Product Description

OPEN IT.

DISCOVER a resource-rich book that explores wide and deep below the surface of successful homeschooling.

DISCOVER insights that unlock forever the clues to how children learn naturally through everyday family life.

NOT a compilation of facts and figures, NOT a set of steps, and NOT EVEN an argument for homeschooling.

Instead, ENGAGE IN A CONVERSATION that will deepen your understanding of how children learn in families. You gain insights into how family-based learning works as never before. Enjoy trying out many time-tested resources.

Find out how everyday habits - play, conversation, togetherness - even growing up! - work together to bring joy to families while helping children hold onto their love of learning as they explore the world.

Written in a friendly and conversational style, you will enjoy the author's insights into family dynamics. Every parent should have this information at their fingertips.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #471539 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 430 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Home-schooling parent Lahrson-Fisher (Homeschooling in Oregon) presents a comprehensive, reader-friendly tome on home-schooling. Its scope is inclusive of all who might choose this alternative education, as well as of every aspect of home-schooling from curriculum materials and legal support services to home schooling organizations. Prospective home-schooling parents (and even parents of children who attend school) will appreciate the book's wealth of wisdom on child development, learning and family life. Part One, "Play," continues in the tradition of David Elkind (The Hurried Child) and Neil Postman (The Disappearance of Childhood) with its sensible argument for allowing children the time to develop their imaginative and expressive selves through play. Part Two offers reassuring advice for parents worried about how to approach the basics of literacy and mathematics with their children. Subsequent sections are more specifically oriented to home-schoolers and offer tips on family life and the organization of the living/school space, evaluation and testing, getting ready for college and other important issues, including how to respond to the inevitable criticism from family and friends. What Lahrson-Fisher's book lacks in theory, it makes up for in common sense, clearly rooted in the author's personal experiences. Although slightly redundant, the book will remind readers of the benefits of living a life that celebrates the simple things: "play, conversation, togetherness, and growing up."
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Review
" - a work of great good sense that will enlarge your imagination...a potent package." -- John Taylor Gatto, author

"...This book bursts with creative ideas and resources that every homeschooling parent will find valuable." -- Mothering Magazine, July 2003

"...a rich and eloquently personal look at how children learn...well organized and easy to dip into..." -- Life Learning Magazine January/February 2003

"...excited to see this title...how to [educate the kids while building a strong family] with love and togetherness." -- The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, 2003

"...makes so much sense. I am reminded of the clear, common-sense observations of another great homeschooling writer: John Holt." -- Helen Hegener, publisher,

"...respects parents' common sense and wisdom, honors children's amazing power to learn...tackles its subject with thoughtfulness, insight..." -- Home Education Magazine January/February 2003

From the Publisher
Ann Lahrson-Fisher has written an extensive exploration of how children learn naturally in families through play, conversation, family togetherness, and the process of growing up. This book is a refreshing look at the how-to and why-to of homeschooling, including academic, social, learning style, and family life issues, plus a bonus of many practical resources and tips. It is a comprehensive volume - 45 chapters, 4 appendixes, many resource lists - that will save parents time and money by focusing attention on how children learn in families.

Customer Reviews

Best Purchase I have made!
I wish I would have found this book before any others. It was exactly what I needed. It is a wonderful guide to how to teach through real life and with plenty of fun. She gives an extensive list of things in your home that you already have that enrich your childs learning expirience. She talks about making habits in your home. It reminds me of "7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It sould be called Highly Effective Habits of the Homeschooling Family. It has been such a comfort to me and has given me wonderful new and fresh ideas to add to what I had been doing. She suggests several games that help children learn. I seriously cannot say enough about how much I love this book. It is a breath of fresh air. It isn't telling you that her way is the only way or the best way it is merely stating the fundamentals, the facts, the basics, learning should not be dreaded! Worth Every penny. I only wish it was sold in hard back since I use it so often, Mine has great wear and tear.

Common sense, expertise and heart
Ann Lahrson Fisher's book has proven useful to me in advising new homeschoolers on my email list, and at my website. Homeschooling parents want to know how to help their children in their studies and learning in addition to information provided in textbooks. Ann's book provides it.

Even though Ann published her book after my kids had received their high school diplomas and had gone off on their own, I still bought Ann's book for my home library. When new homeschoolers have called for help, I had a ready reference for hints, tips and strategies to augment my own knowledge. Ann's brain and mine are better than mine alone.

Ann's book is a long-term reference and is useful in homeschooling little kids, middle kids and great big kids.

terrific resource
Check out this comprehensive "how to" on homeschooling, written by prolific author and homeschooler Ann Lahrson-Fisher. Easy to understand, you can read it from the first page to the last or simply thumb through it, using it as a resource whenever questions come up. There is plenty of information here that will apply to learners of all kinds. The author is a terrific speaker, too, and gives presentations at homeschool workshops around the United States. Go hear her speak if you get a chance!