What is in the Membership?
The Simple Scholar Premium Membership gives homeschool parents unlimited access to training, mentoring, resources and tools, that help you to leverage time and money in educating your children. The new LITE membership gives introductory access. With an in-depth background in college preparation, as well as alternatives to college, Dianne Kelley provides extensive and comprehensive guides to everything you need. Her approach is gentle, yet direct. No fluff, no nonsense, just the straight information and guidance.
Free
Always FREE!
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Free seat at select live online events
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24 Hour access to recordings of select events
- Access to monthly theme content until end of theme month
- Are You Ready to Homeschool High School Workshop
Lite
$19.95/mo
SPECIAL:
$9.95/mo
Video Only
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Everything in FREE plan, plus:
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Homeschool Foundations Workshop
- Socialization and Activities Workshop
- Special Needs Workshop
- Ditch Grade Levels Workshop
- Teaching Mastery Workshop
- High School Transcript Workshop
- Great Education Shake-Up Replays - video only
Premium
$39.95/mo
SPECIAL:
$17.95/mo
All Access
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VIP seat at all live online events
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Unlimited access to recordings of ALL events with downloadables
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Unlimited Access to monthly theme content & events
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Everything from LITE plan PLUS:
- Live Monthly Group Mentoring
- Transcript Preparation
- Ditch Grade Levels COURSE
- Teaching Language Arts to Mastery COURSE
- Shakespeare Simplified COURSE
- Teaching Math to Mastery (PreK-4th) COURSE
- Teaching Math to Mastery (5th-Alg2) COURSE
- Teaching Social Studies to Mastery COURSE
- Teaching American Government to Mastery COURSE
- Genealogy to Teach Social Studies Workshop
- Homeschooling High School COURSE
- Ultimate Homeschool Workshop COURSE
Upcoming online events
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LIVE WORKSHOP
When: Next is Thursday, Feb 16, 2023
Time: 9am (Pacific Time)
Cost: FREE
Who: Anyone with free registration
Each month, a featured speaker to coordinate with the month's teaching theme. January's theme is Teaching Language Arts to Mastery. February's theme is Teaching American Government to Mastery. Replays are available for free and Lite members for 24 hours. Premium members have unlimited replay access.
January's theme content is available for FREE and LITE members thru January 31st. It includes the replay from January's speaker, plus access to the Teaching Language Arts to Mastery workshop! Premium members have unlimited access to this content. You will find access on your member home page and in the navigation menu at the top of the site when logged in.
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LIVE MENTORING
When: Next is Tuesday, Feb 7th, 2023
Time: 12pm (Pacific Time)
Cost: No additional $$!!
Who: Premium Members Only
Transcript and plan reviews are held for Premium members on the first TUESDAY of every month. We also mentor in other areas of homeschooling in these meetings. Recordings are indexed and added to the Homeschooling High School and Beyond course.
Past recorded online events
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ONLINE SUMMIT
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Click to see list of presentations
The Great Education Shake-Up Summit
When: Sep 26 - Oct 8, 2022 - Ended
Event Ended - Get LITE or PREMIUM membership for replays
Come learn from the BEST speakers about what home education really is and how you can change everything with simple steps and principles!!
LITE members have video-only replays. PREMIUM members get video access plus certificates and any downloadables that speakers offered.
What did we teach in the summit?
DIANNE KELLEY
The Great Education Shake-Up - Keynote
What happened to education and how did it get so far off track? How do we have so many kids who are "behind", and yet so many graduates who are unable to compose literate correspondence? Why do we even have grade levels? How do we teach so that kids move ahead or slow down when needed without leaving anything important out? In this keynote, you will learn how to get the answers to all of these questions and more. We are going to disassemble the proverbial "box" of education and put it back together so it works better. Kids can excel faster, and kids who are "behind" will move ahead at a pace that is comfortable for them, without feeling overwhelmed. This is much easier to implement than you think - and definitely easier than doing "school at home"!!
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
- HANDOUT WITH NOTES
DONNA GOFF
First Steps and New Beginnings
Are you just getting started or restarting homeschool? Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the choices? Come learn some tips to get you started on solid footing and to avoid burnout down the road.
- Learn how to begin with the end in mind and map the homeschool journey.
- Lay the foundation and create a nourishing atmosphere in the home during the pre-school years and beyond.
- Develop character, work ethic, kindle a love of learning, and prepare for future academics. The discipline of habit is the structure to build on.
- Homeschool on a shoe string!
- Momculture: a key to a vibrant home school!
- Simple strategies for families, big and small, tips on teaching several children of different ages in home school.
- Tracking Progress.
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
- HANDOUTs
JOHN NOTGRASS
Teaching History Outside the Box
Google Earth provides fascinating tools for exploring the world around us, including historic sites and geographic features. Not only can you go on ready-made voyages, you can also create your own tours to share with others. John Notgrass provides an introduction to using these tools with your family.
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
- FREE RESOURCE LINKS
NICHOLEEN PECK
The Way Out of the Expectation Trap
When does frustration hit you? Why does it come? Do you ever get angry and regret it later? Why do people get angry when they really don't want to turn into monsters or emotional wrecks? It's because of the expectation trap. Most people fall into the expectation trap on a regular basis. There is a way out, and expectations aren't bad. Find out how to turn expectations into success instead of emotional traps. This is the secret to you loving your homeschool experience and accomplishing more each day.
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
Tresta neil
The Language of Numbers
Each number has a personality, a character trait. The language of numbers used to be well known and through the ages has been forgotten. After learning the patterns and characteristics of each number, we discover the usefulness of knowing this language. We will see how checking problems becomes super simple. You will discover how pneumonic can become very simple and universal. Learning and teaching math just got easier!
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
- FREE GIVEAWAY
HEIDI TOTTEN
Integrating Service Trips into Your Homeschool Plan
The impact that a service trip can have on your children is astonishing. My daughter started coming with me to Kenya when she was 10 years old, and now she has been 8 times, immersing herself in a different world and culture. In one trip, we can cover Botany, Zoology, Anthropology, Biology, Health and Hygiene, Geography, and Horticulture. I have seen kids transform on these trips, and come home ready to serve more in their own communities. My big secret? It works for adults, too!
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
- Free giveaway
JENN CHERRY
The Roots of Learning
What do you see when you look at a piece of art? How do you feel when you listen to a classical piece of music or beautiful poetry? What do the words in a book do to your heart? Is it possible that art, literature, music, and poetry can lead to a deeper connection with your kids?
George Lucas said, "The sciences are the 'how' and the humanities are the 'why' - why we are here, why do we believe in the things we believe in. I don't think you can have the 'how' without the 'why'."
Homeschooling doesn't have to be complicated. If you are struggling or just starting to homeschool, go to the foundational roots of learning with the four humanities and get to the heart of your kids. Then you will see the learning and your relationship will take off!
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
DIANNE KELLEY
Teaching Mastery
When people say "ditch grade levels", what does that mean? Why does it scare parents? We've been conditioned to believe that if our child is "behind" their grade level, then all hope is lost. This is not true. I'll walk you through the steps on how to teach mastery and change everything. This is effective for kids who are behind, as well as college bound kids who are ahead, and everything in between.
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
- HANDOUT WITH NOTES
RACHEL DEMILLE
An Introduction to Leadership Education: "TJEd"
Homeschool is more than just an alternative to mainstream offerings; it’s a seedbed of greatness, a refuge for faith, freedom and family, and the ultimate expression of allegiance to the principles and practices that will allow our children and grandchildren to live the mission they were born to fulfill. Never in history has parenting on this level been more critically important; never in history has it been more under attack. But we, and our children, were born for this.
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
JOCELYN VANCE
The Recipe for a Joyful "Home" School
After homeschooling for 9 years, having babies, toddlers, miscarriages and a lot of crazy things that come along in family life, Jocelyn discovered that curriculum or even pre-designed programs weren't the key to success or even Joy in her homeschool and family life. Like most moms, she found herself searching for a magic program, a magical chore system, and a magic curriculum, until she realized that none of those things would be the solution to her problems. In this presentation, Jocelyn shares a recipe that she found made all the difference in her home and family and thus in their homeschool. She discovered 3 ingredients that she has applied and used over and over again through the years to create a joyful homeschool and family life. Join Jocelyn as she shares this tried and true recipe with you!
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
LORI GABBITAS
Heart to Heart
There's no one more qualified than you to teach your child. No matter what. Your heart can be linked to theirs in a way no one else's can. This is a job best done by Mother.
A hundred years ago, educators understood that hearts must be warmed before minds can be taught. Using this pattern of learning described at The Well Educated Heart, Lori will share some helpful tips to warm hearts and encourage natural learning at home with your children as you enjoy this beautiful world together.
Come and bring a friend who might be lifted by this message. We all need to hear it regularly to remind ourselves that we CAN do this. Lori will champion and encourage you and maybe even share some ideas to help lighten your load AND see better results!
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
MARY ANN JOHNSON
SPARKS - The Fire for Inspiration
This class will help you recognize what inspires and excites your child and then how to use that knowledge to share powerful love of learning moments with them. When you know how to spot SPARKS you can then use them to help your child embark on some amazing learning adventures. SPARKS are also the gateway to precious connection moments with your children. This presentation is designed to introduce you to the world of SPARKS, how to spot them and how to use them to connect with your child and inspire a love of learning.
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
- Free spark packet
- free chunk clock course
PENNY GARDNER
Introducing the Charlotte Mason Approach to Education
Find out who Charlotte Mason was and how she influenced education, specifically home education. We will discuss living books, narration, nature journaling, and art appreciation. Talk about homeschooling on a shoestring—you just need a library card and a few basic supplies to provide a rich Charlotte Mason-based education.
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
ALTESA BAKER
Unboxing Creativity: Discovering the Curriculum Within You
This presentation draws on the power of acting as a discipline and creative teaching tool. Join Altesa in the celebration of an age old artistic expression that has so much more to offer than performances and fame, although those things are nice too!
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
MIA Sachiko GREENHILL
Encouragement for Moms
Break free from sneaky thoughts that are keeping you stuck! Encouragement for moms who feel like they are living on "repeat". An incredibly powerful session.
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
- Handout
DEONNA HOLLIST
Learn to Thrive, Not Just Survive
When it comes to educating your kids, most parents have an eagerness to seize the day with learning, but fail to focus on their family's health. It can feel like a constant game of survival to keep up with the family's mental, physical, and nutritional well-being. Start the path of thriving by learning about the small, but easily applicable, tools to create a healthy and happy home. If you are choosing the higher route of education as a homeschool parent, why wouldn't you want to choose the higher route for you and your children's health and well-being? Great minds and great health go hand-in-hand.
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
- HANDOUT
SHILOAH BAKER
Teach Your Children to be Mother Helpers
In an era of confusion in healthy roles, teaching your children self-government and personal responsibility is essential. Give yourself a mom-promotion and train up your children to naturally help and serve. Teaching children to work alongside you and also independently is essential to training future adults who thrive, who become active citizens in their nation, and who are not lazy but appreciate the value of hard work.
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
Ann Agent
Tools to Successfully Teach Reading
A foundation for education is built on learning to read, so we can read to learn. Having worked as an educational consultant for 15 yrs, while helping parents find books for their children, the two most common questions asked were "What is a good reading program to teach my child?" and "What can we do because our child is having such difficulty with reading?"
Successfully teaching a child to read can be a challenge if we do not have all the tools and information essential to bring about success. The problems with reading are not usually a weakness or learning disability of the child. Before we point blame at educators, parents, or the wrong curriculum, let's discover in this workshop the process of how the brain learns, the tools to use to take the mystery out of the teaching of reading and change it into a more holistic process.
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
- Handout
DONNA GOFF
Ditch the Stress, Invite the Calm, and Become a Victory Lady
Many moms struggle to homeschool, run a home, and fill their own buckets.
Yes, you can homeschool, have a clean home, and nurture yourself, too. Learn the 7 Ways I Ditched the Stress, Invited, the Calm, and Became a Victory Lady!
Come learn how! Q & A" included
Includes:
- Certificate of completion (live only)
- FREE DOWNLOADS
DIANNE KELLEY
Closing Ceremony - Roundtable Style
Come celebrate all that you have learned in The Great Education Shake-Up Summit! Share your favorite moments, and we'll do this roundtable style - with microphones on!
- Certificate of completion (live only)
How do I access these recordings?
Unlimited access is available for Premium Members - If you are already a Premium member, just log in and you can access the summit recordings from the top navigation menu or from your member account page. If not a premium member, for a limited time you can save on the premium membership using coupon code on checkout page - click here to begin registration
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ONLINE EVENT
Featured Monthly Speaker Series
When: Each month in 2023
For: Anyone with FREE registration (see upcoming events above)
Each month a theme and speaker beginning in January 2023. The LIVE sessions are FREE. Replays will be available for FREE and LITE members (24 hour replay after speaker's live workshop) and Premium members (unlimited replay access).
Courses
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FULL COURSE
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Click for More Details
This course is powerful!
Fifteen comprehensive modules are included in this course. Each module is approximately 1 hour long:
Session 1 - Setting Foundations
Session 2 - Keeping the Records
Session 3 - Motivating the Reluctant Child / Parent
Session 4 - Nail the Balancing Act
Session 5 - Philosophies and Learning Styles
Session 6 - Leveraging Any Curriculum
Session 7 - Socialization/Field Trips/Groups
Session 8 - Ditching Middle School and Grade Levels
Session 9 - Special Needs and All Abilities
Session 10 - Modernize the One Room Schoolhouse
Session 11 - Teaching Mastery
Session 12 - Integrating all Subjects to Mastery
Session 13 - College Planning
Session 14 - The Extracurricular (internships, entrepreneurship, and non-college options)
Session 15 - Finishing Exceptionally - About the Transcript and Graduation
How do I access this course?
Unlimited access is available for Premium Members - If you are already a Premium member, just log in and you can access the course from the top navigation menu or from your member account page. If not a premium member, for a limited time you can save on the premium membership using coupon code on checkout page - click here to begin registration
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FULL COURSE
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Click for More Details
Homeschooling High School and Beyond, Course
Length: 14 Hours
Modules: 14 modules, plus mentoring recordings
For: Premium Members
The most comprehensive course available worldwide for homeschooling high school!! Everything you need to prepare your child to graduate and go out into the world - whether their goal is college, military, general employment, entrepreneurship, or otherwise.
Premium members meet monthly for free transcript preparation and homeschool mentoring. All mentoring recordings are added to the course for reference.
Your In-depth Guide to High School!
In the Homeschooling High School and Beyond Course, we will cover everything you need to know about the latest college admissions changes and how they affect homeschoolers. You will understand what a transcript is, why you need one (it’s a permanent record for life, not just for college), and how to complete it. You will understand everything you need to do to prepare for college, including how to leverage early college credits and eliminating redundancy in academics so you can save money and time. You will learn how to guide your child to own their education and have a blast doing it. You can customize the entire high school experience and still comply with all of the requirements to get into college. And you will learn how you can accomplish all of it with just two forms - no binders full of checklists and forms - just TWO! You will walk away with a solid plan and an unshakeable end goal with all the tools you need to reach it.
What if your child is not planning to go to college? The course covers every possible scenario that your child chooses to do. Military? Learn the do's and don'ts on speaking with recruiters. Entrepreneurial ideas? Learn how to get your child the best start on launching their genius ideas. Just want to get a job after high school? No problem, we cover that too!
This course also includes in depth course titling strategies, which are critical to understand for record keeping. Again, an area which I'm experienced in assisting thousands of homeschoolers, is when life circumstances change and the child has to transition back into public or private high school. If you don't have your records aligned, that process is painful and frustrating. I teach you how to do that.
And naturally, we will cover the extracurricular and social experiences. Prom, service clubs, field trips, studying abroad, and more.
Funding is a big concern for parents - no worries! This course will show you all the ways to fund whatever it is your child wants to do. From scholarships, to self-funded goals, I will share effective strategies.
Special needs high schooler? Yes, you guessed it, I've worked with so many parents who didn't think high school was even possible for their special needs child. Any ability, it is possible and it is amazing. We cover many ideas for the academics, socialization, self-care, and more.
How do I access this full course?
Unlimited access is available for Premium Members - If you are already a Premium member, just log in and you can access the course from the top navigation menu or from your member account page. If not a premium member, for a limited time you can save on the premium membership using coupon code on checkout page - click here to begin registration
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FULL COURSES
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Click for More Details
Skipping Middle School & Ditching Grade Levels Course - Teaching the Prep Year(s)
Length: 4 Modules
For: Premium Members
This course goes more in depth with the ditching grade levels concept, showing you step by step why we have grade levels and how to remove middle school to provide a more customized and superior education. Learn what needs to be taught in the years preparing for high school, and how to teach it.
The Game Changer in Education!
The full course, Skipping Middle School - Teaching the Preparation Year - will give you everything you need to teach the gap years needed between 4th grade and high school, and keep the records you need. This is all about leveraging the concept taught in the Ditching Grade Levels/Skipping Middle School workshop, and preparing your child for high school level work without all the redundancy that conventional curriculum has to hold kids back in grade levels.
How do I access these courses?
