sudbury valley school
Solé
Hello List,
has anybody heard/does anyone know anything about "Sudbury Valley
Schools"? Starting this new German website and mailinglist of mine
has caused Germans to write me and one of them suggested that Sudbury
schools were the closest to Unschooling I could get under German law.
Everything is decided democratically (everyone, teachers and students
have a vote) in such schools and teaching only occurs upon request of
children, otherwise it's just a learning environment in which the
kids aren't forced to do anything. I guess I'm wondering wether this
can be unschooling, because I thought we're trying to find win-win-
solutions for all of the people involved, and in a democracy there is
always at least one and in the worst case even 49,99% who don't get
what they want and are just overrun. Yet they know in the next
decission they might have more luck and so it's a bit of a compromise.
Since there is even a Sudbury initiative in my town! I could imagine
opting for that kind of school, as she has to go to school anyway.
But I thought I'd ask – maybe you knwo something horrible about it ;-)
Greetings
Johanna
has anybody heard/does anyone know anything about "Sudbury Valley
Schools"? Starting this new German website and mailinglist of mine
has caused Germans to write me and one of them suggested that Sudbury
schools were the closest to Unschooling I could get under German law.
Everything is decided democratically (everyone, teachers and students
have a vote) in such schools and teaching only occurs upon request of
children, otherwise it's just a learning environment in which the
kids aren't forced to do anything. I guess I'm wondering wether this
can be unschooling, because I thought we're trying to find win-win-
solutions for all of the people involved, and in a democracy there is
always at least one and in the worst case even 49,99% who don't get
what they want and are just overrun. Yet they know in the next
decission they might have more luck and so it's a bit of a compromise.
Since there is even a Sudbury initiative in my town! I could imagine
opting for that kind of school, as she has to go to school anyway.
But I thought I'd ask – maybe you knwo something horrible about it ;-)
Greetings
Johanna
Joyce Fetteroll
On Oct 8, 2006, at 7:22 PM, Solé wrote:
I've heard not all stick to the full freedoms. Some schools will not
allow video games, for instance.
in the real world. The real world isn't interested in win-win ;-) But
even in unschooling family life it isn't always win-win. When kids
know they don't have to fight tooth and nail to get what they want,
then setting aside what you want for someone else isn't as big a deal.
I've heard a lot of positives about Sudbury Valley. It isn't as good
as home, of course, but if for some reason Kathryn had to go to
school, that's the first place I'd suggest she check out.
I've heard a couple of negative experiences but it wasn't clear if
the philosophy wasn't a good fit for them personally or because there
was a personality clash with a particular mix of kids who were there
one year.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> has anybody heard/does anyone know anything about "Sudbury ValleyThe original one is about 20 minutes away from me.
> Schools"?
I've heard not all stick to the full freedoms. Some schools will not
allow video games, for instance.
> I guess I'm wondering wether thisIt's sort of a middle spot between learning at home and learning out
> can be unschooling, because I thought we're trying to find win-win-
> solutions for all of the people involved, and in a democracy there is
> always at least one and in the worst case even 49,99% who don't get
> what they want and are just overrun.
in the real world. The real world isn't interested in win-win ;-) But
even in unschooling family life it isn't always win-win. When kids
know they don't have to fight tooth and nail to get what they want,
then setting aside what you want for someone else isn't as big a deal.
I've heard a lot of positives about Sudbury Valley. It isn't as good
as home, of course, but if for some reason Kathryn had to go to
school, that's the first place I'd suggest she check out.
I've heard a couple of negative experiences but it wasn't clear if
the philosophy wasn't a good fit for them personally or because there
was a personality clash with a particular mix of kids who were there
one year.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pam Genant
I'm wondering wether this
but is rather majority rule. I don't believe all unschoolers live
Consensually (win-win). I personally don't believe the question, if
this is something your family is considering, should be is Sudbury,
Unschooling, but rather is Sudbury School what my child wants and
what are the reasons s/he wants this. Will it work for my child and
our family.
My thoughts are : Is Sudbury school unschooling-perhaps, I know many
who would disagree and say if you are going to school you are not
unschooling.
Does Sudbury school work in a "consensual way" (win-win), No it is
run democratically. Although my disclaimer is that I have never been
to a Sudbury School, have only read about them, LOL.
