Recordings of Past Webinars
These are held in the same "classroom" as our online classes

Click here to access "A Dozen Books Your High-Schooler Should Read"
Jodi Guerra

Click Here to access "How to Build a Solid Math Foundation"
Lora Marks

Click Here to access "Historical Heresies: Logical Fallacies Applied to History"
Attorney Ben Boyd

Click Here to Access "Story Through the Bible with Your Family" Recording
Dr Chris Smith

Click here to access SAT, ACT, or Both - What's Best for Your High-Schooler?
Angela Little

Click here to access "Do High School Age Students Need to Study Grammar
and, The Three Most Important Punctuation Errors to Avoid"
Marilyn Whitlock

Click here for "France Mission Trip: Past and Present"
Jen Henriksen

Click here to access "On this Date 109 Years Ago: First Flight, the Wright Brothers Story" Gene Doremus

Click here to access "Peace, Land, and Bread:"  
Why Russia Experienced a Socialist Revolution in 1917
Susan Eggers

Click here to access "Light Their Fire! Before You Teach it You Have to Sell it"
Julie Horton

Click here to access "Electronics + Programming = Robotics Today!"
Linda McGahern

Click here to access "Wonders in the Deep - Sharks, Cephalopods, & Hydrogen Bonding (Oh my!)"
Marji McIlvaine

Click here to access "6 Essentials to Inspire Your Young Artist"
Tim Chambers

Click here to access "Essential and Provocative Questions About the Cold War"
John Willoughby

Click here to access "Fungal Meningitis Outbreak: What You Need to Know"
Noemi Gonzalez

Click here to access "Fahrvergnugen!  The Formulation of German Words"
Susan Gleason

Click here to access "Landry Academy English Classes Demystified - English Department Q and A"
Jodi Guerra

Click here to access "Geek Art.. Give it Away or Keep it Yourself"
Julie Rapelje

Click Here to access "A Visual History of America's Favorite Christmas TV Specials"
Julie Rapelje

Click here to access "Quick and Beautiful Holiday Tables"
Julie Rapelje

Click here to access Christmas "Eh" to Christmas "EH-VENT"
Julie Rapelje

Click  Here to Access "Rock Star Artists Who Created Sacred Spaces" Recording
Julie Rapelje

Click Here to Access "Top 10 Homeschooling Mistakes" Recording
Greg Landry

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Articles from Previous Newsletters

My Daughter - God's Hand
copyright by Greg Landry - written in 2009

This article may be published on web sites, blogs, and in print publications as long as it's reproduced in its entirety, including the resource box at the end of the article. Please notify Greg Landry if you plan to publish this article.

I have to tell you it's still very difficult to write this. Still very emotional, tears roll down my face as I relive this.

A couple of weeks ago on a Tuesday morning it was one of those days when we (my family) were all headed in different directions, some of us afar. I'm sure you've
been there. :)

Our oldest daughter swims for a college in Tennessee and qualified for the national championship meet in St. Louis. She had a few days of spring break at home and was headed back to school to meet her team at noon to travel to St. Louis.

We all huddled at the doorway, arms around each other, and I prayed - among other things, that we would love and serve those who God put in our path and that we would be salt and light wherever we were. I also prayed that He would protect us all as we traveled.

We all kissed good-bye and left. About 45 minutes later the phone rang. The caller ID was "Beech Mountain", a small town about 45 minutes from our house in a mountainous area. I knew she would be passing through that area at that time. That wasn't good news.

I answered the phone and it was my daughter - certainly a relief to hear her precious voice; "Daddy, I'm okay but I've been in an accident". After making sure that she really was okay and away from the road, my next concern was getting her to school in time to leave with her team.

I told her to get her stuff together so that mom could pick her up and get her to school by noon. Her response, "I can't Dad, my stuff is all over the place".
My heart sank. As a parent, those are certainly words you don't want to hear.

a couple of days earlier we had about ten inches of snow. Part of the road she was on still had patches of ice. Going around a curve, she hit a patch of ice and lost
control of the car. She went off the shoulder and rolled numerous times down a very steep 90 foot embankment. There were large boulders and trees all the way down. All of her windows blew out and the roof crushed. The contents
of the car were strewn all over the embankment.

The car landed on it's side, driver's side up. She was unharmed, not even a scratch. She was able to climb out of the driver's window and flag down a car for help.
Although she didn't make it to school on time, we drove her to St. Louis and she had a great meet.

This accident was one that could not be fully appreciated by describing it. When my wife and actually saw the scene of the accident and peered down the steep
embankment, we were weak-kneed. As we saw the boulders and trees that she missed, all we could do was thank God.

As you know, as parents, there are several aspects of this that were very difficult for us:

1. The realization that when we kissed her goodbye that morning, it could have been the last time.. this side of  heaven. I know we talk about that possibility a lot, but when it actually comes this close, it's very sobering.

Our take-away: REALLY cherish every moment with family and friends and recommit to fully devoting our lives to Him. Life on this Earth is fleeting.

2. Knowing what she was thinking and feeling as she realized she was going down that embankment. As parents, our heart hurt for what she went through.

Our take-away: we were very thankful for her strong faith and reliance on Him. She is truly completely sold out to Him. As parents, there's not much more we could ask for. He is faithful.

A few days after this happened, I received a note from one of our pastors. Paraphrasing.. Greg, thanks for being a dad who prays with his family. His ways
are certainly not for us to know. But, He is a God who answers prayer.. not always when or what we expect, but He does answer prayer.

While I've certainly always loved seeing or talking to my daughter on the phone, I have to say there is an extra bit of sweetness now when she's home or when I hear that precious voice on the phone. :)

Greg Landry is a 15 year veteran homeschool dad and former college professor. He is founder and director of www.LandryAcademy.com

Several months ago I told you the story of one of my small town, $7 haircut, barber shop visits (see article above this one on this page).

There are usually three barbers there - great guys - all of them at least in their 70's. One of them has been there for over 50 years.

Going to the barber shop is always interesting. I like going there because I get all the local "news" and you just can't beat a $7 haircut.. well, I guess it depends on what you're expecting for 7 bucks. :) And, I'm in and out in 15 minutes. Sounds good, right?

My wife and daughters sometimes tease me because my haircuts are sometimes of "inconsistent quality" in their minds. I think they're pretty good.. for 7 bucks. :)

The set up in the barber shop in fairly open - you can sit in the waiting room and see all three barbers and vice-versa so there's always lots of conversation.
_____________

Well, this past Friday I went to the barber shop for my Christmas haircut. The conversation turned to "the youth of today" and them wanting to pay for everything with a credit card..

Barber #2: "This boy came in here the other day and handed me a credit card to pay for his haircut."

Barber #3: "None of 'em carry money anymore"

Barber #1: "If a man ain't got $7 in his pocket he ain't much of a man."

So, men, there you have it. :) I am always careful to have a least $7 in my pocket when I go in for a haircut.

Thoughts on Daughters . . . and Sons
copyright by Greg Landry - written in 2009

This article may be published on web sites, blogs, and in print publications as long as it's reproduced in its entirety, including the resource box at the end of the article. Please notify Greg Landry if you plan to publish this article.

I tear-up every time I get email from one of my homeschool science students this semester. Why? There's a line at the bottom of all her email messages which reads..

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!"

This young lady gets it - she REALLY gets it!

Like many of you, we have daughters. They're now 16 and 20 years-old. Since they were babies, my wife and I have been praying for their future husbands.

We have impressed upon them over the years that the kind of guy they want to spend the rest of their lives with.. the guy that God has for them, is the kind of guy who will be attracted to a girl who is "lost in God".

He's the guy who will be attracted to a young lady who loves the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. A young lady whose thoughts, words,
actions, and dress are pure. A young lady who is "in the world, but not of the world".

A while back I gave this to my daughters. I compiled and combined it from several similar pieces I've read over the years..

Wait for the guy who pursues you, the kind of guy who brings out the best in you and makes you want to be a better woman..

Wait for the guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot..

Wait for the guy who kisses your forehead and wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats..

Wait for the guy who holds your hand in front of his friends and thinks you're just as pretty without makeup..

Wait for the guy who turns to his friends and says, "that's her"..

Wait for the guy who will be your best friend, the person who will drop everything to be with you..

Wait for the guy who praises God for you and encourages you in your daily walk..

..and most importantly, wait for the guy who is more in love with God than with you.

Love Y'all,
Dad

Cadaver Lab - Three Stories
copyright by Greg Landry - written in 2009

This article may be published on web sites, blogs, and in print publications as long as it's reproduced in its entirety, including the resource box at the end of the article. Please notify Greg Landry if you plan to publish this article.

I was recently talking to a friend about some of the funny things that happened in my university human anatomy (cadaver) lab last semester. I love these kids - this put a smile on my face.

As you may know, an anatomy lab can be a rough place at times; people faint, vomit, cry, laugh, refuse to open their eyes, etc. But most students end up loving it once they get through the first time or two.

Here are a couple of situations from last semester that will put a smile on your face. Please note that all of these students ended up "lovin' anatomy".
__________

Bill fainted the first time he saw the cadaver. He was lowered to the floor gently by a couple of girls standing behind him. On his back, on the floor, with about ten people staring down at him, he opened his eyes and said;

"Hey, get out of my room. What time is it?"
__________

A female student fainted, but didn't go down so easily. Her head hit the wall on the way down, causing a fairly substantial wound on the back of her head. As we were trying to stop the bleeding and get her to the ER to get stitched up, what was she concerned about?..

"I just got a new haircut, please don't let them shave my head to stitch that cut."
__________

And then there was Harry (name changed to protect the guilty). Harry and about ten other students were dissecting on one cadaver while I and a few students were dissecting another cadaver. Here's how the conversation went from there;

Harry: oops!
me: what happened Harry?
Harry: I think i cut something.
me: what was it Harry?
Harry: I think it was the lung.

I walk over to take a look.

me: Nope Harry, that would be the small intestine.

..And this boy wants to be a surgeon. :)  But, that's what the learning process is all about.

Greg Landry is a 15 year veteran homeschool dad and former college professor. He is founder and director of www.LandryAcademy.com

College Professor Critiques Homeschoolers
copyright by Greg Landry - written in 2009

This article may be published on web sites, blogs, and in print publications as long as it's reproduced in its entirety, including the resource box at the end of the article. Please notify Greg Landry if you plan to publish this article.

I teach sophomore through senior level college students - most of them are "pre-professional" students. They are preparing to go to medical school, dental school, physical therapy school, etc.

As a generalization, I've noticed certain characteristics common in my students who were homeschooled. Some of these are desirable, some not.

Desirable characteristics:

1. Homeschooled students are independent learners and do a great job of taking initiative and being responsible for learning. They don't have to be "spoon fed"
as many students do. This gives them an advantage at two specific points in their education; early in college and in graduate education.

2. They handle classroom social situations (interactions with their peers and professors) very well. In general, my homeschooled students are a pleasure to have in class. They greet me when they enter the class, initiate conversations
when appropriate, and they don't hesitate to ask good questions in class. Most of my students do none of these.

3. They are serious about their education and that's very obvious in their attitude, preparedness, and grades.

Areas where homeschooled students can improve:

1. They come to college less prepared in the sciences than their schooled counterparts - sometimes far less prepared. This can be especially troublesome for pre-professional students who need to maintain a high grade point average from the very beginning.

2. They come to college without sufficient test-taking experience, particularly with
timed tests. Many homeschooled students have a high level of anxiety when it comes to taking timed tests.

3. Many homeschooled students have problems meeting deadlines and have to adjust to that in college. That adjustment time in their freshman year can be costly in terms of the way it affects their grades.

My advice to homeschooling parents:

1. If your child is even possibly college bound and interested in the sciences, make
sure that they have a solid foundation of science in the high school years.

2. Begin giving timed tests by 7th or 8th grade. I'm referring to all tests that students take, not just national, standardized tests.

I think it is a disservice to not give students timed tests. Students tend to focus better and score higher on timed tests, and, they are far better prepared for college and graduate education if they've taken timed tests throughout the high
school years.

In the earlier years the timed tests should allow ample time to complete the test as long as the student is working steadily. The objective is for them to know it's timed yet not to feel a time pressure. This helps students to be comfortable taking timed tests and develops confidence in their test-taking abilities.

3. Give your students real deadlines to meet in the high school years. If it's difficult for students to meet these deadlines because they're coming from mom or dad, have them take "outside" classes; online, co-op, or community college.

Build on the strengths that homeschooling offers and send your students to college fully prepared and a step ahead of most other students.

Greg Landry is a 15 year veteran homeschool dad and former college professor. He is founder and director of www.LandryAcademy.com

Yes, She Was "Homeschooled"
copyright by Greg Landry - written in May 2011

This article may be published on web sites, blogs, and in print publications as long as it's reproduced in its entirety, including the resource box at the end of the article. Please notify Greg Landry if you plan to publish this article.

I hope this story is an encouragement to you as a homeschooling student or parent. Every week I get email messages and phone calls from homeschooling parents who have concerns about their children getting into college, being prepared for college, and succeeding in college.

Through 15 years of working with thousands of homeschooling families, teaching 4th-12th grade homeschooled students, and teaching university pre-med students who were homeschooled, I have unique insight into what we're doing right and what we need to work on as homeschoolers. This article is particularly geared towards college-bound students but much of it would apply to all students. Since science is my area of expertise, the article is also slanted toward students interested in science.

1. Not doing enough testing and not doing timed tests.
2. Schooling year round or schooling too far into the summer. Students need to know that they can work hard for a prescribed period of time and then have a complete break from classes for a while. I believe it's actually counterproductive to school year round or with very little break.
3. Being squeamish on the science of Creation. Science is on our side - God created it. We need to boldly teach our students all the ways that science and the world around us support biblical creation.
4. Not starting to prepare for college early by beginning to take the ACT and SAT early - in 7th or 8th grade, along with other preparations.
5. Not starting serious high school sciences early enough.. especially if a student may be a college science major. Critical decisions should be made going into 8th grade.
6. For younger students, call the sciences what they are (chemistry, physics, biology, anatomy & physiology) rather than "physical science" and "general science" and teach them that way. This makes high school science more familiar and far less intimidating.
7. Not giving students a structured academic environment early. Beginning in 6th or 7th grade, provide a structured academic environment for students that includes deadlines that have to be met. Inability to meet deadlines is a critical deficiency in most homeschooled students.
8. Not looking for colleges early - most families end up doing this in a last minute frantic rush - not good for many reasons.
9. Not allowing students to take some of their classes as "outside" classes in the middle and high school years. Students need to begin the process of taking classes from others / being accountable to other teachers as they prepare for collage.
10. Losing our focus - all we do should glorify God. Press on! :)

Greg Landry is a 15 year veteran homeschool dad and former college professor. He is founder and director of www.LandryAcademy.com