Homeschool Success Seminars

Would you like the opportunity to sit down and talk with homeschooling pros about what's worked and what hasn't? Well, the HEAV Success Seminars give you that chance! From teaching with babies and toddlers to preparing teens for college, you can find out what methods are most successful. We bring in the best and most successful homeschooling parents and educators to share their experiences with you.

Throughout the year, we offer various homeschooling success seminars. Get your questions answered, look at a wide variety of resources, and connect with other parents who are facing the same challenges you're facing.

WHAT SEMINAR ATTENDEES HAD TO SAY

"This was wonderful--I learned so much."

"This was just the start I needed."

"This was just what I needed at the right time."

"Very inspirational and encouraging."

"I attended the 'How to Get Started' workshop yesterday, and although I filled out the questionnaire afterward, I don't think I fully expressed how much I enjoyed the seminar and how thankful I am that I went. Both Yvonne and Vicki were wonderful presenters. Not only are they knowledgeable, but they're interesting and helpful, and quite easy to learn from. They presented all the information in such a lively and productive manner (even the dry stuff!) that I left feeling well-informed and more confident.

"What an incredibly well-spent afternoon! Thank you for offering these services. I came from Northern Virginia (like a few others) and it was such a valuable and worthwhile trip. I'm very much looking forward to the next one. I'm still in the process of making the decision of whether homeschooling is right for us, but I feel a lot more prepared to make that decision, and certain that if I do, the support is available. Thank you!" - K. Stewart

Schedule a Homeschool Success Seminar
Upcoming Homeschool Success Seminars
General information for Seminar Attendees
Tell Us What You Need
Help a New Homeschooler

UPCOMING HOMESCHOOL SEMINARS

For more information about a Homeschool Success Seminar, or to reserve your spot, please call the HEAV office at 804-278-9200 or e-mail office@heav.org. To get the latest information on future Homeschool Success Seminars, sign up for our e-mail Virginia Homeschool Updates.

Download Homeschool Success Seminar handouts.
Order how-to-begin homeschooling seminars on CD/MP3 (look under "Thursday 'FREE' sessions").

High School 101: Blueprint for Success

Richmond, Friday, February 12, 2010

Vicki Bentley, mom of 17 homeschooled students, shares the secrets to mapping out a successful high school course of study, and shows why the high school years are the most important years to homeschool. She covers planning; recordkeeping; preparing for college admission and/or apprenticeship, military service, or other options; and much, much more. Don't miss this you-can-do-it seminar!

This three-part seminar includes these parts:

Building a Framework: Strategies for High School Success (Part One)
Vicki discusses goal setting, graduation requirements, and an overview of high school planning and courses.

High School Construction Tools: Coursework & Credits (Part Two)
Vicki walks you through building your course descriptions, choosing specific materials to meet your goals, scheduling and lesson planning, recordkeeping and credits, and grades/GPAs. She also discusses how to document and give credit for less conventional studies, and how to incorporate life skills and independent studies into your program.

"Finishing" Touches: Graduation & Beyond (Part Three)
Vicki discusses preparing for college admission and/or apprenticeship, military service, or other options. She covers transcripts, resumes, reading lists, essays, and portfolios. She also translates the acronym maze of AP courses, CLEP tests, SAT/ACT exams, the PSAT/NMSQT, and more.

There will be a question-and-answer time after each part.

Date: Friday, February 12, 2010
Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: HEAV Office and Resource Center, 2248 G Dabney Road, Richmond. Get directions.
Cost: $20/HEAV members; $25/non-members; spouses are free!
Childcare: Not available.
Pre-registration: Register online or by calling the HEAV office at 804-278-9200. We accept Visa or MasterCard. Registration is limited to 40 seats. Registration is available at the door, but pre-registration will guarantee a seat and allow us to notify you of any schedule changes or space limitations.
Questions: Call 804-278-9200, or e-mail questions to info@heav.org.

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Getting Organized: A Different View

Richmond, Thursday, February 25, 2010

Do you think having more order in your life would help? Come hear Florence Feldman, who has been HEAV's beloved convention director for 14 years and an organizing consultant for 28 years. You'll laugh, you may cry, and you will come away with a different view on just how to get it together.

Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010
Time: 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Place: HEAV Office and Resource Center, 2248 G Dabney Road, Richmond. Get directions.
Cost: $20/HEAV members; $25/non-members; spouses are free!
Childcare: Not available.
Pre-registration: Register online or by calling the HEAV office at 804-278-9200. We accept Visa or MasterCard. Registration is limited to 40 seats. Registration is available at the door, but pre-registration will guarantee a seat and allow us to notify you of any schedule changes or space limitations.
Questions: Call 804-278-9200, or e-mail questions to info@heav.org.

View All Upcoming Workshops

Testing and Evaluations

Richmond, Thursday, March 4, 2010

It's that time of year again--testing time! We know testing can be a challenge for students as well as parents. In order to help alleviate "test anxiety," HEAV is scheduling "Testing and Evaluations" to help you prepare.

Sarah Olbris, an experienced test administrator (she's been administering tests for more than 15 years!) and a homeschool mom of four, will present practical information on achievement tests, including how achievement tests differ from other tests, how to prepare your students for the test, and how to interpret the results. She will share strategies to give your students confidence and possibly improve their scores.

Sarah has worked with gifted, average, and special-need children. She has experience with standardized achievement tests, independent evaluations, and portfolio assessments.

Date: Thursday, March 4, 2010
Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: HEAV Office and Resource Center, 2248 G Dabney Road, Richmond. Get directions.
Cost: $20/HEAV members; $25/non-members; spouses are free!
Childcare: Not available.
Pre-registration: Register online or by calling the HEAV office at 804-278-9200. We accept Visa or MasterCard. Registration is limited to 40 seats. Registration is available at the door, but pre-registration will guarantee a seat and allow us to notify you of any schedule changes or space limitations.
Questions: Call 804-278-9200, or e-mail questions to info@heav.org.

View All Upcoming Workshops

Having Our Father's Heart Towards Training Our Children

Richmond, Thursday, March 25, 2010

When tackling the added responsibilities of schooling our children at home, we must be careful to not neglect the first command given to parents: to TRAIN our children in the way they should go. For parents with young children, this means a fine balance between training them to right behavior and a love for God, and discipline and correction. It also involves dealing with some of the obstacles that may arise as we try to teach with little ones under foot. Obstacles such as time to get chores done, devote to your husband, teach, and rest!!!

During this seminar, you will find the courage to home educate by discovering how to take one day at a time, one goal at a time, and one area of training at a time. Kerin Morgan will share obstacles to training, common mistakes, and some important goals. She will share some practical steps in training with our Heavenly Father's heart while still homeschooling the older children!!!

Date: Thursday, March 25, 2010
Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: HEAV Office and Resource Center, 2248 G Dabney Road, Richmond. Get directions.
Cost: $20/HEAV members; $25/non-members; spouses are free!
Childcare: Not available.
Pre-registration: Register online or by calling the HEAV office at 804-278-9200. We accept Visa or MasterCard. Registration is limited to 40 seats. Registration is available at the door, but pre-registration will guarantee a seat and allow us to notify you of any schedule changes or space limitations.
Questions: Call 804-278-9200, or e-mail questions to info@heav.org.

View All Upcoming Workshops

How to Make the Best Curriculum Choices

FREE ADMISSION!
Culpeper, Thursday, April 1, 2010

Years ago choosing curriculum was simple--with only two to three publishers to choose from, you used what they had or developed your own. Now we have a plethora of curricula! Because of this abundance, we could do curriculum research for weeks, Google every topic and title, read hundreds of reviews, and still not know what to choose! More isn't always better! Sometimes it leaves us very confused. All too often we tend to rely on what our friends are using. But is it a good choice for your family? Your child's learning style? Your preparation time?

Experience counts. Hear from Yvonne Bunn, homeschool veteran and director of homeschool support and curriculum counseling for Home Educators Association of Virginia. Through a directed series of questions, you'll be able to filter though all the hype and get to the core of what will work best for you and your children from kindergarten through high school!

Date: Thursday, April 1, 2010
Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: PACE Support Group
Culpeper United Methodist Church
1233 Oaklawn Drive
Culpeper, VA 22701
Cost: Admission is FREE! There is no need to preregister. Just show up--and bring a friend!
Childcare: Not available.
Questions: For questions or directions, contact Lori Payne at payneboys@hotmail.com.

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Get Ready for College!
Making Decisions, Getting In, Doing Well

Richmond, Thursday, April 22, 2010

Are you starting to think about college admissions? Is college the next step for your student? Do you feel a bit overwhelmed at all the choices and decisions that must be made?

Join veteran homeschool mom Janice Campbell for a practical overview of the homeschool to college transition. This seminar is designed to help you get comfortable with the college admissions process and to help you work with your student on the next big step in life. You'll learn:

How to help your student choose a college that meets his/her goals
How to evaluate non-traditional options
The three skills students must have before they're ready for college
What records you need to keep
How to take the right tests at the right time
Tips for writing a great admissions essay
What to put on a high school transcript
How and when to apply for financial aid
What to expect when you apply to a college
How to evaluate financial aid offers
Which skills and study habits will help your student succeed
How to help your student launch this new life-phase with confidence and grace
How to manage the transition with joy and peace

Janice Campbell is the author of Transcripts Made Easy, Get a Jump Start on College, and the Excellence in Literature series. You can sign up for her free newsletter at www.Everyday-Education.com.

Date: Thursday, April 22, 2010
Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: HEAV Office and Resource Center, 2248 G Dabney Road, Richmond. Get directions.
Cost: $20/HEAV members; $25/non-members; spouses are free!
Childcare: Not available.
Pre-registration: Register online or by calling the HEAV office at 804-278-9200. We accept Visa or MasterCard. Registration is limited to 40 seats. Registration is available at the door, but pre-registration will guarantee a seat and allow us to notify you of any schedule changes or space limitations.
Questions: Call 804-278-9200, or e-mail questions to info@heav.org.

View All Upcoming Workshops

SCHEDULE A HOMESCHOOL SUCCESS SEMINAR

If you would like to schedule a "Homeschool Success" seminar in your area, contact the HEAV office at 804-278-9200, or e-mail Yvonne Bunn at support@heav.org. Our goal is to help you succeed by providing the right information and best resources available!

Below are descriptions of some of the seminars we offer.

How to Homeschool: What You Really Need to Know
This informative workshop will help new homeschoolers get off to the right start by answering many common questions: Am I qualified? How do I prepare? Where can I go for help? How do I teach more than one child? What things should I never do? What are some secrets of success? And more! Download handout.

The Law, Evaluation, and Testing
Don't let the legalese confuse you! Find out what requirements you must meet in order to homeschool, what tests or evaluations you may use, whom you should notify and when, and what to do if you are homeschooling because of your sincere religious beliefs. Download handout.

How to Choose Curriculum
Get a brief overview of six different teaching methods—from the classical approach to relaxed homeschooling. Hear lots of practical suggestions for choosing curriculum and where to find the resources you need.

Download curriculum handout.
Download a list of suggested resources.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR SEMINAR ATTENDEES

Registration
Registration is available at the door, but pre-registration will guarantee seat and allow us to notify you of any schedule changes or space limitations. You can call the HEAV office at 804-278-9200 to reserve your spot.

Cost
See cost information under each Homeschool Success Seminar.

Directions
You can find directions to the HEAV Office and Resource Center here. For directions to other locations, please call the office at 804-278-9200.

Homeschool Resource Center
When you come to a seminar at the office, be sure to come early or stay after the sessions to visit our Homeschool Resource Center. The HEAV Homeschool Resource Center is a one-stop visit for home-education needs, and will include a variety of the best homeschool resources and curricula available for purchase. While you’re at the Homeschool Resource Center, you may also schedule a free curriculum counseling session with an experienced homeschool teacher/counselor for answers to your specific questions.

Seminar Notes
Download handouts for seminars here.

HELP A NEW HOMESCHOOLER

Be sure your support group shares these encouraging learning opportunities with new homeschoolers and interested parents! Feel free to include this information in your e-mail updates and newsletters.

TELL US WHAT YOU NEED

What topics would you like us to address during the coming year? E-mail HEAV at support@heav.org with a list of suggested topics. We’ll do our best to schedule the subjects that interest you most!