¿Estás considerando educar a tus hijos en casa, pero no sabes por dónde empezar? Esta conferencia es para ti. Si eres nuevo en el mundo del homeschool y estás pensando iniciar esta aventura educativa el próximo año escolar, te invitamos a participar en esta charla especialmente diseñada para familias que están dando sus primeros pasos en esta modalidad. Durante la conferencia, abordaremos de manera clara y práctica el proceso legal y administrativo necesario para comenzar con la educación en el hogar en el estado de Pennsylvania. Hablaremos sobre los requisitos iniciales, los documentos que debes preparar, y los plazos que debes tener en cuenta. También discutiremos cómo elegir un evaluador al final del año escolar, un paso clave para cumplir con las regulaciones estatales. Además, exploraremos brevemente los distintos estilos de aprendizaje, lo que te permitirá identificar cuál se adapta mejor a las necesidades y personalidad de tus hijos. Por último, te compartiremos consejos útiles para seleccionar un plan de estudios adecuado y te ofreceremos herramientas que facilitarán tu inicio en este nuevo camino educativo. ¡Ven con tus preguntas y con la mente abierta para descubrir todo lo que el homeschooling puede ofrecer a tu familia! This session will be in Spanish. Are you considering homeschooling your children but don’t know where to start? This session is for you. If you're new to the world of homeschooling and are thinking about starting this educational journey in the upcoming school year, we invite you to join this talk designed specifically for families taking their first steps into home education. During the session, we will explain the legal process required to begin homeschooling in the state of Pennsylvania. We'll cover the initial requirements, the documents you need to prepare, and the important deadlines to keep in mind. We will also discuss how to choose an end-of-year evaluator—a key step to meet state regulations. In addition, we’ll briefly explore different learning styles to help you determine which one best fits your child’s needs and personality. Finally, we’ll share practical tips on how to select the right curriculum and provide tools that will help you start this new educational journey with confidence.

Discover simple, practical strategies for keeping your home organized while homeschooling, helping you avoid overwhelm and stay on track. From creating routines to managing household tasks, you’ll gain insights on balancing home life and homeschooling more effectively. We’ll keep it real and offer tips that fit into your busy day-to-day. By the end, you’ll have a game plan to make home and school life run a little smoother.

Are you a writer, performer or storyteller who struggles to finish what you start? Join us for a two-session crash course in Story Analysis – the structural side of storytelling. Together, we will pull back the curtain on the mechanics of three-act structure, connect the art of storytelling to Biblical principles, and give you the tools to maximize your own creative process. This interactive seminar is presented by Sight & Sound Conservatory.

New to homeschooling, and/or new to filing and following the PA homeschool law, or thinking about homeschooling in the future? We will talk about filing for the first time, withdrawing from public school, how to find groups, mentors and evaluators. We will also discuss styles of homeschooling, a typical day, finding curriculum and other resources.

There is nothing like a baby or toddler to foil the best-laid plans of any homeschool parent. While our littlest ones can seem like a constant disruption, they are a part of God’s plan for our families and our homeschools. In this session, Kathryn will give you fresh inspiration for folding the cuddliest members of your family into your homeschool. She also shares practical tips she has gleaned from homeschool veterans and her own experiences.

Once upon a time, when Ginger was just getting started on her homeschool journey, she misunderstood the requirements that are laid out in the homeschool law. Over the years, she's met many other moms who have done the same. Join Ginger as she dispels the myths and explains what the homeschool law is really saying regarding both elementary and secondary education.

Learn how to successfully launch your first book using Kickstarter's crowdfunding platform. This practical session covers essential strategies for engaging readers, funding publishing costs, and building a supportive community before your book hits the shelves. Perfect for aspiring teen and adult authors, you'll discover: How to determine if Kickstarter is right for your project Critical preparation steps for a successful campaign Ways to build your audience before launch Tips for creating compelling rewards Common pitfalls to avoid Led by award-winning author, C.J. Milacci who has run several successful Kickstarters for her books and mentored other writers through successful Kickstarter campaigns

Come explore the most popular homeschooling styles—Classical, Charlotte Mason, Unschooling, and Eclectic—and discover which one feels like the best fit for your family. We’ll walk through 9 key questions that will help you assess your family’s needs, goals, and lifestyle. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to fine-tune your approach, you’ll leave with a better idea of how to create the perfect homeschool experience for you and your kids.

