Eleven years ago when my husband and I first considered homeschooling I was overwhelmed by the thought of my children's education depending on my ability. It was then I discovered books by a well-respected homeschooling advocate named Mary Pride. Her words provided sound advice, yet what helped even more was her encouragement that I could be the best teacher for my children. "Your home will be blessed for it. You can do it. Here's how," I felt her speaking through the pages.
Now with three kids who are thriving in home, school, and life, I was pleased to discover that Mary Pride's Complete Guide to Getting Started Homeschooling is available to a new generation of beginning homeschoolers. In my opinion, this is the user-friendliest book on the market, packed with tons of useful information. I guarantee that if it has to do with homeschooling . . . you'll find it in this book!
Mary Pride's desire to help parents raise God-loving children in a safe and happy environment, with the best resources and opportunities available, comes through on every page. For new homeschoolers, or those considering homeschooling, readers will discover everything they need to know, everything they wished they knew, or everything they didn't realize they needed to know about homeschooling! In fact, here's what one new homeschooling mom had to say:
"I received the Complete Guide to Getting Started in Homeschooling as a Christmas gift when I hinted to my sister-in-law that I was considering homeschooling," says Shari, mother of four. "I have a 6-year-old in a private, Christian Kindergarten, a 4-year-old, a 2-year-old, and a 7-month-old. This was the first book I have read on the subject of homeschooling, and I quickly devoured the whole thing in the course of three days! It was all so new to me, and I have to admit that at times I was overwhelmed by all the information.
"Now I am reading the book a second time, at a slower pace so I can really digest all that this book has to offer. I appreciate the way that Mary Pride writes-candidly, humorously, factually, and Christ-centered.
"I am especially grateful for the introduction to `Educating the Whole-hearted Child,' as this approach seems to appeal to me the most," Shari continues. "I also appreciated the depth that Mary goes into on explaining unit studies. It does seem like a rather elusive method, but she has a way of explaining it that simplifies it and takes many of the unknowns out of developing your own unit studies.
"The only disappointing factor was that the Curriculum Quick Resource Guide was so quick. By the time I got to this section at the end of the book, I wanted to know everything about every curriculum, but I realize that is quite the undertaking. So now I'm looking forward to reading Complete Guide to Homeschooling from Birth-Grade 6.
"I found this to be a splendid book, and one that I will continually use as a reference and guide as I began my home school journey!"
Other information useful to new homeschoolers includes sections on Where to Shop, What to Expect, and Getting Them Ready to Learn.
Of course the title can be deceiving. This book isn't only useful to new homeschoolers. I've been heartedly recommending this book to veteran homeschoolers as well.
"I have been homeschooling for seven years," says Inez, mother of two. "And I found wonderful tips, suggestions, and great encouragement. I'm so thankful a friend recommended I get my hands on this book. I wish I had read this helpful guide when I first started homeschooling."
Veteran home educators will dive into a vast amounts of up-to-date information with sections on Field Trips, Conferences, Retreats & Homeschool Days for the Whole Family, and Worldview & Leadership Training for Teens. There's also information on how to find everything from contests, to how to write a winning college application essay. I especially enjoyed the section on How Has Homeschooling Changed, which gives wonderful insight to the homeschooling climate and how's it has changed, even in the last few years.
After four editions of The Big Book of Home Learning, Mary Pride has designed a new format that gives parents quality information at their fingertips. In addition, there are new chapters and even new sections in this edition. These new sections include topics such as Education 101, Unit Studies, Homeschooling with a School or Group, and Homeschooling Away from Home. New chapters include, How Has Homeschooling Changed? Seven New Reasons to Homeschool, Laptop Homeschooling, The Maloney Method, and The Wholehearted Method.
If there were one "top expert" in homeschooling, I would say Mary Pride is it. With her numerous books, Practical Homeschooling Magazine, and website (www.home-school.com), Mary knows her stuff. But her knowledge isn't just from her head, but also from her heart.
This new edition helps parents pinpoint the best teaching methods and learn about new homeschooling options and issues. But my favorite part is the inspiration I receive, knowing that success is available for my family and I as we continue to grow and learn together. This is a resource I'll use over and over again!