Pam G
> can be unschooling, because I thought we're trying to find win-win-is
> solutions for all of the people involved, and in a democracy there
> always at least one and in the worst case even 49,99% who don'tget
> what they want and are just overrun. <<<<<<<<Our family does not run like a democracy. Democracy is not win-win
but is rather majority rule. I don't believe all unschoolers live
Consensually (win-win). I personally don't believe the question, if
this is something your family is considering, should be is Sudbury,
Unschooling, but rather is Sudbury School what my child wants and
what are the reasons s/he wants this. Will it work for my child and
our family.
My thoughts are : Is Sudbury school unschooling-perhaps, I know many
who would disagree and say if you are going to school you are not
unschooling.
Does Sudbury school work in a "consensual way" (win-win), No it is
run democratically. Although my disclaimer is that I have never been
to a Sudbury School, have only read about them, LOL.
Pam G
Solé
>Yeah, that's what I don't like so much, although I realize that with
> Our family does not run like a democracy. Democracy is not win-win
> but is rather majority rule.
a mass of people involved, consensus is quite difficult to achieve
and democracy seems to be the best we can do (but I doubt this
sometimes as well). But that's not the point of my question anyway.
> I don't believe all unschoolers liveOh, I didn't know that :D I thought that was a main part of Unschooling.
> Consensually (win-win).
> I personally don't believe the question, ifWell, in Germany she has to go to a school. I do believe she wants to
> this is something your family is considering, should be is Sudbury,
> Unschooling, but rather is Sudbury School what my child wants and
> what are the reasons s/he wants this. Will it work for my child and
> our family.
>
go to a school in which she'd have more freedom to learn. For we have
that law about having to go to school, I'm trying to find a school
which is closest to unschooling principles. I have no idea if it will
work better than normal school is working now – for the moment she is
complaining sometimes, but she still says she likes school and it's
ok for her to go there. I don't overvalue it and she can stay at home
if she wants to (although I didn't say that as a general "rule").
Greetings
Johanna
Shields
My daughter went for one year each at two different Sudbury schools and I
have to say that she really enjoyed her time there. It was completely her
decision to go and she was welcome to unschool at anytime. The schools were
completely different in atmosphere and I think her experience at the second
was probably freer, just due to the mix of staff and students. Both were
very small schools, with attendance never going above about 15 kids and ages
ranged from 4 or 5 to mid teens. She went to these schools in 2001-2002 and
2002-2003 when she was 8 and 9.
I remember in the first one (in the Silicon Valley in California) there
being a little more emphasis on school meetings and chores, but Chloe liked
it all for some reason. I actually would have preferred that she unschool
at that point, but her best homeschooling friends were going to that school,
so we let her finish out the year. There was nothing required of the kids
besides their daily chore (which they got to choose and never bothered
Chloe) and their duty on the "board" which rotated so they weren't doing it
for more than a week at a time. Otherwise they played on computers for
hours, played the piano, watched movies, jumped off an indoor loft, did arts
and crafts, cooked, and played outside a fair amount. They did a few
walking trips to the main drag to get videos and treats, but didn't leave
the campus much.
We moved the Maui after that and specifically searched out the Sudbury
school there because she enjoyed her time at the first school so much.
Everyone involved in that school, from staff to students and parents, was
much more on the "hippie" side of things. This school was in a house, so
had a more home-like atmosphere. The choice to go there was Chloe's, but it
really helped her in the move because she had instant friends.
I think this one was even more fun for Chloe. She and the other kids played
outside and jumped on trampolines for hours. They did all sorts of arts and
crafts projects which were just up her alley. There was just a lot of play
going on, LEGO structures abounded and there were some kids who were always
building skateboard ramps and stuff like that. They also took walks to a
local tourist stand for fruit and treats, and they took field trips to
waterfalls to jump off the rocks.
When we moved back to the mainland we decided not to look for a place that
had a Sudbury school because that was too limiting for us (in choosing a
place to live). We went back to unschooling as usual. I think that Chloe
looks back on her time at the Sudbury schools fondly, especially the second
one. Perhaps due to the location of that one, it seemed like an idyllic
year. The worst part for me was the drive to get there (1/2 hour one way
for both schools).
