Schedule
Friday, June 1, 2012
Before Conference Begins:
Before Conference Begins:
All-day Seminars:
8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. High School & Beyond Workshop by Linda López
Overwhelmed at the thought of homeschooling through high school? Linda López will present a day-long workshop on Friday (before the conference begins) to address all of your concerns. You will leave knowing how to develop a four-year plan for high school, how to keep records and create a transcript, and how to prepare your student for college, including testing, applications, and scholarships (as well as information about post-secondary enrollment option and other opportunities). The event will end with a panel discussion of current college students who were homeschooled in high school. This informative workshop will include a 100-page packet of take-home materials. High School Workshop fee ($55/attendee) includes the Conference registration fee. | 8:30 - 4 p.m. ACT Prep with Charles Midwinter (Ace ACT Prep)
This ACT Prep Class for current high school students begins with a full-length practice test. We then cover the structure of the ACT, general test-taking strategies, and continue with section-specific strategies that will help students improve their scores on the portions of the ACT they found most difficult. The event will end with a panel discussion of current college students who were homeschooled in high school. ACT Prep Class fee ($55/attendee) includes the Conference registration fee. |
3:30 p.m. - Support Group Leaders Meeting
Are you a homeschool support group leader who would like to network with other leaders? Or maybe you’re a new homeschooler who is thinking of starting a group?
Whether you need some new ideas, would like to discuss a situation, or just want to meet other leaders, this gathering is for you. This session will be an informal gathering of leaders from across the Midwest. Hosted by Anne Gross and Sara Boros. Please bring with you a one-page description of your group to exchange with others (25 copies). Refreshments will be served. (If you plan to attend, please RSVP by emailing: info@mnconference.org.)
4 p.m. Catholic Studies Ice Cream Social & Open House
High school students and parents are invited to come and learn about the Catholic Studies Community at the University of St. Thomas while enjoying some ice cream sundaes. For more information on the Department of Catholic Studies, visit www.stthomas.edu/catholicstudies or contact Theresa Kutz at 651-962-5704. (Event takes place at Sitzmann Hall.)
Conference Events:
4-9 p.m. Curriculum Fair and Used Book Sale
Are you a homeschool support group leader who would like to network with other leaders? Or maybe you’re a new homeschooler who is thinking of starting a group?
Whether you need some new ideas, would like to discuss a situation, or just want to meet other leaders, this gathering is for you. This session will be an informal gathering of leaders from across the Midwest. Hosted by Anne Gross and Sara Boros. Please bring with you a one-page description of your group to exchange with others (25 copies). Refreshments will be served. (If you plan to attend, please RSVP by emailing: info@mnconference.org.)
4 p.m. Catholic Studies Ice Cream Social & Open House
High school students and parents are invited to come and learn about the Catholic Studies Community at the University of St. Thomas while enjoying some ice cream sundaes. For more information on the Department of Catholic Studies, visit www.stthomas.edu/catholicstudies or contact Theresa Kutz at 651-962-5704. (Event takes place at Sitzmann Hall.)
Conference Events:
4-9 p.m. Curriculum Fair and Used Book Sale
4:30 Vendor Presentations
The Cathedral Choir School, traditional sacred music education
by Dr. Robert Ridgell, The Cathedral Choir The Cathedral Choir School promotes the rich legacy of sacred music education by offering the highest level of artistic expression through Gregorian Chant, to classical choral music. This after-school program is based at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. | Fortifying Parents
by Linda Kracht, Fortifying Families of Faith We believe that parents need to re-assert their rightful role as primary educator of their children including spiritual/faith formation, human sexuality, and more. Come hear what we have for parents in these areas. |
The Three Essential Elements of a Classical Curriculum
by John Neimann, Chesteron Academy A truly excellent classical curriculum is more than great books. To fulfill the promise of classical education, a curriculum must have three essential elements: it must be ordered, integrated and comprehensive. Whether you are purchasing a curriculum or designing your own, come and learn more about maximizing a classical curriculum. | History of the Knights of Columbus
by Lloyd Cybart, Knights of Columbus The Knights of Columbus has a rich history. Learn about our humbe beginnings, being founded by a parish priest in 1882 to being called the strong right arm of the Church by the pope, and all the works we do. |
5:30 Vendor Presentations
Get a RightStart in Fractions!
by Dr. Joan A. Cotter, RightStart Mathematics by Activities for Learning Children often have difficulty with fractions because they see only the parts of the fraction, and not the whole. Anyone, age 6 and up, can understand fractions with the linear model. This fraction review will give you confidence in teaching (or re-teaching) this important topic. | Hints and Helps for Sewing with Children
by Karen Girand, Sewing with Grandma With just a few basic skills, you can teach your elementary age children hand and machine sewing. I'll share helpful ideas and materials I've discovered in my own sewing with children. |
The Real Definition of Health
by Dr. Charlie Bammert, Maximized Living Much like our established educational system, our health care system is failing our families. Sickness and disease have reached epidemic levels. More drugs and surgeries aren't the answer. Learn Kingdom based principles to create and maintain the level of health God intended when He created you in His image and likeness. | The Teaching Creche - Coaching and Teaching Tips for Parents
by Anthony Coticelli, The Teaching Creche Learn some simple coaching and teaching skills while exploring our innovative products and services. |
6:30 Vendor Presentations
Moti-Venture: Motivating Kids Through Adventure
by Rob Snavely, Moti-Venture Parents, are you puzzled about how to motivate your kids to have positive attitudes and good behavior while doing their schoolwork and chores? Moti-Venture may be the answer! Discover an innovative way to motivate your kids through creative adventures while strengthening family bonds in fun and exciting ways! | How to Build Lifelong Learners with Math-U-See
by Linda Fugleberg, Math-U-See Come see how to teach math using a skill-based, multi-sensory approach from counting to calculus. Teach your child to understand math and build a foundation for a lifelong love of learning. |
Experience Excellence in Writing
by Jan Miller, Institute for Excellence in Writing Come and discover award-winning Excellence in Writing, a method of teaching composition that really works. Using this program, students of all ages will learn to write stories, reports and essays with style. This workshop will give you an overview of the program and show you how you can get started. | Family Formation 101 by Matthew Brounstein and Deb Lindahl, Family Formation
Family Formation is transforming families and parishes across the country! This way of life is designed to assist you in your role as the primary educators of your children in the Faith. You’ll leave with a new vision, zeal, and hope for the future! | Literacy: It's a Matter of Stacking the Blocks
by Jay W. Patterson, The Works People True success with reading and spelling requires that students learn how to stack strategic literacy blocks. Our children are prewired to speak and listen. They are not prewired to read and write and spell and comprehend. Showing students how to successfully stack these blocks requires time-tested curriculum that really works. Come and learn how to stack these blocks. |
7:30 p.m. - Special Presentation: Being a Catholic MAN by Marcel LeJeune
Christian men are attacked constantly. Pornography. Materialism. Relativism. Find the truth amidst the lies. Find out what real courage, real masculinity and
real love mean. Filled with humor and zeal, Marcel helps others discover what it means to be a “real man.”
real love mean. Filled with humor and zeal, Marcel helps others discover what it means to be a “real man.”
Saturday, June 2, 2012
8:30 a.m. Vendor Presentations
Put the FUN Back into Learning! by Cheri Spaid, Heppner's Legacy
Do you feel that your schooling is dragging and the kids are tired of the same old routine? Come find out how to incorporate quick, easy and no-cost games into your day. These games can be played with any subject, any curriculum and at any time with little or no prep. This is an interactive workshop, where you get to learn how to play the games before going home to play them with your kids. By the end of the session you will not only be excited to try something new, but you will be inspired to create your own unique learning games! | Understanding our “Disconnected Kids” from a Brain-Based Perspective
by Dr. David Stussy & Michael Mullin, Brain Balance This workshop is designed to help you understand more specifically what is going on with your struggling child. Dr. David Stussy will explain Autism, Aspergers, Dyslexia, Learning Disabilities, and ADHD as a Functional Disconnection Syndrome (FDS). FDS is a functional imbalance of brain activity within each side and/or between the right and left sides of the brain. Come gain a comprehensive understanding and deeper insight into the issues and challenges that you and your child are facing! |
Learn to Read and Write with PAL
by Jan Miller, Institute for Excellence in Writing Discover IEW's Primary Arts of Language (PAL). This innovative program makes teaching your child to read & write fun for him, easy for you - guaranteed. | Creating a Literature-Rich Home Environment
by Mary McCarthy, Usborne Books There are many tips and tools for creating a literature-rich home environment. Join us as we discuss home design and organizing concepts that engage even the most reluctant reader! We'll also cover organizing tech gadgets and using the spaces you already have to build your family's vocabulary (and even your home library!). | Skills for Success: Etiquette Education for Everyone
by Laura Wiering, The Etiquette Factory Learn how to give your children skills for success based on integrity, charity, empathy, confidence, and determination. The Etiquette Factory teaches through games, songs, stories, and discussion. Older students have essential lessons with interesting, entertaining information. Learning etiquette skills is at the heart of social and professional success. |
9:30 a.m. KEYNOTE: “Homeschool - A Shipyard For Saints NOT Just a Safe Harbor From The World” by Marcel LeJeune
Every parent wants to be able to send their children into the world ready to take it head on, but how do we do this when so much of our culture is against the Catholic
worldview? This practical talk will uncover the myths of succeeding at homeschooling and help parents build positive expectations for themselves and their children.
Every parent wants to be able to send their children into the world ready to take it head on, but how do we do this when so much of our culture is against the Catholic
worldview? This practical talk will uncover the myths of succeeding at homeschooling and help parents build positive expectations for themselves and their children.
11:00 a.m. Workshop Session I
The True Meaning of Education by Fr. Michael Keating
In the midst of a world of serious intellectual, moral, and personal confusion, the task of education is to provide clarity of mind and will, that both help the individual to live with hope and joy and to make a difference for others. Fr. Keating will explain why those who dedicate themselves in large part to the care and formation of the young had better take notice. Homeschooling a Large Family (Can you say “juggle”?) by Patti Armstrong Learn about finding time for individual subjects, integrating subjects that can be covered as a group, finding ways to use older kids to help younger kids, and scheduling to accommodate everyone. Patty will share ways to have kids work together as a way to economize your time while accentuating learning. Includes a handout of time-saving and juggling suggestions. | The Logic of English: A New Way to See Words by Denise Eide
Have you always believed English is illogical and inconsistent? In this workshop your understanding of English will be transformed! Award-winning author Denise Eide will reveal phonograms and spelling rules which explain 98 percent of English words. No longer will you need to tell your children, “that is an exception,” when they misread or misspell a word. We will learn: • The rule which explains the two sounds for C in accent and describes more than 6,000 words! • Three of the nine reasons for a Silent Final E. • Why we drop the Silent Final E in servicing but not in serviceable, and much more! • Why many math and science minded kids struggle with reading and spelling. If you have always struggled with spelling or reading, or if you have children who struggle, do not miss this revolutionary workshop. You will leave wondering why someone didn’t tell you this in kindergarten! |
Beginning Homeschooling by Cathie Baier
Are you new to homeschooling? Where do you start? How do you ensure a very good (not just adequate) homeschooling experience, especially in that important first year? This practical how-to session will help you determine the appropriate first steps on your homeschooling adventure. We’ll talk about filing your school district paperwork, picking a curriculum, scheduling and strategies for developing an independent child as well as strengthening your family and social relationships.
