This list focuses on books by and for Christians. It is not all inclusive, but includes some of our favorite titles. Prices and addresses are subject to change.
Ray Ballman, The How and Why of Home Schooling. As its title suggests, this excellent book gives how’s and why’s. The Christian emphasis helps parents establish a firm conviction about their reasons for home schooling and guides them in setting up godly goals for their children’s education. (Crossway Books, 1300 Crescent St., Wheaton, IL 60187, $10.95 + shipping. (800) 323-3890.)
Debra Bell, The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling is a basic primmer for home education. It is not an exhaustive treatment for all materials available for home educators, but includes Debra’s favorite picks reflecting her hands-on, design-your-own curriculum philosophy of education. (Thomas Nelson, Inc., 404 BNA Drive, Bldg. 200, Ste.508, Nashville, TN 37217, $19.99)
Ruth Beechick, Home Start in Reading, An Easy Start in Arithmetic, A Strong Start In Language. Three small, but indispensable, books for primary grades. Common sense approaches for teaching your children are included as well as specific objectives they should master in K-3rd grade. ($12 for the set, or $4 each.) You Can Teach Your Child Successfully. Geared for those with upper elementary age children (grades 4 – 8), is also indispensable. Dr. Beechick gives clear insight into common sense teaching along with specific guidelines and helps for each subject that should be covered. (Education Services, 8825 Blue Mt. Drive, Golden, CO 80403-8312. $13.70 soft cover $18.95 hard cover. Orders only through Mott Media at discounted price at 1-800-421-6645.)
Llewellyn B. Davis, Going Home to School is an easy-to-understand exposition on the philosophy of Christian home schooling. It discusses the difference between the Christian world view and the secular humanistic world view that is prevalent in the public education system and “the reasons why home schooling is biblically, academically, and socially superior to all of its alternatives.”($12.95 plus shipping) (The Elijah Company, Rt. 2 Box 100B, Crossville, TN 38555, (615) 456-6284.)
Cathy Duffy, The Christian Home Educators’ Curriculum Manualin two volumes: Elementary Grades (revised 4/97) and Junior/Senior High. Cathy’s excellent manuals not only give curriculum recommendations for each grade level and each subject, she includes specific teaching objectives for each subject at each grade level and other helps for the home schooler. This manual can be used year after year to help guide the home schooling program. ($19.95 each, plus shipping) (Home Run Enterprises, 16172 Huxley Circle, Westminster, CA 92683, (714) 841-1220.)
Michael P. Farris, The Home Schooling Father. A very readable encouragement with practical and attainable advice on the father’s role in home schooling ($7.00 post paid). How A Man Prepares His Daughters for Life. A father is the first man in a girls life. This book teaches fathers how to listen well and speak sensitively to his daughter, guide her spiritual growth and cultivate her dreams, help her relate to boys and men, and build her confidence for school, work and imparting her world ($9.00 post paid). Where Do I Draw the Line? presents views on today’s most pressing issues – job harassment, Christian and home schooling, parental rights and more. Helps you decide where to draw the line as a Christian ($10.00 post paid). Mike Farris is president and founder of Home School Legal Defense Association and has defended home school liberties across the nation. (Home School Legal Defense Association, P.O. Box 3000, Purcellville, VA 20134, (540) 882-3838.)
Richard Fugate, What the Bible Says About Child Training. Children must be properly trained, otherwise the home school cannot function to its fullest potential. Rick Fugate clearly delineates God’s instructions about child training ($10.95). No Place Like Home…School gives some basic advice about beginning home schooling, why home school, how to avoid burnout and how to set up your school ($6.95). (Family building Seminars, 2401 W. Southern Ave. #219, Tempe, AZ 85282. (602) 431-8975)
Gregg Harris, The Christian Home School gives great support to the Christian home schooler, whether just beginning or a veteran. After opening the reader’s eyes to the problems of mass education, Gregg shows a better way, with many practical approaches to living Christian education in the home. ($12.95 plus $3.00 shipping) (Christian Life Workshops, P.O. Box 2250, Gresham, OR 97030, (503) 667-3942)
Christopher J. Klicka, The Right Choice: The Incredible Failure of Public Education and the Rising Hope of Home Education. In a very readable format this book provides an insightful and comprehensive review of home schooling, documenting its benefits, historical heritage, Biblical foundations and much more. It will remove all doubts in the mind of the reader about the effectiveness of home schooling. ($13.95 post paid) (Home School Legal Defense Association, P.O. Box 3000, Purcellville, VA 20134)
Susan Schaeffer Macaulay, For the Children’s Sake. A beautiful book describing the educational philosophy of Charlotte Mason. Not strictly a home schooling book, this book “can help every parent and teacher awaken the young minds of their children and give them a new richness, stability, and joy for living.” ($9.99 plus shipping) (Crossway Books, see Ray Ballman, above. )
Mary Pride, The Big Book of Home Learning, Volumes 1 -4: Volume 1, Getting Started; Volume 2, Preschool & Elementary; Volume 3, Teen & Adult; Volume 4, Afterschooling ($15 each) An extensive catalogue of materials available for home schoolers. Not all material is Christian, but most of the materials reviewed are excellent because Mary doesn’t waste time and space reviewing poor materials. You can find information (including costs) and addresses that will save you hours trying to track down that special item for your home school. Mary is currently updating these volumes, so they are not available from the publisher. The new volumes are scheduled to come out summer 1997. You may be able to find the 1990 edition in libraries, at bookstores or through home school supply companies. Schoolproof. Mary helps you clarify your reasons for home educating and the methods you choose to “learn to love learning-the easy natural way.” There are many practical ideas to put to use from this book that will streamline your home school ($10.99 plus shipping). (Crossway Books, see Ray Ballman, above.)
Luanne Shackelford & Susan White, A Survivor’s Guide to Home Schooling deals not so much with why to home school as with how to manage once you’ve decided to take the plunge. It is delightful and insightful reading. ($9.99 plus shipping) (Crossway books, see Ray Ballman, above.)
Bill and Diana Waring, Things We Wish We’d Known, Learn the homeschooling secrets of 62 long-time veterans who know what it takes to succeed! This encouraging collection of insights addresses all your questions and frustrations—including some you may not have thought of yet! Contributors include Michael and Susan Card, Steve and Jane Lambert, Karen Andreola, and many more. (Emerald Books, P.O. Box 635, Lynnwood, WA 98046.)
Diana Waring, Beyond Survival: A Guide to Abundant-Life Homeschooling. Dianna presents her very personal guidebook for discovering the heart and soul of home schooling. She describes her home schooling journey gleaning wisdom and encouragement from those that she meets on the way. (Emerald Books, P.O. Box 635, Lynnwood, WA 98046.)