Homeschooling & Teaching
A Charlotte Mason Companion
Karen Andreola. This book gives commentary on the philosophy of Charlotte Mason, but it's much more than that. It provides practical advice such as recognizing "real books", using narration, appreciating and using the fine arts, establishing helpful habits, and more.
Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling
John Taylor Gatto. He teaches in the public schools, won the New York State Teacher of the Year and knows what he's talking about. Gatto brilliantly describes the destructive nature of "compulsory, government-monopoly factory schools". Read this and you'll realize why you decided to homeschool!
Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense
David Gutterson. Written by a public school teacher, examines life and school and the inexhaustible ways to learn OUTSIDE of it.
For the Children's Sake
Susan Schaeffer Macaulay. Draws heavily on the philosophies of Charlotte Mason from a Christian perspective. Good overview.
Handbook for Texas Homeschooler; 2000
Texas Homeschool Coalition. The definitive guide to Texas homeschooling specifics. History and information, legal considerations, how-to's, options after graduation, listing of local support groups, driver's ed forms, etc.
The Home School Reader
Mark & Helen Hegener, Eds. Selections from Home Education Magazine: considering options, teaching and learning, "how we do it", finding resources, socialization, legal issues.
Homeschooling for Excellence
David and Micki Colfax. Homeschooling pioneers who's kids went to Harvard. Reads like a conversation about what and how they did it. A classic.
The Homeschooling Handbook
Mary Griffith. When, how and why to homeschool, quotes from others telling what worked for them, overview of legal issues, summaries of teaching theories, options & scheduling, detailed learning ideas for all grade levels, assistance for learning differences, strategies to avoid burnout, resources in community and homeschooling network.
How to Create Your Own Unit Studies
Valerie Bendt. A slim, easy to read guide to unit studies. Even if you use textbooks, helpful ideas for enriching your child's learning.
How to Talk So Kids Can Learn
Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. If you've read their other books (Siblings Without Rivalry, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen) you know their style. Although the book draws heavily on examples from school, the basic philosophy and approach can be applied in your homeschool setting.
No Regrets: How Homeschool Earned Me a Master's Degree at Age 16
Alexandra Swann. Youngest graduate from BYU at age 15, a chatty book that tells how the Swann family covers 2-3 years of schooling material each year. Very motivating, even if you don't follow their methods.
School-Proof: How to Help Your Family Beat the System and Learn to Love Learning the Easy, Natural Way
Mary Pride. If you are familiar with the author, you know she employs a forward tone. Covers getting organized, motivating students, steps to independent learning, 20 ways to present a lessons, 20 ways for your student to show what he knows, and recognizing "dumb educational clutter".
The Successful Homeschooling Family Handbook
Raymond and Dorothy Moore. Choosing curriculum, avoid burnout, target child's interests, understanding developmental age, and seeing the big picture of family and society. Written by the "grandparents" of the homeschool movement, it describes a three-fold philosophy: work, academics when ready, and service.
Teaching Children: A Curriculum Guide to What Children Need to Know at Each Level Through 6th Grade
Diane Lopez. Curriculum guide shows skills and content for each level from K-6. Tends towards a Charlotte Mason "real books" approach.
A Thomas Jefferson Education
Oliver Van DeMille. Describes a model of leadership education using the classics as it's framework. Describes the great need for quality education.
The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling
Debra Bell. choices, curriculum, organizing & planning, preventing burnout, what to teach, when & how, teens, computers, measuring success. Extensive resource guide.
The Unschooling Handbook
Mary Griffith. What it is, how it works, unschooling in all subject areas, how to tell if they are learning, coping with doubts & challenges, practical considerations. Even if you don't unschool, this book is easy to read and really can help you keep your perspective about homeschooling challenges.
The Well Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home
Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. The definitive guide for classical education in a homeschool setting. Outlines the classical pattern, sample schedules, detailed book lists, advice on practical matters. Truly a "how-to" manual.
What Your Child Needs To Know When
Robin Scarlotta. Includes the standards in a checklist from the major achievement tests Grades K-8, outlines what students are generally taught at each grade level.
VHS: How to Homeschool the Early Years
Helpful information, includes interview with Raymond and Dorothy Moore.
Learning Styles/Theories
Endangered Minds: Why Children Don't Think and What We Can Do About It
Jane Healy. Startling evidence regarding screen time (TV, computers, video games) and physical structures of the brain. Close look at the relationship between screen time and neurological and educational abilities.
Every Child Can Succeed
Cynthia Ulrich Tobias. More on learning styles, but applied to areas such as child-rearing, discipline, self-esteem, and family life in general.
Failure to Connect: How Computers Affect Our Children's Minds and What We Can Do About It
Jane Healy. Piercing look at the role computers play in education. Criteria for choosing software, optimal use of the computer and the effect of neurological systems are covered.
In Their Own Way- Discovering and Encouraging Your Child's Personal Learning Style
Thomas Armstrong. A clearly written, easy to read look at the 8 types of intelligences set out by Howard Gardener. Especially helpful are the descriptions and actual teaching application to the learning style.
Teaching With the Brain In Mind
Eric Jensen. The latest, practical yet easy to understand research on the brain and learning. This book balances research and theory with useful tips and techniques for using that information.
The Way They Learn
Cynthia Ulrich Tobias. Explains what learning style is, extensive inventories for discovering learning style, information on how we concentrate, remember and understand. Includes a good chapter on the differences between learning style and learning disability.
Children's DISC Survey- Learning Styles Test
Special Needs
ADHD: The Great Misdiagnosis
Julian Haber, MD. Exploring controversial new ground in the field, Dr. Haber uncovers the rampant overuse of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder label for children with completely different issues. He investigates the exploitation of the disorder by various drug manufacturers, the media, etc., and provides pertinent information that will help parents, teachers and doctors avoid falling into the same misdiagnosis trap.
The Edison Trait: Saving the Spirit of Your Non-Conforming Child
Lucy Jo Palladino. Do you have a child who has an active imagination, free spirited approach to life, and the ability to drive everyone around them crazy? This book is for all parents who want their child to develop his or her potential as an intelligent, creative and happy individual. How to respect and foster various learning styles and divergent thinking.
Gifted Children: A Guide for Parents and Teachers
Virginia Ehrich. Written in non-technical language, explains how to provide a more stimulating learning environment, what is meant by the labels, home schooling vs. formal schooling, characteristics & definitions. Very good information about enhancing learning, regardless of your child's level.
Help Me to Help My Child: A Sourcebook for Parents of Learning Disabled Children
Jill Bloom. This book is unique in that the author presents alternative theories along side more traditionally accepted ones. Although the sections about school advocacy may not be applicable, this book offers guidance and resources necessary to cope with obstacles both academic and otherwise.
Home Schooling Children with Special Needs
Sharon Hensley. FINALLY! A book about homeschooling special needs students that doesn't necessarily make learning challenges a result of public education. When homeschooling doesn't "fix" learning problems, parents can feel guilty, helpless and isolated from other "successful" homeschoolers. The author briefly covers the difference between learning disabilities and mismatched learning environments. Then she gives information, teaching tips, encouragement, practical suggestions, and resources.
How To Reach and Teach ADD/ADHD Children
Sandra Rief. A definitive manual of "how to" rather than a description of the disorder. This book has wonderful tips for teaching ANY child, with multi-sensory approaches to all subject areas.
The LD Child and the ADHD Child
Suzanne Stevens. Not specifically written to homeschoolers, but includes a chapter on how this growing phenomenon is often the best option for students with learning differences. The author gives the facts along with a very positive view on helping these kids succeed. I've heard this author speak at a conference- she's a reservoir of practical ideas and good humor about living with learning differences.
Learning In Spite of Labels: Practical Teaching Tips and A Christian Perspective of Education
Joyce Herzog. A popular book among homeschoolers; many good techniques and ideas as well as an overview of learning differences.
Learning to Learn
Carolyn Oliver and Rosemary Bowler. In the introduction, the authors state: "Parents are the first and most important teachers children have." This book gives some explanation and theory, but mostly it's a practical guide for helping children with learning challenges. Includes actual ideas and suggestions.
Living With a Learning Disability
Barbara Cordoni. Unlike books that focus strictly on academic remediation, this book discusses all areas- social, emotional, and living as an adult. Based on years of experience both professionally and as a parent, the author presents a clear, interesting book on helping those with learning issues succeed in all areas of their lives.
To Read or Not to Read
Daphne Hurford. If you want to take charge of your child's reading difficulties and find out what the "pro's" do, this is the first place to go. You CAN teach your child with dyslexia or dysgraphia at home, ant this book is a great reference tool. Very readable and full of specific suggestions and resources.
