Mar/Apr 2012 • Volume 30, No. 4

Find Your Energy at NCHE (Conference and Book Fair, That Is) by Kay Bindrim

Where can you find encouragement, demic products. Not only will NCHE be organization (fellow homeschoolers) that fellowship, fun, knowledge, old friends, providing it’s usual line up of the finest has been providing one of the largest and new friends, laughter, tears, restoration, curriculum vendors in the nation, we will best organized nationally known confer- help, answers and more, all in one place? also be adding some special interest ven- ences for the last twenty-eight years! You At NCHE’s 2012 Annual Conference and dors this year! Some of the new products are sure to leave encouraged, challenged, Book Fair. This year’s theme is Energizing offered will be grain products, duct tape energized and ready to recommit to the Your Homeschool. I don’t know about you, weapons, handmade jewelry, and sewing awesome task of homeschooling that you but about this time of year our school and projects. have been faithfully carrying out on a daily its teacher need a bit of energizing. NCHE’s There’s more! These are new features basis. Your vision to equip the next gen- Annual Conference has never failed to re- NCHE has lined up for this years’ confer- eration will have been renewed. new me in some way. I know that this year ence: will be no exception. How do I know? First •A preschooler track with free admission Kay and her husband, of all, I have seen the line up of keynote for parents of preschoolers Tommy, serve as direc- speakers: Voddie Baucham, Chuck Bentley •A children’s conference tors of NCHE region 12, of Crown Financial Ministries and John • Discounts for family activities around northeastern NC. They Stonestreet of Summit Ministries. Other the Winston-Salem area also own Testing and featured speakers are Carol Barnier, Susan You will also enjoy the NCHEAC bas- Educational Services Chrisman and Heidi St. John. These speak- ketball games, teen and alumni activities, through which they offer ers alone could provide enough informa- a workshop track for homeschool leaders, a variety of educational tion and encouragement to spur us on to a struggling learner track, one-on-one services. Kay can be greater works, but we are providing a wide mentoring from experienced home- reached at . wide variety of subjects, trusting that the This year’s conference offers educa- unique need of your heart will be met. tion, inspiration and more entertainment There will be sessions just for moms, dads, than ever! The Talent Showcase is always leaders, teachers of special needs and strug- a favorite feature of the conference. In this In This Issue ... gling learners, teachers of preschoolers, showcase, NC homeschool students have Announcements ...... 4 those beginning homeschooling and those the opportunity to show us their best—and getting ready to graduate their student(s). we are never disappointed. New this year Spencer’s Space ...... 5 No matter where you are on your journey, will be entertainment prior to the keynote Conference Featured Speakers ...... 7 you will find sessions to encourage your addresses. The Snyder Family Band will heart and energize your homeschool. perform on Friday and the Peculiar People Other Conference Speakers ...... 9 Not only will you leave with your heart will perform on Saturday. full, but your arms may be loaded with Conference Schedule and The conference will conclude with the Workshop Schedule ...... 12 goodies as well. You asked and we lis- only state-wide homeschool graduation in tened—this year’s book fair will be ex- NC. From the cap and gown procession, Important Conference Information .14 panded to include some special non-aca- inspirational keynote address, to the award- ing of diplomas, this is a moving ceremony Our 2012 Special Guest Artists .... 15 that celebrates the entire homeschool jour- Are You in the Gentle Stream or ney. the Rock Tumbler?...... 17 The conference is always a highlight of my school year. From all I’ve heard, I How to Teach Your Platypus ...... 21 expect this year’s conference to be fabu- Scavenging the Sites ...... 23 lous! I hope to see you there! Register to- day for THE homeschool conference, pro- The Last Note ...... 24 duced by THE NC state-wide homeschool

Your best choice for homeschool ACHIEVEMENT TESTS Providing parent/teacher administered tests since 1990

PO Box 250 Kill Devil Hills NC 27948 website www.baysideschoolservices.com email [email protected] voice messaging 800-723-3057

%$<6,'(¶62012 TESTING PROGRAM Along with your tests, or separately, order our Guidebooks for

Bayside and CTB McGraw-Hill offer the newer and better Elementary (K-5) or Senior (6-12), mailed right away. CAT/5 replacement, the TerraNova 1st Edition achievement Test weeks are not guaranteed, although we rarely miss one! test. This 1996 released test has updated 2005 norms and is Prices are subject to change. Orders may be revised, but there available for homeschool use. Now you can more accurately are no refunds or cancellations. compare your students to their peers, not their parents! Important: Do not let affordability determine your test choice! Why order the TerraNova (1996 with updated 2005 norms) We have limited partial scholarships available. If you need help, write us at the above email or mail addresses. rather than an earlier (1970, 1986 or 1991) test edition? Publishers develop new tests every few years to keep current TerraNova Complete Battery Plus $55 with the learning objectives and curricula in use across the For Grades K-12, the comprehensive form most schools use country. They construct test questions that demonstrate the VWXGHQWV¶DELOLW\WRDSSO\FRQFHSWVDQGVNLOOVWKDWZLOOUHIOHFW TerraNova Survey Plus $55 achievement. Most homeschools utilize recent curricula, so the For Grades 2-12, the shorter (not easier) form saves time

QHZHUWHVWHGLWLRQZLOOPRUHDFFXUDWHO\LQGLFDWHWKHVWXGHQWV¶ Either can be Basic Skills and both are accepted by NC & VA achievement. To order, mail a check or money order with your name, TCS/2 (Cognitive Skills IQ test) $60 Order by Grade 2-12 (this is not an achievement test) address, phone number, test type (CB+, SV+, TCS/2) and your test week. Tell us the grade level for each student. Note that you TerraNova Guidebooks $7.50 each agree to follow all CTB and Bayside instructions. Elementary for Grades K-5, Senior for Grades 6-12 You can email your order information and pay with PayPal. See our website for details. THANKS FOR TESTING WITH BAYSIDE!

THE TESTING CHASE STOPS HERE!

i %D\VLGH¶V22nd Year Supplying Tests Worldwide i Do-It-Yourself Convenience i Easy Ordering Available All Year Long i Fair Pricing i Accurate Order Processing i Original Publisher Materials i Available in Complete Battery or Survey i FREE Publisher-Recommended Practice Exercises (TN Grades K-8 and TCS/2 Grades 2-12) i Genuine CTB McGraw-Hill Scoring i Timely Reports Include Stanines & Percentiles i Test With Ease the Bayside Way

For more details, visit our website; then if you have questions, email (preferred) or call graduated homeschool parents Donny & Sandy Ball.

nche.com — 2 — Mar/Apr 2012 NCHE Board of Directors (Statewide Officers and Regional Directors) Spencer Mason, President...... (704) 541-5145 • [email protected] 1. Jerry Neal ...... (828) 349-0647 • [email protected] Davis Carman, Administrative VP ... (704) 243-2511 • [email protected] 2. Mike Marshall ...... (828) 633-0060 • [email protected] Kevin McClain, Education VP ... (336) 993-2701 • [email protected] 3. Ivey Deitz ...... (828) 396-8959 • [email protected] Hal Young, Legislative VP ...... (919) 623-7589 • [email protected] 4. Kathy Fletcher ...... (704) 847-1534 • [email protected] Cyndy Bunn, Conference VP ... . .(252) 205-6614• [email protected] 5. Amanda Wares ...... (336) 210-7449 • [email protected] 6. Kristin Jones ...... (336) 817-9208 • [email protected] John Kirkland, Secretary ...... (704) 753-9320 • [email protected] 7. Wendi Hilton ...... (919) 639-1161 • [email protected] Tanya Dickens, Treasurer ...... (336) 383-7020 • [email protected] 8. David Henderson...... (919) 676-2923 • [email protected] Nancy Coleman, Advisor A ...... (828) 458-1535 • [email protected] 9. Vacant...... • [email protected] Ernie Hodges, Advisor B ...... (336) 924-3511 • [email protected] 10. Scott Anderson ...... (252) 321-3436 • [email protected] Tim Irwin, Advisor C ...... (919) 577-6918 • [email protected] 11. Kathryn Iandoli ...... (910) 398-7172 • [email protected] 12. Kay Bindrim...... (252) 937-7752 • [email protected] NCHE Office - Raleigh ...... (919) 790-1100 • [email protected]

North Carolina Homeschool History Greenhouse Report Information Advertising: The publication of advertising Although home education is the oldest form of The Greenhouse Report is the newsletter of in the Greenhouse Report in no way education, it was not officially recognized in North Carolinians for Home Education. It is expresses or implies endorsement by North Carolina until a Supreme Court decision published six times a year, bimonthly. A paper NCHE of products or services. in 1985 ruled that a home school could operate copy is mailed to those who subscribe for $15 under the existing private school law. Through per year. It is made available online to all NCHE Membership the efforts of concerned members of North members at the NCHE website . Membership in NCHE is available to all Carolinians for Home Education, a bill was The name Greenhouse was chosen to represent residents of North Carolina who pledge to passed in 1988 that specifically named home the type of care homeschooling parents are able uphold the ideals of NCHE and comply with education as an alternative for complying with to give to their children. Children are lovingly the North Carolina homeschool law. Member- compulsory school attendance requirements. “tended” in a protected and nurturing ship is obtained by donating any amount to environment until they are sufficiently mature NCHE (recommended donation is $25). NCHE to go out and take a place of service in the world. is supported by the consistent contributions of About NCHE Letters and articles addressed to the Greenhouse its members. The NCHE ideals are: educational Our purpose is to protect the freedom to edu- Report become property of NCHE with full right excellence, parental authority and responsibility cate at home, to provide encouragement and to publication without further permission for education, protection and promotion of the support to families choosing home education for required. Ideas and opinions expressed in letters family, diligence in moral and ethical their children and to promote home education and articles do not necessarily represent those instruction, responsible citizenship, freedom of as an excellent educational alternative. Since of NCHE. choice among educational alternatives, and its beginning in 1984, NCHE has grown from a defense of constitutional rights. few pioneering families to a statewide associa- DEADLINES (Received By) tion of home educators that promotes home Greenhouse Report Editor education and supports home educators. NCHE Issue Letters and Ads and Debbie Mason ...... Charlotte is governed by a working board of directors who Date Articles Announcements (704) 541-5145 • email volunteer their time and efforts to represent Jan/Feb Nov 15 Dec 1 This newsletter published by: homeschoolers in every part of the state. A non- Mar/Apr Jan 15 Feb 1 North Carolinians for Home Education profit organization, NCHE operates on the ba- May/Jun Mar 15 Apr 1 4336-A Bland Road sis of biblical principles and living faith. NCHE Jul/Aug May 15 Jun 1 Raleigh, North Carolina 27609 welcomes members of all races and religions. Sep/Oct Jul 15 Aug 1 (919) 790-1100, FAX (919) 790-1892 Nov/Dec Sep 15 Oct 1 email: [email protected] nche.com — 3 — Mar/Apr 2012 Conference Announcements conference, we need volunteers to help. (NCHEAC) on May 25 at Piedmont Bap- Anyone age thirteen and older may apply tist College. We will have girls and boys NCHE Twenty-Eighth Annual Confer- to CCI to help serve during the conference! varsity basketball all-star games and a girls ence and Book Fair will be held May 24- CCI utilizes various online tools to secure varsity volleyball all-star game. We wel- 26, 2012, at the M.C. Benton Convention a paid background check for any volunteer come you to attend the games. The girls Center in Winston-Salem, NC. who has public records and who is eigh- volleyball game is 3:00 P.M.; the girls bas- teen or older. Volunteer online . ketball game is 5:30 P.M.; the boys basket- Conference information is on the NCHE ball game is 7:00 P.M. Cost is $5 per per- website . Leadership Track. This year we are chang- son with a $15 immediate family maxi- ing the way we handle our Leadership mum. Conference Registration. Conference reg- Track. In order to not take away from the istration is online . Early Bird rest of the conference, we are moving the Single parent conference scholarships are registration ends April 20. Pre-registration Leadership Track to Thursday 10:30 A.M. to being offered by an anonymous donor. If ends May 20. At the door registration be- 2:30 P.M., before the full conference starts. you are a homeschooling single parent and gins on-site, May 24. All registrations are We have picked three sessions specifically would like more information, subscribe to non-refundable and non-transferable. for support group leaders. The Leadership the yahoo group SHPSNC (Single Home- Bring your printed registration confirma- Track will still include a luncheon. schooling Parents of NC) at . Deadline is be no confirmations or nametags mailed. Mentoring at Conference. Experienced March 31. Wristbands will be provided at the regis- homeschool moms and dads will be wait- tration booths on-site. $3 replacement fee ing to answer all of your homeschooling Friday-Only Remote Parking for the Con- will be charged for lost wristbands. questions. This opportunity is perfect for ference. NCHE will again provide Friday beginner homeschoolers to get help navi- remote parking with shuttle bus service to Volunteers Needed for Conference. gating the book fair before you go in! But the front door of the Benton Convention NCHE would like to thank all those who mentoring is not only for newbies! Do you Center. have volunteered in the past at the NCHE have questions about middle school, high Annual Conferences. The conference school, special needs? Any questions are ADA Policy for the 2011 Annual Con- would not be possible without the help of welcome! Look for the table outside the ference and Book Fair. NCHE will pro- many volunteers. As a volunteer, you will book fair that will be staffed throughout the vide assistance for a registered conferee be rewarded with recordings for hours weekend with veteran homeschool moms. who requests it and will use competent served and one hour total of book fair shop- volunteer interpreters where possible. ping just for you (thirty minutes before its Teen and Alumni Activities. For the fifth Guests needing interpretation will have to opening on Friday and Saturday) and other consecutive year NCHE has planned ac- submit a list of desired workshops. The incentives. To add your name to our VIP tivities to encourage friendships among conference center is wheelchair accessible list, contact . We young people from different parts of the except for the stages. If access to a stage in need about 250 volunteers. See the volun- state. On Thursday evening from 7:30 to Room A or South Main is necessary for teer jobs needed on the NCHE website. 9:30 P.M (earlier time) we will have a cotil- graduation, contact the NCHE office. The Note to volunteers: In past years, volunteers lion-style dance class for ages 12 and up. deadline for conferees to request these ser- were granted an hour of special shopping be- Our teacher’s teaching style will put stu- vices is April 1 in order to allow time to fore the book fair opened on Thursday. That is dents at ease regardless of their ability, and make arrangements. no longer the case. Now, two hours of exclu- teens are encouraged to dance with many sive shopping before the book fair opens to the partners. The dress for these dances is mod- Special Winston-Salem Family Activities. public is reserved for pre-registered full confer- est casual (what you wear to the confer- Several local historical and educational ence attendees. ence). On Friday night, a games social will facilities have offered special pricing for be held from the closing of the talent show NCHE conference attendees: Historic Parents of Preschoolers Free Admission until 11:30 P.M. Again this year the alumni Bethabara, Old Salem, SciWorks and the Program. We are inviting parents whose coffee social will be held on Thursday night Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem. Full children are all under five years of age and after the dance, at 9:45. Full conference details online . who have never attended the NCHE Con- registration is required for all activities. ference and Book Fair to attend for free this NCHE General Announcements year. Printable mail-in application form and NCHE Talent Showcase. The Annual full details are online . Appli- Talent Showcase will be held at the NCHE NCHE Athletic Conference Team Loca- cation postmark deadline is April 20. conference at 7:45 on Friday evening. To tor. The NCHE Athletic Conference audition, students must submit a 2012 Tal- (NCHEAC) has a total of ninety-six teams Children’s Conference. We are delighted ent Showcase registration form and a DVD competing in basketball, baseball, boys and to offer a children’s conference this year for of the presentation to be performed while girls soccer and volleyball. There are also children ages five-twelve hosted by wearing the actual clothing that will be four to six non-conference teams partici- Children’s Conferences International. The worn at the performance. Each presenta- pating in softball and swimming. We would optional children’s conference will be held tion will be limited to four minutes. Audi- like to help you find sports in your area. on-site on Friday and Saturday. Space is lim- tion submissions must be postmarked by Go to to find a ited, so sign up early! Details and registra- April 8. Entry forms are available from the table that contains sports and contacts tion are online . NCHE website. listed by area. Click on the Team Locator link to have your e-mail forwarded to a Volunteers Needed for Children’s Con- State Homeschool All-Star Games will be coach in your area. ference. To be able to offer the children’s hosted by the NCHE Athletic Conference Continued on page 6 nche.com — 4 — Mar/Apr 2012 Spencer’sSpencer’s SpaceSpace Why Should You Join NCHE? NCHE needs you! effective. The legislators in Raleigh have available to the media for interviews and NCHE is the oldest heard our collective voice. PLEASE sponsoring such events as Capital Fest, and largest statewide HOLD FURTHER CALLS AND E- where homeschool families come to Ra- homeschool organiza- MAIL. More at this time may be counter- leigh for a day of visiting legislators and tion in North Caro- productive to our interests. If the need re- learning more about our system of govern- lina. The homeschool turns, NCHE will let you know as quickly ment. In March, 2011 NCHE released a law providing the free- as possible; your responsiveness has been study of academic achievement and demo- doms that we enjoy impressive.” Most legislators had full email graphic characteristics that showed, among other findings, that would have made homeschooling slowed to a trickle, and the proposal to that NC homeschool students score in the much more difficult for everyone and im- move DNPE under DPI was abandoned. 84th percentile on nationally standardized possible for many families, and we got the The legislature was impressed with NCHE’s tests. This compares very favorably with substitute bill passed into law that we en- effectiveness in starting and stopping the the national average of the 50th percentile. joy today. When threatening bills were in- emails and calls. By joining NCHE you can help NCHE troduced, the members of the legislature NCHE provides encouragement and continue to provide these services that said they had never had so much response support in a number of ways. The annual benefit all NC home educators and to ex- and so many visits, calls and letters. They conference in Winston-Salem is the third plore providing additional services to the did not want to go through that experience largest homeschool event in the eastern NC homeschool community. again any time soon! This success was the US. Every year thousands of home educa- result of coordination by NCHE. Since tors come to be encouraged, to receive Some Benefits of Membership then, NCHE’s mission has been protect the practical training, to buy curriculum and • Access to the “members only” section of freedom to educate at home, to provide educational aids and to meet with the website which will include an online encouragement and support to families homeschool friends from across the four- edition of the Greenhouse Report. choosing homeschooling for their families state region. The Greenhouse Report is an- • Discounted admission to the largest and to promote homeschooling as an ex- other way we keep homeschoolers up-to- homeschool conference in the Carolinas. cellent method of education. date with articles about learning theory, • Discounted participation in the NCHE NCHE protects the right to methods of education, managing a graduation ceremony and a beautiful di- homeschool by monitoring the NC legis- homeschooling household and also articles ploma for graduating homeschool students lature and NC government agencies to in- that motivate. • Eligibility for homeschool students in sure that bills that are introduced and regu- The Homeschool Resource Guide < member families to participate on teams lations that are proposed will not affect http://nche.com/hrg> is the most compre- in the growing North Carolinians for homeschooling freedoms. Our registered hensive manual available for establishing Home Education Athletic Conference lobbyist, Mari Fitz-Wynn, helps us to keep and maintaining a homeschool in North Finally, the more members we have, tabs on government activities and helps us Carolina. NCHE E-briefs keep NCHE the greater our clout in Raleigh. We need to discern when we need to take action to members informed of opportunities in each you to help us help the homeschoolers of deal with a threat. There are times when a region of the state and of what is happen- this state! If you are not a member, please bill containing more homeschool regula- ing in the legislature. NCHE can help new join now. A tax deductible donation of any tion is introduced, and then dies in com- support groups get started, and the NCHE amount is all it takes! to quietly monitor these bills to be sure they get started on their library. Additionally, don’t become a real threat and then let NCHE honors local support group leaders A Threat to Parent’s them die without NCHE involvement. by inviting them to attend a support group Rights Is a Threat to NCHE takes action when the changes are leaders’ luncheon during the annual con- real threats to homeschool freedoms. For ference. Homeschooling example, in 2005 the Secretary of Admin- Our office in Raleigh is staffed with The Campaign for US Ratification of istration, Gwynn Stinson, proposed to a full-time employees who are homeschool the Convention on the Rights of the Child Joint Appropriations Committee that savvy, and they can answer questions about (CRC) began collecting signatures for a DNPE be moved under the Department of home education. Also, we have been mak- petition to President Obama urging him Public Instruction as a cost saving move. ing a lot of our resources available to the to, “make it your priority to send the CRC The day we learned of this proposal homeschool community on our website. to the US Senate for its advice and con- NCHE sent an NCHE Alert to every mem- Much of the effort that we have applied to sent by November 20, 2012.” Time ran an ber on our email list. The calls and emails our website is not readily visible to the opinion piece titled “Why Is the U.S. to our legislators and Appropriations Com- public, but the changes we are making to Against Children’s Rights?” . This article also urged the ratifica- homeschoolers of North Carolina on the NCHE actively promotes homeschool tion of the CRC. One interesting thing proposed DNPE to DPI issue has been very excellence by making board members Continued on page 10 nche.com — 5 — Mar/Apr 2012 Announcements (Continued from page 4) Support Group Announcements Be an NCHE Facebook fan. A new way the website and click the to interact in the NCHE community is to “Receive NCHE-brief email” checkbox on HINTS 2012 Book Fair. The twenty-first access the NCHE Facebook fan page your Member Account Information page annual HINTS Book Fair will be held July . or email . 13-14 at Christ Covenant Church in On our page you may ask questions and get Matthews, NC. Book fair hours are 9:30 answers from others in the community, get House, Senate and Governor’s Page A.M.-8:00 P.M. Friday, and 9:30 A.M.-2:00 P.M. links to helpful websites and be a part of Weeks. If you are an NCHE member and Saturday. Registration opens half an hour the exchange of ideas with other would like your student to participate in before the book fair. The cost is $5 per in- homeschoolers. this program, contact NCHE’s legislative dividual or married couple and $1 per child. administrator, Mari Fitz-Wynn, at Grandparents and newborns are free. Come NCHE Membership Policy. You may join for information visit some of your favorite vendors and en- or renew your membership with an annual about opportunities in Raleigh to page one joy the informative workshops! For more tax-deductible donation of any amount. week for a member of the legislature or the information and directions to the book fair, (The recommended donation is $25.) The governor. see our website at . Greenhouse Report will be available online for all members. Those who prefer a paper NCHE is a 501(c)(3), non-profit educa- General Announcements copy in the mail may receive it for a $15 tional organization. All donations are tax subscription fee. deductible. Your donation will help NCHE DNPE Website. The website for the NC to provide support to the homeschoolers Division of Non-Public Education is Policy on Spotlights. In order for a stu- of this state. . dent to be included in a spotlight article, the student’s family must be an NCHE Moving? Please keep NCHE informed The Catawba County Homeschool Prom member. For articles about groups, at least when you are planning to move. It saves will be held Saturday, April 28, 6 P.M.-12 half of the families represented must be us time, energy and money if you give us MIDNIGHT at the Main City Cellar Club in NCHE members. Send parents’ names and prompt notification of your address change. Hickory. Tickets are $45 and include din- member number with the article. Schools listed with the state are required ner, music, dancing and professional por- to notify the NC Division of Non-Public traits. Go to our prom website for details and NCHE Ebrief. This email publication pro- Education of address changes in writing or to order tickets. . For questions call this free (to members) publication, log into Tamara Younce at (828) 465-4716.

Advertisers ... Apologia Education Ministries ...... 19

Bayside School Services ...... 2

Brain Balance Achievement Center ...... 14

Brewer Testing Service ...... 22

Bryan College ...... 20

Camp Flintlock Living History...... 14

College Foundation of North Carolina...... 16

Homeschool Gathering Place ...... 17

Math-U-See...... 23

William Peace University ...... 18

Piedmont Education Services ...... 18

Regent University ...... 11

Triangle Education Assessments.... 21

Winterplace Ski Resort ...... 6

nche.com — 6 — Mar/Apr 2012 Conference Featured Speakers For workshop descriptions go to . Number denotes session, example: 4.=session 4 Carol Barnier Leaders’ Track. If Thou Seekest Thee Carol is a fresh, fun and popular conference speaker. Her objective Deep Appreciation, Goest Thou Quickly in all her communication is to have the wit of Erma Bombeck and Buyest Thee a Dog crossed with the depth of C. S. Lewis. While her humor will have 1. Seventeen Years of Homeschooling you leaning sideways, her faith is solid stuff. Whether speaking and I Hardly Twitch at All Anymore about her first born son’s thirteen surgeries, her family’s many 2. What Are You Thinking?—Learning ADHD challenges, or her own walk from being a God-denying Styles and Beyond atheist to the most grateful recipient of God’s amazing grace, this 5. Help! How Do I Teach This Highly woman speaks from the heart. Her slightly irreverent humor Distractible Child, Part 1 coupled with her insightful perspective has led to speaking engagements in over twenty- 6. Help! How Do I Teach This Highly five states and made her a regular radio guest, including becoming a frequent provider of Distractible Child, Part 2 commentary for Focus on the Family’s Weekend Magazine. She is the author of three 8. Teaching Your Child to Read—Made books and has written articles for many magazines including Proverbs 31 Woman, Club- Easy house Junior, Focus on the Family Magazine, The Old Schoolhouse, Homeschool Enrichment, 9. Don’t Miss the Gift in This Child as well as others. 11. Margins for Moms—Limits that Liberate

Voddie Baucham 5. The Role of the Father in Home Edu- Voddie wears many hats. He is a husband, father, pastor, author, cation/Discipleship professor, conference speaker and church planter. He currently 7. Why Your Family Needs the Church serves as pastor of preaching at Grace Family Baptist Church in 8. Don’t Let Home Education Destroy Spring, TX. He has served as an adjunct professor at the College of Your Marriage! Biblical Studies in Houston, TX, and Union University in Jack- son, TN. He has also lectured at Southern Seminary. Voddie’s area Keynote (Friday): Teaching Your Chil- of emphasis is cultural apologetics. Whether teaching on classical dren with Your Grandchildren in Mind apologetic issues like the validity and historicity of the Bible or the resurrection of Christ or teaching on biblical manhood/womanhood, marriage and fam- ily, he helps ordinary people understand the significance of thinking and living bibli- cally in every area of life. Voddie holds degrees from Houston Baptist University (BA in Christianity/BA in Sociology), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min.), an honorary degree from South- ern California Seminary (D.D.) and has done additional post-graduate study at the University of Oxford, England (Regent’s Park College). Voddie and his wife, Bridget, have been married since 1989. They have seven children: Jasmine, Trey (Voddie, III), Elijah, Asher, Judah, Micah and Safya. They are committed home educators.

Chuck Bentley, Crown Financial Ministries, CEO 2. Creative Ways to Decrease Expenses, For over a decade, Chuck has traveled the world teaching biblical Increase Income and Strengthen financial principles to the affluent, middle class, poor and ultra Your Household Finances poor. As host of the daily national radio broadcast, My MoneyLife™, 4. The Root of Riches—How to Train Chuck connects with all generations and inspires his audience Your Family to Think Differently with a strong scriptural emphasis. Following in the footsteps of about Money, Possessions and True Crown’s cofounders, Howard Dayton and the late Larry Burkett, Riches Chuck has assumed the mantle of a strategic organization, founded 6. Teaching Age Appropriate Financial in 1976, that now reaches around the world with staff on every Lessons and Responsibilities continent, a media presence throughout North and South America and books and 10. Discovering and Unlocking God’s materials serving the spiritual and financial needs of all people. Crown’s outreach im- Unique Design for Your Child’s Edu- pacts individuals, families, churches and businesses through the joyful, liberating bibli- cation and Career cal truth of making and managing money so that God’s purposes for one’s life can be fulfilled. Chuck is the executive producer of the God Provides™ Film Learning Experience, Keynote (Thursday): How to Prepare for Crown’s first series of short films designed to convey God’s principles of provision and an Economic Crisis of Biblical Propor- sustainability through dramatic Bible stories. He is also the co-creator of the Crown tion—the SALT Plan Money Map™ and a contributor to Saddleback Church’s small group series, Managing Our Finances God’s Way. These powerful resources are being used to transform lives around the world. In July 2011, Chuck’s first book, Root of Riches, was released. Chuck and his wife, Ann, have been married since 1978. Both are graduates of Baylor Univer- sity. Chuck and Ann live near Atlanta, Georgia, and have four sons, a daughter-in-law and a grandson. Continued on page 8 nche.com — 7 — Mar/Apr 2012 Conference Featured Speakers (Continued from page 7)

Susan Chrisman 1. Evaluation—How to Know What Susan and husband, Jerry, were pioneer homeschoolers, begin- Your Child Really Knows ning their journey in home education in 1985. The Chrisman’s 2. Education—How to Think Outside have five children and three grandsons. They have served on the the Box board of trustees for the Oklahoma Christian Home Educators’ 4. Art and Music: Icing on the Cake or Consociation since 2001. Jerry is currently serving OCHEC as Essential Food for the Soul and Brain? president, and Susan is the editor of publications and the leaders’ 6. Preschool and Kindergarten Educa- retreat coordinator. She also co-directs the Oklahoma City Char- tion at Home, Part 1 lotte Mason Discussion Group, and has published a homeschool 7. Preschool and Kindergarten Educa- resource called The Practical Planner for Home Education which is tion at Home, Part 2 available on her website at . Susan founded a resource 8. Habit Training: Key to Maintaining service called Lifelong Learners to encourage parents (especially moms) in the training Your Sanity and education of their children. She speaks to support groups, at mom’s retreats and at 9. A Home Educator’s Guide to Sched- homeschool conventions. Susan’s heart and calling are to guide moms in understanding uling and Planning the true education of the whole person, an application of Mark 12:30: “You shall love 10. The Will: Bend It? Break It? Develop the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all It? What’s a Parent to Do? your strength.”

Heidi St. John Leaders’ Track. Foundational Principles Heidi has been married to her husband, Jay, since 1989. They for Strong Leadership have seven children ages five months to nineteen years and have 1. To ddlers, Tweens and Teens, Oh My! homeschooled all the way through high school. A favorite con- 3. R.E.A.L. L.I.F.E. Homeschooling ference speaker, Heidi approaches homeschooling with humor 4. The Busy Homeschool Mom’s and grace at events all across North America. Her heart and pas- Guide™ to Romance sion for people comes across in her writing and speaking. She’s as 6. The Busy Homeschool Mom’s down-to-earth in person as she is in her books and workshops. Guide™ to Daytime: How to Fit Your Growing up in Boring, Oregon, with six siblings and a cow named Size 16 Day into a Size 10 Hamburger has proven to be wonderful inspiration for many of Heidi’s workshops. Jay 7. Ten Marriage Myths That Will Steal and Heidi are also the founders and executive directors of First Class Homeschool Min- Your Joy istries, a parachurch organization dedicated to helping churches start homeschool co- 9. Homeschooling High Schoolers— operatives. First Class has been in operation since 2000 and has over forty locations Yes, You Can across North America. The St. Johns reside in SW Washington state. They are blessed 11. The First Three Years: A Workshop to share two acres and a home with Jay’s parents. Truly, there is never a dull moment at for Homeschool Rookies the “St. John Chateau!”

