Are you trying to decide what to do with your child during the preschool years? This workshop will cover the benefits of keeping your preschooler at home, things to think about before purchasing preschool curriculum, what your child really needs to learn during the preschool years and ideas for learning through play and life experiences.

Volunteering to lead a homeschool group involves sacrifice … and lots of it! In this session, we will talk about the various ways we pay a high price to encourage others in the home education journey, and why it is a worthwhile price to pay. But don’t lose heart! With great sacrifice comes great reward. You’ll be refreshed in knowing that the price you pay to serve is a worthwhile investment reaping eternal rewards. We will also discuss ways to keep wise boundaries, recruit help from others, and find a healthy balance as you juggle not only homeschooling your own children but serving and supporting other families.

All Christians are going to be judged twice: once as a sinner and once as a servant. Learn in greater detail what is going to happen when we go to heaven.

Instead of being drawn into power struggles, yelling and giving meaningless consequences, Kirk will show you 10 ways to discipline with dignity so kids listen to, respect and trust you. Stop the whining, complaining and tantrums. Get kids to listen when they are loud in the car or interrupt on the phone. Teach kids to control their own behavior (self-discipline) so you don’t have to “make them” behave.

When asked, “What are the language arts?” people may respond by listing numerous subjects: spelling, phonics, grammar, penmanship, copying, dictation, narration, and composition. But actually it’s much simpler! For those adhering to the classical model, those ascribing to a Charlotte Mason approach, or those who just want a common-sense curriculum, there are really only four core language arts: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and attending well to the first two makes teaching the latter two so much easier. Come prepared to have your educational paradigm adjusted, your load lightened, and your commitment to excellence renewed as you focus on the most important things in the limited time you have.

This highly practical workshop will compare and contrast the many different teaching methods and styles commonly employed by home educating parents. Linda seeks to share advantages and disadvantages within each method, without endorsing any one in particular. Hopefully she can help you to choose the one that will work effectively for you and your children.

Dr. Ray provides a brief summary of homeschool research to date and explains current projects and trends. He explains that scholarly writing and research are powerful tools used by both friends and foes of parent-led education, that they should be guided by clear goals and theory that are based on sound values, and suggests where they should be headed.

Who is going to build a house by starting with the walls? Without a solid foundation, those walls may hold up for a bit but eventually will come crashing down. Math is a lot like building a house. We need to start with a strong foundation and build up from there. It doesn’t have to be hard! See how easy it is to teach math.

Relational wisdom—a gospel-driven form of emotional intelligence—is your ability to discern emotions and interests in yourself and in others, to interpret them in the light of God’s Word, and to use these insights to manage your responses and relationships successfully. In this life-changing message of biblical and neurological basis for relational wisdom. These skills can lead to less stressful and more a productive homeschool experience and a more credible witness for Christ.

God has hard-wired us to learn, and the science behind His masterful plan will strengthen your resolve to help your child blaze new neural pathways. Come and get the inside scoop of how the lightbulb of learning goes on, and more importantly, how you can increase “ah ha” moments on Monday. Beth Mora, author, blogger, and former Certified Rehab Nurse in discovering that science is rooted in God’s words of wisdom. This information is perfect for all types of learners including gifted and those with special needs.

How do you motivate a child who looks right at you and doesn’t listen? What about a teenager who has shut down or defiant? Your child was born with boxing gloves on, ready to fight. Well-meaning people tell you to clamp down on and get control of your child. But you don’t want to crush his spirit or create more defiance. Instead of constantly creating power struggles, we’ll show you how to enjoy a respectful, motivated child who is confident, persistent and purposeful. Society needs our kids. And you can enjoy them. I’ll get my own strong-willed son, Casey, answering questions in this class.

Evaluating a student’s writing can be very difficult, especially for the parent who may feel less than perfectly confident. Learn how to provide specific models and stylistic goals for each composition, giving specific assignments to your students for both fiction and non-fiction. Solve the “How long does it have to be?” problem. Never again hear yourself say, “Don’t you want to add a little more detail?” With confidence and precision, you can design and communicate to your students goal- and model-based writing assignments, and can have a concrete tool to objectively evaluate their efforts.

Let’s face it—most people don’t like science. It’s likely because of how science was taught to them as children. Jeannie Fulbright shares her understanding of how science should be taught to elementary students. You will learn the keys to successfully building a solid foundation of science education, with tips, ideas, and examples for making science come to life for both parents and students.

