Arrive early for an unforgettable experience! Browse the vendor hall at your leisure, or head into the main room to be enchanted by live orchestra music performed by the talented kids of Southern Nevada Homeschool Performing Arts. It’s the perfect way to kick off an exciting day at the convention!

Arrive early and enjoy a live performance by Southern Nevada Homeschool Performing Art’s orchestra as you take your seat.

We’ll kick off the event with a special guest introduction—it's a surprise you won’t want to miss!

Holly Wittwer, Founder of the Nevada Homeschool Convention, will officially welcome you to this exciting first year.

Be sure to catch Dr. Blake Willard’s inspiring keynote speech, where he’ll dive into "The Life Changing Journey of Home Learning".

And of course, let’s celebrate our first year with exciting raffle prizes!  

Four Classes to Choose From:

During this session, you’ll have the opportunity to attend one of four engaging classes designed to equip you with valuable skills and insights. Each session offers unique strategies to enhance your homeschooling journey—choose the one that best fits your interests!

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🔹 Empowering Confident Kids: Social Skills for Success

📍 Virginia City Room

Speaker: Nicole Del Valle Rose

Equip your child with the social skills they need to thrive! This session explores strategies from the Poised & Proper curriculum to teach confidence, kindness, and respect. Learn engaging activities, games, and techniques to make etiquette education both fun and effective. Whether you're a homeschool parent or educator, you'll leave with actionable tools to help your child navigate social interactions with confidence.

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🔹 Strategies for Cultivating Stronger Mathematical Thinking in Children

📍 Carson City  Room

Speaker: Nick Mele

What exactly is mathematical thinking, and how can you cultivate it in your child? This session breaks it down with practical strategies to strengthen math reasoning skills and build confidence in both parents and students. You’ll gain clarity on different teaching approaches, their long-term impact, and how to create a positive learning experience that fosters a love for math. Walk away with concrete tools to support your child’s mathematical growth.

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🔹 Demystifying Arts Integration: How to Engage and Empower Learners

📍 Searchlight Room

Speakers: Pilita & Michelle

Discover how to integrate the arts into your homeschool environment—no artistic experience required! This session provides practical tips, tricks, and tools to make learning more engaging through arts integration. Parents will leave empowered to implement small changes that enhance social and emotional learning at home. Get ready for an interactive experience, with live audience participation to demonstrate best practices!

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🔹 Meditation for You and Your Child

📍 Alamo Room

Speaker: Shauna Walch

Introduce mindfulness and meditation into your homeschool routine! In this session, discover simple yet powerful techniques to calm the mind, regulate emotions, and create a peaceful learning environment. Learn grounding exercises that connect you and your child to nature, helping to reduce stress and increase focus. Whether you're new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, you’ll leave with practical tools to cultivate mindfulness in daily life.

Four Sessions to Choose From:

🔹 Your Child’s Brain on Nature

📍 Virginia City Room

Speaker: Alex Harper

In this session, parents will gain a deeper understanding of how engaging with nature cultivates curiosity, stimulates critical thinking, and supports overall well-being. Alex will provide actionable next steps for incorporating nature into your homeschooling routine.

Parents can expect to gain:

• A greater appreciation and understanding of the outdoor experiences available in the Las Vegas Valley.

• Insight into planning educational trips and maximizing their benefits.

• Knowledge of how our well-being is linked to the nervous system and influenced by our environment.

• A better understanding of how mindfulness practices help hone awareness for both parents and children.

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🔹 Tapping into the Assets of Youth: 5 Ways to Boost Your Pre-Teen's Self-Esteem

📍 Carson City Room

Speaker: Angelika Peacock

This session will provide easy and effective strategies for building your pre-teen’s confidence through teaching methods and facilitation techniques. Learn how to simplify lesson planning while incorporating confidence-boosting practices.

Parents can expect to gain:

• An understanding of different learning styles and personality types, and how they influence confidence building.

• Practical methods for facilitating learning in a way that empowers pre-teens.

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🔹 AI in Education: Where to Start in Your Home & How to Integrate AI in Your Homeschool

📍 Searchlight Room

Speaker: Tori Klein

Join homeschooling mom and former corporate attorney Tori Klein for an informative session on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can transform your homeschool environment. You’ll walk away with a practical overview of AI tools and strategies for integrating them into your educational approach.

Discover:

• A curated list of user-friendly AI tools you can easily apply in your homeschool.

• Real-world examples of how AI can enhance teaching and learning.

• Strategies for guiding students in the responsible use of AI and the internet.

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🔹 Building Connections Through Music: How Making Music as a Group Connects Us to Our Fundamental Need for Creative Expression

📍 Alamo Room 

Speaker: Bonnie Buhler-Tanouye

This hands-on workshop explores the benefits of making music together and the historical role of music in society. Parents and children will experience first-hand how collaborative music-making fosters creativity, teamwork, and connection.

Parents can expect to gain:

• Tools for encouraging collaborative music in your homeschool curriculum.

• Strategies for implementing music activities for children of all ages.

• A deeper appreciation for the power of creative expression through music.

There will be a room designated for eating food. Please keep your food in this room only to respect the cleanliness of the vendor hall and speaker rooms. 

The vendor hall will be open during this time! 

FOUR CLASSES TO CHOOSE FROM: 

🔹 Teaching Your Neurodiverse Mini-Me

📍 Virginia City Room

Speaker: Danni Gugle

Homeschooling children with learning difficulties can be challenging, especially if you, as a parent, also face similar struggles such as dyslexia or ADHD. This session explores how neuroscience and neuroplasticity can help rewire the brain and overcome learning challenges. Learn how both parents and children can harness neuroplasticity to unlock learning potential at any age.

Participants will:

• Understand neuroplasticity as the foundation for learning.

• Recognize the role of cognitive skills in learning and how to address cognitive weaknesses.

• Receive practical strategies to improve learning in the classroom.

• Learn how to use neuroplasticity to enhance cognitive function and overcome learning challenges.

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🔹 Panel of Expert Moms

📍 Carson City Room

Moderator: Kathy Hernandez

Join Kathy Hernandez, founder and president of the Southern Nevada Homeschool Association, as she leads a dynamic panel of experienced homeschool moms. This open discussion will cover essential topics like choosing the right curriculum, managing daily homeschool challenges, and celebrating successes. Whether you're new to homeschooling or seeking fresh inspiration, this session offers valuable insights, practical tips, and real-life encouragement.

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🔹 Finding Your Homeschool Style: From Traditional to Unschooling (And Everything in Between)

📍 Searchlight Room

Speaker: Dr. Blake Willard

This session delves into the spectrum of homeschooling approaches, from traditional methods to unschooling and everything in between. Learn how to align different homeschooling styles with your family’s values, and discover how to combine and adapt methods to create a personalized approach that works for you.

Parents can expect to:

• Explore a wide range of homeschooling philosophies and methods.

• Learn how to tailor a homeschool approach to suit your family’s unique needs.

• Address common misconceptions and concerns about various methods.

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🔹 Economics Simulation Board Game

📍 Alamo Room – Workshop

Presenter: Creators of Inflatikos

Give your child a head start in understanding economics with Inflatikos, the only board game of its kind! This hands-on workshop will introduce you to key economic concepts like inflation, financial literacy, and decision-making in a fun and interactive way. The creators will share how they turned real-world economics into an engaging educational tool for kids.

Parents can expect to:

• Learn how to make learning about economics fun and memorable.

• Discover the importance of financial literacy and how it impacts everyday life.

• Understand how Inflatikos helps children grasp complex economic principles through play.

FOUR CLASSES TO CHOOSE FROM:

🔹 From K-12: The Simplified Approach to Multi-Level Homeschooling

📍 Virginia City Room

Speaker: Dr. Blake Willard

Join Dr. Willard as he explores efficient strategies for teaching multiple grade levels simultaneously. Learn how to create an integrated curriculum, develop independent learning systems, and master time management techniques to help your students succeed at every age.

Parents can expect to:

• Create an integrated curriculum for diverse learning needs.

• Develop systems that promote independent learning.

• Master time management techniques for multi-level instruction.

• Build a foundational educational framework that works across age groups.

• Encourage family teamwork by having older children mentor younger ones.

• Teach children self-direction skills to reduce your teaching load.

• Adapt teaching methods to meet age-appropriate expectations.

• Use practical scheduling templates and resource lists for multi-level homeschooling.

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🔹 The Harmony of Learning: How Music Transforms the Mind and Activates Lifelong Growth

📍 Carson City Room

Speaker: Glory St. Germain

Explore how music education activates the brain, enhances cognitive development, and unlocks the potential for learning across all subjects. This session delves into the neuroscience behind music and its impact on memory, creativity, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and more.

Parents can expect to:

• Learn how music education fosters cognitive development.

• Gain strategies for incorporating music into your homeschool curriculum.

• Discover how music enhances memory, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

• Understand how music fosters emotional intelligence, discipline, and confidence.

• Leave with actionable strategies to empower children in all aspects of their education.

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🔹 The Classical Model: Making Learning Meaningful

📍 Searchlight Room

Speaker: Kevin Cotton

In this session, Kevin Cotton will unpack the Classical Model of education and its impact on homeschooling families. Learn how to integrate the time-tested tools of grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric to foster a love of knowledge and equip students with lifelong learning skills.

Parents can expect to:

• Gain a deeper understanding of the Classical Model of education.

• Learn how the tools of grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric enhance learning.

• Receive insight and encouragement for making learning truly meaningful.

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🔹 UNLV Rebel College Accelerator: Get a Head Start on College

📍 Alamo Room

Speakers: Michelle De La Vega & Dr. Jeff Orgera

This session provides an overview of the UNLV Dual Enrollment Program, explaining its structure, benefits, and how it helps students transition to college-level courses. Learn about academic pathways, the application process, and how to make the most of dual enrollment to prepare for college.

Parents can expect to:

• Understand the purpose, structure, and benefits of the Dual Enrollment Program.

• Learn how to equip students with skills to excel in university-level classes.

• Gain insight into different academic pathways and career options.

• Discover how dual enrollment courses align with students' long-term goals.

• Receive guidance on how to apply, register, and navigate the program.

Your final chance to make those last-minute decisions in the vendor hall is here—don't miss out! Plus, stick around for our exciting raffles to wrap up the day! A huge thank you for joining us at the first-ever Nevada Homeschool Convention. We hope you’ve had an amazing time, and we can't wait to see you again next year!