When I first started homeschooling, one of the books that I turned to for information was Debra Bell’s Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling. It was packed with information that helped me as I started my homeschooling journey. I kept it on my bookshelf as a reference that I turned to often.
Recently, Apologia Press released an updated version of the Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell. Yes, you read that correctly. Apologia Press, who is known for their excellent science curriculum, has branched out and added new resources to their product line.
The bright orange cover was the first thing that caught my eye. Orange is not an unfamiliar color at our house as D likes orange because it stands out, so having an orange cover was not a drawback for me. I opened up the book and read the foreward by Michael Farris, Founder of the HSLDA. Then, I began to look over the book.
I had forgotten how much good information was in this book for not only new homeschoolers, but also seasoned homeschoolers. Debra starts by addressing the issue of whether homeschooling is for you. She moves on to choosing curriculum, organization & planning, and what to teach. She writes about burn out and ways to avoid it. She talks about homeschooling teens and computers in your homeschool. She even touches on different challenges that you may face in your homeschool. She concludes the book with an excellent resource guide.
One of my favorite sections was “Measuring Your Success”. This section talks about how to figure out if your homeschool is on target, the need to avoid the comparison trap, and the different methods of assessment. Debra’s wit and Christian faith can be found throughout the whole book.
The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling can be read straight through, or it can be picked up when you need to address certain situations in your homeschooling journey. More than likely, it will find a permanent place in your homeschool resource library.
Product Information:
- Paperback: 528 pages
- Publisher: Apologia Press; 4th edition (November 1, 2009)
- ISBN-10: 1932012982
- ISBN-13: 978-1932012989
- Retail Price: $20.00
- Sample Chapter
- Table of Contents
