WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

5 pm Friday

1. Home Schooling and the New Generation ‘Me’              Dr. James Stobaugh

Meet "The Entitlement Generation”. They are storming into schools, colleges, and businesses all over the country. They are today's young people, a new generation with sky-high expectations and a need for fulfillment. They are ‘tolerant’, confident, open-minded, and ambitious. This thought-provoking workshop examines how our home school community can minister to, and perhaps learn from, Generation Me.

2. Spanish + Family + Fun= La Clase Divertida                Dale Gamache

Join experienced Spanish teacher and homeschool dad Dale Gamache in a lively workshop to see how your whole family can comprehensively learn Spanish together in a non-intimidating way through conversation, songs, games, crafts, cooking, and cultural stories. Come and see how FUN Spanish can be! The program is designed for families with students aged K through 8^th grade.

3. Your Family Can Make an Eternal Difference               Shareen Orchard

We know the Lord wants us to love people the way He loves them. But how do you get your children to grow in love for the lost world? Join Gospel for Asia as we explore practical ways to lead your family to love the lost, especially those not yet reached with the Gospel, and to focus on what truly lasts forever. 

 4. Breathing Life into Language Arts                                 Rosie Watson

Language Arts is a critical part of a 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, Rosie will discuss how these subjects can be combined and brought to life for grades 3-12, through the study of great literature.

7 pm Friday                                     

Keynote Address

Adam Andrews                                            

Homeschooling’s Highest Goal – Lessons from the Story of Job

Education is not an object we can possess; it’s a state of the heart, mind and soul.  All great leaders share certain attributes in these areas, and Job was one of the greatest! Adam’s unique perspective on Job’s life inspires parents to prepare their own students for leadership.  The lecture sends them away with renewed vision for the liberal arts and practical suggestions for applying this vision through homeschooling.

Saturday

9:00 am

6. An Orientation to Homeschooling in Florida                 Barb Mesh

A must for all new and prospective homeschoolers, this informative workshop, presented by veteran homeschooler, Barb Mesh, will map out the requirements and give you tips on how to get started in your homeschooling adventure. If you are considering homeschooling or just getting started, you won’t want to miss this information packed seminar.

7. SAT Prep for Christian Students                          Dr. James Stobaugh

Doing their best on the SAT is one avenue God has before our children to prepare to be the kind of Christians who will change their world no matter what the obstacles.  In light of the changes to the new 2005 SAT I, this workshop is especially relevant.  Finally, Dr. Stobaugh, who is an SAT grader, will share insights concerning the essay portion of the SAT I .

8. Enjoying the Journey                                            Tammye  Hamilton

Are you feeling a little burned out? Do you worry that you are not doing your best for your children? Homeschooling is hard work and most moms have a full plate of pressing responsibilities. It can all be so overwhelming! Join this mother of eight as she shares practical pointers and inspiration from her 25 years of parenting and homeschooling to give you renewed joy and encouragement for your personal journey.        

9. Abacus-Based Mathematics                                          Ann Meola

Can you use the time-honored abacus to teach math? Absolutely! See how the AL Abacus fosters quantity recognition and develops addition strategies. Investigate place value in a crystal clear format. Discover the simplicity of multiplication. The AL Abacus is a perfect supplement or is the focal point of RightStart Mathematics!

10. Classical Conversations                                                         Jan Tjomsland

Classical Conversations, invites you to learn more about how Laura Ingalls Wilder 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. The heart of Classical Conversations K-12 program is to empower parents to teach their children classically through modeling.  

10:30 am

11. Why Are We Doing This Anyway?                     Jon and Tammye Hamilton

Staying on track with our purpose in homeschooling can be challenging. For the Hamiltons, their passion through 25 years of homeschooling has been to equip and inspire their children to change the world around them. They’ll share with you not only keys to successful homeschooling but vital steps to raising children who choose to impact their generation for God.

12. Teaching the Classics from Seuss to Socrates – Literary Analysis for Everyone                  

                                                                                      Adam Andrews

Does the subject of literature seem like a mystery?  Are you a loss about how to understand it yourself, much less teach it to your kids? This inspiring lecture demonstrates that everything you need to know about understanding and teaching literature is present in your second grader’s bedtime story. Adam shows how you can lead a discussion of eternal things by following five simple steps. You’ll never put the kids to bed the same way again

13.  Choosing Curriculum: Where to Start?                        Misty Spinelli

The homeschool curricula explosion has created a dilemma over what to buy each year. This workshop, presented by Growing Scholars, will guide homeschoolers through a process which will help them narrow the field of choice through goal setting and analysis of learning styles. Misty provides a wealth of information and resource to those getting

14. Waking Up the Einstein Inside                                                                 Priscilla Baer

This workshop, given by Learning Rx of Melbourne, is about helping your child to reach their full potential through brain training.  Come hear the current research in brain science and learning.

