What do you think?
Rate this book
The Self-Propelled Advantage: The Parent's Guide to Raising Independent, Motivated Kids Who Learn with Excellence
A home education expert and mother of eight shares her experiences and insights into harnessing a child’s natural desire to learn. Joanne Calderwood has been a popular magazine columnist for several years and has become a popular speaker at home-education conferences across the country. Her self-propelled philosophy of education has transformed lives across the nation and around the world. In The Self-Propelled Advantage, Calderwood shares her wisdom, experience, and philosophy of education and parenting, as borne out in the lives of her own exceptional children. Informative and inspiring, The Self-Propelled Advantage is for any parent who places a high value on their children’s education. Detailing her methods for raising inquisitive, diligent, self-motivated children, Calderwood also shares valuable information on preparing for college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT. Having taught one SAT perfect scorer, one near-perfect scorer, and four students who have gone to college on full academic scholarships, Calderwood has proven how successful her methods can be.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2012
9 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 11, 2013
Somehow I picked up this book at the library without realizing it is written by a homeschool mom, primarily for homeschool families. I wasn't really in the market for another how-to-improve-your-homeschool book, but this one does take a different tack. Calderwood advocates the idea of self-teaching or self-learning, starting around fourth grade. Not everyone will apply this principle to the same extent as the Calderwoods, but there's a lot of solid advice to glean here. I especially appreciated the fact that this book goes into detail about implementing methods of self-learning. It fleshes out some of the good ideas many of us already have about encouraging our maturing students to gain more initiative and independence.
One gripe is that the author seems to be one of those people who can just keep on (and on) talking, or in this case writing. Thankfully the writing is skillful and pleasant, just verbose at times. I still consider this book worth the time to read. I know our homeschool experience will benefit from some of the insights and examples.
One gripe is that the author seems to be one of those people who can just keep on (and on) talking, or in this case writing. Thankfully the writing is skillful and pleasant, just verbose at times. I still consider this book worth the time to read. I know our homeschool experience will benefit from some of the insights and examples.
December 30, 2020
This book is one that I wish I had read years ago when I started homeschooling! I would highly recommend this book to ALL homeschooling parents, veterans and newbies alike. This book will challenge your thinking and cause you to strive for better results!
Throughout this book, Calderwood presents her proven method and philosophy of training your children to become independent learners and self-teachers who will consequently develop a strong love for learning. She emphasizes three elements of a self-propelled student: Self-Mastery (training your child's character), Mastery Mindset (learning everything to a mastery level), and Self-Teaching (being able to independently teach yourself).
We have been trained to think that because the public school system uses a particular method/mindset of education, it must be correct. We think of education only from one perspective and often never even ask ourselves the reasons behind how we educate our children. Throughout this book, the author presented several concepts that go against traditional education practices and initially cause the reader to question the validity of the author's claims. Yet, Calderwood gives repeated testimony and arguments that clearly demonstrate a better mindset concerning education that makes logical sense, actually works, and consequently produces better results. A self-propelled student is able to pick up a textbook, set goals for himself, and then learn the information to a mastery level every single time (all with parental guidance as needed).
There is so much I could say about this book - I took page after page of notes! I cannot recommend this book enough!
Throughout this book, Calderwood presents her proven method and philosophy of training your children to become independent learners and self-teachers who will consequently develop a strong love for learning. She emphasizes three elements of a self-propelled student: Self-Mastery (training your child's character), Mastery Mindset (learning everything to a mastery level), and Self-Teaching (being able to independently teach yourself).
We have been trained to think that because the public school system uses a particular method/mindset of education, it must be correct. We think of education only from one perspective and often never even ask ourselves the reasons behind how we educate our children. Throughout this book, the author presented several concepts that go against traditional education practices and initially cause the reader to question the validity of the author's claims. Yet, Calderwood gives repeated testimony and arguments that clearly demonstrate a better mindset concerning education that makes logical sense, actually works, and consequently produces better results. A self-propelled student is able to pick up a textbook, set goals for himself, and then learn the information to a mastery level every single time (all with parental guidance as needed).
There is so much I could say about this book - I took page after page of notes! I cannot recommend this book enough!
Because we are conditioned to think that kids need a teacher as a mediator between knowledge and their young brains, we do not trust children to learn independently. In the realm of home education, many parents never let go of the bicycle once the child understands the fundamental rules of the road. (p. 15)
Why do we move on when a child makes a C on a test and obviously did not understand all of the material? (p. 117) An A is not the goal. However, it should be the outcome of mastery learning every single time. ... Accepting less than A-level work from our children sends them the message that either the material isn't important enough to be learned, that it isn't important to do your best, or that excellence isn't worth the trouble. We must fight against the "a B or C is ok" mentality! (p. 118)
The goal is for the student to learn and to be self-disciplined enough to learn despite the fact that the material may not thrill him. It still must be done and be done well. (p. 169)
While it can be useful, the "learning style" concept is overrated. People have learning preferences, but must learn to adapt to all learning styles. A college professor does not care about a student's learning style, neither does an employer. Rather a child should be taught to adapt and work through weaker areas to achieve mastery learning. (p. 179)
A student does not need you to understand physics for him. If he is a self-learner, he will be able to work through it himself. (p. 186)
June 22, 2021
I like the basic idea, but the book felt like padding. Too much of it was making the case for things which have already been decided here. Should you consign your child to daycare? Or stay at home? After you've made that decision, we'll continue. What are the different schooling options? Homeschooling is one of them. Should you do that? Here are some reasons why it's good. And finally, after you've made that decision, we'll move on with the book.
The curriculum section is brief and not especially inspiring - instead of offering a variety of options, it mostly lists what this one particular family actually used (which is mostly A Beka). But I wasn't looking to this book for curriculum suggestions. Then there is the student planner, which is extolled as being "equally as important as your curriculum" (I dispute this) - the author has designed these planners and sells them - but we don't even get a single sample picture in the book. I would have liked to see much more on this, in support of the hyperbole.
Over the course of the book there is some useful information, but I wish I could read a distilled version that cut to the chase.
The curriculum section is brief and not especially inspiring - instead of offering a variety of options, it mostly lists what this one particular family actually used (which is mostly A Beka). But I wasn't looking to this book for curriculum suggestions. Then there is the student planner, which is extolled as being "equally as important as your curriculum" (I dispute this) - the author has designed these planners and sells them - but we don't even get a single sample picture in the book. I would have liked to see much more on this, in support of the hyperbole.
Over the course of the book there is some useful information, but I wish I could read a distilled version that cut to the chase.
January 20, 2019
Excellent Read! Couldn't put it down
This book touched me, and is what I have needed to read. Lots of valuable, affirming information on discipline and character-building in addition to the information about self-teaching and the mastery concept. It affirms to me that I have been moving in the right direction with our homeschool. I enjoyed the very detailed information about learning to mastery, and now I feel I am ready to let that solutions manual free and begin the check-ups! Thanks, Joanne, for writing this book!
This book touched me, and is what I have needed to read. Lots of valuable, affirming information on discipline and character-building in addition to the information about self-teaching and the mastery concept. It affirms to me that I have been moving in the right direction with our homeschool. I enjoyed the very detailed information about learning to mastery, and now I feel I am ready to let that solutions manual free and begin the check-ups! Thanks, Joanne, for writing this book!
June 23, 2022
I would absolutely recommend this book to any homeschool parent. Such a great perspective on how kids they’ve when they learn independently.
June 13, 2023
Very good in theory. Before you can implement much of it, you have to “have your child’s heart”…they pretty much need to be good natured and compliant.
February 8, 2013
Have you heard the old proverb which says that if you give a man a fish you feed him for a day, but if you teach him how to fish you feed him for a lifetime? That same principle applies to education in general. Either we can spoon-feed kids facts which will last until they regurgitate them on a test or we can teach them how to learn on their own. In The Self-Propelled Advantage, homeschooling mother Joanne Calderwood, a popular magazine columnist and speaker at home-education conferences across the country, provides a strategy for doing the latter. Didn’t poet William Butler Yeats say that education is not the filling of a bucket but the lighting of a fire? This is an idea that many homeschooling parents have learned and seek to implement in their home education.
Calderwood’s “three-pronged secret that will propel your student down the road of self-discovery” involves first self-mastery, then a mastery mindset, and finally self-teaching. She discusses how to implement these practices with both younger and older children, even through high school and beyond. While Calderwood is a passionate practitioner and promoter of homeschooling, making a good case for its superiority, she also makes suggestions as to how parents of children in traditional public and private schools can utilize her program as well. And for homeschoolers, she identifies curricula that she has used or believes will work well with her self-teaching method. Finally, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Not only does the book cite examples from her own children, one an SAT perfect scorer, one near-perfect scorer, and four who have gone to college on full academic scholarships, throughout, but it also contains a chapter, “Calderwood Kids Speak,” which gives their own first-hand testimony to the effectiveness of the system.
