Homeschooling and the Voyage of Self-Discovery

Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful and thought-provoking
Review: This is a fanstastic book, and it is not just for homeschoolers! I am a former public school teacher, now working with a private school, and Albert's assessment of American compulsory education is on the mark. We are stifling children's curiosity and training them to be obedient worker-bees...we need to ask ourselves what we really want for our children.

Albert's style may not appeal to everyone, as he comes across a tad self-glorifying; but, it is his message that really matters. I read the book and thought, "This is very good," and then I got to the final two chapters. Although each chapter stands alone, don't skip ahead. The last two essays had me in tears.

This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking book. Buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Top of the list
Review: Were I asked to recommend one book for the homeschooler, it would be David Albert's 'Homeschooling and the Voyage of Self-Discovery.' In his well-researched, delightfully funny and powerfully thoughtful essays, Albert provides insight, laughter, truths and answers to the many questions I encounter as I teach and learn from my children.

Albert addresses such perennial issues as perfectionism, phonics/learning to read, wanting to quit music lessons, the reluctant writer, the Nintendo-crazed child, ADD/ADHD, the teen years, and those traffic-stopping questions your children unfailingly throw at you as you maneuver your car home.

Today's homeschooler has many choices to consider when starting this odyssey ' curricula, books, activities, websites, listservs ' the options are overwhelming. How do you choose the great ones from the good ones? Should I teach for 2 or 3 hours a day to make sure I've covered the basics? Do my children retain information learned from those standard worksheets, workbooks and school-at-home curriculums? Do I have enough confidence to follow my child's lead?

As I read this book, I felt Albert leading me deeper to find a more satisfying path for educating myself and my children. I found it very difficult to put 'Homeschooling and the Voyage of Self-Discovery' down and when I turned the last page, my eyes were full of tears. This book has empowered me to nurture my children's curiosity and spirit, so I can follow their quest for truth and knowledge that will last a lifetime. ...

Rating:
Summary: Top of the list
Review: Were I asked to recommend one book for the homeschooler, it would be David Albert�s �Homeschooling and the Voyage of Self-Discovery.� In his well-researched, delightfully funny and powerfully thoughtful essays, Albert provides insight, laughter, truths and answers to the many questions I encounter as I teach and learn from my children.

Albert addresses such perennial issues as perfectionism, phonics/learning to read, wanting to quit music lessons, the reluctant writer, the Nintendo-crazed child, ADD/ADHD, the teen years, and those traffic-stopping questions your children unfailingly throw at you as you maneuver your car home.

Today�s homeschooler has many choices to consider when starting this odyssey � curricula, books, activities, websites, listservs � the options are overwhelming. How do you choose the great ones from the good ones? Should I teach for 2 or 3 hours a day to make sure I�ve covered the basics? Do my children retain information learned from those standard worksheets, workbooks and school-at-home curriculums? Do I have enough confidence to follow my child�s lead?

As I read this book, I felt Albert leading me deeper to find a more satisfying path for educating myself and my children. I found it very difficult to put �Homeschooling and the Voyage of Self-Discovery� down and when I turned the last page, my eyes were full of tears. This book has empowered me to nurture my children�s curiosity and spirit, so I can follow their quest for truth and knowledge that will last a lifetime. ...

Rating:
Summary: You will want your own copy
Review: You will want to own this book, not borrow it, because you'll want to read it over and over again. It's truly a classic, and not just for homeschoolers. This book for me was an experience and inspiration, not just a "read." It was a window into my own soul and the souls of my children. I loved my children more as I was reading the book (if that's possible). Though there are plenty of practical ideas on homeschooling in this book, the author doesn't stop there. He also indirectly poses answers to questions such as: How can homeschooling increase the quality of life for everyone in the family? How can the process of homeschooling improve one as a human being? And even, how can homeschooling make the world a better place - not after the homeschooler has grown up and starts using his or her education, but as, well, a side effect of the homeschooling process?

You could substitute "raising children" or "living life" for "homeschooling" in the above questions, and the answers given in the book are just as relevent. That's why this book is not just for homeschoolers, but for anybody interested in those ideas. Like another reviewer, I found the social studies section alone worth the price of the book. Because the book is written as a series of essays on numerous topics, you can mostly likely find something that will resonate or be helpful at any given time. I've read dozens of books on homeschooling and education, but this one has a place reserved on my shelf with a handful of others that are true classics and that I will read again and again.