PRE-SESSION
FRIDAY – 8:30 – 9:30 AM “AEA Teacher Credit Course Orientation” ~ Julie NaberhausAll Iowa certified teachers who are signed up to take
the 2010 NICHE Conference Heartland AEA Teacher Credit Course
should attend this orientation workshop
to receive guidance and direction in how to complete the course.
PRE-SESSION
FRIDAY – 9:00 – 9:30 AM .
“Conference Navigation” ~ Kristi NorthwayAre you new to the NICHE Conference experience?
Don’t be overwhelmed!
Come to this workshop to receive lots of “insider” tips and strategies
to help you get the most out of the NICHE Conference.
KEYNOTE
FRIDAY – 9:45 – 10:45 AM
“Don’t Miss the Gift in This Child” ~ Carol Barnierwww.opengifts.orgHave you ever heard someone say “All children are gifts from God”
only to roll your eyes and think… “Ha! They don't know what goes on in my house!”
If you don't look for God's gifts, you may be missing some of His best.
Come laugh and be encouraged to see
just what God had in mind when he designed your child.
Learn how to see your child through God's spectacles
and how to stay focused on God's vision of your child...not the world's.
SESSION I
VENDOR WORKSHOP SESSION
FRIDAY – 11:15 AM – NOON “Combining Classical Education,
Charlotte Mason & Unit Studies with a Christian Perspective”
~ Bret Welshymer, My Father’s World
www.mfwbooks.comThe myriad of homeschool choices can be overwhelming
like interstates, highways, back roads and scenic routes.
There are so many ways and opinions,
how can one navigate through it all and still homeschool effectively?
Why not blend the best of each method?
Join My Father’s World as we show how to instill Christian values
while integrating great literature, chronological history, geography, hands-on activities,
notebooks and timelines, narration, study of Greek and Latin roots, nature studies, and more.
Enjoy short, well-planned lessons in the morning
with time to pursue individual interests in the afternoon.
“Math U See - Where Seeing is Understanding”
~ Steve Demme, Math U See
www.mathusee.com Witness this Math U See overview
of our powerful method for teaching math in action.
Math U See's goal is to help produce confident problem solvers
who enjoy the study of math and understand the underlying concepts
so as to be able to use them in real life.
From place value to Algebra we will demonstrate the unique philosophy of Math U See,
where seeing is understanding!
“Raising Kids Who Love to Learn”
~ Jennifer Scheler, Sonlight Curriculum
www.sonlight.com Education can and should be enjoyable for both students and teachers.
In this workshop you’ll learn from a 13-year homeschool veteran
how award-winning Sonlight Curriculum inspires the love to learn,
builds family bonds, equips students to think, and shares a strong missions focus.
See how Sonlight's comprehensive packages are flexible enough to teach one student
or a houseful with the best books and complete lesson plans. The adventure is yours to enjoy!
“Breathing Life into Language Arts”
~ Kristine Cournoyer, Total Language Plus
www.totallanguageplus.com Language Arts is a critical part of any student's education
and yet working through spelling, vocabulary, grammar, writing,
reading comprehension, critical thinking and character development
can consume mountains of time and energy.
In this workshop, Kris will discuss how these subjects can be combined
and brought to life through the study of great literature;
developing students who can think, reason, and communicate with a biblical worldview.
“Writing for Everyone”
~ Jan Miller, Excellence in Writing
www.excellenceinwriting.com Come and discover award-winning Excellence in Writing,
a method of teaching composition that really works.
Using this program, students of all ages will learn to write stories, reports and essays with style.
This workshop will give you an overview of the program and show you how you can get started.
“Abacus-Based Mathematics”
~ Dr. Joan A. Cotter, RightStart Mathematics
www.RightStartMath.com RightStart Mathematics uses the AL Abacus
to provide a visual, auditory, and kinesthetic experience.
The program lessons guide the teacher day-by-day and year-by-year,
helping children understand, apply, and enjoy mathematics while surpassing state standards.
