I was sarcastic lucky enough to win a ticket to the Heart of the Matter Online homeschool conference, which started yesterday. I missed the first two sessions (*BUMMED!*) but managed to catch the 3rd & 4th sessions yesterday, and all 4 sessions today. I am SO GLAD that I was able to get a ticket!! I really needed this! It’s a nice boost, just at the right time. I would encourage you, if you aren’t already attending this awesome online event, to click the graphic above and get your ticket to the rest of the week! Also, on March 6th they will be sending out links to ALL of the MP3 audios, slides, and handouts (I believe) to all of the workshops… so if you missed any, like I did, you will be able to listen to them and have the transcripts for them, too, and you can go over them any time! I am looking forward to THAT too! Tickets are $12.95 and totally worth it!
Monday’s Workshops were:
- Planning for Learning—Homeschool Planning the Charlotte Mason Way- Sheila Carroll (Missed it!) Her handouts and other things are fantastic! I got those!
- Reading Aloud: The Key to Language Development – Diane Lockman(Missed it!)
- Classical Astronomy: The Biblical Purpose for the Sun, Moon and Stars- Jay Ryan: Encouraged us to be sure to tie in God’s Word and purposes when studying astronomy. It was very hard to hear him though. We already studied the solar system less than a year ago, and so I confess, I sort of tuned out halfway through…
- What Are You Thinking? Learning Styles and Beyond- Carol Barnier: She gave LOTS of great ideas for working with children who have vastly different learning styles than their siblings, or their mothers (LOL). Encouraged us to allow them to work within their learning style, even if it may not be logical TO US. Good stuff!
Today’s Workshops were:
- Learning in Spite of Labels- Joyce Herzog: Reinforced some truths I already knew, and gave me encouragement to keep working at my son’s pace and not push! I have 2 of her books, and this was a good recap for me.
- Beginning Lapbooking- Katie Kubesh: Enouraged me that I CAN lapbook with my kids, and ideas on how to be flexible with special needs. Also reminded me of HOW MUCH they can learn when it’s hung on the framework of a lapbook project.
- I’m Homeschooling, but I’m NOT HAPPY- Dari Mullins: Reminded us that the only perfect person was Jesus, and that WE can’t be perfect, can’t do it all, and shouldn’t even try. Great quotes from her! “Homeschooling is NOT a sprint- Homeschooling is a marathon.” “Accept where you are, and trust God for the rest!”, “Put away paralyzing perfectionism”
- Essential Science- Jim Mueller: His premise is that all of science is based on physics, and that science should be hands-on. I couldn’t agree more! He also recommended hands-on physics for ages 9+, and we’re not quite there yet so it was not the most useful one for me.
All in all I’m really glad that I have the chance to be a part of this! I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s too, especially the first 3 sessions. Bright and early for me, at 6:30am tuned in to the computer, rather than in bed until 7am, and I haven’t done my Bible in 90 Days reading for today yet, because of the conference all morning, and homeschooling the boys… Off to do that now! Hope to see more of you in the Conference chat tomorrow! 
Momma’s Talk