How to Home School: A Practical Approach

Reviewed by Sherry Blanpied Ballard

“Wow, you homeschool? That’s amazing!” “You must have a lot of”¦. (fill in the blank here folks) patience, smarts, anti-depressants”¦”

Most often I smile and feel immeasurable gratitude that I’m able to homeschool. Then there are times when I feel discouraged and think things like, “Six years I’ve been homeschooling! Why can’t I get a routine down?” Or how about, “If I only had time to read Charlotte Mason or some of Ruth Beechick’s books, I know I’d be a better teacher.”

Though geared to newcomers, veterans will also find helpful suggestions in this book.  It’s almost a Cliff Notes to the best ideas and theories out there.

First, this is the best-organized book I’ve seen. (And I buy so many books about organizing I have a special organizer for them!) It’s chapters are logically divided, uncluttered and well laid out. There are bullet points on every other page for a “quick-skim” of topics, super big margins and extra pages for notes. It’s a manual, a reference guide, and a cheerleader all in one binding.

Second, Gayle Graham has produced some terrific charts for schedules, goals, and even household maintenance! AND, home educators are allowed to reproduce them!

Third, she helps you set a steady pace.  Core subjects including unit-studies are broken down into fundamental steps. She offers practical steps that can get teacher and student to the joy of learning and success on a standardized test.

This book addresses the nuts and bolts of homeschooling. She tells it straight without being dull or scary. Graham uses the philosophy of Charlotte Mason and the techniques of Ruth Beechick. She says use a pencil on your schedule; it’s going to change. She reminds me that I really don’t have enough patience or skill to teach phonics to my five year old and entertain a toddler at the same time. There’s a chart to space out time for both.  Interspersed are real life stories from a diverse group of families that make the reading more enjoyable and inspiring.  Best of all, throughout the book you are encouraged to turn to our Father in Heaven for guidance and strength.

Gayle Graham has been on this journey and has written an excellent guidebook for it.  Negatives? Well, an index would be really helpful; and I wish I had this six years ago, but I sure know enough to appreciate it now!

At a glance: