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

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

Mike and Vickie Farris started homeschooling their children in 1982. Their youngest of ten graduated from homeschooling 33 years later. As a national homeschooling leader and an active dad, Mike has discovered a number of practical insights that will help you develop a long-range vision for your family.

Kathryn is the author of the brand new Apologia math curriculum. She also knows the end game with over a decade of experience teaching high school-level math. What are the essential parts of an elementary math program that will set your child up for success in middle school, high school, and even college? This session will highlight the crucial skills that must be mastered and the experiences that will shape your child as a future mathematician. Kathryn fleshes out each point with manipulative suggestions and helpful tips to make math something your child looks forward to each day.

Do you have a houseful? Are you planning on having a houseful? If so, then this is a great workshop for YOU! Heidi and Jay St. John are the homeschooling parents of seven perfect, never messy, always obedient very sweet, usually tidy, generally obedient, always energetic, very curious, children. They have homeschooled all the way through high school. One of the most challenging aspects of homeschooling a houseful is figuring out how to teach them all while finding time to manage the rest of your day! Moms are always wondering if they are "doing enough" and finding the time to teach individual subjects, well, individually... can be overwhelming. In this workshop, Heidi will share seven secrets of multi-level teaching that will empower, encourage and enlighten you! If you've got a houseful, then you've got your hands full! Let's laugh together, and rediscover the JOY of homeschooling with a full heart AND a full house!

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

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! This in-depth workshop will guide you through several ideas and templates to get you started.

Classical education embodies the most natural skills of learning. To give your children a better education, you must give them more than content. You must teach them the timeless art of how to learn. Discover the skills that teach your children how to think well and develop understanding of any subject, topic, or trade. We will model these skills and tools allowing you to experience them yourself so you’re able to use them in your own homeschool. Learn how a Classical Education differs from a modern education, how it can help your discipleship relationships with your children, and get some interactive practice. Experience classical education in action!

This practical workshop shows how to use picture books to teach literary devices and writing with all ages. This is a fun, practical workshop that equips parents with tools for engaging their children with literature and writing skills. I’ve taught and tutored essay writing and literature for many years, and even at the high school levels, using picture books simplifies the process of finding literary devices and understanding them. This workshop is great for all levels from elementary through high school.

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

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

Gameschooling…. Yes, it’s a thing! And it is a great way to homeschool too. Shhh! Moms, don’t let your kids know they are doing school! Play is the work of childhood so don’t skip the play in your homeschooling. In this session, Carrie focuses on how to put the FUN back into learning the FUNdamentals. Carrie shares how to incorporate games into your lessons, how to gameschool on a budget, and shares tons of game recommendations for all subjects and all grade levels.

Join us for an insightful presentation on classical Christian education, where we'll explore the rich tradition of teaching that integrates rigorous academics with a Christ-centered approach to the curriculum. This session will highlight the importance of acquiring knowledge and learning skills as foundational tools for nurturing a love of learning and developing wisdom and virtue in your children. We’ll discuss practical strategies for incorporating classical methods into your home, while emphasizing the importance of cultivating virtue and character in the educational journey. Whether you’re new to classical education or seeking to deepen your approach, this talk will equip and encourage you in your homeschooling mission.

What should “school” look like for early learners? What things are developmentally appropriate for the younger ages? How do we keep our “Littles” appropriately occupied while homeschooling their siblings? This fun and informative session will provide a plethora of ideas specifically geared to engage your pre- and elementary-aged 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.”

Do you want to start building the foundation of educational readiness for your littlest learner? If so, this is the perfect workshop for you! Cheri Kay will teach you about the stages of development, the importance of learning through play, and the foundations for lifelong learning. She will share tips and tricks for making learning fun and engaging for you and your child, while sparking their curiosity about the world around them.

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

It's easy to recognize how valuable play is to our children. They love it! It is not so easy to convince ourselves that play has a variety of long term benefits and that play is actually learning. It is arguably the most pure form of learning we have. Dr. Dikkers will walk us through an overview of the physical, developmental, social, and academic benefits of non-directed outdoor play time.

Many teachers and parents assume that good readers will naturally become good writers. Others think that writing talent is a natural ability. Some have it. Others don’t. Both are myths. History and modern research demonstrate how good writers develop the two most critical skills needed for a high level of aptitude in writing. With humor and insight, Andrew Pudewa explains these two easy but powerful skills, which build language patterns and nurture competent communicators.

Join Bruce Malone for this presentation of an astounding model for the rapid formation of the earth’s rock layers from the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980. This lecture has opened thousands of people’s eyes to the reality of a worldwide flood and destroys the myth that Noah’s flood was a small local event.

While it might be convenient to imagine Christian homeschoolers are impervious to the influences of pop culture, we cannot plead immunity to the lust and pride which saturates our culture. How should we respond? Should we resign ourselves to the status quo, or should we just pretend things are not as bad as they seem? Upholding the biblical alternative to these extremes, this session will equip parents to help their children define a godly relationship to culture by asking five critical questions: “Who is God?” “Who am I?” “What has God done?” “What does He require?” and “Why?” Or to put it another way, “What’s the difference between Taylor Swift, Jesus, and Me?”

Thelma provides thirty-one 90-minute video classes available free on YouTube. Classroom materials include a 400+ page Syllabus, a list of books, weekly handouts, quizzes, exams, etc. Thelma provides these materials free of charge to parents in email format upon request. Learn how to use these materials to give your student an advanced, Christian perspective of English literature from Beowulf, Bunyan, à Kempis, Shakespeare, Donne, Tolstoy, Milton, and many others.

Teach babies, toddlers, pre-school, elementary school, tweens, and teens all at once? Yes, it’s God’s design. Multi-level teaching is where one lesson is taught to your entire family while still meeting each child’s individual needs. Multi-level teaching is a practical and effective approach to instruction and requires less time than separate instruction. Younger students benefit from being exposed to more advanced skills, and older students benefit from demonstrating their skills to younger students. It’s a win-win! Learn how to implement this teaching style into your family’s educational plan and create lasting memories.

Doubt is the number one enemy of all homeschoolers. So it stands to reason that overcoming doubt is the key to homeschool success. Peggy Ployhar, the CEO of SPED Homeschool, has 18 years’ experience battling doubt in her own homeschooling endeavors. But, instead of letting those doubts creep in and destroy her homeschool, she learned with each battle just how much God’s grace and truth provided strategies for conquering her doubts. This talk is filled with biblical fighting strategies to equip every homeschooling parent to do battle head-on with their own doubts so they can overcome them and homeschool victoriously.

What should “school” look like for early learners? What things are developmentally appropriate for the younger ages? How do we keep our “littles” appropriately occupied while homeschooling their siblings? This fun and informative session will provide a plethora of ideas specifically geared to engage your 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.”

Does your high schooler dread the question, “So, what are you doing after you graduate?” In this workshop, homeschool parents and students will learn about the Discover Your WIN “What is Next” model, which will provide practical ideas on how to identify and pursue potential career paths. Regardless of whether your homeschooler is interested in college, learning a trade, or entering the workforce, the Discover Your “WIN” model can help with developing a plan for next steps after homeschool life.

Are you wondering how in the world you will be able to homeschool multiple kids at different grade levels? Especially without losing your mind? Abby Banks is a homeschool mom of five and has been homeschooling since 2008. While it's not always roses & buttercups, she’s learned how to have a flexible rhythm & flow in her day and still be productive – even with five kids. In this workshop, we’ll share three keys to homeschooling multiple kids without going crazy (on most days!). We’ll also walk through specific action steps to take to implement what you learn.

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

Maybe you’re new to homeschooling or maybe you’ve been on this journey for years. One thing is true for no matter how much time you’ve logged as a homeschooling parent: we all need encouragement to keep going. In this session, we’ll talk about potential stumbling blocks to staying encouraged and staying the course. There are practical as well as emotional obstacles like sensing a lack of skills or knowledge, the tendency to compare ourselves to others, or even a lack of cooperation from friends and family. Please join us as we bring some of these issues into the light and assure you that you are not alone!

Do your children struggle with learning hard concepts or facts but can quote their favorite movie to you verbatim? Join me as we discuss how and when to use educational apps to help your children master hard concepts and learn facts without the tears. Cherie will share some of her favorite learning apps. If you have favorites please be prepared to share about them.

Many children have difficulty learning to spell, but the difficulty may not be with the student. Often parents and teachers feel ill-equipped to help students who are not natural spellers. Join Andrew Pudewa to learn how spelling information is most efficiently stored in the brain, to gain greater insight into the nature of spelling and neurological function, and to be better equipped to teach students how to spell.

Baking cookies creates a mixture; making ice cubes changes the state of matter, and feeding the dog is an opportunity for a biology lesson. Science, and the opportunities to teach it, are everywhere around us. Learn practical tips for keeping your eyes open to the many ways God has designed our lives and the science to back it up, whether you’re in the kitchen, bathroom, yard, or car. Join veteran homeschooling mom and the author of the Mystery of Science series, Karri Iverson, to learn tips and tricks for putting it all together.

Are we teaching the right things at the right time? Will there be gaps if we teach outside the box? This session is all about fostering a love of learning and creating a flexible, interest-driven curriculum all while meeting the academic needs of your kids and keeping the important things in focus.

As schools have made reading their new god, they believe that producing good readers will solve all their academic problems. As a result, many children—the dyslexic, the easily distracted, the auditorily challenged—are left behind in the rush to improve test scores. What schools do not know (but what many parents and teachers discover) is that reading is not simply being able to rapidly decode symbols with the eyes. With humor and insight, Andrew Pudewa shares 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.

Theology, for Christian homeschoolers, isn't just another school subject. It's a lifestyle! Theology affects every subject, and every subject reflects an aspect of Christian theology. Learn how to integrate theology into your homeschool without becoming preachy, legalistic, or burdening your kids with long theological tomes.

“All knowledge is rooted in wonder.” - Sharon Lovejoy. Add wonder to your school year by gardening with kids. Learn how gardening will help your kids learn and will add joy and excitement to your school year. You’ll come away with lots of project ideas and inspiration.

Unpack the frequently asked questions of how to homeschool struggling learners and those who learn differently. Be encouraged and equipped as this workshop shares diagnostic checklists for struggling learners, discusses common roadblocks homeschooling parents face (and how to navigate them), and gives strategies for achieving success with your children who learn differently.

Recent years have seen an enormous increase in the use of technology in education for even the youngest students. But is technology really the cure-all 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. Join Andrew Pudewa to learn the compelling reasons to read paper books instead of electronic devices, handwrite instead of type, teach cursive instead of printing, and grab a pen instead of a pencil. Discover how to unleash creativity that goes beyond technology.

Do you feel like productivity ends after your morning lessons? Are you discouraged with the afternoon slump that hits before dinner? Learn how efficient, intentional scheduling can make all the difference for your family. Be inspired to integrate a simple 15-minute activity into your schedule to defeat the afternoon slump and revive your children's love for learning! "Brisk work and ample leisure and freedom should be the rule of the Home School. The work not done in its own time must be left undone." -Charlotte Mason

You can’t do everything, but did you know that you shouldn’t even try? In this session, you’ll learn how independent learning decreases burn out, helps students excel, and equips them for life. This workshop will give you the tools to guide your child as they gradually transition to learning independently, whether you have preschoolers or high schoolers!

This is a hands-on class! You will leave with a few projects in hand. Handcrafts are great for hand-eye coordination as well as for synaptic growth. Learn about the benefits of handcrafts and actually try some! Kids and adults welcome!

In this session, we'll take a guided tour of the current landscape of tech that homeschool parents need to know about in order to keep their kids safe in an increasingly internet-connected world. We'll cover iPhones, Androids, tablets, computers, online classes, internet filters, parental control apps, screen time, social media, home networks and more. You'll get both a high-level overview of the dangers, tools, and decisions you'll need to grapple with, as well as some opinionated advice and recommendations from a computer programmer homeschool dad. We'll also cover how to test your family’s current internet safety, common mistakes most parents make, and how to evolve and adapt your family's tech security as your kids age and technology continues to change.

Discover, perhaps for the first time, the geology of your own state, using the book of Genesis as a framework.

Learn the steps needed to venture into entrepreneurship in your homeschool and also what the long-term benefits are of trying new things and even of failing! This session will be helpful for student or adult entrepreneurs.

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

Listening and reading well, speaking and writing clearly, and thinking and debating effectively are abilities that most parents hope to cultivate in their children. With that goal in mind, Andrew Pudewa explores various environments and activities that accelerate the development of these language skills, beginning with the youngest students and continuing into the high school years.

As a homeschool dad responsible for my family's internet safety, I've got a major advantage over most parents: I've been a professional computer programmer for nearly 20 years. And I literally wrote my own parental controls app because I wasn't satisfied with the available options. Not everyone can (or will want to) replicate all the steps I've taken, but sometimes just hearing a detailed breakdown and retrospective can help parents gain valuable insights and inspiration to tailor their own approach to internet safety for their families. Join me as I delve into a case study of the specific measures I've tried (and rejected) over the years, and get a detailed description of how one homeschool family has navigated internet safety with kids ranging in age from 7 to 18. We'll cover parenting issues, home network, parental controls, phones, and more.

