The Homeschooling Starter Guide: How to Create and Adapt the Best Education Action Plan for Your Needs

I am in "data collection mode" as I am considering transitioning my 4 Autistic sons to homeschooling. This book was comprehensive in explaining the different educational models and included information for homeschooling special needs children, which I really appreciated.This is easy to read, well organized and shares great resources to start on the homeschooling journey. Highly recommend.

I had no idea where to start... this book was really insightful 👌 👏 I especially love the websites and example curriculum she added. Perfect for first time homeschooling 🙂

This is a great resource for those new to homeschooling.

After reading the book I feel more confident about taking on this new adventure with my kids. Thank you!

I have a similar background to the author, in that, I homeschooled my son and I am a college professor! This is not a contradiction but a more full understanding of the significance and breadth of schooling possibilities. I was especially impressed by the fact that the author included philosophical stances which inform the how/why/outcomes of homeschooling. Most guides are overly practical and fail to educate parents regarding how to define a path and align plans, curriculum, and goals with those philosophies. Without an underlying philosophy, homeschooling can become like an unplanned patchwork quilt...it may or may not work out! This is truly a lifetime commitment, in that generations to follow will have a heritage of homeschooling and the warm associated feelings which go along with parents educating their own children. I believe if one attempts homeschooling that it should be done wholeheartedly. So, this guide includes lesson plans, goal mapping, and even budgeting for a successful launch. I also believe that this guide has a "can do" overtone in that almost any diligent parent, after reading this guide, will be affirmed rather than overwhelmed.Submitted by C. Willard, Ed.D., Director of M.S. Education at Nyack College

I’ve been homeschooling for several years but still learned from this book! It’s a short, easy read but covers the bases of everything you might have questions about as well as big-picture philosophy and practical issues to think through. I’d read a lot on homeschooling models as I was getting started, trying to figure out what would work best for my family, but I’d never worked through the previous step of thinking about philosophy and how the various models line up with your philosophy. I wish I’d had this guide to walk me through lots of topics to consider besides just models and what curricula to buy. The author homeschooled her young adult son all the way as a single mom juggling school and career, so she has lots of real-life experience and tips for time and money management. I’d recommend this book to anyone considering homeschooling, but also to seasoned homeschoolers since it’s a great step back to review why you’re doing this and glean some reminders and fresh ideas. I received a free digital review copy from the publisher.

I have been researching homeschooling methods and curriculums for nearly 2 years now (even though my child is not old enough to formally start homeschooling yet). I am glad I had the opportunity to read this book before we actually do start formal schooling (and I will be reading it again). I think this book does exactly what it promises to do: give you the information you need to get started with homeschooling in the way that is right for your family. That last bit is what is so wonderful about this book. Dr. Riley shares her own experience with homeschooling her child and the philosophy and methods which worked for her family, but she doesn't claim any one philosophy or method is the right one for everyone. She offers a brief and informative description of various different philosophies and methods, then leaves the conclusion about what is right for your family up to you. Once you've decided that, then her book dives into the practicalities of homeschooling, such as setting goals, arranging your learning environment, lesson planning, and scheduling. I will definitely be going back to this book more than once when it's time for my daughter and me to start our homeschooling journey.

In a time there's an insane amount of information at our fingertips, it easy to get overwhelming when looking into homeschooling but Dr. Gina Riley makes it simple. Whether you're just tipping your toes into the idea or trying to get a handle on it all, The Homeschooling Starter Guide is a great resource. I'm so happy to have given this book a try, it's a keeper for sure as we start to navigate our life of homeschooling.