HOMESCHOOL CONVENTION - Oregon Home Education Network

Adult Workshops - Session 2
A4 - No Math, No Problem (John Bennett) - Room 101 - 102
When are we going to use this math stuff in real life? Come hear a math teacher's
(and homeschooling dad's) journey of how the answer to this common question changed over
time and how his controversial conclusion is polarizing the world. You may never think of math
the same way after this.
A5 - Staying Connected With Your Teenager (Emily Troper) - Room 103
This class focuses on the primacy of connection in parenting teenagers. Hear from experienced
parents of teens about how they stay(ed) connected with their teenagers through these exciting,
scary, fragile, powerful years. You will come away with an understanding of the importance of
preserving connection between parent and teen, and ideas and inspiration for how to live together
harmoniously while setting limits respectfully. Incorporates concepts from the work of Patty
Wipfler, Dr. Gordon Neufeld, and Mira Kirchenbaum.
A6 - On the Cutting Edge:
How Homeschooling Embodies Best Education Practices (*Lori Walker ) - Room 104
Do you wonder if what you are doing at home will "measure up" to the neighborhood school's
curriculum, or even the curriculum of that expensive private school? Discover what an ideal 21st
century education looks like, and take a look at how your homeschool plans compare. Gain clarity
on what really matters, and how we can best support the lifelong learner within our children and
ourselves.
A7 - Homeschooling the Young Child (Cori Smith and Gina Guzman) - Room 105
So you've decided not to send your child to preschool or kindergarten. Now what? Learn how to
inspire discovery and creative play. Combine the effective use of living books, storytelling,
hands-on learning, and field trips for a well-rounded education for young children. Learn to
observe your child and notice the signs of readiness instead of following the age-based
"standards" of modern education. Recent studies in the field of education will be presented for
consideration.
A8 - Beyond Brainstorming (*Karen Anderson) - Room 202
This will be an interactive session for parents covering both Teamwork and Creative Problem
Solving skills. The development, characteristics, and behaviors of teams will be discussed, and
some team-building games shared. The tools that can be used to develop creative problem solving
skills from generating ideas to implementation will be shared and used. A brief discussion of
Destination ImagiNation and how its concepts can work in the homeschool environment will end
the session.
A9 - Privately-Developed Plans (PDPs):
An Alternative to Testing and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) (Amy Grant) - Room 203
Oregon law allows children with disabilities to be assessed under a Privately Developed Plan
(PDP) as an alternative to standardized testing or an IEP. At this session you’ll learn about the
qualifications and requirements for a PDP, and have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss
the advantages and disadvantages of a PDP.
A10 - Word Magic (Tamra Orr) - Room 204
Worried about how to teach writing to your children? Want to teach the creativity and magic of
writing instead of getting tangled up in grammar and sentence diagramming? In this workshop,
author/writer Tamra Orr will present ways to keep the fun in writing, with games to play, ideas to
try and stories to create. Let’s explore how to make writing a natural part of life—and not
something to be "taught."
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* Visit their vendor booth for more information
About Our Speakers
Lori McKee Walker is the founder of Village Home Education Resource
Center and currently serves as the Executive Director. Village Home is gaining
national recognition for its innovative approach to education, and will be
featured in the upcoming documentary, "Class Dismissed." Prior to becoming
a mother, which she believes is her most important job, Lori was the Director
of Training and Curriculum at Learning Forum, where she designed
curriculum for life skills and academic skills programs worldwide. She also
served as a facilitator herself at programs in the United States and abroad. Lori
has over 15 years of experience teaching and training adults and children in a
variety of subjects, from geography and pysanky, to accounting for REITs.
She earned BA degrees, graduating summa cum laude with distinction and
honors, from SMU in Business Management and Psychology, with an
emphasis in child development.
Shadowmoon Wolf (Moonstar Dance Studio) Shadow is the founder of
Moonstar and she’s been dancing for over 20 years throughout the West Coast.
She spent most of her high school years on the Forest Grove Vikettes Dance
Team and went on to instruct dance camps at Portland State and Western
University. She later returned to Forest Grove to take the head coaching
position in 2005. Shadow has danced with the Oregon All-State team,
Portland Forest Dragons, Semi-Pro Football, Team and the Thunderbolts. She
recalls that she’s had many wonderful dance experiences over the last 10
years, but she always had a dream of owning her own dance studio. Five years
ago she founded Moonstar Dance Studio and she says, “Every day I feel
excited about the opportunity to touch the lives of our youth!”
Ano Youssefian (Ano’s Art) Ano believes that art has the power to shape
lives. To practice art is to affirm one’s beliefs. To share art is to create a
dialogue with others. To appreciate art is to find the best of ourselves
reflected in it. Ano learned to connect art and life from her mother, Serpouhi
Sakouyan, who found so many ways to show it. Now it is her privilege and joy
to bring this family tradition to her art and teaching. Taking the time to savor
the big and small wonders of life—and to share them—is both the greatest
lesson she has learned and the greatest gift she can give. With each child that
Ano teaches, she passes along the same love, hope, and care that her mother so
tenderly gave to her. (Ano’s assistants, Jamie and Xia, will be teaching the
Ano’s Art workshops at the OHEN Convention.)
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