2023 MÂCHÉ Convention

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Workshop Room: Worship Center

By: Steve McCully

Lessons learned, obstacles overcome, heartbreak healed and (mostly) countless blessings experienced by Steve McCully, the oldest son of Ed and Marilou McCully. Ed McCully was one of five missionaries killed in 1956 in the Amazon jungles of Ecuador.

Getting Started

Workshop Room: Chapel

By: Linda Crosby

So, you’ve decided to homeschool your children. Now what? If you are at this jumping-in point and need direction navigating your homeschool journey, this workshop is for you! Homeschool mom-survivor since 2001, Linda Crosby is equipped to answer your questions: How do I teach several kids at different levels? Where do I find curriculum? What about report cards? Do I need an American flag in the kitchen? Do I need a teaching certificate? Can video games count as something? How much does this cost? Are pajamas a homeschool uniform? Where is the teacher’s lounge? Plus, many, many more.

Help! My Child Wants to be a Fiction Writer, And I Don’t Want Them to End Up a Starving Artist. What Do I Do?

Workshop Room: Upper Commons - Room 216

By: Given Hoffman

In this talk about writing, Given Hoffman shares ten reasons why you should encourage your student in their pursuit of good fiction writing and how this training will provide your child with a number of highly marketable skills that will benefit them no matter which career they choose.

Helping Your Preschooler Build Reading Readiness Skills

Workshop Room: Choir Room

By: Kris Cox

The preschool years are a great time to build the skills your child needs to prepare them for reading.  Awareness of the letters and their sounds are not the only things you can work on at home to help your child prepare to learn to read.  I’ll share some simple and fun things you can do with your child to help them ultimately be more successful when it comes time to start reading.

Handouts:

How to Write an IEP and Then Use it Effectively in Your Homeschool

Workshop Room: Youth Center

By: Peggy Ployhar

An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is a tool public and private school special needs teachers use to set progress goals for their students. Join Peggy Ployhar, the CEO of SPED Homeschool, for a very “how-to” oriented introduction on the basics of writing and implementing an IEP, homeschool style. This talk will take you through the entire process of the how’s and whys of an IEP, the legality of the using a homeschool IEP based on the American Disabilities Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as well as many teaching strategies on how to reach IEP goals for specific diagnosis and learning struggles.

Handouts:

Let Boys Be Boys by Mark Hancock

Workshop Room: Room 214

By: Mark Hancock

Mark shares three winning strategies for leaders of boys and why this is important to the big kingdom business of Trail Life USA. Boys are like canaries in the coal mine of a culture losing its way. And they’ve stopped singing. Mark brings three simple but profound strategies that will immediately improve your ministry to and appreciation of the wonder of boys.

Life in the Fiery Furnace: How to Heal and Prevent Homeschool Burnout

Workshop Room: Worship Center

By: Zan Tyler

Homeschooling places great demands on parents and leads to great expectations. This combination can set us up for an intense sense of failure and disappointment. Homeschooling doesn’t always go according to our plans. Even when we are doing our best to follow God and love our families, we may find ourselves in the “fiery furnace,” like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In this session, Zan explores the causes of burnout and shares ways to avoid them. This workshop contains many practical tips for simplifying your life. It also encourages a biblical vision for what you are ultimately trying to accomplish in your children’s lives through homeschooling—a vision that will sustain you through the hard times and difficult days that are sure to come.

Solutions for the struggling math student by Michael Sas

Workshop Room: Room 219

By: Michael Sas

Math struggles can be so emotional – for students AND parents alike. A confidence destroyer for any age! How do you solve a student’s math anxiety, and help them succeed? Students and parents learn proven, practical solutions to restore mathematical confidence and reach grade-level proficiency quickly. This workshop is of benefit to any age learner, but particularly to parents of teenagers who are struggling with middle and high school level math.

Stop the struggle: real solutions for real problems with learning and behavior by Kelli Schulte & Lisa Carlson

Workshop Room: Room 217

By: Kelli Schulte & Lisa Carlson

Is your school day fraught with frustration, procrastination, or underachievement? If so, come and learn about the root cause of learning deficiencies, emotional dysregulation, struggles with fluency/phonetics and comprehension, the inability to read, write, do math, retain facts, and focus.

Exploring Learning Styles for More Effective Instruction

Workshop Room: Chapel

By: Nancy Bjorkman

Gain a fresh perspective on how your children’s actions and attitudes help you discover their natural bent, so you can plan strategies that will help them grow into the person they were created to be. We’ll peel back the layers to reveal pieces of the puzzle that go beyond the usual “auditory, kinesthetic, and visual” discussions. This workshop will provide you with insight into a variety of ways you can effectively teach to various learning styles in your children.