John Stonestreet 1. The Challenges to Your Faith You John’s passion is to illuminate a biblical worldview for today’s Need to Know Are Coming culture. He’s a speaker, writer, cultural commentator and col- 3. Ideas Have Consequences: laborator of worldview initiatives. In his shared role with the Why Worldviews Really, Really Colson Center/Breakpoint and Summit Ministries, John directs Matter conferences and curriculum projects, speaks to groups nationally 4. Ideas Have Histories: Where and internationally, consults on worldview education for schools Postmodernism Came From and churches and appears frequently on web and radio broad- 7. Christianity and Culture: For What casts. As the new host of The Point, a daily national radio pro- Are We Responsible? gram, John provides thought-provoking commentaries on current events and life issues 8. Amused to Death: Living in a from a biblical worldview. This short-feature radio program speaks to listeners right Culture of Perpetual Distraction where they are: facing challenges and cultural questions that all of us deal with on a 9. Doing the Right Thing: Recapturing daily basis. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) and Bryan a Biblical Ethic for This Generation College (TN) and is the co-author of Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview. (a Skyped discussion with Chuck He and his wife, Sarah, have three daughters and a dog, and live in Colorado Springs, Colson) CO. Connect with John at . 11. Discovering God’s Will: How to Know What to Do with Your Life

Keynote (Saturday): When Is a Worldview Really Biblical? What Worldview Tests Don’t Measure

nche.com — 8 — Mar/Apr 2012 Other Conference Speakers For workshop descriptions and speaker bios go to . Number denotes session, example: 4.=session 4 Hope Auer Amelia Harper 1. How to Write a Book: A Homeschooler’s 2. Fantasy Literature and the Homeschooled Journey to Becoming an Author Child 10. Are Parents Really Necessary?

Ken Auer Mary Harrington 9. Apprenticeship before (and as a Possible 10. Teaching a Biblical Worldview by Study- Alternative to) College ing Cicero

Kevin Brown Sarita Holzmann 11. Dads—Developing a Spiritual Vision for 3. One More Chapter, Please! Develop Life- Your Family? long Readers and Ignite a Fire to Learn 7. The 3Rs and Beyond—Discover a Homeschool Approach that Is Effective for Your Family

Matthew Bullington Laura House 6. Beating the System: Nontraditional 10. Reaching the Reluctant Writer Methods of Earning a Degree Quicker and Cheaper

Davis Carman Charlie and Ruth Jones 1. Give Me One Good Reason to Home- 9. Faith and Art school 10. Basics of Drama Techniques 8. Praise Him in the Storm

Wendy Dahlgren Andrew Kern 8. Transitioning from Homeschool to 3. Nourishing Your Child’s Soul on Truth College

Kristen Eckenwiler Bethany LeBedz 1. The Struggling Reader! Am I Emphasiz- 5. Organization for Right-Brained and Left- ing the Right Things? Brained Homeschoolers 3. Does My Child Have a Learning Disability? 4. Teaching the Learning Disabled Child 11. How to Assess Your Child’s Reading Abili- ties J. Mark Fox Charlie Liebert 2. Learning to Lead 9. Ten Big Questions Answered from the 6. You Can Write! Bible 10. Two Roosters in the Same House

Continued on page 10 nche.com — 9 — Mar/Apr 2012 Other Conference Speakers Stephen Parrish (Continued from page 9) 3. Fun with a Purpose! (Boy Scouts) Bonita Lillie 5. Organization for Right-Brained and Left- Brained Homeschoolers 8. Transitioning from Homeschool to College Jan Strydom 5. Living by Design 10. Discovering and Unlocking God’s Mike and Ronda Marshall Unique Design for Your Child’s Educa- 2. Getting Off to a Great Start tion and Career 4. Still Undecided? 6. Teaching More than One (Rhonda) 8. P.O.W.E.R. Your Homeschool Lynne M. Taylor 5. Homeschool Martyrs: Are You One? Do You Know One? Debbie Mason 1. Homeschooling High School 2. Preparing for College 4. Top Ten Passions from a Homeschool Veteran 7. Parenting the Homeschooled Teen Hal and Melanie Young 4. Shining Armor—Your Son’s Battle Marji McIlvaine for Purity 3. So Much Curricula, So Little Time 7. What about Social Media? Captur- 6. Testing—A Giant in the Land? ing It for Christ 8. Homeschooling Is Not Enough 11. What Are We Doing? 9. Homeschooled from the Begin- ning—What to Do when Your Children Are Young (Melanie) 11. Ballistic Homeschooling Joann Nabb 5. The Joy of Learning with Your Young Michele Zavatsky Child 2. Kids Love North Carolina History 7. Foreign Language for Life

Charles Nettles 5. Getting Started and the NC Homeschool Law Spencer’s Space (Continued from page 5) about the article is that the medical doctors who wrote the article provide legal analysis of the CRC though they have never argued a case before a federal court. I suggest you read this article and Charlene Notgrass then go to and view the thirty- 10. Homeschooling for Imperfect Moms five minute docudrama produced by the Parental Rights Organi- zation. If you don’t have time for the whole movie, view one of the trailers at the bottom of the page. Then go to and read more about the subject. Folks, the CRC is a real threat to the family, and we can do something about it. Sign the petition on the Parental Rights website, download the petition and get ten other people to sign it Ray Notgrass and donate what you can. Contact Senator Richard Burr and thank 5. The Adventure of American History him for co-sponsoring Senate Resolution 99 against the ratifica- tion of CRC. Finally, Contact Senator Kay Hagan, D.C. Office: 202-224-6342, and urge her to co-sponsor S.R.99.

Spencer Mason and his wife, Debbie, homeschooled four children for twenty-six years. They have served on the NCHE board since 1988. nche.com — 10 — Mar/Apr 2012 nche.com — 11 — Mar/Apr 2012 2012 NCHE Twenty-Eighth Annual Conference Schedule M.C. Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, NC May 24-26, 2012 General Schedule

Thursday, May 24, 2012 3:00 P.M. All-Star Volleyball Game—girls 12:00 NOON Registration begins for full conference 3:30-4:30 P.M.Workshop session 7 pre-registered attendees only 4:50-5:50 P.M.Workshop session 8 1:00 P.M. Book fair opens to full conference pre- 5:30 P.M. All-Star Basketball Game—girls registered attendees only 6:00 P.M. Children’s conference parents sign out 2:30 P.M. On-site registration begins children 3:00 P.M. Book fair opens to public 7:00 P.M. Book fair closes for the day 3:00-4:00 P.M.Workshop session 1 (free) All-Star Basketball Game—boys 4:30-5:30 P.M.Workshop session 2 7:45 P.M.Talent Showcase 6:00-7:00 P.M.Workshop session 3 9:45-11:30 P.M. Games social for teens and alumni 7:30 P.M. Book fair closes 7:30-9:00 P.M. General business session and keynote address Saturday, May 26, 2012 7:30-9:30 P.M.Teen and alumni cotillion-style dance class 8:00 A.M. Registration begins 9:45-10:45 P.M. Alumni coffee social 8:45 A.M. Children’s conference begins child sign-in 9:00-9:30 A.M.Volunteer book fair shopping Friday, May 25, 2012 9:00-10:30 A.M. Special guest artists and keynote address 7:30 A.M. Registration begins 9:30 A.M. Book fair opens 8:30 A.M. Children’s conference begins child sign-in 11:00-12:00 NOON Workshop session 9 9:00-9:30 A.M.Volunteer book fair shopping 12:30-1:30 P.M.Workshop session 10 9:00-10:30 A.M. Special guest artists and keynote address 1:50-2:50 P.M.Workshop session 11 9:30 A.M. Book fair opens 2:50 P.M. Children’s conference parents sign out 10:00-4:00 P.M. College and Camp Fair children 11:00-12:00 NOON Workshop session 4 4:00 P.M. Book fair closes 12:30-1:30 P.M.Workshop session 5 5:00 P.M. Graduation ceremony 2:00-3:00 P.M.Workshop session 6 Conference Workshop Schedule G Of general interest to all parents T G How to Write a Book: A Homeschooler’s Journey to Becom- T Of special interest to teens ing an Author, Hope Auer (Gaines Ballroom) B For beginners and inquirers L For parents of struggling learners Session 2 Thursday 4:30-5:30 P.M. Y For parents of young children preschool to early elementary G Creative Ways to Decrease Expenses, Increase Income and O For parents of older elementary age (may include middle Strengthen Your Household Finances, Chuck Bentley (Room A) school) G What Are You Thinking?—Learning Styles and Beyond, Carol P For parents of teens (and possibly teens) Barnier (Pavilion) D For dads D Learning to Lead, J. Mark Fox (South Main 1) M For moms G Education—How to Think Outside the Box, Susan Chrisman (South Main 2) (Conference workshop descriptions and vendor workshops are on B Getting Off to a Great Start, Mike and Ronda Marshall the NCHE website .) (South Main 3) P Preparing for College, Debbie Mason (Room B-D) Session 1 Thursday 3:00-4:00 P.M. (FREE SESSION) G T Fantasy Literature and the Homeschooled Child, Amelia P The Challenges to Your Faith You Need to Know Are Com- Harper (Room E-G) ing, John Stonestreet (Room A) O Kids Love North Carolina History, Michele Zavatsky (Gaines G Seventeen Years of Homeschooling and I Hardly Twitch at Ballroom) All Anymore, Carol Barnier (Pavilion) G Toddlers, Tweens and Teens, Oh My! Heidi St. John (South Session 3 Thursday, 6:00-7:00 P.M. Main 1) T G Ideas Have Consequences: Why Worldviews Really, Really G Evaluation—How to Know What Your Child Really Knows, Matter, John Stonestreet (Room A) Susan Chrisman (South Main 2) G R.E.A.L. L.I.F.E. Homeschooling, Heidi St. John (South B Give Me One Good Reason to Homeschool, Davis Carman Main 1) (South Main 3) G One More Chapter, Please! Develop Life-long Readers and P Homeschooling High School, Debbie Mason (Room B-D) Ignite a Fire to Learn, Sarita Holzmann (South Main 2) Y O The Struggling Reader! Am I Emphasizing the Right Things? B So Much Curricula, So Little Time, Marji McIlvaine (South Kristen Eckenwiler (Room E-G) Main 3) nche.com — 12 — Mar/Apr 2012 G Fun with a Purpose! Stephen Parrish (Room B-D) Session 7 Friday 3:30-4:30 P.M. L Does My Child Have a Learning Disability? Kristen G Why Your Family Needs the Church, Voddie Baucham Eckenwiler (Room E-G) (Room A) G Nourishing Your Child’s Soul on Truth, Andrew Kern (Gaines T G Christianity and Culture: For What Are We Responsible? Ballroom) John Stonestreet (Pavilion) G Ten Marriage Myths That Will Steal Your Joy, Heidi St. John Thursday Keynote 7:30-9:00 P.M. (South Main 1) G How to Prepare for an Economic Crisis of Biblical Propor- Y Preschool and Kindergarten Education at Home, Part 2, tion—the SALT Plan,—Chuck Bentley (Room A) Susan Chrisman (South Main 2) G The 3Rs and Beyond—Discover a Homeschool Approach Friday Keynote 9:00-10:30 A.M. that Is Effective for Your Family, Sarita Holzmann (South G Teaching Your Children with Your Grandchildren in Mind, Main 3) Voddie Baucham (Room A) P Parenting the Homeschooled Teen, Debbie Mason (Room B-D) Session 4 Friday 11:00 A.M.-NOON G Foreign Language for Life, Joann Nabb (Room E-G) G The Root of Riches—How to Train Your Family to Think G What about Social Media? Capturing It for Christ, Hal and Differently about Money, Possessions and True Riches, Chuck Melanie Young (Gaines Ballroom) Bentley (Room A) T G Ideas Have Histories: Where Postmodernism Came From, Session 8 Friday 4:50-5:50 P.M. John Stonestreet (Pavilion) G Don’t Let Home Education Destroy Your Marriage! Voddie M The Busy Homeschool Mom’s Guide™ to Romance, Heidi Baucham (Room A) St. John (South Main 1) T G Amused to Death: Living in a Culture of Perpetual Distrac- G Art and Music: Icing on the Cake or Essential Food for the tion, John Stonestreet (Pavilion) Soul and Brain? Susan Chrisman (South Main 2) Y Teaching Your Child to Read—Made Easy, Carol Barnier B Still Undecided? Mike and Ronda Marshall (South Main 3) (South Main 1) G Top Ten Passions from a Homeschool Veteran, Debbie G Habit Training: Key to Maintaining Your Sanity, Susan Mason (Room B-D) Chrisman (South Main 2) L Teaching the Learning Disabled Child, Kristen Eckenwiler G Praise Him in the Storm, Davis Carman (South Main 3) (Room E-G) G P.O.W.E.R. Your Homeschool, Ronda Marshall (Room B-D) P Shining Armor—Your Son’s Battle for Purity, Hal and P T Transitioning from Homeschool to College, Bonita Lillie and Melanie Young (Gaines Ballroom) Wendy Dahlgren (Room E-G) G Homeschooling Is Not Enough, Hal and Melanie Young Session 5 Friday 12:30-1:30 P.M. (Gaines Ballroom) G The Role of the Father in Home Education/Discipleship, Voddie Baucham (Room A) Saturday Keynote 9:00-10:30 A.M. G L Help! How Do I Teach This Highly Distractible Child, Part 1, G T When Is a Worldview Really Biblical? What Worldview Tests Carol Barnier (Pavilion) Don’t Measure, John Stonestreet (Room A) T P Living by Design, Jan Strydom (South Main 1) Y The Joy of Learning with Your Young Child, Joann Nabb Session 9 Saturday 11:00 A.M.-NOON (South Main 2) G T Doing the Right Thing: Recapturing a Biblical Ethic for This B Getting Started and the NC Homeschool Law, Charles Generation, John Stonestreet (Room A) Nettles (South Main 3) G Don’t Miss the Gift in This Child, Carol Barnier (Pavilion) G Homeschool Martyrs: Are You One? Do You Know One? P Homeschooling High Schoolers—Yes You Can, Heidi St. Lynne M. Taylor (Room B-D) John (South Main 1) G Organization for Right-Brained and Left-Brained Home- G A Home Educator’s Guide to Scheduling and Planning, schoolers, Bonita Lillie and Bethany LeBedz (Room E-G) Susan Chrisman (South Main 2) G T The Adventure of American History, Ray Notgrass (Gaines G T Faith and Art, Charlie and Ruth Jones (South Main 3) Ballroom) T P Apprenticeship before (and as a Possible Alternative to) Col- lege, Ken Auer (Room B-D) Session 6 Friday 2:00-3:00 P.M. G Ten Big Questions Answered from the Bible, Charlie Liebert G Teaching Age Appropriate Financial Lessons and Responsi- (Room E-G) bilities, Chuck and Ann Bentley (Room A) Y Homeschooled from the Beginning—What to Do when Your G L Help! How Do I Teach This Highly Distractible Child, Part 2, Children Are Young, Melanie Young (Gaines Ballroom) Carol Barnier (Pavilion) M The Busy Homeschool Mom’s Guide™ to Daytime: How to Session 10 Saturday 12:30-1:30 P.M. Fit Your Size 16 Day into a Size 10, Heidi St. John (South G Discovering and Unlocking God’s Unique Design for Your Main 1) Child’s Education and Career, Chuck Bentley and Jan Y Preschool and Kindergarten Education at Home, Part 1, Strydom (Room A) Susan Chrisman (South Main 2) G The Will: Bend It? Break It? Develop It? What’s a Parent to G B Testing—A Giant in the Land? Marji McIlvaine (South Main 3) Do? Susan Chrisman (Pavilion) G Teaching More than One, Rhonda Marshall (Room B-D) G Two Roosters in the Same House, J. Mark Fox (South Main 1) T P You Can Write! J. Mark Fox (Room E-G) Y Are Parents Really Necessary? Amelia Harper (South Main 2) P T Beating the System: Nontraditional Methods of Earning a T Basics of Drama Techniques, Charlie and Ruth Jones (South Degree Quicker and Cheaper, Matthew Bullington (Gaines Main 3) Ballroom) Continued on page 14 nche.com — 13 — Mar/Apr 2012 Conference Workshop Schedule (Continued from page 13) P T Teaching a Biblical Worldview by Studying Cicero, Mary Harrington (Room B-D) G Reaching the Reluctant Writer, Laura House (Room E-G) M Homeschooling for Imperfect Moms, Charlene Notgrass (Gaines Ballroom)

Session 11 Saturday 1:50-2:50 P.M. T G Discovering God’s Will: How to Know What to Do with Your Life, John Stonestreet (Pavilion) B The First Three Years: A Workshop for Homeschool Rook- ies, Heidi St. John (South Main 1) M Margins for Moms—Limits that Liberate, Carol Barnier (South Main 2) O P What Are We Doing? Marji McIlvaine (South Main 3) D Dads—Developing a Spiritual Vision for Your Family? Kevin Brown (Room B-D) L How to Assess Your Child’s Reading Abilities, Kristen Eckenwiler (Room E-G) G Ballistic Homeschooling, Hal and Melanie Young (Gaines Ballroom)

Important Conference Information • New: A children’s conference will be held on Friday and Satur- day—pre-registration required. • New: Parents of preschoolers are admitted free! Full criteria is on our website. • New: Bring your printed registration confirmation email to the conference. There will be no confirmations or nametags mailed. Wristbands will be provided at the registration booths on-site. $3 replacement fee will be charged for lost wristbands. • New: Registration will open at 12 P.M. on Thursday for pre- registered, full conference attendees. • New: The support group leadership track and luncheon will be on Thursday 10:30 A.M.-2:30 P.M. • New: We will have special entertainment preceding the key- notes at the Friday and Saturday keynote sessions. • Conference registration and volunteer forms, vendors, work- shop descriptions, speaker bios, accommodations, parking and maps are online at . •Two activities are planned for teens and alumni: a cotillion- style dance class on Thursday evening and a games social on Friday night. Full conference registration is required. • For the second year we will host an alumni coffee social on Thursday night at 9:45. •Workshop handouts for conference workshops will be compiled into a booklet and sold at a modest cost. • Free admittance is given to homeschool alumni (graduation dates 2008-2011) and grandparents (who are not actively homeschooling). • Remote parking is available at the fairgrounds on Friday with shuttle service to the convention center. • The College and Camp Fair will be 10:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. on Fri- day. • Saturday-only admission tickets are available at the door. •The telephone number to reach the conference center during the conference IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ONLY is (336) 727-2976. nche.com — 14 — Mar/Apr 2012 Our 2012 Special Guest Artists This year we are excited to offer entertainment during the general business session before the keynotes on Friday and Saturday mornings. On Friday morning we will have the Snyder Family Band, and on Satur- day morning we will have Peculiar People.

The Snyder Family Band features the talents of siblings Zeb and Samantha Snyder from Lexington, NC. Backed by their dad, Bud, on upright bass, this band has delighted and surprised audiences at venues including Merlefest, Wilkesboro, NC, Bristol Rhythm and Roots, Bristol, VA/TN, Music City Roots, Nash- ville, TN, and the Red White and Bluegrass Festival in Morganton, NC. They have also appeared twice on the PBS TV program “Song of the Mountains.” Mom, Laine, occasionally joins in with harmony vo- cals, and six-year-old Owen also makes special appear- ances singing or playing guitar. Samantha, now thirteen, began playing classical violin at age three. In 2007 she won first place at the Jimmy Edmonds Homecoming Competition in Galax, VA. In 2008 at age nine she became the youngest ever to win the prestigious Fiddler of the Festival award at Fiddler’s Grove, NC. She also won the 2011 Adult Bluegrass Fiddle Ruth moved to Greensboro, NC. They are exploring new ways of competition at the Old Fiddler’s Convention held in Galax, VA. using the Arts to joyfully “give gifts” to their city with the inten- In addition to playing fiddle, Samantha sings both lead and har- tion of making their corner of the world a better place to live. mony vocals. Their community dinners (Greensboro Grub) and shows have Zeb, now sixteen, began classical guitar lessons at age seven. been very successful in fulfilling this mission. In 2007, he won the top prize, a Wayne Henderson guitar, at the They have recently purchased the building that they have Jimmy Edmonds Homecoming Competition in Galax, VA. In 2011 been renting for the past three years. This building is a hotel built he became the South Carolina Guitar Champion at RenoFest in in 1903. The plans for the building include a coffee shop that sells Hartsville, SC. He also placed first in the adult guitar competition peanut butter and jelly “sammiches,” a community stage, drama at the Old Fiddler’s Convention in Galax, VA. In addition to gui- instruction to inner city children and dormitory housing for in- tar and mandolin, Zeb also plays banjo, bass, and dobro and sings terns who want to learn how to transform their own communi- lead and harmony vocals. ties. Their latest CD, titled “Stages,” was released in October 2011 The Jones have traveled internationally with Peculiar People. on the Mountain Roads Recordings record label. Charlie and Ruth both write and act their own material that en- compasses a wide variety of themes and styles from sketch com- edy to full-length historical dramas. The main focus of their work is a desire to renew astonishment at the power of God’s Grace and to recapture a lost wonder and innocence—without being reli- gious! For more about Peculiar People go to .

