Teach by Dennis DiNoia: A Review for Working Homeschool Moms
As a working homeschool mom, saving time in your homeschool is a must. So I recommend reading TEACH: Creating Independently Responsible Learners by Dennis DiNoia to help you learn how!
I’ve had so many aha moments reading this book. So I want to share what they are, why this book is perfect for working homeschool moms, and how these discoveries can be applied to save time.
I received a free copy of TEACH: Creating Independently Responsible Learners by Dennis DiNoia and am being compensated for my time. I am not required to give a positive review so as always, I am sharing my honest opinion with you. This post also contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission should you choose to sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link. Each purchase is much appreciated by me and the companies I love! Please read my full blog disclosure for more information.
Revelations from Reading TEACH by Dennis DiNoia
I rarely read books about teaching. I’m so independent and I want to be able to do things my way. I like to get inspired, test and tweak, figure it out for myself and then see if it works with my kids.
So imagine my delight when this is what Teach by Dennis DiNoia is actually all about! The full title of the book is TEACH: Creating Independently Responsible Learners, and as you can see he wants to help his reader to become a responsible and independent learner and thinker.
So who is this book for? Well, from the title you might think that it’s only for homeschool parents or teachers. Or anyone who is directly involved in education.
But upon reading, I’ve discovered it’s for anyone who wants to succeed in life. It extends the idea of being an effective learner way past schooling and into the life that follows.
And this is what I love the most about Teach by Dennis DiNoia. It has shown me once more that to be a better homeschool parent, I need to concentrate on so much more that academics. It’s the life skills that I teach while homeschooling, that are going to help my children succeed! And not to mention all the learning I’m doing along the way!
An added bonus especially for working homeschool moms is that I’ve discovered that these principles help to save time in your homeschool too. So while you’re preparing your kiddo for the future, you’re doing it in a manageable and efficient way. Win, win and win!
Why I Love this Book as a Working Homeschool Mom
Teaching my children to be independent is one of my greatest goals in life. The more independent they are, the more time I save. And the more time I save, the more I can spend on things that are really important to me.
I know this might sound selfish but I have to reiterate the importance of self care and living a life that’s aligned as a working homeschool mom.
It’s so easy to lose yourself in what everyone else needs. And this can easily lead to burnout. And I think you’ll agree with me that this doesn’t help anyone!
Independently responsible means that you are free, without outside control to do things on your own and trusted to do it the way it was meant to be done. Simply put, no one is telling you what to do, how to do it, or when to do it.
Why Having Independent Homeschool Kids is Important
So apart from giving me more time, having independent learners means that my kids are being prepared for the future. This is especially important for me as a mom homeschooling neurodivergent kids.
I need to know that they are going to be able to make their way in the world on their own one day. These are tough lessons for them to learn as they tend to avoid things that are difficult or challenging.
Teach by Dennis DiNoia has given me some great ideas for how to help them become more independent:
- Dennis speaks about the important of discovering their learning style. And all his courses are designed to speak to all styles. Sometimes by just slightly tweaking how something is presented or asked, they can take it in better. And this knowledge will empower them in the future as they take on more challenges.
- The idea of doing what you love also really resonates with me. Homeschooling has given me the perfect opportunity to allow my children to follow their dreams. Who wouldn’t want their kids to be engaged and happy in the future?
- Finally, there’s a bonus chapter on setting goals. Dennis has a simple but powerful method for setting goals that’s absolutely genius. And I adore the idea of this helping kids to decide what they want to do in the future. So good!
How TEACH by Dennis DiNoia Helps Me to Save Time
You know I talk a lot about time because it’s what most working homeschool moms struggle with. It’s what I struggle with too! So when I can find a way to save time in my homeschool, I jump at it!
Here’s how teaching your child to be an independently responsible learner can save you time. They take ownership of their own learning and take the burden off you!
So what does this look like? I’ll give you a simple example. Your child is interested in gaming. How can you use this as a valuable learning experience and a teachable moment?
- Ask your kid to teach you about gaming. As it’s something they’re interested in, they will be engaged. It will save you time because they’ll be motivated to find out on their own.
- If they need help, show them how and where to find the information. You’ll be a coach, rather than a teacher.
- When your kiddo is ready, ask them to present what they’ve learnt. Tell them they can do it in any way they want. This will help them to learn additional skills like using PowerPoint or writing a play or essay. Once again you save time because this task teaches them multiple skills at the same time.
- If there’s something missing or incorrect, ask them what it is. They’ll learn to check their own work. Once again this skill is invaluable for saving time.
Final Thoughts on TEACH by Dennis DiNoia
I’ve just scratched the surface of this fantastic book. There is so much value in there for anyone who reads it. If you’re someone who wants to live a more authentic and effective life, run a successful business or raise children who thrive in the world, then go and grab your own copy. I’m sure it will become a handbook for success for you, as it has become for me!
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