Homeschooling Workshops Archives

Classical Conversations Info Meetings in Kansas

January 16, 2016 by natalie

For anyone in Kansas who is interested in finding out more about Classical Conversations and the communities that we currently have, please feel free to attend one of our upcoming Info Meetings!

Julian and I have been directing the Challenge A program this past year, with three of our children enrolled in it as students, and it has been fabulous! Our youngest is thriving in Foundations. We are all learning so much, and highly recommend Classical Conversations for families looking for a classical education model built on a solidly Christian worldview in the context of a supportive community.

Everything Your Child Needs to Know…

February 24, 2010 by natalie

…and How to Teach it to Them.

That’s the facetious title of the workshop that I am scheduled to give at 10:00 this morning for the Heart of the Matter online homeschool conference. I’ve been preparing for the workshop now for several weeks with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. I really love talking with and encouraging homeschooling families, but there’s always the gnawing fear that maybe I’ll say something dumb…or the presentation will be too random and lacking in substance…or someone won’t like my style of speaking…ad infinitum. Hmm. Kind of how I feel about my book, too. And the truth of the matter is that I have said dumb things…I have been random before…I have had people dislike my presentation style. But we cannot allow ourselves to be crippled by fear and insecurity.

In the familiar Psalm 23, we read that “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” In the ESV Study Bible notes for this verse, “want” is described as “to lack what one needs.” What a simple, but precious promise! If I need security, my Shepherd holds me in His arms; if I need guidance, my Shepherd leads me in paths of righteousness; if I need courage, my Shepherd makes His presence known; if I need refreshment, my Shepherd restores my soul; if I need hope, my Shepherd reminds me that I will dwell in His house for all eternity. What blessed contentedness may be found if we truly take this passage to heart!

If you’d like to download a copy of the handout for the workshop, just click here or on the image below.

My First Homeschool Convention Workshop!

January 19, 2010 by natalie

It is with a mixture of trepidation and excitement that I accepted the invitation to speak at the Heart of the Matter Conference this year. They even have a page up for me already. 🙂 The conference will be held on-line February 23-24. I don’t know all the ins and outs yet, but it looks like the organizers do a wonderful job recruiting a variety of speakers and planning an event that will be accessible, affordable, and beneficial for homeschool families across the country. It’s only $12.95, but they have given me 5 tickets that I’ll be giving away here on the Pajama School Blog in February. So, stay tuned for details on that!

Even though I’ve done lots of workshops over the years, they have primarily been in character education and music education settings, so this will be a new experience. However, the Lord has laid it on my heart to encourage homeschool families and I am trusting that He will help me know the best approach to take and what to share. The workshop I am putting together for the Heart of the Matter Conference was prompted in large part by the survey that I conducted at the CHEC conference last year and the subsequent conversations that I had with numerous homeschooling parents. Here’s the title and synopsis for my workshop:

Everything Your Child Needs to Know and How to Teach it to Them
In this encouraging and sometimes humorous workshop, homeschool graduate Natalie Wickham reflects on the four aspects of her homeschool education that she appreciates the most. Drawing on her own experiences, observation of and conversations with other homeschool families, insightful survey responses, and biblical principles, Natalie’s heart is to inspire the next generation of homeschoolers. The number one question in the minds of many homeschool parents is whether they are teaching their child everything they need to know. Natalie highlights an important distinction that must be made when asking this question, and provides practical suggestions that will benefit every homeschool family.

I’ll be fine-tuning this over the next several weeks, so if you have any suggestions, feel free to let me know!

Attend a Homeschool Workshop in the Comfort of Your Home

April 28, 2009 by natalie

HSLDA has just announced their @home e-vents initiative and it sounds like a great idea! Andrew Pudewa is scheduled to be the speaker for the first two sessions on May 4 and May 5. I have listened to Andrew Pudewa in person and via recording and he is one of the most excellent speakers I’ve heard. He is intelligent, humorous, and practical – with lots of great insights into how to teach and learn more effectively. I’m sure his two workshops, The Four Deadly Errors of Teaching Writing and Spelling and the Brain will be excellent!