Your house is a disaster, your kids seem out of control, and you wonder how you'll ever make it through another day of school. Your "get up and go" has "gotten up and went." You used to think homeschooling was the best thing since sliced bread, but now you're feeling like burnt toast. Take heart—you're not alone! No one homeschools because it's easy. You do it because you believe it is best. But there are times when you need to be reminded again why it's best. Join Todd as he does just that. You'll laugh and be encouraged in the toughest job you'll ever...love.

Eighty percent of the children labeled "Learning Disabled" in school are boys. That's why wise parents understand that the confinement, boredom, and regimentation of school should be avoided if boys are to thrive. The key to understanding and cooperating with the drives God has built into boys is recognizing that boyhood is preparation for the roles of family protector, provider, and leader that naturally and biblically fall upon men. We must understand that we are not raising boys but training future men if we are to make boyhood the exciting and profitable season of life that God intended it to be.

Do you ever feel like you are trying to explain a concept to your children, and their minds are somewhere far away? Do you feel discouraged when they act like school is a drudge? To help them fulfill their life calling, we must develop a specific plan for training each one. Learn how to work "with" your child's uniqueness. Escape the bondage of expectations and set your child free to pursue his passions and be the whole person God wants him to be. (Warning, kids have been seen giving Mom the elbow when listening to this session.)

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/2023-speaker-handouts/

This session is a practical and encouraging overview of the simple yet effective methods used in the Charlotte Mason approach. You will learn about Charlotte and experience using her methods for yourself during the session.

Have you ever heard the saying, "The days are long, but the years are short?" While there are days that can test the sanity of just about any mom, these exciting, exhausting, laughter-inducing, messy years are rich with opportunity. How can we make the most of every day? How can we enjoy the beauty of this season and capitalize on its strengths? Discover how to map out a plan to make the most of these preschool years!

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.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." This is the first in a series of five sessions geared for teens based on Jeremiah 29:4-14. Adventures from retired Fire Captain Paul's years of fire service will challenge you to move from borrowed faith to owning your own faith. Making your faith your own is the way to secure your hope—without hope, there is no future!

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/2023-speaker-handouts/

In this session, Jeff and Wes discuss why a revival of Civics and Constitutional education for our children is key to a bright future for America. You will receive tools to immediately implement strategies and learning opportunities for your students.

Approximately one in five students have reading/writing/spelling difficulties, among other characteristics of dyslexia. Marcia, a certified Susan Barton Tutor, will focus on intervention for these students. She is also certified as an Irlen Diagnostician, as an S.O.I. Advanced practitioner, and is experienced with often co-existing, contributing conditions.

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

Have you ever felt lost amid all the "stuff" that is marketed to homeschoolers, confused by the many voices telling you to do it this way or that way? There's no need to panic. The wisest man in history has some advice to offer. Hear powerful, practical solutions that will help you get your priorities straight. God wrote the Proverbs for parents just like YOU.

For the last twelve years, you've probably felt the tension of "what's next?" for your children. You hoped the dilemma would solve itself, but it didn't. In fact, there are all sorts of homeschool graduates who are stuck in the "what now zone" or were discouraged from traveling a particular path. It's time to put your fears aside, look the cap and gown in the eye, and take an honest look at life after graduation. There is NOT a one-size-fits-all solution, and the pressure from family members, peers, and experts can seem dizzying. Should they go to college or try a college alternative, do a gap year, start their own business, stay at home, get a job, travel the world...join a monastery??!! Don't be afraid. God has a plan for your child, and part of that plan is that He's given them YOU to help guide them into their next phase of life. Join Todd Wilson as he takes a bold and straightforward look at "Life after Graduation." We'll look at the options, discuss the pros and cons, and take the FEAR out of graduation...remembering along the way that every child's path is different.

What in the world do I do with my preschoolers? Marilyn Boyer has taught all fourteen of her children at home, so she has plenty of experience with any age group you can name. But her favorite age to teach is those eager, curious, exciting, challenging munchkins we call preschoolers. This, Marilyn says, is the time when we lay the foundation for greatness by pouring love and acceptance all over them—instead of treating them like a nuisance. Preschoolers aren't just little interruptions to be kept "occupied" while older siblings study. This season in a child's life is the time to tap into his huge potential by maximizing his natural love for learning and helping him to see that God is preparing him for a lifetime of important service. Come and learn from Marilyn how to make your little ones a valuable part of the team!

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/2023-speaker-handouts/

After diagnosing her youngest daughter with autism, Sonya found herself in a spiritual valley. Though your valley may look different, the giants she encountered there may seem eerily similar to your own. Learn what Scriptures the Lord used to help her overcome five giants in the valley: the giants named Fear, Faltering Faith, Uncertainty, Guilt, and Self-Pity.

One of the perks of homeschooling is the opportunity families have to build relationships. Learning to live and learn together, 24-7, provides a wonderful environment where relationships are cultivated. It isn't always easy, but the benefits are well worth the effort! Heather and Colene provide an honest look at how to thrive in the beautiful but sometimes messy world of living and learning together.

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!

$$ Paul Telfer MP3# 23-207 Comfort Suites Would you leave your children in the care of a total stranger? One mom did. Come find out why. Paul will give principles for developing your own benchmarks by which to determine your purpose, life plan, and commitments as you move into the adult world. God has a plan for you on this twisting road of life.

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/2023-speaker-handouts/

X-Boxes, Game-Cubes, the INTERNET, Facebook, and iPhones have changed how we live, have fun, and interact. Children quietly glued to game monitors for hours have replaced laughter and creativity. They beg to play, whine when they can't, and even lie about the time they've spent on "the gadget." Teens and pre-teens spend most of their waking hours texting, chatting on Facebook, or 'tweeting' on Twitter. Today's latest-breaking technology becomes tomorrow's obsession, demanding more time, attention, and sacrifices. Technology has become a powerful tool, and everyone is doing it...but maybe you feel like you've lost control in your home. Does the chill down your spine tell you that something is terribly wrong? Do you feel like a beast has invaded your home, but you don't know how to handle it? If so, listen to Todd talk about the timely topic of taming the TECHNO-BEAST!

It's quiet but deadly. It can poison a whole family when no one knows it's there. It dampens affection, kills communication, and leaves hearts wounded and hurting. It is the number one reason marriages break up, and parents lose their children's hearts. The Bible describes it as a "root" that springs up and defiles many. In this talk, Rick Boyer explains how the poison of bitterness damages relationships and how the grace of God can put them back together again. Peace and love in your home are not just a dream.

Were you ever bored in history class? So was Marilyn Boyer! History is more than just a boring list of names and dates. It is the breathtaking panorama of human experience! Real people, real lives, real adventures. For nearly forty years, Marilyn has been learning history with her children in a way that is not only fascinating but life-changing. Learn how to do history as a family.

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/2023-speaker-handouts/

Teaching language arts doesn't have to be complicated. Discover what exactly is included in language arts and how the Charlotte Mason Method simply follows the natural progression of learning to use language well. Gather lots of practical tips for teaching language arts in an enjoyable and simple way—the Charlotte Mason way.

Heather Haupt MP3# 23-305 Willamette 4 Learning to embrace a natural, holistic way of education can make homeschooling doable and successful academically, spiritually, and socially for both the students and the parents. It's important to let go of our preconceived notions of what "school" should look like and instead major on the strengths of homeschooling – flexibility, real-life learning, real books (living books), dialogue rather than formal tests, etc. Discover how to emphasize the benefits of homeschooling and avoid the burnout that happens when parents try to replicate a traditional school in their homes.

Most teens crave to be independent, express their opinions, and control their lives. Wise parents will channel these tendencies to propel homeschooling forward. Learn how to start communicating with your teen to work together on your teen's homeschool strategy.