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. Workshop Session II
How To Succeed as a Catholic in College by Marcel LeJeune
New college students can be tempted toward unhealthy behavior. How can you prepare to be successful in college not only academically, but as a Catholic as well? What are some strategies that will set up young people for success? Marcel answers these questions and more in this presentation. Homeschool Parents: Everyday Heroes by Patti Armstrong Do the challenges of homeschooling ever feel overwhelming? While those who climb Mt. Everest are seen as heroes, overcoming everyday obstacles on our climb to eternity is a call to heroism. Patti will inspire you to become an everyday hero for the glory of God by living out the duty of the moment. | Teaching Reading and Spelling to Kids who Canʼt Sit Still by Denise Eide
Do you have a child who can’t sit still and doesn’t like to read? Learn how to engage your active learners through movement. Denise Eide will share her experiences teaching and parenting active children. She will also reveal the natural kinesthetic components to reading and spelling and teach parents how to tap into those to enhance learning for all students. In this workshop we will: • Learn active games for teaching reading and spelling. • Develop a new appreciation of the gifts of kinesthetic learners. • Discover the image of God revealed in active children. • Learn how to utilize the kinesthetic gift while strengthening areas of weakness. Although this workshop will focus on reading and spelling, the concepts are easily applied to other subjects. Denise will inspire you in teaching and parenting each of your children in accordance with their unique God-given gifts. |
Motivating Middle Schoolers through Extra Curriculars by Ling Becker
Take your tweens outside the textbooks! Do you or your middle schoolers want to add some unique experiences that go beyond the day-to-day routine? We’ll discuss some of the benefits and how-to's of participating in academic extra-curriculars that can enhance your student’s love of learning during this critical time. Learn about how to get involved in a variety of activities including History Day, MN Science Bowl, Stock Market Challenge, Science and geography fairs, writing contests, musical opportunities, math opportunities, home based group activities and more. Activities for as young as 5th grade will be discussed.
Take your tweens outside the textbooks! Do you or your middle schoolers want to add some unique experiences that go beyond the day-to-day routine? We’ll discuss some of the benefits and how-to's of participating in academic extra-curriculars that can enhance your student’s love of learning during this critical time. Learn about how to get involved in a variety of activities including History Day, MN Science Bowl, Stock Market Challenge, Science and geography fairs, writing contests, musical opportunities, math opportunities, home based group activities and more. Activities for as young as 5th grade will be discussed.
3:00 p.m. Workshop Session III
This Old School House by Cathie Baier The school marms and school masters of yesteryear taught several children at different levels and formed many of our favorite American heroes. Can your eighth-grader answer these questions (the Eighth Grade Examination of 1889)? • How much will eight carpenters earn in 6 2/3 days at $2 ½ per day? • Find the interest on $895 for 7 months and 27 days at 9 per cent. • Define orthoepy, vowel, dipthong, articulation, accent. • Tell what you know of the following: Charles Dickens, Henry W. Longfellow, Washington Irving, and Benjamin Franklin. • What are the functions of nerves? Give an outline description of the nervous system. Regardless of whether they can or cannot, let’s look back at how those school marms ran their one-room schools and take some tips on making our school days more successful. We’ll talk about schedules, curriculum, discipline, independence, character development and motivation for the one-room school in your home. | Bringing American History Alive with the Arts by Carol Reynolds
Under pressure to teach the sweep of American History, we sometimes neglect the Fine Arts. Yet exposure to topics such as Colonial architecture, Jacksonian music, Reconstruction-era theater, post-WWII painting can help students grasp and retain the details of American History. Dr. Reynolds will present models that allow parents to weave together the threads of American history with music and the Fine Arts. This will be an interactive session, so come prepared to be involved! Rising Above “Ground Zero” by Anne Gross How do you move forward when you feel as though you are exhausted or broken? How could you possibly continue to homeschool your children during all of this? Did you know that God actually desires our “brokenness” for His sole purpose: To draw us even closer to Him? He journeys with us through our personal, custom-made deserts to satisfy His great love for us and to bring us into His Promised Land! “He creates beauty out of our broken pieces.” |
Catholic Evangelization: Fear Not by Marcel LeJeune
“The Church exists in order to evangelize,” yet many Catholics have little knowledge of what evangelization truly is or how to evangelize effectively. This presentation will
energize and equip Catholics to “make disciples of all nations.”