Session 4    3:00 - 4:15 Seminars shown below are 2010 seminars

Room 101   To High School And Beyond    

Josh House

Homeschooling graduate, Josh House, talks about his experience being homeschooled and how it led him to a very non-traditional career choice. Josh encourages students to think "outside the box" when it comes to post-secondary education and to follow their God-given interests, no matter how extraordinary they may be.  Josh is the oldest son of Harold and Louise House (owners of The Learning House). He was homeschooled from grades 2-12. Since graduating, he has gone on to start his own business building and repairing custom acoustic guitars. Josh and his wife, Jessica, live in Goderich, Ontario.

Room 102   Working Together   

Cori Dean

Working together as a family is an essential learning goal of every homeschool. In this workshop we look at the Biblical basis for teaching our children to work together. We will also look at the basics of working together in order to develop self care skills, hospitality and a servant's heart. We will also look at how to practically set up a schedule that will get the whole family to help with the essentials of running a Christian household. Cori is the new proprietor of Maple Tree Publications as well as a veteran homeschool mom. Cori has been hosting a Charlotte Mason discussion group in her home for the past 2 years, as well as working with "newbie" homeschoolers during her summers.

Room 103   Mission Trips As Field Trips  

Karen Bowman

A multitude of learning opportunities present themselves when children travel cross culturally to serve God and others. Like adults, they will find that many blessings return to them in the process. Come catch the vision, as well as dig into practical details that need to be arranged in order to make the trip flow smoothly. Karen grew up as a missionary kid in Nigeria and returned there as a young adult for a year as a nurse. Karen and her husband Roger have been to Angola once and to Haiti in various family groupings 5 times, serving in both medical and construction settings. They are homeschooling their 4 children aged 11 to 16 who have a much broader appreciation of God's world and His people as a result of their overseas exposures.

Room 104 Boy Oh Boy!   

Angela Grasse

Angela Grasse will speak about her experience raising and educating three sons. Homeschooling with a relaxed attitude, and being willing to play, explore and create has served this family well. Home educating is a great privilege and awesome responsibility. Join Angela to learn how to make this responsibility a delight for the whole family. Angela has home educated her three sons for fifteen years. Angela is a veteran that has not only survived but also kept her sense of humour through the ups and downs of raising and educating three sons.

Room 105   Strategies To Support The Learning Of Children With Autism Part B     

Francine McLeod and Patty Reid Young

Participants will be introduced to effective teaching strategies for students with ASD. Included will be strategies to motivate your student to work, help your students with organization and work more independently.  Francine and Patty work with the ErinoakKids Central West School Support Program Autism Spectrum Disorders. Francine has worked in the field of Autism for over 15 years as a consultant, behaviour therapist, and program supervisor.  Patty has worked in the field of Autism for over 25 years as a researcher, teacher, behaviour therapist, and program coordinator. They have worked in home, recreational, school, and clinical environments.

Room 106   Moving Towards Independence   

Diane Geerlinks

“Mom, I need you!” Is this plea ringing in your ears? Some days we wonder if it will ever happen - will this child be able to succeed without me? As you head into the highschool years of homeschooling, it is important to let out the reins bit by bit in order for him to take on the responsibility of his education and future. In this workshop, you will be challenged to help your child move away from hand holding towards independence in preparation for the post-secondary years.  Diane, homeschool mom of 4 graduated students will speak from her experience of encouraging independence. Look out! They might become more independent than you expect!

Room 108   Slow And Steady Through The Homeschool Maze   

Helen Helmers

Helen Helmers has 11 children and 16 years of homeschooling experience. From her wealth of practical advice, Helen will help you be prepared and one step ahead with your pre-schoolers and elementary aged children on your homeschool journey. Also on hand will be the many curricula and resources Helen has used and is still using as she travels this road with her family.

Room 110   Classical Methods - Tools For Teaching And Learning     

Laurie Castello

What is necessary to best provide a classical education for your children? This session will offer an opportunity to envision what a classical education can provide for both the parent and the child. The teacher has as much to gain from employing classical methods, as does the student! Laurie has homeschooled her two daughters over the past 13 years. Today, her youngest daughter is enrolled in public high school, while her oldest daughter completes her studies at home in anticipation of University studies next fall. After a 17 year absence, Laurie has returned to the administrative staff of the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony, where her husband Jay is the principal trombonist.

Dining Room A  Teaching Your Children To Think Biblically    

Jim Groff

One of the greatest benefits of educating your children at home is the opportunity to teach them the truth. God’s Word, the Bible, is the truth and the ultimate authority for all of life. When it comes to educating our children, we should let the Bible inform our thinking in every subject area. This seminar will provide you with some practical ideas for making the Bible the lens through which you and your children view and understand the topics you study. Using the ideas presented here, you can develop your own additional ways for helping your children learn to view all of life through the lens of Scripture.  Jim and his wife Darlene, have been homeschooling their 4 children for 13 years, and are the founders of Roots Worldview Ministries, a ministry devoted to equipping Believers to trust, defend, and proclaim God’s word as absolute truth and the ultimate authority for all of life.

Dining Room B  Nurturing A Love Of Science In Your Children    

Lynn Long

What an honour it is to be able to guide our children as they encounter God's marvellous creation! Studying science can be a wonder-filled experience for both you and your children. In this session, we will explore how your family can learn together as you pursue desire-led science in your child's early years. You will discover how to keep science exciting, while ensuring that your middleschooler is well prepared for highschool science studies. Together, Lynn and her husband, Randy  have homeschooled their children through their elementary-school years. They continue to share this responsibility as  Lynn works part-time for the Centre for Teaching Excellence at the University of Waterloo.  In the past, she has taught science courses to a homeschool co-op, highschool students and adult learners.

Portable A   Homeschooling: A Pastor's Perspective   

Cory McKenna

Cory served for several years as an evangelism and discipleship pastor to youth, young adults and adults. Throughout his times of teaching, he has found himself involved in many passionate discussions with Christians and other pastors concerning their perceived pros and cons of homeschooling. In this transparent talk, you'll hear the Biblical beat of a shepherd's heart for homeschooling and be better equipped to encourage those Christians and pastors who are supportive...and better connect with those who are not. Cory serves as Vice President with HSLDA. The convergence of Cory's experience as a sales professional, pastor, evangelist, and apologist enables him to creatively communicate truth and relationally connect with virtually all demographics. He specializes in teaching applied apologetics, worldview, leadership and evangelism. He and his wife Dawn live in London, Ontario with their homeschooled sons, Joshua and Caleb.

Portable B   Practical, Hands-on Tips And Strategies For Teaching Children With Learning Challenges     Matthew Turton

Now an Educational Therapist at Breakthroughs in Learning, Matthew Turton was homeschooled while struggling with multiple learning difficulties. Looking back, Matthew shares how his mother imparted lessons during those years, and how her search for solutions has given him a more balanced brain. No longer learning disabled, he is studying toward a degree in Psychology without any modifications or accommodations. His unique perspective on practical tips for teaching the learning challenged will give you fresh insight and ideas to implement in your homeschool.

Round Room   What Makes A Good Learning Tool?    

Celia Clark

In this session presented by Digital Frog International, you will explore the value of computer-based learning tools, the qualities of an excellent learning tool and analyze the value of  multimedia use as you homeschool. Learn how to engage your students in cross-curricular, interactive learning at all levels. Celia has many years experience as a primary schoolteacher, a training and documentation consultant and an independent business woman. Prior to helping found Digital Frog International, Inc. she worked in the software industry for seventeen years.