Conferences – Page 3 – Chicagoland Homeschool Network

Virtual vendor hall

Many of you are fortunate enough to attend a homeschool convention this year and will get to enjoy the overwhelming vendor hall atmosphere. But, just because finances, scheduling conflicts or travel arrangement have kept you from attending this year doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the vendor hall experience. I’ll be booth hopping right from home at the Schoolhouse Expo, and I’m not even attending the expo (which is sold out, btw).

If you’re researching or buying homeschool curriculum, you have to check out the Vendor Hall at the Schoolhouse Expo! It’s open to everyone. Browse through companies such as Rainbow Resource, WriteShop, Apologia, Latin Road, Phonics Road, Multiplication Shake, Go Phonics, and MANY MORE!

Latin Road, Phonics Road has freebies in their booth. Rainbow Resource has a free shipping offer. Spears Art Studio has a free CD. Real Science by Gravitas has a 25% discount coupon.

There is just so much to see. Stop by and meet the virtual hostess from each company, browse their selection, and look for “conference specials”.

You don’t even need your walking shoes or suitcase to lug your purchases in! Be sure to check out the Schoolhouse Expo Vendor Hall.

Science activities in Rockford next week

Mike Riddle, an Answers in Genesis speaker, will be in Rockford, IL at Maywood Free Church on March 27-29.

On March 28th and 29th he will be speaking for an Answers in Genesis conference. Here is the schedule for this event:

Sunday, March 28, 2010
8 a.m.	Mike Riddle	Do You Have a Biblical Worldview?
10:30 a.m.	Mike Riddle	Do You Have a Biblical Worldview?
6 p.m.	Mike Riddle	Apologetics 101: Answering the Challenges
7:30 p.m.	Mike Riddle	4 Power Questions to Ask an Evolutionist
Monday, March 29, 2010
6:30 p.m.	Mike Riddle	Apologetics 201: Answering More Challenges
8 p.m.	Mike Riddle	Cloning, Stem Cells and the Value of Life

And Jay Wile will be speaking in Rockford on Friday the 26th and then participating in the Northern Illinois Regional Science Fair on Saturday the 27th. Check out the Illinois Regional Science Fair site for more information. He will be speaking at 7:00 about homeschooling high school science.

Another homeschool convention

Received from Margaret Ryan of the Pere Marquette Home School and Parent Conference:

Hello Group Leaders and fellow Home Schoolers,

Friday and Saturday, May 7-8, 2010

North Central College
30 North Brainard Street
Naperville, IL 60540
Directions

All ticket prices are for pre-registration, prices will be $5 more at the door.
Register Here

2nd Annual Pere Marquette Home School and Parent Conference.

For all conference details, please visit www.NICHEJMJ.com

(Network of Illinois Catholic Home Educators Jesus Mary Joseph).

~ Conference Committee

Hands of a Child Lapbooking Event

Check out the following information from Hands of a Child co-owner Katie Kubesh:

Lapbooking LIVE on February 23rd!

With Katie Kubesh

Co-Owner of In the Hands of a Child

In Conjunction with Heart of the Matter Online

As a co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child, the Premier Provider of Ready-to-Assemble Lapbooks, I am asked a lot of questions about lapbooking. Many people have heard the term “lapbooking” but have no idea what it is or are overwhelmed by the entire concept of hands-on activities and unit studies. Since lapbooks are such a great way to include hands-on activities in your student’s curriculum, I will be answering the top questions asked about lapbooking and explaining the following concepts:

1. What is a lapbook?
2. How are lapbooks made?
3. What supplies are needed to lapbook?
4. I have all the supplies, now what?
5. How do I find information and activities to complete lapbook?
6. How does my student complete a lapbook?
7. How do you fold the file folder to make a lapbook?
8. How do I incorporate lapbooking into my existing curriculum?
9. What are the benefits of lapbooking?

Please join me, LIVE… at the Heart of the Matter Annual Online Conference this year!

