The Complete Home Learning Source Book: The Essential Resource Guide for Homeschoolers, Parents, and Educators Covering Every Subject from Arithmetic to Zoology

Arranged by subject, including "Philosophy," "Life Skills," and "Electronic Media," the sourcebook's organization and succinct and insightful entries make it a breeze to use. Icons next to the entries denote the format and intended age group of each resource. Whether readers are looking for the best way to explain relativity or Egyptian mummification, The Complete Home Learning Sourcebook opens the door to a whole new universe for teaching and learning.

• Books
  
• Videos
  
• Magazines
  
• Catalogs
  
• Timelines
  
• Kits
  
• Hands-on activities
  
• Board games
  
• CD-ROMs
  
• Educational Web sites

The Complete Home Source Book is quite literally a huge delight: with 865 pages, this book is 8 1/2" by 11" and almost 2" thick! The subtitle says it well: The Essential Resource Guide for Homeschoolers, Parents, and Educators, Covering Every Subject from Arithmetic to Zoology.

The book is nicely organized into subjects of study, and the subject titles are thoughtfully printed at the page edges in dark blocks to show even with the pages closed. Each entry is tagged with the age group for which the resource is intended. Symbols are used to identify whether the resource is: a book, curriculum, kit, video, software, magazine, audio, game, on-line resource, hands-on activity, or catalog. The price might at first seem expensive, but this is a huge reference resource for long term use, and should save the average person money in the long run, or even perhaps in the short run.

Just a few of the enormous range of subjects thoroughly covered are reading, writing, math, history, foreign language resources, the arts, sciences, journalism, research, mythology, libraries, ethics, religion, economics, philosophy, and life skills. The format consists of well-annotated lists of books, catalogs, games, hands-on materials, on-line resources, CD-ROMSs, tapes, and videos, along with Rebecca Rupp's comments, insightful observations, and delightful, thought-provoking, stories about her family's own experiences. The personal stories should be very helpful to a beginning homeschooler, in that they open a window into what homeschooling looks like in the real setting of one family's daily life. There's no reason, however, why a school-going family couldn't also enjoy and make good use of the book in the same way.

I really think this is one of the best resources to ever grace the home education market.-Lillian Jones


the most helpful book in our home school library   September 5, 2000
k
76 out of 80 found this review helpful

When I borrowed this book from the library I actually read it cover to cover. It is more than just a list of books. Rebecca Rupp has done exhaustive research. She has given the home schooler (or the parent wishing to augment the education of their kids) a tremendous resource. Rupp has divided the book up into different sections according to subject-not just the three 'Rs, but also such things as philosophy, art, music...you name it. The age suggestions seem very accurate as well. Since people home school for a lot of different reasons, she also mentions if a book is religious or Christian, or a purely secular resource. I have used many of the websites that she lists, as well as sending away for a number of the catalogs that she lists. As someone relatively new to the home school scene, I also enjoyed the personal accounts of her three sons' educational experiences. I borrowed the book from our library first, but have since purchased my very own copy!


Excellent resource for homeschoolers doing unit studies   May 19, 2000
39 out of 39 found this review helpful

I've purchased many homeschooling books, but this is the one that I use constantly in planning lessons and unit studies. If you prefer to put together your own curriculum, rather than purchasing a series of textbooks, The Complete Home Learning Sourcebook will save you time and money. It is a great starting point - classified by subject area and sub-divided into topics. This is the place to get a sense of what's available in catalogs, games, kits, books, cd-roms and more, with contact info and web addresses, so you can find what you want! Rebecca Rupp includes sections from her homeschool journal to illustrate what worked for her family. If I could only have one book on homeschooling, this would be it.


Favorite resource of this veteran homeschooler!   September 13, 2005
Lorel Shea (New England)
20 out of 21 found this review helpful

Rebecca Rupp is inspiring. The pages and pages of resources include books, films, science kits, board games,coloring books and more. We homeschool very eclectically and I love the way she thinks outside the box! This book gets more use at my house than any other homeschool guide or materials catalog. The one drawback is that it is getting a wee bit dated- and some internet links no longer work. I'd also love to see her include in an updated version some of the programs we've been very happy with, such as Story of the World and Singapore math.


A Must Have   March 30, 2001
Laura Brown McKenzie (On a mountain in AL United States)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

I have homeschooled all my children all their lives. I have taught in public school. I tutor math, science, English and history. In every subject, every grade, I depend on this book for new, innovative ideas and resources to use. There is no other book that I have that I use nearly as much. Thank you Ms. Rupp!