In this issue:
Editor's note: Benefits of Summer Break
How to Fit Art and Music into Your Homeschool
Convention Specials
The HEAV Convention
Tips for Attending a Conference

6 June 2011

Dear Friend,

Have you begun summer vacation yet? I hope so. Vacation refreshes mind, body, and spirit like nothing else can. For us, summer always meant a lot playing outside, reading when it's too hot be out (which really happens in VA), and often, trips to pick berries or peaches, and maybe a week at the beach. Four of us have June birthdays, so there was something fun happening every week.

If you've been struggling this year with a student who seems unable to get things done, you may find that a summer break will allow him to grow up just a bit and be more developmentally ready when the new school year begins. Sometimes difficulties and even attitude problems result from things as simple as an undiagnosed vision problem. It always makes me sad to hear of a student who has hated school and felt dumb because he couldn't "get it," when all he needed was a bit more time or a pair of glasses. It happens more often than you'd expect.

So take that break for both you and your children. Enjoy a bit of time-- simple, free, and uncluttered by a host of "have to" busywork. Keeping noses to the grindstone when you're both exhausted is neither productive nor helpful in most cases, so plan at least a few weeks free of formal lessons. Of course, learning continues to happen, as you'll read in this week's blog post, "How to Fit Art and Music into Your Homeschool." It will just be fun and relaxed. 

Warm summer blessings to each of you. I hope you enjoy the Convention Specials (even if you can't make it to convention). 

Janice Campbell
www.Everyday-Education.com

News
We're looking forward to seeing you Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) Conference in Richmond this week. I'll be doing several workshops this weekend: 

Thursday, 6/9

• Bonus Session: 4:00-5:30 p.m. in Room B-10-- The High School Transcript: It’s Easier Than You Think 

Saturday, 6/10

• Session 1: 10:30-11:30 a.m. in Room E-11C-- Evaluate Student Writing: You Don’t Have to Be an English Major!
• Session 2: 1:30-2:30 p.m. in Room E-21 A-- Homeschooling Through High School

Saturday, 6/11

• Session 4: 10:30-11:30 a.m. in room E-11 C-- Decoding the Classics: How to Read, Enjoy, and Teach Great Literature 
• Session 5: 1:30-2:30 p.m. in Room E-25 A/B-- Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Essay?
• Session 6: 3:00-4:00 p.m. in Room E-25 A/B-- Homeschooling Boys, or “Momma, Wanna See a Snake?”

You can read full descriptions on my speaker page. If you've been to my workshops before, you know that they're the "take lots of notes" kind, as I want to encourage and equip you for the journey. I always try to leave a little time for questions, and you're welcome to come back to Booth 530 to ask more.

We always have "Convention Specials" on our books, and if you're too far away to make it to the conference, we've also posted them online for you. (http://www.everyday-education.com/catalog/convention-coupons.shtml)

Tips for Attending a Conference

1- If you can be there for more than one day, use the first day to attend workshops and walk around the exhibit hall collecting things to study. That evening, try to relax and sort what you've collected into two piles-- the "definitely go back and talk to the author/speaker/vendor" pile, and the "maybe if there's time" pile. You can always buy things later online, but this is a perfect opportunity to talk with someone who's very knowledgable about subjects you want to know more about.

The second day, try to hit all your priorities early so that if you tire out and need to slow down or even go home, you'll have at least accomplished your most important goals. Remember that many vendors offer conference specials, and may run out of things before the end of the convention so if there's something you must have, don't wait until the last minute!

2- It's easier to find workshop rooms if you have a map in hand. You can print out a floor plan of the convention hall at  the HEAV website. This includes a list of company/speaker names with their booth assignments. 

3- Take something to carry your stuff. At minimum, you'll have a program and floor plan, plus something to take notes in. Plus, as you walk around the convention hall, you'll pick up things to read, catalogs, and perhaps even make a few purchases. If you're like I was at homeschool conferences, you'll make a lot of purchases;-).

You can buy a relatively inexpensive rolling crate at office supply stores, or you can bring a wheeled suitcase or even a little red wagon (unless a conference has rules against those). I also see strollers stuffed to the gills, and that's not a bad idea either (unless you've brought baby along).  

4- Take some water and a small non-salty, non-sugary snack (I carry a small baggie of unsalted nuts and dried cranberries) to sustain you. Most convention centers don't allow food from outside vendors, but if you bring a water bottle, you can refill at drinking fountains and escape dehydration.

5- Gayle at the Training Olives blog offers more helpful Tips for Attending Homeschool Conventions, including how to plan, and how to choose speakers. She even lists several she particularly enjoyed at the Memphis conference (thanks, Gayle!).  

That's all for this week. I wish you joy!

Blessings,

Janice Campbell
www.Everyday-Education.com
www.ExcellenceInLiterature.com 

P.S. Remember, we're in booth 530 (unless there are last-minute changes). You'll recognize us by our three banners (and we're listed in the program under Everyday Education).