Sherri Linsenbach - The Everything Guide To Homeschooling: All You Need to Create the Best Curriculum and Learning Environment for Your Child

Dear Reader,

Youve made the decision to homeschool your child, or youre taking your childs education in new directions. Congratulations! One of the most precious experiences of a lifetime awaits you and your family!

But where do you start? What if youre concerned about your ability to teach your child? What if your current homeschool method isnt working for your child? No need to worry! With The Everything Guide to Homeschooling, youll never be at a loss.

Over the years, Ive helped thousands of families make decisions on homeschooling their children. Ive helped families determine their childrens learning styles, to choose the home-education path that works best for their children, and to learn through activities that are intriguing, challenging, and fun.

In this book youll find ways to provide a well-rounded education for your children, keep your homeschool interesting and stress-free, and keep children learning and happy on their road to a successful life. Lets begin this wonderful journey together!

Sherri Linsenbach

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Avon, Massachusetts

Copyright 2015, 2010, 2003 Simon and Schuster

All rights reserved.

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

An Everything Series Book.

Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Media, Inc.

Published by

Adams Media, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322. U.S.A.

www.adamsmedia.com

Contains material adapted from The Everything Homeschooling Book, 2nd Edition by Sherri Linsenbach, copyright 2010, 2003 Simon and Schuster, ISBN 10: 1-60550-135-2, ISBN 13: 978-1-60550-135-2.

ISBN 10: 1-4405-9069-9

ISBN 13: 978-1-4405-9069-6

eISBN 10: 1-4405-9070-2

eISBN 13: 978-1-4405-9070-2

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Linsenbach, Sherri.

The everything guide to homeschooling / Sherri Linsenbach.

pages cm

Includes index.

ISBN 978-1-4405-9069-6 (pb) -- ISBN 1-4405-9069-9 (pb) -- ISBN 978-1-4405-9070-2 (ebook) -- ISBN 1-4405-9070-2 (ebook)

1. Home schooling--United States. 2. Home schooling--Curricula--United States. I. Title.

LC40.L563 2015

371.04'2--dc23

2015012538

Cover images Kanate Chainapong/123RF.

Thank you to my son, Devin, who kept our homeschool interesting, fun, and educational; to my husband, Don, who provided research assistance and support; and to the many faithful readers of our online homeschool site, www.EverythingHomeschooling.com .

1. Children can learn and excel in the comfort and security of their own homes.
2. Homeschooled children receive a well-rounded education thats suited to each childs particular learning style.
3. One-on-one attention provides instant feedback and quick assessment of the childs strengths and weaknesses.
4. Homeschooling allows time for creativity and hands-on learning that makes education fun and memorable.
5. Children have freedom and flexibility in pursuing topics and areas of interest that truly matter to them.
6. Homeschooled children are self-motivated, self-confident, self-reliant, and eager to keep learning.
7. Homeschooling leads to proper social skills, high maturity levels, and the ability to interact with people of all ages.
8. Homeschooled children benefit from real world learning experiences, preparing them for life and the world beyond school.
9. Many colleges and universities are impressed by the knowledge and skills of homeschooled children and actively seek out and welcome them.
10. Homeschooling draws families even closer together, creating special times and precious memories that last a lifetime.

Its a great time for educating your children at home! Youre understandably excited about the prospect of homeschooling your children or exploring new options for their education. Youre not alone. Over 1.5 million children are currently being educated at home.

As more families commit to educating their children, youll find an abundance of resources, materials, and options available to you. Sometimes this can lead to confusion or information overload, making you wonder which resources or materials you should choose for your children. This book will help you sort through the many options available today and determine which ones will best suit your childrens learning styles and educational needs.

One of the most important aspects of educating your children is to understand that homeschooling is a lifestyle, rather than a teaching style. Yes, homeschooling is about helping your children achieve a quality, well-rounded education. But its so much more. Homeschooling is a natural part of living and learning each day, blending seamlessly into lifes daily routines within your home. Its a lifestyle that meshes perfectly with your familys values and your educational goals for your children.

Some parents might worry that they cannot teach their children at home. But homeschooling isnt school at home. A classroom, student desks, textbooks, and test materials are not requirements for your homeschool. Those items are used in school facilities that must serve hundreds of students. Your home simply needs a comfortable area for you and your child to spend time together, learning together.