The Homeschooling Starter Guide by Dr Gina Riley is a new book that is approachable and easy-to-read, and that aims to give new homeschoolers everything they need to know to homeschool their kids.
Gina Riley PhD is a researcher, a clinical professor and program coordinator of the Adolescent Special Education Program at City University of New York Hunter College and a mom of a grown unschooler. For the last 22 years, her research has focused on topics related to homeschooling and intrinsic motivation and she is especially known for her work with legendary self-directed education advocate, Peter Gray. She knows her stuff!
This book is aimed, somewhat obviously, at new homeschoolers. I would say it is a book that will particularly appeal to “planners”, new homeschoolers looking for “how to’s” and most people transferring their kids from a school environment, as it gives a structure to what you need to know and definite steps to take. It is a relatively slim book, very easy to read and well laid out, perfect for those stressful days as new homeschoolers when you feel all the pressure and haven’t yet found your rhythm. If you’re new to homeschooling, feeling overwhelmed with all the options and all your questions and doubts, this book will give you the confidence to move forwards.
It covers:
- Why should you homeschool?
- Creating the best learning environment for your home.
- Developing your own teaching/education philosophy.
- Picking the best homeschool model for your needs.
- General standards and requirements.
- Setting and tracking homeschool goals.
- Creating your personalized homeschool action plan for your child’s needs.
- Your homeschool’s nuts and bolts.
- Creating a homeschool lesson plan.
- Planning beyond your first year.
Even though I’m not new to homeschooling, I learnt some things from the book, particularly around over-arching educational philosophies, not just specific homeschooling models.
As you would expect, this book is referenced, and also contains numerous suggestions for further reading and information.
Although I recognise that a more prescribed format may well appeal to overwhelmed new homeschoolers, I would have preferred if some of the suggestions were tempered. For example, whilst I agree that having an overall environment conducive to learning is helpful, I don’t feel a dedicated learning space is needed and the space(s) used can be multi-functional if supplies, etc are easy access. Also, Action Plans don’t have to be formal or broken down by subject, especially for younger children. And I don’t think schedules are actually needed, and it can work just as well to have more natural weekly/daily rhythm rather than any imposed schedule.
This book is also written to be US centric, which was disappointing as nearly all of it will apply wherever in the world you are. The chapter on General Standards and Requirements in particular, is written for the US audience, when it could have been simply adapted to cover a wider area, noting for example, that legal requirements vary by state, province and country, and that some places (including some US states) do not require assessment, but others do.
That said, this a brilliant book for new homeschoolers and I am delighted to have one book to recommend, that will also introduce them to other resources.
