Customer Reviews

Catholic Home Schooling

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This is the book that singlehandedly convinced my wife and myself to seriously consider homeschooling our children. I was, as some of my friends can attest, very suspicious of the idea of homeschooling, and frankly, had seen some abuses take place. I am still critical of some of the methods and rationales of some homeschoolers -- but they probably have the same view of myself and my methods!

However, this book changed my mind. Dr. Clark describes in painstaking detail using the Scriptures, the teachings of the Church, and examples from history the benefits and justifications for the homeschooling of children. Each chapter set out, in detail, a separate theme discussing various aspects of homeschooling. Included were chapters dealing with difficult issues, such as the role of the father in homeschooling, homeschooling in a single parent household, dealing with children with special needs, legal aspects to homeschooling, etc.

It also demonstrated an openness by Catholic homeschoolers for the rights of Protestant homeschoolers. Unfortunately, in my experience, the same openness has not been demonstrated flowing back the other way.

If the book has a flaw at all, it is that it is a bit dated. The section on computers could stand a major update, and legal issues change so frequently that, while the general legal information is quite valuable, anything specific needs to be updated as well.

It is my hope that the author and publisher strongly consider a revised edition.

This is the first book I recommend to families looking for information on Catholic home education. Dr. Mary Kay Clark, Director of Seton Home Study School, has devoted much of her life to Catholic education to help her family and others. Her zeal and success, chronicled in this book, fills the reader with a confidence which has deep roots. A parent who reads this book will come away with an understanding that homeschooling does not have to be just a stop-gap measure until a "good" Catholic school is found. Catholic homeschooling can become a life for you and your family.

Before embarking on the home education journey, two very important question parents should ask themselves is "Why do we want to home school?" and "How and what do we use to accomplish our goals?" Dr. Clark's book addresses both with the emphasis on the first. Unless each family develops a philosophy and goals, the "how" and "what" will have no direction, possibly leading to burnout.

Reading this meaty book before others will help Catholics form a firm foundation. Be sure to have your own copy in hand with a highlighter!

I've read this book twice now. It's fantastic and uplifting. You won't find too many liberal Catholics recommending this book because this book is truely, 100 % Catholic. No fundamentalism or ecumenism involved here. Ms. Clark states the truth about Catholicism and what your responsibities as a Catholic parent are. Read this book first before you buy any others.

. . .which was a significant encouragement for our family in our decision to homeschool, although we ultimately chose a different system. In this volume, Dr. Clark gives solid and specific advice about how to begin homeschooling, how to enlist the support of others, how to make one's faith active in homeschooling, etc.

There are also informative sections on single-parent homeschooling, homeschooling disabled children (though I felt that the author of the chapter on disabled children has possibly "bought" too much into the tendency of modern society to label everything a "disability"), and legal aspects of homeschooling.

What cost this book a star is the dated material. The computer information is virtually useless, and even the legal situations have changed significantly around the country. I would be very much in favor of a "revised edition" reflecting these changes.

All in all, though, an extremely helpful book.

This book is organized into chapter section each focusing on a step in the process of becoming a homeschooler, and then succeeding at it. The book begins with several sections devoted to justification and support of homeschooling using Catholic tradition and biblical interpretation as well as a section written by a priest advocating such a system. This is followed by sections on the process of setting up a homeschool including the examination of curriculum, the organization of space, managing the household while teaching, and maintaining discipline. There is also a helpful section on incorporating the sacraments and practices related to the liturgical calendar in the lesson plans and another on socialization.

Also contained are sections regarding the legalities of homeschooling, how to repsond to authorities, use of technology in homeschooling, homeschooling in the highschool years, and the future of homeschooling both in terms of the future for an individual who is homeschooled and for the practice itself.

It is true that in this book Dr. Clark is a stong supporter of homeschooling and combined with her socially conservative postions can be intimidating. The book will probably not change the minds of those who are catagorically opposed to homeschooling, but may give those who are "on the fence," if you will, a push in this direction, and will definately provide encouragement to those who currently teach at home. It is also true that Dr. Clark does not make secret the fact that she is the director of Seton Home Study, but she offers room for those who design their own curriculum or use another. In the book, Dr. Clark gives credit where credit is due for the establishment of this school.

For a begining homeschooler this book offers much in the way of process and tips but is best read as each chapter is needed as it can be itimidating to read in order.

I agree that the chapter on computer technology is outdated -- but most articles written concerning computers are practically outdated by the time they go to press. The rest of the book is OUTSTANDING in its advice and helpful hints to make your homeschooling experience as positive as it can be.
As far as the chapter on discipline is concerned: if I had been an attachment-parent and not followed Dr. Clark's advice, I would be in the loony bin by now. Dr. Clark has a common-sense, realistic approach to discipline that acknowledges the need for structure and order in the home. This is vital if you have a large family with children close together in age -- which I have. Certainly, my husband and I have had our share of discipline problems, but using Dr. Clark's approach has helped us through the rough spots.
As for her endorsing only Seton: she is the director of Seton, so that is only natural. If she didn't endorse it, I would be surprised. I have chosen to do my own curriculum using materials from Seton, Our Lady of Victory, Our Lady of the Rosary and Kolbe Academy. But for many parents, working out their own curriculum is difficult. The "package plans" available are a huge help to many. Seton is one of them. There are many others. You still have the liberty to investigate each one and find the one that's right for you. It should surprise no one that Dr. Clark endorses the one that she directs.

In this historic first, the director of the accredited and highly successful Seton Home Study School shows parents why and how to teach their children at home, giving scores of practical examples and setting forth the spiritual, moral and academic advantages. The book includes chapters by several experts and covers Catholic curriculum, textbooks, Catholic family life, legal aspects, discipline, socialization, home management, using computers, children with learning disabilities, single-parent home schooling, the father's role, Catholic home schooling support groups, and much more. Also included are the addresses of all 50 state home schooling associations. Perfect for mothers who are considering home schooling - or who want to convince their husbands or relatives that home schooling is a good idea. Parents already know the problems in the schools (both public and Catholic). This book gives the solution! A tremendously encouraging, uplifting and practical handbook. Catholic home schooling may well be the salvation of our entire society.

It almost seems like people are making personal attacks on Dr. Clark, as opposed to reviewing her book. I've read most of the books out there, and I like to think that we're all on the same team, helping families educate their children. Maybe we all have a different approach, or philosophy, but that's why it's good to have varied sources.

And as to having Matatics co-author a chapter of the book? He is Catholic, and I've heard his tapes, and he does know his stuff when it comes to Scripture. I must admit though, I didn't like that chapter very much.

This book is a great place to start if a Catholic family is considering homeschooling for religious reasons. Dr. Clark provides excellent explanations for the reasons homeschooling is a great choice in the moral upbrining of our children. She has a great section on explaining homeschooling to Grandparents [and other people].

Dr. Clark is passionate about homeschooling and she does have strong opinions, but I am surprised at the hostile reviews I see here. She has a lot of good ideas, a lot of great spiritual advice, and a lot of experience to share - I found the book very helpful.

For the record, we use attachment parenting and I didn't find this book offensive [as the previous reviewer did]. I don't remember anything demanding that we beat our children or anything like that....

Anyway, I think this book is definitely worth reading personally.

I don't agree with the parenting advice in this book at all (she is anti attachment parenting, that is pretty clear), and it is dated. I also couldn't agree with those who call it "traditionalist" or "fundamentalist". She leans more that way, it is true, but she is kind of fence sitting as far as it goes.

That being said it is an excellent intro to the principles behind Catholic homeschooling, and she recognizes there were Popes before John Paul II and a Church before Vatican II. This in itself puts the book FAR ahead of Hahn and others, who think that the Church was started in 1962.