Workshop Numbers Number of conference workshops/ keynotes—92 Number of workshops/keynotes new from last year—84 Number of workshops never done before at NCHE conference—68 Peculiar People consists of Charlie and Ruth Jones and other actors on occasion. After working several years with the Lamb’s Number of conference speakers—38 Players Theatre in San Diego, CA, Charlie and Ruth Jones founded Peculiar People in 1987 in Birmingham, AL, where they remained Number of new speakers this year—18 for seven years before moving to Franklin, TN. Soon after cel- ebrating the twentieth anniversary of Peculiar People, Charlie and nche.com — 15 — Mar/Apr 2012 UÊ Ý«œÀiʈ˜ÌiÀiÃÌÃÊ>˜`ÊV>ÀiiÀà UÊ ,iÃi>ÀV Ê>˜`Ê̜ÕÀÊ ÊVœi}iÃʜ˜ˆ˜i UÊ
VViÃÃÊvÀiiÊÌiÃÌÊ«Ài« UÊ
««ÞÊ̜ÊVœi}iʜ˜ˆ˜i UÊ iVŽÊœÕÌÊÃV œ>Àà ˆ«Ã]Ê}À>˜ÌÃ]ʏœ>˜Ã UÊ ->ÛiÊvœÀÊVœi}iÊÜˆÌ ÊÌ iÊ ÊxәÊ*>˜ œÀʓœÀiʈ˜vœÀ“>̈œ˜]ÊۈÈÌÊ  °œÀ}Ê œÀÊV>ÊnÈÈ°nÈÈ°  Ê­ÓÎÈÓ® *>˜]Ê>««Þ]Ê>˜`Ê«>ÞÊvœÀÊVœi}i

ÊÃiÀۈViʜvÊÌ iÊ-Ì>ÌiʜvÊ œÀÌ Ê >Àœˆ˜>Ê«ÀœÛˆ`i`ÊLÞÊ*>Ì Ü>ÞÃ]Ê œÀÌ Ê >Àœˆ˜>Ê«ÀœÛˆ`i`ÊLÞÊ*>Ì Ü>ÞÃ]Ê ]Ê>˜`Ê ]Ê>˜`Ê -

-

^ÊÓä£ÓÊ*>Ì Ü>ÞÃ]Ê œi}iʜ՘`>̈œ˜]ʘV°]Ê>˜`Ê-Ì>ÌiÊ `ÕV>̈œ˜Ê
ÃÈÃÌ>˜ViÊ
ÕÌ œÀˆÌÞÊ­ 
ÃÈÃÌ>˜ViÊ
ÕÌ œÀˆÌÞÊ­  ® ® -iÀۈVˆœÃÊi˜Êië>šœÊ`ˆÃ«œ˜ˆLiÃ

nche.com — 16 — Mar/Apr 2012 Are You in the Gentle Stream or the Rock Tumbler? by Susan Chrisman years I lived there before. Abide, what do I do in order to abide?” I Recently I read in Now that my children are grown, was ready to be about the work of abiding, Loving the Little Years: I have the early morning time to be quiet but through all those years of tumbling and Motherhood in the before the Lord, and the fellowship is rich bumping about in the rock tumbler of my Trenches by Rachel indeed. But honestly, I have struggled with life, He showed me that abiding is not a Jankovic an analogy the condemnation of all those years before matter of doing, but of being. If your child that keenly related to when life was noisy, and I was being tumbled is misbehaving and making wrong choices, my life. Although I am about; why didn’t I spend more time alone does that make him any less your son? If in a later season of life in my spiritual closet, quiet before the Lord he behaves well and makes all the right than Rachel, God has used her analogy of and in His Word? I see now that God was choices, does that make him any more your a rock in a stream to encourage and faithful to me all along. His transforming son? No, just by being, he is your son. It is strengthen my life. work in me was just that, His work. by being in Christ that I abide in Him. Before I had children I was spiritually During those years when children sur- Even as a branch is grafted to the vine and like a rock lying in the bottom of a stream. rounded me, God was teaching me how to must rely totally and completely upon the The gentle but consistent flow of the wa- abide in Him. I understood the grace of God life of the vine to sustain and nourish and ter was smoothing my surface, changing me given for salvation, knowing there was strengthen it, so I must rely upon Christ over time. I was progressing slowly, but nothing I could do to merit His free gift. I Jesus. He is my everything is not a trite say- steadily. failed to grasp, however, that growing into ing; it is the whole truth. “In Him we live God, in His mercy, saw the need to step a relationship with Christ is also a work of and move and have our being.” up the pace of changing me into His like- grace. He does it all. To be in Christ is to know Him. To ness. So He blessed me with children. Even- What does that mean? Jesus Christ is know Christ is to love Him. To love Christ tually there were five darling, happy, ac- responsible for teaching me, changing me is to trust Him. tive, noisy children in my home—children into His image, transforming me by the re- I have spent the last thirty years of my who loved me, who needed me and de- newing of my mind. I was so busy trying to life getting to know Him. He made me pended upon me; children to clean and do all the right things to make the transfor- hungry for Him and His Word. He showed cook for, to nurture, to comfort, to correct, mation happen, that many times I missed me ways to get more of His Word into my to hug and kiss and snuggle, to enjoy; chil- the truth completely. God allowed me to heart and mind, even in a rock tumbler dren to train, discipline, educate and dis- become totally desperate for Him to work existence. As I was abiding in the Vine, ciple. It was as if He had suddenly plucked in my life so that I would have nothing in He was pouring Himself into me. me from the quiet waters of the stream and or of myself upon which I could depend. He was teaching me to walk day-by- thrust me into the crashing, plunging racket Nothing. No amount of Bible study, Scrip- day, moment-by-moment with Him. God of a rock polisher. And although I wanted ture memory or prayer could bring about wanted more than an early morning hour to be transformed into His likeness, there the transformation I wanted and needed. It with me. He wanted all of me all the time. were times when I longed for the quiet had to be a work of God. I wanted the My life was being sustained by Him, the waters I had known before. I had glimpses change to take place immediately. God saw Vine, and God, as the Husbandman, was of that quietness while nursing a tiny in- that it would take years. faithful to keep and to prune me so I could fant in the middle of the night, washing What did He require of me? Simply to bear more fruit. dishes alone or rocking a restless toddler to abide in Him. My first response was, “Great! Continued on page 19 sleep as I sang Oh, How I Love Jesus or He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. I often felt guilty about the lack of qui- etness in my life there in the tumbler. I would attend women’s retreats and listen as older women told me I had to have an hour each day of quiet before the Lord so I could hear His voice and be transformed by His Word. Condemnation weighed heavily upon me. I believed that in order to be a spiritual woman I had to have that quiet time. I suffered un- der added guilt because I knew I could never live up to the standard that had been placed before me. Still, my heart cried out to know Him and to please Him. As the years have progressed and my home is quiet again, I have found the peace- ful, though very powerful, waters of the stream returning to pour over me. Though my life is busy, and I sometimes find myself in the rock tumbler again, it is not like the

nche.com — 17 — Mar/Apr 2012 nche.com — 18 — Mar/Apr 2012 Are You in the Gentle Stream or the Rock Tumbler? (Continued from page 17) Often I worried about the fruit. Would not despise this noisy time. Christ Jesus is in you, becoming one with you as He is I ever bear much fruit? How could I, if using this time to bring you to the end of one with the Father. Abide in Him in ev- I did not spend hours in His Word and self—self-righteousness, self-reliance, self- ery moment of fear and unbelief or need or hours doing the work of ministry? It took motivation, self-anything. He is guiding darkness, knowing that He is faithful to you years for me to learn that the fruit was the you to the place where you will depend always. Abide in Him every moment that product of the vine through the branch, entirely upon Him. He is teaching you to your God-given responsibilities and the not the product of the branch on its own. abide. Be grateful. Be joyful. It is His work, tasks necessary for living demand your full Have you ever walked past a vineyard and and He will do it! attention, knowing that He is all-powerful heard the branches straining and groaning The time will come when the quiet, to keep you abiding in Him during those to bear fruit? No, it is the living sap of the powerful waters will flow around you and times as well. vine flowing through them that enables the over you, and the fellowship with Jesus will Let God do His work in you now. And branches to bear fruit. It is through abid- be so much sweeter because of what the thank God for the rock tumbler of your life. ing in Him that we receive life from Him, two of you have already walked through and it is His work to conform us into His together. Changing into His image will Susan Chrisman, a twenty-five year likeness, enabling us to bear fruit. come easier in the quieter time because you homeschool veteran, is a featured speaker at As I continue a life of abiding, I desire have become accustomed to listening for the 2012 NCHE Conference. She has served to know Him more completely. He will be His voice and obeying His commands even with her husband on the Oklahoma Christian my lifelong pursuit—not by doing, but by in the noise of the rock polisher. His com- Home Educators’ Consociation board since being, by abiding in Him. Just as I received mands will become as dear to you as His 2001 and edits OCHEC publications. Su- Jesus Christ by faith, it is by faith that I promises, because you see the love and san also co-directs the Charlotte Mason dis- abide in Him. It is for Him to choose how purpose in the commands, having abided cussion group of Oklahoma City. She pub- He will work in me. in Him while in the rock tumbler. Belief lished The Practical Planner for Home The same is true for those of you crash- will be more secure, faith will rise up more Education, and founded a resource service, ing and banging into one another in the quickly, and love beyond your highest Lifelong Learners, to encourage parents in rock tumbler with your children. Abide in thoughts will envelop you. You will con- training and educating their children. The Him. Walk with Him. Pursue Him moment tinue to learn, as I am still learning, to Chrismans have five children and three grand- by moment. Submit and surrender to Him. abide. Abide in Him during every moment sons. You can visit Susan’s website at Say, “I abide in You now,” with each chal- you are consciously communing with Him, . lenge or peaceful moment He allows. Do knowing He loves you and desires to dwell

nche.com — 19 — Mar/Apr 2012 nche.com — 20 — Mar/Apr 2012 How to Teach Your Platypus by Carol Barnier “My boy’s a platy- were unfamiliar. I found ways to teach that up with his learning style, then he’s not a pus!” she gushed en- were surprising. I found ways to teach that struggling learner, I’m a struggling teacher. thusiastically. were downright odd. I passed no judgment I’m not doing the job of finding what he “He’s a what?” I was on any possible idea until I had given it a needs to unlock his understanding of a par- certain I must have try. And that’s when I began to discover ticular concept. It would be easy to see this misunderstood her. some wonderful things about my own dear as a burden. But I’ve come to find the fun “He’s a right brained, little Platypus. He could learn. He could in this part of my job; the joy of the hunt. quasi-lateral, confron- learn well, and fast and with enthusiasm, I now have my radar out all the time, look- tational platypus!” once I found ways in which he did learn. And ing for something different to try. So what “Oh,” was all I could along the way, there were many surprises was the oddest learning activity we ever muster. I was really hoping my cynicism that most learning style programs would did? My children might pick some of the wasn’t showing. “Well that is great.” never have predicted. history recreations we’ve done. Then there My friend had recently purchased the For example, I one day discovered my was the time we practiced spelling on the latest learning styles program and clearly, son repeating his spelling words over and bathroom wall by writing through smeared she had just completed the what-type-is- over until a natural rhythm developed. This shaving cream. But I still place my vote on he questionnaire. This also explained why one really surprised me as I had been abso- the crawl through digestive tract my son I had heard her walking around muttering lutely certain, at least up to that moment, created. We just need to open our minds questions to herself like, “Is he happier that he was completely without musical abil- to all the different ways there are that ma- alone or in a group?” “Does he prefer throw- ity. Thus, rhythm as a learning vehicle had terial could be presented, find the oddest, ing stones across a quiet lake or leaping been completely ignored by me. I tested this strangest, most unlikely of possible meth- through a fast moving stream?” “If he could idea and set several things to either rhyme ods of teaching and then—give it a whirl. be an ice cream flavor, would he be vanilla or to a beat. Wow! It burst open a new av- It’s in such whirls that learning takes flight. or pistachio ripple with chunks of dried enue for learning. The result was that we corn?” She’d been at it for almost a week. now have added a simple daily recitations Carol Barnier is the author of three books about But now her efforts had paid off. section to our schooling. During the years working with non-traditional minds (includ- She had a name for him. he (and all my children) learned the names ing her own), the latest entitled The Big The problem, it seemed to me, is that of the presidents in order, many rules of WHAT NOW Book of Learning Styles. See the name didn’t tell her anything she didn’t math, the books of the Bible, the elements or . She will be a speaker at the if this program was like many others, it planets in order from the sun, and a gazillion 2012 NCHE Annual Conference. wasn’t going to give her a whole lot of in- dates and events from history. formation from this point forward. I mean, I learned that this child, who most defi- I want to know how to teach my little Platy- nitely is not a visual learner, was nonethe- pus when he doesn’t understand why the less, able to work through material better denominators of fractions need to match that was color-coded. Go figure. before adding. I want to know what do you • If he struggled to remember the “gh” in do when a Platypus can’t remember how right or fight, he practiced it and then to spell “familiar” even though he tested boxed in the “gh” with a bright green perfectly on it just yesterday. And I want marker. This additional step, plus the bold this fancy program to tell me why he is up- reminder in green, made it easier to remem- side down in his seat just as often as he’s ber the otherwise forgotten silent letters. right side up. Frankly, I was growing a little • If he often added when he should have wearing of teaching to his tookis (just how subtracted, I had him start by boxing in does one spell tookis?) more often than his all plus signs with a bright blue color and adorable face. circling all subtraction signs with a yel- But instead I often found information low marker. This extra step helped his eye that I didn’t quite know what to do with. to catch the symbol’s required action be- “Be proactive in teaching this child.” “Get fore he plunged ahead. them more involved physically with the • I kept a red pen nearby, and whenever I lesson.” Much of it seemed like valuable gave him an assignment, I had him write it advice, but I usually came away saying, in red. It always called out to him as some- “Okay—how?” When Monday morning thing with some urgency attached to it. would roll around and I faced my struggling Additionally, I learned that each new learner once again, I usually had no idea success was cross-useful. In other words, once what to change in order to accommodate I found a method that worked well in teach- his new name. Where was the book on ing him spelling, I soon tried it in geogra- Platypus Math? phy. If a new idea worked well in math, we Eventually I came to the conclusion found it worth a try in history. Successes were that it was time to experiment. So I went crossing over at a rapid rate. on a hunt for unique ways of teaching ev- So now I’m always on the lookout for ery academic subject. I found every differ- new ideas to teach an otherwise struggling ent teaching method that I could and learner. In fact, I’ve come to find myself at then—are you ready for the really complex odds with the word choice of struggling system I put into place?—I simply tried it learner. If he isn’t learning because I’ve been with my child. I found ways to teach that teaching him with methods that don’t sync

nche.com — 21 — Mar/Apr 2012 BREWERTESTINGSERVICESwww.brewertesting.com336Ǧ699Ǧ3997 PROVIDINGPROFESSIONAL&CONFIDENTIALTESTINGTOHOMESCHOOLFAMILIES  TerraNovaCTBS2005Norms(McGrawǦHill’sreplacementfortheCAT/5andits1991Norms) $55NOBACHELOR’SDEGREEREQUIREDǦGradesKǦ12   Testingsince1988ǦprovidingyearǦroundservices FREEPRIORITYMAILshippingofalltestmaterialstoU.S.addresses Nohiddenshippingorhandlingcharges QuickestgradingpossibleǦ1Ǧ3weeksorlessǦ24Ǧhourturnaroundavailable  x WeuseonlythelatestnormsandlatesttestmaterialsavailableǦAllofourachievementtestsare approvedbytheNCDepartmentofNonǦPublicEducation. x Orderwithconfidencethatyouwillreceivetrulyprofessionalservicewithquickresponse,quality materials,quickandaccurategradingandhomeschoolfriendlyscorereports. x Youwillgetsuperiorserviceregardlessofwhetheryouorder1testor100.Wearealsohomeschool parents,soweknowthechallengesyouface. x Weprovideexcellentcommunication,continuallygivingyoustatusupdatesonyourorder,test materials,gradingandscorereports. x Wealsoretainyourscorereportsforyouincaseyouneedthemlater. x Wegladlyofferourservicestoeveryone,andknowthespecialchallengesofmissionaries,military familiesandotherfamiliesabroad.      TerraNovaCTBS–gradesKǦ12$55 IOWA–gradesKǦ12$44 BASI–grades3Ǧ12$43

