10 Books that Inspire a Lifestyle of Learning!

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It was a cool spring evening and all of us were filled with excitement at the prospect of spotting a comet.  Since it was to appear in the lower horizon after dusk, we pulled out the telescope in hopes of getting a better look.  The excitement was contagious as we anxiously looked westward for any glimpse of this celestial treat.  My parents were with us and as we gathered around the telescope a neighbor drove by and stopped to chat.  They chuckled and rolled their eyes at our excitement.  The phrase, “oh you homeschoolers” rolled off their tongues.  We smiled back!

I couldn’t help but feel a little sad for them.  Learning is so much more than ‘school work’.  It enhances every facet of life and takes place all the time.  Our goal with raising these four children of ours is to woo them into the wonder and adventure of life-long learning.

We never found the comet that evening, but we did notice Jupiter shining overhead.  We focused the telescope on it and experienced some of the wonder that Galileo must have felt when he caught that first glimpse of Jupiter’s moons.  Keegan breathed out a, “just like Galileo saw” as he witnessed the sight.  His discovery that we had experienced in books now jumped into real life.

There is no shame in being ‘one of those people,’ one who embraces a lifestyle of learning.  I’m ever so thankful for the opportunity to pursue the delight of discovery and exploration along-side my children, not matter how we end up being labeled.

So today I wanted to share with you 10 books that have inspired our pursuit of a life-style of learning!

General Homeschool Favorites

1. For the Children’s Sake

Although not specifically a ‘homeschool’ book, THIS book embodies my approach to parenting and inspires me to pursue ‘true education’ alongside my children.   It touches on literature, dialogue, weaving faith in to everyday living, the importance of play and cultivating a love for nature.  I’ve reviewed it more fully here.

2. Educating the Whole-Hearted Child

Weaving all of life together where our faith and learning are seamlessly woven into normal every-day living is vitally important to me.  This book is another one that’s influenced me! {Review here}

3. The Way They Learn

Embracing a life-style of learning also includes understanding how each of our children learn best.  Subtitled, ‘How to teach to your children’s strengths, this book goes into further detail to help you figure out your child’s learning styles and tailor their education so that they can really flourish.  As one of those out-of-the-box learners myself, I’m so grateful that my mother took the time to figure out my learning style and help me thrive in my studies.

4. Endangered Minds: Why Children Don’t Think and What We Can Do About It

There is a lot that is broken in the way our culture views education.  This book has nothing to do with homeschooling specifically and yet so much to do with empowering and equipping me to step outside of the traditional ‘school’ mentality.  This is the book that ignited my fascination with how the brain learns.  It is an amazing book that will turn your thinking upside down.  It’s been a few years since I’ve read it and I’m feeling due for a re-read.

“Without experiences, there are no concepts. Without concepts there is no attention. Without attention, they don’t know what you are talking about.” ~Jane Healy in Endangered Minds

 

Homeschooling Preschool and Kindergarten

I’m passionate about the preschool/kindergarten years and rather alarmed at how skewed popular approaches are for these critical years.  I’ve listed many articles and resources on this topic under the Cultivate Learning link at the top of the blog.  Here are two of my favorite books on the topic.  Both rely heavily on research which is awesome when you feel pressure from all over to go hardcore on academics at very early ages…

5. School Can Wait

This book was written by one of the fathers of the modern homeschooling movement, Dr. Raymond Moore.  It is heavy on the research and I’ve been hesitant to recommend it in the past.  In recent years I had two friends finally wrangle my hesitant recommendation of this book and they both loved it.  We live in a culture where there is so much pressure to educate our really young children despite a lack of grounding in research.  This book clearly lays out the research and gives a vision for what education in the early years can look like – literature and dialogue rich with lots of time spent with the mother!  If you are wanting something similar, but a little less technical his book Home Grown Kids would be an excellent choice too.

6. Miseducation: Preschoolers at Risk

Ok, I love just about everything written by David Elkind.  He is an educational psychologist who isn’t particularly homeschool friendly.  But this book will open your eyes to how dangerous is can be to push academics at a young age.  It is truly insightful.  In a day and age where people are trying to teach their babies to read and already planning for college admission, this is a must read book that will empower you to do what is best for your child now, knowing that it will pay huge dividends later.  And what is that: a play-based, experience rich approach that lays the groundwork for a life-long love of learning.

Parenting

As a homeschooling mother, I want to take into account all aspects of their growth and development.  Parenting well is essential for the homeschooling environment to function well.

7. A Family of Value

I knew this one would be good when my dad purchased a hard copy for each of his daughters after reading the kindle version.   This common-sense, practical approach to parenting has been a breath of fresh air in our home.  His quirky sarcasm and no-nonsense style was so helpful to me as we assessed where modern psychology has doled out some really bad advice on parenting that has infiltrated everywhere, including Christian circles.  He has a way with words that makes it easy to remember the old-fashioned parenting principles he talks about.   I loved the emphasis on raising children who are respectful, responsible and resourceful.  His focus on marriage-centered families is powerful and his call to embracing leadership in our parenting is brilliant.  While I didn’t agree with everything he said, it is the kind of book that makes you think hard.  It was fun reading this shortly after my sister had as it provided ample ammunition for lively conversation.

Stories that Inspire

What better way to learn about a life-style of learning that to watch it play out in a riveting story…   Here are a few that stand out to me.

8. Gifted Hands

I first read Ben Carson’s story when I was a girl.  I was captivated by how he came from an uneducated, broken home and rose to become one of the top neurosurgeons at Johns Hopkins.  At the time, I was impressed with his mother and the hard work he put into his studies.  Now as a mother, I’m even more amazed.  If this single mama who was illiterate and holding down 3 jobs could inspire and equip her kids to pursue excellence in education and character than the rest of us have no excuse!  I recently had the opportunity to hear him speak.  I’m not usually the autograph type, but I had to take down my well-worn copy of this book and ask him to sign it.  His comment, “Wow, it actually looks like this book’s been read.”  Yes sir, several times.

9. The Art Lesson

I think it is so cool to find inspiration for parenting and education tucked into a delightful picture book.  It’s a win-win for the whole family.  I love this autobiographical picture book from one of my favorite author/illustrators – Tomie dePaola.  It so winsomely explores the benefit of free expression through art with the need for instruction.  It inspires me to pursue a bit of both. (Related post: Art vs. Craft)

10. Cheaper by the Dozen

Xander made his acting debut as the youngest boy in a play based on this book.  A friend of mine told me this was her favorite ‘homeschool’ book and that intrigued me enough to check it out.  Learning is so intentional and woven into every nook and cranny of family life for the family in this book.  Your kids will be entertained by this read-aloud and you’ll all probably be inspired!

What inspired you in your pursuit of life-long learning for your family?