“Christian Classical Education”
~ Mary Abel, Classical Conversations
www.ClassicalConversations.com Classical Conversations,
an education services company that supports home schooling families,
invites you to learn more about how Anne of Green Gables
and other one-room schoolhouse teachers
used the classical method of learning to teach children of all different ages
from the same material at the same time.
We have three flagship programs: our Foundations Program for k-6th grade
which focuses on the grammar stage method of learning;
the Essentials Program, which is a language arts program geared towards
3rd through 6th graders who are moving into the dialectic stage;
and our Challenge level programs,
which are Christian, classical, college-prep programs for junior and high school aged children
utilizing dialectic and rhetorical skills.
Classical Conversations exists to aid parents
in their pursuit of a home school classical education
in an environment where the purpose of the education is to know God and make Him known.
Additional services besides the Foundations, Essentials, and Challenge Programs
include book sales, standardized testing, certification services,
academic intensives, and Parent Practicums.
SESSION II
FRIDAY – 1:00 – 2:00 PM “Finding Hope & Redemption in the Valleys of Life” ~ Steve Demme
http://thefamilythatstaystogether.org/This workshop is Steve’s testimony of the last twenty years
as the father of a child with special needs.
He shares what his family has learned as a result of Johnny’s disability,
and the special, rewarding, and joyful role he has played in their lives.
Even in the difficult experiences of life, God proved faithful.
His grace sustained them and brought good out of their struggles and disappointments.
“Meal Management in an Age of Fast Food” ~ Nancy Bjorkman
http://legacyhomeschool.com/Explore the reasons for and methods of once-a-month cooking
and several other approaches to meal planning.
Save time, money and energy while enjoying quick, healthy meals.
Once you’ve tried it, you’ll wonder why you waited.
This workshop will explore many ideas for managing the daily chore of feeding your family,
including the benefits and methods for bulk cooking.
Nancy will teach about the savings seen in time, energy, money, stress levels and nutrition,
as well as the increased enjoyment in sharing hospitality with others.
Gather practical how-to’s for getting it done
and some of the resources available to get people on their way.
“Building On a Sure Foundation: Staying the Course through High School” ~ Diane Kummer
www.hslda.org/speakersAs your child grows older, you may be considering high school at home -
but you've got your doubts!
Why is homeschooling high school a crucial decision for your teen?
How is it possible? What help is available?
We'll answer your questions;
but more importantly, we'll encourage and challenge you to explore
the steps you should take as you weigh the possibility of teaching high school at home.
“Homeschool How-To 101” ~ Sherry Fiscella
www.sherryfiscella.comAs a supervising teacher in Iowa for the past eight years,
Sherry has helped dozens of families get started on their homeschooling journey.
In this workshop, she'll share her top ten tips for beginning homeschooling parents,
pre-school through high school,
and will provide answers to the most frequently asked questions she's fielded through the years.
Her simple ideas, organizational strategies, decision-making suggestions
and humorous style will encourage you
and keep you from feeling overwhelmed
as you consider all that it takes to begin homeschooling.
She'll also share her favorite on-line resources and include time for extra Q&A.
“Ten Things Homeschoolers Should NOT Tell Their Pastor” ~ David Watkins
www.mache.org/Speakers.htmMany home educators feel tension between themselves and their church,
but do not know what to do.
We can all think of many “helpful” suggestions or comments we could offer to our pastors –
especially concerning home education – but are those suggestions really helpful?
Let David Watkins – pastor, chairman of the Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators, homeschooling father of eight, and grandfather of eleven –
share with you some things NOT to say to your pastor!
“Starting and Maintaining a Home School Support Group” ~ Lori Raymie
www.homeschooliowa.org/supportgroupinfoVeteran Iowa homeschooling mom and support group leader Lori Raymie
will draw upon her own experience as well as the depth of information gathered over many years
to answer the basic questions posed by those starting a new support group,
or re-organizing an existing group.
She will cover the legal options, the ins and outs of leadership,
and the mechanics of nurturing a growing, changing membership.
Samples of mission statements, vision statements and statements of faith,
as well as helpful HSLDA and NICHE materials, will be shared.
“Legislative Concerns I” ~ Justin LaVan & Bill Gustoff
www.homeschooliowa.orgNICHE Board Chairman of Legislative Concerns Justin LaVan
and NICHE Legislative Liaison Bill Gustoff
will provide an update on our homeschooling freedoms,
including bills that threaten or enhance those freedoms.
SESSION III
FRIDAY – 2:30 – 3:30 PM “A Prodigal Speaks Out” ~ Carol Barnier
www.opengifts.orgDo you have a child who has doubts about his faith?
Or, perhaps your child has rejected your beliefs completely?
Are you convinced you've failed...
and the state of this child's heart is weighing heavily on you and your spouse?
Come and listen to Carol share
her own journey away from and back to her faith after 13 years as an atheist.
She'll share thoughts and views from inside the mind of a lost child.
You'll learn the best thing you can do for this child and for yourself.
Come and find an understanding heart that hurts and rejoices along with your own.
“Walking You through the Homeschool Years” ~ Nancy Bjorkman
http://legacyhomeschool.com/Nancy will use her 18 years of homeschool experience
to identify several seasons of homeschooling from early childhood through high school.
She will cover a basic scope and sequence for these stages
and recommend her favorite curriculum and resources for each.
We will also take some time to interact as a group
to glean resource ideas from other attendees.
We’ll talk about where things like Grammar fit into the bit picture and what exactly Pre-algebra is.
We’ll also cover what long term goals might look like and how to create them.
Novices will find great direction and veterans will be refreshed.
“The Ultimate Goal of Homeschooling” ~ Troy Fiscella
http://team-restoration.org/Are you spinning your wheels homeschooling?
Is the ultimate goal for your homeschooling efforts out of focus?
Let Troy help you zero in on the primary goal of a Christian education
and avoid the pitfall of pursuing perfection as the end result of homeschooling.
“Preschoolers & Primaries” ~ Miriam Heppner
www.BuildingTheFamily.comKeep a balance of discipline and enjoyment
while laying a solid foundation for lifetime learners.
Obtain practical tools for nurturing, training and tutoring.
Learn how to constructively occupy young ones with developmental activities
that enhance the learning process.
Make the most of these fleeting early years!
Miriam Heppner will present wisdom gleaned
from Biblical principles, extensive research, personal experience,
and observations from numerous families over the past 25 years.
Gain fresh vision from this homeschooling mom of 17 (and grandma of 5!).
“What I’ve Learned through Our Life Experience Last Year” ~ Karla Evans
http://pastormikeevans.wordpress.com/If you have followed the amazing medical journey of Mike Evans,
columnist for The NICHE Newsletter,
you know that God miraculously preserved his life.
Well, here is your opportunity to hear from Karla, his wife.
How did God touch her life – and the lives of her children –
as He brought them through their real-life miracles?
Come and hear Karla’s story.
“Homeschooling a Large Family – Made Easy” ~ David & Linda Watkins
www.mache.org/Speakers.htmWith 20+ years of experience in homeschooling a large family
and lots of lessons learned the hard way,
David and Linda will share many tricks of the trade and practical insights which they’ve learned
that helped their family survive homeschooling.
It’s not hard if you follow a few basic rules.
.
“The Supervising Teacher Option” ~ Kathy Hardy
www.homeschooliowa.org/certifiedteacherinfoLearn all that is involved when working with a certified supervising teacher.
Explore the legal arrangements, parent responsibilities,
teacher responsibilities, relationships, and potential problems and solutions.
A Question-and-Answer period will close the session.
SESSION IV
FRIDAY – 4:00 – 5:00 PM “Courtship & Dating: Breaking Cycles for the Next Generation” ~ Steve Demme
http://thefamilythatstaystogether.org/Is “courtship” unique to homeschoolers, or is it the logical extension of the life of faith?
Having practiced this approach over 26 years ago,
Steve shares his testimony of seeking a wife and how this is consistent with the Christian life.
He also shares his observations of dating in the world and the church.
Beginning with a short study of marriage in scripture,
this is a timely exhortation to know to put God first
and be led by the Spirit in finding a life partner.
“What Are You Thinking? – Learning Styles & Beyond” ~ Carol Barnier
www.opengifts.orgThis talk is BIG on the beyond.
