A Review of The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas

by Linda Dobson

By Beth Balmanno

Every once in a great while, a book comes along in the homeschooling world that makes you go, “Wow. Where has this book been? Why didn’t I find it sooner?” Those were my thoughts when I first picked up Linda Dobson’s The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas seven years ago.

A little background. Our family began our journey into home learning when my daughter was five. I had never planned to homeschool; in fact, I was convinced I would be room mom and PTA President by the time the first week of school was under way. However, school zoning issues and my daughter’s disposition dictated we find an alternative method of schooling. So we stumbled headfirst into homeschooling, with me looking like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights.

Homeschooling Was School at Home

I did everything I could that first year to recreate a kindergarten setting for my daughter. We had beautifully decorated bulletin boards, alphabet and number flashcards, and a myriad of kindergarten workbooks and worksheets. You name it, we did it. However, by the end of each day, I was exhausted and somewhat deflated. Quite frankly, I think my daughter was, too. We never had time to do anything fun. Anything spontaneous.

And then something wonderful happened. While perusing education books in the library (in an attempt to locate lesson plans for kindergarteners) I stumbled upon Linda’s book on the shelves above, the book that opened the door to our current lifestyle of home educating. I checked it out from the library and devoured it that night.

For me, reading The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas blew the roof off of traditional “schooling” methods. The ideas presented were unique, innovative and — most of all – fun ways to learn the same skills I had been trying to teach via worksheet after boring worksheet. When the three-week loan period expired, I renewed it. And then, when someone else requested it and I reluctantly returned it to the library, I promptly ordered it from Amazon. It became my go-to book. My homeschool Bible.

Who would have thought to reinforce addition skills by dropping dominos on the floor and having your kids add those numbers (pg. 52)? Who knew chocolate chip cookies and toothpicks could be the perfect tools to simulate an archaeological dig (pg 144)? Who would have thought to use wooden train tracks to recreate the Transcontinental Railroad (pg. 198)?

These are the treasures you’ll find on every page of The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas. And throughout, you’ll hear Linda’s gentle voice, encouraging you to explore, to trust your children and, most of all, to have fun.

With three kids between the ages of 5-12 in my house, The Ultimate Book of Homeschool Ideas continues to be the most trusted printed resource I have. And when I host homeschool seminars or speak to new homeschoolers – those new deer caught in the headlights – The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas is always the first book I recommend.

NOTE: Want to win a copy of The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas? You just need to enter Parent at the Helm’s April Book Giveaway! Just visit the page at the link to register or, click on the book cover at the top of every blog page. Contest ends at midnight April 30, so don’t delay. Good luck on winning a book chock-full of great homeschooling ideas from homeschoolers!

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