Road School Moms Mary Beth Goff and Holly Giles

Picture books have the ability to transform a homeschool into a place of imagination, wonder and character skills. We discuss all of this with Cheryl Bastian in Episode #182 of Roadschool Moms Radio.  The replay is a live recording by the Roadschool Moms team from the back porch and behind the wheel. Holly Giles, the creator of The Giles Frontier, broadcasts from central Florida.  This week, Mary Beth Goff, the Road Trip Teacher is behind the wheel from a SouthWest Florida location. 









What is a picture book?

A picture book is a work which combines literary eloquence with artistic merit--words and illustrations--working together to tell a story. Generally, picture books are written with 200-800 words (depending on the age of the targeted audience) on 28-32 pages. Historically, picture books have been written to the preschool through mid-elementary audience, yet these masterfully crafted gems speak to the hearts of readers of all ages.

Wordless picture books

Wordless picture books are just that, a book without words. The illustrations alone tell the story, unless, of course, the person holding the book chooses to imagine and craft the text. One of the Bastian's favorite wordless picture books is Jerry Pinkney's extraordinary The Lion and the Mouse, a retelling of Aesop's classic tale. This treasure won the 2010 Caldecott Medal for its illustrative excellence.



These are words taken from Cheryl Bastian's post on picture books. Cheryl joins us for a look at how picture books can make an impact on our home through high school years. Cheryl's insight into how you can take one book and move it through different perspectives, art modalities and comparisons with other literature will make you look at those little books in a whole new way.

Fostering Memories

We each shared a few stories of memories we had around a picture book. Books can become part of the fabric of your family. Cheryl shared her memories as a child at the library hearing Blueberries for Sal. She connected with Sal in a way that helped her to learn empathy.



Holly shares fond memories of bonding with her boys over picture books and a child's way of wanting to hear them over and over again!























“Every child ought to know the pleasure of words so well chosen that they awaken sensibility, great emotions, and understanding of truth. ”

— Gladys Hunt, Honey for a Child’s Heart, Zondervan, 2002, p. 18









What is a picture book?

Books invites readers into learning and into the stories of others, gently, peacefully, and purposefully. There will be pondering.  A heart-changing impact, sometimes so subtly it will go unnoticed for a bit of time.



Cheryl's post can be found at Cherylbastian.com 



Cheryl invites you to visit that link for a list of picture books and other ideas to bring into your home.

















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 More about Roadschool Moms

Looking for a roadmap for your next learning adventure? Scroll through the RSM library on iTunes to find more than 180 podcast replays.  Subscribe on iTunes, rate the show and leave a review. Not sure how to do that?

Severe weather in the RV can be scary! Don't be scared, be prepared! The Roadschool Moms discuss in depth, more than 20 precautions to take during severe weather seasons in Episode #181 of Roadschool Moms Radio.  The replay is a live recording by the Roadschool Moms team from the back porch and behind the wheel. Holly Giles, the creator of The Giles Frontier, broadcasts from central Florida.  This week, Mary Beth Goff, the Road Trip Teacher is behind the wheel from a SouthWest Florida location. 



This broadcast gives specific advice for those living the fulltime RV lifestyle; however, many topics discussed are beneficial to Roadschool Moms no matter where in the world you are!

 Before You Hit the Road

There are several ways to arm your family with the proper tools and precautionary measures to deal with inclement weather factors that may arise down the road. The key to this part of being prepared is to be proactive. A few things to do before you hit the road include



* Download a good weather app with key features such as Accuweather or The Weather Channel

* Gather adequate roadmaps for all areas of the journey ahead

* Always travel with a weather radio with the seven NOAA channels

* Keep a charged computer or tablet nearby with the appropriate cords

* Maintain a current selection of various campground directories such as the Big Rigs Best Bets directory

* Create an emergency survival kit as well as a bug out bag for each family member



Finally, before you take off on the next road trip adventure, talk with all passengers, especially the kiddos, to demonstrate at least two (2) ways out of the RV in case of an emergency. A final inspection of the RV, tow vehicle, or toad is also non-negotiable. The last checkmark on the list to playing it safe is to put back sufficient cash to cover basic expenses including fuel, food, and accommodations for several days in case the family is displaced due to an accident or weather-related situation.

Severe Weather in the RV

Severe weather is scary no matter where in the world you live. Fulltime RVing families face even more challenges in weather-related situations. Often, RV travel takes place in regions of the country that are unfamiliar. Someone who grew up in Colorado may have no clue what to look for during hurricane season in Florida. A few no-brainer tips to remember are



* Keep a mobile device charged at all times

* Check satellite radio often for weather updates

* If near the coast, be aware of tropical storms brewing

* Keep fuel, propane, and water tanks full when weather predictions are unstable



It is imperative to be weather aware when you are on the road. If you sense a change, pull over to a safe location and check the changing weather conditions. Remember, an RV is not a safe location during severe weather. Finding safe shelter is a must to avoid the risk of injury o even death. Retail stores, the library, a hospital, the post office, or any structure that you can reach with ample parking is good for an emergency. If it becomes necessary to pull over on the road, do not park next to a guard rail or any obstruction that will keep you from exiting the RV.

Take No Chances

The best advice is to take no chances during even the possibility of severe weather.

 



Have you been to a homeschool convention? We are talking the pros and cons of a convention near you in episode 180. The replay is a live recording by the Roadschool Moms team from the back porch and behind the wheel. Holly Giles, the creator of The Giles Frontier, broadcasts from central Florida.  This week, Mary Beth Goff, the Road Trip Teacher stops by Holly's back porch to talk about their homeschool convention experiences.



Do you go to a homeschool convention every year? Are you going to your first one this year? Holly and Mary Beth share their experiences with a little twist.



 

The Newbie

Attending a homeschool convention can be sensory overload. Plan ahead for what your intentions are for the event.



* Is your spouse attending or going with another mom?



We recommend making a plan and not taking your children into the exhibit hall. Why?



* You can't concentrate on why you are there.

* They get distracted, hungry, irritated and bored.

* You leave frustrated and didn't accomplish your goals for the trip.



Do your homework

Research vendors ahead of time. Make a list of who you want to see. Map out your route and gather information to look at later. Leaving room for a variable is important.



12:38 Break

The vendor perspective

Holly shares her family's perspective as a vendor and speaker at homeschool conventions. You may be surprised at why you should give a little time to the smaller cottage industry booths.



18:30  What is the difference in a big name for-profit conventions and a state non-profit convention. Why should you care?



Holly and Mary Beth will be in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the Chattanooga Homeschool Expo July 20-21.



This episode of Roadschool Moms is sponsored by The Giles Frontier. Check out Blaze New Trails, Nature and community-based adventures for every family.



 





Roadschool Moms Information

Looking for a roadmap for your next learning adventure? Scroll through the RSM library on iTunes to find more than 170 podcast replays.  Subscribe on iTunes, rate the show and leave a review. Not sure how to do that? Check out the video – It’s as easy as 1-2-3! Android users follow on Stitcher.



Homeschool enrollment is on the rise. As a result, more and more families are moving into a home on wheels. Further, the Roadschool Moms record this broadcast to present resources that meet the challenges of today’s roadschooler. These roadschool defined adventures don’t stop there. Holly Giles, founder of The Giles Frontier, and Mary Beth Goff, creator of Road Trip Teacher, team up every week to offer listeners a fresh take on homeschooling from the back porch of your hom...

What makes a young entrepreneur? Is it innate or the environment? That is what we discuss in episode #179.  The replay is a live recording by the Roadschool Moms team from the back porch and behind the wheel. Holly Giles, the creator of The Giles Frontier, broadcasts from central Florida.  This week, Mary Beth Goff, the Road Trip Teacher stops by Holly's back porch to talk about raising young entrepreneurs.



 



What is it about a successful entrepreneur that sets them apart? Were they raised by entrepreneurs? Where they born with the desire or was it all in the way they were raised to look at life?

Childhood

4:45 Mary Beth has always been in business for herself. She has had several successful businesses in different areas. Her dad taught her the ropes. He has always had his hand in business. His tenacity and drive were a big influence in Mary Beth's life.

Risk

7:05 Learning to evaluate risk at a young age helps as you grow into adulthood. The nurturing of play is important. Exploration and imagination play a huge role in developing characteristics of a young entrepreneur.

Problem-Solving

10:20 This starts on the playground. Let kids work out social issues and find their own boundaries. Helicopter parenting prevents children from experiencing natural interaction with other children. Critical thinking is a life skill that can happen naturally if we don't step in and solve every issue.

Abilities

Holly shares the story of her son Grayson and working through the stroke he suffered as a child. Teaching independence and self-motivation played a key role in his successful lawn business.



17:15 Break

Grit

Grit is the number one factor in many successful entrepreneurs. Don't give up. Work hard and don't sell your kids short of their abilities.

Rabbit Trails

22:00 Mary Beth shares an awesome story about her son selling rocks at concert events. After that, the ladies move into their opinion on what is different in this modern culture that prevents success in our children today.



Listen in as they banter frankly about the changes in our society.



 

Roadschool Moms Information

Looking for a roadmap for your next learning adventure? Scroll through the RSM library on iTunes to find more than 170 podcast replays.  Subscribe on iTunes, rate the show and leave a review. Not sure how to do that? Check out the video – It’s as easy as 1-2-3! Android users follow on Stitcher.



Homeschool enrollment is on the rise. As a result, more and more families are moving into a home on wheels. Further, the Roadschool Moms record this broadcast to present resources that meet the challenges of today’s roadschooler. These roadschool defined adventures don’t stop there. Holly Giles, founder of The Giles Frontier, and Mary Beth Goff, creator of Road Trip Teacher, team up every week to offer listeners a fresh take on homeschooling from the back por...

 



There is no such thing as bad weather. Yes, I know you may be socked in with rain or snow, but we are tackling the silver lining of bad weather on episode #178.  The replay is a live recording by the Roadschool Moms team from the back porch and behind the wheel. Holly Giles, the creator of The Giles Frontier, broadcasts from central Florida.  This week, Mary Beth Goff, the Road Trip Teacher stops by Holly's back porch to talk about days to consider no bad weather.



No matter the season, winter, spring, summer, or fall, many planned outings have been canceled due to bad weather. How can you take that disappointment and turn it into something fun?



The Mess

Mary Beth and Holly share that their number one reason for halting the outdoor fun due to bad weather is the clean up afterward. Moms have this vision of the end in mind. Where dirt, mud, snow, and water end up on their floors along with a pile of clothes that need washing.

The Memories

Holly shares fond memories of playing in the rain at her grandparent's house. Mary Beth loves to recall how she enjoys hearing the sound of the rain on the roof. Both share childhood memories of storms and hurricanes where everyone piles in the middle of the living room and plays cards to the lantern light. This memory seemed universal to wherever you live.

Free Yourself

Let go, mamas! Free yourself and your children. Have a few tricks up your sleeve to let go and go outside. Keeping a few items stashed in the garage will make it easy and fun to take a walk in the rain, make some snow queens. We even suggest hot cocoa and a read aloud under a park pavilion.

Invest

Invest in a little fun with your kids when they least expect it. Say yes to getting out of your comfort zone. We share some indoor activities along with movies and audio books to keep it real. A lightning storm is no time to head outdoors.



Holly and Grant after the unexpected sled ride.

The hurricane Facebook video Mary Beth and Holly talked about.



Books to enjoy:



The Umbrella, by Jan Brett



Sunbread, Elisa Kleven





Roadschool Moms Information

Looking for a roadmap for your next learning adventure? Scroll through the RSM library on iTunes to find more than 170 podcast replays.  Subscribe on iTunes, rate the show and leave a review. Not sure how to do that? Check out the video – It’s as easy as 1-2-3! Android users follow on Stitcher.



Homeschool enrollment is on the rise. As a result, more and more families are moving into a home on wheels. Further, the Roadschool Moms record this broadcast to present resources that meet the challenges of today’s roadschooler. These roadschool defined adventures don’t stop there. Holly Giles, founder of a rel="NOFOLLOW" href="http://www.

 



 



How do you define motherhood? Yes, that is a loaded question that we are tackling on episode #177.  The replay is a live recording by the Roadschool Moms team from the back porch and behind the wheel. Holly Giles, the creator of The Giles Frontier, broadcasts from central Florida.  This week, Mary Beth Goff, the Road Trip Teacher stops by Holly's back porch along with Kristin Drake to talk about motherhood. 



Who defined motherhood for you?

Kristen shared a poll she took among friends for this podcast and the results were all different.



* My mom.

* My best friend's mom.

* My aunt.

* A homeschool speaker.

* A school teacher.



The results show we don't realize that we are pouring into people's lives with what we say, even when we don't know it.

Grab the pile of laundry, some tissues and let's go!

This podcast had a direction before the three of us came together. However, thoughts, emotions, giggles, and God played a bigger role in what we share with you today.



We got a little carried away with our time, but it is time well spent. If you are looking for encouragement to know you are enough, you matter and there is always hope in Jesus then stay tuned.



We giggled too much, (edited some out) hit some weighty topics and shared some truth about the baggage we carry into motherhood.



In the end, we all agree that you shouldn't set yourself up for failure instead, give yourself GRACE.



When you know better, do better and building relationships with our kids is the most important.



 





Roadschool Moms Information

Looking for a roadmap for your next learning adventure? Scroll through the RSM library on iTunes to find more than 170 podcast replays.  Subscribe on iTunes, rate the show and leave a review. Not sure how to do that? Check out the video – It’s as easy as 1-2-3! Android users follow on Stitcher.



Homeschool enrollment is on the rise. As a result, more and more families are moving into a home on wheels. Further, the Roadschool Moms record this broadcast to present resources that meet the challenges of today’s roadschooler. These roadschool defined adventures don’t stop there. Holly Giles, founder of The Giles Frontier, and Mary Beth Goff, creator of Road Trip Teacher, team up every week to offer listeners a fresh take on homeschooling from the back porch of your home and behind the wheel across America’s backyard.

Roadschool Moms:  Season 12