Launching Your Homeschool
A treasury of tips for getting started as a homeschooler — step by step. This 270-page book gives you the big picture overview of homeschooling and enough practical detail to get it going, even with no prior teaching experience.
We think children learn best from caring, involved parents sitting next to them rather than from computer screens and keyboards. The time-tested concepts and strategies in this book are the work of a veteran teacher with decades of experience in public, private, and home school settings and as a tutor and mentor for families with many young children. You may dive into any chapter to glean from that experience.
Suggestion: use the Amazon Look Inside feature to preview the table of contents, index, and overview — then return here to order directly from us for less.
What's Inside: 16 Chapters
A Homeschool Overview
Chapter 1: Homeschool Advantages
Lays out the spiritual, social, and academic advantages of homeschooling — because your reasons for home schooling will in large part determine the fruit of your endeavors.
Chapter 2: How to Make Homeschool To-Do Charts
Explains how to become "the guide on the side" rather than "the sage on the stage" — using daily to-do charts that let you check each child's progress and raise future adults through closely supervised, child-appropriate delegation.
Chapter 3: Motivation, the Academic Energizer
Because tutoring happens one-on-one, character flaws are exposed and addressed in ways impossible in a classroom of 20. Practical tips for motivating and rewarding your children so they complete their daily academic tasks.
Section 2: The Academics
Chapter 4: The Right Stuff for Homeschooling
Lays out the subjects to be conquered in a child's education and explains your options. Introduces the basics of teaching the 3 R's — reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Chapter 5: Cultivate a Lasting Love of the Bible
Practical strategies for making Scripture central to your children's education and daily life.
Chapter 6: Teach Grammar Faster
Efficient, proven methods for teaching grammar without the drudgery.
Chapter 7: How to Ignite the Love of Writing
Tips for turning reluctant writers into enthusiastic ones — at any age.
Chapter 8: Teach Math Faster
Faster, more effective approaches to math instruction that produce real mastery.
Chapter 9: Draw to See
Drawing as a foundational skill — how to teach it and why it matters for whole-brain development.
Chapter 10: Master a Musical Instrument
How to successfully guide your child to musical mastery at home, without expensive private lessons.
Chapter 11: Smart Study Skills
Tips for developing strong study habits from elementary through middle school years.
Chapter 12: Goofy Little Rewards and Tricks
Fun, creative incentives that keep children engaged and on task throughout the school day.
Section 3: Specific Cases
Chapter 13: Training Terrific Tots
Homeschooling begins when your little child joins your family — not at some arbitrary age six years later. Science shows much of the brain's wiring is complete by age eight; the earlier you stimulate left- and right-brain activities, the greater your child's lifelong abilities.
Chapter 14: Homeschooling a Gifted Child
Tailored strategies for children who are unusually advanced in one or more areas.
Chapter 15: Raising an Only Child
Practical wisdom for homeschooling families with a single child — unique challenges and unique opportunities.
A Concluding Overview
Chapter 16: The Two Most Common Academic Pitfalls
The book concludes where it began — with the big picture. Describes the two most common academic pitfalls for homeschoolers and the earmarks of a biblically sound educational program.
This book includes all 16 of the above eBooks — a total value of nearly $40 — saving you oodles of money over purchasing them separately.
Further Reading on Our Blog
- A beginning homeschooler's questions/frustrations and a veteran homeschooler's seasoned calming answers
- Homeschooling, but tempted to not educate your children?
- Resources for homeschooling middle school and high school children
- A strategy for getting homeschooling on track
- Dreaming of academic progress?
- The best schooling is local and the better than best schooling is in the home
- Navigating the curriculum jungle without tears for mama
- Recommendation for academically subpar high school age children
- What about unschooling?
- Feeling overwhelmed? Instant highly visible project board reduces mental stress
- Ideas for self-investment if you are temporarily in isolation somewhere on this troubled planet
- The false promises of unschooling
- Are you SURE you have the right curriculum?
- Why study “uninteresting” subjects?
- Delegation or dumping? A mother's proper role
- Perils of putting your children in public school
