Unschooling Basics
[email protected]
Unschooling Basics
Unschooling is trusting the child to learn what he needs to learn when
he
needs to learn it. Unschooling is also sometimes called "natural
learning"
and "child-led learning" . But mostly unschooling is NOT school-at
home: we do
not try to replicate school in our houses. It's real living in the real
world---for and with a purpose. You cannot live and not learn---we're
surrounded by real opportunities every day to learn. And it's REAL
learning,
not simulated as in school. Living is learning is unschooling is living
is learning is
unschooling.....
There are several good books on the inanity and insanity of schools and
on
the marvels of unschooling.
The unschooling "patron saint" is John Holt. He was a school reformer
in the
70's who came to realize that schools are NOT reformable. His most
popular
books are How Children Fail, How Children Learn, Teach Your Own, and
Learning
All the Time.
John Taylor Gatto was a NY city and NY state teacher of the year. He
finally
quit and started on the speaking circuit. He seems completely behind
unschooling. His two big books are Dumbing Us Down and The Underground
History of American Education.
Frank Smith has a great little book called The Book of Learning and
Forgetting that shows how little one learns in and remembers from
school. He
pushes REAL learning---for a purpose.
Alfie Kohn's Punished by Rewards shows the total inanity of EXtrinsic
motivation (gold stars, grades, etc.) and the attributes of INtrinsic
motivation (learning because it's FUN!).
Grace Llewellyn's The Teenage Liberation Handbook (How to Quit School
and
Get a REAL Education) is the "bible" for unschoolers. It's a great read
for
teens, but parents should read it too. Be SURE not to skip the "cute
little
story" at the beginning. Grace also hosts the "Not Back To School Camp"
in
the early fall for teen unschoolers---a place to meet other unschoolers
and share
passions and interests.
Mary Griffith has two books, The Homeschooling Handbook and The
Unschooling
Handbook. The Homeschooling Handbook has many great ideas for
documenting
what's being learned; and, since that is a requirement in several
states, it's very
helpful. But The Unschooling Handbook is THE handbook for new
unschoolers. In it she
gives real life examples and explanations. VERY understandable.
Convinced my
husband that what I was suggesting made sense! <g>
David Albert has two: And the Skylark Sings with Me and Homeschooling
and the
Voyage of Self-Discovery. Both are witty---and easy reads.
Valerie Fitzenreiter has a brand new book that I highly recommend: The
Unprocessed Child: Living Without School. It's about unschooling her
daughter, Laurie. I give it as gifts a LOT!
Magazines:
"Life Learning Magazine"
?Live Free Learn Free?
"Growing Without Schooling", originally put out by John Holt. No longer
in
production, but back issues available from "old" unschoolers and from
FUNbooks.
Websites:
_www.unschooling.info_ (http://www.unschooling.info/) is THE website
for
unschooling. There are other lists that "say" they unschool; these are
the radicals who KNOW what they are talking about. There are essays and
FAQs which you should definitely read first.
Afterwards go to the message boards and read, read, READ! If you have
questions after reading for a few weeks, then post---but most things
have been
explained before, so if you read, you'll run across the answers to most
of your
questions.
Some posters to pay attention to are Sandra Dodd, Joyce Fetteroll, Pam
Sorooshian, Anne Ohman, Ren Allen, Deb Lewis, Rue Kream, Robyn Coburn,
Danielle Conger, and Mary Gold. There are other wonderful posters, but
these are all radical unschoolers who all have great ways of expressing
themselves and getting to the nitty gritty of unschooling. They will
all be at the conference in October.
Sandra Dodd is a radical unschooler of three children, 18, 15, & 13.
She has her own website that is chocked FULL of essays and stories
about
unschooling. It's a great place to start.
_www.SandraDodd.com/unschooling_
(http://www.sandradodd.com/unschooling) .
Ned Vare & Luz Shosie have an
already-graduated-from-college-always-unschooled son. Their website is
full of short essays on unschooling. They have a newsletter as well and
a regular get-together in CT._http://borntoexplore.org/unschool/_
(http://borntoexplore.org/unschool/)
Billy and Nancy Greer own FUN-books---a mail-order catalogue for
unschoolish
books and games. _www.FUN-Books.com_ (http://www.fun-books.com/)
E-lists/Yahoogroups:
[email protected]_
(mailto:[email protected]) is a great e-list for
those serious about discussing unschooling. I recommend reading a while
to ?get the feel? of some posters' styles before posting.
There is also [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]) . For beginners. Owned by Ren
Allen and Kelly Lovejoy, this list caters those who are just starting
out. We try to be gentle! <g>
For those looking to unschool from the very beginning, try
[email protected]
. They have a monthly book discussion that might appeal to many! This
site is run by Danielle Conger and Robyn Coburn, and they chat with the
parents of children from birth to eight years old---who aren't
?technically? unschooling because the children are not yet of ?school
age.?
