Home Learning Year by Year: How to Design...

We started homeschooling this year with my oldest (8th grade) and this book has been so helpful. There are so many resources and ideas for encouraging learning not just in the traditional setting of homeschool but outside of that as well. It's a wonderful tool to have

I know it was my fault by not checking the publishing date, but a lot has changed in 20 years. A few of the "classic" educational things is a nice suggestion.

As a homeschool mom as well as author of homeschool materials, I feel it is important to make sure that I cover all the bases and don't leave anything out. I've seen a lot of scope and sequences, but most of them are so vague, they don't tell me anything. Home Learning, on the other hand, is extremely detailed. It also has high standards, rather than being watered down education. I know that if we cover what is listed in Home Learning, that we'll be right where we should be and doing even better than what is expected in the public schools. It's not the kind of book you read once and pack away. It's a book that you keep pulling out again and again.

I agree with the previous reviewers - this book is a great little resource. It begins by telling you that all kids are different and how that one of the great things about homeschooling is that you can adapt to your child's personal needs. That being said, for those of us interested in a guide to what types of things are generally covered at what ages, this is very helpful. I appreciate several things about this book - it does cover all ages preschool through grade 12. It gives some specific comments about what is expected - for example: identify pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar bills; recognize dollar and cent signs under money and measurement for kindergartners. It also gives information about books and resources to help the parent and student. It does not, however, dictate how the child should be taught (ie Grade 3 month 2 do the following, the progress to X in month 3). As the children progress (mine are only 4 and 2 at this point, but I look ahead of course!) this infomation gives you broad headings to cover as ideas - for example in Grade 10 History: Western Europe in the nineteenth century. Topics include the Napoleonic Wars, the Congress of Vienna, the growth of democracy, the Revolution of 1848 and the British Reform Laws, the unification of Germany under Bismark, and the unification of Italy under Garibaldi. Subjects covered include math, history, literature, grammar, art, music, foreign language, health and physical education, sciences geography (this is not necessarily an all inclusive list).

This book has received much less publicity than it should have. It is an excellent resource that takes you from preschool through highschool using the "normal" standards schools use and citing resources you can obtain (most through your library) to help your child learn what they should. Instead of textbooks (some are recommended especially for math), the author recommends quality books, games, websites to make learning the adventure it should be. Excellent. I'm so glad I bought it.