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Summary: A wonderful read for potential homeschoolers...
Review: I have not quite finsihed reading this book but the practical advice and suggestions that I have gathered from the authors' writings are well-worth the cost of this book. I am intrigued by reading about veteran homeschoolers and their views. This is a must-read!
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Summary: Wonderful homeschooling resource
Review: This book is great - lots of planning guides, resources, suggestions, and general information. You must get this if you're planning a classical homeschool education. I have several homeschooling books, but this is the one I rely on the most.
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Summary: Educational plan!
Review: This book gives a detailed, specific way to homeschool using the classical approach. The Wises are very articulate and clear in their description of why they recommend the subjects they do and why they recommend the texts they do. They even have a section on how to use their ideas for afterschool or supplemental learning. It is an extremely easy book to read and understand. Even if you don't decide to teach all the subjects in the order or way they suggest they give excellent resources for teaching. The resource section alone is worthwhile to read. I found this book very insightful.
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Summary: A Great Encouragement
Review: Two weeks ago my 5yo son attended his last day of private school. We began homeschooling him the following Monday. I've read that the first two weeks are the most difficult, I certainly hope that is true. I had heard of this book several years ago when we were considering taking him out of school to homeschool but was told it was only for first-grade and above. I was foolish to believe that statement. This is a wonderful book with even recommendations for birth to K. Since beginning to read this book I have become more convinced and secure in the thought that we have done the right thing for our son's education. If you are struggling with, or you are on the fence about, homeschooling this is the book for you.
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Summary: Great book!!
Review: I have been homeschooling for 13 years now,I have to say this has got to be the best book I have ever read. I have gotten so many wonderful ideas from reading it. I skip around a lot and it seems like every page has something I can use or it gives me great ideas to do. When I looked at the sample pages I was not to excited to buy it but thought I would give it a try, I am so glad I did.
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Summary: Can't I please give 10 stars??
Review: Without a doubt this book is underpriced. Out of all the homeschooling books this one by far is 20 times better and more concrete than anything out there. There is however a major requirement for reading this book...pace yourself and relax. Don't get overwhelmed trying to understand how to homeschool every grade. Focus on the kids you have. When I first read this book I was so excited at the amount of specific concrete instructions that I almost jumped out of my skin. New homeschoolers need specifics and this gives you specifics right down to what kind of notebooks to buy. However if you're not accustomed to the philosophy of classical homeschooling you may get overwhelmed and run. I did. I read this book and returned it..twice. After a year I came back to it. It seems overwhelming but it is not. The author has stated that you have to find your own rhythym. Once you get the hang of it this is actually the most freeing and exciting way to study history. You have to visit the...website though to get the full picture...
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Summary: Home education the way it is meant to be. A great book!
Review: This is a spectacular reference with tons of information for parents who want to help their children reach their full intellectual potentials. It covers everything from "Why homeschool?" and "What do I do first?" to "What about college?" and almost everything in between. The book suggests that parents can best decide how to integrate their religious beliefs into the curriculum, making this a great book for secular and non-secular homeschoolers.One of the things I love most about TWTM is its focus on history. In a nutshell, the authors suggest that students as young as six learn history. WTM students learn in three developmentally-appropriate stages, beginning with basic facts and skills and progressing to higher-level thought by high school. History, science and literature are taught in an integrated manner. Each student learns about the world from about 5,000 B.C. to present time in a four year course, repeating the chronological cycle three times over a 12 year education. For example, 1st, 5th and 9th graders all learn about "the Ancients" -- but each grade reads age-appropriate books and does activities suited to its level and ability. Science, literature, music, art, etc., follow the same pattern. For example, in science students learn about the natural world, chemistry, physics, etc., at an age-appropriate level, first learning basics, then getting more in-depth as the the child matures. Using history as a guide, all academic subjects can be tied together and related to one another. The WTM is suggests that children read LITERATURE, not mass-produced reading books. What better way to learn writing and language arts than to study excellent writers (instead of textbook company employees)? This is a large book, but it's full of great information and extensive reading lists and curriculum information. Initially, the sheer amount of information can be a bit overwhelming, but the book could be used for a complete education from first through twelfth grades. Instead of getting overwhelmed, I focused on the grade my child is working right now, and I'll reread the information for other ages/stages as I need it. Although the cost of the text might *seem* high compared to [money] workbooks, I think the money is well spent. This book can be used for multiple students over several grades. Three dollars a year for a complete 1st-12th curriculum guide? Sounds cost-effective to me! The book covers all twelve grades but gives information about what to do if you're starting in the middle and gives information about modifying the curriculum to suit your children. Yes, a few of the recommended books are unavailable but this doesn't surprise me, because some of the books recommended were immediately snapped up by WTM parents soon after TWTM became popular. This is the 21st century -- a PRINTED reference book cannot be up-to-the minute on book availablility. Don't get overwhelmed by the lists of books or try to read every book suggested! The readings are *suggested* readings. If you can't find one listed, get another -- or find a similar title. The authors make it clear that reading lists are only suggestions -- not complete lists of every appropriate book for any grade. I bought several homeschool books before deciding to homeschool my third grader. I wish I'd listened when friends suggested TWTM at the beginning of my research! TWTM is the only book that got me excited about helping my daughter reach her full intellectual potential. I've hold a bachelor's and a master's degree, but I have the feeling my daughter will be better educated than I am when we're done -- and I'm sure she'll know more than a majority of public school students. TWTM is the best guide for home education I've found.
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Summary: This book makes sense out of education
Review: If you know that SOMETHING has to change in your child's education, but don't quite know where to start, this is the book for you. The authors give a rational, detailed plan for education in K-12 -- starting with memorization in the early years, moving on to critical thinking in the middle years, and ending up with "rhetoric," self-expression, in the high school years. There's great, down-to-earth, specific instruction here -- after you read this, you will KNOW how to teach math and writing and history, whether you're a home schooler or an afterschooler! And there's also plenty of room for flexibility and delight-centered learning. The single most valuable education resource I possess. (Also I was glad to see that the authors provide updates and new resource listings at their website, welltrainedmind.com.)
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Summary: Classical Education at Its Best!
Review: I picked up "The Well Trained Mind" as kind of a fluke... I was looking for a basic homeschooling curriculum. Little did I know how transforming this book would be! Based on the "trivium", or three stages of mental development in childhood, this book provides plans for an entire education. The grammer stage (grades 1-4) is focused on amassing information, the logic stage (grades 5-8) is devoted to analyzing information, and the rhetoric stage (grades 9-12) is used to develop the skills to clearly and persuasively communicate information. It sounds too simple perhaps, but this book is very persuasive--it all makes good sense! The bibliographies and curriculum presented are invaluable! I found the authors style to be friendly and open to adjustment to meet your family's needs. I also apreciated the listing of both religious and secular resources, without downplaying which they thought was academically best. If you are interested in a homeschooling education that will prepare your kids for the best colleges, this is definately for you!
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Summary: A great disappointment
Review: I ordered this book after having heard and read many glowing reviews. Unless you are starting homeschooling (or supplementing) with a pre-schooler, you are too late to get much use out of this (very expensive) tome. You will most likely lapse into deep depression upon learning that you are at least three years behind in covering the essential materials if you begin at kindergarden age or later. Moreover, it is the type of learning plan which will be most appealing to those who feel that schools are deficient in testing and drilling, and that memorization is learning in its most perfect form. The references are outdated in many places, many of the materials and books reccomended are now out of print. All and all, an expensive disappointment in a slick and appealing dust jacket.
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