Speaking Topics
I have had the privilege to speak to homeschool groups, ladies’ retreats, and science fairs all over the country. If you would like to contact me about an event, please email me at sherri@sherriseligson.com.
General topics covered:
Science (Seeing God from a science perspective)
Mom and homeschool encouragement
Homeschool nuts & bolts
Homeschool Leadership / Leaders’ Forum
Balancing SErvice and Family
As leaders, we each face unique challenges while serving the needs of others. How do you balance the time spent helping families with the needs of your own family? We do not want to build our groups and support others at the expense of our children and spouse. You only have so much to pour out, and if you spend it all on your leadership role, you will leave your family dry. Sherri will take you through specific, intentional strategies to prevent this and help you to avoid the guilt that can come with this important position. Think about it, if you’re feeling guilty now and don’t make changes, imagine how you might feel in ten years? Let’s talk about it!
LEader Servants: Not an Oxymoron
When you think about someone who influenced you in the past, often it is a person who took the time to get to know you and to listen. Perhaps it was someone who was a chapter or two ahead of you in life and who could be a sounding board when you had questions. One of the best characteristics of a leader is one who is a fellow struggler; one who has gone through or is going through challenges just like others are. Let’s explore those ideas by understanding how to communicate a “coming alongside” servant attitude.
Science
Nature is the Best Science Classroom
Have you ever taken a walk outside with a three-year-old? It can take forever as each leaf is examined, acorns are gathered, and flowers are smelled. This is not just because your child is stalling before naptime. The outdoors is one of the best environments to teach science, focusing on God’s amazing creation and its complex design. Research has also demonstrated that being outside improves attention, memory, and learning. Join Sherri as she explores the how and why behind taking your science (and other subjects) outside and how to document what you are learning together. It is easy and FUN!
Topics: Science, Creation
Length: 50 minutes
Audience: General Audiences, ParentsMarine Biology and What the Oceans Have to Say About Evolution
Nearly everyone enjoys learning about creatures that live in the ocean. After all, it is a truly alien environment to us, full of unique and interesting organisms. Amazingly, the more we learn about the ocean and the organisms living in it, the more we begin to see that there are intricacies that do not fit with the theory of evolution. As we dive into this discussion, we will look at the physical features of echolocation in fun-loving dolphins, as well as “living fossils” that should be extinct yet are found unchanged in shape and form, living all over the world. We’ll look scientifically at the ocean’s salinity and learn what the actual data have to say about an earth that is supposedly millions of years old. And we cannot forget sharks, with their amazing physical abilities to detect electrical impulses from miles away! So grab a notepad and come to this informative discussion…no snorkels necessary!
Topics: Science, Apologetics, Marine Biology, Creation
Length: 50 minutes
Audience: General Audiences, Dads, Moms, TeensHow Studying Science Reveals God’s Character and Our Purpose
In the same way that a painter’s style and character are revealed in his paintings, we can see glimpses of God’s character in his Creation. The Bible mentions that He is light and living water. And as we study light and water, we understand his magnitude Him more clearly. Studying salt, darkness & light, and even branches, vines, & grafting gives us deeper clues to what those Biblical references truly mean to us. Join Sherri in this fun and fascinating discussion!
Topics: Science, Apologetics, Creation
Length: 50 minutes
Audience: General Audiences, Parents, StudentsA Scientist’s Showcase of Amazing Creatures That Defy Evolutionary Theory
What are we to do when faced with a world telling us it is a certainty that all organisms evolved from primordial ooze? How can our students give an answer when these ideas come up in discussions as they begin to move out from under our teaching and into the world? Amazingly, the more we learn about the creatures on Earth, the more we begin to see the intricacies that do not fit with the idea of evolution, and we are beginning to see clear scientific evidence that points to a Creator. This fast-moving, high-energy workshop will cover several organisms whose features defy evolution. From dolphins and sharks to glow-in-the-dark bacteria, we’ll see how science is discovering that all creatures are far from simple.
Topics: Science, Apologetics, Creation
Length: 50 minutes
Audience: Moms, Dads, TeensFrom Microscope to Telescope: Observing God’s Perfect Design and Our Special Position in Creation
When the telescope was invented, it pierced the vastness between us and distant worlds, opening up so many realms of creation that our world seemed to shrink into one remote corner. Yet our position in our galaxy of stars is such that we are able to observe this glorious creation, and our position in the solar system provides us with ideal living conditions. The microscope, invented at about the same time in history, laid open a scene no less wonderful: entire worlds teeming with life on the tiniest grain of sand. One device leads us to see a solar system with every star and the other a world in every atom. This workshop will highlight the physical principles of atoms, the earth, and the universe, and how the same God who supports the universe in the hollow of His hand holds every atom together.
