Homeschool Conventions: The Vendor Hall

After discussing speaker plans earlier this week, I thought I might share what we are doing differently in our search for curriculum. This year we didn't decide that we were going to the convention until some family members made it possible last week, so I haven't had loads of time to plan out our trip this time around. Additionally, all the kids have qualified for the Unique Abilities Scholarship this year, which means I can't purchase my curriculum until after July 1st to be reimbursed, or after September 1st to use the money directly through the scholarship. As a result I approached our time in the Convention Hall differently this year than in previous years.

First of all, I sat down over the weekend with the kids and reviewed and updated Britt and Ruth's high school planning page (more about that at a later date), and we made one up for Rebecca for the first time. This page lets them plan out what classes they want to take, and ensure that they cover everything needed before graduation. Therefore, they know what classes they want to take over the next couple of years. This means when they hit the vender hall, they aren't looking at biology, anatomy, geology, zoology, astronomy, Earth science, chemistry, and physics courses to find an interesting science. They already know what science courses they have narrowed it down to, and are only looking for a good fit for them in that single subject. This an important part of homeschooling high school, because they wouldn't have time to look over every science course in every curriculum from every vendor let alone any of our other subjects.

While I'll be on the look out as well, this primarily falls to my three high schoolers. This is part of turning their learning over to them, and getting their input. They each have a list of what to look for, and pages in their mini notebooks for making notes or listing curriculum that they have narrowed it down to for me to look at with them:

• Britt for the next two years should be on the look out for,

  • Spanish

  • Geometry

  • American Government

  • Zoology

  • Astronomy

  • Business math

  • Speak with Open Tent about taking High School Writing and AP World History

• Ruth for the next two years should be on the look out for,

  • Spanish

  • Geometry

  • American Government

  • Business Math

• Rebecca for the next two years should be on the look out for,

  • Spanish

  • Algebra I

  • American Government

  • Astronomy

  • Zoology

  • Speak with Open Tent about Middle School Writing vs. High School Writing

By writing down classes that we are planning over the next two years they have some options, if they can't find say an Astronomy class they could all agree on, but they do find a good looking Zoology class, we can always swap our sciences to different years. This also doesn't overwhelm them too much, by say listing every subject Rebecca plans to take over the next 5 years.

I find vendor halls to be invaluable. I can actually handle the books I am considering buying. I can read through the user guide, and flip through lessons to give me an idea if this is the right level for my kids and if it can easily be used with some accommodations to fit their unique learning styles. The kids find it valuable as well, they can read portions of the text and see if it is presented in an understandable way, or if it is heavy writing based they might want a different option. There really is no substitute for checking out the books before you buy them. While you can purchase materials online that often give you the table of contents as well as a short except, I don't find that I get enough information to make a firm decision. Not to mention, it is often complicated to return school materials, if they even allow returns after purchase.

We also have a plan for working our way through the vendor hall. The first time through is to look and see everything and note what warrants further exploration. This is usually all I do on Thursday night, taking at least an hour and a half. After that is when I start digging deep. I know what I'm looking for, I got some direction on Thursday and on Friday I am ready to get elbow deep in curriculum and start making decisions. I plan out what all I want to use and gather prices. If I want to spend more on a Spanish course, then I'm going to need to supplement our reading with my own ingenuity, or maybe I spend more on an American Government curriculum this year and use an ok Health class that I already own instead of finding a better health course. Balancing the budget for our schooling is often the hardest part, so I try to give myself a couple of options when I can. Gary and I talk through these on Friday night to nail down just what the best option is for our budget and our kiddoes. Then Saturday I know exactly where I want to go and what I want to get while the sales are on.

As the scholarship is more for each child than I've ever spent on them total, I don't have to worry as much about the budget as in previous years, though I still want to maximize my dollar since every dollar I have left over can be rolled in to an account for college or a trade school. Not getting my books at peak sale season, and in plenty of time to do detailed yearly planning will be very new to me. However, this has also opened up the opportunity for the kids to try out some electives, music classes, and sports that they have been unable to pursue over the last several years. So they each have some idea jotted down for extracurriculars that they are looking into as well as their core subjects.

Some people only attend a homeschool conference for the vendor hall, if that were the only thing going on it would be worth the cost to attend the FPEA Convention. It is key to our plans for the following year, and I couldn't do without it. If you haven't made the convention yet, today is the last day, and I'd highly recommend you hightail it over here.