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What books for someone new to homeschooling


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I have someone coming over next week and she is considering homeschooling. She has not read anything about it, and wants to look through my stuff (I have 6 bookcases full) and get an idea of it. She only has a couple of hours..LOL...

So how do I simplify homeschooling and explain it to her?

What books do you recommend?

 

I was going to recommend the Well Trained Mind but are there others you would suggest she read first or what?

 

I don't know how to give a simple overview of homeschooling, I'm used to talking with hardcore addicted homeschoolers...

 

Any advice so as to encourage her and not overwhelm her?

 

thanks!

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Hope you don't mind me using this post to ramble away my thoughts...lol. I have been thinking about this and will enjoy reading all the suggestions. For homeschoolers that are about 2-3 years into homeschooling, I highly recommend the "Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe" book by Todd Wilson. I led a book study of this and noticed something interesting...

 

The moms who had been homeschooling for a few years or longer deeply appreciated this book. It was like a glass of cold water in a barren desert. After reading all the "how to" books, we really just needed someone to say - "hey, you've tried it all and still feel like a failure, but you're not! You're doing great!"

 

Now, the moms who just started homeschooling were deeply troubled by this book, LOL. They asked - shouldn't we have higher standards? Isn't the author just giving us an excuse to be lazy? Isn't there a schedule or method or something out there that will enable us to "do it all"?

 

I realized that the new homeschoolers just weren't ready for this book. So, my advice is: if she does decide to hs, then wait about 3 years and then give her the book Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe.

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The Lisa Wetchel book "so you're thinking about homeschooling" is great for an overview of styles and it is a quick read.

I loved this book -- it is great for those who are considering hsing.

 

Also Chris in VA's suggestion of Cathy Duffy's book is a good one. The book's official title is: 100 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Curriculum and Approach for Your Child's Learning Style. She also has a website that goes along with the book: http://cathyduffyreviews.com/

 

When I was researching hsing, which by the way was way before I had children :), I tried to read everything I could get my hands on from my local library. There wasn't much, but it did help me decide what I definitely did NOT like and helped mold together what I thought I did like. And, I have change my mind on style and curriculum about a dozen times, and my child isn't even "officially" homeschooled yet!:tongue_smilie:

 

Obviously, I am still VERY new to hsing, but since I've been reading up on it for about 8 years, I have found many things.

 

I would also show her your favorite webpages, including blogs (they are great to see homeschool in action) on homeschooling. I think just browsing pages helps you get a grasp on the whole thing. It is hard to make the decision to hs, and even more hard when you don't know too many people who hs also. I think it is wonderful that you are there to help your friend work through her decision of whether or not to do this.

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Hi guys,

I think I will print these out for her, hope you don't mind but the info is very good!

I have Cathy Duffy's book...I will definitely have it out to show her it, thanks for reminder of the quiz in front.

I am going to show her it and the WTM and suggest a couple of good homeschool shops nearby to buy her own. I don't want to be non helpful, but I don't want to loan out my own books.

Thanks for the suggestions, if you have any other pearls of wisdom pass then on. :)

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Super newbie chiming in too - The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child by Linda Dobson has been helpful. I really valued the side notes of "What I wish someone had told me about the first year" from experienced hsers. Another good resource for me has been Home Learning Year by Year by Rebecca Rupp. It's got simple, clear-cut goals for each year listed in parent-speak, not "teacherese." :001_smile: Going the WTM way, I end up ignoring the "social studies" goals, but it's great for making sure I have language & math basics covered.

 

And WTM of course...

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I also recommend Debra Bell's book. Two books that I lend to new homeschool moms are Educating the Wholehearted Child by Sally and Clay Clarkson and I Saw the Angel in the Marble by Chris and Ellyn Davis (of the Elijah Company). These are two of my personal favorites and a good place to start for the beginner as well.

 

Best,

Heather

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..I love to recommend this book because of the emphasis on evaluating your own learning style as well as your childs. I've had friends who have felt God's prompting to homeschool but have said, "I just don't know how to do it!" and this book has helped them to understand their kids (and themselves) better in order to make good choices for curriculum. There is just SOOO much curriculae out there and it is hard to choose! I think Cathy Duffy has done a huge service to the homeschooling community by writing this book from the perspective of learning styles first.

 

I also saw someone mentioined Debra Bell's Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling. That was my first homeschooling book purchase, and I don't think I'll ever throw it away. It gave me vision, hope, and direction when my son was 2 and my dh told me we should consider homeschooling. I absolutely love that book, too.

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I have someone coming over next week and she is considering homeschooling. She has not read anything about it, and wants to look through my stuff (I have 6 bookcases full) and get an idea of it. She only has a couple of hours..LOL...

So how do I simplify homeschooling and explain it to her?

What books do you recommend?

 

I was going to recommend the Well Trained Mind but are there others you would suggest she read first or what?

 

I don't know how to give a simple overview of homeschooling, I'm used to talking with hardcore addicted homeschoolers...

 

Any advice so as to encourage her and not overwhelm her?

 

thanks!

This is my second year to homeschool and I started with a 5th grader. I read most of the ones mentioned and recommend Debra Bell's book. I actually read the WTM first, but I believe the Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling is good for first timers. It is an overall, don't get overwhelmed, resourceful good book.

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Lisa Welchel's book. I think it was good for me because you are introduced to 15 different families who all have differing situations and approaches to hs. After reading that book I had such a feeling of confidence.

 

I also enjoyed pouring through Mary Pride's book, though I can't recall the title. What has helped more than anything (for me) are the message boards and interacting with others. I have learned so much in my short time here.

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I find it useful to read unschooling material. It reminds me to relax and enjoy the process, that it's not necessary to run the place like some sort of dictatorship :)

Otherwise, the most important resources for me (apart from WTM) have been http://www.homeschoolmath.net/reviews/ , http://homeschoolreviews.com/ , message boards and the amazon.com customer reviews.

:)

Rosie

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It's not likely she's going to decide to homeschool in her visit with you. In fact, just let her browse your shelves and pick what she wants. When she decides to homeschool, then suggest titles and offer help.

 

If she wants a title to purchase and read, The 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum by Cathy Duffy, then share your experience if she asks. It is the most practical book out there, with quizzes to figure out teacher and children learning styles, philosophies and reviews of products that fit those styles and philosophies. It has been invaluable to me in the decision making process.

 

Another book I would suggest is Real Learning by Elizabeth Foss, Ruth Beechick's 3R's and any book that shares experiences of other homeschoolers.

 

But she's coming for a visit, let it be a visit. Enjoy!

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