Topics: Science, Apologetics, Creation
Length: 50 minutes
Audience: Teens, ParentsWhy Teaching Science Is a Critical Part of Education (Even for Poets)
It is most parents’ worst nightmare. As those teen years approach, the impending need to teach science often creates fear for students and parents alike. Do they really have to learn this stuff? This workshop not only will take the fear out of teaching science but also will create excitement and enthusiasm for everyone. If you enjoy learning about amazing creatures in the oceans, how sound works, and the fascinating world of fireworks, then you can definitely get excited to learn along with your students. Get ready to meet your inner science geek and help prepare your teens for their future.
Topics: Education, Science
Length: 50 minutes
Audience: Parents, TeensTeen Workshop: The Science Behind Science Fiction
Science fiction stories are filled with exciting futuristic inventions to help people live, travel, communicate, and have fun! But how much of it is actually science and how much is fiction? This fast-paced talk will highlight some of the science fiction of the past that spurred on the technology we have today, such as robotics, communicators, and laser light sabers. We’ll also learn about some of the fiction that is truly fiction, learning why some of these fantastic ideas can never happen. So strap on your space suits, hop into a wormhole, and get ready for a trip that’s out of this world!
Topics: Science, Apologetics, Creation
Length: 55 or 75 minutes
Audience: Teens
Mom and Homeschool Encouragement
Building Sibling Relationships
One of the most challenging things about being a parent is to help our children build relationships with one another. We want our children to be close and grow up as friends, but those dreams can be hard to imagine amidst the toddler screaming “Mine! Mine!” and the continuous assertions of “Not me. SHE did it!” In this workshop, Sherri will share six key ways that she used to navigate this process with her four children in order to build sibling relationships. Laugh with Sherri as you discover how to incorporate these strategies right away. Indeed, today, she is so blessed to know that her adult children actually phone one another, do activities together, and pray for each other. Relationship building has to be intentional or it will not easily happen!
Topics: Parenting, Encouragement
Length: 50 minutes
Audience: ParentsWhat About Mom’s Goals?
Do you feel like you have to sideline your career goals in order to homeschool? Are you frustrated that your Plan A has been taken over by what seems like an unending assignment? Of course you know that homeschooling is a good thing for your children, but is it worth the sacrifice? Join Sherri as she candidly addresses these issues, sharing her story of leaving a “soaring career path” to be home with her children. In the midst of the Are you crazy?’s, Sherri learned some hard and profound truths in understanding how God went before her to prepare her for what was ahead. He is doing the same thing for you, too.
Topic: Mom encouragement
Length: 50 minutes
Audience: MomsAm I Ruining My Children? What I Wish I Knew As a Homeschool Mom
Let’s face it. At one time or another we all feel that by homeschooling our children, they are missing out on “something.” Yet these worries come because we are living in the moment and can’t see the big picture. After all, we’re pretty sure the 7th grader down the street is up for a Nobel prize, and everyone else is receiving a full-ride scholarship to Princeton, right? Not to mention that in the last few years of homeschooling, we haven’t even begun to cover 13th century humanities in China! RELAX. This workshop will talk you down from the cliff – or at least encourage you that homeschooling is the BEST thing for your children. Join Sherri in a humorous, informative and revealing discussion as she shares how she went from stressing over teaching everything about everything to trusting in the path, resources and experiences God had for her children.
Topics: Homeschool Moms, Motherhood, Encouragement
Length: 50 minutes
Audience: Moms/WomenThe Power of Words: Edifying and Terrifying
Our world is filled with words. Whether we are reading them, writing them or instructing with them, they are our tools to build stories, create emotions, and make connections. Yet we need to be aware that words have the power to build and destroy. They can taste bitter or sweet. They can cause people to stumble or make them soar! God has much to say about our words. They need to be crafted carefully and gently but firmly shared. This is how we can engage others and train up our children. Let’s contemplate not only the power of our words, but how we can boldly use them.
Topics: Spiritual Encouragement, Child Training, Devotion
Length: 50 minutes
Audience: Women, Men, TeensWhen You Have a Child Who Is Not Driven
We all have at least one of these children. They take extra time to complete every lesson, if they complete them at all. And we can fall into the trap of sitting by them to “help” them finish, only to become an educational security blanket. Of course we don’t have time for that, and it is time for us to encourage these children to take up their own responsibilities. But the desire to be driven or to do hard work shouldn’t be for the end goal of becoming a millionaire; it is to work diligently for the Lord, using the gifts He has generously given us for His good! Come be encouraged that our occupation, whether it is student, mother, mail carrier, or king is one that is appointed to us. We’ll go over helpful suggestions to encourage those less-than-enthusiastic children and gain a better perspective of what is really going on.
Topics: Parenting, Encouragement
Length: 50 minutes
Audience: ParentsThe Comparison Trap – Moms Need Each Other
The Internet has opened up so many avenues for homeschool moms, giving us access to curricula, educational information and helps, and lots of virtual support. Although this is helpful, whenever we visit a fellow homeschooler online, we often see her at her best: kids working diligently on the couch, elaborate dioramas of epic battles, etc. And we often hear the same thing when we engage with local moms, too. All of this “perfection” can make us feel like we don’t measure up. Comparing hinders us from engaging, so it is crucial for us to get past those paralyzing feelings and begin to support and encourage each other, especially in person. Because the enemy works to divide us, as sisters in Christ, we must come alongside one another for mutual support. It may not take a village to educate your children, but moms need that village of support as the body of Christ.
Topics: Motherhood, Encouragement
Length: 45 minutes
Audience: Moms/WomenHomeschool Nuts and Bolts
What’s Going On With Your Middle Schooler and How to prepare them for high school
As our children begin to mature, they are experiencing drastic changes: physically, intellectually, emotionally, and even spiritually. It is a natural (and good!) process of transitioning to adulthood. As homeschoolers, we have the unique ability to encourage those changes to help them along the way. They will need more sleep; they will need more time to process what they learn as they move into more abstract thinking; they will need more understanding; and they will need more showers! Join Sherri as she walks you through how to homeschool and parent during this fun and exciting transition in life. Her research studies in middle school brain development shed much light on these newly-formed “nocturnal humans” in your home.
Topics: Adolescence and Education; Brain development
Length: 50 minutes
Audience: ParentsNavigating the High School Years - You Can Do It
If you have children approaching high school age (or are already there), no doubt you have had moments of confusion or even fear regarding courses, documentation, career preparation and college. After all, we are fine with the idea of unit studies, field trips and student-led education when they are in elementary school and middle school, but we tell ourselves that high school COUNTS, and we feel we need to conform to what other students are doing or our kids will be unprepared. There is no need to fear! This workshop will address the biggest questions regarding high school, including how to choose courses that will best meet your children’s needs, electives and internships, how to help assess strengths and giftedness, how standardized tests fit into the equation, and the easy process of building a transcript. You will leave this workshop with some practical direction and ideas to implement into your homeschool immediately!
Topics: Junior High and High School, Planning
Length: 50 minutes or 75 minutes
Audience: Parents, TeensThe Apprentice: Getting High School Credit for Internships
An internship is one of the best ways for a student to explore a career. And with the flexibility that homeschooling offers, most high school students have the time to intern in a field of their interest. Why not document their experience and award them with high school credit? This presentation will highlight choosing the right internship arrangement, preparing a list of educational and experiential goals, and recording this beneficial learning opportunity. High school credit, work experience, and possibly even pay… it’s a win-win situation!
Topics: Careers, High School, Internship
Length: 50 minutes
Audience: Teens, Moms, DadsHomeschooling and Homemaking: From Mis-organization to Miss Organization!
“How do I get it all done?” That seems to be a common frustration for homeschool mothers. Though juggling the educational needs of multiple children while maintaining a household can certainly be a daunting task, there are several strategies which will help moms to navigate their school year and still keep an organized home. Even though we will not see perfection this side of heaven, it is still possible to teach algebra, have dinner on the table by 6:00, and be able to find your sunglasses all in one day!
Topics: Homeschool, Household organization, Record-keeping
Length: 50-55 minutes
Audience: MomsHow to Build a Unit Study on Virtually Any Subject
In this interactive and engaging workshop, we’ll discuss the basics of how to build your own unit studies on virtually any topic in which your family has interest. After all, that is one of the best things about homeschooling; you can build on your children’s interests from an educational format. This is a hands-on workshop where we will first talk about the structure of unit studies, and then we will actually create a few you can take home! So bring your thinking caps and a few sheets of paper, and get ready to check “curriculum planning” off of your to-do list!
Topics: Homeschool, Curriculum, Organization
Length: 50-55 minutes
Audience: Moms, Dads