12 Finding Solutions Through Jesus22:02 The Role of Receiving in Self-Care28:30 Personal Stories and Lessons Learned31:27 Invitation to Practice Self-Care
 
Keywords
self-care, biblical self-care, spiritual health, Mary and Martha, Christian parenting, mental health, emotional well-being, homeschooling, faith, personal growth
 
 

Teaching Kids Biblical History Changes Everything with Danika Cooley

Summary
In this episode, Danika Cooley discusses her work in Christian education, focusing on her Who, What, Why series that teaches children about biblical history and theology. She emphasizes the importance of understanding Christian history to see God's sovereignty and how it shapes our lives today. The conversation also covers the use of lap books and unit studies to enhance learning, the biblical perspective on slavery and abolition, and the role of parents in discipling their children. Danika shares her passion for making complex historical and theological concepts accessible to kids, encouraging them to see God's hand in history and their own lives.
 
Links:
Thinking Kids Blog:  https://www.thinkingkidsblog.org/
Thinking Kids Press:  https://thinkingkidspress.com/
To Contact MACHE:  https://mache.org/
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Danika Cooley and Her Work02:28 The Importance of Teaching Christian History05:42 Exploring the Who, What, Why Book Series10:09 Unit Studies and Lap Books for Enrichment11:35 Understanding Slavery and Abolition from a Biblical Perspective14:04 Connecting God's Sovereignty to Historical Events21:50 The Role of Parents in Discipling Children23:39 Conclusion and Resources for Homeschooling
 
Keywords
Christian history, homeschooling, Bible education, Danika Cooley, Who What Why series, church history, lap books, abolition, parenting, discipleship
 

Dispelling the Lies of Self-Care with Mellany Zepelak

Summary
In this episode of Home School Minnesota, Dayle and Mellany continue their self-care series by exploring the lies we believe about self-care, our identity, and the barriers that prevent us from taking care of ourselves. They emphasize the importance of understanding our value in Christ and how self-care is not selfish but essential for our well-being and the well-being of our families. The conversation encourages listeners to trust God, identify barriers to self-care, and take intentional steps towards nurturing themselves.
 
Links:
Sanctuary of Home:
https://www.sanctuaryofhome.com/
 
MACHE:https://mache.org/
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Self-Care Series01:16 Identifying Lies About Self-Care10:00 Understanding Our Value and Identity16:57 Overcoming Barriers to Self-Care25:52 Who's in Charge? Trusting God with Self-Care34:01 Invitation to Self-Care and Conclusion
 
Keywords
self-care, identity, value, barriers, trust, faith, motherhood, self-worth, Christian parenting, overcoming lies
 
 

Elephant Beach: A Story about Kindness with Christine Devane

Summary
In this engaging conversation, Christine Devane shares insights about her children's book 'Elephant Beach,' which encourages children to embrace new experiences and friendships. The discussion delves into themes of shyness, kindness, and the importance of social interactions among children. Christine reflects on her experiences as a teacher and a mother, offering valuable advice on how to support shy children while fostering their social skills. The conversation also touches on the unexpected moments in parenting and the significance of consistency in encouraging children to step out of their comfort zones. Christine hints at her upcoming book that addresses themes of grief, showcasing her versatility as an author.
 
Links
Amazon:
https://a.co/d/3cn1c9w
MACHE:  https://mache.org/
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Christine Devane and Elephant Beach01:38 The Story Behind Elephant Beach04:04 Encouraging Shy Children05:46 Teaching Kindness and Acceptance07:10 The Adventures of Elephants and the Little Girl07:35 Key Takeaways from the Book09:41 Handling the Unexpected12:21 The Importance of Consistency in Parenting14:30 Looking Ahead: Future Projects
 
Keywords
homeschooling, children's books, shyness, kindness, acceptance, parenting, social skills, reading, family, education
 

Why Self-Care? with Mellany Zepelak

Summary
In this episode of Home School Minnesota, Dayle Annand and Mellany Zepelak delve into the importance of self-care, particularly for homeschooling parents. They explore what self-care truly means, its biblical foundations, and how it is essential for maintaining one's mental and spiritual health. The conversation emphasizes that self-care is not selfish but a necessary practice to avoid becoming 'dilapidated' in life. They discuss practical steps for self-care, the significance of resting, and how to connect with God as the source of strength and renewal. The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to reflect on their self-care practices and take intentional steps towards improvement.
 