I would recommend that you check out the school and spend some time there
before making a decision. What do the kids do? What resources are
available? What is the age range of the kids? In both schools that Chloe
went to, the kids were required to try it for a week before fully
registering, so you can get an idea of the atmosphere. If we had to choose
between public school and Sudbury with no possibility of unschooling, I
would definitely choose Sudbury at least to start with and let the child
decide if it works.
Feel free to email me off list if you have more questions.
Kristin
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Solé
has anybody heard/does anyone know anything about "Sudbury Valley
Schools
Greetings
Johanna
have to say that she really enjoyed her time there. It was completely her
decision to go and she was welcome to unschool at anytime. The schools were
completely different in atmosphere and I think her experience at the second
was probably freer, just due to the mix of staff and students. Both were
very small schools, with attendance never going above about 15 kids and ages
ranged from 4 or 5 to mid teens. She went to these schools in 2001-2002 and
2002-2003 when she was 8 and 9.
I remember in the first one (in the Silicon Valley in California) there
being a little more emphasis on school meetings and chores, but Chloe liked
it all for some reason. I actually would have preferred that she unschool
at that point, but her best homeschooling friends were going to that school,
so we let her finish out the year. There was nothing required of the kids
besides their daily chore (which they got to choose and never bothered
Chloe) and their duty on the "board" which rotated so they weren't doing it
for more than a week at a time. Otherwise they played on computers for
hours, played the piano, watched movies, jumped off an indoor loft, did arts
and crafts, cooked, and played outside a fair amount. They did a few
walking trips to the main drag to get videos and treats, but didn't leave
the campus much.
We moved the Maui after that and specifically searched out the Sudbury
school there because she enjoyed her time at the first school so much.
Everyone involved in that school, from staff to students and parents, was
much more on the "hippie" side of things. This school was in a house, so
had a more home-like atmosphere. The choice to go there was Chloe's, but it
really helped her in the move because she had instant friends.
I think this one was even more fun for Chloe. She and the other kids played
outside and jumped on trampolines for hours. They did all sorts of arts and
crafts projects which were just up her alley. There was just a lot of play
going on, LEGO structures abounded and there were some kids who were always
building skateboard ramps and stuff like that. They also took walks to a
local tourist stand for fruit and treats, and they took field trips to
waterfalls to jump off the rocks.
When we moved back to the mainland we decided not to look for a place that
had a Sudbury school because that was too limiting for us (in choosing a
place to live). We went back to unschooling as usual. I think that Chloe
looks back on her time at the Sudbury schools fondly, especially the second
one. Perhaps due to the location of that one, it seemed like an idyllic
year. The worst part for me was the drive to get there (1/2 hour one way
for both schools).
I would recommend that you check out the school and spend some time there
before making a decision. What do the kids do? What resources are
available? What is the age range of the kids? In both schools that Chloe
went to, the kids were required to try it for a week before fully
registering, so you can get an idea of the atmosphere. If we had to choose
between public school and Sudbury with no possibility of unschooling, I
would definitely choose Sudbury at least to start with and let the child
decide if it works.
Feel free to email me off list if you have more questions.
Kristin
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Solé
has anybody heard/does anyone know anything about "Sudbury Valley
Schools
Greetings
Johanna
Mara
I didn't know there was such a cool person - Joyce -
right near me - that is nice to know -
We also live about 15 minutes away from Sudbury Valley
and my 15 y.o. stepson started going there just a few
weeks ago. He had been deschooling for a year after we
took him out of 7th grade, then tried highschool for
half a year, didn't like it but had lots of friends
over. So he left school again middle through 9th grade
(this in and out of school was a lot of hassle but we
wanted to value his decisions).
He started Sudbury Valley a few weeks ago and he says
he is never been happier. He just loves going there -
the first week or so he said he was mostly outside
climbing trees, the other day they caught and released
some frogs, he skateboards, cooks stuff, wants to
learn guitar now etc.
I think it depends on the situation and personality of
the kids, but if I had to send my kid to school this
would definately be it. He can go there at any time
and just has to commit to five hours a day five days a
week. He often stays longer and spends a lot of time
outside visiting friends he made there, or they come
to us.
He certainly is very happy and relaxed and it is the
perfect fit for him, as neither me with the little
boys around or his dad could fulfill those things
(lots of social interaction, beautiful land around, a
safe place to 'hang out with cool people for part of
the day' that are not just family.
