Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic Book
Review: After reading many, many homeschooling books, I can honestly say this is the one that is well marked, underlined and has it's own place on the shelf. David Guterson is a masterful writer who describes both sides of the education coin - public verse home education. His chapter on socialization is thoughtful and interesting. I appreciate his non-emotional writing style that is educated and well balanced. If I had read this book before my eldest entered kindergarten, we would have started homeschooling years ago. The Family DOES Matter - and that is why education at home makes sense. I wish more politicians would read this book and stop giving lip service to the family - and help Americans educate their children with more ease - be it in public schools, homeschools or a mixture of both. Well written!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: As a Christian I already have biblical reasons for wanting to homeschool. I did however want to get a viewpoint from someone who was not necessarily coming from a biblical perspective. I found this book to be so educational! Seeing the school system through the eyes of a public school TEACHER was refreshing and helped me a great deal in confirming what my husband and I should do for our children. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is currently homeschooling or considering it.
Rating: 
Summary: Philosophy of homeschooling ...(defining for parents)
Review: David Guterson writes a basic philosophy on homeschooling for the parental audience. This title is an excellent support book or defining book on the subject of homeschooling.Where "Family Matters" comes into focus is throughout the book as compared to the more traditional school system. This title is a great aid in building support or confidence for any family looking to homeschooling. Need to build a case for the grandparents? This is your book! If you are on the fence and need support, again this is your book. It truly is the best title on the argument for putting the family at the center and in control of your child's education.
Rating:
Summary: Philosophy of homeschooling ...(defining for parents)
Review: David Guterson writes a basic philosophy on homeschooling for the parental audience. This title is an excellent support book or defining book on the subject of homeschooling. Where "Family Matters" comes into focus is throughout the book as compared to the more traditional school system. This title is a great aid in building support or confidence for any family looking to homeschooling. Need to build a case for the grandparents? This is your book! If you are on the fence and need support, again this is your book. It truly is the best title on the argument for putting the family at the center and in control of your child's education.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding must-have compared to other homeschool books
Review: Forget HOW to homeschool -- what really matters is this beautifully articulated argument for WHY to homeschool. Institutional school is inflicted on generations of Americans in large part because we assume it's necessary to our cultural identity. Guterson makes a cogent, complete, and compelling case that children learn best when their own families take charge, and that the cold war between public schools and everyone else must finally yield to a more integrated, cooperative focus on each child's learning (wherever it may take place). Like Guterson, I am both a homeschooling parent and a public school professional -- this is the book I would have written someday if he hadn't already said it all so well. END
Rating:
Summary: Every parent should read this book
Review: Guterson's message is that there is no substitute for parental involvement in a child's education. A great book for all parents, regardless of whether home schooling is of interest
Rating:
Summary: One of the two BEST books on Home schooling
Review: Having home schooled since the 1970's I found this book along with the Home Schooling For Excellence by David and Micki Colfax to be the best books on the subject. Although I admit upfront we know the Colfax clan. What I liked about Why Homeschooling Makes Sense is it's balance, if you will on the subject. Like the author I come from parents who were both professionals (academics and engineering) who while they home schooled me a couple years as a child when I was ill, they also were not that keen on the idea of us doing it ourselves. They have changed their minds now that our son has graduated university and has become a hard wroking well paid human adult. I like how Mr Guterson shares the tug of war that many secular families deal with when it comes to both wanting the best educational experience for their own child(ren) while also wanting to see public schools survive for the masses who need them. He shared so many of our own feelings in a manner that few have or can. I also agree with him that some parents should not home school, but that parents also need choices in education. There are numerous home schooling books written by religious home schoolers, or what I call religious or political zealots, so when I find a secular book on the subject that is also AWESOME, I grab it and share it. And one thing as snobbish as it sounds that I love about Family Matters : Why Homeschooling Makes Sense is it shows that people who are well thoughtout types and who are themselves active in a variety of causes and activities, make the BEST home schoolers. This is a family who like the Colfax family, made sure their children were NOT isolated, but were instead exposed to a variety of activities, be they cultural, political, academic and environmental. I now the island the author lives on well as I spend many years in Vashon Island just south of where he and his family reside. I also think that unique areas like islands and Redwood and Sierra country here in California, serve unique home schooling families well. I also urge secular home school families to buy a copy of this book for your local library as well as your home library.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book!
Review: I found David Guterson's book several years ago, before he wrote Snow Falling on Cedars and it was so well-written and interesting, I was anxious for him to write more. I wasn't expecting it to be fiction, but it was and only proved my point that he is an excellent writer. Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense shows clearly both sides of the educational choice issue. It gives readers the option of thinking through the choices they make regarding the education of their children, without sounding preachy. Guterson is not homeschooling for religious reasons, he is a *public school teacher* who has decided that what is offered is not optimal for his children. And he is clear that this is not the best choice for everyone. Many homeschooling books pay lip service to this idea, but Guterson spells it out and even plays "Devil's advocate". This is not a book that preaches to the choir. It is fresh, clear and beautifully written. Even if you don't plan to homeschool your own children, read it so you can understand why others choose to do so.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book, whether you homeschool your children or not!
Review: I found this book to be full of usefull and helpful information! I think that Mr. Guterson did a wonderful job of informing parents of today's schools and how important family is in making education work. I would recommend this book to any parent wether they plan on homeschooling their children or not. Since the auther is both a public school teacher and a homeschooler he can see clearly both sides of the homeschooling "debate", (for lack of a better word.) He makes it abundantly apparent that all parents everywhere need to make a decision to be a major part of their children's educational experience whether that means teaching them in the home or choosing to send them to public school. No matter what you decide is best for your child(ren) this is a book that I would suggest any parent read!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book, whether you homeschool your children or not!
Review: I found this book to be full of usefull and helpful information! I think that Mr. Guterson did a wonderful job of informing parents of today's schools and how important family is in making education work. I would recommend this book to any parent wether they plan on homeschooling their children or not. Since the auther is both a public school teacher and a homeschooler he can see clearly both sides of the homeschooling "debate", (for lack of a better word.) He makes it abundantly apparent that all parents everywhere need to make a decision to be a major part of their children's educational experience whether that means teaching them in the home or choosing to send them to public school. No matter what you decide is best for your child(ren) this is a book that I would suggest any parent read!
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