There are certain challenges that are common to most or all homeschool parents and their children, especially in the “early years” of home educating. And there are key considerations, pieces of philosophy, and practices that significantly enhance home educators’ success, attitudes, and joy. Dr. Ray will present to you some of the nuggets that he and his wife have gleaned from the home education of their eight children (now ages 30s to 19), and from years of research and learning from thousands of parents and families from around the world.

How long do you allow a child to think before you start helping them? Sometimes we need to be quiet and let them wrestle with the problem. Do you know that children will learn better and remember things longer when they discover the solution? The goal is to provide a way for them to learn how to solve problems. Find out how to help your child think their way through math.

Every person is made in the image of God and therefore has a natural capacity for developing and exercising Christ-like empathy. Like all character qualities and skills, this capacity can be deliberately cultivated. As children grow in empathy and compassion, they can enjoy more positive friendships, more fulfilling and durable marriages, and a more compelling witness for Christ.

These “Triple D” neurologically based learning challenges affect reading, handwriting, spelling, composition, and sometimes math? You may have the diagnosis and understand what is happening in your child’s brain, but the question remains, how do I teach my child? Beth Mora will present educational life hacks that will help your student thrive in all subjects areas.

Do you have a little one who looks right through you and says, “No!”? Have a teenager who defies you or rolls his eyes? Have a child who refuses to go places? Kirk will show you how to stop a meltdown in public without losing it yourself! Turn emotional power struggles into opportunities to build trust and teach self-discipline.

Many children (and some adults) have difficulty learning to spell, but the difficulty may not be with the student so much as with the method of presentation. Learn how spelling information is most efficiently stored in the brain, and why. With a greater insight parents and teachers will be well-equipped to meet the needs of all their children, not just the naturally good spellers.

As an experienced homeschooling mother of four children, Jeannie Fulbright shares tips and ideas to make homeschooling children of different ages and abilities a breeze.

Outsiders are quick to point out why we should not be homeschooling our teens, but Linda is here to provide fresh motivation and incentive for why we should. If you have ever wondered what the benefits are of homeschooling through high school, or if there even are benefits, or why it is important to finish the course, then this is the message for you!

Teaching is not for the faint of heart. Mix in a child with learning challenges and you may end up becoming very discouraged, and ready to throw in the towel. Be encouraged, you are NOT alone. Whether your child has been diagnosed with a learning challenge or simply doesn’t “get” math, listen and learn some teaching strategies and techniques. Help your child overcome those learning challenges and succeed in math.

Enjoy a more peaceful and productive classroom by learning how to teach your children how to resolve conflict constructively by discerning the heart desires (idols) that fuel conflict, sincerely confessing their wrongs, graciously confronting others and practicing meaningful forgiveness.

Is your second grader building a fusion reactor in your backyard or calculating rates of speed and velocity? Forrest and Beth Mora’s daughter, SmartCookie #1 received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in three short years at 21 years of age and is a certified teacher. Their son, SmartCookie #2 and twin to #1, received a 104% in Calculus 2 in his senior year of high school and reads C++ programming textbooks for enjoyment. Beth candidly shares her journey of home educating her two academically advanced children and learn how she kept the wheels of opportunity turning. Learn what worked and what didn’t. If you have a “Smartcookie”, you won’t want to miss this unique perspective.

Calm your explosive household? Do you want your child to take responsibility for his school work, chores and attitude? It’s time to stop the yelling, arguing and power struggles with toddlers and teens. Don't expect your children to control themselves…if you cannot control yourself? It’s not your job to manage everyone’s emotions and make everyone happy! Create stress-free mornings, school, dinner and bedtime. We promise you will laugh and leave with a dozen practical strategies that really work.

No matter how picture perfect someone’s Facebook post appears, everyone has difficulties. These are part of your homeschool journey. It’s easy to let the issue of the day, or year, become such an emotional energy drain that we end up feeling deflated and defeated, unable to experience joy. God’s Word promises that if we will look at our unique trials through His eyes and allow Him access to our heart, mind and spirit, we will find that our problem is really God’s gateway to peace.

You have a child who does what you ask and sails through life. Easy. You have another child who causes you to pull your hair out, stay up late at night worrying, and asking God, “WHY?!” But what if you understood this challenging child’s heart and brain from the inside out? This instruction and advice will answer some of your questions.

Recent years have seen an enormous increase in the use of technology in education. But is technology really the cure that many believe it to be? While traditional skills such as cursive penmanship are seen as unnecessary in the modern world, the actual research tells a different story. Learn the compelling reasons to choose paper books instead of electronic devices for reading, to handwrite instead of type when note-taking, to teach cursive instead of printing for penmanship, and to grab a pen instead of pencil for composition. Discover how to unleash creativity that goes beyond technology.

Using student created notebooks encourages an atmosphere and creativity as children essentially produce their own work to display their learning. Jeannie explains why and how to use this easy and effective educational approach that replaces workbooks, enhances learning and retention of the subject, and develops a true love for learning. Examples and visual aids make the information easy to understand and implement in your homeschool.

In spite of what professional educators might tell you, homeschooling works. Even parents with a high school education help their children excel with home-based education. Educators have talked for centuries about using state-run education to liberate people. Could it be that parent-led, home-based education is the only deep and lasting way to free individuals from control (even tyranny)? One of the world’s leading homeschool researchers makes this engaging and fact-filled presentation as he reviews research on homeschooling and documents the findings of his own multiple studies.

Do you remember the groans in math class when the word “fraction” was brought up? Well, there is a better and less painful way of teaching fractions! Fractions are, dare I say, fun when they are taught the right way. So, what’s the right way to teach them? Come and discover how to approach fractions. Experience the beauty and simplicity of fractions!

Drawing from his book Epic Faith to share keys for Discipling Faith in the Family, you will learn how to establish a rock solid foundation by building our faith on the Word, Voice and Character of God. See a prayer strategy used by believers around the world which can be a great tool to use in family devotions.

Why can my gifted student calculate geometric ratios but he can’t find his shoes? One moment you’re conversing with your student about the research on genetics and the next moment he’s arguing with you that his Superman cape can sustain flight because it has super powers. Gifted children often experience what’s called “asynchronous development.” How do you meet the developmental and academic needs of a gifted learner? Beth Mora will address this in detail from experience with her two academically gifted children.

Many think that good readers will naturally become good writers. Others think that writing talent is just that a natural ability. Both are myths. What are the two most critical things you can do as a parent to develop a high level of writing aptitude, from a young age and into high school? You will hear the two easy but unbelievably powerful things you can do to build language patterns and nurture competent communicators in your family.

If you have ever wondered how to design a high school course of study, evaluate the results, develop a transcript or award a diploma, then this is the workshop for you! Linda will cover all of these subjects and more in one quick hour.

Examine the lives of 7,306 adults who were homeschooled and focus on adults’ general demographics: attitudes toward their own home-education experience, and success in life: success evaluated with respect to civic, social, educational, employment, worldview traits, performance in college, and in occupations. Many are _normal._ Though they are remarkably different than the general U.S. population. The findings of research defuse many of the long-held criticisms of those who doubted homeschooling’s benefits. And the findings will likely be a great encouragement to those parents and advocates of home-based education over the past two decades.

People, especially children, are visual learners. Approaching math from a visual perspective using an abacus is a sure-fire path to success! Learn how an abacus fosters quantity recognition and develops addition strategies. Investigate place value in a crystal clear format. Explain “borrowing and carrying” when adding and subtracting numbers. Discover the simplicity of multiplication. Find the easy way to learn the math facts.

Most of our children watch hundreds of hours of electronic media every year … often with little benefit. This workshop provides practical guidance on how to use popular Hollywood movies to teach life-changing relational skills to your children.

Beth is a case manager and a rehab nurse (C.R.R.N.) She is a student of her patients and has learned a great deal from the families she has served. Beth will introduce the S.O.A.P. method to help you develop an educational plan for your child with special needs and help you locate that missing puzzle piece. Be strengthened and empowered to continue your special needs journey.

It is NOT your job to be the sheriff and break up every sibling squabble. Your children must learn how to resolve conflict on their own. Learn practical, stress-free strategies that work. (Your kids whine, “That’s not fair” and “He’s looking at me!” You want your kids off their video games without being asked (or pleading, “Hold on, I just need to save it, I just need to get to the next level!”).

As schools believe that producing good readers will solve all their academic problems. Many children—the dyslexic, the easily distracted, the auditorily challenged—are truly left behind in the rush to improve test scores. Reading is not simply being able to rapidly decode symbols with the eyes. Hear stories and strategies for helping students who need to engage the cognitive processes of reading, but who are more likely to excel through a wider variety of practical, creative, and imaginative approaches.

There is a lot of misinformation in the homeschool community about college. Indeed, going from homeschool to college does involve jumping through hoops. Jeannie homeschooled her oldest child from start to finish, helping her garner early acceptance into the University of Georgia on scholarship, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude, earning her degree in Photo Journalism. She has experience. From transcripts and portfolios to the application process and everything in between, the earlier you have this information, the easier it will be sail through the hoops that’ll get your child into their college of choice.

Education Savings Accounts for elementary and secondary schooling is a new tax-funded student in the neighborhood. Even some so-called conservatives are promoting them, and “choice advocates” are promoting them. Dr. Ray will use a biblical perspective, a freedom-loving perspective, and historical research evidence to explain why ESA-tax- funded schooling is a bad idea. And Dr. Ray will challenge you and encourage you that private, parent-led, home-based education, with the volitional help of others, is the best way to execute God’s principles and expand the “education freedom space” in America.

Does your child cry at the thought of another timed math fact test? Are you beating your head against the wall because your child can’t seem to remember the multiples of 7? Learn fabulous and effective alternatives to worksheets and flashcards by playing easy and fun math card games. Imagine your children asking to practice their math facts more! Discover games to help your child learn their math facts.

Explore the Biblical basis for missions and how families can practically make an impact.  Missions is not a divine afterthought but the central theme through scripture. Understanding the foundational implications of missions and understand the purpose for which we are created. See what God is doing around the world in our generation!

Homeschool Co-op Utopia is a place where community, learning, and great memories live. The road is not without ups and downs or unexpected turns. A well-organized co-op can make all the difference between success and an “I’ll never do that again” road trip. Join Beth as she shares from her years of experience and piles on an armload of resources to help you create a successful homeschool co-op. If you are in a co-op, thinking about starting a co-op, or wondering what life is like in a co-op, then take a seat and fasten your seatbelt! Be rready to go great places!

Music has become such an ever-present influence in our daily lives, we seldom stop to consider what effect it has on us. Man has changed over the last 100 years from being music makers to music consumers. We gradually lost control over, and even awareness of, our auditory environment. In what way is music beneficial to our bodies and minds? Can it actually be harmful? Scientific research provides some astounding answers to such questions—indeed, facts that must not be ignored.

History Makers have a keen perception, they understand the world they live in. Our perception is illuminated by having a biblical world view.  God’s word is our moral and spiritual compass that will set our course to change the world!  It’s time to learn to base our faith on the Word of God so that we can become the history makers that He has called us to be.

The great history makers of the Bible all practiced a very simple strategy, they heard God’s voice and took steps of obedience.  We likewise will learn to follow this simple biblical pattern. Explore scripture to identify the key ways God speaks to his children and learn how to apply the faith needed to walk in obedience. Know and obey God's voice and He will lead us step by step to fulfill our destiny.

This message is from the youth track (it is also given in the general sessions). Relational wisdom is your ability to discern emotions and interests in yourself and in others. Use God’s Word, and these insights to manage your responses and relationships successfully. Jeff Sande will describe the biblical basis for relational wisdom and show how these skills can lead to productive lives, better job performance, and a more credible witness for Christ.

This is part 2 and uses musical samples to help listeners learn to hear more actively, both to gain the most out of their listening experience as well as to encourage defensive listening with greater discernment. Musical selections of baroque, classical, folk, and popular genres are played and discussed. Without saying, “This is good, this is bad,” Mr. Pudewa presents a unique perspective on the question of whether all music is equally beneficial to the Christian.

“If you control yourselves, then your parents don’t have to.” Did you realize that you have incredible power over your life…not by controlling your parents …but by controlling yourself? Listen and learn how to calm yourself down and deal proactively with stress, peer pressure, anxiety, focus, attention, and more. Jesus wasn’t some weak guy—he was very powerful precisely because He controlled Himself. This is hard-hitting advice and strategies that most adults don’t even know how to master, but you can!

You’re having a difficult discussion with your parents— about video games, social media, chores, curfew, motivation, trying harder in school, or college— and the conversation quickly escalates. Each side talks AT instead of TO each other with the sole goal of winning the argument. Both sides dig in. How can you have difficult discussions while still honoring and respecting your parents? Listen and learn.