Unlimited access is available for Premium Members - If you are already a Premium member, just log in and you can access the courses from the top navigation menu or from your member account page. If not a premium member, for a limited time you can save on the premium membership using coupon code on checkout page - click here to begin registration
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FULL COURSES
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Click for More Details
Teaching Mastery Series of Courses - Four Separate Courses in this series
Length: Multiple Modules within each course (Over 150 modules already!)
For: Premium Members
Four separate courses, each goes more in depth and provides step-by-step strategies, videos and tools for parents to use to learn how to teach math, language arts, social studies, and more.
- Teaching Mastery - Math
- Teaching Mastery - Language Arts
- Teaching Mastery - Social Studies
- Teaching Mastery - Pre-Algebra thru Pre-College Math
Four Separate Mastery Courses
The Teaching Language Arts Mastery course walks thru all of the grammatical, writing, reading, research and analysis skills required to plan for success in college and life.
NEW to the language arts course - 1) Teaching Poetry to Mastery Quick Guide; and 2) Shakespeare, Simplified! A mastery course to understand Shakespeare's tragedy plays.
The Teaching Pre-Algebra thru Algebra course is for everything after long division - that is, pre-algebra through pre-college math. Pre-algebra is equivalent to several years of what is more commonly known as 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math. Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 are combined here in a mastery approach to better prepare for college math. This course has over 80 videos for parents on every topic, plus worksheets and unit tests with answer keys. It may be used in lieu of an actual curriculum to help parents teach any child, or help get any child back on the right course, even if the parent is not proficient in math. This course has a pre-requisite that the child must be proficient through addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. There is a division review in section one of the course.
The Teaching Math Mastery Course walks parents and educators through all math levels from basic counting all the way thru long division (which is about 4th grade level)
The Teaching Social Studies Mastery course gives an overview and resources to help parents teach all aspects of social studies. There are resources for teaching World History, U.S. History, American Government and Civics, Speech and Debate, Geography, Culture, Economics, and more.
How do I access these courses?
Unlimited access is available for Premium Members - If you are already a Premium member, just log in and you can access the courses from the top navigation menu or from your member account page. If not a premium member, for a limited time you can save on the premium membership using coupon code on checkout page - click here to begin registration
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FULL COURSES
Shakespeare, Simplified!
Length: 8 Modules
For: Premium Members
This course explores the tragedy plays of Shakespeare. It is an extension course to the Teaching Language Arts to Mastery Course. Each of the 8 modules in the Shakespeare, Simplified! Course has a video and downloadable teaching guide for parents that includes an overview of the module's objective, plus worksheets, games and activities, and a mastery check with answer key. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
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FULL COURSES
Teaching American Government to Mastery
Length: TBD, Coming in February 1st 2023
For: Premium Members
Will release with the February theme of teaching Social Studies to mastery. This course goes deep into the United States Constitution and the United States government. It includes teaching guides with worksheets and answer keys, games and activities, and videos. There will also be a mock Congress component that will be live on Zoom. For Premium Members only.
Pre-Recorded Workshops
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WORKSHOP
Socialization Workshop
Length: 60 minutes approx.
For: Lite & Premium Members
How do you get out there? What about all the social things people say your child might be missing out on? We'll cover all of this and more, not only addressing the misconceptions but also giving you real solutions and ideas (socialization for special needs are also addressed).
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WORKSHOP
Ditching Grade Levels Intro Workshop
Length: 70 minutes approx.
For: Lite & Premium Members
I am the original author and pioneer of the "Skipping Middle School" philosophy, and will show you how to leverage the advantage of understanding grade levels to break down barriers for kids who are ahead or considered "behind". This is a game changer in education!
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WORKSHOP
Teaching Mastery Intro Workshop
Length: 70 minutes approx.
For: Lite & Premium Members
This 75 minute workshop introduces you to the concept of teaching mastery as opposed to restricting your child to grade levels. It is highly beneficial for kids who are "behind", as well as those who are ready to move forward in single subjects.
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WORKSHOP
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WORKSHOP
Genealogy to Teach Social Studies Workshop
Length: 60 min. approx.
For: Premium Members
Learn how to teach social studies in an engaging way, by infusing your own family genealogy! Leveraging this powerful and long lasting way of teaching goes beyond history - your children will learn many other skills that you can incorporate across multiple disciplines! Learn the coolest tools that you need to get started right away. This workshop is found under the Teaching Social Studies to Mastery Course.
E-Books
New E-Books sold separately - click each photo for more info - e-books are NOT part of any membership:
