Reviews (2)

Practical and Uplifting
This book would be very helpful to any homeschooling parent with a "high needs" child, whether or not the child has a disability label.Sharon Hensley does an amazing job of including both very practical information along with inspiring and uplifting viewpoints.The book is compact, and easy to read, yet not simplistic.Before I started to home school my children, I was a special education teacher for many years, and have a Master's Degree in special education.Even though I've done a lot of reading and research, I still found this book to be very useful.

wonderfully informative and practical
I was captivated by this book from the beginning.First she explains the differences between learning disabilities and normal variations in learning styles.Then she deals with parental academic expections and realisticones.She also dispells the myth that homeschooling is the magical cure forlearning disabilities,rather the opportunity to tailor a program to bestsuit the individual.This book is packed full of resources to help with aspecific need or area .She combines her child develpment and specialeducation knowledge with the honesty and humility of a mother whohomeschools three children, one who is autistic. I would reccomend thisbook to anyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Home Schooling    2. Children with special needs    3. Autism    4. Autistic children   

Reviews (1)

Awesome Book
Very easy to read. Helpful, practical information. Many chapters with good advice on working with parents. Some information on home visiting. I definately recommend this title. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Elementary    4. Home and school    5. Parent Participation    6. Parent-teacher relationships    7. Parents And Education    8. Preschool & Kindergarten    9. Students & Student Life    10. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    11. United States    12. Education / Elementary   

Reviews (38)

Hardly a How-To!!
If this is the "best book out there on Charlotte Mason" and has "the most practical application" of her ideas, as other reviewers have stated, then I'd have to say that Charlotte Mason is confusing, because this is a badly written book.I picked this up wanting to learn about Charlotte Mason's philosophy of education and what it looks like in the home school.I returned the book with a bad taste in my mouth.The author is VERY flighty, throwing out random ideas that are not well-explained or thorough.Many of the chapters, including those entitled "Composition" "grammar," and "spelling," are only two pages long!She randomly describes Mason's ideas for a scant paragraph, and then throws together some "How-To"'s that are bewildering.After reading this book I can say that not only do I not understand Charlotte Mason, but I have little desire to because of this author's bad work.This is NOT a book for those who aren't already Mason fans, nor for those who need detailed help in applying her philosophy.

The BEST Charlotte Mason book out there
I've read every book on Charlotte Mason that I could find and this is the best (A More Charlotte Mason Education is excellent also).This book is extremely well organized, concisely written and very easy to understand.I appreciate that it gets right to the point since I don't have a lot of time to meander around looking for the answers.After reading this book I felt completely prepared to begin our homeschool experience.The other books I'd read only made me think that I needed to read more because I didn't 'have the answers yet.'The organization of this book makes it easy to quickly look up any subject you have a question on and find the answer immediately.What a blessing!
Learning Together
As I read this book in one sitting, I realized that it was the perfect tool for me. It is a great overview of what Charlotte Mason believed and applied in her schools. It immediately helped me utilize the CM approach and was well put, informative and applicable. I highly recommend this as a must read for anyone wanting to quickly learn and implement this approach. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Curricula    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Home Schooling    5. Philosophy    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    7. Christian education    8. Church & Ministry/Ministry Resources/Christian Education    9. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General    10. Education/Curricula    11. Mason, Charlotte M    12. Theometrics/Evangelical   

Reviews (2)

Not Much Help
I am an actual homeschooling kid in junior high, and of course, I want to make sure I get into a good college. I bought this book thinking that it would help, but it doesn't. A lot of the book isn't even about college - it's about alternatives to college. I also noticed that the author repeated the same information a lot, so the book really isn't as long as it seems. The people in the book who gave comments were generally Christian homeschoolers from southern states, and many of their children didn't even go on to college. If they did, it was generally only to community college. There were very few comments made by representatives of colleges. When they did make comments, they were very brief, and the colleges, like the homeschoolers, seemed to be southern and Christian. This book isn't very helpful at all, in my opinion. I think that most homeschoolers would be better off using different books to plan for college.

LOVED IT
All students homeschooled or institutionally educated should read and heed Cafi Cohen's Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook.It's fascinating.(Without obvious intent this book makes a strong case for continual lifetime learning.)It is an exceptionally well-annotated reference work. It more than adequately addresses the doubts homeschooling families have about college admission.The "How we (they) did it" excerpts are inspiring. There are real examples of good admission essays.Transcripts are covered.This handbook is as easy and fun to read as the Reader's Digest.Read more

Subjects:  1. Admission    2. College Guides    3. College choice    4. Education    5. Education / Teaching    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Higher    8. Home Schooling    9. United States    10. Universities and colleges    11. Education / Home Schooling    12. Open learning & distance education   

Reviews (2)

The ultimate parents' guide
Smutny covers the basic concepts and issues facing the families of gifted kids.Better yet, she provides concrete, detailed strategies for parents as they negotiate the best possible education for their gifted children.Lots of real-life stories, lots of nuts-and-bolts advice, right down to the questions to ask and the things to _avoid_ saying.

One of the best resources to start with....
I have read many books on the subject of parenting gifted children and trying to meet their academic needs -- this is one of the better ones, and certainly one of the most practical.It will help parents navigate the school system and advocate for their child's educational needs. Reading this book was like talking to a friend who has "been there."It is full of good reference/resource advice and is easy to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children with Special Needs    2. Education    3. Education (Elementary)    4. Education, Elementary    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Gifted children    7. Parent Participation    8. Parenting - General    9. Special Education - General    10. Special Education - Gifted    11. Advice on parenting    12. Marriage, family & other relationships    13. Organization & management of education    14. Teaching of gifted children    15. Parenting   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (12)

EVERYONE should read this book!
Parents, Educators, Youth and Child Workers, Legislators, etc., would benefit greatly from the wisdom in this book. This tells what is on kids' minds today, danger signals, prevention, communication, friendships. This book tells why it is important to educate children about sex, to not "micro-manage" children in school, how standardized testing fails our children, the value of healthy/mentoring adult friendships, and the critical task of setting examples for children in our behaviors - acting like adults, responsibility, discovery, and relationships in particular.
Wow!! Our kids are now perfect!!
I cannot tell you how much this book changed our lives. Before reading this, our children, particularly our little Amber, were out of control. Constant calls from the school and their friends' parents led to many a sleepless night for me and my husband. Easy engrossing reading
While waiting for clients to show up to see a house, I picked up this book and started reading.Having a new middle schooler, I found that I could not put this down because I could see him in so many of the situations.As soon as I got home, I went on-line and ordered it right away.I will be reading every page of this book.Very engrossing.You feel that you know each individual as you read about them.Also easy reading.As the mother of a three year old, I have many interuptions and it is nice to have a book that can be read in short spurts.This is a must read for anyone with children entering into those adolescent years! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adolescence    2. Education    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family/Marriage    6. Life Stages - Adolescence    7. Parent and teenager    8. Parenting    9. Parenting - General    10. United States    11. Education / Parent Participation   

Reviews (27)

A MUST HAVE! - Knowledge is truly power!
This book is awesome! If you have a child that receives special education services you NEED this book!! This book is full of the answers I have been looking for, for the last 4 years.I have read it twice and will read it again. This is an easy read it is broken down into 5 sections that everyone can understand. My favorite is section #3 The Parent as Expert. I used this section along with the others to get my son ESY services and 1:1 reading remediation.
A "must read" for every parent with a special ed. classified child
As if being confronted with the diagnosis of a learning or developmental disability in your child wasn't stressful enough, upon diagnosis and classification, a parent is thrown into the ocean that is special education and the bureaucratic nightmare that goes along with it.This book is a treasure trove of strategies - everything from managing your paperwork to managing your emotions with respect to special education is covered."The best way to avoid due process is to assume and prepare for due process"and "treat your relationship with the school personnel as a marriage with no possibility of divorce" are two of the most powerful "Wrightisms" I came away with and have served us well in advocating for our children with autism.
Highly Recommend this Awesome Book!!!
This book is a wonderful asset for parents who are advocating for their kids.Many times I have let my emotions control my dealings with the school and this book explains why that is detrimental to your childs education.
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Subjects:  1. Education / Parent Participation    2. Education / Special Education / General    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational    5. Family & Relationships / Children with Special Needs    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Law    8. Law and legislation    9. Parent participation    10. Special Education - General    11. Special education    12. United States    13. Children with Special Needs    14. Education    15. Family & Relationships   

Subjects:  1. Book clubs (Discussion groups)    2. Books and reading    3. Children    4. Education / Teaching    5. Literacy    6. Parent Participation    7. Personal & Practical Guides    8. Reading    9. Reference    10. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    11. Association: clubs, societies    12. Bibliographies, catalogues, discographies    13. Language Arts & Disciplines / Library & Information Science   

Reviews (1)

A label only tells about symptoms, not the causes.
Pauc's "the Learning Disability Myth" is fast, clear and easy to read. Using all the latest neurological research, he cuts through the educational jargon that gives a name to your child's difficulties, but would not get rid of what is actually causing the symptoms.
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Subjects:  1. Developmental - Child    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family/Marriage    4. Learning Disabilities    5. Parent Participation    6. Psychology    7. Special Education - Learning Disabled    8. Psychology & Psychiatry / Child Development   

Subjects:  1. Card Games - General    2. Cards - Playing / Tarot    3. Games    4. Games/Puzzles    5. Parent Participation    6. Parenting - General   

Reviews (13)

Good info but atheistic orientation leaves it far from "complete"
The author provides an excellent overview of the secular aspects of getting started in homeschooling. However, aside from a few passing mentions by profiled families in the "week in the life" chapter, she completely ignores the spiritual aspects. For the vast majority of homeschooling families, faith plays a central role in their lives, regardless of specific religious affiliation. Because of this glaring omission, I would recommend this book only as a supplement to another one such as Mary Pride for Protestants or "A Catholic Homeschool Treasury" for Catholics.

look forward to a new edition
This is probably the best book on the subject. It covers learning styles, homeschooling myths, deschooling, learning readiness and more. A unique feature is the chapter that presents "a week in the life" profiles of families using various homeschooling methods. Scattered throughout are highlighted tips on the topic "What I wish someone had told me during my first year of homeschooling." The book includeslearning resources, the "weirdest homeschooling laws" segment, and state by state legal information. Very informative.
Getting off to the right start
This is our first year of homeschooling our (almost) 7 year old daughter.She previously attended pre-K and K at a Montessori style public school in Phoenix, AZ.We moved out of state and did not have many public school options, so felt home schooling is the way to go, but once decided, the fear set in.This book is well written and very easy to digest.It has a lot of helpful information and I especially liked the "What I Wish ..." comments throughout.I highly recommend this book for anyone considering homeschooling/unschooling. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Family/Marriage    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Home Schooling    6. United States    7. Education / Home Schooling    8. Marriage, family & other relationships    9. Open learning & distance education   

Subjects:  1. Child Development    2. Counseling - General    3. Developmental - Child    4. Early childhood education    5. Education / Teaching    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family/Marriage    8. Parent Participation    9. Philosophy & Social Aspects    10. Psychological aspects    11. Psychological consultation    12. School psychology   

Reviews (19)

Solid Christian Homeschooling Guide
If you are Christian, you'll probably love it. Wonderful resources, and I love the descriptions of her selections. Although, I think her title should reflect that her book is a Christian homeschooling guide, so as to avoid confusion. There's an obvious Christian conservative slant. I found it very helpful, and was guided to some resources that I hadn't previously known about. We are in our fourth year of homeschooling, and I found the information fresh and new.

great book
This book is excellent.It explains the different kinds of homeschooling.It talks about the people who started these methods , such as montessori.She talks about different learning styles of children.She covers some legal aspects of homeschooling.She also covers books that help you get organized and planners.It is a wonderful book for those getting started and not sure what is what.

