2010 Mini Conference Schedule

June 11-13, 2010

Mark your calendars for the Learning Resources Fair & Homeschool Mini Conference. We've added some great opportunities to learn more about homeschooling from some very qualified and experienced speakers.

New to or considering homeschooling? A veteran entering a new phase of homeschooling? We have sessions for just about everyone from the how-to's of homeschooling, homeschooling high school to dealing with the special needs of children.

Suggested donation is $10 per session or $25 for the entire weekend (per family).

FRIDAY, JUNE 11:

3-4:30 pm Homeschooling 101 Panel Discussion & Q & A Interested in learning more about homeschooling? This is the how-to of homeschooling from reporting to school districts, your rights and responsibilities, discovering various homeschooling styles and philosophies to where to find resources and get support. Meet our panel of past and current homeschoolers, learn from their experiences and ask questions.

5:30 -7 pm Non-linear Thinking in a Linear World Josh Shaine A majority of people process thought in a straight-ahead, 1-then-2-then-3 fashion. But others -- including many gifted kids -- put their thoughts together differently. Josh will discuss how this affects the learning of many homeschooled children. Josh Shaine is a migrant teacher, working for homeschool families, public and private schools, and whatever else comes down the pike. He works predominantly with gifted children, with a focus on underachievers and gifted issues. He is also slowly researching non-linear thinking styles.

SATURDAY, JUNE 12:

9-10:30 am Homeschooling 101 Panel Discussion & Q & A Interested in learning more about homeschooling? This is the how-to of homeschooling from reporting to school districts, your rights and responsibilities, discovering various homeschooling styles and philosophies to where to find resources and get support. Meet our panel of past and current homeschoolers, learn from their experiences and ask questions.

10:30 am - 12 pm Learning Differences: Practical Tools and Priorities Diana Abramo All people have different profiles of current strengths and struggles with various “brain jobs”. Thus, all people learn differently. After a quick overview of major tools and methods to describe different learning profiles, we will discuss prioritizing: when and how to work around or challenge weaker areas, and when to just focus on strengths. Diana Abramo is an educational therapist. She focuses on helping children (and their parents) identify their neurological learning profiles to modify and prioritize learning. She has an Ed.M. in Mind, Brain and Education from Harvard; her advisor was Howard Gardner (Multiple Intelligences). She has a certificate in 2E and has completed Mel Levine’s training. She is the mother of two homeschooled children.

12:30 – 2 pm Homeschooling with Chronic Illness Sheila Statlender Many students with chronic illness find it difficult to learn within traditional educational settings: the unpredictability of their symptoms, as well as fluctuating levels of energy and attention, pose significant challenges. Homeschooling offers the opportunity for self-pacing, as well as the freedom to identify academic pursuits compatible with one’s interests, capabilities and health status. Come and explore homeschooling as a creative educational option for students with chronic illness. Sheila Statlender, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, organizational consultant and workplace coach in the Boston area. She provides counseling and advocacy for patients and their families regarding hard-to-diagnose medical conditions. She is the mother of three children who homeschooled with Lyme disease.

2:30 – 4 pm Homeschooling Gifted Children: What Do You Mean, And Why Does It Matter? Josh Shaine There are potentials that are a part of these children that come with their abilities and are sources of confusion for parent and child alike. Recognition and understanding of these potentials can make the difference between a child's feeling weird or normal, between discomfort and comfort. Josh Shaine is a migrant teacher, working for homeschool families, public and private schools, and whatever else comes down the pike. He works predominantly with gifted children, with a focus on underachievers and gifted issues. He is also slowly researching non-linear thinking styles.

SUNDAY, JUNE 13:

12-1:30 pm Advocating for Your Special Needs Student Leslie Leslie No student needs an advocate more than those with special needs. Whether gifted, learning or physically disabled or “twice exceptional”, come learn what your school system can and should be able to provide for your special needs students, the best approaches for getting their needs met (both publicly and privately), how to work services into your homeschool plan and finding accommodations to help your students succeed. Leslie Leslie is an attorney and mother of two boys, both homeschooled and traditionally schooled, and has worked extensively with school systems as an advocate of students with special needs.

1:30 – 3:30 pm Homeschooling High School Melinda Stewart You’ve been homeschooling your little ones who are suddenly not so little or your middle schooler is asking to come home. What’s next? Homeschool High School, of course! Come benefit from Melinda’s experience as a private school guidance counselor as well as a parent of two (one high school age, the other in college) and find out how to make this happen for your child. In addition to Melinda’s wealth of knowledge, meet some previously homeschooled young adults as they share their experiences in homeschooling high school and beyond. Melinda Stewart Currently the Director of Counseling at Groton School in Groton, MA, Ms. Stewart has worked with children and adolescents in a variety of settings over the last 30 years. She is a founder and former director of Voyagers, Inc., and has been on the staffs of the Stone Center at Wellesley College and McLean^? Hospital. She is the mother of two Voyagers children, one currently in college and one currently homeschooled.

Pre-registration is requested for the conference sessions. Walk-in registration will be accepted on a first come, first served basis if space permits. For more information, contact LearningResourcesFair2010@voyagersinc.org

-- RhondaHamer - 29 Apr 2010