The Homeschool Group has had a busy couple of months, meeting regularly on Thursday afternoons.  In January and February, we did a drawing class and had a game day.  We didn’t make it sledding this year, but were able to ice skate together once.  We ended up walking quite a bit on local trails.

In March and April, we went out to the woods to do some hiking.  Most of the time we had great weather.  One time we even walked through snow!

Recently, a few of us parents went to a Homeschool Conference in Duluth.  Our group’s biggest take away was the sessions that were held on high school and post high school/career exploration.  As our kids get older, this is something we need to plan for.  It was also great to see the members of the Duluth church serving coffee from their coffee trailer at the event.

If you or anyone you know is interested in joining our group for Thursday meetings, please direct them to homeschool@jfbelievers.com.

Audio Teaching by Jared Dodd (2023 MACHE Convention)

When it comes to raising kids, both parents have a responsibility to raise the kids the way God has called all of us to. However, fathers have an extra responsibility as the one God has called to be the leader in the home.

The attached teaching file is from a previous homeschool conference that was attended by
members of the Believers Church Homeschool group. The speaker talks about the importance of
dads being involved in their kids education, not just moms.

If you are a dad that is currently or thinking of homeschooling in the future this would be a good listen. If you are not a parent, but perhaps considering it, this would be helpful to listen. The teaching addresses the role of the father in raising up their kids, because whether kids are homeschooled or not the father is responsible.

Believers Homeschool Group meets regularly on Thursday afternoons throughout the year, with the time being split between some kind of social, group activity and then a sport and/or fitness activity to get us moving!   At the beginning of September, we had our “Fall Kickoff” annual School Picture Day. Area homeschoolers were invited to have a picture taken and have some fun playing yard games. 

Throughout September and October, we played with Legos during our Thursday meetings! We had fun building and conquering various Lego challenges together.  After Lego Club, we played volleyball and football.

October’s field trip took us to Wisconsin Logging Camp in Eau Claire. The kids had a great time learning about the history of our local region and what it was like to be a logger back then.

In November and December, we are looking forward to practicing for the Christmas program during our meeting time.  The Christmas program will be preformed for a local assisted living facility in mid-December and will include Christmas songs and a short skit. Two of the kids will be playing guitar and piano, while the rest of the children sing.

The official school year may be done, but that doesn’t mean that the learning & fellowship need to stop! One of the ways that Believers Homeschool Group is unique is that we meet all year long, even throughout the summer. I am so thankful that I am not alone in this journey of home educating. Having this community of families to explore with (field trips!), learn with and from, and to encourage each other is an invaluable part of homeschooling for our family.

Weekly Meetings

As we finished up the school year, we alternated between drawing lessons and “book clubs” (reading aloud in pairs) during our Thursday afternoon meetings. We’ve switched gears for the summer, and Laura is teaching us the basics of sewing in what we’ve dubbed Sewing School. So far, we’ve learned how to sew on a button and how to do basic hand stitching. After the lesson time, we transition to fitness time where we learn various sports such as baseball and soccer.

Special Events & Field Trips

We have also had a handful of field trips and special events over the past few months. In March, we were able to have an in-person Creation Science lesson with Laura while she was back from the Philippines. We also got to learn about Street Level’s Mission trip when Nathan & Pastor Ben stopped in to share some pictures and videos from their time in New Orleans. In April we toured the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. In May, we had a yard games day to celebrate the arrival of warm weather! Additionally, many of us (including the teens) were able to attend the MACHE Homeschool Convention in Rochester, MN. And in June, it was like stepping back in time when we had the opportunity to tour Pioneer Village in Cameron, WI.

If you’d like more information on our group, you can find us on Facebook (only local Homeschool families please) or email homeschool@jfbelievers.com.

~Sara

Book Club during our Weekly Thursday Gatherings

Winter Fitness Fun

Dunn County Sheriff’s Department Tour

Valentine’s Day Bingo!

Thanks to the support of Believers Church the Believers Homeschool Group has had a busy few months with one field trip, our regular Thursday meetings and preparation for the Christmas program.

Fire Station Visit

They didn’t start the fire, but they learned about how to stop them!  In November, we visited the fire station.  Thank you to the fire fighters who took the time to teach us about fire safety and show us around the station. 

Christmas Program

Over the past few months, the kids have been hard at work practicing for the Christmas program.  Lots of lines were memorized and costumes sewn, but they had a fun time doing so.  Thank you to our audience and the church for the opportunity to put on a show! 

Thursday Meetings

In addition to the fire station visit and the program practice, the homeschool group continued with our regular homeschool group schedule of reading out loud together, drawing lessons and fitness activities.  This winter we are hoping to get outside for ice skating and sledding, as well as a field trip or two.

Please pray for continuing diligence on the parents to not just give the kids an education, but to model for them what it means to follow Jesus. Also pray for new families that have been attending the group that they would continue to participate and feel they have a home within the Believers Homeschool group.

For more on our group, find us on Facebook (only local Homeschool families please) or email homeschool@jfbelievers.com