Saturday, November 26, 2011

Saturday Homeschool Support- Books to Read

Last week I started my Saturday Homeschool Support series. I am going to do a series of these posts to help those who are new to homeschooling, or those who are trying to decide if it is the right path for them. Today I want to focus on books that have helped or influenced me.

One of first book I read about homeschooling was A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-First Century, by Oliver DeMille. It is a fabulous book and really started me out with a great vision of homeschooling. It talks about preparing our children to be future leaders, calling it a "Leadership Education". I HIGHLY recommend this book!

There are more in this series by Oliver DeMille that I recommend as well, but this is the first. He also wrote A Thomas Jefferson Education Home Companion , and Leadership Education: The Phases of Learning. All three books are fantastic and further expound on this style of homeschooling.

Next I want to recommend a book called The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home, by Susan Wise Bauer. This book teaches you how to follow the "Classical" style of homeschooling. While it is not necessarily my favorite, she outlines courses of study that I have really loved. I found some great book and curriculum recommendations through this book. Some of her ideas are really wonderful.

The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child: Your Complete Guide to Getting Off to the Right Start by Linda Dobson was a great starting book for me.

	She went through various styles and did a week in the life from each style of homeschooling (classical, charlotte mason, eclectic, unschooling, etc.) I also really liked the "what I wish I had known my first year" tips she had throughout the book. The Homeschooling Handbook by Mary Griffith, was another really great all around beginning homeschooling book. I remember taking lots of notes as I read this book. She gave lots of support and ideas. If you are concerned at all with the social aspect of homeschooling- which most people are, this is a great read for you-The Well-Adjusted Child: The Social Benefits of Homeschooling, by Rachel Gathercole. I like how she completely turned the argument around and makes you realize that, for the most part, the socialization we get in schools is negative. Also, it really reasured me that my kids would be alright!

She went through various styles and did a week in the life from each style of homeschooling (classical, charlotte mason, eclectic, unschooling, etc.) I also really liked the "what I wish I had known my first year" tips she had throughout the book.

The Homeschooling Handbook by Mary Griffith, was another really great all around beginning homeschooling book. I remember taking lots of notes as I read this book. She gave lots of support and ideas.

If you are concerned at all with the social aspect of homeschooling- which most people are, this is a great read for you-The Well-Adjusted Child: The Social Benefits of Homeschooling, by Rachel Gathercole. I like how she completely turned the argument around and makes you realize that, for the most part, the socialization we get in schools is negative. Also, it really reasured me that my kids would be alright!

I have read a lot more & will share more another time. I would love to know what books have really impacted you & solidified your choices to homeschool. Leave a comment if you have a book that helped or influenced you.