The Everything Homeschooling Book: All you need to create the best curriculum and learning environment for your child

The Everything Homeschooling Book: All you need to create the best curriculum and learning environment for your child

by Sherri Linsenbach
The Everything Homeschooling Book: All you need to create the best curriculum and learning environment for your child

The Everything Homeschooling Book: All you need to create the best curriculum and learning environment for your child

by Sherri Linsenbach

eBook

$11.99 

Available on Compatible NOOK Devices and the free NOOK Apps.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers


Overview

Homeschooling isn't about teaching--it's about learning together with your child. In this indispensable guide, author and homeschooler Sherri Linsenbach provides you with the encouragement, inspiration, and ideas you need to explore this option for your family. It's packed full of ideas to make the experience easy, affordable, and, most of all, fun. Even veteran homeschoolers will find new ideas and techniques that help keep home education interesting and exciting.

This edition includes completely new material on:
  • Updated curriculum resources, strategies, and methods.
  • Fresh educational activities for grades K-12.
  • Information on specific learning styles and special needs.
  • Ideas for tackling social issues and social skills in today's world.
  • Typical homeschool days, schedules, and activities.
The author, a homeschool veteran of more than eighteen years, presents real-life examples and inspiring success stories from families across the country. This all-new edition of an Everything bestseller is the only reference you'll need to ensure your children's success--at any age!

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781605506845
Publisher: Adams Media
Publication date: 01/18/2010
Series: Everything® Series
Sold by: SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format: eBook
Pages: 304
File size: 2 MB

About the Author

Sherri Linsenbach (Morgantown, IN) is an education writer, lesson plan creator, owner, manager of EverythingHomeschooling.com, and a homeschool parent. The site is a highly popular resource for homeschool parents and teachers, and features a newsletter, blog, weekly lessons, projects, and curriculum for K-12. She writes articles for Home Education Magazine and The Link Homeschooling Magazine, and she is the author of the first edition of The Everything Homeschooling Book.
An Adams Media author.

