Entries Tagged 'Conventions' ↓
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.
April 20th, 2010 — Contests & Giveaways, Conventions
It’s GIVEAWAY TIME at In Our Write Minds! I have two free tickets for the May 12-14 Schoolhouse EXPO. These are going fast, so this will be a fast contest. Hurry to get on board!
NOTE: The tickets are almost sold out! If they’re gone by the time of the drawing, you will still win. Though you’ll miss the live sessions, your ticket will give you access to all the seminar recordings, freebies, and other convention goodies for an ENTIRE YEAR.
Here’s how you can enter to win a free ticket ($24.99value):
- Leave a comment below = 1 entry
- Tweet about the giveaway= 1 entry (my Twitter link: http://twitter.com/writeshop )
- Create a link to the giveaway on your Facebook profile = 1 entry
- If you tweet or FB it, let me know in the comments below. [Edited: Max of 3 comments per person (one comment, one tweet, one FB).]
I’ll draw the winners’ names on Thursday, April 22. Will you be one of them?
Let all your friends know about this giveaway so they can have a chance to attend this wonderful online convention. (And pssst . . . I’m one of the featured speakers!)
. . . . .
Are you a WriteShop Facebook fan yet? Here you go: www.facebook.com/writeshop
April 7th, 2010 — Conventions
Convention season is upon us! WriteShop is exhibiting at our first conference of the year this Saturday, April 10, 2010—at the Central Coast Home Education Conference in lovely Santa Maria, California.
In addition, I’ll be speaking several times throughout the day. Join me for the following workshops:
- Writing Games (general interest)
- Beat the Clock: Effective Tips for Writing Timed Essays (for teens and their parents)
- College Prep: Is Writing on Track? (for teens and their parents)
Visit the Central Coast Home Education Conference website for more information. Hope to see you there!
~Kim
March 11th, 2010 — Conventions
Like the idea of attending a homeschool convention?
Hate the thought of paying high registration fees, incurring travel expenses, and figuring out child care while you’re gone?
Then you’ll love the Schoolhouse Expo!
Schoolhouse Expo 2010
Whether you live internationally, rurally, or attend a local convention offered to your community, you won’t want to miss The Schoolhouse Expo.
Convenient. 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 keynote speakers like Susan Wise Bauer, Diana Waring, and Todd Wilson
- Vendor booths
- Freebies
- Door prizes
- And so much more!
Flexible. Unable to listen to all the sessions live? The Schoolhouse Expo lets you choose! All sessions will be recorded. Plan to attend some sessions live, and then listen to any or all workshop audios at your convenience—all year long.
Practical. The Schoolhouse Expo will help your home and homeschool run more smoothly with suggestions, encouragement, and practical, how-to information. You’ll enjoy the fresh ideas, camaraderie, and affirmation that homeschooling works—all from a solid, Christian perspective.
Join WriteShop at the Expo
- Attend Kim’s workshop. As one of the featured speakers, I’m excited to share tips and ideas on Growing Your Child’s Writing Vocabulary. The live session will include a Q and A time.
- Visit WriteShop’s virtual vendor booth.
- Chance to win a WriteShop door prize: a $50 gift certificate
Early Bird Registration
Register early. Get some special perks—and a $5 discount if you register by March 31, 2010. Regularly $24.99, attendance is only $19.99. Take advantage of this limited-time offer by registering now—and I’ll see you at the Schoolhouse Expo!
January 28th, 2010 — Conventions
Three Flavors of Communication
Writing. Speech. Conversation. These “Three Flavors of Communication” provide the theme of the 5th Annual Say What You Mean Convention, which brings you a day packed with learning and laughter.
Sponsored by Art of Eloquence, this annual online convention offers keynote speakers, live workshops, and pre-recorded audios designed to equip you and your children with stronger communication skills. The conference is peppered throughout the day with exciting activities such as contests, giveaways, fun, and fellowship.
Date: Wednesday, February 3
Time: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST / 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST
Workshops by Kim Kautzer
I’m excited to share that I’m one of the hosts and speakers again this year. That means you’ll get to hear me present four all-new workshops!
- Writing Skills: More Important Than Ever!
- How to Wrte a Speech
- Speak the Truth in Love
- The Lazy Student: What’s a Mom to Do?
Live Seminars
Most of the live seminars will also be recorded for later, but if you’re listening in live, you can win bonus gifts. Plus, you won’t want to miss the Michael Jr. live interview, which will NOT be recorded at all.
- 8am PST/11am EST – Interview with Christian comedian Michael Jr. on Faith and Humor
- 10am PST/1pm EST – JoJo Tabares of Art of Eloquence “The Three Flavors of Communication: Writing, Speech, and Conversation”
- 12pm PST/3pm EST – Cindy Rushton of Talk-a-Latte ”Building a Passionate, Forever, Happier, and Happier-Ever-After Marriage”
- 2pm PST/5pm EST Joan Rudder-Ward of Girl Nurture “The Heat is On: Techniques to Protect You and Your Daughter from Becoming Culture War Casualties.”
- 4pm PST/7pm EST Kim Kautzer of WriteShop “Writing Skills: More Important than Ever!”
- 6pm PST/9pm EST Prayer Chat
Pre-recorded Audios
Read the descriptions of each talk here. The audios will be available at the Say What You Mean Convention website for one year!
- How to Tailor Your Writing for Effectiveness
- The Lazy Student: What’s a Mom to Do?
- What Good Is a Speech Course If Your Kids Won’t Use It?
- How to Write a Speech
- Conversation: The Most Important Communication
- Speak the Truth in Love
- What Most Apologetics Courses Don’t Teach You
- Talking vs. Communicating
- Listening: THE Most Important Communication Skill
- Humor: A Powerful Communication Tool
- Avoiding, Reducing and Healing Conflicts
- What It Takes to Be a Great Communicator
And More!
July 3rd, 2009 — Conventions
The second weekend of July will find WriteShop exhibiting at two homeschool conventions on opposite coasts. Join us!
HINTS – Matthews, NC
North Carolina homeschoolers, especially if you live in the Charlotte area, will not want to miss the wonderful local HINTS Book Fair July 10-11 at Christ Covenant Church. Admission is only $5.00!
CHEA – Long Beach, CA
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 26th annual event July 9-11. Visit www.cheaofca.org for convention schedule, printable syllabus pages, and more.
A homeschool conference is the perfect time to stop by our booth to ask questions, see what’s new, or browse through WriteShop books in person.
At these local conventions, you can:
- See our full line of WriteShop products.
- Purchase the BRAND-NEW WriteShop Primary Book B!
- Learn how you can teach a WriteShop co-op class in your area.
- Receive much-needed encouragement about teaching writing.
Don’t forget to check WriteShop’s convention schedule to see where we’ll be next!
May 19th, 2009 — Conventions
This coming weekend—May 21-23, 2009—heralds two of the largest homeschooling conventions in the nation, one in Florida and the other in North Carolina. WriteShop will once again have a booth at each of these.
FPEA
Florida homeschoolers, especially if you live in the Orlando area, will not want to miss the fabulous Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) Convention at Rosen Shingle Creek.
NCHE
Likewise, if you live in North Carolina, you’ll want to attend the annual North Carolina Home Educators’ Convention (NCHE) in Winston-Salem.
This is 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 convention sites 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 7th, 2009 — Conventions
If you homeschool in the Dallas area, this weekend is the annual Home School Book Fair in nearby Arlington! With great speakers and all sorts of curriculum exhibitors, you won’t want to miss this extra-special conference!
This is a perfect time to stop by our booth (#603) to ask questions, see what’s new, or browse through WriteShop books in person.
At the convention you can:
Visit www.homeschoolbookfair.org for workshop schedule, exhibit hall hours, and directions to the Arlington Convention Center. At only $10 per person, don’t pass up this opportunity!
And check WriteShop’s convention schedule to see where we’ll be next!
July 23rd, 2008 — Conventions
Homeschoolers in central California are looking forward to the Valley Home Educators’ 15th Annual Home Education Convention! With a great lineup of speakers and all sorts of curriculum exhibitors, you won’t want to miss this year’s conference.
This is a 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:
- See our full line of WriteShop products
- Purchase WriteShop Primary Book A!
- Learn how you can teach a WriteShop co-op class in your area.
- Find out more about online tutoring with WriteShop.
- Receive much-needed encouragement about teaching writing.
- Attend our exhibitor workshop Teaching Writing: The Big Picture Saturday at 11:00 to learn what to teach and when!
Visit www.valleyhomeeducators.org for convention schedule, speaker line-up, and more.
At WriteShop, we’re wrapping up our 2008 convention schedule. Next weekend (August 1-3) we’ll be in Ontario, CA for the California Homeschool Network Family Expo, our final conference of the year.
