The 5-Hour School Week: An Inspirational Guide to Leaving the Classroom to Embrace Learning in a Way You Never Imagined

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 390 ratings

Price: 17.46

Last update: 03-18-2025


Top reviews from the United States

amy
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book even for people not interested in home schooling
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2018
What I like best about this book is it gave me some practical ideas in guiding my kids education and personal development. I enjoyed reading the educational journey Kaleena and her family has taken. I recommend this book to all parents. It can help you with your homeschooling journey and it can also help you in your traditional education journey. My children are a little older so I think I learned about this alternate approach a little too late. Even though I will not be homeschooling my kids, there were many valuable takeaways from the book.

I happened to read this book last week while on a family vacation to Panama. We have the same approach to travel. I have always taken my 3 kids to places that aren't your typical tourist vacations.. My oldest did a project in high school about Panama and asked if we could go. Our answer was YES. We all learned so much. We learned about Panama's history and culture, about the jungle, and even some US history. We saw sloths in the jungle and researched every fact about them (they are horribly unhygienic and only come down from their trees once a week to poop). Learning through our adventures is true learning. Just like Kaleena, we went to Cuba last year and the experience was unforgettable.

After reading this book, I realized that my kids are book smart but need more real-life skills. The book has helped me create life skill goals for each of my kids. I am working with my oldest on managing a bank account and preparing meals for when she goes off to college. My middle son is now working on communicating with adults better. and time management My youngest is working on nutrition and meal planning. This book helped me analyze what each of my kids needs and is helping me focus on an individualized plan.

Overall a great book. I definitely agree on how much you can get accomplished in 1 focused hour. That's what we are going to work on next in my family. I have a feeling it is going to give us so great results.
KarenV
5.0 out of 5 stars Hope and inspiration for our children’s educational lifestyle
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2018
Whether you’re looking into, considering, or already doing an alternative education like homeschooling, unschooling, worldschooling, etc. this book has a little bit for everyone. I’m currently reading it, amidst raising my 4 girls, and I’m always excited to pick it up and read more. My head hurt from nodding in agreement throughout the introduction and first chapters. This book, from the first few pages and as the chapters progress, has given me hope, affirmation, and practical examples to continue raising my children as learners and doers.

It’s about making every moment count, being intentional, setting expectations, reflection and living life to its fullest. It’s about raising our kids to be capable, responsible human beings and shining their light wherever they go.

“I want to raise my kids, I want to know my kids, I want to fuel their passions and purpose in this life, not some educational focus on test and test scores in reading at upper grade levels but not comprehending or loving that information and learning...”
L.McG
4.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2021
Fantastic! Love it! Need starting game plan but seems to be some on YouTube. Perfect marriage of ideas. Fast Read! Couldn't put it down and Ive been homeschooling for over 2 decades!
JV
5.0 out of 5 stars Aspirational & attainable
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2018
The Amuchastegui has figured a few things out, and those discoveries are making my family better. I love this families bold moves and lessons learned, as they're challenging me how I look at fatherhood and the potential of the Vromans, now and then. I'm mostly appreciative of Aaron and Kaleena's innovative approaches and courage to step outside of the norm to seek a new future. I think all families would benefit from taking time to question their path, reevaluate values and choose intentionally the direction that feels in alignment with their highest selves. Bravo to the A-team for putting together an epic journal and guide -- the world needed this.
Elizabeth
3.0 out of 5 stars Not a how-to, maybe helpful to some
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2022
This would be a decent read for someone trying to decide whether to homeschool or not, but the title is a bit misleading as it does little to describe how homeschooling can be accomplished in 5 hr per week- rather, it describes how it consumes most of their days and weeks- which is a valid point in that learning opportunities can be found in nearly any situation.

That said, you can tell the author is very proud of her family, as one should be. Some anecdotes are a bit far fetched, leaving the reader to add, “ and then everyone started to slow clap..” For example, one daughter stood up on a chair to pitch a business idea to adults at a party on the fly, immediately receiving $15k from investors willing to back the idea. As an investor, I can say either it didn’t go down like that or they have some very wealthy and generous friends.

If you can wade through the examples of exotic vacations/meet-ups and self-congratulation, there are takeaways, including a nutshell version of the evolution of public education. If you are somewhat familiar with the rule of 80/20 already and are already leaning towards homeschooling, there are probably better books with more actionable information to guide your journey. Overall this is a quick and fluffy read, easy to digest, but not a comprehensive how-to guide.
Btribeof7
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2020
As a homeschool mom of 10+ years, I have often found us not "living life intentionally" or having fun while learning. Learning to change my mindset and let go isn't easy. This book has solidified what I have been telling myself a lot. We are revamping our homeschool to apply this approach and we're all excited! I highly recommend this to anyone considering homeschool, a few years in, or a lot of years in and needing change. Thank you Kaleena and Aaron (your kiddos) for sharing your life with us!
Kelly S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2020
I have been on the fence about homeschooling and this book gave me the confidence to do it. Easy to read and full of great examples of how teaching and learning can be integrated in to almost any moment if we’re mindful and take the time. I recommend this book to everyone; current homeschool families, those on the fence and even parents not at all considering homeschooling.

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