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Learn from experienced
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"I have most of your books Beverley... Thankyou for your unending support for homeschoolers ... by sharing your experiences,
we are into our third year of homeschooling and enjoying it thoroughly." Marina
"Thank you for your generosity in helping me to make a start in my homeschool adventure. The information you supply is
real and generous -
fantastic reading. I am so inspired... Your honesty is so rare. Most books do not really explain "how" as well as you do." Tracy
The Essential Australian Guide
by Rochelle Sutherland
House of Hadrian Press , 2006 ISBN 0977502813
available from the publisher, 42 Bayly St Gulgong NSW 2852
© Reviewed by Beverley Paine, 2007,
www.alwayslearningbooks.com.au
Families beginning the homeschooling adventure are usually hungry for information. It's easy to source excellent 'how to' books on homeschooling by American authors: a quick Google search will bring up hundreds of books! Not so for Australian titles, which is why I was excited to receive Rochelle Sutherland's Why do you want to Homeschool? The Essential Australian Guide in the mail.
Rochelle begins by offering a brief examination of what is going wrong with schools, followed by a quick reference to the history of the development of schooling in Australia . Although NSW-centric the information echoes that by John Taylor Gatto in his Dumbing Us Down and Underground History of American Education . Understanding the real purpose of schooling helps to boost our confidence that home education is a wise and valid choice for our families.
The real meat in Rochelle's book begins after her concise definition of homeschooling - "education taken primarily in the child's home" and a quick review of the different approaches and methods used by homeschoolers. Some approaches are examined in more detail than others, which will satisfy some readers and annoy others, but taken together demonstrate that home education isn't simply replicating 'school at home'.
Beginning homeschooling is a huge subject: the more one dips into it the bigger it gets! Rochelle's brevity is a blessing as it allows her to cover many aspects and questions that always arise for newcomers without bogging the reader down in detail. Drawn from personal experience, the advice and information have a homely, 'real' feel without being preachy. The book includes a comprehensive sample learning program readers can use as a guide to developing their own curriculum. Readers will also appreciate the detail in the chapter on Relevant State by State Legislation.
A good book always leaves the reader hungry for more... Rochelle's book is a great opener on the subject of home education for any family interested in taking personal responsibility for their children's education.
available from House of Hadrian Press
on this website is of a general
nature only and is not intended as
personal or professional advice.
Getting Started Manual Unschooling Books Educational Games Natural Learning Practical HS Booklet Series Curriculum Reports/Portfolios Homeschool Diaries Conference DVD 
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Thank you for visiting!
Pioneering members of the home education movement in Australia,
Beverley and Robin Paine
are passionate advocates of true educational choice for families.
They began homeschooling in 1986 and three years later started the
South Australian Home Based Learners
network. Beverley continues to write for homeschooling newsletters
and magazines as well as hosting several websites dedicated to promoting
and supporting home education in Australia. Her aim is to demystify the
education process and make it accessible to all parents. Enjoy Beverley's
wealth of practical knowledge, homeschooling and unschooling tips and
ideas through articles and books and online at
www.homeschoolaustralia.com.
Since the late 1990s Robin and Beverley have been building their home education
publishing business - Always Learning Books - from home with the help of their son Thomas.
"Education is not a preparation for life. Education is life itself." John Dewey
Please visit the following websites for information on homeschooling in Australia:
Homeschool Australia : SAHEN : Australian HS Curriculum : About the Paine Family
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