Homeschool Qualifying Course
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2:30 pm
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This course is taught through the Community Colleges of Spokane. This class qualifies parents to independently homeschool their children without oversite by the school system or a certified teacher. The instructor, Karen Allwine, has been involved in the Homeschooling community for almost 30 years and is an advocate of independent homeschoolers - those not involved in the public school alternative educational programs. The class is taught three times a year - In August (we have a class next week), in January, and a night class in March or April. The following topics are covered in this class: the law, socialization, testing information, a comparison of homeschooling vs. the public alternative education programs, learning styles, preschool education, homeschooling through high school and preparing for college as well as discussing all grades in between. Karen brings both Christian and secular materials for all grades (preschool - grade 12) in all required subjects. Parents have the opportunity to look at, browse, and discuss the materials presented. A certificate is given to parents at the completion of the class.
Learning Styles
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3:00pm
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The material presented in this short 25 minutes takes about 4 hours in the Homeschooling class. All children learn differently and you must be aware of your learning style, their learning styles, and how we can meet their individual academic needs. Material covered includes: Bloom's Taxonomy, Howard Gardner and his 8 intelligences theory, as well as material from "The Way They Learn" by Cynthia Tobias, and "Reading by the Colors" by Helen Irlen. Also included is material from two recently acquired books: "The Gift of Dyslexia" and "Picture It - Visual Spatial Learners".
Teaching History Outside the Box: How to Teach History Without Relying on a Textbook
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4:00pm
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The most common way to teach and learn history is by using a textbook. Reading chapters, answering questions, and taking tests is not the most ideal way to study history. While a text can be a resource, there are strategies which will help you and your students learn history in a fun and engaging way without being tied to a history textbook. 6,000 years of human history can not, logically, be taught in one school year so this program is divided into a 5-6 year sequence beginning with Creation and moving forward in time. History, geography, and government as well as the humanities of art and music need to be integrated by utilizing literature, map work, and videos/DVD's. Modern history books including some Christian materials leave important information out by not fully utilizing the Biblical knowledge that is available. This will be a short overview – in the Homeschooling class, this subject takes a whole day. Karen is working on a class to be offered on this subject - perhaps a 12 hour class - hopefully within the next year.
Q&A Panel |
4:30pm
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Come with any homeschooling questions. Get answers from panelists Karen Allwine, MacKenzie Monroe, or Ruth Wagley
Karen Allwine
Karen has been teaching for 50 years. She has been involved in the homeschooling community since 1985 when the Homeschooling Law passed - almost 30 years. She has been married for 37 years and they have 3 grown adult children and 7 grandchildren. Six are being homeschooled. They range in age from 18-6. She has taught the Homeschool Qualifying Course through the Community Colleges of Spokane for over 20 years. She is a qualified test administrator who tests year round. Tests are individualized according to the student's needs. She scores the tests herself and sends a report to parents with suggestions if wanted. She can do individual testing or group. She has taught history classes for homeschoolers for many years. She writes her own material. The class is Biblically-based. She can help people set a homeschool program if needed and provides tutoring if needed. Homeschooling is her passion and she is here to help, in any capacity.