God has knit within you various gifts, talents, and passions. Sometimes His plan seems so mysterious. People get stuck wondering if they are doing the right thing. But what if God’s plan for your life involves just one simple step of faith? Discover what that step is.

This session is directed to youth - it is also listed in the general convention. Teens often watch hundreds of hours of electronic media every year … often with little benefit. This workshop will provide practical guidance on how to use popular Hollywood movies to gain life-changing relational skills.

Standing for faith, family, and freedom requires strength and courage. At a time in our history when this is more important than ever before, homeschooling families are living very strong and courageous lives. The Hebrew word for strong in the Old Testament is a verb meaning decisive action. It also means encouragement. The idea communicated is that we have the courage to act to take on the challenge, which often occurs when we are facing something that seems impossible or has great risk if we fail. In this keynote address, we will look at how God calls us to accomplish the impossible and how homeschooling parents and students have succeeded as leaders in their homes, communities, and our nation. You will be encouraged in your calling as a parent and leader, and we’ll be reminded that as believers we can be a strong and courageous people.

Jessica Hulcy, speaks frankly and transparently about her journey of homeschooling and life with marvelous triumphs and glorious victories and agonizing priority losses that netted damaging consequences. This is a testimony of God’s amazing love and care for each of HIS chosen believers to not lose sight of what The God of the Universe requires of each of us.

The story that must be told about the view from the front lines as God delivered homeschoolers in Idaho from incarceration to their unlikely “Promised Land” of liberty.

Jessica Hulcy gives a stirring rendition of men in history that stayed the course and impacted history. But how could just an average homeschooling mom impact history…. especially a tired mom who is wondering if she should continue in this present calling of homeschooling? Jessica shares numerous personal experiences and stories from her own life where the benefits and rewards of homeschoolers were clearly revealed to her, prompting her to stay her course. Jessica will not only help you see how immensely important your job really is, but she will inspire you to “stay the course!”

Many homeschoolers confess that the most difficult thing for the homeschooling family is to balance all the responsibilities the family has. This workshop will approach this challenge from a strictly biblical perspective. Mike Smith will explain that the key to solving the time crunch is establishing priorities, and how to carry out those priorities. This is an essential workshop. Lives will be changed, schedules will be met, and families, many for the first time, will go through days, months and years without the frustration of feeling like a failure because you have not accomplished your goals and objectives.

What inside tips would a teacher and a home schooling mom/teacher of 30+ years share with moms just beginning to home school? Come hear Jessica Hulcy share her wealth of practical advice and information in her hilarious Jessica-style on what she personally recommends young moms do and not do when they begin homeschooling. Be enlightened and encouraged and entertained…all at the same time!

Working with a reluctant writer? Wanting to inspire a resilient one? This workshop helps you become an effective writing coach and ally to your children through understanding the writing process. Julie first explores the relationship between how professional writers teach writing and how educators typically instruct students, then looks at the tactics that work—empowering you to sustain and enhance your relationship with your kids while they learn to write. The end result? An eight-week writing plan you can implement right away!

This is for your ‘puzzling child’. Is it just a maturity issue, or is something else going on? If you have a bright, hardworking child who has to work too hard to learn, he is telling you that one or more of his Four Learning Gates is blocked. Using a diagnostic checklist of symptoms, you can easily pinpoint which of your child’s gates are blocked. Learn how to be your own diagnostician using a checklist of symptoms, and then learn the necessary interventions. This can be done by the parents at home. It doesn’t have to be so hard for your child! Find out specifically how the brain processes information, and where that processing can break down. You will learn things you have never heard of before in a Homeschool workshop.

Connecting with our child’s heart is vital to a successful parenting and homeschool experience. Elizabeth will share some vital ways to nurture this all-important relationship. Her mini-quiz will help you evaluate where you are as a parent connecting with your child’s heart to heart.

If you’ve ever wondered how to design a high school course of study, evaluate the results, develop a transcript or award a diploma, this is the workshop for you. Linda will attempt to cover all of these subjects and more in one quick hour.

Life and death is in the power of tongue. Deep scars can occur as a result of negative, condemning words and withholding of praise and affirmation. The goal of this talk is to ensure that our children do not grow up feeling rejection from us as parents because of bad communication. This talk uses James 3:1–10 as a model for how we use words to edify and build up rather than to tear down. The talk will explore some ways that we use our tongue to injure our children and how we can use our tongue as an instrument of blessing. The talk’s goal is to develop a relationship with our child that lasts forever.

Jessica Hulcy, is a master teacher who wants to show moms how to avoid the most common pit fall of homeschooling…that of teaching subjects and curriculum instead of teaching individual children. Join Jessica as she not only shares teaching techniques and tips, but also pulls parents from the audience to demonstrate how to teach so children love learning and retain forever what they learned. It is all about creating memories that last forever.

Your child struggles to get words on the page, yet you feel guilty about offering help. Is it cheating to do the handwriting for him? Shouldn’t you hold back and not interfere with her work? When your child revises a draft, is it okay for you, the parent, to make suggestions or contribute sentences and ideas? What do you do if your child “borrows” original material from another source and passes it off as his own? Partnership Writing is more than transcribing your child’s oral narratives. Partnering with your child in writing means to model, support and guide the writing process by supplying the appropriate amount of help to the evident level of need. Julie explores ways you can partner with your child from kindergarten all the way through the academic writing life of a high schooler. Don’t miss this essential workshop that transforms how you develop your writing-editing partnership with all of your children. Partnership Writing is the most overlooked stage of development in the natural stages of growth in writing. Learn how to be that partner your child needs and deserves.

Half of the population is right brain dominant, and half is left brain dominant. You may have a right brain learner in your midst! These wonderful children learn in a different manner than their left brain siblings. If you have a child who does not “like’” school work no matter what you do, you will learn much in this workshop. You will learn how to identify the right brain child and learn many simple teaching techniques, such as Right Brain Spelling (making the words “stick instead of slip”) and Right Brain Reading. (As a bonus, you will also understand your spouse better, since we tend to marry the opposite hemisphere…God’s sense of humor!) By using a totally different strategy, we consistently see a two-year gain in reading and spelling in one year! Parents say, “I can’t believe it, but my child asks to do spelling now.”

The early years before children begin formal education is the time to teach them that learning is fun and interesting. Elizabeth will present informal reading and math “lessons” that not only teach, but help transition mom into their first teacher. Learning to take advantage of teaching opportunities and apply wisdom to the education process will help insure that our little ones will love learning and move easily into formal academics.

The battle for the next generation is fought on the field of education. Join Mike Riddle as he shares three truths from the Bible about education. Not only will you be equipped for battle, but you will be trained to aim right for the heart of the issue. During this workshop you will gain a plan of action for a winning strategy with The Big Five, and leave knowing the greatest teaching method of all.

Why aren’t your Christian neighbors homeschooling? What is the number one reason that parents do not homeschool? Their lack of confidence to believe that they can actually do the job, or, put another way—fear of failure. Many homeschoolers in the midst of homeschooling are wondering how they will be able to determine whether they are successful or not with their children. Mike will explain in very clear and decisive terms how you can know whether or not you have been successful when you get to the end of your homeschool experience where it says “The End.” One way to answer the question is whether or not our work homeschooling with our children has been in vain. The Bible gives clear and decisive direction in this area which should be very encouraging to all of us, and hopefully give us encouragement in even the most difficult situations.

Scientific evidence supports discovery learning as one of the primary keys to developing critical thinking skills in children. Showing professional video footage of her teaching a group of five to seven-year-olds, Jessica Hulcy, demonstrates how easy it is for parents to employ discovery techniques allowing them to break out of the “tell and regurgitate” rut so many parents find themselves locked into. Critical thinking techniques can and should be applied at all levels of learning and in all subjects to produce thinking adults.

When should my student learn to write an essay? Shall I teach the research paper? What if I’ve neglected writing until now? Is it too late? This session deals specifically with all the dynamics of high school writing: The necessary formats, the timing of that instruction, how you can effectively prepare your son or daughter for college and how to evaluate the work they do. Don’t despair! It’s not too late, and you are the right person for the job!

If you have a child who groans and fusses about writing, or still writes reversals, or spells a word orally correctly but leaves out letters when he writes, this workshop is for you! This child’s math papers are often hard to read because the numbers are lined up so poorly! These children are often thought of as sloppy, lazy, or unmotivated when they really have a writing glitch. They are using way too much energy for the writing process, so they are reluctant to put pencil to paper for anything. This often is a true Dysgraphia. The writing learning gate is the most common gate that is blocked with gifted kids. They know so much, but just can’t get their thoughts down in writing because of this blocked learning gate. In this workshop you will be shown a daily exercise you can do with your child to get the writing into his “automatic” brain hemisphere, and take the stress out of his writing system.

When should I start preschool at home? What does my preschooler need to know? How much time should we spend doing educational activities? Is preschool even important?!? This workshop will answer all of these questions and more. We’ll first focus on understanding the cognitive `and physical development of preschoolers, and then explore practical teaching methods, tools and activities that will lay the foundation for future learning.

As a home educator, how do you define success? What principles do you use in writing your own job description? Join Mike Riddle as he discusses Christian education, the critical starting point of education, the highest form of learning, and more.

Have any of your children demonstrated a tendency toward anger or a bad temper? If so, this session is absolutely essential for you. Anger is a God-given emotion and did not come about as a result of the fall. However, the Bible says, “Be angry, and sin not.” This talk addresses anger from a biblical perspective, focusing on the positive and negative aspects of anger. Michael Smith also delineates the five steps that lead to rebellion.

We all have one: that imagined dream homeschool where our children are relaxed, where we are at ease, where learning happens naturally and everyone gets along. Sometimes it seems as though a fantasy homeschool is a dream, never a reality. Yet what if you could create momentum in your homeschool? What if once a month or once a week, you shifted how you saw your life at home and took the risks necessary to foster the home education you long for? This session reveals the principles you need and the practical steps you take that protect you from too much risk but empowers you to trust your hunches and transform your dearest aspirations into reality.

Many people think that some are just born with a “photographic memory”. But we now know that this amazing ability can be easily taught. Teach your children the lifelong skill of studying for tests by taking a picture of the contents of a chapter. For some children, math is a monster! They hate it and always feel dumb when doing it. These children have difficulty learning math facts. They tend to do poorly on tests, because they “forget” how to do the math processes. Your child will finally be able to pass the math tests and go on to the higher math courses using right brain math. No curriculum to purchase… just fast, effective, right brain strategies to use at home to reduce math frustration and tears! So many moms report that their child now likes math. These powerful visual memory techniques work with all types of learners, and can be a God-send for a child who has an auditory processing glitch.

If we want our home school years to be successful, we must build a quality family life and healthy marriage that will serve as a model for our children’s future relationships. This session focuses on how to make this happen. Included are “Ten Tips for Wives” and “What Wives Wish Their Husband’s Knew About Homeschooling.”

Join Linda Lacour Hobar to discover what happens when Bible history and world history meet face to face – literally! Through stories, activities, literature, and much more, watch His-story unfold on one seamless, thought-provoking timeline.

Almost every father has heard that he is to lead his family spiritually, physically, and in every other way. However, many fathers will tell you that no one has ever told them how to effectively lead their children, especially in the area of spiritual development. Michael Smith presents encouraging and practical tips to fathers for becoming a helpful participant in the home education program and a leader in the home. He provides insight on the mental and emotional benefits to mothers and children fathers can provide through specific activities, and offers suggestions to men on being more effective as husbands. Mike candidly shares his many failures and a few successes. The session concludes with a list of the six things homeschooling mothers have identified as the primary ways their husbands can be more effective in the family’s homeschool program. In one father’s words, “Inspiring and convicting—thanks for the straight talk!”

Jessica Hulcy has been teaching homeschool for 30+ years and still claims to be sane! She credits multi-level teaching with allowing her to teach as much as possible to all her children at one time thereby keeping her sanity while also building family togetherness. Jessica will show actual video footage of her teaching her boys using the unit method to effectively impart knowledge to children of varying ages at the same time…challenging the oldest yet not frustrating the youngest.

The best way to cultivate writing in your home is to create a language-rich environment. Julie explores the role of nature study, art appreciation, film, poetry, literature and word play in the development of great writers. She looks at the concept of “party school” –how to research a report and turn it into a party! Don’t miss this workshop. It brings the “home“ back into your homeschool. Promise!

Can a child who is unable to read or who tests two or more years behind in reading be “caught up” in reading at home? YES! Using the unique “imbedding” method of teaching, your child will make great leaps as the left brain (data hemisphere) and the right brain (visual hemisphere) are taught as a unit. Dianne Craft used this unique method in her Resource Room, working with bright, hard-working teens and kids who were reading two and more years behind. Eliminate reading blocks. The BIG DIFFERENCE in these lessons is that traditional methods of teaching are put aside. No workbooks. No writing. No memorizing. Instead, you will be showing your child how to use his strong Photographic Memory for easy retention. Your child will love this method, because he/she will have instant success.

Research from the Barna Group says that only nine percent of born-again Christians actually have a Christian worldview. Because the world is full of competing worldviews, our children can easily become confused. For that matter, so can adults. In this session, learn the ten facets that make up a worldview, and what the bible has to say about them. You’ll get a framework for teaching worldview and examples of activities you can use. After all, as Christian homeschoolers, we need to guard against being “taken captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)

This fast paced session is filled with real life stories on how one person can change their community, state and nation. This session will motivate, equip, and encourage you with six ways to influence the people you help elect to office. Gain information on writing press releases, letters to the editor, and tips for dealing with the media. For students of all ages, this is a great supplement to your regular civics or government program.

Parental rights and religious freedom have been the two foundations to establish a constitutional right for parents to teach their children at home. The U.S. Supreme Court some years back weakened the free exercise of religion claim as a foundation for homeschooling so that in order for homeschoolers to claim a fundamental right to homeschool, they must be able to combine the free exercise right with the parental rights claim. In other words, both rights have to co—exist. Currently, this is not a problem, but because of the fragile nature of freedom, moral decay, complacency and apathy, homeschooling freedoms are in jeopardy. An additional threat that is brewing but not well known, is the opposition to homeschooling from the intellectual elites, e.g., law and college professors. This opposition is based on a belief that the state, through public schools, should have access to all children to teach tolerance for others, which leads to collectivism. Homeschoolers are in their cross—hairs. We are clearly at risk.

Our children come into this world with a will of their own, and the battle begins. Our task is to train them to follow Christ and develop into productive adults. If we use instruction and discipline correctly they will respond positively to our parenting. This session tells how to direct the will through consistent and loving training while nurturing a loving relationships between parent and child.

We all love dear Charlotte, but let’s face it. She didn’t have to contend with video games, Netflix, or cheap Van Gogh prints in McDonald’s restaurants. Moreover, the world has changed in a century. How do we translate all the good in her thinking and educational philosophy into a robust, technologically-current, globalized educational model that she’d applaud today? This seminar calls for an update—can we be brave enough to expand on Miss Mason’s fabulous, child-oriented, expansive vision of education? The answer is, “Yes, we can.”

Johnny is a constant motion machine. Tom cries in frustration over minor matters. Susie forgets what she has just learned. According to Dr. Sydney Walker, children tend to “act how they feel”. This fascinating workshop provides you with clues to your child’s brain/body chemistry. William Crook, MD, has found that over 85% of children who suffer with Sensory Processing Disorders or attention or mood disorders when older have experienced multiple ear infections as a young child. Untreated, these children often go on to have many hidden food allergies and asthma. It is easy to correct these imbalances at home and dramatically affect your child’s learning day.

Let’s pretend that Mary and Martha decide to homeschool. Following their character, Martha would probably have all her plans in place (and be frustrated), and Mary would probably be at the feet of Jesus (and way behind schedule.) We all have a little of Mary and Martha in us, but this workshop is designed to encourage Mary’s who love the Lord and their children, but need help and structure to successfully homeschool. The presenter of this workshop is a self-proclaimed Mary who managed to homeschool for 17 years, and still likes to talk about it.

All you really wanted to do was homeschool your own children, but now you find you are the leader of a homeschool support group. It has been said that leading homeschoolers is like trying to herd cats. How do you get members to sign up to do the newsletter and run the field trips? As a matter of fact, how do you get members to even attend the meetings? How can you share the vision of homeschooling with people who have no vision? Listen as Jessica shares how she has used the concept of team, hospitality, and shoes….yes, shoes to help build a support group that goes beyond support group to establish a community of homeschoolers who serve each other.

Through abounding stories of good and evil, world history has the power to disturb our souls or inspire our hearts! Join Linda Lacour Hobar, author of The Mystery of History, for an insightful look at unleashing the power of world history to stir hearts of all ages toward the truths of the Gospel.

Planning to teach ancient history? Need help integrating the Bible? Listen to Linda Lacour Hobar, author of The Mystery of History, as she takes you from Creation to the birth of Christ in about one hour – shaping Biblical and secular history into one amazing timeline with portraits of King Tut, King David, Nebuchadnezzar, Buddha, Cleopatra, and more. Like pieces of a mosaic, learn of the major events in ancient history that together portray the beautiful story of Christ revealing Himself to mankind.