Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The Homeschool Experiment Book Review and Giveaway

Julianne Miller feels God nudging her to homeschool her three children. The only problem is, she has no idea what she’s doing. Julianne was her high school valedictorian, graduated from college with honors, and had a successful career in the business world. How hard could first grade possibly be? 

Her plans and schedules all look so good on paper. But when it comes to avoiding her preschooler’s public meltdowns, keeping her toddler alive and in a clean diaper, and getting through the morning without everyone dissolving in tears, Julianne is thinking she might not be quite up to the task. 

Can her co-op friends help her before she loses her mind or ruins her children for good? Or should she give up this crazy idea and prove her mother-in-law right?

I found myself laughing at the many stories included in The Homeschool Experiment, some of which sounded all too familiar.  Whether you are a homeschool mom of one {like me} or many, I think you will relate to these stories on some level.

The author, Charity Hawkins, is a wife and homeschool mom to three children.  She writes about the homeschooling journey of Julianne Miller, mom to 6-year old Daniel, 4-year old Joy, and baby Michael.  The book takes the reader on a hilarious journey through a complete year with this homeschooling family, starting in May at their Homeschool Convention.

I was cracking up as she went from booth to booth at the convention.  First the "Classical" booth with children reciting the Latin noun endings, first declension: -a, -ae, -ae, -arum, -ae, -is, -am, -as, -a, -is {and yes, we too did this in K}.  ;)  Then the "Natural Education" booth where they suggest letting kids just play and learn by "doing" until the age of nine.  Next the booth for that "pre-packaged, hands-on curriculum."  The one that includes the manipulatives, history notebook, phonics, and reading program...all for just $459.  Sound familiar?!

The Appendix of the book includes a Homeschool Group Study Guide and a bunch of Homeschool Resources.  The guide goes chapter by chapter and asks questions that a co-op or group can work on together.  And here you can actually view and print off the entire Appendix.

My Thoughts:  This is a great book for both someone thinking about homeschooling and those who are new and old to it.  It makes light of many homeschooling situations but also gives encouragement to those who need it.

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at The Homeschool Experiment.  Here you can view the first three chapters.  The book can be purchased at Familyman Ministries as a paperback for only $12.99 or $7.99 for Kindle.  Homeschool groups who are looking to use it as a study can get a 40% off discount if purchasing 20 or more books.

--------------------------------------------------------

GIVEAWAY!!

So, here's how to enter to win a copy of The Homeschool Experiment!  For each comment, you will get one (1) entry.

1. Leave a comment telling me why you would like to win

2. Follow my blog using Google Friend Connect

3. Subscribe to my blog by email through Feedburner

4. Like Our Homeschool Reviews on Facebook

5. Like The Homeschool Experiment on Facebook

6. Follow me on Twitter @OurHSReviews

7. Post about this giveaway on your blog or Facebook

8. Tweet about this giveaway up to once a day:  I entered to #win The #Homeschool Experiment @OurHSReviews http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/2012/04/homeschool-experiment-book-review-and.html #Giveaway ends 5/1

**Remember to please leave a separate comment for each entry**

Contest ends on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at 11:59 EST.  The winner will be chosen by Random.org.  This contest is open to U.S. residents who are 18 or older.  If I am unable to reach the winner by email within 48 hours, an alternate winner will be selected.  Your entry is only valid if you include a way for me to contact you (either an email address in your comment or on your profile).  The winner's name will be obtained and publicly announced.  The number of eligible entries determines the odds of winning.  No purchase is necessary to win and this contest is void where prohibited by law. 

Disclaimer:  This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor.  I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own. 

66 comments:

Wendy

I would love to win this book! It looks like it would be really fun to read. :) I love to read anyway, and I especially like to read books just for fun now and then.

Wendy

I just signed up to follow your blog with Google Friend Connect. :)

Wendy

I liked your blog on Facebook.

Wendy

I liked The Homeschool Experiment on Facebook.

Wendy

I am also following you on Twitter!

Jessica

I've read a few different reviews of this book and would like to read it myself.

Tiffany

I could really use a good read like this and would love to win a copy!

Unknown

I think I would enjoy a copy of this book. Next year marks my 15th year of homeschooling, and believe it or not, I still need new ideas and extra encouragement!

Jenna@CallHerHappy

I would love to win this because my husband and I are praying about homeschooling our daughter!

Jenna
callherhappy.com

Jenna@CallHerHappy

I like you on fb :)

Jenna
callherhappy.com

Jenna@CallHerHappy

I like Homeschool Experiment on fb!

Jenna
callherhappy.com

Jenna@CallHerHappy

I follow you on Twitter!

