The Phases of Learning

I enjoyed reading this book. The thing I love about the DeMilles is that they don't expect you to do things exactly like them. I wonder if someone just picked this book up without knowing anything about TJEd or he DeMilles, if it might seem preachy or too strict. There is a lot of info and "tips" that you can follow. But it is important to know that the DeMilles are very aware that each family is different. These are skills they have gleaned from other and/or that have worked in their family. There is no expectation that they will all be implemented at once or even all at the same time ever. Knowing that, I was able to take from it what I needed. And I learned a lot. I am glad I purchased this book as it is one I will revisit throughout my children's education. One does not have to be homeschooled to institute TJEd principles or leadership education as it is called. That is addressed in here and in the original book "A Thomas Jefferson Education". Homeschool is not the right fit for some families, but if parents want to raise future leaders, they can use these principles to make sure their kids are getting the best education possible at the right schools and at home. There are great mentors in the public and private school systems, you just have to find them. And also be one at home. It also is a good foundation for a homeschool education, though. You won't get curriculum or details on exactly what to do, but you will be guided to understand what is really important in education. My first read through gave me an idea of the big picture. Then I revisited the beginning since my kids are young. As they age and as we get further into their education, I will be coming back to this again and again to see what I can glean at that time in life.If you do read this and feel it's a good fit, come join us in the Facebook group! I am a newbie to all of this and have learned so much from the great men and women in there. Rachel is in there daily and gives great insight and direction. Where else can you talk directly with the creators of an education method? It's pretty awesome and part of her own education as an adult. That's another thing I love about this book and method. As parent, we need to be a big example in continuing our education and in doing good in the world. We need to be mentored and then mentor others to make the world a better place. It jives well with my philosophy that education is a life long persist and most everything I read either exactly described or expanded upon things I already believe about education (things I learned as a student and then an educator). Buy this book. You won't regret it!

As far as positive reviews go, I don’t think there’s much to add that hasn’t been written by other reviewers. To be honest, this book and the ideas contained therein have formed the cornerstone of our children’s home-based education. HOWEVER - some of the ideals in this book are incredibly old-fashioned, mysoginistic, Eurocentric, and even downright racist. To quote, “Only nations with cold climates have ever bred cultures of freedom.” “Nomadic societies were ever bastions of ignorance and tyranny.” This poisonous idea - that western ideals of civilization and philosophy are superior or all other forms of knowing - is precisely the kind of thinking that led our founding fathers to believe that they were doing God’s work when they brought “civilization” to so-called “primitive” cultures: indigenous Americans and colonized people across the globe. It’s a shame that this agenda - the superiority of the European mind and the idealization of an American pioneer lifestyle - is a key concept of this book. It makes it impossible for me to recommend this book to anyone without a great deal of caveats given beforehand. References to Christ and God, church and the Bible are prevalent throughout, but that actually didn’t bother me. It’s the fact that in some key aspects this book could be summarized as “Make American Education Great Again,” that I find so off-putting.

If you're looking for a schedule and/or lesson plans, you won't find it here. What you will find is encouragement to do what is best for your children and their education with details of how other people have made it work for them. The whole point of "leadership education" is that it is truly student-centered with the goal of allowing every child to reach his highest potential. (Please note that most schools are looking for children to reach a desired level of "mastery" which is not necessarily that child's best.)One of the other reviewers complains that the authors are not really promoting "inspire not require" because if children in the "scholar" phase don't do a certain number of hours of study, you should have them do chores. The chores, however, are not a punishment. Children who are not in the "scholar" phase are expected to be contributing members of the household by doing age-appropriate chores. If they spend their days studying, however, they get a break on their household duties. So the chores aren't a punishment, one of the rewards from deep study is that you are freed from your normal responsibilities. Just like we give our spouses a break when a job or illness means there's less time available to help around the house.I found it to be inspiring and helpful, but it is not a blue-print, it does not have a curriculum list and the expectation is that you, as the parent, will do a lot of heavy lifting to help your children get the education they deserve to become their best.

I'm just now getting around to reading this book. I ordered it NEW. I was shocked to see another person's name written it it. Book itself is good but selling a used book as new and at a new prive is not cool

This book is a perfect "how to" companion to the first book Thomas Jefferson Education, however, it also can stand alone. I LOVE all of DeMille's work and this book does not disappoint. It includes the psychology, philosophy and the steps to get your family "off the conveyor belt" of education and experience the results of a balanced, close and principle-based family with kids that are prepared to lead! I am a former public educator who tried for years without training or an example to implement Leadership-type Education unsuccessfully. Our education system is not set up for our children to achieve greatness in the world. Thomas Jefferson Education is IT!

This book has been the perfect guide for myhomeschool. It really breaks everything down and I go back to it constantly for more direction.