Table of Contents

Top Ten Benefits of Homeschooling x

Introduction xi

1 Homeschool Expectations 1

Preparing to Homeschool 2

A Brief History Lesson 2

Parents as Teachers 4

The Student-Teacher Connection 5

Time Required for Homeschooling 8

Scheduling Strategies 9

Cost of Homeschooling 11

Benefits of Homeschooling 14

2 Learning Styles and Teaching Methods 17

Educational Theorists 18

Popular Learning Styles 20

Your Child's Learning Style 23

Your Child's Strengths and Weaknesses 24

Individualized Patterns 25

Finding Your Teaching Style 27

Help for You, the Teacher 29

Resources on Learning Styles 30

3 Getting Started Homeschooling 31

Legal Requirements 32

State Departments of Education 33

Homeschool Groups 34

Withdrawing Your Child from School 36

Registering for Homeschooling 36

Determining Educational Philosophies and Goals 37

School Support for Homeschoolers 39

Resources for Getting Started 41

4 Types of Homeschooling 42

Structured Learning 43

Eclectic Learning 43

Unschooling and Deschooling 44

Secular Homeschooling 46

Faith-Based Homeschooling 47

Umbrella and Satellite Schools 49

Charter Schools, Vouchers, and Cooperatives 50

Independent Study Programs and Virtual Learning 52

Year-Round Homeschooling 55

Resources for Eclectic Learning and Unschooiing 57

5 Answering the Socialization Question 58

Social Skills and Child Development 59

Socialization Opportunities for Homeschoolers 61

Socializing in the Real World 64

Maturity Levels of Homeschooled Children 65

Studies on Socialization 66

Family Values, Morals, and Etiquette 67

Preparing for the Future 69

Resources for the "S" Question 69

6 UnderstandingUnschooling and Unit Studies 70

Unschooling: A Way of Life 71

Deschooting Each Day 75

Children as Teachers 76

Unit Studies Year-Round 78

Theme Studies and the Core Curriculum 79

Combining Methods: Eclectic Schooling 80

Resources for Unschooiing and Unit Studies 81

7 Fun Learning Activities 82

Language Arts Activities 83

Math and Reasoning Activities 85

Science Projects and Experiments 87

History, Geography, and Social Studies 88

Arts, Music, and Crafts 91

Life Skills and Social Skills 93

Resources for Weekly Lessons 95

8 Frugal Homeschooling Hints 96

Libraries as Classrooms 97

Free Books and Educational DVDs 99

Learning Through TV and Movies 100

Field Trips and Expeditions 101

Sharing Lab Equipment 102

Online Education and Workshops 103

Lessons Through Everyday Events 105

Resources Around the Home 106

9 Choosing a Curriculum 110

Curriculum Guidelines 111

Packaged Curricula 111

Designing Your Own Curriculum 112

Creating Your Own Lesson Plans 115

Free Educational Resources 117

The Student's Input 118

Handling Advanced Subjects 119

Resources for Creating a Curriculum 120

10 Homeschooling Schedules 121

A Plan That Works 122

Flexibility in the Homeschool 123

Learning Naturally Every Day 125

Scheduling Suggestions 127

Time Management Tips 130

Time for Rest and Relaxation 133

Resources for Organizing Your Homeschool 133

11 Homeschooling One or Several 134

Homeschooling the Only Child 135

Homeschooling Multiple Children 136

Assistance from Siblings 137

Keeping the Schedule on Track 138

Time Off for the Teacher 139

12 Typical Homeschool Days 142

What Is a Typical Day? 143

Recording Your Typical Day 143

Breaking the Monotony 145

Attaining a Well-Rounded Education 147

Examples of Typical Homeschool Days 147

Keeping Faith Each Day 152

Tips from Homeschool Families 152

Resources for Typical Homeschool Days 153

13 Record Keeping 154

Planning Ahead 155

Your Lesson Plan Book 156

Keeping a Daily Logbook 158

Maintaining a Homeschool Portfolio 160

Assessment Alternatives 162

Recording Grades and Credits Earned 163

Resources for Homeschool Records 165

14 Organizing Your Homeschool 166

A Place for Everything 167

Storing Homeschool Supplies 167

Creating an Idea File 170

Activity Centers and Lab Stations 171

Quiet Corners and Libraries 172

Keeping Home and School Separate 174

Resources for Organization Help 175

15 Homeschooling and the Single Parent 176

Single-Parent Homeschools 177

Educational Options and Alternatives 178

Special One-on-One Time 181

Weekend and Evening Homeschooling 181

Flexible Work Options 182

Single-Parent Support Groups 185

Help from Family and Friends 185

Child-Care Options 186

Resources for Single Parents 187

16 Homeschooling and the Two-Career Family 188

Balancing Work and Family 189

Flexible Work Schedules 191

Homeschooling Dads 191

Involving Relatives 192

Dividing and Organizing Responsibilities 193

Homework by Day, Homeschooling by Night 195

Weekend Learning Activities 196

Family Field Trips 197

Resources for Working Couples 198

17 Homeschooling in the Early Years 199

Toddlers and Preschoolers 200

Learning Through Play 202

Creating a Stimulating Environment 203

Socializing with Others 204

Ready for Kindergarten 205

Daily Educational Activities 207

Length of Homeschool Day 209

Resources for Early Learning 209

18 Homeschooling in the Elementary Years 210

Teaching Children to Read 211

Ready for Math 212

Living History 214

Scientific Explorations 216

Art and Music 217

Testing and Test Results 219

Socialization Opportunities 219

Resources for Lessons and Activities 220

19 Homeschooling in the Middle Years 221

Moving at Your Child's Pace 222

Overcoming Weaknesses 222

Enhancing Comprehension Skills 223

Exploring and Learning Together 225

Time for Educational Interests 225

Self-Directed Learning 227

Socialization Skills 227

Volunteering in the Community 229

Resources for Weekly Learning 229

20 Homeschooling in the Teen Years 230

Living with Teens 231

Teaching High-School Courses 231

Subjects Required for College 233

Driver Education 235

The Social Life 235

Volunteering and Apprenticeships 237

Working Part Time 238

College Preparations 239

High-School Graduation 241

Resources for Teen Education and Graduation 241

21 Homeschooling Special-Needs Children 242

Learning Disabilities 243

Helping Learning-Challenged Children 245

Support and Resources 248

ADD and ADHD Information 249

Dyslexia Support 250

Autism Assistance 250

Down Syndrome 250

Vision-Impaired and Hearing-Impaired Help 251

Gifted Children 251

Resources for Special-Needs Children 252

22 Veteran Homeschoolers and Burnout 253

Encouragement for Your Homeschool Journey 254

Rekindling the Fire 255

Staying Motivated and Inspired 257

Reconsidering Curriculum Choices 258

New and Refreshing Ideas 260

Handling Unexpected Challenges 261

Explaining Goals 262

Taking Time Off 263

Happy and Successful Homeschooling 263

Resources to Keep Home Education Fun 264

23 College and Beyond 265

Colleges Welcome Homeschoolers 266

College Considerations and Preparations 267

Transcripts and Documentation 268

Entrance Exams and Interviews 269

Online and Distance Learning 271

Resources for Continuing Education 271

Life after Homeschool 272

Options for Homeschooled Graduates 272

Travel Adventures 273

Continuing Education 275

Life after the Nest Is Empty 277

Appendix A Resources and Websites 279

Appendix B Curriculum Providers and Programs for Homeschoolers 285

Appendix C National Homeschool Organizations 286

Index 287

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews