Entries Tagged 'Conventions' ↓
July 18th, 2011 — Conventions
July is our busiest month for homeschool conventions. Among our favorites is the annual Arizona Families for Home Education Convention in beautiful—but HOT—Phoenix.
If you live in Arizona, AFHE is a great opportunity to hear some inspiring speakers, check out new curriculum, meet new and like-minded friends, and get recharged for the new school year. This year’s conference is July 22-23 at the Phoenix Convention Center.
We’ll have a vendor booth again this year, so as you begin looking toward fall, it’s also the perfect time to stop by our booth to ask questions, see what’s new, or browse through WriteShop books in person. We’ll be in booth #514.
At the convention you can:
- See our full line of WriteShop products
- Purchase the newest WriteShop Primary books.
- Preview the up-and-coming WriteShop Junior books.
- Learn how you can teach a WriteShop co-op class in your area.
- Receive much-needed encouragement about teaching writing.
- Attend a WriteShop exhibitor workshop on Teaching Writing: The Big Picture Saturday at 1:30 in Rm. 154.
Visit the AFHE Convention website for workshop schedule, exhibit hall hours, and directions to the convention. See you there!
And don’t forget to check WriteShop’s convention schedule to see where we’ll be next!
July 12th, 2011 — Conventions
If you homeschool in Southern California, you know that the CHEA Convention is one of the highlights of the year! With a great lineup of speakers and all sorts of curriculum exhibitors, you won’t want to miss this extra-special 28th annual event July 14-16.
This year, the CHEA Convention will again be held at the beautiful Pasadena Convention Center. Visit www.cheaofca.org for information, convention schedule, and downloadable workshop syllabus pages.
Vendor Booth
As you begin looking toward the next school year, it’s also the perfect time to stop by our booth to ask questions, see what’s new, or browse through WriteShop books in person. Find us in Booth #329.
At the convention you can:
- See our full line of WriteShop products
- Purchase the newest WriteShop Primary books.
- Preview the up-and-coming WriteShop Junior materials.
- Learn how you can teach a WriteShop co-op class in your area.
- Receive much-needed encouragement about teaching writing.
- Attend my workshop “Ten Stumbling Blocks to Writing” at 12:40 on Friday.
Visit the CHEA website for more information. Hope to see you there!
~Kim
June 9th, 2011 — Conventions
I love homeschool conventions! I love meeting homeschooling families all around the country. And I love encouraging parents with my own experiences and stories.
Next week will bring us to the beautiful state of Washington, where Debbie and I will be exhibitors at the annual WHO Convention at the Puyallup Fair and Events Center.
If you live in northwestern Washington, this is a great opportunity to hear some inspiring speakers, check out new curriculum, and enjoy a weekend of refreshment and recharging.
And as you begin looking toward the next school year, it’s also the perfect time to stop by our booth to ask questions, see what’s new, or browse through WriteShop books in person.
At the convention you can:
Visit the WHO Convention site for workshop schedule, exhibit hall hours, and directions to the conventions. See you there!
And check WriteShop’s convention schedule to see where we’ll be next!
May 23rd, 2011 — Conventions
Two of the largest homeschool conventions in the country take place this coming weekend, May 26-28, 2011. It’s the perfect opportunity to refresh and recharge, learn from great speakers, and browse through curriculum. Look for the WriteShop booth at both the FPEA and NCHE exhibit halls.
FPEA
If you live in the Orlando area, run—don’t walk—to this year’s outstanding Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) Convention at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. On Friday, May 26, Kim Kautzer will be speaking on “Teaching Writing: The Big Picture,” giving an overview of what to teach and when—and sharing loads of ideas!
- FPEA: WriteShop booth #329
NCHE
And if you homeschool in North Carolina, don’t miss out on the annual North Carolina Home Educators’ Convention (NCHE) in Winston-Salem.
- NCHE: WriteShop booth #41
At the conventions you can:
- See our full line of WriteShop products
- Purchase the newest WriteShop Primary books.
- Take a sneak peek at the exciting new WriteShop Junior series (coming soon)!
- Learn how you can teach a WriteShop co-op class in your area.
- Receive much-needed encouragement about teaching writing.
Whichever conference you attend, it will be a great time to stop by our booth to ask questions, see what’s new, or browse through WriteShop books in person. Visit the convention sites for workshop schedule, exhibit hall hours, and directions to the conventions. See you there!
And if you live on the West Coast, make sure to check WriteShop’s convention schedule to see where we’ll be next!
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To learn more about WriteShop, visit our website at www.writeshop.com.
May 16th, 2011 — Conventions, Essays & Research Papers, High school
May is here . . . which means it’s time once again for the annual Schoolhouse Expo, May 16-20, 2011. The fun and festivities start TODAY! Celebrating its first anniversary, the Schoolhouse Expo is a fantastic opportunity for you to hear homeschooling experts share on all sorts of topics near and dear to your heart. The 2011 Expo theme is “Homeschooling with Heart.”
New High School Track
In addition to regular sessions of general interest, there’s also a High School Track this year.
The high school track offers practical and informative sessions by speakers whose expertise lies in the area of higher education. Encourage your high school student to join in—the Expo has some great things in store! If you currently are teaching a middle school student, this track will also help prepare you to successfully homeschool through the high school years.
Kim Kautzer on Timed Essays
I’m looking forward to sharing a session called “Teaching the Timed Essay,” which will be of interest to both parents and high schoolers.
Invite your teen to sit in on the session as I give tips and suggestions for approaching this often-overwhelming side of high school writing.
How to Participate
If you have already purchased a ticket to the live event, you can join in on the workshop “Teaching the Timed Essay” Thursday, May 19 at 1 p.m. EDT/noon CDT/10 a.m. PDT.
Live tickets are sold out, but don’t despair if you missed out. You can buy an Expo to Go ticket, which gives you access to every workshop presentation—including accompanying PowerPoint slide shows—via MP3 download. You can hear each session at your convenience—over and over, if you like.
Expo to Go tickets are available here: www.schoolhouseexpo.com/?page_id=14
Visit the WriteShop Virtual Vendor Booth for some special offers and freebies: www.schoolhouseexpo.com/?page_id=4823
See you there!
~Kim
March 17th, 2011 — Conventions
In 2011, WriteShop will be exhibiting at 10 brick-and-mortar homeschool conventions where you can see our line of WriteShop products in person, get the skinny on our upcoming WriteShop Junior series and, at most locations, sit in on an informative workshop.
I’m also speaking at a handful of online conferences—which make a great alternative if you’re unable to attend a convention in person.
March 31-April 2: Cincinnati, OH
MidWest Homeschool Convention
www.cincinnatihomeschoolconvention.com
UPDATE:
Kim Kautzer is a featured speaker - ”Teaching Writing: The Big Picture”
May 2-6: Online Conference
Ultimate Homeschool Expo
www.ultimatehomeschoolexpo.com
Kim Kautzer is a featured speaker – “College Prep: Is Writing on Track?”
May 6-7: Arlington, TX
Home School Book Fair
www.homeschoolbookfair.org
Kim Kautzer is a featured speaker - “Ten Stumbling Blocks to Writing”
May 16-20: Online Conference
Schoolhouse Expo
www.schoolhouseexpo.com
Kim Kautzer is a featured speaker – “Teaching the Timed Essay”
May 26-28: Winston-Salem, NC
NCHE – North Carolinians for Home Education
www.nche.com/conference
May 26-28: Orlando, FL
FPEA – Florida Parent Educators Association
www.fpea.com/Convention/index.htm
Exhibitor Workshop – Teaching Writing: The Big Picture
June 17-18: Puyallup, WA
WHO – Washington Homeschool Organization
www.washhomeschool.org/convention/convention.html
Exhibitor Workshop – Teaching Writing: The Big Picture
June 23-25: Philadelphia, PA - CANCELLED
(We were sorry to learn that the NorthEast Homeschool Convention has been cancelled and rescheduled for 2012.)
July 14-16: Pasadena, CA
CHEA – Christian Home Educators Association of California
www.cheaofca.org
Exhibitor Workshop – Ten Stumbling Blocks to Writing
July 16-17: Charlotte, NC
HINTS Book Fair
www.hintsonline.org/bookfair.htm
Exhibitor Workshops
- Inspiring Successful Writers (K-6th)
- Inspiring Successful Writers (7th-12th)
July 22-23: Phoenix, AZ
AFHE – Arizona Families for Home Education
www.afhe.org/conventions.htm
Exhibitor Workshop – Teaching Writing: The Big Picture
July 29-30: Modesto, CA
VHE – Valley Home Educators
www.valleyhomeeducators.org
Exhibitor Workshop – Ten Stumbling Blocks to Writing
Will you be attending any of these events? Let us know. And if you’ll be there in person, please come by our booth in the exhibit hall and say hello!
~Kim
August 19th, 2010 — Conventions
The Schoolhouse Expo Is Back . . .
And it’s bigger and better than ever! With the theme “Celebrate Homeschooling,” this 
fabulous online homeschool conference is coming October 4-8, and you won’t want to miss it! After all, you can attend from the comfort of home–no childcare, travel expenses, or costly admission fees. Who could ask for more?
I haven’t homeschooled since my youngest graduated in 2003, but that didn’t stop me from having a blast at the live online event in May—and not just because I was one of the speakers! What made it so much fun?
- Inspirational, encouraging, humorous, and practical workshop sessions.
- A chat room that buzzed with excitement and comaraderie.
- Door prizes and giveaways galore.
Bonus Preview Shows
As part of the Fall Expo, there will be two lively preview shows to kick off the October event. I’ll be speaking at the September 21 preshow. My topic is “Teaching Writing: The Big Picture.”
Homeschoolers tend to excel in so many areas, yet writing remains an admitted weakness for many of you. I’ll give you a general overview of writing for K-12, with the particular goal of encouraging and inspiring insecure parents.
In addition, I’ll talk about the steps of the writing process; what to teach and when; the importance of editing; content, style, and mechanics; and more. It’s a look at the “big picture” with helpful tips you can apply right away.
Don’t Miss It! Register Now!
Tickets for the May event sold out really quickly, so TOS is encouraging you to grab your ticket early! Plus, tickets are $5 off this week, making the live event a bargain at $19.99 and the Expo to Go MP3 package an even sweeter deal at $14.95. The live event has more perks, but either one will give you access to all the workshops for a full year.
- Preshow #1: August 24
- Preshow #2: September 21
- Schoolhouse Expo: October 4-8
Hope to see you there!
~Kim Kautzer
July 29th, 2010 — Conventions
The CHN Family Expo returns to Ontario, CA August 5-8, 2010. This will be WriteShop’s last homeschool convention of the year—and we hope to see you there!
Families from around the state will be gathering for family fun and homeschooling encouragement at the California Homeschool Network’s annual conference, which will be held at the Ontario Marriott.
Workshops
If you’re looking for fun, creative ways to boost writing this year, I’ll be presenting a workshop at 9:30 a.m. August 6: Gone Fishing: Tips and Ideas to Motivate Young Writers.
Vendor Booth
On August 6 and 7, visit our vendor booth (#117) to ask questions, see what’s new, or browse through WriteShop books in person. Don’t forget to ask for your FREE gift! You’ll love it!
At the convention you can:
Visit the CHN website for workshop schedule, exhibit hall hours, and directions to the convention. See you there!
May 14th, 2010 — Conventions, Homeschooling, Teaching Writing
This morning I presented a jam-packed workshop at the Schoolhouse Expo, a virtual homeschool conference sponsored by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. The hour whizzed by as I shared tons of ideas for ways to creatively introduce and expand your children’s writing vocabulary. Here are just a handful of suggestions from today’s session.
Be a Writing Role Model
You’ve heard that if you want your children to become readers, they need to see you reading. Likewise, to raise writers, you must make sure they see you writing. When your child writes, think about stopping to write as well.
- Draw attention to your writing. Point out times that you use writing to communicate with others.
- Talk about writing opportunities. Explain the purpose for each kind of writing and the target audience, handwriting vs. computer, etc.
- Let your child see you prepare for a Bible study, keep a prayer journal, or take notes during church.
- Have your child help you write letters, even such routine ones as ordering items from an advertisement or writing a letter of praise or complaint to a company. This helps the child to see firsthand that writing is important to adults and truly useful.
- Take time to write in your journals together.
Assign Copywork
Copywork has so many benefits, including providing students with excellent writing models. You can use various copywork passages as opportunities to look up unfamiliar words, which is a great way to naturally expand your children’s vocabulary.
You can purchase resources specifically intended for the purpose of copying. Or simply encourage copying Bible verses, hymns, favorite poems, passages of literature, or famous quotations.
Suggest Making Lists
Making lists is an effective writing tool for all ages. Most children like to create lists anyway, but writing out lists—from the mundane to the meaningful—also helps them become more organized. Taken a step further, when list-making is used as a brainstorming tool, it can even help students plan the elements of an essay or story. And it also helps build context-specific vocabulary.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Show them how you keep a calendar, make grocery lists, write daily to-do lists, add to an ongoing list of projects, etc. Then your kids can make their own lists of schoolwork, dates for soccer practice and games, family birthdays, etc.
- They can inventory furniture in a room or items in a junk drawer, jewelry box, or medicine cabinet. Talk about different ways to name common objects.
- Likewise, they might make lists of their various personal possessions such as baseball cards, stuffed animals, shoes, or CDs. Collections, such as seashells or Matchbox cars, often have specific or specialized names. Learning these helps contribute to vocabulary growth.
- Another suggestion is to create word lists: Your child can begin a list with a word that describes a texture such as rough or slippery, or a character quality such as gentle, brave, or faithful. Then have him use a thesaurus to look up synonyms for that word to expand the list.
. . . . .
If you missed it, you can still get an Expo to Go ticket that will give you access to all the MP3 audios beginning May 31, 2010. It’s been a wonderful event, and I highly encourage you to grab a ticket so that you can take advantage of the encouragement and ideas that each outstanding speaker has offered. At $19.95, it’s an outstanding deal! Just click the Expo to Go image to the right. >>>
My homeschooling days are well behind me, but I still gleaned so much from the excellent sessions. Hope you take advantage of “Expo to Go”!
Photo courtesy of StockXchg.
April 22nd, 2010 — Conventions
I’m super excited to announce the winners of our great giveaway! Congrats to Mrs. E and Heidemarie. You’ll both be receiving a ticket to the Schoolhouse EXPO.
Thanks to all who participated! I wish I could have given a spot to each and every one of you. Read on to find out how you can still take advantage of the EXPO for just $19.99.
It’s Not Too Late!
I invite you to join me—and a host of other favorite speakers—at this exciting virtual homeschool conference. As one of the workshop presenters, I look forward to sharing tips and ideas on Growing Your Child’s Writing Vocabulary.
The Schoolhouse EXPO live event is now sold out. BUT you can still get a “Recorded Ticket” to the event. You will receive an MP3 with all the sessions, along with a wonderful selection of free gifts.
A Year’s Worth of Perks
Sponsored by The Old Schoolhouse magazine, and featuring a stellar lineup of speakers, the Schoolhouse Expo offers all the perks of a homeschool conference—but without the hassle—including:
- Popular session speakers like Susan Wise Bauer, Diana Waring, and Todd Wilson. (All sessions will be recorded. You can listen all year long to your favorite speakers and workshops.)
- Vendor booths
- Virtual goodie bag loaded with vendor freebies
- Coupons and discounts
- And so much more!
The Schoolhouse Expo will help your home and homeschool run more smoothly with suggestions, encouragement, and practical, how-to information—all from a solid, Christian perspective. You won’t want to miss this amazing virtual homeschooling experience!
How to Register for the Recorded Event
Though the live event is sold out, you can now register for the Recorded Schoolhouse EXPO event. This will give you access to all the audio sessions and handouts, as well as a virtual goodie bag of exciting and valuable freebies, and it’s only $19.99!
To register, follow this link. You’ll see two “Register Today” images. Click one that does NOT say “Sold Out.” It will take you to a page where you can register for the Recorded Event and freebies.
