Author Archives: Mary Adalbert

Hello! I’m Mary Adalbert, Marketing Project Manager for Bridgeway Academy. As a result of being homeschooled during my middle school and high school years, I am passionate about families finding a perfect fit for each of their children. After high school, I went on to study music and business at college where I found a love for helping kids use their creativity in music. I still enjoy teaching music to students and integrate their learning style as we work through lessons at their own pace. In my free time I love playing sports with my husband, spending time with our family, and playing music. And most of all, I love seeing how God works through each and every situation.
Homeschool Convention Prep List

It’s here! Homeschool Convention session is finally here! Regardless of where you are in your homeschooling journey, this is an exciting time of the year. Homeschool conventions are what many of us look forward to for the entire year, dreaming of the friendships we will renew, strategies we will learn, laughs we’ll have as a family, and, of course, the great curriculum deals we’ll score. So, if you’re not sure if you should attend a Homeschool Convention this year, read this post. For those of you who’ve registered, booked your hotels, and are already scouring the workshop list to make your plans, here’s your go to Homeschool Convention prep list, so you’ll make the most from your time this year.

The Must Have Homeschool Convention Prep List

  • Book your travel arrangements. Homeschool conventions are popular, really popular. Usually, they’re connected to a hotel or group of hotels that you can book for a discounted rate. But, those rooms sell out fast! Book your hotel rooms and plane tickets ASAP to secure the best rate and ensure you get a room. If you’re bringing the whole family, plan to come a day early to decompress and get to know the lay of the land before the convention starts. Want to save money on food? Bring your snacks and try to book a hotel with a small fridge. Or, bring along a large cooler and make use of the free ice in the hotel!
  • Make a list of the workshops you want to attend. You’re a homeschooler, a rock star, a family-focused parent. So, chances are you know what you’re doing well and what you could improve. Make a list of those ways you want to grow this year as a homeschool parent, and the ways you want to help your kids grow and goals you want to see them accomplish. Then choose your homeschool convention workshops based upon these goals. Choose a main goal to focus on, like finding a record keeping strategy, helping your student with ADHD, or teaching writing. Attend workshops devoted to this main goal. Try to choose only 2-3 per day so that you do not get overloaded. There’s no way you can hear and see all you want to see so plan to purchase the recordings at the end of the convention. And take notes! You’ll forget a lot of what you hear, but your notes will last and give you a refresher on what you found most helpful.
  • Make a list of your curriculum needs and holes. A homeschool convention is a great place to purchase curriculum because you’ll often score the best deals and extras. But, if you come to a homeschool convention without knowing what you need, or at least a vague idea of the holes you need to fill in your curriculum plan, you’re going to be overwhelmed. Remember, the vendors are there for one reason only, to sell you curriculum. So, homeschool conventions are not the best place to make curriculum decisions on the spot. Rather, view the vendors as a way to peruse options to fill the holes on your needs list. I like to categorize my list this way:
    • Must Buy Publishers- the curriculum you know you’re going to walk out the door with;
    • “Take a Look” Publishers- these are the publishers or learning resources that have peaked your interest, and you want to take a look at;
    • Curriculum Holes- these are your wide open areas where you need a new curriculum and just don’t know where to start! Consider attending workshops that speak to this area to give you a good start at curriculum considerations.
  • Make a packing list. You’ll need more than just your basic travel needs like clothing and toiletries. Plan to pack a rolling suitcase or a milk crate on rollers to lug your curriculum around. You’ll also need a notebook, pens, highlighter (for the convention map!), camera, and a large bag to hold all of the workshop handouts you receive. Snacks, water bottles, and a small first aid kit is always a good choice as well. Bring a deck of cards, activity books and other small games for your kids to do while they wait for the child area to open or during meal times. Oh, and dress in layers, the convention hall could be too hot or too cold depending upon your internal temperature.
  • Map out your convention. Download a map of the convention hall, vendors, workshop locations, and even food stands you’ll be visiting. Get out that highlighter and highlight the places you’ll be going and write the time and date next to them. Consider using a different color highlighter for the places your kids will be attending Then make a color copy for each member of your family old enough to read a map, so you’re all on the same page.

Use this homeschool convention prep list to make sure you’re raring and ready to go come convention time. Trust me; it will save you time, stress, and money! Above all, don’t forget to take the time to spend with your family and enjoy being around other homeschoolers. Chances are this is the one time each year where you’re in the majority. Soak it up and enjoy!

Which homeschool convention are you attending this year and why? Tell us in a comment below!

Meet our Academic Advisors: Jeni Wollenhaupt

Jeni Wollenhaupt’s passion for teaching reaches deeply into the families she serves as one of Bridgeway Academy’s highly qualified academic advisors.

“She is an amazing person,” one of the parents of her students said during a chat. “I’ve never had teachers or academic advisors who cared so much about her students.”

Another parent wrote to Jeni saying, “I want to thank you for all the hard work that you do to make this easy for me. This by far has been the best decision that my husband and I have ever made for our daughter … We look forward to working with you again for the rest of her high school years.”

Jeni’s commitment as a caring human being shines brightly for her husband David, and their son Elijah, a wide-eyed toddler who is still at the point where they count his age in months.

