Wondering what Mommy Homework is??? Each week you will have an “assignment” here to share in our comments here on this site. You will love this-both sharing AND enjoying answers by others. Some of them, I compile into an ebook (contributors can resell as a product of their own–be sure to submit your email and full name when you register so I can credit you appropriately!).
The result is AWESOME!
We get to know each other…we are encouraged in our journey…and we glean super ideas from other great moms!
Ready for this week’s MH? This is a good one!
Our topic this week is “Favorite Books FOR MOM as You Prepare for Your New School Year”
Your Assignment This Week…
What is in your tote? What do you HAVE to read every year as you gear up for the new school year? What have been the most pivotal books in your homeschool journey? Are there any that you MUST read as you prepare for each school year? Share! Share your top 10 books that have helped you as a mom AND WHY? Time for a passionate book review dearies! Dig in and share over a cup of tea!
Oh! I LOVE this question! 
Ready? Get going! This is going to be GOOD! 
Ready? Dig in!
Love,
Cindy
PS! Please remember to use your real name if you want credit for your Mommy Homework Credit.
PPS! You CAN just share and not participate in Mommy Homework, BUT I would LOVE for you to get some goodies along the way!
PPSS! Want to check your credit? Here is the newest update: http://www.talk-a-latte.com/ebooks/MommyHomeworkCredits.pdf
PPPSS! If you are new, all you do to share your MH is first register (see the link on the bottom of the right column), then log in with your name and password that you select. Share away!
Well, I have to say that I have gotten away from reading too many books lately about how to homeschool since they all have there own philosophy and I never seem to agree with all they do or say. I have been homeschooling for 7 years now, daughter going into 6th grade. (or you could say I have been homeschooling since she has been born!)
I feel like I am finally finding my niche into homeschooling. I definately like the Charlotte Mason way of homeschooling! I am reading her series! I have just finished volume 1! It is really great because it really gives you the since of what children really need and what they don’t.
I also read Cindy’s A Charlotte Mason Primer. It was very helpful because it gets all the info across in a shorter time span that reading 6 volumes! LOL
I really have been reading all about organizing and scheduling a lot lately. I feel like I know we are heading down the living book route and am trying to find the best books to use for that. I have recently read Let’s try lapbooking and Let’s try notebooking. We are adding those into our education.
I was blessed with Cindy’s Ministering to the heart of your child. I just finished it and it has really blessed me immensely. I am trying to focus more on how to parent patiently and lovingly and scripturely. I know that if attitudes and other typical behaviors are in order, school goes more smoothly also.
I just want to have a calm, loving home and homeschool.
I have been printing off and reading all of the ebooks and articles from Cindy’s seminars.
So, I guess the things I have been reading a lot of Cindy rushton books and the other would not really be a book. It would be the internet. I look up everything from Charlotte Mason to lapbooking, to good living books, to chore charts, and school charts, etc…
I feel like I have found someone who has a lot of my same beliefs and incorporates those into parenting, schooling, etc… in all of her books so I have mainly been reading them. That would be Cindy rushton!
( I am not just saying this b/c this is to you, Cindy. I would say the same to anyone else who asks. Actually I have told a lot of people about your resources. I am the kind of person that if I find something that works, I stick to it and that is what I have found in your books.)
Sorry that I don’t have a list of books to pick from.
Oh yes, I can not forget this one. OCHEC’s Oklahoma’s homeschool educators handbook! It has all of the laws and reccommendations and a lot og helpful info. That would be the one book that I read over and over for homeschool information.
Rodna James
Well, I have been doing reading all summer long, so it is really wrapping up. We traveled to Lexington KY this weekend (a 6 hour trip) so I guess that the most important of my reading came with me in my laptop bag. LOL I am carrying with me my laptop (for researching and reading), my Ipod (with UHSE 08 loaded and playing) and A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreaola. On my nightstand at home I also have Language Arts the Easy Way by Cindy and Yes, You Can be a Binder Queen, also by Cindy. I try to re-read those every year. That isn’t 10 but it probably was at the beginning of the summer! I have also read The WholeHearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson and Teaching the Trivium by the Bluedorns. I can’t remember the other titles and they aren’t here in KY with me!
I can’t express how much the UHSE helped me to prepare for this year. It is such a wonderful resource and I can’t wait until next year!
Thanks Cindy!
Blessings,
Carie Shinn
I have been homeschooling for about 13 years, but I have never really read a lot of homeschool books. I have read some websites on and off through the years here and there. I have been blessed by the homeschool seminars I have been able to come to. ( thanks Cindy 🙂 )
However the only homeschooling books that I have read and been blessed by and changed by and would read again and recomend to everyone to read are the books I have read by Marilyn Howshall.
Many years ago when I first began to hs the LORD led me to some of Marilyn’s material but I just could not grasp them at the time, I was a new hser and felt very alone and just kind of followed the flow, what was considered “normal” . The summer of 2007 I was again led to Marilyn’s material the LORD even allowed me to get some of her books. I read them and was amazed, I read everything I had been able to purchase and desired more. ( I still do )
Marilyn teaches to hs following the LORD, let HIM lead in your homeschool, family and in your own personal life. I am sure I have not “gotten” it all but I am excited about trying and desire to strive to that end.
I often buy homeschool books and have begun to read several but none have interested me or held my attention like the books by Marilyn Howshall.
This year we have begun Highschool and I am reading the Highschool Form+U+La book by Barb Shelton and I am finding that helpful and I do recomend that for highschool, actually I wish I would have read it earlier I can see where it could have been great to prepare and then reread it this year.
I have found the encouragement from fellow hsers my biggest blessing, most of whom I have met online.
I have never done Mommy Homework before and I am so excited to be able to participate now. Thank you for the opportunity Cindy.
Blessings
Nancy~Jane Holbrook
Well, I feel like a brand spanking new, wet behind the ears, baby. Most of you have sooooo much more experience than I do at this. But, I love to read. This is our first “official” year of homeschooling. My older daughter is 5 and the younger is 2. I have been going to conventions and thinking about homeschooling since we got our first daughter. I am so excited and having a lot of fun.
Being a typical overacheiver who loves learning, I have been trying to figure out the “perfect” curriculum. I really appreciate the work that Cathy Duffy has done in “100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum”. Just having somewhere to go that will give a description of each curriculum has been very helpful. If it isn’t in the book, it has been on her website. The amount of curriculum out there is overwhelming. It is helpful to know if the curriculum is Protestant based, Catholic based, or non-religious based.
UHSE 2008 has been a blessing to me over and over again. Every time I get a chance to listen to another one of the speakers, I am impressed. There is a huge amount of information here. God has really been speaking to me. Each speaker has emphasized the importance of following the leading of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of our homeschool. What a relief to be reminded that our homeschool (just like my inner self) is in Jesus hands. God is perfectly capable of directing me in this season of my life. I will say that this season is a whole lot busier and messier than the ones before it. 🙂
I am in the process of reading Cindy’s “Homeschooling the Easy Way” and I am getting so much out of it. It has inspired me to cruise ebay looking for Charlotte Mason’s books. Some of the ideas that I just love are for music and art. I immediately dug out my classical cds. I’m pretty sure I’ll have to read this one again.
God Bless, Linda
Oops! Cindy, I forgot to put the rest of my name. Sorry
Linda Sprague
This is a hard assignment! I could list books for days!!! The first homeschooling book I ever read was “Binder Queen.” I was just beginning to homeschool my guys and they weren’t even compulsory school-age yet.
Other books that were helpful to me were “A Charlotte Mason Education” and “More Charlotte Mason Education” by Catherine Levinson. I also loved “Pocketful of Pinecones.” This book was great because it read like fiction and still taught me a lot about educating the boys. When I finished that book the first time, I immediately flipped to the beginning and began again.
“Stepping Heavenward” by Elizabeth Prentiss is a book I could not live without. I’ve read it several times.
“Streams in the Desert” is my favorite devotional.
Applying what I learned in “Created to be His Helpmeet” turned my good marriage into a fabulous marriage.
For fiction, I recently discovered Elsie Dinsmoor…love her. I also love the Miss Read books and ANYTHING by Grace Livingston Hill.
That’s my list. This year for read alouds, here are a few I’m planning: The Phantom Tollbooth, A Hive of Busy Bees, Tom Sawyer, The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler, Five Little Peppers and How They Grew, 10 P’s in a Pod, and 90 Minutes in Heaven. (My guys are 10 and 11, 5th and 6th grade respectively)
What a great question!
Lori Lynn Lydell
Two of the most pivotal books I have read in our homeschool journey are, “Educating the Wholeheared Child” by the Clarksons, and believe it or not “Dinner’s In the Freezer” by Jill Bond. These two are not for loaning, friends can come over and enjoy them here, but I just cannot let them leave, and I do re-read them at least every other year.
Also, any thing by Michael & Debi Pearl as well as their children who were homeschooled and are now homeschooling.
I just found Cindy Rushton this past April and have spent the time since reccomending her audios and ebooks as well as spreading the word about her seminars.
Managers of Their Home is another great help, but I do reccomend to new homeschoolers to “glean” only at first as it can be scary to stick to a schedule that strict. Remember, your schedule works for you, not the other way around.
Last but certainly not least is Vicky Ferris’s book (I think I have her first name correct) and forgive me it is late so the title escapes me at the moment. I think that learning that the wife of the President of the HSLDA sometimes did not rise before 9:00 am was the most liberating thing I read on homeschooling to date. When I get frustrated at how things are going, the Lord brings that to mind, and man, I realize that I am human, and sometimes I just need a nap or a hot bath, with lots and lots of bubbles.
Valerie Neal
Hi! It’s funny because I have been homeschooling for six years but I did not read much on homeschooling how-to’s in the past. This was because the homeschool umbrella schools where I enrolled my children already had a curriculum for us to follow. It was only last year when I realized that our homeschool was not working anymore. It was getting to be a drudgery, a bore with all the work text that my kids had to finish. In fact, I now call it the tyranny of the worksheet. Imagine, having my kids finish 8 pages of pure math problems in a day, every day. No wonder, my dd almost lost her love of learning, she’s become so frustrated about it. That lead me to find out how other families homeschooled and I saw that there are so many books out there that I can learn from. So here’s my list of books, ebooks , audios, and websites that helped me a lot:
1. Cindy Rushton – I have to say that she is my mentor. I don’t know how I got to her site, but thank God I did! I learned a lot just from attending the seminars. I have been a guest for her Let’s Get Organized Seminar and Back-to-School Blast.
Even if I had to stay up till morning to finish it, it’s really all worth it.
2. Homeschooling the Easy Way Ezines – Hello! Need I say more? All of Cindy’s ezines are packed with information. I mean, here where I live, homeschool books for sale are rare. I have to ask some relatives to buy books for me from the USA. Until now, I haven’t recieved my books yet. But having Cindy’s Ezines has opened my eyes to a new way of homeschooling. A relaxed way, a better way.
3. The Charlotte Mason Primer – Cindy really put Charlotte Mason’s philisophy in an easy to read book. I understood more about this way of teaching and living through this primer.
4. For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay – This book I asked my husband to send it to me. I know this book has tons of good reviews, but I have to say that I had a hard time reading it. But I do appreciate the first part of the book where she says to get to know your child very well.
5. Let’s Get Organized Ebook by Cindy Rushton – Am I crazy about this woman’s teaching’s or not. She is dear to me and I have followed and answered her questions and found it such a help to me in planning out our schoolyear.
6. Brain in a Binder by Cindy Rushton – It is from her that I learned to give our brains a rest and to write things down. So I decided to buy her Brain in a binder which I am using right now. It makes me happy to see how our days can be planned, that I know what’s happening next, and even to record what’s been happening in our day.
7. Homeschooling at The Speed of Light – Wow! She set me in the right path to organization. I used to frustrate myself thinking I should be living by a schedule, I should have lists, my house should be perfect, my kids should be perfect. But this book showed me that organization is making your life work for you. I am not yet very organized, but I’m very slowly working on it now. I also have her audio which is a big help.
I don’t have 10 books yet but am waiting for my other books on the way. I will soon have Ruth Beechick’s books which I’m looking forward to reading. And I’m hoping to buy Homeschooling The Easy Way Manual, Ministering to the Heart of Your Child, Language Arts the Easy Way. I’m also hoping to purchase the Ultimate Homeschool Convention.
Michelle Padrelanan
Manila, Philippines
Each year I have to do a “refresher” on Ruth Beechick. She keeps me reminded that we learn the most from the everyday things around us. Any of her books are helpful. I have read The 3 R’s, You Can Teach Your Child Successfully(which I re-read every once in a while, and also use during the year), and The Language Wars. I think of my homeschooling as a discipling process now instead of like I did before–duplicating a school classroom in my living room.
I discovered Cindy only about a month ago, but her HSEW ezines have really added alot of perspective to what I do , as well as help tremendously in the nuts and bolts of how everything works out in my day.
Johanna Morisey
Texas
In order to get geared up for a new school year, I need to attend some of your (Cindy’s) motivational seminars. I spend time with the Lord asking Him the direction we should take and for Him to lead me to any additional resources needed.
From there I consult some reading lists, to get ideas for some good books for read alouds and for each of the children to read individually. I consult the Sonlight catalog, http://charlottemasoneducation.wordpress.com/2007/05/30/literature-by-grade/ , and http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000.html .
I look over the books I already have and follow the Lord’s leading as to which one’s I should re-read. I got out my copy of “Games . . . Tools for Learning” by Janice and Mark Vreeland, to come up with some games for us to use this year, as I am serious about utilizing these more this year. I also read some of my copy of “Math Card Games” by Joan A Cotter to help my 11yodd have more fun with math a day or two per week.
I usually pull out more books to review than I actually end up having the time to read through. This year was no different. I had one of my copies of Time for Tea and Homeschooling the Easy Way out this year. I also had out F.L.A.G.S. by Letz Farmer of Mastery Publications, which is Language arts games.
The other thing I do to get ready for a new year is print off a calendar for our year from http://www.timeanddate.com and highlight it with regular weeks and light/catch-up/review weeks. By doing this, I have a calendar made out to ensure that we have covered our required 180 days, even though we are learning year round, and my children and I can easily see how long until our next easier week or vacation day. The last thing I do is set up a list of all the things I want to accomplish in a day/week and right it out into a list for us to follow through. There are no times and it doesn’t have to be followed exactly every day, but it helps us ensure that we don’t miss something I wanted us to include.
I know those aren’t really 10 books but more like my things to do, to get ready for school.
Currently Reading:
1. What Your First Grader needs to know from The Core Knowledge Series. (I found it at Goodwill , wish I had teh Kindergarten one, but I will use 1st grade as the goal.)
2. Chasing God While Chasing Kids. This books has been a blessing to me.. On the days I need to refocus I hide for a few minutes and read a page or 2 or 10…
3. Cindy’s Gearing up for the New School Year, as a new homeschool Mom I need all the help I can get and this e-book hit the spot for me.
4. Organizing Happiness by Lorrie Flem, another e-book that has been an inspiration for me.
5. An obvious selection , my Bible. I have a Precious Moments NKJV Bible my parents gave me when I was baptized. I have been using it ever since. I love the language of NKJV. Of course I keep an NIV, New English, CNIV, and old KJV on hand while I’m working through lesson planning and studying myself.
6. Breaking Free by Beth Moore. I’ve been reading this book all summer, this has given me strength to step out of the box and let go of the chains binding me to the status quo.
7. -10. I’ve read through 4 of the books we will / have been using for school almost to the point of memorizing them.
I have also been working on setting up my planner. I’m using the Schoolhouse Planner and 2 notebooks. I have 1 for Mommy and 1 for Homeschool stuff. Today we actually made another trip to Learning Palace (got our homeschool discount card yippee!!) to get a few odds and ends to work into a lesson time, circle time, free time.
Since I am a book lover, and love to read, when I first saw this question about which 10 books, my first thought was ‘which 10?”
The one book I have to reread every few years is “Confessions of an Organized Homemaker” which is the one organizing book that has made sense to me so far, and I use her filing methods. I doubt they are revolutionary, but they are written in a way which works for me.
