Monthly Archives: March 2016

Lessons Learned From Past Homeschool Conventions

29 Tuesday Mar 2016

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Flyer2016-Front-1000x412This is re-posted from previous years, with minor changes.

Here are a few of my lessons learned from attending HEAV’s Homeschool Convention:

1. Pack half of what you need, and then cut that by half. And then by half again. Really.

2. Don’t expect to actually to get anything done afterwards in the evenings in the hotel. You’re going to be brain-dead. Or exhausted from hauling your loads of junk around. So why pack it in the first place? Just leave it all at home.

3. WEAR COMFY SHOES WITH LOTS OF SUPPORT. Trust me, no one here is going to look at your feet and no one will care if your sneakers match your outfit in the least. In fact, they will probably be looking very longingly at your feet, wishing they were wearing comfy sneakers too. And remember, you’re talking of two-three days of walking around carrying tons of junk.

4. There is a reason that they recommend you bring a cart on wheels. ‘Cause you will be carrying lots of junk. My first year, I had one of my Thirty-One Gifts Large Utility Totes, and about killed myself. First of all, because the bag will just hold too much stuff and I am apparently a wimp. But also, because I had it up over my shoulder all day long. Even my “briefcase purse” that I’m using today is tiring. (Gots lots of complements on them though! And being a girl, I did enjoy getting complements on my bags and my purse!)

And last year, I had two rolling totes. I loved them so much, I’ve killed them both this past year. So yes, I have to get new ones! My first purchase already planned!

5. Labels with your contact info. That was recommended on a blog post I read, and I’m so glad I did this. This is great for filling out all those “Enter to Win” forms. Peel, stick, and you’re done. Saves a lot of writers’ cramp. (I forgot my labels last year! I just left them right on the printer. So I guess I would add – actually make sure you pack them!)

6. Business cards with contact info on it to share with other people. I learned this eons ago from when I used to go to conferences with direct-selling companies and it was wonderful. However, I was completely SHOCKED at how many people were so surprised when I was able to hand them my contact info after we met. AND, by how many didn’t even offer to reciprocate. Like every single person I met (that wasn’t trying to sell me something in the exhibition hall). No one even offered to write down their email and exchange that.

7. MEET NEW PEOPLE! Don’t only talk to the people you know! Please, please, please, step outside your pretty little comfort zone box and talk to someone new. Because that someone new might have come by herself with two small children, might be new to the area and not know a soul, and might just be STARVING for friendship. Take a chance, and go a step beyond the polite conversation in the Starbucks line! That “nice gal I briefly met” might be a wonderful encouragement to you, or perhaps be your chance to be God’s arms and give her a huge hug after an emotional session!

Now that I’ve been to convention for a few years, I will say it is so wonderful to come back “home” and see all those friendly faces once again! I have dear friends now from all over that I only know because of HEAV! Only because they were willing to talk to this crazy gal! And I can’t wait to go back just to see my buddies again!

8. Come ready for God to speak to your heart and stir your soul. Really. PACK KLEENEX PACKETS. Bring extras to share to bless the gal next to you. Bring extra pens to share, and paper (cause I forgot my pad in one session and had to scribble on a scratch paper). Pray for those around you. Look for God working in the room, and offer up prayers and praise in support. And set aside a few minutes of quiet time partway through each  day to just deal with what He is bringing up in your own heart. Trust me, you’re going to need it. And plan some alone time after you get home to just process all that you took in while there. It’s just an overload of stuff.

9. Take copious notes. And then buy the convention recordings.

10. SLEEP. Don’t worry about anything else in the evenings except showering and sleeping. You are going to need the extra sleep to deal with all the emotional energy you are going to be expending. And carting around of stuff like heavy curriculum books and impulse purchases. I wish I was kidding! (Surely, I’ll behave better next year, right? As all this won’t be so new???? Oh well, I can dream.)

11. Check the room before you leave. Have someone else check it, then wait five minutes and check it again. One year, I did all this and still left my nice pillow there. Doh! I was losing things all weekend. I blame it on the sleep deprivation.

12. Pack your cellphone chargers. After last year, hubby and I now have “battery packs” to use as well, when our cellphone batteries try to run out. I know that was also because I was using my phone so much to blog, etc at the convention as well, but it was actually quite difficult to find plugs in convenient locations around the Conference Center!

13. Take extra bags to bring stuff home in! My Thirty-One Gifts Large Utility Totes came is so handy when it was time to come home! Everything I got – books, brochures, whatever, was easily shoved into one tote, the girls toys and pillows in another, etc. They collapse completely when not using them and take up almost no room. So that’s why I like them. Well, that and they’re cute.

14. Okay, I know I’m supposed to say something about staying on budget, blah blah blah. Coming with your list and your money and sticking to it. Well, I never follow my own advice, so I’m definitely not going to be the one to tell you to! HA! At the very least before you go, make a list of “must haves” and review what you already have so you don’t buy duplicates.

15. Take advantage of the experts there! While there, I was able to sit down and talk to several different ladies about my children and their educational/ developmental needs. I got some fabulous advice and information that really helped me feel like we are now in a position to conquer the dreaded math facts instead of them conquering us! Plus, I talked to several people about missionary work around the world, legislative work at both the state and federal level, and what science kits would be appropriate for our current age levels. Soak up the knowledge of the pros while you can!

16. Use childcare. My first year at the HEAV convention, the “kids room” started at age five, and I didn’t want to split up my girls. Plus, there was absolutely NO WAY I was taking a three year old into lecture hall sessions with me for eight straight hours! That would have been pure torture for both of us. So, I bit the bullet, worked my contact list and found a college student babysitter. My girls were thrilled, and I got to really focus on the task at hand. It was a pretty price to pay, but worth it.  The moms/parents who were hauling around multiple toddlers and older kids and still trying to listen to the speakers while keeping the rug-rats happy and quiet – I honestly don’t know how they heard or concentrated on a thing. (I am not talking about breastfeeding infants.)

Now that my girls are older, they love the kid’s program! They beg to go (and then, not to leave) every year! My youngest, who has social anxiety, did have enough by the second day, and was more than willing to attend sessions with me in the peace and quiet (and color with some markers and paper I got for her).

 

 
“I am excited to be a blogger for HEAV this year. In exchange for sharing my honest opinion about this convention, I was provided with a family registration at no charge.”

Getting Ready for 2016 Homeschool Convention Season #1

22 Tuesday Mar 2016

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This post is a repeat with minor changes from previous years. It’s time for the HEAV (Home Educators Association of Virginia) Convention again, and I thought it would be a good idea to re-share my posts to get you ready!!!

The 2016 HEAV (Home Educators Association of Virginia) Convention is coming up soon! Are you guys excited??

And are you registered????? Because registration is open! Clicky Here (And if I were you, I’d go ahead and get that hotel room reserved!)

Reading a post from the 2:1 Conference, I thought it might be a good idea to talk about getting ready for the upcoming homeschool conference.

In previous First Things First posts, I’ve talked about the idea of making sure we put Christ first in everything we do. And I really like the idea of practicing what I preach to my girls as well – if I say I want to put God first in our homeschool life, then just maybe I should start putting him first in my preparation of it as well!

So that’s my challenge for YOU this week. Are you putting God FIRST in your homeschool preparation? Before the research of curriculum choices, before the sorting and organizing for the Used Curriculum Sale, before asking a zillion other homeschool moms their opinions on various programs — Have you put FIRST THINGS FIRST?

Please take some time this week and prepare your heart with God. Spend time getting His input on your children’s education!

After all, who could really know your children better than the Maker and Creator? (1 Peter 4:19)

Who could know what is truly going to up in the next year better than the One who sees all? (Psalm 139:1-5)

Who is the One who holds your kids in the palm of His hand? (John 10:29)

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And pray not only for your children, but what about you? (Oh, and your spouse, of course!)

After all, this is the stereotypical time of the year that you plan for next. And how can you lead unless you yourself are being led by the Commander of the Heavenly Hosts?  (Isaiah 55:4)

Pray that you will continue to “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” even before advanced “education.” Beg the One Who Sees All to open your eyes, so that you can see the vision as well, and the road before you.

Ask that He prepare your heart before you arrive, so not only can this (not-so-little) homeschool convention be MORE than just about “school.” May this be a time of rejuvenation, of strengthening, of clarity, of encouragement. Oh, and of fun! Nothing wrong with asking that God help you truly enjoy your time there!

Each week until the HEAV Convention, I’ll be posting more thoughts on getting prepared! Stay tuned!!!

Sign up for my HEAV Convention Pass Giveaway!! HEAV’s convention is June 9-11th this year!

Yes, you can win a pass so you can attend HEAV’s convention for free! (Leaving more money to spend on stuff! WAHOO!) Optional Programs are not included, and if you have already registered and you win, HEAV will credit you for the amount of the free pass! This giveaway ends March 24 at midnight, so sign up now!

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Go to this Rafflecopter Giveaway And Good Luck!

 

HEAV- Home Educators Association of Virginia – website

“I am excited to be a blogger for HEAV this year. In exchange for sharing my honest opinion about this convention, I was provided with a family registration at no charge.”

HEAV From The Dad Perspective

20 Sunday Mar 2016

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Today is very special because I talked, badgered, convinced, asked my hubby to write us a post about the HEAV Convention from HIS point of view. I know I’ve written posts before (here and here) about how Dads can be involved in homeschool, but I thought it might be good for the Dads themselves to HEAR IT FROM ANOTHER DAD. I know how important hearing it from other men was for him (and therefore US.) 🙂 So, feel free to pass this post along to the homeschool dads/men in your lives!

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I attended my first HEAV convention in the summer of 2013. This experience would break my stereotypes on homeschooling and most of all motivate me to help our family continue to homeschool. This is the story of my first HEAV conference, from a dad’s perspective.

I remember my wife describing her first experience at a HEAV convention in 2012. I was out of town on business and received a call after the convention ended. Her tone was of joy and awe. She was excited to have a large community to lean on for general advice to curriculum material.

But there was more. She said she could just be relaxed with the homeschool parents and our homeschool decision or parenting not questioned. (We had just moved to the Northern Virginia suburbs, an area known for an individual’s collection of graduate certificates and pecking order in the corporate or public sector ladder, as much as their unsolicited advice in politics, social issues and parenting.) The conference provided reassurance. We didn’t know many homeschoolers, and not many supportive of our homeschool choice. She was in awe of the diversity of the families at HEAV.

This I had to see to believe.

Three days prior to our drive down, my wife handed me the program guide and asked me to pick some workshops to attend. I looked through this large pamphlet of workshops and placed a star on a couple. I would give this a try and I would have at least counted at as participating in homeschooling and would have a rack of BBQ ribs by the end of the weekend (The BBQ rib dinner is now a staple of our trips to HEAV).

I got an insider’s view into HEAV with my wife as an official blogger to the Convention. I witnessed a sea of vendors preparing for a crowd. The first full day of the conference was not what I expected, as the Richmond convention center was flooded with homeschool families large and small and with a surprising diversity of backgrounds. There were teenagers with Mohawks walking next to a highly conservative dressed couple with pants and dresses to the ankles. But most homeschoolers were somewhere in the middle of this spectrum.

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Homeschool T-Shirts!

The next three days were probably one of the most exhausting and entertaining weekends I had with my family. This is what I learned from HEAV from Dad’s perspective:

  • You are not alone: There is a growing and active homeschool dad community. In the last couple of HEAV conventions there has been more dad sessions to attend.
  • The HEAV Convention is more than education: Yes, homeschooling objectives are to educate children but it is beyond the books. The HEAV Convention is about how families strengthen themselves spiritually and become one strong unit to teach their children mind, body and soul.
  • The HEAV Convention is fun: Can you imagine a group of people just as crazy as you to homeschool? Now, add tons of resources, workshops and mostly well behaved kids, and it is better than Disneyland.
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Hubby Chatting Up Michael Farris, HSLDA

Now three years later, I am asking my wife to make sure we confirm hotels and participation at HEAV months in advance. I am perusing the website for the workshops I plan to attend. And of course there is our annual stop in Richmond for ribs and BBQ.

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Dads, Heavy Labor is a HUGE Help, Too!

This summer, I will attend my fourth HEAV Convention. My first HEAV Convention was when I started to come to the realization of:

  • I can participate in homeschool and be more than the other adult in the house receiving the daily progress (sometimes) report. I am motivated to be involved.
  • I don’t have to be great to be involved in homeschooling my kids.
  • Involved means any of the following: Field trips with kids, reviewing school work, participating in Bible verses, giving your spouse a day off to homeschool, supporting your spouse just by listening, or picking up the most random thing for a science project on your way home from work, listening to your spouse and not providing an opinion when she says this was the worst homeschool day and the kids are going to public school tomorrow.
  • My wife is amazing.
  • What I enjoy most of homeschooling is that I get to spend a great amount of time with my kids.
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See? We Look Fairly “Normal!”

So dads, the HEAV Convention isn’t that scary, it’s just the opposite. The HEAV Convention is one of the best experiences you can share with your family.

And there are smoked ribs not too far from the convention center on the way back home.

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Dad Reward That Mom Enjoys Too!

 

 

 

Sign up for my HEAV Convention Pass Giveaway!! HEAV’s convention is June 9-11th this year!

Yes, you can win a pass so you can attend HEAV’s convention for free! (Leaving more money to spend on stuff! WAHOO!) Optional Programs are not included, and if you have already registered and you win, HEAV will credit you for the amount of the free pass! This giveaway ends March 24 at midnight, so sign up now!

conventionspread1

Go to this Rafflecopter Giveaway And Good Luck!

 

HEAV- Home Educators Association of Virginia – website

“I am excited to be a blogger for HEAV this year. In exchange for sharing my honest opinion about this convention, I was provided with a family registration at no charge.”

 

 

Mom Encouragement at HEAV

17 Thursday Mar 2016

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One thing I am really looking forward to this year is the “Chocolate with Encouragement Pajama Party” for moms this year! In fact it was one of the first things I signed up for!

Here is the description: Get your pajamas, get comfy, and join Heidi St. John for a delicious time of gourmet chocolate, coffee, and sweet fellowship–and, of course, encouragement.  Don’t miss this chance to laugh, share, and enjoy yummy desserts with other homeschool moms! (And yes, Heidi will be wearing pajamas!)

Especially since I saw that Heidi St. John is going to be there, and we are best buds. Because of course I once interviewed her for this blog and got my picture taken with her at a previous HEAV convention!

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And CHOCOLATE. Need we say more?

Now, if you miss the Pajama Party, there are plenty of chances to still hear my “bestie” share! HEAV recently announced the speaker sessions, and Heidi St. John will be giving these talks:

The Distracted Mom (iMom)
Better for Best: Keeping Christ as the Center of Your Home
Biblical Discernment in an Unbiblical Age
The Busy Homeschool Mom’s Guide™ to Daylight: How to Fit Your Size-16 Day into a Size 10
The Secret in the Sunset

Whatever you do, be sure to check them out!!!

Sign up for my HEAV Convention Pass Giveaway!! HEAV’s convention is June 9-11th this year!

Yes, you can win a pass so you can attend HEAV’s convention for free! (Leaving more money to spend on stuff! WAHOO!) Optional Programs are not included, and if you have already registered and you win, HEAV will credit you for the amount of the free pass! This giveaway ends March 24 at midnight, so sign up now!

conventionspread1

Go to this Rafflecopter Giveaway And Good Luck!

 

HEAV- Home Educators Association of Virginia – website

“I am excited to be a blogger for HEAV this year. In exchange for sharing my honest opinion about this convention, I was provided with a family registration at no charge.”

 

 

 

 

HEAV Convention Wish List Tip!!

16 Wednesday Mar 2016

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This post is a repeat with minor changes from last year.

You know that list of random, “Oh, wouldn’t it be nice if I could find ______ at Convention?”

Or while you’re there: “Hmm, I wonder if I should buy this here, order it when I get home, or if my local library has it?”

Let me tell you my new brilliant solution for this: Amazon Wish Lists!!

