Inside: Learn how the book TEACH by Dennis DiNoia can turn your students into independently responsible learners with simple techniques you can use today!

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I received a copy of TEACH: Creating Independently Responsible Learners along with financial compensation for this review. My opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.

Teaching my kids to work independently has always been a top priority in our homeschool. It started out for my ‌sanity, and I didn’t realize at the time how it would pay off in the long run.

Fast forward ten years, I’m realizing I was on to something. My oldest is now married and I’ve watched how he’s reaped the benefits of being independent.

At 19 years old, they chose him over twenty- and thirty-year-olds for a supervisor position at his job. By 20 years old, he’d saved fifteen grand and was planning to purchase his first real estate property. At 21, he knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life and was pursuing it. Now 22, he’s married and has not one, but two real estate properties, as well as working in a career he loves.

I don’t say this to brag, because honestly, I didn’t know that his learning to be responsible for his work would have this kind of effect. But I ‌believe now that it played a big part.

I was thrilled to review the book Teach: Creating Independently Responsible Learners by Dennis Dinoia (better known in the homeschool world as Mr. D) when I saw it was about teaching children to become independently responsible learners because it was something near and dear to my heart.

Who Is Mr. D?

Just in case you don’t know who Mr. D is, let me introduce you to him. Mr. D is known for his math courses. He’s been a teacher since 1988, and now has online math programs for homeschoolers. 

He designs his classes so students learn how to work through the problems and check their own work, and of course, create independent learners.

He’s had a lot of success with this process and he’s helped even the most difficult students discover how to learn and enjoy it!

What Is TEACH by Dennis DiNoia About?

Dennis wrote TEACH: Creating Independently Responsible Learners to show how he accidentally discovered a way to help students teach themselves, and find solutions, all while creating independent learners. 

He explains what’s wrong with traditional methods of learning and how some simple tweaks can change the way your student can respond with a different attitude and have the motivation to do their work.

In TEACH, you (yes, you too) and your student will learn:

• what an independently responsible learner is
• why the student should be the teacher
• a different approach to doing school work
• a trick that cements what the student is learning and makes it meaningful
• why testing is important and when it should be done
• how to think (and it’s probably not what you think)
• ways to discover what you love to do
• what a mastermind is and why you should take part in one
• how the parent is the coach
• a bonus strategy (my favorite)- a very cool goal setting technique

Dennis’s breakthrough with students over the years has made him an expert in this area and someone who can show us the ropes to do the same with our own students.

Why Should You Read This Book?

TEACH is a quick read you can finish in a weekend. It’s written in a conversational style to both the parents and teens and almost feels like an autobiography. It contains ideas, strategies, and techniques that made me stop and think about the way I was taught in school and the way I’m teaching my own children.

While the author gears the book towards homeschoolers, it could be helpful in any educational setting. As a former classroom teacher, I could have seen myself using this with my students.

Dennis has a lot of experience using the methods in the book and they’ve proven to be successful. He shows how students who are involved in their own education can lead to success and find careers they’re happy in.

You’ll walk away with the tools to transition your child into an independently responsible learner, and the best part is that it doesn’t require you to buy some special program or frilly products. You already have everything you need to start today!

Not convinced independent learning is for your homeschool? Here’s a video explaining even more benefits.

Does TEACH by Dennis DiNoia Apply to More Than Math?

Yes, Dennis is a math teacher, but the ideas in this book would be great across all subjects. They’re practical and carry over into everyday life.

I’m a huge advocate of discovering learning styles and loved the way Dennis explores this concept as well. You won’t believe how easy it is! He simplifies the process with a few questions. 

Not only that, he makes a good point about how teens discovering their learning style opens up the door for them to think better and identify what works best for themselves. I had never really thought about how this could help them to become better thinkers and can’t wait to use it.

Are Kids Really Prepared to Take Tests?

Did you hate taking tests in school? I’m sure you’ve realized that testing doesn’t stop there. We face tests in many areas of our adult lives for jobs and licenses, and they’re pretty important.

Many people aren’t great test-takers and it may be because of the way they were taught in school. Dennis has three secrets to change that. I was thrilled to see this because I have kids who aren’t great test-takers and I think this is going to be a help to them. His approach is the opposite of how we were taught and makes a lot more sense.

This section also discusses taking a practice test versus taking the test cold to determine what a student knows. Dennis has some great suggestions for which he thinks is better, how it helps to show real mastery, and why it’s an example of a student being independently responsible.

I enjoyed this chapter. It made me realize I need to do a better job of preparing my kids with the right test-taking skills and now I have the tools to do that.

Conclusion

Dennis Dinoia’s book TEACH: Creating Independently Responsible Learners has given me even more information to equip my students to become independent, discover what they love to do, and how to think in a way to understand themselves better. 

Anyone who reads this book will walk away feeling empowered and inspired to try his approach to learning. If you have older kids heading to college, I recommend using his goal-setting framework. It will give them a blueprint for reaching the goals they’ve set for the future.

Because I’ve emphasized independence in my homeschool and seen the results it can have, I highly recommend homeschoolers teach their children to do the same.

TEACH by Dennis DiNoia is a short but informative read that I think homeschool parents, teens, or teachers will find worth their while.

Click the button below to check it out and get your kids on the path to becoming independently responsible learners. 

Special offer until June 15:

• Paperback $14.95
• eBook $.99