Escaping the conveyor belt approach of institutional education by which most of us were shaped isn’t easy, but it has to be done. In this inspiring and empowering session, you will not only come to understand the nature and purpose of today’s educational system as it was originally conceived and designed, but you will see a shining alternative path, one that develops the kind of true thinkers, leaders, and communicators so desperately needed in today’s world.

Many think good readers will naturally become good writers. Others think writing talent is a natural ability. Both are myths. History and research show clearly how good writers have developed. What two critical things can you do to develop a high level of aptitude from a young age and into high school? With humor and insight, Andrew will share two easy but powerful things that build language patterns and nurture competent communicators.

What are the language arts? It’s actually quite simple! Regardless of your educational approach, there are really only four core language arts: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Attending well to the first two makes teaching the latter two so much easier. Prepare to have your educational paradigm adjusted, your load lightened, and your commitment to excellence renewed as you focus on the most important things in the limited time you have.

If you want excited and enthusiastic children who learn well, you must understand the key laws of motivation, and focus on the essential requirement of relevancy. If it matters, children will learn it, and if it doesn’t, they won’t. This session will enlighten you with specific ways to find and create relevancy for children, even when they have no apparent interest.

Join Andrew as he shares many humorous experiences (and painful lessons) learned over thirty years of teaching and homeschooling, including: It’s hard not to do to your kids what was done to you; Process over product; All kids are different; “Progressive” education doesn’t mean progress; What real “college and career readiness” is, and Two secret keys to successful teaching. Challenged, reassured, or both, you’ll leave with an expanded vision of your calling as a homeschooling educator.

Andrew will teach you a specific and successful method of separating the complex process of writing into the smallest possible steps making it possible for reluctant writers to produce short but complete compositions. Your student will be proud and motivated to write again. If you remove the problem of what to write, you will be free to help your child learn how to write using source texts, key word outlines, and “dress-up” checklists. Results guaranteed!