Relationships influence your future—Mule Kick Mark's story will emphasize the importance of having shared values and beliefs but different skills and talents. This session will guide you in choosing, developing, and maintaining relationships, including marriage, the most important earthly relationship of all.

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/2023-speaker-handouts/

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.

You may not crack open a book, work through a curriculum, or call it school, but it's your job to train your children. Join me as we look at the trials, triumphs, and tribulations of teaching our children. Now don't worry, I won't make you feel guilty or give you a forty-six-point outline, but I promise to tell it straight and to encourage you in the best job there is—fathering.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the demands of parenting? Life is certainly a challenge for parents, 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 with more than forty years of experience shares her techniques for accomplishing a mammoth amount of housework while giving her children a superior education at the same time.

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/2023-speaker-handouts/

Save time and money by teaching your students most school subjects together. Join Sonya for practical strategies to lower your stress level, provide a well-rounded education, and help you and your children build sweet memories. Learn how to keep it simple by teaching your whole family together with Charlotte Mason methods!

Have any of you ever felt paralyzed by the idea of your children having huge glaring gaps in their education? It's time to face your fear and conquer it! Fear is a joy-thief, but it doesn't have to hold you hostage. Discover four tips that will set the stage for a life-long pursuit of learning and help you forever conquer that fear of the gaps!

Writing a transcript is like tying a beautiful bow on the gift of homeschooling high school. Learn how to simply and effectively construct a transcript that provides direction as you are planning and teaching high school, colleges appreciate and accept, and gives satisfying closure on your homeschool experience. Find out what colleges want, how to count community college, and how to assign credits and compute G.P.A.

Maximize service to your community through your occupation. This session shares how to choose your occupation and use it for the benefit of your fellow man. Paul shares the many twists and turns on his road to serving God and his fellow man as a firefighter. He will give guidance for you as you embark on this road yourself.

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/2023-speaker-handouts/

Children love stories, and that's why they love Uncle Rick! Kids sit spellbound, and history comes alive when Uncle Rick paints his wonderful word pictures. So bring your kids and hear the greatest adventures of American history—the marvelous, exciting true stories that have inspired children for generations and still thrill young hearts today.

MP3# 23-412 Willamette 1 Homeschooling is a beautiful way to educate all minds, and it is particularly excellent for those with unique brain wiring. However, the problems associated with ADHD can be hard to recognize in a homeschooling environment since they don't manifest in the same manner as in institutional schooling. This workshop will shine a light on how ADHD shows up in the homeschool and how families can study it and support it so that these amazing minds can prosper even in the non-ADHD world. Attendees will receive a discount for "ADHD: See it, Study it, Support it!" Group Coaching with Rhea Finch, a Certified Professional ADHD Family Coach.

Join us to learn about an interdisciplinary approach to life issues in the K-12 homeschool curriculum. You will walk away with recommendations for age-appropriate books, programs, and activities to shape a pro-life worldview in your children.

Have you heard the buzz about RightStart™ Math? Hear about our philosophy and what sets us apart from other curricula. We will teach children that a real mathematical problem is like a puzzle, that math is more than memorization, and that math is fun. Learn what's special about our math program!

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

Do you have a child who is smart but does not feel like they are? Does your child speak poorly about themself or tell you they can't do something even before they try? Are they reluctant to try to learn something new for fear that they will not do it perfectly? Often, this is because they are afraid of forgetting, not being able to get it done fast or good enough or are afraid of disappointing their parents. This workshop will help you to better understand your child and help them see how truly smart and capable they are.

Marriage is hard...in fact, it's real hard! Yet when it is right and good, it can withstand anything. It doesn't matter what the economy does, the status of your bank account, the condition of your home or vehicles, or what your children dish out...because when a husband and wife are right, they're unbeatable. On the flip side, when a husband and wife feel distant or apathetic, it only takes the slightest breeze to ruffle a bunch of feathers. The truth is a mediocre marriage sucks the joy right out of life and your homeschool. The economy can swing up, your checking account can be healthy, your home and vehicles can purr like kittens, the kids can behave like angels, and life still...stinks. That's because marriage matters. Join Todd Wilson, The Familyman, for a time of laughter and encouragement as he shares real-life stories, problems, and frustrations, along with practical, simple solutions to having a marriage that can't be beat!

"How long, O LORD? Wilt Thou forget me forever?" This was the cry of David's heart in Psalm 13. Most of us have been there. As a parent, you will probably encounter seasons when life is just too much, and you despair of ever feeling that you're up to the challenge of raising godly children in a hostile world. But God had a solution for David, and He has the same grace available to you. Hear how disappointment and tragedy were turned into victory in a homeschooling parent's life.

Life can get so crazy! Sometimes it's easy to lose sight of why you're spending so much of your time homeschooling. Wouldn't it be easier to send them off to school like most people do? In this session, Marilyn Boyer will help you renew your vision (or develop it), sharing why she's so glad she spent 37 years of her life doing just that.

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/2023-speaker-handouts/

Yes, you can use Charlotte Mason's principles and methods with a special needs child. Sonya shares what she has learned from more than 15 years of teaching her daughter with autism, pervasive developmental delays, and language processing issues.

Discover how we can reach the heart of our boys and inspire them to embrace this training phase of their lives as they pursue living a life of purpose that, like the knights of old, courageously puts the needs of others before their own. The world needs more kind, courageous, and bold men who will lead their families well and make an impact in their world both now and for the rest of their lives. It starts with igniting the imagination, honoring their love for adventure, and casting a vision for the training process.

Failure to launch is a national phenomenon. The final goal is to launch our child into their future is not an event; it is a long process that starts from the early years. Come and learn principles and practical ideas that will help prepare you and your child for that transference into successful, independent adulthood.

Discover the amazing asset that every teen has. The question is, "How are you going to use it?" Both good decisions and bad decisions compound with time. Paul will help you to avoid being short-sighted like the bank robber in his story. Come learn how to maximize the benefit of your greatest asset.

Handout available at: https://www.oceanetwork.org/2023-speaker-handouts/

Identity – how children define themselves – is extremely important. How they see themselves controls their behavior. Therefore, identity influences their academics, relationships, future, hopes, and so much more. Why is it complex today? Why are so many children confused? Learn how to parent so children will have a healthy identity and believe the most important identities of all.

Homeschooling is hard, parenting is hard, and marriage…well, that’s way hard. And that’s OK and even normal. The trouble is we don’t like hard. We want easy, fast, and cheap, and at the same time, we want successful results. But the truth is that good things are hard and hard things are good, and they go hand in hand. Sadly, most people don’t ever experience the good because they can’t handle the hard. They put the hard thing off, hoping it will get easier, or they avoid it altogether, and all they end up with is a pile of regrets. Here’s the good news: you can handle the hard. In fact, if you’re faced with two choices, pick ‘HARD.’ Soak in Todd’s humor-filled inspiration as he shares how to embrace the hardness, keep your eyes on the joy, and experience God’s best for you.

Are you convinced that every homeschooling family except yours is great? Do you believe the lie that others are more organized, better prepared, have smarter kids, are wiser parents, and have a child in the national spelling bee? Well, let me set the record straight...that's not the way it is! The truth is most moms feel inadequate. Homeschooling moms fear that they're letting their kids down in their education and in example. They feel like their house is out of control, their children are beasts, and the sizzle has left their marriages. Join us as we unleash the power in being REAL. You’ll never be the same again.

This session covers everything you need to know about Iowa’s homeschool law so you can homeschool with confidence. It includes a thorough presentation of the basics with plenty of time for questions.

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. This workshop is also listed below, in Workshop Session I, as it is open to all attendees.

We can all agree that we are currently living in confusing times. Who can tell the difference these days between what is real and fake? Who is right and who is wrong? Who can we trust? People are very confused, trying to answer the big questions about what it means to live the good life, what their purpose is, and how they know what is true. This session will address some of the root causes of our confused age and suggest some ways we can help ourselves and our neighbors think more clearly about the world around us.

The world of homeschooling is a lot like the world of food. You know that you want to provide nutritious meals for your children’s minds, but there are so many possibilities for what that food could look like and taste like. Join Sonya for a simple overview of five main flavors of homeschooling: traditional, classical, Charlotte Mason, unit studies, unschooling. Find your preferred flavor and learn how to shop for a successful homeschool menu.

You may not crack open a book, work through a curriculum, or call it school, but it's your job to train your children. Join me as we look at the trials, triumphs, and tribulations of training our children. Now don't worry, I won't make you feel guilty or give you a forty-six-point outline, but I promise to tell it straight and to encourage you in the best job there is: fathering.

Now, that you understand the science, this session provides you with a road map to help your child overcome learning challenges caused by dyslexia. We will outline the different options for identification (from online to informal screening to full psycho-educational evaluations) as well as guiding principles for selecting effective intervention. Additionally, we will discuss critical accommodations and highly effective strategies to infuse throughout daily learning activities. All the essentials to ensure your child succeeds will be provided in a customizable road map.

All children are smart and probably smarter than they realize. Knowing they’re smart empowers them to believe in their todays and tomorrows, to expect some learning to be easy, and to study when something isn’t. The eight intelligences are relevant for our teaching and reteaching. In addition to learning, they’re also relevant to our children’s spiritual growth, behavior, relationships, and career choice. Asking “How am I smart?” instead of “Am I smart?” can change everything!

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

This lecture introduces students to the foundations of law and justice, including the source of law, the definition of liberty, and the principle of jurisdiction based on God’s delegated authority to separate and interdependent human governments—state, church, and family.

Teach handwriting explicitly and effortlessly. Students need to learn the basic handwriting forms that we call “Squiggles.” These Squiggles will enable your children to write all the letters of the alphabet effortlessly. We will also address the importance of teaching cursive!

Marriage is hard…in fact, it’s real hard! Yet when it is right and good, it can withstand anything. It doesn’t matter what the economy does, the status of your bank account, the condition of your home or vehicles, or what your children dish out…because when a husband and wife are right, they’re unbeatable. On the flip side, when a husband and wife feel distant or apathetic, it only takes the slightest breeze to ruffle a bunch of feathers. The truth is a mediocre marriage sucks the joy right out of life and your homeschool. The economy can swing up, your checking account can be healthy, your home and vehicles can purr like kittens, and the kids can behave like angels, and life still…stinks. That’s because marriage matters. Join Todd Wilson, The Familyman, for a time of laughter and encouragement as he shares real life stories, problems, and frustrations along with practical, simple solutions to having a marriage that can’t be beat!

A mommy-to-mommy challenge about priorities in your home school. Sonya shares six ways to reach your child’s heart—taken from Elizabeth’s example in Luke 1—and four obstacles that can keep us from reaching the heart. This workshop puts the emphasis on the things that are not seen. It reminds parents of the importance of focusing on our children’s hearts and gives practical ways to do that: being available and approachable, being Spirit-led, giving affirming words, setting aside our own agendas, pointing out how God is at work, and encouraging our children to take God at His Word.

As homeschooling parents, it is imperative that we focus on providing a quality education for our kids. But more importantly than meeting the educational needs of our students, the bigger responsibility is to prepare them spiritually for life beyond high school AND college. We will look at the most crucial foundations that need to be laid as we train our children: • Foundation of Embracing the Gospel • Foundation of Applying the Gospel to Every Day • Foundation of a Biblical Worldview • Foundation of Critical Thinking

Well, the title of the session says it all! Learn about the best strategies to promote your child’s interest and engagement while minimizing frustration, shut down and avoidance tactics. From ways to enhance memory function to leverage your child’s cognitive strengths to tap into the motivational power of interactive calendars, this session is fun and has something for every child. Whether your learners love to learn most of the time or struggle significantly, this session will enable you to take your homeschooling savvy to the next level.

Discover the secret to smooth and easy days: habit training. Learn how to instill good habits, which habits Charlotte Mason encouraged parents to cultivate in their children, and practical tips for cultivating the Top Three. Sonya will use lots of stories and examples to communicate the general principles for forming any habit and some practical tips for cultivating the top three: obedience, attention, truthfulness.

Could technology be the root of some of your biggest concerns about your children’s behavior? Yes! Are they complaining and arguing, self-centered, prideful, angry, and unsure what to do after graduation? You’re not alone! Dr. Kathy will help you understand the role of technology and practical things to do so children mature even as they keep using technology.

Parenting a teenage son can be challenging enough—what happens when you’re homeschooling him, too? Homeschooling dad, Shawn Sandersfeld, will present some real-life examples of the strategies and approaches that have worked with his seven sons.

Change your laborious reading instruction into a class that both you and your child will look forward to every day! Find out how easy it is to make reading time engaging and fun!

Dyscalculia often causes parents and children alike to want to run for the hills anytime math is even mentioned. This session will clarify what causes dyscalculia, how it presents in the learning environment, and key strategies to navigate learning and apply math skills successfully. If your child struggles with quantitative reasoning, math concepts, calculation, and math fact automaticity, this session will empower you with effective strategies to help your struggling student learn (and maybe even like) math.

Frustrated by the fact that what works for your homeschooling friends doesn't seem to work for you or what works for one of your children doesn't work for all your children? For the first time ever discover the FOUR homeschool Temperaments. You'll discover if you're a Falcon, Owl, Swan, or Sand Piper and how to homeschool in light of those traits. You'll laugh, nod your head in agreement and find yourself saying, "That finally makes sense." During our time together we'll discuss tips for each temperament, how to teach your children who may NOT be your temperament, and what types of homeschool curriculum works best for your temperament. This is going to be fun as you discover your homeschool temperament!!

Explore many ideas for managing the daily chore of feeding your family, including the benefits and methods for bulk cooking and several strategies for meal planning and preparation. Nancy will teach about the savings seen in time, energy, money, and stress levels, as well as the increased nutrition and enjoyment in sharing hospitality with others. We will then look at the how-to’s for getting it done and some of the resources available to get people on their way. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll wonder why you waited.

An introduction to epistemology. Truth is revealed, and truth is a person. Discipleship is a practical outgrowth of the pursuit of truth. We discuss the source of truth, how we know what we know, and the means through which God reveals Himself. In this lecture, Mike spends a few minutes exploring potential conflicting views of revelation, particularly as they relate to the scientific method and scientism. We also examine the nature of discipleship and its relationship to one’s view of truth.

From the moment our babies enter our lives until their graduation day (and sometimes longer) they require an incredible amount of attention, affirmation, and training and ultimately TIME. At the same time, marriage needs a constant effort toward the goal. It is hard to keep those two in balance. But by the grace of God, and by His strength, He gives us the tools to maintain and grow a marriage through the trials and triumphs of kids in the home. Then one day, when the youngest leaves the nest, you aren’t looking at each other as strangers. God has a plan for your marriage to thrive THROUGH and BEYOND your years of homeschooling. We will look to the Bible for practical, foundational ways to pour into your marriage while you pour into your kids.

Sooner or later, we all have it: the most absolutely horrendous day of our lives. Maybe it’s a whole week! You know the story: Job goes through terrible suffering, God responds, and Job’s fortunes are restored. But there’s more to the story. In this session, Scott reveals the powerful, hidden tools within Job’s story that can help you not just survive, but overcome, when your day of testing comes. It could turn out to be your finest hour.

Are you frustrated because your children aren’t changing in ways you want them to? Learn subtle attitudes and habits that make change difficult so you can decrease their effects. Then learn strategies, relevant Scripture, and a change process that will work!

It’s easy to get caught up in the mentality that we’ve got to add more: we must do more, we must get more, and our children must study more. More, more, more! But the funny thing is that when we keep adding more, we usually end up with less of what really matters. Discover the richness that simplicity can bring to your schedule, your home, and your children’s education.

Students are often expected to have strong study and organizational skills, but they are rarely taught what that means. This workshop includes practical information geared toward developing effective study habits like setting goals, managing time, organizing spaces, improving reading comprehension, taking notes, taking tests, and finding balance. You will be prepared to help your middle and high school students succeed in academics, in employment, and in life. Teens are encouraged to attend with you.

Save time and money by teaching most school subjects to all of your students together. Join Sonya for practical strategies to lower your stress level, provide a well-rounded education, and help you and your children build sweet memories. Learn how to keep it simple by teaching your whole family together with Charlotte Mason methods.

Parenting can bring out the worst in us. Every unresolved conflict and unhealed wound threatens to destroy us as soon as we enter on the perilous path of parenting. So why in the world could you possibly think you could adequately parent your child? Because a shocking, miraculous divine grace has chosen you. God knows every one of your failures and flaws, and He still picked you to be the parent of your child! In this session, Scott presents God’s plan of redemption as it is worked out through broken parents rearing chosen children. Parents who have bought into the pessimism of our age and are ready to give up will leave this session with powerful reason for hope, excitement, and confidence.

Are you interested in learning simple ways to equip your family on how to apply health on a daily basis? This workshop is focused on empowering the family, wherever they are at in their health journey, to maximize their time by investing in areas that will create life changing results.

If you aren't teaching the Six Types of Syllables to your child, you are missing a huge support for decoding and spelling! Come see how easy it is to teach and apply this learning!

This lecture presents the basics of the Christian view of “calling” in all areas of life—family, church, work, and country. What does it mean to be “called” to a job or to a role in one’s family, and how does it help to think about life through the lens of calling? The discussion answers the questions “how do I know my calling?” and “are some jobs more “Christian” than others”?

Are your children easily frustrated by their mistakes? Do they give up quickly or resist taking risks? Do they complain that things are too hard? They need to be resilient so they can bounce back quickly from difficulties and disappointments. Resilient children have healthier mental health, are problem solvers, and aren’t afraid of using effort. Dr. Kathy’s practical techniques work, and you will be able to parent so resiliency is more likely.

Hear from our Homeschool Iowa Lobbyist, Jeremy Vos, about our efforts to keep homeschooling rights secure. Find out about proposed legislation and learn how you can be a partner.

This workshop will address ways to discover the gifts and talents of your child and merge them into opportunities as they complete high school and beyond.

Cut the cost of college tuition in half! This popular workshop will share how to accelerate the first two years of college by earning credit for subjects your student may already be studying in high school. The College Board’s College Level Examination Program (CLEP) along with Prometric’s DSST program are nationally recognized credit- by-exam programs that offer over 70 different exams, allowing students to test out of courses generally taken the first two years of college. Whether your student is gifted, motivated, or looking for purpose, this workshop will help save time and money earning a college degree. Teens are encouraged to attend with you.

As we look around at an almost unrecognizable society, we find ourselves wondering what kind of world we will be leaving our children. We long for the good ole’ days, and dream of better times, as we ask ourselves how we are to raise up children in a world where our freedoms are under attack and where Biblical values are demonized while evil is celebrated. We must hold fast to the truth that this is our place on the world’s timeline; there never was another moment meant for us. Join us as we look to the One that gives us the strength to be Rooted, Abounding, and Enduring while we answer the call He has given us. We are parents in 2023, and this is our Legacy!

From facing COVID to struggling with shutdowns and job loss to being silenced by cancel culture, the Albers have found that God is faithful. They’ve experienced first-hand the strengths that come when you starve the fear and move to faith and watching God work in your family. Sharing God stories they’ve experienced, Connie will guide you to discern God’s voice and find peace in obedience, how to accept God’s invitation to be a part of something bigger than yourself, how to focus on God’s ability rather than your inability, and how to keep your eyes on the Mountain Mover and not the mountains.