When I see a blog post (or Pinterest – my newest addition) with lists of books I think would be great for us, or something I think would be useful next year, I send it to my awesome hubby.

He then logs into our local library’s site and searches to see if they have it, or if we can get it through inter-library loan.

He then saves it to one of our Amazon Wish List, so I can find it later. We have several lists we update constantly:

  • “Books for Homeschool” – My running list of books, etc. the library doesn’t carry, but I wish we had.
  • “Gift List Ideas for the Girls” – Also great when grandparents ask me – I don’t have to come up with the ideas off the top of my head, but just have to review the list I’ve been keeping.
  • “Homeschool books at the library” – This is the list I know NOT to buy because I can get it free by checking it out when we need it!

AmazonI also plan to take pictures of my girls’ bookshelves before we go – just to attempt to not duplicate books we already own. We honestly have so many books there is no way I could ever keep up with what’s here.

I really think this is going to make trying to figure out what to buy at Convention so much easier this year! Plus, it’s easily accessible from my phone – as long as I keep it charged up! No more carrying around too full notebooks!

**PS. I do want to make it clear that I still advocate purchasing from our amazing vendors at HEAV’s Exhibit Hall! Whenever possible, I do try to purchase there at HEAV or from one of our HEAV vendors. I just really like the portability of having this list right on my phone!**

Sign up for my HEAV Convention Pass Giveaway!! HEAV’s convention is June 9-11th this year!

Yes, you can win a pass so you can attend HEAV’s convention for free! (Leaving more money to spend on stuff! WAHOO!) Optional Programs are not included, and if you have already registered and you win, HEAV will credit you for the amount of the free pass! This giveaway ends March 24 at midnight, so sign up now!

conventionspread1

Go to this Rafflecopter Giveaway And Good Luck!

 

HEAV- Home Educators Association of Virginia – website

“I am excited to be a blogger for HEAV this year. In exchange for sharing my honest opinion about this convention, I was provided with a family registration at no charge.”

 

Making My Convention 2016 Plan, Part 2!

15 Tuesday Mar 2016

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In my last post, I shared my curriculum plan for next year and what I plan to purchase and research at the HEAV Convention. Here is the rest of my plan to take advantage of the whole weekend!

First up: Order the recordings! I really love listening to all the great talks on the treadmill!

Second: Purchase replacement rolling carts! And yes, that is plural! I used both of mine so much this year, they died. Oops. I love those things!

Next: Drop off our items to sell at the USED Curriculum Sale. And I’ve signed up to volunteer, so I can get into the Used Curriculum sale early! So, those times will have to go on my “schedule” as well.

I’ve signed up for the Chocolate with Encouragement Pajama Party on Friday night! I can’t wait!

And I know I say this every year, but THIS YEAR, there are so many sessions I’m interested in, and so many things I want to learn and hear. There are so many great speakers listed! (The detailed schedule WAS JUST POSTED!) Not knowing where we will be ending up after next year, I really need to soak up all the advice, learning, encouragement, and inspiration I can fill up on for the next few years!

Sign up for my HEAV Convention Pass Giveaway!! HEAV’s convention is June 9-11th this year!

Yes, you can win a pass so you can attend HEAV’s convention for free! (Leaving more money to spend on stuff! WAHOO!) Optional Programs are not included, and if you have already registered and you win, HEAV will credit you for the amount of the free pass! This giveaway ends March 24 at midnight, so sign up now!

conventionspread1

Go to this Rafflecopter Giveaway And Good Luck!

 

HEAV- Home Educators Association of Virginia – website

“I am excited to be a blogger for HEAV this year. In exchange for sharing my honest opinion about this convention, I was provided with a family registration at no charge.”

 

Making My Convention 2016 Plan, Part 1!

11 Friday Mar 2016

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Homeschool Convention always puts me in a reflective mood. I guess because it’s because you really can’t DO Convention well if you don’t know what you’re keep/let go/ add on in next year’s homeschool plan!

