Homeschooling

Great book. A compelling read - especially the narrative part in the early chapters. This family, a very intellectual Catholic couple in NJ came to homeschooling because of bad school experiences and fell in love with the life. They offer thoughtful criticism of traditional school and encouragement for anyone considering homeschooling. Their situation is perhaps not typical - a father who works from home (freelance writer), is very involved in teaching and has many travel opportunities, but I think their story will resonate with many, many families. The chapter on college is super for anyone with children high school age. The Millmans are ecclectic style homeschoolers whose journey is fun and inspiring to read about. "Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire." W.B. Yeats

I just finished this book and it was very informational, easy to read and very encouraging. It tells the story of how someone who intended on using the public/private school setting was guided into the world of home schooling. Gregory and Martine Millman do a great job looking back over the journey and conveying it with humbleness and honesty. I highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to learn about home schooling, or who needs some encouragement. I borrowed this from the library, but will be adding it to my home library very soon!

"This," HOMESCHOOLING: A FAMILY'S JOURNEY continues, "is a goal that schools do not and cannot share." So, Gregory and Martine Millman made the decision to teach their six children themselves. These two admitted contrarians believe in the parents making "a perpetual self-gift" of love to their children; they gave (and continue to give) their offspring the commitment of time and attention required to make daily family life itself education. Improvisational teaching moments can come from watching tree surgeons cut branches in the front yard, or from cooking a Burmese meal and reciting Kipling's "Mandalay" at the table, or from traveling to Pompeii to see archeologists continue to excavate the site. A one-income family by choice, the Millmans aren't fixated on conventional "success" -- they say "We have chosen to be free and to educate our children in freedom." Their convictions are grounded in living economically and in the moment. They believe example leaves the most enduring impression on young minds, and they strive to be worthy role models. The Millman parents demonstrate ingenuity and wisdom in the way they teach. They also make prudent use of outside facilities and organizations to extend and enrich their children's social skills and sense of responsibility. HOMESCHOOLING is the Millman's warm and conversational passing on of their hard-won experience. They provide a loose, common sense guidebook, offering others who may have begun, or wish to begin, this adventure solid advice and ideas, including a chapter on applying to colleges. Like good teachers, the Millmans tend to review and repeat material throughout the text, and although the book's structure easily absorbs and even practically necessitates the repetition, it can lead to a bit of reader impatience. But that is a very minor drawback. Overall, HOMESCHOOLING is highly recommended, not only to those who might be considering this educational path for their own children, but to the general reader. It was a joy to learn about this down-to-earth, industrious, principled family. 4.5 stars.

This book is about homeschooling, but more than this, it is about life. It is about reflecting on life and critically thinking about how we are moving, as individuals and as families, through it. It is profound, it is funny, and it is difficult to put down- I was up until 3 AM finishing it. Beautifully written, insightful and inspiring. If you are a homeschooler, or contemplating homeschooling, read this book. If you are not thinking about homeschooling, read this book. It is phenomenal.