easy read that gives a comprehensive look at home schooling
349408
This is a quick, easy read that gives a comprehensive look at home schooling.  My wife and I have been talking about home schooling our little one and the information and overview in this book is extremely helpful.  One possible suggestion to improve on the book would be to provide the reader with links and contact information for more in depth research on the subject.  Great read! Thom
2533433
I enjoyed this book so much, I could not put it down. I read straight through it and would read it again. In its simply put, to the point nature, it highlights a lot of the struggles we had when we began homeschooling our 5 and 7 year old boys!  I know now what I can do different, and that's okay. I even received confirmation about things I knew but just didn't pay close attention to pertaining to how boys don't learn or work the same as girls. Thank you!
735372
Finally a book about the REAL value of home schooling! When my daughter was born I knew that there was no way I was ever going to put her in public school, and private schools are just so expensive. My wife and I turned to the idea of home schooling. What's great about this book is that it addresses many of the long term advantages that no one ever talks about. It's a must read if you home school or are thinking about it.
4021231
Excellent how-to reference book for those wanting to provide a solid college-prep education for their own kids at home.  Helps with the nitty gritties of homeschooling, from teaching reading to chemistry.  Down-to-earth practical advice for homeschooling families who want a reliable academic plan.
3204339
This is a wonderful book. It has helped me so much on my homeschooling journey. It is very well written and informative. I would recommend this book to any on trying to home school.
1321217
This book is a homeschooling 'must have', yet, I found Charlotte Mason Summaries to be a good source of information not only regarding schooling, but in child rearing as well.  It is a good source of information for all parents, even if they aren't homeschooling.  The way the book is summarized,  it is very easy to understand.  I would recommend this book not just for a homeschool parent but for any parent.
3638392
Anytime someone asks me about homeschooling, this is one of the first books I recommend.  The author is relatable...she never thought she'd be homeschooling...and I think many of us find ourselves there as this educational approach enters our vision.  She shares the pros and the cons, summarizes the various approaches and provides a thorough list of resources.  I also appreciate the author's willingness to share her own experiences, inviting you in to see what has worked for her students and what did not.  I have found personally, that it is a book to be re-read because its relevance to my own experience changes as I find myself in different spots of the homeschooling journey.  In other words, I always learn something new when I read it.
884185
This was an interesting book that was well written.  I enjoyed reading about the success of the family's use of home schooling.
3753664
I found such encouragement in this book.  It tells the story of one home school family, with all its ups and downs:  no whitewashed, "everything will be easy and perfect" book here!  Pamela Berthume honestly details the struggles involved in homeschooling, but reveals the rich rewards in store for those who persevere.  She outlines the "whys" of deciding to home school as well as the "hows":  what to study, how to fit in chores, maintaining a relationship with your spouse, how to find support, etc.

Most importantly, she shows that a family with many health issues can home school and thrive.  Because I share some of the debilitating illnesses she describes, I felt hope for my future as a homeschooling Mom.  Anyone interested in homeschooling will find inspiration from Pamela's story, but if you have chronic health problems and home school (or are thinking about starting), you must get this book!
4347008
As a busy educator, most oftentimes I choose professional magazine subscriptions or online resources as a learning tool because of their short, easily digestible snippets of content. However, Hendron's book was well worth the read. The book is well-laid out so that, if they so choose, the reader may turn to a particular chapter and focus on the desired topic without having to consume the entire publication (although it is condensed enough to do so easily). I chose the book because I wanted to focus particularly on newsfeeds. Hendron explains in easily readable detail on the various aspects of each titled topic. This is an easy read for anyone interested in these technologies, especially as an introduction to those who have never used them as Hendron explains very clearly and in detail the background, definitions and appropriate uses of each application. I like that he goes beyond simply mentioning how to use blogs, newsfeeds, etc. in the classroom and gives several detailed lesson plans and recommended websites. I would recommend this book to college students going into the field of education as well as current teachers looking to add Web 2.0 content to their curriculum. (ChristineH)
1313407
When I read the title of this book, I knew immediately that I wanted to review it. As a first-year homeschooling mom, I know the challenges that are faced through the process. Many new homeschooling families throw in the towel thinking they don't fit the normal family. While families like the famous t.v. ones, such as the Duggars, seem to have it all together, realistically it's not all easy.

I remember receiving many catalogs in the mail and then the challenge of picking the right curriculum. Then, halfway through the year, I commonly decided to make changes and spend even more money. Not only the issue of curriculum, but also from the appearance of other families, it seems like some families go through their day with ease. It's easy to compare one's family to another.

This book is great for beginners or even those with experience in the homeschooling lifestyle. It covers topics such as socialization, routines/schedules and nurturing the child's heart. I also love the chapter on living in a messy household. I constantly feel like our home looks like a tornado went through it. But the author points out that it makes sense that the home can not look perfectly clean 100% of the day. We are there all day, not to mention the fact that homeschooling supplies are being used throughout the day.

I felt like this book was very uplifting and can be quite useful for those moms who are feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. This comes from an experienced mom who herself says that perfection is not in her home. To the looks of others, her home may seem perfect but she openly admits that she makes mistakes too. And it's okay to make mistakes. This book is a winner and belongs on every homeschooling family's bookshelf!

*** I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers to review.
991826
Focused and to the point. Not every homeschooler will need or want to do everything suggested, but it is a nice "do not forget list." I enjoy Ms. Binz's conversational tone in her writing. It makes for easy and enjoyable reading. I would have liked some more ideas for graduation, but that's more of a personal preference too broad to cover in a short booklet like this. Enjoyed it, but enjoyed her others on gifted and delight directed learning more.
1605310
I found this book very interesting. I would recommend all parents to read this book , not just people interested in deciding whether to home school. It gives  the parent a starting point on what it takes to be successful in home schooling. The author has been a teacher and Pastor for 45 years and clearly has the knowledge to help you decide. He is a experienced home schooler.
He uses religious stories to describe aspects of learning in conjunction with other methods and examples of popular history figures and how they applied these theories to achieved greatness. He tells us " Our children are gardens. Applying basic gardening principles, we maximize their potential and enjoy the fruit of our labor. "
He tells us that we know our children better than anyone and they are like puzzles for us to help them put together. He also shares with us to begin with an end in mind. There is so much for all of us to learn, I think it would be a wise move to read this book and keep an open mind no matter if you have children or not.  Read it for yourself and see what I am talking about. I think you would take something away from it not just about home schooling but life in general.
2952715
This was a really interesting book for our family, and especially for me. We read this book together, with my 10 year old doing the reading (which impresses me every time). I don't remember learning all the science bits that were included in this book in my childhood. The illustrations were interesting, though in this book, the facts were more impacting. The book format really highlights the images and gives ample time for talking about the pictures. One spread has an image with a couple of sentences, then the next is simply an image. This repeats throughout the book and gives a great format for reading together.
This book gives enough information to build a foundation, without being too in-depth or overwhelming. For us, it was random, for others, it would work well. I also think this book would work well for a classroom, because there is a lot of opportunity for talking about the pictures, or even completing a written or drawing assignment. Personally, as a homeschooler, I love books like this one that give valuable information in a quick and easy to digest format.
Overall: Neat information, as quick or slow as you make it. We enjoyed it, and I think that most young children would be interested in reading this with their grown-up.
The Kindle version of this book was provided to me for free, with the expectation that I review it honestly.
1618658
This book is worth every penny and is actually a downright bargain for the amount of comprehensive and organized information provided. Do not be deceived by the fact that it is under 40 pages. It is chock full of helpful information from the history of homeschooling to the nuts and bolts of paperwork and testing. It is a quick read (and entertaining as well); but I intend to go back and reread it many more times (and check out the numerous links which,incidentally, worked beautifully for me). This is the kind of book that you will want to refer back to again and again. It is evident that the author is exceptionally qualified to write this book. We are truly blessed that he is willing to share all his research and experience with us in such a candid fashion. If you are considering homeschooling or even if you are already homeschooling, you will find this book extremely useful. It will definitely save you hours of time (and probably many mistakes) while simultaneously broadening your view toward the seemingly endless opportunities available for your child/children.
3762615
A must have book for any parent who will home school their children's high school years. The information is so clear and concise, it makes things like writing course descriptions, transcripts and figuring out gpa's simple and professional. It is a great reference book. Walks you through everything, step by step with clear definitions and instructions.
3420460
Review for Setting the Records Straight

6 years ago when our family made the decision to home school, high school was tucked in the back of my mind. It seems that one day I woke up to find that I had a highschooler! Home school through high school? Then at just the right moment Lee Binz came into our life! Among the first words of her book, Setting the Records Straight, she reminded us, "You will be successful. Do not be afraid. Take it one step at a time."
Lee's practical approach and her own success in homeschooling high school students into the colleges of their choice (with scholarships!) is encouraging and reassuring.  In Setting the Records Straight she outlines the fundamentals for successful transcripts and home school course classes and descriptions to help guide the college bound student to the college of their choice. The chapters include answers to many of the questions that home school families ask, the very questions I myself was asking.

Why make a home school transcript?

What should it look like?

How can we determine and calculate high school credit?

How should grades be assigned?

 For each question, Lee has a thorough and detailed answer. She speaks from experience and from speaking to college admission offices all over the country.  In Setting the Records Straight, Lee offers samples of academic records by year, subject and in the case of Dual Enrollment. These transcript samples are invaluable!

In the final section of the book, Lee tackles the subject of course descriptions. As homeschoolers the world of course descriptions can be an overwhelming one. She clearly outlines the three steps in compiling course descriptions into language that makes sense. Tackling the core subjects as well as electives and even outling courses without records, are helpful in making  this section of the book worth its weight in gold.

This is not just a book for home school families educating through high school, this is truly a resource. There are extensive appendixes that detail course descriptions so that a home school parent has a reliable guide with which to work from.

This book was the most VALUABLE tool I've seen on the nuts and bolts of transcripts and course descriptions! EVERY question that came to mind was answered in such thorough detail. It's given me the confidence to move into the high school years unafraid. This is certainly a book that I will refer to often. This book is a practical resource for the home school community and one that will alleviate fear in many a home school parent.

Lori Macmath
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