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AUGUST 6
:: Wednesday

9:00-9:10 AM
Announcements

9:10-10:00 AM Plenary Session
Classical Christian Education: Bringing Unity to the Church | Joel Belz

One need not look very far to see that the Church is badly in need of unity. With no expectation that classical Christian education is a messianic panacea, come learn how the tools of learning, including logic and rhetoric along with an unvarnished familiarity of the canon of Western Civilization, might prove helpful tools toward unifying the Church of Jesus Christ.


10:15-11:15 AM
Memory Period at School | Eric Vanderhoof

Do you get to the end of the week and wonder where the time went? You can’t seem to get all the memory work done. Come learn how to get it all done in fifteen minutes a day and enjoyably.

Teaching Techniques for Dialectic and Rhetoric Students | Bruce Etter
Most education today is about acquiring information—even through high school and college. The genius of classical Christian education is that it recognizes changes in what and how the student best learns after grammar school. Learn the techniques that will best serve these teenaged students.

Classical Christian Education 101 | Marlin Detweiler
You may have read Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning or Dorothy Sayers’ essay, or maybe you have just heard the words classical Christian education and are wondering what this is all about. Whatever your status, this seminar will serve as ground-breaking or refreshing. Come learn the basics about classical Christian education and how it works at school and at home.

Memory Work at Home | Julie Etter
Memory work in a homeschool setting is different than the memory work at a school. Come learn how to get it all done and have fun at the same time.

11:30 AM-12:30 PM
Teaching Reading (K-2nd)

Do you remember the name of the person who taught you how to read? Many of us do, because it holds a special place in our heart. Come learn not only how to teach reading, but how to create a memory for a lifetime.

Study Skills for the Secondary Student
| Bruce Etter
Grammar school students generally operate on a “Do what you are told” mindset. Not so as the children enter the dialectic years. It is time for them to organize themselves and assume responsibility in a more grown-up way. Learn how to transition them to this new level of independence then develop the disciplines and skills that will serve them the rest of their lives.
Making Literature Come Alive | Leslie Collins
Learn how to make any book a living wonder for children. From hands-on activities to comprehension techniques, learn principles that can be used for all literature.

12:30-1:30 PM
Lunch

1:30-2:30 PM
Teaching Logic, Part I | Jim Nance

The first of a two-part workshop of the what and how of logic. Most of us have studied little or no logic. Since it is the core discipline in the second stage of the Trivium, we must grasp its content and importance. Logic is the key to teaching thinking. And it’s really quit simple. Come and find out before your dialectic students do.

How to Be an Effective Board Member | Marlin Detweiler
In schools, school boards are the bottom line. Their role cannot be over-emphasized and guiding a school is constantly fraught with pitfalls. Learn what to look for in board members, how to plan ahead, and how to stay the course.

The Journey, A Classical Education at Home | Sam & Mary K. Andreades
Have you ever felt ready to give up? You thought that classical education at home can’t work. Come learn from a family (mom and dad) that have been doing this for awhile. Their insights and experiences will inspire you.

2:45-3:45 PM
Beauty in the Grammar Stage; Music, Art and Poetry | Leslie Bustard

Appreciating that which is beautiful is closely connected to living a life of gratitude toward God. And we all must do it. Starting as early as possible and using music, art and poetry, young students need to love beauty. Here you will learn some tips and practices that will go a very long way to that end.

Teaching Logic, Part II | Jim Nance

Come learn the second part of a two-part workshop on this important discipline. Or feel free to start with this one if you couldn’t make the first one. Either way, you’ll benefit from an advanced, more specific, and more in-depth tackling of this topic.

Development; A Complete Approach | Gene Liechty
Development isn’t just raising money. It isn’t just raising the schools visibility. And it isn’t just bringing in students. It’s all off these and more. Gene Liechty is ideally situated to speak from his experience and successes on this much overlooked topic.

Please Don't Tell Me I Need to Teach Latin; Effective Ways at Home and School | Chris Perrin
Latin is no longer the dead language it was thought to be just 20 years ago—classical educators have brought it back to life. That doesn’t mean we as parents and teachers feel up to teaching it, though. Thankfully, great tools make teaching Latin doable by all of us.

4:00-5:00 PM
Making Grammar Stick in Grammar School | Pixie Lichtenstein

Why does it matter that a first grader knows his parts of speech? Come learn how to cause children to remember their grammar and use the benefits for the rest of their lives. It’s never too early.


ABCs of Omnibus | Ty Fischer
We use the term Omnibus (which means “all-encompassing”) for our Great Books Course. Covering history, theology and literature, learn that teaching it can be as simple as ABC—if you have a plan. The Great Books are great, and now they’re not so tough.

ACCS: Current Benefits and Future Plans | Patch Blakey
Patch Blakey has been the only Executive Director in the history of ACCS. Learn of the current benefits and exciting future plans on the horizon to help schools, homeschools and related businesses.

Teaching Through Drama | Stan Deen
When you see a seminar on drama, you might think it is just about how to put on a play. Well, it’s about that and more. Learn how to use drama in your classroom to make learning more interesting for your students. Drama is a very underused tool in education, especially when considering its effectiveness.

 

AUGUST 7 :: Thursday

9:00-9:10 AM
Announcements

9:10-10:00 AM Plenary Session
An Interview with Col. Oliver North: Impacting Politics to the Glory of God | Oliver North

With the tools of learning substantially mastered and a healthy dose of knowledge for where our culture has been shouldn’t we expect some impact on local, state and national governments? We sure hope so. Classically educated leaders have led us in the past. As we find ourselves in the middle of an election year we long for better political circumstances. Maybe classical Christian educators hold some keys to the answer. Hear insights from a former insider and Christian who’s been in those trenches.


10:15-11:15 AM
IEW for Beginners | Andrew Pudewa

Have you been looking at IEW and been trying to make sense of it? Or have you wondered how to teach writing to children. If so, this seminar is for you. Come learn how to use our favorite writing program from the author himself.

Drawing With Children | Tom Garfield
When Tom Garfield, of Logos School first showed us Drawing With Children we were hooked. Mona Brookes may not have ever read Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning, but she understands how to teach young children. Come learn from someone who has been implementing this program for years.

Advanced Latin | Joanna Hensley
Advanced studies and readings in Latin are the key to making this learning stick thereby keep the benefits for our children indefinitely. Tools, techniques and pitfalls to avoid will all be discussed as you learn how to keep and increase the language mastery the students acquired previously.

The Great Books and Young Teens
| Bruce Etter
The Great Books, like the Bible, are filled with difficult portions and sometimes the dark and sinful side of man. They have also served as a great inspiration and important tool in the lives of those that have gone before us. Learn how to teach the Great Books to dialectic students as they make their first move toward adulthood.

11:30 AM-12:30 PM
IEW Advanced | Andrew Pudewa

Have you been using IEW and feel like you are not getting the most out of it? Are their questions you always wished you could ask Andrew Pudewa, the author? Come learn how to take your students to the next level in writing.

Motivating Older Children | Stan Deen
It’s not always easy to keep dialectic and rhetoric children interested in their education. Many distractions vie for their time. Keeping them motivated is key to keeping them engaged and learning at peak performance. Stan Deen has learned and implemented many successful tools and techniques over his lengthy teaching career.

Music in the Classical Educational Model | Greg Wilbur
Have you considered how to best teach music to children if you are trying to use a classical Christian model? Learn from someone who has been studying this question for quite some time. His insights will stir your imagination.

The Art of Lapbooking
|Tammy Duby
You may ask yourself the question, “What in the world is lapbooking?” If you are interested in making your teaching more creative and interesting for your children, come learn how to make “lapbooks” as projects for your children. This is a great way to keep the Veritas Press history and Bible projects, and it’s a wonderful way to use resources.

12:30-1:30 PM
Lunch

1:30-2:30 PM
Building Character in a School | Tom Garfield

Nothing will affect a school more than the character of the student body—positively or negatively. Logos School in Moscow, Idaho is the subject school of the book Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning in which many of us learned of classical Christian education for the first time. Its greatest strength may not be its academic rigor, but rather the aroma and demeanor from the character of its students. Learn from its superintendent, Tom Garfield, what he believes is key to this attribute and how you can reproduce it.