Links:
Sanctuary of Home: 
https://www.sanctuaryofhome.com/
 
MACHE:
https://mache.org/
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Self-Care Series03:24 Understanding Self-Care09:06 What Self-Care Is Not10:12 Biblical Foundations of Self-Care13:36 The Importance of Rest and Renewal16:52 The Masterpiece Analogy18:52 Avoiding Dilapidation: The Need for Self-Care22:25 The Role of God's Love in Self-Care24:22 Jesus as Our Source of Strength29:30 Practical Steps for Self-Care31:14 Invitation to Reflect on Self-Care
 
Keywords
self-care, homeschooling, mental health, spiritual growth, family, rest, renewal, self-love, God, Jesus
 
 

Mastery, Resilience, and Wonder in Homeschooling with Lee Jenkins

 
Summary
In this conversation, Dayle Annand and Lee Jenkins discuss innovative approaches to homeschooling, emphasizing the importance of mastery, resilience, and wonder in education. Jenkins shares his experiences and insights from his work with Crazy Simple Education, advocating for a hands-on, child-led learning environment that fosters a love for learning. The discussion covers practical strategies for implementing these concepts in homeschooling, the role of curriculum, and the significance of creating a supportive learning climate.
 
Links
MACHE: https://mache.org/
Crazy Simple Education:  https://www.crazysimpleeducation.com/store
 
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Homeschooling Insights02:18 Avoiding Common Homeschooling Mistakes03:39 The Crazy Simple Education Method09:52 Mastery in Homeschooling11:32 Creativity and Hands-On Learning15:46 The Power of Hands-On Learning16:58 Building Resilience Through Creativity18:35 Creating a Climate of Wonder20:07 The Importance of Performance in Learning21:27 Pumping Up Wonder for Resilience22:44 The Role of Curriculum in Homeschooling24:35 Implementing Effective Learning Strategies26:25 Listening to Children in Education28:25 Embracing Mastery, Resilience, and Wonder
 
 
Keywords
homeschooling, education, mastery, resilience, wonder, Crazy Simple Education, Lee Jenkins, curriculum, hands-on learning, teaching methods
 

MN Homeschool Legislative Update 2025 with Amy Buchmeyer

 
Summary
In this conversation, Dayle Annand from Homeschool Minnesota interviews Amy Buchmeyer from HSLDA about the current state of homeschooling legislation in Minnesota. They discuss the role of HSLDA in advocating for homeschool freedoms, the legislative landscape including key bills that could impact homeschooling, and specific concerns regarding vaccination laws and the definition of homeschooling. The conversation emphasizes the importance of parental rights in education and the ongoing efforts to protect homeschooling freedoms. In this conversation, Amy Buchmeyer discusses the implications of the Elford's plea in the context of homeschooling and criminal justice. The discussion highlights the impact of criminal records on the ability to homeschool, the lack of nuance in current laws, and the existing protections for children. The legislative process surrounding homeschooling laws in Minnesota is explored, including advocacy efforts by families and organizations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community engagement and collaboration in shaping education policy.
 
Links
To become a member of MACHE:  https://mache.org/
To become a member of HSLDA: https://hslda.org/
To find out who is serving on the Legislative Working Group for the education bill:
https://hslda.org/post/minnesota-senate-file-1740
 
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to HSLDA and Its Role02:21 Minnesota Legislative Overview and Key Bills05:02 Impact of Budget on Non-Public School Aid09:14 Vaccination Legislation and Parental Rights12:22 Concerns Over Homeschooling Definition and Regulations19:34 Understanding Elford's Plea and Its Implications20:31 The Impact of Criminal Records on Homeschooling22:12 Nuances in Criminal Law and Homeschooling Rights24:24 Existing Protections for Children in the System26:14 The Legislative Process and Homeschool Advocacy28:40 Current Status of the Homeschool Law in Minnesota32:21 How Families Can Engage in Advocacy34:15 The Importance of Community and Collaboration
 
 
 
 
 
 
Keywords
HSLDA, homeschooling, Minnesota legislation, parental rights, education policy, vaccination laws, non-public school aid, homeschool definition, legislative advocacy, education freedom, Elford's plea, homeschooling, criminal justice, advocacy, Minnesota law, education policy, child safety, legislative process, homeschooling rights, community engagement