Customer Reviews

Homeschooling Almanac, 2002-2003: How to Start, What to Do, Where to Go, Who to Call, Web Sites, Products, Catalogs, Teaching Supplies, Support Groups, Conferences, and More!

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After careful consideration of the question "why homeschool?" this book gently led me through the basics of how to get started, with generous examples from others who have successfully done it. After reading it cover-to-cover, I now find myself asking "why not?"

This book doesn't give you the blow-by-blow of homeschooling, but it does give you great overviews of general styles, solid reasons to start the journey and lots of resources to consider for developing your own style. It's even got a great section on materials that have been reviewed for homeschoolers which, for me, helped clear some of the glassy-eye I got after one trip to a curriculum fair, and replaced it with solid recommondations on products I can really see myself using.

The book is also full of coupons, the most interesting to me were the free trials of several homeschooling magazines. If you're even considering homeschooling, I would recommend this book as a great place to start.

I had the opportunity to review the book and also interviewed the co-author Mary Leppert for our website, homeschoolzone.com She took the time to share her views with us on the homeschooling movement and a bit about her personal life with her children. I really enjoyed the book and it has an easy to read style and is very useful. The coupon section will be very useful to homeschoolers on a shoestring which basically pays for the price of the book.

I rely on the reviews of others when I buy books. After reading one review listed here, I was concerned that the information would not be reliable. However, upon reviewing the NEW edition, I discovered that the authors have not only updated the legal and support sections, but have updated resource info and even the discount coupons included in the book. As an old-time homeschooler, I can say that this stuff changes in the homeschooling world almost daily, and the authors deserve credit for staying abreast of the latest legal news as well as the constantly changing homeschool support group information. A big round of applause is deserved for keeping the resources up-to-date too -- which also changes with the wind. My favorite parts of the book are the "typcial day" and "curriculum" sections. Everyone who has homeschooled for any length of time knows there is no such thing as a typical day or a typical curriculum. We also know everyone assumes that there is. The Lepperts have provided a glimpse into what a typical day and a typical curriculum might be like. They are careful to let the reader know that one-size-does-not-fit-all. That's exactly what makes homeschooling such a wonderful choice for so many square pegs who don't fit the round holes of traditional schooling. This is a MUST READ for anyone considering homeschooling -- and the coupons are a nice plus as the discounts they offer really do help pay for the cost of the book!

This book was absolutely wonderful and full of information for persons like myself considering homeschooling. What I found most unique about this book was that it gave examples as to what was wrong with public/private/parochial schooling without bashing them. Also, it delved right into the negative factors of homeschooling, honestly but without overpowering. After reading over 6 books about homeschooling, I am purchasing this one because it offered the most help, as well as a clear and concise listing of available resources. The author did a fabulous job of including his and her experiences, as well as that of others. It strove to answer questions without being preachy, which can hardly be said for so many others. Again, these resources were listed, and helpful information was given about most. Anyone considering homeschooling should purchase this book, and forget most of the rest.

I was completely disappointed when I purchased this book. Most of the information in it is out dated. The contact information for the homeschooling services was inaccurate. I wasted a lot of time looking up the correct phone numbers and web addresses for many of the companies listed. I think the authors should update their information or people are going to start thinking that they're just out to make a quick buck.

I definitely think that this is a good book for any parent to have for their children, regardless of homeschool, because it is a great resource on educational activities and resoures. The main problem that I have with the book is that it is obvious that the products that are listed were paid advertisements. For example, the author mentions "Hooked on Phonics" in the discussion session, but this product is not mentioned in the product section. Also, in the computer applications, most of them are Adobe products or kid specific games. Consumer education is a top priority for me, but Quicken and MS Money are not mentioned. Another item I did not like was the fact that the author implies that 100 years ago education was better, because a lot of parents homeschooled. Although Laura Ingalls had a great education, many children were forced to work by the age of 7 - 10. Look at the pictures of children in the coal mines, ads for Pony Expess "Orphans preferred", or read "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair. FYI, the whole reason that we have public schools today is because of "The Jungle". Child advocates wanted to get children out of the terrible working conditions, so they made it a law that all children under 16 were required to goto school. This is a very important piece of history that the book does not present.

Editorial review states that "use just a couple of them and the book pays for itself." Other reviews all mention the coupons. THEY EXPIRED 01/2001.

I am new to homeschooling and have looked to a lot of places/resources/people for information and advice. I had checked the 2000-2001 version out at my local library. I liked it so well I wanted one at home to reference at any time, as well as share with others. It has lots of information and resources from suppliers to support groups. If you do get the older version the cpns are expired, the 2002-2003 do not expire until 2002, and I believe some not until 2003.

While this book does have some helpful resources it's summations of the laws and support groups is out of date and incomplete. So let the buyer beware regarding those two issues. Benefit from the information in the rest of this book but most certainly do not rely on it to be an authority of homeschooling laws and support in the state in which you live. Do exactly as the authors indicate--check with local homeschoolers before you begin. You'll be better off finding those laws and groups via the internet than relying on this book.

Hopefully the authors will make corrections in subsequent issues as they have been encouraged to do.

EXCELLENT resource!!! I ordered several books on homeschooling (including And What About College and The Well-Trained Mind). HOMESCHOOLING ALMANAC 2002-2003 is the BEST! This book provides information on assesing your child's needs and appropriateness for homeschooling PLUS loads of resources for packaged curriculums, online courses and distance learning/online home-school programs. This information allows students/parents to have the tools needed to individualize their instruction. A BIG THANK YOU to Mary and Michael Leppert!!