What We Want in a Student |
Larry Arnn
Hillsdale College has established itself as a remarkable institution of higher learning. Learn from its current president, Larry Arnn, what they look for in a student. You’ll be pleased to learn that many classically educated students ha met their standards and have.

You Can Teach Science at Home
| Jay Wile
Jay Wile, author of the wildly popular Apologia science curriculum has made teaching science accessible, especially at home. Learn directly from him the joy and ease with which you can cover critical scientific concepts without the difficulty and headache that you might have feared.

Rhetoric in the 21st Century | Chris Perrin
As education is recovered and improved through the recovery of the lost tools of learning, we find it hard to get our arms around the importance and tools of rhetoric. Many have made the mistake of trying to go back to that which worked in ancient times without considering the context of the present. Dr. Perrin is uniquely qualified to address this timely topic.

2:45-3:45 PM
Films and Teens | Brian Godowa

Brian Godowa knows Hollywood—he lives in its midst, working there as a producer and director. His book, Hollywood Worldviews demonstrates he has much to say about tinseltown’s attempts to affect us and our children.

The Efficent Classroom | Deb Chapin
There always seems to be one teacher in every school who just has it all together. Whenever you enter this teacher’s classroom, the children are always orderly and seem to be enjoying learning. Learn from one of the best how to make the most of your day.

Teaching Spelling | Andrew Pudewa
From the author of the Phonetic Zoo come learn how to make ALL children master-spellers—even those children who just seem struggle. Learn why they have been struggling and how you can help them to fix the problem.

Homeschooling: Legal Rights and Responsibilities
| Chris Klicka

New to homeschooling? You will definitely want to attend this seminar. Learn what rights you have as a homeschooler and also learn about your responsibility as a Christian.

4:00-5:00 PM
Raising Daughters | Wilson, Nancy

Cultural influences are pressing young ladies toward promiscuity and independence. Yet Scripture provides answers. Learn from a woman who has a wonderful relationship with her two grown daughters of their patterns and practices that have made them godly mothers and lovely daughters.

Teaching the Bible to Little Ones (K & 1st) | Julie Etter
Children’s first introduction to formally studying the Bible should be something that creates a lifetime love and desire for more. Learn how to experience the joy of seeing little ones enjoy delving into God’s Word for the first time.

Using Current Events in Education | Joel Belz
Relating education to the world around us is a skill we should all develop. It’s the way for students to see a direct connection of application and relevance to their learning. Learn effective means to capture the imagination of your students through effective use of today’s news.

Raising Sons | Douglas Wilson
Come learn about raising sons from the author of Future Men. Learn about the special dilemmas that face us in a society where godly masculinity is thought unfortunate and feminism the norm. And learn what makes a real man.

AUGUST 8 :: Friday

9:00-9:10 AM
Announcements

9:10-10:00 AM Plenary Session
Classical Christian Education and the Home | Douglas Wilson

God ordained three institutions, the church, the state and the home. What might be the benefits of classical Christian education to the home? Douglas Wilson is uniquely qualified to address this important topic and has experienced the joys of raising three faithful children whose education is a model worth knowing and emulating.


10:15-11:15 AM
Making Science Come Alive | Tammy Duby

Every year at the homeschool fair when the Detweiler boys were younger and wandered off, they could be found in one place—Tobin’s Lab. Tobin’s Lab was a booth that had all the cool stuff to make science a hands-on endeavor for children. My boys especially loved the owl pellets. Come find out why from the owner.

Mock Trial: Rhetoric in Action | Chris Schlect
How do we establish meaningful outlets for students to practice newly acquired rhetorical skills? One exciting means is the well-developed Mock Trail events hosted locally, state-wide and nationally. Chris Schlect has led Logos School to many state championships. Learn from him the practical benefits that he has observed and enjoyed working with students.

Teaching History and Bible at School
| Sidney Henriquez
Are you a teacher at a classical Christian school using the Veritas Press History and Bible curriculum? Eric Vanderhoof has taught this program for many years and is a master teacher. Learn how to help your children memorize the timeline and how to use the projects and assignments to really teach the cards.

