Minimalist Homeschooling: A values-based approach to maximize learning and minimize stress

I have been homeschooling for 9 years and I never saw homeschooling in this light. I have read al the books: all 6 Charlotte Mason Volumes, all the classical education books out there. Basically, 9 years worth of educational philosophy reading, all to end up burned out from homeschooling 5 children.I bought this book at convention a while back but shelved it for a while. How I wished I would’ve read it when it first came out. It would have saved me a lot of heart ache. I have read the book twice now and I’m going over it a third time and I’m analyzing my homeschooling with a tooth comb but from the perspective the book suggests; from a values and principles perspective. Not trying to do 36 hours worth of work in 24. being realistic about real life, real people, real education and what’s important to us as a family.I bought a few copies to hand to some friends because I know this book can really change, not only people’s homeschool, but their lives in general. This book for sure it’s going to be on my yearly summer prep reading from now on. I wish I can give this gem of a book 10 starts. It deserves it.

In groups of homeschool parents, questions like these are common: "What should I teach?" "How can I get everything done?" "What if we don't finish the curriculum?" "Will my child be ready for college?" Homeschool parents want to maximize learning and minimize stress, but with so many resources and ideas available, they often end up choosing curriculum or methods that don't really match their family's values and priorities. When I saw the subtitle of this book, "A Values-Based Approach to Maximize Learning and Minimize Stress," I was intrigued.I've been homeschooling for over 20 years. Our last daughter is finishing her last year of high school at home. I decided I would try this book to see if we could refine our goals and maximize learning for this last year of home education. Following the instructions in the book, I have: 1) Identified our family's 5 top values; 2) Identified the top 5 school subjects for my teenage daughter this year; 3) Recorded how I spend my time; 4) Allocated how to ideally spend the 168 hours I have each week; 5) Fit school subjects into the available time within those 168 hours each week; 6) Listed ideas of planned breaks so I don't burnout; 7) Listed learning activities that fit how my daughter and I learn best; 8) Rewarded myself with a special break each time I met one of the above goals.So far, this has been a great year. Zara Fagen has helped me be more organized, more focused on our priorities, and more relaxed. I'm concentrating more on ideas like this from the book: "Do the best things, not everything." And this: "Clarity and confidence come from honest reflection about personal values." As a result, we are relishing our top 3 subjects (writing, literature, and U. S. history/gov't), while still having time for our minor subjects (physics and geometry) without stressing out. My daughter still has free time for her many interests.I would like to see the 33 "Mindset Hacks" edited a bit--33 is quite a large number, and some are repetitive. Overall, the book could be tightened up a bit if a master of word economy were to edit it. For the parents who are wondering how they can "do it all" in home education, however, this is a great book to get you thinking about what part of "all" is truly important to you and your family. Worksheets are included to guide you in the process of defining your goals and planning how to meet them.

I am already sold on a minimalist lifestyle... It's how I have always been. In fact, several times in this book I thought to myself, "This is a kindred spirit writing!" Honestly, I think all the "stuff" in our lives just bogs us down, makes decisions harder, and our house messier.I got this book for free from Amazon thinking it was worth a perusal and I loved it! I always worry with "less is more" homeschooling books because sometimes I think they just sound lazy. But the key to this book was not less is more, but figuring out what season are we in right now in our homeschooling journey. For my kids, they are in Pre-K and 1st and Reading, Writing and Arithmetic are our major focuses, because those are hugely important for the rest of their schooling. We do those subjects every day. Because of the state regulations we have, I have to teach 8 (EIGHT) required subjects (math, science, social studies, English, health, art, music, physical education), but I was happy to hear someone else's affirming of my major subjects vs. minor subjects theory. I will obey the law and teach all eight (which is especially frustrating when English breaks down into really six subjects at their age - learning to read, reading literature, handwriting, grammar, spelling, composition), but if they don't get every fact of history this year or learn every bit of science, it's not going to end their lives. They will get it again later. They are really pretty young to be learning a musical instrument (although it's possible) or memorizing the great works of art, but a light smattering of those subjects every week will cover what they need to know. And singing in the car or along to the radio totally counts when you're homeschooled! ;-)I especially appreciated the reminders about how "homeroom" teachers have their students for a few hours per day and then send them off to their various extracurricular subjects... Which are basically just keeping them busy. Their main subjects every day take two or three hours, which is exactly where we are in homeschooling. And then my kids get to play or read or bike outside like little ones should!Thanks for a fantastic, encouraging book, Dr. Fagen!

I really enjoyed this book. I expected a book about decluttering but only the last chapter touches on it. The others encourage home educating families to be intentional with their time and focus. She offers work sheets and processes do develop your family values, decide what to focus on and how to put together a week plan. The approach is flexible and works with any type of home education you choose. It will take the stress out of your week and gives you clarity of what to say yes to and what not.

My children are not school age yet, but so glad I found this so we can start on the right path for us. I already value minimalism, so this book helped clarify how to apply it to home education.

For all those (like me) overwhelmed by all the options and paraphernalia available to homeschoolers nowadays, this book is such a breath of fresh air, helping to cut through all of the excess to ascertain what your homeschool is really about and what is most important to achieve that. I am so grateful for this book!!

I enjoyed very much reading this book. It gave me many good ideas on how to use a minimalist approach when homeschooling my son. But, it also gave me ideas on how to apply the Minimalist approach in other areas of my life, including my full-time job as university professor.

Helped me think through why I've chosen to homeschool and what I hope to accomplish in the time I have with my child, instead of just filling our day with busy work and activity. Loved this book. My favourite homeschool book so far (and I've read a lot of them).