31 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I would have expected, February 3, 2006
This review is from: Homeschooling with Gentleness: A Catholic Discovers Unschooling (Paperback)
I was very disappointed with this book. The main reason is that I really didn't find anything new in it. The author seemed to quote John Holt so much that it really seemed to me that it would be better just to read his books, which I have. Most of the books that the author used, in fact, are common ones that most homeschooling parents have probably already read. She just quoted other authors throughout this book. I would describe the author's method of homeschooling more in line with very relaxed homeschooling than what I have seen with other unschoolers.
As for Catholicism, her approach to that seems to be using the normal texts that other Catholic homeschoolers use such as Faith and Life, Seton, and the Baltimore Catechism.
The author has a 13 year-old son and now a toddler. Most of the book dealt with homeschooling the older boy. She has been homeschooling for 6 years, which is about the length of time I have been doing it. It would have been nice if she were a little more experienced. We don't, for example, know how everything turned out for her son. Using this method of education was he then able to proceed into college/vocation of his choice?
The other really big issue I had with the book is the lack of advice for large Catholic families. Most Catholic homeschooling families, which I am familiar with, are rather large. Unschooling is a method of using child-led education. What might work well and easily with her 1 child, might be far more difficult with 7 children. I just don't see how this book is particularly relevant for most Catholic families looking into homeschooling.
Instead of this book, I would recommend that people purchase John Holt's book, and then if they follow the author's advice, just use what other Catholic homeschoolers use to teach religion. I would think, however, that there would be more opportunities to incorporate the Faith throughout all that is done during the day.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent guide for the new Catholic unschooler!, April 18, 2006
This review is from: Homeschooling with Gentleness: A Catholic Discovers Unschooling (Paperback)
I am just finishing this book, and it has been very helpful! We have used private and public schools, have homeschooled with various curricula, both secular and Catholic, but this book has given me the freedom to do what works for us. I am not going to worry any more about when and how the children are learning -- because they ARE learning! It is such a relief to know that we can do this with a Catholic mindset.
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10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Taught me how to be a better teacher to my children, August 30, 2005
This review is from: Homeschooling with Gentleness: A Catholic Discovers Unschooling (Paperback)
Whether you are a homeschooling parent or simply a parent concerned with the quality of your children's faith formation and education, you owe it to yourself and your family to learn a bit about the concept of "unschooling". In her new book Homeschooling with Gentleness: A Catholic Discovers Unschooling (Christendom Press, October 1004, paperback, 132 pages) takes a look at this "gentle" variation to the traditional homeschooling path. As a mother of two Catholic school students, I must admit that I initially approached Andres' book from a perspective of suspicion. My reading of this book, however, produced much fruit in the form of an enhanced appreciation for my own role, and especially that of my children themselves, in their own educations. In his comments on the book, noted author and professor Ralph McInerny reminds us that "The Church has always insisted that the parents are the primary educators of their children." Far from being critical of formal education, Andres book is a positive and uplifting commentary on the concept of "unschooling" and shares ideas and suggestions that will be of value to any family, regardless of your educational preferences.
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