9-5pm at Harmony House, 541Ruahine St., Palmerston North. $15 per person or couple or $5 per session.
Explore the many facets of the growing movement to educate your own children at home, providing a curriculum tailor-made to fit your children’s interests, abilities and learning styles. You can be in charge of what values they do and don’t get exposed to, how fast they advance and the levels of work and discipline that you are convinced are best.
Long-time home educating parents of eight, Craig & Barbara Smith plus former teacher and now home educator Erena Fussell, who have a combined total of 51 years’ experience teaching their own children at home, will explore legal and curriculum issues, burnout, motivation, vision, practical issues and more. A range of resource material will also be on display from the Home Education Foundation, LearnEX, Geneva Books, Dayspring Christian Academy, Issacharian Books, plus second hand items. More information at www.hef.org.nz, barbara@hef.org.nz or ring 357-4399.
More information on some of the workshop sessions:
1st Session:
Living Room Adventures - History alive in your own home! Combine it with related literature and you enliven your study and your children’s minds even more. Examples and discussion time.
Home Education - Getting things into Perspective”
This would be a good keynote message. It is an all round message - something for everyone. Covers things like:
What”s it all about
Schooling versus education
Character training
Can I do this: parents’ qualifications
Tutoring/Mentoring
Where is this going: developing vision
Some comments from those who have attended this workshop in the past:
Great input from Craig Smith on stepping back and looking at the “big picture” of why and how we are home educating.
Thought provoking and interesting. Took on board idea of evaluating & teaching “our” kids to their abilities and interests.
Entertaining - good shot at a very broad subject.
Craig Smith is just gold! Whatever conferences you have, you MUST have Craig!
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2nd Session:
“Getting Started, dealing with MOE/ERO, pulling children out of School, doing exemption form etc”
Legal aspects; curriculum materials; educational approaches A comment about this elective:
Excellent. Practical and helpful information presented in a relaxed style - I took heaps of notes. I would recommend this session.
“Avoiding Burnout - Keeping Going When the Going Gets Tough” 1 1/2 hrs
Symptoms of burnout
Causes of home school burnout
Strategies for avoiding burnout
Comments made to us after this talk:
I was going to send my children back to school until I heard you give this talk. Now I am going to keep home educating them
I was really worried about home schooling. I didn’t think I could do it. After hearing this talk I’m going back to fill in my exemption form.
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3rd Session -
“Choosing or Developing Your Own Curriculum” Exploring a number of issues around choosing a curriculum or developing your own.
“Training Our Children’s minds”, “The Tools of Learning” and “Motivation”
Barbara takes the Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric stages of a classical education and applies it to a Hebrew/Interpersonal approach. This is a good workshop no matter what curriculum you are using or not using.
Here are some comments made about these electives:
Very valuable info picked up from this session
I would like to let you know how much I enjoyed your talk - and how very inspired it left me! My children are all under 10, so we began straight away (we have been un-schooling), and after only one week, all the kids are doing really well. (So am I - I like the simplicity.) So, thank you very much - keep up the good work. Kind Regards, Vicki.
Thanks sooo much for your time on Saturday at WHSA. I enjoyed listening to you both. Barbara, I am going to introduce your memory box - daily, weekly etc! - Love Leanne
Thank you for all the work you did to prepare and present the classical homeschooling workshops in South Auckland. It was a real encouragement. Thank you for sharing your vision for homeschooling. Thank you for generously giving your time in this way, for sharing your love for the Lord and how that translates into educating your children. Love, Tarnya
I went to the homeschool workshop last weekend, and it was lovely to see some of you there. Barbara Smith led some excellent workshops on classical education. I was renewed in my vision for where we are going and in the joy of the journey!
Good explanation of the logic stage in classical education. Still very down-to-earth and practical. Appreciated finding out about resources.
