Gone are the days when people would choose a career and stick with it for life. Many careers these days last less than three years and the majority of 20-year-olds will have four career changes within that decade. In fact, it is likely that the careers they will have, haven't even been invented yet. How are we supposed to prepare our homeschooled children for a world we can't predict? Lean research backed ways to ensure your homeschooler is prepared for an uncertain future.

The high school years are a prime opportunity to equip your teens with skills they will need for future success. If your teen is headed to college, a career, or the military, they will benefit from study and time management skills. This session provides parents and teens with ideas to incorporate these skills into high school coursework and lists resources to help cultivate these essential skills.

You've tried all the things that seem to work for other people yet still can't find the right homeschool schedule for you. Trust me-you're not alone. Figuring out how to teach multiple ages, fold the laundry, and keep the toddlers from writing on the walls with markers can feel overwhelming. Join 20+ year homeschool veteran and work-at home mom Kim Sorgius as she shares practical ways to wrangle your homeschool schedule for good.

Children’s motivation improves when you teach relevant character qualities and help children believe three specific things. In addition, learn the four roles you must play and comebacks to use when children are frustrated. You’ll love the practical ideas!

This is a practical session on how to listen to what has been said and then how to follow up with good questions to understand the speaker. As families are together 24/7, it is important we learn how to interact in a godly manner. Our job is to encourage and love God who is the One who changes hearts.

Your children have five legitimate needs that drive their wants, choices, actions, and attitudes. (You have the same five needs.) When their needs aren’t met in healthy ways, they can be anxious, depressed, apathetic, competitive, and more. When God meets their needs and you partner well with Him, your children will have less stress and depression and more contentment and joy. You’ll be refreshed by Dr. Kathy’s practical problem-solving approach to behavior, learning, and motivation problems.

Presently there is a big identity crisis among males regarding what a man is. There is no clear transition from childhood to manhood, and the culture has defined men simplistically. As a result, many fathers are relationally isolated and emotionally disconnected leaving them at a loss for how to lead boys into manhood. This workshop will address the culture’s attack on boys/males, the impact of biology on boys/males learning style, mentoring and educational principles to help boys develop into honorable men and concrete action steps moms and dads can take in the developmental process of boys.

Research says that students who learn to manage their academic time are more successful. How do you teach a child to stay on task when they cannot even find their way to the school table? Come and join Gretchen Roe as she shares research into why your child struggles to manage their time and effective ways you can teach them to set goals and stay on task.

Ever read through the PA Homeschool Law? Find the paperwork process confusing? Do you wonder what the law really means? Find out how to comply with PA's homeschool law and what the requirements are in plain language.

How to make learning fun, memorable, and enjoyable. After many years in the classroom, and as a youth leader, followed by many more years as a homeschool dad, Steve shares strategies and tips that he has practiced and developed in his lifetime to help kids learn.

This session is for anyone looking for information about evaluations. It's for those who are preparing to meet with an evaluator as well as for those who might be interested in becoming an evaluator. We'll look at the requirements in the Pennsylvania Home Education Law for both. There'll also be time for questions. Marsha will share her experience in doing evaluations for over 30 years.

There is no right or wrong way to homeschool, yet the homeschool can cater to your specific child. This course will help you to recognize your child’s learning style and how to support it with tips and tricks added to any curriculum. We will also discuss how to help our children understand themselves so they can advocate.

1-2-3 Eyes on Me- Many of us were told we weren’t taking in information unless we were showing it with our whole bodies. However, many children need to move to learn. This course will delve into the times that children benefit from sitting and how to engage our moving, wiggly learners.

Anxiety is a normal emotional response that we all deal with in varying degrees. As parents our hearts hurt when we see our children face anxiety that interferes with their everyday activities and we naturally want to rescue them. What are the red flags for unhealthy anxiety in our children and how do we effectively intervene? This seminar will explore anxiety from a biblical and psychological perspective. Special attention will be given to cognitive and practical strategies to assist parents in fulfilling their God-given roles as coaches and supporters in “training up a child in the way he/she should go” (Proverbs 22:6).

Regardless of the particular passion God has placed in your child, being successful in any profession depends greatly upon the ability to communicate effectively. As a leader, one must learn how to speak the language of your audience and present your message in a way that allows them to perceive and understand the exact purpose of your communication. In this workshop, Rick will give students and parents specific tools and skills to start them on a road to mastering effective communication skills.

