Welcome 2011 ICHE Annual State Convention

The Bible states that if Christ be not raised from the dead, our faith is in vain. Of course, it doesn’t say that if you refuse to believe in six literal days of creation our faith is in vain.

Young and old will be fascinated as Nathan gives a tour of the star-filled heavens using the planetarium projector and accurately displaying constellations with explanations from God’s Word. “The heavens declare the glory of God!” This astronomy workshop includes a short demonstration and a planetarium presentation. Reservations are required as space is limited inside this amazing planetarium. Please sign up outside Room 520. No additional fee! Note: The STARLAB is not handicap accessible.

Need help for living in a media saturated society? Are you concerned about the impact of video games, Facebook, YouTube, iPods, texting, television and more? Do you feel as if you are cowering like Israel before the giant Goliath who continues to mock God and taunt the nation? Have no fear, there’s help to be found in God’s Word. This workshop will teach you how you can fight the media giant in your life using Biblical principles instead of legalistic rules.

Are you a beginner to homeschooling a struggling or special needs learner? Do you have questions? The veteran homeschool parents on this panel began with many questions! But they have also traveled far down the road on which you may be just starting out. Come hear their stories and words of encouragement, and be prepared to ask away! They are here to help you on your way. [NOTE: Matthew McNatt will also have a Q&A workshop session on Friday specifically for academics.]

“I’m frustrated. I just don’t get it!” Common approaches to instruction typically emphasize acquiring knowledge and skill—but what about misunderstandings and poor habits? How can we help struggling and special needs learners stop what isn’t serving them well? In this workshop, we’ll explore common causes of difficulties in reading, speech, handwriting, coordination, and self-regulation. Come learn practical ways you can identify ineffective learning strategies, decrease your children’s frustration and encourage more efficient ways to learn.

“I’m ALREADY trying hard!” Common approaches to learning—academics and athletics, especially—link effort with success. Struggling and special needs learners often conclude, “Something must be wrong with me; I know I tried.” Some stop trying, but they don’t need to. The amount of effort required is neither an indicator of something wrong with the learner, nor a predictor of a learner’s success.

Plain and simple - God builds heroes. He doesn't build self-centered egotists, or self-obsessed circus clowns - He builds men and women who have wholly forgotten themselves and are ready to spend and be spent for the glory of Almighty God. And He calls such a masterpiece a "Christian."

There are many websites today dedicated to providing movie reviews but do you have a Biblical framework for personal analysis and discernment? Are you teaching your children the importance of analyzing electronic media in conjunction with teaching them to analyze the books that they read? Entertainment is not neutral. All media has a message and those messages can have an impact in our lives for good or for bad.

An encouraging look at God’s response to five fears that homeschooling moms face: Fear of what God is calling you to do, fear of being inadequate for the job, fear of what might happen in the future, fear of ridicule or rejection, fear of our weak areas ruining our children.

Teaching language arts doesn’t have to be complicated. Charlotte Mason taught all the skills with just a few power-packed methods. Discover what exactly is included in language arts and how to teach it in an enjoyable and simple way—the Charlotte Mason way.

Do you have a camera and tripod? Great! What about a $10,000 camera crane? Yeah, I don't have one of those either, but I made one for under $25! Learn how you can combine items from around the house with inexpensive trips to the hardware store and a little ingenuity to build your own video equipment! We'll be talking about camera dollies, sliders, shoulder rigs, budget lighting for your films and more! If you're on a budget, or a creative person who likes to build things...this is the class for you!

The most important element in your curriculum is you. Diana has been there, knows what you are experiencing, and has talked with many others in your position. She will express your heart's cry that your children would grow in character and knowledge, and encourage you that you can get it done. Through Diana's transparent examples and practical suggestions, this workshop will help you understand the pivotal role you play as a mentor, a model, and a facilitator in your child's education.

Every year we are asked dozens of questions by families just trying to sort through what this homeschooling phenomenon is all about. We have put together a panel presentation based on ICHE’s years of experience helping families launch into the new adventure of homeschooling. We cover some legal basics and the nuts-n-bolts of how a homeschool day can work. We also give you some framework for sorting through the maze of seemingly endless curriculum choices. All of this is blanketed by ICHE’s vision for striving to make Christ the Lord of our homes, and passing on that vision to our children.

God is in the business of building spiritual athletes - men and women that are honed and ready for spiritual battle - men and women that refuse to grow weary even though there are justifiable reasons for fainting and giving way to exhaustion. This is the message for those moments when the enemy is whispering, "Just give up, just give in, just go to sleep, just lay down your sword." The Christian's answer must be a resolute, "NO!"

Homeschooling works. Studies show that homeschooled children perform 20–30 points higher than their peers on standardized tests, and that homeschoolers are more civic-minded and socially prepared to deal with the “real world.” Homeschooling also protects children from negative cultural influences rampant in public schools. These are all valid reasons to homeschool, but there is one reason more important than any of them. Come hear more in this talk by HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father Michael Donnelly.

Increasing numbers of intellectual elites are calling for dramatic regulation and even eradication of private and home education. Although the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized parents’ rights to direct the education and upbringing of their children, American homeschoolers need to prepare to confront growing resistance to freedom in education—especially homeschooling. Come hear Mike Donnelly, HSLDA attorney, director of international relations and homeschooling father, as he examines this growing threat and what American homeschoolers need to do to meet it.

Ladies only please! God has given wives an extraordinary ministry to their husbands. Balancing homeschooling, schedules, meals and caring for little ones often leave wives tired with little energy to give to our husbands. Wanda, mother of six, will share ways to keep the God-ordained unity and intimacy between husbands and wives.

Reformation goes beyond Martin Luther. Take a closer look at the principles of the Reformation that can be applied to our everyday lives. Catch the Biblical vision for transforming your life and family from complacency to faith and hope. This session is designed for parents and young adults who want to live an intentional life for the glory of God and the building of His Kingdom.

This interactive engaging hands-on workshop will pick your brain and transport you into the fascinating and complex world of brain anatomy and physiology. Examine how the eyes and the brain cooperate, peer into high-power microscopes and see actual slides of human brain specimens, dissect an actual sheep brain and much more! Dr. Callentine brings the brain to life drawing you into the world of neuroscience as only a doctor can. Four workshops are scheduled with 40 seats per session. Required sign-up available with online registration only. Additional Fee: $5

As a mom of preschoolers do you feel like you’re overwhelmed with the physical demands of your little ones? Heather will share how she was challenged, early in her mothering, to be an intentional mom and how that challenge radically altered how she views mothering in the preschool years and beyond.

It has been said that the most significant years of a young person’s development are between the ages of 8 and 18. While the rest of the world is waiting for life to begin, today’s homeschoolers are taking advantage of these years for purposeful endeavors and entrepreneurial pursuits. This session is for those who are not afraid to put their creative juices to work, learn some business lingo, and discover practical steps to start and grow your business. Hear stories of entrepreneurs who started small.

Timothy Botts will create one of his word pictures with a Bible verse while sharing some of the design principles he uses to illustrate words as a way of meditating on God’s Word. Then he will give you an opportunity to make your own word picture based on the verse of your choice—or from a selected list. He will be demonstrating in calligraphy, but you will be able to use your own printscript and handwriting. Timothy will circulate and give individual input and feedback as desired.

This workshop will focus on how moms who feel they have to do everything can biblically determine their daily schedule. This workshop will focus on basic time management skills with an emphasis on moms applying it to their daily lives and homeschool schedule.

In this workshop, Carter will share key writing skills elementary and middle school children need to develop to be critical thinker. Participants will also find out about ways for your children’s writings to be published as well as specific publications.

Any successfully launched marriage is the story of two families laying a foundation with God as the builder. This is our story, written by God, that has been a great encouragement to many families with young people wondering if there is a better way than the world's way ~ Genesis 2:24-25.

Foundational Biblical principles from Psalm 16 and a practical outline for beginning to minister together as a family, starting right where you are now!

This workshop is being planned for some very special people ~ Grandma and Grandpa! Invite them to come - on us - and tell them about this workshop!

Because much of the church has adopted the secular world’s teachings regarding the different “races” and has not accepted the Biblical view, most Christians have lost a vital truth concerning the Scriptural teaching on the two spiritual races (but only one physical race), as opposed to the false idea of different biological races.

Most people have the erroneous idea that fossils were laid down over millions of years in numerous sedimentary strata that we find over the earth’s surface. In this session, however, you’ll learn why fossils i.e., dead things, could not have been formed before Adam sinned. Also, you’ll discover how the Flood provides the best explanation for what we observe in the fossil record over the earth. In addition, evidences consistent with a young earth will be shared.

This session is a testimony and tribute to homeschool parents that live everyday in the trenches, on their knees for their children while fighting for the generations to come up behind. To you we owe our lives and future! Home educated from the ground up, Woody has stories to tell and parents who experienced the ups, downs and all-arounds of homeschool life… and they ALL lived to tell about it! Interspersed throughout the talk, Woody will share some tangible action points that parents can immediately and implement as God leads.

How did our Founding Fathers graduate from college at 15, 16, and 17 years old? This practical session focuses on how students can maximize their study by incorporating a souped-up version of the dual credit method into their homeschool schedule using the curriculum they already own. Topics covered include: the foundations of effective learning, helping your children better understand their purpose and the college major that best matches, and earning college credit while still in high school.

A life with purpose establishes the difference between a young person that will simply exist in this world and a young person that has what it takes to change the world! The world steps aside for an individual who is passionately living out a significant life purpose and mission. Most homeschoolers today never lack available opportunities; instead they struggle to confidently know which items on their “To Do” lists are God-ordained.

In this fast-paced, easy-to-understand workshop, you will distinguish three different grids that impact the unique way each one in your family learns: learning modalities - visual, auditory, kinesthetic; learning styles - Feeler, Thinker, Sensor, Intuitor; learning intelligences - interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, spatial, math-logical, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, naturalist. Discover how to honor - not curse!

A practical and encouraging overview of the methods used in the Charlotte Mason approach, including living books, short lessons, fine arts, history, geography, dictation, narration, copywork, poetry, and more.

Sonya will walk you through a simple five-step process for creating a plan that fits your unique family. Learn how to schedule based on Charlotte Mason principles with a healthy dose of homeschooling reality.

Moms only please! Having homeschooled three children who are now all in their twenties, Diana has an almost limitless list of things she wishes she'd known about homeschooling and parenting! Come and learn from her mistakes, which are told in the unique style of transparent humor Diana is known for. Prepare to laugh (and, perhaps, cry) and to emerge refreshed.

Are you tired of force feeding history to your children? Does history make them yawn? Or, do you have one of those hungry-for-history type students that would devour far more than you could ever dream up to provide? Diana Waring will take you on an extraordinary learning adventure as she shares with you how to make the facts come alive and the learning go deeper! Join Diana for her "sit-on-the-edge-of-your-chair-in-suspense" history approach, using literature, music, art, science, cooking, and more, that has captivated homeschoolers across five nations.

What do you do when you realize your child has a learning style different from your own? And when all your children seem to learn differently from one another? Often we have struggles when we try to force our child into our own learning style, but it can be overwhelming to think about adapting your lessons to fit multiple learners. Learn from my mistakes and come away with some easy to apply ideas for incorporating several learning styles into your day without spending hours in preparation.

Just as there are gradients to the color blue, there are gradients to the grandeur and substance of a Godly man. On a scale of 1 to 10, Jesus ranks a ten - the deepest and richest royal shade of blue. He was the perfect man, demonstrating the heavenly hues of majesty and holiness. Jesus has set forth a pattern for manhood. And it is a standard so far beyond the average pew sitting man of our day. So, the question is . . . are we to ignore Christ's righteous pattern or are we to expect God to work the almighty manly pattern into our manhood?

“I’m proud to be so humble!”

Serving in the United States Military is generally considered patriotic and an honorable profession. Is it still? Changes in society are reflected in the military. How can this impact a parents view of service in the military today? What is involved in serving in the military and how should parents mentor their children in viewing service in today’s military? Michael Donnelly is an HSLDA Attorney and homeschooling father of seven who served as a platoon leader in combat during Desert Storm with the US Army’s Third Armored Cavalry Regiment.

