Last year was my first year going to the MHC in Cincinnati, Ohio. I had been several times to our local homeschool conference, but this was the first “MAJOR” conference the I was able to go too. I had such a good time and gleaned so much info, that a friend and I couldn’t wait to go back this year.
I was disappointed over the disinvite that Ken Ham had received and had I been able to get my money back, I would probably have cancelled my trip due to my feelings of his being treated unfairly and unjustly.
But Ken is such a gracious man that he extended an invite to all families with paid admission to the conference to be allowed to tour the “Creation Museum” over the weekend and we even heard him speak there. I was happy to be able to shake his hand and let him know his stand was appreciated by my family. And the 20% discount on AIG products was awesome as well!!
Here’s some of the information and lessons I gleaned from the speakers this year:
LIES HOMESCHOOL MOMS BELIEVE ~ Todd Wilson
The most important lesson I learned from Mr. Wilson was to “TAME THE TECHNO-BEAST” . This is has been something I was already striving to get under control. It is so easy to get online and waste numerous hours of the day. I now make it a point to only check e-mail briefly in the AM before we start school and to avoid getting online for anything other than education during our school day.
Another lesson I came away with was my perspective on “HOMESCHOOL FOG” ~ it’s ok to have a messy house and eat cereal. You are a homeschool mom and your first priority is to teach your children and help them to become all they can be.
These days it is so easy to have feelings of inferiority in the society we live in and the techno-beast makes it all too easy to compare ourselves to others who we might think are doing a better job at teaching their kids, cleaning their houses, fixing 4 course dinners. We really have to work at combating these feelings and to realize that we are individuals and no two families are alike.
Some ways we can combat those feelings of inferiority are:
- Be REAL
- be open, honest, and vulnerable (let people see the “REAL” you)
- don’t hide (it’s ok if your friends come over and see the science experiment on the kitchen counter or the laundry being folded on the couch)
- don’t compare (a difficult thing to do in the modern day world of blogging)
- talk about issues with others (they probably have the same problems)
- PRAY by yourself and with others (this is a biggie for me ~ everyone needs more prayer and warm thoughts these days)
- talk to your husband ~ let him know when you are overwhelmed and needing help ~ it’s ok to get him involved
- allow others to be “real” with you ~ it’s easier to be real with others when they can be real with you
Finally the two most important steps to defeating the lies that homeschool moms believe:
THERE IS NO ONE BETTER THAN YOU TO TEACH YOUR KIDS
YOUR KIDS WILL BECOME WHAT GOD INTENDED THEM TO BE ~ ACCEPT AND LOVE THEM FOR WHO THEY ARE, NO MATTER WHAT
HISTORY VIA THE SCENIC ROUTE ~ Diana Waring
History is everything that has ever happened. In history our children will see God’s faithfulness and the courage of others.
Come and see what God has done.
See what wonderful things he has done for his people!
He turned the Red Sea into dry land.
The people of Israel passed through the waters on foot.
Come, let us be full of joy because of what he did.
He rules by his power forever.
His eyes watch the nations.
Let no one who refuses to obey him rise up against him ~Psalm 66: 5-7
I guess the major concept for me in this session was “WHY THE HURRY?”
Why do we get in such a rush to teach history? History is a daily, on-going occurrence and we should allow our children to learn it in a way that is relaxed and inviting. Help to foster that love in them!
ANTICIPATION ~ it needs to be there in an effective history program, building up the excitement!!
Some guidelines for a fabulous year with history:
- take time ~ make the decision that it will be so worth making things come to life
- read the map ~ history should be chronological, make sense to kids, geography can play such a big part in this
- a starting point
- not all kids are interested in history ~ it’s important to “hook your fish” by learning how to turn up the interest and create that love for learning.
History should involve the senses:
- see it
- taste it
- hear it
- touch it
- smell it
NOTEBOOKING: CREATIVITY WITH A PURPOSE ~ Jeannie Fulbright
Notebooking is an education methodology that employs a child’s comprehension, critical thinking, and creativity to produce a permanent work of artistic and academic value. This will replace artificial learning with real understanding. By using narration, learning is increased by retention through engaging the child and teaching them to focus on the topic. It replaces worksheets and tests by engaging the whole mind by teaching contemplation, thinking skills, and employing long term memory.
The benefits of homeschooling are:
- promotes retention
- transmits ownership of knowledge
- learner becomes author
- learner gains confidence
- can intelligently discuss subject with others
- enjoys learning when the pressure is off
- provides record of subjects studied
- provides method of review
How to notebook: After learning, a child will ~
- write
- draw
- color
- collect
- create
- craft
- picture
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