Love Teaching Writing

Most homeschool parents are somewhat intimidated by the prospect of teaching their children how to write. We want our children to be able to write well, but are not sure how to get to that place. Should we take a free-writing approach where children are just given space to write whatever they feel like writing, or a more structured approach where they learn a model or method? Writing is an area that we might find ourselves wanting to avoid for as long as possible, but it is also an area we know is a critical communication skill whether students move into a university education or not. This workshop will explore different types of writing, a variety of writing tools, and will help equip participants to take the next step in teaching their children to write.

Love Teaching Writing

A Beautiful World of Colour

Whatever your family’s reasons for choosing home education, do you ever feel like there is too much differentiation between “school time” and daily life? Have you identified your child’s learning styles and yet feel stumped in how to move forward in a traditional approach to school? How about engaging in a rich educational journey with your children? Inspired, whole life learning focuses on the journey and process rather than the outcomes and destinations. This approach to education embraces mentor rich communities and encourages everyone to be a learner (despite your age). Discover some practical ways to apply this lifestyle in your family, create flow between “school” and life, and join in some group discussion.

A Beautiful World of Colour

Homeschooling in Community

You are not alone. Learn how to effectively use your best local resource – other homeschool families! We will discuss the value of meeting together for support and encouragement, how to start a local mom’s group, possible resources, topics and meeting formats. We will also talk about how to organize gym nights: their purpose, facilities, sports and games for different ages. This will be an interactive workshop, so come prepared to share what your support group and gym nights look like so that we can all learn from one another.

Homeschooling in Community

Teaching Responsibility

There needs to be a bigger vision for homeschool life than checking boxes- we are developing a whole person! Long term goals for your children will inevitably include growing into maturity, including the ability to assume responsibility in various areas of life. Rather than being all serious business, learning to carry responsibilities early in life is best wrapped up in fun and enjoyment. Interested in finding ways to turn daily struggle into daily progress? Take the long term view and come hear ideas that can translate into happy, self-motivated kids.

Teaching Responsibility

Teaching Science

Why do we teach science? It is more than just the experiments and the facts that are learned. Gerald has been involved in practical applied science in his career as an agrologist for over 30 years. His message will be that teaching science is more than facts, test tubes and microscopes, and really is a primary basis for a foundation in critical thinking and logical analysis skills. Question and answer period will be included as well.

Teaching Science

Teaching the Bible at home

“Rightly dividing the Word of truth” with our children in our homes- are we maximizing this amazing privilege to its fullest potential? We will discuss where this privilege comes from, who is responsible for it, how we go about incorporating it into our daily lives, when is the right time to accomplish it and what is the desired result in our families. Let’s understand this privilege and fulfill our responsibility!

Teaching the Bible at home

Struggling Learner Panel

Along the homeschooling journey many find themselves the parent of a struggling learner. If you are one of these parents, myths such as “I’m not a good enough teacher,” “a ‘real’ teacher could do better,” or “homeschooling doesn’t work” may distract and discourage you. On this panel hear from those with experience teaching struggling learners. Glean from their life gathered insights and get your questions answered.

Struggling Learner Panel

Educational Philosophy & Choosing Curriculum

Have you ever wondered why there are so many curriculums to choose from and how they differ? Do you feel overwhelmed navigating the curriculum hall or browsing homeschooling catalogues? This session will give an overview of popular homeschooling methods and discuss the various curriculum options available to choose from. You will be challenged to consider what your educational philosophy is and how that should influence your curriculum choices. Come and be equipped with knowledge and understanding to make the best curriculum choices for your family.

Educational Philosophy & Choosing Curriculum

Before you begin

Interested in exploring homeschooling? Get your questions answered by experienced homeschool veterans. They will cover the topics:

Why might it suit your family and your children to homeschool?
How you would take those first steps?
What are the Manitoba requirements?
What supports and resources are out there?

Before you begin

Homeschooling from a Biblical Perspective

Are your children prepared to face the “Real World”? Learn how to equip your children to stand against the flood of secularism that threatens to drown them. What is your worldview? How are you going to transfer it to your children? Will you be more effective than the media and popular culture? Discover how to teach your children to view the core subjects (and all of life) through the lenses of scripture.

Homeschooling from a Biblical Perspective

Keeping Your Eyes on the Prize

You love your kids, and homeschooling…. most days! But how do you stay focused on those “not so great” days? Come add some tools to your tool box, by finding out how to dream and plan about learning WITH your kids, and how to keep your dream clear and in focus on those “trying” days. Come talk about paths, tomatoes, bathrooms and dreams, and leave feeling connected and encouraged to walk the path God has for you and your unique family. Matthew 6:20…. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…..

Keeping Your Eyes on the Prize

Before You Begin (BYB)

Interested in exploring homeschooling? Get your questions answered by experienced homeschool veterans. They will cover the topics:

Why might it suit your family and your children to homeschool?
How you would take those first steps?
What are the Manitoba requirements?
What supports and resources are out there?

You can also get answers to questions regarding the MACHS conference. You do not need to be attending the conference to benefit from this session.
If you decide to attend the conference, we will help you through registration. Come find out whether homeschooling could be right for you!

Before You Begin (BYB)

Raising Cain without killing Abel

Few things create more tension for parents than hearing their children fight with each other. But it’s nothing new, as the Bible clearly shows. Scripture also shows several causes of sibling rivalry AND teaches us how to deal with it effectively. Peace in your home really is possible! Come and hear how you can help your children learn to live at peace with each other, laying foundations for successful relationships all throughout life.

Raising Cain without killing Abel

Stepping Outside the School Box

Learning to embrace a natural, holistic way of education can make homeschooling doable and successful academically, spiritually and socially for both the students and the parents. It’s important to let go of our pre-conceived notions of what “school” should look like and instead major on the strengths of homeschooling – flexibility, real life learning, real books (living books), dialogue rather than formal tests, etc. Discover how to emphasize the benefits of homeschooling and avoid the burnout that happens when parents try to replicate a traditional school in their homes.

Stepping Outside the School Box

In the Valley of “How Long?”

Hard times come to every life. Most of us expect that. But sometimes a difficult season goes on so long that we wonder if it will ever end. In Psalm 13, David expresses the cry of all our hearts when he wonders, “O Lord, how long?” The struggles of life are given by God to every person and every family for a purpose. They come to us not because God doesn’t love us, but because He does.

In the Valley of “How Long?”

10 Ways to Boost Brain Power

We hear about the brain a lot these days and sometimes can be tempted to cram more book learnin’ into our children’s heads to produce little geniuses. But this is actually counter-productive. There are some important tips and tricks that you can easily incorporate into everyday learning and living to maximize your children’s learning potential. Come find out 10 key ways to help turn your child ON to learning and help that learning STICK!

10 Ways to Boost Brain Power

Peacemaking in your community

Are you experiencing conflict in your life? Is there conflict in your community that you would like to resolve? How can you be a peacemaker in your community? As a former litigation lawyer, and the oldest of seven children, Paul offers insight into the many forms of conflict we experience, and offers advice on how to be a peacemaker in these troubling situations.

Peacemaking in your community