Have you ever wondered what a lapbook really is? Or maybe you have heard of it, but the mere thought of unit studies and hands-on activities makes you want to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over your head. Don’t let your lack of understanding scare you away from this great way of enhancing your child’s curriculum! In fact, you can bring your questions to a bona fide lapbooking expert… LIVE, y’all! Katie Kubesh will be speaking LIVE and will host a Q&A session Tuesday, February 23rd at 10:00 CST.

Click here to purchase tickets and read the post in its entirety.

Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child. Recognizing that hands-on projects are essential to the learning experience, In the Hands of a Child has created Project Packs that go beyond the hands-on aspect. They have taken the preparation time out of the parent/teacher job description with Complete Ready to Assemble Lapbook-style units that are available in Ebook, Printed Book, and CD formats. Please visit their website at www.handsofachild.com.

Also, for those that miss out on the great deals at conventions, they have put together a deal available now:

Through our online poll we’ve learned that many of you do not attend a homeschool convention. That is why we’re declaring Feb 15^th-Feb 28^th as

In YOUR Childs Hands Season!

What does this mean for you?

Savings of course!

We want all of you to have access to our great products and we know that right now times are tough!

So, every day during In YOUR Childs Hands Season

we will post AT LEAST one unit up for discount.

Discounts only apply for that particular product (or products) for that particular day.

So be sure to check back each and every day!

This will be an excellent way to add some great

Lapbook Project Packs to your school shelves!

REMEMBER!!! Check back each day at this link:

In YOUR Child’s Hands Season

Here you will see the unit(s) on special and find the daily coupon code. You will also find a list of units that will be featured during this special so you can make your

wish list and plan accordingly!

Sale ends February 28, 2010

Cannot be combined with any other offer,
special, discount, coupon or sale.
Tax & Shipping not included in calculating discount price.
Not valid toward prior purchases.
No rainchecks.

Encouragement from the Boyer Family

You may know the name Marilyn Boyer. A mother of 14, homeschooling veteran of 30 years (!), with a few more still ahead of her, a writer, and a speaker at homeschool conventions.

This past weekend I joined a couple hundred other women in Oak Brook to receive encouragement and vision from Marilyn. I took many notes and came away with lots of fresh ideas and enthusiasm for loving my children and taking full advantage of the relationship we build with them through homeschooling.

Even if you could not make it this weekend, she has a wonderful gift to share on her website.

Unfortunately, I cannot give you a simple link to get there, but I can give you some directions. Go to the Boyer website, The Learning Parent, and float over the “Categories” tab. From there click on “Boyer Products” or “Boyer Resources.” These should both take you to the same place. You will need to go to the second page of resources, looking for one entitled, “Educating for Eternity.”

You can purchase this resource on CD, or you can select the downloadable version for free. It does take a while to download, and as mine is currently downloading, I can’t yet tell you the wonderful information it contains. But, knowing Marilyn, this will be a great encouragement to listen to.

In this recording you will learn:

We all want our children to catch the vision for God and grow up to serve Him. But how do we begin? Rick and Marilyn Boyer, home education pioneers of thirty years, believe the Bible contains the best plan for the upbringing of wise and competent children. Seeking wisdom from God`s Word and applying it to their own lives, they have trained their fourteen sons and daughters, some of whom are now parents and passing on the vision to their own children.

In this session you will hear Rick and Marilyn- with five of their adult children- explain the scriptural method for passing on a vision of powerful Christian living from generation to generation through family discipleship!

She has such a wonderful heart and shares so sincerely about her journey as a homeschooling mom. I would encourage you to take the time to download this resource, and to check out some of the other resources they have available.

Some other resources that have caught my attention: For You The Signed (a new one that she mentioned this weekend, about the signers of the Declaration of Independence, you’ll find this on their home page), audio books by her husband “Uncle Rick,” and many other books and audio resources for the homeschooling family — Getting it all done, homeschooling with toddlers, etc.

Homeschool Conferences

Did you know that we have four different homeschool conventions or conferences coming to the Chicagoland area this year?

