This page provided as a service to state and
regional organizations who are considering Debra as a speaker for their next
event.
For availability, e-mail Debra at debrabell2000@yahoo.com
Download PDF file of seminar topics and requested terms.
Debra Bell
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Personal:
Married since 1981 to Kermit. Our four children were home-educated, K-12. Three
are college graduates, one is in process.
Founding
member Living Hope Church, Harrisburg (20 years)
Pastor: Ken Mellinger lhc-pa.org
25 years involvement with Sovereign Grace Ministries
(SovereignGraceMinistries.org)
Keynote
Homeschooling From A Foundation of Grace: It's one thing to begin our homeschooling efforts from the basis of a biblical conviction that this is God's particular call for our lives. It's another thing to begin each day with a firm grip on the doctrines of grace in place in our hearts and our home. This seminar chronicles my own journey from a man-centered, works-based mentality toward homeschooling to a growing understanding of what it means to find my strength daily in the grace of God and to truly seek to see Him and Him alone glorified through our approach to parenting and homeschooling.
Seminar Topics:
Most topics can be accompanied by PowerPoint, if
available.
How Children Learn: This session gives parents an overview of what research has consistently concluded about the stages of cognitive development.
How Teens Learn: This session focuses on cognitive development during adolescents and what we know so far about the best methods for helping teens learn.
God-Centered Homeschooling: What does this look like? What are the heart issues at the core of this posture? How do we set our priorities? And what questions should we ask ourselves as we walk through the seasons of homeschooling our children?
PARENTING TEENS: AKA Riding the Mechanical Bull - Homeschooling teens has to be prefaced with a discussion about parenting our teenagers with grace and faith towards God. But what does that look like? What issues must we prepare to face? Dating? Skepticism? Resistance to our leadership? The break for independence? And what about mothers and sons? What changes should we make? Mothers and daughters? How is that different? And in what areas must Dad begin to adjust? From a mother who has raised two sons and two daughters to adulthood. Hilarious, honest, and above all Christ-centered.
MOTIVATING THE RELUCTANT LEARNER:
10 proven strategies that kindle a love for learning in a child and help him
master areas of difficulty; at the same time, reduce conflict and frustration
for mom and kid.
RAISING AN INDEPENDENT LEARNER:
(Our most requested seminar). Do you want a lifelong learner who initiates
studies on his own? Then let go of the wheel and start giving your kids
responsibility for their education. Here
are practical, inexpensive steps that will encourage children to pursue their
own learning, and prevent parent burnout as well.
PREVENTING BURNOUT:
Meet Harriet Homeschooler, the ditzy, stressed out homeschool mom who can't seem
to figure out where things have gone wrong. But you can -- here are the
foundational principles that enable you to
appropriate the grace of God, keep priorities in focus and have fun!
Especially good for new homeschoolers, but veterans love Harriet.
DEVELOPING CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS:
What are thinking skills and why all the fuss?
This seminar challenges traditional teaching methods head on by outlining
the best way to teach so your child can remember and use
what he has learned-- even when he is an adult.
Analysis, synthesis and evaluation explained.
Samples of creative and critical thinking.
And lots of suggested resources and activities that are uncomplicated,
time-saving, inexpensive and effective.
CHOOSING CURRICULUM: If
you want to maximize your homeschool dollars and end up with materials best for
your child, then answer these questions first before you buy.
RE-ENERGIZE YOURSELF AND KIDS THROUGH CO-OPERATIVE
LEARNING. Homeschooling wasn't meant to be done in
isolation. Well-designed group
activities will stimulate and challenge students, plus give you the chance to
network with other homeschoolers and spread the teaching load around.
Tips for organizing and surviving a homeschool co-op and many other group
activities.
HOMESCHOOLING TEENS.
From the perspective of the mother of teens, long time high school level teacher
and evaluator of numerous high school homeschool programs.
The high school years are your child's resume for the future. Here's how
to maximize his time, prepare him for a changing job market, get doors to open ,
and facilitate non-traditional learning experiences.
DETERMINING YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING STYLE. Save
time, money and frustration. Before you buy anything, determine your child's
learning style and then choose curriculum to match it. Does your son need to do
to learn? Is your daughter motivated better in a group? Does your child
need structure and routine or flexibility and independence?
Four types of learners explained with sample programs for each.
(This material is similar to learning style info in Cathy Duffy's book,
but with my own experience and adaptation to a home school setting. If folks
have not been exposed to learning style information, they find this workshop
very helpful. This is our top selling tape.)
GETTING STARTED HOMESCHOOLING: Where
do I start? What books should I read? What do I teach when?
What curriculum should I buy? Here
are the ABC's of homeschooling--the sequential steps to follow to set up a
program you and your kids will love.
SIX INGREDIENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL HOMESCHOOL:
Success in homeschooling has little to do with degrees or teaching certificates,
rather it has a lot to do with Christian character. Here are the six areas of
your life you need to build upon for a long term, successful program.
Plenty of suggestions for strengthening these crucial areas in your home.
OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENT: Ups
and downs are par for the course in homeschooling, but don't let burn out make
you a drop out. Here's how to benefit from your failures, discern underlying
problems and most of all appropriate the grace of God to finish the course. Spiritually motivating and practical.
RAISING A WRITER:
The job market of the future will demand exceptional communication skills. Learn
how to motivate your reluctant writer, challenge your talented one and critique
their work. Starting an effective writers' group will also be covered.
Will also include how to help your children get published -- and
sometimes even paid!
DESIGNING A COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM:
What courses, tests, curricula and opportunities position your child for
acceptance at the college of his choice. Tips
for pulling it off when you don't have a clue how to use a graphing calculator,
interpret Shakespeare or speak French. Extra
bonus: How to be the guidance counselor, too!
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Debra's Fax:
717-473-8059
Debra's E-mail: debrabell2000@yahoo.com
Mailing address: Home School Resource Center
Palmyra,
PA 17078
Phone: 717-838-5273