I attended my first homeschool conference this weekend in Cincinnati and learned a lot. It was different from the birth and breastfeeding conferences I’ve attended as there were as many men as women and no labor or birth talk :). I had really figured homeschooling would be another place where the moms would be in greater number but it was equal. There was talk about curriculum, unit studies, organization of the home and the school year (something I’m changing around here.) And, while there was never a mention about birth or babes there was a TON of momma’s slinging their babes and lots of pregnant bellies to smile at in remembrance.
But, back to HOMESCHOOLING!! There were a ton of speakers available and the vendor hall was only half explored as I, unlike Leann, did not have a rocket strapped to my skinny bum (while wearing heels no less!) so that I could zoom through it. It really was so very cool to see so many learning options and ideas available for purchase in one spot and I will go back next year. I’ll tell you later about some of the neater materials too.
Cindy West, with NaturExplorers, does unit studies with a lot of Charlotte Mason nature and art influence she calls it “Project Based Learning” which is a much catchier title. :) She had a really nice presentation but you could see how underprepared the conference was for her as she was out of handouts in each of her workshops after only the second to third row. They told her to expect only 25 folks!! I think there was only one class that didn’t have people standing along the back, sides and outside peeking in and that was because it was late Saturday when many had left. My FAVORITE idea she gave was a tweezers walk. You only collect things you can pick up with tweezers! How cool is that?!
Tyler and I struggle in math so I chose to see Kathy Kuhl’s “When Math Doesn’t Come Easily.” She helps with discouraged, gifted strugglers or any combo of the three.. I am still AMAZED when I think about her lecture!! It was so encouraging. She gave me ideas to teach math to Bub who has his own learning challenges, and the girls. One tip Kathy gave was over 9’s. Have you ever realized that the answer to a 9 question will add up to 9? Like…9x6=54 (5+4=9) 2x9=18 (1+8=9) so that was really neat. But she encouraged kinesthetic games to give him a minute to pause and think about the problem/answer. Oh and patterns. Learning that the dots on the dice mean 5,4,3,2,1 and ‘bigger’. We will be working on patterns more.
The dynamic duo of Geography Matters momma daughter team was the very last workshop I attended. This one REALLY spoke to me. One thing I have said before to Ben is I would rather Tyler hate me than to fail in preparing him for “the real world.” But, when Ashley Wiggers talked about how we shouldn’t be preparing our kids for the real world but PROTECTING them from it well a chord was struck deep inside. She also mentioned how if there’s anger or frustration with the child then the technique or process needs to change. Um, hello! Here I thought this was just a part of puberty I HAD to deal with. Yes, deal with and Tyler probably knows I feel I’m having to DEAL with him lately. I had forgotten that he wanted to please me as much as I wanted to please him in the midst of the scowls, mumbling and frustration and not to mention Tyler was frustrated too. :) This workshop alone was worth the conference fee even if you missed the early bird pricing. I’m hoping to make some drastic changes in our relationship for the better. Luckily, I believe we still have a good relationship and I love him enough to move mountains to make it better. I think their workshop could be summed up by saying;
But, back to HOMESCHOOLING!! There were a ton of speakers available and the vendor hall was only half explored as I, unlike Leann, did not have a rocket strapped to my skinny bum (while wearing heels no less!) so that I could zoom through it. It really was so very cool to see so many learning options and ideas available for purchase in one spot and I will go back next year. I’ll tell you later about some of the neater materials too.
For the workshops Leann and I went together to most of them but a few we split up on. I saw Amanda Bennett as she’s been the reigning queen of Unit Studies for years (and I swear I’m quoting Leann if only she could have done more than squeal and go all teen heart throb on her.). We’re big on theme studies as you incorporate all your subjects (reading, history, math, science, etc.) under one theme. For example every year we do the Human Body. We learn our math by figuring up how many times Sunshine’s pinky nail goes around her waist’s circumference or how many of Tyler’s big toes would equal my height. We learn our history by learning how the body and it’s functions have been seen and understood. Tyler LOVED hearing how dead bodies were dug up so they could be …used…for scientific studies. Last year our history study included learning the connection between a woman’s vulva and Roman Soldiers. (Minds out of the gutter…children were learning this information!) This little bit was a nice connection between Tyler and Rhea as he was doing a personal study on Rome’s soldiers and gladiators and she is doing some Women’s studies. Reading, science, social and cultural studies (did you know in some countries it’s polite to give a big belch or poot AT the table?!? All 3 kids, and even Ben, found this one hilarious.) and any other areas of study are also incorporated in.
Cindy West, with NaturExplorers, does unit studies with a lot of Charlotte Mason nature and art influence she calls it “Project Based Learning” which is a much catchier title. :) She had a really nice presentation but you could see how underprepared the conference was for her as she was out of handouts in each of her workshops after only the second to third row. They told her to expect only 25 folks!! I think there was only one class that didn’t have people standing along the back, sides and outside peeking in and that was because it was late Saturday when many had left. My FAVORITE idea she gave was a tweezers walk. You only collect things you can pick up with tweezers! How cool is that?! 
Tyler and I struggle in math so I chose to see Kathy Kuhl’s “When Math Doesn’t Come Easily.” She helps with discouraged, gifted strugglers or any combo of the three.. I am still AMAZED when I think about her lecture!! It was so encouraging. She gave me ideas to teach math to Bub who has his own learning challenges, and the girls. One tip Kathy gave was over 9’s. Have you ever realized that the answer to a 9 question will add up to 9? Like…9x6=54 (5+4=9) 2x9=18 (1+8=9) so that was really neat. But she encouraged kinesthetic games to give him a minute to pause and think about the problem/answer. Oh and patterns. Learning that the dots on the dice mean 5,4,3,2,1 and ‘bigger’. We will be working on patterns more. 
The dynamic duo of Geography Matters momma daughter team was the very last workshop I attended. This one REALLY spoke to me. One thing I have said before to Ben is I would rather Tyler hate me than to fail in preparing him for “the real world.” But, when Ashley Wiggers talked about how we shouldn’t be preparing our kids for the real world but PROTECTING them from it well a chord was struck deep inside. She also mentioned how if there’s anger or frustration with the child then the technique or process needs to change. Um, hello! Here I thought this was just a part of puberty I HAD to deal with. Yes, deal with and Tyler probably knows I feel I’m having to DEAL with him lately. I had forgotten that he wanted to please me as much as I wanted to please him in the midst of the scowls, mumbling and frustration and not to mention Tyler was frustrated too. :) This workshop alone was worth the conference fee even if you missed the early bird pricing. I’m hoping to make some drastic changes in our relationship for the better. Luckily, I believe we still have a good relationship and I love him enough to move mountains to make it better. I think their workshop could be summed up by saying;
So, while I go and work on being a better, more supportive momma be sure to check these lovely ladies out. Tell ‘em Honey said ‘Hi!’ and I’ll have part dos for you tomorrow. :)It’s never too late to start over by apologizing.
Amanda Bennett’s Unit Studies
Cindy West’s NaturExplorers
Kathy Kuhl’s Learn Differently and
Geography Matters with Diane Waring and Ashley Wiggers
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