Unpack the frequently asked questions of how to homeschool struggling learners and those who learn differently. Be encouraged and equipped as Rochelle shares diagnostic checklists for struggling learners, discusses common roadblocks homeschooling parents face (and how to navigate them), and gives strategies for achieving success with your children who learn differently.

It’s time to jump to the root of your kids’ spelling issues. Discover the common thread as to why they are having trouble with spelling and implement 7 strategies that will help to fix spelling issues for good! You will walk away with a list of things to start doing now to help your student to become an excellent speller in just a couple of months.

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

By definition, you can't prod your child down the narrow path. They don't need to be prodded, they need to be inspired. Here are some tips for getting your children excited about learning.

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

Have you ever had one of those days when it seems your children are constantly misbehaving, yet they really don’t seem to be rebellious? How do we discern the difference between irritating childish behavior and real disobedience? Here’s a sane, practical and proven method (Marilyn has 14 kids!) to turn irritations into solutions!

Alysia will share tips and tricks to help you experience success and joy in teaching your child with Dyslexia at home. Learn about what Orton-Gillingham/Structured Literacy is, how it applies to every subject matter, ways to accommodate and modify curricula, and most importantly, how to support your child’s self-esteem so that he/she may know and believe God’s perfectly planned purpose for his/her amazing brain.

In this session we define “science”, and illustrate the scientific method of problem solving. In the light of true science, the three main concepts that the theory of evolution is based upon are examined and shown to be faith-based rather than science-based. The purpose of this session is not only to show that science does not support evolutionary theory, but also to give Christians some “tools” with which to combat the theory.

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.

Discover how you can help your child acquire the essential habits to learn anything. This talk will model these "core habits," allowing you to experience them yourself!

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

Character is the most important fruit that parents can nurture in their children, and is the foundation for academic learning. Discover how character is learned, and how to make a plan for teaching it to your children. Kathie will give several creative & practical ways you can encourage your children to develop in this important area, and help your kids grow in Godly character.

Designed for moms of kids 1-8, this session teaches you how to integrate Scripture and theology into your parenting from the youngest ages. You'll learn how our theology of sin, holiness, love and grace directly impacts our parenting and how to teach Scriptural truths without becoming legalistic or overbearing. It's possible to LOVE the little years while disciplining effectively!

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

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

Good readers are not necessarily early readers. Early readers don’t always grow to love reading. God designs each child differently as He deems fit for His purposes. Deborah Wuehler will talk about her own struggling readers and the practical things that helped them jump those hurdles. She’ll show you how to have victory over your own obstacles as you keep your children Home Where They Belong.

The value of hands-on sensory experiences is still significant for the early elementary years. While our attention turns more to building phonics skills and learning math facts, most children don’t love the transition from all fun to more traditional schoolwork. This workshop will help you balance structured lessons with the sensory input and engaging learning activities children need to love school.

For too many kids, their only outlet is … an outlet. Are your kids bored and grouchy unless they are plugged in to the Internet or a video game? What ever happened to catching frogs, picking dandelions, climbing trees, and lying in the grass to watch clouds? There is an outdoor world waiting to be discovered. Every child should explore the wonders of God’s creation because of three truths that can be found in one of the most exciting classrooms, the one outside.

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

In this session, Faith discusses the ultimate goal of reading instruction: comprehension. She also explores various types of thinking and processing skills required for proficient comprehension. Faith shares tips, techniques, and strategies for developing the vocabulary of very young, as well as good habits of mind in order to lay a solid foundation for comprehension with our wee ones (up to age 5).

Do you have a child who just isn’t getting phonics—or is struggling with beginning reading instruction? Or perhaps you have a child who has sloppy speech or doesn’t seem to hear things correctly? Poor phonemic awareness could be partly to blame. Faith provides parent-teachers with an understanding of phonemic awareness skills and how these skills (or lack thereof) impact a child’s ability to become a proficient reader. Hear about a phonemic awareness assessment that you can use at home.

Are you looking for ways to teach communication skills in the midst of a busy homeschool life? Given Hoffman shares practical steps for training your child in communication no matter what age they are. Be empowered to enjoy your children while in the process growing their ability to communicate.

What should “school” look like for early learners? What things are developmentally appropriate for the younger ages? How do we keep our “Littles” appropriately occupied while homeschooling their siblings? This fun and informative session provides a comprehensive 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.”