All homeschool parents can understand the law. We will break down the PA homeschool law into smaller chunks and talk about compulsory age, filing with affidavits/unsworn declarations, objectives, evaluations, medical records, portfolios, logs, testing, attendance, evaluations and graduating.

How do you get your book from a Word document on your computer into the hands of readers? In this workshop we will walk through the self-publishing process, from editing and formatting, to websites, finances, and getting your book on Amazon. You'll learn how to make your book look professional, and what steps to take if you're ready to hit "publish." Perfect for aspiring young authors who want to turn their passion for writing into a published book.

Navigating homeschooling with children who have unique learning needs can be challenging, but deeply rewarding. With two of her four children diagnosed with ADHD, one also facing multiple learning challenges, Jeannie discovered invaluable strategies for creating a seamless, creative, joy-filled, and tailored learning environment for the whole family. Her children not only thrived academically—earning scholarships to college, making the Dean’s List, and graduating with honors—they all developed a lifelong love for learning. In this inspiring talk, Jeannie shares scientifically proven techniques for successfully homeschooling all learners, offering insights on nurturing each child's individual gifts, building confidence, and setting the stage for future accomplishment and achievement.

Have you pulled your child out of public school where he or she used to have an IEP (Individual Education Plan)? In this workshop, you’ll learn the purposes and benefits of an SEP, the homeschool version of an IEP. You’ll receive guidance on drafting your own SEP, explore sample plans, obtain your own template, and leave with a resource list of books to set you and your student up for success.

This workshop offers practical resources, lists of materials, and curricula ideas to equip you as you homeschool a struggling learner. Cheri Kay presents ideas for designing a unique home instruction program tailored to your child’s specific challenges. She also addresses homeschooling while working, teaching multiple ages, scheduling the day, and practical teaching strategies you can use regardless of your curriculum program. Finally, Cheri Kay explains multi-sensory teaching methods, direct instruction, and modeled teaching.

In the past twenty years, we’ve seen a lot of changes in the homeschool community. There is much more pressure being put on homeschoolers to excel academically. We’ve gone from a few brave moms who, without access to mainstream “curriculum”, managed to give their children an excellent education—but we’ve forgotten what made it excellent. It was excellent because these moms had a vision for homeschooling—they weren’t trying to re-create school at home. They were simply being obedient to the One who had called them to be different. They knew that if He had called them, He would equip them. And they were right. If you’re struggling to find joy in your calling as a homeschooling parent, if you’re looking for more LIFE in your homeschool, this is one keynote you won’t want to miss. join Heidi as she talks about her journey away from curriculum-driven, workbook based homeschooling and into delight-directed learning. What she learned will bless and inspire you.

To embrace the best approaches for a truly superior education, we must first deprogram ourselves from the beliefs about education that we have long accepted as truth, along with the models that claim to be the standard by which education should be measured. Our society has been immersed in a system designed not to educate minds but to produce obedient, unquestioning, uncurious, and unoriginal workers. In this highly acclaimed talk, Jeannie explores the research and impact of this educational model, which not only stifles a child’s natural self-motivation and creativity but also suppresses divine curiosity, transforming an innate love for learning into mere drudgery. Discover how to choose methods and practices that genuinely educate the whole child—spirit, soul, and body—nurturing a lifelong passion for knowledge and growth.

