Convention Time!

It is that time of year again...Convention Time! I love going to our state Convention (TPA Wichita.) I would probably love going to any state convention reallly, but ours is my favorite. I get to see homeschoolers from around the state and some friends that I only get to see once a year. I also get to put my hands on curriculum that I have been drooling over on the internet! I get to see vendors that I haven't met or haven't seen their products and I get to attend workshops that encourage, exort, convict, and teach.

It is just an all around great time!

But, it can be overwhelming the first few times. You register and start perusing the Vendor Hall in giddy anticipation. Then reality sets in and you start to panic. There are too many choices to look at and you can't rememeber what your friend told you you had to see so you put the information away for later.

Only later comes just a few days before Convention. A new level of panic takes over your body causing cold sweats and an upset stomach. There will be no way you are ready for Convention in time. None.

But wait. It doesn't have to be that way. Really, it doesn't. Convention can work FOR you not against you if you prepare and RELAX.

**One of the first things I do is register. That's easy enough, right? See, step one complete!

**Step two is to download and print the workshop schedule and vendor hall list. That's it. Don't do more than that if it is your first year. If you're a pro at conventions then take it away but do it quietly so the newbies don't freak out!

**Step three is to look at the workshop schedule with a pencil in hand. I start with a pencil because I always change my mind! I underline or circle the workshops that catch my eye the first time through. This will probably change the next time through and that's okay but for now just go with your initial choice. Then move to the Vendor Hall and do the same thing. Circle the ones you recognize or want to check out. Then leave them alone. Put it away and go play with your kids.

**Step four is a biggie. I enjoy this one but some don't and if you're a new homeschooler you might need to employ some help with this one. This step requires paper, pencils, erasers, time, and snacks! Depending on how many kids you have is how long this step will take. I have five kids so it takes me a while. Here's what you need to do.

--Make a list of the kids you are homeschooling. I like to have one piece of paper for each child because I make notes, change things, scribble, doodle, etc. Put the childs name on the top of the paper and you are ready to start. You will need to know your states requirements for classes so you know which subjects to cover but an easy way to start is 'reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic.' Once you have those basic subjects you can add in Spelling, Science, Foreign Language, or whatever subjects you want. Just make sure to cover the state regulations, please.

Here is are a couple of pics of what I have done in the past:

These pages are relatively clean compared to some years! I also have specific curriculum listed because I had been doing this for a while at this point. If you are new then you could just list out Math, Science, Language, with blanks beside them to be filled in later. Once you have this page filled out for each kid take a few minutes and just relax. *deep breath* Okay, how ya' doing? Are we good? Good! Now, it's time to start filling in the blanks. Chances are you know people that are already homeschooling and they have talked to you about the curriculum they use. Most of us start using things that were recommended to us-we may not keep using them but they are a good starting point. Fill in those spots. If you are borrowing the materials make sure to note that you have it so you won't waste time looking for it at convention. Still have some blank spots? That's okay. They will get filled in, I promise.

Stop there and grab a snack. I'll wait and have a snack myself.

Now, for the blank spots. Do you have some ideas for those? A couple of companies you want to look at? Write them down and circle them or star them or put question marks beside them; something that will help you remember to look for them. Don't have any ideas for the blank spots? Look at the list for the Vendor Hall and see if any of the vendors are what you are looking for. Visit their websites and check them out. If you like what you see write them down and highlight the booth on you list. If not, move right along.

As you are looking at the Vendor websites make sure you note any questions you have about their products on your list so you can ask them at convention. This is one of the best things about convention-talking to the publishers face to face and getting advice or help with their products.

Now, I would suggest making note somehow of what you need to buy along with what you already have. This is important because you don't want to end up buying something you don't need-not that I have done that or anything...ahem...keep reading, nothing to see here.

**Step five is taking us back to the Workshop schedule. Pull that baby back out and have a highlighter in hand. Read back over the workshops and see if you are still interested in your original choices. Yes? Highlight those puppies. No? Erase the marks and look for something else. Highlight the ones you want and make plans for shopping inbetween workshops. You are now ready to be inspired and encouraged!

**Step six is talk to your friends. I like this one!! See if they are going to the same workshops and sit beside each other. I know it sounds silly but everyone likes to see a familiar face, right? Plan to eat lunch with friends and even walk around the Vendor Hall together a few times. Especially if she is a veteran homeschooler!

**Step seven should happen just a few days before your convention. Get your notebooks, pens, pencils, and comfortable clothes picked out. Put everything into a binder or folder so it is all contained and easily pulled out. If you have one of those rolling carts be sure to bring it to haul your stuff around. If not, that's okay. Most conventions have a baggage check area where you can leave your items and come back for them later. Trust me, you DO NOT want to have to carry those bags around all day long. Get money for parking meters and lunch money ready. Scope out local places to eat so you're not scrambling during lunch break.

Don't forget to bring the list you made for each child with all your notes and questions handy. This baby will be pulled out, dog-eared, and marked up even more before convention is over!