Academic Advisors Help Students and Parents

Jeni has been one of Bridgeway’s academic advisors for more than three years. She enjoys helping her students (and parents) choose curriculum, mainly working with high school students in the textbook program, although a few of her students utilize the excellent online programs that Bridgeway offers. Like most Bridgeway academic advisors, she works with many students on a yearly basis, guiding them through the course and textbook selection.

Bridgeway’s big difference—assessing learning styles and personality types—plays a role in her initial suggestions to families, as well as throughout the school year.

“Especially if I have someone like an auditory learner versus a visual learner,” Jeni says. “For kinesthetic learners, there may not be as many options, but I encourage them to do the [live] Learning Labs for science, and to use manipulatives for math.”

She even goes the extra mile in her weekly emails the academic advisors send to their students by including study tips, suggestions for learning, and adding different information that directly connects with different learning styles.

“It might be a mnemonic to help the student remember the stages of cell division, ideas for brain breaks, or just suggestions to help the student learn a different way, remember in different ways, study in different ways,” she says of her role as an academic advisor.

Learning to Love Education

Jeni’s parents homeschooled her as an elementary student. Her dad was a pastor, and the family moved around a bit, but she considers “home” as Greenville, PA., the place her family moved to as she entered middle school.

After graduating from Wheaton College in Illinois, Jeni had some serious life decisions to make.

“I was interested in teaching, but I didn’t have a teaching license,” she remembers. “I didn’t want to pay to get one because I wasn’t sure if I’d like it. What I wanted to do was work in a different culture, step outside my personal comfort zone.”

She did that in a big way, heading to Japan to teach for seven years.

“At first I didn’t want to go to Japan, I wanted to go to a poorer country, but Japan was a door that kept opening,” she says, noting that the initial teaching contract was only for two years. But then it became one more year. And one more year.

“I lived in a small town in Japan, not a city, and in the mountains surrounded by rice fields,” she says. “It was really a good place for me.”
A local running team made it extra special for Jeni, who completed a few marathons after her return to the United States, and who continues to run when time permits while she raises a young son.

Commitment to Family

Jeni and family

When Jeni did return to the U.S., she moved to the Lehigh Valley and lived with her grandmother while earning a Master’s in Education from Lehigh University. Living with her grandmother allowed Jeni to spend more time with an extended family she missed while she lived in Japan.

She met her husband, Dave, through the young adult ministry Bible study at their church. They teach a Sunday School class together for second graders. She and Dave have been together about as long as she’s been an academic advisor for Bridgeway.

“I love being creative and putting plans together, not just to learn about Jesus, but so they can apply it to their lives,” she says. “I love incorporating the senses and doing art and music.”

That drive is part of the reason she loves traveling and visiting museums and zoos, witnessing history come alive.

It’s also fun watching those same attributes growing in Elijah.

“It’s great being a mom,” Jeni says. “I’m excited as he grows up. We learn things together. I love reading books with him. We are exploring. Recently he likes cooking. He takes pots and pans and pretends he’s stirring. I gave him an empty ginger bottle, and he pretended to pour it into the pot. He loves imitating us and creating new things.”

Jeni creates an atmosphere of natural wonder in her everyday life, and with the lives of her students.

Bridgeway Academy has empowered a cadre of qualified academic advisors to support, assist, advise, and keep records and transcripts for its homeschooling families. We can do the same for you! Learn more on how to join the academically accredited programs that allow Bridgeway families to homeschool with confidence. 

Holy Week Lesson Plans for Homeschoolers

Easter is by far my favorite holiday. Redemption, freedom, and joy all found their true meaning and foundation on the hill at Calvary. There’s no lesson I love more, no story greater to tell than the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and what it means for us, His children. As homeschoolers, we have the privilege of studying Holy Week with our families, integrating this sacred and blessed holiday into our school day. Take advantage of this freedom with these inspiring and challenging Holy Week lesson plans for homeschoolers.

5 Holy Week Lesson Plans for Homeschoolers

  1. Easter Devotions: An Easter Devotional should be your top lesson this Holy Week! This Easter we planted a Resurrection Garden to have a visual reminder on our kitchen table of the holiness of this week. Hide the truth of Easter in their hearts by going through this Easter devotional with your children than creating a Resurrection Garden.
  2. Seder Meal: Jesus arrived in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. While he knew this would be his last days before His crucifixion and death, he came to celebrate to fulfill the law as a pious Jew. Hold a Seder meal with your family, eating the traditional foods and holding the Seder ceremony, including the special prayers. Here’s a Passover Seder guide to get you started.
  3. Holy Week Calendar: If you’re looking for a daily guide to teach what Jesus experienced Holy Week, look no further. Create this visual Holy Week calendar with your children to impress upon them the importance and significance of this week in the life of our Lord. Little ones will enjoy making each piece for the calendar while older students can be challenged with memory verses and journal entries examining how Jesus or those around Him felt during each event.
  4. Sensory Studies for Holy Week: Teaching the Easter story to a preschooler can be difficult because of the content and complexity of the event and its implications for humanity. Using this lesson, which explores Holy Week using the five senses, is a great way to make the events of Easter accessible and relatable to a younger learner. Students will use their sense of hearing as they learn about Palm Sunday, taste for the Last Supper, etc. Forget just the preschoolers, all ages can learn from this sensory-based lesson!
  5. An Eyewitness of the King: John was one of the most prolific writers in the New Testament. Spend this Holy Week learning about and analyzing His eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry in this video series from request.org/uk. Your students will examine Jesus as King through his character traits including rooted, servant-hearted, gracious, sacrificial, and undefeated.

