HOMESCHOOLERS OF MAINE - Virtual Conference 2021 With Keynote Speaker Connie Albers (2024)

HOMESCHOOLERS OF MAINE Virtual Conference 2021 March 18, 19, & 20 With Keynote Speaker Connie Albers

Welcome! We are grateful to you for joining us for this virtual event! Before we begin, please take a look at the following information. Attendee Etiquette (Disclaimer: The sessions may be recorded. However, if we use the recordings for promotion, all guests and questions will be edited out of the recording before sharing, unless we have your express permission to share.)1. Webcam Etiquette: We love to see your smiling faces, so we are asking that youplease keep your camera on during the event (if you have one.) But also, be aware ofyour surroundings. If there are pets, children, or other things moving in the back-ground, it may be distracting to other guests.2. Be present: Use your emoji paddles to show appreciation, raise your hand for aquestion or give a thumbs up. Let the speaker know you are listening and that you val-ue what they are saying.3. Audio: Please keep your mic muted during the entire presentation. If you raise yourhand for a question, please wait to be acknowledged before unmuting.4. Breakout rooms: Our purpose for the breakout rooms is to create a sense ofcommunity. Share openly. Others may need to hear what you have to say so that theydon’t feel that they are alone. Use this time to take note of others who you might wantto connect with. Feel free to send them a private message in the chat to share contactinformation. You can do this by clicking on chat, then send message to and choose theperson’s name who you want the message to go to. Be respectful. Keep your commentsto the time limit so that everyone has an equal opportunity to share.

Homeschoolers of Maine ShinE the Light on Homeschooling Virtual Conference 2021 Featuring Keynote Speaker Connie Albers With Special Guests Messiah’s Choir Erica Huber Jonathan Brush Kathy Kearney and Joanna Martel

Session Schedule * Music throughout the event will be provided by Messiah’s Choir. * Each session will be followed by a time of discussion, questions and answers. DAY 1: Becoming Equipped for Our Times Session 1, 10:00am: Help for Modern Day Mompreneurs The rise of Mom-Preneurs in the homeschooling community requires the active pursuit of a healthy balance between their homeschooling, work, and family needs. As a mother of five, active volunteer, business owner, and veteran homes- chooler, Connie Albers discusses how to delegate efficiently, set realistic goals, and find work that fits the homeschooling lifestyle. During this presentation, she will share how to manage your homeschool and evaluate your workload so your family runs smoothly. Come and learn from a mom who has lost the balance battle many times, but her resilient spirit and desire to finish well and not short her family will help you in your mompreneur journey. Session 2, 2:00pm: How to Sail Through Life’s Storms Let’s be real. Life is full of storms. Sometimes it can feel like you’re trying to survive each day. Living beyond survival mode requires being honest about the issues that your family faces and being reminded of the power that comes from the One who can help you sail through them. Learning to navigate stormy waters requires uncommon bravery. We watch how others turn around and get tossed back and forth with every crashing wave. But when faith finds its feet in the hearts of women, Connie believes we will stop merely surviving and start sailing through each storm with confidence. Getting to the heart is one of the key strategies for developing the bravery needed to sail slow and steady. Could you use some encouragement for the assignment God has given you? Join us as we learn how to stop living in survival mode. Session 3, 4:00pm: The Life of a Butterfly (Family Interest) (Featuring Erica Huber from the Maine Botanical Garden) In this session, Erika Huber, Youth and Family Program Manager at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, will talk about the important role pollinators play in nature and their flower preferences. She will also go over the parts of a flower and discuss the process of pollination as she dissects a flower. Participants are encouraged to dissect a flower right along with Erika during this session if they are able to get a flower beforehand. Tulips or daffodils from the grocery store are great flowers for dissection and are for sale in March. Session 4, 7:00pm: Resilient and Resourceful: Keys to Affording the Homeschool Lifestyle After homeschooling five children, getting each one through college, and managing to build a retirement fund in the process, Connie shares her secrets. She knows homeschooling isn’t cheap. But it doesn’t have to break the budget. She knows rising costs, tough times, and financial shortfalls are common to families. And, indeed, your money doesn’t seem to go as far as it once did, but it is possible. This presentation is packed full of practical information to help you continue your homeschool journey without going broke. DAY 2: Homeschooling - The Nuts and Bolts Session 1, 10:00am: Help! I Don’t Know What I am Doing I’m a smart person, so why is this so hard? We place so much pressure on ourselves to know everything before we begin. We feel we have to pick the perfect math, literature, science, art, and planner to believe we are a successful homeschool- er. Stop stressing out! Motivating children to learn, love, and listen isn’t as hard as we think. After teaching five children from K-12, Connie relates to how you feel. She was there, many times. Join her as she comforts your weary heart and reminds you that you are smart!4

Session 2, 2:00pm: From Notebooking to Online ClassesConnie has navigated the seasons of homeschooling for 25 years. Her knowledge of teaching children according to theirstrengths and learning style and understanding your teaching style make her a conference favorite. This presentation ad-dresses how to assess what is best for your child and your family from the experience of a mom of five homeschool grad-uates. She shares stories from what her kids taught her about what worked and what didn’t. Hint: every child is different! Session 3, Special Double Session for Teens! (Teen and Parent Interest) 4:00pm: Out of the Box Credit: Where Passions Matter (Featuring HOME Leaders Kathi Kearney and Joanna Martel)Give yourself and your student credit for learning outside-the-box! Kathi and Joanna team up to share ways you can giveand get credit for middle to high school student learning experiences that don’t look like traditional, behind-a-desk learn-ing. If your student spends a great deal of time serving others, working in the woods, building, organizing projects, andin self-directed learning, we have some tools and ‘tricks’ that can help you quantify and qualify their learning. Parents, teachers and students will enjoy and find inspiration in this session! 5:30pm: What You Really Need to Know - What a Student Should Learn Before They Launch (Featuring Jonathan Brush, President of Unbound)Why is it that almost half of college graduates can’t find a job? What’s missing? What does a student really need to learnbetween the ages of sixteen and twenty two to be ready for “real life”? Everyone focuses on academics, but you need morethan academic ability to be fully equipped for the challenges and responsibilities of adulthood. In this session Jonathanwill guide you through the seven essential skills and abilities that are crucial for successfully launching into adulthood.This time of life is a unique time, offering amazing possibilities. Come learn how to maximize this time, focus on the es- sentials, and be prepared and equipped for extraordinary success! Session 4, 7:00pm: Cultivate Creativity, Exploration, and Innovation in Your ChildEvery child is born with a desire to create and innovate. But that can quickly disappear when formal education begins ifparents aren’t careful. How can homeschool parents cultivate their child’s natural curiosity throughout the day withoutcausing chaos? Please grab a cup of coffee and join Connie as she shares how to discover and develop creativity and in-novation by helping your child understand their unique skills, strengths, and talents while building close relationships. DAY 3: Sharpening Our Parenting Skills Session 1, 10:00am: Raising Godly Children Amid Cultural ChaosHow do we raise children in a culture of chaos when confusion and strife surround us? And how do we remain steadfast,while adjusting along the way? While the culture is in chaos, you can tune out the turmoil and provide stability in yourhome. As the culture shifts, God’s Word provides the answers we need to navigate this season knowing we are equipped to lead our family. Whether you are new to homeschooling or a veteran, you can raise your children through it all. Session 2, 2:00pm: Rules Minus Relationship Equals RebellionHave you made a list of rules only to get discouraged when your teen doesn’t follow them? Do you feel your attempts tocreate close relationships feel one-sided? Rest assured, mom; you aren’t alone. While every family needs rules, limits, andboundaries to help protect your child and keep order, they cannot come at the expense of your relationship. It’s not therules that cause our child to rebel. Often something is missing. Connie Albers, the mother of five adult children, shares how to create rules, build a relationship, and reduce rebellion. 5

Day 1, Session 1 Help for Modern Day Mompreneurs What tools? Thoughts Know Yourself Vision Plan: How to Structure Your Day Pivots Goals What can you do when life gets out-of-balance? What safeguards do you need to put in your life? What is non-negotiable? Thoughts to consider ©ConnieAlbers2021. All rights reserved.6

Day 1, Session 2 How to Sail Through Life’s StormsWhat to ask?What to Let GoHow storms strengthen your family?Opportunity to ServeFocusRememberThoughts to Ponder Malachi 3:6, God reminds us of this truth. “For I, the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”Storms cause?©ConnieAlbers2021. All rights reserved. 7

