The New Big Book of Home Learning: The Basic Guide to Everything Educational for You & Your Children

Eleven years ago when my husband and I first considered homeschooling I was overwhelmed by the thought of my children's education depending on my ability. It was then I discovered books by a well-respected homeschooling advocate named Mary Pride. Her words provided sound advice, yet what helped even more was her encouragement that I could be the best teacher for my children. "Your home will be blessed for it. You can do it. Here's how," I felt her speaking through the pages. Now with three kids who are thriving in home, school, and life, I was pleased to discover that Mary Pride's Complete Guide to Getting Started Homeschooling is available to a new generation of beginning homeschoolers. In my opinion, this is the user-friendliest book on the market, packed with tons of useful information. I guarantee that if it has to do with homeschooling . . . you'll find it in this book! Mary Pride's desire to help parents raise God-loving children in a safe and happy environment, with the best resources and opportunities available, comes through on every page. For new homeschoolers, or those considering homeschooling, readers will discover everything they need to know, everything they wished they knew, or everything they didn't realize they needed to know about homeschooling! In fact, here's what one new homeschooling mom had to say: "I received the Complete Guide to Getting Started in Homeschooling as a Christmas gift when I hinted to my sister-in-law that I was considering homeschooling," says Shari, mother of four. "I have a 6-year-old in a private, Christian Kindergarten, a 4-year-old, a 2-year-old, and a 7-month-old. This was the first book I have read on the subject of homeschooling, and I quickly devoured the whole thing in the course of three days! It was all so new to me, and I have to admit that at times I was overwhelmed by all the information. "Now I am reading the book a second time, at a slower pace so I can really digest all that this book has to offer. I appreciate the way that Mary Pride writes-candidly, humorously, factually, and Christ-centered. "I am especially grateful for the introduction to `Educating the Whole-hearted Child,' as this approach seems to appeal to me the most," Shari continues. "I also appreciated the depth that Mary goes into on explaining unit studies. It does seem like a rather elusive method, but she has a way of explaining it that simplifies it and takes many of the unknowns out of developing your own unit studies. "The only disappointing factor was that the Curriculum Quick Resource Guide was so quick. By the time I got to this section at the end of the book, I wanted to know everything about every curriculum, but I realize that is quite the undertaking. So now I'm looking forward to reading Complete Guide to Homeschooling from Birth-Grade 6. "I found this to be a splendid book, and one that I will continually use as a reference and guide as I began my home school journey!" Other information useful to n

Mary Pride's book is a great place to start your homeschool research if you are new to homeschooling. It's also a great place to refresh your memory and encourage you if you are a seasoned homeschooler. Her book tackles the expected questions new homeschoolers have-- What's so great about homeschooling? How has homeschooling changed? Why do so many families homeschool? Ten things you need to know before you start. But, perhaps the most useful section for newbies is Part 2: Finding your Goals, Making Your plan, What to join, What to read, Where to Shop, What to Expect. Pride also goes into learning style, thinking styles and gives an extensive overview of each of the popular homeschooling methods, including the Classical approach, Unit Studies, Unschooling, Montessori, Laptop, Charlotte Mason, Eclectic methods, etc. A very useful and extensive resource that will save you a lot of time and grief. Worth purchasing as opposed to just checking it out of the library because it is so comprehensive and makes so many good suggestions as to books to read and places on the web to check out.

If you are interested in homeschooling but are overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of curricula, how-to books, and general opionion, this book is for you. Mary Pride is a homeschool veteran with wit and wisdom for the homeschooling novice. Every time I have a question-and that's often-I find what I need in this book. Included is an exhaustive list of organizations, curriculum choices and reviews, supplemental books, websites, conferences, and well organized and detailed information and getting started with success. I especially like the extensive up-to-date data on homeschooling and comparative research that has been compiled here. In other words, if it's not in here, it's probably not worth knowing! If you are considering teaching your children at home, this should be the first resource you purchase.

Simply put, Mary Pride's Complete Guide To Getting Started In Homeschooling is the definitive and thoroughly "user friendly" instructional manual ideal for the use of any concerned parent seeking to create a homeschooling program -- or to enhance one already underway. Written by the publisher of "Practical Homeschooling" magazine and the founder of the world's most-visited homeschool website, Mary Pride's Complete Guide To Getting Started In Homeschooling is packed with everything from the twelve most popular homeschooling methods to tactics for dealing with special situations such as the needs of gifted children or children with ADD, to ways to test or otherwise measure and evaluate the progress of one's child, and much more, Mary Pride's Complete Guide To Getting Started In Homeschooling is so filled with information that it is an absolute "must-have" for anyone contemplating or embarking upon a homeschooling program for their child.

This is the best resource for finding all the information you need to start homeschooling, or to supplement a public school student's learning (afterschooling). If you don't know how to go about it, or even if you are an expert homeschooler looking for the latest in curriculum and methods... this is an excellent resource. I have been buying this series of books each time it comes out, and every time there is something new that I learn, and that I add to our learning regime. It truly is the most authoritive, and up-to-date homeschooling (or after-schooling) information available out there. If you are just starting... this is the one to get! It will help you locate just what you need, and whittle down the vast choices to those that suit you and your needs quickly. Highly recommended. :)