Anne Ohman started [email protected] for those with
specific questions about children who are considered ?non-typical?:
?Highly Sensitive?, ?Out of Sync?, ?Asperger?s?, ?Explosive?. They
discuss how unschooling frees their spirits and allows them to truly
*Shine*.
Sandra Dodd's [email protected] is a list for those that
already ?get it.? It's a place to discuss deeper levels of
unschooling---the real radicals! <g>
And the conference:
Here's the flyer:
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
_www.LiveandLearnConference.org_
(http://www.liveandlearnconference.org/)
October 6-9 in Fairview Heights, IL (just across the river from St
Louis, MO) at the
Four Points by Sheraton Fairview Heights
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=1168
Encouraging families to trust themselves to make good decisions and
empowering them to find the support and information they need. This
conference is a must attend. Meet other families on the same journey,
listen to inspiring speakers and panelists and discover the art of
unschooling in beautiful Fairview Heights, Illinois - just across the
river from St. Louis.
Make friends! Picture a long weekend where you and your children won't
be asked "So, what curriculum do you use?" Here's a chance to make
friendships that will support you and your children throughout the
year. The energy at The Live and Learn Unschooling Conference is
different from anything you've ever experienced! This is a
non-age-discriminatory conference: anyone can participate in any
Funshop or Presentation. Bring the whole family for a joy-filled
weekend!
Be inspired and challenged! Our loose theme this year is "Ages and
Stages" and how an unschooling lifestyle changes with our growing
children.
You will meet Sandra Dodd and her entire family this year: take a close
look at unschooling family dynamics.
Pam Sorooshian will put you at ease with the most common educational
fear---Math!---and when and how we acquire our maths skills naturally.
Anne Ohman will SHINE! with Unschooling your highly sensitive child.
Danielle Conger and Robyn Coburn, of AlwaysUnschooled, will concentrate
on our future unschoolers----our babies, toddlers, and
un-pre-schoolers.
Twenty-one year old Roya Sorooshian will talk about growing up
unschooled and where it's taking her.
Wes Beach, author of Opportunities After "High School": Thoughts,
Documents, Resources will calm your fears about teens and their
futures.
Ren Allen will concentrate on juggling large families and the creative
ways to give each child what he needs.
Ben Lovejoy will again lead the dads in more thought-provoking
discussions and encourage living by principles.
Talk about struggles and successes in letting go, supporting your
family in being lifelong learners, and questioning issues from chores,
to bedtime, to video games and television. Ask all the questions you've
been struggling with in our afternoon break-out sessions.
Have FUN! In addition to Funshops where you and your kids can learn new
things and just play, there'll be the Talent Show and many more
surprises. You'll have plenty of time to hang out at the pool and relax
or share a meal with old/new friends.
Make it a family vacation! Fairview Heights is ten minutes from
downtown St Louis, Missouri, the home of the St Louis Cardinals,
Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Union Station, The *free* St Louis Zoo,
Botanical Gardens, Purina Farms, The *free* Science Center/Planetarium,
Sachs Butterfly House, *free* Grant's Farm, Laclede's Landing, Black
History Wax Museum, Riverboat Gambling, Bowling Hall of Fame, Magic
House Children's Museum, and the famous landmark, The Arch with its
Lewis & Clark Museum of Westward Expansion (also *free*!). Just a short
drive in Illinois you'll find Cahokia Mounds and National Shrine of Our
Lady of the Snows. For more information about these and other local
attractions, click on http://www.stlouisattractions.com/
Live and Learn is a volunteer-driven conference-giving organization
that pulls attendees from all over the US and Canada. Its mission is to
support and promote unschooling, provide information, offer
opportunities for families to get together, and empower families to
make the choices that respect the rights, needs and aspirations of
their children. L&L welcomes anyone with an interest in unschooling.
Since its inception in 2001, L&L has supported families that have made
the decision to unschool as they face difficult questions and
challenges. These families may wonder about socialization, or
integration of John Holt's educational philosophy into their everyday
lives. Some families may doubt their abilities, feel confused and ask
themselves, "Can I really do this?". L&L encourages parents to trust
themselves and their children to make good decisions and empowers them
to find the support and information they need. L&L also gives you the
opportunity to see unschooling families ?up close and personal?---to
see them in action!
For more information, contact Kelly Lovejoy @ (803) 776 4849 or visit
our
website-
www.LiveandLearnConference.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
You may also all me anytime to ask questions or discuss concerns. I
truly believe that school is harmful---physically, emotionally,
intellectually, and spiritually. It's a bad place to spend a childhood.
~Kelly Lovejoy (803) 776-4849
_kbcdlovejo@..._ (mailto:kbcdlovejo@...)
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org
Unschooling is trusting the child to learn what he needs to learn when
he
needs to learn it. Unschooling is also sometimes called "natural
learning"
and "child-led learning" . But mostly unschooling is NOT school-at
home: we do
not try to replicate school in our houses. It's real living in the real
world---for and with a purpose. You cannot live and not learn---we're
surrounded by real opportunities every day to learn. And it's REAL
learning,
not simulated as in school. Living is learning is unschooling is living
is learning is
unschooling.....
There are several good books on the inanity and insanity of schools and
on
the marvels of unschooling.
The unschooling "patron saint" is John Holt. He was a school reformer
in the
70's who came to realize that schools are NOT reformable. His most
popular
books are How Children Fail, How Children Learn, Teach Your Own, and
Learning
All the Time.
John Taylor Gatto was a NY city and NY state teacher of the year. He
finally
quit and started on the speaking circuit. He seems completely behind
unschooling. His two big books are Dumbing Us Down and The Underground
History of American Education.
Frank Smith has a great little book called The Book of Learning and
Forgetting that shows how little one learns in and remembers from
school. He
pushes REAL learning---for a purpose.
Alfie Kohn's Punished by Rewards shows the total inanity of EXtrinsic
motivation (gold stars, grades, etc.) and the attributes of INtrinsic
motivation (learning because it's FUN!).
Grace Llewellyn's The Teenage Liberation Handbook (How to Quit School
and
Get a REAL Education) is the "bible" for unschoolers. It's a great read
for
teens, but parents should read it too. Be SURE not to skip the "cute
little
story" at the beginning. Grace also hosts the "Not Back To School Camp"
in
the early fall for teen unschoolers---a place to meet other unschoolers
and share
passions and interests.
Mary Griffith has two books, The Homeschooling Handbook and The
Unschooling
Handbook. The Homeschooling Handbook has many great ideas for
documenting
what's being learned; and, since that is a requirement in several
states, it's very
helpful. But The Unschooling Handbook is THE handbook for new
unschoolers. In it she
gives real life examples and explanations. VERY understandable.
Convinced my
husband that what I was suggesting made sense! <g>
David Albert has two: And the Skylark Sings with Me and Homeschooling
and the
Voyage of Self-Discovery. Both are witty---and easy reads.
Valerie Fitzenreiter has a brand new book that I highly recommend: The
Unprocessed Child: Living Without School. It's about unschooling her
daughter, Laurie. I give it as gifts a LOT!
Magazines:
"Life Learning Magazine"
?Live Free Learn Free?
"Growing Without Schooling", originally put out by John Holt. No longer
in
production, but back issues available from "old" unschoolers and from
FUNbooks.
Websites:
_www.unschooling.info_ (http://www.unschooling.info/) is THE website
for
unschooling. There are other lists that "say" they unschool; these are
the radicals who KNOW what they are talking about. There are essays and
FAQs which you should definitely read first.
Afterwards go to the message boards and read, read, READ! If you have
questions after reading for a few weeks, then post---but most things
have been
explained before, so if you read, you'll run across the answers to most
of your
questions.
Some posters to pay attention to are Sandra Dodd, Joyce Fetteroll, Pam
Sorooshian, Anne Ohman, Ren Allen, Deb Lewis, Rue Kream, Robyn Coburn,
Danielle Conger, and Mary Gold. There are other wonderful posters, but
these are all radical unschoolers who all have great ways of expressing
themselves and getting to the nitty gritty of unschooling. They will
all be at the conference in October.
Sandra Dodd is a radical unschooler of three children, 18, 15, & 13.
She has her own website that is chocked FULL of essays and stories
about
unschooling. It's a great place to start.
_www.SandraDodd.com/unschooling_
(http://www.sandradodd.com/unschooling) .
Ned Vare & Luz Shosie have an
already-graduated-from-college-always-unschooled son. Their website is
full of short essays on unschooling. They have a newsletter as well and
a regular get-together in CT._http://borntoexplore.org/unschool/_
(http://borntoexplore.org/unschool/)
Billy and Nancy Greer own FUN-books---a mail-order catalogue for
unschoolish
books and games. _www.FUN-Books.com_ (http://www.fun-books.com/)
E-lists/Yahoogroups:
[email protected]_
(mailto:[email protected]) is a great e-list for
those serious about discussing unschooling. I recommend reading a while
to ?get the feel? of some posters' styles before posting.
There is also [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]) . For beginners. Owned by Ren
Allen and Kelly Lovejoy, this list caters those who are just starting
out. We try to be gentle! <g>
For those looking to unschool from the very beginning, try
[email protected]
. They have a monthly book discussion that might appeal to many! This
site is run by Danielle Conger and Robyn Coburn, and they chat with the
parents of children from birth to eight years old---who aren't
?technically? unschooling because the children are not yet of ?school
age.?
Anne Ohman started [email protected] for those with
specific questions about children who are considered ?non-typical?:
?Highly Sensitive?, ?Out of Sync?, ?Asperger?s?, ?Explosive?. They
discuss how unschooling frees their spirits and allows them to truly
*Shine*.