So, as I’ve been working on prepping these articles for this Spring, I’m already trying to mentally trying to make that annual Homeschool plan, so I could share with you my annual curriculum planning! I thought this would be a good time to share with you my own “steps” through this – perhaps it will help you or give you some ideas!

Step 1: Define Your Situation for Next Year

Before I make any decisions, I find it very helpful to look ahead and make a note of any particular “situations” I already know are coming up in the next year. (Perhaps for you it might be a new baby, transition, or already scheduled trips in the works.) I think it is very helpful to keep these in mind as you plan for the upcoming year.

For us, I know that next year will be our last year in our current location, and we will probably move as soon as the summer begins. God has not told us where we will be after that quite yet, and where we go after that year is mentally affecting me in what we do NEXT year. As in, if we’re going overseas – should I spend next year doing American History (ya know, while we are in the US?) Wouldn’t that make sense?

Several “programs” I had mentally put on my checklist really are “multi-year cycle” (history) programs, and I am very hesitant to commit to several years when I don’t even know where we will be. So, what was my plan before really is currently tabled, if not scrapped altogether.

Of course, God has me at the point now where I am making decisions without knowing the future, and it’s probably on purpose! (Proof God has a sense of humor!) I’m not a huge fan of that,  but I am still trying to take deep breaths and just trust and muddle through somehow, but also knowing I am making these plans with a pencil at this point and not with a pen. As in, I’m trying to go with the flow and be flexible. (You have to know me, I guess to find the real humor in this!)

So, in thinking about this next year in our current location, I realized that it’s a Presidential election year. What a perfect topic to focus on for the fall! And what fun we can really have with that topic now that the girls are a bit older! So, I really want to take advantage of it.

Step 2: What worked this year? What stays?

I’m a huge fan of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and with that in mind, there are several things I want to keep on doing next year. These decisions are made after chats with both kids, both together and individually, and also with the hubby.

MATH — We’ll be sticking with Teaching Textbooks for our core math. I already have everything I need for this next year, so that is great news! We also use several math games on their tablets and math songs and math keys to reinforce their math facts. And we have had a blast over the past year playing all the math-based board games we got a HEAV exhibit hall last year! My youngest has become quite the Monopoly and PayDay expert!

CONVENTION PLAN– I won’t need to worry about purchasing anything for math, unless something just catches my eye, or if I find the miracle math cure!

GRAMMAR AND WRITING — This past year we’ve been using Growing with Grammar and Winning with Writing. It’s workbook-based, and I thought it would be a little too dry for my girls, but surprisingly they really like it. It is a very straight-up traditional, in-depth and methodical approach to both, which I really appreciate. Plus, it’s self propelled so my girls can now do it on their own, with only a bit of assistance if they don’t understand the directions. So, we’ll stick with that this year as well.

CONVENTION PLAN– Unfortunately last year I couldn’t find this at HEAV. So unless I find a magical replacement, I’ll have to order it during the summer.

HANDWRITING — My youngest will be finishing up Handwriting Without Tears‘s cursive program this year, and my oldest will “graduate” a full year of cursive copywork practice. I’ve already warned her that starting next year all of her assignments must be done in cursive, so she will no longer need to do separate handwriting assignments. My youngest will, though, so I will use random free copywork projects for her.

CONVENTION PLAN– Maybe keep an eye out for “Presidential Quotes” copywork, or something similar?

SPELLING — The girls really want to continue using SpellingCity.com. As I have already added in a daily writing worksheet to this, I’m happy to let them. (The worksheet is very simple – look up one word in the dictionary and define it, write sentences with three words, and copy 3 words five times each. I let them choose which words they want to do each day).

AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS — My girls LOVE American Heritage Girls. LOVE it. I LOVE it. Hubby LOVES it. And it has become a “required” part of our homeschool curriculum. Several of those badge ideas have given us ideas for unit studies!

DANCE — The girls take dance once a week, this year being hip-hop and jazz. (Sigh, I know. I let them choose. It’s cute, and the teacher really works hard to use “clean” music.) This counts as our PE for homeschool. Very lucky for me, their classes happen at the exact same time, and their dance school is attached to my gym. So, I have a built-in weekly time to work out at the gym!

