Rating: 
Summary: Great book, well written and researched!
Review: It's hard to believe that there really is a handbook on how to unschool, but this really is! It explains clearly how unschooling works -- how it's different for everyone and yet gives lots of examples of what it includes and what it doesn't. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in education. It gives historical and practical reasons why unschooling is the way to raise children.
Rating:
Summary: A great argument, BUT...
Review: maybe not as practical as it comes off. We love the idea of standing back and watching kids grow and learn completely at their pace and in their own manner. After all, they figured out how to roll over, stand up, walk, etc. at their own pace and without any intervention or instruction from us.
However, reading (not necessarily in this book) about children who do not figure out how to read until ten, eleven, or even twelve (with the argument "but then, man, what readers they are!"), is really quite upsetting. And you can't intervene, even this once, because you could upset the self-esteem of the kids.
I'm just not so sure about that. Oh, math and cooking, history and computer games, those do seem to be great ways for kids to encounter the subject material and truly learn it out of fascination. But not to be able to read for all those precious years? I don't care how voracious you then turn out, you've missed quite a bit.
Having said that, unschooling figures into our curriculum plan in that the children have a say. If they want more dinosaurs, so be it. Worms are boring? Just one week, then.
It's an interesting book to read. The author is powerfully enchanting and persuasive. I don't mean to dismiss the book as a whole. I intend only to warn against too much unschool.
Rating: 
Summary: Veteran homeschooler or newbie, this is for everyone!
Review: My husband and I knew we were planning to homeschool our kids, but didn't feel entirely comfortable with just having a traditional "school at home" environment. We had heard of unschooling, but thought it might be too radical for our comfort level. Not so! After reading this book, we understand what unschooling is and how it can fit into our family. I am so excited and relieved to know that there is a way for our kids to learn in a manner that we are comfortable using. Thank you for all the great suggestions and excerpts from parents who are currently unschooling. Their experiences are a great source of information and inspiration. I absolutely cannot think of a better way for my kids to learn and am so glad to have this book as a reference tool on my bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: This book is fantastic for those considering unschooling...
Review: My husband and I knew we were planning to homeschool our kids, but didn't feel entirely comfortable with just having a traditional "school at home" environment. We had heard of unschooling, but thought it might be too radical for our comfort level. Not so! After reading this book, we understand what unschooling is and how it can fit into our family. I am so excited and relieved to know that there is a way for our kids to learn in a manner that we are comfortable using. Thank you for all the great suggestions and excerpts from parents who are currently unschooling. Their experiences are a great source of information and inspiration. I absolutely cannot think of a better way for my kids to learn and am so glad to have this book as a reference tool on my bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: Informative, interesting and a pleasure to read
Review: This book is fascinating! The author includes many quotes from people currently unschooling their children. I had planned on home schooling when I was pregnant with my twins. I had never heard of unschooling until I came across this book and realized this was what I really intended on doing with my children. The author shows how children learn from everyday life and how they can continue to have the absolute love of learning that occurs during their toddler years. My children will be 2 later this spring and I am so glad I found this book while they are young.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for all homeschoolers
Review: This book really helped me in expanding ideas for homeschooling. It's an easy read, too.
Rating:
Summary: Wish I had this book 8 years ago
Review: This book was a godsend. At long last a book detailing the way my daughter learned. As a former (public school)teacher I was at loose ends how to educate my daughter. Two private schools, two years at a public school and she was still bored. This book helped me to realize that there was another way to educate her than to duplicate in homeschooling, the way the schools had failed her.This book is well worth the read and the price, if for no other reason than to let you know that you are not alone. Along with Grace Llewellyn's Teenage Liberation Handbook it should be read by every parent and educator.If for no other reason than a different way of looking at the "how to educate children"problem.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is by far the best book I have read on homeschooling. I'm glad I read it at the begining of our venture. I'm sure it would help any homeschooling parent to relax and realise that their children are learning through almost any activity they participate in. I know it has taken the pressure off of me, realising that I don't have to be "teaching" my children constantly for them to be acheiving or gaining knowledge.
I recommend this book to all homeschooling parents.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: we highly recommend this book. Aside from the information you can get about unschooling at the www.unschooling.com website and message boards, this is the best information in print.Our family has always unschooled, and it was John Holt that brought us there, along with listening to our hearts and respecting our children's point of view. If you are interested in homeschooling, read John Holt's books ("Learning All the Time") and visit the message boards at www.unschooling.com. And add this wonderful book to your library, as you will use it over and over again...and you will lend it to friends over and over again!
Rating:
Summary: From a family of long-time unschoolers...
Review: we highly recommend this book. Aside from the information you can get about unschooling at the www.unschooling.com website and message boards, this is the best information in print. Our family has always unschooled, and it was John Holt that brought us there, along with listening to our hearts and respecting our children's point of view. If you are interested in homeschooling, read John Holt's books ("Learning All the Time") and visit the message boards at www.unschooling.com. And add this wonderful book to your library, as you will use it over and over again...and you will lend it to friends over and over again!
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