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You Can Teach Your Child Successfully: Grades 4-8
Here is THE book for all parents who want to teach their children. It has more help between two covers than any other such book available. Includes sections on reading, writing, and arithmetic, as well as subjects beyond the three R's.
- GenresEducationNonfiction
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1992
18 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Beechick
59 books25 followersDr. Ruth Beechick spent a lifetime teaching and studying how people learn. She taught in Washington state, Alaska, Arizona and in several colleges and seminaries in other states. She also spent thirteen years at a publishing company writing curriculum for churches. In "retirement" she wrote for the homeschool movement. Her degrees are A.B. from Seattle Pacific University, M.A.Ed. and Ed.D. from Arizona State University.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 11, 2013
Had to stop when I got to the section on creation science. The social studies section seemed biased, too. Then I checked the publication date and it was 1993! Oh well. I got a few good ideas from it.
December 8, 2017
If I said it once… okay, so I said it once. But here it is again: I am going to be spending the majority of my summer building a curriculum for my new homeschooler and reading about homeschooling. (Who am I kidding? I’m also still reading novels and even some short stories.) The first book I picked up, and the first I read, was You Can Teach Your Child Successfully: Grades 4-8, by Ruth Beechick. I had bought this book because it is a homeschool classic, at least in Christian circles, and I saw it on every homeschool shelf that I visited. Also, it was right there in the used bookstore when I had a part of my education budget to spend.
We can all tell from the title that this book is not going to discourage anyone from homeschooling. It is, predictably, encouraging, which is exactly what I need as I start out this rather scary venture. What the title doesn’t tell you, exactly, is that this book is not only for homeschoolers, but also for any parent who wants to understand their child’s education and continue their learning at home (even over homework and nightly read-a-loud). What is even less obvious is that the book is Christian. However, the Christian-ness of it is not pervasive, and it could rather easily be read around. Why would one do that?
Because Beechick is a fount of useful information, encouragement, and interesting factoids. Sometimes I found that what she included was imbalanced (like having 100 pages on math curriculum and not even a list for reading), but it still seems you could build a whole curriculum just starting with the sheer breadth of what she covers, here.
Her biography on Amazon reads as follows:
Dr. Ruth Beechick spent a lifetime teaching and studying how people learn. She taught in Washington state, Alaska, Arizona and in several colleges and seminaries in other states. She also spent thirteen years at a publishing company writing curriculum for churches. In “retirement” she continues to write for the burgeoning homeschool movement. Her degrees are A.B. from Seattle Pacific University, M.A.Ed. and Ed.D. from Arizona State University.
RUTH BEECHICKHonest to goodness, it’s not the easy to find information about her, despite the fact that her books are classics in the homeschool world. She has been writing since the 1980s, and exudes this very educated, knowledgeable, and thoughtful perspective which she then makes easily accessible and digestible.
But despite the fact that she instilled an intuitive trust in me, one should really read more than one book as they start homeschooling, or so says the author and voracious reader in me. I plan to read no less than three more books before school starts (in one month!), so I will keep you updated as to whether or not this book still seems completely sane and balanced to me as I read other perspectives.
The main issue with this book is that it was last published in the 90s, and regrettably has not been updated since then. I do believe that many things have not changed since I was in school (which was when this was written) and in many ways have only been ratcheted up, but obviously some of the trends and facts will have changed. I don’t know what to say to this, except that you will want to read the book with that in mind. Still, I think you should read it.
I did really enjoy reading this book. I have a capacity for increasing my own interest when I need to. In other words, since I have to homeschool now, I can get myself pretty interested in homeschooling. (I did the same thing with pregnancy, birth, and raising children, as well as traveling to Eastern European countries and a myriad other things). But I doubt that I am the only one who pretty much devoured this easy-to-read, engaging, and even conversational book. It is so thorough, though not always hands-on, but gives you a more general frosting as well as lots of encouragement. Then again, I made a few lists while reading, of things to incorporate into this years’ and further years’ curriculum, and it is also easy to reference things since the book is organized in smaller and very logical chunks.
__________
I read You Can Teach Your Child Successfully by Ruth Beechick. It was published by Mott Media in 1988, and updated for the 1992 and 1999 edition, the second of which I have.
__________
QUOTES
*There is way too much underlining in my copy to transfer all the quotes I marked, here. I will narrow them down extremely and share a few favorites.
“Everyone thinks that it goes smoothly in everyone else’s house and theirs is the only place that has problems” (pvii).
“But if you find yourself trying to mold your child to a book, try reversing priorities” (pvii).
“Ultimately, children need an inner discipline if they are going to become good learners” (p15).
“Reading to children should not stop suddenly when children complete the primary grades” (p37).
“This one-on-one interaction of child with adult is a major advantage of teaching at home” (p39).
“Some activities could develop into long projects, such as writing a play, and if interest is high you should not cut the project short just to keep up with a schedule” (p69).
“If your child makes a particular letter poorly, help him to get a good picture of that letter in his head” (p124).
“You may comment first on something good about a child’s writing and then find something that can be improved” (p125).
“They learned a great deal of grammar as they learned to talk” (p167).
“The ‘utility’ purpose of arithmetic are largely met when children know basic arithmetic facts from memory and can calculate in the four basic operations” (p177).
“The best general advice about tests is to not be driven either by current test scores or by ambition concerning next year’s results …. But those who teach for meaning (while not neglecting computation) and who emphasize problem solving do achieve remarkable results (p198).
“Any time something isn’t clear to a child, try to arrange a way for him to work through the process with checkers or rods or coins or other objects” (p203).
“But an important principle l to remember is that real-life teaching is never as easy as it looks when laid out in a book” (p228).
“Both in real-life and on multiple-choice tests an estimated answer often suffices” (p260).
“The most obvious weakness [of textbooks] is the superficial treatment of most topics” (p295).
“You may be more of an expert when you finish the unit, but that is one of the hazards (or pleasures) of teaching” (299).
“The best ingredient of this sequence is the excitement of the parent” (p303).
“So you need to realize… that not everything in print is true” (p305).
“The California committee wanted history to be as a story well told—‘an exciting and dramatic series of events that helped to shape the present’” (p307).
“But in science, they should hold answers or opinions tentatively, even skeptically” (p326).
“Homeschooling families have the unique opportunity to raise children in a quiet, unstressful atmosphere in which they can develop powers of intense concentration” (p343).
***REVIEW WRITTEN FOR THE STARVING ARTIST BLOG***
We can all tell from the title that this book is not going to discourage anyone from homeschooling. It is, predictably, encouraging, which is exactly what I need as I start out this rather scary venture. What the title doesn’t tell you, exactly, is that this book is not only for homeschoolers, but also for any parent who wants to understand their child’s education and continue their learning at home (even over homework and nightly read-a-loud). What is even less obvious is that the book is Christian. However, the Christian-ness of it is not pervasive, and it could rather easily be read around. Why would one do that?
Because Beechick is a fount of useful information, encouragement, and interesting factoids. Sometimes I found that what she included was imbalanced (like having 100 pages on math curriculum and not even a list for reading), but it still seems you could build a whole curriculum just starting with the sheer breadth of what she covers, here.
Her biography on Amazon reads as follows:
Dr. Ruth Beechick spent a lifetime teaching and studying how people learn. She taught in Washington state, Alaska, Arizona and in several colleges and seminaries in other states. She also spent thirteen years at a publishing company writing curriculum for churches. In “retirement” she continues to write for the burgeoning homeschool movement. Her degrees are A.B. from Seattle Pacific University, M.A.Ed. and Ed.D. from Arizona State University.
RUTH BEECHICKHonest to goodness, it’s not the easy to find information about her, despite the fact that her books are classics in the homeschool world. She has been writing since the 1980s, and exudes this very educated, knowledgeable, and thoughtful perspective which she then makes easily accessible and digestible.
But despite the fact that she instilled an intuitive trust in me, one should really read more than one book as they start homeschooling, or so says the author and voracious reader in me. I plan to read no less than three more books before school starts (in one month!), so I will keep you updated as to whether or not this book still seems completely sane and balanced to me as I read other perspectives.
The main issue with this book is that it was last published in the 90s, and regrettably has not been updated since then. I do believe that many things have not changed since I was in school (which was when this was written) and in many ways have only been ratcheted up, but obviously some of the trends and facts will have changed. I don’t know what to say to this, except that you will want to read the book with that in mind. Still, I think you should read it.
I did really enjoy reading this book. I have a capacity for increasing my own interest when I need to. In other words, since I have to homeschool now, I can get myself pretty interested in homeschooling. (I did the same thing with pregnancy, birth, and raising children, as well as traveling to Eastern European countries and a myriad other things). But I doubt that I am the only one who pretty much devoured this easy-to-read, engaging, and even conversational book. It is so thorough, though not always hands-on, but gives you a more general frosting as well as lots of encouragement. Then again, I made a few lists while reading, of things to incorporate into this years’ and further years’ curriculum, and it is also easy to reference things since the book is organized in smaller and very logical chunks.
__________
I read You Can Teach Your Child Successfully by Ruth Beechick. It was published by Mott Media in 1988, and updated for the 1992 and 1999 edition, the second of which I have.
__________
QUOTES
*There is way too much underlining in my copy to transfer all the quotes I marked, here. I will narrow them down extremely and share a few favorites.
“Everyone thinks that it goes smoothly in everyone else’s house and theirs is the only place that has problems” (pvii).
“But if you find yourself trying to mold your child to a book, try reversing priorities” (pvii).
“Ultimately, children need an inner discipline if they are going to become good learners” (p15).
“Reading to children should not stop suddenly when children complete the primary grades” (p37).
“This one-on-one interaction of child with adult is a major advantage of teaching at home” (p39).
“Some activities could develop into long projects, such as writing a play, and if interest is high you should not cut the project short just to keep up with a schedule” (p69).
“If your child makes a particular letter poorly, help him to get a good picture of that letter in his head” (p124).
“You may comment first on something good about a child’s writing and then find something that can be improved” (p125).
“They learned a great deal of grammar as they learned to talk” (p167).
“The ‘utility’ purpose of arithmetic are largely met when children know basic arithmetic facts from memory and can calculate in the four basic operations” (p177).
“The best general advice about tests is to not be driven either by current test scores or by ambition concerning next year’s results …. But those who teach for meaning (while not neglecting computation) and who emphasize problem solving do achieve remarkable results (p198).
“Any time something isn’t clear to a child, try to arrange a way for him to work through the process with checkers or rods or coins or other objects” (p203).
“But an important principle l to remember is that real-life teaching is never as easy as it looks when laid out in a book” (p228).
“Both in real-life and on multiple-choice tests an estimated answer often suffices” (p260).
“The most obvious weakness [of textbooks] is the superficial treatment of most topics” (p295).
“You may be more of an expert when you finish the unit, but that is one of the hazards (or pleasures) of teaching” (299).
“The best ingredient of this sequence is the excitement of the parent” (p303).
“So you need to realize… that not everything in print is true” (p305).
“The California committee wanted history to be as a story well told—‘an exciting and dramatic series of events that helped to shape the present’” (p307).
“But in science, they should hold answers or opinions tentatively, even skeptically” (p326).
“Homeschooling families have the unique opportunity to raise children in a quiet, unstressful atmosphere in which they can develop powers of intense concentration” (p343).
***REVIEW WRITTEN FOR THE STARVING ARTIST BLOG***
February 2, 2020
I put off reading this book for years because I thought the ideological differences with the author would make it useless, but now regret that choice. There is so much useful information here, especially for any families trying to homeschool on a very tight budget.
I especially love the sections on reading and writing. It is very Charlotte Mason-esque with copywork and dictation, and the writing ideas seem like a lot of fun. The idea of writing letters to your government representatives as a regular part of writing practice sounds so exciting to me!
She uses some Bible quotes as examples, which don't even really register on the radar for me as a problem. It did get annoying to me in the history chapter when she asserts "if they understand about mankind's fall into sin and of the major war in this world between evil and righteousness, they better understand political tyrants, crime, wars and other social topics." I disagree with this on such a visceral level I almost put the book down... in a hard, swift, fly-through-the-air manner.
And it doesn't get better. That gem didn't show up until more than 3/4 of the way through the book, but the rest has a least a dozen examples of her problems with feminism, people "brainwashed by evolution", evils of abortion, abstinence until marriage as the only way to prevent AIDS (wow this book really is from 1988), and of course an entire chapter on the Bible that I didn't even want to touch at that point.
But I still give it 3 stars. The first 3/4ths of the book are valuable enough, to me, that I want it in my library. There are a few pages I might rip out, not as censorship but as a rage response. I'll do my best to control myself, though. If you aren't Christian, maybe read up until the Chapter on Social Studies and just... stop. There are a million places to learn about using library books to teach Science and Social Studies that do not beat you about the head with personal views so you won't miss much skipping these.
I especially love the sections on reading and writing. It is very Charlotte Mason-esque with copywork and dictation, and the writing ideas seem like a lot of fun. The idea of writing letters to your government representatives as a regular part of writing practice sounds so exciting to me!
She uses some Bible quotes as examples, which don't even really register on the radar for me as a problem. It did get annoying to me in the history chapter when she asserts "if they understand about mankind's fall into sin and of the major war in this world between evil and righteousness, they better understand political tyrants, crime, wars and other social topics." I disagree with this on such a visceral level I almost put the book down... in a hard, swift, fly-through-the-air manner.
And it doesn't get better. That gem didn't show up until more than 3/4 of the way through the book, but the rest has a least a dozen examples of her problems with feminism, people "brainwashed by evolution", evils of abortion, abstinence until marriage as the only way to prevent AIDS (wow this book really is from 1988), and of course an entire chapter on the Bible that I didn't even want to touch at that point.
But I still give it 3 stars. The first 3/4ths of the book are valuable enough, to me, that I want it in my library. There are a few pages I might rip out, not as censorship but as a rage response. I'll do my best to control myself, though. If you aren't Christian, maybe read up until the Chapter on Social Studies and just... stop. There are a million places to learn about using library books to teach Science and Social Studies that do not beat you about the head with personal views so you won't miss much skipping these.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2025
I found this wonderful gem of a book recommended on a retired homeschool mama’s book recommendation list. It was amazing! For starters, as someone that mainly homeschools to pass along the Christian faith, this book does a great job of showing how to introduce your kids to a thinking and living faith through their learning.
Next, she is so practical!!!!! Like to the point, I wondered if she had seen my house. I love how she started the whole book by stating that we assume every other home school family has it together better then we do and we are the exception with sibling squabbles and resistant learners, etc. We all have challenges. We just tend to forget that in the moment of discouragement.
Finally, she is very Charlotte Mason style in her teaching as am I. What she recommends is very similar to what we do so this book was a great kick in the pants to keep up what I am doing with kids. And it had wonderful ideas to add to the mix to better do what I am already doing.
I would highly recommend this book. It is like having your hand held by that experienced older mama as she says you are doing great and gives advice when you need it.
Next, she is so practical!!!!! Like to the point, I wondered if she had seen my house. I love how she started the whole book by stating that we assume every other home school family has it together better then we do and we are the exception with sibling squabbles and resistant learners, etc. We all have challenges. We just tend to forget that in the moment of discouragement.
Finally, she is very Charlotte Mason style in her teaching as am I. What she recommends is very similar to what we do so this book was a great kick in the pants to keep up what I am doing with kids. And it had wonderful ideas to add to the mix to better do what I am already doing.
I would highly recommend this book. It is like having your hand held by that experienced older mama as she says you are doing great and gives advice when you need it.
March 11, 2019
I'm reading this book because of homeschooling assignment. I enjoy the ideas this author shares for each subject in school and giving wonderful examples. To show us as we homeschool we can teach our kids better than we think we are. As parent's we are harder on ourselves than we should be. I thought I wasn't doing very well as a mom who homeschooled but I'm doing alot better than I thought. As I'm reading this book, I'm already doing the things this author explains and its awesome! Some things I don't agree on like how she teaches math. I will stick with the old style not the common core stuff these days. The old way is faster and easier to figure out. The Bible chapter at the end. It's good for people who think that way but somethings I don't agree with.