15. Florida Fossils: The Story of our State’s Past                           Paul Schulze

Join Creation Explorations as we take a brief look at the changes in our states land mass following the Great Flood and through the Ice Age. We will explore Florida fossils from both land animals and marine species, many of which are extinct.  This is a great workshop for families to attend together.

Noon

16. Piecing Together the High School Puzzle Part I           Joanne Mastrioncola

Do you need direction in navigating homeschooling through high school? Joanne wrote the book on homeschooling through high school in Florida. She will cover what to do about classes you don’t feel "qualified" to teach, earning high school credit in middle school and much more. 

17. How to Write Goals and Objectives                                Dr. James Stobaugh

The maxim that “if one is aiming for nothing, one always reaches it!” is a true statement.  This very practical workshop will teach parents how to articulate and to evaluate quantifiable cognitive, behavioral, and affective (i.e., spiritual) goals. Participant will leave with many helpful handouts including goals and objectives from all the core subjects.

18. Using the Math-U-See Curriculum                                 Forrest Hobbs

Math-U-See is a combination of traditional and manipulative based instruction techniques tailored for home use. This seminar will cover from basic arithmetic through algebra and problem solving.  Learn how to teach concretely so the student truly understands the math.

19. The Importance of Developing a Christian Worldview               Steve Ponce

Education is important; but is more education, Christian education, or even homeschool education the answer to a world in disarray and despair?  In order to protect the sacrificial investment we make in the lives of our children, we must instill a way of thinking that is contrary to a fallen, sinful world's.  The Bible gives us a foundation for every aspect of life--not just the religious side. Homeschooling parent and Youth Pastor Steve Ponce shares how to cultivate and nurture a Christian Worldview in your children.

20. Excellence in Writing                                                           Karen Franklin

Come and discover the award-winning Excellence in Writing program. Students of all ages learn to write stories, reports and essays with style. Best of all, parents and students alike find it easy to use and effective in all their writing endeavors. This workshop will give you an overview of the program and show you how you can get started with even the most reluctant writing student so you can give it a try at home.

1:30 pm

21. Preparing for College Admissions                                     Joanne Mastronicola

Come learn about the journey through credits, transcripts, high school graduation and college admission requirements from a knowledgeable homeschool parent who has been down this road. Joanne offers a bounty of helpful information and resources for your college-bound student.

22. Literary Keys – Unlocking the Meaning of Classic Books     Adam Andrews

Come listen to the story of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and his famous poem Paul Revere’s Ride.  In the process, you will discover the surprising power of two literary elements – setting and context – to deepen your understanding of classic books. Adam shows how to use these details as keys for unlocking the meaning and significance of any work of literature.  Even if you’ve read the poem a thousand times, you might come away with a new perspective – and new vision for teaching . 

23. Defending Parental Rights                                             Adriana Gonzalez

God has given parents the privilege and responsibility to bring up their children “in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).  Unfortunately, however, that God-given responsibility is being challenged today in our nation.  More than anything else, this is a spiritual battle, so we must “therefore put on the full armor of God” (Eph. 6:13).  Join this homeschooling mother of seven to find out the facts about the national and international attack on parental rights and what you can do about it, both practically and spiritually.

24. A Time of Encouragement                                  Rick Andreassen

Coach Rick Andreassen founded the Christian Homeschool Athletic Association of Florida, which reaches over 3,500 homeschool students in Florida, Texas, and Nevada. Coach Rick’s passion and enthusiasm to see young people become all that God has created them to be and his sincere love for the Lord will make this one workshop you don’t want to miss!

25.  Bringing Dads Home                                             Bob Farewell

Now, more than ever before, dads are turning their hearts to their children. In this workshop, Bob Farewell, founder of Bringing Dads Home, answers your questions about how to handle the stress when Dad assumes leadership, how he can maintain a vibrant relationship with his wife, how dads can be at home when they are at home, how dads can bring the whole family together, and how to determine if a home-based business is best for your family. Bob also discusses the dad’s role in home education and how to build a strong Christian community.