Living, Laughing and Learning Conference with Diana Waring - details

September 11^th and 12^th, 2009

Venue: Hornby Presbyterian Community Church, 27 Amyes Road, Hornby Christchurch

Curriculum vendors and other resources will be available for sale during the conference.

Friday evening 6-9pm: An evening for the whole family with music, drama, singing and comedy courtesy of your homeschooling friends; a race through the Middle Ages with Diana and the Ultimate Family supper.

Unlocking the Mysteries of the Middle Ages
Join Diana for a whirlwind tour through one thousand years of colorful characters and world changing events. Beginning with the fall of Rome and continuing all the way up to Gutenberg's printing press. Seat belt use suggested--you're going to move fast!

Saturday 9am – 5.30pm

A variety of encouraging and practical sessions with Diana and other experienced home educators.

9am The Well-Kept Secret of a Biblical Education (Specifically for Christian families)
How much have the prevailing culture and our own school experiences influenced our views on education, even in homeschooling? This powerful message will provide you with a foundational and scriptural framework for understanding education -- the content and the means -- from a Biblical perspective.

10.30am Beyond Survival (General Audience)
A transparent description of the beginning days in her homeschooling, including the struggles and failures she experienced as she unsuccessfully tried to create school at home. Learn how she went from "barely surviving" to finding great joy on the journey with her children. Diana brings experience with her own children for over twenty years, as well as insights gleaned from homeschooling families around the world.

4pm Actively ENGAGE Learning & Actually ENJOY Learning! (General Audience)
"How do I get my kids to finish their school work?" The deeper question is actually, "How do I get my kids to be self-motivated?" We will look at specific ways to encourage and assist our children in developing ownership of their education. We must learn the critical difference between controlling and directing; pushing and releasing; coercing and facilitating. It is the master teacher who says, "I can not teach you how to do it, but I can help you learn to do it."

Workshops will include:

Diana and Bill Making the most of teen years at home. Encouraging session for teens

Bill Waring The Homeschool Principal; an encouraging discussion time for Dads

Barbara Smith Avoiding Burnout. Strategies to identify and overcome burnout.

Barbara & Ngaire Allan Preparing for an ERO review; putting your best foot forward.

Lennie Harrison Early Reading and Writing Skills. A practical session aimed at 4-8yrs.

Meat for Teenagers (directed at parents only, and Christian content)

Linda Gage Character Training. Focussing on the heart while they learn and grow.

Time Management. Practical tips for balancing the house, the family, life and everything else.

Go to www.dianadownunder.com for more on Diana’s teaching and resources as well as for your registration form and plan to join us for a wonderful weekend of encouragement.

Queries: gagetribe@xtra.co.nz or ngaire.allan@paradise.net.nz