Are you longing to find predictable points in your day to bring all your children together around the table rather than distractedly jumping from child to child? This course will provide tips to keep children of all ages and abilities engaged as well as help us to set realistic goals specific to our kid’s needs.

What is a mentor? Who can be a mentor? Do I need a mentor? Where do I find a mentor? Understand the importance of mentoring relationships in your homeschool journey and how unique each one can be.

Do you hate to wear a certain type of clothing? Does the sound of a person chewing really bother you? Do you tap your leg or repeatedly fidget during the day? These are all “sensory quirks.” When these quirks impact your or your child’s participation in what they need and want to do, we need to address it. This course will discuss the eight sensory systems and ways to help our children organize information from them all.

Make learning fun, memorable, and enjoyable. After many years as a teacher and youth leader, Steve had many more years as a homeschool dad. He shares strategies and tips, practiced and developed in his lifetime, that help kids learn.

Develop a scriptural understanding of one of our greatest stewardship assignments. Learn principles for adults to apply to their marriages, and for parents to pass along to their children. Parents, learn practical strategies to apply to your own financial management, and teach your children to grow and be prepared to handle money on their own.

Are you ready to run the race set before you? As in any race or journey, the better informed you are, the better the experience. Whether you’ve already made the decision to homeschool, or are still sitting on the fence, come learn more about homeschooling and requirements here in Massachusetts. Susan addresses a few of the most frequently asked questions and address common concerns of parents just getting started. She hopes her practical advice will leave you informed and encouraged as you begin one of the most important adventures you’ll ever take – the journey of homeschooling your children.

In this fun and creative workshop, you will learn how to create an amazing preschool experience while keeping your child at home. From the latest in scientific research to the organization of supplies, this information packed workshop will help you prepare your child for lifelong learning and make wonderful memories along the way.

(Michele Earles) Hear about the tools that teach your children how to think well and develop understanding of any subject, topic, or trade. Using the Seven Wonders of the ancient world as a springboard, we will model these tools allowing you to experience them yourself!

Wouldn’t it be great that instead of being overwhelmed by your wild child’s spirit, you could embrace all that he is? In this session, we will share our personal experience and knowledge in hopes of encouraging and providing practical strategies that will meet the needs of your child while keeping your sanity.

We have been teaching science wrong for over 100 years - current methods are not inspiring students to pursue science careers. My goal is to present a better understanding of the What, Why, and How to teach science in a way that is more engaging, and therefore this knowledge will be retained. Key topics covered will be: What is Science, SMET not STEM, Physics First, and Motivation by Mission. Not everyone is meant to be an engineer or research scientist, but with a better presentation, everyone can have a basic understanding of the applications and importance of science and math.

Parents struggle with knowing how to balance their child’s use of technology and screen-time. We want our children to know how to use technology, but we struggle with knowing how much screen-time is harmful and addictive. This session will help give you courage and competence to navigate these difficult issues.

First, know that you’re not alone. Secondly, “that” child is a blessing. You may think, “If only you knew.” Well, I do. I have one. What comes to mind when you hear “that child?” Do you smile, or scowl? Do you see yourself? Do you struggle to like that child? Is it difficult? Impossible? That child is a world changer, and God has a plan. All the energy, questions, and strength are God-given for His glory. Come and learn strategies to love, embrace, and train that child.

Let's look at some creative book summary activities for your kids that you can assemble together to provide many different creative ways to summarize a book. We will also discuss the writing process, some quick ways to assemble a sandwich paragraph, and more!

In this workshop, Karen will discuss the characteristics of the four personality types: Popular Sanguine, Powerful Choleric, Perfect Melancholy, and Peaceful Phlegmatic. Then she will discuss how these different personality types learn and how to apply these characteristics in how you teach/train your children.

Experience the Classical Education Model (while learning about triangles) (Michele Earles) Experience Classical Education in action! We will model and practice the three arts of the trivium: grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric. Using the triangles as a springboard, this interactive session will demonstrate how learning progresses throughout a student’s life.

