 | Homeschooling: Take a Deep Breath—You Can Do This!
978-0-9728071-5-9 • Mapletree Publishing • Terrie Lynne Bittner • Paperback • JAN 2004 • 320pp • $14.95 • Buy Direct $11.95
You don't have to be a professional teacher, a genius, or a structured person to homeschool well. Many people believe they can't homeschool because they are lacking some magical quality or skill successful homeschoolers have. The truth is that homeschooling can be done, and done well, by most ordinary people. Terrie Lynn Bittner's book will take you by the hand and show you how. She breaks the job down into doable chunks and carefully explains each part, giving you the confidence you need to get it done. Her explanations are clear and thorough. But this book does more than give information—it also reassures parents who may be disorganized, shy, insecure, less educated, or otherwise not the "ideal" homeschooling parent, and shows them how to succeed. - A #1 pre-release best seller at Barnes & Noble selling through its first printing before its street date.
- A recommended selection by the 75,000-member Conservative Book Club.
Author Terrie Lynn Bittner is a freelance writer who grew up in a house that had books falling from shelves, poking out from under sofas, and stacked in every odd corner. Terrie naturally became curious about the people who wrote her books. Her mother taught her how to create her own stories and was, for many years, Terrie's personal creative writing coach. She married Lincoln Bittner in 1980 and is the mother of three children, all of whom write. When she is not writing, she enjoys computers, reading, family history, and teaching. Terrie has published in various educational, religious, historical, and family publications—both online and off. Her publishing credits include LD Online, Education World, Homeschool Horizons Magazine, Ensign, New Era, Liahona, Feminista, Teach at … Homeschooling, insists freelance writer and home-schooling mom Bittner, "is parenting in its highest form." In this down-to-earth and practical book, she guides interested parents toward confidence and success in this venture, from the preliminary stages (convincing self, spouse and family that home-schooling is possible, dealing with its legal aspects, finding support groups, gathering supplies) through experimentation (finding the best pedagogical methods, understanding children's different learning styles) to mastery (teaching reading, composition, math—even if, long ago, you flunked algebra—history and science as well as "values, religion, electives"). Her advice is sensible and direct: find out what your state requires the schools to teach at each grade level; if there's no computer at home, use the public library's. For parents worried about the "icky stuff" in science, remember that "older children frequently enjoy doing things their parents consider disgusting." Bittner also suggests answers to what she calls the "stupid questions" (Will the kids be properly socialized? What about prom?) and faces up to the "bad stuff" ("Some days you and your children will be sick of each other"). Designed to empower the novice toward home-schooling success, this book is friendly, reassuring and endlessly supportive, and, like a very well-informed neighbor, Bittner shares everything from family anecdotes to sample school-day schedules and lists of supplementary resources. Publishers Weekly, Nov 22, 2004 Bittner, a freelance writer, began homeschooling her three children 12 years ago. In this honest and commonsensical book, she encourages parents to try what she terms "family" schooling because of the enormous commitment required of the entire family. Though homeschooling can be accomplished by ordinary people—with or without degrees—it's not for every family, she asserts. Bittner concedes her own shortcomings, which include some learning disabilities and a lack of organization, and begins by helping readers overcome lack of self-confidence and the criticism of others, then proceeds to offer sound advice on legal issues, lesson plans, curricula, testing, teaching values, preparing for graduation, and college. Throughout each chapter, Bittner posits and answers questions she anticipates readers will have. But she is most effective at eschewing the notion that you need to be a supermom (or superdad) to homeschool your children. This is an encouraging and helpful resource for parents considering homeschooling their children. Homeschooling, Take a Deep Breath, is a homeschool resource book full of information, advice, and pearls of wisdom from a veteran homeschooling mom. There's not a better person to write a book like this than one who has "been there, done that" and can assure those just getting started they can do it too! I remember very vividly what it was like for me 6 years ago when we started to homeschool—I felt overwhelmed and would have loved to have this book in my hands to help me out. Everything you need to know from organizational skills to lesson plans is packed in a generous 312 pages. There is plenty of great reading here, and the book will not only make a perfect gift for "newbies" just starting out, but it also has all the nuts and bolts to help us oldies but goodies stay the course. The author has included ample additional book lists and websites to help the reader on their homeschooling journey. A great resource book well done. HomeschoolBuzz.com, Jun 5, 2005 What a wonderful resource! This book could have saved me buckets of frustration had it been around when I began homeschooling. What a gift to any parent who doesn't feel they're up to the task of homeschooling. Instead of sharing yet more "Super Mom" stories, Terrie addresses real concerns in a way that disarms the fear and boosts the confidence. It is like sharing a cup of tea with the successful, resourceful "homeschooling friend" you always wished you had. Carol Barnier, author of How To Get Your Child Off the Refrigerator and on to Learning and If I'm Diapering A Watermelon Then Where'd I Put the Baby? Terrie's book is a must have! It's a must have for those considering homeschooling, those who are new to homeschooling and even those who have been homeschooling for years. Terrie deals with difficult issues with honesty, humor and grace. Terrie manages to present the myriad of homeschooling options without falling into the trap of deciding what is best for another's family. This book is easy-to-read and informative, perfect for the new homeschooler who has yet to traverse the sea of homeschooling lingo. Terrie provides gentle guidance to parents needing extra support, including single parents and parents who may not have spousal support. This isn't a book you will put away on a shelf, no, this is a book that you will frequently refer to through the years. This book is a winner! Take a deep breath, you CAN homeschool your children, and you CAN do it well! Terrie's book is a great help for parents who doubt their ability to homeschool. She's right—you CAN do this! Even if you are perfectly ordinary parents with foibles, strengths and weaknesses. As she points out, you really need only two traits: mostly patience with children and a willingness to be flexible, and not to throw in the towel, sending the kids back to school the first time there are tears when something doesn't go right. And your homeschool days won't always be ideal. Terrie knows that some days, especially around holidays, kids will feel they are missing out on school parties. She talks to you like a friend who has gone the way before, giving you encouragement, whether you are homeschooling one child or several, or trying to teach older children while there is still a baby in the home. Some planning is key to success, but don't feel you have to adhere to a minute-by-minute plan. A daily and weekly routine will do. Best of all, Terrie points out that it is easy for homeschoolers to plan in plenty of activity into our days! No need to sit for hours each day! Learning can be fun and sort of silly at times. Relax! You CAN do this! 2005's newest addition to the homeschool market, this is the most sensible book to be published in quite a while. Homeschooling, confirms Terrie Lynn Bittner, 12 year veteran homeschooling mom of 3, "is parenting in its highest form." In this most practical book, she is the mentor new homeschooling parents need. The novice will find tips and instantly applicable advice, while the veteran will be rejuvenated by ideas to be used with their growing children. Suitable to every family's learning style and a must to share with the parent looking into homeschooling, and a definitely recommended edition for the support group library. Heather Reynolds, Homeschooling Horizons Magazine Overall, what I like is that Terrie is just so unpretentious. She doesn't make me feel inferior for having kids who aren't overachievers on their way to Harvard. Know what I mean? She's a regular homeschooling mom, not a homeschooling supermom. Okay, she did write a book, so maybe she *is* a supermom, but she sounds very down-to-earth in her book—and friendly, too! The first chapter states: "This is a homeschooling book for ordinary people with ordinary concerns…." Yes. It's really like that. If you can't buy it right now, at least try to talk your library into getting it so you can check it out. It's definitely a keeper. |
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