National Christian Forensics and Communications Association

The word “freedom” isn’t just for ol’ graying hippies and revolutionary wannabes? It’s a biblical concept and at the core of what it means to be an American and a home- schooler. How’d we get our homeschool freedoms? Why should we care? Are we really free? How might we lose this liberty? What are the enemies? You need to know the core principles of educational freedom and why we must strive to keep or expand that liberty. Dr. Ray has been in the battle for over 30 years

Ever feel lost, wandering, ineffective, or downright wimpy? Ever wonder where your roots really go? Only if you know who you are and where you are going can you be the most successful and effective in life. Face a few big questions with Brian and hear some practical, biblically-based suggestions. This session is aimed especially at youth but is for all ages, single or married

How does Dad meet the challenge of homeschooling when he is working one or more jobs and still trying to maintain his influence and leadership in the home? Jake MacAulay will give practical advice and encouragement from his personal experience.

Nancy shares tips she’s learned along the way for making the home education adventure more effective and fruitful...and more enjoyable, too! We’ll talk about what success looks like and share 12 obstacles to success. Glean ideas to help you organize your time, your home, your schedule, and your life in ways that will foster a successful homeschool experience with your children

Homeschooling doesn’t have to cost hundreds of dollars each year. With some extra time and energy, you can teach on a budget. Dara and Tracy Halydier started homeschooling while Tracy was in seminary and without a job. They continued on a minister’s salary while home-schooling five children through high school. Dara will share ideas from beginning to graduation on bargain buying and teaching without the textbooks

This session will cover the North Dakota requirements for home schooling. Theresa will provide instruction asnd 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.

Are you confused about credits, transcripts and high school tests such as the ACT and SAT? This workshop will provide you with the guidance you need to create a clear and personalized plan for your high-schooler that will include necessary credits as well as electives, work and community service experience and so much more.

Have you ever wondered how people could live to be 900 years old? Where did Cain get his wife? Are dinosaurs in the Bible? What about the Ice-Age? Did dinosaurs go on Noah’s Ark? How old is the earth? Did dinosaurs live with man? All these and many more questions will be answered as we examine the world before Noah’s Flood

Breaking out of the box of traditional schooling brought flexibility, creativity and substance to the Leedahl family. Cam will share how real life experiences can teach character, valuable life skills, and augment academic subjects. She’ll cover how to use your child’s strengths and passions in forming their homeschool plan, give practical tips for success, and show how to document learning that does not come from a book.

Homeschooling jargon can be confusing even for seasoned homeschool parents. Nancy will give an overview of the most common curriculum approaches including textbook, unit studies, classical, Charlotte Mason/living books, eclectic, and relaxed/ delight-directed learning. We will also go over examples of curriculum and resources that tend to work best with each approach

Romance, passion and negligees...for too many home-schoolers these are things of past. Dad goes to work, Mom is busy from sun up to sun down with the house and kids, and there are still obligations outside of the home. Everyone falls into bed exhausted! But marriage is still the bedrock of the home and must be nurtured! Dara will give you some creative ideas on keeping your marriage a priority and maybe even a little bit steamy.

Just how old is the earth and does it really make a difference? We will show you how to make a precise timeline using the Bible as a reliable, historical record. Of course, some very key questions pop up along the way.

Readers are leaders...and writers have the opportunity to help forge the future through the books those leaders read. Whether you are eight or forty-eight, there are key fundamentals to excellent fiction writing that readers and publishers alike are looking for. Chuck shares his insights on how to write fiction that captures the hearts and minds of all ages

Many parents fall prey to their own insecurities and the critics’ darts when their children reach age 14 and they consider abandoning home-based education. Professionals, institutional schooling, public school enticements, misperceptions of reality, and the world’s opinion muddy the waters. Dr. Ray will rally parents’ spirits and harden their resolve to continue homeschooling for the long term to reap the harvest of its excellent fruits

The deception of the Enemy in our modern world seems overwhelming at times, especially for our young people. Is there scientific evidence for God? Does faith deny logic and reason? Chuck tackles these questions and offers solid answers through practical apologetics. Equip your youth using the synergy between scripture, science, technology, logic and reason to stand against the onslaught of deception the world throws at them.

