A revelation about unschooling...I think?
Ren Allen
Oh yes...that was a BIG revelation, or as I prefer to call them;
paradigm shift.
That was a lovely shift Sandy..thanks for sharing.
" The
thing is, is it important to the learner?"
EXACTLY!!
This is where unschoolers differ so drastically from
"relaxed/eclectic" or any other kind of homeschooler. We trust that if
it is important to the learner, then it's IMPORTANT.
Even if it's something distasteful to us personally.
I was a bit on edge about my boys loving GTA and some of the other
violent video games they love...but I trusted that it was something
important to THEM.
GUess what?
Trevor is learning German now, an interest sparked by a violent game
called "Wolfenstein" he plays often. He's made rich and deep
friendships, written wonderfully and in a detailed manner about these
games and why they're good, bad or ugly, learned technical stuff I
can't even begin to explain and gained some incredible consumer skills
through it all.
It's important to HIM.
Yesterday, his video card started acting up. It causes a black screen
and the appearance that your computer is completely dead. He had
figured out the glitch and repaired it in the past...in fact, he made
this same repair for a good friend after they were ready to wipe the
entire memory out. Even the techs they called didn't know how to fix
it and Trevor managed to do it in five minutes!
But I digress...
Anyway, he was extremely frustrated about the video card crashing.
This was exascerbated by the fact that he couldn't find the cable to
make the repair...it was gone.
Now a traditional family might have said "good, now he'll do something
besides be on that damn computer all the time" or "suck it up kid,
we'll get the parts later."
But as unschoolers, we know this stuff is IMPORTANT, because we trust
the learner and the experience they choose.
So....Markus checked Best Buy during some errands, no luck. We called
around and found the parts at Radio Shack. Our entire family loads up
to go get this special cable, but unfortunately it was a lot more than
we thought it would cost.
We try a couple more places, no luck.
Sales people give him advice that he knows is incorrect, he's more
pissed now.
Upon reaching home, Markus and Trevor start digging around and locate
a damaged S-video cable...one of the parts needed. They rip it open,
attach two of the wires to an RCA cable, muck about for 10 minutes and
manage to fix the video card.
HA!!
So by trusting the learner, by validating his frustration and getting
on board to try and help him navigate this situation, by not giving
up, we got to see ingenuity and creativity unfold last night.
It was REALLY cool.
My children are empowered by the trust we give them. When the learner
is validated at every turn, joyful exploration of the world unfolds
spontaneously, naturally and beautifully.
Just chant that to yourself in the rougher moments Sandy; "is it
important to the learner?"
That's really the crux of the whole unschooling issue. It's all about
trust.
Ren
paradigm shift.
That was a lovely shift Sandy..thanks for sharing.
" The
thing is, is it important to the learner?"
EXACTLY!!
This is where unschoolers differ so drastically from
"relaxed/eclectic" or any other kind of homeschooler. We trust that if
it is important to the learner, then it's IMPORTANT.
Even if it's something distasteful to us personally.
I was a bit on edge about my boys loving GTA and some of the other
violent video games they love...but I trusted that it was something
important to THEM.
GUess what?
Trevor is learning German now, an interest sparked by a violent game
called "Wolfenstein" he plays often. He's made rich and deep
friendships, written wonderfully and in a detailed manner about these
games and why they're good, bad or ugly, learned technical stuff I
can't even begin to explain and gained some incredible consumer skills
through it all.
It's important to HIM.
Yesterday, his video card started acting up. It causes a black screen
and the appearance that your computer is completely dead. He had
figured out the glitch and repaired it in the past...in fact, he made
this same repair for a good friend after they were ready to wipe the
entire memory out. Even the techs they called didn't know how to fix
it and Trevor managed to do it in five minutes!
But I digress...
Anyway, he was extremely frustrated about the video card crashing.
This was exascerbated by the fact that he couldn't find the cable to
make the repair...it was gone.
Now a traditional family might have said "good, now he'll do something
besides be on that damn computer all the time" or "suck it up kid,
we'll get the parts later."
But as unschoolers, we know this stuff is IMPORTANT, because we trust
the learner and the experience they choose.
So....Markus checked Best Buy during some errands, no luck. We called
around and found the parts at Radio Shack. Our entire family loads up
to go get this special cable, but unfortunately it was a lot more than
we thought it would cost.
We try a couple more places, no luck.
Sales people give him advice that he knows is incorrect, he's more
pissed now.
Upon reaching home, Markus and Trevor start digging around and locate
a damaged S-video cable...one of the parts needed. They rip it open,
attach two of the wires to an RCA cable, muck about for 10 minutes and
manage to fix the video card.
HA!!
So by trusting the learner, by validating his frustration and getting
on board to try and help him navigate this situation, by not giving
up, we got to see ingenuity and creativity unfold last night.
It was REALLY cool.
My children are empowered by the trust we give them. When the learner
is validated at every turn, joyful exploration of the world unfolds
spontaneously, naturally and beautifully.
Just chant that to yourself in the rougher moments Sandy; "is it
important to the learner?"
That's really the crux of the whole unschooling issue. It's all about
trust.
Ren
Donald and Sandra Winn
"Just chant that to yourself in the rougher moments
Sandy; "is it
important to the learner?"
That's really the crux of the whole unschooling issue.
It's all about
trust." ~Ren
You can bet I will Ren :-) And of course, I meant
that concerning Zak also. I know that panic attacks
will still set in with me, afterall, hubby's XMAS
party is coming and people will be bragging on the
"A's, B's" and bachelor degrees...(smile)
If I can get dh to someday see that same way, our life
will be even better. I'm using the philosphies of
unschooling and letting go of control on him too, and
when the time is right, I'm going to point it out.
Afterall, who can argue the results of a happier
marriage and happier children?
I love how your family pulled together! That is just
too cool, Ren. Also, your story helped show a
positive (from someone that I actually KNOW) for video
games. German? Too awesome...maybe this year he'll
sing "O' Tannenbaum" instead of "O' Christmas
Tree"..LOL Or perhaps singing isn't his cup o' tea?
;-)
Happy Learning,
~Sandy
www.360.yahoo.com/aplan4life
__________________________________
Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.
http://farechase.yahoo.com
Sandy; "is it
important to the learner?"
That's really the crux of the whole unschooling issue.
It's all about
trust." ~Ren
You can bet I will Ren :-) And of course, I meant
that concerning Zak also. I know that panic attacks
will still set in with me, afterall, hubby's XMAS
party is coming and people will be bragging on the
"A's, B's" and bachelor degrees...(smile)
If I can get dh to someday see that same way, our life
will be even better. I'm using the philosphies of
unschooling and letting go of control on him too, and
when the time is right, I'm going to point it out.
Afterall, who can argue the results of a happier
marriage and happier children?
I love how your family pulled together! That is just
too cool, Ren. Also, your story helped show a
positive (from someone that I actually KNOW) for video
games. German? Too awesome...maybe this year he'll
sing "O' Tannenbaum" instead of "O' Christmas
Tree"..LOL Or perhaps singing isn't his cup o' tea?
;-)
Happy Learning,
~Sandy
www.360.yahoo.com/aplan4life
__________________________________
Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.
http://farechase.yahoo.com