Sandra Dodd's [email protected] is a list for those that
already ?get it.? It's a place to discuss deeper levels of
unschooling---the real radicals! <g>
And the conference:
Here's the flyer:
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
_www.LiveandLearnConference.org_
(http://www.liveandlearnconference.org/)
October 6-9 in Fairview Heights, IL (just across the river from St
Louis, MO) at the
Four Points by Sheraton Fairview Heights
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=1168
Encouraging families to trust themselves to make good decisions and
empowering them to find the support and information they need. This
conference is a must attend. Meet other families on the same journey,
listen to inspiring speakers and panelists and discover the art of
unschooling in beautiful Fairview Heights, Illinois - just across the
river from St. Louis.
Make friends! Picture a long weekend where you and your children won't
be asked "So, what curriculum do you use?" Here's a chance to make
friendships that will support you and your children throughout the
year. The energy at The Live and Learn Unschooling Conference is
different from anything you've ever experienced! This is a
non-age-discriminatory conference: anyone can participate in any
Funshop or Presentation. Bring the whole family for a joy-filled
weekend!
Be inspired and challenged! Our loose theme this year is "Ages and
Stages" and how an unschooling lifestyle changes with our growing
children.
You will meet Sandra Dodd and her entire family this year: take a close
look at unschooling family dynamics.
Pam Sorooshian will put you at ease with the most common educational
fear---Math!---and when and how we acquire our maths skills naturally.
Anne Ohman will SHINE! with Unschooling your highly sensitive child.
Danielle Conger and Robyn Coburn, of AlwaysUnschooled, will concentrate
on our future unschoolers----our babies, toddlers, and
un-pre-schoolers.
Twenty-one year old Roya Sorooshian will talk about growing up
unschooled and where it's taking her.
Wes Beach, author of Opportunities After "High School": Thoughts,
Documents, Resources will calm your fears about teens and their
futures.
Ren Allen will concentrate on juggling large families and the creative
ways to give each child what he needs.
Ben Lovejoy will again lead the dads in more thought-provoking
discussions and encourage living by principles.
Talk about struggles and successes in letting go, supporting your
family in being lifelong learners, and questioning issues from chores,
to bedtime, to video games and television. Ask all the questions you've
been struggling with in our afternoon break-out sessions.
Have FUN! In addition to Funshops where you and your kids can learn new
things and just play, there'll be the Talent Show and many more
surprises. You'll have plenty of time to hang out at the pool and relax
or share a meal with old/new friends.
Make it a family vacation! Fairview Heights is ten minutes from
downtown St Louis, Missouri, the home of the St Louis Cardinals,
Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Union Station, The *free* St Louis Zoo,
Botanical Gardens, Purina Farms, The *free* Science Center/Planetarium,
Sachs Butterfly House, *free* Grant's Farm, Laclede's Landing, Black
History Wax Museum, Riverboat Gambling, Bowling Hall of Fame, Magic
House Children's Museum, and the famous landmark, The Arch with its
Lewis & Clark Museum of Westward Expansion (also *free*!). Just a short
drive in Illinois you'll find Cahokia Mounds and National Shrine of Our
Lady of the Snows. For more information about these and other local
attractions, click on http://www.stlouisattractions.com/
Live and Learn is a volunteer-driven conference-giving organization
that pulls attendees from all over the US and Canada. Its mission is to
support and promote unschooling, provide information, offer
opportunities for families to get together, and empower families to
make the choices that respect the rights, needs and aspirations of
their children. L&L welcomes anyone with an interest in unschooling.
Since its inception in 2001, L&L has supported families that have made
the decision to unschool as they face difficult questions and
challenges. These families may wonder about socialization, or
integration of John Holt's educational philosophy into their everyday
lives. Some families may doubt their abilities, feel confused and ask
themselves, "Can I really do this?". L&L encourages parents to trust
themselves and their children to make good decisions and empowers them
to find the support and information they need. L&L also gives you the
opportunity to see unschooling families ?up close and personal?---to
see them in action!
For more information, contact Kelly Lovejoy @ (803) 776 4849 or visit
our
website-
www.LiveandLearnConference.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
You may also all me anytime to ask questions or discuss concerns. I
truly believe that school is harmful---physically, emotionally,
intellectually, and spiritually. It's a bad place to spend a childhood.
~Kelly Lovejoy (803) 776-4849
_kbcdlovejo@..._ (mailto:kbcdlovejo@...)
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org
jlh44music
--- In [email protected], kbcdlovejo@a... wrote:
called "natural learning" and "child-led learning" . But mostly
unschooling is NOT school-at home: we do not try to replicate school in
our houses.>>>
intellectually, and spiritually. It's a bad place to spend a childhood.>
Kelly,
Thank you SO much for posting this information! (all in one place). It
includes many of the things I've collected since I started reasearching
homeschooling 2+ years ago and was led to unschooling and it's nice to
see it again, especially for anyone who may be new to this site.
This is a great place for newbies to unschooling to ask questions, or
just absorb until you get a feel for what unschooling is about, but I
highly recommend checking out the sites of the long time unschoolers
mentioned and the books (READ READ READ!). It took me a while to "get
it" but once I did, there's no turning back!