For my little ones I prefer them to be home. I am
hoping that when they get to be that age that I have
managed to find enough cool people to create our own
community that we are then part of that they won't be
lacking in loving and respectful people around them -
I don't know how much they allow or invite parental
involvement for the younger ones. I will go to the
open house this weekend and look around a bit since so
far, even with one son there, I have only seen it on
the outside. I could ask some specific questions if
you like, but their website also says a lot -
All the best,
Mara
--- Joyce Fetteroll <fetteroll@...> wrote:
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
right near me - that is nice to know -
We also live about 15 minutes away from Sudbury Valley
and my 15 y.o. stepson started going there just a few
weeks ago. He had been deschooling for a year after we
took him out of 7th grade, then tried highschool for
half a year, didn't like it but had lots of friends
over. So he left school again middle through 9th grade
(this in and out of school was a lot of hassle but we
wanted to value his decisions).
He started Sudbury Valley a few weeks ago and he says
he is never been happier. He just loves going there -
the first week or so he said he was mostly outside
climbing trees, the other day they caught and released
some frogs, he skateboards, cooks stuff, wants to
learn guitar now etc.
I think it depends on the situation and personality of
the kids, but if I had to send my kid to school this
would definately be it. He can go there at any time
and just has to commit to five hours a day five days a
week. He often stays longer and spends a lot of time
outside visiting friends he made there, or they come
to us.
He certainly is very happy and relaxed and it is the
perfect fit for him, as neither me with the little
boys around or his dad could fulfill those things
(lots of social interaction, beautiful land around, a
safe place to 'hang out with cool people for part of
the day' that are not just family.
For my little ones I prefer them to be home. I am
hoping that when they get to be that age that I have
managed to find enough cool people to create our own
community that we are then part of that they won't be
lacking in loving and respectful people around them -
I don't know how much they allow or invite parental
involvement for the younger ones. I will go to the
open house this weekend and look around a bit since so
far, even with one son there, I have only seen it on
the outside. I could ask some specific questions if
you like, but their website also says a lot -
All the best,
Mara
--- Joyce Fetteroll <fetteroll@...> wrote:
>__________________________________________________
> On Oct 8, 2006, at 7:22 PM, Solé wrote:
>
> > has anybody heard/does anyone know anything about
> "Sudbury Valley
> > Schools"?
>
> The original one is about 20 minutes away from me.
>
> I've heard not all stick to the full freedoms. Some
> schools will not
> allow video games, for instance.
>
> > I guess I'm wondering wether this
> > can be unschooling, because I thought we're trying
> to find win-win-
> > solutions for all of the people involved, and in a
> democracy there is
> > always at least one and in the worst case even
> 49,99% who don't get
> > what they want and are just overrun.
>
> It's sort of a middle spot between learning at home
> and learning out
> in the real world. The real world isn't interested
> in win-win ;-) But
> even in unschooling family life it isn't always
> win-win. When kids
> know they don't have to fight tooth and nail to get
> what they want,
> then setting aside what you want for someone else
> isn't as big a deal.
>
> I've heard a lot of positives about Sudbury Valley.
> It isn't as good
> as home, of course, but if for some reason Kathryn
> had to go to
> school, that's the first place I'd suggest she check
> out.
>
> I've heard a couple of negative experiences but it
> wasn't clear if
> the philosophy wasn't a good fit for them personally
> or because there
> was a personality clash with a particular mix of
> kids who were there
> one year.
>
> Joyce
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
Lesa
Seeing that you have little option in completely unschooling (or even
homeschooling... I've read some really bad stories on trying to homeschool
there) your daughter in Germany, ask her if she wants to try the Sudbury
style school. What's the harm in trying it out? It may be a better fit for
all of you.
Lesa
http://lifeacademy.homeschooljournal.net
-------Original Message-------
From: Solé
Date: 10/09/06 11:57:46
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Re: sudbury valley school
go to a school in which she'd have more freedom to learn. For we have
that law about having to go to school, I'm trying to find a school
which is closest to unschooling principles. I have no idea if it will
work better than normal school is working now for the moment she is
complaining sometimes, but she still says she likes school and it's
ok for her to go there. I don't overvalue it and she can stay at home
if she wants to (although I didn't say that as a general "rule").
