The 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.

An accessible guide for fun and stress-free homeschooling! When you homeschool your children, you can shape their education according to your own standards, values, and ideas. In The Everything Guide to Homeschooling, homeschooler Sherri Linsenbach provides you with all the information, inspiration, and encouragement you need to easily and successfully homeschool your children from grades K–12. This complete guide contains information on: The Common Core standards and how they impact families Creating plans for typical homeschool days, including schedules and activities Utilizing curriculum resources, strategies, and methods Managing specific learning styles and special needs This guide is packed full of ideas to make homeschooling your child easy, affordable, and, most of all, fun. With ideas for tackling social issues and motivating your child, this is the only reference you'll need to keep home education exciting and ensure your child’s success!

Take 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.

Estimates suggest there are around 1.5m Americans who have turned to homeschooling for their children (and this is probably a significant underestimate). Whether this is due to a perceived failing in the state education system, religious or political convictions or the need to accommodate some special need of the student or family, it is an issue that causes controversy and, undoubtedly raises very serious questions about the state of future generations of American citizens. Advocates of the system claim it improves the education of the child, shapes it more to their needs and aptitudes and leads to a more rounded individual experience. Critics claim it undermines the public school system, makes children more narrow and prejudiced in their outlook and doesn’t offer any significant advantages academically. So who is right? As with all such debates there is a high degree of subjectivity involved when assessing claims and counterclaims. It is difficult to substantiate or disprove a lot of these and not enough objective, scientific research has been conducted to come up with conclusive results either way. Many who have used the system are very happy with the results though they assert it is hard work and requires lots of commitment (and often cost). A few are honest enough to admit there are considerable drawbacks and that the concept is not suitable for everyone – adults or children. A lot of its critics are opposed to it on political grounds claiming it is a reactionary idea that breeds inequality and perpetuates right-wing principles. Others oppose the association with religious beliefs, though there is no strong evidence that this is a major factor in most decisions to homeschool. Homeschooling has had a long, hard road to acceptance. It has been equated with truancy and illegality and has been criticized and pilloried often by people who know little about it. Its practitioners have been branded as ‘kooks’, religious fanatics, right-wing pedagogues and many other things. Some of these accusations might be founded but the average homeschooler is probably none of these. In fact they are probably just that – average. Many will agree it is a parent’s right to give their children the best possible education and it is an issue of choice, freedom and independent thinking. Whether this is largely beneficial or detrimental will ultimately be down to the perspective of individuals as they consider the pros and cons.

You can homeschool. And it can be simpler, cheaper, and better than you ever imagined! The mere thought of homeschooling can be overwhelming. What curriculum do I choose? What if we can’t afford all the books? How do I schedule our time? Will my children become socially awkward recluses? What if I screw up my kids’ education?! Take a deep breath. You've got this! Lorilee Lippincott, a seasoned homeschooling mom, shows just how simple homeschooling can be. She and her husband taught their two kids in a one-bedroom apartment before picking up and moving the whole family to China. They’ve discovered that they don’t need rooms full of books, educational toys, and other teaching tools, nor do they need schedules packed full of extracurricular activities, field trips, and social events. Perhaps even more importantly, they don’t need to panic about making sure their kids turn out okay. It’s actually all pretty simple, she tells readers. But homeschooling well does require some planning and dedication. Here you’ll find all your questions answered in Lippincott’s straightforward, warm, and witty style. Topics covered include: How to instill curiosity and a love of learning Types of homeschooling Your socialization fears assuaged How to create simple schedules and stick to them Tips for keeping costs down Teaching kids with disabilities The benefits of play time Legal requirements How to avoid burnout And much more! Full of anecdotes, interviews with other homeschooling families, and wisdom, this is a must-have for any family new to or considering the homeschooling life.

Homeschooling has been in the educational mainstream for a few decades now. Over two million school-age children (K-12) are currently being homeschooled, and the number keeps going up. This is not a new phenomenon, and you can successfully teach your children at home. However, even with the rising number of homeschooled children in the United States, there are several myths that continue to make people question this viable, educational method. In Homeschooling Myths: A Personal Perspective, Amy Earls tells about her own experiences when encountering the various myths that "concerned" people felt the need to confront her with. While it is possible to find all sorts of helpful websites that talk about homeschooling myths, few share personal experiences related to those myths. Here, Amy talks about how she has handled each myth presented to her and why the myth is, in her opinion, just that-a myth. Within the book, you will also find several quotes that pertain to homeschooling myths, educational quotes, and a brief description of the various methods of homeschooling. You might also encounter a few reasons for homeschooling that might resonate with you, personally. It is Amy's sincere hope that this book will help you in your own homeschooling journey or even help you determine if homeschooling is right for your family. If you have family members or friends that are questioning your decision to homeschool, pass this book along to them. Maybe it will help. If you are not in agreement with your loved one's decision to homeschool, perhaps this book will open your mind to the possibilities and opportunities that this educational method offers.

Is homeschooling a reasonable alternative to the classical school system? Estimates suggest there are at least 1.5m Americans who have turned to homeschooling for their children. Whether this is due to a perceived failing in the state education system, religious or political convictions or the need to accommodate some special need of the student or family, it is an issue that causes controversy and, undoubtedly raises very serious questions about the state of future generations of American citizens. Advocates of the system claim it improves the education of the child, shapes it more to their needs and aptitudes and leads to a more rounded individual experience. Critics claim it undermines the public school system, makes children more narrow and prejudiced in their outlook and doesn't offer any significant advantages academically. So who is right? As with all such debates there is a high degree of subjectivity involved when assessing claims and counterclaims. It is difficult to substantiate or disprove a lot of these and not enough objective, scientific research has been conducted to come up with conclusive results either way. Many who have used the system are very happy with the results though they assert it is hard work and requires lots of commitment (and often cost). A few are honest enough to admit there are considerable drawbacks and that the concept is not suitable for everyone - adults or children. A lot of its critics are opposed to it on political grounds claiming it is a reactionary idea that breeds inequality and perpetuates right-wing principles. Others oppose the association with religious beliefs, though there is no strong evidence that this is a major factor in most decisions to homeschool. Homeschooling has had a long, hard road to acceptance. It has been equated with truancy and illegality and has been criticized and pilloried often by people who know little about it.