I'm coming to this with a child who just finished 6th grade. It's
never too late.
Jann
> Unschooling Basicswhen he needs to learn it. Unschooling is also sometimes
> Unschooling is trusting the child to learn what he needs to learn
called "natural learning" and "child-led learning" . But mostly
unschooling is NOT school-at home: we do not try to replicate school in
our houses.>>>
> You may also all me anytime to ask questions or discuss concerns. Itruly believe that school is harmful---physically, emotionally,
intellectually, and spiritually. It's a bad place to spend a childhood.>
Kelly,
Thank you SO much for posting this information! (all in one place). It
includes many of the things I've collected since I started reasearching
homeschooling 2+ years ago and was led to unschooling and it's nice to
see it again, especially for anyone who may be new to this site.
This is a great place for newbies to unschooling to ask questions, or
just absorb until you get a feel for what unschooling is about, but I
highly recommend checking out the sites of the long time unschoolers
mentioned and the books (READ READ READ!). It took me a while to "get
it" but once I did, there's no turning back!
I'm coming to this with a child who just finished 6th grade. It's
never too late.
Jann
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: jlh44music <jlh44music@...>
Kelly,
Thank you SO much for posting this information! (all in one place). It
includes many of the things I've collected since I started reasearching
homeschooling 2+ years ago and was led to unschooling and it's nice to
see it again, especially for anyone who may be new to this site.
-=-=-=-
You're welcome. I should probably post it here every now and then
because we have so many new members all the time.
-=-=-
This is a great place for newbies to unschooling to ask questions, or
just absorb until you get a feel for what unschooling is about, but I
highly recommend checking out the sites of the long time unschoolers
mentioned and the books (READ READ READ!). It took me a while to "get
it" but once I did, there's no turning back!
-=-=-=-
I agree. I wouldn't suggest posting immediately to the other lists.
Just read and read to absorb as much as you can.
-=-=-=-=-
I'm coming to this with a child who just finished 6th grade. It's
never too late.
Jann
-=-=-=-
ME TOO! Cameron went to school for eight years, through sixth grade. It
was DEFINITELY harder to deschool and unschool him than it's been with
Duncan, who has never been to school.
I'm talking about just that, too, at this year's
conference---unschooling after years and years of school. It's so
different from unschooling from the beginning!
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org
From: jlh44music <jlh44music@...>
Kelly,
Thank you SO much for posting this information! (all in one place). It
includes many of the things I've collected since I started reasearching
homeschooling 2+ years ago and was led to unschooling and it's nice to
see it again, especially for anyone who may be new to this site.
-=-=-=-
You're welcome. I should probably post it here every now and then
because we have so many new members all the time.
-=-=-
This is a great place for newbies to unschooling to ask questions, or
just absorb until you get a feel for what unschooling is about, but I
highly recommend checking out the sites of the long time unschoolers
mentioned and the books (READ READ READ!). It took me a while to "get
it" but once I did, there's no turning back!
-=-=-=-
I agree. I wouldn't suggest posting immediately to the other lists.
Just read and read to absorb as much as you can.
-=-=-=-=-
I'm coming to this with a child who just finished 6th grade. It's
never too late.
Jann
-=-=-=-
ME TOO! Cameron went to school for eight years, through sixth grade. It
was DEFINITELY harder to deschool and unschool him than it's been with
Duncan, who has never been to school.
I'm talking about just that, too, at this year's
conference---unschooling after years and years of school. It's so
different from unschooling from the beginning!
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org
jlh44music
> You're welcome. I should probably post it here every now and thenbecause we have so many new members all the time.>>>>>
That's a great idea! I cut and paste things to word to save for
future reference (I did that with your post!).
> I agree. I wouldn't suggest posting immediately to the other lists.Just read and read to absorb as much as you can.>>>>>
DEFINITELY LURK on the radical unschooling lists like Sandra's but
don't post right away (I learned that the hard way <g>, no hard
feelings though)! THIS is the place to post first, once you get
started.
> ME TOO! Cameron went to school for eight years, through sixthgrade. It was DEFINITELY harder to deschool and unschool him than
it's been with Duncan, who has never been to school.>>>>
Glad to hear that! Finding others who have pulled a child out of
school around my daughter's age has been difficult, but I'm in a much
better place now. Once we decided to "get out" I really worked on
adopting an unschooling frame of mind, even though she was still in
school (she wanted to try 6th grade and middle school!), which helped
us get started early, so to speak. She's been deschooling since she
left school in June (well, probably before that, I didn't push her to
be "perfect" (meaning that as a "school" word, not mine! - re:
grades, reading books etc) while in school and I can see some healing
already. You really have to TRUST that they need time to heal, and
it will vary from child to child (the recommendation that it takes a
month for each year in school is a good place to start, but we're
just taking it as it comes, no matter HOW long).
> I'm talking about just that, too, at this year's conference---unschooling after years and years of school. It's so different from
unschooling from the beginning!>>>>>
I'm so glad you'll be addressing this, there's a real need for those
like us to hear that. I've learned a lot from those who have always
unschooled, but it's helpful for those of us coming to it later on
(like I said before, it's NEVER too late!) I wish I could be there,
but it's just not possible! Will you be taping your presentation (or
whatever you prefer to call it)?? If so, I'd love to get a copy (let
me know!)
Jann
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: jlh44music <jlh44music@...>
I'm so glad you'll be addressing this, there's a real need for those
like us to hear that. I've learned a lot from those who have always
unschooled, but it's helpful for those of us coming to it later on
(like I said before, it's NEVER too late!) I wish I could be there,
but it's just not possible! Will you be taping your presentation (or
whatever you prefer to call it)?? If so, I'd love to get a copy (let
me know!)
Jann
-=-=-
Yes, all presentations will be available on CD this year. I have a
local audio firm recording the talks for me. Professionally done. The
last years have been me and a tape recorder. Pretty poor quality,
unfortunately. This will be a bit more expensive, but the quality will
be first class! And they should be done before I leave St Louis to come
home!
We'll have the resource page on the website set as soon as the
conference is over.
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org
From: jlh44music <jlh44music@...>
I'm so glad you'll be addressing this, there's a real need for those
like us to hear that. I've learned a lot from those who have always
unschooled, but it's helpful for those of us coming to it later on
(like I said before, it's NEVER too late!) I wish I could be there,
but it's just not possible! Will you be taping your presentation (or
whatever you prefer to call it)?? If so, I'd love to get a copy (let
me know!)
Jann
-=-=-
Yes, all presentations will be available on CD this year. I have a
local audio firm recording the talks for me. Professionally done. The
last years have been me and a tape recorder. Pretty poor quality,
unfortunately. This will be a bit more expensive, but the quality will
be first class! And they should be done before I leave St Louis to come
home!
We'll have the resource page on the website set as soon as the
conference is over.
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org
jlh44music
> We'll have the resource page on the website set as soon as theThanks! I'll make a note to check it out!
> conference is over.>>>
Jann
Kelly Lovejoy
It has NOT been updated, but others can add conference info and update lists that are outdated.
Wow, VERY outdated.
I've added a few new things and deleted others. I'll update this soon, but here's what I have now. It's a good start.
~K
Unschooling Basics?
?
Unschooling is trusting the child to learn what he needs to learn when
he?
needs to learn it. Unschooling is also sometimes called "natural
learning"?
and "child-led learning" . But mostly unschooling is NOT school-at
home: we do?
not try to replicate school in our houses. It's real living in the real?
world---for and with a purpose. You cannot live and not learn---we're?
surrounded by real opportunities every day to learn. And it's REAL
learning,?
not simulated as in school. Living is learning is unschooling is living
is learning is?
unschooling.....?
?
There are several good books on the inanity and insanity of schools and
on?
the marvels of unschooling.?
?
The unschooling "patron saint" is John Holt. He was a school reformer
in the?
70's who came to realize that schools are NOT reformable. His most
popular?
books are How Children Fail, How Children Learn, Teach Your Own, and
Learning?
All the Time.?
?
John Taylor Gatto was a NY city and NY state teacher of the year. He
finally?
quit and started on the speaking circuit. He seems completely behind?
unschooling. His two big books are Dumbing Us Down and The Underground?
History of American Education.?
?
Frank Smith has a great little book called The Book of Learning and?
Forgetting that shows how little one learns in and remembers from
school. He?
pushes REAL learning---for a purpose.?
?
Alfie Kohn's Punished by Rewards shows the total inanity of EXtrinsic?
motivation (gold stars, grades, etc.) and the attributes of INtrinsic?
motivation (learning because it's FUN!).?
?
Grace Llewellyn's The Teenage Liberation Handbook (How to Quit School
and?
Get a REAL Education) is the "bible" for unschoolers. It's a great read
for?
teens, but parents should read it too. Be SURE not to skip the "cute
little?
story" at the beginning. Grace also hosts the "Not Back To School Camp"
in?
the early fall for teen unschoolers---a place to meet other unschoolers
and share?
passions and interests.?
?
Mary Griffith has two books, The Homeschooling Handbook and The
Unschooling?
Handbook. The Homeschooling Handbook has many great ideas for
documenting?
what's being learned; and, since that is a requirement in several
states, it's very?
helpful. But The Unschooling Handbook is THE handbook for new
unschoolers. In it she?
gives real life examples and explanations. VERY understandable.
Convinced my?
husband that what I was suggesting made sense! <g>?
?
David Albert has two: And the Skylark Sings with Me and Homeschooling
and the?
Voyage of Self-Discovery. Both are witty---and easy reads.?
?
Valerie Fitzenreiter has a brand new book that I highly recommend: The?
Unprocessed Child: Living Without School. It's about unschooling her?
daughter, Laurie. I give it as gifts a LOT!?
?
Magazines:?
?
