Although the percentage of homeschooled U.S. students is 2% and growing, widespread misconceptions persist. Neighbors and relatives wonder if homeschoolers will be properly socialized and learn to live in the real world, teachers and administrators doubt that quality education can be achieved, and parents fear that homeschooling would be too hard. This book explains why homeschooling can be a great path for socializing a child and for excelling academically in a 21st century world, why homeschooling is easier than most people think, and how homeschooling can lead to the tranquil close family life many people seek. The book is written in a rational non-confrontational manner, ideally suited for homeschoolers to give to family and friends to inform them of the rationale for choosing this path of raising a child. It is also well-suited for teachers, administrators, journalists, and government officials who wish to learn more about this important educational approach.

“If you read only one book on educating children, this should be the book.… With a warm, informative voice, Bauer gives you the knowledge that will help you flex the educational model to meet the needs of your child.” —San Francisco Book Review Our K–12 school system isn’t a good fit for all—or even most—students. It prioritizes a single way of understanding the world over all others, pushes children into a rigid set of grades with little regard for individual maturity, and slaps “disability” labels on differences in learning style. Caught in this system, far too many young learners end up discouraged. This informed, compassionate, and practical guidebook will show you how to take control of your child’s K–12 experience and negotiate the school system in a way that nurtures your child’s mind, emotions, and spirit. Understand why we have twelve grades, and why we match them to ages. Evaluate your child’s maturity, and determine how to use that knowledge to your advantage. Find out what subject areas we study in school, why they exist—and how to tinker with them. Discover what learning disabilities and intellectual giftedness are, how they can overlap, how to recognize them, and how those labels can help (or hinder) you. Work effectively with your child’s teachers, tutors, and coaches. Learn to teach important subjects yourself. Challenge accepted ideas about homework and standardized testing. Help your child develop a vision for the future. Reclaim your families’ priorities (including time for eating together, playing, imagining, traveling, and, yes, sleeping!). Plan for college—or apprenticeships. Consider out-of-the-box alternatives.

In Homeschooling: The History and Philosophy of a Controversial Practice, James G. Dwyer and Shawn F. Peters examine homeschooling’s history, its methods, and the fundamental questions at the root of the heated debate over whether and how the state should oversee and regulate it. The authors trace the evolution of homeschooling and the law relating to it from before America’s founding to the present day. In the process they analyze the many arguments made for and against it, and set them in the context of larger questions about school and education. They then tackle the question of regulation, and they do so within a rigorous moral framework, one that is constructed from a clear-eyed assessment of what rights and duties children, parents, and the state each possess. Viewing the question through that lens allows Dwyer and Peters to even-handedly evaluate the competing arguments and ultimately generate policy prescriptions. Homeschooling is the definitive study of a vexed question, one that ultimately affects all citizens, regardless of their educational background.

Quiet the voices of "not good enough" and step courageously into guilt-free homeschooling Many homeschool parents have a long-term relationship with self-doubt. "Did I make the right decision?" "Could someone else do this better?" "Am I robbing my kids of something by not sending them to ‘regular school’?" What if there’s a better way? Not a 3-step technique or a shiny, new curriculum, but a change in perspective that transforms the way you plan, teach, and homeschool? Homeschool Bravely teaches you to see homeschooling as a calling, helps you overthrow the tyranny of impossible expectations, and guides you through the common bumps in the road, including how to: juggle school and parenting with toddlers at home teach a struggling learner plan with the end in mind accept your own limitations without feeling guilty stay the course even in the face of criticism Reclaim your hope, renew your purpose, and transform your homeschool. Because the truth is: God will use every part of your homeschool, even your fears, faults, and failures, to weave good plans for your kids.

The charming story of one family's mission to build a deeper, lasting connection to land and community on their Vermont farm When Ben Hewitt and his wife bought a sprawling acreage of field and forest in northern Vermont, they were eager to start a self-sustaining family farm. But over the years, the land became so much more than a building site; it became the birthplace of their two sons, the main source of family income and food, and even a classroom for their children. Through self-directed play, exploration, and experimentation on their farm, Hewitt’s children learned how to play and read, test boundaries and challenge themselves, fail and recover. Best of all, this environment allowed their personalities to flourish, fueling further growth. In Home Grown, Hewitt shows us how small, mindful decisions about day-to-day life can lead to greater awareness of the world in our backyards and beyond. In telling the story of his sons’ unconventional education in the fields and forests surrounding his family’s farm, he demonstrates that the sparks of learning are all around us, just waiting to be discovered. Learning is a lifelong process—and the best education is never confined to a classroom.

Find out why homeschooling may be the best choice and discover how to do it in the way that best fits you and your family. I wrote Homeschooling: Why and How because overwhelmed parents kept calling and emailing me with the same questions even though they had read other books and done on-line research. There is so much information everywhere that it can be daunting, and difficult to know where to start. The basics get lost in the chaos of too much information. Homeschooling: Why and How is unique in addressing homeschooling hows and whys in a simple, easy to understand manner. Here are a few of the comments readers have made: ....I read your book and it was the best, most down to earth, easy to follow book on homeschooling I have read." It's amazing what loving and wise words can do. My confidence soared.... I received my book yesterday! I wanted to read all night... I'm enjoying it because 1. It is easy to read & 2. It's encouraging. This book has helped re-ignite a spark of excitement and a sense of confidence that I have made the right decision with my children. Thank you once again for writing such an amazing, eye opening book. Reading your information helped me to realize that my child and I can succeed. .... your book has given me a boost of energy. Gail, I wanted to tell you it did NOT take me this long to read your book; it's just that reading your book was so momentous that it created a beautiful shift in our family. It was a great opportunity for me to read yet another homeschooling book (my seventh), and yours was so powerful and accessible that it seemed to be the catalyst for change...(my daughter) is excited too. She thinks it is extremely "cool" that she can do math in her pajamas. Homeschooling: Why and How is endorsed by teachers, special education specialists, mothers, and children, and most notably, John Taylor Gatto New York State Teacher of the year, three-time Manhattan Teacher of the Year. author of Dumbing Us Down, The Underground History of American Education, Weapons of Mass Instruction, and more. This refreshingly approachable, well-documented homeschooling resource will: *Give you confidence that you can do an excellent job of meeting the educational needs of your child, whether that need is for extra help, extra challenge or a chance to pursue a passion not offered in schools. *Dispel the myth that homeschooled children miss out on positive socialization. *Give you real life stories and examples of the many ways families educate their children and the benefits for their children and their families. *Provide you with many resources and examples of various approaches. Even if you decide not to homeschool your child you can use these to enrich your children's educational experiences outside of the classroom. *Share enough facts about the successes of homeschooled children to convince even the most doubting friend or family member. http: //www.homeschoolingwhyandhow.com/ https: //www.facebook.com/HomeschoolingWhyandHow

For a comprehensive guide to home-based education, that does not promote any particular curriculum or religious view, this is one book parents should buy! Parents will appreciate practical advice on getting started, adjusting to new roles, designing curriculum that is both child-centered and fun, and planning for social and emotional growth. Parents will turn to their favorite chapters again and again. Features interviews and tips from many homeschool parents as well as long lists of resources. -Reasons to home-school -How gifted children learn -Positive changes for the family -"Big Ideas" thematic approach -Traditional and classical approaches -Curriculum resources -Record keeping -College planning -How to get started -Interviews with parents