Local Places Homeschoolers Love
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Books About Education and Homeschooling
Self-directed Learning Unschooling
By Peter Gray
"Free to Learn" by Peter Gray challenges traditional education, emphasizing the value of freedom, play, and curiosity in children's learning, inspiring readers to reimagine education and embrace alternative approaches that honor children's innate desire to learn and thrive.
Child-led learning Unschooling
By John Holt
"How Children Learn" by John Holt explores the innate curiosity and learning abilities of children, challenging traditional schooling methods and offering practical insights for parents and educators seeking to support children's natural learning processes.
Classical Education
The Well Trained Mind:
A Guide to Classical Education at Home
By Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise​
"The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home" by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise provides practical advice and curriculum suggestions for homeschooling families interested in a classical education approach, guiding them through the various stages of education.
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Teens
Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 13- to 18- Year-Old
By Cafi Cohen
This book focuses specifically on homeschooling teenagers, offering guidance on designing a high school curriculum, navigating socialization challenges, and preparing for college.
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Unschooling
Teach Your Own:
The Indispensable Guide to Living and Learning with Children at Home
By John Holt & Pat Farenga
"Teach Your Own" is a seminal guide that empowers parents to take control of their children's education and explores the philosophy and practicality of homeschooling. It advocates for a learner-centered approach that respects children's individuality and natural curiosity.
What to cover by grade
How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School
By Rebecca Rupp
"Home Learning Year by Year" offers a structured framework for designing a homeschool curriculum tailored to each child's developmental stage, providing guidance and recommendations for each grade level.
Simplifying Homeschooling
A Simple, Mercifully Short Book on Homeschooling
By Durenda Wilson
"The Unhurried Homeschooler: A Simple, Mercifully Short Book on Homeschooling" by Durenda Wilson encourages a nurturing approach to homeschooling, emphasizing the importance of slowing down, simplifying, and prioritizing family relationships.
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Practical Advice
How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life
By Durenda Wilson
In "The Four-Hour School Day," homeschooling expert Durenda Wilson shares inspiring stories, demystifies homeschooling, and addresses common fears while equipping parents with practical advice to create a customized homeschooling plan that nurtures their child's interests and cultivates independent learning.
Books About Child Development & Parenting
Middle School Teens
By Chris Balme
"Finding the Magic in Middle School" helps parents discover the secrets to staying connected with their middle school-aged children, helping them navigate friendships, emotions, and self-discovery, all while fostering their curiosity and motivation. In this engaging and informed guide, Chris Balme, an experienced middle school founder and educator, combines insights from adolescent neuroscience with practical advice. It offers valuable parenting strategies for fostering independence, peer connections, and deep learning, while educators learn how to create a sense of belonging, promote social and emotional growth, and unleash students' full potential in the middle school environment.
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Brain Development
12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
By Daniel J. Seigel & Tina Payne Bryson
Daniel J. Siegel, renowned neuropsychiatrist collaborates with parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson to present a groundbreaking approach to child rearing in "The Whole-Brain Child." This pioneering book introduces twelve essential strategies that promote healthy brain development, leading to greater emotional well-being and contentment in children. By explaining the science behind brain wiring and maturation, the authors provide accessible tools for parents to navigate and integrate their child's emotions, resulting in improved emotional and intellectual growth, and ultimately enabling children to lead balanced, purposeful, and connected lives.
Communication
By Durenda Wilson
In "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and How to Listen So Kids Will Talk," authors Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish provide invaluable guidance for parents and caregivers seeking effective communication strategies with children. Drawing on their extensive experience and research, they offer practical techniques that encourage cooperation, problem-solving, and understanding. This insightful book equips adults with the tools to nurture positive relationships, enhance children's self-esteem, and promote open, empathetic dialogue that fosters mutual respect and cooperation.
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Teens Communication
By Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
In "How to Talk So Teens Will Listen and How to Listen So Teens Will Talk," authors Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish extend their communication expertise to the realm of teenage relationships. With compassion and practicality, they provide guidance on navigating the unique challenges of communicating with teenagers, addressing topics such as independence, decision-making, and conflict resolution. This insightful book equips parents, educators, and caregivers with effective strategies to foster healthy, open communication, strengthen relationships, and support teenagers in navigating their emotional and social development.
Workbooks (online option available) Grades K-3
By Durenda Wilson
This is a traditional phonics based approach to learning how to read and spell. It contains 8 easy-to use workbooks. Most students complete 2-3 workbooks per grade level. This series can be used alone or as a supplement to other reading programs. Additional practice workbooks are available for kids who would benefit from more practice with the concepts. There is also an online option available.
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Online Dyslexia Support Grades K-10
By Durenda Wilson
Nessy is a reading program designed to help learners with dyslexia, however, it is an excellent tool for any learner. The program combine short animated videos that introduce reading concepts in a fun, visual way with online games to practice the concepts. There are several different types of program depending your child's age and needs. Students levels are assessed in the beginning and then they are placed accordingly so you don't have to guess which level is right for your child. Nessy also offer math, spelling, and writing support programs. Nessy is a program that is often available through local charter schools so check there first.
Online Grades K-3
By Durenda Wilson
This inexpensive curriculum is popular with families who like online, playful instruction. Parents who go through a charter should check with their school to see if they have an account through the school before paying out-of-pocket. This program can also be used to supplement a more conventional curriculum. They also have an option for math.
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Online Grades K-3
By Durenda Wilson
This program is an online, game-based approach to learning how to read. It includes a step-by-step learning path to help readers track their progress and make it easy to know what to do next. They also have math option. Similar to Starfall, parents may also use this option as a way to practice or supplement another reading curriculum.
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Books About Home Management
Online Workbook Grades K-12
This program is a writing curriculum designed for homeschoolers. Videos are short (about 5-10 minutes) and are accompanied by 2-4 worksheets to practice the concepts. The first half of each year is grammar while the second half is focused on composition. Homeschoolers find that they can mix and match the curriculum easily to meet their needs. They also offer a scoring service for reviewing essays by middle schoolers. Be careful not to confuse this program with IEW. Despite the similar names and acronyms they are very different programs. Online class are also available.
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Videos Handbook Grades K-12
This program excels at creating excellent writers. Their process for teaching writing manages to balance ​structure and creativity. There is a video offering instruction that parents are encouraged to watch with their kids. Kids are then asked to complete exercises from the binder and/or save their writings that they completed during the video. Many people use this curriculum in middle school to make sure their kids are prepared for high school level essay writing. That said, they have programs for all ages. They also offer options for grammar and much more. Additionally, IEW has online options for kids to work with an IEW instructor. Be careful not to confuse this program with EIW - they have similar names but are very different programs.
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Workbook Hands-on Grades K-5
Handwriting Without Tears
Handwriting Without Tears is a favorite curriculum of many local occupational therapists and teachers. It combines easy-to-follow workbooks with different ways to build a letter including a chalkboard, special blocks, letter cards, and digital options. There are options for print and cursive. They also have a program for teaching keyboarding skills.
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Workbooks Teaching Manual Grades K-8
This is a well structured program that builds on itself. Write Shop Levels 1 and 2 are great for middle schoolers. Depending on the speed you go, these two levels will likely take you through all of middle school. Each lesson takes 2 weeks and is laid out in the same way which gives both parents and students a way to know what to expect. Writing samples are included so kids and parents know the quality of writing expected at that level. Write Shop Junior is for grades 3-6*. Write Shop Primary is designed for grades K-3* (depending on their writing abilities).
Teaching Manual Workbook + Grades K-12
Brave Writer is a complex and inspiring writing system written for homeschoolers. It encourages incorporating writing into your child's education in various and creative ways. This is an expansive learning system that is perfect for families who want to dive deep into writing. They also offer online classes. Families with multiple children might like Brave Writer's options for teaching multiple ages at once. Additionally, grammar and literature lessons are available.
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Online Grades K-12
This is an innovative, online program that personalizes learning using words and concepts that are of high-interest to your child. Kids select their favorites of various items and the program uses those ideas to create prompts and practice sentences that your child would find engaging. The lessons are scaffolded (meaning they build on each other), adaptive, and able to provide differentiated support when needed. Kids complete practice work, quick writes, and guided drafts. They also offer a premium subscription for families who want even more support.
Spelling Curriculums
Teacher's Manual Activities Book Grades K-5
This spelling program is similar to its sister curriculum "All About Reading." It comes with a teacher's manual that will walk you through each lesson. The activities packet will give your child some opportunities to practice with the words in new ways. The program also has letter tiles that are available in magnet form or in an app. Parents report liking the app more than the tiles because it keeps everything together and organized.
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Workbook Grades K-6
Evan-Moor Spelling workbooks provide a list of 10-20 words (depending on their level) for kids to work with each week. After the words are introduced, they have a series of pages for kids to practice engaging with the words in different ways. The words in each list are related to each other in some way (e.g. same vowel sounds, consonant blends, etc). The workbooks are simple to use and each worksheet takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. Each lesson is about 4 pages long plus a spelling test at the end of each week.
Vocabulary Curriculums
Workbook Online Grades K-12
Wordly Wise has been teaching vocabulary for decades and their experience shows. This curriculum can be accessed in print form or online. Options are available for differentiated learning to help kids at different reading levels. Students practice with word meanings and then read passages with the words used in context. They have partnered with Quizlet to provide online flashcards and games to practice.
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Workbook Grades 6-9
Vocabulary Cartoons is an engaging and clever way to teach vocabulary to middle schoolers. It uses a visual-mnemonic approach to teaching each word. It capitalizes on the research that shows that absurd images are more likely to stick in the brain. Each word has its own image, definitions, synonyms and antonyms list. Then the word is used in a few sentences. Worksheets for review are included. They also have higher level books for SAT prep. These books are great for visual learners.
More Ideas?
If you have a curriculum you love but isn't included here or see a correction we need to make, we'd love to hear from you.