2018 MÂCHÉ Preconference Tracks
Taking that first giant step into home education is quite unnerving! What if I can’t do it?
Teaching anything past the basic reading, 'riting, and 'rithmatic is rather intimidating, to say the least! So, how will I ever make it through calculus, chemistry, and college entrance exams?
Working with struggling learners is totally exhausting because of the enormous amount of energy that is constantly required! I love my child, but I’m burnt out and I don’t think I can do this much longer.
We believe that the Preconference Tracks will help to empower you with confidence, encourage you to take one step at a time, and give you the tools you need to be the most effective parent-teacher you can be. Home Education offers significant opportunities to shape the lives of your children and their world. All children are special and God has equipped parents to teach them best!
The Preconference Tracks consist of three different tracks, each with the purpose of giving you basic information, fresh ideas, and answers to your questions. FirstClass Homeschooling is for parents just beginning to home educate, Homeschooling Through High School is for parents getting ready to teach their middle and high school children, and Homeschooling Struggling Learners is for parents of struggling and gifted children. We have chosen speakers who have “been there, done that” and interesting topics that will help you gain a confident vision for your children’s future.
Parents are free to mix and match any of the workshops that meet their specific needs. Family members may attend separate tracks, if desired. Middle and high school students are encouraged to attend the high school track with their parents.
The Preconference Tracks meet simultaneously on Thursday, April 12, 2018, from 9:30 AM until 4:15 PM. Registration begins January 1, 2018.
Preconference Tracks Schedule
8:30am - 9:30am..................................................Registration
9:30am - 10:45am...................................................SESSION 1
- Understanding the Homeschool Lifestyle - Kris Cox
- Developing and Drafting SEPs (Student Education Plans) - Krisa Winn
- Developing a Plan for High School: Sample Four-Year Plans - Diane Kummer
10:45am - 11:00am.......................................................BREAK
11:00am - 12:15pm..................................................SESSION 2
- Homeschooling: How to Get Started - Kris Cox
- Teaching Struggling Learners at Home: Nuts and Bolts for Success - Krisa Winn
- High School Transcript Clinic: Practical Help and Tips - Diane Kummer
12:15pm - 1:30pm.........................................................LUNCH
1:30pm - 2:45pm.....................................................SESSION 3
- Understanding Your Child's Learning Style - Kris Cox
- Keeping Perspective on Progress - Krisa Winn
- Charting Your Way through High School for College, Workforce, or Military - Diane Kummer
2:45pm - 3:00pm.........................................................BREAK
3:00pm - 4:15pm....................................................SESSION 4
- Choosing Curriculum to Fit Your Family - Kris Cox
- Tackling Tricky High School Issues: Practical Help and Guidance for High School Students with Special Needs - Krisa Winn
- Essential Skills for Successful Teens: Study and Time Management - Diane Kummer
4:15pm......................................................................DISMISS
Preconference Tracks Fees
ONLINE
- Non-member (husband/wife)
January 1-31................................................................................$40
February 1-March 16...................................................................$50
March 17-April 12........................................................................$70
- Member (husband/wife) - 20% discount
January 1-31.................................................................................$32
February 1-March 16....................................................................$40
March 17-April 12.........................................................................$56
- Grandparent(s)
January 1-31..............................................................................FREE
February 1-March 16.................................................................FREE
March 17-April 12......................................................................FREE
- Student/Child
January 1-31.................................................................................$10
February 1-March 16....................................................................$10
March 17-April 12.........................................................................$15
MAIL-IN
- Non-member (husband/wife)
January 1-March 16......................................................................$50
- Member (husband/wife) - 20% discount
January 1-March 16......................................................................$40
- Grandparent(s)
January 1-March 16...................................................................FREE
- Student/child
January 1-March 16......................................................................$10
Beginning Homeschooling
Kris Cox
KRIS COX and her husband Bruce homeschooled their four children for 17 years, finishing their homeschool journey when their youngest graduated in 2011. Kris's passion for encouraging and helping homeschool parents led her to become a homeschool consultant in 2012. Along with consulting, Kris writes a homeschool blog (www.krismcox.com) and speaks on various homeschool topics for homeschool groups. She also leads a Smoothing the Way Course/Support Group for new homeschoolers each school year. Kris served as the phone responder for MÂCHÉ from June 2013 to December 2016 and currently co-presents the Homeschool Workshops put on by MÂCHÉ in cooperation with various support groups throughout the state. In all these endeavors, Kris strongly encourages seeking God for guidance in every decision and struggle, believing that the key to successful homeschooling is depending on Him. Her heart’s desire is to serve the Lord by supporting and encouraging homeschool parents, giving them the tools they need to be successful in educating their children.
Meeting in Suite 106 ~ 9:30am-4:15pm
- Understanding the Homeschool Lifestyle - Kris Cox.
Homeschooling is a unique and exciting way to educate your children. It’s not just an educational method, it’s a lifestyle of learning! Kris will share with you some of the most important things she learned about how to have a successful homeschool from her years of homeschooling. You’ll also be encouraged by statistics on how homeschooled children do academically and socially. We’ll cover the positive aspects of homeschooling as well as some of the challenges, giving you a better picture of what homeschooling is all about and how it will affect your children long-term. Dads, there are so many ways you can be involved in homeschooling your children, come and learn how you are a vital part of this homeschool journey.
- Homeschooling: How to Get Started - Kris Cox.
There are so many details and things to learn as you get started in homeschooling your children - it can feel a bit overwhelming! In this session, we’ll talk about the Minnesota homeschool laws and details on how to follow them as well as planning and scheduling your school days and years. We'll also cover developmental stages and how to teach multiple ages at the same time. Lastly, because we still need to take care of our home and other aspects of life, there will be tips on how to manage your household responsibilities while homeschooling. This workshop will be jam-packed with helpful information for you as you begin your homeschool journey.
- Understanding Your Child’s Learning Style - Kris Cox.
This workshop will help you to determine your child’s learning modalities and learning styles. Although most children can learn in a variety of ways, we all have preferences that can be capitalized on. Knowing these preferences about your child can help you choose curriculum and teach them more effectively. Added bonus is that you’ll be able to figure out your own learning/teaching style!
- Choosing Curriculum to Fit Your Family - Kris Cox.
How do you choose the best curriculum for your children? This session will give you a better understanding of the most popular teaching methods out there and will help you determine which ones might work best for your family. The goal of this session is to help you determine your preferred teaching style in order to make the best curriculum choices for your family.
Homeschooling Through High School
Diane Kummer
DIANE KUMMER and her husband Tom homeschooled their two children, after which she joined the staff of Home School Legal Defense Association to help develop HSLDA’s “Homeschooling Through High School” program and website. As an HSLDA high school consultant, Diane regularly speaks nationwide at homeschool conferences and presents high school symposiums where she shares from her experiences and her imperfect (but real) homeschooling days! During her homeschooling days, Diane directed a 200-family homeschool support group that provided classes and activities for homeschool families, performed curriculum portfolio reviews, and created a program that offered high school transcripts for teens. Diane enjoys writing articles, brochures, and a monthly newsletter filled with helpful tips for homeschooling through high school. She also co-hosts HSLDA’s Home School Heartbeat radio program. Diane has co-authored two e-books entitled Develop a High School Plan and Simplify Your Recordkeeping and Transcript.
Meeting in Suite 107 ~ 9:30am-4:15pm
- Developing a Plan for High School: Sample Four-Year Plans - Diane Kummer.
How do you plan a program for your high school homeschooler? What subjects do you teach and when? Do you follow a basic high school plan, a general college prep plan, or a rigorous college prep plan? How do you evaluate credits? Determine grades for a course? What about the need for a transcript and diploma? If you are just beginning to think about homeschooling during the high school years, this seminar will help you organize your thoughts and begin laying the groundwork for a viable four—year plan.
- High School Transcript Clinic: Practical Help and Tips - Diane Kummer.
Creating a high school transcript is easy yet a vital part of your child’s high school records. In this interactive, practical seminar you’ll create a transcript that can be used as a pattern when designing your own. We’ll guide you through transcript essentials, evaluation of credit, grading guidelines and scales, and calculation of grade point averages (GPA’s). In addition, you’ll receive sample transcripts depicting other formats for you to consider.
- Charting Your Way through High School for College, Workforce, or Military - Diane Kummer.
Preparing your teens for their post-graduation goals requires advance planning. This seminar provides a time line and checklist to ensure that important items are not overlooked! For parents of college-bound teens, discover tips for the application and financial aid process. For parents of teens headed directly into the workforce, explore job hunting and workplace skills. For parents of teens interested in a military career, learn about the military’s homeschool enlistment policy and tips for applying to the service academies.
- Essential Skills for Successful Teens: Study and Time Management - Diane Kumer.
The high school years are a prime opportunity to equip your teens with skills they will need for future success. If your teen is headed to college, the workforce, or the military, they will benefit from study and time management skills. This session provides parents with ideas to incorporate these skills into high school coursework and lists resources to help teens cultivate these essential skills.
Homeschooling Struggling Learners
Krisa Winn
KRISA WINN holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Arkansas State University and an associate’s degree in Practical Theology from Christ for the Nations Institute. For more than 20 years, she has been a classroom teacher in both the private Christian school and public school settings. She has also worked as a private tutor and early childhood intervention specialist. Throughout her career, she has had many opportunities to work with children with various special needs: attention deficit disorder, attachment issues, developmental delays, auditory processing disorder, sensory processing disorders, and autism. In 2012, Krisa joined Home School Legal Defense Association as an educational consultant. In that capacity, she offers resources, support and guidance to parents who are homeschooling children with special needs. In addition to coming alongside her fellow homeschooling moms, Krisa enjoys singing, playing piano, leading worship, and watching old movies. After almost 23 years of marriage, Krisa and her husband were blessed with the births of their two daughters.
Meeting in Suite 108 ~ 9:30am-4:15pm
- Teaching Struggling Learners at Home: Nuts and Bolts for Success - Krisa Winn.
This workshop offers practical resources, lists of materials, and curricula in order to help equip you as you work with a struggling learner in your homeschool. Ideas for designing a unique home instruction program tailored to your child’s specific challenges will also be presented.
- Developing and Drafting SEPs (Student Education Plans) - Krisa Winn.
Does your child have a learning disability or perhaps severe special needs? Have you pulled your child out of public school where he used to have an IEP (individual education plan)? Participants will learn the purposes and benefits of writing an SEP, student education plan, the homeschool version of an IEP. This workshop also provides guidance in how to draft an SEP. Participants will look at sample student education plans, receive a template of a student education plan, and a resource list of books that will assist them in drafting their own homeschool student education plan.
- Keeping Perspective on Progress - Krisa Winn.
Do you ever wonder. “Are we really on the right track?” Most likely, the answer to that question is, “Yes!” It is very possible that progress is being made, but not the way in which you are hoping or expecting. In this workshop, Krisa points out the sometimes forgotten areas of progress, and also provides some teaching strategies, assessment ideas, and other resources that will help you “keep up the good fight” when it seems your efforts are in vain.
- Tackling Tricky High School Issues: Practical Help and Guidance for Homeschooling High School Students with Special Needs - Krisa Winn.
This workshop addresses some of the challenges associated with homeschooling struggling or atypical learners in the high school years. Do you have questions such as, “How do I award my child with special needs a diploma?” or “What do I do since my child with dyslexia can’t read typical high school level material?” Krisa discusses alternative course work, specialized curricula and learning materials, assistive technology, transcript options, possible graduation guidelines/high school programs for special learners, post-high school options, as well as offer tips for navigating the process of applying for testing accommodations for the college boards.