Online courses are a great tool to teach the subjects that you don’t feel comfortable or competent teaching. Your child needs to be prepared for a different type of learning experience. This talk will focus on what the parent should look for in an online course, what types to avoid and how to guide your child during the course to ensure a successful experience. We will also explore the proper balance of online and parent-taught courses.

This will be a time to discuss the value of "not schooling alone" and how to intentionally and strategically make connections with other homeschooling moms/families/kids in your area.

Textbooks have their place, but all textbooks and no fun makes a lot of homeschoolers want to throw schooling out the window! Get ideas about how to carry on the spontaneity of homeschooling fun through the high school years without compromising on the necessary knowledge needed to get into college. Having five boys in or through college, she has insight and experience about what is really required to attend college. She will inspire your creative genius to think outside the textbook box and enjoy the last few years your teenager will be home.

Does your student understand math concepts, but can’t master multiplication facts? Do you have a child with a math phobia or even a learning disability in math? This workshop includes a broad spectrum of teaching strategies and resources that will equip you to present math in ways that go beyond the suggestions found in traditional teacher manuals.

This is encouragement and strategies to help re-ignite your student’s love of learning? There are many factors that impact a child’s motivation level. With a little bit of theory and a whole lot of practical application, Krisa equips parents with the tools they need to tap into their child’s God-given gift of curiosity.

Note: This is Part 1 of 2, the original session (Traditions, Transitions & Transparency: Lasting Success for the Family) slated for this time slot was replaced with this 2-part session. Recognizing that a healthy marriage is the basis of a healthy home, this session is a fun and fruitful way to invest in your marriage and family. Steve and Megan teach from their book, “The Eight Rules Of Communication For Successful Marriages” and take a fun-loving look at marriage and friendship. They offer practical advice in a guilt free environment making the teaching real and applicable to all in attendance.

Recognizing that a healthy marriage is the basis of a healthy home, this session is a fun and fruitful way to invest in your marriage and family. Steve and Megan teach from their book, “The Eight Rules Of Communication For Successful Marriages” and take a fun-loving look at marriage and friendship. They offer practical advice in a guilt free environment making the teaching real and applicable to all in attendance.

If we homeschool simply to achieve high academic marks, we are squandering the opportunity to influence our children for Christ. Character healthy leaders are those children who have learned to elevate virtues above feelings. If we spend our homeschooling hours simply on academics and activities, we may win the praise of man, but we risk losing the hearts of our children. In our few short years with our children, we must focus on the first things first, and character is always the first thing! In this session, Megan will challenge you to use every opportunity to teach your children to serve God by loving others and to love others by faithfully serving God.

Mrs. Deckert will cover the North Dakota requirements for home schooling. She will also give many practical hints including suggestions for lesson planning and record keeping. This is the place to start if you are just beginning the home education journey or are just “checking it out.”

Many grandparents, because of the influence of modern culture, have forfeited much of the amazing opportunity and responsibility God has given them. In this talk we share the Biblical vision of grandparenting and give practical instruction on how to impact grandchildren for the Kingdom of God.

How can you teach spelling, vocabulary, sentence structure, print and cursive handwriting, and even review content from other school subjects with one single exercise? Copy work! If you’ve never utilized copy work in your homeschool, it may sound too good to be true. Copy work is an old and very effective method of teaching and reviewing multiple facets of language arts. Come and learn how this works and how to apply it with any age.

Time must be budgeted just like money. We must determine the difference between the fixed – what we must do, and the discretionary – what we would like to do, and set our priorities. This workshop will be filled with practical tips and encouragement for everyday living as a homeschool family. Areas covered include understanding your calling, relationships, schooling, meals, household clutter and cleaning, and general household management. Attendees will leave with practical and applicable tips.

Dual credit is a unique opportunity to earn high school credit while successfully completing college level courses prior to graduation. This session will cover all you need to know about dual credit as well as the importance of ACT testing, mapping out a dual credit schedule, financial costs, and academic advising to a college degree. If you’re a family with a high school freshman, sophomore or junior, this session is for you.

Are you looking for a way to make your “basic” academics come alive? Unit studies take the “we have to know this” lessons of reading, writing, math, handwriting, and communication and put them into practice. Your children will be excited to dig deeply into the topics that delight their hearts as they read real books, complete hands-on projects, and learn how to passionately present their findings to the whole family. Unit studies don’t have to be intimidating and time consuming. Join Megan and discover how the Hub and Spoke system of unit study preparation will open up new avenues of learning for your whole family.

Is there a way to save money, reduce the stress of homeschooling, and still give your children a solid education at home? YES! Come learn the tips and tricks of teaching multiple children at home, saving money on curriculum, and having more fun

We all want our children to be effective communicators, but which curriculum is best? Let's take the pressure off! The secret to teaching writing isn't wrapped up in which curriculum you choose. We'll explore some down-to-earth, hands-on ideas that you can adapt to your own teaching style, your students' learning styles, and your family's daily schedule to help writing instruction work your way. We will work through age-appropriate strategies, time saving devices, solutions for writing meltdowns, pros and cons of different curriculum choices, and troubleshooting writing woes.

Is behaving like a gentleman an outdated and antiquated idea? Join Steve in a discussion of how to teach our young men to be masculine in a society that seeks to squeeze them into a feminine mold. Becoming a gentleman starts at home. Discover ways to cultivate a culture of masculinity without raising men who are brutes!

Homeschooling is accessible to everyone, including single parents, working parents, and families on a very tight budget. Nicki has homeschooled through all of these life circumstances and learned that it’s not about your money or your schedule; it’s about truly understanding education at home. Learn how to brainstorm, schedule, and budget so that you can educate your children at home no matter what your lifestyle looks like.

Come prepared with your questions on all things homeschool and family related! Our panel of veteran and expert homeschoolers will offer you encouragement and practical advice to assist you on your homeschooling journey.

From this session, you will understand what a transcript is, the importance of having one that is set up well, and how it can help you organize your student’s schooling. In addition, hear about everything in-between: What are credit hours? How do I label and organize unconventional classes? How do I calculate GPA?

Have you just started your homeschooling journey? Come to this workshop to get information on legal requirements, what to expect in the first year or two, and how to navigate the various ages and stages of homeschooling. Whether you're starting with preschoolers or high schoolers, this session will help you start strong!

Ever wondered how NOT to organize your day? Veteran homeschool mom of 10 (7 still in home school) and creator of My Student Logbooks takes a fun look at what organization is and isn't, why sometimes trying other people's organizational systems is a disaster, and how to discover organizational tools that work for YOU.

Learn from pediatrician Dr. Roger Smith how stress and trauma affect a child's ability to learn and perform. Research on stress has yielded a better understanding of the biochemical and neurologic responses we see as "behavior." Parents can tap into this research to better guide their children through life's stresses. This session will review both the science and the social impact of emotions in the context of a biblical worldview. Dr. Smith will transform scientific gobbledygook into layman's language with tangible applications.

Do you want encouragement and strategies to help re-ignite your student's love of learning? Many factors impact a child's motivation level—stress, executive function, nutritional needs, media usage, and more. With a little bit of theory and a whole lot of practical application, Dr. Somerville equips parents with the tools they need to tap into their child's God-given gift of curiosity.

This session focuses on the use of evidence-based instruction methods that address the core issues of autism spectrum disorders: communication and social skills. It integrates developmental perspectives and strategies to provide practical, functional intervention approaches that you can easily implement within your daily homeschool routine.

The practice of respectful, articulate discourse in our society seems all but lost. It's easy to be disheartened and frustrated, but as Christians, we are called to be salt and light in a dark and dying world! The effective communication skills needed to cut through the noise and confusion don't come naturally to everyone. Come hear some practical tips to help your children be better listeners, thinkers, and speakers at every stage of their educational journey. Effective communication can be taught and used to help fulfill our role as ambassadors for Christ wherever the Lord calls us! Presented by NCFCA

Homeschool veterans toss around terms like unit studies, classical education, Charlotte Mason, and more, never dreaming how confusing it can be for someone new. Understand the different approaches available and get practical help in making this next year of homeschooling enjoyable and effective!

The world our children live in today is quite different from the one we grew up in. They are constantly bombarded with post-modernism, which says whatever you want to believe is your “truth.” Now more than ever, we need to provide them with the tools to discern and combat the lies being hurled at them on a daily basis, even as they are being homeschooled. Join me in this session, where we will identify some of these lies and learn what questions to ask to separate truth from deception.

If you have a hyperactive or easily distractible child, you won’t want to miss this informative and sometimes humorous message that shares stories from his experience as an ADHD child himself. You will receive practical and Biblical insights into ADD/ADHD and will be encouraged that there is hope for your child!

The heart of leadership is influence and everyone influences someone. That means everyone needs some basic leadership skills, no matter who you are or what you do. You can spend a lifetime reading and studying leadership, and that’s not a bad pursuit, but this session will give you the basic leadership skills you need to understand so you can apply them immediately

Have your questions answered by a panel of homeschool veterans.

This session is for anyone looking for information about evaluations. It is for those who are preparing to meet with an evaluator as well as those who might be interested in becoming an evaluator. We will look at the requirements in Pennsylvania Home Education Law for both. There will also be time for questions. Barb will share her experience in doing evaluations over the past 21 years.

Pennsylvania is one of the most regulated states for homeschooling. It is considered one of the “hardest” states to homeschool in, but it’s not as difficult as it seems. Come hear about how easy it is to meet the law requirements, see what a simple portfolio looks like, hear a description of what an evaluation looks like, and ask all your homeschool law related questions.

Simplifying your homeschool could be the difference between a parent who makes it thought the long haul and one who gives up after a few years, sending her child back to school because she “can’t do this anymore.” This workshop is full of practical ideas to implement and philosophical thoughts to ponder. Bring your specific questions about a trouble spot in your homeschool and let’s see if simplifying will smooth it out.

Drawing from over 40 years of experience in the home-education movement, Israel will help you to avoid some of the top errors many parents make in the homeschooling process. The tips offered in this session can save you hundreds of dollars and perhaps years of regret from committing these costly errors.

In a world that is moving at warp speed, it’s easy to forget that kids are still kids. Their needs haven’t changed: they need time to explore and experiment with the real world around them, to absorb life through all their senses, to process their thoughts at their own pace. All of these are crucial in laying a firm foundation for higher learning, but this TAKES TIME. Learn why this is so important and how to protect and defend your kids’ childhood.

Can you recall those early days when your children were very little? What do you remember most? The happy times? The fun adventures? Or do you remember the mistakes you made and the ways you failed? Science and research have shown that our brain is hardwired to recall negative memories over positive ones. It’s vital that you take steps now to ensure your memories are not distorted with this natural tendency to focus on the negative. In this session Jeannie will share what you can do now to preserve joys of your homeschool journey and how this will increase the joys your family experiences in your daily life.

Join Erin Port from -Simple Purposeful Living- as she helps you meal plan simply, on purpose, for your busy family. Together, you will debunk popular myths about meal planning and walk through the meal planning process step by step. You will walk away encouraged with tangible tips and tools to be successful and take the stress out of “what’s for dinner” so you can gather around the table for a delicious meal and meaningful conversation. Get ready to see meal planning in a whole new light; we will laugh and have fun along the way.

“The parent who would educate his children, in any large sense of the word must lay himself out for high thinking and lowly living; the highest thinking indeed possible to the human mind and the simplest, directest living.” – Charlotte Mason Simplicity is a topic near and dear to Charlotte Mason’s heart and completely relevant in today’s complicated and consumeristic culture. She said that the quality of simplicity is “the first condition of all successful work with children.” What did she mean by that? Through Scripture, poetry, art, and lanterns, we will examine the nature of simplicity and uncover what hinders us from living simple lives and doing the deep work required of us as parents.

Mathematicians and scientists have been closely tied to many famous disasters. The Challenger explosion, the failure of the Mars Explorer, and the Kansas City Hyatt Regency walkway collapse all involved thinking errors. Our future mathematicians and scientists must know how to prevent tragedies such as these from occurring. Because science and mathematics instruction is often dominated by facts and calculation, children are rarely exposed to these important concepts. You will leave this session with many high interest stories and activities that will fascinate your children and show them the strong connections between math and science and the world we live in.

Does your child have a learning disability or severe special needs? Have you pulled your child out of public school where he used to have an IEP (individual education plan)? Participants of this workshop learn the purposes and benefits of an SEP (student education plan), the homeschool version of an IEP. This workshop also provides guidance on drafting an SEP. Participants look at sample student education plans and receive a template of a Student Education Plan as well as a resource list of books that will assist them in drafting their own homeschool student education plan.

Come and explore nature journaling as a formational practice. Responding to the natural world around us is not only a skill which can be learned, but, more than that, it is a practice which we form to, in turn, form us. It is a practice which trains our attention, our affections, and our devotion to the first Maker of good and beautiful things.

In the last years, we have seen the world of education change drastically. A constantly-expanding number of online and homeschooling options for higher education can make choosing an educational route harder than ever before. Today’s students need a solution that prepares them for adapting to the daily changes of real life. Focus on helping students develop the skills needed for success in any field: communication, conflict resolution, teamwork, decision-making, and turning ideas into reality. Our project-based education program equips students through academic webinars, student-chosen projects, in-person events, and interacting with peers and professionals. Focus on unique opportunities to truly make the world your campus both during your educational journey and into whatever the Lord has prepared for you afterwards.

There are no easy answers to teaching a number of children of different ages, and there’s no doubt that doing so is a real challenge that requires patience and creativity. Though we may feel it’s pushing us to our limits, it provides opportunities for our kids to learn responsibility, independence, and self-control. Kathie Morrissey, mother of 8 children, will share many practical tips and ideas to make your school time more productive, and your job easier.

Greta shares a variety of practical tips for successful home schooling. These tips come from her own experience as a homeschooled student, her early years as a novice homeschool mom, to her current position as a happy veteran homeschooling mom. This is to encourage both new and veteran homeschool moms alike.

Why Homeschool? This is a question we must even ask ourselves. In a culture that has abandoned truth, it is more important than ever that we build our homeschool ‘why’ on a solid foundation that will not give way as the storms come. The right ‘why’ is what will keep us rooted and grounded on hard days, thwarting off the doubts that come. It is what will stop the naysayers in their tracks and encourage those that are looking for answers. Aby discusses the heart of homeschool and the greatest ‘why’ of all. Have your passion for His calling lit on fire! This session is for all homeschool parents.

Homeschooling one child can be a challenge but throw in multiple children and things can get crazy. If you are overwhelmed with homeschooling several children then come find encouragement and practical tips in this workshop. Janelle Knutson, veteran homeschool mom of seven children, will share how to homeschool multiple grades without losing your mind.

Do you love to plan? Do you like organizers, rows, columns and checklists? Do you love to label and color code everything into neat little boxes? Planning is essential to what we do; it helps our days and years run smoothly; but could it be that some of us become bound and chained to our ideas and plans? Is it possible that we are planning God right out of our homeschool? Come and hear how we can put God back in the driver seat of our home and school and how to use planning to help us rather than control us.

If you are looking for ideas on how to organize your homeschool then this workshop is for you. I will be sharing numerous ideas for lesson planning, organizing your student’s work and grades, creating ways for your child to work independently and setting up your homeschool. There are plenty of ideas to choose from. Pick the ones that work best for you and your family.

How is it possible to homeschool your older children with a baby, toddler or preschooler around? Come be encouraged and gain practical tips as a mom of seven shares how homeschooling is not only possible but beneficial for the whole family when you have little ones underfoot.

As the mother of seven children, LaNissir emphasizes the foundational importance of answering the call to mother many children while nurturing each individual child’s relationship with God. She discusses how to parent with godly communication and provides organizational tips to find harmony in this fast-paced world. She also shares special encouragement to help you train up your child all the way from the toddler through the teenage years.

So, I don’t want to offend, but parents, we are seeing entirely too many families where the children seem to be leading the family instead of mom and dad leading the family. Do you have children that tell you, “No?” Do you have children that you spend hours trying to convince them to do something you’ve asked? Do you find yourself giving in to your child’s request even though deep down, you don’t really want to? Don’t beat yourself up. We’ve all been guilty of this at one time or another, however it’s time to stop. We’re not helping our children when this behavior is common in our home, instead we’re actually hurting them. Come and listen to motivational speaker, Monica Irvine, as she helps unravel this tendency and give great insight on how we can regain our parental authority. It truly can change the direction of your child’s life. Don’t miss this!

Spelling is a common frustration for many students, especially for those who have trouble reading. Learn helpful ideas for studying spelling and vocabulary and improving scores on those weekly tests. The techniques can also be used for daily spelling skills.