Homeschool Answer Book

Ruth Beechick is nothing if not straightforward. The fact that she hadn't issued a collection of questions and answers earlier than Dr. Beechick's Homeschool Answer Book is actually surprising as the format is perfectly suited to her writing style and presentation of information. Edited by Debbie Strayer (former editor of Homeschooling Today for whom Beechick wrote a Q&A column), each section includes questions most frequently asked by homeschool parents arranged topically.

Questions range from specific (What is the Charlotte Mason approach and should we implement it?) to general (Is it possible to start teaching reading too late?), with plenty of oddball questions for good measure. Sections deal with educational philosophy, choosing (and rejecting) curriculum, preschool learning, reading instruction, spelling and writing, math, Bible, high school, family life, standardized testing, and special needs education. You might not find the exact question you want to ask, but you'll likely find the answer somewhere in these pages.

Beechick is careful to answer each question fully, though she answers as she would answer, giving relatively little (and often no) space to alternative views other than occasionally to mention them, often disparagingly. Of course, this is unavoidable in one sense—it's her answer book—but sometimes it would be nice to at least have a broader context for her answer than simply her own opinion. Still, this is a valuable tool, and a perusal of these pages may well reveal answers to questions you didn't know you had.

Table of Contents:

1. Ruth's Introduction
   Debbie's Introduction
2. Philosophy and Learning Theory
3. Curriculum
4. Preschool
5. Reading
6. Spelling
7. Writing
8. Math
9. Bible
10. High School
11. Issues of Family Life
12. Testing and Special Education

     

    Index

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.