June Unschooling Conference
Isaac Graves
*"I saw John Taylor Gatto (author of "Dumbing us Down") there a couple of
years ago and that is what inspired me to homeschool." - SE, New York*
**
*"I learned a lot about Education but much more about myself. Thanks :)" -
OR, Pennsylvania*
**
*"The open workshops allowed for the kind of spontaneous discussions that
felt important and authentic." - GM, Montana*
The Alternative Education Resource Organization Presents the 3rd Annual AERO
Conference:
"Educational Alternatives: Finding Our Commonalities & Celebrating Our
Differences"
June 29th - July 2nd, Russell Sage College, Troy, NY
Email: isaacgraves@...
Phone: (800) 769-4171
Website: www.EducationRevolution.org
<http://www.educationrevolution.org/>Detailed Info Packet:
www.EducationRevolution.org/packet.html
<http://www.educationrevolution.org/packet.html>Come join teachers,
students, families and many others involved in educational alternatives for
an inspiring, thought-provoking 4-day event!
Our keynote speakers include *John Taylor Gatto*, Mimsy Sadofsky, Ron
Miller, Susan Ohanian, *Pat Farenga*, Jerry Mintz, and Tim Seldin.
Highlights include keynote panel discussions, new school starters workshop
series, communities workshop series, student film festival & speakers,
documentaries & films, FREE child care throughout, huge bookstore, musical
performances, talent show, open workshop space, and plenty of workshops &
events for all!
Sponsored by The Montessori Foundation, the International Montessori
Council, Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, Center for Liberty
& Community, School of Living, Institute for Democratic Education, Students
Against Testing, International Association for Learning Alternatives, & Life
Learning Magazine.
-Isaac Graves
Conference Director
Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO)
417 Roslyn Road, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577-2620
(800) 769-4171 (toll-free) or 516-621-2195
www.EducationRevolution.org <http://www.educationrevolution.org/>
isaacgraves@...
3rd Annual AERO Conference
June 29th - July 2nd, 2006
Russell Sage College, Troy, NY
www.EducationRevolution.org/conference.html<http://www.educationrevolution.org/conference.html>
Conference Theme: "Educational Alternatives: Finding Our Commonalities &
Celebrating Our Differences"
*"Allow children to be happy their own way, for what better way will they
ever find?"
*Samuel Johnson
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
years ago and that is what inspired me to homeschool." - SE, New York*
**
*"I learned a lot about Education but much more about myself. Thanks :)" -
OR, Pennsylvania*
**
*"The open workshops allowed for the kind of spontaneous discussions that
felt important and authentic." - GM, Montana*
The Alternative Education Resource Organization Presents the 3rd Annual AERO
Conference:
"Educational Alternatives: Finding Our Commonalities & Celebrating Our
Differences"
June 29th - July 2nd, Russell Sage College, Troy, NY
Email: isaacgraves@...
Phone: (800) 769-4171
Website: www.EducationRevolution.org
<http://www.educationrevolution.org/>Detailed Info Packet:
www.EducationRevolution.org/packet.html
<http://www.educationrevolution.org/packet.html>Come join teachers,
students, families and many others involved in educational alternatives for
an inspiring, thought-provoking 4-day event!
Our keynote speakers include *John Taylor Gatto*, Mimsy Sadofsky, Ron
Miller, Susan Ohanian, *Pat Farenga*, Jerry Mintz, and Tim Seldin.
Highlights include keynote panel discussions, new school starters workshop
series, communities workshop series, student film festival & speakers,
documentaries & films, FREE child care throughout, huge bookstore, musical
performances, talent show, open workshop space, and plenty of workshops &
events for all!
Sponsored by The Montessori Foundation, the International Montessori
Council, Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, Center for Liberty
& Community, School of Living, Institute for Democratic Education, Students
Against Testing, International Association for Learning Alternatives, & Life
Learning Magazine.
-Isaac Graves
Conference Director
Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO)
417 Roslyn Road, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577-2620
(800) 769-4171 (toll-free) or 516-621-2195
www.EducationRevolution.org <http://www.educationrevolution.org/>
isaacgraves@...
3rd Annual AERO Conference
June 29th - July 2nd, 2006
Russell Sage College, Troy, NY
www.EducationRevolution.org/conference.html<http://www.educationrevolution.org/conference.html>
Conference Theme: "Educational Alternatives: Finding Our Commonalities &
Celebrating Our Differences"
*"Allow children to be happy their own way, for what better way will they
ever find?"
*Samuel Johnson
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
[AlwaysLearning] June Unschooling Conference
Although I think that an alternative education conference could be a
ton of fun, to call it an "unschooling conference" seems misleading.
-=-Highlights include keynote panel discussions, new school starters
workshop
series, communities workshop series, student film festival & speakers,
documentaries & films, FREE child care throughout, huge bookstore,
musical
performances, talent show, open workshop space, and plenty of
workshops &
events for all!