Day 1, Session 4 Resilient and Resourceful: Keys to Affording the Homeschool Lifestyle Analyze Aware Adapt Meal planning Provision Thoughts to Ponder ©ConnieAlbers2021. All rights reserved.8

Day 2, Session 1 Help! I Don’t Know What I am DoingConsiderStarve the Fear I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of sound mindChoose Words matter Tell yourself the truthAvoid these…Stop doing this… Negative thinkingPut Put it in PerspectiveGive Give yourself permission to changeTruths from God’s WordThoughts to Ponder©ConnieAlbers2021. All rights reserved. 9

Day 2, Session 4 Cultivate Creativity, Exploration, and Innovation in Your Child What to know? Four Core Needs Tips to Develop Think Protect Provide Allow Create Experience Thoughts to Ponder ©ConnieAlbers2021. All rights reserved.10

Day 3, Session 1 Raising Godly Children Amid Cultural ChaosChristian Kids Under attackWhat role does culture play?Religion vs. RelationshipThermostat vs. TemperaturePaint Pictures of PossibilitiesWhen Your Child StrugglesHow to Guide Your ChildThoughts to ponder©ConnieAlbers2021. All rights reserved. 11

Day 3, Session 2 Rules Minus Relationship Equals Rebellion What happens when the emphasis is on the rules? List some reasons a parent should consider adjusting the rules? Three specific areas to adjust. How to identify what isn’t working. How pivoting can save your relationship. How can you adjust without causing chaos in the family? Non-negotiables! ©ConnieAlbers2021. All rights reserved.12

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Now What? Our convention has come to an end. We hope that the sessions have been encouraging and informative for you! Now what will you do with what you have learned? Here are a few suggestions: Visit our Virtual Vendor Hall Your resource needs are important to us! In our virtual vendors hall, we have gathered together a number of retailers that provide helpful resources specifically designed with homeschooling families in mind. Meet some of your favorite vendors, and discover products and services that are exciting, unique, and of interest to parents, teachers and the homeschool community! Remember to check out any spe- cials or discounts, too! For links to all these retailers, go to our website at this page: https://www.homeschoolersofmaine.org/events/2021-online-conference/virtual-vendor-hall/ HOME Auction Fundraiser Donate, Bid and Support HOME! This lively fundraiser is a traditional favorite held during HOME’s Annual Convention at the Samoset Resort in Rockport. Our 2021 auction will look a little different, but will include all the great items you have come to expect. As in 2020, this year’s event will be completely online. Be sure to register to participate, and then come back to bid March 18 - 20, 2021 during our online conference. Go here for more information and to view the items avail- able for bid: https://www.homeschoolersofmaine.org/events/2021-online-conference/2021-annual-auction/ Connect with your Regional Representative Reach out to a veteran homeschooler in your area! HOME Regional Representatives are experienced homeschoolers who bring the ministry of HOME closer to homeschooling families in every area of the state. Regional Reps provide a HOME presence within their region that is informative and encouraging. They are often the first friendly voice for a new homeschooling family. For a complete listing with contact information, visit this page: https://www.homeschoolersofmaine.org/encouragement/home-regional-contacts/14

Join us for . . . Home Education Week & Capitol Day May 2 - 8, 2021 Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate!It’s an educational event for the whole family! Maine homeschoolers have worked hard over the yearsto raise public awareness and strengthen homeschool freedoms. Traditionally, Maine Governors havedesignated one week each spring as Maine Home Education Week. Since 1987, Maine homeschoolers have gathered during this special week to celebrate and thank God for the freedoms we enjoy. While there may be no proclamation issued by the current Governor, 2021 will be no exception toour coming together! During the week of May 2nd - 8th, 2021, homeschoolers will celebrate the 34thAnnual Maine Home Education Week. To mark the occasion, homeschoolers will gather virtually on Wednesday, May 5 for a day of celebration! VIRTUAL CAPITOL DAY EVENT INFORMATION Date: Wednesday, May 5, 2021 Theme: Courage Location: Zoom Cost: FREE! To register, visit https://www.homeschoolersofmaine.org/events/homeschool-day-at-the-capitol 15

Homeschoolers of Mainewould like to thank the sponsors of this event: Classical Conversations Gordon College HSLDA Roots by the River SchoolhouseTeachers Sonlight Their support has helped to make this conference possible.