SCOPE - Conference Workshops

The 23rd Annual Homeschool Conference & Curriculum Fair

Workshop Summaries

OPENING SESSION: KEYNOTE

Mastering the Hidden Curriculum (Jeff Myers)
We teach what we know, but we reproduce who we are. Our children are deeply affected by our priorities, communication style, mood and temper. Dr. Meyers offers encouraging and practical ways to master this hidden curriculum and multiply the benefits of homeschooling your child’s life.

SESSION 1

Raising Boys to be Godly Young Men (Jeff Myers)
The culture is at war against boys; it diminishes masculinity, promotes bad role models and produces boys who are lazy, feminized, self-centered and angry. Here’s how to parent according to boys’ unique design to prepare them to be men of honor who graciously stand for what’s right.

Homeschool Start-Up (Roxanne Weber)
Don't be intimidated by the start-up process. This workshop answers your basic questions regarding homeschool options in California, and gives an overview of approaches to teaching, establishing priorities, setting up records, scheduling options, and more. Starting up? Start here!

Yes, You Can Teach High School at Home (Dennie Booth)
Approaching the high school years may seen daunting; in reality it has the potential to be one of the most rewarding homeschooling experiences. Be encouraged teaching high school, you can do it. Learn how to prepare for high school, what to expect, required subjects, goal planning and how to plan of the future, college, etc.

The Spiritual Training of Preschoolers (Mike Riggs)
Some of the recent exodus of students from the church after high school can be traced to how we present spiritual truths to children even before they are school age. This workshop will help you identify foundational truths preschoolers can learn and some practical ways of passing on a hunger for the truths and principles of God's Word.

Learning Styles (Deanne “Deedee” Eldridge)
Everybody has a preferred learning style (and each of our children probably has a different one – that‘s the humor of God!). While there are many opinions and definitions (and some so complicated they can make your head swim) when we find the learning style of each our children, they will enjoy learning and we will enjoy teaching them more too! It will also help us to capitalize on their strengths and improve their selfadvocacy skills, helping them learn more effectively. We will discuss what learning styles are, how to determine them for our children and how to facilitate the best way for each of them to absorb and retain what they are taught without designing completely different
curriculum for each of our completely different children!

Legal-Legislative Update (Nathan Pierce)
This workshop covers (1) an update of all major current legislative battles to protect our private home education and parental rights freedoms; (2) what must be done to protect our private home education and family freedoms; (3) how God has been working through FPM this year to build relationships with legislators and staff inside the Capitol and (4) as time permits, a larger perspective of the underlying worldviews and trends of the war against the Godordained family.

Science For Moms Who Don’t Like Science (Kendra Fletcher)
Science is a daunting subject to teach if you don’t love it or feel you don’t know a whole lot about it. Come learn about approaches to elementary science, junior
high science, and even high school science from a mom just like you!

SESSION 2

Answering the “What Should I Do With My Life?” Question (Jeff Myers)
Personality tests and vocational aptitude tests can’t tell you what you really need to know about your child’s design. Dr. Meyers shares practical ways to recognize a child’s motivated abilities and cultivate his God-give gifts.

College Bound (Mike Winther)
How to prepare for college starting in high school. What to look for in a college.

Preschoolers, Preparation, and Peace (Kendra Fletcher)
How do I educate the older children in my home while keeping the toddler out of trouble? Homeschooling with preschoolers underfoot is all Kendra Fletcher has ever known. If you need a boost of encouragement and some fresh ideas for gaining peace in your homeschool this coming school year, then join Kendra as she shares from her home where eight children reside.

Home Educating on a Single Income (Deanne “Deedee” Eldridge)
“You have got to be kidding! I didn’t really hear you say that I can stay home and teach my children and not go into the poor house, did I? Come on!” Yes, that is exactly what I can say! After 13 years of “official” teaching and graduating one child with 3 more on their way, I can say unequivocally it IS possible.

“What if we have our own business in the home or I like my work outside the home?” We will discuss these and other questions you may have and look at the priorities and practicalities that not only make it possible to “make ends meet” but to thrive too! Yes, even in a two-income-lifestyle culture we CAN do it on one income!

You CAN Develop a Love for Learning...
Through Unit Studies! (Jennifer Steward)
The unit study method is a delightful vehicle to help parents reach the goal of inspiring a true love for learning instead of just going through the motions. Many homeschoolers fall into the trap of filling in the blanks and “doing school.” Jennifer will explain how to bring joy into teaching and learning by teaching interactively using living books and notebooks AND dispel the idea that one must have loads of energy, be creative and spend a lot of time on planning, in order to be successful with unit studies. She will demonstrate not just WHY but also HOW you can simplify teaching, accomplishing more in less time and actually have your children asking to start school! Come to this workshop even if you have thought, “Unit Studies are NOT for me!” You’ll be pleasantly surprised ...and at least entertained.

Foreign Language (Martha Falk)
Interested in your child learning a second language? But you now wonder how you teach it to your child? Surveys show that those who know a second language are more likely to get hired over a single language speaker. Also there are surveys suggesting that those who know a second language have the potential to earn more than those who only speak one language. Learning a second language is a worth while subject. Come and hear Martha Falk offer ideas on how a second language can be taught.

Math for the Young Learners (Roxanne Weber)
Math with young kids is fun! In this workshop, you will learn easy tips, tricks, games and strategies for teaching basic math facts, concepts and thinking skills to your K-2 child, using every day household items and events. Your positive attitude toward math will build your child's confidence, serve as an enjoyable foundation for your family's future math exploration, and make light-hearted math-play the high point of your school day.

SESSION 3

Growing Wiser:
Preparing Kids to be Wise in the Age of “Duh” (Jeff Myers)
The pop culture is bent on turning children turn into fools. Yet Scripture promises life, honor and good success to those who will seek wisdom. Discover a step-by-step process to bring godly wisdom into your home so you can keep the world’s foolishness at bay.

Basic Economics Part I (Mike Winther)
Contrary to popular belief, economic policies are moral issues. This seminar explains the competing economic systems and explains the moral implications of each of them. This session introduces the concepts of capital and profit.

Homeschooling Through Hardships (Jennifer Pepito)
In this workshop Jennifer encourages moms to run the race of life with endurance, even when the route is full of obstacles. Using examples from her own journey as a missionary wife, mother of seven children and clay pot, as well as the example set by other “endurance runners” she will exhort you to keep doing the right things; loving God, loving your husbands and loving your children even through the trials of life. Be prepared to come away armed with practical life skills and biblical truth to help you keep running and to be an example to your children of a follower of Jesus.

From the Woodshed to the Capitol (Nathan Pierce)
(For Teens or Parents)In high school Nathan told all his friends that he would never work in an office. Now he tells the moving story of how God took him from a school-hating 16-year-old who was determined to cut firewood for a living to being a husband, father, college graduate working to defend the rights of homeschool families in California’s Capitol. Listen as he shares stories from his homeschool journey and offers the same advice he shunned as a young man only to be forced to follow it later. He will answer such questions as: Are you glad you were homeschooled all the way through highschool? What was it like trying to get into college as a homeschool graduate? Did you feel prepared for college? What benefits are there in homeschooling privately compared to some public alternative?

Charlotte Mason Method Of Education (Roxanne Weber)
Would you like to add more beauty, simplicity and creativity to your homeschool? You can, and it’s easy. Come to this workshop to discover how using living books, narration, nature study, art observation and other ingenious methods of this 19th Century educator provides a flexible framework for teaching all the usual subjects in a natural, relationship-centered way.

Foundational Language Arts (Elizabeth FitzGerald)
Homeschool parents understand that producing excellent readers is of supreme importance but are often confused how to accomplish this, or they underestimate the other vital subjects that provide the foundation for reading success. This workshop addresses how to build a well-balanced language arts program and includes tips and suggestions that have stood the test of time, are effective for all learning styles, and are based on solid literacy research. This session is appropriate for parents of pre- or beginning readers or those with struggling older readers.

Wholemovement (Geometry):
the Art and the Math of Folding Circles: Part 1 (Bradford Hansen-Smith)
Come be amazed and look at math a whole new way! We will explore the importance of folding circles; discuss origin of circle, principles, properties, the reconfigurations, transformations and the information that is inherent in the circle form. The beauty of art is not separate from the proportions, relationships, and functions of mathematical concepts that are generated in the creases. Nothing is added or taken away. Through systematic folding paper plate circles information is generated, options are revealed to continue the self-organizing nature of the circle that cannot be anticipated by drawing circles or folding squares. The only skill required is to be able to fold a circle in half. This is a simple, comprehensive, engaging, and inexpensive way to discover mathematical functions at the same time generating beautiful objects that give a greater context to math, art, science, and other patterned based disciplines. Folding circles demonstrates a Whole-to-parts process that is unique beyond all other forms of modeling.

SESSION 4

Preparing Your Children to Leave Home with Lifetime Biblical Convictions (Mike Riggs)
After years of college and military ministry, we have discovered significant reasons children from Christian homes leave the church when they go to college or start a career. This workshop focuses on the later years of home schooling. You will learn some foundational elements and practical methods that will prepare your young adults spiritually and mentally to leave home with lifetime convictions.

Basic Economics Part 2 (Mike Winther)
This session goes into greater detail and provides a greater understanding of supply, demand, money, prices and inflation. Several biblical principles relating to personal and government economics will be explained. Mike will also discuss and compare various resources for the teaching of economics.

Scheduling 101: Getting it all Done! (Michelle Warmuth)
How is it possible to meet the demands of a busy family, home educate, run a household, have family time and not stay up all hours of the night doing it all? There is a way. This workshop focuses on creating and maintaining a schedule for your busy family. This is not a one size fits all type of schedule, but one you create to meet the specific needs of your family. Every single family is benefited from having their day run on an orderly manner. You'll get more done that you thought imaginable, have peace rather than chaos in the home, have more time doing what you love doing as a family and reflect to the world around you a Christ like influence.

Courtship: The Parlor and the Porch Swing (Jennifer Steward)
Jennifer Steward’s has three married children who got there by way of courtship! She claims, “While the Bible is pretty silent in regards to dating vs. courtship, it does tell us to love each other with a selfless love which is what it takes to NOT engage in frivolous relationships but rather to pursue a life mate when one is prepared for marriage.” Jennifer does not believe there is a “formula” for how to have the perfect courtship, but she will share some ideas and principles on the subject.

Practical Classical: Preparing Preschoolers, High Schoolers,
and Everyone In-Between (Kendra Fletcher)
Classical Education is completely do-able, even if you are educating a broad spectrum of ages. Classical homeschooler and mother of eight, Kendra Fletcher shares tips and insight into educating high schoolers, middle schoolers, elementary students, and preschoolers all in the same classical homeschool.

Teach Your Special Needs Child at Home (Marilee Coots)
You can successfully teach your special needs child at home and make excellent progress, if you will remediate the root causes of learning difficulties. This workshop will teach you specific activities that you can use to help your child become a better learner.

Wholemovement (Geometry):
the Art and the Math of Folding Circles: Part 2 (Bradford Hansen-Smith)
Come be amazed and look at math a whole new way! We will explore the importance of folding circles; discuss origin of circle, principles, properties, the reconfigurations, transformations and the information that is inherent in the circle form. The beauty of art is not separate from the proportions, relationships, and functions of mathematical concepts that are generated in the creases. Nothing is added or taken away. Through systematic folding paper plate circles information is generated, options are revealed to continue the self-organizing nature of the circle that cannot be anticipated by drawing circles or folding squares. The only skill required is to be able to fold a circle in half. This is a simple, comprehensive, engaging, and inexpensive way to discover mathematical functions at the same time generating beautiful objects that give a greater context to math, art, science, and other patterned based disciplines. Folding circles demonstrates a Whole-to-parts process that is unique beyond all other forms of modeling.