The Unschoolers Network
27th Anniversary Conference & Curriculum Fair

Keynote Address begins 9:15 am. Hour-long workshop sessions will be held throughout the day, with a half hour break between each. The last session will be at 5 pm.

Keynote: "Elsewhere Than at School" - These key words in the NJ Compulsory Education law have never been more important than today, when our communities are bursting with opportunities to learn in exciting and meaningful ways. The old designations of "homeschooler" and "unschooler" aren’t cut and dried ideas any more. How do we fit all of the new opportunities into our plans for our kids.....regardless of what philosophy we adopt? And how do we explain ourselves to the outsiders who don't understand our point of view? Especially those who intend to make laws about it? Pat brings many years of experience to these questions. (http://www.HoltGWS.com)

• Special Circumstances - Stacy Euchler, who organized the highly acclaimed special circumstances segment of last year’s conference, has assembled a panel of learning difference professionals for this year. They will discuss various therapies and strategies relating to several learning differences including language/speech delays, dyslexia, ADD/ADHD (including adults!) and Asperger’s. Reach Stacy at: Freedomquests@aol.com

• What We Teach - Laurie Block Spigel drew enthusiastic reviews last year for her ability to make ideas come alive for teaching various subjects. She will present two workshops this year:

Beyond Your Four Walls: Laurie demonstrates that the WORLD is your classroom, and every subject, K-12, can come to life in your immediate environment.

Teaching Writing K-12: An overview from K-poetry to the college essay, and everything in between. Bring paper and pencil. Examples will be different from last year’s lecture.

What’s Free (or cheap) in NYC is a book of 150+ educational resources for parents and students of all ages. Order from Laurie at 5800 Arlington Avenue., Bronx, NY 10471. Enclose a check for $7.25 ($5 plus $2.25 PH) (LSpigel@aol.com) (718--543-9250)

• Pat Hawthorne Hogan will do a workshop about the Fundamentals of Math

• Susan Bowers Johnson will discuss Ages and Stages and Appropriate Learning Tools for Them.

For Mom, Dad and the Kids - Our game corner in the cafeteria will again be well stocked and ready. Workshops that the whole family can enjoy together include:

• LuEllen Burton offers Felt It! LuEllen is a homeschooling mom and Waldorf teacher, will do a wool felting workshop, illustrating the importance of using the hands to do meaningful work. Experiment with water, soap and wool, and take home a toy ball you’ve made! Visit http://www.head-heart-hands.com.

• Karen Kurtz will demonstrate a wide variety of ways to Learn from Puzzles & Games! From word and math games to board games like Scrabble and cryptograms and other puzzles, there's a multitude of fun ways to learn from even standard games. (See reverse side for more!)

Volunteering - A newly formed support group in NJ will be collecting hats, gloves and scarves for the homeless. They ask you to bring donations of these items to the conference and drop them off near the registration desk. Contact Pkerr@snip.net for more information. (See reverse for more information!)

The idea for this group prompted us to examine the role of volunteering in life, and the right person crossed our path at the right time. We're excited to have you come and meet:

Beach Clown! (a.k.a. Kathleen Crewes) worked as an assistant for the clown/doctor/health advocate Patch Adams (Robin Williams played him in the movie of the same name) for 10 years, and now is lecturing and organizing clowning trips all over the world. Currently a NJ resident, she will share her personal story with us concerning The Joys of Volunteering. Bring any volunteer ideas and opportunities you may know about, to share with others. We’ll be compiling a list. Check out www.patchadams.org.

• In the works: We also have a session being planned for College & Teens.

• Devorah Weinmann has insights for parents and grandparents of in What’s Ahead for parents of Teens?, which will deal with "the new rule book" for raising 21st century teens... a rescue session if you are struggling to raise teens in a world where it seems the old rules sometimes aren’t working too well.

Details Coming:

• Alternative Education in NJ - Discussion panel shares insights into private schools, (The New School in Matawan), Montessori, and Waldorf. Learn from other ideas.

• Resolving Problems and Conflicts- Sandy Rzetelny. Details comings.

Resource Fair:

In addition to the workshops, there will be a resource fair featuring a variety of vendors offering new books, software, videos, manipulatives, and many other resources as well as a used curriculum fair. This will be your chance to see and purchase materials. FUN Books (www.FUN-Books.com) will be present and offers you the opportunity to preorder items and have your order delivered to the conference so you won't have to pay shipping charges. Just indicate in the comments section of the on-line shopping cart that you will pick up the order at the conference and shipping charges will be deducted. You are also encouraged to contact them in advance if you want to make sure they bring a resource that you would like to see before making a purchase decision.

Admission cost if you pre-register: Just send a check or money order for $30 per adult or $50 per couple, Children ages 3-18 $5 to: Unschoolers Network, 2 Smith Street, Farmingdale, NJ 07727. PLEASE SEND SO IT ARRIVES BY 09/15. If in doubt that your registration could arrive by that time, please plan on paying at the door.

Tickets at the Door: $35 per adult, $60 per couple. Children at the door same price.

A cafeteria will be open on the premises with a limited menu. There are also vending machines available. Outside food isn't permitted in the building. If you are a vegetarian, please note on your registration that you'd like a veggie burger. We need to give the cafeteria an approximate number.

QUESTIONS? Contact Nancy Plent, 732-938-2473 or UnNet@aol.com