Mary Pride's Complete Guide to Getting Started in Homeschooling

by Mary Pride, Michael P. Farris (Foreword by)

One of America’s leading homeschool experts provides families with everything they could possibly need to know to start schooling at home in this 600–page volume. As entertaining as it is enlightening, this incredible storehouse of information... This encyclopedic reference includes chapters on the ways kids learn, planning and record keeping, testing and standards, and special–needs and gifted children. Families who are just getting started in homeschooling as well as experienced homeschool families who need more information will find answers to all their questions in this one–of–a–kind resource.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Parenting, Christian, Family

624 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

i'm looking at homeschooling, or alternative forms of education as i'm not thrilled with the school district we're in.
while this book has some good information, great definitions, it left a bad taste in my mouth with its quite literal holier than thou; anything from the government is of the DEVIL attitude.

while i understand there is a definite Christian movement in homeschooling, and even though I am a Christian, this book was not written for me. The impression i got from this book was that it was creating the stereotype of the weird "Christian Homeschooled kids/HomeSchooling Parents" that so many people want to avoid.

Like I said, it has some great information. But beware take it with a giant salt block, not just a grain. Or better yet, go somewhere else. I wouldn't buy this book, nor would i recommend it to my friends. I'm glad I got it from the library so I didn't actually pay for it....

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mike called this book, my "telephone book" about homeschooling. At times it read like a telephone book! A lot of what I read I have heard or read other places but for me reading it a second time really helped me to understand more of the different teaching/learning options in homeschooling. The one part that I did not like was that the author's sentiments about government involvement in homeschooling was infused in many parts of the book. But it is titled, Mary Pride's complete guide to homeschooling. I would recommend it someone who is seriously looking into homeschooling.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great source of information to get started homeschooling. It is only one opinion though, so I found that I agreed with some of her methods and not so much on others. It really gave me the confidence and knowledge that I need to get started homeschooling.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great starting point for someone who is planning to start Homeschooling. It explains the different styles of homeschooling, gives curriculum suggestions, and ideas for avoiding beginning mistakes.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good information, but I disagreed strongly with much in the chapter preaching about avoiding charter schools and involvement with local government.

[Carrie Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much useful information packed into this giant book that I wish I owned it instead of just reading my library's copy. But despite all that is wonderful about this book, I have to deduct a star from my rating because the author has some really extreme opinions that she inserts into the book rather aggressively in some places. I'm a Christian, but I disagreed strongly with some of her claims about Christianity. She's highly critical of the public schools, which isn't uncommon among homeschoolers, but she takes it to extremes. Maybe the most offensive part for me was her point of view on psychiatry. But if you can try to ignore the irritating parts of the book, it's a really great resource.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Pride has both homebirthed and homeschooled her family just as I have so though she is a Christian and I am an Atheist, I have found her Big Book of Home Learning useful since the 1990's. This book was volume 1 of the redone Big Book of Home Learning which only got to the first volume but this book is quite useful, even to an Atheist like myself. She discusses methods of homeschooling, learning styles, and some curriculum choices as well as info on home school groups in all of the states and resources for where to buy materials.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of ideas for homeschooling and provides an overview of several different methods. I kept a notebook beside me while reading this so I could jot down links, books, and curriculum that I would like to look into. The one thing that bothered me was the section about special needs children. The author believes that many children diagnosed with special needs actually have a character problem (or parenting problem).

[Kerri Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for helpful information because Im considering homeschool my young one. This book actually gave me some of the information I was looking for. While just talking about your homeschooling experience is nice its not the stand alone information Im looking for. This book had both. I was homeschooled but I still want information and resources before I begin. This book helped alot.

[Dmreichle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good info although a bit too much in some areas, but you can skim over or skip that. It's also a bit dated as it was published over 10 years ago and internet resources have exploded in that time. It provided some good background on learning styles and approaches to homeschooling.

[Rob and Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although informative, much of this book seems dated. Also, I can't believe Pride thinks that Harry Potter is a bad influence. She is a bit too "Christian" - and in a really weird way.

[Rose Zivkovich · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it was boring and too generic - it covers a lot - but I really didn't learn anything new.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! Learned a lot. Some of the information was outdated, but that's a-okay.

[Helena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overwhelming and seemed a little dated. Not really what I needed.