Holy Week is a wonderful time to plant seeds of celebration, contemplation, and awe of Easter and the cross of Christ. There’s nothing more important than pointing our children to the saving grace that only Jesus has to offer. I hope this Holy Week is one filled with wonder, thanksgiving, and joy for your beloved!

If you’re looking to incorporate Christian-based curriculum into your homeschooling, check out our tips on how to find the best Christian homeschool curriculum. Or, discover why you may want a Christian-based homeschool program.

Ready to choose a curriculum that incorporates your belief system and is tailored to your homeschooling goals and needs? We’d be happy to discuss your options with you. Give us a call at 1-800-863-1474 to speak with a homeschool expert and learn more.

Blog for Us: Represent Homeschool Style!

Show Us Your Blog

guest-bloggers

Athletes do it. Politicians do it. First responders like police, firefighters, and EMTs do it. Your parents do it, too. They represent. We look up to them when they represent their passion in a positive manner.

We want you to represent your homeschooling journey with Bridgeway Academy in a positive manner.

That’s why Bridgeway wants to help you join the Blogosphere.

That’s right, we want to showcase your writing and storytelling capabilities.

  1. We’re looking for a student to guest blog for the spring semester.
  2. We’re holding a competition to choose at least one talented and lucky participant to create three blog posts over Spring Semester 2017, with the final post turned in by July 19, 2017.
  3. What we want to see is your unique perspective and take on homeschooling, and how it helps you succeed in all areas of life.

Interested? Then take these steps:

  1. If you can motivate with your writing, show us in 400-600 words! Pick a knockout topic from below. Make sure to research and include appropriate links. Blogs are visual, so be sure to include 2-5 photographs and embedded links.
  2. Along with your entry, send us your photo and a 3-5 sentence bio so we can get to know you better.
  3. If you are under 18, make sure to get your parents’ permission. We will provide a Photo Use Consent form prior to any publication.
  4. Email your entries and questions to [email protected] by April 17, 2017.

The student winner(s) will build a valuable resource to include with their college applications as Bridgeway Academy will provide a Letter of Reference for your college or job application directly tied to your work ethic, dependability and creativity.

Lastly, your ability to research, write and deliver these blogs will display the critical thinking skills needed for college-level work.

Student Contest Topic List:

  1. My 10 Favorite Educational Apps – A Teen Perspective
  2. 5 Ways I Stay On Track Homeschooling (please don’t include your parents as one of the ways)
  3. How I Can Inspire My Peers to Pursue Their Dreams
  4. Top Benefits of Lynda.com (this is a free resource for all Bridgeway families)
  5. How to Stay Motivated in the Spring Months

Entry deadline is April 17, 2017.
Ready, set, write!

Should You Attend a Homeschool Convention

I’ll never forget the excitement of attending my first homeschool convention. During the first year we switched to homeschooling, we attended a convention just two hours from our house. I vividly remember booking the hotel, planning the activities we would do as a family. I spent hours searching the convention website for maps, workshop information, and the various vendors. When I arrived, I instantly felt at ease surrounded by people who held a similar philosophy, lifestyle, and commitment to educating our children.

Then the doors opened. I was instantly overwhelmed by several people, information, and curriculum. I left the convention with my eyes wide open as to what homeschool conventions can and cannot offer homeschooling families, as well as a great view of what to consider moving forward.

Homeschool conventions, like the Great Homeschool ConventionTexas Homeschool Convention, and Midwest Homeschool Convention, are right around the corner. Just because you live nearby or an avid homeschooling family doesn’t mean you should attend. If you’re wondering whether or not to attend a homeschool convention this year, here are three great reasons to attend, and three other reasons to perhaps stay home instead.

3 Reasons to Attend a Homeschool Conventionhomeschool convention

You are new to homeschooling and want to find new strategies, tips, and tools for a great homeschooling experience.

The workshops at homeschool conventions offer valuable information that can help you get started. You will learn how to develop a homeschool routine, how to choose curriculum, and how to find the right homeschool style for your family. To keep from getting overwhelmed, make a list of your top 10 homeschooling questions like, “How can I make homeschooling more fun,” or “How can I find a schedule that works for me.”  Select workshops at the homeschool convention that best answer those questions. Plan to attend two or three workshops each day. More than that, you risk information overload. If you find there are more workshops you’d like to attend, buy the recordings to review at a later date.

You want to learn about the newest curriculum available and find the best prices.

Homeschool conventions are the mecca for curriculum sales. Most homeschool publishers attend the larger conventions, so you’ll have access to different styles and new techniques. These help you find the right fit for your child—or children—and can provide you with a whole new perspective on using the curriculum you already own. If you know what you want to purchase, go with a list in hand. Be sure to price match and know your child’s learning style ahead of time so that you can find the best curriculum fit for those subjects.

