The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling (Review)

If you, or someone you know is contemplating homeschooling then I have just the thing for you! Apologia sent me a free copy of "The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling" by Debra Bell for review; and let me tell you, it is AWESOME! If you are already a homeschool Mom (or Dad), I still highly recommend this book to you. This is our third year of homeschooling and I have sticky notes and highlighter all throughout my copy.

In this 500+ page book, Debra Bell does an excellent job of combining personal experience, practical advice and invaluable current resources such as curriculum vendors, website and state homeschool group info. Obviously a lot of the personal experience and practical advice is based on Debra's opinion; however it is not done in a "my way is the only way" fashion. Topics (each having 3-7 subtopics) included are:

1. Homeschooling: Is It for You?
2. Choosing a Curriculum
3. Organization and Planning
4. Preventing Burnout
5. What to Teach - When and How
6. Homeschooling Teens
7. Computers in the Homeschool
8. Creative Solutions
9. Measuring Your Success
10. Resource Guide

I'm personally finding What to Teach - When and How EXTREMELY helpful as I start planning our upcoming school year. (Yes, I KNOW it's only January...but I am a planner by nature.) This chapter alone contains 69 pages of subject by subject guidelines broken down into Primary (preschool - second grade); Elementary (third - sixth grade); and Secondary (junior high and up)

"One of the most useful and readable books on homeschooling." Cathy Duffy, Author, 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum

"Passes Mike Farris's Official Number One Rule in Homeschooling: If it ain't easy for Mom to use, throw it out!" Michael Farris, Founder, Home School Legal Defense Association.

This book costs a meager $20...but I guarantee it'll be one of your most valuable resources!

To read other Crew member reviews, click here.

Disclosure: This product was provided to our family for free as members of the 2009-2010 Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Crew. Reviews and opinions expressed in this blog are our own.