Best Homeschooling Books

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The Best Homeschooling Books for Parents Ready to Research

Are you new to homeschooling or wanting to learn more? At Homeschool Mastery Academy we’re committed to helping equip you with tips and resources for your unique homeschool. To help you begin, we’ve collected a list of the best homeschooling books to start with.

You’ve decided to homeschool. Great! But then the overwhelm begins with questions popping in your head like popcorn in the microwave. Where do I start? What resources do I need? How will I make sure I teach my kids without leaving huge gaps in their education?

It’s time to take a deep breath. You’ve got this!

Are you new to homeschooling or ready to learn more? We’ve collected a list of the best homeschooling books to start with. #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolbooks #homeeducation

A Homeschool Teacher Education

Public school teachers spend at least four years in college, so we think it’s more than okay to stop and take some time to give yourself a “homeschool teacher’s education” before getting started. And if you’re already homeschooling, you can think of this as your teacher in-service hours.

Decide What You Believe About Education

Many people call this a philosophy of education. We like to think about it this way: your beliefs about education that form the foundation of your homeschool. Ask yourself questions like:

  • How do my kids learn best?
  • What does research say about how kids learn?
  • What do I want our homeschooling days to look like?
  • What subjects do I want my children to study?
  • What are our educational goals?

Dig Into How Kids Learn

There’s no one size fits all when it comes to the question “How do kids learn?” However, by understanding a little bit about learning styles and multiple intelligences, you’ll be more equipped to understand your kids. The most important thing to remember is to be a student of your student.

Pay attention to how they respond to the different types of teaching methods. Watch for what delights them versus what makes their eyes glaze over. Notice what helps them retain information. Then use what you learn as you choose resources and curriculum for your homeschool.

Learning Styles

Children’s learning styles are the ways they receive and remember information best. The three most common are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (experienced-based). All children benefit from a multi-sensory approach, so you don’t want to only teach to a particular style. But understanding how your child learns best will give you a key to unlock their full learning potential.

You can find a variety of learning style assessments at LovetoKnow!

Multiple Intelligences

There are eight different types of “intelligences” according to Dr. Howard Gardner. Later, a former colleague renamed them a bit for the layperson. These intelligences or smarts include word smart, logic smart, picture smart, music smart, body smart, nature smart, people smart, and self-smart.

Identifying how your children are smart is a positive way to nurture their minds and hearts.

Discover Different Homeschooling Philosophies & Methods

There are a lot of methods out there. Which one is best? The one that works for both you and your kids! That’s why we at Homeschool Mastery Academy offer resources for the eclectic homeschooler—we understand and value the fact that

  • Every mom and every kid is unique
  • Each family has different needs
  • Different seasons of life might require different approaches
  • We all have limited budgets—some more than others
  • Our goals for education vary

The Best Homeschooling Books to Start Researching With

Websites and blogs are a great place to start, but reading some of the best homeschooling books will help you dig more deeply into the topic of homeschooling. Homeschooling books will help you form your personal philosophy of education, guide you in deciding both what to teach and how to teach, and give you the encouragement you need.

When you lay a strong foundation, you’ll be able to build on it with confidence. And you’ll be more committed to finishing what you start.

Note: You don’t have to read all of these books! Pick and choose those you are most interested in and that appeal to you. But we do recommend you read a variety.

Best Homeschooling Books—How Kids Learn

8 Great Smarts: Discover and Nurture Your Child’s Intelligences by Kathy Koch, PhD

How Children Learn by John Holt

The Way They Learn by Cynthia Ulrich

Best Homeschooling Books—General

Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Education by John Taylor Gatto

Home Learning Year by Year: How to Design a Creative and Comprehensive Homeschool Curriculum
by Year by Rebecca Rupp

Homeschool Bravely: How to Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child with Confidence by Jamie Erickson

TEACH: Creating Independently Responsible Learners by Dennis DiNoia

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The Unhurried Homeschooler by Durenda Wilson

Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie

The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life by Julie Bogart

Educating the WholeHearted Child by Clay Clarkson (with Sally Clarkson)

Best Homeschooling Books—Exploring Philosophies & Methods

Classical

Teaching the Trivium: Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style by Harvey & Laurie Bluedorn

The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Susan Wise Bauer & Jessie Wise

Charlotte Mason

A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on The Gentle Art of Learning by Karen Andreola

For the Children’s Sake: Foundation for Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

Unschooling

Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom by Kerry McDonald & Peter Gray PhD

Relaxed/Natural Approach

You Can Teach Your Child Successfully (Grades 4–8) by Dr. Ruth Beechick

The Three R’s (Grades K–3) by Dr. Ruth Beechick

The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child’s Education

Waldorf

Understanding Waldorf Education: Teaching from the Inside Out by Jack Petrash

Montessori

Teaching Montessori in the Home: The Pre-school Years by Elizabeth G. Hainstock

Montessori: A Modern Approach: The Classic Introduction to Montessori for Parents and Teachers

We hope that this will help you find the best homeschooling books for you to research and begin your homeschooling journey! Don’t forget to snag our Quick Start Guide FREE if you are new to homeschooling.

Quick Start Guide to Homeschooling

 

2 thoughts on “The Best Homeschooling Books for Parents Ready to Research

  1. What a great list of books that we as homeschool moms can learn from! I’ve read the Unhurried Homeschooler by Durenda Wilson. It was fabulous. I particularly want to look at the ones on how children learn. That is fascinating to me and pretty important to picking curriculum that works! Thank you!

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