The first one takes place in just a couple months. The InHome Conference (This is a non-religious based group):

March 18 – 20, 2010
Pheasant Run Resort and Spa
4051 East Main St.
St. Charles, Illinois

A little background on this conference taken from their website:

During the 90s, Illinois HOUSE planned and produced conferences for Illinois homeschooling families which grew in size and frequency until it made sense to incorporate them as a separate activity. In 1998, the Home Educators Conference Fund (HECF) was formed as an Illinois not-for-profit corporation and a section 501(c)3 tax-exempt charity. In both its volunteer base and its governance, HECF has drawn from a wide selection of committed and talented homeschoolers. Our presenters and volunteers are current or former homeschoolers from all over Illinois, and elsewhere in the US where homeschooling has flourished. HECF’s “InHome” event is a forum for grassroots insights; we enjoy sharing our experiences and recognizing the expertise within our own communities.

Then, in June, the Illinois Christian Home Educators have their annual convention:

June 3-5, 2010
Calvary Church
Naperville,IL

More details yet to come on this convention.

In August, the Chicago Homeschool Expo returns for a second year:

August 5-7, 2010
The Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center
1551 N. Thoreau Dr.
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173

From their website:

The Homeschool Expo is a “don’t miss” whole family two day event with hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of products where parents can review and purchase the latest curriculum, hear great speakers who give practical encouragement, and receive personalized help and answers to any question. Our workshops especially emphasize the practical aspects of working with children in ways that will promote their educational, social and emotional growth.

And, finally, Apologia Live is coming in October:

October 8-9, 2010, in Chicago, IL
Westin NW in Schaumburg, IL

Their website has this to say about this event:

These will be exciting, spiritually refreshing events specifically designed for homeschool moms and those thinking of homeschooling. We have planned these retreats with you in mind. Fellowship with like-minded women will encourage you and foster renewal. All of the speakers are veteran homeschool moms who know the pitfalls, the pressures, and the panicked-times of homeschooling. Yet they also know the joys, blessings, and eternal benefits of homeschooling. All of the messages will focus on different aspects of Standing Strong in Christ.

Plan now to attend one (or more) of these events to help keep your homeschool growing and meeting your family’s needs.

Mid-winter Renewal from ICHE

From the Illinois Christian Home Educators:

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

~ Jeremiah 31:25

Please join us for the ICHE Ladies’ Midwinter Renewal on January 16, 2010. The day will be one to look to the Lord. He has promised to refresh and to satisfy you.

You will be so blessed by all that is being planned.

Marilyn Boyer is our dear guest speaker. Marilyn delights in raising and teaching her 14 children to walk in the ways of the Lord, and she is looking forward to spending the day with you. A well-known conference speaker and author, Marilyn brings with her over 30 years of home educating experience. Her sessions will include the following titles: Pushing the Reset Button, Holding Their Hearts, and Learning to Delight in Your Children.

This event will be held at Christ Church of Oakbrook located at 501 Oakbrook Road, Oakbrook, Illinois 60523. The doors will open at 8:30 a.m., and the conference will be from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The cost is $35.00 per person. This includes a delicious luncheon. Beautiful gift certificates are available for husbands to purchase for their wives, or you can purchase one for a friend. Registration information is available at www.iche.org under events.

You’ll be so encouraged and refreshed with the sessions, the worship of our Lord, and the fellowship with like-minded ladies. Come and join us. You’ll be so glad you did!

Finding Encouragement

A key to homeschooling well, on at least a somewhat consistent basis, is to maintain a vision.

Without direction, without hope, without a goal in sight, we will likely flounder, often.

Where do you find your encouragement, your refocusing? Do you have goals in writing, or at least clearly in mind for homeschooling your children?

First and foremost, we must turn to the Scriptures for their direction and wisdom. God’s love and strength come in abundance to carry us through even the toughest days.

I want to share a little secret that has helped me recover my enthusiasm time and again for what I do and why I do it. In addition to a daily quiet time in His Word, I listen to and read from fellow homeschoolers often:

Blogs — many homeschoolers blog about their ideas, their inspirations, their rough days, and their high points. I have found encouragement in reading about others’ successes and struggles. If you need to track down some good ones, check out the Homeschool Blog Awards.