So often, learning style materials pour all their time and energy
into finding the right label for your child's learning style.
(Yes, we now know he's a right brained, global, sub-dominant, argyle-wearing, rational wombat...
but how do I teach him to spell?)
And while there are many different tools for assessment,
too often these same materials are light on just what you should do after the label.
How do you teach history so it sticks?
What if she can't understand fractions?
What if he loves language but hates to write?
This workshop will be all about "What do we do now?"
Come away with lots of ideas you can use Monday morning.
“Developing a Plan for High School” ~ Diane Kummer
www.hslda.org/speakersHow do you plan a program for your high school homeschooler?
What subjects do you teach and when?
Do you follow a basic high school plan, a general college prep plan,
or a rigorous college prep plan?
How do you evaluate credits?
Determine grades for a course?
What about the need for a transcript and diploma?
If you are just beginning to think about homeschooling during the high school years,
this seminar will help you organize your thoughts
and begin laying the groundwork for a viable four-year plan.
“Real-Life Learning for Real-Life Families” ~ DuWayne & Miriam Heppner
www.BuildingTheFamily.comFind out how to live a life-style of learning that produces life-time learners.
Discover how to customize an education that is realistic for your family.
Receive encouragement with practical tools from these homeschooling parents of 17.
“Creating an Efficient Homeschool Environment” ~ Linda Watkins
www.mache.org/Speakers.htmOne of the main reasons that homeschool moms and dads
think they are failing at homeschool is an inefficient learning environment.
With some quick and easy changes to your everyday lifestyle,
your children will learn their lessons much more quickly,
mom can face the day much more pleasantly,
and everyone will respond to everyday situations much more happily.
“Homeschooling Struggling Learners – Discussion Session” ~ Kim Zuber, Moderator
www.homeschooliowa.org/frequentlyaskedquestion/specialneedschildrenAre you homeschooling a child – or children – who struggle with learning?
Here’s a chance to connect with other parents in similar situations.
This session will give participants the opportunity to share their successes and struggles –
and to network with other families who have struggling learners,
with the goal that each family leaves with its own support network.
“Assembling a Homeschool Portfolio” ~ Kristi Northway
http://www.homeschooliowa.org/frequentlyaskedquestion/portfoliooption.htmlVeteran homeschooling mom Kristi Northway will walk you through
the process of putting together a portfolio of your student’s work for the year-end evaluation.
You’ll learn why this is a great option to fulfill your legal obligations –
and that it’s really not that difficult.
SESSION V
VENDOR WORKSHOP SESSION
FRIDAY – 5:30 – 6:15 PM “Real Thinking: The Missing Skill in Your Education”
~ Victor Storkel, Virtue in Knowledge Publications
www.virtueinknowledge.com Do most curriculums teach real thinking skills?
Are you teaching your children to really think?
What are the real thinking skills that were present in our forefather’s educational process
that are missing today?
Discover the two educational skills that you can immediately implement
to transform your child into a real thinker.
“Terrific Teaching Tools”
~ Donna Krahn, Rainbow Resource Center
www.rainbowresource.com Out of all that Rainbow offers, what are the most versatile, creative, cost-effective tools
to add pizzazz to your homeschool day?
Rainbow’s Curriculum Consultant will introduce you to
a plethora of teaching techniques using a handful of inexpensive items.
“Standing for Truth and Strengthening Iowa's Families in the Public Square”
~ Chuck Hurley, Matt Reisetter & Peter Beck, Iowa Family Policy Center
www.IFPC.orgSince the mid-1990's, when the Iowa Family Policy Center (IFPC) was launched
with the help of Focus on the Family,
this influential non-profit organization has been used by God
to promote truth and traditional family values
throughout the culture and in the political arena.
Come learn about how you can join IFPC
to promote well known worldview curricula,
The Truth Project and True U
(dubbed The Truth Project for high school and college kids).
Also, catch an update on the LUVIowa campaign
to give "we the people" of Iowa the opportunity
to vote on the definition of marriage.
And don't forget to stop by
our two informational booths during the conference --
we'd love to meet you!
“Teaching Our Children for What Purpose?” ~ Robert Mcdowel, Rod & Staff Publishers
http://www.homeschooliowa.org/2010conference/exhibitors.html We’re committed to educating our children – but for what purpose?
This is a key principle to consider! Robert Mcdowel from Rod & Staff Publishers
will help you consider the Biblical perspective
on imparting to our children a vision for extending the kingdom of God on earth.
“Is Playing Games Considered Homeschooling? Absolutely!”
~ Ann Jansen, GeoDeo Educational Resources
www.geodeo.com No time to read the explanation of “good games”?
Hear a quick run down of 40+ games that stimulate the brain, challenge the mind,
and bring back the family game night.
See what games are new as well as the favorites.
Ready to play? Participate in a lively game with Crystal Stix,
a tossing and flipping activity (Phy Ed!) that attracts the young and not-so-young.
Receive a discount for attending.
“Organization 2010:
Save Money, Create Space, Teach Critical Thinking, Share with Family and Involve Dad”
~ Madon Dailey, Nancy Larson Publishers
www.nancylarson.com Whew! That’s a lot to cover in one workshop. So please bring pens and paper to collect all the ideas.
My basement was overwhelmed with color-coded folders, crates, and baskets. So where was the order?
My children and I couldn’t find any of their past projects and papers when we needed them.
Then a moment of great AHA! That’s what I want to share. How to:
1. Organize projects and papers, file and keep for future reference, and free-up storage room.
2. Teach children critical thinking (analysis, application, synthesis and evaluation)
while they organize and share their projects with grandparents (plus, it’s a great gift idea).
3. Involve Dad and help children review their analysis and evaluation choices; make lasting impressions on both.
There is a lot to share. Come prepared to rethink organization.
“The Logic of English”
~ Denise Eide, Spell to Write and Read
http://PediaLearning.com Do you have a student who struggles with reading?
Or do you struggle with spelling?
Spell to Write and Read has been shown to be an effective method
for teaching Reading and Spelling to all learning styles.
It is especially helpful for auditory learners and logical minds
who have otherwise been frustrated by the inconsistency of English.
Many of us were taught that English is not logical and does not follow patterns.
This is simply not true.
In this workshop you will begin to see some of the patterns,
and experience a different way to learn to read and spell.
You will not want to miss it.
KEYNOTE
FRIDAY – 7:30 – 9:00 PM
“The Family That Stays Together – Stays Together” ~ Steve Demme
http://thefamilythatstaystogether.org/In this encouraging keynote, Steve relates the positive experiences
that he and his wife have experienced raising their four sons.
Using plenty of humorous illustrations,
Steve shares tried and proven suggestions that have enhanced their family life.
With God’s help he is convinced there is hope for the family in the 21st century.
KEYNOTE
SATURDAY – 8:30 – 9:30 AM
“Practical Parenting: What I Know Now That I Wish I’d Known Then” ~ Carol Barnier
www.opengifts.orgWhy don't kids arrive AFTER we've gained our parenting experience?
Why can't we have a rewind button that allows us to re-DO what we did DO back
when we didn't know what TO DO?
Come and be encouraged as Carol shares some of the best things she's learned
through her many years as a homeschooling mom.
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS
SATURDAY – 9:30 – 9:45 AM
“A Vision for the Future of Iowa Homeschooling” ~ Scott Bailey, NICHE President
www.homeschooliowa.orgIowa homeschoolers have come a long way –
through God’s grace and provision.
Hear NICHE President Scott Bailey’s brief outline of our vision for the future.
SESSION VI
SATURDAY – 10:00 – 11:00 AM “Our Father Who Art in Heaven” ~ Steve Demme
http://thefamilythatstaystogether.org/Steve shares his own experiences as the father of 4 young men,
along with insights into restoring the hearts of fathers to children and vice versa.
Also included are stories of famous sons and their faithful fathers,
from David and Solomon to Ken Ham and his Dad.
“If I’m Diapering a Watermelon Then Where’d I Leave the Baby?” ~ Carol Barnier
www.opengifts.orgWhy do we start for the kitchen to get a drink for a child,
get sidetracked by a paperclip on the floor
and end up weeding in the garden with no idea why our child is still thirsty?
Why do library books constantly disappear into black holes in our homes, never to be seen again?
...at least not before the fines add up?
Why do we have 25 projects started in our day
and only 2 or 3 are ever finished?
As a self-proclaimed "Gloriously Unregimented Mom",
Carol shares stories and strategies from the heart (and from the trenches!)
about a home run by a highly distractible mom.
She brings to light the many "truths" distractible moms must own
if ever they are to develop strategies that work.
Best of all, Carol shares her firm conviction that the highly distractible mom
has a real and God-given edge over the naturally organized mom.
Come and learn and laugh as you find REAL help for the highly distractible mom.
“High School Transcript Clinic: Practical Help & Tips” ~ Diane Kummer
www.hslda.org/speakersCreating a high school transcript is an easy yet vital part of your child’s high school records.
In this interactive, practical seminar
you’ll create a transcript that can be used as a pattern when designing your own.
We’ll guide you through transcript essentials, evaluation of credit, grading guidelines and scales,
and calculation of grade point averages (GPA’s).
In addition, you’ll receive sample transcripts
depicting other formats for you to consider.
“Motivation 101” ~ Sherry Fiscella
www.sherryfiscella.comWhat’s the difference between motivation and bribery?
How can you get your kids to finish their work independently?
What do you do with a kid who doesn’t like school?
These questions and more are addressed from a biblical perspective.
You’ll leave with loads of practical ideas that you can implement the next day.
“Weathering the Storms” ~ David Watkins
www.mache.org/Speakers.htmWhat can we do when we hit troubled waters in our homeschooling, our families, our lives…? Understanding a key four-step cycle of life found in Scripture
has encouraged many ‘broken’ people and given them hope as they face their dark days.
Giving more than a pat on the back,
David will share what we can do to navigate through those turbulent times
and how we can find peace in the midst of a storm.
“Single-Parent Homeschooling – Discussion Session” ~ Donna Bauer, Moderator
www.homeschooliowa.org There are special challenges associated with homeschooling as a single parent.
Have you wondered: “Should I be doing this? Can I do this? Is this in God’s plan?"
If so, join this forum dedicated to encourage connection and communication
between homeschooling parents who are single.
“Protecting Your Children from Social Workers:
How and Why to Assert Your Fourth Amendment Rights” ~ Scott Woodruff
www.hslda.orgIt has happened in Iowa. Could it happen to you?
How would you respond if you got that dreaded “knock on the door?”
In this workshop, Home School Legal Defense Association Attorney Scott Woodruff
will explain your rights and outline recommended responses and procedures
to use when dealing with child welfare services.
Knowing how to protect your children from social workers
may help you keep your family together when a social worker wants to pull it apart.
SESSION VII
VENDOR WORKSHOP SESSION
SATURDAY – 11:15 AM – NOON “Making Spelling More Effective & Enjoyable” ~ Doug Smith, Simply Charlotte Mason
http://simplycharlottemason.com/
Leave the lists. Ban the boredom.
Discover how to teach spelling in an interesting and effective way.
Homeschool moms who use this simple technique tell us:
"This method is making spelling stick."
"Who would have thought something so simple would work so well. He loves doing his spelling now!"
"It is much more fun than spelling lists, plus they actually retain so much more."
Come join us for this fun, hands-on workshop.
“College Planning Strategies” ~ Brian Ray, Cedarville University
Learn what you should be doing now to prepare for college:
determining your life calling, developing college selection criteria,
making the most of your campus visit, meeting application deadlines,
and looking for ways to save money!
Come to this interactive workshop and join the conversation.
http://www.cedarvilleacademy.com/ “Growing Strong Mental Skills” ~ David Nadler, Learning Rx
www.learningrx.com/west-des-moines David Nadler, owner of LearningRx in West Des Moines
will focus in this presentation on helping parents pinpoint strong and weak mental skills
He’ll share how you can determine if your child needs intensive cognitive skills training,
and he’ll offer suggestions on how you can incorporate mental skills training in your home environment.
