Speaker at the Great American Homeschool Convention

March 14–16, 2013

TD Convention Center

(Greenville, SC)

I am thrilled to announce that I will be speaking this weekend at the Great American Homeschool Convention in Greenville, SC. 

I am so excited about my Saturday workshop on A Family Field Trip Year, where I will be sharing information about our travel year.  This workshop will be at 10 am on Saturday in the TD Convention Center.  I will have a great travel games giveaway, as well as, many tips for road school families.

Session Description:

(102A) JENNIFER K. BROOKS (Critical Thinking Company) A Family Field Trip YearJennifer Brooks and her husband, Greg, recently completed a field trip year with their three children where they traveled the USA and the UK as they homeschooled their kids. Jennifer taught in public school for 15 years with 10 of those years spent in gifted education. She is the author of Teaching Technology Through Interest Projects and the upcoming Surfin’ the Net Safari- Science. Whether traveling to world historic locations with her family or teaching a classroom of gifted students, Jennifer believes in the power of hands-on, interest-based education. Her popular blog, Brooks Sabbatical, documents her transition from public education to homeschool teacher and her family’s travels during their field trip year.

A Family Field Trip Year
I will describe how my husband and I decided to take a year off from normal (and stressful) commitments to travel and “road” school our children. Our creative financial planning for our travels will be shared. My transition from public education to homeschool teacher enabled me to better understand my own children’s education needs. Our hands-on learning and field trip curriculum transformed our family, creating a closer bond between kids and parents- resulting in a happier outlook on life for all.

I will also be speaking about my curriculum in my book, Teaching Technology Through Interest Projects, on Friday at 1 pm in the TD Convention Center.  My publisher, The Critical Thinking Company, will be on site selling my book and their other fabulous teaching materials.

Session Description:

(102A) JENNIFER K. BROOKS (Critical Thinking Company) Teaching Technology Through Interest Projects.
Teaching Technology Through Interest Projects
The curriculum in Teaching Technology Through Interest Projects allows students of all ages to explore their enthusiasm and passion for an individual topic of their choosing, within or without an assigned subject area. My session will demonstrate how parents can capitalize on their children’s interests to make learning complex technology research skills and computer presentation programs fun. I will demonstrate easy-to-follow instructions for creating dynamic, independent projects using three different media: slideshows (PowerPoint, Keynote), documentary movies (Windows Live Movie Maker, Photo Story 3, iMovie), and animations (Scratch). 

For more information about the Great American Homeschool Convention, please visit their official website: http://www.southeasthomeschoolconvention.com

Home School Immersion- Philadelphia, PA

     I enjoyed watching Greg get shocked after our hellish drive from Virginia to Philadelphia.  I dared him to do it again just for fun and he did; what did that say about the patriarch of our family?  Good thing I made our travel decisions.  Well, most of them – Greg had planned special restaurant reservations using this year as his personal culinary tour of America. 

Yesterday’s four-hour drive took eight and Greg blamed my poor navigational skills. He cussed me right along with the construction workers and broken down cars because when I planned our route up I95, I called the DOT to give the green light on their resurfacing project, right after I magically visited several homes along the way to sabotage their cars.  The kids tuned him out as they put in another Disney DVD- how did the pioneers manage to travel in a covered wagon for hundreds of miles without a DVD player?  Worrying we wouldn’t make that evening’s dinner reservations at Morimoto’s, he spun a web of frustration that covered my mood as well as his. By the time we checked into the Embassy Suites, ordered pizza for the kids, and changed for dinner, I didn’t want to look at him.  He could forget about hundred-dollar sushi.  When he emerged from the bedroom, showered and smelling of Aramis and whiskey, I changed my mind.  It felt so good to find my husband sexy again.  We had spent the last three days in our children’s constant company; a night alone would be just the ticket to soothe our frayed nerves.

By the next morning, we had reconnected, but I still took pleasure in watching Greg shock himself with the electricity experiment at the Ben Franklin Institute. We all tried it; the museum contained hundreds of hands-on experiments and we tried everyone.  Wyatt delighted in the colossal heart traversing each artery and vein.  Anabel explored climate change by creating an erosive environment and discovered ways of improving topsoil.  Emma studied electricity by lighting a tiny city with girl power- she turned the wheel of an electromagnet and boom- lights.

The museum helped teach all these science topics and more with instructors stationed in each room.  A retired surgeon volunteering in the human body area explained the intricacies of the brain.  He conducted a couple of experiments on Wyatt challenging him with a few brainteasers.  An entomologist demonstrated metamorphosis as Emma handled a caterpillar, a chrysalis and a butterfly.  Anabel watched in fascinated horror at a video of an open-heart surgery, then worked a shift in a simulated ER with the guidance of a volunteer nurse.   Taking advantage of expert knowledge made home schooling fun for the kids and easy for the parents.

Wyatt wanted to live at the Franklin Institute, but we assured him Philadelphia had more to offer. 

“It’s time to go, Bud.  We’ll be back.” I headed for the exit.

“Promise?  I want to ride the flight simulator again.”

“I promise we’ll return someday.  We’re only here two days and we still haven’t seen Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. We’ve got to move on.”

Wyatt’s shoulders slumped as the disappointment enveloped his whole body. Our kids did not transition well.  They were slow to warm up to new experiences and once hot, abhorred letting them go.  Traveling to successive cities in two to three day spurts was cruel treatment for these children.

Wyatt said, “This sucks,” under his breath as we walked out the door.  I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry or just smack him across the top of his head.  I was thrilled to have a child that loved museums, sad that we couldn’t afford to stay in one city longer, and pissed at having an ungrateful brat who didn’t appreciate his privileges.  This year was turning into a roller coaster of emotions. 

Quick travel had its advantages, though.  It was powerful to go from the encapsulated world of Williamsburg circa 1775 to Philadelphia’s Independence Hall circa 1776. I couldn’t help but feel in awe of the whole place.  Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John Adams, George Washington sat here, argued here, laughed here, thought here. And we were the winners of their radical experiment of self-government. 

The tour, led by National Park Rangers, gave another great history lesson to all of us, but especially the kids.  Emma was hearing a lot of this information for the first time. I was proud of the close attention she paid.  I didn’t know how much it meant to her at age eight, but she was listening.  First, we were led from the east wing into the judicial room where the colonists held court.  After a brief explanation of the British and American court system, we walked into the Signing Room- the room in all the portraits of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  George Washington’s chair as president of the Constitutional Convention was still there presiding over all.

Suddenly, I felt so blessed to have this opportunity with our family.  Whatever the consequences of this life break, I knew I would never regret it. Again, the power of certainty engulfed me.  Not since falling in love with Greg and our children had I felt so sure of myself.

Anabel placed her hand in mine as we crossed the street to view the Liberty Bell.  We spoke for the first time since entering the Signing Room.

“That was cool,” she said.

“Yep.”  Sometimes, words were deficient, but I could have sworn I heard Lee Greenwood singing in the distance. (Cue redneck truck driving by blaring, “I’m proud to be an American.”)

Home School Immersion- Colonial Williamsburg

Teaching your own children brings to mind the old Proverb: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."  Traveling to teach our children about history and culture doesn't ensure they will learn it; all we can do is lead them to it and hope they drink...  Case in point: Our Williamsburg Visit.

     We shuffled our three kids and two dolls out the door and headed for the Royal Governor’s mansion.

     A persnickety man assuming we were the hired help answered Emma’s timid knock on the mansion’s front door.  It seemed there was a Royal Ball that evening and he was desperate.

     “From your casual attire, I can see you are not a guest of the Governor’s tonight so you must be the new servants.  Please come in and I’ll show you around,” he said as we entered the heavily armed foyer.  Swords, scabbards, pistols, and rifles lined the walls from floor to ceiling.  He explained that this was a customary display of the power of the British government and we would be expected to dust them later.  “Let’s go through to the ballroom.  I think Mrs. Brown, the housekeeper is there and she’ll find you more suitable clothing and better explain your duties for the night.  It is going to be a grand celebration of Queen Charlotte’s birthday.”

     Greg and I smiled as we followed the enthusiastic actor through the home.  The kids were mesmerized.  Emma pulled my sleeve as we walked and asked, “Are we really going to get some clothes like his?”

     I whispered, “Sorry, darling, but I don’t think so… that would be neat though, wouldn’t it?”  She giggled to hide her disappointment.

     The historical actor stayed in character throughout our tour of the mansion.  After a while, we let ourselves slip back in time to 1775.  He referred to the recent skirmish near Concord and Lexington and held all of Boston in complete contempt for their ungrateful behavior in the past few months.

     “How could anyone disrespect our King by dumping his tea into the water?  Disgraceful!”  He was definitely a loyalist. 

     As we wandered the rooms, I discovered I couldn’t stop grinning. Greg looked at me like I’d lost my mind.

     “Are you okay?”

     “I’m great.  I’m just happy.”

     “About what?” He wasn’t a history convert yet.

     “This is it.” I waved my hand around the beautiful ballroom with its portraits of the King and Queen flanking the double doors. I pointed at the kids standing near our guide with rapt attention as he told of the grand traditions of the British and complained about upstarts like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington who took it all for granted. “This is what I dreamed about for home school,” I whispered. “I have always wanted to teach by immersion.  Go and see places in person instead of just reading about them in books.  I just can’t believe we’re here.  We are actually doing it!”

     Greg and I trailed the others out into the gardens.  Wyatt spotted a maze and raced Emma to it.  Anabel sauntered through a vine-covered pathway.  Greg and I meandered around the King’s gardens and found our way to the kitchens where a woman was demonstrating beer making. The smell knocked me back as I entered the small outbuilding.  I decided to hang by the scullery door and listen rather see close-up.  She banked her fire and stirred a large pot full of water, grain, hops and yeast.  She explained that in colonial days everyone drank beer- even the children because the water was contaminated.  Brewers made two different types: a large beer- heavy ale or porter for adults and a small beer- very weak but bacteria free for children. The local brewers were usually cooks in the kitchens of larger estates and servants were sometimes paid with a stipend of weak beer.  Imported beers were for the wealthy while most common townsfolk drank a local brew.  George Washington reportedly loved porters and Thomas Jefferson preferred lighter ales.  I couldn’t wait for our dinner in the local pub to taste both to see with which founding father I agreed.

Brewing a pint...or two.

     The remainder of our day was spent along Gloucester Street in the shopping district of Colonial Williamsburg. The kids perused the 18^th century wares and bought some costumes and games with the money they earned washing golf carts on Fripp.  We toured the home where Jefferson studied law and watched the blacksmith and wheelwright’s demonstrations.  As we neared the House of Burgesses, we noticed a shift in sentiment towards the British among the reenactments.  No longer were the town’s folk spouting praises for the King.  Minutemen were marching along the streets and drilling in the courtyard.  A man stood on an expounding plank talking of freedom and the rights of men.

     Our last stop was the Virginia Capital building where a riot had recently taken place.  The Royal Governor and his advisors had left in the middle of the night leaving their food still on their plates in their private meeting room. A few months prior, Patrick Henry delivered his “Give me liberty or give me death” speech during a covert meeting to the Virginia convention in Richmond and rebellion took hold in Williamsburg.  Patrick Henry was named the new governor and the capital building was the site of the first Declaration of Rights in America.  I tried to instill the magnitude of how awe-inspiring it was to stand where our founding fathers stood. 

     “Anabel, Thomas Jefferson studied law in this building.  Wyatt, this is where the first group of people agreed that all men were created equal and free.  Emma, Patrick Henry said in this room, ‘If this be treason, make the most of it!’  Can you imagine taking such a risk?  If they had been caught by the British they would have been killed!” I gave the kids a wide-eyed look for emphasis.  They stared back at me speechless.  I had them.  They were as interested in history as I.  

     Then, Emma opened her mouth and said, “Did they have ice cream in colonial times, Mommy?”

     Wyatt turned to his sister. “Ooo!  I’d really like some ice cream!”

     Anabel shook her head as if coming back from a daze. “Are we getting ice cream? I want some.”

Oh well, I had them for a moment, which was better than never at all.

**This is an excerpt from my upcoming memoir about our family field trip year.  Check out the original blogs from our trip to Colonial Williamsburg:

Budgeting for Williamsburg

Our Long Day's Journey into the Past...Part One (I said it was long!)

Our long day’s journey into the past… Part two (so tired and only our first stop)

Leaving Williamsburg

Book Club- Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd*

The Desperate and Downtrodden Book Club- Episode 2- Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd

Fade in theme music. Roll opening titles. Cue Host.

Host- Welcome to The Desperate and Downtrodden Book Club!  On this show, we explore books that inspire and uplift the desperate and downtrodden. Please welcome my guest, best known as the author of the New York Times Bestsellers, The Secret Life of Bees and The Mermaid’s Chair, Sue Monk Kidd!

Pause for audience applause.

Sue Monk Kidd- Hello, Everyone!  Thanks for having me on your show, Jenny.

Host- I am so pleased to have you here to discuss your latest work- Traveling with Pomegranates: a mesmerizing memoir of a mother and daughter struggling with transition- you turning 50 and realizing you needed something more in your career and your daughter, Anne, leaving the security of college, unsure of her future, and facing failure for the first time.  How was it working with your daughter?

Sue Monk Kidd- It was fantastic when she wasn’t depressed and I wasn’t self-absorbed in my own fears of failure in writing my first novel.

Host- Wow!  Thanks for being so honest, Sue.  We don’t often get that on television. As a career woman and a mother, I gleaned motivation from both of your mêlées with life.  I related to Anne’s crippling uncertainty of her life’s ambition and your all-consuming need for more substance in your career.  How did traveling Greece and Turkey facilitate your choices?

Sue Monk Kidd- Traveling puts relationships in a pressure cooker.  You can’t hide your emotions for long on a three-week tour; eventually, your inner thoughts come out.  Although difficult, it is cathartic. Also, traveling allows you to explore new facets of your soul.  I have always gravitated to the spiritual and seek out locations that feed my chi. Greece and Turkey are teeming with transcendent locales.  Put family and spiritual journeys together and you have a recipe for change.

Host- So if someone was burned out and bored with her life, would you recommend traveling with her family to facilitate her deep-seeded need for change?

Sue Monk Kidd- I would tell that woman to set forth on her journey and not look back.  As Auntie Mame said, “Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death.”

Host- So you're telling me to do it- quit my job and spend a year traveling with my family and searching my soul for answers to what to do during my next stage in life.

Sue Monk Kidd- I didn’t say…

Host- That’s all the time we have today. 

Sue Monk Kidd- But, I…

Host- Thank you so much, Ms. Monk Kidd, for being my second guest.  Her life-altering book is Traveling with Pomegranates. If you are seeking a new life, The Desperate and Downtrodden Book Club also recommends Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, my debut guest- don’t cheat yourself by just watching the movie; Julia Roberts is great, but it glosses over her spiritual search- and Under the Tuscan Sun by Francis Mayes - if you’re pressed for time, this one is okay to just watch the movie; the film demonstrates three-act life renewal better than the eloquent, but elongated Mayes memoir.  (I mean she goes on and on about renovations and Etruscan tombs and never shows us her life.)  Tune in next time when my guest will be the ghost of Jane Austen.

Fade in music. Roll end credits. Fade out.

* The author wishes to be truthful and admit that although she met Sue Monk Kidd at an author’s luncheon at the University of South Carolina- Beaufort, she did not conduct an interview with her about her book.  The actual conversation went something like this:

Author- I loved The Secret Life of Bees!

Sue Monk Kidd- Thank you, I’m so pleased to hear that.

Author- (Handing Ms. Monk Kidd a new copy of Traveling with Pomegranates for her to sign) When I was a girl, I had bees in my closet, too.  Sometimes at night, I can still hear their buzzing.

Sue Monk Kidd- (Smiling as she hands the signed book back) Small world; I hope you enjoy my new book.

Author- Thank you, I’m sure I will.