This talk unpacks and demystifies the terms “evangelism” and “apologetics” and encourages Christians to relate to others not as salespeople, stuffy academics, or adversarial debaters, but as loving neighbors. Loving your neighbor generally and evangelism specifically will likely involve answering tough questions, addressing deep doubts, and engaging in apologetics-related discussions. However, you don’t have to be an acclaimed academic or a skilled debater to love your neighbor and engage in meaningful evangelistic conversations.
One of the chief purposes of education is to pass on our cultural heritage. American culture is the product of the cultures it grew out of: those of Athens, Rome, and Jerusalem, which were completed and transformed by Christianity. This is the cultural heritage we mean when we say "Western civilization." But Western civilization has come under increasing attack from modern political ideologies that claim they have something better to offer. Learn why the arguments against Western civilization fail, why it is important, and how we can pass it on to our own children.
An increased focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is now seen as the way out of the education crisis by many educational policymakers. It is only the most recent manifestation of the stress on vocationalism in our schools. But is the narrowing of the focus of our curricula really the answer to our educational woes? And is the abandonment of a focus on the arts and humanities the best way to accomplish even the goals of the STEM movement? Learn why classical education's focus on the liberal arts and the traditional humanities not only makes for better human beings, but provides the best foundation for any career. And learn how best to articulate this vision to your parents and your community.
Two Russians, two Englishmen, two Frenchmen, three Americans, a South African, and a Norwegian ... walk into a bar. Not really. But they do come together in this list of the greatest Christian literary works of the last two centuries. It is a list that includes two Learn why these books are great and how it can be that, as someone once said, the worst Christians write the best Christian books. Learn which are the best translations and why it is okay to listen to them as well as read them (along with who are the best readers).
Do you know what you need to know to evaluate your student's writing skills? Can you recognize quality writing when you see it? Most professional teachers use a set of objective standards, known as a rubric, to fairly evaluate student's written work and to pinpoint areas that need improvement. You can use this valuable tool also! Come to this workshop and learn how to recognize well-written work, and how to use a rubric to evaluate writing skills, including content, organization, style, word choice, sentence fluency, and mechanics. [Parent Training, Middle-High School]
What if you could teach in a way that not only helped students remember, but also helped them understand how to learn anything else they ever want to know? You can make it happen, and it doesn’t take extra time or fancy technology. All you need are living books, learning journals, and some classical study skills that work from kindergarten through graduate school and beyond. No matter what your student plans to do after homeschooling — college, military academy, technical school, art or music school, or an apprenticeship program — being a great learner will make it easier to succeed. [Focus: Parent Training, Basics, K-12]
In this age of keyboards and touch-screens, does your students really need to know how to use pen and paper? Join me to learn what the latest science shows about penmanship and brain development and what the act of writing does for learning. We’ll talk about how to teach penmanship from pre-writing through your choice of a beautiful italic or cursive handwriting style. You’ll be able to try out a bit of italic penmanship, and will leave with tips you can use today. [Focus: Parent Training, Basics, Homeschool 101, K-12]
Whether you're just beginning to homeschool or have been teaching for a few years, choosing curriculum can seem like navigating New York City without a map. How do you make sense of all the choices and find the best options for your family? Join us to learn how to work with teaching and learning styles, three skills you must teach, how to evaluate curriculum for the things that really matter, and ways to adapt almost any curriculum you buy (and what to do with the rest). [Focus: Parent Training, Basics, Planning, K-12, Encouragement]
If you're an ordinary homeschool mom with an ordinary education, you might not feel fully equipped to teach your children well. The good news is that homeschool moms have a unique opportunity to learn not only what we missed in school, but also anything we’ve ever wanted to know! Join me to learn how to set personal learning goals, keep a learning journal, cultivate a beautiful memory, and more. No matter what you study — genealogy, horticulture, Latin, or art — your children will benefit from seeing exactly how to make learning a lifelong joy. [Focus: Parent Training, Basics, Homeschool 101]
Once you have committed to teaching your students at home, what is the next step? A peaceful, effective homeschool begins with a vision, simple plans, and a routine for getting the right things done. We’ll talk about how to set appropriate academic goals; how to do simple, streamlined planning and record-keeping; how to create a simple 12-year master plan (scope and sequence) for what you need to cover each year; and how to create routines that can help you stay relaxed and on track. [Focus: Parent Training, Basics, Planning, Encouragement, Audience favorite]
Sibling rivalry and squabbling is something we all deal with every day. It can be very frustrating, as well as discouraging! It's important that we teach our children how to respond to conflict God's way. Don't let the arguing and strife disrupt your home. Find out what some of the most common causes are, and learn about some practical solutions to the problem.
Do you struggle with a child that is difficult or challenging? One that causes you exasperation and takes more time and energy than all your other children put together? How do you respond to the resentment and anger he stirs up in you? How do you respond to him? There IS hope and help!! Get answers to these questions that will encourage you and help you deal wisely and lovingly with that child.
Character is the most important fruit that parents can nurture in their children, and is the foundation for academic learning. Discover how character is learned and how to establish a plan for teaching it to your children. Kathie will give several creative ways you can encourage your children to develop in this important area. After hearing this, you will be motivated, and full of ideas to use with your own children.
Are your children best friends who always treat one another with kindness and respect? We didn’t think so. Children’s squabbles are normal, but they can make us feel anxious and angry when we don’t know how to respond. In this session, you’ll learn FBI strategies that will keep your kids’ conflicts from taking your happiness hostage.
Homeschooling parents are often fearful of the government or homeschool haters. But they’re not the real threat. The real threat is in your house: a strong-willed homeschooler that you’re unprepared for. If your kids are sweet, submissive cherubs, you don’t need this session. Otherwise, you’ll want to join psychologist and homeschool survivor, Dr. Melanie Wilson, to learn the strategies for out-thinking, outsmarting, and outlasting your strong-willed student.
Whether you’re new to homeschooling or just feel like you are, homeschooling can be overwhelming. If you have challenges in organization, parenting, curriculum choices, or all of the above, this session will give you immediate relief. Christian psychologist and veteran homeschooler, Dr. Melanie Wilson, will give you a six-step plan for simplifying your homeschool life that will keep you sane all school year.
Never in the history of the world have so many people taken an interest in the social development of children. Why? Social grooming is a natural part of any civilization, but have we gone too far? What has happened to the social environment our children live in, and is it what they need for happiness and success in life? What is the point of a social life anyway? In this class we get to the root of the social and discuss 5 social lessons children must know to succeed in this very social world.
Could your expectations be trapping you and your children? It happens to the best of us, but it doesn’t have to. There is a way to turn those daily battles and emotional hurdles into family unity and homeschool motivation. This class will teach some key skills for navigating problems with confidence, and uniting the hearts of the family at the same time.
Calmness comes when a person has confidence in how to handle a situation. What situations disrupt your calmness? Could some missing skills help increase your calmness? This class will go deep into correcting negative behaviors before the problem begins by pre-teaching skills for successful relationships and communications. And the class will also do training for how to calmly handle negative behaviors during the difficult situations. After all, the learning path for a child is correcting one bad behavior after another until personal self-government is achieved.
Learning to control ourselves is a vital lesson for happiness! But, self-control can’t happen without having our hearts in the right place. This class will instruct on the process a heart goes through to change, and how we can help our sons and daughters learn to rule themselves, instead of becoming victims to the emotional reactions that put us all in bondage and misery.
This workshop is Steve’s testimony of the last thirty years as the father of a child with special needs. He shares what his family has learned as a result of Johnny’s disability, and the special, rewarding, and joyful role he has played in their lives. Even in the difficult experiences of life, God proved faithful. His grace sustained them and brought good out of their struggles and disappointments.
God designed men to be a servant hearted leader and lay their life down for their families. Married for 40 years and father to four homeschooled sons, Steve shares what he has learned from God’s word and his family.
After we explore the foundational concepts to be an honest and open communicator, we will break up into small groups and practice what we have learned. Healthy relationships are based on safe and uplifting heart to heart communication.
Each student is unique. Since parent educators are tutors, they are able to adapt to the needs of their individual child. Find out what they know, and begin there. Giving your children a firm foundation in math will equip them to succeed at every level of math. They are not behind, they are where they are.
As a parent, you are uniquely qualified to be the primary educator of your children. You have more assets than you realize. Listen and be encouraged by a homeschooling father of four sons.
Every child can learn to be a writer, even a professional writer! This workshop will help you encourage your children to tap into their creativity and learn the skills of writing and self-editing. To grow as a writer, your child should develop a love of learning, be detail-oriented, write from personal experience, understand there will be disappointment, and know how to craft a story. With a few tips and a little guidance, your child could start winning contests, get published, or begin a family or neighborhood magazine.
In this workshop we will discuss 5 daily disciplines that can help maintain connectedness, communication and growth in your home. You will not only learn about the 5 disciplines, you will also learn ways to implement these in your household routines.
In this workshop you will learn about the various resources available to parents at Focus on the Family and upcoming additions. You will get to learn about Plugged In, Clubhouse, Club Jr., the parenting podcast, Alive to Thrive, Launch Into the Teen Years, Brio and much more. I will also spend some time answering questions you may have regarding parenting issues. As a family counselor for more than 20 years, I love to come alongside of families and troubleshoot their unique challenges. My goal is to provide awareness of the practical resources we are developing at Focus on the Family for parents and to provide practical options and/or solutions for parents.
Perceptions truly make a difference in how things play out in family relationships. This workshop provides a unique framework to understand what forms our perceptions and why that is so important. We will discuss ways to understand and challenge perceptions. I consistently use this model in my counseling practice with individuals, couples and families. For example, a child might initially perceive the house to be clean when you may perceive the house to be messy. Which perception is correct and what influences the perception? Come find out. My perception is that presenting to you is like getting to bring you a gift (present). I would love to meet you and see you at the workshop.
In this workshop, we will discuss the essential conversations you can have prior to the teen years. These conversations will require intentionality, attention and ongoing discussions and will help your teen more confidently enter adolescence. We will cover identity, friendships, relationships, gender and sexuality.
Preparation begins early as essential foundations are built in the life of a child. In this workshop we will discuss the eight building blocks of child development from a Biblical perspective and ways to build these in your child. The eight building blocks are based off of the extensive research from Search Institute on the 40 Developmental Assets.
All entertainment, from movies to TV, music to games to YouTube, expresses a worldview, a belief system about what is true and good, what should be avoided or shunned. In this session, we’ll have an interactive discussion that equips participants to think clearly about the kinds of worldview questions we should be asking and answering, and how to equip your children to ask those questions for themselves.
Our entertainment culture exerts enormous influence in our culture. Focus on the Family’s Plugged In exists to equip parents and families to respond wisely to that culture. If you’d like to know more about Plugged In, come with your questions ready for this informal, interactive, get-to-know us session.
How do we respond to the vast sea of entertainment options available to kids growing up today? Parents need a biblically shaped strategy of intentional engagement when it comes to this question. In this session, we’ll look at a number of scriptures that help us set parameters that both limit worldly influences and give us the freedom to dive into other areas that we can enjoy exploring with our children.
How are entertainment and technology influencing the generations growing up these days? In this session, we’ll look at what the state of media consumption among kids, as well as talking about how entertainment and technology are shaping the behaviors, beliefs and even the biology of children today. We’ll also discuss some practical strategies for setting boundaries and getting a grip on this area as a family.
Susan Blackwell | Homeschooling the Special Needs Child
Many parents are nervous about starting to homeschool children who have an IEP or 504 Plan. There is no need to stress!! This workshop will explain the meanings of the terms and what you need to (or don't need to) do as a parent to implement the guidelines set forth in an IEP (Service Plan). We will discuss how to create your own plan(s) and how to document the annual reviews. There will be an overview of resources to access the accommodations for college boards and entrance tests.
Susan Blackwell | Homeschooling the Special Needs Child
Is it necessary to test my student with Special Needs? What are the benefits? What accommodations can my student have? We will cover these questions and explain some of the test options. We will discuss what to do with the results of the tests and how they can help open doors in the future for our students.
Susan Blackwell | Homeschooling the Special Needs Child
The task of homeschooling children with Special needs can be overwhelming at times, but it is possible. We will look at the advantages of presenting academics at home and developing your reasons to do so. Do you know your student’s learning style, what accommodations he needs, and what your goals are for him in the future? Resources will be presented to assist in your endeavor to give your student the best opportunities to achieve what God’s plan is for his life.
For all of its popularity, there must be more than stages, rote memory, and the ancients, right? Have you ever heard what is at the heart of a classical education? Hear simple explanations to unpack key words that will delight the newcomer, challenge the skeptic, and remind those in classical education why you began doing this in the first place.
Learn how to unravel the mystery of your child’s difficulties. Hear why an accurate, thorough diagnosis and treatment plan can change everything for your child. Time for Q&A will be provided.
We often think of classical education for highly verbal children, but what about children with dyslexia, autism, adhd, or intellectual disability? Does a classical education have anything to offer such children? Hear answers from a mother with a master's degree in special education, who homeschooled her adopted twins (autism, specific learning disabilities, and mental illness) "K-12" with a classical education.
Homeschooling offers key advantages to struggling students and children with special needs. Discover why your home school may be the best possible choice for your child. Learn how to make your homeschool even stronger.
When a homeschooled child seems to flounder for no easily identified reason, parents often exhaust themselves in their search for answers. At some point a parent may wonder if there might be a learning disability at the root of their child’s struggle. Kristen has designed this workshop to help parents sort out the difference between routine struggles and those that could well be a learning disability. What is Dyslexia? If you think it is only transposing letters…you need to come to this workshop! We will also explore reasons you may or may not decide on formal testing and how to go about doing that.
This workshop is offered to provide practical application of the five key elements of reading discussed in the workshop, “Why Can Reading Be So Hard?” Whether you attended the earlier workshop or not, you will be blessed by learning about teaching strategies and innovative activities that not only gives you fresh ideas for more effective teaching, but will also help you better understand the essentials for reading success.
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” - Albert Einstein
Aha! That moment when you finally hear your child being described and you don’t feel so alone. What does it mean to be a visual-spatial learner? Visual imagery plays a significant roll in their learning. If you show them directions to a model airplane…they are overwhelmed before you begin…BUT, show them the model first and the directions make sense! Come learn how this represents 1/3 of all students … you may just find your child here and ways that you can adjust your teaching and curriculum to reach them.
Learning to read is a complex, amazing accomplishment even for those that seem to catch on easily. For those that struggle it can be terribly discouraging for both the teacher and the student. As you seek to understand the nature of your child’s learning issue, what is often overlooked is a true understanding of the reading process itself. This workshop is designed to better equip you to understand how we learn to read, and why it can be difficult for some.
No question is too small as homeschooling moms, and popular podcasters Sarah Mackenzie, Colleen Kessler, Pam Barnhill gather for an encouraging (and often enlightening) panel discussion. Grab a cuppa or your favorite cold beverage and your most pressing homeschool questions and join us as we kick back and discuss the nitty-gritty details mom-to-mom.
Learn about how worry tricks the body into feeling scared and triggers the fear response. This keeps our anxious kiddos on high alert, and they struggle to relax, be happy, and get things done. Colleen, an author, parent of children with anxiety, and someone who struggles with anxiety herself, will teach you to tell the difference between stress and anxiety (and why it matters), along with stress and anxiety management for kids (and the adults who care for them), building a toolkit of strategies and skills to walk away with that will help make anxiety better -- not worse -- in the moment and beyond.
Parenting and homeschooling kids is tough — we want them to grow into young men and women of character who will stand up for what is right, empathize with others, take care of those they love, and also share their thoughts, feelings, and emotions in intuitive ways. We want them to be resilient. We want them to bounce back from adversity and take on challenges with calm focus. In this workshop, join Colleen as she outlines strategies to help you nurture positive and lasting relationships with your children while teaching them to identify their emotions, develop empathetic listening skills, and tackle life with kindness, strength, empathy, and resilience.
Grades, transcripts, portfolios -- oh my! In this session, Ann will give oodles of practical tips and tricks to tame the high school paperwork monster and stay on top of grading and record-keeping. Who needs complicated systems that just create overwhelm? With specific how-to’s for grading each subject, as well as overall organization strategies that can work for anyone, this session will be super helpful for those just starting out AND those already in the trenches of homeschooling their teen. You’ll walk away with simple solutions that will help conquer the clutter in your brain and in your homeschool!
This is one of those sessions that will answer questions you never even knew you had. From planning coursework, understanding graduation requirements, and choosing curriculum, to assigning credit, writing a transcript, and beyond -- Ann will fill you in on almost everything you need to know to be a success at homeschooling high school. There really isn’t that much to it, and once you’ve heard what she has to say, you’ll be ready to get started!
So often we put off thinking about homeschooling high school until it’s upon us -- and then we panic, lol. Maybe it’s a good idea to do some groundwork beforehand, so that the transition can go as smoothly as possible, and we won’t feel so stressed. In this session, Ann gives several practical ideas for preparing both you and your kids for the homeschool high school experience, even years ahead of time. You can ease your fears now and look forward to the high school years with more confidence than you ever thought possible!
This session discusses the most common fears had by moms of teens everywhere -- and then reveals how to overcome them. Are you afraid you're going to miss something important and your teen won't get into college? Or maybe they'll get there but won't be able to do well? Or they'll miss out on really cool opportunities? Or??? Whatever your concern, Ann has either had it herself or heard it from other moms, and she has the experience to ease your fears and encourage you to continue homeschooling through graduation. You’ll come away from this session feeling empowered and relieved!
This session will help you understand how vital your mothering role is in fulfilling the Great Commission and how the discipling relationship between parent & child is actually one of the most important tools for spreading the Gospel. It will give you tangible ways to serve others and practice hospitality, even as a busy homeschool mom!
This session will give you practical tips on raising children that you enjoy being with, no matter what season they're in! Learn how certain beliefs and stressors rob us of the joy of parenting, along with ways to see your kids positively on the hard days.
This session will teach you how to address the underlying heart issues of your child's behavior through the practical application of Bible verses to certain issues. It will also focus on strategies for disciplining your kids in a way that points them to Jesus and helps them value and accept correction.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." The first two are fairly self-evident, however the third tends to bring questions. This session will pull away the confusion, and provide a clear answer to what the founding fathers meant when writing, "The Pursuit of Happiness." Using the founders own writings and quotes, Massey will show that the common understanding of the term is in-fact a misconception.
It’s easy to focus on the three R’s of education, but every homeschooling parent knows that it’s almost impossible to teach a student who has a bad attitude. Character training is not only critical for the spiritual development of your child, it can also help your homeschool day go a lot more smoothly. This talk will offer practical suggestions on how to integrate this immensely important subject into your curriculum.
As parents we’re good at comparing ourselves to other parents; but there’s a good reason for it; often we’re trying to silence that nagging question in the back of our heads - “Am I doing this right?” This talk will attempt to silence that question once and for all by examining 3 simple standards that all of your actions as a parent should be measured against.
Practical thoughts on how to draw obedience out of your children without raising your voice.
Yelling is a quick fix with a short shelf-life. What’s worse, it rarely reaches the heart of our children for good. This talk will explore the reasons why we as parents often yell at our children and the damaging effect it can have on our relationship with them. We'll also look at a number of practical ways you can discourage disobedience without all the shouting.
Why consistent rewards and consequences are critical to helping your children understand your expectations.
Strict honesty. A clean room. A servant’s heart. Children don’t understand the importance of these things like we do. How can we help them understand? With training wheels. What are these training wheels, you ask? This talk will explore the power of creative rewards and consequences and how they bring a critical balance to the way you raise your children.
Steps to ensure your children obey the right way and for the right reasons.
Most parents covet obedience in their children above every other character quality; but obedience can be harmful if we do not show our children how to obey the right way and for the right reasons. In this talk we'll explore how there are actually 3 different levels of obedience and we'll examine some practical ways that we, as parents, can help our children acquire a TRULY obedient heart.
The term "Separation of Church and State" has been blanketed over every issue of religion in the public sphere, and thrown up by critics as a blockade against religious expression. Along with the history of the statement, Mr. Campos will present the dangers of continuing this misrepresentation of Thomas Jefferson's famous words, and the proper relationship between God and the American government.
In an effort to achieve safety, Americans increasingly wish to give more control over everyday affairs to the government. But when does it become too much? This session will show that giving up our freedoms in the name of safety is antithetical to the American system of liberty and individual responsibility.
Socialism is now becoming a mainstream political possibility. But is it the answer to America's problems as advertised by politicians and academics? This presentation will cover the foundation of the American system, why it is incompatible with Socialism moving forward, the inherent dangers of adopting a Socialist government, and why this ideology is becoming so popular.
How often have you heard that "Roe v Wade" is law? How often have people talked about how abortion is legal, or that it is the law of the land? What if we were to tell you it isn't legal? In this session, Mr. Campos will teach the truth about Roe v. Wade and the judgement that was passed by the Supreme Court. He will cover what the Constitution says, (and the lie that abortion is a constitutional right) and what the Pro-Life industry should be saying about it.
Learn the truth about the intertwining of faith and politics, and how to discuss them with others. Using quotes from the founders themselves, Massey will address the truth about separation of church and state, the common arguments and misconceptions about faith and the political sphere, what Scripture really says, and how to accurately articulate your position. This session will leave you feeling confident in having a conversation with others about how your politics are informed by your faith, and why that is a good thing!
A place for everything, and everything in its place. Yes, an orderly homeschool environment does matter. But how do you create such an atmosphere when using a literature-based approach to learning (or really any approach to learning)? There are books and school tools everywhere! Whether you’re using a literature-based, or classical, or traditional, or unit-study curriculum, this workshop will offer practical tips on keeping track of your materials and creating a peaceful learning environment. Come join Rhonda Helmreich as she shares steps to reaching the goal of reclaiming an organized homeschool.
There’s no need to abandon the literature-rich approach to homeschooling once your child reaches high school. Learn how to create a 4-year high school plan—infused with great literature—and how to translate that education into an impressive yet factual high school transcript. Veteran homeschool mom Rhonda Helmreich will also share how she motivates teens to finish well in the final years of homeschooling without nagging or destroying the parent-child relationship.
Literature-based learning is a great choice for teaching children across multiple ages. There is no better way to create relationship and develop strong bonds between your children that will last a lifetime. Learn how to establish an environment that encourages learning together. Veteran homeschool mom Rhonda Helmreich will share practical ideas for planning and organizing your time to incorporate shared learning through the use of good literature.
Homeschooling is not the only “job” you have as a mom. Whether you have a full-time job, volunteer for an organization, or have a sideline that takes your time on a regular basis, the stress can add up in a hurry. Balance is the key to successfully pull off the juggling act between work and homeschool. Join Rhonda Helmreich as she helps you set goals and establish boundaries that make it possible to do both well.
A place for everything, and everything in its place. Yes, an orderly homeschool environment does matter. But how do you create such an atmosphere when using a literature-based approach to learning (or really any approach to learning)? There are books and school tools everywhere! Whether you’re using a literature-based, or classical, or traditional, or unit-study curriculum, this workshop will offer practical tips on keeping track of your materials and creating a peaceful learning environment. Come join Judy Wnuk as she shares steps to reaching the goal of reclaiming an organized homeschool.
Homeschooling is not the only “job” you have as a mom. Whether you have a full-time job, volunteer for an organization, or have a sideline that takes your time on a regular basis, the stress can add up in a hurry. Balance is the key to successfully pull off the juggling act between work and homeschool. Join Judy Wnuk as she helps you set goals and establish boundaries that make it possible to do both well.
Literature-based learning is a great choice for teaching children across multiple ages. There is no better way to create relationship and develop strong bonds between your children that will last a lifetime. Learn how to establish an environment that encourages learning together. Veteran homeschool mom Judy Wnuk will share practical ideas for planning and organizing your time to incorporate shared learning through the use of good literature.
There’s no need to abandon the literature-rich approach to homeschooling once your child reaches high school. Learn how to create a 4-year high school plan—infused with great literature—and how to translate that education into an impressive yet factual high school transcript. Veteran homeschool mom Judy Wnuk will also share how she motivates teens to finish well in the final years of homeschooling without nagging or destroying the parent-child relationship.
Literature-based learning is a great choice for teaching children across multiple ages. There is no better way to create relationship and develop strong bonds between your children that will last a lifetime. Learn how to establish an environment that encourages learning together. Veteran homeschool mom Sandy Hotz will share practical ideas for planning and organizing your time to incorporate shared learning through the use of good literature.
Literature-based learning is a great choice for teaching children across multiple ages. There is no better way to create relationship and develop strong bonds between your children that will last a lifetime. Learn how to establish an environment that encourages learning together. Veteran homeschool mom Sandy Hotz will share practical ideas for planning and organizing your time to incorporate shared learning through the use of good literature.
A place for everything, and everything in its place. Yes, an orderly homeschool environment does matter. But how do you create such an atmosphere when using a literature-based approach to learning (or really any approach to learning)? There are books and school tools everywhere! Whether you’re using a literature-based, or classical, or traditional, or unit-study curriculum, this workshop will offer practical tips on keeping track of your materials and creating a peaceful learning environment. Come join Sandy Hotz as she shares steps to reaching the goal of reclaiming an organized homeschool.
A place for everything, and everything in its place. Yes, an orderly homeschool environment does matter. But how do you create such an atmosphere when using a literature-based approach to learning (or really any approach to learning)? There are books and school tools everywhere! Whether you’re using a literature-based, or classical, or traditional, or unit-study curriculum, this workshop will offer practical tips on keeping track of your materials and creating a peaceful learning environment. Come join Sandy Hotz as she shares steps to reaching the goal of reclaiming an organized homeschool.
There’s no need to abandon the literature-rich approach to homeschooling once your child reaches high school. Learn how to create a 4-year high school plan—infused with great literature—and how to translate that education into an impressive yet factual high school transcript. Veteran homeschool mom Sandy Hotz will also share how she motivates teens to finish well in the final years of homeschooling without nagging or destroying the parent-child relationship.
There’s no need to abandon the literature-rich approach to homeschooling once your child reaches high school. Learn how to create a 4-year high school plan—infused with great literature—and how to translate that education into an impressive yet factual high school transcript. Veteran homeschool mom Sandy Hotz will also share how she motivates teens to finish well in the final years of homeschooling without nagging or destroying the parent-child relationship.
Homeschooling is not the only “job” you have as a mom. Whether you have a full-time job, volunteer for an organization, or have a sideline that takes your time on a regular basis, the stress can add up in a hurry. Balance is the key to successfully pull off the juggling act between work and homeschool. Join Sandy Hotz as she helps you set goals and establish boundaries that make it possible to do both well.
Homeschooling is not the only “job” you have as a mom. Whether you have a full-time job, volunteer for an organization, or have a sideline that takes your time on a regular basis, the stress can add up in a hurry. Balance is the key to successfully pull off the juggling act between work and homeschool. Join Sandy Hotz as she helps you set goals and establish boundaries that make it possible to do both well.
Those who come into the renewal of classical education almost always feel overwhelmed when encountering a grand, long, deep tradition of learning and education. What to read? How can I possibly read through such a large list of “great books?” Where to begin? With Whom? These questions are often mixed with both excitement and anxiety. In this very practical seminar, we will consider a “top 100” list and a ten-year plan for reading deeply and without anxiety—and with friends. Every participant will be given a handout or access to a PDF containing “Perrin’s Top 100,” an annotated, ranked list of books to read with suggestions for sequencing and focusing one’s reading. Time will be set aside at the end of the seminar for discussion and questions.
As classical education has grown and renewed and blessed many, it has also attracted some critics. Some of the critics have pointed out legitimate weaknesses in the renewal and have essentially hit the target with their criticisms—and many of the best criticisms of classical education come from within the renewal. In this seminar, we will consider two common criticisms of the renewal, namely that classical educators are often proud and elitist. As one way of addressing pride among classical educators, we will consider the cover story article on classical education published in the September, 2019 edition of Christianity Today and written by Dr. Louis Markos, entitled “The Rise of the Bible-Teaching, Plato-Loving, Homeschool Elitists.”
In 1980 and 1981, three classical Christian schools were planted, each without knowledge of the other. About this same time, homeschoolers were seeking a better way of educating their children and looking to the past for better models than what we all have experienced in modern, progressive schools. In a remarkable convergence of effort, Christians of all kinds began to rediscover and then renew classical, “liberal arts” education. What have learned after 40 years? What have we done well and what have we not done so well? What is the work that remains before us and what are the pitfalls we must avoid? What is the current state of the renewal in its extent, quality, and influence? In this seminar, we will trace the history of the renewal, while seeking wisdom for the way ahead.
Enjoy this special session featuring Randall Goodgame and The Rabbit Room Panel!: Why Imagination Matters
Description: CS Lewis said, "For me, reason is the natural organ of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning.” In this session, speakers from the Rabbit Room explore the ways in which the imagination brings the deepest truths to bear in our lives and in the lives of our children.
Drawing on experiences as beloved storytellers and in-the-trenches parents, Randall Goodgame and S. D. Smith offer insights, hope, and tools for navigating the story of family. This helpful session may also include: humor, music, writing insights, and Irish arm wrestling. Proceed with caution!
Andrew Pudewa | Institute for Excellence in Writing
The power of humor and mirth to aid in effective teaching is certain. Although some people have more of a natural inclination toward humor than others, everyone can study and learn how to use the elements of humor to improve their teaching and speaking skills. Join Andrew and learn to incorporate rhetorical techniques of Misunderstanding, Absurdity, Hyperbole, Exaggeration, Understatement, Double Entendre, and more.
Andrew Pudewa | Institute for Excellence in Writing
Music has become such an ever-present influence in our daily lives, we seldom stop to consider what effect it has on us. But we must. As we changed over the last hundred years from being music makers to music consumers, we have gradually lost control over, and even awareness of, our auditory environment. In what way is music beneficial to our bodies and minds? In what circumstances can it actually be harmful? Solid scientific research provides some astounding answers to such questions—indeed, facts that must not be ignored by today’s parents and children.
Andrew Pudewa | Institute for Excellence in Writing
A continuation of Andrew’s talk on “Fairy Tales and the Moral Imagination,” this presentation will go deeper into exploring the richness of traditional children’s literature, with an emphasis on what to read aloud as well as how to guide children’s reading so that it’s not only enjoyable but also helps awaken a sense of wonder while instilling character and virtue.
Andrew Pudewa | Institute for Excellence in Writing
A student of motivation for decades, Andrew has organized fundamental ideas of motivation into three categories: Four forms of relevancy, the three laws of motivation, and two secret weapons. This is an expansion of Andrew’s previous talk, “Teaching Boys and Other Children Who Would Rather Be Making Forts All Day,” with new and updated information, stories, and tips to keep kids happy and learning well.
Andrew Pudewa | Institute for Excellence in Writing
An in-depth look at the neurophysiological differences between boys and girls—how they hear differently, see differently, handle stress and pain differently, and the implications for our teaching of both boys and girls, this is an expansion on Andrew’s previous “Boys” talk. With added research, together with practical stories and humor, this presentation will delight and enlighten parents of boys, girls, both!
Andrew Pudewa | Institute for Excellence in Writing
What is the nature of culture? Curriculum? How does one affect the other? What single element rests at the core of our success in teaching our children? How can we integrate all these as we work to build community with like-minded fellow homeschoolers in a time when we all feel an increasing need for it? Andrew will share from his three decades of teaching and parenting experience useful concepts and humorous stories to answer these questions and help invigorate your homeschool.
Andrew Pudewa | Institute for Excellence in Writing
Come and contemplate the underestimated value of simple copywork, discover the power of text reconstruction, experience the delight of author imitation, and learn the surprising relationship between text analysis and creativity.
Wendy is host of “The 40 Day Sugar Fast” online each January, as well as “The 40 Day Social Media Fast” each spring. Join her for this highly convicting but practical talk about how sugar and social media affects busy homeschooling moms today. Instead of running to the pantry or hiding behind your phone when the pressures mount, learn to run to Jesus and hide in Him! Smartphones don’t make us smart, and sugar can’t make us sweet… but Jesus can make us wise and kind!
Whether you struggle with your kids during school-time, dinner-time, quiet-time, or anytime… this session is for you. Spend an hour examining the words you speak to your kids, then make a plan to script some better words. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, defaulting to the same old threats and ineffective consequences. We’re getting practical in this interactive session, so bring a notebook.
From learning disabilities, backtalk and disrespect, to math meltdowns (theirs and ours) and getting out the door for church on Sunday mornings, we'll journey together through some of the most common parenting pitfalls. Wendy shares her own personal struggles and simple (Biblical) ways to respond gently, even when you're feeling triggered. When your children do wrong, you can still do right.
Grab a friend and start the conference off with laughter rather than trepidation. You’ve come to the Great Homeschool Convention because you want to give your child the very best at-home education possible. You’ve studied their learning styles, their personalities, and their love languages, and now you’re eager to find just the right curriculum for each student. But before you do, let’s talk about you. Join author and homeschooling mom, Wendy Speake, for this fun but applicable lesson, suggesting simple ways to recognize your own strengths and limitations, in order to give your child the very best you have to offer.
Our goal as homeschoolers is to teach as effectively as possible, so it can be stressful when the lessons we teach aren’t understood, or our children seem frustrated. Come to this workshop to learn how to overcome obstacles that may limit your ability to teach, and your children’s ability to understand. Shared from the perspective of the student, Ashley will provide tips that can help your children achieve their greatest learning success.
Children love being successful, so when they aren't, how can you help? Come listen to the personal homeschooling experience of a student who faced obstacles to learning and overcame them with the help of her mother, who was a lifelong educator. Shared with humor and honesty, Ashley will describe methods that can help your children gain confidence to learn.
Are you struggling with teaching your high school student? Hope for the High School Years is a down to earth talk with a homeschool graduate about the ups and downs of life with a high school student. If you are in need of a little encouragement and some proof that everything will work out for the best, please join Ashley for an uplifting workshop that will leave you with a new understanding of how to successfully homeschool through high school.
The natural approach to learning is founded on the desire to follow your child’s developmentally appropriate timetable. This approach is based on proven educational principles from Dr. Ruth Beechick, Charlotte Mason, Dr. Benjamin Bloom and others. Natural learning does not mean learning without goals or structure. It means learning is customized, multi-sensory and engaging. Come to this workshop to hear the top ten reasons why a natural approach will enable you and your family to flourish.
Thinking skills are buzzwords in education today—everyone wants to include them in their curriculum plans! In this seminar, homeschool graduate and Editor-in-Chief of Homeschooling Today magazine, Ashley, will explain what thinking skills are and how to incorporate strategies into daily life that will bring great results in your child’s ability to think. Include these ideas to add critical thinking to any curriculum!
It can be difficult to keep the big picture of homeschooling in mind amidst the trials of everyday life. Ashley will share about what really makes a difference in the end, from the perspective of a homeschool graduate. She will speak to common concerns on the hearts and minds of parents and bring encouragement for the journey ahead.
Geography helps students understand cause and effect and teaches critical thinking effortlessly. Don’t miss the opportunity to help your children see the big picture of learning with the essential pieces of cultural and geographic knowledge. Come hear Ashley (a homeschool graduate and author) share about the importance of geography and how to integrate it into your homeschool.
Tradition feels safe, but what if there’s a better way? Show your children the connections between all areas of learning that will pave the way for lifelong learners. You can use science, history and worldview as your base while teaching the "tool skills" of reading and writing. Come to hear how you can increase efficiency, enjoyment and interest in your homeschooling life.
Ashley’s story of going from non-writer to published author is unconventional. The support and encouragement she received through her homeschool experience enabled her to be the writer and Editor-in-Chief of Homeschooling Today magazine she is now. You are not just a teacher, you’re also the parent. This means when we teach writing in our homes, it should look different than when it’s taught in other settings. Find out how you can implement these important writing principles in your home!
We all want the adventure, but what does it really take to make this dream a reality? Come hear this homeschool grad share the methods that made her schooling experience memorable and successful. From living books and reading aloud to understanding developmental stages, Ashley will help transform the way you see your homeschool. Homeschooling can be the adventure of a lifetime. Come to this workshop and find out how.
Children are developmental. They will reach certain milestones at varying ages and it is our job to make sure we’re matching expectations with an understanding of how children learn and progress. Building the right foundation will enable you and your children to enjoy the process of learning. Come hear why this homeschool graduate and national magazine editor became a lifelong learner.
The greatest enemy of homeschooling that all parents contend with is fear. Don’t let fear steal from your family’s ability to enjoy and thrive in this homeschooling journey. Come and be encouraged as Ashley shares strategies for recognizing and eliminating fear from your homeschool! This homeschool graduate and daughter of homeschooling pioneers Debbie and Greg Strayer will calm your fears and leave you with a sense of hope.
Homeschooling offers the possibility to educate in a way that is lasting and meaningful. We don’t have to see it as a list of tasks to be completed. We can see it as the opportunity it is to learn through meaningful discussions, experiences, deep understanding, and the building of relationships. Come to receive practical ideas and listen as this homeschool graduate and author shares about her unique view of education given through the meaningful approach her family took to homeschooling.
People of all ages are captivated by dinosaurs. Unfortunately, evolutionists use dinosaurs to indoctrinate the young and the old with an earth history that includes millions of years but has no room for the Bible. This presentation will show the power of a person’s starting assumptions (or “worldview”) when interpreting past events and will define the different types of sciences used in investigating the world around us, with a thorough exploration of these enigmatic lizards. Let’s take dinosaurs to the Bible and see what God’s word has to say about them!
1 Peter 3:15 commands us to have answers and always be ready to defend the Christian faith. This presentation will supply people with vital information about fossils and the Flood. The Alternative: Creation’s Competitive Edge is a great first time presentation designed to train people in how to share the Christian faith using the creation account found in the book of Genesis.
Dr. Carter shares historical insight into Darwin’s past and the ideas that helped formulate the most widely embraced theory in science. Do Darwin’s theories on origins still stand up in today’s scientific world? If he were alive today, what would he think of the currently accepted evidence for his theory? In light of modern science, would he dare to invent an evolutionary theory of origins if he were still around now? Come find out What Darwin Didn’t Know.
Today, bible-believers are a great minority among practicing scientists and are subject to much persecution. Yet, modern science was developed on principles directly derived from Christian theology. Despite that history, science today operates without even token admission of its roots. How does this affect current scientific practices? Can we trust the conclusions of all those men and women in white lab coats? Can science operate in a moral and ontological vacuum? We will examine three examples of how the turn from belief in God has affected modern thought: geomorphology (the shape of the earth’s surface), fossilization (the process of preserving the remains of living organisms), and genetics (specifically as it relates to the genetic history of mankind). In each of these subject areas, we will examine the evolutionary scenarios put forth to date and weight them against solid biblical exposition. In the end, we will see that the evolutionary conclusions for each of these subjects is derived more from starting assumptions than it is from reality. Science belongs under the umbrella of Christianity.
There is no specific reason in evolutionary theory to predict a single male ancestor for the human race, but he certainly existed. This single ancestor is also a direct prediction of the biblical text. By analyzing the 1000 Genomes Y chromosome database, it is possible to conclude that 'Y chromosome Noah' lived in the biblical time frame, in the Middle East.
Adam and Eve are the ancestors of all people who have ever lived. You may never hear this on television, and, sadly, this fact is not taught in many churches today. Yet, there is a lot of evidence not only for Adam and Eve, but also for Noah's Flood and the Tower of Babel. Where is this evidence? In our genes! Come and hear about the history of the world as we know it from genetics. The book of Genesis comes alive if one knows where to look, and Dr. Carter has spent years searching for the clues that lead to the answer to the question of the origin of all the peoples on earth. Now, when confronted with a person who does not believe the Bible, you will be equipped to answer with a simple question, "But what did you expect to see?" The things we are learning from modern genetics points straight at Genesis. Come and meet your ancestors: Adam and Eve!
The human genome is anything but simple. In fact, it is a super-complex computer operating system that far exceeds anything created by humans to date. New revelations about how it works have surprised us, and the complexity of the code is nothing short of astounding. The genome, perhaps more than anything else, defies naturalistic evolutionary theory.
One of the most compelling reasons to believe in the biblical Creator is the reality of right and wrong. Keaton explains why moral relativism is bankrupt—there are moral facts which we cannot rationally deny. But it turns out, evolution cannot account for these moral facts. Rather, moral laws point to a Moral Lawgiver.
Many in our culture doubt that there ever was a worldwide Flood, as the Bible describes. Keaton walks through the Bible’s teaching to show that it does indeed portray Noah’s Flood as a global catastrophe. He also shows how there was plenty of room on the Ark for all the necessary animals, and that earth's rocks and fossils provide abundant evidence that there really was a Flood in earth’s past.
In this talk, Keaton Halley shows how various features of living things provide compelling evidence for a Creator. He explores 3 categories of evidence used to support evolution and demonstrates how they actually point more strongly to biblical truths about God as Designer and the aftermath of Adam's sin. Learn about the remarkable similarities shared by diverse animals, the difference between natural selection and evolution, and how the Bible accounts for the cruelty in nature. You'll be encouraged as you are reminded that God's existence and attributes are "clearly perceived… in the things that have been made" (Romans 1:20).
Adam and Eve are the ancestors of all people who have ever lived. You may never hear this on television, and, sadly, this fact is not taught in many churches today. Yet, there is a lot of evidence not only for Adam and Eve, but also for Noah's Flood and the Tower of Babel. Where is this evidence? In our genes! Come and hear about the history of the world as we know it from genetics. The book of Genesis comes alive if one knows where to look, and Dr. Carter has spent years searching for the clues that lead to the answer to the question of the origin of all the peoples on earth. Now, when confronted with a person who does not believe the Bible, you will be equipped to answer with a simple question, "But what did you expect to see?" The things we are learning from modern genetics points straight at Genesis. Come and meet your ancestors: Adam and Eve!
A powerful and attention-grabbing presentation on the vital importance of the Bible’s history in Genesis: how it is foundational to the Gospel and relevant to our world and society. The authority of the Bible is paramount. Items of scientific evidence are woven into the presentation in a way that is easily understood by the layperson, as is the Gospel message. Christians are motivated to become armed and equipped to be able to ‘give an answer’ and to be vastly more effective at personal evangelism, thus stimulating church growth. In addition, their own personal faith is strengthened. Non-Christians are challenged to see the issues in a different light, and at the same time get salvation-relevant information which an ‘evidence-only’ talk would not provide.
This talk, with very minor modifications, is suitable and appropriate for both church services and public meetings. The titles used might vary, and there is a fair bit of variation in the examples used. Different emphases would be used for public meetings, church services or school talks, etc, but many of the same points are covered in each.
People of all ages are captivated by dinosaurs. Unfortunately, evolutionists use dinosaurs to indoctrinate the young and the old with an earth history that includes millions of years but has no room for the Bible. This presentation will show the power of a person’s starting assumptions (or “worldview”) when interpreting past events and will define the different types of sciences used in investigating the world around us, with a thorough exploration of these enigmatic lizards. Let’s take dinosaurs to the Bible and see what God’s word has to say about them!
Human evolution is often cited as one of the strongest reasons for rejecting biblical creation. But unknown to the public, there is a stark contrast between the public perception of the fossil evidence and the actual views expressed by experts in the field. This talk covers some of the latest in human paleoanthropology, showing that humans could not have evolved from ape-like creatures. The fossils fits best with biblical creation—Mankind is unique and could not have shared a common ancestry with the apes. These fossils are now known to fall into two very distinct groups—fully human, or fully ape. Examples covered in this talk include Neanderthals, H. erectus, H. sapiens, A. afarensis (Lucy’s kind), H. habilis and A. Sediba, and some of the newer finds such as the Hobbit and H. naledi.
The human genome is anything but simple. In fact, it is a super-complex computer operating system that far exceeds anything created by humans to date. New revelations about how it works have surprised us, and the complexity of the code is nothing short of astounding. The genome, perhaps more than anything else, defies naturalistic evolutionary theory.
This presentation addresses the issue of racism, looking at Darwinism’s impact on the racism. It addresses the issue of natural selection, mutations, speciation, and Chimp-human similarity in a way that is easy to understand. It looks at what the Bible says about these issues and explains how the Tower of Babel and the Biblical show that we are all one human race made in the image of Christ with Christ as our Kinsman Redeemer.
People of all ages are captivated by dinosaurs. Unfortunately, evolutionists use dinosaurs to indoctrinate the young and the old with an earth history that includes millions of years but has no room for the Bible. This presentation will show the power of a person’s starting assumptions (or “worldview”) when interpreting past events and will define the different types of sciences used in investigating the world around us, with a thorough exploration of these enigmatic lizards. Let’s take dinosaurs to the Bible and see what God’s word has to say about them!
This talk reveals interesting theological insights from the first few chapters of Genesis on Creation and the Fall. Did you know that Eve thought she had given birth to the promised God-Man? And if death is an enemy, why did God prevent Adam and Eve from eating from the Tree of Life if that would have allowed them to live forever? Did Adam really die physically the day he ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? When did the fall happen? When did Satan fall into sin? Where did Cain get his wife? And what Biblical doctrines depend upon the historical order of Creation and the Fall?
A powerful and attention-grabbing presentation on the vital importance of the Bible’s history in Genesis: how it is foundational to the Gospel and relevant to our world and society. The authority of the Bible is paramount. Items of scientific evidence are woven into the presentation in a way that is easily understood by the layperson, as is the Gospel message. Christians are motivated to become armed and equipped to be able to ‘give an answer’ and to be vastly more effective at personal evangelism, thus stimulating church growth. In addition, their own personal faith is strengthened. Non-Christians are challenged to see the issues in a different light, and at the same time get salvation-relevant information which an ‘evidence-only’ talk would not provide.
No question is too small as homeschooling moms, and popular podcasters Sarah Mackenzie, Colleen Kessler, Pam Barnhill gather for an encouraging (and often enlightening) panel discussion. Grab a cuppa or your favorite cold beverage and your most pressing homeschool questions and join us as we kick back and discuss the nitty-gritty details mom-to-mom.
Homeschooling is hard. There’s so much to do— and we want to do it all well. This is the most important job we’ll ever have, right?
God promises unshakable peace even in difficult circumstances, but how can we find that peace when we’re frantically trying to meet all the requirements of homeschooling?
In this session, Sarah shares how to focus on what matters most and teach from a state of rest. Want more peace and less worry in your homeschool days? This session is for you.
We want to raise kids who love to read, but that doesn’t always happen on its own. Think about your own school days: were the books you read for class the same books you stayed up late reading under the covers with a flashlight? After you had written the book report or essay, did you eagerly start reading the book again to lose yourself in the story?
As homeschoolers, we can do better. The good news? It’s easier than you think.
In this session, Sarah will share a handful of simple steps to change the way you engage your kids with books. If you want your kids to grow up knowing reading as one of life’s sweetest delights, this session is for you.
Pam Barnhill | Homeschool Solutions with Pam Barnhill
No question is too small as homeschooling moms, and popular podcasters Sarah Mackenzie, Colleen Kessler, Pam Barnhill gather for an encouraging (and often enlightening) panel discussion. Grab a cuppa or your favorite cold beverage and your most pressing homeschool questions and join us as we kick back and discuss the nitty-gritty details mom-to-mom.
Pam Barnhill | Homeschool Solutions with Pam Barnhill
Having a homeschool year with less turbulence depends on creating a homeschool plan that can flex to meet the demands of the day-to-day and all the challenges life throws at you along the way. Join Pam as she outlines the ten steps you need to put your homeschool year on autopilot and spend less time planning, worrying, and trying to keep everything in the air during the school year so you can enjoy your kids more.
Pam Barnhill | Homeschool Solutions with Pam Barnhill
What if you had just two hours each day to educate your kids? You would probably divide one hour between math, reading, and composition — three skills basic to all other learning. This talk is about what to do with that other hour. Building on the Four Rs — ritual, reading aloud, recitation, and relationship — Pam shows you how to create a content-rich, life-giving plan for everyone in your homeschool no matter what their ages. With tons of practical examples, book suggestions, and encouragement, this talk will have you walking away confident in the most effective hour of your day.
(one hour for parents of younger students) (A Cradle to Cap n Gown approach to FREE College!)
Grade school is not too early to gain an edge for the future without the pressure that often accompanies students later in school. Learn to teach younger students age-appropriate goal setting while identifying their passions and directing their future. Parents will be given a roadmap for success to create future leaders, find scholarships now and teach successful life skills. Discover a fun assignment that contains the five key things that children need every day for a strong foundation of health and well-being all throughout their educational journey.
(one hour for parents and students) (Parents and teens will learn about amazing scholarships from this misunderstood test.)
Imagine throwing away seven trash bags full of college offers! It happened to my family and it could happen to yours. How? The PSAT. Contrary to popular belief, “P” does not stand for practice. In reality the PSAT is a scholarship qualifying test, and it can write you a ticket to just about any college. Discover the 3 little-known secrets about the PSAT and 11 steps to success! Learn how to get colleges begging you to enroll and pick up the tab at the same time.
“TOP TEN HOMESCHOOLING SECRETS TO BEAT STANDARDIZED TESTS”
(Truth Revealed! Learn how you’ve been lied to by counselors, friends, test-makers and test prep companies.)
Homeschoolers are not at a disadvantage when it comes to acing standardized tests. But there are little known secrets that can hinder scores and scholarship money. We uncover wrong information that’s been perpetrated for years. Discover why colleges are coveting homeschoolers and how they use tests like the SAT/ACT and PSAT to validate the transcript. You will join tens of thousands of informed families and walk away knowing the key to beating these tests and how your student can receive life-changing, incredible scholarship money!
Test-prep Guru, Jean Burk, will share her secrets of SAT success that have helped tens of thousands of students raise their test scores as much as 600 points! Learn how to find shortcuts in test patterns and save time on all types of questions. Math, Writing, Reading and Essay are all covered in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you have kids in high school, you can’t miss this seminar about preparing them for the SAT!
(one hour for parents/teens) (Discover how this is a learnable test and every question can be answered in 30 seconds or less.)
Are you ready to make $500 an hour? Although it sounds too good to be true, it’s possible to earn this much in scholarships for college. Author, Jean Burk, will teach you two important concepts: how to get into the college of your choice and how to find the scholarships to pay for it. You will learn methods of receiving substantial scholarships that go beyond tuition and may include room and board, graduate school, and money to study abroad! Unlock the keys to finding free college at your fingertips!
(one hour for parents) (Learn different ways to get scholarships as well as FREE college!)
There is only ONE secret ingredient to giving credibility to a homeschool transcript. If you don’t know it, author Jean Burk will share the answer in this incredible lecture. Discover the insider criteria that Harvard uses to judge applicants and why summer break needs to be more than just a vacation. Learn the differences between AP, Dual Enrollment, and CLEP courses and the pros and cons of adding them to your schedule. Find out about the 3-Tier credit plan, so you can correctly build a portfolio that will impress any admissions counselor. If your kids are planning to go to college, you cannot afford to miss this engagement.
(one hour for parents) (Don’t fear the high school years but learn little-known information that can give your student an edge.)
There are 24 billion dollars’ worth of scholarships each year. Learn how to find money from the cradle to cap n gown. Discover key words to search for little-known scholarships and find out the key that the library holds to unknown money. No matter how old your child is, you can’t miss out on the money that is available NOW!
(One hour seminar for all parents.) (Learn the keys to easily finding and receiving college scholarships.)
(one hour for parents of students of any age) (Learn the lies that parents believe that can actually derail the plan for higher education.)
Do you want your child to be among the 24% who receive a college degree? Despite what news media seems to suggest, more than three-quarters of American students won’t graduate from college and those that do often are stuck paying back loans for twenty years. Students are unprepared academically, and parents are unprepared financially—but it doesn’t have to be that way. Take the College Prep Genius test to find out if you’re on the right track. You’ll learn the common myths about preparing kids for higher education and about navigating college tuition. Jean Burk will give you the three keys to FREE college and teach you how to avoid the two main reasons why most students drop out of school.
(They are more alike than you think or have been told.)
Which one is better? We’ve got you covered- no problem! Learn all about the crossover, what colleges take what score and how no matter which one you take- it is accepted nationwide! Find out the recent subtle changes to the ACT and why many of their writers now write for the SAT. Be amazed at how these tests are beatable and there is a crossover of information that works on both. Most importantly, discover why high ACT and SAT scores can yield amazing scholarships.
(Truth Revealed! Learn how you’ve been lied to by counselors, friends, test-makers and test prep companies.)
Homeschoolers are not at a disadvantage when it comes to acing standardized tests. But there are little known secrets that can hinder scores and scholarship money. We uncover wrong information that’s been perpetrated for years. Discover why colleges are coveting homeschoolers and how they use tests like the SAT/ACT and PSAT to validate the transcript. You will join tens of thousands of informed families and walk away knowing the key to beating these tests and how your student can receive life-changing, incredible scholarship money!
(This alternative test is setting a new standard and giving the big guys a run for their money.)
College entrance tests are here to stay but students now have a new option that doesn’t include the dreaded SAT or ACT. The Classic Learning Test (CLT) is quickly being adopted for entrance and scholarships by colleges across the nation. Families will love this test because they will find that the test’s content isn’t at odds with their core beliefs; the exam’s approach represents traditional values that families adhere to by reconnecting intellectual pursuit and virtue. Learn insider information since the CLT partnered with College Prep Genius as the ONLY test prep company they recommend!
In this seminar, Dr. Jay L. Wile explains how any parent can help his or her children learn science at the upper levels. As a former University teacher and a former high school teacher, Dr. Wile is a staunch advocate of homeschooling a student all the way through the high school years. He agrees that most parents do not have the ability to teach the high school sciences at home, but he also contends that this is not a problem. By the time a homeschooled student reaches high school, he or she should have the ability to learn independently or with the help of another. Thus, Dr. Wile admonishes the parent to learn the subject right along with the student. With both the parent and the student helping each other learn, an upper level science experience can be equally rewarding for both!
In order to help the homeschooling parent plan his or her science curriculum, Dr. Wile provides study timelines for both the science-oriented and the non-science-oriented student. In addition, he discusses the mathematical skills needed in order to maintain the proposed timeline.
Many homeschooling parents feel inadequate when it comes to helping their children learn science. As a result, they think that the their students should eventually go to school to learn it. In this talk, Dr. Wile draws on various sources to demonstrate that in fact, homeschool is the ideal environment for learning science. He discusses studies that indicate homeschool graduates excel in science, shares his own personal experiences with homeschool graduates who are studying science at the university level, and gives some case studies that illustrate his point. He also surveys the various options homeschoolers have at their disposal for teaching science, especially at the junior high and high school levels.
hem as they were improved by later scientists. This has a lot of similarities to the spiral approach, but when students revisit a topic, it is not just repetition with a little more depth thrown in. The student learns the topic in the context of a new scientist and his improvements on the idea. This produces the high levels of recall that the spiral approach produces, but it is more interesting to the students. It also gives students a more realistic view of how science is done in the real world.
Many homeschooling parents don’t like experiments. They are messy, they take a lot of time to prepare, and often, they simply don’t work. Are science experiments really worth all the trouble? In this talk, Dr. Wile will discuss why science educators think experiments are necessary, and then he will give you a realistic assessment of when experiments are important and when they are not. He will also give you tips for how to make the science experiments you do more likely to actually work. Finally, he will give you some excellent resources that will make your life easier when it comes to science education. Whether your children are in elementary school or high school, you will benefit from this talk.
Dr. Wile became involved in homeschooling because his best university students were homeschool graduates. Since then, he has expected homeschoolers to become the leaders of their generation. To investigate whether or not his expectation is coming true, Dr. Wile tracked down several homeschooled students who are now adults and learned what they are doing. In this talk, Dr. Wile tells you what he learned about their accomplishments. You will be amazed at how they are making a difference in the world around them. In addition, Dr. Wile shares the advice that these incredible young adults offer to parents who are currently homeschooling and to students who are currently being homeschooled.
Dr. Wile used to be an atheist. However, the more he learned about science, the less reasonable the atheist view became. Science directed him to believe in a Creator, and eventually, he learned that the Creator is the God of the Bible. There are many atheists who have experienced similar journeys. In this seminar, Dr. Wile talks about the journeys of several 20th- and 21st-century atheists who became Christians. From attorneys to engineers to scientists to historians to English professors, their stories provide remarkable insight into how God calls each one of us to Him.
Julie Ross | A Gentle Feast - Charlotte Mason Curriculum
Julie H Ross often gets asked this common question when she shows the stack of books she is using for the coming school year. When she told a mother about Charlotte Mason’s powerful practice of having the students retell, or narrate, back what they read or heard, the mother responded, “It sounds too good to be true. Is it really that easy?” Julie’s answer: “It is far from easy, but the practice is powerful.” Join Julie H Ross for this informative workshop where she breaks down this powerful method into simple steps that will equip you to start implementing this practice right away.
Julie Ross | A Gentle Feast - Charlotte Mason Curriculum
Charlotte Mason wrote that the traditional methods of teaching reading in her day were “one of the many ways in which children are needlessly and cruelly oppressed,” and were “an abuse of his intelligence.” What were the methods she so vehemently spoke out against? Unfortunately, many of them are still used to teach reading today. In her volumes, Miss Mason outlined steps in a reading lesson that would arouse the imagination and awaken the “joyous interest which is the real secret of success.” In this super practical workshop, Julie H Ross (who has taught dozens of children how to read), will guide you through Miss Mason’s approach to reading lessons. You will walk away ready to implement this method in your home without spending any money on expensive curriculum or fancy manipulatives.
Julie Ross | A Gentle Feast - Charlotte Mason Curriculum
“As knowledge is not assimilated until it is reproduced, children should ‘tell back’ after a single reading or hearing: or should write on some part of what they have read. A single reading is insisted on, because children have naturally great power of attention; but this force is dissipated by the re-reading of passages, and also, by questioning, summarizing. and the like.” (Charlotte Mason’s 20 Principles)
Julie Ross | A Gentle Feast - Charlotte Mason Curriculum
“We spread an abundant and delicate feast in the programnes and each small guest assimilates what he can.” (Charlotte Mason, Vol. 6, p. 183) Charlotte Mason states that a child’s mind must be fed a consistent diet of living ideas in order to grow intellectually in the same way a child’s body needs nourishing food for proper development. She proposed that the role of the educator is to consistently prepare this abundant and rich feast. In this 101 workshop, you will be given an overview of Charlotte Mason’s foundational principles, leaving you inspired to create an educational feast for your family. Come, whet your appetite and see how this Victorian educational pioneer can transform your home school.
Julie Ross | A Gentle Feast - Charlotte Mason Curriculum
Charlotte Mason said, “Next in order to religious knowledge, history is the pivot upon which our curriculum turns.” (Vol. 6, p. 273) What does this mean? How is Charlotte Mason’s approach to history different than unit studies? What order did her programmes give to History? Is teaching History with living books the only way her philosophy impacts the study of this subject? In this in-depth workshop, Julie H Ross, creator of A Gentle Feast will break down how to practically approach History with Miss Mason’s methods of living ideas, narration, short lessons, notebooks, and more.
One part of homeschooling that can be intimidating is teaching across many grade levels. The norm in our society is to group children together by age but research is clear that multi-age learning experiences benefit everyone. Learn some strategies for homeschooling (and juggling) kids of many ages from Ginny Yurich, homeschooling mother of five and founder of 1000 Hours Outside. Leave encouraged that this is the best option for learning and for living!
Whereas the public school system is very uniform, the landscape of homeschool includes all sorts of variety. This variety can sometimes lead to confusion about the decisions we make along our homeschooling journeys. We know that God is a lover of variety. We can see that simply by looking at His creation. He made 7,000 different types of apples, for instance. In this session you will learn how to cater learning to the individual interests of your children and you will leave embracing the freedom that homeschooling offers each family.
As the public schools continue to become less safe physically, emotionally, and spiritually, more and more parents are considering homeschooling. On a daily basis, parents around the country are wanting to bring their children home to learn, but they are often at a loss with where to begin. It can be overwhelming to start the process, but once you get going, homeschooling can be easy, refreshing, and enjoyable! Just like we often get a quick start guide to electronics, this session by Ginny Yurich, homeschooling mother of five and former public school educator, will be providing a quick start guide to starting your children on their home education. You will leave this session believing that you are the best teacher for your child!
In the last few decades, childhood has largely moved inside. With so many great opportunities that vie for our time, it’s easy to consider outside play as frivolous. In this session, Ginny Yurich, founder of 1000 Hours Outside reveals how “just” playing outside offers a myriad of developmental benefits to your child and how these benefits will extend through adulthood. Do less and yet gain more with nature immersion!
