A set of three well-written, helpful books by Dr. Beechick. A Home Start in Reading is chock-full of no-nonsense advice for teaching your child to read. Dr. Beechick includes a phonics system, chart, advice on dealing with those “messy” phonics problems and sight words, what to do “after” phonics, and suggestions for teaching spelling. A wealth of hints and helps packed in 32 pages. In A Strong Start in Language, Dr. Beechick explains an easy-to-use, natural method for teaching a child to write. Sample lessons are provided as a starting point. Discover Dr. Beechick’s “powerful, real-life, home method” for teaching your child to go beyond mere memorization to thinking mathematically in An Easy Start in Arithmetic. Includes teaching ideas, games and activities.

Customer Reviews

 
Heidi S. from Fort Lauderdale, FL wrote the following on 10/12/2008:
I'll admit, the first time I owned these books, I quickly discarded them for all sorts of workbook-style "curriculum". Big mistake! After doing a year of workbooks, workbooks and more workbooks, both my daughter and I were worn out. This was not the homeschool experience we both had dreamed of. Then I repurchased these books, hoping to start fresh. What a blessing! These books really help you to educate your child in a relaxed manner that is very child-friendly. There is a big focus on real-life experiences, incorporating learning into every day living. Actually this is how it was always done prior to the advent of public schools. And it is highly effective. Now we learn math while we cook, play games, solve puzzles, and drive in the car. And Language Arts no longer consists of separate workbook pages for phonics, spelling, grammar, reading comprehension, etc. It is amazing how much my daughter is learning. This is not a fluff, philosophy-type book. It is really a complete guide to teaching your young child, and is highly effective if you are willing to forgo workbooks and structure. The only supplemental item you will need to provide an excellent education for your child is a library card.

 
Heidi S. from Michigan wrote the following on 08/24/2009:
If you have young elementary children, or if you are new to homeschooling, I would strongly and enthusiastically recommend that you purchase this book and read it before purchasing anything else. It could literally save you hundreds of dollars in wasted or unnecessary curriculum or aids! If you homeschool older children, this would be an excellent gift for any new homeschooling mom that the Lord brings across your path. I taught in a classroom for many years before retiring to motherhood, and one of my biggest homeschooling struggles has been my own tendency to want to "do school at home" instead of actually "homeschooling". I have fought this dichotomy every day. Ruth Beechick gives extremely concrete and logical reasons and ideas for reading, writing and math. Had I read this book sooner, it could have saved me money and time as I agonized over my goals for the early grades (mostly K-3). Ruth Beechick is a staunchly Christian author, so this book (really a combined volume of three short books) is infused with Scripture and a God-glorifying view of home, family, and homeschooling. Even if you decide to use some curriculum and some of what she calls the "natural method" in your primary school (this is the route we have chosen), you will be armed with ideas and provided with a focus as you pray about what materials to use with each child.