If homeschooling up till now feels more like drudgery than delight, or if the thought of homeschooling makes your knees shake and your palms sweat, this is the workshop for you! Perhaps you've been hearing from "experts" that view homeschooling as just another form of education, like any other. Public schools think that way, but homeschooling is nothing like the school system. It's just the opposite. Learning at home is an adventure, a journey, a new lifestyle. Join veteran homeschool mom of seven (including one homeschool graduate!) Heidi St.John as she talks about the three things you've got to know as a new homeschooler that will set you on a track for success and enjoyment with your children. Because, although you're nervous now, it'll all be okay. Homeschooling is worth it. So sit back, relax. You'll soon discover that homeschooling is a journey like no other. Take it in stride that you will bumble and stumble, stick your foot in it, take wrong turns, backtrack, start again, and again . . . . and your child will be just fine. Come and bring a friend for a dose of information and encouragement. You can do it!

What will your kids think about homeschooling when they’re adults? Kathryn was homeschooled and is now homeschooling her own three kids. Looking back, she reflects on her experiences and those of her siblings. In this tell-all session, Kathryn shares six things she’s grateful for and four that she would go back and change.

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!

There are 10 Essentials needed for a joyful homeschooling journey. You might be surprised to find out they aren’t using a perfect curriculum, reading a particular book, or following a specific methodology. The 10 Essentials to homeschooling are far more foundational than that (and they are super easy to apply this week)! In this session, Carrie shares the 10 essentials and how to incorporate them into your homeschooling today whether you are new to homeschooling or you have been homeschooling for years.

In this session, Carrie shares how to teach PreK- 4th-grade for free (or for almost free), how to keep God and His Word at the center of your PreK-4th studies, how to protect your child’s childhood from academic overload, and more. This session will help you keep the WONDER years WONDERful, full of awe and fun, and on a budget! If you are a mom of a PreK-4th grade student, a family on a strict budget, a parent wanting to have more meaningful experiences with her younger children, or a homeschool mom wanting to simplify her schedule, then this workshop is for you.

Explore how to tailor your homeschooling curriculum to match your child’s unique learning style. This session delves into understanding various learning modalities and practical strategies for selecting or adapting curriculum materials accordingly. Whether you’re a novice or experienced homeschooler, discover how to create a personalized learning experience that aligns with your child’s strengths and interests.

Preschool and kindergarten are fun and wonder-filled times! But how do you know what to teach them? How do you give them the best start and set your homeschool up for success? It’s easy to get overwhelmed or think we have to replicate what the public school is doing. But there is great freedom in homeschooling, even for these early ages! In this session, a homeschool mom of 6 will help you navigate these precious early years with confidence and enjoy your time teaching your kids the things that matter most.

If given the opportunity, Carrie would sit down with her younger (and more idealistic) self and give her some much-needed sage advice! As a retired homeschooling mom, Carrie shares five important lessons she has learned after 20+ years of homeschooling. She candidly shares herepic fails and what not to do when homeschooling. She shares advice and hindsight that she wished she would have known before starting this homeschooling journey and what she has learned along the way.

In this workshop, Homeschool Idaho Board Member, Melissa Nash, will walk you through the ins and outs of starting a homeschool co-op: traditional or extra-curricular.

This engaging workshop will review several different teaching approaches found in homeschooling, and then help attendees identify resources and curricula to fit their family’s particular style. Just getting started in homeschooling? Needing to refocus and redefine what homeschooling could look like for your family? Come benefit from Nancy’s over 30 years of experience and enjoy her dynamic style.

Getting Started on your homeschool journey can be overwhelming! In this message find encouragement that you CAN homeschool and hear about the nuts & bolts methods of how to begin.

Having decided to homeschool a child, the parent's next job is to take some time to fully understand the homeschool laws. A family that does not do this runs the risk of a court intervening in their family's life. In this session, Attorney Scott Woodruff will fully explain first the Kansas homeschool law, then the Missouri homeschool laws. You can homeschool confidently once you are solid on understanding and following the homeschool laws!

Have you just started your homeschooling journey? Receive 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!

Getting Started Handout

Preschool and kindergarten are fun and wonder-filled times! But how do you know what to teach them? How do you give them the best start and set up your homeschool for success? It's easy to get overwhelmed or think we must replicate what the public school is doing. But there is great freedom in homeschooling, even for these early ages! Tauna, a homeschool mom of 6, will help you navigate these precious early years with confidence and find joy in teaching your kids the things that matter most.

Ready to homeschool, but not sure how to get started? Need help with paperwork? Need some guidance on just what homeschooling is? This talk will help you leap off the fence and hit the ground running on your homeschool journey.

Unsure of how to support your wife’s new interest in homeschooling? Concerned about your kids? Unsure of what to do as a homeschool husband and dad? In this session we will discuss how to support your wife and kids as the head of a homeschooling family.

If you find yourself constantly comparing your homeschool to others or looking outward for answers, you might be an insecure homeschooler. Join a second-generation homeschooler who lives to tell the story that this is possible and that your kids are going to be okay. Learn some tools and key points to help you trust your own discernment and listen to what God is saying to you about your homeschool so you can follow His lead. Give yourself some grace for the journey and then rise up and stand firm—not easily swayed or moved with your feet planted on your path. You are not doing this by accident, and you, my friend, are not alone.

So many parents ask, “Why doesn’t my son enjoy reading? I want him to love it!” We look at ways to help your boys read better (because it’s hard to love it when it’s hard!), enjoy reading more, and find joy in stories and in research. From the parents of six adult sons, all of whom learned (eventually) to love reading! Many boys struggle with writing, too. They complain that it's too hard, that they can't think of anything to write, that they don't know why they have to do it anyway. Hal & Melanie homeschooled all six of their boys all the way through. Their boys learned to love writing and won writing awards. You can pull it off, too!

How do grades work in homeschooling? Do you grade your kids from kindergarten on? Can my child skip a grade? What exactly is the supervisor's role? In this helpful chat, Ginger shares new thoughts about grades, grading, and the process of learning. There may just be a few thoughts about 'Things I Wish I Knew', too!

Are the “Terrible Twos” eating your lunch? Need help managing your homeschool day with toddlers in the house? In this workshop, Megan draws on her many years of homeschooling experience with eight toddlers in tow to help you craft a plan for success. Find out how to use “self-control practice” to help your toddler become an integral part of the family team. Intensely practical, this session will help you transform the terrible twos into the terrific twos!

So you’ve got a box full of unused planners and half-erased lesson plan books. Trust me, you’re not alone! From curriculum to the daily schedule, there is a simple way to plan your whole school year in just ONE week. Reclaim your Sunday nights and your sanity by joining veteran homeschool mom, Kim Sorgius, for this practical session.

Can you overcome self-doubt and lack of experience to teach the harder subjects like pre-algebra, chemistry, or English literature? Instead of putting it off, find out what your options are! Karri Iverson, veteran homeschooling mom and author of The Mystery of Science series, will share how she’s used resources available to teach her kids through high school.

How to start, where to find curriculum, when to school, and what a typical day looks like are some of the areas discussed. Get an understanding of Rule 13 and gain valuable information for your homeschool journey. This workshop is a MUST for new homeschoolers.

Have you pulled your child out of public school where he or she used to have an IEP (Individual Education Plan)? In this workshop, you’ll learn the purposes and benefits of an SEP, the homeschool version of an IEP. You’ll receive guidance on drafting your own SEP, explore sample plans, obtain your own template, and leave with a resource list of books to set you and your student up for success.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the demands of parenting? Life is certainly a challenge for parents, and especially those who accept the added responsibility of home education. But there are ways to make life easier and more productive, and this workshop discusses some of those. Marilyn Boyer, mother of fourteen children and a veteran home educator of more than forty years' experience, shares her techniques for accomplishing a mammoth amount of housework while giving her children a superior education at the same time.

One of the biggest mistakes new homeschoolers make is trying to recreate the traditional classroom setting in their homeschool. This workshop will help you start to think outside the box & hopefully encourage you towards freedom and joy in your homeschooling journey.