It is a rich experience where learning is a hands-on, multi-sensory, interactive adventure. Nancy will share easy-to-implement, inexpensive, rewarding ideas for incorporating hands-on learning for children of all ages. You can make learning a joy for your child without a huge investment of time, energy, or resources

What does a godly child look like compared to a perfect child? Trying to raise a perfect child will lead to rebellion, low self-esteem and other problems, while raising a godly child will lead to grace, joy and freedom. We will walk through aspects of God’s law that can be incorporated into our families and then give ideas of moving the child to grace as they mature and grow.

Dual credit is a unique opportunity for students 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 hints about when to align placements tests such as the ACT. If you are a family with a high school freshman, sophomore, and/or junior, this session is for you

Blended learning is the homeschooling world's secret weapon, especially as homeschool students ability, interest or knowledge outstrips their parents time or ability. Blended learning occurs when technology and teaching inform each other allowing them to interact with others from around the world, learning from world-class teachers. If you’re wondering how to balance homeschooling with working, multiple children, abilities, disabilities, and more, this workshop is for you.

~This workshop is for ladies and young ladies only. Some material may not be suitable for boys and young men~ Learn how God has intricately designed the female body.

Explore topics such as carbon dating, tree rings, ice cores, population statistics, astronomy, erosion and more to see how they all support an earth that could not possibly be millions and billions of years old. Shows how the Bible isn't against science but rather science gives credible support for the Bible and a young earth

How did our wonderful home-trained son go off the rails? He forsook his faith and all he was taught. Lies consumed our relationship. He plunged into the lifestyle of worldly passions and fell into the deep end of the legal system. We lost our son... but God! This prodigal came back to the kingdom of Heaven taking it by force and revenging his former disobedience. The impossible happened in our son. That son is Jake MacAulay, and he’s here to share his story. Parents, there is hope.

The idea of teaching our children at home can be a rather dreamy notion. We imagine happy, contented, obedient children that rise early, complete their chores without complaint, and cheerfully gather around the kitchen table eager to learn. The reality often involves struggles that can leave a mom feeling overwhelmed and inadequate with children who are equally frustrated. Join Nancy as she shares encouragement to bolster and refresh you as you endeavor to create an atmosphere of joy

All textbooks and no fun make many homeschoolers want to throw schooling out the window! Dara will share ideas of carrying on the spontaneity of homeschooling fun through high school without compromising the knowledge needed to get into college. She’ll inspire you to think outside the textbook box and enjoy the last few years your teen will be at home.

What should “school” look like for early learners? What things are developmentally appropriate? This fun and informative session will provide an overview of teaching methods specifically geared to pre- and elementary-age children. Nancy will share resources, fun games, toddler tips, and easy activities, all designed to help parents think outside the box when it comes to “doing school."

A growing trend in the homeschooling world is the number of families that include both parents working while homeschooling. This will be a practical workshop designed to help you get a clear plan for juggling work, school, chores, self-care, and more!

Lures abound to sidetrack homeschooling parents. One such lure is the promise of “free,” state-run, “home” school programs to “help” you educate your children. It is paramount to consider who should be in authority over what is taught to the minds and hearts of children. Dr. Ray will challenge you to think through this issue and provide you with information and insight that will help you promote the concept of the separation of school and state. This has emerged as one of the most important issues with which homeschoolers must grapple

"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6) has often been misunderstood as assuring parents that their prodigals will return to the Lord. However, the verse is more properly translated, "Train... according to their bent, or in keeping with their temperament...". Explore how understanding the four basic temperaments can help you better parent your children.

You've schooled and fed them, wiped their tears, and showed them the way. You’ve introduced them to Jesus and encouraged them to have a relationship with Him. Now, how do you let them go? Dara will address concerns of teens and parents as they enter this next phase of life. There is a way to prepare your teen for what is to come and to prepare your heart as well

Are you just starting to homeschool and want to make sure your child actually enjoys math? Seeing math frustration in your older child and want to change course? We’ll help you dodge mistakes when teaching math and put you on the path to true math understanding and success with easy-to-implement techniques.

Home schooling more than one child? Do you find it hard to get everything done? This workshop is designed to assist moms who are attempting to homeschool two or more children at one time. It includes suggestions for schedules, organization, record keeping, curricula, preparing for potential problems and other ideas gleaned from homeschooling fourteen children

This hands-on workshop is a helpful source of practical advice, information, and application for correct vocal technique. Emily will discuss the fundamentals of vocal technique, including the basics of posture and breathing as well as offering insight into the more nuanced aspects of performance, including stage presence, expression, and performance etiquette

You want your children to be the best in – well, everything. You also want to have tender relationship with and godly compassion for them. In striving to lead his wife and eight children to "greatness," Brian has found that he can fall into the sin of provoking them. He will talk about how to combine high expectations with faithfulness, grace, justice, mercy, and kindness.

Twenty-six hundred years ago, three teenagers stood in defiance to a powerful king. In our world of entertainment-minded youth, are we doing enough to prepare them for the possibility of challenging days ahead? Chuck encourages parents and teens to ‘Know What You Believe’, ‘Know What’s Coming’, and ‘Know What You Will Do’ so if the day should come, we will stand and not bow!

Do you ever wonder what you were thinking when you signed up to homeschool? Do you tend to compare yourself, your school, and your children with others? Dara will address issues like feelings of inadequacy or insecurity, being overwhelmed, etc. She’ll use a Biblical base, personal stories and humor to encourage moms that God is able when we are not!

Parenting can be hard... Add in special needs and it gets even more complicated. Yet, I believe this is supposed to be one of the most important times of our lives, not only for our children, but for ourselves. I'll be sharing what my children have taught me about myself and how I'm better for it. Bring joy back into your life and home.

How do you prepare your student for an ever changing, competitive, expensive and global job-market, where, on average, they'll have upwards of 12 jobs during their life-time? This workshop will focus on helping your student create a successful life plan and remain versatile in an ever-changing, global job market.

Was Joshua Harris correct? Is it God's desire that young people "court" rather than date? Is dating really such a negative thing? We’ll look at the pros and cons as we seek God's wisdom on these often confusing and conflicting issues.

The Beginning and End of Marriage, and Why Ours Matters

Pursuing God's Blessing in Our Marriage

Growing Through Hard Times in Our Marriage

Cultivating Intimacy in Our Marriage

Taking the Next Steps in Our Marriage

Two hundred years ago a man could be excommunicated from his church for failing to lead his household in regular family worship. Today a man can become a pastor without ever having engaged in the process. Learn the history, theology, and importance of family worship, along with gaining practical tips any family can follow to institute this vital practice.

America’s exceptionalism encompasses great diversity of race, ethnicity, and religion, and has benefited every American. For several decades of indoctrination in both education and politics, we have been taught America's flaws but little of its matchless benefits. Five principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence have produced blessings for America. Discover these principles and learn what every citizen can do to restore America.

There is a mighty clash of worldviews going on all around us, and there is no way to escape. Educating our children at home will only postpone the inevitable. Will our children engage their culture as lambs going to slaughter, or as sheep among wolves, being "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16)?

America has developed a severe case of historical amnesia. Not only have we forgotten how we became the most stable and prosperous nation on the globe, but now we often feel compelled to apologize to the world just for being Americans. Five specific historical attacks launched over the past century have now found a permanent home in American media and education. Learn about the five attacks and how to quickly identify and negate their harmful influence. Preserve the understanding of America’s greatness for generations to come.

