HOMESCHOOLING "NUTS & BOLTS" MINI-CON
Geared toward parents who are new to homeschooling, this special mini-con will feature four of our most popular workshops to help you get started. Come to just one session or all four! RegistrationThursday, May 9, 2024
2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Biola University
La Mirada, CA
Are you just starting out in your homeschool journey and looking for the basics on how to get started? Have you been homeschooling for a few years but wanting some help and encouragement in any of these areas? If so, this mini-con is for you!
These four workshops, jam-packed with information, presented by experienced, knowledgeable, and encouraging speakers, will equip you with all the tools you need to get off on the right foot as you begin your homeschool journey.
This Mini-Con is included with Registration to CHEA’s Parenting & Homeschool Conference (just select that you will be attending “Nuts & Bolts” when you register). You may attend just the “Nuts & Bolts” Mini-Con. Registration information is below.
MINI-CON SCHEDULE
| 2:00 p.m. | Getting Started, Katie Julius |
| 3:00 p.m. | Writing a Philosophy of Education & Mission Statement, Betsy Pierce |
| 4:05 p.m. | Lesson Planning & Record Keeping, Katie Julius |
| 5:00 p.m. | Choosing Curriculum, Betsy Pierce |
WHERE TO STAY
Biola University Sigma Hall
13800 Biola Ave., La Mirada, CA 90639
For more information about accommodations and to make reservations, view our Accommodations Information. This page also provides details for purchasing meal tickets, even if you’re not staying on campus with us.
Meet Our Speakers
Katie Julius
Katie is wife to husband John, and homeschool mom to one energetic, full-of-life, pedal-to-the-metal, insanely creative sixth grader, Sarah. She holds degrees in Art and Education and somehow strikes the fine balance of organization, planning, and paperwork with her right-brained creativity. When she’s not teaching parts of speech, practicing multiplication facts, or elbow-deep in art supplies, she also works part-time as CHEA’s Communications Manager. Katie also serves on the Board and Leadership Team of her homeschool support group in the Inland Empire.
Betsy Pierce
Betsy is a second-generation homeschooling mom of eight children, ages 2 to 17, and considers herself blessed beyond measure to raise them. She and her husband Nathan met while at The Master’s University and moved to Placer County in 2004 when Nathan began his work at Family Protection Ministries, now a calling for the whole family. She has served the homeschooling community for many years at various levels and is looking forward to the first family graduation in 2024!
Workshops
Getting Started, Katie Julius
So, you know you want to homeschool, but are feeling a bit lost on how to get started. You’re not quite sure the steps to take to actually start teaching your children at home. This introductory workshop will guide you through a checklist of what any parent starting out on their homeschool journey should do to ensure you are setting yourself (and your kids) up for a successful homeschool experience.
Writing a Mission Statement & Philosophy of Education, Betsy Pierce
You decided you want to homeschool and got the legal part done. Now what about the teaching part? If you feel overwhelmed by options, new fancy terms (like philosophy of education) or maybe know nothing except you love your children and want to do well by them, then this talk is the very beginning for you. This is your foundation. This is your roadmap. We will talk through together how to decide what matters most to you as a parent and teacher of your children and discuss how to use that to guide your big and small decisions about education as you begin homeschooling.
Record Keeping & Lesson Planning, Katie Julius
It can be a bit daunting to think that you are both teacher and administrator in your home-based private school. Not only do you need to keep records, but also create lesson plans. Have no fear! It’s actually pretty simple in California. Katie will share which records are required as well as some ideas for keeping these records. Then, beginning with a multi-year overview and ending with a daily lesson plan, she will take you step-by-step through planning your children’s education, including tips on planning, adapting your plan (curveballs will come your way!), choosing field trips, communicating your plan to your kids, and more.
Choosing Curriculum, Betsy Pierce
Have you ever tried to drink from a firehouse? That’s the feeling most new homeschoolers experience when trying to choose what curriculum to use for their family. In this talk, we will help you filter through what is available to you as the parent educator to take advantage of the freedom and flexibility you have to select any type of resource. We will discuss how to evaluate publishers and their philosophies, learning styles, expense, prep time, and more, so you can effectively match curriculum to the needs of your and your family.
Mini-Con Rates
| Regular Rate | CHEA Members | |
| Nuts & Bolts Only | $25 | $20 |
| Parenting & Homeschool Conference Attendees | Included | Included |