Jenna
callherhappy.com

Jenna@CallHerHappy

I follow you on gfc!

Jenna
callherhappy.com

Jenna@CallHerHappy

I tweeted this giveaway :)

Jenna
callherhappy.com

monicaandrew

love reading about other homeschooler's experiences! :-)
monicaandrew25@hotmail.com

monicaandrew

follow you on gfc
monicaandrew25@hotmail.com

monicaandrew

email subscriber
monicaandrew25@hotmail.com

monicaandrew

like you on facebook
monicaandrew25@hotmail.com

monicaandrew

like the homeschool experiment on facebook
monicaandrew25@hotmail.com

Kristen

My sister just started homeschooling. I'd like to win for her.

kristen_yeh at yahoo dot com

Kristen

GFC follower

kristen_yeh at yahoo dot com

Unknown

Id like to win it for my home school friends
sunniewoodyplus2 atmsn.com

Jennifer Wilson

I love to read and hope to homeschool someday so I think this would be a really fun read.

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Jennifer Wilson

Follow GFC jenndiggy

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Jennifer Wilson

Follow on Twitter jenndiggy

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Jennifer Wilson

Tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/jenndiggy/status/196498993755328512

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Nancy

I'd like to win because this sounds like an interesting read!

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Nancy

Email subscriber

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Nancy

Like you on FB

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Nancy

Like The Homeschool Experiment on FB

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Jennifer Wilson

Monday Tweet:
https://twitter.com/#!/jenndiggy/status/196995499289608194

Anonymous

I was thrust into homeschooling my son by a not friendly SPED director and the book looks like a fun read.

Anonymous

I follow via GFC.

Anonymous

I like Our Homeschoo Reviews on Facebook.

Anonymous

I like The Homeschool Experiment on Facebook.

Anonymous

I follow @OurHSReviews on Twitter.

Anonymous

I tweeted - https://twitter.com/#!/ilovemygooby/status/197151006180638721.

Diana

I would love to win for my granddaughter
hrddiana556@gmail.com

Julieanne

I'd like to win because I have the same name as the author! (slightly different spelling)

Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Julieanne

I'm following your blog via GFC!

Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Julieanne

I "like" Our Homeschool Reviews on Facebook!

Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Anonymous

we've been homeschooling for two years with a brief and ill-conceived public school stint for about three months that ended this past week. I'd love to win this book because, well, I need to laugh at myself (oh and encouragement would be helpful too)

Julieanne

I'm subscribed to your blog via Feedburner!

Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Julieanne

I "like" The Homeschool Experiment on Facebook!

Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Julieanne

I tweeted about your giveaway:

https://twitter.com/JoyfulJulieanne/statuses/197368249216794624


Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Mrs. Laura Lane

It's that time of year that I need some motivation to keep going!

Lynn @ TDHGP

This sounds like a fun read! Bring on the encouragement!

Lynn @ TDHGP

I follow on Twitter.

Lynn @ TDHGP

I follow on GFC.

Jennifer Wilson

May first tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/jenndiggy/status/197456375192895488

Jen Crum

We're a couple years away from school age but hoping that we'll be able to homeschool. I'd love to win this book.
jenlcrum@gmail.com

Kim

I feel like I am in the same boat right now. I am trying to figure out if we should homeschoole or not. This would be a great help.

kimberlysummer40@aol.com

Kim

GFC follower-Kim Pollock
kimberlysummer40@aol.com

tjmetz

I would love to win - I've been considering homeschooling and think this would be a hilarious and insightful viewpoint!

tjmetz

Subscribed by email through Feedburner
draoi7383 @ yahoo.com

tjmetz

Like Our Homeschool Reviews on Facebook
draoi7383 @ yahoo.com

tjmetz

Like The Homeschool Experiment on Facebook (Jennifer Vice Metz)
draoi7383 @ yahoo.com

tjmetz

Follow you on Twitter @jennifermetz83
draoi7383 @ yahoo.com

ani hearts japan

I'll be starting homeschooling this fall, so I'd love this!

aniwilsonintx at hotmail dot com

ani hearts japan

LIked OHR on FB as Ani G W

aniwilsonintx at hotmail dot com

ani hearts japan

Liked The Homeschool Experiment on FB as Ani G W

aniwilsonintx at hotmail dot com

ani hearts japan

Following you on twitter @aniheartsjapan

Unknown

I would love to win! alysonbrown1002 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Unknown

I like you on FB
alysonbrown1002 at yahoo dot com

Unknown

I follow you via GFC
alysonbrown1002 at yahoo dot com

Jennifer

I could use something lighthearted to read. It is 11:41 here, wondering if you are in the same time zone.

Post a Comment

I'd love to hear from you!