Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Review: Homeschooling Gifted and Advanced Learners & a Give Away

A few months ago Cindy West asked if I would review her new book, Homeschooling Gifted and Advanced Learners. I gratefully accepted the offer to look it over and I'm so glad I did!


Cindy has done a terrific job of lining up resources for homeschooling parents to equip them for working effectively with their gifted kids. The book peaked my curiosity because meeting a gifted learner where he was is the reason we began homeschooling in the first place. It's the reason we began and it's the reason we continue to press on in this endeavor.

There are chapters on just starting out with homeschooling all the way to how to work with individual learners in your home. The chapter on "Teaching All Learners" details out the signs of giftedness for each subject area as well as how to recognize and work with those who struggle in a particular area.

The book covers working with your children's passions and preparing for college. Cindy gives us ideas on how to use technology with a gifted child and for each chapter there are multiple "Real Life Examples" to go with the points she is making. Through out the book, she lists out book and website resources for parents to use for more information specific to a topic of interest within the chapter.

This is an excellent homeschool resource for beginners and seasoned homeschoolers alike and works with children who are exceptional by any definition.

I'm excited to say that Cindy has graciously given me a copy to share with an interested Blog, She Wrote reader. Leave a comment to enter the drawing. Leave two if you are a follower. If you aren't a follower already, feel free to let me know you signed up and leave a second comment. The contest will close Monday, January 23rd at midnight EST. Good luck!

51 comments:

Anonymous said...

This book would be wonderful for me. I homeschool two gifted children and need all the help I can get :)

Anonymous said...

I am also one of your followers!

Susan said...

Would love to take a look at this book. Thanks for the giveaway!

Mary Prather said...

I would love this book. I have a very gifted child, and I know I need to do a better job of thinking outside the box to meet his needs., :-)

Mary Prather said...

I have been a follower for a long time!

Unknown said...

Hi~ Love your blog. What a great resource. I also started homeschooling because of my gifted child. My background is in special education, but I don't know much about the "high" end of the spectrum. I'd love to win this book. Thanks for the chance!

rowan said...

What a lovely giveaway!!

rowan said...

I also follow your blog. :D

Shirley said...

I want to win!

Shirley said...

I follow you :)

Kisha said...

How timely! Kadar was just diagnosed as being gifted two days ago! I've been searching for ways to keep him challenged. This would be a great resource to have.

Kisha said...

I am a follower! And I have your button on my blog.

TN Quiltbug said...

Oh, I NEED this book! My 7 year old is gifted, and some days I am at a total loss as to what to do with her!

TN Quiltbug said...

I am already a follower! :)

alanakirby166 said...

I love reading your blog. You are one of the few that blogs on middle schoolers. Would love to read this book as well. I homeschool one gifted girl.

Becky Jo said...

I would love to have this book. My 3rd child is turning 5 this year, and just like her two older sisters, she's hitting the ground running! It's all I can do to run along behind some days! LOL

Becky Jo said...

I've also been following your blog for a while now.

Rozy Lass said...

Wow, I wish I'd had this book when I was homeschooling. There are many days that I miss teaching our children at home (three are now adults), but I'm so grateful I was able to at the time. Each child is gifted in some way, and each child struggles with something, which is why the one size fits all public school, especially for young children, doesn't work so well. I really enjoy your posts. Thanks for sharing.

Pam K said...

Wonderful giveaway! Thanks.
ppking4@yahoo.com

Pam K said...

I am already a big fan and follower!

Anonymous said...

Looks like a lovely give away. One I could have used. I would like to reply to Rozy Lass' comment that every child is gifted in some way and every child struggles. This is a myth. Yes, every child (and person) is better at some things then others, But not everyone is gifted; Not by a long shot, and you know what..that is okay. Truly gifted children can be very exhausting and (the truth of the matter is)are often not very successful in the real world. Being gifted is a two-edged sword. Home-schooling the gifted is a wonderful option!

Colleen said...

This book sounds wonderful! I have a gifted learned who needs more of everything except sleep. I could use some help. :)

Colleen said...

I am already a huge fan and follower. Thanks for all your wonderful ideas!

Cindy said...

Heather,

Thank you SO much for the incredibly kind review!

patchouli_79 said...

I've been eye-balling this one for a some time. I already have several of Cindy's NaturExplorer titles and Living Math. I just signed up to be a subscriber.

patchouli_79 said...

If I don't win, then I'm going to have to buy it! :) Just signed up to be a subscriber....I've actually been reading your blog all week, while looking at a change in curriculum to FIAR. AWESOME blog! My son is very interested in trying an owl pillow now.

Tammy G said...

This would be a great book to glean from. We feel our 7 yr. old boy is a gifted learner and his bordom is a struggle--thanks.

Angela said...

Hey Heather, Your blog has been a great resource for me as a new hser. Thanks for hosting the give away.

Angela said...

I follow via e-mail.

Jeremy and Shelly said...

I would love to win! I plan on homeschooling and am trying to learn all I can. What a great resource this would be.

I am also a follower!

Chris, Lindsey, Wesley, Adelaide and; Hudson Carter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chris, Lindsey, Wesley, Adelaide and; Hudson Carter said...

Opps on my previous attempt to comment. I would love to have this book. If I win you can send it to my mom. She is getting ready to mail me a box to Japan.

Stephanie said...

I just signed up to be a follower. I've been coming to your site almost daily for a long time, though.

Stephanie said...

Would love to win the book! What a great giveaway.

Mary Beth said...

I found your blog through a good friend in December, and was so encouraged by the depth of information. I read the "10 Days of Getting Started" and have subsequently read some of your book recommendations, including The Read-Aloud Handbook and How Am I Smart. We have been struggling with whether to begin home school for our 2 elementary-aged daughters, one who has been identified as "profoundly gifted." This book would be a wonderful resource for our family.

Mary Beth said...

I'm a new follower!

Mom Guide said...

Oh this would be such a blessing. I am homeschooling a gifted child and need ideas.

Mom Guide said...

I am also following!!!

Annie Rose said...

I started homeschooling for the exact same reason-- meeting my gifted learner where she is at. I have had my eye on Cindy West's book for a while & would LOVE a copy! Thank you!

Annie Rose said...

I am also a follower of your blog & Cindy West's, too.

Tanya said...

It looks like a great resource. My oldest is our gifted learner.

Tanya said...

I follow your blog in Google Reader.

Gabriele said...

This book would be great to add to our homeschool library for my gifted learner!! Thanks for the great giveaway!!

Gabriele said...

I follow you in my Google Reader :)

Anne said...

Thanks for reviewing this book! I am very interested in this topic as well, especially for young children

Becca said...

Thanks for the review. I love hearing your opinion on books. And I wuld love to read this book.

Kristina S. said...

I would love to be entered. I love Cindy's stuff! Thanks

alanakirby166 said...

Although I haven't taken the time to sign up until recently, I have been following you about 2 years.

Rachel said...

Oooh, I wanna win! Pick me, pick me! :-)

Unknown said...

I am a follower!

Unknown said...

I would love to have a copy of this book.