PDA

View Full Version : Suggestions for a book on homeschooling?




fisharmor
03-21-2010, 02:37 PM
I'm looking for a gift idea for my wife, who has gotten really into the idea of homeschooling. Is there a book you'd recommend, preferably available at Amazon?

jsu718
03-21-2010, 02:42 PM
I'd prefer one of the hundreds of websites about it over any homeschooling book you would pay for. A gift would be better served as say an age-appropriate set of books for your little homeschooler... all subjects.

Southron
03-22-2010, 06:34 PM
If you aren't intimidated by it.

http://www.amazon.com/Well-Trained-Mind-Guide-Classical-Education/dp/0393047520

american.swan
03-22-2010, 08:31 PM
Out of print book
"Homeschooling for Excellence"

muzzled dogg
03-22-2010, 08:33 PM
c4l was supposed to provide resources at some point

moostraks
03-24-2010, 07:11 AM
I would start with The Homeschool Manual By THeodore Wade.

http://www.amazon.com/Home-School-Manual-Pointers-Resources/dp/0930192362

They even have a look into on this book so you can see if I am on target for what you are looking for. It covers a basic why to go for it to resources for all subjects. Pretty much the Dr.Spock book for homeschoolers in my opinion and an excellent start. I have never had any problem with amazon's secondary sellers which appears like the only way you can purchase this particular book.

Once she starts searching out methods if she needs help I have read numerous books on the different methods so if you need help on a specific method I might be able to help on specific books. I lean towards Waldorf teaching in theory, but also use Charlotte Mason, Classical education, and Montessori methods.(Yes with 7 children you can become knowledgeable on that many theories:p)

Good luck!!!

romacox
03-24-2010, 08:18 AM
"Better Late Than Early" http://www.amazon.com/Better-Late-Than-Early-Education/dp/0883490498

It is actually cheaper at this site: http://www.read-phonics.com/purchase.html


Here are several free articles on line for her: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Roma_Cox



Here is another article she might like. It is soon to be published
How To Teach The Reading Element: Sequencing

Manny of you have been reading my articles for some time, and know how much I stress teaching with the child in mind. But for those of you who are not familiar with my articles: Workbooks are OK for reinforcing what the student already knows, but they are not very effective in teaching new concepts to them. Forcing children to learn by inefficient methods is like trying to fit round pegs into square holes. It wastes much of your time and theirs.

The most successful methods are those that listen to the child, and adjust accordingly. Sequencing is one of the few reading comprehension elements I recommend teaching kindergarten students, and there are several easy and fun ways to do just that. Studies show young children learn best while at play. Using play to teach is so simple, and yet most effective. Here are but a few examples.

Begin by explaining to the child that sequencing means to put a story in the order that things happened. For example, you might say to them: “If I where to tell you to put the milk in the refrigerator, would you walk to the refrigerator before picking up the milk?” Ask them, “why not?”. “ So sequencing means to tell a story in the exact order that it all happened.”

I. Activity One (can be done with pre-school children as well)
A. Take the child for a walk pointing out important markers as you go (example: a large tree, a stop sign, a green house, ext. ).. Have the child help you find the way back pointing out the markers in reverse order.
B. Once you return to your starting point, discuss with the child how important it is to notice markers in the proper order to protect us from getting lost.
C. Have them draw and color pictures of the land marks, and put them in sequential order.
D. One will likely have to repeat this a few times before the child actually develops the brain patterns to complete this task efficiently. However “hands on learners” (50% of the population) will often surprise us by how quickly and accurately they master this activity.

II. Possible Extra Activity (Note: For home school families this activity can be done in a co-op setting.)
A. After completing an activity such as a field trip or baking a cake, instruct each child to draw and color pictures of different parts of that event. It is important to tell each child what you want them to make their drawing about, and make sure you do not assign more than one child to draw that picture. Then have each of them come to the front of the room holding their pictures up, and tell what it is about (you may have to remind younger ones). You will want to make sure the order is not in the proper sequence at this point. The reason becomes clear in the next step.
B. Now have the children put the pictures in sequential order. Discuss as the activity moves along. If they get it wrong, no problem…simply recap the story in the wrong order. Ask them what is wrong with what we see here, and how would they fix it? Example: “If we put the cake in the oven before adding the eggs, what would happen?” When they get any of these activities correct give lavish praises.

III Activity Two (This one is especially good because it also teaches general reading comprehension)
A. Have the child (or children as the case may be) read an early reader book to you. As each page is read, have the child operate one puppet, and you the other as you reenact the story together.
B. In advance you will have made copies of each page whiting out all page numbers on those copies.
C. Next have the child put the page copies in their proper order. . If he/ she gets it wrong, no problem…simply recap the story in the order the child presents, and ask them what is wrong with this story, and how they should rearrange the pages? At this point it is good, but not necessary they have everything in the same sequence as presented in the book…only that it is a logical order.
C. Finally tell the child, “Let’s see if you remembered the sequence in which the story was told in the book.” Have the child compare his sequential order with that of the
book. Instruct them to correct their pages (if needed), and number them so they match the book’s pages.
D. Remind the Child how important it was to remember the exact order the land marks happened in order to find their way back (activity I above). Be sure to praise all successes along with correcting mistakes.

To assist you with this last activity, there is a free on line early reader book, “Sam and Dan“ At this link. (http://read-phonics.ning.com/page/free-early-reader-book) Make as many copies as you like.

Note: the book is free, and so is the blog membership to access it.

Teaching with the child in mind is oh so easy and fun.

moostraks
03-24-2010, 08:30 AM
I have another two books for you from your response on another thread. Sounds like you have little ones and sounds like you are already employing a montessori method of sorts. Try Teaching Montessori In The Home if you are looking for a method book.

http://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Montessori-Home-Pre-School-Years/dp/0452279097/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269440858&sr=8-1

or Montessori Play And Learn: A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Play from Two to Six

http://www.amazon.com/Montessori-Play-Learn-Parents-Purposeful/dp/0517591820/ref=pd_sim_b_3

Both are ones I own and have some interesting activities if you are looking for activity oriented books.

Dustancostine
03-24-2010, 08:43 AM
If you aren't intimidated by it.

http://www.amazon.com/Well-Trained-Mind-Guide-Classical-Education/dp/0393047520

+1

moostraks
03-24-2010, 09:15 AM
Those of you using a Classical Education approach have any of you used:Natural Structure by Edward and Nancy Walsh??? Catholic oriented, (but then many books on Classical education I run across are) it is very good on bringing to the table some ideas for using a student led approach. Most of the resources are not religious specific. I found that it is very important from the perspective of the caretaker to have some subjects they can do hands on with minimal supervision and this one gives some good resources to point the educator in that direction...

osan
04-14-2010, 07:37 PM
I'm looking for a gift idea for my wife, who has gotten really into the idea of homeschooling. Is there a book you'd recommend, preferably available at Amazon?


Try "Homeschool Oddyssey" or some such. Free download.