So You're Thinking about Homeschooling: Fifteen Families Show How You Can Do It!

by Lisa Whelchel

Book Overview

Discover the Diversity of Homeschooling

Confused and intimidated by the complexities of homeschooling, many parents assume it could never work for them. Now an updated edition of So You're Thinking About Home Schooling by Lisa Whelchel--herself a homeschooling mother of three--introduces to readers fifteen composite portraits of homeschooling families who show how every family can successfully face the unique challenges of its...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590525116
• ISBN13: 9781590525111
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Christian/Forum
• Length: 223 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Lots of Options.... we feel encouraged to be creative.

My husband and I read this book separately and both felt it was a great overview of homeschooling options for a varied group of families. Lisa did a great job of giving a sample of very different styles and reasons people HS. Our daughter is finishing up public school this year and I didn't feel one bit berated for having her there by the tone of this book. My husband was amazed at all the different scenarios she ilustrates (HS'ing one child, many children, some in public some in private, some at home, on the road, mom and dad teachers, high schoolers dual enrolled in college etc.) It really encouraged us to just be creative and not pigeon hole our plans into one specific style or curriculum. As new HS'ing parents she really took away some of the fear for us. I didn't find the book "hokey" as one reviewer mentioned...and I'm usually the "hokey police". But since I've seen/heard Lisa when she was on the "Facts of Life"... in my mind I could hear that bubbly personality coming through. If you know her character Blair - you can't help but hear her voice reading to you.

Not just informative---Entertains as well!!

I thought the info packed into this book was great. Gives you a look at many different ways to go about homeschooling (from the eyes of various homeschoolers' day-to-day lives) and includes a list of places to continue research. This book will not condemn you for choosing public or private schooling....it is mean't to show you that there is more then just those options available...and that it is possible for most anyone who wants to do it. The thing I love is that though it is informative, it is so enjoyable to read that I occassionally read it just because I like the little stories that glance into each families lives. As a military wife, I could definitely appreciate one story involving military homeschoolers. Lisa even goes into why and how she started homeschooling, while giving a glance at her life in general. This in itself may fascinate anyone who loved her on "Facts of Life". My opinion....excellent purchase!

LOVE THIS BOOK!

I bought this book trying to decide if I wanted to homeschool, and 1/2 way through I was convinced it was for me! This book took the mystery away and gave me better understanding of how to fit it into my lifestyle. Written in a very comfortable- let's sit with a cup of coffee while I tell you my story- style! This book turned me onto many helpful websites including the author's site. LOVED IT!!

The most entertaining book on homeschooling I've found

This was a fast read! I had a hard time putting it down and finished it in a day. This gives a great overview of homeschooling in its various forms and manages to entertain and instruct at the same time. Lisa's writing style is very enjoyable! Each of the chapters covers a day in the life of a different homeschooling family. Each family homeschools for different reasons using different approaches and curriculums. I really appreciated learning about all the homeschooling methods available and was encouraged to see how homeschooling has worked in a variety of family situations. It also made me realize that you don't have to have your curriculum picked out and your lesson plans all done before you are ready to homeschool! It's OK to try out several methods until you find out what works for each child. If you want a quick overview of homeschooling options but you don't have much time (or much desire to wade through a dry, scholarly book), pick up this book. You won't regret it!

Great for Seasoned Homeschoolers Too!

I can't wait to give this book to a friend who is thinking about homeschooling - but I had to read it first. It was a quick read, which is important for a homeschool mom, and it was fun. We've been homeschooling for years and I still learned tons from the 15 families in this book. All of the information you would ever need to decide whether to homeschool, how to get started, and what all the different methods look like, is creatively interspersed within the interesting stories about all kinds of families. I loved "listening" to working mothers, grandparents, ADHD kids, junior high and high school students all tell how homeschooling works for them. I especially appreciated learning about all the different styles of teaching like, the Charlotte Mason method, a Classical education, unschooling, computer curriculum, the Principle Approach and all the other options I've heard about but didn't completely understand. I would recommend that seasoned homeschoolers, like myself, buy this book, read and enjoy it, and then pass it on to someone you know who is thinking about homeschooling.