-=-Sponsored by The Montessori Foundation, the International Montessori
Council, Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, Center for
Liberty
& Community, School of Living, Institute for Democratic Education,
Students
Against Testing, International Association for Learning Alternatives,
& Life
Learning Magazine.-=-
Most of that has quite another focus than unschooling has.
Unschooling would fit in as a small part, but that doesn't make it
"an unschooling conference."
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Although I think that an alternative education conference could be a
ton of fun, to call it an "unschooling conference" seems misleading.
-=-Highlights include keynote panel discussions, new school starters
workshop
series, communities workshop series, student film festival & speakers,
documentaries & films, FREE child care throughout, huge bookstore,
musical
performances, talent show, open workshop space, and plenty of
workshops &
events for all!
-=-Sponsored by The Montessori Foundation, the International Montessori
Council, Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, Center for
Liberty
& Community, School of Living, Institute for Democratic Education,
Students
Against Testing, International Association for Learning Alternatives,
& Life
Learning Magazine.-=-
Most of that has quite another focus than unschooling has.
Unschooling would fit in as a small part, but that doesn't make it
"an unschooling conference."
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Isaac Graves
Hi Sandra,
I understand how it may appear on the surface to be a misleading statement
to call it an unschooling conference as well as an alternative education
conference, but I still view it as such...which should be explained.
First, let me address your comment on "most of the content having quite
another focus and unschooling having only a small part," because I disagree
with that statement. The keynote panel discussion very much is on focus as
the discussion will be had between 10 panelists (one of which is
representing unschooling, while the 9 others are representing different
models of education) which will be having an open dialog with the audience
about the commonalities and differences between all the different types of
alternatives and what everyone can learn from each other. Also 2 of
our featured keynoter speakers (Gatto and Farenga) are full on unschooling
advocates, while Mintz promotes unschooling quite heavily, but also promotes
democratic schools, which may carry the stigma of the word school,
but they're places where unschoolers are getting together under the umbrella
of a school (I was one who attended a democratic school and then spent a
number of years unschooling and I lived my life and directed my own
education in the same way whether I was technically enrolled in the
democratic school or technically unschooling). Our other keynote speaker
Sadofsky is speaking on democratic schools as well. The communities
workshop series is sponsored by a 501(c)(3) decentralist education group
called the School of Living (not a school, just a name) which is running
workshops on drawing, songwriting, permaculture and fun things of that
nature. Student (which is synonymous with youth for our purposes) Film
Festival and Speakers....well that certainly applies...Two of our student
essay contest winners who will be speaking are unschoolers in a addition to
a couple of our panelists, while the film festival will include student made
films from unschoolers and alternative schoolers alike. It's also worth
mentioning that our student events coordinator is an unschooler too. You're
right about the documentaries not applying directly to unschooling (only a
few short ones though). Also, the "school" starters workshop series is a
workshop series for anyone trying to create any kind of school OR
learning/resource center...the latter def. applies...Overall, I think your
statement is factual in that the content of the majority of our sessions is
not 100% specific to unschooling. However, I would add that the vast
majority of our sessions are very pertinent to unschooling.
My main reason for feeling quite justified in calling this an unschooling
conference is because of the way in which it's run. I started organizing
the event three years back while unschooling and wanted it to have the same
feel and process as my education. I felt that the conference should allow
as close to as much freedom as I experience in my education as possible.
The workshops are run through open space technology where everyone young and
old has the right to host a workshop on whatever topic they want. They have
the freedom to then run that workshop in the best way that they see fit.
Because of this, I feel the conference lives and breathes unschooling.
While not every workshop is specifically focused on unschooling, you'd be
very hard pressed to find any that don't involve unschooling! You also have
a minimum of 6 workshops that are held simultaneously, so even if one
doesn't involve unschooling, you've got more than enough that do!
I hope this provides a little background into my reasoning for calling it an
unschooling conference. My point in writing all that I wrote is not to
drive my opinion (which it is and I'm sure others will still disagree) in
the ground, but to provide what I felt was the necessary amount of context
to understanding my thinking. I'd be interested to hear what you think now
having a little more information on it. And hey, there's lots still plenty
of pre-conference presentation slots left to schedule, so if you have any
interest in coming out we'd love to have you! It's worth noting that we
don't turn anyone away from the event based solely on financial reasons. We
always have room to work out scholarships and/or work exchanges for the
conference fees.
All the best,
-Isaac
workshop
series, communities workshop series, student film festival & speakers,
documentaries & films, FREE child care throughout, huge bookstore,
musical
performances, talent show, open workshop space, and plenty of
workshops &
events for all!
Most of that has quite another focus than unschooling has.