When you finally get to convention you can relax and enjoy it because you have done all the prep work ahead of time.

Have any other suggestions for making convention going more enjoyable? Share them with all of us, please?!

 

Teaching Parents Association Homeschool Convention

Yes, I am behind in my posting. Again.

May 30th and June 1st was the dates for our local homeschool convention this year. It is put on by The Teaching Parents Association here in Wichita and they do a fantastic job. It is held at Century 2 convention center and is a two day event you shouldn't miss if you are in the mid-west.

This year we had the honor of listening to Carol Barnier and Israel Wayne as the main speakers as well as Andrew Pudewa and many others. The vendor hall was full of wonderful vendors and the workshops had useful information.

This is a convention put on for the local homeschoolers by local homeschoolers who care about our community. They are in the trenches for us every day helping to ensure our rights as homeschoolers. Plan on supporting the TPA at next year's convention. Until then, visit their website and facebook page to get information and help on your journey.

 

 

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Homeschool Happenings-TPA

We are blessed to have a local homeschool organization that coordinates graduations, conventions, field trips, and intercedes for us with the government.  Most of us take it for granted because it is always there. 

No longer. 

For the last few years I have had a building passion for the local homeschool convention.  The big conventions have bells and whistles and have advertising budgets that seemingly never end but let me tell you-they are cold and impersonal.  I have been to one of the 'big' ones and left with a lonely feeling.  There were tons of speakers-too many in my opinion-and a thousand vendors to roam through and still I felt lonely.  It wasn't personal to my area or people I knew. 

I guess what I'm saying is that it was sterile.  A cookie cutter homeschool idea that chaffed a bit.  I probably would go back to one if I knew some people that were going but I wouldn't seek it out.

Our local convention on the other hand is entirely different.  It is put on by our local Teaching Parents Association and they are involved in the homeschooling community here.  They are involved with the families the serve.  It shows in the convention.  They work hard to bring us vendors and speakers that will speak to where we are as a community and as families.  No, it isn't as big as the flashy conventions but it supports our community and our families in a way that those big ones can't. 

Another thought is that if we don't support our local conventions they will eventually go away.  Most of us are nowhere near a hub city that hosts a big convention so consequently we might never get to attend one.  And that's a shame.  There is something to be said for the camaraderie that is found on the vendor floor!

Teaching Parents Association (TPA) is a wonderful organization that supports our local homeschoolers in a variety of ways.  They have a monthly newsletter with articles and the latest happenings around the area.  They also have a website and Facebook page.  Check them out.  Like the FB page and show them your support.  Even if you are not local to the TPA, support them so that those that are local can hang on to them.  I am going to be working with them on their social media side to get the word out and help homeschoolers connect with each other and the resources out there.

Here is a bit of an article from the latest newsletter.  To read the full article head on over here on the TPA website and sign up for email delivery to come directly to you every month.

If You Ask About My Child
Carol Barnier
2013 TPA Convention Speaker

 At your homeschool support group you run into an old friend you haven’t seen in quite some time. You do a bit of catch-up, the chit chat goes on for awhile, and then, here it comes—the question you’ve been dreading—“So, how’s that daughter [or son] of yours doing?”     

 Paste on that smile. Take in a quick breath, but inside, die . . . just a bit. Of course, you know precisely which child she’s talking about—the one who surprised you all by turning her back on God, then the family, then all that you value, finally stepping solidly into the world and away from faith. Yeah. That kid.     

You are now at a crossroads in this conversation.
How will you respond?     
Well, you could choose Path A—tell the truth.     

My kid is in deep spiritual trouble. Her father and I are heartbroken. It’s been incredibly painful to watch her make so many poor choices. It’s even possible that we will not see the face of our child in heaven. And what’s more, we’re worried it might be our fault. Thanks for asking.     

Or, you could try Path B and do that little church-speak dance.     

Well, she’s finding herself, trying to determine what it is God wants of her at this point in her life. We’re still hoping she’ll become a surgeon on the mission field, but that may be more our wishes than God’s. [Insert quick laugh.] We’ll just have to wait and see. [Quick redirect.] So how’s your little Bobby doing? Is he still sending all his money to that orphanage in the Sudan? [Raise eyebrows, indicating eager anticipation. Wait for listener to launch into a Bobby-Praise report.]     

 I completely understand if the truth model makes your palms sweat. Frankly, hesitation is justified. There’s a good chance that if you open your heart and share your pain transparently with this sister in Christ, you may get whacked for it. By that I mean , she may be very quick to let you know that you must have screwed up somehow, or your child would have been faithful to the God of her youth.     

You would not be the first parent bludgeoned with the famous but misused “Train up a child . . .” passage from Proverbs. I know that many people still buy into the oft- believed but yet unscriptural interpretation that your child can not go wrong if you have parented right. But think about it …this interpretation would require God to become your vending machine.  Plug in just the right mix of coins and God is obligated to produce the snack treat of your choice.

To finish this article and read the rest of the TPA Newsletter head over to their website and sign up.  While you're there poke around and see what else they have to offer!