Connections E-zine
Life Learning Magazine
Live Free Learn Free E-zine
Growing Without Schooling, originally put out by John Holt. No longer
in?
production, but back issues available from "old" unschoolers and from
FUNbooks.?
?
?
Websites:?
?
_www.unschooling.info_ (http://www.unschooling.info/) WAS *the*website for?
unschooling. There are other lists that "say" they unschool; these are
the radicals who KNOW what they are talking about. There are essays and
FAQs which you should definitely read first.?
Afterwards go to the message boards and read, read, READ! If you have?
questions after reading for a few weeks, then post---but most things
have been?
explained before, so if you read, you'll run across the answers to most
of your?
questions.
New site is RUN.NING, started by Laura Bowman. Blogs and more!
?
Some posters to pay attention to are Sandra Dodd, Joyce Fetteroll, Pam
Sorooshian, Anne Ohman, Ren Allen, Deb Lewis, Rue Kream, Robyn Coburn,
Danielle Conger, Diana Jenner, Robin Bentley, Meredith (plaidpanties), Beth Fuller, Joy Karim, Melissa Gray, Jeff Sabo, Pam Genant, Laura Bowman, Kelli Traaseth, and Mary Gold. There are other wonderful posters, but
these are all radical unschoolers who all have great ways of expressing
themselves and getting to the nitty gritty of unschooling.?
?
Sandra Dodd is a radical unschooler of three children.
She has her own website that is chocked FULL of essays and stories about?
unschooling. It's a great place to start.
_www.SandraDodd.com/unschooling_?
(http://www.sandradodd.com/unschooling) .
Joyce Fetteroll has one daughter, is an engineer, and has a great website. www.joyfullyrejoycing.com
?
Ned Vare & Luz Shosie have an
already-graduated-from-college-always-unschooled son. Their website is
full of short essays on unschooling. They have a newsletter as well
and a regular get-together in CT._http://borntoexplore.org/unschool/_
(http://borntoexplore.org/unschool/)?
?
Billy and Nancy Greer own FUN-books---a mail-order catalogue for
unschoolish?
books and games. _www.FUN-Books.com_ (http://www.fun-books.com/)?
?
E-lists/Yahoogroups:?
?
?[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]) . For beginners. Owned by Ren
Allen and Kelly Lovejoy, this list caters those who are just starting
out. We try to be gentle! <g>?
?
For those looking to unschool from the very beginning, try
[email protected]?
. They have a monthly book discussion that might appeal to many! This
site is run by Danielle Conger and Robyn Coburn, and they chat with the
parents of children from birth to eight years old---who aren't
?technically? unschooling because the children are not yet of ?school
age.??
?
Anne Ohman started [email protected] for those with
specific questions about children who are considered ?non-typical?:
?Highly Sensitive?, ?Out of Sync?, ?Asperger?s?, ?Explosive?. They
discuss how unschooling frees their spirits and allows them to truly
*Shine*.?
?
Sandra Dodd's [email protected] is a list for those that
already ?get it.? It's a place to discuss deeper levels of
unschooling---the real radicals! <g>?
?
And the conference:?
?
Here's the flyer:?
?
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference?
_www.LiveandLearnConference.org_
(http://www.liveandlearnconference.org/)?
?
--------------------------------------------------?
You may also all me anytime to ask questions or discuss concerns. I
truly believe that school is harmful---physically, emotionally,
intellectually, and spiritually. It's a bad place to spend a childhood.?
?
~Kelly Lovejoy (803) 776-4849?
_kbcdlovejo@..._ (mailto:kbcdlovejo@...)?
?
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Wow, VERY outdated.
I've added a few new things and deleted others. I'll update this soon, but here's what I have now. It's a good start.
~K
Unschooling Basics?
?
Unschooling is trusting the child to learn what he needs to learn when
he?
needs to learn it. Unschooling is also sometimes called "natural
learning"?
and "child-led learning" . But mostly unschooling is NOT school-at
home: we do?
not try to replicate school in our houses. It's real living in the real?
world---for and with a purpose. You cannot live and not learn---we're?
surrounded by real opportunities every day to learn. And it's REAL
learning,?
not simulated as in school. Living is learning is unschooling is living
is learning is?
unschooling.....?
?
There are several good books on the inanity and insanity of schools and
on?
the marvels of unschooling.?
?
The unschooling "patron saint" is John Holt. He was a school reformer
in the?
70's who came to realize that schools are NOT reformable. His most
popular?
books are How Children Fail, How Children Learn, Teach Your Own, and
Learning?
All the Time.?
?
John Taylor Gatto was a NY city and NY state teacher of the year. He
finally?
quit and started on the speaking circuit. He seems completely behind?
unschooling. His two big books are Dumbing Us Down and The Underground?
History of American Education.?
?
Frank Smith has a great little book called The Book of Learning and?
Forgetting that shows how little one learns in and remembers from
school. He?
pushes REAL learning---for a purpose.?
?
Alfie Kohn's Punished by Rewards shows the total inanity of EXtrinsic?
motivation (gold stars, grades, etc.) and the attributes of INtrinsic?
motivation (learning because it's FUN!).?
?
Grace Llewellyn's The Teenage Liberation Handbook (How to Quit School
and?
Get a REAL Education) is the "bible" for unschoolers. It's a great read
for?
teens, but parents should read it too. Be SURE not to skip the "cute
little?
story" at the beginning. Grace also hosts the "Not Back To School Camp"
in?
the early fall for teen unschoolers---a place to meet other unschoolers
and share?
passions and interests.?
?
Mary Griffith has two books, The Homeschooling Handbook and The
Unschooling?
Handbook. The Homeschooling Handbook has many great ideas for
documenting?
what's being learned; and, since that is a requirement in several
states, it's very?
helpful. But The Unschooling Handbook is THE handbook for new
unschoolers. In it she?
gives real life examples and explanations. VERY understandable.
Convinced my?
husband that what I was suggesting made sense! <g>?
?
David Albert has two: And the Skylark Sings with Me and Homeschooling
and the?
Voyage of Self-Discovery. Both are witty---and easy reads.?
?
Valerie Fitzenreiter has a brand new book that I highly recommend: The?
Unprocessed Child: Living Without School. It's about unschooling her?
daughter, Laurie. I give it as gifts a LOT!?
?
Magazines:?
?
Connections E-zine
Life Learning Magazine
Live Free Learn Free E-zine
Growing Without Schooling, originally put out by John Holt. No longer
in?
production, but back issues available from "old" unschoolers and from
FUNbooks.?
?
?
Websites:?
?
_www.unschooling.info_ (http://www.unschooling.info/) WAS *the*website for?
unschooling. There are other lists that "say" they unschool; these are
the radicals who KNOW what they are talking about. There are essays and
FAQs which you should definitely read first.?
Afterwards go to the message boards and read, read, READ! If you have?
questions after reading for a few weeks, then post---but most things
have been?
explained before, so if you read, you'll run across the answers to most
of your?
questions.
New site is RUN.NING, started by Laura Bowman. Blogs and more!
?
Some posters to pay attention to are Sandra Dodd, Joyce Fetteroll, Pam
Sorooshian, Anne Ohman, Ren Allen, Deb Lewis, Rue Kream, Robyn Coburn,
Danielle Conger, Diana Jenner, Robin Bentley, Meredith (plaidpanties), Beth Fuller, Joy Karim, Melissa Gray, Jeff Sabo, Pam Genant, Laura Bowman, Kelli Traaseth, and Mary Gold. There are other wonderful posters, but
these are all radical unschoolers who all have great ways of expressing
themselves and getting to the nitty gritty of unschooling.?
?
Sandra Dodd is a radical unschooler of three children.
She has her own website that is chocked FULL of essays and stories about?
unschooling. It's a great place to start.
_www.SandraDodd.com/unschooling_?
(http://www.sandradodd.com/unschooling) .
Joyce Fetteroll has one daughter, is an engineer, and has a great website. www.joyfullyrejoycing.com
?
Ned Vare & Luz Shosie have an
already-graduated-from-college-always-unschooled son. Their website is
full of short essays on unschooling. They have a newsletter as well
and a regular get-together in CT._http://borntoexplore.org/unschool/_
(http://borntoexplore.org/unschool/)?
?
Billy and Nancy Greer own FUN-books---a mail-order catalogue for
unschoolish?
books and games. _www.FUN-Books.com_ (http://www.fun-books.com/)?
?
E-lists/Yahoogroups:?
?
?[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]) . For beginners. Owned by Ren
Allen and Kelly Lovejoy, this list caters those who are just starting
out. We try to be gentle! <g>?
?
For those looking to unschool from the very beginning, try
[email protected]?
. They have a monthly book discussion that might appeal to many! This
site is run by Danielle Conger and Robyn Coburn, and they chat with the
parents of children from birth to eight years old---who aren't
?technically? unschooling because the children are not yet of ?school
age.??
?
Anne Ohman started [email protected] for those with
specific questions about children who are considered ?non-typical?:
?Highly Sensitive?, ?Out of Sync?, ?Asperger?s?, ?Explosive?. They
discuss how unschooling frees their spirits and allows them to truly
*Shine*.?
?
Sandra Dodd's [email protected] is a list for those that
already ?get it.? It's a place to discuss deeper levels of
unschooling---the real radicals! <g>?
?
And the conference:?
?
Here's the flyer:?
?
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference?
_www.LiveandLearnConference.org_
(http://www.liveandlearnconference.org/)?
?
--------------------------------------------------?
You may also all me anytime to ask questions or discuss concerns. I
truly believe that school is harmful---physically, emotionally,
intellectually, and spiritually. It's a bad place to spend a childhood.?
?
~Kelly Lovejoy (803) 776-4849?
_kbcdlovejo@..._ (mailto:kbcdlovejo@...)?
?
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]