Another book that inspires me is “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Jim Cymbala. When I am down and overwhelmed, that book speaks to me.
Educating the Wholehearted Child, A Charlotte Mason Education and More Charlotte Mason Education, A Charlotte Mason Companion, and A Charlotte Mason Primer are all on my shelf for reference, as is the Original Series (although I confess that I have not finished it.
“An Underground History of Public Education” and ‘Dumbing us Down” both by John Taylor Gatto are there to remind me of why I am homeschooling.
“Planning your Charlotte Mason Education” is my current best friend while I plan the upcoming year.
I have printed out three big notebooks of Homeschooling the Easy Way, and so much I have printed and all my .mp3s from the UHSE, Back to School Blast and Getting Organized for the new year.
In addition to that I am working on my own Great Books list and am working through the Iliad, so that is always in my purse right now.
I think I just write a book about my favorite books …
I’d better go before I think of a few more.
Cara Chase
What a great question!
The books that shaped my homeschooling would be:
1. Better Late than Early,
2.The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook both written By Dr. Raymond & Dorthy Moore,
3.Ignite The Fire by Terri Camp
These would be the top three that shaped our homeschool.
4.Ruth Beechicks 3 Rs,
5.Yes you Can teach you child Successfully by Ruth Beechick
6.Those wonderfull Elijah Company catalogs (I miss them!) These could be up with the top 3.
7. Easy Homeschooling Techniques by Lorraine Curry
8. The Way they Learn by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias
9. Right Brained Children in a Left Brained World by Jeffrey Freed and Laurie Parsons -not a Christian book or a homeschooling book but a book that realy helped me understand my oldest son and how his brain works.
10. A Mom Just Like You by Vicki and Jayme Farris
Right now in my bag would of corse be my brain in a binder! 😉
The Homeschool Journey by Susan and Michael Card
and Senior High: A Home-Designed Form+U+La by Barbara Edtl Shelton
Every year I pull down my Moore Formula Manual to help with my planning.
When I am starting to feel down or burnt out I listen to one of Cindy’s pod casts.
Alisha Hauser
My Top Ten Books For The Homeschooling Mum
1. Joyce Meyer Amplified Bible: I LOVE my bible! The Amplified version just opens up the meanings of words to me. I highly recommend it.
2.”Heartfelt Discipline: The gentle art of training and guiding your child” By Clay Clarkson: This is awesome for gaining that parenting wisdom that we need in those sticky situations!
3.”Educating the Wholehearted Child: A Handbook for Christian Home Education” by Clay and Sally Clarkson: This is an all in one book for Home Education. It is one that I pick up every year to refresh myself.
4.”Homeschooling the Easy Way” By Cindy Rushton: This is also one of those books that you pick up again and again when you need to get back on track in your Home Education – very encouraging – we can do it!
5. “The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach Bible-Based Homeschooling” by Robin Sampson: This is in the same category as the last two above – It gives me a framework to how to teach my children and how to be Bible Based.
6. “The Power of Praying” By Stormie Omartian: This is actually three books in one volume. The Power of a Praying Wife; The Power of a Praying Parent; The Power of a Praying Woman. This book is always close by. It keeps me praying the scriptures over my life in whatever role that I am finding difficult at the time. It is the kind of book that grows with you – when you are a new wife to when your children are all growing up and you are now praying for your grandchildren. The prayers for your husband that are in the book are so powerful.
7. “E M Bounds on Prayer” by E M Bounds: This is a giant book and one that I pick up about 3 times a week and read a couple of chapters and then put down again. I am SLOWLY going through it. But it is so meaty that I need to have time to really process and meditate on the information. My hearts desire is to pray more and also more effectively. This book will transform your prayer life.
8. “The Transforming Power of Fasting and Prayer” By Bill Bright: I bought this from YWAM’s Doulos ship while it was in Auckland this year and it is so encouraging!. It has heaps of personal accounts of people being committed to praying and fasting for their churches and communities – it is a real inspiration to me. I am not there yet with the prayer and fasting – I have a long way to go!
9. “Encyclopaedia of Bible Truths” By Ruth C Haycock: This is actually 4 books that cover different teaching subjects, like maths, english, science, geography etc. Ruth Haycock has gone through the bible and pulled out scriptures that pertain to these subjects – God’s take on teaching this subjects. She shows us what the Biblical foundation is of each subject that we teach – it is really an invaluable set of books. I have only started using them in the last couple of months but I can see that they will be with me until I finish home educating.
10 “Freedom and Simplicity in HisStory” By Lisa Hodgen: This book has really put me on the right track for teaching History Biblically. It includes practical notebooking pages and timeline. It helps me to lay the right Godly foundation in teaching history. I have only just starting working with the information in the book but have already reread it at least 5 times!!!
Rachel Larkin
Well, in my tote I just have my laptop and my notebook/planner. There are a few books that I read to encourage me in my homeschooling, they are:
1. Cindy’s Homeschooling the Easy Way. (always number one, no kidding) Lots of encouragement.
2. The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling ideas by Linda Dobson
3. Help for the harried homeschooler by Christine M. Field
Besides these books I have a few that have helped or encouraged me in my parenting, they are:
1.Dare to Discipline by James Dobson
2. Creative corrections by Lisa Welchel
3.The socialization Trap by Rick Boyer
I have read many others and I know I am probably leaving our some good ones, but these are the ones that come to my mind now.
Cindy’s books and writing have always inspired and encouraged me, and I am not just saying that!
Donna Scott
Ok, let’s see…
1. anything Cindy Rushton 🙂 i have only read a bit but hope to dig into some of my awesome freebies ASAP!
2. Peanut butter family homeschool- is a book by Bill Butterworth. i love this book becuase its so funny and cheerful and really just puts me in a schooly state of mind 🙂 i also enjoy reading it before Christmas and when pregnant, LOL
3. Anything Karen Andreola She, like Cindy and Bill Butterworth, is cheery and has awesome ideas and a great amount of experience that is helpful and encouraging.
4. Ruth Beechick, no need to elaborate! she’s AWESOME!
Otherwise, i’m also embarrased to admit, i’m mostly a magazine person.. i like to dig out my old magazines and re-read articles. My attention span is very limited at this point in life 🙂
Rebecca Kvenvolden
I mostly use the computer but a book that I keep bedside is “The Homeschool Handbook” by Mary Griffith.
Each year I also check out the “What Your Child Needs to Know for the XX Grade” from the library.
I’m going to need to check out some of the ones listed by others on here though!
Yavonn Smart
Well this is my 6th year in homeschooling. I have read some books, however I also love some magazines.
So here they are:
1)Bible…I would not get anywhere in life without this one.
2)ANYTHING!!! written by Cindy Rushton…she is my mentor…with God and Cindy’s help, I have changed the way I homeschool. My Cindy fav’s are Homeschooling the Easy Way and to the Heart of Your Child
3)Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt–to help in reading decisions
4)Ruth Beechick’s Books
5)Don’t Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman to keep me in check with discipline
6)Heaven at Home by Ginger Plowman Her website: http://www.gingerplowman.com/
7)Home School Heros by Chris Klicka to encourage me in the people who blazed the path before me in homeschooling, makes me appreciate the right to homeschool.
8)Also not really a book, but I LOVE curriculum catalogs…I can browse all the stuff out there.
9)Also not a book I love my library card. I can research several books without buying. They have books on what we are studying, however they have homeschool helps books as well that I can check out.
10)The magazines I love are:
The Old Schoolhouse
Home School Enrichment
I hope you all are blessed with the best year yet!!!
Be blessed,
Chasity Brannon
It is too hard to pick just 10 books, so I will share just a few favorites, plus what I am reading now:
FAV’s
1. Anything by Cindy (I am going to read Ministering to the Heart of your Child again this year)
2. Wisdom’s Way of Learning by Marilyn Howshall
3. Educating the Whole Hearted Child by Sally Clarkson
4. Homeschooling with a Biblical Worldview by Israel Wayne
5. Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit by Teri Maxwell
6. Upgrade by Kevin Swanson
7. The Always Incomplete Resource Guide by Tina Farewell
9. Who Should We Then Read by Jan Bloom
10. Truthquest History Guides by Michelle Miller
11. Let Us Highly Resolve by the Quines
On my current bookpile:
1. The Everlasting Man by G.K. Chesterton
2. Experiencing God through Prayer by Madam Guyon
3. When You Rise Up by R.C. Sproul, Jr.
4. Adam and His Kin by Ruth Beechick
5. Passionate Housewives Desperate for God by Chancey & McDonald
6. Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham Jr.
7. Honey for a Women’s Heart by Gladys Hunt
8. Lonesome Gods by Lous L-Amour
9. Experiencing God through Prayer by Madame Guyon
10. Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe by Todd Wilson
Time to go do some late night reading…
Maridel
I see that there are many like minded mamas here! I know I’ll have several repeats here, but if others are also saying these books are good, then they must be, right???
1. The Bible
It keeps me focused and encouraged as to why we are homeschooling, and to give us a Word for our year and for each family member.
2. The House That Cleans Itself by Mindy Starns Clark
My new favorite. So my house still needs some help, but we are coming along nicely 🙂 There’s nothing like starting the new year clean and organized!
3. Elijah Co. Resource Catalog
Not actually a book, but so full of wisdom!
4. and 5. A Charlotte Mason Primer and Language Arts the Easy Way by Cindy Rushton
Yup, Cindy is a popular gal around here! These books were lent to me by a dear friend a few years ago, and I really am going to return them…These were my first introduction to Cindy Rushton, and I reread them often to give me that sense of, “Yes, I can do this. It is okay to have fun and do things the easy way.”
6. The Three Rs by Dr. Ruth Beechick
I review these every year as I am planning things for the younger kids.
7. The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach by Robin Sampson
It also has great wisdom and gives me the confidence that we are doing the right thing, and ideas on how to implement.
8. Wisdoms Way of Learning by Marilyn Howshall
Another great encouragement
9. Parenting With a Purpose by Karen Jensen
I love the daily confessions from the Word of God to speak over my kids!
10. A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola
Another great book on implementing the CM method
I have to say, I REALLY enjoy Cindy and Lucia’s ebooks. They are read and reread frequently!
Melanie Clark
Hi Cindy
I recently “discovered” you and i am very glad i did! My top picks for homeschool reads (tho’ I dont have 10 and i havent started “formal” homeschooling yet) would be: 1. the Charlotte Mason series (obviously VERY popular and totally excellent!)
2. the bible (we are reading the Jesus Storybook bible at the moment and it is beyond wonderful!)
3. Precious Cornerstones and Plants Grown Up by Pam Forster (absolutely great for Biblical based training, girls and boys respectively)
4. the website http://www.tanglewoodeducation.com because it has a core curriculum print out that is in line with the Charlotte Mason method of eduction (makes my life heaps easier)
5. Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit by Terry Maxwell
6. Any sort of Australian field guide i can lay my hands on.
7. I like Robin Sampson’s Heart of Wisdom
8. Anne Voskamp’s A Child’s Geography is another that i would like to use sometime (she said 8 years would be the youngest at which to start with this resource :O) mine arent old enough yet.
Well that is all i can think of at the moment so THANK YOU for a wonderful challenge and i look forward to participating again soon
from Australia!
Pauline Monty
Let’s see…I always have several books I am in the process of reading :). Here are a few of my favorites regarding homeschool and homemaking:
1. Senior High: A Home-Designed Formula by Barbara Shelton
2. Homeschooling the Easy Way by Cindy Rushton (and anything else by Cindy!)
3. Educating the Wholehearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson
4. The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson
5. The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach by Robin Sampson
6. I Saw the Angel in the Marble by Chris and Ellen Davis
7. Values-Driven Family & Values Driven Discipleship by Marc and Cindy Carrier
8. The Growing Homeschool by Cindy Carrier
9. Ruth Beechick’s books – The 3 R’s series and Yes, You CAn Teach Your Child Successfully
10. TEACH magazines!
I could list so many more, but these are a few of my favorites.
Wow! This is such a great question. Boy, do we moms love to read.
I, too, have been re-reading a lot of Cindy’s articles and e-zines. So much info. Let’s see if I can list 10 —
Homeschool The Easy Way – Mega Issue
Gearing Up, Getting Ready for the New School Year
All of the HSEW e-zines – some over and over again
Binder Queen
Marilyn Howshall — there are no words to explain how this woman’s writings affected my view on why I was REALLY homeschooling. Wisdom’s Way of Learning is awesome and it’s almost mandatory you reread it more than once because it’s so profound……it doesn’t sink in the first time. LOL! It’s so hard not to get caught up in the “expectations of man” and just allowing God to lead.
Of course, God’s Word — I have to keep reminding myself (or letting Him remind me) that I am doing this for His Honor and Glory, not for the honor of men or accolades. He is the ultimate schoolmaster and guidance counselor. He already knows where each child is headed — I am just a tool in nudging them in that direction. So I better be paying attention!
Wisdom’s Way of Learning, Robin Sampson
Hmmm, I know there’s more………
The past few weeks I’ve been so caught up in going through curriculum and making lesson plans I haven’t had much of a chance to read many other books. But what a thrill to be making plans for the year —- I’m always amazed at the excitement I experience when planning for our lessons. I have always loved to learn, and realize with each passing year that I teach the children, that there is so much I was not taught in school —- or at least wasn’t taught it in such a way I cared to remember it. Learning with the kids is an added bonus/blessing to homeschooling. If I’m excited about learning it, it seems to translate to their attitude about learning. I love that!
Cheryl Scarlett
First, I search the Scriptures (ESV) and pray about our upcoming year and what we need to change.
I also receive encouragement from the following resources:
** For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
** Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit by Teri Maxwell
** When Children Love to Learn by Elaine Cooper
** A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola
** Homeschooling Made Easy by Cindy Rushton (and all your MP3’s & Ezines – I love them)
** Teaching Tips & Techniques by Kathryn Stout
** Happy Homeschooling and More Happy Homeschooling by Diane Hopkins
** Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
** Don’t Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman
Sometimes I only have time to get “snippets” from these books, but having these resources as well as the internet, magazines, homeschooling moms to email and glean from – are truly valuable to me. There are so many more that I could name that have shaped how our family homeschools and I’m truly thankful for the talents that God has given each of these people to share with us through their gifts of writing and instruction.
Nancy Mosley
Top 10
1. “For the Children’s Sake ” By Susan Schaeffer Macaulay- A wonderful book that speaks to my heart.
2. ” The Science, Art, and Tools of Learning” by Marilyn Houshall – Gently reminds of the process and product of learning.
3. “The 7 Habits of HIghly Effective People” by Steven Covey – This book reminds me what the Big rocks (most important things) that I want to teach and live before I fill the jar with lots of sand and gravel( other’s priorities)
4. “Help for the Harried Homeschooler” by Christine Field – Teach your children how to fight, chores, Handling discouragement.
5. “Let us Highly Resolve” by David and Shirley Quine – I had the pleasure of hearing this couple at a homeschool convention last year. Their message haunts me…the book is very deep. Definately not fluffy or twaddle. A must read.
6. “Educating the Wholehearted Child” by Sally Clarkson – The first homeschooling book I purchased. A great, great resource for setting up your home to learn.
7. ” A Charlotte Mason Companion” by Karen Andreola – I love, love her illustrations. She has seasonal ideas. I personally like the chapter on narrations.
8. ” A Thomas Jefferson Education” by Oliver DeMille- Food for thought.
9. “Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit” by Teri Maxwell -I’m loud when I shouldn’t be, grumpy, impatient…enough said:)
10.” The Sidetracked Sisters’ Happiness File” by Pam Young and Peggy Jones- An old organzing book that is so funny. These are the ladies that inspired Flylady. Just a sweet and funny book.
I like to look through the KONOS books for ideas, Homeschooling the Easy Way is on my computer so I look at these throughout the year.
Dee Dee
Homeschooling a 3rd grader ( Sonlight/ Konos) ,K and Pre K–
Right now I am reading or have recently read the following:
1)Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola- Although it is fiction, it shows me how one family implements CM philosophy.
The next two, I like to read portions out of. It helps me clarify my own thoughts and stretches my mind. Definitely not twaddle.