College? Homeschoolers may be better prepared for it than many other college-bound teens, but that doesn’t mean they should automatically get sucked into the “college conveyor belt.” But if not college, what do we do with our bright, well-educated, well-socialized homeschooled students? And where do we find resources and apprenticeships to help guide homeschoolers through this process of vocational preparation and calling? Get practical tips and insightful advice in this talk by HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father Michael Donnelly.

In 1923, the United States Supreme Court ruled that parents have the fundamental right to direct the education and upbringing of their children. So why are parental rights suddenly endangered? Come hear HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father Michael Donnelly discuss the next biggest threat to homeschool freedom and what you can do about it.

Attention Difficulties, Anxiety Issues, & Autism Does your child struggle to pay attention? Does he often retreat to his own private world? Does she seem out of step with others, find them hostile, or find it impossible to relate? Why does asking some children to “sit still and listen” or “look at me when I’m talking to you” practically ensure failure? How can we relate to what they’re going through?

Attention Difficulties, Anxiety Issues, & Autism Children who have attention issues or autism-spectrum conditions, or who have suffered trauma or neglect, often have difficulties engaging and staying engaged. How can we reduce their sensory overload and promote their sensory integration? Where can we turn for more help?

High school can be the best time for you and your child. Come and learn how to finish your homeschool journey strong. This workshop will be both practical and inspirational. Attend with your children.

This workshop explores some of the fun and effective ways to teach spelling, grammar, vocabulary, phonics, reading and word attack skills using games and accelerated learning techniques to improve retention, memory and learning.

Homeschooling can be challenging even when Mom and Dad are pulling together with a common vision. How is it possible for single parents to manage these demands of providing for, protecting and educating a homeschooling family? Mike Donnelly was raised in a single-parent home and will share his research and thoughts on how hundreds of single moms and even dads are able to keep homeschooling on their own.

This session will take a look at the balance of production and consumption, living debt-free, and transforming each member of your family from a consumer to a producer. Basic Biblical economics will be discussed as well as the fallacies our current economic system is built upon. Learn how to turn your home into a productive family economic unit that is able to withstand tough economic times. This is a session for the whole family!

This session is for homeschool moms who are struggling with distractions and discontentment in their efforts to homeschool. Identifying root causes and applying basic Biblical principles will transform you and your home. This talk will both challenge and encourage you to “stay the course”.

Film is a “language". But how do we speak that language? And what are we trying to say? What stories are we trying to tell? In this session learn the importance of telling a compelling story in your film and some tips on how to craft your story.

What do Robert Morrison, William Wilberforce, Frances Ridely Havergal, Todd Beamer, Abraham Lincoln, and C. H. Spurgeon have in common? The Word of God treasured in their hearts rendered them capable of changing the world in which they lived. Historical vignettes of the power the sword of the Spirit in the hands of capable wielders.

Don’t let the transcript keep you from homeschooling your high school students! Join trailblazing moms for insights into transcripts. These ladies have high school graduates in the military, college and pursuing CollegePlus! program. Learn the basics as well as the importance of a transcript and how to tailor it to your students and the pursuit of their interests.

In this session Heather Patenaude will share her heart for purity. How do we honor God in our relationships without becoming fearful or controlled by anything other than the Holy Spirit? Heather will share what emotional purity is, how it played out in her single years, how it’s continued in her married years, and her passion for God’s children to desire a spirit of purity, not just a form.

Join the ICHE Legislative Task Force for an informative session on current legislative issues affecting the family and homeschooling. This session will also give numerous practical ideas to get your family involved in taking a stand to reform Illinois, one family at a time!

Research shows that college success depends largely on reading and writing skills. In this practical workshop Carter shares some essential writing skills our homeschool college bound teens need to successfully navigate college.

A consummate notebooker, Wanda will share how to save money by making your own notebook pages, templates and images. Utilize these learning tools to increase the excitement and learning experience in your homeschool.

Many people question the importance of studying African American history. Demolishing the stronghold of Satan’s lies of prejudice and division is critical for the body of Christ and the homeschooling community to move forward in unity. Learn how to teach the whole story of God’s providential hand in establishing our country for His glory. Meet some of the most ardent of all: African American patriots!

The historic concept of "praying through" has gone missing in our modern day version of Christianity. But "praying through" was the essence of the George Muller, Rees Howells, John Hyde, Hudson Taylor, William Booth, Leonard Ravenhill, C.T. Studd model for effectual fervent praying. How do we get this powerful, wrestling, persistent prayer back to the center of Christian life in our day?

What do you do when you discover that your kids are digitally connected to nearly everything and everyone but you? How should a spouse respond if the husband and wife are not on the same page regarding media choices in the home? Rediscover timeless Biblical principles that can be applied to modern family struggles.

If the power of the Gospel is to be fully realized in the life of a believer, then that believer must first be emptied. The principle of the Gospel is always "first death, then life." Mary of Bethany took her most precious possession, the alabaster of spikenard, and poured it out upon Jesus’ feet. Those near grumbled that the cost of such a precious treasure was wasted in that fashion, but Jesus responded by declaring that such an act was a clear enunciation of the Gospel life. Taking on the life of Jesus Christ comes with a stiff cost - it means giving up everything.

Do you have specific questions about your child’s academic challenges? Does he/she have difficulty remembering yesterday’s lessons, reversing letters or numbers, following instructions, or staying organized? Stop by Matthew’s speaker table to submit your question—one per card—before this session begins. During the session, we’ll explore relationships between cognitive skills and academic learning, using your questions as a guide.

Charlotte Mason’s gentle methods for handwriting and spelling with copywork and dictation. Includes hands-on practice and lots of encouraging instruction.

Prayer coupled with parent-led practical steps can guide Christian children into adulthood with a heart for the world! ~ Luke 10:2

The Apostle Paul's wonderful example of blessing, edifying and encouraging Timothy can help parents build godly faith in their children for a lifetime ~ II Timothy.

In God’s remarkable providence, a man of great Christian and patriotic zeal found himself in the midst of the British fleet during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814. Francis Scott Key's testimony resounds to this day, from his unusual response to slavery, to meeting a Muslim in Congress ~ Galatians 5:1.

In this workshop, Carter will share practical ways parents of ADD/ADHD can do to help organize their children and get them to stay on task with their schoolwork and so much more.

This workshop will focus on the practical, Biblical and tangible ways dads, especially those who work outside the home, can take an active role in homeschooling their children.

Carter discusses the Rites of Passage Program he used with his son and continues to use to encourage churches, community groups and other dads to embrace the model of raising mighty men of God for the twentieth century church.

In the profusion of phonics and reading programs, it is difficult to identify what will work with your child. In this simple presentation, you will find tips for reading success coupled with methods that work to help any child learn to read with mastery. The teaching principles are based on the Scaredy Cat Reading System but can be applied to any reading and spelling approach. Not only is it fun, it makes sense, encourages thinking, and produces mastery.

Take advantage of the free registration for pastors and their wives if they don’t homeschool already, and encourage them to join the ICHE Board in this important discussion of vision and strategy for discipleship at home and church.  

In most homeschooling families, Mom carries the biggest burden. How can Dad pull a share of the load when he is gone all day earning a living? There are so many other good works dads are asked to do—how can we influence our families as God calls us to do? Come listen to HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father Michael Donnelly, as he discusses Kingdom priorities in homeschooling and practical ideas to balance the increasing demands on your time and resources.

Biblical encouragement for parents dealing with special needs; includes spiritual lessons learned while dealing with autism. SN

Give your child what is most important. Instead of academic or social pressures, Charlotte Mason encouraged mothers to give their little ones a full six years of developing good habits, getting acquainted with nature, exploring with the five senses, growing in their spiritual lives, and more. Learn how to give your child a quiet growing time.

In these difficult times— when an economy is in recession, high unemployment rates and inflation on the rise— it is becoming increasingly difficult for homeschooling parents to provide basic necessities for their families, never mind the added expense of home education. The number of single-income households, which were the norm 60 years ago, is decreasing as both parents enter the workforce in order to pay the bills.

Homeschool graduate, Spencer Weaver, shares personal stories on how he struggled immensely in English class...until he began writing film scripts! His newfound purpose for writing gave him fresh life, passion and a desire to learn how to write and tell stories! Listen in as Spencer tells his story of homeschooling and filmmaking and why he believes they mesh together so marvelously.

Today's entertainment has become one of the biggest stumbling blocks of spiritual growth and family health in this generation. It often portrays deceptive messages about what it means to live life to the fullest. Many careless homes have allowed toxic media to poison hearts and minds with wrong ideas about relationships, accomplishment, purpose, and identity. Learn about the messages prevalent in today’s media that could rob you and your family of the real life that God wants you to have.

Finding freedom often starts with an understanding that we might be blind to our captivity. When Jesus talked to His followers about gaining freedom they responded, “we have never been in bondage to anyone.” This generation has become captive to TV, captive to social networks, captive to texting, captive to video games, captive to pornography, and captive to a number of other forms of electronic media that have taken control of many lives and are holding them hostage.

All learning is founded on one key—the ability to take in information and then remember it. Unfortunately, most students are never taught how to effectively learn. Each school year, students spend countless hours studying, only to have the information seemingly disappear when they need it most. Whether a parent or a student, in this interactive session, you will learn how to use study tools such as speed reading and memory techniques to exponentially increase your study potential!

Many people have the idea that the battle between Christianity and humanism, or creation and evolution, is a battle over “facts”. However, it’s not that Christians need more facts than non-Christians to supposedly win the argument, for the real battle is actually over the interpretation of the same facts. Until Christians understand that everyone has the same facts but different interpretations of those facts based upon different presuppositions or biases, they will not be successful in learning how to defend the Christian faith and think in a true Biblical manner.

Using Acts 1:8 as an outline, any family, in their own unique way, can be involved in a wide range of evangelistic opportunities.

This workshop combines Diana's love for homeschoolers with her joy in historical figures as she aims her famous storytelling skills toward four revered Christian heroes. Their lives and their faith have inspired generations of Christ-followers in ministry, but Diana applies their special callings to the issues of parenting and education. What can homeschool families learn from these ordinary people whom God used in extraordinary ways? The heroes of the faith include George Muller, Amy Carmichael, Eric Liddel ~ famous from the movie Chariots of Fire ~ and Gladys Aylward.

One of the biggest questions people ask is, "How do I get my kids to finish their school work?" The deeper question is actually, "How do I get my kids to be self-motivated?" We will examine the answers to these critical questions, and look at specific ways to encourage and assist our children in developing ownership of their education. We must learn the critical difference between controlling and directing; between pushing and releasing; between coercing and facilitating.

Dinosaurs are probably used more than anything to convince children and even adults that the Bible is not true and that you have to believe in millions of years. Sadly, many people think that the Bible has nothing to do with dinosaurs. However, once you accept the true history of the world as given in the Bible particularly the first eleven chapters of the book of Genesis, you can easily understand dinosaurs … and thus correctly interpret the evidence from the fossils to correctly understand dinosaurs.

Have you ever wished there were more hours in your day to get everything on your “TO DO List” completed? God has wisely created the cycle of a 24 hour period for us to accomplish everything he has ordained for us to do. This workshop will focus on how to get rid of the distractions, activities and the things that hinder us, and redeem the wasted time in order to fulfill God’s plan for your family. You’ll even get dinner on the table!

This workshop explores some of the fun and effective ways to teach spelling, grammar, vocabulary, phonics, reading and word attack skills using games and accelerated learning techniques to improve retention, memory and learning.

The essential crash course for every homeschool parent. Discover insights from Diana's research behind the events of history. Share her wisdom for teaching history. Do you wonder, "Whom do I trust and what do I read to know real history?" Diana will equip YOU, regardless of your curriculum, to find your way through the challenges. She will lead you to a path you can follow in discovering treasures of history with your family.

When working with our special needs children, we sometimes neglect others’ perspectives. In this workshop, you will hear from young adults who have grown up with a special needs brother or sister. Come be encouraged as you hear a fresh, young perspective on life with special siblings. Are you the sibling of a special needs brother or sister? PLEASE come and hear from others who know where you’re coming from! There will be a question and answer time at the end of this workshop.

What does your student need to be successful today? A college degree? For many families, answering the college question is a difficult task. Often the cost, time required, inefficiencies, or negative college environment are too great an obstacle. Sadly, many families either choose against attending college or borrow thousands of dollars to do so. In this session, we challenge what a true college education is and what it takes to compete in the 21st Century.

Have any of your children demonstrated a tendency toward anger or a bad temper? If so, this session is absolutely essential for you. Anger is a God-given emotion and did not come about as a result of the Fall. However, the Bible says, “Be angry, and sin not.” This talk addresses anger from a Biblical perspective, focusing on the positive and negative aspects of anger. Michael Smith also delineates the five steps that lead to rebellion.

Life and death is in the power of tongue. Deep scars can occur as a result of negative, condemning words and withholding of praise and affirmation. The goal of this talk is to ensure that our children do not grow up feeling rejection from us as parents because of bad communication. This talk uses James 3:1–10 as a model for how we use words to edify and build up rather than to tear down. The talk will explore some ways that we use our tongue to injure our children and how we can use our tongue as an instrument of blessing.

“I want to get it right!" Being right is important, but the first intentional step in learning is being willing to be wrong. How can you help your special needs children find joy in learning? How can you help a person with obsessive-compulsive tendencies be open to change? Come learn practical ways to help learners with perfectionism accept their humanity and learn from their mistakes.

“How can I get what I want?” Do your special needs children use you or their siblings? Are they always trying to win? Do they know what buttons to press—and press them often? Does it seem they don’t notice—or don’t care—about others’ needs? What steps can you take to change this? Come learn practical ways to counteract manipulative behavior, nurture mutual respect and restore peace to your household.

With a budget comparable to the Apollo Program, this early 19th century engineering marvel carries lessons for our day: initiative, creativity, dependability, loyalty, resourcefulness and patience. Lessons that we can find in the words of Jesus ~ Luke 13:24.

After laying a broad Biblical foundation for missions and evangelism for families, Bernie explains the powerful effect of families ministering together to engage "The Three Mission Fields" ~ Genesis 12:3c.

Health and nutrition are vital to homeschooling students and families and have a major impact on our brains and ability to learn, as well as our ability to concentrate and be effective in our daily tasks. Creating a K-12 curriculum can be daunting. Learn how to incorporate all the components of health, nutrition, biology, family-friendly recipes, hands-on-activities, reference guide, tips, and so much more. Do you have picky eaters? Teach and reinforce the “whys” of what we should eat, not just “because I said so”.

Derek & Cheryl will share ways to discipline your children and to nurture their God-given gifts without crushing their spirits! Practical ways to deal with sibling rivalry, misbehavior, stubbornness, anger, etc. will be discussed from a Biblical and child developmental model. Sometimes family dynamics can hinder our homeschooling efforts.

Don’t just occupy their time so they are not underfoot, but actually include your preschoolers and toddlers into your school days. Using inexpensive and simple creative techniques, you can provide learning opportunities for your young children to come alongside your school age children and be a part of the learning process at their own level. These techniques will benefit you, your little ones, and your older ones by allowing everyone to show you what they know!

This workshop will focus on practical and Biblical ways moms can grow spiritually while dealing with the pressures of home-schooling and maintaining busy households. Moms will learn practical ways to maintain a consistent quiet time, Bible reading, prayer, etc. and to get their fervor for God amidst the dirty diapers.

Have you ever wondered how to motivate your child, or why some people are able to get them to perform better than you? If you have, come and join me for this workshop covering practical ways to motivate your child to achieve more scholastically and to develop godly character traits.

The importance of training our children in good habits that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. Includes the sixty habits found in Charlotte Mason’s writings, and focuses specifically on the top three she mentioned most. Very practical and encouraging.

German homeschoolers are threatened with fines, jail and worse. If homeschooling is a human right, why does a civilized nation treat homeschoolers like this? What are parallel societies and why are German judges and policy makers so afraid of them? Is the German homeschool experience the edge of night for America? Could this pernicious German philosophy make its way across the Atlantic to America and re-impose the difficult early days of American homeschooling? What is HSLDA doing to support positive change for our brother and sister homeschoolers in Germany, and what can you do to help?