NEW Free eBook for Catholic Homeschool Families

Yes, there's a new Catholic homeschool book in town. Though, really, it would be great for any family with school-age children. I've always said "We're all homeschoolers, no matter where our children get their academics." After all, where did your children learn to walk and talk? To respect you and to love Jesus? Umm, at home, right?! And, to be honest folks, if you're not engaged in your child's education, they won't be as successful as they could be in school. Conversely, if education is important to you, if your children see you reading, if you and your children explore and question the world together, and if your children witness your joy when you learn something new, by golly, they will be successful in school -- no matter where that school is located.

Now that I've gotten that off my mind, I want to tell you about this new book. It's something that is very close to my heart. It's something that started in a little coffee shop in Howell, MI when I was brainstorming with my dear friend Erin Brown Conroy (also master writing instructor at Homeschool Connections). I was feeling frustrated that more students weren't taking philosophy and logic courses. Courses, that I personally feel are vitally important to a child's education.

That's when Erin said, "What about a book called something like Why Should I Learn This?" So, I said, "Sure! Let's do it!" So we did. That brings me to today. To this big announcement ... two years later. Why Should I Learn This: A Guide for Homeschool Parents and Students has been released and is currently available at Homeschool Connections eBook.

Eventually, we'll put the book to print. However, today, it's a free eBook. It's currently available as a PDF that you can download to your hard drive or read online. Next month, we'll make it available for Kindle. We're also looking into other formats for you.

You may be asking, "That's nice, but what exactly is the book about and why should I take time to read it?"

Why Should I Learn This is a compilation of essays written by a wide variety of authors, much like my previous books A Catholic Homeschool Treasury and The Catholic Homeschool Companion. It includes great authors such as Joseph Pearce, Mike Aquilina, Carol Reynolds, Mary Ellen Barrett, Gray Michuta, Monica Ashour, and so, so many more.

The book demonstrates the importance of a variety of subjects. For example, if your child were to say to you, "Mom, algebra is stupid. I don't see how it'll help me in life." you could read the chapter Why Should I Learn Algebra together. If you and your spouse are debating whether or not formal logic should have a place in your homeschool, you could read Why Should I Learn Formal Logic and see what Dr. Robert Gotcher has to say on the subject.

Why Should I Learn This also has a chapter on educational approaches (pedagogy). If you've been hearing about Charlotte Mason education or classical education, and you want to know more, you can open that chapter and get the scoop.

You don't have to take my word for it. Here are the reviews that have already started coming in:

“Here’s the answer to many of the Why’s you (or your children) have asked about education. Whether you homeschool or not, this book is a treasury of well-crafted answers that will leave you with answers and, amazingly, even entertained!” —Sarah Reinhard, author and blogger, SnoringScholar.com and CatholicMom.com 

“Every homeschooling parent has faced the question: “Why are we doing this?” Whether it’s asked by a grumpy child or simply a feeling that lingers in the air at the end of a frustrating day, it’s inevitable that sometimes you (or your children) will wonder if what you’re learning really matters. That’s why this book is such a great resource: With beautiful writing about the relevance of each subject, Why Should I Learn This will rekindle the passion for education—not just for your students, but for you, too.” —Jennifer Fulwiler, author and blogger, ConversionDiary.com 

“Why Should I Learn This is a reminder that education is not merely a stepping stone into the work force, but a good in and of itself. Education is an important facet of encouraging our children to flourish as human beings made in the image of God. I found myself nodding along as the contributors articulate what makes the subjects I love so valuable. They also challenge me to look at the subjects I’ve never been inclined to with new appreciation. Why Should I Learn This will inspire you to dive into learning right along with your children.” —Haley Stewart, author and blogger, CarrotsForMichaelmas.com 

So, head on over to Homeschool Connections eBook and get your copy today while it's free.

Let us know what you think in the comments. We're already planning a sequel, so don't hesitate to tell us what we missed. And, finally, humbly, we know there are a couple of typos in the PDF. The great thing is that we'll be able to fix them before the next edition.

Praying you have an amazing 2015 and that Why Should I Learn This helps you and your children in a special way.