A Road Map for New Homeschoolers

The journey of homeschooling can be overwhelming, especially for those just starting out. This unique workshop covers the basics such as philosophy, curriculum options, learning types and other needed information. It also reveals ways that each homeschool family can discover THEIR homeschool journey and navigate their own customized path through the homeschool world.

Be a Wife First

Sometimes it seems impossible to juggle all of our responsibilities and still be a good wife. Often our husbands are overlooked or taken for granted, but one of the keys to a successful homeschool is a strong marriage. One of the keys to a strong marriage is a positive physical relationship between husband and wife. This topic is not often spoken of in homeschooling circles, however we are confronted with it on a daily basis in the media and advertising . We are bombarded by the world’s view of physical intimacy, but what does God say about this issue? Come learn how to be a wife first and enjoy your marital relationship. **Note: This workshop will not be graphic, however it does deal with a very private marital issue therefore no men or children will be allowed in this session. (****Note for those deciding on topics: As a pastor’s wife and homeschool leader I have noticed the increasing need for this issue to be taught. It is a subject that God has put on my heart and if this workshop is selected I promise it will be handled in the most delicate manner. The material comes from a conservative, Christian perspective . This workshop is EXTREMELY well attended and I do have a CD available if desired.

Cooking Up Some School

Think you don’t have time, money or ideas for some extra fun in your homeschool? You do not have to plan elaborate crafts or drawn out projects to provide your children with hands-on learning opportunities. Many subjects can be enhanced in the kitchen. Come learn some creative ways to expand geography, history, science, art, math and other subjects through activities involving cooking. Suggestions, recipes and list of resources will be provided.

Effective Leadership

Being an effective leader is a difficult task. God gives us examples of many great leaders in His Word and we can learn from their experiences. By following a few basic principles you can learn to be a dynamic, successful leader. In this session Dari will reveal these principles and illustrate ways to apply them in your organization. Basic outline of workshop: L - Lead by serving E - Establish a good team A- Advise and Admonish others D- Delegate responsibly E- (Be an) Example to others R- Relinquish control when time I will use an example from the Bible as well as some modern examples to illustrate each point and the sub points under those topics.

Fantastic Field Trips

Do you want to plan exciting field trips for your family? Does your group need a little help in getting started? This seminar will cover the basics of field trips. Planning and implementing strategies will be given to help you maximize your field trips. A checklist for setting up your trips - near or far - will be provided. Come join us and discover the benefits that field trips can add to your homeschool.

Global Explorations – Geography Across the Curriculum

Do you think geography is a useless subject? Does your child have trouble remembering where countries are located? Are you confused as to how much geography is really needed? This seminar is designed to inspire you to include this often overlooked subject into your homeschool and help you realize geography doesn’t have to be endless mapping or boring memorization. Teaching suggestions to help you integrate geography into a variety of subjects will be discussed. Recommendations and resources for fun and interesting ways to teach geography as a separate subject will also be presented.

Help! My Teenager is Acting like a Toddler!!

When your children outgrew the terrible twos and threes you thought that difficult time was over, only to be surprised about ten years later with an even harder time – the tumultous teenage years! Dari has three teenagers at home and has developed some strategic ways of dealing with teenagers. Describing the similarities in toddlers and teenagers this session will have you laughing and learning how to turn these often dreaded years into the most precious years of all.

How to have S.U.C.C.E.S.S. in Your Homeschool

Do you feel like you are ever striving for success and yet never obtaining it? Sometimes we need to stop and analyze our definition of success. Are we defining success by others’ standards or by God’s standards? Every year of homeschooling, presents different circumstances and challenges. Come join us as we discuss a method to ensure success every year, no matter what we face. This seminar focuses on the broad heart issues which build the foundation for continued success, regardless of curriculum choice, ages of children, or number of years you have been homeschooling. Dari will encourage you to build your foundation of success on Truth, as well as give you concrete suggestions to implement in your homeschool.

I have no time to be organized!

Running a household while homeschooling is a daunting task. Dari describes ways to utilize simple tools to manage your home while educating your children. Learn what things hinder order in our lives and a specific customized plan that can be used by anyone to manage all the demands on a homeschool family. Topics include home, school and time management . A list of recommended reading will also be provided.

I’m Homeschooling, but I’m NOT HAPPY

Are you worn-out, ill and tired of all the demands on you as a homeschooler? We are supposed to enjoy this adventure called homeschooling, but often we don’t. We grow weary, loose patience and sometimes want to give up. Dari will encourage you with lessons from her own life and give you a formula to capture the enjoyment of homeschooling.

I’m Teaching, but My Child Isn’t Learning

Are you and your child frustrated by your current teaching methods? Teaching involves more than pencils, paper and books. There are many different facets including learning styles, modality, personality traits, and environment that all affect your child’s ability to learn. This workshop will cover the main factors to look for when your child is struggling. It will provide some diagnostic resources to help you determine which of these factors need to be addressed in order to improve your child’s performance and overall satisfaction.

It’s OK to ask God “Why?”

The Christian life means times of trials and tribulation. When we go through these valleys it is often a cold and lonely place. We feel guilty with some of the emotions we experience during these dark times. In this session Dari will use examples from the Scripture as well as personal examples to comfort and encourage you. The cycle of emotions we experience during our trials is normal, but we must learn how to use these feelings to stand strong and not become bitter. We must learn how to keep our life as a wife, mom, and teacher going even when we want to quit and hide in a corner. Come join us as we learn, laugh and cry together.

Let's Be R.E.A.L.

Are you intimidated by the achievements of other homeschoolers? Are you worried that your children don’t “measure up”? Are you afraid that your children will never get the opportunities of other “overachievers” that you know or read about? Come join us for a R.E.A.L.-ity check. We will examine those areas of life that are most important to remember when we start to compare ourselves and our children to everyone else. We will discuss ways to encourage yourself and focus on those things your homeschool family IS achieving instead of focusing on those areas that you feel inadequate.

Let’s be REAL Leaders

Leaders know the importance of their role in the organization, but it’s easy to loose sight of who they are as a person. It is important that we be genuine with those who we are leading. Come be encouraged as REAL leaders and focus on the heart of leadership. This workshop differs from the one above in that it focuses more on the spirit of leadership rather than the actual tasks involved in leading. Basic outline of workshop: R – Be real in our RELATIONSHIPS including those with God, Family, and those in our organization E – Be real in our EXPECTATIONS. Those we put on ourselves, others, our organization and those expectations that God puts on us. A – Be real in our ATTITUDES which includes responsibility, commitment, perseverance, joy, contentment, honesty and openness L – Be real in our LIMITS. We need to know how much we can do within the bounds God gives us.

Loving and Learning with Lefties

Do you have a left-handed child or are you left-handed? While our world caters mostly to right-handed people many of the most creative, adventurous and successful people are left-handed. Lefties are usually messier, dreamier and more emotional, but they are also usually smarter. Come learn the different ways they think, how to teach them and how blessed you are to have a lefty in your family.

Motivate Learning with Adventure

Are you looking for something different than the traditional textbook/workbook approach? Do you long for unit studies for the elementary child, not ones written for older and younger children? If you want to make learning an adventure rather than a chore, then this workshop is for you. Dari will demonstrate creative ways to adapt any topic into a unit study for the preschool and elementary age child.

Nifty Notebooking

Notebooks are a tried and true method utilized throughout history. Famous Americans such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both educated themselves through the establishment of personal notebooks. Learn ways to encourage your child to be a producer rather than a consumer and foster mastery of a topic through the production of their own notebook. Various methods and different types of notebooks will be demonstrated.

Poetry in the Homeschool

Poetry can seem like an illusive subject that we never find the time to include in our busy schedules. We will clarify the “mystery of poetry” and learn easy, yet thorough ways to incorporate the beauty of poetry in education. Give your children a true appreciation for the word music of poetry. We will explore ways to analyze and make poetry fun without losing its literary value. Children are naturally drawn to poetry and can enjoy the rhythm and form at any age. Come join us as we fall in love with poetry and open new doors for ourselves and our children.

S.T.R.E.S.S and the Homeschool Mom

Most homeschool mothers fall victim to stress at some level on a daily basis. This is not healthy physically, emotionally or spiritually for the mother. It also affects the entire family in a detrimental way. There are several major causes of stress in a homeschool mother’s life. We will explore each of these and provide practical ways to deal with this common problem. Come join us and learn how to D.E.-S.T.R.E.S.S your life and enjoy living again

Social Media: Tool or Tyrant?

What is social media? Should I let my kids participate in all of these sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and MySpace? This new form of networking is here to stay and homeschool parents need to make informed decisions for their family. Dari will give you an overview of the some of the major sites available, discuss ways to monitor and safeguard your children, and show you ways to make this a tool rather than a tyrant.

Technology for the Homeschool

Are you tired of using traditional pen and paper in your homeschool? Do you want to utilize technology to enhance your homeschool? From keeping digital records to using an IPod, Dari will discuss the advantages of using technology to streamline your efforts. The purpose of this workshop is to inform you of the different ways you can utilize technology and give you some safeguards and hints on ways to control this sometimes feared element of our society.

Timelines that Teach

There is more to history than just memorizing people and dates. The events in history weave a story that is captivating when all of the pieces are placed in context. Even the most reluctant learner will delight in discovering that Florence Nightingale met Queen Victoria and that Beethoven’s first works were printed the same year the British recognized the independence of the US. The best way to help children make these interesting connections is with a timeline. Timelines help children master the order of events in relation to the people involved, thus increasing retention. Dari will cover different types of timelines as well as fun things to do with them. She will also provide suggestions and resources to help you discover the best way to make timelines work for your family.

Use Projects to Enhance Learning

Some of our best learning in school took place when a teacher had us work on a project to learn about a specific topic. As homeschoolers we have the perfect atmosphere to enhance our children’s education with projects. These may be small one hour projects or large projects for a competition. Many parents feel overwhelmed at the idea of planning and utilizing projects. Come learn simple ideas for projects and a method of organization that can be taught to your child. Projects help children break down information and use thinking skills that will be with them for life. Examples of several projects including history and science projects will be available.

Use Sports to Enhance Your Homeschool

Sports are usually an afterthought to most homeschoolers, however they can be very beneficial to your children. Besides the obvious physical benefits, sports can provide many other positive elements to your homeschool experience. Social, physiological and personal aspects will be discussed and examined. Providing sports opportunities for the older student will also be included.

Why am I REALLY doing this?

There are many reasons that people choose to homeschool. Once only a conservative Christian movement, homeschooling has gone main stream. We will discuss the main reasons for choosing to teach your children at home and the strengths of each. This seminar will emphasize the Biblical reasons, encouraging parents to focus on the eternal benefits of homeschooling. Come join us for a time of reflection and renew your commitment to this lifestyle which can be overwhelming at times.

Cantering the Country

with Loree Pettit

Geography Matters 2005

Galloping the Globe

with Loree Pettit

Geography Matters 2004