1999 Reading Journal

Games For Writing: Playful Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Write by Peggy Kaye
Although this book is geared mostly to beginning writers, many of the games would be enjoyed by more experienced writers as well. The activities make writing fun, not a chore. This is a great book to have on hand when you need a refreshing idea to put a spark in the writing lesson.

 

Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense by David Guterson
Written by a public school teacher that is home schooling his own children this book offers a unique view of both sides of the coin. Guterson firmly believes that home schooling should be a vital, recognized option in education.

Home Schooling: Taking the First Step by Borg Hendrickson
In the introduction to the book Hendrickson says that Home School parents "need to design educational programs that will provide a fine education for their children and also be acceptable to public school officials... without turning their home schools into public school clones." The rest of the book provides explanations and guidelines on how to do just that. I really found this book helpful.

 

As Sure As the Dawn by Francine Rivers
This final book in the Mark of the Lions Series is just as captivating as the others. I found it hard to put the book down. The characters in the story were all so different and yet all had such great depth. I found myself wishing I had the strength and conviction of some of the characters. The plot is full of interest and excitement.

February

An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers
This second book in the Mark of the Lion Series is another page turner. In this book Francis deals with some issues that are very familiar in contemporary culture. Through the strength of her characters she gives as an example of how we should respond to these issue.

Teach Your Own by John Holt
John Holt was a popular advocate of homeschooling. In this book he says "Teaching skills are among the many commonsense things about dealing with people that, unless we are mistaught, we learn just by living." He continues with "almost everything that people now can't do without a degree, often an advanced degree, was not that long ago done by people without such degrees." He stresses the importance of being aware of your rights and responsibilities and offers suggestions on preparing home schooling plans while insisting that "What is most important and valuable about the home as a base for children's growth into the world is not that it is a better school than the school but that it isn't a school at all."

The Big Book of Home Learning: Volume 1: Getting Started by Mary Pride
This is one a series of volumes of Home Learning Information. Mary Pride is another well known name among homeschoolers. In this book she states "Education is one of the very best investments you can ever make. And home education is the best educational investment." She explains different methods of teaching and which ones work best. Pride is big on helping your children become aware of their learning styles. She says "The best way to teach your child is not to teach at all. Ideally, our children schould learn how to learn and begin to teach themselves." Our role is to guide their learning and provide them with the tools they need.

January

A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers
My Dad gave me this book to read because he thought I would enjoy it. He was right! I really enjoyed this book. I had a little trouble at first getting my head around some of the terms of the time and enduring some of the goring scenes but these were essential to the story. They made it come alive.

Gilbert Morris

The first book I read by Gilbert Morris was one of his Cheny Duvall, MD series. I really enjoyed it and went looking for more. I couldn't find any more of that series but I did find another series, The House of Winslow, that I really enjoyed.

 

 

Max Lucado

I have read a number of Max Lucado books. His conversational style makes for easy reading. He has a way of using everyday happenings to explain deep thoughts. Very inspiring!

 

Comments and Suggestions

Have some suggestions for books I might enjoy. Want to share with me your thoughts on some of the books I've read. Have suggestions on how to improve this page. Please send me mail telling me what you think.