Children’s motivation improves when you teach relevant character qualities and help children believe three specific things. In addition, learn the four roles you must play and comebacks to use when children are frustrated. You’ll love the practical ideas!

This is a practical session on how to listen to what has been said and then how to follow up with good questions to understand the speaker. As families are together 24/7, it is important we learn how to interact in a godly manner. Our job is to encourage and love God who is the One who changes hearts.

All children need to know they’re smart. This empowers them to have hope and believe in their future. When all 8 smarts are awakened and strengthened, children will know they can learn and will successfully study when something isn’t easy. When parents teach to all 8 and use them for review, motivation and learning improve.

“I won’t do it!” my child screamed after being asked to sit down and start the day’s math assignment. “You will too!” I resolutely stated back. “I will not!” And thereupon ensued an all-out fight of wills. The strong-willed mother determined to win over the strong-willed child. This workshop is designed to give you helpful tips in dealing with a strong-willed child, how to nurture as well as homeschool this child, how to stay sane in the midst of anguish, and give you hope for the future. Deborah Wuehler is the Senior Editor of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine whose goal is to glorify God and strengthen homeschoolers in their commitment to keep their children Home Where They Belong.

Your children have five legitimate needs that drive their wants, choices, actions, and attitudes. (You have the same five needs.) When their needs aren’t met in healthy ways, they can be anxious, depressed, apathetic, competitive, and more. When God meets their needs and you partner well with Him, your children will have less stress and depression and more contentment and joy. You’ll be refreshed by Dr. Kathy’s practical problem-solving approach to behavior, learning, and motivation problems.

Taking manipulatives out of the kindergarten classroom and recognizing their benefit in teaching mathematical concepts all the way to Algebra can make a proven difference in students’ mathematical comprehension. Explore the science that helps unlock the key to long-term mathematical understanding. This workshop will be of particular benefit to parents who struggle to help their children learn mathematically.

Presently there is a big identity crisis among males regarding what a man is. There is no clear transition from childhood to manhood, and the culture has defined men simplistically. As a result, many fathers are relationally isolated and emotionally disconnected leaving them at a loss for how to lead boys into manhood. This workshop will address the culture’s attack on boys/males, the impact of biology on boys/males learning style, mentoring and educational principles to help boys develop into honorable men and concrete action steps moms and dads can take in the developmental process of boys.

Technology’s Influence Over Beliefs and Behaviors – Dr. Kathy Koch Using technology can cause children (and you) to believe five lies about how the world works. These lies are the root of some of your biggest concerns about children’s behavior (e.g., complaining, pride, anger, depression, selfish decision making). Understanding why they believe the lies and what the lies cause will empower you to make practical changes even as they keep using technology. You’ll find hope in this message.

Research says that students who learn to manage their academic time are more successful. How do you teach a child to stay on task when they cannot even find their way to the school table? Come and join Gretchen Roe as she shares research into why your child struggles to manage their time and effective ways you can teach them to set goals and stay on task.

How to make learning fun, memorable, and enjoyable. After many years in the classroom, and as a youth leader, followed by many more years as a homeschool dad, Steve shares strategies and tips that he has practiced and developed in his lifetime to help kids learn.

This session is for anyone looking for information about evaluations. It's for those who are preparing to meet with an evaluator as well as for those who might be interested in becoming an evaluator. We'll look at the requirements in the Pennsylvania Home Education Law for both. There'll also be time for questions. Marsha will share her experience in doing evaluations for over 30 years.

There is no right or wrong way to homeschool, yet the homeschool can cater to your specific child. This course will help you to recognize your child’s learning style and how to support it with tips and tricks added to any curriculum. We will also discuss how to help our children understand themselves so they can advocate.

Home academics can be particularly difficult if you think composition is a mystery and you HATE to teach writing. Wouldn’t you love to have the practical tools to teach composition without the stress? Join Gretchen Roe as she reflects with humor and insight on ways to teach a subject many parents dread.

