Maybe you haven’t always homeschooled. . . you’re starting a few years in, or even mid-year. Can you really start mid-stream? What does homeschooling look like? Where do you begin? What should you expect? How can you ease the transition for all of you? We’ll cover these topics and more. Q&A time included, so bring your questions.

The handout for this session is available at http://www.oceanetwork.org/2016handouts.pdf

Where and how does one begin this journey called home education? Homeschooling doesn't have to be overwhelming or fearful. Come explore some simple tips to help you navigate the uncharted waters of the beginning years.

You had a wonderful plan at the beginning of the school year for a well-rounded education, envisioning academic excellence and character development in your smiling, well-adjusted offspring. But then . . . life happened. How do you find “normal” again? In this workshop, Vicki helps you focus on the essentials when you're on the frontlines, especially in a crisis situation.

The handout for this session is available at http://www.oceanetwork.org/2016handouts.pdf

Why do parents choose to homeschool? What is home education really about? Am I qualified to teach my own? What should I teach? What if I fail to teach something really important? The answer to these and many more “frequently asked questions” are drawn from Joyce's many years of homeschooling seven sons.

Mr. Karman is the founder of the OCEANetwork. He has lived through many changes. None of these have more effect on your rights to homeschooling than those we are seeing today. In the world every man's way is right in his own eyes. (Prov 21) The climate of Christian home education has changed. The warming that we see is the heat of hostility towards God’s plan. How long will the truth be permitted to be taught in your home or your homeschool? Is the truth worth fighting for?

God has plenty to say about the common challenges we face every day with our children. Walk away from this workshop with practical, biblical ways to deal with disobedience, quarreling, complaining, sinful speech, and more — in our children and in ourselves.

This is a new era for the Maker. A maker is anyone who loves to build and figure out how things work. How can the parent with the kinesthetic learner keep a stash of supplies and activities readily available for that creative mind?

Homeschooling can be a lot of things, but most assuredly it is the adventure of a lifetime. This workshop begins by helping you build a road map for your homeschool journey, and concludes with practical suggestions on how to follow that map.

Does teaching reading and writing seem like a daunting task? It doesn’t have to be. Designed for parents of preschoolers and kindergarteners, this workshop will feature developmentally-appropriate activities and experiences that will encourage early forms of reading and writing to flourish.

One of the most challenging aspects of homeschooling a houseful is figuring out how to teach them all while finding time to manage the rest of your day! Moms are always wondering if they are “doing enough” and finding the time to teach individual subjects, well, individually… can be overwhelming. In this workshop, Heidi will share seven secrets of multi-level teaching that will empower, encourage and enlighten you! If you’ve got a houseful, then you’ve got your hands full! Let’s laugh together, and rediscover the JOY of homeschooling with a full heart AND a full house!

This highly practical workshop will compare and contrast the many different teaching methods and styles commonly employed by homeschooling parents. Linda seeks to share advantages and disadvantages within each method, without preference. Bring your questions.

When do you get started and what do you do first? We’ve had precocious readers and late bloomers, but every one of them has benefited from being homeschooled from the beginning. Learn to relax and introduce your little ones to the joy of learning in a gentle and realistic way that will prepare them to succeed academically.

Marilyn Boyer has taught all fourteen of her children at home, so she has plenty of experience with any age group you can name. But her very favorite age to teach is those eager, curious, exciting, challenging munchkins we call preschoolers. This, Marilyn says is the time when we lay the foundation for greatness by pouring love and acceptance all over them—instead of treating them like a nuisance. Preschoolers aren’t just little interruptions to be kept “occupied” while older siblings study. This season in a child’s life is the time to tap into his huge potential by maximizing his natural love for learning and helping him to see that God is preparing him for a lifetime of important service. Come and learn from Marilyn how to make your little ones a valuable part of the team!

This workshop is designed to help parent-educators understand the scope, the sequence, and the logic of mathematics instruction from pre-school through adult. Join Tom Clark, founder of VideoText Interactive, as he takes you on a sometimes humorous journey, describing all levels of arithmetic and all mathematics courses encountered in high school and college. In addition, considerable attention will be given to identifying the “why” of the study of mathematics with an emphasis on the development of concepts, instead of rote memorization. (NOTE: This workshop is especially helpful for beginning homeschooling parents.)

Maybe you haven’t always homeschooled. . . you’re starting a few years in, or even mid-year. Can you really start mid-stream? What does homeschooling look like? Where do you begin? What should you expect? How can you ease the transition for all of you? We’ll cover these topics and more. Q&A time included, so bring your questions.

Are you new to homeschooling or new to Pennsylvania? Are you thinking about homeschooling at some point in the future? Do you have questions about what homeschooling might look like and how to get started? This session is designed to encourage and equip you to homeschool your children. Topics include: Why homeschool?, how to get started in PA, a typical day, curriculum, record keeping, testing, portfolios, and evaluations. There will also be time for questions.

Dr. Eagleson draws on 30 years of homeschooling to share the how and why of homeschooling. What are the two ways to learn. What matters the most when teaching.

Share your fears and ask your questions of this 20 year homeschool veteran. Get advice on curriculum types, homeschool models, how to homeschool with a wide range of ages, what to do with a toddler underfoot, where to go for legal counsel, and more.

This workshop will give you solid reasons for educating and training your children through homeschooling. You can teach your children positive socialization skills, train their character and develop an academic program to fit their needs.

Working with other families who are homeschooling can be a huge blessing! What makes for a better working relationship in a co-op situation? What are some potential pitfalls to avoid? You can successfully put one together to meet the needs of your students. Come and get ideas to get started!

Many homeschoolers live with a disjointed and disconnected understanding of what homeschooling has to do with the bigger picture in the life of their child, the family, and the larger community. In this session Gregg will attempt to connect the dots to see how one thing relates to another in God’s purposes.

Over years of calls from brand new homeschoolers, Melanie learned that there were really three things that needed to be accomplished the first year in order for new families to succeed at homeschooling. Learn how to get through your first year without jerking anybody bald-headed, including yourself!

Where and how does one begin this journey called homeschooling? Home education does not have to be overwhelming or fearful. Joyce will share simple teaching tips to help you navigate the early years.

Homeschooling is a challenge at any time. Hal and Melanie have seen God's grace in stage IV cancer, a baby with a heart condition, job loss, relocations, and more! The good news is that God can enable you to teach and learn more through the hard times than you ever thought possible. Find out why it's so important to keep homeschooling in spite of the challenges.

This workshop explores how a child’s brain develops and how you as parents can give them the best start. Discover how true comprehension and learning take place and the damaging effects the electronic world is having on students from preschool to college.

Sometimes homeschooling feels like one of those plate-spinning acts, and you wonder how in the world you're going to meet everyone's needs. The baby needs to be changed, the toddler is playing in the toilet, your high school student is impatiently waiting for you to help with his biology experiment, and two other children say, "I can't do anything without you, Mom!" Melanie Young, mother of eight, shares encouragement and ideas for how to keep all those plates spinning at once without your life spinning out of control. Learn how to raise independent learners, keep the household moving, and make sure the little ones get enough attention.

Fear can paralyze; it can grip your heart, torment your mind, and hinder you from parenting in God’s joy and purpose. Philippians 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing.” Nothing means NO-thing. Not even ONE-thing. Do you fear your own inadequacies (or wonder if your homeschooling is going to mess up your kids for life)? Do you fear teenage rebellion, hormones, high school, or the future? Do you fear not pleasing others, not having finances, or not fulfilling God’s purpose? In this workshop, you’ll be encouraged by God’s faithfulness and love for you, concluding with a time of prayer.

Are you looking into educational options for your children? Just what is homeschooling? Is it really legal? Am I qualified to teach my own? What if I miss something? Come explore the answer to these and many more "Frequently Asked Questions" drawing from Joyce's many years of experience homeschooling.

When do you get started and what do you do first? We've had precocious readers and late bloomers, but every one of them has benefited from being homeschooled from the beginning. Learn to relax and introduce your little ones to the joy of learning in a gentle and realistic way that will prepare them to succeed academically.

Is that word “freedom” for just ol’ graying hippies and revolutionary wannabes? No. It is a biblical concept and at the core of what it means to be an American and, especially, a homeschooler. Dr. Ray will answer: How’d we get our homeschool freedoms? Why should you care? Are we really free? How might we lose this liberty? What are the enemies? Risks? Is Common Core related? What about compulsory attendance laws? Parental rights? Whether your youngest child is pre-born, 7, or 18, you need to know the core principles of educational freedom and why we must strive to keep or expand that liberty. Dr. Ray has been in this practical and theoretical battle for over 30 years.

Are the "Terrrible Twos" eating your lunch? Need help managing your homeschool day with toddlers in the house? In this workshop Megan draws on her many years of homeschooling experience with 8 toddlers in tow to help you craft a plan for success. This workshop is intensely practical and will help you transform the terrible twos into the terrific twos!

Do you want a lifelong learner who initiates studies on his own? Then let go of the wheel and start giving your kids responsibility for their education. Here are practical, inexpensive steps that will encourage children to pursue their own learning, and prevent parent burnout as well.

Dr. Eagleson draws on his 30 years of homeschooling and twenty years on the CHAP board to introduce the topic of getting started in homeschooling. A summary of the research into home education is provided. Curriculum, schedules and record keeping will be covered. Dr. Eagleson takes questions from the floor both during and after the presentation. Many homeschoolers comment that they heard this talk when they were just starting.

Are you new to homeschooling or new to Pennsylvania? Are you thinking about homeschooling at some point in the future? Do you have questions about what homeschooling might look like and how to get started? This session is designed to encourage and equip you to homeschool your children. Topics include: Why homeschool?, how to get started in PA, a typical day, curriculum, record keeping, testing, portfolios, and evaluations. There will also be time for questions.

Ages 2 to 7, are critical years that help form your child's ability to comprehend and do well later in their educational process. Come learn why and how to help your "little blessings", gain the most from those early years and increase their success and love for learning. Renee Miller will share many ideas that will help make these years truly fulfilling.

We hear about the brain a lot these days, and sometimes we can be tempted to cram more book learning into our children’s heads to produce little geniuses. But this is actually counter-productive. There are some important tips and tricks that you can easily incorporate into everyday learning and living to maximize your children’s learning potential. Come find out 10 key ways to help turn your child ON to learning and help that learning STICK!

As a mother of a preschooler, do you feel the pressure to do it all? Do you desire to make cookies with your kids, play games with them, teach them to read and write, all while keeping your house neat and tidy? Join Kathy H. Lee, mother of 8 and author of The Homegrown Preschooler as she shares her experience of motherhood. Be prepared to laugh and maybe even cry as she empowers you to be the super mom (not necessarily a supermom) you were meant to be

Exactly what is homeschooling and how do I start? Is it legal? Do I have to have a degree? Where do I find my curriculum? Is a virtual academy the same as homeschool? These and many other questions plague most families just starting on the homeschool journey. This workshop is designed to answer the basic questions and help you on your way to a successful homeschool journey.

From scheduling to home organization, this workshop gives parents the confidence that they can provide a rich early education for their little ones. Lesli provides an overview of what every child from 3-7 needs to cover over the course of one year, and how to fit it all in. Lesli provides solutions for the many challenges parents with young learners face, such as time management and schooling multiple ages at the same time.

Whether you are homeschooling "all the way through" or are just beginning your homeschooling adventure, there is lots to learn about homeschooling high school-aged children. Come hear about the benefits and challenges along with the how-to's about record keeping, transcripts, diplomas, and more.

Leading a home-centered education isn't easy. Learn the basic principles that guide us as we find purpose and priority in our homeschool.

In this refreshing workshop, participants will learn how to nurture their preschooler’s mind and soul through play in order to prepare a firm foundation for the delights and demands of a classical education. Wonder is the fuel for a lifetime of learning, and parents will learn how to cultivate this in their children and win it back for themselves!

Kathy shares how to create an amazing preschool experience for your child at home. From the latest in scientific research on child development to the organization of supplies, this information-packed workshop will help you prepare your child for lifelong learning and make wonderful memories along the way!

This workshop will give you solid reasons for educating and training your children through homeschooling. You can teach your children positive socialization skills, train their character and develop an academic program to fit their needs.

By understanding your child's learning style, determining an educational approach and deciding on objectives, you will be able to make a better decision when choosing curriculum.

Do you struggle with motivating your child to complete his or her work each day? Are incomplete workbook pages and teardrops a regular part of your homeschool experience? Free both yourself and your child from drudgery by discovering and using the "lost tools of learning". This workshop will help to explain what Classical Education is and why it works. We will demystify the concept of "classical" and explain its three learning stages. We will hone in on the “Grammar Stage”, and discover methods that motivate and recharge your homeschool, no matter what curriculum you use.

How, What, When & Why! How do I go about teaching? What do I teach? When should I teach? And most importantly, why should I homeschool my preschooler? Bring your questions and get a wealth of information from a 25-year veteran of homeschooling.

Can a simple 20-minute lesson drag into 2 hours? Does your little wiggler seem to fall out of his chair a great deal? Is he distracted by things others don’t notice? Find the key that unlocks learning for the highly distractible child. We’ll cover putting motion into learning, making math fun (no, really!) and creating learning experiences that cement your child’s understanding of science, history, and language. (Best for Pre-K through 6th grade.)

Get answers to the big questions: "What do they really need to know before kindergarten?” “How do I get started?” “How do I know if I’m doing it right?” Learn the tools of the trade to create a lifelong love of learning.

When a family decides to homeschool, parents may wonder, “Can I do this? What if my kids are difficult to teach? What if I fail?” This workshop, designed for new homeschool families, will give you the tools, the vision, and the encouragement to succeed. Be equipped to make a difference in the lives of your kids through sound parenting and educational principles that put you on the fast-track to homeschooling success.

This workshop explores how a child’s brain develops and how you as parents can give them the best start. Discover how true comprehension and learning take place and the damaging effects the electronic world is having on students from preschool to college.

The early years before children begin formal education is the time to show them that learning is fun and interesting. Elizabeth will present informal reading and math “lessons” that not only teach, but also help transition mom into their first teacher. Learn to take advantage of teaching opportunities and apply wisdom to the education process that will help insure your little ones will love learning and move easily into formal academics.

If homeschooling feels more like drudgery than delight or if the thought of homeschooling makes your knees shake and your palms sweat, this is the workshop for you! Join veteran homeschool mom Heidi St. John as she shares the three things you’ve got to know as a new homeschooler. Because, although you’re nervous now, it’ll all be okay. Homeschooling is worth it. So sit back, relax. You’ll soon discover that homeschooling is a journey like no other. If homeschooling feels more like drudgery than delight or if the thought of homeschooling makes your knees shake and your palms sweat, this is the workshop for you! Join veteran homeschool mom Heidi St. John as she shares the three things you’ve got to know as a new homeschooler. Because, although you’re nervous now, it’ll all be okay. Homeschooling is worth it. So sit back, relax. You’ll soon discover that homeschooling is a journey like no other.

There are differing views on when formal schooling should begin. Research done by Dr. Raymond Moore in the late 1970's helped launch the modern homeschool movement. This session covers information on academic readiness, how children learn best, and avoiding burnout so your child can be a life-long learner.

So you think you’re gonna homeschool. Worried? Excited? Overwhelmed? Would you like to avoid some of the more common pitfalls? Listen to longtime homeschooling mom Carol Barnier tell what she has learned, address common fears, share some surprising benefits, and encourage you to have fun on this journey. You can do this!

A session for parents who are just beginning to home school or just beginning academic work with their young children. Particularly good for those who have home schooled for less than three years or for veterans who need a boost. Practical advice covering many aspects of home schooling.

This session is aimed toward those just beginning homeschooling and those considering homeschooling. Find out what steps you need to take to start, how to plan your day, how to respond to concerned friends and family, and how to have what it takes to survive and thrive while homeschooling. Bring your question and concerns to this inviting, helpful session.

"My child hates piano - should I let him stop?" "I'm thinking about starting my children in music - what should I do?" "When should my child begin piano?" "Should all children learn piano?" These are questions I commonly hear from homeschool parents. What should one look for in a teacher? How can a child be encouraged to play? These questions and more will be covered in this workshop.

Enjoy tea and cake as ladies share the experiences as a homeschool mom, pursuing excellence, and trying to find that ever-elusive "balance." Several ladies have prepared something to share, but the time is flexible enough to address the needs and concerns of the attendees.

Lies Homeschoolers Believe by Todd Wilson. This is Keynote #1 from the 2014 NYS LEAH Downstate Convention.

Picking the perfect curriculum is a tricky task. There is a plethora of overwhelming choices. Classical? Unschooling? Charlotte Mason? Unit Studies? What's a mom to do? In this session parents will get a broad overview of the general types of curriculum and educational styles. Come learn how to navigate the market, avoid purchase pitfalls and find the right fit for your family’s learning styles and budget.

Grades have the power to motivate some and destroy others. Listen to veteran homeschooler Linda Lacour Hobar, author of The Mystery of History, share theories of grade keeping as well as tips on keeping it simple.

Common Core, No Child Left Behind, Goals 2000, and, by the way, have you forgotten about the Seven Cardinal Principles? Presumptuous planners, nationalists, and philosopher-kings have another plan for “all our children.” Dr. Brian Ray addresses the most fundamental reason why every parent should care about Common Core State Standards that has hit hard the educational scene. What should homeschoolers, scripturalists (i.e., Christians) and liberty lovers do about this, if anything? If you do not want your children to be a part of this educational bandwagon and you do not want to waste your time jumping into bandwagon reactionism, come hear Dr. Ray.

Are you looking into educational options for your children? Just what is homeschooling? Is it really legal? Am I qualified to teach my own? What if I miss something? Come explore the answer to these and many more "frequently asked questions" drawing from Joyce’s many years of homeschooling.

This session provides helpful information about the achievement test tool and how it can benefit your homeschool. Topics include testing requirements in Oregon, opportunities available for testing your student, and preparing your student to take an achievement test.

Where and how does one begin this journey called homeschooling? Home education doesn't have to be overwhelming or fearful. You can make it a time of joy and rejoicing. Joyce will share simple teaching tips to help you navigate the early years.

One of the most powerful ways parents can add value to their relationships with their children is by growing in humility and learning how to express the humility of Christ to their children. Norm gives some practical ways that are sure to impact children and increase parents' value to them.

Gleaning from a 17th-century gem, The Education of a Child from The Wisdom of Fenelon, Mark presents a “radical reversal” of our traditional approach to a biblical education. Commissioned to educate King Louis XIV’s incorrigible grandson to become the next king of France, Francois Fenelon wrote and then lived one of the greatest educational treatises ever written. In fact, in 1802, nearly 150 years later, Fenelon’s work was still revered as the most extraordinary educational work on record. Parenting based on gentleness, mentoring, joy, and patience will be among just a few of the highlights of this seminar.

One of the most challenging aspects of homeschooling a houseful is figuring out how to teach them all while finding time to manage the rest of your day. Moms are always wondering if they are "doing enough" and finding the time to teach individual subjects, well, individually can be overwhelming. In this workshop, Heidi will share seven secrets of multi-level teaching that will empower, encourage and enlighten!

Many home educators feel tension between themselves and their churches, but do not know what to do. We can all think of many "helpful" suggestions or comments we could offer to our pastors, especially concerning home education. But are those suggestions really helpful? Listen to David Watkins – pastor, state homeschool leader, homeschooling father of eight and grandfather of 15 – share some things not to say to your pastor! See what homeschoolers are really like through the eyes of their pastors.

Remember Campbell's "Alphabet Soup"? Children have been making words on their plates for many years while in the soup the letters just floated around in all different directions and never formed a word that made sense. This is similar to what it's like when families decide to educate at home, there are floating pieces all around, but most still do not know how to put it all together to spell "homeschool" clearly. Where should one start? What is it supposed to look like? Why is everything so jumbled up and not making sense? This workshop is designed to help sort it all out for a successful first day of homeschool.

This session will encourage parents to examine their reasons for home schooling, and to avoid certain pitfalls that commonly occur. Sharon shares from her own experience many of her mistakes, some of which are humorous, and encourages parents with the compassion and understanding of a veteran home school mom to keep on keeping on. She deals with challenging areas such as organization, planning, curriculum choices, cleaning, etc., and encourages every home school parent to find and live the balanced lifestyle which is Gods will for them. After 24 years of home schooling, Sharon has some practical, and often humorous, advice to share with home schooling parents. Home school burn-out can happen to anyone, whether a new or veteran home schooler, so Sharon will teach you how to avoid ten, common home schooling pitfalls. Come prepared to laugh, and re-focus, and leave determined to be too blessed to be stressed!

Sharon knows from experience, if Mama aint healthy, aint nobody happy!. After nearly two decades of burning the candle at both ends in service to the home school community, God used some serious events in Sharons life to teach her what her true priorities were. Sharon will teach the ladies how to maintain, or rebuild, optimal spiritual, physical and emotional health (including Biblical principles of time management). She'll also teach the ladies her secret weapon from becoming over-committed.

This workshop will give you solid reasons for educating and training your children through homeschooling. You can give your children positive socialization, character training and an academic program to fit their needs.

By understanding your child's learning style, determining an educational approach and deciding on objectives, you will be able to make a better decision when choosing curriculum.

Picking the perfect curriculum is a tricky task. In this session we will overview the general types of curriculum and educational styles. Learn how to navigate the market, avoid purchase pitfalls and find the right fit for your family’s learning styles and budget.

Homeschooling doesn't have to cost hundreds of dollars per child. Vicki homeschooled seven at a time while their family was without a full-time income for four years, sometimes spending less than $100 per year.

Is learning a breath-taking adventure in your home school, or more of a weary, forced-march, plodding through endless subjects? Join Diana for this refreshing, reviving, and reinvigorating workshop where you will discover the best brain practices in learning, the environment that encourages learning, and the many non-traditional ways students can practice what they are learning. Take a new look at practical, proven, and possible ways to make your home school journey a wondrous adventure.

Are you overwhelmed by the options? Not sure where to begin? Good planning is the key to any successful road trip, so Vicki will walk you through a planning checklist to help you prepare for this homeschool journey! Topics include research, goal setting, supplies, schedules, and more, plus Six Tips for Success. Appropriate for any grade level.

Dad, you don’t have to be a spiritual giant with a towering intellect to be a leader in your family’s homeschool.