Indoctrination: Public Schools and the Decline of Christianity in America (Movie Showing)

Workshop Room: Youth Center

By: Keith Soencksen

** Please NOTE movie showing times 12:15-2:00 pm

“Every Christian parent with a child in a government school should see this [movie]. A mass exodus from  government schools is the only way to preserve the souls and minds of our children.” (Cal Thomas, Syndicated Columnist) “Every church in America should show IndoctriNation. Every Christian should show IndoctriNation to their friends.” (Ted Baehr, MovieGuide) If you’re not ready to take a hard look at the true state of public education, you will want to avoid this unflinching and highly controversial documentary. But that would be a mistake! Nearly 90% of Christian children attend a public school. Their families have a vested interest in all that happens there. Join Scottish homeschool father, Colin Gunn, across the USA. Colin and family drive a school bus on a road trip from New York City to Washington, DC, from Boston to the Creation Museum, on a quest to understand the origins and social impact of American’s modern public education system. Are the public schools an educational “neutral zone,” or a humanistic program designed to undermine the influence of the Church and the family? Is there truth to the “salt and light” argument that encourages Christians to send their kids to public school? Featuring compelling interviews with teachers, administrators, parents, and other whistleblowers, this film is part documentary, part testimonial, and totally captivating. Above all it is both an encouragement and challenge to the millions of Christians who need to know what God’s Word says about the discipleship and training of the next generation. You will want to give this DVD to every parent you know.

Leaving a Legacy: The Vision of the Homeschool Dad and Husband

Workshop Room: Upper Commons - Room 216

By: Joe Tyler

In the early days of cell phone plans that limited minutes there was a cell phone commercial featuring an NBA point guard trying to play basketball blindfolded. Because he can’t see the goal, he’s never sure if he’s scoring. Too often, men take on the tasks of husband, father, shepherd, principal, coach, and disciplinarian without the vision necessary to define and accomplish the goal. In this session, Joe Tyler helps define the goal and shares how to discover the divinely appointed means of achieving it. You may even learn the secret to making your wife deliriously happy, your home a quiet and peaceful kingdom, your children rich beyond measure, and your father-in-law in awe of your great accomplishments. Come join us in our discussion of what it really means to leave a legacy as a Christian husband and dad.

Parents are Uniquely Qualified to Teach and Disciple Their Children

Workshop Room: Worship Center

By: Steve Demme

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.

RightStart™ Math: Why it Works by ….

Workshop Room: Room 214

By: Rebecca Walsh

Have you heard the buzz about RightStart™ Math? Hear about our philosophy and what sets us apart from other curricula. We will teach children that a real mathematical problem is like a puzzle, that math is more than memorization, and that math is fun. Come and learn what’s special about our math program!

Unlock the Einstein Inside by Richard Frieder

Workshop Room: Room 217

By: Richard Frieder

This workshop is ideal for parents seeking knowledge and understanding of the effects cognitive skills – visual and auditory processing, working and long-term memory, and attention skills, among others – have on learning. Attendees will receive knowledge as well as practical strategies to apply in the home or classroom. The course is fun and interactive and includes information about new brain research and how it affects today’s learners. The course also provides methods and tools in detecting students with weak cognitive skills and tools to strengthen these skills.

What’s Going On With Your Middle Schooler? How They Learn

Workshop Room: Choir Room

By: Sherri Seligson

As our children begin to mature, they are experiencing drastic changes: physically, intellectually, emotionally, and even spiritually. It is a natural (and good!) process of transitioning to adulthood. As homeschoolers, we have the unique ability to encourage those changes to help them along the way. They will need more sleep; they will need more time to process what they learn as they move into more abstract thinking; they will need more understanding; and they will need more showers! Join Sherri as she walks you through how to homeschool and parent during this fun and exciting transition in life. Her research studies in middle school brain development shed much light on these newly-formed “nocturnal humans” in your home.

Your Body | Your Family | Your Choice – By Alicia Leiviska & Angie Gallagher

Workshop Room: Room 219

By: Alicia Leiviska & Angie Gallagher

What IS health freedom? What are parental rights? It can mean school choice, disability services, cps issues, medical choices, vaccine mandates and so much more. Please join us for a discussion on your rights, the history & current climate in Minnesota -plus what every day families can do to make a difference.

Helping a Child With Mental Health Issues

Workshop Room: Choir Room

By: Kris Cox

Many of us know of someone or have someone in our own family who struggles with depression, anxiety, or some other form of mental illness. Because of the stigma behind mental illness, many families suffer quietly and hide their struggles. It’s time we talked more openly about this challenging illness so people can get the support they need. This session will cover potential warning signs of mental illness, ways to help your child if they are struggling in this area, the importance of self-care for you as a caregiver, and some resources available to help. With a BS in Social Work and a son who struggled with mental illness, Kris has a passion to help families who are dealing with this difficult illness.  (Although the focus will be on helping a child, much of the information shared will be applicable to helping any loved one who is dealing with mental illness.)

Handouts:

Home Educating vs Homeschooling

Workshop Room: Youth Center

By: Alex & Cassie Deputie

Life doesn’t need to be compartmentalized and neither does your homeschool. Homeschooling doesn’t need to mean that you replicate school at home. Adventure lurks around every corner in life and home educating your children simply means they get to come on the journey of life with you!

Come to the Deputie’s (Alex and Cassie) workshop as they share how changing their mindsets from homeschooling to home educating drastically altered their approach to how they “do school” as a family. They will share what life looks like for them as a family of 10 balancing ministry, self-employment, campaigning, and everyday family life using every opportunity to educate their children and raise them to ultimately become mature, Christian adults. Prayerfully, this workshop will free each and every family up to not only enjoy the education process, but witness incredible results in character, academics, and ambition in yourself and your children.

The Deputie’s will share how they’ve applied God’s Word to their lives, specifically in how they educate their children. They will also share how they work together as husband and wife in finding time to dedicate to the training and equipping of their children for life. The simplicity and creativity of applying God’s Word will encourage you. They will also share hilarious stories that will definitely make you feel like you aren’t doing that bad of a job after all!

How Music Maps the Brain by Karra Buller

Workshop Room: Room 214

By: Karra Buller

We will share how learning music as a language from a young age actually changes brain patterns for a child’s lifetime. We will be sharing cutting edge research in how the neuroplasticity of the brain is increased and changed with Music Education in ways that nothing else will do for the child. We will be sharing how music cross-references brain centers and increases many learning capabilities in ways nothing else does. We will also touch on how music helps those that have learning disabilities or are on the Spectrum.

Is your student ready for College? By Emily N Cano

Workshop Room: Room 219

By: Emily N Cano

As parents, you want the best education for your kids. Studies show home educated students “go to and succeed at college at an equal or higher rate than the general population” (Dr. Brian D. Ray, NHERI.org). So how do you know if your child is ready for college and can succeed? This workshop will discuss different areas to assess before enrolling your child in college.

Marriage Lessons from Real Life

Workshop Room: Worship Center

By: Zan TylerJoe Tyler

“Zan was my best friend and ministry partner when we were in college. I knew I loved her and wanted to know how she felt about me, so out of the blue (we had never dated), I proposed to her during our junior year. She didn’t speak to me for a month.” In spite of this rocky start, Zan and Joe Tyler have thoroughly enjoyed 40 years of marriage. They have experienced many joys and triumphs and weathered many storms. Along with the varied hats Joe wears in the home, he is in charge of attitude adjustments and comic relief.

“Being able to laugh through the years has helped me survive things like threats of jail, the pressures of 21 years of homeschooling, and the stress of life in general. Joe makes sure I laugh a lot,” says Zan.  Come enjoy a refreshing session of laughter and encouragement as Joe and Zan share candidly about the ups and downs of married life (including their biggest fight ever), while focusing on the biblical principles that have served as the unshakeable foundation of their marriage. Understanding and embracing the magnificent biblical vision of marriage is the key to a vibrant relationship.

Raising a Special Needs Child and Finding Support for the Journey

Workshop Room: Chapel

By: Steve Demme

This workshop is Steve’s testimony of the last thirty 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.

Training Your Children with a Resilient Mindset (part 1) by Dr. David Hasz

Workshop Room: Room 217

By: Dr. David Hasz

Parents and educators today are trying to figure out how to nurture children in a nurturing manner while also helping them grow mentally strong. There is an epidemic of mental health issues, social issues, and cultural issues surfacing in children across all age groups. One of the biggest ways to solve this is through the power of the Gospel at work in the hearts and minds of our kids. Part I of this workshop will focus on the biblical reason for resiliency and God’s process for growing resilience in parents, that can then be taught to children.

Why Teaching Science Is a Critical Part of Education (Even for Poets)

Workshop Room: Upper Commons - Room 216

By: Sherri Seligson

It is most parents’ worst nightmare. As those teen years approach, the impending need to teach science often creates fear for students and parents alike. Do they really have to learn this stuff? This workshop not only will take the fear out of teaching science but also will create excitement and enthusiasm for everyone. If you enjoy learning about amazing creatures in the oceans, how sound works, and the fascinating world of fireworks, then you can definitely get excited to learn along with your students. Get ready to meet your inner science geek and help prepare your teens for their future.

A Quality of Life Made Possible by Kathy Marson

Workshop Room: Room 214

By: Kathy Marson

Does your child struggle with multiple challenges year-after-year with a mix of academics, attention, memory, motor coordination, sensory processing, emotions, or behavioral/social interactions? The natural tendency with homeschooling is to focus on ‘what’ is being taught while learning and development really starts in the brain and the amount of comprehension. If a child doesn’t show growth from the homeschool curricula, it could be a red flag that the brain’s connection is the source of the problem. The good news is that neuroscience gives us ways to enhance brain connectivity, which allows a child to absorb what’s being taught, so they naturally perform at a whole new level. When you address the source of the weak brain connectivity you can transform the quality of life for your child and your entire family. In this workshop, you’ll learn the formula for success: The neuroscience behind ongoing learning and development barriers ~How to strengthen brain and body connectivity to overcome barriers ~BrainyAct, a brain enhancement program in the form of an engaging and interactive game that cross-trains the brain with body movements to build connectivity ~How to add BrainyAct to the homeschool day to elevate learning and performance ~Testimonials and improved outcomes to expect.

Balancing Service and Family

Workshop Room: Choir Room

By: Sherri Seligson

As leaders, we each face unique challenges while serving the needs of others. How do you balance the time spent helping families with the needs of your own family? We do not want to build our groups and support others at the expense of our children and spouse. You only have so much to pour out, and if you spend it all on your leadership role, you will leave your family dry. Sherri will take you through specific, intentional strategies to prevent this and help you to avoid the guilt that can come with this important position. Think about it, if you’re feeling guilty now and don’t make changes, imagine how you might feel in ten years? Let’s talk about it!

Curriculum: How Do I Choose?

Workshop Room: Chapel

By: Linda Crosby

When embarking upon this exciting journey of home education, figuring out which curriculum to choose for your child can seem daunting. In this very practical workshop, Linda will give an objective overview of the different learning styles and help you understand the most common teaching approaches including textbook, living books, unit studies, classical, Charlotte Mason, eclectic, unschooling, and more. Let Linda help you narrow down your choices and take the guesswork out of choosing curriculum. This workshop will boost your confidence in making educational decisions for success in your homeschool.

DriveSafeRideSafe’s Teen Driver Safety Parent Awareness Workshop by Mike Pehl

Workshop Room: Room 217

By: Mike Pehl

DRIVE SAFE RIDE SAFE’S TEEN DRIVER SAFETY PARENT AWARENESS PROGRAM ~ This compelling 90 minute workshop, given by Veteran Crash Investigator and Driver Safety Expert Mike Pehl, will be well worth your time! Mike Pehl’s authentic approach to teaching driver education has proven successful for over 25 years. His background as a Crash Investigator helps him bring a unique and pragmatic view of how to crash proof your teen driver. His Defensive Driving techniques teach your son or daughter how to protect themselves and their passengers. Mike will also cover how the driving laws, both old and new will apply to your new driver. He will also go over how you as parents can help your son or daughter become the best driver possible. Those who attend this class will meet the state requirement to REDUCE the number of btw hours students need to drive with a parent from 50 to 40 hours. (We will give all folks in attendance a certificate of completion to hand with their driving log)

Homeschooling Strategies for Adopted Children

Workshop Room: Youth Center

By: Peggy Ployhar

Adopted children often struggle with a wider variety of special educational considerations that go beyond typical struggling learner strategies. Behavioral, mental health, attachment, and alcohol and drug effect issues often complicate learning for these children. As the oldest of 14 children, ten who entered her family by adoption, Peggy’s own special education homeschooling journey spurred her.

Handouts:

Jumpstart College with CLEP by Cheri Frame

Workshop Room: Upper Commons - Room 216

By: Cheri Frame

This popular workshop will help students learn how to earn college credits for subjects they may already be studying in middle and high school. CLEP, College Level Examination Program, is a nationally recognized credit-by-exam program open to students of all ages. Parents will also learn the key elements of MN’s PSEO program, a tuition-free college option available to high school students. Eliminate student debt by resourcefully planning your students’ middle and high school years. Teens are encouraged to attend with you.

Taming the Hydra

Workshop Room: Worship Center

By: Michael Donnelly, Esq.

Is the federal government operating outside the boundaries of the Constitution? Does Congress delegate too much legislative authority to unaccountable regulatory agencies? How have we accrued massive deficits that put our country and our children’s future at great risk? How does the president operate freely without explicit grants of authority from Congress or the Constitution? How has the Supreme Court become a quasi-legislative power, deciding that it is the final voice on what is or is not constitutional? Is this what the Founders intended? Clearly not. But what can citizens and states do to restore the American republic and put our country on a sound constitutional foundation? Mike explores how an Article V convention of the states could solve many of the problems our nation faces.

The Fully Whelmed Homeschooler By Lisa Dettinger

Workshop Room: Room 219

By: Lisa Dettinger

Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10b). Are you living an abundant Life or are you struggling to keep your head above water? Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by homeschooling or anything else in your life, there is a solution. Join Christian Life Coach Lisa Dettinger (from PowerHouse Educational Resources) for an opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to transform your perspective on the overwhelming circumstances of your life – especially homeschooling (Rom. 12:2).

Homeschooling—An Educational, Spiritual, and Family Revival Movement That Is Sweeping America

Workshop Room: Worship Center

By: Zan Tyler

From teaching phonics to graduating teens, from refereeing fights to nurturing faith, our lives as homeschooling parents run the gamut from the very mundane to the very meaningful. In the midst of the mind-boggling demands of homeschooling and everyday life, we constantly need to remind ourselves that our work as homeschooling moms and dads has tremendous significance in building God’s kingdom. Using the lessons of Scripture and history, this workshop will expand your vision of how God is using the homeschool movement, as well as your specific work as a homeschooling parent, to usher in spiritual, educational, and family revival—and to preserve our American heritage.

A Field Trip: More Than a Day Out by Peggy Alier

Workshop Room: Room 217

By: Peggy Alier

Make the most of a day out. With a little planning, you can change an everyday outing to a field trip that enriches your child’s learning and provides a memorable experience.

Ideas for Scheduling and Planning

Workshop Room: Chapel

By: Linda Crosby

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” ~ Benjamin Franklin. As a homeschool parent, it is imperative that you have a plan in place for the success of your homeschool. Veteran homeschool mom, Linda Crosby, will show you how to lay out your year, month, week, and day with schedules that will allow for flexibility in your homeschool. This practical session will get you started on the right foot with a workable schedule to keep you aimed in the direction of the areas that are most important to you. Linda will present a variety of schedules to give you planning ideas, as well as helpful hints for dealing with interruptions, housework, and chores, keeping the toddler occupied, fitting it all in, eliminating time stealers, setting goals for your child, plus more. Come join Linda and plan to succeed!

Juggling on a Tightrope

Workshop Room: Choir Room

By: Michael Donnelly, Esq.

Today’s father spends his precious few waking hours going in countless directions to address seemingly great needs—not least of which is his family. Our children have only one earthly father and our wives but one husband. How can we best invest our most precious resource: time? Where should we be investing it for eternal value? How can we properly lead our families and serve God in an increasingly demanding and busy world of sports, music, drama, church, school, support groups, and extended family responsibilities? How can we know when to say yes—and more important, when to say no? Must we choose between competing priorities to be effective stewards? Come hear thoughts on answering these questions from Mike as he shares insights gained from his experiences as a father of seven and as an army officer, entrepreneur, company executive, and attorney for Home School Legal Defense Association.

MathPro Game – Instructional Tool. Math was Never so Much Fun!

Workshop Room: Upper Commons - Room 216

By: Steve McCully

MathPro is a math instructional tool designed for users of every level of math ability (from preschoolers learning to count up through high school, kids using algebraic formulas to adults playing games with numbers where winning is NOT based on math ability but on decisions you make) where every activity can be done individually or in a group and where the emphasis is on making working with numbers enjoyable. See the natural sequence of learning activities and learn the countless games you can play with your kids or they can play with each other or by themselves. Way, way, way too much to explain here. Come to our workshop to check out how it fits for your family!

Overcoming Doubt – Your Greatest Homeschool Enemy

Workshop Room: Youth Center

By: Peggy Ployhar

Doubt is the number one enemy of all homeschoolers. So, it stands to reason that overcoming doubt is the key to homeschool success. Peggy Ployhar, the CEO of SPED Homeschool, has 18 years’ experience battling doubt in her own homeschooling endeavors. But, instead of letting those doubts creep in and destroy her homeschool, she learned with each battle just how much God’s grace and truth provided strategies for conquering her doubts. This talk is filled with biblical fighting strategies to equip every homeschooling parent to do battle head-on with their own doubts so they can overcome them and homeschool victoriously.

Handouts:

PSEO on Purpose by Daniel Kue

Workshop Room: Room 219

By: Daniel Kue

Minnesota residents have access to the Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program that allows high school junior and senior students to take college-level courses from approved institutions. If you have a ninth, tenth, or eleventh grader, join us to explore how PSEO may fit into your homeschooling experience and your student’s educational goals. We will discuss educational planning, admissions requirements, and the many benefits of participating in this program.

Raising Children to Be Intentional Christians in a Secular World (Worldview Training)

Workshop Room: Worship Center

By: Zan Tyler

Our children live in the midst of a secular culture facing a host of issues and moral dilemmas that we never had to deal with at their age. Because many children are not prepared to counter this culture, startling percentages of those raised in evangelical homes abandon their faith and beliefs as they move into adulthood. For this reason, training our children to develop a strong biblical worldview is one of the most important gifts we can give them. Teaching them to think biblically about all areas of life equips them to become powerful thinkers, leaders, and communicators. Most importantly, it also gives staying power to their faith as they face opposition.

In this session, Zan Tyler provides practical answers to the following questions:

• What is a biblical worldview and why is it crucial for my children?
• How can I teach worldview—especially if I don’t understand it myself?
• How can studying the life of Daniel change my teenager’s life?

Our goal as Christian homeschoolers must be bigger and broader than turning out kids with exceptional talent and high SAT scores. By incorporating worldview training, we can better equip them to use their gifts to impact the world for Christ, help others by solving real problems, and bring glory to God in the process.

Training Up Your Children with a Resilient Mindset (part 2) by Dr. David Hasz

Workshop Room: Room 214

By: Dr. David Hasz

A resilient mindset is one of the critical attributes needed to be successful in life and work. In this workshop, you will learn practical steps on how to start teaching your kids how to grow a resilient Mindset. It’s never too late to start training them to do hard things, challenge them to be greater, and empower them with the skills to grow as independent mature adults who can thrive in society and church.

A Quality of Life Made Possible by Kathy Marson

Workshop Room: Room 219

By: Kathy Marson

Does your child struggle with multiple challenges year-after-year with a mix of academics, attention, memory, motor coordination, sensory processing, emotions, or behavioral/social interactions? The natural tendency with homeschooling is to focus on ‘what’ is being taught while learning and development really starts in the brain and the amount of comprehension. If a child doesn’t show growth from the homeschool curricula, it could be a red flag that the brain’s connection is the source of the problem. The good news is that neuroscience gives us ways to enhance brain connectivity, which allows a child to absorb what’s being taught, so they naturally perform at a whole new level. When you address the source of the weak brain connectivity you can transform the quality of life for your child and your entire family. In this workshop, you’ll learn the formula for success: The neuroscience behind ongoing learning and development barriers ~How to strengthen brain and body connectivity to overcome barriers ~BrainyAct, a brain enhancement program in the form of an engaging and interactive game that cross-trains the brain with body movements to build connectivity ~How to add BrainyAct to the homeschool day to elevate learning and performance ~Testimonials and improved outcomes to expect

Customizing Your Curriculum

Workshop Room: Chapel

By: Peggy Ployhar

As the CEO of SPED Homeschool, and the former Special Needs Team Lead for the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) and former Special Needs Coordinator of MACHE (Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators), Peggy Ployhar speaks to one of the most frequently asked questions she has received over the past 17 years: “What curriculum would be best to teach the unique needs of my child?” Whether you have a child who has a specific diagnosis or one who just struggles in one area of school or another, Peggy addresses in this talk how to take the curriculum you already own, or plan to use, adjust it to meet the specific needs of your child, and consequently dissolve the struggles you are currently seeing in homeschooling your unique child.

Handouts:

Dad’s Panel Discussion – Q&A

Workshop Room: Upper Commons - Room 216

By: Keith Soencksen

Our panel of five veteran homeschool dads are here to answer any questions you might want to know more about. Come be encouraged by other dads just like you! Mom’s are welcome too!

Homeschooling and Homemaking: From Mis-organization to Miss Organization!

Workshop Room: Choir Room

By: Sherri Seligson

“How do I get it all done?”  That seems to be a common frustration for homeschool mothers.  Though juggling the educational needs of multiple children while maintaining a household can certainly be a daunting task, there are several strategies which will help moms to navigate their school year and still keep an organized home.  Even though we will not see perfection this side of heaven, it is still possible to teach algebra, have dinner on the table by 6:00, and be able to find your sunglasses all in one day!

Handouts:

Spooks, Legos, Peanut Butter Toast

Workshop Room: Room 214

By: Jay W. Patterson

This K-12 curriculum hits a home run every time it’s sincerely tried. It’s proven effective, gap-free, neurologically based and all under one umbrella. It is phonics, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, composition, and higher level thinking skills. Nonreaders read. Struggling readers, spellers and writers improve. Only one set of teacher materials is needed for any number of children for any number of years. This multiple year, multiple child emphasis is the most cost effective and academically sound curriculum you will find. Come and see.

Teaching the Wisdom of Discernment

Workshop Room: Youth Center

By: Given Hoffman

As homeschoolers we are often accused of “sheltering” our children but sheltering means a place of temporary protection. So, how do we use our homes —our places of protection—as a way to teach our children how to handle what they will encounter when they leave that protection? In this talk about discernment, millennial homeschool graduates and long-time friends, Given and Kate, will discuss how to teach your children the art of godly decision making in a world that demands blind acceptance.

The Nuts and Bolts of Homeschooling Through High School

Workshop Room: Worship Center

By: Kris Cox

Homeschooling during the high school years can feel a bit intimidating, but it really is doable and can even be fun as you help your student prepare for and mature into adulthood!

This workshop will give you direction for making a four-year high school plan for your student, helping you cover all that is needed to graduate. We’ll talk about grading guidelines, how to calculate a GPA, making a transcript, and what to do about a diploma.

This workshop will help you feel confident and equipped to homeschool through the high school years!

Handouts:

Unlock the Einstein Inside by Richard Frieder

Workshop Room: Room 217

By: Richard Frieder

This workshop is ideal for parents seeking knowledge and understanding of the effects cognitive skills – visual and auditory processing, working and long-term memory, and attention skills, among others – have on learning. Attendees will receive knowledge as well as practical strategies to apply in the home or classroom. The course is fun and interactive and includes information about new brain research and how it affects today’s learners. The course also provides methods and tools in detecting students with weak cognitive skills and tools to strengthen these skills.

Building Sibling Relationships

Workshop Room: Worship Center

By: Sherri Seligson

One of the most challenging things about being a parent is to help our children build relationships with one another. We want our children to be close and grow up as friends, but those dreams can be hard to imagine amidst the toddler screaming “Mine! Mine!” and the continuous assertions of “Not me. SHE did it!” In this workshop, Sherri will share six key ways that she used to navigate this process with her four children in order to build sibling relationships. Laugh with Sherri as you discover how to incorporate these strategies right away. Indeed, today, she is so blessed to know that her adult children actually phone one another, do activities together, and pray for each other. Relationship building has to be intentional or it will not easily happen!

Communicating Effectively in a Loud World By Michael Leibig

Workshop Room: Room 214

By: Michael Leibig

The world of respectful, articulate discourse in our society seems all but lost. It’s easy to be disheartened and frustrated but as Christians, we are called to be salt and light in a dark and dying world! The effective communication skills needed to cut through the noise and confusion don’t come naturally to everyone. Come hear some practical tips for helping your children learn to be better listeners, thinkers, and speakers at every stage of their educational journey. Effective communication can be taught and used to help fulfill our role of ambassadors for Christ wherever the Lord calls us!

Creating New and Healthy Communication

Workshop Room: Upper Commons - Room 216

By: Given Hoffman

Seeing unhealthy habits forming in your child’s communication? Not sure how to help them re-engage in a healthy way? In this talk, Given Hoffman will highlight common failings in communication and present practical solutions for helping you and your child create new and healthy patterns.

Fear Not! You and Your Children Can Learn Math Together

Workshop Room: Youth Center

By: Steve Demme

Each student is unique. Since parent educators are tutors, they are able to adapt to the needs of their individual child. Find out what they know and begin there. Giving your children a firm foundation in math will equip them to succeed at every level of math. They are not behind; they are where they are.

Raising Godly Boys: The Four Step Proven Process for Growing Boys into Godly Men by Mark Hancock

Workshop Room: Room 219

By: Mark Hancock

Whether you are a father, stepfather, or leader of boys, these four truths will help you understand and address the primary problems boys face in a contrary culture that values them less and less.

Simplify Your Homeschool! By Rebecca Moan

Workshop Room: Room 217

By: Rebecca Moan

A veteran home-educator will share practical tips on managing your daily schedule, chore chart, lesson plans and curriculum, Scripture memory, sports and music activities, and college decisions. This workshop will not give you any advice whatsoever on how to make a baby sleep through the night, how to can your own food, or how to teach Latin! However, this workshop will encourage you to sort through the unrealistic expectations and clutter in your life to find freedom in God’s unique plan for you and your family.