You’re experiencing homeschooling difficulties, especially if your child has learning disabilities. 

Conventions are a great place to pick up new homeschooling strategies, tips, and ideas for homeschooling children with disabilities. They also open your eyes to a very important fact: you’re not alone! At a convention, you’ll meet others who are in the same boat and struggle with the same homeschooling issues. Attending workshops and talking with other parents is a great way to make relationships with those who face similar challenges. You’ll leave with more ideas on how to fix your homeschooling woes, and feel less alone.

3 Reasons to Stay Home

You’re a seasoned homeschooler and aren’t looking for new ideas or curriculum. 

Most publishers will run specials at the convention, yes, but there are other times of the year where you can get a great deal on homeschool curriculum without spending the money on travel and a convention. As homeschoolers, we all understand the value of using our time both wisely and efficiently.

You’re just getting started in homeschooling and easily overwhelmed.

If you fall into this category, you may want to stay away from homeschool conventions in general. The crowds, tons of curriculum choices, and the many methods you’ll experience could send you into confusion. A better method for you may be to connect with a local homeschooling group or homeschool partner that can meet your individual needs without providing you with so many options that you go into analysis paralysis.

You’re not yet a homeschooling family and are unsure if homeschooling is right for you.

Instead, meet with other homeschoolers and homeschooling partners. Come to a decision about homeschooling before going to a homeschool convention. Conventions fill up with those who love it and are fully committed to homeschooling. If you’re not there yet, you may be overwhelmed or put off by the level of everyone’s commitment to homeschooling as the best way to educate. Once you become convinced that homeschooling is right for your family, attending a convention is a great way to get started.

Just because there’s a homeschool convention in your area doesn’t mean you need to attend. Tread into convention season and the convention hall with your eyes wide open and a clear idea of what to expect. If you choose to attend, prepare in advance. Stay tuned for Part II of our homeschool convention season: what every homeschool convention attendee needs to know before going.

Are you planning on attending a homeschool convention this season? Tell us which one, and why you love it, in a comment below!

10 Reasons to Love Live Online Courses

Today, over 56 million students are using and enjoying virtual classrooms from every grade level and for almost every subject area. Innovative technology-driven classrooms are here to stay, which is why here at Bridgeway Academy we are excited to announce our live online learning labs have been expanded with year round options! Read on to learn about the benefits of this empowering platform to educate, engage and excite homeschool children at every grade level.

Ten things to love about live online school programs:

  1. EXPERT TEACHING: One of the benefits of live online courses is the availability of a real-life, real-time subject matter expert. Since parents rarely categorize themselves as experts in all things, it is a blessing to have the teacher presenting new material, facilitating the group, working with individual students, and supporting work assignments.
  2.  INDEPENDENT LEARNING: Once students transition out of the homeschool learning environment into a college, trade school or career, it is essential the students understand what it means to be accountable for their success. Live online courses provide a natural environment for students to acquire greater self-discipline, responsibility, and self-advocacy.
  3. INTEGRATION OF REAL WORLD SKILLS:  Far beyond just word processing – presentations, projects and work within the virtual classroom help students become better public speakers, mesh technology and their creativity, and learn the same skills required by businesses regarding working in a collaborative, virtual environment, as well as traditional settings.
  4. PEACE OF MIND:  Live online courses provide parents with feedback about what a child can and cannot do independently, but with the added benefit of having a teacher available to assist in framing a path to greater success for the students as they tackle new tasks, lessons and courses. In other words, the virtual classroom is just as much a homeschool parent resource as it is a child’s tool. These teachers are there to advocate for the success of the homeschool parent and the child.  
  5. TIME AND FLEXIBILITY: Because many students naturally understand the tech realm, they quickly become capable of navigating the virtual classroom features and content on their own. That frees the parent up to teach another child, fold a load of laundry or maybe even get a cup of coffee while observing the online class session.
  6. POWERFUL INTERACTIVE TOOLS: Content comes to life in online learning labs because of these exciting tools.  
    • An interactive whiteboard that allows students to Illustrate and create new content, Label diagrams and color documents or images inserted by the teacher, Respond to writing prompts and construct graphic organizers.
    • LiveChat to entice further conversations and questions within the classroom.
    • Student surveys and breakout rooms which provide teacher-supervised areas for discussing questions and sharing ideas.
    • Digital media such as movies and slide presentations.
    • Downloadable documents directly from the virtual classroom while instruction is in progress.
    • Notes section in the virtual classroom where students can take their notes and convert to a downloadable PDF document after the class
    • Live-streaming via webcam so students can share projects (and pets), creating an engaging environment for learning
  7. TEACH EFFECTIVELY TO DIFFERENT LEARNING STYLES: Each child has a primary learning style in which they most effectively process information. That’s why some kids love watching videos and others prefer a more tactile approach such as building a puzzle or playing with toys. It’s essential to teach and communicate in each child’s learning style. The three main types of learning styles include Visual Learners, Auditory Learners, and Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners. And some children respond best to material delivered with a combination of learning styles in mind. With online learning labs, your child will grow and love learning as the labs target multiple learning styles.
  8. BENEFITS TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT: The development benefits are many, but the highlights include: an increase in memory capacity, a boost in computer and simulation fluency, a fast strategic thinking and problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and skill-building from the coaching of the online educator.
  9. IMMERSION IN THE MATERIAL: Flexible homeschooling, where students immerse in a collaborative, interactive learning environment is a major benefit of online learning labs. These exciting courses take engaging subjects like Marine Biology, art, or even essay writing to the next level with real-time instruction and interactive whiteboard technology. Utilizing virtual classroom tools, students can engage with their peers from around the world without ever leaving home.
  10. LOTS OF COURSES AND OPTIONS: Bridgeway Academy’s Online Learning Lab Program includes Elementary, Middle, and High school courses.  Depending on the age level and subject matter, your child will go to class for 60-90 minutes and can choose from fun electives or some core curriculum. Your child will also receive grade reports and accreditation for each class completed.

Bridgeway Academy is pleased to offer an ever-growing list of highly interactive live online courses referred to as Learning Labs. Our passion is to encourage each student to love learning and engage with new ideas and content.  Find out what courses will fit your child’s personality and build their love for learning by visiting our website!
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Homeschool Lesson Plans for Daylight Saving Time

Spring is almost here (can you hear the birds each morning yet?) and, along with the flowers that will spring from the earth, we will “spring” our clocks ahead for Daylight Saving Time on March 12th, 2017. While this national time keeping strategy often leaves us feeling tired in the spring, it also may make you wonder if Daylight Saving Time has lost its usefulness and belongs to the history books alone. Read on (and share with your homeschoolers!) to get a better understanding of why we still have Daylight Saving Time and how you can appreciate this day for more than just the extra hour each fall that Daylight Saving Time brings!

History of Daylight Saving Time

There are many, many myths floating around about Daylight Saving Time, just note the lack of an “s” on the end of saving and you’ll catch the drift! While many believe this practice to be about agriculture and to have originated in the USA, that’s not true. The history of DST does not lie in our agricultural practices, and it did not originate with Benjamin Franklin as many believe. In 1784 Benjamin Franklin did suggest, in his article “An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light” that Parisians could save money on candle and wax by turning clocks back so that they had more daylight. And, while this satirical essay is often credited with the beginning of the practice, Paris never actually took Franklin’s theory to heart.

The practice was first brought to a national government by Englishman William Willet. As the story goes, Willet was riding his horse one morning and came to the conclusion that England should move clocks forward by 80 minutes each spring so that more people could enjoy the sunlight. In 1907 he published a pamphlet titled “The Waste of Daylight” to gain support for his idea. Sadly Willet died in 1915 having never seen his idea put into action by Parliament.

Though England did not adopt the tradition right away, Germany did enact a type of daylight savings holiday in 1916, though the nation did so in an effort to conserve electricity, not spend more time enjoying nature! Later that year England followed suit. Read more about interesting facts related to the history of Daylight Savings Time on history.com.

The US adopted Daylight Saving Time several times in our history, first in WWI and WWII to give more time for factory workers to enjoy the sunshine before and after a long days work, and also to benefit the farming industry. Throughout the 60’s and 70’s Daylight Saving Time was used on and off as a way to combat energy crises, but with such irregularity that there was often mass confusion. Our current practice of Daylight Saving Time, which starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November was adopted in 2007 as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Daylight Saving Time Lesson Ideas

While changing your clocks may not be your favorite event, you can still enjoy Daylight Saving Time by taking the opportunity to study and learn about the historical and economic results of the practice. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

  • Research the history of Daylight Saving Time and create a poster or project to show your findings.
  • Study the energy efficiency arguments and reasons behind DST and create a trifold board, diorama, or poster based on your findings.
  • Identify and chart the positive and negative effects of DST (believe it or not there are quite a few to consider!) and create a pro and con list.
  • Write and hold a debate over whether the practice of Daylight Saving Time is worth it. Start by reading this article on why DST is a great practice.
  • Write a persuasive petition or letter to Congress requesting the repeal of DST based upon your research.
  • Research and discover which nations and states do participate in DST, and which do not. Be sure to learn what the reasoning is for each argument!

Though we may not feel like losing an hour of sleep on March 12th this year, we don’t have to waste that hour in misery or frustration. Take time to learn about Daylight Saving Time with your homeschoolers this year and empower them to draw their own conclusions on whether or not the practice is worth it. And don’t forget to celebrate by going outside and enjoying the earlier light and longer days because that’s what DST is all about!

The Best Educational Apps for Elementary Homeschoolers

Homeschool parents love their choice for many reasons, including the ability to choose how and when children learn. Because homeschoolers have more time and can focus on the individual needs, homeschool children are often ahead of the curve academically. Homeschoolers blaze trails in the world of integrating new methods and ideas for teaching children. This is especially true with technology.
As homeschoolers, we incorporated online learning and used the best educational apps before they become trendy. It’s important for us to stay with and ahead of the trends, gleaning from the best. And using educational apps is one of the bandwagons we should embrace. Technology in education is here to stay.
Here are the best educational apps that unlock learning and fun for elementary homeschoolers.

Language Arts Apps

If you want to create readers and writers who love the worlds that the written word open, download David Wiesner’s Spot from the iTunes Store.
This app won everything from a Parent’s Gold Choice Award to a Teacher’s with Apps Top Pick. Spot allows children of all ages to explore a variety of worlds and levels based on their own home. Players can create their own stories or revel in others in clever places like Lower Rügg, where dust bunnies dwell, or watch cat parades in Katzaluna. Check out this video to learn more about how Spot can enable your dreamer to enjoy writing stories.
As a child, I loved “choose your own adventure” books that let me command the outcome of my literary journey. I would have loved Loose Strands, an interactive novel app about Roland that allows the reader to control what he does, keep him out of danger, and see the outcomes of his choices. It’s no surprise that this adventure app received 4 ½ stars from USA Today!

Math Apps

Learning math facts in third grade can be a challenge that empties the “math love tank” for your child. Enter Sushi Monster Math by Scholastic. It presents your child with a math problem, and various answers appear on a plate in the form of sushi rolls. You must feed the “sushi monster” the correct answer. It becomes progressively harder to feed the monster and keep him satisfied as your learner moves from level to level. This app works well for learning addition and multiplication facts and provides a fun challenge for students.
Counting Caterpillars brings the cuteness factor and is a fun way for children to learn counting. Colorful visuals including butterflies and caterpillars keep kids visually engaged in the game as they work to count and catch different insects. If your little one loves mazes and puzzles, try Marble Math Junior. Each player earns marbles for completing math problems and must work their way through a maze lined with more “obstacles.”

Science Apps

Science comes to life through discovery and experimentation! Engage your budding biologists with Spring Bay Studios iBiodome-Wetland App. With Professor Bio as their guide, your elementary scientist will explore habitats, species, ecosystems and food chains. This terrific scientific app won a Smart Media Award for its ability to “help students visualize producers and consumers and understand predator and prey relationships.
Sports lovers will marvel at the My Incredible Body app. This anatomy app helps you explore parts of the body, including muscles, organs and bones, and shows how the body works, and how to keep it healthy. The visuals are stunning and include 3D models. What kid wouldn’t love seeing a 3D version of how the intestines digest food?
When it comes to elementary homeschool, there truly is always an app for that! And when computers involve learning instead of just fun and games, it’s a win-win for everyone.

What are your favorite elementary educational apps for homeschoolers? Tell us in a comment below.

Ice Dancing Homeschooler headed to Worlds

Bridgeway Academy graduate Hannah Cook is ice dancing her way across the world!
Hannah, who graduated from Bridgeway Academy last fall, will be competing in the 2017 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships March 15-17 in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan). She and partner Temirlan “Tima” Yerzhanov will be competing for his country, Kazakhstan, in hopes of setting the stage for a chance to compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

“There are many things that have to come together for that to work, including sponsorships and dual citizenship for Hannah,” said Karen Cook, Hannah’s mom.

Ice Dancing

Hannah and Tima compete in ice dancing, which is judged on a short dance and a free dance, and always skated to a definite musical beat and rhythm. It originally began as a version of ballroom dancing on ice back in the 1950s, but has become more explosive and athletic than its original form.
The U.S. is one of the dominating forces in ice dancing, with memorable performances at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia by gold medal-winners Meryl Davis and Charlie White.
But the U.S. sends just two teams to international competitions. Ice dancing with Tima has afforded Hannah the opportunity to not only skate on the invitation-only Grand Prix international circuit, but excel on it.
They finished fifth overall at the Santa Claus Cup in Budapest, Hungary Dec. 11-12 to qualify for Junior Worlds.
“The short dance requirement was blues, like a ballroom dance pattern on ice,” Hannah said. “Then we added swing with that. The free dance was from Romeo and Juliet with Josh Groban singing “Un Giorno Per Noi,” which means “A Time For Us.”

On the Move

Hannah and Tima joined forces almost two years ago after leaving their previous partners. For Hannah, it came down to commitment. Her first partner had different goals. Hannah and her mom were living in California at the time. They had moved there from Texas so that Hannah could pursue her first passion at the Los Angeles Ballet School. She’s only been skating for five years.
Ice Dancing“I’ve been a dancer my whole life, and that really helped me transition to skating,” Hannah said. “ I had always wanted to skate, but growing up, we never lived near a rink. In California, there was a rink down the street, and I wanted to try it. It came easy to me, but I was 14 and just learning. I felt if I tried hard and did extra practices, I could do it.”
“I still wanted to dance, but I realized that if I did twice the skating practice, I could actually do what I always wanted to do. And that ended up being dancing on ice, the best of both worlds.”
Meanwhile, Hannah’s older sister Lexie, and dad, noted sports psychologist David L. Cook, stayed back in Texas where his business is based.
“It is difficult for the family,” Karen admitted, “but we felt it was what we were led to do. God is always at work accomplishing other things simultaneously, even when it’s difficult.”

Superb Coaching

When Hannah found Tima through a skaters-match program, she and her mom moved to Florida. About a month after skating together, Hannah and Tima worked some magic by convincing Evgeny Platov, a two-time Olympic gold medal-winner in ice dancing, to come out of coaching retirement.
“It’s really exciting,” Hannah said. “He had gone into retirement and moved to Florida to enjoy life and golf. We called him to see if he’d come back, and he did. We are so thankful and blessed. He’s really enjoying it. We’re the only team he’s working with, so we get prime time with all his attention.”