1-2-3 Eyes on Me- Many of us were told we weren’t taking in information unless we were showing it with our whole bodies. However, many children need to move to learn. This course will delve into the times that children benefit from sitting and how to engage our moving, wiggly learners.

When a student is having fun, it is much easier to learn … and remember what is being taught. Join Steve as he shares interesting and humorous ways to illustrate and convey key math concepts in an enjoyable manner.

Anxiety is a normal emotional response that we all deal with in varying degrees. As parents our hearts hurt when we see our children face anxiety that interferes with their everyday activities and we naturally want to rescue them. What are the red flags for unhealthy anxiety in our children and how do we effectively intervene? This seminar will explore anxiety from a biblical and psychological perspective. Special attention will be given to cognitive and practical strategies to assist parents in fulfilling their God-given roles as coaches and supporters in “training up a child in the way he/she should go” (Proverbs 22:6).

Regardless of the particular passion God has placed in your child, being successful in any profession depends greatly upon the ability to communicate effectively. As a leader, one must learn how to speak the language of your audience and present your message in a way that allows them to perceive and understand the exact purpose of your communication. In this workshop, Rick will give students and parents specific tools and skills to start them on a road to mastering effective communication skills.

Are you longing to find predictable points in your day to bring all your children together around the table rather than distractedly jumping from child to child? This course will provide tips to keep children of all ages and abilities engaged as well as help us to set realistic goals specific to our kid’s needs.

What is a mentor? Who can be a mentor? Do I need a mentor? Where do I find a mentor? Understand the importance of mentoring relationships in your homeschool journey and how unique each one can be.

Do you hate to wear a certain type of clothing? Does the sound of a person chewing really bother you? Do you tap your leg or repeatedly fidget during the day? These are all “sensory quirks.” When these quirks impact your or your child’s participation in what they need and want to do, we need to address it. This course will discuss the eight sensory systems and ways to help our children organize information from them all.

When good people don’t understand the homeschool laws, bad things can happen! Based on over 22 years of helping homeschool families around the country, Mr. Woodruff will give a thorough, but understandable explanation of the ins and outs of Pennsylvania homeschool law.

The world our children live in today is quite different from the one we grew up in. They are constantly bombarded with post-modernism, which says whatever you want to believe is your “truth.” Now more than ever, we need to provide them with the tools to discern and combat the lies being hurled at them on a daily basis, even as they are being homeschooled. Join me in this session, where we will identify some of these lies and learn what questions to ask to separate truth from deception.

If you have a hyperactive or easily distractible child, you won’t want to miss this informative and sometimes humorous message that shares stories from his experience as an ADHD child himself. You will receive practical and Biblical insights into ADD/ADHD and will be encouraged that there is hope for your child!

It has only been in recent decades--with the development of technology capable of scanning the human brain--that neurologists have been enlightened as to how learning occurs and how we can optimize new knowledge. This session will address some of the amazing intricacies of the brain, the principles of brain-based learning, how boys and girls learn differently, and how God’s Word teaches us to think for learning retention.

The heart of leadership is influence and everyone influences someone. That means everyone needs some basic leadership skills, no matter who you are or what you do. You can spend a lifetime reading and studying leadership, and that’s not a bad pursuit, but this session will give you the basic leadership skills you need to understand so you can apply them immediately

The homeschool movement coined and promoted the idea of fostering a LOVE of learning…and yet most homeschooling moms have fostered a “hate” of learning. Instead of inspiring their children to love exploration, discovery, and learning, all of which homeschool SHOULD foster, moms find their children fighting them tooth and nail to “do school.”

Have your questions answered by a panel of homeschool veterans.

This session is for anyone looking for information about evaluations. It is for those who are preparing to meet with an evaluator as well as those who might be interested in becoming an evaluator. We will look at the requirements in Pennsylvania Home Education Law for both. There will also be time for questions. Barb will share her experience in doing evaluations over the past 21 years.

Why is it that almost half of college graduates can’t find a job? What’s missing? What does a student really need to learn between the ages of sixteen and twenty two to be ready for “real life”? Everyone focuses on academics, but you need more than academic ability to be fully equipped for the challenges and responsibilities of adulthood. This session will guide you through the seven essential skills and abilities that are crucial for successfully launching into adulthood. This time of life is a unique time, offering amazing possibilities. Come learn how to maximize this time, focus on the essentials, and be prepared and equipped for extraordinary success!

Pennsylvania is one of the most regulated states for homeschooling. It is considered one of the “hardest” states to homeschool in, but it’s not as difficult as it seems. Come hear about how easy it is to meet the law requirements, see what a simple portfolio looks like, hear a description of what an evaluation looks like, and ask all your homeschool law related questions.

Presently there is a big identity crisis among males regarding what a man is. There is no clear transition from childhood to manhood, and the culture has defined men simplistically. As a result, many fathers are relationally isolated and emotionally disconnected leaving them at a loss for how to lead boys into manhood. This workshop will address the culture’s attack on boys/males, the impact of biology on boys/males learning style, mentoring and educational principles to help boys develop into honorable men and concrete action steps moms and dads can take in the developmental process of boys.

The goal of this session is to share the joy of designing and teaching unit studies. Learn how this unique approach to teaching uses real-life experiences, books, games, projects, and other resources to encourage students to deeply explore topics and to become life-long learners. Discover ways to integrate subjects to make learning more meaningful and fun. Realize the wealth of knowledge to be gained through unit studies as well as easy methods of constructing them.

Simplifying your homeschool could be the difference between a parent who makes it thought the long haul and one who gives up after a few years, sending her child back to school because she “can’t do this anymore.” This workshop is full of practical ideas to implement and philosophical thoughts to ponder. Bring your specific questions about a trouble spot in your homeschool and let’s see if simplifying will smooth it out.

Drawing from over 40 years of experience in the home-education movement, Israel will help you to avoid some of the top errors many parents make in the homeschooling process. The tips offered in this session can save you hundreds of dollars and perhaps years of regret from committing these costly errors.

Description not available. Megan Scheibner is not able to participate due to a family emergency. Sarah has stepped in to assist as she did this past weekend at our Spruce Lake conference where she was well received.

Want to transition your young adults from simple obedience to mature responsibility? Dr. Steve shares the essential phases of growth that teens need to incorporate to take responsibility for their lives. Watch your kids move from childish irresponsibility to responsible young adults who embrace ownership and initiative as they move up the “Responsibility Tree”.

As a parent, you are uniquely qualified to be the primary educator of your children. You have more assets than you realize. Listen and be encouraged by a homeschooling father of four sons who are now adults.

As a pilot for American Airlines, Steve was very close to the events of 9/11. Steve was originally scheduled to be the co-pilot on AA Flight 11, the first flight to be hijacked on Sept. 11th, 2001. He was bumped from that flight the night before by a more senior pilot through an extraordinary set of divine circumstances. Now, he tells his deeply moving story of God’s providence on that terrible day in our history. Discover why God gave Steve a second chance and now uses him to teach parents worldwide how to train their children with purpose and urgency as he introduces you to The Nine Practices of The Proactive Parent. Intensely practical and Bible-based, the Nine Practices of The Proactive Parent gives parents both the necessary tools and the hope they need to build a Christ-centered and character-driven home environment. The Nine Practices are a great way to revitalize parents in the all-important task of parenting. This session will take highlights from the 10-week Parenting Matters small group study. Steve will unwrap the Three Pillars of Parenting, The Motivation Model, The Growth Continuum, The Proactive vs. Reactive Parent, and more.

- Want your teen to take more initiative around the house? - Want to reduce the “Drama” level in the family? - Want to get your pre-teens, teens, and young adults excited about character healthy living? Join “America’s Parenting Doctor,” Dr. Steve Scheibner, as he reveals seven practical steps for raising the behavior bar in your home. We all want things to go right in our homes, but here’s the help you need for when things are going wrong, instead!