What do I do with a Resistant Learner?

Workshop Room: Choir Room

By: Kris Cox

We all have bad days, but when your child is frequently defiant or frustrated with school, what do you do?  Their resistance could be due to willful disobedience, developmental issues, learning style issues, a learning struggle, or even mental health issues. We can determine why they no longer seem to enjoy learning, and help to restore their love for learning by dealing with the underlying causes.  Whether your child is frequently defiant or just struggling with disliking school, this workshop will help you identify what is causing your child’s struggles and give you insights into what to do to help them.

Handouts:

Who Really has the Best Interests of Children at Heart: Parents or the State?

Workshop Room: Chapel

By: Michael Donnelly, Esq.

A growing chorus of voices insists that children don’t belong to parents. Children, these voices say, belong to the “community.” For democracy to survive, they claim, the government must require that children be taught approved values such as “tolerance.” Some of these voices say that children should learn only in government-approved schools or from government-approved standards and curriculums. These misguided voices are prompting both state and federal lawmakers to hand over the keys to the kids. They want to dictate what children eat, what kinds of doctors they can and can’t see, and what they are taught! Skirmishes are being fought over this issue now. Are you prepared? In this session, Mike addresses these serious issues and ties together events both current and historic, providing perspective needed to fully comprehend currents and trends in a timeless struggle for control.

How to Get Started Having Regular Times of Family Worship

Workshop Room: Worship Center

By: Steve Demme

Steve relates the ingredients for a doable plan of family worship. After many years of trying, God helped the Demmes make studying God’s word a daily part of their home. Steve also shares obstacles he wrestled with to lead his family in this crucial area.

If It’s Broke, Fix it!

Workshop Room: Choir Room

By: Michael Donnelly, Esq.

Homeschooling families face many challenges. Financial, emotional, and physical demands put significant strain on our relationships and our families. The homeschooling community is not immune to societal problems, including broken marriages and broken families. It may be easier to hide the pain than to confront essential elements required for “fixing” these complex and serious issues. But it’s never too late to try to fix something that’s broken. In this talk, Mike shares how he was raised in a broken home and explores the necessary ingredients for homeschooling families to stay connected and whole amidst the pressures and stresses of life.

Incorporating Mom-Care into Your Homeschooling Schedule

Workshop Room: Youth Center

By: Peggy Ployhar

You know the saying, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t no one is happy.” But how is a homeschooling mom to care to herself to the point of “happy” when she can barely take care of the house, teaching her kids, and sometimes even attempt jugging a full or part-time job? The answer is creative planning and a focused perspective. In this talk, Peggy Ployhar, SPED Homeschool Founder and CEO and recent cancer survivor will share her own story of near burnout and how that experience led her to many realizations about how and why it was so important to prioritize her own care to keep everything balanced in her home as well as how she creatively plans to ensure self-care into her busy working and homeschooling schedule. You will come away with new resolve as well as creative ideas for incorporating self-care into your own busy homeschooling schedule.

Handouts:

RightStart™ Fractions by Rebecca Walsh

Workshop Room: Room 219

By: Rebecca Walsh

Do you remember the groans in math class when the word ‘fraction’ was brought up? Well, there is a better and less painful way of teaching fractions! Fractions are, dare I say, fun when they are taught the right way. What’s the right way to teach them? Come and find out! Find the beauty and simplicity of fractions using RightStart Math.

Stop the struggle: real solutions for real problems with learning and behavior by Kelli Schulte & Lisa Carlson

Workshop Room: Room 214

By: Kelli Schulte & Lisa Carlson

Is your school day fraught with frustration, procrastination, or underachievement? If so, come and learn about the root cause of learning deficiencies, emotional dysregulation, struggles with fluency/phonetics and comprehension, the inability to read, write, do math, retain facts, and focus.

Unit Studies: Teaching Multiple Ages Together

Workshop Room: Chapel

By: Linda Crosby

Linda discovered and used unit studies as a public-school teacher and later exclusively used them during her years as a homeschool mom with four children since 2001. She will explain what unit studies are, how to effectively use them, where to find them, how to make your own as well as the benefits they provide for teaching several children at the same time. Other helpful hints Linda will provide include connecting with each learning style, teaching with a toddler in the house, organizing your schedule around the unit, keeping God at the center of each unit, and expanding the lessons beyond the front door. If you want to simplify your homeschooling days, unit studies will help you succeed and thrive as a homeschool mom.