Homeschooling For Dummies [Paperback]

Jennifer Kaufeld (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0764508881 | ISBN-13: 978-0764508882 | Edition: 1

If you believe that a good education is the greatest gift you can give your child, you’re probably pretty unhappy with what’s being taught in most classrooms these days. If you think that education should do more than just train kids to take standardized tests, that it should build their critical thinking skills, enable them to weigh ethical considerations, instill a passion for learning, and reflect your core values and beliefs, then you’re probably fed up with the current state of our schools. If, like many parents, you’re wondering whether homeschooling can be the solution you’re looking for, then you’ll be happy to know that the answer is yes–and Home Schooling For Dummies shows you how.

This friendly, well-informed guide is a valuable resource for parents considering homeschooling, as well as veteran homeschooler interested in fresh homeschooling ideas. It gets you on track with what you need to know to confidently:

• De termine whether homeschooling is right for you and your family
• Get started in homeschooling
• Obtain teaching materials
• Develop a curriculum that reflects your values and beliefs
• Comply with all legal requirements
• Find healthy social outlets for your kids
• Join a homeschooling cooperative

From textbooks to computers to state compliance, expert Jennifer Kaufeld, covers all the bases. She anticipates most of your questions about homeschooling and answers them with clear, easy-to-follow answers enlivened by real-life accounts by parents around the nation who have opted to homeschool their children. Topics covered include:

• Deciding at what age to begin
• Determining your kid’s learning style and teaching to it
• Teaching special needs children
• Developing a curriculum that’s right for your children
• Finding social outlets for you homeschoolers
• Complying with state and federal regulations
• Teaching at the primary, middle school and high school levels
• Preparing for the SATs, ACT and other key standardized tests
• Networking with other homeschoolers

You shouldn’t have to compromise on your children’s education. Get Homeschooling For Dummies and find out how to turn your home into a school and raise smart, well-adjusted kids.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Get the scoop on how to get started with homeschooling

Turn your home into a school and raise smart, well-adjusted kids Homeschooling lets you spend lots of time with your kids — and teach them your values and beliefs. But where do you get teaching materials? Or find social outlets so your kids can make friends? Covering everything from curriculum and legal compliance to cooperatives and computers, this friendly guide leads you step by step to homeschooling success.

The Dummies Way^™ Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun

Get smart! @www.dummies.com

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About the Author

Jennifer Kaufeld has been homeschooling her two children for nearly a decade. She contributes to Homeschooling Today Magazine and is a regular speaker at state and regional homeschooling and education conferences.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (December 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764508881
• ISBN-13: 978-0764508882
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.9 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank goodness -- a book that answers questions!!!, March 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Homeschooling For Dummies (Paperback)

Three cheers for HOMESCHOOLING FOR DUMMIES!! Every other homeschooling book I ever picked up had an agenda -- they wanted you to do things this way or that way, and preached that no other way of teaching could possibly work at all. HOMESCHOOLING FOR DUMMIES explains the pros and cons of many different teaching methods without proclaiming that any one of them is the *only* answer. Most importantly, the author shares her experiences with things that worked and things that failed with her own kids, and how she continually reshapes her teaching approaches. It felt great to finally hear someone say "find what works for your kids and do it"!!!

Everyone either thinking about homeschooling or currently teaching at home needs a copy of this book. It's a life (and sanity) saver!!!!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Priceless Resource, February 20, 2006

By 

Dad of 8 "Urbo" (Worldwide - USAF) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homeschooling For Dummies (Paperback)

When considering homeschooling as a viable educational option for our boys, we were in a fog. Homeschooling seemed like a very foreign (very weird) concept and we were hesitant to attempt due to lack of exposure to any credible information on the subject. We bought "Homeschooling for Dummies" (our first in a long line of "Dummies" books) and made the switch just 6 months later. It has everything you need in a one-stop reference that can be used to determine if homeschooling is right for your family as well as fine tune any already-homeschooling families. It breaks down everything from the slightly unusual "unschooling" and the dreaded "socialization" question to lists of books and references to use as a jumping-off point. Thinking of taking the plunge into homeschooling? This is THE book to read first.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful , informative, basic, January 31, 2006

By 

Anna McLaughlin (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homeschooling For Dummies (Paperback)

Definitely for the beginning homeschooler, this book has lots of basic info. It's a great starting place, covers a lot of ground but touches each area only lightly. Don't expect anything in depth on any particular subject, but look to this book for general info and ideas, and expect it to be a springboard for further research. Very helpful as a starter.