This engaging workshop will review several different teaching approaches found in homeschooling, and then help attendees identify resources and curricula to fit their family’s particular style. Just getting started in homeschooling? Needing to refocus and redefine what homeschooling could look like for your family? Come benefit from Nancy’s over 30 years of experience and enjoy her dynamic style.

Mrs. Deckert will cover the North Dakota requirements for homeschooling. She will also give 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.”

The choices are overwhelming! The multiple approaches and options of curriculum makes our heads spin. Some decisions matter most that lead to homeschool success. This session will help you feel more confident in many of the decisions you face. You will gain insights about teaching multiple ages, schedules, co-ops, on-line learning, extra curricular activities and more.

You might feel like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, but it can all be explained! This session will give you a brief overview of educational styles and curricula choices to help you navigate which way to go. Different styles are for different people, and we will give you an honest evaluation of the various choices with the pros and cons of each type. Tips to discern who you are, who your children are, and what will work for you will help you to hone in on appropriate choices for your year.

Have you just started your homeschooling journey? This workshop provides 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!

Academics are important, but they are not the key to a successful life. When your children grow up and leave your home, you want to make sure they have learned the life lessons that will serve them well for time and eternity. This workshop discusses the issues that matter most in life and how you can pass them on to your children in the brief time you have with them.

If you are just getting started on your homeschool adventure, this is a great workshop for you to hear! Come with questions and leave with answers. Homeschool Idaho Board Member Audra Talley is a homeschool graduate as well as a homeschool mom. She has a wealth of information to share.

Homeschooling has gone mainstream and with its growth has come all manner of variations: pod, micro, bridge, co-op, and etc. The list seems endless. They all claim to be homeschool and each has their own benefits, drawbacks, and unique features. But what does homeschool really mean, particularly in Idaho? What are all the options out there and what do they involve? How do you decide which option best fits your needs? Learn the basics of them all.

You know what they are because you get them too: Questions from within our own hearts, often leading to doubt and fear, and questions from others, thinking they know what is best for our family. Aby shines truth on the common questions that creep into our hearts and threaten to derail our homeschool, as well as build solid answers to common questions homeschoolers get from outsiders.

You've decided to take the homeschool plunge or you're on the fence and need more information. Now what? This session explains what homeschool is, what it can look like, and how to get one's feet wet in the homeschool pool. There will also be a smattering of tips and tricks to help encourage you on your new journey.

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.

Are you new to homeschooling or new to Pennsylvania? Are you thinking about homeschooling at some point in the future? Do you have questions about what homeschooling might look like and how to get started? This session is designed to encourage and equip you to homeschool your children. Topics include: why homeschool, how to get started in PA, a typical day, curriculum, record keeping, testing, portfolios, and evaluations.

After you’ve filed all your papers to homeschool, what happens then? What do I do with these children all day? What does a day of homeschooling like? Are there different ways to homeschool and what do they look like? How do you find the perfect curriculum? What counts as “school”?

How to start, where to find curriculum, when to school, and what a typical day looks like are some of the areas discussed. Get an understanding of Rule 13 and gain valuable information for your homeschool journey. This workshop is a MUST for new homeschoolers.

This session is courtesy of the Christian Heritage Start-to-Finish Parent Qualifying Course. Are you ever frazzled, frenzied, and frustrated because you can’t get it all in? A hint: We can’t! But we can significantly reduce the pressure by making choices based on God’s priorities. So, come and learn practical ways to design a workable, flexible, Bible-based schedule by evaluating, from God’s perspective, the myriad of viable “good” activities in order to choose what is very “BEST” for YOUR FAMILY. And discover that using His principles can bring joy and peace to your home-based discipleship adventure.

Gain a fresh perspective on how your children’s actions and attitudes help you discover their natural bent, so you can plan strategies that will help them grow into the person they were created to be. We’ll peel back the layers to reveal pieces of the puzzle that go beyond the usual “auditory, kinesthetic, and visual” discussions. This workshop will provide you with insight into a variety of ways you can effectively teach to various learning styles in your children.

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.”

Exhibitor Workshop - no description available