The Well Trained Mind?

[goatspots]

Does anyone use the Well Trained Mind as a guide for your homeschooling plans? Any pros or cons?

I checked out this book from the library a couple of years ago and skimmed over it. Recently I checked it out again and have enjoyed re-reading parts of it. Our oldest is in 1st grade and I like some of the suggestions in this book, but others not so much. I'm considering doing a bit of this, but as with all things I will make my own path as well. Our homeschooling plan is very eclectic and I enjoy using many different resources. Any thoughts on this book?

[heatherh]

There is a family in my homeschool group who uses it and likes it. She's on this board, so hopefully she'll chime in and tell you what she likes about it.

I checked the book out from the library when we first got started in homeschooling. I don't remember what it was, but I was like you...liked parts of it, but not others. And it seemed like the parts I didn't like outweighed the ones I did, so I didn't end up incorporating any of into our education. The more I get into pedagogical research and readings the more I realize everyone is making it up - it being what "should" be done and when. So heck, I'm just going with what feels right. Accelerated Reader has always felt wrong to me. Guess what? I can find research that proves it is wrong. Someone else can find research that proves it's the right way to teach read. Sigh. It's all game!

[Lesa]

I love The Well Trained Mind, but I just follow it in the big picture way. For someone who homeschools and works from home I find that I spend a lot of time on the road. I could never follow the schedule set up in the book. I do work with lots of the books she recommend, but not all of them.