Rating: 
Summary: A Great Resource!
Review: I ordered this book from the library, not knowing that the author was a devout Christian. All the more better! My husband and I were looking for a Christian-based homeschooling guide and were more than happy to have found this book. Some negative reviews have been posted, however, I'm here to tell you they are quite unfounded and actually insulting to the book and author. The book is not "fundamentalist Christianity" as some reviewers have stated. Rather, the author has used wisdom from the Bible to instruct the reader. This is a very solid, informative book. Anyone wanting to teach their children a God-based homeschool curriculum would do well to purchase this book.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Resource!
Review: I ordered this book from the library, not knowing that the author was a devout Christian. All the more better! My husband and I were looking for a Christian-based homeschooling guide and were more than happy to have found this book. Some negative reviews have been posted, however, I'm here to tell you they are quite unfounded and actually insulting to the book and author. The book is not "fundamentalist Christianity" as some reviewers have stated. Rather, the author has used wisdom from the Bible to instruct the reader. This is a very solid, informative book. Anyone wanting to teach their children a God-based homeschool curriculum would do well to purchase this book.
Rating: 
Summary: For Christians only!
Review: I want to agree with the one other reviewer who was misled by the title. I bought the book thinking it would be a well rounded factual book as the title and cover bullets described. The constant (as in practically every paragraph) references to Jesus, Christianity, and Christian values made it impossible for me to get the information I was looking for. The last straw was this statement from the book: "I don't know about you, but something in my heart of hearts tells me it is more than coincidental that the homeschool movement has been birthed in a generation run amuck with legalized abortion. As in the time of Moses and in the time of Christ as well, the wholesale slaughter of innocence has provoked a mighty response from God." P-LEASE! Anyway, if this statement doesn't bother you then by all means buy the book. As for me, I'm returning it right away!
Rating:
Summary: the ultimate understandable, adaptable,,,etc
Review: This book does everything the cover says it does. IT presents four learning styles to help you determine how to tailor your program to your particular child. It gives very practical guidelines for each subject, breaking down the age ranges into primary, elementary and jr hi/high school. I particularly liked the way she began the discussion of every subject with it's role in real life--"where are we headed". It gave a perspective to all the activities that followed that was global and helped me remember the end point to the whole process--life skills!
Rating:
Summary: We said "YES" to homeschool after reading this book!
Review: This book is a must for anyone thinking about homeschooling their children. It is very informative and motivating without glossing over the negatives. We picked up many helpful hints that have gotten us started and will use this book as a handy referance guide because of the lists of web sites, special programs, and publications debra has included!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent material- fresh new perspective!
Review: This book provides a fresh new perspective on homeschooling.
Debra doesn't assume homeschooling is the only way to educate children. She describes the four types of learners, how to
choose curriculum best suited to your children, how to create
independent learners, etc. The book is full of lists for books,
resources, websites, support groups and more. This book is an excellent reference book for homeschoolers and those considering homeschooling as an education option.
Rating:
Summary: The ultimate guide to religious intolerance...
Review: This book should have been called: 'The ultimate guide to christian homeschooling'.I have nothing against educating your children with one perspective, or another: but please, make it clear in the title when the approach is focusing in one direction only. I am offended by the lack of consideration that the author has for any religion or belief other than the christian. Just a few excerpts. Talking about science "I have not found any positions that conflict with our beliefs". Whose beliefs? If the book is directed to a precise christian sect, state so in the cover page. I found this shocking comment in a chapter devoted to teaching history, where the author talks about the fact that christian missionaries did not get to Asia 'in time': "We also saw the dramatic repercussion from missed opportunities. [...] the emperor of China had asked Marco Polo to bring priests to explain Christianity to him [...]. But the missionaries were frightened away [...]. [...] Shortly after that Buddhism appeared, the emperor converted, and the religion spread throughout the continent." What does the author mean? That the appearence and widespread of Buddhism is a "dramatic repercussion", or an unfortunate event? I wonder how tolerant of other people her children are, if every other religion is seen as a dramatic repercussion of the absence of christian missionaries. Does she wish that 'christian missionaries' had given the same fate to asian people they gave to native americans and pre-colombian civilizations: exterminating them? One last example: the author advises participating to a "Worldview Academy Leadership Camp", "designed to equip [notice the subtle term substitution for 'indoctrinate'] teens with a Christian world view. The camp focuses on three spheres: world views, apologetics (defense of faith) and evangelism, and leadership." It reminds me a lot of the merry get togethers of the KKK. I dare wondering what the author, considering her approach to other religions, thinks of Jews, or Muslims. Ultimately, I think the title of this book is misleading, and the author's approach to the subject of homeschooling is shortsighted and ignorant (how can you consider entire civilizations "dramatic repercussions" of lack of christianity?). This book is, at best, a manual for the religious fundamentalists on how to indoctrinate their children: a crash course on how to raise intolerant children, therefore potential intolerant adults. Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni (sebacc@aol.com), New York, USA
Rating:
Summary: This really is the Ulitmate guide for getting started
Review: This is the one book I recommend to EVERYONE who asks me how to get started in homeschooling. It even has a "test" to see if homeschooling will work in your family. The reference guide in the back makes it worth getting the book. Debra Bell has put together a very informative (from preschool to college) collection of material in an extremely readable text.
Rating:
Summary: Answered all of my questions regarding homeschooling!!
Review: This was the first book I read regarding homeschholing and it made me want to study the topic more. It has given me great insight and some great ideas. Debra Bell is a wonderful writer and was able to make a "how to book" very fun and enjoyable to read!! Two thumbs up!!
Rating:
Summary: Better info in this book than in the next 10
Review: To date I've just borrowed this book from the local Public Library, but I've come to depend on it so much that I'm here today to buy a copy to keep at home. This book is worth the next 10 homeschooling books put together. This book covers how to start and where to buy instructional material, and proceedes all the way to how to get your homeschooled child into the college you desire. Mrs. Bell's compedium of references on various topics are, alone, worth the price of the book. Those who prefer to forgo her excellent advice due to her "Christian Orientation" are foolish, at best, in ignoring the excellent information in this volume. Advice to Agnostics: Grit your teeth and buy this book; you'll be better for it.
|
