The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling

Considering homeschooling?

Beginning homeschooler?

Veteran homeschooler?

What do we all have in common?

The need for direction, information, and encouragement.

No matter where we are in this journey of homeschooling, from time to time we need a reality check. We need to take a step back and evaluate where we are and where we are headed. The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell helps us do just that from a practical and Christian perspective.

From helping us make sure we know our family vision to sorting through all aspects of homeschooling, this book, published by Apologia Press, fills in the cracks that we have been dodging. The information presented is relevant for those considering homeschooling all the way to the veteran homeschooler.

Take a look at what all you get

Part One - Homeschooling: Is it for You?

There are trade offs no matter what form of education you choose for your children. This section does a really good job of presenting the good, the bad, and the ugly of homeschooling. It also allows you to take a clear look if your family has the ingredients to homeschool successfully.

Part Two - Choosing a Curriculum

Providing a quick overview, this section gives some things to consider before choosing curriculum. More research and reading will be required to further understand the topics covered.

Part Three - Organization and Planning

Examples and resources make up with section all meant for helping you keep your homeschool on track.

Part Four - Preventing Burnout

Helping homeschooling parents get and stay out of the slumps that seem inevitable is what this section is about. If you implement some of the suggestions beforehand, you can save yourself a lot of headache throughout your homeschooling journey.

One of the chapters in this part is about sharing the load and includes important advice on operating a co-op.

Part Five - What to Teach - When and How

This section gives suggestions for what to make sure and cover for each core subject. It also gives the author's suggestions for particular material.

Part Six - Homeschooling Teens

Opening this section is a discussion about areas that might determine if you will or will not homeschool through high school. It then continues with helping you plan a course of study, navigating college admissions, and even doing college at home.

Part Seven - Computers in the Homeschool

We are living in a technological age and to not make sure our students have a strong foundation in this area is like not giving them the tools they need for the future. Mrs. Bell talks about necessary hardware and software and tips for navigating the worldwide web.

Part Eight - Creative Solutions

Homeschooling can present different types of challenges and in this section, Mrs. Bell gives suggestions for teaching with toddlers underfoot, transitioning from school to home, and motivating the reluctant learner.

Part Nine - Measuring Your Success

One thing that many homeschool moms deal with is wondering if she is doing enough for her students. Are they learning what they need to? Am I preparing them adequately for their future? This section addresses some ways to combat these feelings and to provide the assessments that you need.

Part Ten - Homeschool Resource Guide

Wrapping up this information-packed book is a definite time-saver section. It includes contact information for homeschooling organizations in various states for those needing to connect with others. Recommended suppliers and products are given to provide a starting point for your journey of choosing the right material for your students. Academic and athletic contests and competitions available to homeschoolers are provided so that your students can have an outlet for their giftings.

In each section you will find additional reading and research sources.

Homeschooling is hard work and Mrs. Bell pulls no punches in laying out the true picture. But she also gives you advice on how to chart the waters once you make the commitment to educate your children at home. Definitely a book you want to pull out each year and reread.

Visit here to see what other Crew members felt about this book. And you can visit the Apologia website where you can buy The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling for $20.

Disclosure:This product was provided to our family for free as members of the 2009-2010 Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew. No further compensation was received. Reviews and opinions expressed in this blog are my own.