2)Home Education by Charlotte Mason
3)Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason
4) All Through the Ages by Christine Miller – I just got this. I look forward to using this tool to help me plan what I want to cover this year. She has done a ton of prep work for my history studies. I own 2004, but want to get 2008 soon.
I want to start nature walks and journals so I am reading through these next two.
5) Wild Days by Karen Skidmore Rackliffe
6)Keeping a Nature Journal by Leslie and Roth
7) When Heaven Invades Earth by Bill Johnson – I am reading this for me, as opposed to homeschooling. It is helping me along in my spiritual journey. I am excited to be on this journey with God and am anxious to see where we go together.
8) Created to be his Helpmeet by Debi Pearl – Another book just for me, for my marriage relationship. While I don’t agree with everything, some of my bad habits are being exposed and practical advice is being received. I like the quote from a certain preacher “Eat the meat, spit out the bones.”
9) Five Love Langauges of Children by Chapman and Campbell- A book for me in my mothering role. It is interesting to see how God has created my children to receive love in different ways. I look forward to speaking my children’s “languages” better this year.
In addition to the above, I have a couple of Cindy’s e-books that I like, but I figured that was a given on this site so I decided to share 10 other books.
Blessings,
Julia Schlenker
Every year I must read Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit by Teri Maxwell.
Lori
My favorites and most read are:
1. How to teach your child to read in 100 lessons
2. Proverbs in the Bible for wisdom
3. Old Schoolhouse Planner
4. Time Manager from the Maxwells
Melissa Waters
My Top 10 yearly MUST READS:
1. Educating the Whole Hearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson. It reminds me of all the ways homeschooling is a lifestyle and not an event. It refreshes my vision to make my home a place of learning, and to really put the HOME in homeschooling.
2. The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson. It refreshes my heart and reminds me that my main calling is discipling and nurturing my children’s hearts. It gets my head out of the “to do” list and helps me focus on really loving my kids.
3. Mom Walk by Sally Clarkson. Sally reminds me that this is a journey, and that God walks beside me every step of the way. This is one of the most encouraging “mom” books I have read.
4. Simplify your Space by Marcia Ramsland. A very practical guide to setting up routines and systems to keep the house under control so that I can truly focus on my kids, instead of the housework. She also wrote “Simplify your Time” and “Simplify your Life” – all of which are fantastic.
5. When you Rise Up by R.C. Sproul Jr. Helps me keep the “vision” for why I’m doing this.
6. Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham. It reminds me of what the most important teaching is that I can give my kids.
7. Diapers, Pacifiers, and other Holy Things by Lorraine Pintus. I love this devotional – it points out that God has called us to these often undignified tasks by the world’s standards, but that He uses and rejoices over us as we serve “the least of these”.
8. David, Jesus and John by Beth Moore. These three volumes of personal Bible Study and journaling have really helped me be consistent and motivated in my personal quiet time. They are beautifully bound books that have space inside for personal prayer journaling and also really deep character studies. It’s like Beth took Cindy’s “notebooking” ideas and did a beautiful notebook on each of these Biblical characters.
9. Captivating by Stasi Eldridge. Anything by John and Stasi Eldridge help me think through being “real” before my God, my husband and my kids. They help me see God’s true love and good desires for me.
10. For fun – any fiction by Karen Kingsbury. She reminds me of the presence of God in our everyday circumstances, and his sovereignty in providing for our every need. I’m always waiting with anticipation for a new book from her to come out.
This is my first year homeschooling. My daughter is 3 and we are doing preschool. For about the last year I have been reading up on homeschooling. These are the books I’ve read:
1. The well-adjusted child: the social benefits of homeschooling by Rachel Gathercole (I loved this book! I’m already getting a lot of social comments so this made me feel so good.)
2. The everything homeschooling book: take charge of your child’s education by sherri linsenbach
3. real-life homeschooling: the stories of 21 families who make it work by rhonda barfield
4. the first year of homeschooling your child: your complete guide to getting off to the right start by Linda Dobson
5. the homeschooling handbook: from preschool to high school, a parent’s guide by mary griffith
6. homeschooling, the early years: your complete guide to successfully homeschooling the 3 to 8 year old child by linda dobson
7. the guide to writting your own curriculum (sorry I couldn’t find the author’s name, this is a book I read a while ago from the library)
8. Currently reading: Making a Home for Faith: nuturing the spiritual life of your children by elizabeth caldwell
9. Currently re-reading for about the 10th time: The way home: beyond feminism back to reality by mary pride (This book really helps me remember why I strive to be a stay-at-home-mom and why I want to homeschool. She writes in such an educated manner, but yet it is so easy to follow. I just LOVE this book!!)
and 10. I will be re-reading soon: All the way home by Mary Pride
Sorry if these are somewhat unknown books. I basically went to the library and just started reading any thing that sounded as if it might help me. After a while it seemed as if everything was saying the exact same thing so then I started looking at curriculums. I am doing a very simple pull togeather of websites and using the library this year, but for next year I just can’t decide what I want to do. It’s so hard to be in the first year. Their are so many choices and so many seem soooo good that I don’t want to pick the wrong one for her. Oh well, I guess this is the trials for a new homeschooling mom. Melissa Rogers
I forgot to put my last name…Dee Dee Helmers..
I still feel like a newbie. This will be our 3rd year homeschooling. I have 1 daughter in 6th, 1 daughter in 3rd and a 4 yr old boy. The weekly ezines have really been a blessing. I want to take the plunge and have school be less stressful and more fun, but I’m still scared. We made relaxed a little bit more each year, but still find myself scared to let go. God is working on me! Here are my top ten books:
10. Sreamlined Portfolio Handbook – by Brenda Boydston. This also had some great forms and wonderful tips and step by step instructions on how to put a portfolio together. For a first time homeschooler, it was a BIG help!
9. How To Homeschool, A Practical Approach – by Gayle Graham. This was one of many books I read the summer before we started 3 years ago. Lots of great forms and practical tips. It helped me wrap my head around what I would need to do and how to organize.
8. So You’re Thinking About Homeschooling – by Lisa Whelchel. I read this book after she visited our church the year before I started homeschooling. What a great book and a great mix of different families and viewpoints! I hadn’t realized that homeschooling was so different for each family. It was honest. It didn’t sugar-coat homeschooling. I have seen several people at church try homeschooling and put their kids back in school because it was too hard. I try to be REAL with people when they ask me about homeschooling. It has been the best thing for my family. However, when God calls us to do something, He doesn’t promise that it will be easy! Most of the time, if we’re being obedient to Him, it will mean all hell will be coming against us. (literally!)
7. The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach Bible Based Homeschooling – by Robin Sampson. This was a great book. I loaned it out and haven’t received it back. 🙁 Being a public schooled kids and a first generation Christian, this was so eye-opening to me and such an encouragement and motivator.
6. Homeschooling At The Speed of Life – by Marilynn Rockett. This book was phenomenal! Again, it reminds us of what is truly important and gives hints on how to get a handle on things so we don’t become too overwhelmed.
5. Homeschooling the Easy Way – by Cindy Rushton. This book was great. It’s really got me interested in the Charlotte Mason approach. I’d really like to get Language Arts the Easy Way. There has got to be a better way! That subject alone wears me out! I’m still reading HSEW. I didn’t realize that you can homeschool so differently and that it would be so effective and so much fun!
4. Cathy Duffy’s Top 100 Picks. This book was one of my favorites. It explained my child’s learning style to me in layman terms. Thank you! Then, it showed me which curriculum would complement my children the most. Wow! I borrowed this one from the library, but can’t find it now. So, it’s on my wishlist. I would say this is a great resource for planning your next school year.
3. I borrowed Ministering to the Heart of Your Child – by Cindy Rushton from a friend. What a great book. It has really shown me how much I need to make my children a priority. I am such a checklist person and my kids don’t get the best of me. I am trying to make special time for each of my kids. Sometimes all they want is for me to sit and listen to them. Our read aloud time is the best!
2. Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe – by Todd Wilson. This man is hilarious! I would recommend any of his books. What godly wisdom and encouragement. I could list some of the lies, but I’d be telling on myself! Wow. God really used this and the next book to speak to me. (My husband really enjoyed: “Help, I’m Married to a Homeschooling Mom!”)
