Conference-goers say:
- I expected a lot, but the workshops surpassed my greatest hopes.
- I have never been in a workshop that hasn't helped me in some way. I've attended for 11 years.
- I always get reassurance and support along with information.
A Workshops, Saturday, 8:30-9:30 AM
Denotes a Connections workshop.
A-1 Science is a Verb: Hands On Activities
Interested in making science fun and engaging? Come and see how to experience science as a verb and learn how to build models that move, inspiring the natural creativity and curiosity inside everyone. Part presentation, part activity, so bring the kids and have fun designing, building, testing and innovating together.
A-2 Understanding Geometry
Take a fresh look at geometry. Get a basic review of the fundamentals of geometry, including the properties of points, lines, planes, angles, and solids. Learn about activities which relate geometry to everyday life. A written bibliography of resources such as textbooks, workbooks and manipulatives will be provided. Bring a pencil, paper and a calculator.
A-3 Learning a Foreign Language
Ways of learning a foreign language, including independent study, taking college classes, attending an immersion language camp in the US, and living with a family and taking classes in another country. Speaker is a grown homeschooler with experience using these approaches.
A-4 Balancing Structure and Flexibility
Looking for ways to have a more relaxed homeschool? Or thinking you need more structure but feeling reluctant to give up the flexibility you have now? Finding a balance and then adjusting it when necessary. Practical ideas that can be used in any homeschool and that offer both structure and flexibility, including designing your own unit studies, planning your curriculum in reverse, and pursuing special interests.
A-5 Brain Wizardry: Presentation followed by discussion
Synapses, axons, and neurons, oh my! What is that gray matter behind the curtain? Learn basics of the brain in simple, lay terms: how it works and what, according to recent scientific research, it needs to function well. Hear fascinating results of research by neuroscientists on how we learn, then translate it into strategies for maximizing your child's learning.
A-6 Choosing and Using Purchased Curriculum
Overwhelmed by all the homeschool curriculums available? Brief descriptions of basic facts and special features of at least 12 well-known, mostly Christian, textbook-based (not Internet-based) curriculums, including A Beka, Alpha Omega, Bob Jones, School of Tomorrow, and KONOS, to help you decide which might work well for your family, whether you purchase one complete curriculum or parts from different companies.
A-7 Exploring the Basic Ideas of Unschooling
An overview of the concepts of unschooling and the reasons it works. Examples of how unschooling works. Ways parents provide support while allowing children time and space to explore their interests. Why unschooling does not mean unparenting. This workshop is primarily for people new to unschooling.
A-8 Fun and Easy Book Discussions Based on the Socratic Method
Help kids (including pre-readers) develop critical thinking skills using the Socratic method to approach literature. Learn easy, enjoyable, tried-and-true methods to discuss books and short stories, including Great Books, Newbery Award winners, and your own selections. Use simple conversations to sharpen your kids' minds and develop their ability to defend their thoughts and opinions. A sample discussion included.
A-9 Homeschooling Children With Special Needs: A Discussion
Join other parents to discuss topics such as how to begin homeschooling special needs children, tools that help them learn, creating your own curriculum and an environment in which your child can learn, finding social opportunities for your child. Continues as B-8; come to as much of either or both as you want to.
A-10 Making the Most of Your Museum Field Trip
Taking advantage of major and small, specialized museums. Finding out what museums are available. Learning who to contact ahead of time to get preview materials from the museum and arrange for special docents for your tour. Making the most of your time onsite. Becoming a museum volunteer.
A-11 Dealing with Criticism of Our Homeschooling: A Presentation Followed by a Discussion
As homeschoolers we face real, imagined, and anticipated criticism from friends, family, society at large, and sometimes ourselves. How are we influenced by this criticism? What does it mean to us? How can we deal with criticism and prevent it from interfering with or controlling what we do as homeschoolers? How can we use criticism positively to increase our confidence and aid our children's intellectual and emotional growth?
A-12 Homeschooling and Other Family Freedoms
Why we must take responsibility for protecting our freedoms or we will lose them. Importance for knowing our rights and exercising them as individuals and as a group. Dealing with public officials and professionals in education, health, and social services. How what one family does affects us all. Educating others and working together.
A-13 How Fathers Participate in Homeschools
What roles do fathers play in their families' homeschooling? What leadership do their provide in religion and other areas? How do they support their wives? In what ways do they guide their families' homeschooling, even when their schedules do not allow much free time? Questions from the audience.
A-14 Joys and Challenges of Homeschooling for High School
Discover many of the options offered by homeschooling for high school. Dealing with academics, anxiety, action and aspirations. How to help our teens deepen their roots while spreading their wings.
A-15
Amazing Red Blood Cells
The red cells in our blood are wonderful things. Learn about your red cells and find out some of the awesome things they do. Find out how clinical lab scientists type red blood cells for transfusions and some things that can go wrong with our red cells. Suggested for ages 8 and up. Limit 30 participants.
A-16
Fun and Games
Join a group of homeschoolers ages 6 and up to learn and play a variety of easy-to-learn, fun-to-play movement and thinking games.
A-17
Letterboxing
Meet the Frog-A-Nobies and learn about a family-friendly treasure hunt that flexes your brain and meshes art with nature. Bring a small notebook or index cards, an ink pad or washable markers, and a stamp or your thumb. Letterboxes will be hidden around the conference and nearby parks. Pick up your clue sheet and meet other Letterboxers for stamp exchanges. Note: Children must be supervised at all times during the conference. This is a family activity.
A-18
Making Pen Pals
Turn a pen into a companionable pal using embroidery floss, glue, and beads. Suggested for ages 8 and up. Limit 15 youth.
A-19 Visit Connections and/or the Curriculum Fair
See F-15.
More Workshops by Time Slot
Friday, 7:15-8:30 PM: F Workshops
Saturday, 9:50-10:50 AM: B Workshops
Saturday, 1:30-2:30 PM: C Workshops
Saturday, 2:50-3:50 PM: D Workshops
More Workshops by Category
- Save $300 to $2,000 per child per year by not purchasing a curriculum
- Save $10,000 to $150,000 on college
- Save $100 to $3,000 a year on food
- Save $100 to $5,000 a year by using the public library
- Save $100 to $5,000 a year on entertainment
- Curriculum
- Basic Subjects
- May Be of Particular Interest to Mothers
- Workshops Fathers May Want to Attend
- Beginning Homeschoolers May Find These Workshops Particularly Helpful
- Workshops for Parents and Teens About High School and the Teen Years
- Workshops Especially for Teens
- People Interested in Unschooling Often Choose Workshops Like These
- Connections Workshops
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