Lecture Series on Teaching Evolution SEA Homeschoolers is partnering with the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES), a division of the Richard Dawkins Foundation, to offer a series of lectures for our homeschool community. Filled with great information on teaching evolution to middle schoolers, these lectures are suitable for all ages. Attend and ask questions from your own computer absolutely free! Visit the TIES website for tons of links to free resources on teaching evolution. This is the first time that TIES has collaborated to bring these resources to homeschoolers, and we are thrilled to be a part of it. Spread the …
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The Magic of a Language-Rich Lifestyle for Kids with Dyslexia & Dysgraphia Children who struggle with the mechanics of written language because of dyslexia and dysgraphia do not need to be barred from the thrill of authorship—the sense of themselves as writers! Today's technological landscape makes it possible in brand new ways to empower our kids to be the writers they deserve to be! This session will offer practical tips and ideas for how to bring writing to life for kids who struggle with reading and handwriting. Julie's Bio I have five kids (now adults) and homeschooled them for seventeen years. …
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How to Teach Math to Children with Learning Challenges Description Children with learning challenges must truly understand in order to remember. Their brains tend to store information in pictures, not words. The traditional approach of teaching mathematics using heavy doses of counting, flash cards, and rote memorizing does not work for them. Learn ways to minimize counting and concentrate on place value, strategies to teach math with visual pictures, and techniques for mastering the four operations. Kathleen's Bio Kathleen Cotter Lawler is the daughter of Dr. Joan A. Cotter, author and creator of the RightStart™ Mathematics program. She is one …
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Deficits and Learning Challenges....Attentive, Cognitive and Theoretical Description One of the greatest advantages of home education is the ability to tailor a course of learning to each student's special needs. We have gotten very good at giving names to difficulties children face, but does our approach and understanding of learning challenges truly make sense? Having raised two children with learning challenges, it has become clearer to me how wrongly we looked at child rearing when I was a child and how we are still wrong, just in a different way, now. This discussion is meant to give encouragement to parents …
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Dybuster Calcularis - Efficient, computer based intervention for children with Dyscalculia Description Dybuster Calcularis is a novel, scientifically developed, web-based intervention tool for children dyscalculia and math learning difficulties. The session describes the neurological development model of mathematical skills (by Aster and Shalev), from which the concepts of Calcularis are deducted. After these concepts are explained, the session then shows results from clinical studies, highlighting the success of the students, and closes with suggestions for the day-to-day implementation as a tool to strengthen home schooling intervention. Dybuster Calcularis employs an intelligent tutoring system (ITS) based on artificial intelligence, allowing the …
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Latin for Twice Exceptional & Gifted Global Thinkers Description When you think of a "typical" foreign language textbook, it probably looks like a perfect dream to a concrete-sequential thinker -- but that makes such books, and classes based on them, a perfect nightmare for many gifted and twice-exceptional global thinkers and learners. In this presentation, we will look at a framework that helps you understand HOW and WHY your child is different from the "perfect world language student" that school-based language programs are designed for, and we'll discover how Stories, Questions, and a Joyful Learning Community can make all languages …
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Success with Triple LD Whammy (Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, & Dysgraphia) & Vision Issues to Boot Sara, age 10, suffers from dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and a severe vision disorder which includes a collapsed field of vision and double vision. She has always been homeschooled. Mary has found ways around these challenges to ensure Sara's love of learning was never compromised. In one year alone, Sara went from being tested at a 3rd grade level and scoring 42% to being tested at a 5th grade level and scoring 90% on the standardized test! Learning to work with what a child's strength is just …
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Is My Homeschooler Gifted? Does That Matter? Your child seems unusual, advanced, maybe even brilliant - but it's hard to know how to talk about that without sounding competitive or over-involved. Is it just the amazing influence of homeschooling, is your child gifted, or might something else be going on? And if your child really is so smart, why is homeschooling so difficult sometimes? This session will explain the nature of intellectual giftedness and how it differs from high achievement. I'll discuss common cognitive and emotional characteristics of gifted children and myths about giftedness. The session will help you to …
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Design Thinking and Project-Based Learning for Twice-Exceptional Learners Are you having a hard time meeting your creative gifted or twice-exceptional child's need for depth and complexity in their learning? You may have heard of Design Thinking and project-based learning and wondered if it can meet those needs; but do you need help in figuring out exactly how it all works? Join educator, author, and coach Jade Rivera to discuss authentic learning, how to scaffold a child as they learn new skills, and how giftedness and twice-exceptionality, design thinking and project-based learning go hand in hand. Jade will share her favorite …
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Making Creative Writing Accessible to All Learners Join author and creative writing curriculum creator Chris Hansen as he encourages parents in the journey to help their students become more creative through creative writing. Chris's Bio Chris Hansen has over a decade of experience training professional filmmakers and storytellers in creativity. He is one of the authors of A Pirates Guide t' the' Grammar of Story: A Creative Writing Curriculum. He was the executive director of the Piko Fellowship in Screenwriting, a long term residency program for film and television writers. As a founding member and senior advisor to the Wedgwood Circle, …
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ADHD (And Executive Function) Essentials In this session, I will discuss ADHD, and how it affects homeschoolers. We will begin with the various types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, then move into the role dopamine and executive functioning play in ADHD. To conclude, we look at the emotional impact of disorder, and why it can get in the way of learning. Throughout the session, strategies will be discussed for better managing the executive function challenges presented by ADHD, and related disorders, when homeschooling. Brendan's Bio Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., MS. is an internationally known ADHD/Executive Function expert, and veteran educator. The …
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Sensory Processing Basics This talk focuses on sensory processing basics. I look at the major sensory systems and how they can affect our learning, specifically through the lens of Neurodiversity and the natural expression of Human Variability. In other words, we're all different, so we encounter, process, and express to the world differently - and it drives our behavior! This presentation will help you tie all that stuff the Occupational Therapist has been talking about with some deep insights into effective learning (teaching). The goal is always Self Advocacy, and that starts with Self Knowledge. Lorilei's Bio Lorilei taught in …
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The talk, by Mary Harrington, covers important topics most are uncomfortable discussing: bullying, suicide attempts, anorexia, and self-harm. This talk is not appropriate for young children, but teens and parents will benefit from the real-life, in-depth discussion.
Academics after a Traumatic Brain Injury & with Post-Concussive Syndrome In 2011, my son was in a serious ski accident. He sustained a traumatic brain injury resulting in a severe complex concussion. Overnight everything changed, academics, activities, personality, and more. It wasn't something we dealt with in the short-term. Because of the impact, there were long lasting effects resulting in post-concussive syndrome. I homeschooled him at the time. Whether you homeschool or not this talk is for you. Post-Concussive Syndrome is something many parents deal with. There are some very basic things I learned while facilitating my son's education …
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Laura Kazan: Preparing for College – Homeschool Style This session will discuss the college preparation process for homeschool students. While each college has different requirements there are general trends and understanding these trends can help parents maximize opportunities. An early understanding of college types, testing, rigor, record keeping, and other factors will help reduce stress and allow parents to spend more time proving an education and less time worrying about doing it right. As a member of the homeschool community, she is dedicated to helping homeschool students access colleges that are both a personal and financial fit. Today she does workshops …
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