Learning At Home : A Mother's Guide To Homeschooling, Revised Edition [Paperback]

Marty Layne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 2000

Marty Layne distills her 20 years of homeschooling experience into an easy-to-read, informative guide to homeschooling and parenting in general. Filled with practical suggestions and original ideas, this book can be read again and again.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...one of the most interesting, encouraging and thought provoking books on homeschooling we've seen in many years." -- Helen Hegener, editor, Home Education Magazine

...filled with the wisdom of a mother who has children’s best interests for education, growth and development at heart. -- Diane Flyn-Keith, editor, Homefires, The Journal of Homeschooling

Do yourself a favor and buy this book! I think it may be the best book on parenting I have ever read. -- Diane Flyn-Keith, Homefires - The Journal of Homeschooling, January, 2000

One of the most interesting, encouraging and thought-provoking books on homeschooling we've seen in many years. -- Helen Hegener, Home Education Magazine, Dec. 1999

There's a great compassion in these pages. ...And huge chunks of that indefinable quality called wisdom. -- Pastore's Bookshelf, The Midwest Book Review, July 1999

What makes this book outstanding are Marty's observations about the interaction between parents and children and [her] acute awareness of how children learn. -- Jean Reed, The Homeschool Source Book, 3rd Edition, 2000/2001

From the Publisher

Sea Change Publications is pleased to issue this revised edition of the popular Learning At Home: A Mother's Guide To Homeschooling. Like the previous edition, this book offers readers friendly, informative, and helpful suggestions for how to go about homeschooling. What makes this book unique is its emphasis on parenting. A book "to savor, to linger over, to read and reread, and to share with friends." Helen Hegener, Home Education Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Sea Change Pubns; Revised edition (September 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0968293824
• ISBN-13: 978-0968293829
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #788,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like talking to your wise, experienced HSing best friend, November 25, 2000

By 

christinemm - The Thinking Mother (Houston Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Learning At Home : A Mother's Guide To Homeschooling, Revised Edition (Paperback)

A down to earth homeschooling mother shares her insights and experiences about her four never-schooled children. This book is written in a colloquial manner and reads as if the author were your best friend and you were having a conversation while sipping tea. The difference between this book and all the other homeshooling books I've read is that the author shares her personal experiences including flaws and stumbling blocks. I left the book feeling that one does not have to be a perfect person to homeschool her children effectively and that it is OK to make mistakes so long as you learn from them. Layne gives 20/20 hindsight and states what she would have done if she had known better at the time. Very interesting to see how she taught her children to read, and teach math, and how each personality was different and how she had to be flexible to the childrens different learning styles. Her list of personality traits and beliefs that one must have to be able to homeschool are wonderful. She discusses discipline and addresses effective communication methods to use with children. Of course, socialization is covered. Layne also discusses various books and materials that she has used and which she liked and which she didn't like. Layne even recommends certain toys that she feels offer educational or developmental benefits. A summary of board games and her critique is also helpful. Another not-so-commonly discussed chapter addresses preventing parental burn-out. A short chapter addressing college education ends the book. The publisher is a small company and there are a few typos here and there, and the margins are tiny (no room for note writing by the reader), but it is such a refreshing book because it is like hearing a friend speak instead of having the tone of a cold-unhuman voice.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joy in learning, growth and discovery is success!, April 15, 2001

By 

Susan (Beaverton, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning At Home : A Mother's Guide To Homeschooling, Revised Edition (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book so much that, after reading a borrowed copy, I HAD to buy it for myself. I NEEDED my own copy so I could return again and again to the author's wise council. I foresee using this book often in my family's homeschooling journey. Why? Because of the confidence the author imparts based on her own experiences - both successful and maybe not so successful. I gain a confidence that I can succeed in assisting my children in their intellectual growth and, even more importantly, help them retain their curiousity and joy in learning.

Many of the home education books I read make me feel somehow not up to par if my children are not excelling in all areas. Ms Layne reminds me that excelling is not just academic sucess. Real success is a joy in learning, growing and discovering. She encourages me to enjoy my children for who they are and what they bring to the world.

With all this encouragement come particulars - great bibliographies, wonderful ideas, doable experiences. In other words this book is not just theory but practical as well.

I encourage all potential and current homeschoolers to add "Learning at Home" to their library and to utilize it often.

20 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully inspiring, compassionate guide for any mother., November 20, 1999

By 

Teresa R Carter ([e-mail]) (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning At Home: A Mother's Guide To Homeschooling (Paperback)

I wish Marty Layne was my neighbor! How nice to have someone there to hold your hand, make a cup of tea and share tried and true advise. Marty seems to be a real person, someone you can relate to without being intimidated by her perfection! Her book is easy to read, hard to put down and indespensible. I have referred back to the chapters time after time for encouragement and reassurance and have never come away disppointed. This book is a must have for any mother, homeschooling or not!