Christian parents have certain goals for the education of their children. With regard to the importance of self-mastery, Calderwood writes, “My husband and I desire to train our children’s hearts first and foremost, and then the educational pieces of the puzzle will fall into place.” And the results? “We’ve raised our young children with a distinctive worldview that will enable them as adults to hold to those values and thrive amidst a culture which tends to make destructive choices.” There are many other good quotes that I jotted down and could give if I had room, but you can get the idea. In addition, valuable information on preparing for college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT can be found. The book seems to be a revised, updated, and expanded version of Calderwood’s earlier work The Self-Teaching Manual (I'm the Mom; I Don't Have to Know Calculus!). All parents can benefit from this material, but those who are homeschooling, or even thinking about homeschooling, will find it especially helpful.
Calderwood’s “three-pronged secret that will propel your student down the road of self-discovery” involves first self-mastery, then a mastery mindset, and finally self-teaching. She discusses how to implement these practices with both younger and older children, even through high school and beyond. While Calderwood is a passionate practitioner and promoter of homeschooling, making a good case for its superiority, she also makes suggestions as to how parents of children in traditional public and private schools can utilize her program as well. And for homeschoolers, she identifies curricula that she has used or believes will work well with her self-teaching method. Finally, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Not only does the book cite examples from her own children, one an SAT perfect scorer, one near-perfect scorer, and four who have gone to college on full academic scholarships, throughout, but it also contains a chapter, “Calderwood Kids Speak,” which gives their own first-hand testimony to the effectiveness of the system.
Christian parents have certain goals for the education of their children. With regard to the importance of self-mastery, Calderwood writes, “My husband and I desire to train our children’s hearts first and foremost, and then the educational pieces of the puzzle will fall into place.” And the results? “We’ve raised our young children with a distinctive worldview that will enable them as adults to hold to those values and thrive amidst a culture which tends to make destructive choices.” There are many other good quotes that I jotted down and could give if I had room, but you can get the idea. In addition, valuable information on preparing for college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT can be found. The book seems to be a revised, updated, and expanded version of Calderwood’s earlier work The Self-Teaching Manual (I'm the Mom; I Don't Have to Know Calculus!). All parents can benefit from this material, but those who are homeschooling, or even thinking about homeschooling, will find it especially helpful.
November 26, 2013
Calderwood, mother of 8, promotes self-learning in her home schooled children and shows how brilliant the results can be. When a mom is so successful in facilitating success for so many children, I take notice and want to know what tips she has. If she didn't post her curricula list in chapter 9, I would have wondered if she was using the Robinson Curriculum. Either way the results are the same: Loving, attentive parents who can teach children in the younger years (birth to about grade 3) and prepare them to go independently at home (grade 4-12) enable them to continue to fly successfully as adults on their own.
I didn't read the ebook, I checked this baby out from the library, but it's definitely a resource that would be good to have at home. And loan out to all the people who ask how you do it!
I didn't read the ebook, I checked this baby out from the library, but it's definitely a resource that would be good to have at home. And loan out to all the people who ask how you do it!
August 2, 2013
A random selection from the library...the title caught my eye and I am glad I read this although the sucess of self propelled learning seems very much geared towards home schooling which I can certainly appreciate the benefits of for students to be able to work at their own pace until they have thoroughly grasped their subjects. This book would be good to read if you were considering home schooling.
I have seen with my own young children when you encourage them to make choices in their learning they are much more engaged and motivated and proud of the outcomes. My son has just started school in New Zealand and I am pleased to see that he has already been involved in the termly goal setting process for his own unique learning outcomes appropriate for his level.
I have seen with my own young children when you encourage them to make choices in their learning they are much more engaged and motivated and proud of the outcomes. My son has just started school in New Zealand and I am pleased to see that he has already been involved in the termly goal setting process for his own unique learning outcomes appropriate for his level.
May 14, 2014
Must read for home school Moms!
Must read for home school Moms!
This book has given me such inspiration for our next year of home school and beyond! Especially if you are feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, you have to get this book and read it. I truly believe it will change you and your children's life for the better. Thank you, Joanne Calderwald!
Must read for home school Moms!
This book has given me such inspiration for our next year of home school and beyond! Especially if you are feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, you have to get this book and read it. I truly believe it will change you and your children's life for the better. Thank you, Joanne Calderwald!
June 22, 2013
Yes! Completely changed my life! I do school at home differently with my student who is reading and there is so much less whining and so much more is getting done and it's so much better for her.
March 21, 2015
Love this book, I really should give it four stars because there are a few things I am do not agree with but over all I really love it, and have implemented it in our home and it works well. I defiantly recommend it to all.
July 9, 2013
Lots of concrete information, some of which I intend to use as we continue homeschooling next year.
August 24, 2013
Lots of "why" not a bit if practical advice. I felt it was preachy, and I kept waiting for the chapter on how to put this in practice but it never came. Disappointed!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews