Homeschool Update Magazine - 2020, Volume 2, Issue 107

Be Still
2020 IVOLUME 2 IISSUE 107
T H E H E A R T O F H O M E S C H O O L I N G
The Joys of
Raising Sons
Homeschooling
Takes Flight
It's Not A
Formula
Standing on
Giant Shoulders8 12 17 18
ARTICLES INSIDE THIS ISSUE INCLUDE
AND KNOW THAT
HE IS GOD
A LETTER FROM THE
CHEC PRESIDENT
PAGE 4

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CHEC Homeschool Update IVolume 2, 2020 IIssue 107
INSIDE
Feature Articles
6 Montessori
Principles
BY SIMONE DAVIES
8 The Joys of
Raising Sons
BY MARCIA WASHBURN
12 Homeschooling
Takes Flight
BY DAN WANVIG
11 Working
Relationships
BY MIKE CHENEY
17 It's Not A Formula
BY CHUCK BLACK
18 Standing on
Giant Shoulders
BY JONATHAN BRUSH
Columns
4 From the Board
14 Best of Blog
20 Homeschool Leaders
22 Resource Review
26 Legislative Liaison
28 Struggling Learners
19039 Plaza Drive, Suite 210 Parker, Colorado 80134
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PHOTOGRAPHYBYISTOCK
Hello friends,
What an amazing time to be living in the world!
Never in my lifetime have I seen God hit the reset
button like He has over the last few months. It
has caused most of us to stop and readjust our
lives. To really be still. We don’t eat out the same
way, we don’t shop the same way, we don’t work
the same way, and we don’t even worship in the
same way.
Everything is different except for one thing: the
Scriptures teach us that God never changes.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and
forever (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV). What a reassuring
thought during times like these! While we are still
in our homes, He is still God and in control of
everything! In the struggles of this trial, we are
beginning to know Him in a deeper way.
And it seems like all the change around us is increas-
ing the speed of getting to know our God!
Besides God, I’m not so sure anybody really knows
completely what is happening, and for the first time in
a long time, the “experts” are actually admitting that
they don’t know either. I’m no expert in anything, but
if I may, I would like to share with you a couple of my
thoughts and meditations.
1. God is bringing down American idols all over
the place. In Colorado and all across America,
He has shut down sports, ski slopes, fine dining,
health clubs, bars, casinos, etc. I’m not saying
that any of these in and of themselves are evil,
but they are certainly pushed out of our way
and their full return isn’t looking too good in the
Be Still and Know
foreseeable future. I must admit, the view seems
much nicer, cleaner, and clearer.
2. There is a sense of “decluttering” going on.
There is less stuff in our lives. And I’m not
just talking about in Costco, Walmart, or the
grocery store shelves, but everywhere. Less
traffic, fewer people out and about, fewer stores
open, fewer store hours for those that are open,
fewer employees … less employment and less
everything. We are eliminating things all over
the place. I believe time will tell what is really es-
sential to each of us. But I think almost everyone
agrees that some of the excess had to go. And in
so many ways, it is refreshing and good.
3. This is not easy. It’s difficult to lose things that
we have depended on. And it’s incredibly sad
that some will lose their jobs or, worse yet, a
loved one.
Even here at CHEC we are doing our best to adjust
our path to the actions of the God-given authority of
the civil magistrate. This takes much prayer and faith
to discern with godly wisdom the sometimes blurred
lines of their jurisdictional authority.
As most of you have probably heard by now, we have
canceled our annual Rocky Mountain Homeschool
Conference. Even as I write that, I can’t believe it! I
have attended the conference for 25+ years (of the
over 30 years it has existed) and never thought I
FROM CHEC PRESIDENT, BILL ROACH
HE IS GOD
C H E C H O M E S C H O O L U P DAT E I Vo l u m e 2 , I s s u e 1 07, 2 02 04
FROM THE BOARD

As Christians, we may not have all the answers to the
virus questions, but we can be listening for those soul
questions they ask of us, then point them to Jesus. So
as you make decisions of when to leave your house,
or what you should or shouldn’t put on your face
when you leave, please remember this: God’s second
greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as
ourselves. It is still important as we try to preserve our
rights as Americans, as we attempt to reassemble for
face-to-face, in-person worship, as we shop, and as
we go back to work. Philippians 2:3 puts it this way,
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in
humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Don’t seek your own way, don’t be proud. Stay humble
in your opinion, and consider the true desires and
needs of your neighbor as more important than your
own desires and needs. Whatever you do or don’t do,
whatever you wear or don’t wear, do it in faith. As Ro-
mans 14:3 reminds us, For whatever does not proceed
from faith is sin.
It truly is a great time to be alive … God is on the
move! 
In Christ’s steadfast love and faithfulness,
President, Christian Home Educators of Colorado
Adapted from a post on the CHEC Blog, originally published on April 3, 2020.
chec.org/chec-blog/a-letter-from-checs-president/
would see the day we wouldn’t have one. But don’t fret,
because we will be back next year! And, I think it will
be stronger and more vibrant than ever.
I think God is doing so much more than changing
our schedules around. In the midst of all the physical
changes happening, He is also making sanctifying
changes in us. A transforming and decluttering of our
hearts is happening, and that should really inspire us.
All through Scripture we know that when God wants to
do something really big, He first takes away the idols
of our hearts. He did that in Gideon’s day and in King
Josiah’s day. He appears to be doing it again in our
day. So what should our response be? How do we lean
into what God is doing?
Hebrews 12:1 encourages us to Lay aside every weight
and sin which clings so closely. In my own life, I saw
Him peel back the layers of sin and drop the weights of
the unimportant. It wasn’t easy — for me or for those
I love. This past week, I had to ask my wife to forgive
me for my unloving spirit and selfishness. Thank God
she forgave me one more time! God is calling for us
to be a living sacrifice in Romans 12:1–2 and to give
ourselves up like Paul did in 2 Timothy 4:6–8. His
life was poured out — every last drop of his life for
God’s Kingdom! As my high school coach used to say
towards the end of a basketball game, “Leave it all out
on the court, Bill. Don’t come off with any strength
left!” Sounds daunting … sounds impossible … and
without the prayers of the saints and the help of the
Spirit of Jesus Christ, it is. Philippians 1:19 states, For
I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through
your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
But, unrest is starting to mount around us. People are
growing weary. They are wondering what to believe
when it comes to “the facts of the virus.” They are
asking good questions like, “When should our state
open the economy back up?” Or, “What should I do
to protect myself and my neighbor?” These are good
questions that we must grapple with.
May I offer one possible suggestion? Love your neigh-
bor. Find ways to bring the Gospel to them. People are
hurting. They are confused. They want the truth.
GOD IS DOING
SO MUCH MORE
THAN CHANGING OUR
SCHEDULES AROUND.
HE IS MAKING
SANCTIFYING
CHANGES IN US.
“
“
Homeschool Days at the
Molly Brown House Museum
offer non-traditional students
specialized tours and hands-on
activities. Topics vary each time.
Past programs have included
Soldiers in Petticoats, Titanic,
Exploration Survival, and more!
For details and more information:
mollybrown.org/family-programs
after hours event
after hours event
HOMESCHOOL DAYS AT THE
Molly Brown
House Museum
Photo: Tom McClure
Vo l u m e 2 , I s s u e 1 07, 2 02 0 I C H E C H O M E S C H O O L U P DAT E 5
FROM THE BOARD

PHOTOGRAPHYBYISTOCK
MONTESSORI
PRINCIPLES
for Homeschooling
Even if you aren’t
using Montessori-
specific activities in your
homeschooling, there are
many ways to incorporate
the principles to make your
homeschooling experience
better for both you and
your child.
Think: a combination of a curious child who wants to
learn, who can learn more independently, discovering
their interests, working with their unique timeline,
plus a whole lot of nature!
Perhaps even more importantly, think: parents who
are more relaxed and calm, in tune with the needs of
their children, and able to be their children’s guide —
not their boss or servant.
How? Here are five tips to get started with some
Montessori strategies at home.
1. Observe our children
Montessori is a holistic approach — we look not just
at academics but how children are having all their
needs met, from cognitive to emotional to physical to
social and to spiritual development.
One important way to achieve this is to be an
objective observer of our children. Become like a
mini-scientist pretending that you’ve never met your
children before, noting in as much detail, and in an
objective factual way (yes, remove any judgments or
opinions), things such as:
• What are your children naturally drawn to?
• What activities capture their interest enough so
they can concentrate and move toward mastery
(i.e., their cognitive development)?
• How do they deal with frustration, and how
might you respond to this in a supportive way
(i.e., their emotional development)?
• What times of day do they work best (i.e., their
natural rhythm)?
• How can their fine and gross motor skills
continue to be challenged (i.e., their physical
development)?
• How do they respond to other children (i.e., their
social development)?
From observing our children every day, inside and
outside our home environment, we can adjust our
BY SIMONE DAVIES
Editor’s note: Have you heard of Maria
Montessori? She was a 20th century
Italian physician who caused a paradigm
shift in practice for both pediatric
medicine and childhood education.
The Montessori teaching methodology
is an approach to learning wherein the
key principles are: the child’s absor-
bent mind, observation of the child,
correcting the child gently, allowing for
the child’s developmental interests, en-
couraging the child’s independence, and
a prepared environment the child can
easily access. The Montessori approach,
concepts, and foundational principles
can be applied across all ages.
The Montessori approach believes that
parents guide the learning of their chil-
dren as students express themselves
through their individual interests. This
is compatible with CHEC's vision for
parent-directed homeschooling. An
example might be that mom and dad
determine which unit topic the family
will study together. Then each child
can extend their own learning through
personal interests such as art, music,
or reading on the unit topic.
FAMILY ENCOURAGEMENT

“ AS A PARENT, THIS IS
A MORE RELAXING WAY
TO TEACH, BECAUSE WE
ARE SUPPORTING
OUR CHILDREN IN THEIR
LEARNING.
homeschooling to meet their individual needs to
maximize their learning.
2. Keep them curious
In Montessori, we nurture our children’s curiosity
and love of learning. Rather than always being a top-
down approach in which we decide what they want
to learn, Montessori is child-led in which we use the
child’s interests to lead the learning.
Rather than giving them the answers to the questions
that come up for them during the day, we set things
up for children to make discoveries for themselves.
And often these discoveries are with their hands —
learning in a tactile, concrete way.
For example, with young children who love vehicles,
we can follow this interest and teach them the names
of construction vehicles, emergency vehicles,
aircraft, and the like; we can create artistic invitations
for them to build, draw, or paint their own vehicles;
we can take the children out into the city to visit a
fire station, catch a train or bus; and the rest is only
limited by their imagination.
For older children, we might help them get started
on a research project about a topic of interest, which
they will then work on to present in a format of their
choice (presentation, book, newspaper, comic strip,
video, website, etc.).
3. Set things up for children
to be more independent and
successful
In Montessori, we use the
classroom (or home, in the case
of homeschooling) as the second
teacher. We can observe our child’s
interests and set out appropriate
hands-on activities in trays or bas-
kets, so the child can see what is
available and choose activities for
themselves during their free time.
We also set things up in a calm,
ordered way for them, so they can
learn to safely engage with items
they are curious about, such as
relocating framed artwort and plants at
their height. Children thrive when there is a place for
everything and everything is in its place. Parents can
benefit from this, too.
When children ask for our help with things they should
be able to do on their own, we can often find ways to
better set up our living spaces so they don’t need our
help as much. For example, if they are asking for help
to cut some fabric, we can look for a way for them to
be able to help themselves first, perhaps by having
some fabric cut already or taking the time to teach
them how to cut the fabric in a safe way. For a young
child, it might be we need to simplify our space for
certain tasks they can learn to do on their own. For
instance, if they ask us to get them a tissue, we need
to move the tissue box lower. If they ask to get a toy
down, we need to have the toys on lower shelves.
4. Daily life activities are
learning opportunities
There is a lot of learning that goes on around the house.
The Montessori method values these practical life
skills. Parents can invite children to help clean rooms,
wash dishes, spray windows, help in the garden, water
plants, and arrange flowers. These are not chores per
se — instead, these activities teach children how to
look after themselves, others, and their environment.
[Editor's note: If lack of cooperation is an issue, then
further consistent instruction on a regular basis rein-
forced with gentle discipline can have a positive effect.]
For example, having children involved in food prepara-
tion allows children to learn the skill of cooking, following
the sequencing of steps to a recipe, contributing to the
family meal, and enjoying the social side of eating.
5. Be their guide
Lastly, as their parent — who is also their teacher
— we can act as a guide. As a parent, this is a more
relaxing way to teach, because we are supportive of
our children in their learning, but it is they who learn
to take responsibility for themselves and their educa-
tion as they mature. A guide:
• Allows space for children to work out a problem,
do an activity, or master a skill for themselves
• Is available when needed
• Is respectful, kind, and explains things clearly
• Listens and responds positively rather than
reacts negatively
• Will help a child take responsibility when needed
• Will provide a safe, rich environment to explore
Applying the Montessori method principles in
homeschooling can work well to raise curious and
responsible human beings. 
Simone Davies is an AMI (Association Montessori
Internationale) teacher, as well as the author of the
book The Montessori Toddler: A Parent’s Guide
to Raising a Curious and Responsible Human Be-
ing. She has Instagram and a popular blog, The
Montessori Notebook, where she posts tips,
FAQ answers, and online workshops for parents
around the world. A native Australian, she and her
family live in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
“

grace! I think mothering boys is like working on the
foreign mission field where they do not understand
the language that you speak. Some days it feels like
I will never get through, and other days, God sends a
miracle and a breakthrough is made ….”
There are some advantages to raising a houseful
with only boys, however. You never have to open
your own doors. You never have to carry in the
groceries (“He who doesn’t work doesn’t eat.”). They
will drive you crazy but protect you unto death. And,
finally, only one person in the house is suffering
from PMS each month!
Research tells us that boys are wired differently from
birth. At age five, the average boy is developmentally
two years behind the average girl (don’t worry —
he’ll catch up). But he is expected to learn the same
things in the same way as girls do, all while being
made to sit still for almost eight hours a day. Most
elementary school teachers are women and they
value tidiness, quietness, and sitting still — all
the things that are a struggle for a young boy. No
wonder so many little boys don’t like school and
acquire labels of ADHD!
One school decided to have all-boys and all-girls
kindergarten classes one year. The girls’ classroom
was tidy, beautifully decorated, and quiet. The boys’
room, led by a male teacher, was visually chaotic
with clotheslines of dripping artwork stretched
omeone said, “Mothers
of little boys work from son
up ‘til son down.” There’s a
lot of truth in that! But it is
also true that those same
little wrestler-wigglers will
melt your heart with their
sticky-mouth kisses and
“Love ya, Mom!” calls as
they head out the door with
a fistful of cookies. And no
child is more tender than
a 13-year-old boy (or more
hungry!).1
It’s no accident that boys, toys, and noise rhyme.
With boys in the house you can expect endless
cardboard box forts, more verbalized sound effects
than words, and ever-increasing decibels until they
finally fall asleep (I recommend teaching the concept
of inside voices and outside voices). Boys can be a
challenge. One mother of girls shared that she was
always thinking that her friends really ought to get
their boys under control. Then she had a boy.
Lorrie Burdick, a fellow mother of six boys, wrote: “I
know God’s grace is sufficient, but there are many
days I wonder if I am sane enough to grasp that
aising Sons
BY MARCIA
WASHBURN
S
the JOYSof
R
MANAGEMENT FOR MOMS

across the room, lots of hands-on manipulatives,
and an air of busy excitement. Lessons were short
and drills frequent. When the boys got squirmy the
teacher called out, “Give me 20!” Everyone hit the
floor for 20 push-ups, and then got back to work. In
their separate classes, both boys and girls were able
to learn in gender-friendly ways. Although the children
were placed in mixed classes for their remaining
school years, that class excelled all the way through to
graduation. Many believe it was the strong start they
received in kindergarten.
As homeschoolers, we can learn from this experiment.
Young boys are ready to learn but not necessarily in
the same ways that girls are. Ruth Beechick, famed
educator, professor, and early supporter of home
education, taught that we must learn to work with the
wiggle, not fight against it.
My friend and veteran homeschool mom, Michelle
Christensen, reminds us to let our boys be boys.
“We tend to want our boys to behave in a way
contrary to their natural bent, but the Bible tells us
to teach each one according to their own bent. We
as a society want our boys to behave like girls. Girls
tend to speak when spoken to, sit still, color in the
lines. Boys wiggle, make noise, ask questions, chal-
lenge authority. They are MEN in the making. God
made them the way He wanted them. We are the
ones trying to control them, and therefore creating
a double-mindedness in them. They are children
who want to please and be loved, but they are told
over and over that they are bad, that they shouldn’t
wiggle. We (mothers and female authority) set them
up to be rebellious.”2
One bitter winter our boys had been cooped up for
days. Son #2 could verbally spell back all of his
spelling words but simply couldn’t write them on his
test. Taking Ruth’s advice, I told him to put a couple
of miles on the exercise bike. Afterward he wrote a
perfect test. He simply had so much pent-up energy
he couldn’t control his fine motor muscles to write.
When I was reading aloud to our five sons, I found that
they listened best if they had something to keep their
hands busy but their minds free. You might try clay,
drawing, puzzles, or Legos (but no video games), and
check for listening comprehension often to be sure
they’re still with you mentally.
More boy-friendly ideas:
• Frequent breaks: “As soon as you finish these
five problems, we’ll have a juice break.” Or set
the timer: “All who have finished when it rings
get popcorn.”
• Maybe he just doesn’t like to work alone; can
you gather around the table together?
• Maybe he needs to work alone.
• Unit studies often work well for boys, but you’ll
need to tolerate the mess.
• Find what he has a passion for and help him
pursue it.
• Gifted? Don’t bore a child with worksheets if he
doesn’t need the drill.
• When problems arise, ask yourself: “Is this
rebellion? Too much paper-driven work? Too
few breaks?”
Boys often learn to read at a later age than girls. Watch
for readiness when teaching new subjects. One of
our sons taught himself to read at age four. Another
still wasn’t reading at age eleven; but six months later
everything suddenly came together, and he could read
fluently. Meanwhile, I read aloud to him and he thrived
in other subjects. Check out books that boys love: lots
YOUNG BOYS ARE READY TO
learn, BUT NOT NECESSARILY IN
THE SAME WAYS THAT GIRLS ARE.
WE MUST LEARN TO
work with THE WIGGLE,
NOT FIGHT AGAINST IT.
of action, mysteries, and weird and wonderful facts
such as those found in almanacs and the Guinness
Book of World Records.
Toys are among your boy’s best teachers. The best
toys for boys aren’t toys at all, but items that help
them develop their strength and masculinity. Boys
(and men!) seem to have an amazing ability to solve
problems simply by throwing a ball around (maybe
it’s the way their brain processes?). Consider large
boxes, duct tape, rope, tools, historical props, and
plenty of unstructured time to bring out the genius
and creativity in your boy. Don’t be afraid of dirt; it
allows your son to toughen up as a man. Too many of
our homeschooled boys are soft because they spend
so much time with Mom and on academics. A man
must not be afraid to get his hands dirty, whether to fix
something or to defend his country.
Boys love to admire heroes; read biographies of
men in history together. And remember that the real
Hero wasn’t born in Hollywood — He was born in
Bethlehem. Ask God to help you guide your son(s) to
grow in wisdom and in stature. It’s a prayer He loves
to answer. 
Footnotes · 1
In one family-favorite episode our five boys lured
me into taking a ride in the bucket of our tractor. When we reached
full extension at 12 feet off the ground, the engine cut out and I
was stuck, much to their amusement. For a good laugh, read the
rest of the story at MarciaWashburn.com/About-marcia/. 2
Visit
Michelle’s Facebook page for wonderful stories and insights here:
facebook.com/grannysguidance/ 3
Boys love videos by Little Bear
Wheeler, now available for free at youtube.com/user/mantlemin-
istries/playlists.
© 2020 by Marcia K. Washburn
who homeschooled five sons for
nineteen years. Check out her
Management for Moms series at
MarciaWashburn.com.
MANAGEMENT FOR MOMS

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PHOTOGRAPHYBYISTOCK
RELATIONSHIPS
Working
Growing a
successful family
business — as with a
family homeschool —
is all about improving
interaction among the
members involved.
It is also about intentional quantity and quality
time dedicated to teaching skills and imparting a
diligent work ethic every day. A family business
is a natural outgrowth of the family homeschool
as children mature and step into work roles
under the guidance of their parents.
I am passionate about family businesses. In
October 2019, I was privileged to visit Australia
with my wife, Roxie, to speak about the family
business — also known in a larger context
as the “family economy. Most people in at-
tendance were either self-employed or owned
one or more businesses. They wanted to know
about the biblical foundations for acquiring and
shepherding resources within their families, as
well as some of the ABCs of building and oper-
ating a business. I told them that the two keys to
a successful family economy are a strong relationship
with the Lord and one another.
And these words that I command you today shall
be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to
your children, and shall talk of them when you sit
in your house, and when you walk by the way, and
when you lie down, and when you rise (Deuter-
onomy 6:6-7 ESV).
God tells us in Deuteronomy 6 that relationships
with our children are accomplished over time as
we walk alongside each other. That simply means
teaching them every day while doing life together. In
this, we experience the symbiotic relationship of vision
and application while integrating both into real life.
The relationships grow stronger with an increase in
faith, humility, transparency, and trust. This leads to
family members being willing to seek and accept wise
counsel, work as unto the Lord, and lovingly submit to
leadership.
Our lives then become coram Deo, which means in the
presence of, under the authority of, and to the glory and
honor of God. In the context of a family business, the
working team will then tend to treat one another well, do
their work more cheerfully, and complete each task and
project with diligence and perseverance. Customers or
clients will benefit from better service, higher quality
work, and an overall experience that will increase the
likelihood of them becoming the best customer any
type of business can have — a happy, repeat customer.
If you currently own a business, or are considering
starting one, I encourage you to involve your spouse
and homeschooled children as it grows. Conflict will
undoubtedly arise in both personal and work relation-
ships, but as you submit to God’s leading to resolve
problems and grow closer to one another, your family
— and ultimately your business — will begin to
thrive under His biblical principles and guidance. 
Mike Cheney is an entrepre-
neur, investor, and advocate
for the family business. He
teaches on mentorship and
discipleship as foundational
elements of the family economy. Together, the
Cheney family is involved in a number of
entrepreneurial business ventures. Audio
recordings from his Australia conference and his
two books, One with Everything: Anatomy of a
Hotdog Stand and Other Great Family Businesses
You Can Start and Money 101: Earn, Give, Save,
Spend are available at AMEProgram.com.
BY MIKE CHENEY
FAMILY BUSINESS

TAKES
FLIGHT
Homeschooling
How can God use
a shy, quiet kid?”
I asked myself. I was about 10 years old, trying
to figure out how I could best use my life for the
Lord. All I saw were the hurdles. I didn’t know
how the Lord had gifted me, but I could point to
any number of ways that I wasn’t gifted.
But then, my thoughts turned to how I might
be able to use my God-given interests. “What
do I like?”
Being homeschooled, I had spent a certain per-
centage of my life perusing the library with my
mom and sisters, which had led to my discovery
of the World War II section of our local library.
I became very familiar with their selection of
books on the topic. That, in turn, had spurred an
interest in the fighter planes of that era, and then
an interest in aviation in general.
Perhaps I could use this interest in airplanes for
God’s glory, but how? I thought about starting
an airline and allowing missionaries to fly for
free, but that seemed awfully ambitious to this
timid 10-year-old. That thought went on the
backburner for the time being, but God brought it to
the forefront of my mind soon after.
My parents served on the board of directors
of OCEANetwork (Oregon Christian Home Education
Association Network, the equivalent of CHEC), and
my mom fielded hundreds of emails from people who
wished to network with other homeschoolers. She
received an email from someone who wanted to draw
interest for a missionary aviation event. For whatever
reason, my mom (in that seemingly infinite “mom
wisdom”) thought the event might be relevant to me.
Imagine my excitement when I found out that people
were already using airplanes to serve in ministry and
that I wouldn’t have to start an airline on my own to
fulfill my calling! That was the beginning of my road
to joining the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). I
am now preparing to go to Indonesia as a MAF pilot
and mechanic.
I've learned MAF serves some of the most re-
mote parts of the world by flying pastors,
missionaries, building materials, medical supplies,
and much more, in and out of remote communities. A
one-hour flight can save missionaries days or even
weeks of hiking through the jungle, allowing them
to redirect that time and energy to their work. MAF’s
mission is to share the love of Jesus Christ through
aviation and technology so that isolated people may
be physically and spiritually transformed.
God can use shy, quiet homeschooled kids! In fact,
He can use all of us who are willing to seek Him for
what He wants us to learn and do. Homeschooling
families are uniquely positioned to help their students
uncover and develop the skills and talents God has
blessed each of them with. I encourage parents to
pray with their children as they consider how each
might serve Christ’s Kingdom when they mature into
adulthood. You never know what the Lord has in store
for any of us during this era of global missions, with
advanced engineering and technology available in the
farthest reaches of the world. 
Dan Wanvig encourages homeschool students
to consider missionary service as a career op-
portunity. MAF is always looking for more pilots,
mechanics, IT technicians, teachers, and volun-
teers to join in their work. Learn more at MAF.org.
BY DAN WANVIG


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BEST OF CHEC.ORG/BLOG
The first hints of
beautiful spring
weather bring an urge to
set the books aside and
soak up all the sunshine.
Your kids would probably love it if you did just
that! But what should you do when your inner
teacher says to just push harder and get school
done for good … is it work before play?
Either of those are viable options, but my
personal favorite choice is entirely different —
nature journaling!
When I was growing up as a homeschooled
student, nature journaling could be art, com-
munication, English, physical education, and
science all wrapped up in one … plus a field trip
or recess at the same time. Upon reading that, if
you’re thinking that my mom is brilliant, I whole-
heartedly agree! And if you also wonder how it
was possible, here are details ….
Once a week (or, at least, on a consistent basis),
Mom set aside several hours for nature journal-
ing. Depending on the day, the amount of time we
had, and (probably) her own level of motivation, we’d
go outside — maybe to the nearby lake, perhaps to
different city parks, or simply to the backyard with
colored pencils, sketchbooks, and all of us children
in tow. Once we got to our destination, the guidelines
I recall were simple: stay within eyesight of mom and
record what we saw and felt in our nature journals.
The freedom of this assignment was endless — we
could run around, choose our favorite spots, and
PHOTOGRAPHYBYISTOCK
color, draw, sketch, or write in our journals however
we wanted. When our allotted time was over, we
would present our journals to one another, discussing
our thoughts before heading home.
I remember this being one of my favorite weekly ac-
tivities and something I still love as an adult. If you’d
like to give it a try, here are a few simple suggestions
based on my childhood memories.
Make it easy for yourself. Nature journaling
doesn’t need to be fancy. A simple sketchbook for
each child, small packs of colored pencils, an outdoor
location, and there you have it. If your kids are
younger and you need to keep them close together,
consider bringing some blankets to set on the grass
for everyone to stay in one place or assign buddies
so no one is alone. You can keep the location simple,
even if that means just the neighborhood park or
your own backyard. (I do remember one of us nature
journaling about our mailbox one time … thankfully,
my mom prioritized our efforts and not so much the
content of our work!)
Choose to participate. My siblings and I loved
that our mom participated in nature journaling with
us. We were always amazed at her sketches and
notes, never understanding why she said they weren’t
NATURE
JOURNALINGBY AMY PENTIMONE
Visit CHEC.org/blog for
weekly encouragement!

“that good.” I still think they were great, but the point
is mostly that your children don’t need you to be an
artist, they need your enthusiasm and example. Draw-
ing with mom made for an extra-special art class!
Invite friends. I remember several times when
mom invited another mom and kids to join in our
nature journaling. It provided time for her to connect
with other ladies from church, while also not disrupt-
ing our school day — and of course, we enjoyed
the time with our friends. Choose a park and invite
another mom to meet you there with her kids. You
don’t have to worry about cleaning the house, and if
no nature journaling happens, relationships and time
in the sun aren’t wasted!
Let it be fun. In other words, relax! I’m sure that is
easier said than done when you’re trying to get all the
kids outside for an educational activity; but, the more
you can relax and enjoy the time, the more likely you
are to be consistent with it. If your kids are anything
like my siblings and I were, they want to be outside
and away from textbooks. Some kids might just want
to run around and put very little in their journals.
Others might dig in the dirt and draw the bugs. As a
It’s going all digital! Brands will
change from a clip-able Box Top to
a Box Tops label. Just download the
Box Tops app, create an account to
link to “Christian Home Educators
of Colorado,” and then scan your
receipt. The app will automatically
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cash right to CHEC's earnings online
— no clipping or mailing required!
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process unexpired clipped box tops
until they are no longer
available.
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TOPS TO CHEC
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CHEC Products
Homeschool
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dreamy child, I remember trying to write poetry about
the feeling of the weather. There’s really no wrong
answer! Nature journaling is educational and healthy,
so choose to laugh together, encourage your kids,
and make the most of whatever nature journaling
looks like for your family.
As I write this, I wonder if my mom has the same
memories of nature journaling as I have. The real
answer is probably not exactly. She likely remembers
a lot more hassle involved with getting the kids and
nature journals and colored pencils into the van, the
complaints I’m sure we made, and the work it was to
keep track of six children while also drawing with us.
I’m thankful she didn’t let those things keep her from
trying to “make school fun.” 
Amy Pentimone lives in Kansas
City where she works remotely as
an assistant on CHEC’s marketing
team. She loves building
relationships, biblical counseling,
and most of all when those two happen simultane-
ously over a good cup of coffee! You can find her
online at justlittlethoughts.home.blog — other-
wise, she might be in her kitchen making soup.
BEST OF BLOG

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PHOTOGRAPHYBYISTOCK
FORMULA
In 1998 BT (before teens),
I held to the ideological
view that if we, as parents,
immersed our children in
the truth of God’s Word
and modeled real faith, our
children would emerge at 18
years of age fully equipped
and able to take on the attacks
of a secular world.
Fast forward to 2005 and our first child launched into
the fray as a solid young woman of faith. The formula
worked, and all seemed right with our well-oiled
soldier producing machine.
Over the next few years however, I started to discover
a few cracks in my shiny ideology. By the time our
third child — a strong-willed boundary-testing son
— reached 18, my godly soldier-producing machine
appeared broken and lying in pieces all around me.
The spirit of rebellion had gripped the heart of my
son so completely that I was forced to question all of
the training and discipling I had diligently imple-
mented in his life.
At the pinnacle of his rebellion and with dire con-
sequences imminent, I looked up and asked God,
“We tried to raise our son according to your Word;
what did we do wrong?” My wife helped me realize
that even the once perfect angel, Lucifer, rebelled in
a perfect home with a perfect Father. I had failed to
consider the will of the heart. Even with the extreme
care of cultivating the heart of our children, they still
must choose Christ and His ways on their own.
As parents, we must become master discerners of
the hearts of our children. When I first began to see
my son wander, I did not ignore the signs. The further
he wandered, the closer I got to him. I wanted him
to know that I would not let him be content in his
sin, and that I would do whatever it took to see him
through it. During the two years that he chose to walk
away from the Lord, the voice of Truth kept calling
him and so did our relentless love for him.
Through much prayer, the power of the Word hidden
in my son’s heart, and a visit from a brother in Christ,
God pulled him back from the brink of his rebellion.
By the grace of God, my son returned and began to
walk in the Spirit once again. Eventually he became
the worship leader for Campus Crusade for Christ
ministries at his university, sharing the love of God to
over 400 students each week.
Those were trying times for me, but he and I both
learned many lessons. I learned to walk in faith and
cling to God in a way I never had to before. I learned
to love my child in spite of the sin that was ruining his
life. I learned that God is faithful, and that He never
abandons us.
Tonight, as I sat down to write this article, my son
called and wanted to Skype with me. My voice was
not enough … he wanted to see my face. The image
popped up on my screen and there was my son,
looking at me with weary eyes from hours of study-
ing. Before I could say a word, he said, “I love you,
Dad.” It was all the reward I needed for persevering
through those tough years. And let us not be weary in
well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint
not (Galatians 6:9 NKJV).
My encouragement to you, dads, is:
1. Hide the Word of God in your children’s hearts
when they are still young, through Bible
verse memorization, and memorize with your
children.
2. Be consistent with family devotions. They will
have a life-long impact on your children even if
they wander into rebellion.
3. Join with your wife in daily prayer for the
spiritual protection of your children. 
Chuck Black is the author of 19
novels, including the Kingdom
Series, The Knights of
Arrethtrae series, The Starlore
Legacy, and Call to Arms: The
Guts and Glory of Courageous
Fatherhood. Chuck and his wife, Andrea, live in
North Dakota. You can discover more at
ChuckBlack.com.
BY CHUCK BLACK
It's Not A
DAD TO DAD

INTERVIEW WITH JONATHAN BRUSH
WOULD YOU SHARE WITH
OUR READERS SOME
MEMORIES FROM YOUR OWN
HOME EDUCATION?
Yes, a couple stand out. When we started
homeschooling we didn’t know anyone else
who was or who had been homeschooled, and
nobody who knew us knew any, either. My mom
had to convince the local school superintendent
she could do this. We had a place to hide in
the house and a place to hide in the woods if a
truant officer came. We used to beg mom not
to take us to the grocery store during school
hours because so many people would come
up and ask us why we weren’t in school. I was
amazed the first time I met anyone else who was
homeschooled (which didn’t
happen until I was
14 or so).
One funny story: I was pulled over with my younger
brother in the car on my way to work one morning.
I had sped up too soon leaving a slower speed zone
in town, going about 60 in a 35 zone. It was about
5:30 in the morning. I was only 16 at the time, and
the officer was extremely interested in where we were
going at that hour. I explained that we both worked
as grooms for a Thoroughbred steeplechase racing
stable just up the road. Of course, he wanted to know
why we were going to work on a school day? I ex-
plained about homeschooling, which he hadn’t heard
of before. He was so impressed he let me go without
even a warning!
WHAT IS ONE HOMESCHOOL
EXPERIENCE YOU WON’T
FORGET THAT INVOLVED YOUR
SIBLINGS?
I have one younger brother. One day on our way
home we passed a wagon train going down the state
highway close to where we lived. We followed them to
where they were camping that night and discovered
that the wagon train was on their way to the state
capitol in commemoration of the bicentennial of the
Bill of Rights. My brother and I were invited to ride
along the next day, which we could do because we
were homeschooled.
During that day a wagon driver asked my brother
why he wasn’t riding with the wagon train the whole
way? Unintimidated with speaking to an adult, my
brother responded that we weren’t going the whole
way because nobody had invited us! That tickled the
driver so much he invited us to come along, paid our
way, and provided horses and gear for us! Our parents
consented! So, we spent the next two weeks riding
with the wagon train to the capitol, and I ended up
spending the next eight years breaking and training
horses for the man who invited us along.
HOW DID HOMESCHOOLING
PREPARE YOU FOR SUCCESSFUL
ADULTING?
Oh, just in every way imaginable! I can trace almost
every professional and personal success in my life to
some element of homeschooling.
WHY HAVE YOU CONTINUED
THE LEGACY OF
HOMESCHOOLING WITH YOUR
OWN CHILDREN?
My wife was also homeschooled. When we had
children we agreed that we wouldn’t homeschool them
just because we had been, but we would approach
education with an open mind and decide what was
best. We took our open mindedness seriously and
studied each educational option (public school,
PHOTOGRAPHYBYISTOCK
On Giant
Shoulders
STANDING
Jonathan Brush is a Gen 2
homeschool grad, now working
with other homechool grads for
college and career opportunities
through Lumerit Unbound as the
head of Student Life.
GEN2

private school, and homeschooling). It didn’t take
us long to decide that there was no competition. We
have homeschooled all six of our children from the
beginning. We now have one graduate taking college
courses, and a high school senior taking college
courses.
We have never, not even for an instant, second
guessed that decision. We have repeatedly thanked
God for being able to homeschool. Homeschooling
for us has been all about standing on the shoulders
of giants. We haven’t had to fight legal battles or fear
truancy officers. Our kids are never stopped in the
grocery store and asked why they aren’t in school
and if they have any friends. With grandparents on
both sides who homeschooled, everything about
homeschooling is easier for us. We are reaping
second generation blessings and harvesting fruit from
trees planted before us.
The blessings have been amazing, and we are watch-
ing in amazement and with gratitude what this next
harvest will bring.
WHAT MAKES YOU EXCITED
TO SHARE YOUR VISION WITH
HOMESCHOOLING FAMILIES?
This second generation blessing thing is real. The
homeschool movement has won the initial legal
battles and homeschool graduates have proven
themselves academically and socially. We have won
a cultural beachhead. But this isn’t the end of the
campaign, it’s the beginning. Now it’s time to start the
invasion and win cultural territory.
I am most excited to share new visions for families and
students who have the advantage of homeschooling.
There are exciting possibilities far beyond teaching
algebra and getting into college. We have a culture
that is starving for meaning, for family, for community,
and for connections, and homeschool graduates and
homeschool families are uniquely equipped to feed
that hunger. 
Jonathan Brush is a
homeschool grad now
homeschooling his own
children. You can contact him at
Jonathan.Brush@Lumerit.com.
Download yours at CHEC.org/athome
102 Ideas to Keep Kids Busy At Home
Kristi Burton Brown JD, herself a homeschool
graduate now homeschooling her own
children, created this helpful comprehensive
list of ways to spend quality time with your
children. You'll find ideas, explanations/how-
tos, and clickable links to jumpstart you into
activities like ...
• Learning origami
• Teaching food fractions
• Sampling spices to learn what makes
foods taste different
• Making paper in a blender
• Identifying constellations in the night sky
• ... and 97 more ideas, too!
44 Ideas for 'Tweens Teens Learning
at Home
Debra Burton, homeschool mom, Colorado
State Mediator, and an author and speaker,
created this PDF and we're thrilled to share
it with you. It's centered around eight core
“jurisdictions” and all 44 ideas will help you
motivate your 12- to 18-year-olds to learn
AND have a great time while they’re at it —
even while we’re all stuck at home.
Earlier this spring, CHEC worked with a mom
daughter team to create two packed-full PDFs
filled with creative, out-of-the-box ideas for
engaging your children of all ages in fun activities
that also pack a big learning punch.
And they're our gift to you!
Grab some great ideas, whether you're stuck at home
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GEN2

Ty and John, my teenage
sons, had been upstairs
plotting and planning
for a couple of hours. I
wasn’t sure exactly what
they were up to and my
curiosity was killing me!
They came bounding
down the stairs just as
I was about to invade
their covert operation.
“Mom,” they said as they tag-teamed their
explanation, “we overheard some homeschool
moms talking this week at the support group
meeting. They are all worried because they don’t
know how in the world to teach P. E.” Both my
boys were talented athletes and they said, “We
know how to teach P. E., Mom. So we’ve come
up with a plan.”
Let me digress a minute to say that this was the
early 1990s, before the beginning of most co-
ops and outside classes for homeschooled kids.
There was very little outside help for anything.
There were certainly no P. E. classes in our area
or homeschool sports teams. And for some reason,
teaching P. E. was a sticky wicket for many home
educating moms.
Ty and John had decided it would be a real gift and
service to these mothers to line up a P. E. class for
their kids. Unbeknownst to me, they had already
called a nearby community center and learned it was
available. Then they called a couple of my friends to
tell them they would like to provide a two-hour P. E.
class for their children, once a week for six weeks.
These homeschool moms jumped all over it. One
mom volunteered to contact everyone in our support
group to invite them to the class. Another mom
volunteered to make sure an adult would always be in
attendance during the class.
What excited us all the most is that Ty and John
planned to use the last thirty minutes of each class
to lead a Bible study and to pray with the children
attending. Ty had just finished extensive training with
Child Evangelism Fellowship and was anxious to put
it to use.
As they described their plan to me I was silently
shouting internal “Hallelujahs!” It was like a gradua-
tion moment. Independently of my husband, Joe, or
PHOTOGRAPHYBYISTOCK
me, they had designed a service project on their own
and figured out how to implement it. This thrilled me
for several reasons.
The boys had eyes to see the needs of those
moms around them.
They had listened carefully to the moms so they
could identify and understand their problem.
They took the initiative on their own to meet
their needs and solve their problems.
They desired to honor God by incorporating
time for Bible study and prayer.
Why am I sharing this story in an article that is sup-
posed to be for Group Leaders? Because leadership
begins with service. The best leaders are the bestThe best leaders are the best
servants.servants. Leadership is taking the initiative to use
your time and gifts to serve others and glorify God
in the process. George Washington Carver, one of
the world’s greatest agricultural chemists (and a true
leader in his field) put it this way, “My purpose alone
must be God’s purpose — to increase the welfare and
happiness of His people.”
One of the best ways I know to train your children
to become leaders is to teach them to serve others
Compelling
LEADERSHIPBY ZAN TYLER
HOMESCHOOL LEADERS

within the context of your group. Homeschooling
provides the flexibility and opportunity to build
service into their lives and schooling. Start now,
regardless of how young or old your children are.
Group leaders, as you lead your group, cultivate
your students into future leaders!
With your encouragement as their group leader,
your member families can also help their stu-
dents to become leaders at home. When our kids
were little, we would cook meals together and
deliver them to families with new babies or others
we knew who were sick. We would do yard work
for those in need of it and make routine visits to
the widows in our church family. As our children
grew older, we added working with Prison
Fellowship and weekly tutoring in an inner-city
ministry to the list. Both Joe’s parents and my
parents took the kids to deliver meals to the
needy, participate in Operation Christmas Child,
and visit their great-grandparents. Impromptu
opportunities such as helping with the Special
Olympics, babysitting for single moms, and play-
ing with handicapped children were also always
presenting themselves.
Pray and ask the Lord now to open up avenues
of service for your group members. He delights
in opening doors of opportunity for Christian
homeschooling families. Helping your students
— and member parents — to serve is the
second greatest lesson you will ever teach
them. (The first is to love the Lord with all their
heart, soul, and mind.) Remember, the greatest
leaders are servant leaders — whether adults or
students. 
Zan Tyler and her husband,
Joe, homeschooled for 21
years, teaching all of their
children from kindergarten
through high school. When
she began homeschooling,
the state superintendent of education
threatened her with jail! Zan is a prolific author,
an inspirational speaker, and a tireless
advocate for homeschool freedom. In 2015 she
was presented with the Chris Klicka Award by
HSLDA for her dedication and commitment to
home education worldwide. Visit Zan’s website
at ZanTyler.com.
Colorado civics like you've never seen it!
Bonus — this curriculum can help satisfy
Colorado's required civics instruction!
In this engaging textbook, Colorado homeschool graduate
Julianna Dotten will introduce your family to the people, places,
and stories that make our rugged state and nation what they
are today — all presented from a Christ-centered worldview.
HOMESCHOOL LEADERS

CURRICULUM REVIEW
I think Nature Friend
would be a wonderful
addition to any homeschool and would be particu-
larly valuable to those who use Charlotte Mason
Methodology (CMM) nature studies as part of their
curriculum. I love this magazine because every page
encourages me and my children to acknowledge and
worship the God who created the wonders we see all
around us. 
Cindy Puhek resides in Colorado
Springs and has been married to
Peter for more than two decades.
They are well into their second
decade of homeschooling their
six children who range in age from toddler to high
schooler. Cindy holds a master's degree in
chemistry and has written dozens of articles to
encourage others in their homeschooling
journeys. You can visit her blog at
HomeschoolEnrichment.com/blogs.
Draw” activity in each issue and the
kids can submit their drawings for
possible publication in a future issue.
The issue I looked at also included a
challenging hidden picture puzzle, a
word search, and a “learning by doing”
article with instructions on how to build a birdhouse.
Another article included in each issue describes
the unique features of an animal one-by-one while
the children try to guess which animal is being de-
scribed. In volume 38, issue 2 of Nature Friend, this
investigation started with “What animal has climbing
irons on its tail?” The article then introduced the
readers to the amazing scaly-tailed squirrel that lives
in central Africa.
While Nature Friend publishes stories, photographs,
and artwork from their readers throughout the year,
they also have a Reader’s Issue each June that is
completely dedicated to work submitted by their sub-
scribers 17-years-old and under. The possibility of
having their work published can be a strong motivator
to the writers, artists, craftsmen, and photographers
within our homeschools.
Nature
Finding good
literature for
our children that
doesn't defile their
imaginations is a
constant challenge for
families.
So, I’m happy to highlight Nature Friend
magazine, a God-honoring publication designed
to introduce children to the wonders of God’s
creation. Each Nature Friend issue is filled
with articles, puzzles, and lessons designed
to engage and teach children. A study guide is
available to help parents integrate the magazine
into their homeschools.
Nature Friend has been in publication since
1983, and it is filled with activities and learning
opportunities centered around nature in all of
its various forms and shapes. The articles are
accompanied by beautiful photographs and are
written in a narrative style. There is a “You Can
FRIENDBY CINDY PUHEK
CURRICULUM REVIEW
PHOTOGRAPHYBYISTOCK
RESOURCE REVIEW

A homeschool curriculum
designed for busy, beautiful lives.
Don’tmissanothermoment.
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HEALTH CARE
YOUR
SET FREE
samaritanministries.org/chec . (877) 978-1663
The Van Dyke family, members since 2012

The Casterline Fund has beena blessing to our family. The fund has
provided a scholarship for my family to be enrolled in the CHEC Independent School and all of the
amazing benefits that come with that, which is an opportunity I could not have afforded otherwise. I
have also been greatly blessed by the Casterline Banquet each fall, which is offered to widows and
single mothers. It is a night where we can all connect, encourage each other, and discuss the chal-
lenges unique to our situations.
At the Banquet last fall, a single mother friend of mine and I were catching up from the previous year.
She mentioned some things that are ubiquitous to single moms: we miss sharing the joys that only
the other parent can feel when a child reaches a milestone; we miss sharing burdens with a husband
so must bear alone the full weight of things not going so well; we miss the unspoken things that are
no longer shared but will always be treasured in our hearts. We sat in silence for a moment realizing
that a very deep connection was made, because, even though our backstories are worlds apart, we
understood so completely the things that can only be grasped by a fellow sojourner.
Deuteronomy 6:7–9 is the motive behind what drives me to do whatever it takes to educate my children at
home. God continues to answer my fervent prayers to keep homeschooling and educate my children in a
way that brings His Word to light through the curriculum we use, our daily activities, and serving together
as a family.
All of this and more is why the Casterline Fund opportunities are so valuable to single homeschooling
parents. The struggle to provide for and educate without a spouse is a daunting path. But we have the
guidance of CHEC and all its dear supporters to bring us frequent encouragement, making our trek a
little smoother and not so lonely. 
— Sue, mom of 5 children, all exclusively homeschooled, ages 7– to 23-years-old
Will you join us
in ministering to
single moms?
The CHEC Casterline Fund, through gener-
ous donations from families like yours,
helps support widows and single moms who
desire to homeschool but may not have the
means for practical resources. (Find more
details at CHEC.org/donate/single-
moms-fund.) Single moms can receive
support including:
Discounts or complimentary registra-
tion for CHEC events and the Rocky
Mountain Homeschool Conference
Scholarship for enrollment in the
CHEC Independent School
Funds to cover curriculum, up to
$100/child or $200/max per family
Free gift of a special banquet, the
Casterline Banquet, hosted every fall
just to bless single moms
We'd love to continue this
ministry — but we need
you! Make your donation at
CHEC.org/donate.

PHOTOG-RAPHYBYISTOCK
SINGLE
PARENTS
Encouraging
PARTNER'S PAGE

PHOTOGRAPHYBYISTOCK
In the center of a hur-
ricane is the eye of the
storm where the winds
are light and the sun
shines through.
The water and wind spinning next to this
seemingly quiet space constitutes the powerful
structure of the violent eyewall. We are in the
middle of a storm in our state and in our country.
Last year, I felt that I was standing on the shore
watching as a great tsunami pounded the sandy
banks. This year, the hurricane that brought
the tsunami has landed with overwhelming
destruction.
The target for all that destruction? The family.
The family is the building block for all of society
and every policy impacts it in one way or
another. Last year, we saw parental rights di-
minished. This year, the pressure to strengthen
the control of the government over its people is
the driving force behind the hurricane. It brings
with it more interference into the family through
government services and increased surveillance
in the name of safety and public health. We
also see increased taxes in the way of fees, bans on
petroleum products (styrofoam, plastic bags, stirrers,
and straws), and mandates on insurance companies,
other industries, even Christian medical sharing
ministries. All of these put tremendous pressure on
the family economically and structurally.
Good policies that would strengthen families were
struck down along party lines. The bills were labeled
as the “slate of hate” by the LGBTQ lobby and the
democratic representatives voted against them.
Representatives who love the Lord and His order
were ridiculed during the committee hearing.1
God
was mocked and His Word was disparaged. Some
policy makers are trying to codify the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC )2
into our state law, giving children rights above their
parents. This may be the year that 16-year-olds will
be given the ability to vote in school board elections.
Imagine what will be next! For those coming against
the family, the sky's the limit.
All government is force. The bigger the government,
the stronger the force it applies. Our founders knew
this and crafted for us a government controlled by the
consent of the governed. Somewhere along the line,
due chiefly to our apathy, we have consented to allow
the exponential growth of government. In turn, it has
become our master. No longer does our government
pay homage to our Christian heritage.
The eyewall of the storm is closing in and it is time to
take back our rightful place as “we the people” before
it’s too late. The only way to change the environment
at the Capitol is to change the people running things
there, our representatives. The election season for
2020 has already begun, and it’s the perfect time to
get involved. Find out who is running for office3
and
get your entire family behind a godly candidate. Can-
didates need help walking their district and making
phone calls. Let’s take back our state for the Lord! 
Footnotes · 1
coloradoga.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_
id=23clip_id=14920 (Listen especially to a homeschool child’s
rights advocate at 42:25 and an instructor from Denver University
beginning at 9:09:00.) 2
hslda.org/content/docs/news/20091120.asp
(The US is the only member of the UN who has not ratified this treaty.)
3
sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/vote/primaryCandidates.html
Carolyn Martin, CHEC
Homeschool Legislative Liaison,
and her husband, Todd, began
homeschooling their three
children in upstate New York
before moving to Colorado in 2004. Her passion
is to see homeschooling remain free from
government intrusion for future generations.
The Hurricane Against
THE FAMILYBY CAROLYN MARTIN
LEGISLATIVE LIAISON

You must guard your own
COLORADO
HOMESCHOOL FREEDOM!
Every family in Colorado has an opportunity to make a
difference for their liberty now — and for future generations.
Sign up at CHEC.org/freedom for:
 Legislative updates (sent every other Wednesday, January – May)
 Prayer updates (sent every Monday, January – May) that include requests
for help with special projects (research, bill review, and more)
There's a lot to think about when you are justThere's a lot to think about when you are just
getting started.getting started.
CHEC hosts our Homeschool Introductory Seminars to
help you make sure you get started on the right track —
to give you the vision, legal knowledge, and scheduling/
curriculum/record-keeping help you need to homeschool
with confidence.
Join us for our all-day seminars:
 August 8th in Castle Rock
 August 22nd in Colorado Springs
NEW TO HOMESCHOOLING?
CHEC.ORG/EVENTS
Recordingsavailable
anytime!
Sign up at

PHOTOGRAPHYBYISTOCK
We live in a world
that is expecting more,
academically, out of
children at younger and
younger ages.
In an institutional school setting, children are
expected to sit more, play less, and perform
more advanced academics at younger ages.
Contrary to the intention, this trend negatively
impacts brain development and can have a
detrimental effect on academic performance.
Thankfully, homeschool families have the
freedom to break this trend and allow children
to develop their brains the way in which they
were designed.
Young children need to spend lots of time
moving and playing in order to develop the
parts of their brain and body that are needed for
good academic performance. Certain systems
like the vestibular, proprioceptive, and visual
motor systems are all crucial for academic
success. These systems are developing during
infancy and early childhood. When children
more help to develop these systems and get their
brains functioning properly.
As a general “rule of thumb,” if a child has three or
more of the following symptoms, then they may need
some extra help:
• anxiety
• controlling behaviors
• difficulty understanding math concepts
• difficulty understanding sequencing
• difficulty understanding social cues
• difficulty with focus and attention
• emotional outbursts
• low-self esteem
• poor body awareness
• poor hand-eye coordination
• poor posture
• poor reading and writing
• sensory sensitivities
If after reviewing this list, if you believe your child —
and you as his/her teacher — might need extra help,
CHEC has several opportunities that can assist you.
don’t get what they need during these early stages,
it can delay their academic performance. These
children have a hard time controlling their emotions,
focusing their attention, and understanding social
cues. They may struggle with reading, writing, and
understanding arithmetic.
Anytime a child is struggling with school, I always
ask myself if they are developmentally ready for
school. Do they have the tools necessary to succeed
in school? Many young children who have mild-
to-moderate academic struggles simply need more
time for their brains to develop. Specifically, they
need more time playing and doing things that get
their bodies moving. Children were not created to sit
still for hours a day (doing school work or watching
screens). They were created to move and play. These
things are crucial for developing the brain and body
connection.
Unfortunately, some children need more than time
in order to develop these systems. There are many
things that can happen during pregnancy, birth,
and early childhood that can prevent normal brain
development and cause children to get “stuck” in an
earlier stage of development. These children need
BY EMILY ROPER
STRUGGLING LEARNERS
Does Your
Child
NEED HELP?
STRUGGLING LEARNERS

Purchase a copy of CHEC’s The Homeschool GUIDEBOOK
for Colorado. Chapter 8, Different Learners, has a very detailed
parent assessment tool for observing behaviors and symptoms your
child expresses, and potential labels based on those, which will help
you better understand your child’s struggles.
Visit this CHEC web page: CHEC.org/just-beginning/struggling-
learners/ to find answers to FAQs and a Resource Listing for a variety
of struggling learner needs.
Homeschooling is feasible and can work well for struggling learners.
CHEC is here to help families with the training and resources they
need to succeed. A partner organization with CHEC, this website
has lots of guidance and resources for families who homeschool
struggling kids: spedhomeschool.com. 
Emily Roper is a homeschool graduate and
Neuro-Developmental Delay Therapist. She
specializes in working with children who are
struggling by looking to see what areas of the
brain and body are not working right to then create
an individualized therapy plan that targets these systems. The goal
is to target the root of the problem and not just manage the
symptoms. If you think that your child may need some extra help,
visit her website at www.EarlyRootsTherapy.com or email her:
Emily@EarlyRootsTherapy.com.
This classic go-to compendium
used by countless families in Colorado is now
completely updated and streamlined for you!
Whether you are just getting started, or you have years of
experience, don’t miss out on this fantastic resource!
NEED A MAP FOR YOUR HOMESCHOOLING JOURNEY?
Get your print copy
at CHEC.org!
NEED A MAP FOR YOUR
HOMESCHOOLING
JOURNEY?
This classic go-to compendium used by
countless families in Colorado is now
completely updated and streamlined for
you!
Whether you
are just getting
started, or you
have years of
experience,
don’t miss out
on this fantastic
resource!
This classic go-to compendium
used by countless families in Colorado is now
completely updated and streamlined for you!
Whether you are just getting started, or you have years of
experience, don’t miss out on this fantastic resource!
NEED A MAP FOR YOUR HOMESCHOOLING JOURNEY?

CHEC BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Bill Roach, President
George Sechrist, Vice President
Brenda Kelly
Chad Roach
Ian Serff
Steven Vaughan
CHEC DIRECTORS:
Steve Craig, Executive Director
Kevin Swanson, Director of
Generations
Mike Cheney, Director of AME
The CHEC Homeschool Update is published
triannually by Christian Home Educators of Colorado,
19039 Plaza Drive, Suite 210, Parker, CO 80134.
The purpose of the Homeschool Update is to
provide information, resources, and leadership
for home educating families while effectively
communicating the activities, opportunities, and
needs of Christian Home Educators of Colorado.
The Homeschool Update is free to all who
request it. Donations are gladly accepted.
The views expressed by contributors and
advertisers in this news magazine do not
necessarily reflect those of CHEC.
Permission is granted to reprint any portion of
this magazine, except where noted, provided
the following credit is given: “Reprinted from the
CHEC Homeschool Update, Volume 2, Issue #107,
2020; 720-842-4852, CHEC.org.”
Editor:
Shari McMinn, sharimcminn.com
Creative Designer:
Sarah Lee Bryant, sarahleephoto.com
Advertising Policy:
Ads are published on a space-available, first-come,
first-served basis and are subject to approval.
Payment must be made by the deadline to reserve
ad space. New advertisers must include complete
product description. We reserve the right to refuse
any ad submitted.
CHEC’s mailing list is not sold or rented.
Advertising in this magazine provides an excellent
opportunity to reach homeschooling families
likely to be interested in your product or service.
Questions may be directed to
admanager@CHEC.org.
Circulation: V1 V3: 5,500  V2: 6,500
Next Advertising Deadline: July 15, 2020
For advertising opportunities with CHEC,
go to CHEC.org/advertising.
Copyright © 2020 by CHEC
NEXT with CHEC
August 27-30
November
August 8 22
Visit CHEC.org/events to learn more!
CHEC
Spelling Bee
January 2021
These free events are hosted online so you can
watch practical, encouraging speaker interviews
and shop the exhibit hall from the comfort of
your home!
Watch free sessions now at HomeschoolSummits.com

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KansasCity,MO 816-322-0110 | FortMorgan,CO 970-427-4600 | Warrenton,MO 214-668-6127

NONPROFIT ORGNONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGEUS POSTAGE
PAIDPAID
DENVER CODENVER CO
PERMIT #792PERMIT #792
Christian Home Educators of Colorado
19039 Plaza Drive, Suite 210
Parker, Colorado 80134
Electronic Service Requested
Dear families: If you no longer want to receive this magazine, please contact
the CHEC office and ask to be removed from our mailing list. Thank you.
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Homeschool Update Magazine - 2020, Volume 2, Issue 107