The Everything Homeschooling Book: Take Charge of Your Child's Education (Everything Series)

Rating:
Summary: Great Appendix
Review: This book has a wonderful appendix full of web sites you can go to for lesson plans, curriculum, etc. Appendix alone is worth taking a look at this book.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for beginner or veteran homeschoolers!
Review: This is a great book that really does have everything for everyone! It's not just for the stay-at-home mom, though there's plenty of information for her, too. There's also solid information for single parents, working parents, work-at-home parents, and dads who want to homeschool. For these families, there's helpful how-to details and examples of how homeschool families spend their days.

If time and expenses are a concern, this book shows you how much time is really required for homeschooling kindergartners through high-schoolers. (Much less than you might think!) And it provides details on how to homeschool for free or for very little. Also, the "socialization issue" is laid to rest, and the benefits of homeschooling are clarified and supported by examples throughout the book.

In addition to information on getting started homeschooling, there's inspirational and educational ideas for long-time homeschoolers or parents fearing burnout. There's tips on stress-free homeschooling, smooth-running days, tips for getting better organized, and easy methods for keeping portfolios and homeschool records.

The book also shows you how to determine your children's best learning styles, design your own curriculum, use unit studies, packaged curriculums, or correspondence schools, or engage in "unschooling". It has information and resources on homeschooling multiple children, the only child, special-needs children, and gifted children.

Educational activities and in-depth information is included for homeschooling preschool and kindergarten, the elementary years, middle years, and high school. College and career preparation are also covered. Plus there's comments from adults who were homeschooled and are now in college, or in their chosen careers, or planning to homeschool their own children.

You'll find many examples of "typical" homeschool days from families practicing different types of homeschooling, as well as different faiths or secular styles. Some families describe how they started homeschooling, experimented with different styles, then grew and evolved into their current style. This is one of those books that will serve as an excellent reference guide for all your homeschooling years!

Helpful resources and Web sites are peppered throughout the book, as well as research and statistics on homeschooling. The appendices are full of resources for free educational materials, curriculum suppliers and correspondence schools, homeschool organizations, and state departments of education that provide homeschool information and educational alternatives for every state. The comprehensive index is also a plus, quickly directing you to any topic. Whether you're interested in homeschooling, or are an experienced homeschooler, I think this book is one you'll want to always keep on-hand!