I began this blog to create an on going yearbook of our homeschool chronicling our highs & lows with photo's and journaling. Through the past few months I have really enjoyed getting to know so many homeschool moms and their families. Being a Homeschoolblogger has been both fun and encouraging. Please make yourself comfortable and enjoy getting to know us and how we learn at home!
I'm all pumped up after being at the New York State Home School Convention today! Andrew Pudewa (Institute for Excellence in Writing) was the keynote speaker and he was EXCELLENT! I sat in on three of his sessions today and they were all very interesting --- plenty of great information and he gave some practical ways to implement his suggestions in our homes. The three sessions he gave today were called:
Changing Your Home School Paradigm
Cultivating an Excellent Writer
Teaching Boys (and other children who would rather be building forts all day)
In his second workshop he stressed the importance of reading aloud to all your children everyday. I wrote about my desire to do this a few months ago. I have been reading aloud more but only with my younger two and Mr. Pudewa's challenge today has motivated me to find some reading material my whole family would enjoy. He gave us "permission" to use books on tape too!!
I also sat in on a workshop all about Right Brained Learners. I've heard the term many times but now understand it much better. The speaker was Dianne Craft, she had soooo much to tell us in a short amount of time - it was difficult to keep up. Afterwards, she was at her booth and was kind enough to talk with me a few minutes. I do, in fact, have at least one right brained learner and if your familiar with with this concept I have determined his "writing gate' is closed. I'm hoping to start the retraining/repatterning exercises with him and will post about our experience. She recommend her book - " Brain Integration Therapy Manual". The retraining will take 6 months but she encouraged us that results will be seen after three. I'm really excited about this because it has been a burden on my heart for this child and since I have been praying for wisdom about this, I'm feeling this is God answering me.
One last event I went to was a "Ladies Tea". This was a nice little break from all the business of the convention. The was a group of about 50 women who came apart for fellowship, tea and cookies, and encouragement. I will share more about the theme "Invisible Woman" soon.
All in all, I think this was the best convention I've been too. It was a blessing to be able to attend with my sister-in-law this year. And to my dear husband who took the day off from work to be the kids --- You Rock!! xoxooxoxoxooxoxo
Can't get to your state's home school convention this year? Guess what, you can download and listen to a dozen different home school speakers at Homeschool Convention.com. Did I mention it's FREE?
Untitled Comment
Noted by Ruth on Thursday, June 5, 2008 at
6:42 PM Link
Amy,
I also have a right brained learner. I would have loved to listen to that workshop. I am at a loss at times on how to teach him. Please share as much as you can. I will be anxiously waiting.
I read to both of the kids aloud daily. I love it. They enjoy it, too.
Blessings,
Ruth
Saxon Algebra 2
Streams of Civilization I
Advanced Biology
CLE English 10
Perspectives of Life in Literature
Bible
Artistic Pursuits
Spanish I
Fallacy Detectives
Latina Christiana
Currently Reading:
Do Hard Things
"Jordan" 7th Grade
Teaching Textbooks Math 7
MOH - Early Church History
Science - Botany
Winston Grammar
Creative Writing
Bible
Typing
Soccer
Latina Christiana
The Fallacy Detectives
Currently Reading:
Danny Orlis Series
"Jesse" 3rd Grade
Saxon Math 3
CLE Language Arts 3
MOH - Early Church History
Science - Botany
Abeka Health
Bible
BJU Readers
Piano
Soccer
Art (Co-op Class)
Currently Reading:
A to Z Mysteries
"Joshua" Age Three.
ABC's & 123's
Sharing
Manners
Using Scissors
Listening skills
puzzles