Everything You Need to Know about Homeschooling: A Comprehensive, Easy-to-Use Guide for the Journey from Early Learning through Graduation

by Lea Ann Garfias, Vincent Iannelli MD (Foreword by)

Overview

Find encouragement, practical advice, and a healthy dose of humor in this comprehensive resource for teaching your kids at home—from preschool to high school.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, more families than ever before are considering or reevaluating homeschooling. Lea Ann Garfias, homeschooling mom of six and herself a homeschool graduate, has all the information you need to succeed. She guides you through your toughest home education questions, including:

• Should I homeschool my kids? How do I get started? What books should I buy?
• What do I do in the first day? The first year?
• How do I know if my student is on track? If homeschooling is successful?
• What do I teach in each subject at every age?
• What is my own best way of teaching, and how can my child learn his own way?
• What if my child has a learning disability?
• What are the dangers of homeschooling, and how do I avoid them?
• Will homeschooling help my family draw closer to God and to each other?

This complete reference guide will provide you with everything you need to successfully tackle homeschooling in your own style, filling your experience with confidence, grace, and the joy of learning.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781496439048
Publisher:	Tyndale House Publishers
Publication date:	02/09/2021
Pages:	592
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.70(d)

About the Author

Lea Ann Garfias is a homeschool graduate, a homeschooling mother of six, and the author of four books, including three on homeschooling. She and her husband, David, live in Dallas, Texas. Besides being an author, she holds the titles of professional violinist, French press owner, and friend.

Table of Contents

Foreword xi

Preface xiii

Introduction 1

Part 1 Making and defending the decision 7

Chapter 1 Finding Your Homeschool Why 11

Chapter 2 Get Ready for the Questions 23

Part 2 Getting started 37

Chapter 3 Ready, Set, Go! 39

Chapter 4 We Aren't in School Anymore 51

Chapter 5 How to Be a Great Teacher 57

Chapter 6 The Way You Teach Best 77

Chapter 7 How Children Learn 119

Chapter 8 Books and Stuff 147

Part 3 Growing and learning 159

Chapter 9 What Grade Are We In? 161

Chapter 10 Early Learning: The Preschool and Kindergarten Years 179

Chapter 11 Elementary School: The First-through Fifth-Grade Years 233

Chapter 12 Middle School: The Sixth-through Eighth-Grade Years 291

Chapter 13 High School: The Ninth- through Twelfth-Grade Years 341

Part 4 Overcoming obstacles 395

Chapter 14 The Dangers of Homeschooling 397

Chapter 15 Making Homeschool Life Easier 449

Chapter 16 Special Children, Special Needs 479

Conclusion 501

Appendix A Finding Your Teaching Style 503

Appendix B Sample Routines 509

Appendix C Student Essay Editing Checklists 513

Appendix D Sample Essay Grading Rubric 519

Appendix E High School Transcripts and Course Descriptions 523

Appendix F Homeschool Resources 529

Bibliography 547

Notes for Callout Quotes 553

Notes 555

Index 561

Acknowledgments 571

About the Author 573

What People are Saying About This

Ray Ballmann

COMPELLING. If I only had one word to describe this book, THAT would be it! If you’ve ever mused about the possibility of homeschooling your brood, Lee Ann Garfias’s book is the one to read. It provides a plethora of extremely valuable information and resources about the whole process—from A to Z. Everything You Need to Know about Homeschooling covers all the nuts and bolts with compelling anecdotes and a Q&A style that imparts valued information and stirs your imagination. By providing concise and accurate answers without wading into the weeds, this book will move you to feel “I CAN DO THIS!” Even if you already homeschool, you will appreciate the thoroughness of this book as it will offer new insights, firm up your foundation, and strengthen your resolve. I’m thankful this book was written and highly recommend it!

Shawna Wingert

Everything You Need to Know about Homeschooling is exactly the book I needed when I began homeschooling my boys almost a decade ago. Lea Ann offers practical and real-life ideas, support, and encouragement for the parent just getting started with homeschooling. I think this is a must read for new homeschoolers—like having another mom come alongside and help you along the way. Even veteran homeschoolers will find inspiration and encouragement as Lea Ann expertly provides solutions for every grade level. What a wonderful gift to the homeschooling community!

Jennifer Cabrera

A grab bag of homeschool help and how-to! Lea Ann covers every concern a new homeschool parent could have, from socialization to spelling to spiritual guidance. This book will equip parents to persevere past common pitfalls with confidence from preschool to graduation. No denim jumper required!

Mike Smith

Lea Ann has hit a homerun with her new book about homeschooling. How timely this book is in the midst of at least twenty million families now doing some form of schooling at home because of the pandemic. We know that many will try homeschooling as a result of getting their appetites whetted. What Lea Ann has provided is a one-stop shop for all you need to know about homeschooling, as well as all you need to know to be able to effectively homeschool. Not that homeschooling is easy—it’s not—but this book makes it as easy as possible to do it. The book covers everything you will encounter in homeschooling and more in a very readable, easy-to-understand manner. Everything You Need to Know about Homeschooling is not hype. As moms and dads consider homeschooling, there will be many avenues presented. This book will direct you down the right road. It’s a must buy for anyone contemplating homeschooling.