I enjoy the grade level ideas she shares in each subject and what each age group should be learning and how to teach them.
With this said, I'm glad I read it and enjoyed somethings I'll probably use. I'm glad to know I'm on the right path and teaching my children in the different programs they are in.
I enjoy the grade level ideas she shares in each subject and what each age group should be learning and how to teach them.
With this said, I'm glad I read it and enjoyed somethings I'll probably use. I'm glad to know I'm on the right path and teaching my children in the different programs they are in.
January 17, 2019
Every homescool should read! Ruth Beechick has a practical approach to homeschooling and teaching your children at home. She also has a very encouraging tone that many of us homeschoolers desperately need. In a round about way she tells you, you can do this, your not in over your head and you are very capable of teaching your children. She lays it out in a simple manner that had me thinking, that makes complete sense and I was trying to complicate the matter. My only complaint is I wish I could have found more information and details on specific questions I have had. But when looking for her methods, is when I discovered the Charlotte Mason method. I believe, as well as other homeschoolers, the Charlotte Mason method compliments how Ruth Beechick would have taught children. Both Ruth Beechick ans Charlotte Mason have influenced my homewchooling room tremendously.
dnf
April 29, 2025I’d heard good things about this author and wanted to see if I could glean any helpful tips as I DIY my daughter’s language arts curriculum. It was probably a really helpful book in its time, but it feels quite outdated today.
October 8, 2017
It’s a little dated, but overall a very helpful book for understanding age-appropriate standards in homeschooling.
May 18, 2021
Worked my way through half of this several years ago, and never had time to finish, so gave it back to the owner. Will try again later.
July 14, 2014
If I were to create a Homeschooling for Parents 101 course, it would include Ruth Beechick’s book, You Can Teach Your Child Successfully: Grades 4-8.
Filled with practical, no-nonsense advice and a step-by-step relaxed plan for teaching the basics every child should know, this book is an absolute must for those just beginning to homeschool (see Mrs. Beechick's companion book, The Three R's, for K-3). It is also chock-full of valuable info that even veteran homeschoolers will find useful. There is something for everyone, whether you are planning on creating your own unit studies, using a hodgepodge of texts, or are locked into one curriculum provider for all subjects.
Mrs. Beechick, who was a school teacher for many years, starts by encouraging her readers that they truly are capable of teaching their own children and doing it well. She takes the mystery out of what homeschool education is all about, and fills us ordinary moms with a Yes! I think I can do this now! confidence.
She coaches us in how to teach without ever having to purchase textbooks, and if this is the direction you want to go, she will help you do it with excellence. (We used textbooks most of the time, but her ideas still enriched our learning.) She gives valuable information about what children should know and when, practical skills that should be taught (some of which your textbooks have probably missed entirely), and how to lighten up, relax, and enjoy teaching your children.
I found this book very freeing, as I learned from Mrs. Beechick that it is OK to not do every workbook page, if your child already has a good grasp of the material. She has some wonderful ideas about teaching math concepts without having to buy the fancy manipulatives. And who can beat her “total immersion” approach to teaching health? (Hint: it means teaching common sense health stuff as you go along, and not feeling the need to do a workbook course on brushing teeth and bathing!) She thoroughly covers how to teach reading, writing, science and health, math, social studies, the arts, and the Bible.
This book is down-to-earth, fast-paced, and fun to read. It will give you a new confidence and enthusiasm for homeschooling, and will teach you ways to make learning enjoyable for your children as well. I appreciated the very Christ-centered focus of her materials.
You will be passing this one around to many of your friends. I wish I had bought two, because mine was loaned out so much.
Also recommended: Mrs. Beechick's The Three R's -- for K-3.
Filled with practical, no-nonsense advice and a step-by-step relaxed plan for teaching the basics every child should know, this book is an absolute must for those just beginning to homeschool (see Mrs. Beechick's companion book, The Three R's, for K-3). It is also chock-full of valuable info that even veteran homeschoolers will find useful. There is something for everyone, whether you are planning on creating your own unit studies, using a hodgepodge of texts, or are locked into one curriculum provider for all subjects.
Mrs. Beechick, who was a school teacher for many years, starts by encouraging her readers that they truly are capable of teaching their own children and doing it well. She takes the mystery out of what homeschool education is all about, and fills us ordinary moms with a Yes! I think I can do this now! confidence.
She coaches us in how to teach without ever having to purchase textbooks, and if this is the direction you want to go, she will help you do it with excellence. (We used textbooks most of the time, but her ideas still enriched our learning.) She gives valuable information about what children should know and when, practical skills that should be taught (some of which your textbooks have probably missed entirely), and how to lighten up, relax, and enjoy teaching your children.
I found this book very freeing, as I learned from Mrs. Beechick that it is OK to not do every workbook page, if your child already has a good grasp of the material. She has some wonderful ideas about teaching math concepts without having to buy the fancy manipulatives. And who can beat her “total immersion” approach to teaching health? (Hint: it means teaching common sense health stuff as you go along, and not feeling the need to do a workbook course on brushing teeth and bathing!) She thoroughly covers how to teach reading, writing, science and health, math, social studies, the arts, and the Bible.
This book is down-to-earth, fast-paced, and fun to read. It will give you a new confidence and enthusiasm for homeschooling, and will teach you ways to make learning enjoyable for your children as well. I appreciated the very Christ-centered focus of her materials.
You will be passing this one around to many of your friends. I wish I had bought two, because mine was loaned out so much.
Also recommended: Mrs. Beechick's The Three R's -- for K-3.
May 24, 2015
A very popular educational writer for homeschoolers. I can see why. She sets out realistic and direct instructions and ideas on exactly what is essential to teach in each grade. She makes it all seem completely possible which of course it is but we often self doubt. The three stars are for the great ideas within the pages. The music section alone is worth the price of the book. She dumbed down learning scales so well I now understand something I haven't made sense of in 4 years of flute lessons, 2 years of piano and all of high school music! Her writing chapters are fabulous too. This is a good book to get from the library read through and then buy a copy for yourself if you will use it as a reference. Warning- it is deeply religious. Completely biased towards Christianity to a point that I almost put it down a couple of times and ended up skipping over some sections. I am not against christian views in my reading but this is too politically presented at times and lost stars for that.
November 12, 2012
Dr. Ruth (not THAT Dr. Ruth) knows whereof she speaks and instructs! Ruth Beechick's books will always have an honored place on home education bookshelves as long as there is a potential student to be thoughtfully tutored in the foundational matters of learning. This easy to read and to apply text gave me the courage and confidence I needed to pursue home education past the primary years. Many thank-you's to our beloved Dr. Ruth!
October 1, 2012
Wonderful, easy to read & helpful book from Mrs. Beechick. Her practical, common sense approach helped guide me in a lot of ways & I was successfully able to use much the material, lists etc. she provided in her book. I liked the fact that this book didn't pile on a new batch of 'to do's' but actually unburdened me in my challenges with homeschooling & simplified/streamlined our lives making schooling more enjoyable for all involved!
February 28, 2008
It's listed as a homeschooling book, but it has so many tips for teaching children that I think it's wonderful for any parent who wants to help their children learn, even if it's just helping them with their homework after public school.
February 27, 2009
Common-sense, practical advice from a veteran teacher. A book to return to again and again as you move through various phases of learning with your home taught children. Using Beechick's methods, you need only a library card and a will to do.
March 15, 2010
I love reading Ruth Beechick's wonderful insights on education. Very freeing to be able to weed out unecessary elements of our daily school and narrow in on the important things. Great information to have on hand - I refer to this book often.
July 2, 2011
I love Ruth Beechick's writing. Incredible common sense. I felt comfortable sorting through & taking what worked for me. Helped me let go of "school at home" and dive into enjoyable learning at home.
April 18, 2008
The author encourages homeschooling parents through basic education of the 8th grade.
Review at eho.org
Review at eho.org
August 26, 2008
371.042 BEE
August 12, 2011
This book is a great reference for homeschooling.
Want to read
December 21, 2010Chapter 16 - time periods
January 22, 2017
I read this years ago and remember considering it to be one of the best homeschool resources I had read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews