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Anyone read any great new books on homeschooling lately?

Alte Veste Academy
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EKT

EKT

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I'm waiting and waiting and waiting for the 4th edition on TWTM to come out in August. I preordered it on Amazon, which is something I've never done for anything before!

 

Too bad we'll be 6 weeks into the school year when I get it. ;)

I know!! I can't wait to read it, either! Wish it was coming out earlier, but I'm sure it will be worth the wait. 

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Momto4inSoCal

Momto4inSoCal

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Not necessarily homeschooling but I just finished Emile by Rousseau, a book on Herbert Spencers Educational Theories, Diane Ravitch's Left Back and I'm in the middle of The Educational Idea's of Pestozzi. They are helpful in understanding the idea's in modern education many of which are popular in the homeschooling realm. I didn't realize so many of the homeschooling philosophies were spin offs from different education reformers idea's, many of which were at one point attempted in schools. Most of the books I listed are free on google books since they are public domain. The Diane Ravitch book I bought used on Amazon.

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Alte Veste Academy

Alte Veste Academy

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I am eagerly awaiting the new WTM as well!

 

I just finished "Homeschooling to open doors" and really enjoyed it.

I am still reading on "Gifted: raising kids intentionally" by Chris Davis and have enjoyed so far.

Both are Christian, but I didn't find overly so.

  

Not necessarily homeschooling but I just finished Emile by Rousseau, a book on Herbert Spencers Educational Theories, Diane Ravitch's Left Back and I'm in the middle of The Educational Idea's of Pestozzi. They are helpful in understanding the idea's in modern education many of which are popular in the homeschooling realm. I didn't realize so many of the homeschooling philosophies were spin offs from different education reformers idea's, many of which were at one point attempted in schools. Most of the books I listed are free on google books since they are public domain. The Diane Ravitch book I bought used on Amazon.

Thanks for these! I will check them out.

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Chrysalis Academy

Chrysalis Academy

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Not a homeschooling book, but very relevant and inspiring - I just finished Book Love by Penny Kittle.  Subtitled "developing depth, stamina, and passion in adolescent readers."  It was fantastic and I'm so glad I read it as we're getting started with high school literature. It inspired me to add a bunch of new books to my Amazon cart, so be warned!  It also inspired me to pull Carol Jago's With Rigor for All off the shelf and re-read it, and then I want to re-read Engaging Ideas.  None of them are targeted to homeschooling, but aside from WTM they are the best books on teaching that I've read.

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Alte Veste Academy

Alte Veste Academy

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LOL Rose! You and I could be great friends! I bought, read, and loved Book Love 7 months ago, along with her writing book, Write Beside Them. I got With Rigor for All through ILL last year. LOVED that one so much that you've made me consider buying the newer version by reminding me of it. I guess now I have no choice but to buy Engaging Ideas. :tongue_smilie:

 

How practical is that one? I love philosophy, but as I approach high school with the kids, I would very much like explicit instruction in exactly how to do x, y, or z. 

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Chrysalis Academy

Chrysalis Academy

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I've always thought that too, Kristina!

 

Engaging Ideas is actually very practical for high school prep. True, it's written to/for university profs to help them integrate writing across the curriculum, so it's one step removed compared to the Kittle/Jago books, but he has very specific, practical assignment ideas that absolutely work for high school writing.  I printed out two lists of writing assignment ideas from his book, and posted them on my bulletin board on my desk, so that I'd remember to assign some of those options sometimes, rather than just "write an essay" type assignments.  

 

Here are the three books I ordered this morning (recommended by Kittle)

 

Ten Things Every Writer Needs to Know

 

What's The Big Idea? Question-driven units to motivate reading, writing and thinking

 

Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading

 

 

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Alte Veste Academy

Alte Veste Academy

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I've always thought that too, Kristina!

 

Engaging Ideas is actually very practical for high school prep. True, it's written to/for university profs to help them integrate writing across the curriculum, so it's one step removed compared to the Kittle/Jago books, but he has very specific, practical assignment ideas that absolutely work for high school writing.  I printed out two lists of writing assignment ideas from his book, and posted them on my bulletin board on my desk, so that I'd remember to assign some of those options sometimes, rather than just "write an essay" type assignments.  

 

Here are the three books I ordered this morning (recommended by Kittle)

 

Ten Things Every Writer Needs to Know

 

What's The Big Idea? Question-driven units to motivate reading, writing and thinking

 

Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading

 

Good to know about Engaging Ideas being practical. I put it in my cart!

 

I bought What's the Big Idea on 4/7. :lol: I have two of Jeff Anderson's other books, Mechanically Inclined and Everyday Editing. I'll look at Ten Things. I've had Notice and Note on my wish list but have not yet succumbed. Maybe now is the time. But man, oh man, do I ever miss my awesome library with it's fast and free ILL right now! 

 

Thanks!

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Alte Veste Academy

Alte Veste Academy

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Any recommendations for books under $40-50 each?! Yikes, you guys are killing my bank balance!!! ;)

  

 

No kidding! My cart is too $$$. I might wait to see where we are moving because maybe I can do ILL for them...except WTM, which obviously I must own.

 

Has anyone read When Children Love to Learn or Pocketful of Pine Cones? I'm not Christian, so I wonder if it might be too religious for someone not coming at it from that perspective.

The first is my favorite Charlotte Mason book! I recommend it! The second was an enjoyable read for giving warm fuzzies, but for me a bit too much of a romanticized version of the CM lifestyle and nature study. It's not one I read over and over. I am agnostic. WCLTL is written from a Christian perspective but it wasn't too much for me, especially considering how helpful I found the content. I don't remember about Pinecones.

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Lucy the Valiant

Lucy the Valiant

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Not technically homeschooling, but I just finished LucyJo Palladino's Parenting in the Age of Attention Snatchers - it's a pretty up-to-date analysis of the intersection between brain research and tech use by kids and teens; our middle school kids just finished Ellen McHenry's Brain unit, and the overlap of information is fascinating to me. It's a lot more "human brains and how they intersect with technology at different ages and in different levels" than "parenting," I thought.

 

One of the best books I've read in a while (besides the read-alouds I so dearly love with my own children, naturally). :)

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Alte Veste Academy

Alte Veste Academy

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Well, it isn't "new", but The Writer's Jungle by Julie Bogart is a fun read.  If you like reading curriculum. :)

 

I've just finished re-reading Consider This by Karen Glass and I'm currently reading her version of CM's volume 6: Mind to Mind. I was so thrilled to get to hear her speak last month! :)

 

 

These are two I think I will put in my reread pile! Thanks! 

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Targhee

Targhee

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Not new, and not homeschooling, but it is an excellent thesis on education, secular, concise, and philosophical all at once: The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis.

 

It's not a nuts and bolts book though, which it sounds like you are after.

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Targhee

Targhee

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Has anyone read Norms and Nobility? Unfortunately that is another expensive one. I bought it but haven't started it yet.

I hear it mentioned, and hear it's a real tome (and pricey). But I don't hear many reviewing it. Is it just too thick a stream to wade through? Edited by Targhee
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cintinative

cintinative

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I hear it mentioned, and hear it's a real tome (and pricey). But I don't hear many reviewing it. Is it just too thick a stream to wade through?

 

 

I was kind of hoping some people on here might want to read and discuss it.  =)

 

The Abolition of Man is another one I want to read but I have heard it is not an easy read and "mercifully short."  

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El...

El...

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Not a homeschooling book, but very relevant and inspiring - I just finished Book Love by Penny Kittle.  Subtitled "developing depth, stamina, and passion in adolescent readers."  It was fantastic and I'm so glad I read it as we're getting started with high school literature. It inspired me to add a bunch of new books to my Amazon cart, so be warned!  It also inspired me to pull Carol Jago's With Rigor for All off the shelf and re-read it, and then I want to re-read Engaging Ideas.  None of them are targeted to homeschooling, but aside from WTM they are the best books on teaching that I've read.

These threads always get me.  My bookshelf thanks you.

 

I don't need the newest edition of Engaging Ideas, right?  I can enjoy the cheap, used one?

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luuknam

luuknam

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Not necessarily homeschooling but I just finished Emile by Rousseau [snip] I didn't realize so many of the homeschooling philosophies were spin offs from different education reformers idea's, many of which were at one point attempted in schools.

 

I'm totally on board with Rousseau's educational philosophy... fantasize up some ideal educational plans, and dump any real kids in an orphanage. :thumbdown:

 

"In 1745 Rousseau met Thérèse Levasseur, a barely literate laundry-maid who became his lover and, later, his wife. According to Rousseau's own account, Thérèse bore him five children, all of whom were deposited at the foundling hospital shortly after birth, an almost certain sentence of death in eighteenth-century France."

