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My first homeschool convention
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Question:
How about we start a new thread where all you experts at homeschooling can
give me all kinds of advise about something ON TOPIC; as opposed to all
those "scummy" and "filthy" threads that are consuming my hard drive space
whenever I download this website. Ok now everybody, lets make it a long
one too, ok? Here is a newbie homeschooler in need of guidance (picture me
smiling rrrrreal big with all my teeth showing) to spend your time on,
rather than a member of the clergy (yeah right)who likes calling people
names.
Anyway, I'm all signed up for my first homeschool convention at the end of
the month - the WPA convention at the University of Wisconsin-Stephens
Point. I have signed up as my first choice of workshops such topics as
beginning homeschooling (record keeping, complying with our state laws,
etc), overview of the major homeschool curricula (Abeka, Bob Jones, Saxon,
etc), and beginning reading instruction. There will also be plenty of
vendor stuff to look at. But since this is my first one, does anyone have
any other real practical suggestions for while I'm there. I only have this
one day, and I want to learn as much as I can. Right now, my husband and I
are really liking the classical approach, using the Trivium as a guide. So
anybody have any ideas for this first-timer?
Answer:
-that brings back memories. I was going to go to UWSP, I was accepted and
everything. I was going to major in Nature Science-was going to be a game
warden/forest ranger. But then I decided to join the Army, and the rest is
history.
That sounds exciting. I haven't been to a convention yet either. I guess I
should get ahold of our local HSSG and see what they have.
-The wife and I have decided to FINALLY go to a
convention. We have wanted to for years now but were not close enough
to family to leave the kids (just moved to Ohio from Washington State).
Her parents are comming up from NC to watch the older 3 and we are
taking the soon (hopefully) to be with us. This will be our first time
leaving the children overnight...scary! Anyway, hope you enjoy yours as
much as we will enjoy ours. BTW, my wife was due Friday (the 16th) and
I work 1.5 hours away...please pray that I will make it!
-Another reason not to buy it all at the convention is that at the
convention it will all look so good to you. You will feel like you have
to have one of everything. Take good notes about what looks good. Take
the vendor's literature. If you buy it all at the convention, you won't
have an opportunity to use it all during the year. If you wait until
after the convention to buy, you will have a chance to see what will
work for you, and what won't. When you find yourself thinking, "If only
I had picked up at the convention," then you can
mail order it. You will make better buying decisions and spend less
money.
And check out the vendors just before they start to break down their
exhibits. Some of them would rather sell it cheap than ship it back
home.
-Vendors hate it when I say this, but I always tell newbies NOT TO BUY
ANYTHING AT THEIR FIRST CONVENTION. I know it's tempting, but it is
*overwhelming*. Listen to all the sales pitches, take all the catalogs, make
lotsa notes, and *go home*. Think about it. Digest it. Imagine yourself
actually using whatever you're thinking of. *Then* _order_ what you want.
Shipping and handling won't add that much to the cost, especially when
several months down the road you toss what you bought because you all hate it
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