Let Dennis DiNoia TEACH You How to Create Independently Responsible Learners

I was compensated for my time and provided with a copy of the book for review purposes, but all opinions expressed are my own.

What is the goal of homeschoolers everywhere? To raise kids who love learning! Or in Dennis DiNoia's (aka Mr. D) words to create independently responsible learners. People who love learning, know how to do it, and take initiative to learn. Doesn't that sound like a fabulous goal? I know to this homeschool mom it does which is why I have already read through TEACH: Creating Independently Responsible Learners twice!

Who is Dennis DiNoia (aka Mr. D)?

Mr. D, Dennis DiNoia, has been teaching for over 25 years. He left public school, where he was a high school math teacher, to develop his online curriculum. We have been privileged to review 2 of his classes (Pre-Algebra and College and Career Readiness), and I love how he breaks everything down and really connects with the kids. You can tell he loves what he does, and he truly wants every child to be successful.

Homeschoolers rejoice! Mr. D (Dennis DiNois) has written a book, TEACH, to show us how we can raise independently responsible learners!

And now he has written a book, TEACH: Creating Independently Responsible Learners, with some of his best tips. Trust me when I say the methods he mentions are not what you read in all the other books on education. I have already implemented a couple of his ideas, and I have honestly seen an improvement in my kids retention because they are engaging more with the information.

What is an Independently Responsible Learner?

"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." (p 20, TEACH)

So an independently responsible learner is one who knows what they need to be learning and seeks it out through a variety of methods including books, looking at examples, and asking for help when needed. They take the responsibility themselves. They engage with the subject rather than regurgitating a lecture only to forget the subject once they leave.

Raise an Independently Responsible Learner

Well, I can't give away the whole book, but let me tell you there are some great bits of information in it to help you along the way. Even if you just implement one at a time, you will begin to see a difference.

Here is what you can expect to read about in TEACH:

Chapter 1: An Accidental Discovery
Chapter 2: The Independently Responsible Learner
Chapter 3: The Student is the Teacher
Chapter 4: Checking Your Own Work
Chapter 5: Present Yourself
Chapter 6: Testing, Testing, 1-2-3
Chapter 7: Learning How to Think
Chapter 8: Do What You Love To Do
Chapter 9: Mastermind
Chapter 10: The Parent is the Coach
Bonus Chapter: Goal Setting

I have started using a lot of Chapter 4 because it was super easy to implement. I love the idea in chapter 9: Mastermind and think it would be fabulous for high school kids. I am also thrilled that Mr. D included the bonus chapter on Goal Setting because I love the way he breaks it all down and gives a visual example. So much easier for those of us who get stuck and overwhelmed looking at a big problem.

TEACH is a Must Read for Homeschoolers

TEACH: Creating Independently Responsible Learners is a an absolute must read for homeschoolers. It gives a new perspective told through real life experiences, It gives new ideas and gives you the permission to step back and make your kids more responsible for their education.

In fact, there are selections of the book I am going to be assigning my older two kids as they reach high school age. Especially the chapters on Presenting Yourself, Testing, and Goal Setting!