Education is not an object we can possess; it’s a state of the heart, mind, and soul. All great leaders share certain attributes in these areas, and Job was one of the greatest! Adam’s unique perspective on Job’s career inspires parents to prepare their own students for leadership. The lecture sends them away with renewed vision for the liberal arts and practical suggestions for applying this vision in the classroom.

Homeschooling is the fastest growing educational model in the country, with millions of students doing at-home learning. Yet, peer bullying, classroom chaos, outdated learning environments, and online opportunities make leadership and families reimagine the possibilities of homeschooling. Veteran homeschool mother of five and trusted leader addresses the long-term benefits of staying the course. Connie Albers offers encouragement wrapped in humor from her 35 years of parenting and uses real-life stories as she paints pictures of possibilities for your homeschool success.

If you are like most parents, you know kids need the 3 Rs to be successful adults. But what about becoming emotionally mature adults? Connie shares from the unique perspective of raising five children into adulthood while working with teens for thirty-five years. The insights she has gleaned from personal one-on-one conversations with her adult children will encourage and equip you to create routines, rules, and relationships with your children that reach beyond the academic lessons and straight to their hearts. In this presentation, Connie will unpack how to include Biblical 3 Rs in your busy homeschool day.

How do you teach your students to apply a “Christian Worldview” to the books they read, the movies they watch, and the culture they live in? The answer to this important question may surprise you, for well-meaning Christians often misunderstand the basic principles of worldview analysis. This misunderstanding often prevents Christian students from thinking clearly about contemporary culture. In this enthusiastic and engaging discussion of a literary classic, Adam Andrews helps you avoid a serious (though common) teaching mistake and presents three steps for understanding a story-teller on his own terms. This presentation will empower you to uncover, identify and evaluate an artist’s worldview for yourself – and to teach your students to do the same.

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. 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.

After homeschooling five children, getting each one through college, and managing to build a retirement fund in the process, Connie shares her secrets. She knows homeschooling isn’t cheap. But it doesn’t have to break the budget. She knows rising costs, tough times, and financial shortfalls are common to families. Your money may not seem to go as far as it once did, but it is possible to afford this fantastic adventure. This presentation is packed full of practical information to help you continue your homeschool journey without going broke.

Does the subject of literature seem like a mystery? Are you a loss about how to understand it yourself, much less teach it to your kids? This inspiring lecture demonstrates that everything you need to know about understanding and teaching literature is present in your second grader’s bedtime story. Adam reads a classics children’s story out loud and then leads the audience into a discussion of eternal literary themes. Along the way, he shows how you can do the same at home by following five simple steps. Your literature curriculum – to say nothing of family story time – will come alive automatically. You’ll never put the kids to bed the same way again!

-original message lost s- this is a replacement -same topic - same speaker Is your child a right-brain learner? 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’” schoolwork 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.”

By the time your children reach high school, you might be weary and uninspired. But the high school years can be some of the most exciting and rewarding of your homeschool journey. In this workshop, Jennie will help you find joy in the high school years. Each student and parent is uniquely created by God, and so our homeschools ought to reflect that uniqueness. Gather practical ideas from this workshop that can impact your daily homeschool life.

We often downplay the impact of small actions by thinking they aren’t enough. But what if Connie Albers told you those small actions could lead to a big change? Connie explores the power of small actions and how they contribute to positive changes to your mental well-being and a child’s mindset. We’ll look at real-life examples of ordinary individuals and organizations that have achieved remarkable results through small, incremental steps, and offer practical tips and advice for parents who want to help their child make a difference, no matter how small of an action. If you’ve ever felt like your efforts were too insignificant to matter, or if you’re looking for inspiration on how to make a positive impact in your child’s education, this talk is for you.

How do we maintain high standards in the classroom while also encouraging and supporting our students? CenterForLit director Adam Andrews addresses this question with an inspiring explanation of Grace: the most powerful engine of achievement ever invented. With a mix of demonstrations and discussion, Adam offers step-by-step instructions for unlocking the power of this world-changing principle.

Do you have a child who seems to be “allergic” to a pencil? 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.