Bijna compleet overzicht van thuisonderwijsmogelijkheden!
This review is intended for Dutch speaking people who consider homeschooling their children. I will follow on in Dutch. Dit boek van Mary Pride geeft je een heel goed overzicht van de mogelijkheden die thuisonderwijs biedt. Ze gaat in op 12 populaire aanpakken voor thuisonderwijs. Niet alle twaalf zijn bruikbaar voor Nederlanders, maar je kunt er wel idee?n door krijgen.
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Subjects:  1. Curricula    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Home Schooling    5. Parent participation    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    7. United States    8. Education / Home Schooling   

Reviews (2)

Great Resource for Educators or Parents
Michael Thompson has an easy writing style and salient points to make in this latest book on pressured children. In the spirit of "A Tribe Apart" (Hersch) he shadows days in the lives of students and draws some worthwhile and meaty conclusions. His background in psychology gives credibility to his analysis; his readable prose will reach a wide audience. As a middle school principal we will use this book with parents in our Book Club; working in an international school in southeast Asia a book about "pressured children" is most appropriate.

A must for parents
No matter how involved you are with your child, it can be impossible to truly understand what is going on inside his/her school.This book gives parents a valuable look at what our children are dealing with every day.Mr. Thompson tells individual stories from the kids' viewpoints--extremely helpful.I saw my own child in his example of a boy who is "allergic" to school....and reading about this boy was like looking into the future.If I have any complaint, it is that the author didn't discuss the option of homeschooling as a positive alternative for some children like this.For those of us without many school options (no money, living rurally), his suggestion for finding a "better fit" in other school situations, did not apply.Our "allergic" son is doing great with homeschooling now and after reading "The Pressured Child" I'm even more committed to trying to keep him at home where he can learn to love learning....not dread school.Even if you have a child who has a "school brain" (as Thompson calls it) you should read this book to see how your successful child is actually getting through his/her day.I should note this isn't an "anti-public school" book-- but more of a look inside the schools so you can understand...and decide if your school is a good fit for your particular child.Fascinating reminder for all of us who have been out of school for a long time!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Academic achievement    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Education    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Life Stages - School Age    7. Parent Participation    8. Parenting - General    9. Parents And Education    10. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Subjects:  1. Education / Home Schooling    2. Education / Parent Participation    3. Education / Preschool & Kindergarten    4. Family & Relationships / Parenting    5. Dental health education    6. Early childhood education    7. Education    8. Family & Relationships    9. Health education (Preschool)    10. Home Schooling    11. Parent Participation    12. Parenting    13. Preschool & Kindergarten    14. Study and teaching (Preschool)   

Subjects:  1. Child Development    2. Curricula    3. Curriculum planning    4. Education    5. Elementary    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Home Schooling    8. Parent Participation    9. Parenting - General    10. Parents And Education    11. Second grade (Education)    12. United States    13. Education / Elementary   

Reviews (6)

What is my kid doing in a Montessori Class?
This book really helped me to support my kids and their teachers as they moved through their primary years at Fayette Montessori.
Easy to use
This is a easy to use book to use with lots of games to play.In keeping with the Montessori way, kids will not know they are learning.As a parent, the games and instructions are easy to follow.The book encourages you to follow the games in sequence, as they build on eachother.I liked that short explanations were given for each game reagrding what it would teach the children. One thing, it does assume having some of the Montessori tools/toys such as sandpaper letters which you can buy or make yourself. But many of the gamse require only you and your kid.Good book, I am moving toward a Montessori house and hope my kids will benefit from it.

Great Ideas, and Lots of Them
Montessori Read and Write is a terrific book and is stuffed with many, many great ideas and suggestions for teaching your young child to read and instilling a love of reading.The content of this book can actually be a bit overwhelming.I suggest a very slow reading of this book, interspersed with trying the ideas slowly with your children.As with all children, some of these ideas will work better individually than others, but I think most children will benefit very much from this book.Happy reading to you and your children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Elementary    4. Language arts    5. Language arts (Preschool)    6. Literacy    7. Montessori method of education    8. Parent Participation    9. Reading    10. Education / Parent Participation   

Reviews (5)

Not What I'd Hoped
I was hoping for a book full of inexpensive curriculum ideas, or resources that were new to me.Instead the book discusses family budgeting at length, and makes suggestions that seemed to be common-sense to me.There are a few ideas that may end up being useful, but be warned that much of the book is devoted to budgeting and other advice (buying things used, using the public library, etc.)or anecdotes from homeschool parents.

Thanks for the ideas!
Our family has found this book extrememly informative.We are a family living on a budget and this book gave us some really helpful hints on how to stretch that budget.We've already set up our library at home by subject and found it easier to find the book you want at a glance.There are many ideas on low-cost or free field trips, materials, and curriculum.This is a great resource book for anyone who is homeschooling.

Great for all parents!
This book is great for all parents...even if they choose not to homeschool.It gives great advice and ideas for cutting corners in "regular" life to allow room in the budget for homeschooling.I am new in my research of homeschooling but I have read at least 10 books in the last 6 months on the topic and this is tie for first place on my list!A MUST for anyone concerned about "finding" the money to homeschool! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Education - General    2. Curriculum planning    3. Economic aspects    4. Education    5. Home Schooling    6. Parenting - General    7. Religion - Christian Education - Home Schooling    8. Time management    9. United States    10. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (1)

get ready early
Is it too early to use such a book? Shouldn't I worry about tests years later? Those were my questions before. After we enrolled in Beestar weekly reading program (an excellent web site http://www.beestar.org), we realize that there are so many kids doing so well. No wonder the standard tests keep raising the bar. A low expectation from parents only leads to low achieving children. This book boosts your child's vocabulary,reading, and test taking skills effectively. It gives you a very good chance to know how much your child learned in school. No matter how much your child's teacher teaches, the book will cover the bases and practice what he learned. We enjoyed this fine book very much! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Achievement tests    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Evaluation    5. Parent Participation    6. Reading (Elementary)    7. Study guides    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    9. Testing & Measurement    10. United States    11. Education / Testing & Measurement    12. English    13. English language readers    14. Reading skills    15. Study guides, home study & revision notes   

Reviews (1)

Must read for every Christian (period) especially families!
This is an awesome book about a family seriously devoted to the heart of GOD!Today so much lip service is given about loving GOD and HIS WORD especially in our worship services all over the land.BUT then after 20 minutes or so of singing about loving GOD and HIS WORD, we then are consumed with other loves, the gods of technology, etc. that have worked their way into the thrones of so many areas of our lives.This book describes a family of ten who simply read GOD's WORD, the BIBLE, and they lived it, sang it, and truly breathe it.Don't read this book if you don't want to be convicted by the HOLY SPIRIT and challenged to change your life into a more simple pattern of pleasing the heart of GOD!So readers beware.WARNING: This book can cause serious health implications and spiritual awakenings unlike you've ever dreamed.GOD's WORD will not return void!Read it (The Holy Bible) and believe it, then miraculous things will occur weekly in your life.We know, because we are a family of eight that live by faith.This book though written in the mid-sixties, has eternal value for all walks of life.We have been seriously challenged by this book to increase our almost daily devotion time and Bible reading.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - General    2. Home Schooling    3. Religion    4. Religion - Christian Education - Home Schooling    5. Religion - Educational Resources    6. Religion / Christian Life