My old stand-by favorites are :
- Catholic Education : Homeward Bound by Kimberly Hahn - it was from this book that I internalized the "greenhouse" analogy (We're trying to raise an exotic flower in a caustic environment - a child that attains Godly virtue and balance despite the world's standards [in the world, but not of it]- and can withstand the violent winds of his environment. The only way we can strengthen this exotic flower is to grow him in a safe, loving environment, until he is strong enough to be able to withstand the caustic environment without immediately withering.)
- The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer - I began to see the value in utilizing the child's God-given "stages" of life to promote academic excellence, rather than fighting against the child's nature. This was my first introduction to a "classical education" and while I don't use this book as a bible, I do refer to it once a year to sharpen and define my own choices, rather than rely on the book's suggestions. It's a jumping off point for me.
- Real Learning by Elizabeth Foss - contains the striving for beauty in the everyday that I sorely lack and great literature, which I love. It's a Catholic Charlotte Mason style way of learning that I don't attain, but I do admire.
I'm wondering what your response will be. I'm tagging Amy, Heather, Anne & Jen who can post their favorites on their blogs, or you can place a comment here.
Jenn, I actually haven't read a ton of books about HSing. I read Lisa Whelchel's book, "So You're Thinking About Homeschooling" and also "Homeschooling on a Shoestring" and those were both good. I really liked Todd Wilson's "Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe" and "Homeschooling But Still Married"---that one is excellent for wives who HS! DH has read "Help! I'm Married to a Homeschooling Mom" by Wilson too and said it was pretty good. I have a link to his site (Familyman Ministries) on my blog's sidebar.
ReplyDeleteI do want to finish reading "The Undergroudn History of American Education" by Gatto sometime, but it's so long I'm not sure when I'll get back to it.
Other than those, I really haven't read any whole books, just articles on-line here and there or in some publications that we get.
Heather
I agree wholeheartedly with Jenn's choices of Real Learning and The Well-Trained Mind. Those two are definitely at the top of my list! Another favorite, which is less philosophy and a lot more humor is Please Don't Drink the Holy Water by Susie Lloyd - it is laugh out loud funny (and encouraging)!
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