Recordings — Most mornings I squeeze in at least a quick walk and while walking I listen to my MP3 player that actually doesn’t have music. It has something that inspires me far more — the workshops from the ICHE convention. I bought the whole set and put it on my player so I can listen to it in snippets each morning. Tedd Tripp’s talks could be listened to repeatedly in my opinion. So much wisdom out there, both online and through recordings.

Read books — Most homeschool moms don’t need encouragement to do this more often. 🙂 But, if you find yourself a little travel weary in your homeschool journey, you may want to restock your nightstand. I don’t always read homeschool related books, but try to always have at least one book in addition to the Bible that encourages me either spiritually or as a mother or wife. When I keep those roles in their proper perspective, homeschooling somehow remains a joy.

Homeschooling Magazines — I especially enjoy The Old Schoolhouse Magazine for its variety of practical articles as well as refreshing encouragement, there are lots of other great magazines out there, too.

What books or speakers have you enjoyed or found great encouragement in? Favorite websites, blogs, etc.? Fortunately we don’t homeschool in a bubble, and we can draw so much encouragement from each other, whether face-to-face, through the internet, or through books and recordings.

These sources of encouragement have definitely Worked for Me.

Esther’s Place Class information

About a year ago we took a field trip to a charming little shop called Esther’s Place in Big Rock. Many of you know how homeschooling and that entrepreneurial spirit go hand in hand and Esther’s Place provides another thriving example of this.


Natasha and Donna Lehrer, Esther’s Place, happy customers in front of drying dyed yarn, resident felted gnomes

Inside this shop we discovered far more than an abundant supply of wool and felting craft materials. We found a passion for tradition and wool as well as a faith and patriotism that gives them greater purpose in their work and craft. Natasha and Donna have lots of knowledge to share.

Browse their website for more details and background, and information on retreats and classes, or arranging for them to come to you to share with your group.

Just some of their upcoming highlights:

Sat. November 14th 10-4pm
Christmas at Esther’s
Join us as we celebrate the holidays with music, refreshments and lots of great fiber gifts…including our holiday boutique. We’d love to see you and celebrate the season!

Knitting 101
Cost: $45+ materials $15
Sat. Oct. 10th 4-6 pm
Come learn with us as we teach to cast on, knit, purl, cast off, and more as you start on a beautiful scarf.

Thrummed Mittens
Cost: $45 ; materials extra
Sat. Oct. 10, 24th 2-4 pm
Skill Level: Beginning knitter
Create the coziest pair of mittens you may ever have- they are lined in tufts of the fluffy roving. Pick out your colors of yarn and roving at the class.

Drop Spindling 101
Cost: $25 + materials: $20
Tues. Oct. 20th 2-4 pm
Get introduced to the wonderful art of spinning with a drop spindle. We make it fun to learn to make your own yarns! This is a great way to start.

Jump Start- 2 Day Workshop
$95 + materials $35
5 pm Fri. Oct. 30 – 4 pm Sat. Oct. 31st
Have you been wanting to learn to spin? This intensive two day workshop will cover basics, from drop spindling to wheels, fiber differences, and technique. Class fee includes overnight accommodations& meals for2 days.

Call for more information about upcoming Friends of Esther Classes and meetings — Goats Milk Soap, bath gifts, and more.

Holiday Classes (many of these are great for kids and homeschool families):

Felted Nativity Scene
$24
Sat. Nov 28th 9-noon OR Wed. Dec. 2nd 9-noon or Dec. 19th 9-noon
Make Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, a star and three sheep with needle felting techniques.

Santa’s Workshop for Kids!
$22
Fri. Nov. 28th 10-3
Ages: 5-13
Kids – come enjoy the holiday season and make and wrap special gifts for your family! Moms – take advantage of this for day-after-Thanksgiving shopping!

Cookie Cutter Ornaments
$8
Sat. Nov. 14th 1 pm OR Dec. 12th 1 pm OR Wed. Dec. 23rd 10 am
Create an array of cute little wool ornaments with needle felting.

Esther’s Place offers far more if you are interested in learning about spinning, felting, wool, or other related topics. They love to share and inspire others. Even I, who have very little natural craftiness, appreciated their great talent and creativity on display throughout the store. Feel free to give them a call with any questions or inquiries: 630-556-WOOL

IEW seminars coming up in the Chicago area

A Reminder…

Institute for Excellence in Writing
Announces events with Andrew Pudewa:

Elmhurst, IL (Chicago Area): August 4-6, 2009 IEW Seminars
Hoffman Estates, IL (Chicago Area): 6, 2009 Evening Event
Chicago, IL: August 7-8, 2009 Chicago Homeschool Expo

Details and links below Please forward this to friends and colleagues!

Elmhurst, IL (Chicago Area): August 4-6, 2009 IEW Seminars
Details below, to register: http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/events
Tues., 8/4: High School Essay Intensive
Wed. & Thurs., 8/5-6: Teaching Writing: Structure & Style

Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church
155 W. Brush Hill Road
Elmhurst, IL 60126

Hoffman Estates, IL (Chicago Area): August 6, 2009 Evening Event
6:00pm-8:30pm No Registration Necessary!
Andrew Pudewa: Conquering Corrupt Culture by Raising Christian Communicators
& Classical Conversations Kim Cromer:
Going Beyond the Books–Practical Application for Classical Education

Korean Church of Chicago
1500 W Algonquin Rd
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192

Chicago, IL: August 7-8, 2009 Chicago Homeschool Expo
http://www.chicagohomeschoolexpo.com
Andrews Talks: Freedomship Education Paradigm, Reaching the Reluctant Writer, Spelling and the Brain, Teaching Boys & Other Children Who Would Rather Be Making Forts All Day, Instant Improvement in Writing
Seminar Descriptions:

Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
A Two-Day Seminar for Teachers, Parents, Tutors, College Students
Cost: $89.00/participant (2nd family member ½ price)

The structure and style syllabus teaches models and techniques for English composition which logically build upon each other, allowing students to become familiar and competent with a variety of writing formats and styles. As opposed to many “creative” writing approaches, this more classical system stresses modeling and builds a firm foundation of specific skills.

Students first make a “key word outline” and then rewrite from their notes, thus being freed from the problem of what to write about, so they are able to clearly focus on how to write well. As they master each structural model and stylistic technique, they develop great confidence, and consequently great creativity. The syllabus then gradually moves the student from dictated content toward “the blank page” using:

Eight different structural models, including:
* Note making and summarizing from notes; limiting skills.
* Summarizing narrative stories with the story sequence chart.
* Summarizing references (without copying the encyclopedia).
* Library research reports using multiple references and fused outlines.
* Topic – clincher paragraph format, techniques for titling.
* Creative writing, letters and writing from pictures.
* Formal essays and critique formats.

The Syllabus in Style introduces specific techniques to help students:
* “Dress-up” each paragraph with six different tools.
* Use a variety of sentence “openers.”
* Judiciously choose literary “decorations.”
* Learn English grammar in the context of USING it, rather than just memorizing terms and identifying parts of speech.
High School Essay Intensive
A One-Day Seminar for High School age students and teachers
Cost: $50.00/participant (parents $25 if attending with student*)

The High School Essay Prep class is an excellent way to get immediate experience and inside tips on how to do your best on the timed, 25 minute response to a prompt required on the new SAT test. Participants will actually write two full essays, carefully study and then apply the College Board evaluation criteria to sample essays, while receiving a detailed booklet of resources and suggestions for continued practice.

Additionally, students will learn special structure and style tools for use in composing the college application “personal essay”an entirely different type of writing task. The complete process will be presented: choosing the question, creating the outline, and polishing a final version. Participants will leave with a clear concept of the task, their own outline for an actual personal essay, and several new tricks and techniques to add to their repertoire.

Although this seminar is specifically designed for those who will be taking the SAT or submitting college applications within the next 1-2 years (and especially those teaching such students), it is also useful for general writing practice, tools and tips. It is open to all students, regardless of their experience with IEW courses or materials. A lot of actual writing is done during this six-hour class.

*Parents who wish only to observe are welcome to do so, space available. Paying participants will receive a space at a table and a handout.

June 3-5, 2010 Calvary Church Naperville,IL

Holiday Classes (many of these are great for kids and homeschool families):

June 3-5, 2010
Calvary Church
Naperville,IL