Unschooling would fit in as a small part, but that doesn't make it
"an unschooling conference."
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I understand how it may appear on the surface to be a misleading statement
to call it an unschooling conference as well as an alternative education
conference, but I still view it as such...which should be explained.
First, let me address your comment on "most of the content having quite
another focus and unschooling having only a small part," because I disagree
with that statement. The keynote panel discussion very much is on focus as
the discussion will be had between 10 panelists (one of which is
representing unschooling, while the 9 others are representing different
models of education) which will be having an open dialog with the audience
about the commonalities and differences between all the different types of
alternatives and what everyone can learn from each other. Also 2 of
our featured keynoter speakers (Gatto and Farenga) are full on unschooling
advocates, while Mintz promotes unschooling quite heavily, but also promotes
democratic schools, which may carry the stigma of the word school,
but they're places where unschoolers are getting together under the umbrella
of a school (I was one who attended a democratic school and then spent a
number of years unschooling and I lived my life and directed my own
education in the same way whether I was technically enrolled in the
democratic school or technically unschooling). Our other keynote speaker
Sadofsky is speaking on democratic schools as well. The communities
workshop series is sponsored by a 501(c)(3) decentralist education group
called the School of Living (not a school, just a name) which is running
workshops on drawing, songwriting, permaculture and fun things of that
nature. Student (which is synonymous with youth for our purposes) Film
Festival and Speakers....well that certainly applies...Two of our student
essay contest winners who will be speaking are unschoolers in a addition to
a couple of our panelists, while the film festival will include student made
films from unschoolers and alternative schoolers alike. It's also worth
mentioning that our student events coordinator is an unschooler too. You're
right about the documentaries not applying directly to unschooling (only a
few short ones though). Also, the "school" starters workshop series is a
workshop series for anyone trying to create any kind of school OR
learning/resource center...the latter def. applies...Overall, I think your
statement is factual in that the content of the majority of our sessions is
not 100% specific to unschooling. However, I would add that the vast
majority of our sessions are very pertinent to unschooling.
My main reason for feeling quite justified in calling this an unschooling
conference is because of the way in which it's run. I started organizing
the event three years back while unschooling and wanted it to have the same
feel and process as my education. I felt that the conference should allow
as close to as much freedom as I experience in my education as possible.
The workshops are run through open space technology where everyone young and
old has the right to host a workshop on whatever topic they want. They have
the freedom to then run that workshop in the best way that they see fit.
Because of this, I feel the conference lives and breathes unschooling.
While not every workshop is specifically focused on unschooling, you'd be
very hard pressed to find any that don't involve unschooling! You also have
a minimum of 6 workshops that are held simultaneously, so even if one
doesn't involve unschooling, you've got more than enough that do!
I hope this provides a little background into my reasoning for calling it an
unschooling conference. My point in writing all that I wrote is not to
drive my opinion (which it is and I'm sure others will still disagree) in
the ground, but to provide what I felt was the necessary amount of context
to understanding my thinking. I'd be interested to hear what you think now
having a little more information on it. And hey, there's lots still plenty
of pre-conference presentation slots left to schedule, so if you have any
interest in coming out we'd love to have you! It's worth noting that we
don't turn anyone away from the event based solely on financial reasons. We
always have room to work out scholarships and/or work exchanges for the
conference fees.
All the best,
-Isaac
>Highlights include keynote panel discussions, new school starters
> Message 1
> From: "Sandra Dodd" Sandra@...
> Date: Mon May 22, 2006 5:35am(PDT)
> Subject: Re: June Unschooling Conference
>
>
> Although I think that an alternative education conference could be a
> ton of fun, to call it an "unschooling conference" seems misleading.
workshop
series, communities workshop series, student film festival & speakers,
documentaries & films, FREE child care throughout, huge bookstore,
musical
performances, talent show, open workshop space, and plenty of
workshops &
events for all!
Most of that has quite another focus than unschooling has.
Unschooling would fit in as a small part, but that doesn't make it
"an unschooling conference."
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
On May 23, 2006, at 6:18 AM, Isaac Graves wrote:
unschooling conference.
Calling it an alternative education conference would've been fine.
I've been to unschooling conferences. <g> They're not about creating
schools.
I know unschooling's a broad concept, and that there IS an
unschooling thread through the conference topics, but my objection
was that it seemed to be being billed as "an unschooling conference"
for the purpose of this unschooling list.
It was a minor objection, honestly. A clarification. I have nothing
whatsoever against school reform and alternative education. It's not
just the same, though, as the unschooling families do at home with
their own kids.
Sandra
> I hope this provides a little background into my reasoning forI doubt that on Waldorf and Montessori lists you called it an
> calling it an
> unschooling conference. My point in writing all that I wrote is
> not to
> drive my opinion (which it is and I'm sure others will still
> disagree) in
> the ground, but to provide what I felt was the necessary amount of
> context
> to understanding my thinking. I'd be interested to hear what you
> think now
> having a little more information on it.
unschooling conference.
Calling it an alternative education conference would've been fine.
I've been to unschooling conferences. <g> They're not about creating
schools.
I know unschooling's a broad concept, and that there IS an
unschooling thread through the conference topics, but my objection
was that it seemed to be being billed as "an unschooling conference"
for the purpose of this unschooling list.
It was a minor objection, honestly. A clarification. I have nothing
whatsoever against school reform and alternative education. It's not
just the same, though, as the unschooling families do at home with
their own kids.
Sandra
Isaac Graves
Hi again,
*"I doubt that on Waldorf and Montessori lists you called it an unschooling
conference."*
Right. I don't call it an unschooling conference on those lists. I focus
on AWSNA's sponsorship when mentioning it to Waldorf folks and The
Montessori Foundation and Int'l Mont. Council's when mentioning it to
Montessori folks.
*"Calling it an alternative education conference would've been fine.
*
I hear you. I think after hearing your concerns, I would refer to it in
different terms on this list next time (although I won't be sending out
another thing about it until about this time next year for the 4th annual
conf!
***
"I've been to unschooling conferences. <g> They're not about creating
schools."
* Creating schools and learning centers/communities is only an element of
our conference, not the focus.
*"I know unschooling's a broad concept, and that there IS an unschooling
thread through the conference topics, but my objection was that it seemed to
be being billed as "an unschooling conference" for the purpose of this
unschooling list."
*
You're right. I did put the subject as "June Unschooling Conference" for
the purpose of hoping to raise an extra eyebrow. And I put it out in a
different way to each list I post it too. However, I wouldn't claim it to
be a Montessori conference or Waldorf conference. Unschooling,
Homeschooling, and Democratic Education were the only ones that I felt
applied out of all the alternatives.
*"It was a minor objection, honestly. A clarification. I have nothing
whatsoever against school reform and alternative education. It's not just
the same, though, as the unschooling families do at home with their own
kids."
*
Certainly after hearing your concerns, I am more than happy to refer to it
in a different way as my goal was not to be misleading. However your
comment about unschooling not being the same struck a cord with me. While
unschooling is certainly not the same as school reform, it is a very real
and valued form alternative education. Alternative education encompasses
alternatives (see the cover of our packet for a visual example of this:
www.edrev.org/packet.html ). I also think it's worth making connections as
unschoolers to the freedom-based democratic schools. The similarities in
not only philosophy, but daily approach to education is indecipherable most
of the time. That's not to say there aren't differences, as that line of
thinking would be naive, but countless commonalities are worth paying
attention to and learning from each other.
Best,
Isaac
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
*"I doubt that on Waldorf and Montessori lists you called it an unschooling
conference."*
Right. I don't call it an unschooling conference on those lists. I focus
on AWSNA's sponsorship when mentioning it to Waldorf folks and The
Montessori Foundation and Int'l Mont. Council's when mentioning it to
Montessori folks.
*"Calling it an alternative education conference would've been fine.
*
I hear you. I think after hearing your concerns, I would refer to it in
different terms on this list next time (although I won't be sending out
another thing about it until about this time next year for the 4th annual
conf!
***
"I've been to unschooling conferences. <g> They're not about creating
schools."
* Creating schools and learning centers/communities is only an element of
our conference, not the focus.
*"I know unschooling's a broad concept, and that there IS an unschooling
thread through the conference topics, but my objection was that it seemed to
be being billed as "an unschooling conference" for the purpose of this
unschooling list."
*
You're right. I did put the subject as "June Unschooling Conference" for
the purpose of hoping to raise an extra eyebrow. And I put it out in a
different way to each list I post it too. However, I wouldn't claim it to
be a Montessori conference or Waldorf conference. Unschooling,
Homeschooling, and Democratic Education were the only ones that I felt
applied out of all the alternatives.
*"It was a minor objection, honestly. A clarification. I have nothing
whatsoever against school reform and alternative education. It's not just
the same, though, as the unschooling families do at home with their own
kids."
*
Certainly after hearing your concerns, I am more than happy to refer to it
in a different way as my goal was not to be misleading. However your
comment about unschooling not being the same struck a cord with me. While
unschooling is certainly not the same as school reform, it is a very real
and valued form alternative education. Alternative education encompasses
alternatives (see the cover of our packet for a visual example of this:
www.edrev.org/packet.html ). I also think it's worth making connections as
unschoolers to the freedom-based democratic schools. The similarities in
not only philosophy, but daily approach to education is indecipherable most
of the time. That's not to say there aren't differences, as that line of
thinking would be naive, but countless commonalities are worth paying
attention to and learning from each other.
Best,
Isaac
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]