Teaching History and Bible at Home | Laurie Detweiler
This seminar is for homeschooler’s implementing the Veritas Press Bible and History curriculum at home. Come learn how to teach multiple ages of children and learn some techniques that will make teaching fun and enjoyable. Learn how to chose projects and use the resources in a way that will help your children work on their own and become master researchers.

11:30 AM-12:30 PM
Veritas Press Scholars Academy | Marlin Detweiler/Bruce Etter

As we have introduced more and more online classes to help homeschools, co-ops and smaller schools we have seen further needs. Veritas Press Scholars Academy is developing programs and resources to meet these needs. Come and learn what services are available now and anticipated in the near future. You shouldn’t be in this alone.

Financing College | David Karp
College can cost a small fortune. We all want to do all we can to make it feasible. Dave Karp, President of Complete College Solutions has helped us. He can help you, too. The process can be a jungle, but you need not go it alone.

Succeeding in Secondary Math | Jim Nance

Math, more than any other subject tends to stump students at some point along the way in upper math study. Teachers can learn to head off the difficulties or work through them more effectively with a plan and a complete tool set for addressing the needs. This invaluable session will set you on your way.

The Distracted Child | Laurie Detweiler
Is one of your students or one of your children driving you crazy because they just can’t seem to pay attention—and worse—they just don’t seem to care. Learn techniques to help your child stay focused. You wouldn’t want to be the teacher who gave up on the next Thomas Edison, would you?

12:30:1:30 PM
Lunch

1:30-2:30 PM
Loving Math in Grammar School | Deb Chapin

If we have heard it once, we have heard it a hundred times, “My child is just not good at math, but neither was I.” Learn how to stop the generational math phobia from happening. Parents might even find that they will learn to love math, too.

Charlotte & Dorothy: Reconcilable Differences
| Nancy Donaldson

Can we effectively integrate Charlotte Mason methodology into classical Christian curriculum? This presentation will provide information on how narration, transcription, nature studies, living books and other Charlotte Mason methodology may be used appropriately and effectively in a classical Christian education.

Art to the Glory of God | Ned Bustard
We confess to "believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth," and in doing so, acknowledge that the One we worship has revealed Himself not only in His Word but also in his beautiful Creation. Ned Bustard, editor of the critically acclaimed book It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God, will call artists and non-artists back to Beauty and forward to Christian cultural renewal. Using the book It Was Good as a framework, this lecture will explore why art should be part of students' education and explore the work of artists who are doing visual work for the Kingdom—painting rainbows for a fallen world.

Life in the Day of a Homeschooler | Pixie Lichtenstein
One question we get asked by homeschooler’s all the time is, can you just give us a schedule of your day so we can see how people get everything done. Follow one family, for one day as they implement a classical Christian approach in their homeschooling.

2:45-3:45 PM
Creative Teaching | Laurie Detweiler

Are there some people you know who just seem to make even the most difficult and boring concepts come alive so the students can’t wait to do more? Come learn how to turn learning into the most fun thing you could ever do.

Teaching Modern Foreign Languages | Bruce Etter
A student with some Latin or Greek under his belt will find a modern foreign language to be considerably easier to learn. Today’s tools can make it a snap. Learn the how and the benefits of making children multilingual.

Literature Fair | Sidney Henriquez

Have you ever run into one of those teachers that just seems to have ideas and enthusiasm oozing out of his head. Sidney Henriquez is one of those people who constantly is coming up with ways to help children learn and enjoy it. His school has been putting on a Literature and History fair to make the curriculum come alive. Venture into Narnia or Charlie’s Chocolate Factory, or maybe Ancient Rome for the day.

Classical Christian Education and the World of Business
| William Glasgow
Will well-educated sharp minds find a place to succeed in business? Absolutely. What will it look like? Well, that’s a bit more complicated. Come and learn how the world of business welcomes and will continue to benefit from these liberally educated children.

4:00-5:00 PM Plenary Session
Classical Christian Education and the Future | Douglas Wilson

The recovery of the method and content of education we call classical Christian education is only going on 20 years or so. What does the future hold? What must we beware of? What should we hope and pray for?