More About the Book
Teach your child at home or supplement his or her classroom learning — this book provides you with the techniques, curriculum, and resources necessary to ensure that your child's education is the best it can be. As a parent, you worry about your child's education. With thirty students per classroom, even the most dedicated teachers often can't give each student the individual attention so urgently needed, and neither teachers nor parents can control the social environment of many schools. Is your child getting lost in the system, becoming bored, losing his or her natural eagerness to learn? Maybe it's time to take charge of your child's education — by doing it yourself.
This book will instruct you, step by step, on how to give your child an academically rigorous, comprehensive education from preschool through high school; one that will train him or her to read, to think, to understand, to be well-rounded and curious about learning. Through a language-intensive process that organizes learning around the maturing capacity of the child's mind, your child will receive the complete education that today's overcrowded schools are often unable to provide. You do have control over what and how your child learns; The Well-Trained Mind will give you the tools you'll need to teach him or her with confidence and success.
View sample chapters, resource lists, and the table of contents.
A Review from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine:
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, one of the most respected magazines for homeschooling families, said this about the updated and revised edition of The Well-Trained Mind: "An incredible source of encouragement and achievable goals and consider it a staple in our homeschool." Another reviewer for their magazine, Anne Weiland, noted, "This revised and updated edition will become a friend to any parent interested in classical education."
What Our Readers Say:
Nobody can highlight the benefits of The Well-Trained Mind better than its readers. These reviews are from the readers' commentaries at amazon.com.
"a clear and compelling case for homeschooling and for classical education"
When we decided last year to try homeschooling, I checked out every book on the subject from our public library. After I had read all of them, a friend recommended The Well Trained Mind. It was by far the best book of all that I read. It presents a clear and compelling case for homeschooling and for classical education. The authors lay out, in the clearest possible fashion, a blueprint for classical education and a framework for building it. They explain what to do, how to do it, and most importantly, WHY - all important to a novice like me.
"a treasure trove of classical education philosophy and suggestions for implementation"
This book is a treasure trove of classical education philosophy and suggestions for implementation. ... The Well Trained Mind lays out for you a wonderful blueprint to follow. ... It shows how to use the western world's "great books", those that have endured the test of time and speak to the human condition. Following the pattern laid out in the book your children will receive an education that will give them a deep understanding of who we are and where we've come from. ... We have implemented much of the program this past year and my children have all made great strides academically, even though they have various learning styles and abilities. They have loved the organization and pulling together of history, literature,art and science in a systematic way that makes sense. They have even loved learning Latin ! The task of setting forth a classical education may seem daunting but The Well Trained Mind gives you both the "WHY"S" and suggestions for the "HOW'S". It provides guidence and a well thought out model to follow. I refer to it constantly. Our homeschool experience is so much richer for it. If you're just getting started in classical homeschooling this is a must read.
"the kind of book that you will return to again and again"
This is the kind of book that you will return to again and again. It is the one book you need through the years. I use it as a guide for when I purchase my curriculum. It has saved me a lot of money in the fact that I didnt have to buy a lot of extra curriculum that was not needed for my child at her age. If you love to read to your child or love to learn through literature this is the approach to homeschooling for you.
"nothing is left unanswered"
With the vast amount of literature advising homeschool curriculums on the market, choosing one can be overwhelming. This mother daughter duo meet the challenge. They not only tell you how to do it but a list of resources support their theories. Nothing is left unanswered.
"most intelligently written book on this topic I know"
Once I started reading The Well Trained Mind, I couldn't put it down. Wow — what an excellent resource. I had decided to begin homeschooling my children (who were at the time enrolled in public school) and had some ideas in my mind about things I liked or didn't like education-wise. I had researched the subject by way of internet, reading other books on the subject, and talking to friends who homeschool, but still didn't have as clear of a "direction" as I wanted to have. I borrowed The Well Trained Mind from a friend, and ended up buying my own copy. It put into words and practice what I wanted for my children's education. I found it to be the most practical, intelligent, and thorough book/resource on home education I've seen so far. Too many books (that I'd seen anyway) waste "book space" on putting down the public school system or spreading anti-government propaganda, something I find annoying and useless in my pursuit of providing the best possible education for my kids! The Well Trained Mind provided for me an understanding of the theory behind classical education, very useful recommendations of curriculums/educational material/resources, techniques and approaches for teaching each subject area for every grade level, and a flexible "plan" on how to put it all together. I only wish everyone could receive an education like the one outlined in this book. I've lent the book to a number of friends (it's on lend even now) who have all been inspired by it — whether for homeschooling or just supplementing a public school education. I jokingly refer to this book as my "education Bible" — and to the authors as my academic heroes. I may glean from other resources, but I keep returning back to this one.
Resources from The Well-Trained Mind
Read sample chapters from the book.
Access resource lists outlined in the book.
View the book's table of contents.
Buy the Book
We ask that you purchase the book from Peace Hill Press, a small publishing company founded by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise. Peace Hill Press develops books and resources precisely to fit into the philosophy and context of The Well-Trained Mind. Two books of particular interest are First Language Lessons, by Jessie Wise, and the Story of the World series by Susan Wise Bauer. If you absoultely must buy it elsewhere, we encourage you to support your local economy and independent bookstores and suppliers in your area. Although they can't always match the prices offered by larger retailers, they provide a vital service to the home education community. Without your support and patronage, it's impossible for small businesses to survive. For those of you who will buy it from Amazon whatever we say, we ask that you use this link.