What good is home education if the Bible is not central to all we do? However, often parents feel inadequate to interpret Scripture and teach it to their children. Revive your own study of Scripture and spark your family devotions by implementing Dr. Baucham's practical suggestions.

This session will help parents move past the awkwardness inherent in topics regarding sexuality and provide you with ideas and resources to incorporate into your family conversations.

Life can be sweet, refreshing, and joyful. Do your children and spouse see God’s joy in you? Do they get refreshed by your joyful spirit? God gives us joy (Ecc. 2:26), He is our joy (Ps. 43:4), and He commands us to be joyful (Phil. 4:4) and full of joy (Jn. 15:11) regardless of our circumstances (Heb. 10:34). No matter your personality type, God wants you to bear His Spirit to your family. Come ready to be rejuvenated and encouraged to “rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your household” (Deut. 12:7).

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/Life-Bowl-of-Cherries-Joy-handout-2018-05-02.pdf

Carol will guide parents in considering critical aspects of a high school student’s homeschool plan. Topics presented will include what subjects to teach and their timing, whether to follow a basic high school plan or a rigorous college prep plan, how to evaluate credits and determine grades, and whether or not transcripts and diplomas are needed. If you are beginning to think about homeschooling during the high school years, this seminar will help you organize your thoughts so you can begin laying the groundwork for a viable four-year plan.

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/Developing-High-School-Plan.pdf

Twenty-plus years and seventeen kids later, what a veteran homeschool mom would repeat and what she would do differently on this homeschooling journey!

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/Sentimental-Journey-handout-2017.pdf

In this workshop, Dr. Eliot Grasso examines the preconceptions, opportunities, and challenges for Christian homeschoolers who are exploring and participating in higher education. The objective of this workshop is to give insider perspectives on Christian and secular institutions so that families can make informed decisions about the next critical developmental step in their children's education.

Help for the parents who have tried everything and are at their wits end. HELP has been working with families to HELP Elevate Learning Processing for over 30 years.

Learn what the Bible has to say about financial stewardship, which includes debt, budgeting, investing and a lesser known concept—stewardship of culture. Discover how your homeschooler can earn continuing education credits through the process.

With wisdom and understanding, Marianne offers encouragement in making the decision to homeschool. She will equip you to answer critics who insist schools are the educational experts, tell you how to overcome common emotional issues for parents and kids, share the legalities of home education, and give you tips for finding local support. ?Marianne will share the truth about the state of special education in public schools, tips on finding and identifying homeschool curriculum for the dyslexic student, and strategies for getting it all done. She will also discuss teaching methods, when to get help in the form of diagnostic testing and educational therapy, and how to balance accommodations and remediations. *Complimentary coffee served during Marianne’s sessions.

Join Pat and travel through the first six days of earth history as you learn about scientific and biblical creation.

As the culture disintegrates around us, why not encourage your students to pursue an education that will equip them for Christian leadership through the power of the Gospel? This education will not be just a train ticket to the next job, but a prized foundation for their lifetime of cultural leadership through Christian fearlessness wherever God calls them to serve.

Discover award-winning Excellence in Writing, a method of teaching composition that really works. Using this program, students of all ages will learn to write stories, reports, and essays with style. This workshop will give you an overview of the program and show you how to get started.

This is a crash course for those interested in filmmaking. Joel Steege, director/producer of The Runner from Ravenshead and The Defense of New Haven, shares just what it takes to make an independent Christian film. Bonus: view newly-released behind-the-scenes footage from Little Crew Studios' productions.

Be part of the solution during a natural disaster. Learn to be prepared and how to act in your local community.

Homeschoolers are not at a disadvantage when it comes to acing standardized tests. But there are little-known secrets that can hinder scores and scholarship money. We uncover wrong information that has been perpetrated for years. Discover why colleges are coveting homeschoolers and how they use tests like the SAT/ACT and PSAT to validate the transcript. You will join tens of thousands of informed families and walk away knowing the key to beating these tests and how your student can receive life-changing, incredible scholarship money.