 CAREERDIRECT$75‡ƒ”‡‡š ‹–‡†ƒ„‘—––Š‡ƒ††‹–‹‘‘ˆ–Š‹•–‡•––‘‘—”•‡”˜‹ ‡•Ǩ‡Šƒ˜‡–”‹‡†ƒ†–‡•–‡†•‡˜‡”ƒŽ ƒ”‡‡” –‡•–•ƒ†Šƒ˜‡„‡‡‡•’‡ ‹ƒŽŽ›‹’”‡••‡†„›–Š‡ ‘’”‡Š‡•‹˜‡”‡’‘”–•ƒ†”‡•‘—” ‡•–Šƒ–ƒ”‡ƒ†‡ƒ˜ƒ‹Žƒ„Ž‡–‘’ƒ”‡–•ƒ† •–—†‡–•ˆ‘”ƒˆ—ŽŽ›‡ƒ”ƒˆ–‡”–Š‹•–‡•–‹‰ǤŠ‡CareerDirect®CareerTest‹•ƒ‹†‹˜‹†—ƒŽ‹œ‡†ǡ’‡”•‘ƒŽ‰”‘™–Š”‡•‘—” ‡ †‡•‹‰‡†–‘Š‡Ž’•–—†‡–•Ȁƒ†—Ž–•ƒ‡™‹•‡‡†— ƒ–‹‘ƒŽ Š‘‹ ‡•ƒ† ƒ”‡‡”Ǧ’Žƒ‹‰†‡ ‹•‹‘•ƒ„‘—––Š‡‹”ˆ—–—”‡Ǥ –‹•‘”‡ –Šƒƒ•‹’Ž‡ ƒ”‡‡”–‡•–Ǥ –ƒƒŽ›œ‡•ˆ‘—” ”‹–‹ ƒŽƒ”‡ƒ•Ǧ’‡”•‘ƒŽ‹–›ǡ‹–‡”‡•–•ǡ•‹ŽŽ•ǡƒ†˜ƒŽ—‡•™Š‹Ž‡‘•–‘–Š‡” ƒ”‡‡” ƒ••‡••‡–•‘Ž›ƒƒŽ›œ‡‘‡‘”–™‘Ǥ –‹•‰‡ƒ”‡†ˆ‘”•–—†‡–•‹‰”ƒ†‡ͺƒ†ƒ„‘˜‡ǡƒ•™‡ŽŽƒ•ƒ†—Ž–•Ǥ  WOODCOCKǦJOHNSONIII$55(Basic) †‹˜‹†—ƒŽ‹œ‡†ƒ Š‹‡˜‡‡––‡•–ǡ’”‘ˆ‡••‹‘ƒŽŽ›ƒ†‹‹•–‡”‡†„›ƒ–”‡™‡”ǡǤ†Ǥƒ– ‹•ƒŠ‘‡• Š‘‘Ž‘ƒ†”‡–‹”‡† —””‹ —Ž—Ȁ–‡•–‹‰ ‘‘”†‹ƒ–‘”™‹–Š–Š‡‹•–‘ǦƒŽ‡Ȁ ‘”•›–Š‘—–› Š‘‘Ž•ǤŠ‡–‡•–‹‰ –ƒ‡•ͳΦǦʹŠ‘—”•ƒ†›‘—”‡ ‡‹˜‡›‘—”͹Ǧ’ƒ‰‡”‡’‘”––Š‡•ƒ‡†ƒ›Ǥƒ–™‹ŽŽ‡š’Žƒ‹›‘—””‡’‘”–ƒ†‰‹˜‡›‘—’”‘ˆ‡••‹‘ƒŽ ˆ‡‡†„ƒ ƒ† —””‹ —Ž—‹†‡ƒ•‹ˆ”‡“—‡•–‡†Ǥƒ–Šƒ•™‘”‡†™‹–Š†‹ƒ‰‘•–‹ ƒ Š‹‡˜‡‡––‡•–‹‰ƒ†™‹–Šƒ†ƒ’–‹‰ —””‹ —Ž— –‘‡‡––Š‡‡‡†•‘ˆ•–—†‡–•ˆ‘”‘˜‡”ʹͷ›‡ƒ”•Ǥ  KBIT2ǦKaufmanBriefIntelligenceTestŠ‹•–‡•–ƒ†‹‹•–”ƒ–‡†„›ƒ–”‡™‡”ǡ‹•ƒ‹†‹˜‹†—ƒŽ‹œ‡†“—‹ ‡ƒ•—”‡‘ˆ˜‡”„ƒŽ ƒ†‘˜‡”„ƒŽ ‘‰‹–‹˜‡ƒ„‹Ž‹–›Ǣ’”‘˜‹†‹‰’ƒ”‡–•™‹–Šƒ  ‘’‘•‹–‡• ‘”‡ƒ•™‡ŽŽƒ•–Š‡•–—†‡–ǯ••–ƒ†ƒ”†’‡” ‡–‹Ž‡”ƒ „›ƒ‰‡Ǥ̈́Ͷͷ‘”‘Ž›̈́͵ͷ‹ˆ’—” Šƒ•‡†™‹–Šƒ‹†‹˜‹†—ƒŽ‹œ‡†ƒ Š‹‡˜‡‡––‡•–Ǥ  COGNITIVEABILITIESTEST™(CogAT®)IntelligenceTest$55Š‹•–‡•–ǡƒ†‹‹•–”ƒ–‡†„›–Š‡’ƒ”‡–ǡƒ••‡••‡••–—†‡–•ǯ ”‡ƒ•‘‹‰ƒ†’”‘„Ž‡Ǧ•‘Ž˜‹‰ƒ„‹Ž‹–‹‡•ǡ‰‹˜‹‰›‘—‹ˆ‘”ƒ–‹‘‹›‘—””‡’‘”–ƒ„‘—–Š‘™›‘— ƒ„‡•–ƒ†ƒ’–›‘—”‹•–”— –‹‘–‘ ›‘—” Š‹Ž†ǯ•’”‘ ‡••‹‰•–”‡‰–Š•ǡŽ‡ƒ”‹‰ƒ„‹Ž‹–‹‡•ǡƒ†’”‡ˆ‡”‡ ‡•Ǥ‘—”• ‘”‡”‡’‘”–™‹ŽŽ–‡ŽŽ›‘—›‘—”•–—†‡–ǯ• ‘‰‹–‹˜‡ ƒ„‹Ž‹–‹‡•’”‘ˆ‹Ž‡Ǥ –™‹ŽŽ‰‹˜‡›‘—‹ˆ‘”ƒ–‹‘ƒ„‘—–›‘—”•–—†‡–ǯ•Ž‡ƒ”‹‰•–›Ž‡ǡƒ„‹Ž‹–‹‡•ƒ†’”‡ˆ‡”‡ ‡•Ǥ

NewExpandedSelectionofTestPreparationMaterials!–Muchmorethanjustpracticetests!!

   ScoringHigh®$42 TestforSuccess®$25 ScoringHigh®$42 TestReady®$15Ǧ$50 HighSchool®$8.95  BREWERTESTINGSERVICESǦPat&DempseyBrewer2853DavisRoad,EastBend,NC27018336Ǧ699Ǧ3997  www.brewertesting.com

nche.com — 22 — Mar/Apr 2012 Scavenging the Sites by Lorie Codispoti Not everyone has the time to scavenge the Internet to find informative, fun and educa- It’s Elementary tional websites for their family to enjoy. That’s Tour America through Postcards why we offer this column. By dividing it into four sections, we work towards our goal—to This postcard tour of all fifty state capitals is fun and educa- provide something for everyone. We hope that tional. Each interesting postcard includes a personal note, as well you will enjoy what we’ve scavenged for you as informative facts, artifacts, maps, and travel tips. The stamp this month. link shows you what each state’s stamps look like, and some of them include interesting facts about their history. Articles of Interest DLTK’s Sites “Jumping in Just a Little Too Much” by Denise Kanter kids to do. It has lots of coloring pages and project pages that can “The temptation to get overly involved in outside activities is be bookmarked for rainy day activities. one that many homeschoolers face, whether they’re veterans or newcomers.” (D.K.) High School and Beyond “A Harvest of Fruit” by Belinda Bullard Resumes for High School Students muddled thoughts swirling around the old ‘noodle,’ and get excited How should a resume for a high school student be written? again. Delay does not mean denial, and assuming that your overall That is the question this article skillfully tackles. Addressed are plans did not center around certain calendar, you can still recapture the proper format and the kind of information that should be in- the energy and the excitement with which you began.” (B.B.) cluded. Examples of good resumes are provided. Word Spy Teacher Feature Handwriting for Kids Here’s a site your homeschooling teens will enjoy. Word Spy is a guide to some new words and phrases entering our culture’s Here’s a different approach to teaching handwriting. Try pro- vocabulary. Definitions of words that are “slices of modern life” gressing from the simplest to the most complex characters. The are listed. The author even includes a citation for how each word animated uppercase alphabet will be a helpful tool for both teacher was used in print. and student. Many writing exercises and worksheets are also avail- able on this website. Note: Ideas and opinions expressed on the websites in this column are not necessarily those of the author or NCHE. Homeschool Math Lorie Codispoti is retired from homeschooling after successfully This is a comprehensive math resource site filled with all kinds graduating her two children. She and her husband, John, are former of resources that emphasize the understanding of concepts rather NCHE board members. Lorie can be reached at .

nche.com — 23 — Mar/Apr 2012 North Carolinians for Home Education 4336-A Bland Road NONPROFIT ORG. Raleigh, NC 27609 US POSTAGE PAID ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED ECP

Top Ten Reasons to Attend the NCHE Conference by J. Mark Fox likely find them all, and at a good price. ementary years. Our kids were motivated 6. The coffee. Come on, you knew I had to by Josh Harris, Bill Jack, Jeff Baldwin and If you are a home mention there are great coffee establish- John Stonestreet to know what they be- educator, or a prospec- ments within walking distance of the lieve and to dare to stand alone when tive home educator, I convention center! Speaking of nearby necessary. They have loved learning his- know you don’t want to establishments, it was while at the NCHE tory from Jim Weiss. Our whole family miss the 2012 NCHE conference that I first ate at Mellow witnessed exuberant public speaking with Annual Conference and Mushroom. Need I say more? (If you Kevin Swanson. We were so blessed by Book Fair. But just in haven’t had this experience, it is waiting Paul and Ted Tripp and learned more case you might be waver- for you this year in Winston-Salem!) about parenting the hearts of our chil- ing a little, I want to give you my top ten 5. The graduates. Remembering our first dren. Michael Farris and Brian Ray made reasons why every home-school family in couple of NCHE conferences, at us proud to be homeschoolers. Chris North Carolina should be in Winston-Sa- Ridgecrest and in Raleigh, where I could Klicka made us cry. There is something lem May 24-26. count the graduates on two hands, I find for everyone and you don’t have to miss 10. The welcome. What other conference do it a great experience to attend the yearly anything! You and your spouse can at- you attend where the mayor of the city graduation ceremony where two audito- tend different workshops and purchase shows up and thanks you for coming? The riums are filled with graduates and their CDs of the ones you missed or your fa- staff of the convention center and the ho- families and friends. vorites. This year’s speakers are certain tels are always glad to see us, and I have 4. The special features. There are so many, I to be added to our list of favorites. heard for years that we are the nicest, am sure I will miss something, but here 2. The keynote addresses. Where else can you cleanest convention group they host. It’s are a few: the alumni social, the teen and be in the room with several thousand nice to be appreciated! alumni dance class and games social, the people of like mind and kindred spirit, who 9. The talent. Homeschoolers Got Talent! all-star basketball games, the college and love their children and see them as gifts Ignore the bad grammar and come to see camp fair, the children’s conference, the from God? To me this experience is a faith- the Talent Showcase Friday night. You preschoolers track, the support group builder. Also, the keynote speakers are will be amazed and entertained—and the leaders’ track, special book fair shopping leaders in the homeschool movement who price is right, too. for volunteers (we love our volunteers!), have a message that all of us need to hear. 8. The NCHE board. This is a working board, and free rides to the front door from re- 1. The fellowship. Some of my best memo- folks—fellow homeschoolers. You will see mote parking on Friday! ries of the conference are the late night them up close and personal at the con- 3. The speakers and workshops. These have pizza and conversation with family and ference, doing what they do best: serving been a highlight for Cindy and me every friends about who we saw that day and the homeschoolers of North Carolina year since the mid-80s. We have left the what we learned. This weekend in May with a smile. I appreciate these unsung conferences inspired and refreshed, re- is a highlight for our family every year. heroes, and at the conference, we get to newed in our vision and challenged in Now that you have read my list, I know tell them thanks face to face (and maybe our commitment, primarily because of that you understand why you must attend get a little advice from a veteran)! the excellence and the passion of the the conference! 7. The book fair. Whether you are a biblio- speakers. I learned so much about iden- phile or just enjoy large, friendly crowds, tity-directed homeschooling from Chris Mark and Cindy Fox have been homeschooling you have to love the sights and sounds of Davis. Cindy learned not to be fearful for twenty-three years. Mark will present three the book fair. Come with a list of books about letting our kids take risks from workshops at this year’s conference and hopes and supplies you need, and you will most Debra Bell, and to be relaxed in the el- he will get a chance to meet you. nche.com — 24 — Mar/Apr 2012