Greetings
Johanna
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
homeschooling... I've read some really bad stories on trying to homeschool
there) your daughter in Germany, ask her if she wants to try the Sudbury
style school. What's the harm in trying it out? It may be a better fit for
all of you.
Lesa
http://lifeacademy.homeschooljournal.net
-------Original Message-------
From: Solé
Date: 10/09/06 11:57:46
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Re: sudbury valley school
>Well, in Germany she has to go to a school. I do believe she wants to
>
go to a school in which she'd have more freedom to learn. For we have
that law about having to go to school, I'm trying to find a school
which is closest to unschooling principles. I have no idea if it will
work better than normal school is working now for the moment she is
complaining sometimes, but she still says she likes school and it's
ok for her to go there. I don't overvalue it and she can stay at home
if she wants to (although I didn't say that as a general "rule").
Greetings
Johanna
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
Johanna, I happen to have a recent Sudbury-type school grad staying with us
right now. I have sent your post along to him, Nick, and he will try to answer
it.
Kathryn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
right now. I have sent your post along to him, Nick, and he will try to answer
it.
Kathryn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Solé
Hello Kristin,
thank you for your reply!
Am 09.10.2006 um 18:46 schrieb Shields:
decided that it was "not a school". But it seems there is a group of
parents who started doing it anyway, so they are kind of doing this
illegally. I could also just unschool/homeschool illegally, but I'm
not prepared to do that all alone. I think a sudbury school could be
a first step, also because I'd have much support from other parents
who would also be doing it illegally (doesn't that sound crazy to
you!! Illegally!)
I wonder though how they do it in Germany, for they have to fulfill
some kind of curriculum to be accepted as a "school".... But I'll
find out. It seems there are two other sudbury schools (elsewhere)
operating.
Johanna
thank you for your reply!
Am 09.10.2006 um 18:46 schrieb Shields:
> I would recommend that you check out the school and spend some timeActually, the school isn't allowed to operate yet, because the courts
> there
> before making a decision. What do the kids do? What resources are
> available? What is the age range of the kids?
decided that it was "not a school". But it seems there is a group of
parents who started doing it anyway, so they are kind of doing this
illegally. I could also just unschool/homeschool illegally, but I'm
not prepared to do that all alone. I think a sudbury school could be
a first step, also because I'd have much support from other parents
who would also be doing it illegally (doesn't that sound crazy to
you!! Illegally!)
I wonder though how they do it in Germany, for they have to fulfill
some kind of curriculum to be accepted as a "school".... But I'll
find out. It seems there are two other sudbury schools (elsewhere)
operating.
Johanna
Shields
Good luck with that Johanna! Another thing I was thinking is I would ask
around with the staff and see what kinds of interests they have. Do they
have similar interests as your child so that they can function as a mentor?
Or are they willing to try new things that a child may find interesting. If
its a start up as you say, you will more likely have more input and maybe
other parents will be considered staff. Chloe was lucky at Sudbury Maui
because all four staff members were artists. She was able to use them all
as mentors so it was a great fit for her.
Kristin
_____
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Solé
Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 11:58 AM
Actually, the school isn't allowed to operate yet, because the courts
decided that it was "not a school". But it seems there is a group of
parents who started doing it anyway, so they are kind of doing this
illegally. I could also just unschool/homeschool illegally, but I'm
not prepared to do that all alone. I think a sudbury school could be
a first step, also because I'd have much support from other parents
who would also be doing it illegally (doesn't that sound crazy to
you!! Illegally!)
I wonder though how they do it in Germany, for they have to fulfill
some kind of curriculum to be accepted as a "school".... But I'll
find out. It seems there are two other sudbury schools (elsewhere)
operating.
Johanna
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
around with the staff and see what kinds of interests they have. Do they
have similar interests as your child so that they can function as a mentor?
Or are they willing to try new things that a child may find interesting. If
its a start up as you say, you will more likely have more input and maybe
other parents will be considered staff. Chloe was lucky at Sudbury Maui
because all four staff members were artists. She was able to use them all
as mentors so it was a great fit for her.
Kristin
_____
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Solé
Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 11:58 AM
Actually, the school isn't allowed to operate yet, because the courts
decided that it was "not a school". But it seems there is a group of
parents who started doing it anyway, so they are kind of doing this
illegally. I could also just unschool/homeschool illegally, but I'm
not prepared to do that all alone. I think a sudbury school could be
a first step, also because I'd have much support from other parents
who would also be doing it illegally (doesn't that sound crazy to
you!! Illegally!)
I wonder though how they do it in Germany, for they have to fulfill
some kind of curriculum to be accepted as a "school".... But I'll
find out. It seems there are two other sudbury schools (elsewhere)
operating.
Johanna
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Solé
Thank you!
Am 09.10.2006 um 19:36 schrieb KathrynJB@...:
Am 09.10.2006 um 19:36 schrieb KathrynJB@...:
> Johanna, I happen to have a recent Sudbury-type school grad staying
> with us
> right now. I have sent your post along to him, Nick, and he will
> try to answer
> it.
> Kathryn
>
wuweimama
--- In [email protected], Solé <solelokuai@...> wrote:
consensus is quite difficult to achieve > and democracy seems to be
the best we can do (but I doubt this > sometimes as well). But that's
not the point of my question anyway.> > I don't believe all
unschoolers live> > Consensually (win-win).>>>
Sole, there are many iterations of "respectful parenting" and "mindful
parenting". Unschooling is commonly defined as not doing school in one
segment of the unschooling community. As a result, many people
wouldn't consider any type of school environment unschooling. However,
there are people who consider using workbooks and other schoolish
methodolgy, like homework and testing to be unschooling, if the child
is agreeable.
There are many folks who lean toward incorporating the "parenting"
relationship into unschooling. This usually is what is referred to as
"radical unschooling". When the parent "allows" the child to have
freedom over culturally derived "parenting" choices, like bedtimes,
food choices, tv viewing (quantity, selection, ratings, etc.). So,
"unschooling" means a lot of different things to a lot of different
people. You were briefly on the Consensual Living list where many of
us are radical unschoolers. But we find win-win solutions outside
and within our relationships with children. This may be the confusion.
Consensual living does believe that we can create win-win for
everyone, not just for children or parental relationships. I saw that
you asked about TCS also. TCS is an educational philosophy which
dictates that it is ammoral to coerce a child, and that it impairs
their learning. TCS is not embraced in this segment of the unschooling
community. TCS is a judgment paradigm that dictates a parent's
responsibility to optimize their child's learning.
Consensual Living is not an educational philosophy. It is a philosophy
and a process by which everyone's needs are equally valid, considered
and addressed to mutual agreement. Unschooling basically is not doing
school.
I hope that helps to tease out the overlap and differences.
Pat
>so much, although I realize that with > a mass of people involved,
> >
> > Our family does not run like a democracy. Democracy is not win-win
> > but is rather majority rule.> Yeah, that's what I don't like
consensus is quite difficult to achieve > and democracy seems to be
the best we can do (but I doubt this > sometimes as well). But that's
not the point of my question anyway.> > I don't believe all
unschoolers live> > Consensually (win-win).>>>
> Oh, I didn't know that :D I thought that was a main part ofUnschooling.>>>
Sole, there are many iterations of "respectful parenting" and "mindful
parenting". Unschooling is commonly defined as not doing school in one
segment of the unschooling community. As a result, many people
wouldn't consider any type of school environment unschooling. However,
there are people who consider using workbooks and other schoolish
methodolgy, like homework and testing to be unschooling, if the child
is agreeable.
There are many folks who lean toward incorporating the "parenting"
relationship into unschooling. This usually is what is referred to as
"radical unschooling". When the parent "allows" the child to have
freedom over culturally derived "parenting" choices, like bedtimes,
food choices, tv viewing (quantity, selection, ratings, etc.). So,
"unschooling" means a lot of different things to a lot of different
people. You were briefly on the Consensual Living list where many of
us are radical unschoolers. But we find win-win solutions outside
and within our relationships with children. This may be the confusion.
Consensual living does believe that we can create win-win for
everyone, not just for children or parental relationships. I saw that
you asked about TCS also. TCS is an educational philosophy which
dictates that it is ammoral to coerce a child, and that it impairs
their learning. TCS is not embraced in this segment of the unschooling
community. TCS is a judgment paradigm that dictates a parent's
responsibility to optimize their child's learning.
Consensual Living is not an educational philosophy. It is a philosophy
and a process by which everyone's needs are equally valid, considered
and addressed to mutual agreement. Unschooling basically is not doing
school.
I hope that helps to tease out the overlap and differences.
Pat