High School/College
And What About College? How Homeschooling Leads to Admissions to the Best Colleges and Universities
Cafi Cohen. Excellent guide to non-traditional transcripts, course descriptions, sample curricula & record keeping, portfolios, cover letters & resumes, college planning, and other resources. Read this when your child is in Jr. High, helps to get you switching gears gradually.
Campus Free College Degrees
Thorson. Includes more than 150 accredited bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs that require limited or no time on campus.
College Major Interest Test
CD-ROM. Survey of interest and aptitude to help steer teens towards a college major.
The High School Handbook: Junior and Senior High at Home
Mary Schoefield. A comprehensive guide- covers planning to teach, teaching Jr. High, teaching High School, setting requirements & planning the year, course descriptions, designing courses, scheduling & lesson planning, evaluating progress, transcripts, resources, post-high school planning. Chock full of samples to refer to.
Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook: Preparing 12-18 Year-Olds for Success in the College of Their Choice
Cafi Cohen. Tips and insider advice including deciding what type of college is right for your homeschooler, developing a proper college prep course of study, learn what colleges expect from applicants, preparing for the admissions process.
Homeschooling the Teen Years: Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 13 to 18 Year Old
Cafi Cohen. Discover how to work with your teen to create a unique, individual learning experience, make coursework challenging and fun, allow your teen to explore and discover the best vocational path, know when your teen has "completed" high school, and much more. This book really gives you a feel for the differences between elementary aged kids and youth.
The Independent Study Catalog: A Guide to Over 10,000 Correspondence Courses
From Peterson's, so you know it's reliable. This is fantastic resource with tons of information, easy to understand. Indexed.
The Teenage Liberation Handbook
Grace Llewellyn. Stimulating, controversial and exhilarating ideas for quitting school and getting a real life and education. Written directly to teens who want to "unschool" themselves, especially to the teen who is currently in school and looking for a more relevant and authentic education.
Language Arts
Books That Build Character
William Kilpatrick and Gregory & Suzanne Wolfe. A guide to teaching your child moral values through stories. Examines the use of quality literature to import meaning into our children's lives. Excellent book list divided by genre and reading level.
Honey for a Child's Heart
Gladys Hunt. Easy to read discussion of the role of quality books in family life. Includes an excellent book list categorized by reading level.
How Well Does Your Child Write? A Step-by-Step Assessment of your Child's Writing Skills and Techniques to Develop Them
Ann Cook. For grades K-5, this is a wonderful guide to finding out what areas to target, where your child's strengths are, and how he's progressing. The assessments cover all the areas important to writing skills; spelling, grammar, idea flow, etc. Answer keys are included along with easy to understand information about the types of writing and how to develop them.
The New Read Aloud Handbook
Jim Trelease. Why and how to read aloud to children. Challenges the notion that read-aloud ends when they can read alone. Excellent listing of wonderful books to read aloud or enjoy alone.
Reading Reflex: The Foolproof PhonoGraphix Method for Teaching Your Child to Read
Carmen & Geoffrey McGuinness. Based on a response to falling reading abilities, emphasis on code of our language. An excellent method, I prefer something more colorful and engaging, yet this is a good as anything you will find in terms of methodology.
Integrating Family Life
401 Ways to Get Your Kids to Work at Home
McCullough & Monson. Engaging look at cooperation in the household. Wonderful suggestions and extensive lists of life skills and abilities kids should be able to do a various ages.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk
Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish. Fun, interesting and highly readable look at dealing with your children with dignity and respect while teaching them to become productive adults. Practical format with cartoon examples I like to copy and post for my own reference.
Miscellaneous Resources
Developing Higher Order Thinking Skills in Content Areas
O'Tuel & Bullard, Critical Thinking Books. A wonderful guide which explains the rationale and theory, then gets to the heart of the mater with samples of strategies being used in actual instruction.
Math Strategies Resource collection
Practical Guide to Early Childhood Curriculum
Eliason & Jenkins. After some theory, you get tons of practice. The strength of this book is the complete program suggestions in a variety of topics: colors, shapes, transportation, animals, plants, weather, food, music, and more. Included are recipes, stories and ideas galore. My kids always enjoyed some established Pre-K routines in our homeschool.
SHARE Mom's Meetings Handouts
TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills)
The spring 2003 version on CD-ROM, this is the "official" test for Texas public schools.