SCIENCE — We’ve been doing science as unit studies this year, and that has worked out well, so far. Over the past few years, I’ve collected way too many science “kits”, so we’re still working through that huge pile!

CONVENTION PLAN — I do have a running idea list the girls have expressed interest in. Unless I find a kit that will help them earn a badge for AHG, or something that will help them learn about one of those topics on that list, I am not planning on purchasing science stuff. We probably have two-three years worth of items sitting here already!

Step 3: What didn’t work? What needs to change? What needs to go?

The eclectic, delight-led, unit-based studies are working for us, but we’ll be wrapping up our World Geography – World Literature (Girl Power!) plan that we’ve been working on for two years. It’s time for us to move on to something new – and that is my current issue. Move on to what?

Since we know we have at least next year in the US and it’s the election year, I currently have this crazy idea to have next year be a “civics”-themed year. I think this will be an especially good idea if we do end up overseas the following year – I really want my girls to have a good grasp on what makes us American and how that will most likely differ from somewhere else.

The fall will be fully immersed in the Elections – both presidential, state, and local. I think we will be using Homeschool in the Woods‘s lapbook for this, but there are so many really cool resources out there to choose from!

CONVENTION PLAN — Check out the great HEAV vendors. Is this really the program I want to use? Review reading list and see what I can pick up at the Exhibit Hall and the Used Curriculum Sale!

Once election season is over, I’m still not sure what to cover in our “civics” theme for the second semester. I have had both “government” and “economics” suggested to me, so I’m still mulling that over at this point. Both topics might be too much to cover in one semester. Would one or the other be more age appropriate for and advanced 3rd and 5th grader?

CONVENTION PLAN — This will probably be the topic I spend my time researching and buying for this year. I noticed the HSLDA has a ton of resources on their site, I might stop by their booth and chat with them about it. Plus, many of the other exhibitors will be great to check out as well.

Next post – my plan for taking full advantage of the HEAV Convention Weekend!

Sign up for my HEAV Convention Pass Giveaway!! HEAV’s convention is June 9-11th this year!

Yes, you can win a pass so you can attend HEAV’s convention for free! (Leaving more money to spend on stuff! WAHOO!) Optional Programs are not included, and if you have already registered and you win, HEAV will credit you for the amount of the free pass! This giveaway ends March 24 at midnight, so sign up now!

conventionspread1

Go to this Rafflecopter Giveaway And Good Luck!

 

HEAV- Home Educators Association of Virginia – website

“I am excited to be a blogger for HEAV this year. In exchange for sharing my honest opinion about this convention, I was provided with a family registration at no charge.”

Other Ways Homeschool Dads Can Be Involved

08 Tuesday Mar 2016

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This post is a repeat with minor changes from last year.

In a previous post, I talked about ways your Homeschool Dad can be involved in your homeschool. Since then, I’ve thought of a few more!

20150704_0943478. Show and Tell – During the day, we leave completed work items on Daddy’s desk to show/read to him at the end of the day. My girls love this.  We might also put them by his seat at dinner, so we can talk about them. This is a good way for me to remember to have them read and review certain work with him.

9. Wall of Fame – One wall of his office at work is decorated with various art projects. I can tell when they are especially into a particular project because the girls only designate their most favorite work for “Daddy’s Office.” They love going to his office and seeing their work displayed. As an added bonus, this has sparked a lot of discussions about homeschooling with his coworkers!

10. Heavy Labor – I’m sure us homeschool moms already take advantage of this one, but Homeschool Dads are awesome at hauling around the piles of books we collect. And dropping loads of them back at the library when needed. And carting piles of items to and from the basement, etc. Make sure they know how helpful and valuable that sort of participation really truly is!

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Our haul from last year’s HEAV homeschool convention. Well, part of it.

11. Taking Over “Classes” You Really Don’t Want to Do – Through other parents at our AHG troop, we found there was a summer archery program in our area. Which of course, would help them earn that AHG archery badge! My girls were dying to do it with their friends, but I was already suffering from major burn out. Hubby talked the other dads into doing it with him, and so it became a Daddy/Daughter activity once a week last summer.

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Archery Lessons with Centershot.org

12. Documentation – Our Homeschool Dad is a massive help this year with the documentation we needed for our portfolio. Here in PA, we’re required to keep a book log, and hubby helped me fill in the information. I just created the spreadsheet format for him, and would hand him the receipts we get from the library as we check out books. He would then fill in the info as he had time. This was a HUGE help, because our book log was up-to-date and ready for me to just print and stick in our binder when portfolio time came around!

Plus, as a mentioned in a previous post, he has been helping me by going through the pages of book lists I’ve found. He will review and reserve books from the library, and then keep track on our ongoing “wish lists” on what the library has or doesn’t have. This has been great to have when I’m out and about, but also when grandparents want to gift the girls, I have a running set of ideas ready to share! This has helped me keep very organized as I plan and prepare for upcoming curriculum.

What other ways does your Homeschool Dad participate in your homeschool?

 “I am excited to be a blogger for HEAV this year. In exchange for sharing my honest opinion about this convention, I was provided with a family registration at no charge.”

Getting Dad Involved in Your Homeschool

01 Tuesday Mar 2016

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This post is a repeat with minor changes from last year.

We are blessed with a Homeschool Dad that loves to be involved in our homeschool!

It wasn’t always this way. He wasn’t particularly enthused about homeschooling at first. It took A LOT of encouragement and enthusiasm from other homeschooling dads before he would agree to us homeschooling at first. Now, he is one of homeschool’s biggest salesmen!

So, how can your homeschool dad be involved in your homeschool? How can you encourage him?

First, make sure he feels welcome! My husband has admitted to me that sometimes he doesn’t feel “needed.” I’ve never intentionally shut him out, but it’s sometimes easy for me to get so absorbed that I didn’t realized he wanted to be included.

Also, don’t only show him  the negative! I know many refer to their homeschool dad as “Principal.” But if all he sees of the homeschool experience is having to be the Enforcer or Disciplinarian, how can he enjoy it?

Here are some of the ways our Homeschool Dad participates:

1. Field Trips  – We try to save as many field trips for family activity time, often on weekends, so hubby can join in.

2. Holidays – We are blessed that hubby gets most federal holidays off. He will join in our regular homeschool activities, and often acts as “substitute teacher” while I take the opportunity to get other things done.

3. Take Over Certain Subjects – Hubby has been great about taking over certain activities and lessons for me. I save up games, science experiments, or various parts of lessons that I haven’t been able to get to. He will do these with the girls on the weekends or evenings.  He also works with them on their Spanish – which is good because being a native speaker, he is much better at it!

4. Evening Reading – We save our larger group reading for right before bedtime. If it is a book that I think he’ll enjoy, Hubby will take over the reading of the nightly chapter. It’s great to get a break sometimes, isn’t it?

5. Extracurriculars – Hubby has been willing to very involved in the girls’ activities. He took over a lot of the carpool duties when we were participating in the Upward Sports program, and now he is actively being my “heavy labor” for our American Heritage Girls troop.

6. Support of Me – Hubby wants me to be sure to mention how a Homeschool Dad’s primary job is to take care of the Homeschool Mom! He’s my sounding board to bounce ideas and issues off of, he’s my encourager and motivator. Be even more importantly, he considers it his job to protect me, even from myself. Maybe even mostly from myself! 🙂 He keeps me going and keeps me from burn out. He sometimes plays “bad cop” when I’m too much of a softie.

7. BRING HIM TO A HOMESCHOOL CONVENTION! – Hubby’s first time at the HEAV Convention was instrumental in his support and understanding of homeschool. He was so excited to realize that homeschooling didn’t make us “weird,” it made us NORMAL! 🙂  He came, expecting to just be “supportive” and be there for me, but participating in some of the “Dad” sessions opened his eyes to the great opportunities homeschool provided.

Homeschool is such a wonderful blessing to our entire family. In addition to the “educational side,” it’s truly been a vehicle for our family to spend time together and enjoy each other.

 “I am excited to be a blogger for HEAV this year. In exchange for sharing my honest opinion about this convention, I was provided with a family registration at no charge.”