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The Homeschooling Handbook: How to Make Homeschooling Simple, Affordable, Fun, and Effective
The mere thought of homeschooling can be overwhelming. What curriculum do I choose? What if we can’t afford all the books? How do I schedule our time? Will my children become socially awkward recluses? What if I screw up my kids’ education?! Lorilee Lippincott, a seasoned homeschooling mom, shows just how simple homeschooling can be. She and her husband taught their two kids in a one-bedroom apartment before picking up and moving the whole family to China. They’ve discovered that they don’t need rooms full of books, educational toys, and other teaching tools, nor do they need schedules packed full of extracurricular activities, field trips, and social events. Perhaps even more importantly, they don’t need to panic about making sure their kids turn out okay. It’s actually all pretty simple, she tells readers.
But homeschooling well does require some planning and dedication, and a book like The Homeschooling Handbook to be your guide. Here you’ll find all your questions answered in Lippincott’s straightforward, warm, and witty style. Topics covered
How to instill curiosity and a love of learning
Types of homeschooling
Your socialization fears assuaged
How to create simple schedules and stick to them
Tips for keeping costs down
Teaching kids with disabilities
The benefits of play time
Legal requirements
How to avoid burnout
And much more!
Full of anecdotes, interviews with other homeschooling families, and wisdom, this is a must-have for any family considering the homeschooling life.
But homeschooling well does require some planning and dedication, and a book like The Homeschooling Handbook to be your guide. Here you’ll find all your questions answered in Lippincott’s straightforward, warm, and witty style. Topics covered
How to instill curiosity and a love of learning
Types of homeschooling
Your socialization fears assuaged
How to create simple schedules and stick to them
Tips for keeping costs down
Teaching kids with disabilities
The benefits of play time
Legal requirements
How to avoid burnout
And much more!
Full of anecdotes, interviews with other homeschooling families, and wisdom, this is a must-have for any family considering the homeschooling life.
176 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2014
26 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 5, 2022
"By creating time and space for unstructured play and exploring nature, you are maximizing children's opportunities to grow and develop academically while maturing their world." (PG. 125)
I needed a little pick-me-up after feeling so burnt out lately. On those nights when you can't sleep because you question your choices it's nice to know other people feel the same way. I love my kids and I know homeschooling is the right choice for us especially after the COVID pandemic and the mental illness of school shooters having gone up.
I will make one thing clear, I do not homeschool to shelter my kids. I want them to travel and explore and question the world, to get outside their comfort zones, not keep them in a box and avoid people. I know many families who go to public schools and keep them within their class system, religion and church groups and call themselves open minded yet they only hang out with (Mormon, Middle-class, Jewish, etc.) these people. I see it in my son's soccer club yet I am the homeschooling weirdo. But my point in saying this is that we all do what we want with our kids and guide them subconsciously or consciously, depending on how we see it.
It was a nice feel good encouraging book. This is great for people that have never homeschooled and want to know more about it. I've been doing it for almost 10 years + 3 kids total but it is always good to see what other curriculums there are or better ideas to do the one thing.
I needed a little pick-me-up after feeling so burnt out lately. On those nights when you can't sleep because you question your choices it's nice to know other people feel the same way. I love my kids and I know homeschooling is the right choice for us especially after the COVID pandemic and the mental illness of school shooters having gone up.
I will make one thing clear, I do not homeschool to shelter my kids. I want them to travel and explore and question the world, to get outside their comfort zones, not keep them in a box and avoid people. I know many families who go to public schools and keep them within their class system, religion and church groups and call themselves open minded yet they only hang out with (Mormon, Middle-class, Jewish, etc.) these people. I see it in my son's soccer club yet I am the homeschooling weirdo. But my point in saying this is that we all do what we want with our kids and guide them subconsciously or consciously, depending on how we see it.
It was a nice feel good encouraging book. This is great for people that have never homeschooled and want to know more about it. I've been doing it for almost 10 years + 3 kids total but it is always good to see what other curriculums there are or better ideas to do the one thing.
November 15, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. Very concise book with tons of resources and tips. If you are considering homeschooling your children or would just like to learn more about the option, this is a great read. Lorilee does a great job introducing all the different homeschooling styles without shaming traditional schooling in any way. Great job.
May 9, 2015
This was a very encouraging book. I especially liked all the case studies of real life people that the author included. She prepares you for burnout and other realistic parts of homeschooling.
It was light on the information I was really looking for though. She gives a very brief summary of different homeschooling methods (classical, Waldorf, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, etc.) and when I say very brief, I mean very brief! I wish there was more talk about different curricula available and what they have to offer. As it was, she only mentioned 2, and they were both Christian.
So, if you are looking for motivation and encouragement that you can do it then this is the book for you. If you are looking for information about what is available to homeschoolers and more of the "how" this probably won't be the most helpful book.
It was light on the information I was really looking for though. She gives a very brief summary of different homeschooling methods (classical, Waldorf, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, etc.) and when I say very brief, I mean very brief! I wish there was more talk about different curricula available and what they have to offer. As it was, she only mentioned 2, and they were both Christian.
So, if you are looking for motivation and encouragement that you can do it then this is the book for you. If you are looking for information about what is available to homeschoolers and more of the "how" this probably won't be the most helpful book.
February 26, 2015
First I come at this book as an educator. I run a museum volunteer program for students ages 10-18. About 40 each year are homeschoolers.
This book is a good, concise overview of homeschooling. It’s a quick and easy read (about 170 pages). I’d think of it a good intro to homeschooling for parents who are considering homeschooling their child, and are ready to step beyond what they can find on Google.
The author’s style is straightforward and relatable. Take, for example, her chapter on methods of homeschooling. She gives a 1-2 page overview of styles such as Classical, Montessori, Waldorf, Unschooling, and Thomas Jefferson. She follows each approach with a 1-2 page case study. These stories of real-life families give the reader a glimpse into the style in action. At the end of the book, you won’t have a curriculum developed, but you will have a good idea of “This is a teaching method I’d like to research further,” or “That doesn’t sound like a fit for my family.”
Other topics she addresses are socialization, scheduling, time management, finances, and legalities. She includes some practical tips on how to unclutter a learning space, such as keeping only a few toys in a child’s room at a time, and rotating. The topics I appreciated most as a museum educator explored the question of what learning really is, and how to supplement structured learning time with free-choice learning.
This book is a good, concise overview of homeschooling. It’s a quick and easy read (about 170 pages). I’d think of it a good intro to homeschooling for parents who are considering homeschooling their child, and are ready to step beyond what they can find on Google.
The author’s style is straightforward and relatable. Take, for example, her chapter on methods of homeschooling. She gives a 1-2 page overview of styles such as Classical, Montessori, Waldorf, Unschooling, and Thomas Jefferson. She follows each approach with a 1-2 page case study. These stories of real-life families give the reader a glimpse into the style in action. At the end of the book, you won’t have a curriculum developed, but you will have a good idea of “This is a teaching method I’d like to research further,” or “That doesn’t sound like a fit for my family.”
Other topics she addresses are socialization, scheduling, time management, finances, and legalities. She includes some practical tips on how to unclutter a learning space, such as keeping only a few toys in a child’s room at a time, and rotating. The topics I appreciated most as a museum educator explored the question of what learning really is, and how to supplement structured learning time with free-choice learning.
May 15, 2017
this book took a while. not because it was long or boring but because I'm in the midst of all this other reading. it was interesting but stated a lot of what I've seen in other books already. short, easy to read sections.
July 24, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. While I wasn't nervous about homeschooling or have any apprehension (I have a teaching degree and 8 years teaching experience), I found this book encouraging. I liked it because it introduced me to the various styles of homeschooling that exist and got me the about some of my traditional school mindsets that I want to change with homeschooling (it helped to unschool me!). I recommend this book to anyone beginning his/her homeschooling journey!
September 4, 2022
If you’re just starting on a search for whether or not you want to homeschool, this is a really helpful little handbook. It breaks down the different methods of homeschooling (Charlotte Mason vs. Waldorf vs. Unschooling, etc) and a lot of other helpful topics brand new homeschoolers might need help with. Worth a quick read!
February 5, 2022
Excellent info on all the types of homeschooling. Real-life anecdotes and encouragement from homeschooling parents and children. Includes reasons for choosing homeschooling, different ages and grades and the legal side of things. Very well-written and informative!
February 17, 2024
This was such a sweet and easy read. One of my favorite parts is where she encourages the reader to write out their parental + schooling goals by the time their child has left the home. Such a great thing to dwell on! Overall, such great information!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2017
An encouraging look at how possible and valuable homeschooling is. Nothing earth-shattering here, but plenty to think about and possibly return to in the years ahead.
February 26, 2018
Read for a class. It's a decent introduction to homeschooling in general, with a bit of good information and resources listed.
November 11, 2018
Very introductory, not enough substance.
February 5, 2020
So wonderful! I devoured this book. It gave SO many options in an easy to read way. Helped with my confidence in taking this path and gave me so many amazing resources.
October 7, 2020
Lots of good info and encouragement for homeschooling!
September 1, 2023
A good overview/refresher. Nothing all that new. I most liked her list of the skills that she wanted her children to graduate their homeschool experience with.
January 18, 2016
Short, sweet, and to the point. Although it was a little repetitive, it does give a basic guide-line of the different ways of homeschooling along with some very useful tips to keep costs down while still giving your child a good education.
October 4, 2015
Very concise and quick to read. perfect read I no for someone giving homeschool a thought.
April 7, 2015
I love this book. I really wish I'd read it 5 or 10 years ago!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews