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IDEA Homeschool

IDEA Homeschool is celebrating over 25 years as the largest homeschool program in the state of Alaska. Tune in for monthly advice on techniques, resources and tools to help guide your homeschooling journey! read less

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Ep 20: How Can You Get The Most Out Of Your Experience At Alaska’s Biggest And Best Homeschool Fair—Both Virtually And In-Person?

Ep 20: How Can You Get The Most Out Of Your Experience At Alaska’s Biggest And Best Homeschool Fair—Both Virtually And In-Person?

Guests: Brianna Gravelle Topic: IDEA’s virtual and in-person Curriculum Fair is happening in April. In this episode, long-time home schooling mom Brianna Gravelle talks about her multiple experiences at the Anchorage Curriculum Fair. Podcast host, Lindsay Pinkelman talks about her experience at the Fairbanks Curriculum Fair and together they share all of the ways you […] The post Ep 20: How Can You Get The Most Out Of Your Experience At Alaska’s Biggest And Best Homeschool Fair—Both Virtually And In-Person? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Episodes

Ep 20: How Can You Get The Most Out Of Your Experience At Alaska’s Biggest And Best Homeschool Fair—Both Virtually And In-Person?

Ep 20: How Can You Get The Most Out Of Your Experience At Alaska’s Biggest And Best Homeschool Fair—Both Virtually And In-Person?

Guests: Brianna Gravelle Topic: IDEA’s virtual and in-person Curriculum Fair is happening in April. In this episode, long-time home schooling mom Brianna Gravelle talks about her multiple experiences at the Anchorage Curriculum Fair. Podcast host, Lindsay Pinkelman talks about her experience at the Fairbanks Curriculum Fair and together they share all of the ways you […] The post Ep 20: How Can You Get The Most Out Of Your Experience At Alaska’s Biggest And Best Homeschool Fair—Both Virtually And In-Person? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 19: How Is IDEA’s Academic Decathlon Team Encouraging Tomorrow’s Leaders?

Ep 19: How Is IDEA’s Academic Decathlon Team Encouraging Tomorrow’s Leaders?

Guests: Scott GingrichLori ZulligerJen SchutteMandy Wraith Topic: Scott Gingrich, Lori Zulliger, Jen Schutte and Mandy Wraith join the podcast as IDEA’s Academic Decathlon (ACADECA) Coaches. This statewide club has grown exponentially since 1998 and continues to find success in competitions, including this year! Listen and learn about the growth students experience studying 10 academic disciplines […] The post Ep 19: How Is IDEA’s Academic Decathlon Team Encouraging Tomorrow’s Leaders? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 18: How Can We Extinguish Homeschool Burnout And Ignite Passion?

Ep 18: How Can We Extinguish Homeschool Burnout And Ignite Passion?

Episode: Mary Fowler and Lisa Williams are guests on this episode talking about homeschool burnout. Maybe you have felt it over the years of homeschooling? For example, the wall you hit when there’s no creativity left or life responsibilities are too much. What if you gave yourself permission to take a break? Listen in to […] The post Ep 18: How Can We Extinguish Homeschool Burnout And Ignite Passion? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 17: How Do You Become A ‘Hammer’ In IDEA’S Ham Radio Club?

Ep 17: How Do You Become A ‘Hammer’ In IDEA’S Ham Radio Club?

Guest: Nola Kruber joins the podcast from the Fairbanks region to discuss the Ham Radio Club. In this episode, Lindsay and Nola discuss how to become involved in the club, whether you are 12 or 66. You will learn about the community involvement in the club and hear a real-world HAM Radio conversation Involving IDEA […] The post How Do You Become A ‘Hammer’ In IDEA’S Ham Radio Club? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 16: Why Are Parent Advisory Committees So Important To IDEA Families?

Ep 16: Why Are Parent Advisory Committees So Important To IDEA Families?

Guest:  Heidi Mobley Nikki Gore Renee Tegen Topic:  Nikki and Renee share how they each got started with their region’s Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). This parent group within each region holds open meetings for any IDEA member to attend. Listen to this episode to hear how events are developed from an idea to completion, but more importantly, […] The post Why Are Parent Advisory Committees So Important To IDEA Families? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 15: How Do IDEA Field Reps Bring Homeschooling Families Together?

Ep 15: How Do IDEA Field Reps Bring Homeschooling Families Together?

Guest: Cherie Taylor and Jen Schutte Topic: Podcast host Lindsay Pinkelman talks with Field Reps Cherie Taylor and Jen Schutte about being the fun planners! Field Reps have the opportunity to welcome families into IDEA, ensure questions and concerns are answered, and begin the enrollment process. After that, the fun happens through field trips, office […] The post Ep 15: How Do IDEA Field Reps Bring Homeschooling Families Together? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 14: How Can The Science Of Reading Support Early Learners?

Ep 14: How Can The Science Of Reading Support Early Learners?

Guest: Deb Mackie and Linda Ruffridge Topic: Assistant Director of IDEA, Deb Mackie and returning to the podcast, Contact Teacher, Linda Ruffridge, discuss the Science of Reading and what the state of Alaska is promoting this year regarding the Alaska Reads Act. They break down the five pillars of the Science of Reading, discuss the […] The post Ep 14: How Can The Science Of Reading Support Early Learners? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 13: How Does IDEA’s iGrad Program Support Alternative Education for High School Students?

Ep 13: How Does IDEA’s iGrad Program Support Alternative Education for High School Students?

Guest: Corrie Hruby Topic: IDEA’s iGrad program is an important option for alternative education students to earn a high school diploma and Corrie Hruby, iGrad’s Administrator discusses why this program is so successful. The triad of the coach, mentor and student makes the iGrad program unique and supports students through learning and work-life balance. Corrie […] The post Ep 13: How Does IDEA’s iGrad Program Support Alternative Education for High School Students? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 12: How Do You Create Your Own Homeschool Journey?

Ep 12: How Do You Create Your Own Homeschool Journey?

Guest: Marian Werth Topic: Marian Werth talks with Lindsay about how to make your homeschool journey your own. For the first time on the podcast, we hear from IDEA parents Julia Seavast, Michelle Spaulding and Alyssa Couturier about how each of them has created their own homeschool journey through IDEA! Marian leaves listeners with a […] The post Ep 12: How Do You Create Your Own Homeschool Journey? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 11: How Can S’mores Help You Avoid A Hot Mess In Homeschooling?

Ep 11: How Can S’mores Help You Avoid A Hot Mess In Homeschooling?

Guest: Linda Ruffridge Topic: A s’more being one of Linda Ruffridge’s favorite campfire foods, she uses the acronym to walk listeners through how to avoid a hot mess in your homeschooling year ahead. Find out tips to help you get ready for the new year and savor the ooey gooey messiness that can happen throughout […] The post Ep 11: How Can S’mores Help You Avoid A Hot Mess In Homeschooling? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 10: What Does A Homeschool Journey Look Like?…Lessons Learned and Shared

Ep 10: What Does A Homeschool Journey Look Like?…Lessons Learned and Shared

Guest: Sarah Oyoumick Topic: Sarah Oyoumick joins this episode to share stories from her own homeschool journey as a mom of three boys. Each one of our journeys are so unique—yet, maybe there’s more in common than we think. The balance of teaching, parenting, household responsibilities and family life can feel heavy sometimes and Sarah […] The post Ep 10: What Does A Homeschool Journey Look Like?…Lessons Learned and Shared appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 9: How to Grow Your Homeschool Garden

Ep 9: How to Grow Your Homeschool Garden

Guest: Janice Habermann Topic: In this special episode, Janice Habermann delivers an incredible keynote speech at the 2023 IDEA Curriculum Fair. Janice discusses the journey of homeschooling through the lens of constructing a garden. She discusses the planting of rich soil and seeds; the careful attention of watering; how to weed the garden and harvest […] The post Ep 9: How to Grow Your Homeschool Garden appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 8: Why Is Filling Out The FAFSA An Important Step Towards Your Postsecondary Plan?

Ep 8: Why Is Filling Out The FAFSA An Important Step Towards Your Postsecondary Plan?

Guest: Suzanne Alioto Topic: This episode covers the topic of financial aid, including the reasons why filling out the FAFSA is an important component of your child’s postsecondary plan. Suzanne Alioto, IDEA High School Specialist, covers the deadline to fill out the FAFSA for this school year and highlights the coming changes for the 23-24 […] The post Ep 8: Why Is Filling Out The FAFSA An Important Step Towards Your Postsecondary Plan? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 7: Why Is The IDEA Curriculum Fair The Greatest Event Of The Year For Homeschoolers?

Ep 7: Why Is The IDEA Curriculum Fair The Greatest Event Of The Year For Homeschoolers?

Guest: Janice Habermann Topic: Janice Habermann discusses the history of the IDEA Curriculum Fair and why this is the best event of the year to sharpen your homeschooling tools! This yearly event will happen the first 2 weeks of May in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Soldotna. There are many in-person workshops and opportunities to meet […] The post Ep 7: Why Is The IDEA Curriculum Fair The Greatest Event Of The Year For Homeschoolers? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 6: How Do Homeschoolers Pursue An Interest In Robotics?

Ep 6: How Do Homeschoolers Pursue An Interest In Robotics?

On this episode, Danielle Burgess talks about Lego Robotics as a club with IDEA. She talks about the misconceptions of it being a Lego building club and what parents and students can expect when they join. Lindsay asks about the academic components of this club, the social emotional learning tools students learn and use in […] The post Ep 6: How Do Homeschoolers Pursue An Interest In Robotics? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 5: What Social Emotional Learning Skills Can Be Developed From The Game Of Chess?

Ep 5: What Social Emotional Learning Skills Can Be Developed From The Game Of Chess?

Guest: Marc Jong Topic: Marc Jong talks about the value of using chess as a tool to teach social emotional learning skills. He started the Chess Club with IDEA in the Anchorage office after having success with it as a class in the building-based school system. Find out how you can incorporate this game into […] The post Ep 5: What Social Emotional Learning Skills Can Be Developed From The Game Of Chess? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 4: How Can Homeschooling Facilitate A Growth Mindset?

Ep 4: How Can Homeschooling Facilitate A Growth Mindset?

Dan Kullander shares his passion for teaching kids how to use a growth mindset in the academic setting. From a young child to adolescence and adulthood, the language of a growth mindset can be a powerful tool for everyone. Lindsay discloses a tragic accident she experienced and how having a growth mindset has been crucial […] The post Ep 4: How Can Homeschooling Facilitate A Growth Mindset? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 3: What Homeschooling Insights Can Be Derived From IDEA’s History?

Ep 3: What Homeschooling Insights Can Be Derived From IDEA’s History?

In this episode, we learn about IDEA’s origin and foundation of our mission and values. Lindsay talks with Carol Simpson, a homeschooling parent who was one of the first employees that has been instrumental in creating and maintaining IDEA’s focus on homeschooling parents being the expert educators. Carol discusses the importance of mentors as well […] The post Ep 3: What Homeschooling Insights Can Be Derived From IDEA’s History? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 2: How Much Freedom and Choice Do You Have With IDEA?

Ep 2: How Much Freedom and Choice Do You Have With IDEA?

In this episode, Lori Zulliger and host Lindsay Pinkelman discuss choices in homeschooling with IDEA from online, curriculum libraries, co-ops, packaged kits, field trips and dual-enrollment. Together they discuss how exploring a child’s learning style strength can create a solid foundation for developing their love of learning. Guest Biography: Lori Zulliger is a Contact Teacher […] The post Ep 2: How Much Freedom and Choice Do You Have With IDEA? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.

Ep 1: Why Do You Homeschool?

Ep 1: Why Do You Homeschool?

In this episode, your host Lindsay Pinkelman, Counselor for IDEA Homeschool, talks with guests Cherie Taylor and Brittany Liles, both from IDEA Homeschool Region K (Kenai). Cherie and Brittany are both homeschooling parents who talk about moving to Alaska and making the decision as a family to homeschool. They each bring unique perspectives of why […] The post Ep 1: Why Do You Homeschool? appeared first on IDEA Homeschool.