Some comments in the Wellington Home Schoolers Association newsletter:
The Classical Education session was what I enjoyed, especially the reminder that one to the best things I could do for my children was to read myself and also to read to the children more. I like the idea of memory cards for maths facts, memory verses, poems, etc. Kaye
I particularly enjoyed the Classical Education session led by Barbara Smith. I realised I have trained my mind very successfully to “forget”, rather than remember. I have instigated the memory card idea in our home, and am now focusing on training minds to “remember”. Jennifer
The idea that grabbed my attention in the Classical Education session was that after the children have mastered the basic facts, it should only take 2-4 years to teach them the tools of learning! i.e. how to write an essay, take notes, summarise material, and how to research, etc. Once they have the tools they can then learn whatever they want to, and hopefully you will then have a motivated, independent learner. The other idea that I found helpful is the one about the stages of learning - the age of knowledge when facts are easily learned, followed by the age of understanding, which is then followed by the wisdom age, when things will be applied. Jocelyn
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4th Session: again either will be good according to your needs here:
“Home Educating Through Secondary and Preparing For Tertiary Education and the Workforce”
Changing the Heart of a Rebel (For preventing rebellion and dealing with it; Christian presentation)
Venue: Reformed Church, 541 Ruahine St., Palmerston North Cost: $15 per family or $5.00 per session Contact: Barbara, (06) 357-4399, barbara@hef.org.nz
Programme
9:00am - Registration, look at curriculum/books stands
9:15 - Welcome & Notices
9:30-10:30 - 2 Electives
1.Erena Fussell of LearnEx: Living Room Adventures: History alive in your own home! Combine it with related literature and you enliven your study and your children’s minds even more. Examples and discussion time.
2.Craig Smith: Getting Things into Perspective (including Dad’s essential role and how we can reform the future through home education).
10:30-11:00 - Morning Tea, look at stands
11:00-12:30 - 2 Electives
1. Craig Smith: Getting Started / Dealing with MOE & ERO
2. Barbara Smith: Avoiding Burnout-Keeping Going When the Going Gets Tough
12:30-1:00 - BYO lunch. Drinks provided, look at stands
1:00-2:30 - 2 Electives
1. Craig: Choosing or Developing Your Own Curriculum
2. Barbara: Training our Children’s Minds-The Tools of Learning and Motivation
2:30-3:00 - Afternoon Tea, look at stands
3:00-4:30 - 2 Electives
1. Craig: Home Educating Through Secondary and Preparing For Tertiary and the Workforce
2. Barbara: Changing the Heart of a Rebel(For preventing rebellion and dealing with it; Christian presentation)
Wellington, Lunchtime Q&A session with Christian Academics (12pm-1pm).
Wellington, Public Lecture, “Do we still need God in a self-sufficient age?” (7pm).
Wednesday 11- Saturday 14 June
Wellington, Victoria University, Conference: “Molinism: The Contemporary Debate“.
Saturday 14 June
Live Interview on Radio NZ National with Kim Hill (8.15am).
Sunday 15 June
Palmerston North, “A Perfectly Reasonable Faith”, Two Combined Morning Church Services (additional details here) (Central Baptist Church and Crossroads) (9am and 10:45am). Cost = FREE.
Palmerston North, Evening Church Service: “Does suffering disprove existence of a good and powerful God?“, Christian Community Church (map) (7pm-8:30pm). Cost = FREE.
Monday 16 June
Auckland, “A Critical Response to Richard Dawkins“, Lecture at LR1, Bible College on New Zealand, 80 Central Park Drive, Henderson (7pm).
Auckland, Philosophy Department Seminar (pending).
Wednesday 18 June
Tauranga, “Christian Apologetics: Who needs it?” Bethlehem Community Church Centre, 183 Moffat Road (1pm-3pm).
Tauranga, “Is God a Delusion?“, Bethlehem Community Church Centre, 183 Moffat Road (7pm).
Thursday 19 June
Palmerston North, “Is God a Delusion?” - a public debate between Bill Cooke, vice president of the NZ Assoc. of Rationalists and Humanists, and William Lane Craig. The Regent Theatre on Broadway, Outreach at Town Hall (7pm-8:45pm). Cost = FREE.
Friday 20 June
Palmerston North, “Creation or Coincidence: The biggest question?”, a public lecture at the Russell Room at Wharerata at Massey University, (12:10pm-1:30pm). Cost = FREE.
Friday 20 June (7:30pm-9pm)
Palmerston North, “Who was Jesus of Nazareth?”, An evening of conversation and public outreach service with William Lane Craig, St. Albans Church, 339 Albert Street, Palmerston North. Cost = FREE.
Programme:
11:00-12.30
“Avoiding Burnout - Keeping Going When the Going Gets Tough”
12:30-1:00pm lunch - bring your own cut lunch and drinks
1.00-2:30pm
“Choosing or Developing Your Own Curriculum”
“Training Our Children’s minds”, “The Tools of Learning” and “Motivation”
“The Vital Nature of Reading Aloud”
7-9pm two sessions
1. “Educating through Secondary and Preparing for Tertiary Education and the Workforce” with Craig Smith
2. “Getting Started in Home Education” with Barbara Smith
With plenty of time for questions during each session.
Greetings Happy New Year 2007 is starting with a bang with heaps of things happening. Be sure to check out what is happening in your area. There are activities from Auckland to Invercargill. And if you live north of Auckland check with your support group. Actually that goes with each area of New Zealand as this is only some of the activities that we know about.
January/February 2007 South Island Home Education Workshopshttp://www.hef.org.nz/page/889313 Please note that the early bird price for the Christchurch workshop finishes tomorrow 11/01/07 Workshops and meetings in Nelson, Westport, Hokitika, Invercargill, Dunedin, Oamaru, Christchurch and Blenheim. The Dunedin programme will be up on the website soon.
For back issues of Keystone check out http://www.hef.org.nz/page/888053 We are still putting these up so please call back often to get the ones you missed
For back issues of TEACH Bulletin check out http://www.hef.org.nz/page/882569 Both Keystone and TEACH Bulletin on this website will be 12 months behind the issue that the subscribers get.
Below is our South Island itinerary for January/February 2007. We look forward to meeting up with many of our South Island friends and family.
Blessings Barbara
January and February South Island Workshops
Continually being updated
Saturday, 20 Jan 2007 Workshop in Nelson
Time: 7:30pm-9:00pm
Venue: Richmond Baptist Church, 123 Salisbury Rd., Richmond, Nelson.
Cost: $5 per family
Contact: Karen Dawson, (03) 544-0752, kmdawson@xtra.co.nz 3 Electives
1.Reforming the Future Through Christian Home Education - Craig Smith
2. Training Our Children’s Minds, Tools of Learning and Motivation - Barbara Smith
3. Princesses with a Purpose and Titus 2 Bootcamp (for young ladies) Genevieve Smith
Monday, 22 Jan 2007 Workshop in Westport
Time: 3:00pm-9:00pm
Venue: Union Church, cnr Queen & Wakefield Sts.
Cost: $10
Contact: Bridget Kitchin, (03) 789-6464, kitchinfamily@xtra.co.nz Programme
3:00 - Registration
3:30-5:00 2 Electives
1. Reforming the Future Through Christian Home Education - Craig Smith
2. Training Our Children’s Minds, Tools of Learning and Motivation - Barbara Smith
5:00 - Please bring a contribution for the shared dinner. Hot drinks provided.
6:00-7:30 3 Electives
1. Dad’s Essential Role in Christian Home Education - Craig Smith
2. Training Our Children/Youth to Be Pure - Barbara Smith
3. Princesses with a Purpose and Titus 2 Bootcamp (for young ladies) Genevieve Smith
8:00-9:00 - Getting Things into Perspective - Craig Smith
Tuesday, 23 Jan 2007 Workshop in Hokitika
Time: 7:30pm-9:00pm
Venue: Hokitika Church of Christ, cnr Stafford & Sale Sts.
Cost: $5.00
Contact: Sonya McGarvey, (03) 755-5300, mcgarveyls@snap.net.nz
Saturday, 27 Jan 2007 Workshop in Invercargill
Time: 2:00pm-8:00pm
Venue: Otatara Community Church, 46 Oreti Rd., Otatara
Cost: $10 per family
Contact: Joy Gibson, (03) 214-4493, briangibson@xtra.co.nz ; Liz Tosh, (03) 248-5084
Programme
2:00pm - Registration
2:30 - 4:00 2 Electives
1. Getting Started, dealing with MOE/ERO, pulling children out of School, doing exemption form, etc- Craig Smith
2. Training Our Children’s Minds, Tools of Learning and Motivation - Barbara Smith
4:00 - 4:30 Afternoon Tea
4:30 - 6:00 2 Electives
1. Reforming the Future Through Christian Home Education - Craig Smith
2. Avoiding Burnout-Keepinig Going When the Going Gets Tough - Barbara Smith
6:00 - Please bring a contribution for the shared dinner. Hot drinks provided.
7:00 - 8:00 Getting Things Into Perspective - Craig Smith
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2007 Public Meeting, Oamaru
Time: 7:30pm-9:00pm
Venue: The Drill Hall, Itchen St.
Cost: $5.00
Contact: Margaret, (03) 434-5552, blackdash@xtra.co.nz Address: Is It Possible to Discipline Children in Our Undisciplined Society - Craig Smith
Thursday, 1 Feb 2007 BACK TO (HOME) SCHOOL - HOME EDUCATING CONFERENCE Christchurch
Contact: Paulette, (03) 312-9557, mpfawcett@xtra.co.nz Venue: Parklands Baptist Church
Costs: Earlybird registration $15 per family (by 11 January)
Late registration $20 per family Click here for Registration Form Plus children’s programme and workshop costs as noted below
8am–9.45am Registrations and Curriculum Fair
Local resource providers will be present. There is also an opportunity for people to sell used resources. A limited number of ½ trestle table sites will be available. See registration form to book your site. Enjoy your cuppa while you browse.
10am-12pm Workshops
10–11am 3 Sessions
A. Lap packs – Adrienne Braam and Stephanie Shaw – cost……..
B. The Gift of Reading; exploring and enjoying literature Linda Gage
C. Setting Priorities – Paulette Fawcett
11.05–12.05 3 sessions
A. - Linda Gage & Paulette Fawcett.
B. ERO Reviews – Adrienne Braam and Panel of recent reviewees
C. Teens – Lennie Harrison – cost $15
12.05-1pm Lunch BYO Please collect your children from the Children’s Programme.
1pm Keynote session – Craig Smith- Getting things in Perspective, and a Vision for the future
2–3pm 2 Electives
A. Craig: The Vital Nature of Reading Aloud
B. Barbara: Love and Consistent Discipline
3–3.30pm Afternoon tea
3.30–4.30pm 2 Electives
C. Craig: Developing and Choosing your Curriculum
D. Barbara: Training Our Children’s Minds
4.45–6pm Session – Craig and Barbara Smith – Keeping Going when the going gets tough - Marriage
6-7.30 pm Dinner Break Book stalls will be open from 7pm
7.30-9.30 Public Meeting Craig Smith – Is it possible to discipline our children in an undisciplined society? And Section 59 Issues Gold coin entry for those who have not attended the conference – please invite your friends and family.
Fri, 2 Feb 2007 Workshop in Blenheim
Time: 7:30pm-9:00pm
Venue: Riverdale Community House, 131 Budge St., Blenheim
Cost: $5.00
Contact: Reena, (03) 570-5143, tatts.family@slingshot.co.nz Programme
1. Discussion with Craig & Barbara Smith: bring your questions.
2. Staying at Home vs Going to School by Genevieve Smith (To help students determine whether to stay at home or go to school for secondary years.)
We have just begun the planning today for a trip around the South Island at the end of January to speak at Home Education Workshops and Meetings. We are looking at having meetings in Nelson, Westport, Hokitika, Wanaka, Invercargill, Dunedin, Oamaru, Christchurch and Blenheim. The final programme may look different to this. If you would like us to call in while we are in the South Island then please contact me.
Craig and Barbara Smith and their 8 home educated children and 3 Grandchildren: Genevieve (born 1980) and Pete (married 2008 with Natalie 2008 and...); Zachariah (1981) and Megan (married 2005 with Cheyenh 2007 and Dusti 2009); Alanson (1984); Charmagne (1987); Jeremiah (born Mitchell 1992 and now adopted); Jedediah (born 1997 and now adopted); Kaitlyn (born 2000 and now adopted); Grace (born 2005 guardianship).
We use a Biblical/Hebrew/Classical approach to our home education.
Whatever conferences you have, you MUST have Craig!
Stumble It!
