Homeschooling Downunder
Schooling at home is not the same as traditional school. These books will help you look into the world of homeschooling and help you see education in a different light.
You might also like some of our information on How To Homeschool.
This book list was put together for Homeschool Favourites by Mary Collis (Author of A Living Education)
When You Rise Up- R.C. Sproul
This book looks to the Bible for the reason and methodology of homeschooling. Sproul provides Biblical evidence that the essence of homeschooling is discipleship and that means conversing with your children about God and all of life. He shows the place of academics, where various methodologies miss God's plan and simplifies the process of how to homeschool.
Elements of a Biblical Education CD - Diana Waring
In this talk, Diana looks at what the Bible says about learning, how it happens and how we facilitate that as parents and teachers. This is then put into very practical terms. Not just a philosophical discussion but a clear presentation of how to prepare lesson objectives that will help your child to learn.
Heart and Mind - Ruth Beechick
This is a new edition of Beechick's earlier book, A Biblical Psychology of Learning. Experienced educator Ruth Beechick wades into the discussion of what does the Bible actually teach about learning, and concludes it is a lot more to do with the heart and less to do with control by reward and punishment (behaviourist).
For the Children's Sake - Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
The book that got so many people excited about Charlotte Mason and homeschooling in the first place. A beautiful look at the underlying philosophies of her method and how it works out in real life. Excellent — some people read it every year. A bestseller for over twenty years.
I Saw the Angel in the Marble - Chris & Ellyn Davis
Michelangelo said regarding the sculpting of a particular angel, "I saw the angel in the marble, and I carved until I set him free." The Davis' believe this is what is at the heart of homeschooling—not teaching a set of subjects, but finding what it is God has put into your child, and providing the input (education) that will set the potential person free. This challenging book considers many aspects of home life and home education.
For Charlotte Mason Method books See link
Beyond Survival - Diana Waring
How to home school without textbooks – using living books and real life experiences. Detailed advice about how to put it all together. Full of wisdom and practical help. Great overview for new homeschoolers.
Educating the Wholehearted Child- Clay & Sally Clarkson
A wonderful introduction to all aspects of homeschooling. Heaps of practical information to help you make the transition to a living. largely non-textbooky, education, and a vision of how a homeschooling family can work together.
Dr. Beechick's Homeschool Answer Book - Ruth Beechick
Do you wish you could ask Ruth Beechick all your homeschool questions? What language arts curriculum would be good for my six year old? How important is learning times tables? What about Bible memory? Divided into chapters according to subjects, Beechick answers real questions for real parents in her straightforward, sensible way.
The Well-Trained Mind - Susan Wise Bauer & Jessie Wise
A programme for Grades K-12 covering the typical academic subjects. This books is so full of "what you should do" that some people feel overwhelmed and wonder how they can do it all, but many people find they can just take what is helpful and leave the rest. Much use of age-appropriate literature. Gives an excellent understanding of what you are trying to achieve in a traditional, liberal education in all subject areas, as well as how to do it.
Relaxed Record Keeping -Mary Hood, PhD
A practical example of how to please the powers-that-be while working toward your own goals for your children's education. Particularly helpful for those not using a typical textbook education. Mary gives plenty of examples of objectives and records for all sorts of learners including 'late bloomers' and explains how you can act in a professional manner and not get flustered while fulfilling the necessary requirements. She discourages over-documentation or making plans you will never keep to. As a Christian, she includes examples of recording spiritual goals.
The Preschool Years - Valerie Bendt
Do you sometimes feel your preschoolers need something tailored for them? Valerie Bendt has put together a book packed
with things to do with preschoolers, which she did while homeschooling her own family of six. Each activity is illustrated and is extremely practical as well as mentally stimulating for a young child.
Homeschooling: Early Years - Linda Dobson
How to begin teachng each subject to 3 – 8 year olds, examples from hundreds of HS parents on what they did regarding the topic at hard. A really helpful book, confiden ce-bu r g book.
The Three R's - Ruth Beechick
If you've just started homeschooling, you need this set of three excellent books. Using natural, effective methods, Beechick shows educators how to cut through all the fluff in curricula and draw out what really works. A motivated parent could use these booklets to make their own entirely adequate curriculum Grade Four. Don't try and homeschool without these. May be purchased separately (for when you lend them to your friends and never see them again):
Titles in this series:
Games for Learning - Peggy Kaye
Wonderful selection of ideas for teaching young children in just ten minutes per day, while having fun in real life. Chapters of activities include Thinking Skills, Reading and Writing Skills, Maths Skills, Science and Social Studies. Most of these ideas I had never thought of before. Recommended by Valerie Bendt. Grades K - 3
Also available: Games for Math and Games for Reading, both by Peggy Kaye.
You Can Teach Your Child Successfully - Ruth Beechick
This book has brought a lot of encouragement to thousands of homeschoolers, equipping them to stick with homeschooling longer than a year or two. For grades 4 -8.
Homeschooling: The Middle Years - Shari Henry
These books below cover every aspect a new homeschooler will want to consider and more. It is not a guide to choosing curriculum, but an introduction to the things you need to think through to succeed in teaching Gdes 4 - 8. It is not a simplistic 'Just don't worry about...' guide, but explains ways that hundreds of homeschooling parents have dealt with very real concerns that arise , to give their children a quality education. Written by experienced homeschooling mothers, the book is full of examples from parents of different homeschooling methodologies, contains well - researched advice and is full of encouragement.
Homeschooling: The Teen Years - Cafi Cohen
This book contains lots of practical information about educating your teens at home. Not only about tackling different subjects at a
higher level, but also about their changing needs. I have found this whole series helpful because it is based on collated interviews with thousands of homeschooling parents, and each topic gives glimpses into the ways different people handle things. Confidence building.
Reaping the Harvest - Diana Waring
A practical guide to homeschooling teens and having a great family life. All the things you should consider when plotting a path for your high schoolers. This book is less about choosing curriculum than it is about getting to really know your child, then guiding him or her in the way best for them, which is really the main key to success through high school. An excellent book which will bear multiple readings.
A Charlotte Mason Education - Catherine Levison
A summary of all the main aspects of a lifegiving CM Education for you to bring into your children's lives. A great "Starting Charlotte Mason" book.
More Charlotte Mason Education - Catherine Levison
More details on how to implement Charlotte Mason's effective and gentle educational methods. Charlotte Mason in highschool and more. Good for those who have used this method for some time.
A Charlotte Mason Companion - Karen Andreola
A thoroughly inspirational mix of Charlotte Mason philosophy and Karen's blend of practical lifestyle applications, along with delicious illustrations. A gift of a book.
A Charlotte Mason Study Guide - Penny Gardner (ebook version available)
Charlotte Mason's own words, gathered according to topic. This is
pure inspiration as well as extremely practical. I cannot speak highly enough about the benefits of owning this book.
For the Children's Sake Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
The book that got so many people excited about Charlotte Mason and homeschooling in the first place. A beautiful look at the underlying philosophies of her method and how it works out in real life. Excellent — some people read it every year. A bestseller for over twenty years.
When Children Love to Learn - Elaine Cooper
This Child Light book is written by various headmistresses who taught in Charlotte Mason schools and others trained in her college, or who had a lot to do with the schools. A practical application of the CM method-each subject discussed in its own chapter, it explains how Charlotte Mason's methods fit into our modern world, how they can be adapted to each culture, whilst maintaining the general principles.
Honey for a Child's Heart - Gladys Hunt
A book about the huge impact of worthy books on a child's life, and marvellous listings that you will want to (and can) find. How to help your child come to love books and reading, how to make the best use of books, how to choose the best books, and why books matter. A truly inspiring book that you'll want to lend to your non-homeschooling friends too. Covers ages 0 - 12 yrs.
Charlotte Mason's Original Home Schooling Series
(online Version available)
This set by the founder of the modern homeschooling movement will inspire you through your homeschooling years. The dated 19th Century English will take some concentration, but it is well-worth the effort. Every time I read a section, I am amazed at the insights. Fully - indexed according to topic. 6-volume boxed set.
Pocketful of Pinecones - Karen Andreola
A delightful book about a homeschooling mother's early homeschooling days, from her diaries. As she tries to apply a Charlotte Mason education in her home, she describes her days, what worked and what didn't. Cleverly woven story about her family keeps you reading and considering how you can also make this gentle method of education work for you. Much practical emphasis on nature study.
A Living Education Magazine
A Living Education is an Australian journal for home educators who wish to apply some of Charlotte Mason's ideas in their families. Not a purist Charlotte Mason magazine, it nevertheless looks at a great many aspects of her philosophy and practice, and relates that to the Australian homeschooling experience...If you have questions about any particular aspect of Charlotte Mason education, I encourage you to get the issue on that topic.” Mary Collis
This book list has been used with the permission of Mary Collis.
This book list was put together for Homeschool Favourites by Mary Collis (Author of A Living Education)