Simple pieces of thick paper — brightly colored — with words of warmth and love on the inside covered the archway between the kitchen and living room of my parents' home. It was December and checking the mail at this time of year always brought about a feeling of excitement. It was just possible that one or more envelopes containing these snippets of warmth and love would find their way into our mailbox. [Read more…]

"He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me"(Psalms 55:18a).

The beautiful, glittering words on the Christmas cards we receive and the noise of our busy lives stand in stark contrast to one another. "Peace on Earth," the cards often read. We think, My, wouldn't that be nice? Every parent longs for a peaceful home, but hearing the crescendo of family voices and daily demands, we knew that peace isn't happening at our house, especially during the activity-packed holidays. [Read more…]

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child and Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh" Matthew 2:11.

Let's imagine the scene as the wise men presented Jesus with wonderful gifts: the babe swaddled in cloths, the gentle lowing of the stable animals, and the feeling of excitement as the wisemen offered the best of what they had to the newborn King. [Read more…]

People are often impressed when I tell them that I have students from all over the world in my Spanish classes here at Ignite Christian Academy. It is amazing to me as well when I stop and think about it. Coming from seven years of teaching in a traditional school, it is a bit strange to get used to never seeing my students. Some send family pictures, and some have projects that involve pictures of themselves. [Read more…]

Imagine that you receive a phone call from your child who informs you, "I am lost; I don't know where I am." Chances are you will ask some leading questions to try to determine where your child is:

Where have you been?
How did you get to where you are now? [Read more…]

"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32:27)

Motivating your distance learning students to learn can seem like a daunting task. Many times we hear them say, "It's too hard," and we are tempted to put off helping explain a difficult lesson. Whether you're attempting to teach your student how to research material for a term paper or the proper steps for long division, step back and teach in smaller increments to keep him on track. Help your student learn the lesson one step at a time, and this will bring him more success in learning the information. [Read more…]

Ignite Christian Academy cares about helping its teachers be the best they can be for the benefit of every ICA distance learning student. Recently, the entire ICA teaching staff was encouraged and inspired toward new steps in excellence while attending a training in-service at the Heartland Christian Educators' Convention from October 7-8 on the campus of Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. [Read more…]

It doesn't take much experience as a parent to realize that children are not naturally programmed to be grateful. Because we live in a sinful, fallen world, our children inherit our same selfish tendencies (Romans 3:23). Developing an attitude of thankfulness to replace the "me" mentality in our children takes time, so here are eight tips you can use this Thanksgiving and throughout the entire school year to teach your children the truth of 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." [Read more…]

Ignite Christian Academy would like to thank all of the parents and students who participated in the July 2010 Parent and Student survey! ICA believes that Christ-centered education is a partnership between the academy staff, parents, and students. Your participation in the survey was another opportunity for us to continue to strengthen our partnership.  [Read more…]

It's a new term, and you've probably been in school for at least a month. Your faculty advisor is likely to be calling you or your parents soon to provide you with a progress update. How do you know you are on the right track? What you need are some steps for success! [Read more…]