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.

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:

Contact:

Kirsten Ekberg
815-874-6806
kirekberg@msn.com

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.

If you already use the Institute for Excellence in Writing, are interested in learning more about this much sought after writing curriculum, or if you just want some general help in teaching writing to your children, there are a couple Webinars coming up that you might be interested in.

IEW has announced that they will host webinars twice each month on the 1st and 3rd Monday. You must register for these in order to participate, but they are free to registered participants.

The rest of the details came straight from IEW:

Monthly Webinars on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, 7:30-8:30 PM CST:

• Monday, March 1: Assessing Student Writing for Experienced IEW Families
  Click here to register.
  Join Andrew Pudewa as he shares some salient points on this important topic and answers your questions on writing, thinking, and speaking.
• Monday, March 15: Experience Excellence in Writing
  (Registration will open soon)
  Join Laura House as she shares on the value of incorporating IEW methods and materials into your home school

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.

©2010 Katie Kubesh

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.

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.

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.

From the Illinois Christian Home Educators:

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!

Sign up now at www.iche.org under events.  The registration deadline is January 8, 2010.

The following was received from a homeschooling mom excited about sharing her knowledge and experience with your homeschooling group:

Do You Need a Speaker for Your Support Group or Conference Workshop?

Let “The Charlotte Mason Girl” help you!

HI! I’m Sue Pruett, and I have been teaching my children with the gentle ways of Charlotte Mason for 9 years. I continue to study and learn of her ways, and constantly improve my methods. I love this way of educating my children, and I desire to show others how gentle and natural this way is! I am available to speak at groups or conventions – large or small – on a Charlotte Mason Education.

I have 5 children, and so I can also add the perspective of a Mom of Many to my mix. How do you achieve a good education for your school aged children, while not neglecting your pre-schoolers? I can help answer that question!

Talk topics I can deliver:

• An Introduction to a Charlotte Mason Education
• Living books – how to pick them, how to obtain them, how to use them.
• Nature Study – Yes you CAN do it!
• Scheduling and a Charlotte Mason Education – can it work?
• You CAN start with a Charlotte Mason education Monday!(Or Tomorrow!)
• It IS Possible to Teach ALL Your Children Well!

I have been speaking for over 5 years at local homeschool support group meetings, encouraging moms in their homeschool journey. I have a burden to see families not just survive, but thrive as they teach their children at home. Let me come and encourage your families as I introduce them to the Charlotte Mason method of education!

My husband and I own Ancient Paths Christian Bookstore, and we have been involved in supplying families with great books since 2005. We love to be a part of helping families disciple their children well, and we desire to continue doing so for many years to come. In making myself available for speaking opportunities, we are furthering our mission of helping families disciple their children well.

To learn just how easy it is to have me come to your group or conference, please contact me at sapruett {at} sbcglobal {dot} net.

The following came from the Home Scholar (a website with lots of great helps for the homeschooler, especially those looking at homeschooling high school):

New Products and Free Resources! July 2009

Improved Website and New Free E-book!

We have just completed a MAJOR upgrade to our website and we’d like you to help us celebrate!  We have some free gifts and prizes to give away as well as some improved products and services to announce!  I hope you will check them out! Free Special Report E-book “7 Secrets to Homeschooling Through a Financial Storm” Free tickets to Heart of the Matter Online Conference Every purchase this week gets a chance to win! New edition of “Preparing to Homeschool High School” Just in time for back-to-school, more info at a lower price! New HomeScholar Website Design Easy navigation with a search function for fast help!

“7 Secrets to Homeschooling Through a Financial Storm” Free Special Report E-book The First Secret will beckon you back to the olden days of homeschooling, before all the expensive and unnecessary add-ons. The Second Secret will help you streeeetch your homeschooling dollar! The Third Secret will point you toward homeschool treasure: abundant resources all available for FREE! The Fourth Secret will help you bridge the financial deficit by adding some income. The Fifth Secret was the one we used extensively, and we soon had colleges THROWING money at us! The Sixth Secret will help you cover the college-prep basics, without breaking your budget! The Seventh Secret may be the most important one of all. It will take away the guilt associated with investing in your homeschool. Our Price: FREE! Click here to receive “7 Secrets to Homeschooling Though a Financial Storm” My mission is to help parents homeschool high school and many of my services are free! “Preparing to Homeschool High School” 2nd Edition DVD Learn to Homeschool High School with Excellence! Turn Your Humble Homeschool into a Supercharged, High Octane, College Prep, Homeschool Academy – with LESS STRESS.  After much research, my husband discovered how to include MUCH more material on a single DVD! Since there is one disc, we were able to lower the price by 20%!!  This completely updated DVD is 90 minutes longer than the first edition.  That’s nearly 4 HOURS of instructional material, with much more information on every topic.  It even includes information for parents who have never before homeschooled, so it’s perfect for every family facing high school. More information, lower price! Buy Now Our Price: $60.00 Introductory Price: $45.00 Heart of the Matter Online Home Education Conference Join us online for the second annual Heart of the Matter Online Parenting and Home Education conference. In addition to participating in sessions with fabulous speakers and having a chance to ask them questions directly you will also receive hundreds of dollars worth of free downloads, a chance to win wonderful prizes, MP3s of the sessions (after the event), and lots of fun and fellowship with other parents like yourself.  I will be speaking on “Finding a College” and “How to Afford Christian College.” Regular Price: $12.95 Our Price: Free if you win! Every single item purchased this week give you one chance to win free admission to the Heart of the Matter Online Parenting and Home Education Conference.  Purchase more, and you have more chances to win!  Winners will be drawn at random.  I have three tickets to give away! New and Improved Website! After a lot of hard work (mostly by my beloved husband) we are finally able to unveil our new and improved website!  Besides looking clean and new, there are benefits that go beyond the colors.  There is a search function that will allow you to quickly and easily find answers to the problems you are facing.  It has clearly labeled sections for easy navigation, including a great box filled with my free resources.  There is also a dedicated member’s area to make it easier for our members to access the Gold Care Club and bonuses that came with their purchase! Have I mentioned that my mission is to help parents homeschool high school, and that many of my services are free?  The new website highlights our recent articles and blog posts, so that you stay in-the-know.  There is a new welcome video, and I have made it easy for you to connect with me on social networking sites like Facebook.  And my favorite part is the testimonials section, with photos of families I have worked with. I love seeing their smiling faces!

I can’t tell you how excited I am about these changes!  My vision is that all families feel empowered and equipped about homeschooling high school.  I believe the products and support available on our website can make a real difference for you and your family.  Please check out my new website TheHomeScholar.com! I hope it will bless you in your job as a homeschool parent. Blessings, Lee Binz The HomeScholar

If you want to win tickets to Heart of the Matter Online Conference, here is how it works.  I’ll put each item you purchase on my list with your name.  On July 25th, I’ll select three winners using a random number.  My selections are final, and I will contact winners by email.