Homeschooling Helps

Homeschooling helped make this all possible. Hannah and her sister have been homeschooled their entire lives.
“My dad’s job took him traveling quite a bit,” Hannah said. “My parents felt it would be an enrichment to travel with him, to see the different lifestyles and keep the family close.”
Hannah started with Bridgeway Academy as a freshman in high school after she and her mom met Bridgeway representatives during a California homeschool convention.
“Out of everyone there, Bridgeway seemed to be the most flexible for my goals,” Hannah said. “I liked that you could choose the curriculum that fit you best. You have so many options, and our advisor is wonderful. We love her. Julie has bent over backwards and been a friend through all of it. To work with people like Julie is a privilege and blessing.”
Hannah has plans to attend college once her skating career is over, and maybe even take some courses online to complete her basic requirements.
For now, though, she and Tima are preparing for the Bavarian Open in Oberstdorf, Germany Feb. 14-19 as they continue to prepare for Junior Worlds.

Congratulations Hannah!

Bridgeway Academy is proud of Hannah’s accomplishments, commitment, and determination.
In order to achieve athletic dreams, elite athletes like skaters, gymnasts, soccer players and hockey players sometimes require the flexible academic schedules available by homeschooling with an online high school. Many of them desire to remain NCAA-eligible.
If you want to find the best academic program for your student-athlete, please give Bridgeway Academy a call at 800-863-1474 to talk to one of our helpful advisors. You can also check out all the details of our NCAA-cleared program if your goals include competing in college.

What the Tebow Bill means for Homeschooling

The number of states proposing Tebow Bill legislation is good news for homeschool students and parents who want to see homeschoolers take part in local public high school sports teams and extracurricular activities.

What is the Tebow Bill?

The legislative bills are named after former NFL player and current professional baseball player Tim Tebow. As a quarterback at the University of Florida, he led the Gators to BCS National Championships in 2006 and 2008. He played high school football for a Christian academy after the state of Florida passed a bill allowing homeschoolers to play high school sports. (Learn more about Florida homeschooling requirements.)  He later played for a public high school and led them to the state championship.
Tebow, a devout Christian and the son of missionaries, won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore in 2007, an award voted to the top college football player in the United States.
But not every state allows homeschoolers to play or take part in extracurricular activities at their local high schools. In the U.S.,  31 states allow equal access by homeschoolers, either by law or with permission from the state’s interscholastic athletic association. Some of those states, however, allow individual school districts to determine whether or not they will allow homeschool students to participate.

Which States Don’t Have a Tebow Bill?

Another 12 states have proposed Tebow Bill legislation. Nine of the Top 10 states in education, ranked by National Assessment of Educational Progress, allow homeschool students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. Hawaii is the lone exception.
Other states with proposed Tebow Bill legislation include Alabama, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Missouri is offering a similar bill in Senate Bill 173.
Recently, the legislatures in both Texas and Virginia have made national news with proposed Tebow Bills in their states making the next step toward approval.
The legislative actions are necessary in order to open the door of opportunity. The bills aim to allow homeschoolers the right to more easily engage in activities that are openly recognized and celebrated in their local community.

What’s Next?

Texas State Bill 640 (SB640) is being proposed because many homeschool students live in areas where club sports are not a viable option. Some local communities just aren’t big enough to offer many club sports opportunities.
In Virginia, House Bill 1578 (HB 1578) is being promoted by Delegate Rob Bell, a Republican who has been introducing such legislation since 2005. He successfully got Tebow bills passed by the General Assembly in 2015 and 2016, only to see them die on the desk of Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who vetoed them.

Here’s How to Help

If you live in any of the states without Tebow Bill-type legislation already in place, reach out to your local state representatives and senators and let them know your feelings. Call, write, begin a petition. If providing extra opportunities for your homeschoolers is important to you, now is the time to reach out to the people who make those decisions.

Learning Labs for Bridgeway Academy Session 3 Available Now!

Learning Labs for Session 2 are in full swing at Bridgeway Academy, and the countdown is on to register for Session 3 Elementary and Middle School Learning Labs!  You won’t want your child to miss out on our exciting course offerings. Check out this sampling of live online classes that begin March 20, 2017 in Session 3:

Magic Tree House Series: Civil War (Gr. 1-5) – NEW COURSE!

Learning LabsTuesdays 1:15 – 2:15 pm Eastern Time: Fans of the Magic Tree House book series will love journeying with Jack and Annie through the pages of Civil War on Sunday. Explore this pivotal event in American history as we gain an understanding of the war which temporarily divided our nation. You will learn about key issues, battles, and leaders of the Civil War as we transport back in time on this daring escapade. Please plan to borrow or purchase a copy of Civil War on Sunday for use in this course.

Elementary Science for Science Lovers (Gr. 1-5)

Learning Labs

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Mondays 1:15 – 2:15 pm Eastern Time: Have a young scientist with a yearning for some hands-on fun and investigation? Each week students will delve into a brand new area of science. Topics covered will include basic concepts in biology, chemistry, earth science, physics and current science news. Build a foundation for your young learner’s future scientific endeavors!

K’Nex Education Series: Amusement Park Experience*

Thursdays Learning Labs2:30 – 3:30 pm Eastern Time: Did you love exploring architecture with Ms. Mars?  Now you can take your construction skills to a whole new level! This course will give students the opportunity to apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to the design of amusement park rides and innovations. Integrating these curriculum areas into a hands-on course gives meaningful application to each area of study and shows students the connections real designers and inventors use every day. The enormous kit offers students many opportunities to extend their learning beyond what is covered in class. *Additional purchase of the K’Nex Education Amusement Park Experience Kit ($275) is required.  

Fantastic Fantasy Literature (Gr. 5-8) – NEW COURSE!

ThursdaysLearning Labs 1:30 – 2:30 pm Eastern Time: The fantasy genre has taken readers of all ages by storm, from new twists on old tales and myths to renewed interest in the classic fantasy stories of authors like Tolkien and Lewis. Students are going to love reading and writing fantasy stories in this course designed to improve literature interpretation and story telling skills. Let your imagination soar with dragons or journey deep into the center of the earth with prehistoric creatures, then get ready to experience the wild adventures of fantasy literature.

Sign up for Bridgeway Academy Learning Labs now!

The Learning Labs registration deadline is February 28th, but Session 3 courses are filling up quickly, so don’t delay your registration!

FAFSA Tips and Strategies for College Bound Homeschoolers

You’ve made it to your senior year of high school and can see your future ahead of you. What an exciting time! But you’re most likely carrying the worry about how you’re going to pay for your dream school and graduate without piles of student loan debt.
The key to solving the college debt mystery starts with the financial aid application process, which will always include the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as the FAFSA. You may have heard that the FAFSA process is long or intimidating, but we’re here to help you navigate this exciting and sometimes challenging road toward securing financial aid. Here are our FAFSA tips and strategies for college bound homeschoolers (or how you can secure the most financial aid possible).

What is the FAFSA?

Financial aid is essentially money paid toward your college costs that makes up the difference between what you can afford to pay and your college tuition. Financial aid comes in many forms, including grants, loans and scholarships. It is based upon your guardian’s income from January of your junior year to December of your senior year of high school, as well as other financial assets like checking account balance, 401K and investments. Most colleges and universities have a limited amount of aid, so you want to apply early to have the best chance of securing the help you need!
If you’re applying for financial aid, you’re in good company! Approximately two-thirds of college students receive financial aid. But not everyone receives the aid they need (and even fewer college students make wise financial decisions regarding tuition and debt). You don’t want to fall into the college debt trap as so many have done in the past.
The Class of 2016 graduated college with an average debt of over $31,000 each. While this doesn’t seem like a lot, debt of this amount can impact your future ability to buy a house, secure a loan, or provide for your family in years to come. Applying for the FAFSA is FREE, simple and crucial to avoid accumulating college debt that can sink you.

When to apply for the FAFSA

High school seniors who have chosen a college or university should apply for the FAFSA as soon as possible. The open date was October 1, 2016, which means you can apply NOW if you are headed to college for the 2017-2018 school year. The sooner you start, the more likely you are to receive financial assistance. If you’re not ready to apply yet, find out the deadline based upon your state and the school year you are applying for here.
If you’re ready to file now and secure aid, but haven’t completed your 2016 taxes, that’s OK! You don’t need your 2016 income tax completed to fill it out. You can fill it out with your 2015 income tax information. There is no need to update it later. This happens automatically. You don’t have to worry about that piece of the pie, the government does it for you!

Tricks to getting the most aid possible

While federal aid is a highly regulated process, there are a few tips and tools that may secure you more financial aid with the FAFSA. There’s a lot to know about federal aid, and those in the “know” will be in a position to secure more aid than those who are not!

  • File as early as you can. The earlier you file, the better off you are. Not only will you get it out of the way, but 16 states award money based on a first come, first serve basis. In this case, the early birds really do catch the worms!
  • Be accurate. If your FAFSA has mistakes, it could be delayed or rejected completely. Be as accurate as possible when filling out the FAFSA.
  • Move student savings to a 529 account. According to Time MagazineThe FAFSA formulas assume that students should be able to spend 20% of their assets on college. For parents, the rate maxes out at 5.64% of assets.” This means that any account in your student’s name that is not a 529 (educational savings account managed by parents) will be assessed at 20 percent, not the lower rate of 5.64 percent. Moving your student’s savings into a 529 should protect you from the higher assessment rate.
  • Pay your bills down with extra cash. The FAFSA does ask how much extra savings parents and students have in their accounts. Use your savings to pay down any debts as a way to honestly show more need. Remember, based on the FAFSA, those who have less in their savings have a higher need than those who have money in the bank.

This is an exciting and yet nerve-wracking time in your life. Don’t add to your stress by waiting until the last minute or filling out the FAFSA blind. Use our tips and tricks. File early to ensure you get the most bang for your federal-aid bucks!
Have you filled out the FAFSA before? Tell us your tricks in a comment below!