B Workshops, Saturday 9:50-10:50 AM

Denotes a CONNECTIONS workshop.

B-1 Comparing Math Curriculums — Lori Guilliams — Hear about the pros and cons of math curriculums from A Beka, Singapore Math, Saxon Math, and Math-U-See. Supplemental math tools will also be discussed. Share your ideas and learn from the experiences of others.

B-2 Effective Ways to Learn Language Arts — Sarah Gilbert — Want to cover the topics included in each grade in a typical conventional school without having to spend the money to buy a curriculum? A list of topics covered in each grade. How to find free and inexpensive resources in public libraries or on the Internet for each topic. A demonstration of how to cover one specific topic will be included.

B-3 At Home With 3, 4, and 5 Year Olds — Susan Kaseman — Why and how children learn best in their homes. Helping children learn from daily life and carefully selected learning resources and activities. The importance of play. Meeting kids' (and parents') social needs. Disadvantages to formal preschool. How parents find support.

B-4 Exploring the Basic Ideas of Unschooling — Erich Moraine — An overview of the concepts of unschooling and the reasons it works. Examples of how unschooling works. Ways parents provide support while allowing children time and space to explore their interests. Why unschooling does not mean unparenting. This workshop is primarily for people new to unschooling.

B-5 Freedom from Labels: Creating a Homeschool That Works for You — Roy Underhill — Part presentation and part discussion. How to free yourself from labels. Pros and cons of various approaches, from purchased curriculums to created curriculums to unschooling. Adjusting your approach to your children's learning styles and your family's needs. Using different approaches for different topics.

B-6 Fun and Easy Book Discussions Based on the Socratic Method — Pattie Kelley-Huff — Help kids (including pre-readers) develop critical thinking skills using the Socratic method to approach literature. Learn easy, enjoyable, tried-and-true methods to discuss books and short stories, including Great Books, Newbery Award winners, and your own selections. Use simple conversations to sharpen your kids' minds and develop their ability to defend their thoughts and opinions. A sample discussion included.

B-7 Homeschooling Children with Special Needs: A Discussion — Kathleen Mueller, Moderator — Share with other parents your triumphs and what you have learned. Hear how others have solved problems you're working on. Encourage each other, knowing parents can homeschool children with special needs. (Workshop does not address LD or ADHD.) Discuss ways of dealing with school officials and others who may challenge you. Also see A-9

B-8 Strengthening Your Family Through Homeschooling — Larry Kaseman — Reclaiming the essential roles parents play in children's lives. Working to ensure that the family (rather than work for pay) is the basic building block of society. Strengthening family bonds by spending time together. Communicating values, principles, and beliefs to children. Maintaining close contact with grown children.

B-9 Where Are They Now? Grown Homeschoolers Talk About Work and Life: A Panel Discussion — Marty Deming, Moderator — Grown homeschoolers Emily Buckingham (a quality engineer), Kyler Burgi (a television news reporter), and Ben Kuehmichel (a software engineer) talk about what they are doing now, how homeschooling prepared them for the work they do, and what strengths and resources they have as adults because of their experiences homeschooling.

B-10 Earn College Credit (and a Degree) Your Way and Inexpensively — Gretchen Kaseman Brei — During high school and after, learn on your own and earn college credit (and a degree) for what you know by taking CLEP and other exams and completing distance learning courses. Resources to prepare for tests. Test taking strategies. Speaker earned 140 credits and a degree this way.

B-11 Some Time for Teens — Peter Kaseman — Meet in lobby of Gruenhagen Conference Center. Weather permitting, walk to a nearby athletic field to play soccer, Frisbee, and other games participants bring. If the weather is unsuitable, go to CONNECTIONS for games and conversation. Adult coordinator present.

B-12 Dance Fusion — Ages 11-18-Ciara Burgi — Enjoy a high-energy dance class that introduces you to various dance styles. No dance experience required. Presenter is a grown homeschooler and a member of a pre-professional dance company. Limit 25 youth.

B-13 From Ashwaubenon to Kalamazoo to Zelienople: US Geography — Share your knowledge of state capitals and geography in an informal setting. Identify states on a map. Share historical and geographical information and trivia about US states. All ages welcome.

B-14 Hometown History — Tomi Fay Forbes — Get inspired and use your own two feet to explore the history of your home town? Learn a few tricks, and not only will you see your town differently but you will be surprised and amazed at the fun facts you will discover.

B-15 Music and Movement — Birth to Age 5 — Leigh-Ann Lethco — Learn songs and instrument activities, including resources that model musical interaction at this important stage of childhood. Session lasts 30 minutes; visit CONNECTIONS afterwards. Limit 10 children.

B-16 Red Cells, White Cells: What Else Is In Your Blood?-Tracy Moraine — See A-20

B-17 Storytelling and Story Games — Karen Rittle and Family — Hear some fun stories and bring them to life. The fun includes improvisation activities, playing story games, and telling neat stories. Bring your creativity!

B-18 Switches, Lights and Motors for Ages 5-10 — Frank, Liz and Clark Cook — What is electricity? What do we use it for? How does it work? An interactive demonstration and basic introduction to electrical things we use everyday. Discover how electricity works by taking apart some tools and machines. Limit 15 youth.

B-19 Taking Better Photos — Annie Krupnow — A short session on composition and tips, then an outdoor scavenger hunt photo shoot. Bring a camera in working order that you know how to use. Make sure batteries are charged and camera has film loaded or memory card in place. Dress for the weather. Limit 30 youth.

B-20 Where Did You Go? What Did You See?-Pete Gilbert, Moderator — Share your travel stories and enjoy others' adventures, like a special time with grandparents or a camping trip. Or have you visited a foreign country? Bring pictures and souvenirs and tell your story.

B-21Visit CONNECTIONS and/or the Curriculum Fair — See F-15

More Workshops

Friday, 7:15-8:30 PM: Friday Evening Workshops

Saturday, 8:30-9:30 AM: A Workshops

Saturday, 1:30-2:30 PM: C Workshops

Saturday, 2:50-3:50 PM: D Workshops