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Homeschool Resources
Description: Everything that you need to prepare for home schooling. #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolresources
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Homeschool Bravely
by Jamie EricksonQuiet the voices of "not good enough" and step courageously into guilt-free homeschoolingMany 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 hometeach a struggling learnerplan with the end in mindaccept your own limitations without feeling guiltystay 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.
Creative Schools
by Lou Aronica and Ken RobinsonA revolutionary reappraisal of how to educate our children and young people by Ken Robinson, the New York Times bestselling author of The Element and Finding Your Element Ken Robinson is one of the world's most influential voices in education, and his 2006 TED Talk on the subject is the most viewed in the organization's history. Now, the internationally recognized leader on creativity and human potential focuses on one of the most critical issues of our time: how to transform the nation's troubled educational system. At a time when standardized testing businesses are raking in huge profits, when many schools are struggling, and students and educators everywhere are suffering under the strain, Robinson points the way forward. He argues for an end to our outmoded industrial educational system and proposes a highly personalized, organic approach that draws on today's unprecedented technological and professional resources to engage all students, develop their love of learning, and enable them to face the real challenges of the twenty-first century. Filled with anecdotes, observations and recommendations from professionals on the front line of transformative education, case histories, and groundbreaking research--and written with Robinson's trademark wit and engaging style--Creative Schools will inspire teachers, parents, and policy makers alike to rethink the real nature and purpose of education.From the Hardcover edition.
The Knowledge Gap
by Natalie WexlerThe untold story of the root cause of America's education crisis--and the seemingly endless cycle of multigenerational poverty.It was only after years within the education reform movement that Natalie Wexler stumbled across a hidden explanation for our country's frustrating lack of progress when it comes to providing every child with a quality education. The problem wasn't one of the usual scapegoats: lazy teachers, shoddy facilities, lack of accountability. It was something no one was talking about: the elementary school curriculum's intense focus on decontextualized reading comprehension "skills" at the expense of actual knowledge. In the tradition of Dale Russakoff's The Prize and Dana Goldstein's The Teacher Wars, Wexler brings together history, research, and compelling characters to pull back the curtain on this fundamental flaw in our education system--one that fellow reformers, journalists, and policymakers have long overlooked, and of which the general public, including many parents, remains unaware. But The Knowledge Gap isn't just a story of what schools have gotten so wrong--it also follows innovative educators who are in the process of shedding their deeply ingrained habits, and describes the rewards that have come along: students who are not only excited to learn but are also acquiring the knowledge and vocabulary that will enable them to succeed. If we truly want to fix our education system and unlock the potential of our neediest children, we have no choice but to pay attention.
The Brave Learner
by Susan Wise Bauer and Julie BogartA joyful and accessible approach to homeschooling that harnesses children’s natural curiosity and makes learning a part of everyday life, whether they’re in elementary or high schoolParents who are deeply invested in their children's education can be hard on themselves and their kids. When exhausted parents are living the day-to-day grind, it can seem impossible to muster enough energy to make learning fun or interesting. How do parents nurture a love of learning amid childhood chaos, parental self-doubt, the flu, and state academic standards? In this book, Julie Bogart distills decades of experience--homeschooling her five now grown children, developing curricula, and training homeschooling families around the world--to show parents how to make education an exciting, even enchanting, experience for their kids, whether they're in elementary or high school. Enchantment is about ease, not striving. Bogart shows parents how to make room for surprise, mystery, risk, and adventure in their family's routine, so they can create an environment that naturally moves learning forward. If a child wants to pick up a new hobby or explore a subject area that the parent knows little about, it's easy to simply say "no" to end the discussion and the parental discomfort, while dousing their child's curious spark. Bogart gently invites parents to model brave learning for their kids so they, too, can approach life with curiosity, joy, and the courage to take learning risks.
The Call of the Wild and Free
by Ainsley ArmentAllow your children to experience the adventure, freedom, and wonder of childhood with this practical guide that provides all the information, inspiration, and advice you need for creating a modern, quality homeschool education.Inspired by the spirit of Henry David Thoreau—”All good things are wild and free”—mother of five Ainsley Arment founded Wild + Free. This growing online community of mothers and families want their children to receive a quality education at home by challenging their intellectual abilities and nurturing their sense of curiosity, joy and awe—the essence of a positive childhood. The homeschool approach of past generations is gone—including the stigma of socially awkward kids, conservative clothes, and a classroom setting replicated in the home. The Wild + Free movement is focused on a love of nature, reading great books, pursuing interests and hobbies, making the entire world a classroom, and prolonging the wonder of childhood, an appealing philosophy that is unpacked in the pages of this bookThe Call of the Wild and Free offers advice, information, and positive encouragement for parents considering homeschooling, those currently in the trenches looking for inspiration, as well as parents, educators, and caregivers who want supplementary resources to enhance their kids’ traditional educations.
Educated
by Tara WestoverAn unforgettable memoir about a young girl who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University.
Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, she prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and sleeping with her “head-for-the-hills” bag. In the summer she stewed herbs for her mother, a midwife and healer, and in the winter she salvaged metal in her father’s junkyard.
Her father distrusted the medical establishment, so Tara never saw a doctor or nurse. Gashes and concussions, even burns from explosions, were all treated at home with herbalism. The family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when an older brother became violent.
When another brother got himself into college and came back with news of the world beyond the mountain, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. She taught herself enough mathematics, grammar, and science to take the ACT and was admitted to Brigham Young University. There, she studied psychology, politics, philosophy, and history, learning for the first time about pivotal world events like the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement.
Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home. Educated is an account of the struggle for self-invention. It is a tale of fierce family loyalty, and of the grief that comes from severing one’s closest ties.
With the acute insight that distinguishes all great writers, Westover has crafted a universal coming-of-age story that gets to the heart of what an education is and what it offers: the perspective to see one’s life through new eyes, and the will to change it.
A New York Times Bestseller
Becoming A Learner
by Matthew L. SandersToo often students begin college without a clear understanding of the purpose of higher education. As a result, many students will miss important learning opportunities. Becoming a Learner challenges students to carefully reconsider conventional common sense about college and learning, and invites them to consider a new conversation about college and learning that focuses on who they are becoming and their ability to learn.
Learning Outside The Lines
by Edward M. Hallowell and David Cole and Jonathan MooneyLearning with YOUR purpose in mind -- not your parents', not your teacher's, not your school's Every day, your school, your teachers, and even your peers draw lines to measure and standardize intelligence. They decide what criteria make one person smart and another person stupid. They decide who will succeed and who will just get by. Perhaps you find yourself outside the norm, because you learn differently -- but, unlike your classmates, you have no system in place that consistently supports your ability and desire to learn. Simply put, you are considered lazy and stupid. You are expected to fail. Learning Outside the Lines is written by two such "academic failures" -- that is, two academic failures who graduated from Brown University at the top of their class. Jonathan Mooney and David Cole teach you how to take control of your education and find true success -- and they offer all the reasons why you should persevere. Witty, bold, and disarmingly honest, Learning Outside the Lines takes you on a journey toward personal empowerment and profound educational change, proving once again that rules sometimes need to be broken.
Demystifying Disability
by Emily LadauAn approachable guide to being a thoughtful, informed ally to disabled people, with actionable steps for what to say and do (and what not to do) and how you can help make the world a more inclusive place &“A candid, accessible cheat sheet for anyone who wants to thoughtfully join the conversation . . . Emily makes the intimidating approachable and the complicated clear.&”—Rebekah Taussig, author of Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary, Resilient, Disabled Body People with disabilities are the world&’s largest minority, an estimated 15 percent of the global population. But many of us—disabled and nondisabled alike—don&’t know how to act, what to say, or how to be an ally to the disability community. Demystifying Disability is a friendly handbook on the important disability issues you need to know about, including: • How to appropriately think, talk, and ask about disability• Recognizing and avoiding ableism (discrimination toward disabled people)• Practicing good disability etiquette• Ensuring accessibility becomes your standard practice, from everyday communication to planning special events• Appreciating disability history and identity• Identifying and speaking up about disability stereotypes in media Authored by celebrated disability rights advocate, speaker, and writer Emily Ladau, this practical, intersectional guide offers all readers a welcoming place to understand disability as part of the human experience.Praise for Demystifying Disability&“Whether you have a disability, or you are non-disabled, Demystifying Disability is a MUST READ. Emily Ladau is a wise spirit who thinks deeply and writes exquisitely.&”—Judy Heumann, international disability rights advocate and author of Being Heumann &“Emily Ladau has done her homework, and Demystifying Disability is her candid, accessible cheat sheet for anyone who wants to thoughtfully join the conversation. A teacher who makes you forget you&’re learning, Emily makes the intimidating approachable and the complicated clear. This book is a generous and needed gift.&”—Rebekah Taussig, author of Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body
Equipped For Reading Success
by David KilpatrickMore than an explanation of current research, Equipped for Reading Success is a complete program for training phonemic awareness. Research has shown that contrary to our intuitions, phonemic awareness is important for remembering the words we read (sight-word recognition), not just for developing phonic decoding skills. Equipped for Reading Success uses a developmentally appropriate approach designed to boost phonemic awareness, phonics, and instant word recognition. It also gives teachers concrete tools to help children develop a large sight vocabulary and is designed to supplement any existing reading program or approach. Implementing the program requires minimal planning and only several minutes of supplemental instruction per day.
Home, School, and Community Relations
by Carol GestwickiThis practical book is an indispensable guide for home-school-community collaborations. It meets the needs of current and practicing teachers, as well as administrators, who are trying to create effective partnerships with families. An overview of modern families and their complex roles sensitizes teachers to the diversity and needs of families they will encounter. The book also fully discusses both the benefits of creating productive partnerships and the barriers that teachers must overcome. Abundant examples clarify the book's practical and effective communication strategies. Current developments in the field of early childhood education are emphasized, including legislative mandates in education, professional standards of the field, and strategies for working with families of students with diverse learning needs.
The Color of Homeschooling
by Mahala Dyer StewartHow race and racism shape middle-class families’ decisions to homeschool their childrenWhile families of color make up 41 percent of homeschoolers in America, little is known about the racial dimensions of this alternate form of education. In The Color of Homeschooling, Mahala Dyer Stewart explores why this percentage has grown exponentially in the past twenty years, and reveals how families’ schooling decisions are heavily shaped by race, class, and gender.Drawing from almost a hundred interviews with Black and white middle-class homeschooling and nonhomeschooling families, Stewart’s findings contradict many commonly held beliefs about the rationales for homeschooling. Rather than choosing to homeschool based on religious or political beliefs, many middle-class Black mothers explain their schooling choices as motivated by their concerns of racial discrimination in public schools and the school-to-prison pipeline. Indeed, these mothers often voiced concerns that their children would be mistreated by teachers, administrators, or students on account of their race, or that they would be excessively surveilled and policed. Conversely, middle-class white mothers had the privilege of not having to consider race in their decision-making process, opting for homeschooling because of concerns that traditional schools would not adequately cater to their child's behavioral or academic needs. While appearing nonracial, these same decisions often contributed to racial segregation.The Color of Homeschooling is a timely and much-needed study on how homeschooling serves as a canary in the coal mine, highlighting the perils of school choice policies for reproducing, rather than correcting, long-standing race, class, and gender inequalities in America.
Is It Dyslexia?
by April McMurtreyHands-on resources for screening readers of all ages for dyslexia In Is It Dyslexia?, certified dyslexia assessment specialist April McMurtrey delivers an accessible, hands-on framework for screening readers of various ages for dyslexia.. The book offers comprehensive, clear, and step-by-step processes you can apply immediately to confidently and accurately screen readersfor dyslexia. The author shares the tools and strategies used by professional screeners, as well as first, next, and final steps you can take as you move forward with your screening results. The book includes: Explanations of what dyslexia is, as well as an overview of common talents and strengths often found in readers with dyslexia A collection of recommended accommodations for students with dyslexia in the home and school and effective literacy instruction for students with dyslexia A comprehensive dyslexia questionnaire, eleven different screening tests, and step-by-step instructions for administering themIdeal for tutors, homeschool teachers, parents, instructional coaches, counselors, and speech-language therapists, Is It Dyslexia? comes complete with reproducibles and links to video tutorials required for screening students of various ages.
More Fun Games and Activities for Children with Dyslexia
by Alais WintonDyslexic teacher Alais Winton is back with all-new games and activities to make learning simple and fun.This inventive and practical workbook is packed with tried-and-tested games and activities to help children aged 7-13 who have dyslexia. It is ideally suited to home-schooling, independent learning, or classroom or small group setting, and includes activities such as The Multiply Matrix Game, Drop the Ball and Number Tag.The book is packed with cartoons, and there's a quiz at the start to help you discover whether you learn best from pictures, movement, socially or through music. You can use this book to find the strategies and activities you enjoy the most, and that support you to learn most effectively. If you have ideas about how you would like to add to the games or invent your own, go for it!With even more engaging activities and updated advice for parents and carers, this is another essential tool for making learning simple and enjoyable.
Answers for Homeschooling
by Israel WayneYou’ve made the decision to homeschool. Suddenly, you find that some of those who were once in your corner supporting you are now questioning your competency as a parent and maybe even your sanity. Their lack of confidence may sting, but in reality, the critic provides a wonderful opportunity to replace fear and stigma with truth and reality. This book equips you to answer the critic in your life with resolve and confidence. ANSWERS to help you become confident in your homeschooling journey! Socialization Qualifications College Legality Academics Sports Affordability Competency
Art Matters
by Eileen PrinceThis collection of ideas and lesson plans will help classroom and homeschool teachers integrate art into their general curriculum. These inventive and effective methods use the visual arts to inspire creative writing and drama; explore math, music, science, and history; and cultivate critical thinking skills. Art instructors will learn strategies for incorporating other areas of study into the art classroom. Ranging from thought-provoking suggestions to concrete, hands-on lesson plans, these activities include an extensive resource list for classroom teachers without an art background.
Becoming Homeschoolers
by Monica SwansonMonica Swanson helps you navigate your real-world concerns about school, culture, and what it takes to create an amazing homeschool experience that you and your kids will never regret!If you've ever wondered whether you have what it takes to homeschool your children, look no further. Parenting author, podcaster, and homeschool mom Monica Swanson is here to tell you: you can do it. In fact, it can be the most fun, family-unifying, character-building, life-equipping experience you and your children will ever have.Becoming Homeschoolers tackles your legitimate doubts and fears about homeschooling, as well as the questions you want answered before you commit--questions like where to start and how to choose a curriculum, build social skills, teach what you're not good at, and prepare for college. With humor and encouragement, Monica weaves her own story of homeschooling her four boys with step-by-step, practical advice on how to:Assess whether home education is right for you and your childrenEstablish a foundation of faith in your everyday homeschool routineFind socialization opportunities such as sports and extracurricular activitiesCare for yourself and your marriage even as you spend more time each day with your kidsTackle the practical side of homeschooling, including standardized tests, transcripts, college readiness, and navigating education requirements It's time to trade fear for empowerment and insecurity for confidence as you live out your own story of becoming homeschoolers.
Independent Study That Works: Designing a Successful Program
by Geraldine WoodsIndependent study programs aren’t for the “best” students; they are populated by students at their best. Student disengagement from school is a trending concern, and many schools have turned their attention to independent study programs as a way to nurture student motivation and creativity. But where to begin? Geraldine Woods offers a practical, step-by-step guide based on her experience designing and directing the much-admired independent study program at the Horace Mann School. Under the supervision of teachers, students embark on a remarkable variety of projects and become teachers themselves, conducting seminars with their peers along the way to preparing their final product—which could as easily be an interactive website or musical composition as a research paper. Woods’ book details the nuts and bolts of the approach and shows how to customize it for a variety of age groups, budgets, and curricular requirements. It is a gift to all educators—including homeschooling parents—who want to give students the freedom to pursue their interests.
Science in Seconds for Kids
by Jean Potter and Samuel Cord StierHelp your kids explore the wonders of science with over 100 easy and accessible experiments Science in Seconds for Kids: Over 100 Experiments You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less, 2nd Edition makes learning science with your children fun and practical. Using ingredients and components found mostly in your home or classroom, Science in Seconds for Kids instructs caregivers and educators on how to create dazzling and enlightening experiments from scratch. This book utilizes bright and colorful illustrations and diagrams throughout, making the simple experiments even more accessible. Guide your kids through experiments including: Making rainbows on the floor Popping balloons with light Bending water from a faucet Making lightning in a room Keeping paper dry underwater The experiments will fascinate youngsters of all ages and encourage a love of science and learning that could last a lifetime. Science in Seconds for Kids is perfect for elementary, traditional, and homeschool educators, as well as parents, grandparents, and other caregivers.
Homeschool Rising
by Christy-FaithTake a good look at the reasons why homeschooling can help today's kids thrive Homeschool Rising is a guide for anyone interested in homeschooling their children, regardless of background. It busts through the myths surrounding homeschooling, reveals the failures of our current school system, and demonstrates how home education and loving, motivated parents can provide a solution for students and families everywhere. There are many assumptions made about homeschooling—that the child will be "socially awkward" due to lack of social interaction, that parents are not equipped to educate their children, that homeschooling is only for White, Christian, middle-class parents, and more. In Homeschool Rising, educator Christy-Faith offers insights from more than 20 years in the field and her experience working with thousands of students to debunk these myths and misconceptions. The truth is, homeschooling sets today’s students up for success in a way that traditional schooling no longer can. This authoritative yet casual and accessible guide provides parents the tools, courage, and knowledge to opt out of the school system and take charge of their children's education. Clear up the confusion and misconception surrounding homeschooling See why homeschooling is a great option for kids of any race, religion, and background Gain the knowledge you need to start your kids off on the right foot with homeschooling Make sure your homeschooled kids are getting the support they need academically and socially New and experienced homeschoolers looking for support, as well as educators, psychologists, and others who work with homeschooled children, will love the clear, evidence-backed, and conversational information in Homeschool Rising.
This is Homeschooling
by Katie Rybakova MathewsThe number of homeschooling families has grown in recent years, along with the number of methods for learning at home. In this timely book, you’ll meet diverse families that are engaging in the day-to-day work of a variety of approaches, including self-directed learning, unschooling, nature-based education, farmschooling, wildschooling, and worldschooling. Chapters and interludes are written by scholars and families engaged in this work, who show how their approaches take a balanced, slower-paced, and nature-minded approach to learning, nourishing the child’s heart and brain. They also address common critiques of homeschooling and show how it is something that can be normalized and encouraged as a positive educational tool, helping families bond and live life to the fullest. Each chapter includes practical applications you can use right away in your own journey. Simultaneously inspirational and practical, this book will help guide and motivate those who are either considering or already homeschooling to see the possibilities of what learning and education can truly be.
The Four-Hour School Day
by Durenda WilsonGiving your child a quality education experience for a life of happiness and purpose is possible--and it only takes four hours a day or less! We want our kids to have the best education, but less-than-ideal school environments and concern about our kids' specific needs have parents uncertain about traditional schooling. Trusted homeschool expert with 25 years of experience homeschooling her own eight children, Durenda Wilson offers a better way and promises that you already have what it takes to give your child a healthy, successful future. In The Four-Hour School Day, she unpacks the lifelong advantages of home education, both for the health of your family and your child's future. With inspiring stories about parents just like you, she demystifies homeschooling and addresses common fears like, what if I'm not qualified, how can I homeschool as a single parent, and what if I don't have enough time? Packed with encouragement and practical advice, this resource equips you with all the information you need to create a sustainable homeschooling plan customized to your child's needs. Wilson will help you to:Work with your child's interests and passions for an enjoyable learning experienceCultivate independent learning in your child so you have more time and your child develops more curiosityNavigate the different schooling stages your child will go throughFind an engaged community so that you can start this adventure with all the support you need. Explore the rich and wonderful world of homeschooling because it's not only more doable than you think, but far more beneficial than you can imagine.
The Phonics Playbook
by Alison RyanA guide for K-3 educators who need to teach phonics at different levels in diverse classrooms—without burning out The Phonics Playbook is the one phonics-focused resource that offers a solution for phonics instruction in real-world K-3 classrooms. Understanding phonics instruction in theory is one thing, but actually integrating it into daily classroom life—in a way that meets the needs of diverse students—is another. This book offers simplified instruction and practical guidance for differentiating instruction using three models: whole group instruction with elements of differentiation, phonics-focused small group instruction, and small group reading instruction that also incorporates phonics. You will learn to assess student needs, choose the model that’s right for you, and make data-based adjustments as time goes on. In addition to guidance on differentiation, this book also weaves in best practices in phonics instruction and effective strategies for teaching phonics skills, which is especially helpful for newer teachers. The Phonics Playbook guides you from start to finish and helps you develop a positive, effective mindset around differentiation. Confront the problem of “so many needs and so little time” in a productive, sustainable way and avoid burnout with this excellent guide. Review the basics of phonics instruction and learn three different methods for differentiating instruction in K-3 classrooms Help students progress with their reading, even when you have many different reading levels in class Reduce the workload necessary to provide differentiated instruction in phonics and reading Find practical ways of implementing phonics instruction in real-world classrooms with real-world challengesNew and experienced K-3 educators, principals, and literacy coaches, as well as homeschool educators and parents, will appreciate the no-nonsense approach in The Phonics Playbook.
Think Differently About Learning
by Maren Goerss and Angela SizerHosts of the Homeschool Unrefined Podcast show you how let go of traditional measures of success, and instead measure learning by curiosity, joy, self-regulation, and critical thinking.Children deserve more than the systems we're currently using to educate them. Hardworking teachers, diligent administrators, and devoted parents are trying their best in an outdated system that isn't meeting our children's complex needs. Instead, imagine a different way to learn.With helpful, practical tips and anecdotes from homeschooling families, this guide covers all you need to know about learning differences, mental health, devices and technology, socialization, and more. It's for traditional school families who are learning to balance outer expectations with their own needs with a different way of learning. It's for homeschool families who are looking for a more inclusive, supportive, and authentic approach. Angela and Maren pair their years of teaching in a variety of different schools with their years of homeschooling their combined seven children. As they know first-hand, any parent, child, or family can thrive as they unlearn old ways, lean into their own strengths, and celebrate unconventional wins.
Teaching Your Kids New Math, 6-8 For Dummies
by Kris JamsaIt’s not too late to learn new math tricks—and help kids learn them, too! Teaching Your Kids New Math, Grades 6-8, For Dummies teaches you the new standard way of teaching kids math. It’s all about thinking through how to solve problems and using strategies, rather than just memorizing the procedures. In this book, parents, guardians, and tutors will learn how to use these methods and standards to effectively teach kids Common Core math for grades 6-8. Teaching Your Kids New Math, Grades 6-8, For Dummies shows you how schools are teaching kids math these days, and gives you tools to support kids through the homework and test prep process. You’ll love this book’s clear explanations and examples organized by grade level. With Teaching Your Kids New Math, Grades 6-8, For Dummies?? you’ll also get access to online tools, including dozens of math worksheets for additional support. Learn how to teach 6th through 8th grade math according to the Common Core Discover the new methods and formulas that are standard for math instruction Get best teaching practices, example problems, and tips about common math pitfalls Help your kids with math homework and enhance the homeschool journeyThis is the perfect Dummies guide for anyone who needs guidance on how to teach kids math using new methods and concepts—they’re different from what we learned in school! Future math teachers will also love this user-friendly guide to middle-grade math.