1. Lies Women Belive and the Truth That Sets Them Free – by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Wow. I have to say this book was a life changing book for me. I woud other than the Bible, this book has had the next largest impact on me. I’m actually reading it again. I can’t even tell you how incredible this book is. It’s not a homeschooling book, but it’s for any woman. Satan is such a deceiver and sin is subtle and it ALWAYS starts with a lie. First we listen, then we think about it, before you know we’re acting on it. Very powerful. I wish I could buy this book for everyone I know!
I’ve been listening to some speaker convention tapes from Pam Tebow (a very wise woman). Here are the two books I will be reading soon. Inspired by Cindy’s “Ministering to the Heart of Your Child” and from listening to Pam Tebow. The Birth Order by Kevin Leman and The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman.
That was fun!
Patty Keith
Like so many others, I’m having a hard time limiting myself to just 10!! But here are the top? 10:
1. The bible. This is maybe a ‘given’ but I randomly open to any page and read. I always find a message for me for the day. This isn’t just for homeschooling and being a mom, but for whatever trouble I may be having or facing. It’s not always something I understand why I should read what I open to, but by the end of the day, the message was relevant.
2. Homeschooling the Easy Way by Cindy Rushton : ) I keep reading and re-reading it. I read this probably 2 or 3 times a year. Whenever I feel like going back to workbooks (because they ‘seem’ easier), I read this!!
3. The Ultimate Book Of Homeschooling Ideas by Linda Dobson. My kids like a lot of the ideas here, so we go through it & I let them pick 3 or 4 and then we do them over the next month or so.
4. Science Crafts for Kids by Gwen Diehn & Terry Krautwurst. It only has 50 crafts, but we don’t do them all every year. Even ones we repeat, the learning level is different, so I check here. Along with:
5. Geography Crafts for Kids by Joe Rhatigan & Heather Smith. Also has 50 crafts, but you wouldn’t do all of them every year. Just what looks interesting.
6. Family Manager by Kathy Peel. There are some ideas for homeschool use here, but I like so many of her suggestions for making a home run smoothly. I also like her book for working moms (because homeschooling IS LIKE working at a job over and above home-stuff!)
7. 30 Days to a simpler Life by Connie Cox and Cris Evatt. This is my SUMMER READ!! We take summer time to go through this book and weed things out – saying “no” to the good so we can say “yes” to the BEST.
8. The Science and History Project Book by Chris Oxade, Rachel Halstead and Struan Reid. THIS HAS 300 PROJECTS!! We haven’t done them all!! Some repetition from #4 & #5 above, but those have more appeal to me because this one has tiny print. : ) (getting old?)
9. Books to Build On: A Grade-by-Grade Resource Guide for Parents & Teachers edited by John Holderen and E.D. Hirsch, Jr. (The Core Knowledge Series) This has been a huge help in finding books for unit studies, and for making sure all the basics are covered in case I would ever have to send them into the awful world of SCHOOLs (praying that never happens). Good starting place to start lesson planning for the year!
10. The A to Z Guide to Home School FIeld Trips edited by Gregg Harris. Okay, first of all, I like all the Harris’ books. I haven’t found one I didn’t like so far, at least : ) This has questions to ask during field trips and good background info to cover before, etc. This is how we pick where we’ll go this year and gives me a good idea about what kinds of things interest the kids.
Okay, that was 10. I think this could be a top 20 list EASY!! Then I could include my fiction favorites. Sometimes I just HAVE to read some fiction. I like Lori Wick, C. S. Lewis, Frank Peretti, Bill Myers, Louis L’Amour, Beverly Lewis, Jane Peart.
Elizabeth Bowen
I find I tend to take the summer months and re-read my favorites to recharge and refresh my attitude. I also try to add in some new ones as well.
This summer’s reading list:
1. Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
For some reason this book is one of my favorites. I love the graphics and the
way it speaks to the reader. Plus, the ideas she has for family activities are
easy to do and remind me of how important it is to make even the little things
count.
2. A Charlotte Mason Education, and More Charlotte Mason Education by
Catherine Levinson. I like these because it reminds me of why I use the CM
method to teaching. I always seem to find something I can add to my new year.
3. A New Day, A New You by Joyce Meyer. This is a devotional book, which I read
first thing when I get up. I try to get a new Devotional book every year, so this is
my newest one. I find that when I start my day with a verse and a bit of
encouragement from the author-that my day goes much, much better. Puts me
in the right frame of mind to accomplish whatever it is that God has planned for
me that day.
4. Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola. I pulled this one of the shelf
and reread a lot of it. I needed some refresher courses and ideas-and this
is chuck full of them. This was my first CM book. My favorite one about her too.
5. The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. I cannot say enough how much I enjoy this
magazine. I cannot wait for the next issue. I like that it is full of articles-so I can
read one here or there during those time our lives are hetic with summer
activities. Plus, I find lots of new vendors/products to consider trying in the up
coming year. This was (summer issue) my favorite read this summer.
6. The Nature Study Idea Book-Ideas for all Ages…Even your High Schooler by
Mary E. Woodis. I became re-aquainted with this gem when I moved my
school area upstairs. I really needed this to give me ideas for doing the NS with
teens. I forgot how fun NS was (yes, I admit…during my burned-out year last
year…NS was non-existant.)
7. Nature Study the Easy Way by our lovely hostess. This too-gave me plenty of
encouragement and hope that I could do NS and the teens would enjoy it. I
love reading about Cindy and her family anyhoo, so this was a fun one to
rediscover off the shelves.
8.Speaking Mom-ese by Lisa Whelchel. I had this one on my back-burner, then
when going thru the dollar store to find things to read on our trip to NC, I saw it.
It is really written to be done one section daily-but I read thru it cover to cover. I
found I really needed this one. I felt truly uplifted and reminded of why I love
being a mom. Good little nugget for this summer’s reading for sure!
9.I wrapped up the spring with the Book of Daniel Study by Beth Moore, and
was going to get another of her studies, but she did this summer reading
event using Kelly Minter’s, No Other Gods. I did that and even though I had a
few times where I just wasn’t getting into-overall, the study was a much needed
and helpful one. If Beth’s study on Esther was finished for the summer; I would
have done that. I am so looking forward to it this late fall. Any study by Beth is
well worth the investment of time. I have come away from all of her studies I
have done so far (3), so blessed. I have learned so much, and have been
able to pass a lot of that on to the kiddies too.
10. Even though this is listed as number 10, this is by far number one…The Bible
by The Lord. I seem to have need to be focusing myself into the book of
Proverbs,and Psalms this summer-guess I need those words of wisdom. But
it is the book of Isaiah that has uplifted me and really spoken to my heart as of
late.
There you have it, my list of 10 good books read by me this summer. I have actually read several more, but alas, Cindy did not ask for our top 20 list…teehee.
Sorry, I too forgot my last name. Sheri Hagemann.
1. Anything from Cindy Rushton. I am new to her “group” and I look forward to all of the ezines and seminars. The information has been very encouraging for me.
2. ABeka Readers. I try to read them before the children do so that I know if the answer that they give me to the comprehension questions are accurate.
3. Children Poetry Books
4. The books about the Traveling Pants. I heard that the movie was good. I have not seen it, so for fun I started the books. I needed something to read other than all about school.
5. Texas Organic Gardening. We started a gardening project in our back yard and I needed to know what to plant when and what would actually grow.
6. Keepers of the Faith. I am using these books for an at home club with the children. They have new books for the younger children that are great.
7. Praying God’s Word by Beth Moore. I needed scripture verses to be able to pray over my family and some difficult situations with extended family.
8. The Confident Woman by Joyce Meyer. I find that I need to read something that helps me to know that through God, I can do anything and that includes home school the children as they are getting older.
9. Family Fun Magazine. It is full of fun activities that are simple and we can use them in our support group as well.
10. Lapbook books by Dinah Zike. I wanted to have more hands on, fun ways to learn information in school this year. She is so creative.
It’s just our third year homeschooling, but I find that I often pick up something ‘new’ to me at the library. We are blessed with great libraries in the area with parent teacher resource sections.
I don’t have anything I’m actively reading from the library in regard to homeschooling in particular, but I am reading Organizing Plain and Simple by Donna Smallin. We just got rid of a TON of things (both donated, given to friends or in the dumpster) during our recent move, but I feel like we still have way too much.
Since we are gearing up to start school next week, I am going through each child’s materials. We are using primarily Catholic Heritage Curricula materials, but will have co-op history and literature selections as well as Exploring Creation with Zoology 1 to start.
I’ve also been reading:
*TEACH magazine
* digital editions of Old Schoolhouse Magazine
*saved issues of Cindy’s HSEW
Finally, I am still listening to audios from the Ultimate Homeschool Expo. Since buying a MP3 player, I can now listen to them away from the house. They are just what I need to hear while trying to re-energize my spirit for the homeschool journey.
Laura O’Neill
I love to read. This is my first time participating in Mommy Homework.
Some of my favorite books as a homemaker/homeschooler:
1. Managers of Their Homes by the Maxwells.
2. Managers of Their Chores by the Maxwells
3. Life Management for busy Women by Elizabeth George
4. The Way They Learn by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias
5. The Five Love Languages of Children by Dr. Gary Chapman
I am gathering some information to read for this year because I am moving more into a Charlotte Mason style of homeschooling, and I would like to read more about that. I am also going to be reading some Charlotte Mason books with a friend.
I forgot my real name- Leah Courtney.
What a great listing of ideas! Here’s mine:
Always:
1. Bible
Yearly
2. Educating the Whole Hearted Child – This is so great for encouragement, practical how-to’s, and printable scheduling forms. Other Mom books by Sally Clarkson are wonderful, too.
Now and again
3. Cindy Rushton – I just recently “discovered” Cindy, too! She’ll probably make it to the always category 😉 with so much helpful information to choose from!
4. Diana Waring – History Alive! – I love book lists, so we use hers for our history. Her “how-to homeschool” books are great, too!
5. Creative Correction by Lisa Welchel – A friend has been telling me to use this for years; I was finally desperate enough to borrow it, and we are using many of its ideas!
6. Power of a Praying Mom and Wife by Stormie Omartian – I love how she has a prayer at the end of each chapter addressing that topic.
7. How to be a God Chaser and a Kid Chaser by Tommy Tenney and his Mom! Some chapters are by a guest author; practical advice and encouragement to tell you you’re doing a good job for the Lord!
8. Homeschool magazines: The Old Schoolhouse (digital version!) and Home School Enrichment
9. Mom/Parenting Magazines: Above Rubies and No Greater Joy; these are free subscriptions
10. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe – My oldest and I read this for school a couple of years ago, and it just blew me away. Tom is such an example of Christ’s unconditional love and serving; I bawled!
Thanks for the Mommy Homework, Cindy!
Blessings,
Danielle Hull
I’m still such a newbie in the world of Christian homeschooling. When I was saved I was researching an educational system that we no longer subscribe to due to pagan elements. So Christian homeschooling is still fairly new to me!
My favourite resources so far are:
The Bible – we want all of our children’s education to be focused upon the Word of God!
Storybooks – because I have small children we love reading storybooks together, and I love reading them too. The one that makes me bawl the most and reminds me of what Jesus has done for me is Just the Way You Are by Max Lucado – my children think I’m a bit odd when I burst into tears. I love many Christian children’s picture books.
Audio – Cindy always keeps me inspired and on-track, what a blessing her audio’s have been to me in learning to be a Godly wife and mother.
Magazines – As commonly recommended already, Above Rubies and the Digital Edition of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine – makes me feel like I’m not alone!
Homeschooling Technique – We’re still sorting this out, but I’m buying Robin Sampson’s Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach today, and that looks the closest so far to my heart for educating my children. God’s word up front and center, all day every day!
We do have Little Hands to Heaven and use that from time to time – great faith based preschool curriculum.
Audio for the children – Homeschool Radio Shows – they are free! The Singing Bible – I think every family should have these CD’s, just awesome!! They have taught ME more about the Bible as a young believer than I could have imagined. I also adore scripture memory songs, and we use a variety of those, as well as some we’ve made up ourselves.
I don’t think I’m up to 10, and some of these are pretty general, but they are what I’ve found the most helpful.
Jennifer Bogart
I have to say that my response here won’t be very helpful for others; but other’s responses will definitely help me!! This is my first year as a homeschooler. I have 3 adult children and now a 9 year old daughter starting the 4th grade. I have so many supporters and friends who homeschool I don’t have any fear that I won’t be adequate to the task. The goal, however, will be to be much more than adequate!! My sister-in-law got me hooked on Karen Andreola’s “The Charlotte Mason Companion”, and I have subsequently ordered a copy of my own. The next piece of helpful info isn’t a book but a set of cd’s by Carol Joyce Seid- A Classical Education Approach to Homeschooling. This info is amazing!! She basically says that “with a Bib,e, math book and library card you can educate your child”.
Hopefully by this time next year I will have many more wonderful resources to share~ I feel like a big sponge; I just want to soak it all up!!!!
This may seem like an unusual list, but I am an avid reader and there are some books that are great friends, and I read them every year.
1. Bible (my best friend!)
2. The Charlotte Manson Companion by Karen Andreola
3. Homeschool with a Meek and Quiet Spirit by Teri Maxwell
(Because I struggle with this so much)
4. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (The rich literature is great!)
5. The Anne of Green Gables series (There is something so wholesome about this story and I love reading about Anne as a Mother)
6. The Actual Charlotte Mason series (I just got this and I don’t know that I will read all of it, but I want to always be reading parts of it to keep me focused and learning.
7. The Five Love Languages of Children (This helps me to focus on the real reason I am doing all of this anyway!)
8. Stepping Heavenward
9. Pocket Full of Pinecones
10. I read through my Cindy goodies and ebooks. (But I really do this all the time for encouragement and guidance!)
Now I want to take notes on what everyone else put down. I will have to start a new reading list!
Kelley Slayton
Here are the homeschooling authors that I love and that I love to pull off of my bookshelf! They seem to all fit into my methods of homeschooling
*Karen Andreola
*Sally Clarkson
*Cindy Rushton
*Robin Sampson
*Teri Maxwell
*Ruth Beechick
These are current books for homeschooling
Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe – by Todd Wilson
Planning Your Charlotte Mason Education by Simply Charlotte Mason
Leadership Education Package by The Becks
A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille
I have a recently diagnosed daugher with Sensory Processing Disorder and so I have been reading The Out of Sync Child.
Fiction:
I just finished reading The Shack
I am starting the AD Chronicles by theThoenes
For School we are reading:
The American Girl Series
The Medal of Honor Book
We are doing our fun Fine Arts on Fridays so we are having a blast picking out poetry for recitation! This is a new one for our family!
The rule in our home, is that you have too many books if you have stacks on the floor, I am afraid we are breaking the “rule” right now!
Favorite place to find books for cheap:
http://www.paperbackswap.com
http://www.bookmooch.com
Kim Wright
Oh, there is no doubt! Cindy has been a tremendous help in the homeschool journey for sure! My top ten books are:
1. Homeschooling the Easy Way by Cindy Rushton
2. Make Your Own Brain-in-a-Binder by Cindy Rushton
3. Let’s Get Organized by Cindy Rushton
4. Ministering to the Heart of the Child by Cindy Rushton
5. God’s Design for a Godly Home by Cindy Rushton
6. The Heart of a Woman by Cindy Rushton
7. How Do I Get My Child Off the Refrigerator and on to Learning by Carole Barnier
8. The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach by Robin Sampson
9. The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
10. The Unschooling Handbook: How to Use the Whole World as Your Child’s Classroom by Mary Griffth
There you have it! These are those books that I still have with me at home, but not all of them are in my tote at all times – just well rotated out! There are a lot of books listed by y’all that I have seen here that I want to check into and possibly purchase to read as well. Thanks for the heads up and the information!
Take care everyone!
Always,
Kimberly Mauldin
It was fun to read through all the other mom’s lists, and see just how alike we are.
My top 10:
1. Managers of their Homes (reread this every year for fresh insight, input and ideas – I make a schedule yearly that we aim for. It keeps us moving in the right direction and over the years I have gotten to the point where I am comfortable with that).
2. Homeschooling with a Meek & Quiet Spirt (also gives me something to aim for, progress not perfection is my motto)
3. Educatiing the Wholehearted Child, Clarkson
4. Charlotte Mason Primer, Rushton
5. Charlotte Mason Companion, Andreola
6. Real Learning, Foss
7. Design Your Own Classical Curriculum, Berquist
8. A Mothers Rule of Life, Pierlot
OK, just my top 8
TxTrish
Why rely on yourself and fall? Cast yourself upon His arm. Be not afraid. He will not let you slip. Cast yourself in confidence. He will receive you and heal you.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430AD) on Divine Mercy
WOW!!
I’m making my list of all the good books that I have been missing next to my bedstand!!
I guess I am feeling very lacking in this area! I read alot…..usually non-fiction, that’s all my little brain can handle at the moment!! Since we are “unschoolers”
I read alot of John Holt books,
Cindy: Your stuff is great!!
I do also love Stormie Omartian…..so encouraging when I just don’t know where to begin.
At the moment…..my ipod is loaded, and I am still listening to all the past seminars from Cindy (*Highly recommended!!)
Thanks for all your suggestions!! Post-it notes everywhere!!
Blessings!
Kelly Martin
Okay, books I keep reading:
1. Homeschooling the Easy Way, Cindy Rushton…I am constantly learning new things and refer to this book often!
2. Complete Guide to Getting Started in Homeschooling, Mary Pride…I keep referring to this, because even though this is my 3rd year homeschooling I often feel I’m ‘just getting started’.
3. Ignite the Fire by Terri Camp
I am always going back to her website to look at the resources and read the posts about providing ‘sparks’ and ‘firewood’ for our children.
4. Books by Marilyn Howshall…I often go back to these. I got several of her booklets, for free, that are from the Lifestyle of Learning Approach. I do not have her actual book, but maybe one day. I have learned so much from these booklets…about developing a lifestyle routine, about the lifestyle of learning approach, how to impart values by modeling, how to walk in the Spirit in my homeschool decisions, etc. I do constantly need to refer back to these, as there’s a wealth of information to glean from and put into practice at home. Highly recommended!
5. Research on the internet about homeschooling techniques, methods, curriculums…
6. http://www.4himkids.com
Another web site that has some great info. and resources. As with anything, use what you can and throw out the rest.
I find myself drawn to the CM-Lifestyle of Learning Approach. I know they differ from one another, but I think the main draw is the more relaxed way of schooling, versus textbooks, worksheets, etc. I truly believe we all learn so much just from living lif and I want to incoporate that into our days as much as possible. That is my long-term goal for our home school; that it will become more of a lifestyle that we live…
I know that’s not 10 books, but it’s what I’ve been learning from.
the above post is mine…Wendy Woerner..forgot to leave my name.
I have read a few specifically homeschool books, listened to UHSE, Let’s Get Organized, and The Charlotte Mason seminars…
1. 25 things homeschoolers wish they had known
2. So you’re thinking about homeschooling – Lisa Whelchel
3. Have a new kid by Friday
4-10 all of Cindy’s ezines and downloads. I printed and stuck in binders and read them this summer.
11. TEACH magazine and The Old Schoolhouse magazine
does that count? I do not have a routine, this is the first year I really jumped in and started learning and refreshing myself.
Michelle Stahnke
I am currently going through
*Ministering to the Heart of your Child (Cindy Rushton’s!) again. I think that this has been one of the absolute best parenting books (I have the bible study and the audios to go with it too! Highly, Highly recommend this for anyone who wants to really tie your childrens’ hearts to yours! Such wonderful counsel here, esp. on really listening to God about how to minister to their hearts.
*and I just finished reading Created to be his Helpmeet (by Debi Pearl) While not a homeschooling book, what a great resource for my marriage! And with a marriage that is on fire, I think… It can’t do anything but help our homeschool! This book has taught me so much and convicted me so many times while I was reading it. Or rather I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit, while I was reading it!
* Homeschooling Today Magazine- Love this! Was a gift subscription! Oh! I def. plan on renewing when the time comes! Truely a biblical world view here!
*This Old SchoolHouse Magazine- I also was given a subscription to this Magazine. Lots of really encouraging articles and good ideas!
Other than those things I really haven’t read much “back to school” type things in preparation for this school year. However I have gotten tons of really good ideas from reading everyone else’s lists!
Rachel Flores
Hello! This is a great idea! I am a conversational writer, but I will try to make it list-like for those who are skimming!
We are reading
-Ruth Beechick’s Adam and His Kin along with
-The Mystery of History by Linda Hobar, these are both great! I haven’t read any of -Ruth Beechick’s how to’s but now I would like to! I also borrowed a
-Mary Pride and had to give it back, I’d like to read something of hers.
I like
-The Homeschool Minute from TOSmag because it’s just a brief escape that arrives in the inbox! The same for
-Cindy Rushton and some of her contributors!
Over the summer I read
-Do Hard Things by the Harris twins, that was a great book and I bought several copies for friends when I was at CHEO before even reading it! I also re-read
-The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis. Not your usual read but I always get something out of it. It is such a clever way to point out our daily common mistakes and how easily we could correct them.
This fall for our women’s group we are reading
-Jodie Berndt’s Praying the Scriptures for Your Children, I’m not very far along but so far I like it!
That’s only 8 so how about some John Gatto?
Today for class we read about the Leviathon and the Behemoth in the book of Job, those are fascinating creatures to read about!
So that’s my more than 2 cents!
Amy Wert
Rosanne Muncy –
I don’t read any “How to Homeschool” books anymore to prepare for the school year. I mostly read Christianbook distributors catalog and surf the web for new and interesting ideas. That’s about it. I keep a notebook with assignment sheets for each kid, a tub for each kids’ books and buy books throughout the year when finances are available. Pretty simple!
Oh man I really have some catching up to do here. I am just now starting MOmmy Homework a few weeks late as i just found this. I have yet to homeschool, but after talking with Cindy via email I am ready to begin this journey though I may not be “OFFICIALLY” homeschooling yet because my husband is still against the idea, my preschool age son goes to 1/2 days at a christian academy now and my babies are 18 months and 2 months, but as she said Homeschooling is a way of life so I’m going to keep praying, begin reading some of these great books you ladies suggested and start living this way of life hoping my hubby will change his mind. Will you pray for me and with me? I don’t have any books to list but I’m looking forward to gleaming insights from your lists. If you have some encouragement for me please email me I’d be much appreciative.
~ Alyssa Avant
Two books come to mind at the moment. . . Cindy’s Binder queen/notebooking ebook that I am still reading and Sally Clarkson’s book Mission of Motherhood. Both fantastic and encouraging. I also just received the Clarkson’s Our 24 Family Ways which is a devotional guide that I am very excited about implementing. So many good books out there, and so little time to read them all.
I am only in my 2nd year of homeschooling and I am not a huge reader, but I am currently reading several different books and have been for several months.
1. The Bible – this is a given, one I need to read more, but it is definately a must and should be the entire basis of our homeschooling.
2. Managers of our Homes – Teri Maxwell – I am in the process of trying to set up a workable schedule for our home and our homeschool. This has been a really tough for me, but I feel it is so important to being able to keep my girls focused and our house peaceful.
3. Creative Discipline – Lisa Welchel – I have just started this one and I am looking for more ways to help with my daughters. I loved her Taking Care of the Mommy in Me so I thought this would also be as good.
4. I love to look at new catalogs for curriculum and to pick out what we will be using for the next year. This is a favorite of mine.
5. There are numerous websites that I use to prepare for the new year, the whole year. Cindy’s is one major one. There are several blogs of other homeschool parents that I like.
I know this isn’t 10, but these 5 are very instrumental to my homeschooling life.
Shannon Depew
-Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit
-A Mom Just like You
-Old Schoolhouse Magazine
-Loving God with All Your Mind-Elisabeth George
-Biology of Behavior (Dianne Craft audio)
-Teaching with the Brain in Mind Eric Jensen