Free Range Learning: How Homeschooling Changes Everything

I home schooled my son through high school but I didn't own this book. I certainly wish I had! It is inspirational and a wonderful resource. When my son was 10, I took him out of public school. I didn't have any idea how to home school him. I thought I had to follow public school protocol. In other words, he had to sit at a desk for 6 hours a day, listening to me lecture while completing "never- ending" workbook pages. I have no idea why I thought that would work. It wasn't working when he was in public school. It took me a year to figure out how to teach him. It took me two years to discover that children are natural learners: all teachers have to do is get out of the way. I finally figured out that, as his teacher, all I had to do was make sure that my son loved to learn. Once I figured that out, I let him take the lead and he prospered. During the time I was home schooling, I didn't have the resources I needed. I had to learn everything the hard way. In the end, everything turned out OK. My son started college at age 13, was working full time at age 15 and graduated from college Summa Cum Laude while working full time. He married and bought his first home at age 20. He now owns his own business and he and his wife are expecting their second child. Had he not been home schooled, I believe things would have turned our differently. In my opinion, home schooling gives children opportunities to develop their gifts and talents and allows them to explore their interests. They can then become productive, responsible adults. The trick is to discover the simplest and most direct approach to teaching. As I said, it took me a minimum of two years to discover the obvious: if children are breathing, they are learning. All teachers have to do is gently direct children's learning activities If I had this book when I was teaching my son, it would have helped me to discover the truth more quickly and would have lightened my burden.My grandchildren are now home schooled. I bought this book for my daughter and son-in-law. It will give the family the opportunity to explore some valuable home school resources and ideas. I believe those resources and ideas will help the children learn in a way that will allow them to prosper in the home school environment.I have also given this book to others who are considering home schooling. Books like this can make a real difference: they simplify the home school process. I recommend this book to anyone who is currently home schooling, and to those who are considering home schooling. I believe it is a is a valuable tool and will be an inspiration to all who read it. I think anyone who reads this book will see that teaching is about giving children the opportunity to love learning. It is about helping children discover the value of learning. The book contains many ideas and valuable resources that will assist teachers and help children prosper. In addition, there are many personal comments and stories which convey first hand experiences of home schooled children. In my opinion, it's a very good book and a wonderful resource.

Originally I got this book from the library. I had to buy a copy because I wanted to notate all of the wonderful tips and stories. And there are many! Wonderful book for a beginner or someone with experience. Lots to learn inside!!

The way learning is discussed and described in Free Range Learning has never sounded so right, not to mention refreshing. As a former public school educator who is now considering homeschooling, I can confidently say that Laura Weldon accurately (and sadly) describes much of the tension and pressure that is placed on students of all ages who are in various school systems. Weldon helps us understand more about the natural learning process that takes place in young minds day in and day out in contrast to a more controlled method of learning. As I've just started my own investigation in homeschooling, this was the perfect book to guide my thoughts, answer some questions, offers ideas and suggestions and to raise other thoughts and ideas that may not have come to my attention otherwise. I also gleaned wisdom from the priceless experiences of others through the hundreds of quotes submitted by individuals from across the globe.Free Range Learning has excited me for the opportunity that homeschooling has to help shape my children's attitudes and experiences with daily, lifelong learning.

I think all homeschoolers (especially unschoolers) have moments where they think...”oh man, wtf am I doing?! Am I ruining my kids, myself? What’s the plan here?!”Those moments are when I snag this book, read a bit more and think—“nope—we’ve got this! We are doing exactly works for us and will make my kids life-long, self-directed learners”Love this books layout and how it uses constant references from other homeschooling families.This has been an incredible resource for our family

I was really excited about this book and have had it on my wish list for a long time, but honestly I'm a little disappointed. We have been homeschooling for two years, so while we aren't total newbies, our style is definitely still evolving. I always like to read different perspectives from within the homeschooling community. I think this book would be beautiful to hand over to a family that's just starting out on their journey, but for me, well, I didn't find much that was new to me. There were still a lot of bits that I highlighted because of how well Laura expresses her ideas, but in the end I didn't take away a whole lot.

I originally got this on my kindle, I Love this book SO much that I bought the actual book so I can reread it and easily reference things. This is SO perfect for any homeschooling family that follows any homeschool path. The book gives great ideas on how to bring school subjects in without pushing it. Just a great book to read for anyone who wants to homeschool or who has already started. ❤❤❤

i am new to the homeschooling community and had some difficulties finding a book/movement that spoke to me and the way that i want to school my children. luckily, this book did just that. i wanted a happy medium between unschooling and the classical method. i can't be too loosey goosey, but the idea of a rigid, orderly system wasn't for me either. this book gave ideas, explanations, and examples for a very organic form of homeschooling. i would recommend this book to anyone with children, homeschoolers or not. it portrays a beautiful way to raise and educate children.

I've surprised even myself with the decision to homeschool this year and I've read many books in preparation (Amazon loves me). I've just got to tell you - your book is by far the greatest inspiration. Finally, I'm overwhelmed by opportunity and not curriculum choices! Everything that I have felt that led to the decision to homeschool is in this book and you put it in such a simple way to grasp. I am in awe and believe that no one could read this book and not want the same for their children. I will be making my first Amazon review in appreciation.

Excellent ouvrage sur l'instruction en famille / la déscolarisation. Une pléthore d'études et de témoignages vous font voir d'un autre œil ce mode d'instruction.

Great book, great service - Thank you