E•vent Library

While homeschooling continues to grow and gain support even at the federal level, opposition has not waned. It can take the form of a bureaucratic attempt to increase oversight, an anonymous tip from a doctor or neighbor, or a blatant legislative attack. No matter what the threat, HSLDA is there to defend homeschoolers in these battles. Now, you can get behind the scenes and hear how past and current cases have strengthened your freedom to homeschool. You will learn how these cases affect your 4th Amendment rights in regards to homeschooling, withdrawing from public schools, and more. See how the trials of homeschooling families like yours have set precedents that affect thousands of homeschoolers today!

Kevin Lundberg is an experienced homeschooling parent who started the Christian Home Educators of Colorado, was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives and State Senate, and is now seeking a seat in Colorado's second congressional district.

In a tightly contested race with far-left multimillionaire incumbent Jared Polis, Kevin needs the homeschool community's support now more than ever. In this e-vent, HSLDA Staff Attorney Mike Donnelly will interview Senator Lundberg on his policies and values and what you can do to help his campaign.

The choice cannot be clearer, nor the opportunity greater to make a significant change in the representation of a congressional seat.

Grades, grade levels, graduation--they all play a part in your child's education. But do we have to think of these concepts in traditional terms, or can we as homeschoolers view them more flexibly? Can grades be a constructive part of your school's evaluation system? HSLDA Staff Attorney Mike Donnelly explores out-of-the-box methods home educating parents can use to approach academic, spiritual, and emotional progress for your classroom of one . . . or twelve!

Several important homeschool bills are receiving top-level attention in the 2012 Virginia Legislature. Delegate Rob Bell of the 58th District, a vigorous supporter of legislation such as the nationally publicized House Bill 947-which empowers public schools to let homeschoolers try out for their sports teams-will join HSLDA Senior Counsel Scott Woodruff in this special @home e-vent to give an insider's view on the progress of these important bills. Join Scott as he interviews Delegate Bell on the specifics of the bills, how they influence your homeschool freedom, and what you can do. Don't miss this opportunity to get answers from a friend of homeschooling in the Virginia Legislature!

With all the video games and gadgets out there, how do you interest your sons in good, quality books? Find new ways to encourage reading in this special presentation by HSLDA Staff Attorney Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt, who shares a handful of books and authors that have impacted his life starting from his homeschool years. Whether you are dealing with a son who won't open a book, or you can't find enough options for your voracious reader, this practical webinar will share new books and authors appropriate for boys of all ages and reading levels. Get ideas for encouraging reading as part of your homeschool curriculum, or reading just for fun!

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is being brought before the United States Senate for ratification. More social workers and police officers are forcibly entering homes without a warrant. Attempts to increase state and federal regulation of homeschooling are multiplying. And HSLDA is working harder than ever to protect your rights. In this exclusive @home e-vent, HSLDA Staff Attorney Mike Donnelly leads an open discussion on current events that can potentially affect homeschoolers everywhere. And for the first time ever, participants from the live e-vent call in with their comments. Mike gives an overview of current events, and then provides an opportunity for the callers to comment and ask questions! Sign up now to see this exciting new @home e-vent and hear the encouraging words of homeschoolers like you!

Starting homeschooling is exciting, but can leave you feeling overwhelmed by the options. Not sure where to begin? Sign up for this e-vent and HSLDA Toddlers to Tweens Consultant and homeschool mother of eight Vicki Bentley walks you through a planning checklist to help you prepare for the homeschool adventure! Topics of discussion include research, goal setting, supplies, and schedules, plus Six Tips for Success. This e-vent is perfect whether you are new to homeschooling or would like to invite a friend who is considering homeschooling. The information is appropriate for teaching any grade level, plus this e-vent is free and open to the public!

A typical history class is full of names and dates. At Patrick Henry College Preparatory Academy, AP United States History focuses much more: changes in political institutions, economic trends, and cultural development throughout America's history. Join PHC Prep Academy Master Teacher Robert Spinney as he explains this two-semester class and how students will be introduced to a college-level course. Dr. Spinney (also a Patrick Henry College professor) will give an engaging presentation to parents on what the students can expect and help you make the decision if this class is right for your high school student. Sign up today!

The world of college-level calculus can be exciting and rewarding, but offers its own set of challenges. You can help your teen get ready for calculus now, but where do you start? With PHC Preparatory Academy, your high school student can learn the foundational concepts of calculus while potentially earning AP credit! In this free e-vent, you will hear from PHC Prep Academy classroom teacher Becky Darby and master teacher Tom Larry about the expectations and goals for the two-semester class AP Calculus AB. To find out if this online course is right for your student, sign up for our free e-vent today!

How do you know if your teen is ready to take on college-level writing and composition? What is an AP English Language and Composition course like? Come find out in the free e-vent "AP English Language and Composition: How to Know It's Right for You," featuring Patrick Henry College DL writing instructor and Patrick Henry College Preparatory Academy master teacher Erin Brown Conroy. A college writing professor for 12 years who has designed courses and written books on college writing (and a mom of 13!), Erin will give you an overview of PHC Prep Academy's fall-semester AP English Language and Composition course, plus share the Top Five Tips for successfully teaching upper-level writing. With PHC Prep Academy, your teen can earn AP credit and prepare for the college life now. Sign up today to find out if this is right for you!

Did your kids feel engaged in this past election cycle, or were they confused or bored instead? Whether your teen is already fascinated by politics and government, or couldn’t care less, Frank Guliuzza has ideas for you and answers to your questions! A nationally recognized scholar in his field, Dr. Guliuzza currently serves as a professor of government at Patrick Henry College and a PHC Prep master teacher for AP U.S. Government and Politics. Dr. Guliuzza has insights to share that will help your teen excel in this critical subject—and will help you choose the best approach for teaching it.

Do you want your children to learn strong speaking skills? How about logic or research skills? Do you want to prepare them to defend their faith? Come and hear about the activity that teaches all of these skills and more!

Our panel of homeschooling parents from around the country will share why they chose speech and debate as an activity for their children, the benefits that they have seen in their children’s lives, how they make it work in their household, and more! You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and find out the details of getting involved. Speech and debate is a multi-faceted opportunity for homeschooling families—don’t miss this chance to learn more about it!

HSLDA’s attorney for New York State, Thomas J. Schmidt, offers helpful information, advice, and guidelines to parents seeking to homeschool their children in the Empire State. In this straight-shooting webinar, he will address how to submit formal documents to uphold the state’s educational regulations, which subjects must be covered in each grade level, and how to navigate annual assessments and standardized tests. You’ll learn all you need to be informed and equipped for your New York-style home education.

“If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” How do you keep your children from aiming at nothing and instead help them set tangible, attainable, personal goals?

Drawing on his experience as the homeschooling father of seven, as a motivational speaker, and as a business manager, Alan Hudson answers this question as he shares strategies, principles, and advice to help you encourage your kids to live intentionally at any age. Whether you want to help your elementary student to get through her multiplication problems or your teen to raise money for an upcoming mission trip, the principles and practical tips in this @home e-vent will give you what you need to help your kids turn their dreams into actionable goals, accomplish those goals, and reach their God-given potential.

Can your high school student earn Advanced Placement (AP) credit while learning from a Christian perspective? Do the structure of high school courses and the beliefs of the teacher matter? Join author, former cultural editor of WORLD magazine, professor, and Provost of Patrick Henry College, Dr. Gene Edward Veith, to gain insight on how you can include the foundation of biblical truth in high-level courses and why the issue of worldview is critical to your student’s intellectual and spiritual growth.

“Is an Advanced Placement (AP) course a smart idea for my teenager? How do I know when my student is ready to tackle a course like this? Am I actually qualified to teach these courses?” If you are the parent of a high school student, don’t miss this chance to hear HSLDA High School Coordinators Becky Cooke and Diane Kummer as they join together to answer your questions! Becky and Diane bring their years of experience working with homeschooled high school students to explain the impact an AP course can have on your teen’s GPA, the qualities your teen should possess before he or she is ready to take an AP course, the options that are available for taking an AP course, and more. Join Becky and Diane as they help you to make an informed decision regarding your student and this college-level work. Bring your questions for the Q&A session at the end of the presentations to get the answers you need!

Homeschool curriculum choices should reflect the unique needs of each family and child as much as possible since one size definitely does not fit all in homeschooling. Curriculum might need to reflect the level of experience of the teacher, his or her preferences for specific teaching methods (e.g., Charlotte Mason) or religious elements. Likewise, it should take into account individual student needs and preferences, such as learning styles, a penchant for independent study, or a desire for computer-based instruction.

In this Webinar, curriculum expert Cathy Duffy will explain and demonstrate Home Ed Expert, an exciting new, online tool that helps homeschoolers choose the right curriculum for their students. Using Home Ed Expert, teachers can capture information about their own capabilities and teaching styles, as well as their children’s needs and learning styles. The tool then uses that information to identify the best educational resources for your homeschooling out of the vast array of options available.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions via interactive chat.

A free, three-month trial subscription is being offered to all HSLDA members. For more information visit http://homeedexpert.com.

Is your student ready for a higher and more challenging level of learning? Want to give your teen the best possible high school education? Looking for direction, motivation, and subject-specific advice? To help you homeschool your college-bound high schooler, we are pleased to offer a discount package of six e-vents specifically selected to assist you. Our members receive 29% off of the already discounted member pricing and non-members receive 23% off regular e-vent prices! Please note that if a live e-vent has already taken place your purchase will provide access to the archived recording of that e-vent for 30 days.

As professors, homeschooling parents, and authors, these six e-vent speakers are experts in their respective fields. So, whether your student is a freshman or rising senior, our “High School Success” discount package is designed to help you prepare your high school student to excel both academically and spiritually during college preparation in high school and beyond.

Ever think about starting your own business? But how can parents run a successful business and still homeschool their children? In this session, entrepreneur and retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Jon Tigges will share with you how starting your own business can bless your family in multiple ways. Based on his experience of launching four family ventures, Jon will give you an insider’s view of the process—the good, the bad, and ugly—along with insights as to how he and his wife, Chris, have been successful, as entrepreneurs and homeschooling parents, for years.

Whether you are homeschooling a teen or a pre-schooler—or both at the same time—your students can study and learn together. Sherrie Payne, mother and teacher of six, has learned to make multi-grade homeschooling both fun and efficient.

To simplify the multi-level teaching process and eliminate “boring” from history lessons, Sherrie wrote a world history curriculum entitled, "Around the World in 180 Days." In this engaging webinar, Sherrie draws from "Around the World" to share the excitement of history!

You’ll learn that there’s more to world history than just dates, names, and places. Sherrie will show how you can give your students “the rest of the story,” and help them understand more about the nations that influence world events.

Take a ride in an imaginary hot air balloon, and prepare to have fun with world history!