“Handwriting Made Easy”
~ Ellen Kinsinger, BrightLines Paper
www.brightlinespaper.com Ellen Kinsinger and Emily Robins, both Occupational Therapists
currently working with children in Iowa
will present strategies and equipment ideas that help the child succeed
with the complicated task of written communication.
“Paula’s Bread”
~ Paula Sutton, Paula’s Bread
www.paulasbread.com Discover simple steps to feed your family nutritionally and economically.
Join the fun and learn how you can do it!
“Moti-Venture: Motivating Kids Through Adventure”
~ Rob Snavely, Moti-Venture
www.moti-venture.com Parents, are you looking for ways to motivate your children to do their schoolwork,
have positive attitudes and good behavior?
Then Moti-Venture may be for you!
Discover an innovative way to motivate your kids
through creative adventures while strengthening family bonds in a fun and exciting way!
“Drawn Into the Heart of Reading”
~ Carrie Austin, Heart of Dakota Publishing, Inc.
www.heartofdakota.com Are you teaching your children the skills they need
to appreciate and enjoy a variety of literature?
Do you want to choose your own books,
rather than being limited to a pre-selected set of readers or titles?
This workshop will show you a versatile, reading curriculum for grades 2-8.
The nine units in the program work with any books you choose.
SESSION VIII
SATURDAY – 1:00 – 2:00 PM “Conformed or Transformed” ~ Steve Demme
http://thefamilythatstaystogether.org/Steve believes the Word of God is inspired, authoritative, and “profitable for teaching."
He also is convinced we are to be not conformed but transformed by the renewing of our mind.
With these premises, he examines what the Bible has to say about education
and how scripture impacts every subject area in our curriculum.
“How Do I Teach This Distractible Child?” ~ Carol Barnier
www.opengifts.orgThis workshop attracts not only families with ADHD children,
but also those whose children are simply fidgety.
How do you teach a child with an impossibly short attention span?
This home schooling mom of a supercharged, highly distractible child
shares the practical tips that turned their home schooling from an exercise in pain and frustration
to one of pleasure and success.
Topics include, putting motion into learning, making math fun,
the unique difficulty with writing and decreasing distractions.
Also a thought provoking commentary on “What was God thinking?”
when he put such qualities in your child.
Come and learn practical tips that you can start using Monday morning.
“Homeschooling the College-Bound” ~ Diane Kummer
www.hslda.org/speakersIf your child’s post–high school plans include college,
you’ll want to carefully plan out his high school years.
This seminar will provide you with tips and resources to help you better understand
how you can prepare your high schooler for the challenges of college,
as well as aid you in helping him select and apply to colleges as a homeschooled student.
You’ll receive information on making the most of a college visit,
interacting with college admissions officers,
and gathering the information needed for the college application.
“Math Outside the Book” ~ Nancy Bjorkman
http://legacyhomeschool.com/This interactive workshop will cover the why’s and how’s of using games
to bring math to life and increase understanding in students.
We’ll cover subjects such as curriculum use & scheduling.
We’ll then dive into a highly visual and interactive review of games to use
for everything from understanding number basics, getting the facts straight,
the base ten system, and the operations.
“The Heart-Healing Homeschool Family” ~ Troy Fiscella
http://team-restoration.org/From a Christian counselor's perspective with a homeschooling father’s viewpoint,
Troy offers practical ideas to help your homeschool thrive
while keeping husband and wife unified spiritually and emotionally.
“Homeschooling Gifted Children” ~ Karla Evans
www.homeschooliowa.org Are you wondering if your child is gifted –
and, if so, how you can keep a gifted child challenged academically?
In this workshop Karla Evans will share from her experience of the last 18 years.
It hasn’t always been an easy task,
but homeschooling has provided the best gifted education for the Evans family.
How about yours?
“Homeschooling with Confidence: The Iowa Law” ~ Scott Woodruff
www.hslda.orgScott Woodruff, Home School Legal Defense Association attorney for Iowa,
will give a step-by-step explanation of the Iowa homeschool law.
New homeschoolers will get what they need to teach with confidence
and veterans will get their thorniest questions addressed.
SESSION IX
SATURDAY – 2:30 – 3:30 PM“HELP! I Fell Off My Lesson Plan!” ~ Carol Barnier
www.opengifts.orgWhen things don't go as planned, when no one can seem to focus on their spelling,
when the kids (and you) need an off day, what can you do?
A day away from the lesson plan doesn't have to mean learning is over.
Come learn lots of ideas for an atypical day that is fun, memorable and packed with learning.
"Another Chance" ~ DuWayne & Miriam Heppner
www.BuildingTheFamily.comWhile we only get one chance to rear our children,
this dad and mom of 17 have the rare opportunity to rear "a second family."
Having eight children already in adulthood,
DuWayne and Miriam are still rearing nine children at home.
How are they purposing to nurture their younger children differently
than they did their older ones?
What are they purposing to continue?
Much of the content of this workshop stems from
heart to heart interviews the Heppners had with their older children.
Miriam first gave this workshop
at an Above Rubies Retreat (with Nancy Campbell) in Manitoba.
She reports that, while this is a very difficult workshop to present,
God uses the content in amazing ways.
“The College Admissions Process” ~ Diane Kummer
www.hslda.org/speakersYou are not only your child’s teacher; you are also his guidance counselor!
Find out how to maneuver through the entire college admissions process,
from narrowing down the selection of colleges to filling out college applications,
applying for financial aid,
and asking the right questions that will help you discern
whether your child is spiritually, academically, and emotionally prepared for college.
“Teenagers Working with Children” ~ Sherry Fiscella
www.sherryfiscella.comTeenagers often serve in the children’s departments of their churches.
This workshop helps teens learn the basics of teaching
and loving children so they can work safely and effectively.
Sherry has taught this class in several churches
where her husband served as a youth pastor or youth ministry consultant.
Serving alongside her husband in youth and children's ministries,
as well as her own experiences in summer missions and Christian school work,
provide her with lots of practical ideas to share.
“Your Parental Rights: The Left’s Next Target” ~ Scott Woodruff
www.hslda.orgHear how recent developments in America and Europe
are flashing warning signals to us that basic parental rights are in jeopardy.
Some rights, like freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion,
get the highest protection because they are specifically listed in the Constitution.
But one of the essential rights upon which our ability to homeschool rests,
the right of a parent to direct the education and upbringing of a child, is not listed.
Only an amendment to the Constitution explicitly protecting fundamental parental rights
will preserve what we have won after decades of struggle.
The “wish list” of the left includes a goal of reducing parental rights to a mere privilege
subject to government licensing and the eradication of homeschooling as we know it.
It's a race to the finish to see if we can amend the Constitution
before the left can achieve its antifamily agenda,
and the stakes are unimaginably high.
Don’t ask when it will begin.
The battle of the century has already begun.
“Getting Your Children’s Grandparents ‘On Board’ with Home Education”
~ David & Linda Watkins
www.mache.org/Speakers.htmWhen the Watkinses began homeschooling in 1986,
it was a brand-new idea for most families,
and convincing grandparents that you weren’t ruining their grandchildren was a major issue.
Now, with eight children, four children-in-love, eleven grandchildren,
both sets of grandparents still living, and 20+ years of homeschooling behind them,
the Watkinses have some unique insights about helping grandparents to love homeschooling
just as much as you do.
“Legislative Concerns II” ~ Justin LaVan & Bill Gustoff
www.homeschooliowa.orgNICHE Board Chairman of Legislative Concerns Justin LaVan
and NICHE Legislative Liaison Bill Gustoff
will provide an update on our homeschooling freedoms,
including bills that threaten or enhance those freedoms.
KEYNOTE
SATURDAY – 4:00 – 5:00 PM “Being a Disciple & Training Disciples in the Home” ~ Steve Demme
http://thefamilythatstaystogether.org/God calls us to teach and disciple our children while we are still being discipled ourselves.
This unique dynamic was designed by God to develop teacher and student alike.
Steve shares his successes and failures of 20+ years
training his four sons from young boys to grown men.
Close your NICHE Conference experience
with an inspiring message of hope and encouragement!