 

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/rousseau/

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Targhee

Targhee

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I was kind of hoping some people on here might want to read and discuss it. =)

 

The Abolition of Man is another one I want to read but I have heard it is not an easy read and "mercifully short."

Abolition of Man is "chewy" - you have to chew on the ideas a lot to fully digest them. But his economy of words makes the meal filling and satisfying - no superfluous and loquacious verbiage sauce necessary.
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Targhee

Targhee

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I'm totally on board with Rousseau's educational philosophy... fantasize up some ideal educational plans, and dump any real kids in an orphanage. :thumbdown:

 

"In 1745 Rousseau met Thérèse Levasseur, a barely literate laundry-maid who became his lover and, later, his wife. According to Rousseau's own account, Thérèse bore him five children, all of whom were deposited at the foundling hospital shortly after birth, an almost certain sentence of death in eighteenth-century France."

 

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/rousseau/

Vile. No wonder the French Revolution against the aristocracy occurred.
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Clear Creek

Clear Creek

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Have there been any? I'm particular to secular resources, and to those aimed at middle/high school now. I would kill for Rebecca Rupp to put a new version of her guide out. 

 

Anything out there worth buying for summer?

 

The most helpful book I have read on homeschooling high school is College-Prep Homeschooling, by David and Chandra Byers. Contrary to what you might assume it is about based on the name, it is not a book on CLEP and AP and getting college credits in high school...actually, I don't think it even mentions it at all. The authors' intent is preparing your child for success in college (and life in general).

 

While the main author (David) admits to using some standard curriculum (Abeka - UGH), the method is not traditional. He advocates using a "learning journal" (kind of like notebooking) for most subjects and using projects to evaluate learning instead of (or in addition to) tests. It has been the most helpful book I have read yet on the actual nuts and bolts of homeschooling high school without using a box curriculum or pre-written syllabus. I also have The Living Page (by Laurie Bestvater) and I think the two books go together exceptionally well.

 

The most intimidating part of the idea of homeschooling high school for me was how to actually do it...so many people recommend just getting a science textbook and a history textbook and a stack of literature and just going for it. My problem has been what the heck to do with the books!! I know we can read them (duh) and answer any questions at the end of the chapters (boring!), but then what? If I had my kids read and answer the questions they would just brain dump the next day and end up learning nothing, so the entire process would be pointless. I am sure the method is obvious to most other parents, but it isn't to me, and that is where this book has been helpful. I know how to help the student interact with the material (their learning journal) and demonstrate their knowledge (projects). It really fits my kids' non-traditional learning style (discussion and project-based, not memorization and test-based).

 

One caveat: the authors of the book are Christian, but the book does not push a religious agenda and has very little mention of it other than as a possible elective. The only instance I can recall off the top of my head is a warning from the author that the writers of curriculum from companies like Abeka and BJU will mention God quite a bit, and if that is not what you want in a science textbook then don't buy from them; you will be happier with books from another publisher (or something like that). This book is definitely not a manual on religious upbringing disguised as homeschooling instruction (kind of like some homeschooling conventions). If you can read TWTM without twitching, you will not have any trouble with this book. 

 

 

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Momto4inSoCal

Momto4inSoCal

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I'm totally on board with Rousseau's educational philosophy... fantasize up some ideal educational plans, and dump any real kids in an orphanage. :thumbdown:

 

"In 1745 Rousseau met Thérèse Levasseur, a barely literate laundry-maid who became his lover and, later, his wife. According to Rousseau's own account, Thérèse bore him five children, all of whom were deposited at the foundling hospital shortly after birth, an almost certain sentence of death in eighteenth-century France."

 

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/rousseau/

This is exactly why I wanted to read his book. There were so many people inspired by his theories. The founders of our constitution for one, although that was a different book - The Social Contract, inspired by Locke. Dewey, Horace Mann even Charlotte Mason were inspired by some of his theories. I could not wrap my head around people looking to a man, who could abandon all of his children, for educational theories. They may not have been aware of that fact though. He also never taught. He tried to tutor once and said his anger with the pupils lead him to abandon it completely. I still don't understand his followers but I highlighted so many idea's in his book that I see in modern day education. Reading his book was not to help me homeschool but to help me understand idea's that spured public school and many modern day philosophies. I thought going to primary sources to understand the history of education might be more useful than reading books that have the authors opinion interwoven throughout. Edited by Momto4inSoCal
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Alte Veste Academy

Alte Veste Academy

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The most helpful book I have read on homeschooling high school is College-Prep Homeschooling, by David and Chandra Byers. Contrary to what you might assume it is about based on the name, it is not a book on CLEP and AP and getting college credits in high school...actually, I don't think it even mentions it at all. The authors' intent is preparing your child for success in college (and life in general).

 

While the main author (David) admits to using some standard curriculum (Abeka - UGH), the method is not traditional. He advocates using a "learning journal" (kind of like notebooking) for most subjects and using projects to evaluate learning instead of (or in addition to) tests. It has been the most helpful book I have read yet on the actual nuts and bolts of homeschooling high school without using a box curriculum or pre-written syllabus. I also have The Living Page (by Laurie Bestvater) and I think the two books go together exceptionally well.

 

The most intimidating part of the idea of homeschooling high school for me was how to actually do it...so many people recommend just getting a science textbook and a history textbook and a stack of literature and just going for it. My problem has been what the heck to do with the books!! I know we can read them (duh) and answer any questions at the end of the chapters (boring!), but then what? If I had my kids read and answer the questions they would just brain dump the next day and end up learning nothing, so the entire process would be pointless. I am sure the method is obvious to most other parents, but it isn't to me, and that is where this book has been helpful. I know how to help the student interact with the material (their learning journal) and demonstrate their knowledge (projects). It really fits my kids' non-traditional learning style (discussion and project-based, not memorization and test-based).

 

One caveat: the authors of the book are Christian, but the book does not push a religious agenda and has very little mention of it other than as a possible elective. The only instance I can recall off the top of my head is a warning from the author that the writers of curriculum from companies like Abeka and BJU will mention God quite a bit, and if that is not what you want in a science textbook then don't buy from them; you will be happier with books from another publisher (or something like that). This book is definitely not a manual on religious upbringing disguised as homeschooling instruction (kind of like some homeschooling conventions). If you can read TWTM without twitching, you will not have any trouble with this book.

Thanks! I just ordered this one!

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Another Lynn

Another Lynn

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The most helpful book I have read on homeschooling high school is College-Prep Homeschooling, by David and Chandra Byers. <snip>

 

I just requested this from the library.  (And I've previously read The Living Page.)  I like the idea of journaling and note booking, but not sure how to implement it without turning it into a burdensome chore, defeating it's intended purpose.  Looking forward to reading the book.  

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Chrysalis Academy

Chrysalis Academy

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The most helpful book I have read on homeschooling high school is College-Prep Homeschooling, by David and Chandra Byers. Contrary to what you might assume it is about based on the name, it is not a book on CLEP and AP and getting college credits in high school...actually, I don't think it even mentions it at all. The authors' intent is preparing your child for success in college (and life in general).

 

While the main author (David) admits to using some standard curriculum (Abeka - UGH), the method is not traditional. He advocates using a "learning journal" (kind of like notebooking) for most subjects and using projects to evaluate learning instead of (or in addition to) tests. It has been the most helpful book I have read yet on the actual nuts and bolts of homeschooling high school without using a box curriculum or pre-written syllabus. I also have The Living Page (by Laurie Bestvater) and I think the two books go together exceptionally well.

 

The most intimidating part of the idea of homeschooling high school for me was how to actually do it...so many people recommend just getting a science textbook and a history textbook and a stack of literature and just going for it. My problem has been what the heck to do with the books!! I know we can read them (duh) and answer any questions at the end of the chapters (boring!), but then what? If I had my kids read and answer the questions they would just brain dump the next day and end up learning nothing, so the entire process would be pointless. I am sure the method is obvious to most other parents, but it isn't to me, and that is where this book has been helpful. I know how to help the student interact with the material (their learning journal) and demonstrate their knowledge (projects). It really fits my kids' non-traditional learning style (discussion and project-based, not memorization and test-based).

 

One caveat: the authors of the book are Christian, but the book does not push a religious agenda and has very little mention of it other than as a possible elective. The only instance I can recall off the top of my head is a warning from the author that the writers of curriculum from companies like Abeka and BJU will mention God quite a bit, and if that is not what you want in a science textbook then don't buy from them; you will be happier with books from another publisher (or something like that). This book is definitely not a manual on religious upbringing disguised as homeschooling instruction (kind of like some homeschooling conventions). If you can read TWTM without twitching, you will not have any trouble with this book. 

 

 

Thanks for describing this book's content! I just put it on hold at the library too.  I've been experimenting with different kinds of "what to do" tasks over the past few weeks so I'm excited to get some other ideas.  One thing that dd has really been enjoying is a weekly "Big Idea" freewrite, which is kind of a BW meets Charlotte Mason type task.  I tell her to pick an idea, a theme, or a topic that has been bubbling up in her reading or writing and freewrite about it for ~15 minutes.  So far she's done one on Evil and one on Power. It's been a great exercise for her, and it gives me very interesting insight into how she's thinking about the things she's reading and studying and running into in life, not just in school.  I imagine that once she has a few of these done, she'll be able to come back and choose one or a few to polish into a persuasive essay or argumentative piece or even a research essay.  Anyway, it's been one good thing we've started doing.  Another thing that she has (surprisingly) really enjoyed is a set of study questions on a book to answer *after* she's finished reading it - she's found that it helps her to really dig into the book and its themes more deeply and to figure out what she actually thinks about it.

 

These are both informal writing exercises that are more about the thinking rather than the polished writing. I don't know that they'd work for all kids, but my kid *is* a writer - it's how she defines herself - so she really likes using writing tasks to explore ideas.  (This is the kind of thing that John Bean talks about in Engaging Ideas).  What has been a real epiphany for me is, let her - let her use writing to explore and articulate ideas. Not every writing task has to result in a polished essay, in fact, requiring that would really squelch her writing! It's important to do some pieces you polish, but it's also so good to use writing as a thinking tool. I think it also helps them to learn to use thinking as a tool to improve their writing!

 

Anyway, sorry for going OT, but I've really enjoyed this thread, and I now have quite a stack of new books to read this summer! I'm finishing  up With Rigor for All and looking forward to tackling lots of the others mentioned here.

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Momto4inSoCal

Momto4inSoCal

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Vile. No wonder the French Revolution against the aristocracy occurred.

 

Some people attribute the french revolution to Rousseau. He definitely was one of the influential thinkers of the enlightenment that helped aid the idea that men could rule themselves. In The Social Contract he said man could be freed through force and that man would only be free when he ruled himself. 

http://ndpr.nd.edu/news/32284-rousseau-and-revolution/ 

As a mother I dislike Rousseau very much for abandoning his children. As an American, in a country that was inspired by the philosophies of the enlightenment, I have to appreciate all of the idea's that helped us create the constitution and establish our government. 

 

Sorry for OT I just find all of this so interesting. 

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Targhee

Targhee

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Some people attribute the french revolution to Rousseau. He definitely was one of the influential thinkers of the enlightenment that helped aid the idea that men could rule themselves. In The Social Contract he said man could be freed through force and that man would only be free when he ruled himself.

http://ndpr.nd.edu/news/32284-rousseau-and-revolution/

As a mother I dislike Rousseau very much for abandoning his children. As an American, in a country that was inspired by the philosophies of the enlightenment, I have to appreciate all of the idea's that helped us create the constitution and establish our government.

 

Sorry for OT I just find all of this so interesting.

You are right about the enlightenment thinkers setting the stage for the American experiment, and the amazing benefits we enjoy now because of it. The hypocrisy here is just so profound. I suppose though, with all of us being less than perfect, that we remember individuals for the good they did. He certainly wouldn't be the only historical figure for which that is done, and I am ok with that.
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Is this are Peter Grays Free to Learn? I found that interesting, though not entirely practical.

 

No! This author has another book called Free To Learn. The one I linked to is called Free To Live.

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Targhee

Targhee

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No! This author has another book called Free To Learn. The one I linked to is called Free To Live.

Typing on a phone - I meant to ask if this was LIKE Gray's Free to Learn? Are you familiar with it? Just curious if they have overlap. Edited by Targhee
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Typing on a phone - I meant to ask if this was LIKE Gray's Free to Learn? Are you familiar with it? Just curious if they have overlap.

 

Nope, sorry, I have not read the Gray book.

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