Scroll down to see suggested speaking topics as well as travel/compensation requests.
To see Vicki's current seminar and workshop schedule, click here.
Contact information:
Vicki Bentley, 122 Mill Race Drive, Winchester VA 22602
e-mail: vicki@everydayhomemaking.com
Web sites: www.HomeEducation101.com
(Please contact us for a higher resolution photo.
Professional and character references available upon request.)
Biographical information:
Vicki Bentley is the mother of eight daughters, foster mom of over fifty, and grandma to fifteen wonderful grandbabies (and another on the way!). Vicki has homeschooled 17 children alongside her husband Jim, and led a local support group of over 250 families for 14 years. She has served on the executive board and convention committee of the Home Educators Association of Virginia and has addressed state and national conventions, university teacher organizations, and many mothers’ groups. She is the author of My Homeschool Planner, Everyday Cooking, The Everyday Family Chore System, Home Education 101: A Mentoring Program for New Homeschoolers, High School 101: Blueprint for Success, and other homeschool and homemaking helps, and coordinates Home School Legal Defense Association's Early Years program (Homeschooling Toddlers to Tweens) as well as their Group Services. Vicki has a heart for parents--especially moms--with strong practical wisdom and encouraging words.
Needs/Preferences:
Travel/Lodging expenses (prefer to travel with my husband or older daughter), possibly small booth or table space, honorarium at your discretion.
SUGGESTED WORKSHOPS: (All workshops are written for one-hour slots.)
"Jump-Start" to Joyful Motherhood (Psalm 113:9)
What comes to mind when you hear, "Joyful mother of children"? If you aren't sure this describes your perspective on motherhood right now, come learn four steps to guide you to the joyful path! We will also discuss practical strategies to help us stay "tuned up."
A Mom’s Sentimental Journey – Twenty years and 17 kids later, what a veteran homeschool mom would repeat and what she would do differently on this homeschooling journey! (For mixed audience: A Parent's Sentimental Journey)
Getting Kids to Help at Home – Training in Diligence and Thoroughness - You know you need to let the children be more involved in helping at home, for training them in character and in practical skills, AND for your sanity! But where do you begin? This foster mom to almost 50 children will share tips and practical helps that have enabled her to homeschool 17 children and still be able to open the front door to guests.
Choosing Curriculum - Mom of 17 homeschooled students and curriculum counselor for a statewide homeschool organization, Vicki shares the secrets to mapping out a successful course of study for your children. This workshop helps beginners to get a solid start in home education, and encourages veterans to re-examine goals and priorities. Includes a basic overview of different teaching approaches.
Getting Started – Are you overwhelmed by the options? Not sure where to begin? Good planning is the key to any successful road trip, so Vicki will walk you through a planning checklist to help you prepare for this homeschool journey! Topics include research, goal setting, supplies, schedules, and more, plus Six Tips for Success.
Homeschooling on a Shoestring Budget - Homeschooling doesn't have to cost hundreds of dollars per child. Vicki homeschooled seven at a time while their family was without a full-time income for four years, sometimes spending less than $100 per year.
Frugal Homemaking - [NOTE: homemaking workshop revised for 2008] Vicki shares tips on how to maintain a homeschool household on limited funds. Moms are encouraged to bring ideas or sites to share with others.
Organized (Well, Almost!) – Time Management for Busy Moms - As a busy mom, do you sometimes struggle with lesson planning, keeping the house somewhat presentable, teaching, keeping up with the laundry, AND getting dinner on the table the same day you homeschool? Vicki Bentley, fellow busy homeschool mom, shares practical ideas that have helped her manage her household of ten.
Organizing Your Home – Creating a Lifestyle Learning Environment – Vicki will help you decide what is important to your family, where you need to begin, and will discuss organizational challenges unique to homeschoolers. Lots of practical suggestions from a mom who has homeschooled 17 children.
Multi-level teaching - When you had one child, it seemed easy, but adding more children sometimes makes homeschooling feel like a zany plate-spinning act. Vicki shares ideas for keeping the homeschooling “plates” from crashing to the floor! Practical tips for teaching multiple ages - from a mom of 17 homeschooled students (seven school-age at a time)..
Holidays as Homeschool Curriculum—Do you ever feel stuck in the day-to-day sameness of your school routine? If you circle the holidays on your calendar, you can have not just instant mini-units, but family fun and fond memories. Celebrate!
Interactive session, good for end of year:
Lessons Learned – interactive session: Participants will walk through What I Will Do Again Next Year, and What I Will Definitely Change! Works best with Vicki facilitating discussion among participants divided into small groups.
_____________________________________________________________________________
For support group leaders:
*Four Needs of Homeschool Families -In this interactive session, Vicki discusses four basic needs of homeschool families and shares practical ways for leaders to encourage those families without discouraging their own! Also--how to include dads! [This can be an abbreviated 20-minute version for lunch or brunch, a regular 50-to-60--minute workshop, or a 1-hour condensed workshop including basic mentoring group information.]
*Fishing 101: Mentoring Groups in Action - Learn how to meet the needs of your newer families without losing the veterans. What is a mentoring group? Hear how some groups have mobilized their veteran homeschoolers to help pass the baton to the new families. Vicki discusses various types of mentoring programs available, practical ideas for success, and the benefits to your support group. Sample materials will be available.
Mentoring 2.0—High-speed, interactive opportunity for this fast-paced generation of homeschoolers! Join us for a fun, hands-on demonstration of an activity to take back to your groups.
______________________________________________________________________________
High School 101: Blueprint for Success (a seminar in three workshops):
Building a Framework: Strategies for High School Success (Part One) ) You have laid the foundation; now it’s time to envision the house! We will discuss goal setting, graduation requirements, an overview of high school planning, and course descriptions. Q&A.
High School Construction Tools: Recordkeeping & Credits (Part Two) In this workshop, Vicki will walk you through scheduling and lesson planning, recordkeeping & credits, grades/GPAs, and transcripts. We’ll also discuss how to document and give credit for less conventional studies, and how to incorporate life skills and independent studies into your program. Q&A.
“Finishing” Touches: Graduation & Beyond (Part Three) Ah—graduation! Preparing for college admission and/or apprenticeship, military service, or other options. Reading lists, resumés, essays, and portfolios. Vicki will translate the acronym maze of AP courses, CLEP tests, SAT/ACT exams, the PSAT/NMSQT, and more. Q&A.
(All workshops are planned for one-hour time slots.)
Most workshops available on cd. Please contact Vicki for more information.
Vicki Bentley