Jack Dublin, teller of tall tales, reads from his journal and discusses the importance of wisely choosing the stories we read. Have you ever wondered why the culture has morphed into what it is today from what it was when you were a child? The answer may surprise you: the gatekeepers of our heritage—storytellers—weaved contrarian tales for the cinema, television and print to achieve a desired end. We are living out that desired end, but we have reason for great hope in this ascending generation.

What is a quiet time? Not only will we look at the importance of building a regular devotional life, but we will learn some practical ways to build this habit in the lives of adults and young people. The pressures of life and media choices fight against having a meaningful relationship with God. Instead of living under guilt, take fresh courage to walk with God. We will also look at the most important part of Bible Study.

Dads have it easy. Twenty years ago we used to say, “I’m the principal, and the principal is your pal.” Have times changed? Is education just a series of new chapters in a textbook? Does someone else make your decisions? “I’ve got my job and my hobbies—that keeps me busy enough.” Does your wife agree? Homeschool veteran Dick Karman will take a few minutes to remind us of God’s plan. You will look at your family from a different point of view. Honestly examine what God has to say for you and your house.

So many homeschool moms get burned out trying to do it all. Sometimes we just have to be reminded to take advantage of the resources God has given us for the job He has called us to do.

Will the fabric of your relationship as a couple unravel once your children leave home? Home education demands can consume couples, causing them to forgo investing in their marriage. Dr. Baucham shares the theological and practical importance of a strong marriage as the foundation of home education and explores ways to make time for our marriage and why it will benefit not only us but our children in the long-run.

Technology is inescapable, but it is also not the enemy. Learn to manage tech so it does not manage you. It can be a great tool for us and our families.

Always feeling behind? Wondering how to get it all done? Find out about this simple and flexible tool and how you can incorporate it into your homemaking and homeschooling! The handout is a link to a blog post where you can download loop scheduling templates.

Handout available at: https://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/loop-scheduling-printables.html

Creating a high school transcript is a vital part of your teen’s high school records—but it doesn’t have to be hard! In this interactive, practical seminar, you will create a transcript that can be used as a pattern when designing your own. The session will guide you through transcript essentials, evaluation of credit, grading guidelines and scales, and calculation of grade point averages (GPAs). In addition, you’ll receive sample transcripts showing other formats for you to consider.

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/High-School-Transcript-Clinic.pdf

Mom of 17 homeschooled students and curriculum counselor for a statewide homeschool organization, Vicki shares the secrets to mapping out a successful course of study for your children. This workshop helps beginners to get a solid start in home education, encourages veterans to re-examine goals and priorities, and includes a basic overview of different teaching approaches.

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/Exploring-Curriculum-handout.pdf

You will walk out of this session knowing how to share the Gospel, both in Spanish and English. Be ready to share the Good News with anyone, anywhere, whether with a neighbor or on a mission trip.

As Christians, we must recognize we are living amidst a battle between light and darkness. In today’s culture, what is right is seen as wrong, and what is wrong is seen as right. The battle is fierce! We must gird ourselves daily with scriptural truths, develop hearts of wisdom and discernment, and speak God’s Word out loud. Jesus is our Victor! His power is within us. If we pray and speak out loud God’s Word and model these behaviors for our children, our families will live the victory that is already ours in Christ Jesus.

Poetry is beautiful because it has rhyme, reason, and pattern. Poetry paints a picture. It is so much more than letters; math is so much more than numbers. RightStart™ Math becomes poetry when it’s explored and understood. Do you see the patterns in math? Does math paint a picture? If you said no to these questions, you need to come and discover the beauty of math.

Marianne provides encouragement to step back from a busy mom’s everyday tasks and get her eye on the big picture. Moms, learn how to know the warning signs in order to avoid burnout and how to create priorities that work towards meaningful goals for yourself and the whole family. *Complimentary coffee served during Marianne’s sessions.

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Avoiding-and-Overcoming-Burnout.pdf