Review- The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling

Have you ever read an article with glossy photos of the perfect homeschool family?

Older children work on math while little ones build the Eiffel Tower with popsicle sticks. Mother posts the schedule on the refrigerator and everyone follows it. Father stages a play to reinforce the lessons of the day. The whole family always smiles at the camera.

Barbara Frank wrote The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling to combat discouragement that trails misconceptions of utopia.

The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling By Barbara Frank / Cardamom Publishers

The conversational tone of this veteran homeschool mother of four overflows with wisdom. She shares practical tips such as the Top Ten Tools for Homeschooling Parents and 115 Organizing Tips for Homeschoolers. (I am almost convinced to get a filing cabinet.)

In the extremely helpful chapter about overcoming obstacles, Barbara Frank tackles the issue of time management and personal habits.

She also discusses how personality traits can help or a hinder home education. See if you are a teacher, a perfectionist, a follower, etc., and then learn to temper your natural bent with the grace of God.

Other circumstances strain efforts to teach, and Barbara touches on them all: children with special needs, stresses with finances, and difficulties with relationships.

Chapters include:

• Confessions of an Imperfect Homeschooler
• Homeschooling 101
• Teaching Specific Subjects
• Teaching Techniques and Ideas
• Covering All the Bases
• Overcoming Obstacles to Homeschooling
• Coping with Changes and Challenges
• One the Home Front

It is easy to view a snapshot, but the noise behind the photo is muted. Barbara gives the reality of homeschooling a voice. She teaches her children. She believes you can, too.

Her stories reverberate in my soul and give strength even now.

Whether you are new to homeschooling or years into the journey, you will find inspiration in The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling.

So That’s Why! Bible with Libronix Library Review

I bought this Bible for my son, but I’ll wait to give it to him. I want to read it first!

Right now Christianbook.com is selling the So That’s Why! Bible  for $8.99. For the price, I didn’t think I could go wrong, and I didn’t. The Libronix Bible CD alone is worth the money.

This chronological NKJV Bible is full of notes and articles that give insight into the historical context of biblical events. It has timelines, maps, and the notes are about everything from agriculture to economics, geography to science.

One caveat about the timelines is the comparison of secular history to biblical history. I don’t like those labels, but I understand the context. The first timeline places creation somewhere before 2500 B.C., and the secular side begins with stone tools c. 26,000 B.C. It is interesting to compare the two, so I do not discredit this resource because of that issue.

Also, I recommend covering the Bible with contact paper. It is a large volume, and the cover doesn’t feel sturdy enough to withstand a lot of use.

The eBible CD is amazing. The Libronix Digital Library System enables numerous Bible resources to be searched at the same time. The library includes:

• Various Bible translations
• New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words
• Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
• Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts
• Where to Find It in the Bible A-Z

The charts and maps can be printed for notebooks. Topical studies can be completed easily. I look forward to discovering even more about my favorite book, the Bible!

To find out more details, or to purchase, click here.

What good books have you added to your library recently?

Acknowledging Her Gifts

Prowling the used book store, Bug grabbed a copy of Magic Treehouse something or other. That was fine, but we had read a few books from the series and my excitement was as thin as our decade old towels. It would be destined for the rag bag after a few hours.

I hunted through the other selections. Old Mother West Wind by Thornton Burgess looked like an enduring book; a classic. Bug wavered. He was familiar with Magic Treehouse, but agreed to try a new theme and author. When he began elucidating the habits of rock chucks, squirrels, and foxes, I knew it was a good decision.

Since then we added Big Book of Animal Stories to the shelf, and even though Bug hasn’t read it in awhile his sisters delight in the discovery now. Tonight we read Why Grandfather Frog Has No Tail:

…And from that day to this every Frog has started life with a big tail, and as he has grown bigger and bigger his tail has grown smaller and smaller, until finally it disappears, and then he remembers how foolish and useless it is to be vain of what nature has given us.

Of course, I discussed the moral of the story with my spirited, four-year-old Sunshine. She understood the foolishness of Frog’s pride. We acknowledged that our gifts come from God. Then I added,

God gave you big, beautiful eyes. What else did he give you?

She exclaimed,

A big mouth!

It is a whole new adventure reading big brother’s books to this audience. The frog’s mouth was made as wide a door. Sunshine’s isn’t that large, but her personality sure is.

Looking at the Future

Woman at Dawn

Gazing down the path of homeschooling, I see only 1/4 mile ahead. The road bends and twists through the mountains and plains. I’m not sure what to expect when I turn the corner.

Another student begins formal lessons this year. Sunshine yearns to read. This change seems simple enough. Teach Sunshine phonics, give Bug more independent work, and keep Sweet Pea busy. Yet I wonder, is this really how I want to proceed?

Preparing lessons for one child allowed me to rely heavily on curriculum. At the beginning of the school year, I cried out for grace to use curriculum as a reference rather than the method of education. Now I want to act on that plea. I want to research, plan, and create my own lessons.

My children need different instruction in certain subjects, but some learning can be combined. Some learning has to be combined. I cannot add another pile of textbooks and finish them with joy and peace.

A hint of life around the corner appeared last month as we studied the life of Johann Sebastian Bach. I read while my kids ate lunch. Then the kitchen filled with dancing as we listened to minuets and gavottes. The reading was simple for Bug, but we researched German castles, discussed Bach’s character, and marveled at God’s providence. Bach, The Boy from Thuringia delighted all my children. May our future studies do the same.

Visit more homeschoolers Looking Forward at Home Education Week

And the Winner Is…

Debbie won my book giveaway! Congratulations!

Thank you to each one who entered. I enjoyed reading your sweet stories and visiting your blogs. Blessings to you and your families. Tell them, “I Love You More!“