Re:[Unschooling-dotcom] Define Unschooling
Nanci and Thomas Kuykendall
I have been asked to write an article defining Unschooling (at least from what I know.) One thing that I want to include is information about the coining of the word Unschooling and the genesis of the movement, before I move into describing the process. Those of you who harbor information on this issue, please indulge me. I know it was Gatto's word, but not much more than that. Please site sources for information so that I may verify and include them.
Thanks!
Nanci K.
------------------------------------------------------------
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Thanks!
Nanci K.
------------------------------------------------------------
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Billy or Nancy
From http://www.unschooling.org/fun12_unschooling.htm (visit for more info
including the side bar mentioned in the article)
Unschooling or Homeschooling?
by Billy Greer
What is the difference between unschooling and homeschooling? At one time
they were just two terms for the same thing, so the question was like asking
what the difference is between a car and an automobile. Today, homeschooling
has remained a generic term while unschooling has come to refer to a
specific type of homeschooling. So now the question is like asking what the
difference is between a Ferrari and a car. Just what is it about unschooling
that differentiates it from other types of homeschooling enough to warrant
its own term?
Before we look at that question, let's look at a history of the words. At
one time, there was no special term for people who took their children out
of the public school system to teach them at home. If you look at references
to education before there even was a public school system, you will see
phrases such as "tutored at home," "self-taught," or "no formal education"
to refer to people we might now call homeschooled.
Even after the modern homeschooling movement got started, there wasn't a
standard term for what these parents were doing. People simply referred to
teaching their children at home, or not sending them to school. In issue
#108 of Growing Without Schooling, Susannah Sheffer tells us that the first
issue of GWS (published in 1977), did not even make use of the term
homeschooling. In issue #2, John Holt used the term unschooling, but it was
used as a general term for what we now call homeschooling. In issue #118 of
GWS, Aaron Falbel tells us that Holt wrote in issue #2 of GWS (Nov. 1977)
that they [GWS] would use unschooling "when we mean taking kids out of
school." Falbel goes on to say that it wasn't until the early 1980's that
the term homeschooling became more popular.
I don't know when it happened or who first used the phrase, but it is pretty
easy to see that if most kids went to public school, then people might say
kids who were taught at home went to "home school." As the term has become
more an accepted part of our vocabulary, it has moved from the novelty
phrase "home schooling" (in quotes) to home schooling (no quotes), to
home-schooling (hyphenated), and now homeschooling (one word).
John Holt is considered the father of unschooling and the person who coined
the term. In Holt's early writings, he seemed to hold out hope that the
school system could be fixed, but he later became more convinced that
parents were better off taking their kids out of schools. I imagine that it
then seemed natural to him to refer to the process of not sending your kids
to school as unschooling, as in not schooling.
While the terms may have been interchangeable originally, that is no longer
the case today. Unschooling has become associated with the particular style
of homeschooling in which no set curriculum is used. Where the split
originated is hard to say, but part of the reason for the division is
probably because of the words themselves. Homeschooling carries an
implication of schooling-at-home, while unschooling connotes that what you
are doing is the opposite of school. People who accepted the teaching
techniques of school but wanted more control over the subject matter,
socialization, or morals that their children were exposed to might readily
accept the term homeschooling. People who disliked the teaching techniques
and environment of school might be more inclined to use the term
unschooling.
Currently, homeschooling is considered to span a spectrum from those who
school-at-home to those who unschool. The school-at home designation is
self-explanatory. This group revels in all the trappings of school! They may
have the same desks used in the public schools, some of the same text books,
and they may even start each day by ringing a bell and saying the pledge of
allegiance. The parent assumes the role of teacher, preparing lesson plans,
assigning homework or tests, and grading papers. Their "holy grail" is the
search for the perfect curriculum, the one that will cover everything their
children need to learn.
What is it that unschoolers do? Where do you find a curriculum package that
will help you to be an unschooler? The reason that unschooling is hard to
explain and hard for some people to understand, is that it is not a
technique that can be broken down to a step by step process. Rather,
unschooling is an attitude, a way of life. Where most homeschooling puts the
emphasis on what needs to be learned, unschooling puts the emphasis on who
is doing the learning. This makes it a very personalized experience and one
that does not lend itself well to the one size-fits-all approach of a
commercial curriculum package.
What are some of the unintended lessons of a "school" approach to learning?
First of all, the student is taught that learning is something that takes
place in a certain location at certain times. From 8 to 3 you do lessons at
your desk. Learning is also unpleasant and often boring, so it is usually a
relief when "school" is finally out. Students become used to the idea that
learning requires a teacher - someone more knowledgeable than them. This
follows the old model of learning in which students are empty cups waiting
to be filled and the teacher is the pitcher full of knowledge that will fill
them. This also emphasizes the idea that students must be taught - in other
words, what happens to you (learning) is the result of what someone else
does to you (teaching). School also reinforces the idea that learning is a
linear process. You work and add knowledge incrementally over time in a
steady process. To get from point A to point C, you must first pass point B.
In unschooling, learning can happen anywhere and at anytime. It is an
ongoing, natural process - part of the journey we call life. It is not
unpleasant or boring anymore than breathing, eating or sleeping are. There
is no sense of relief that school is out because learning is always
happening. Students also know that they are responsible for their learning.
They do not need an "expert" to teach them. If they have an interest, they
can go out and pursue the knowledge they need. This is another fundamental
difference between a schoolish approach and an unschooling model. School is
a case of knowledge (that someone else has determined to be important) in
pursuit of the student, while unschooling puts the student in pursuit of the
knowledge (which they have decided is important). In this role, parents are
not teachers who always know more than their children, they are often fellow
learners making the journey along with their children. (See the side bar for
more comments about the non-linear learning of unschooling.)
It is unfortunate that the older term "unschooled" often means uneducated.
As unschooling gains acceptance and its effectiveness is recognized, the
dictionaries will have to be corrected to reflect the positive aspects of
someone who has been educated by unschooling.
including the side bar mentioned in the article)
Unschooling or Homeschooling?
by Billy Greer
What is the difference between unschooling and homeschooling? At one time
they were just two terms for the same thing, so the question was like asking
what the difference is between a car and an automobile. Today, homeschooling
has remained a generic term while unschooling has come to refer to a
specific type of homeschooling. So now the question is like asking what the
difference is between a Ferrari and a car. Just what is it about unschooling
that differentiates it from other types of homeschooling enough to warrant
its own term?
Before we look at that question, let's look at a history of the words. At
one time, there was no special term for people who took their children out
of the public school system to teach them at home. If you look at references
to education before there even was a public school system, you will see
phrases such as "tutored at home," "self-taught," or "no formal education"
to refer to people we might now call homeschooled.
Even after the modern homeschooling movement got started, there wasn't a
standard term for what these parents were doing. People simply referred to
teaching their children at home, or not sending them to school. In issue
#108 of Growing Without Schooling, Susannah Sheffer tells us that the first
issue of GWS (published in 1977), did not even make use of the term
homeschooling. In issue #2, John Holt used the term unschooling, but it was
used as a general term for what we now call homeschooling. In issue #118 of
GWS, Aaron Falbel tells us that Holt wrote in issue #2 of GWS (Nov. 1977)
that they [GWS] would use unschooling "when we mean taking kids out of
school." Falbel goes on to say that it wasn't until the early 1980's that
the term homeschooling became more popular.
I don't know when it happened or who first used the phrase, but it is pretty
easy to see that if most kids went to public school, then people might say
kids who were taught at home went to "home school." As the term has become
more an accepted part of our vocabulary, it has moved from the novelty
phrase "home schooling" (in quotes) to home schooling (no quotes), to
home-schooling (hyphenated), and now homeschooling (one word).
John Holt is considered the father of unschooling and the person who coined
the term. In Holt's early writings, he seemed to hold out hope that the
school system could be fixed, but he later became more convinced that
parents were better off taking their kids out of schools. I imagine that it
then seemed natural to him to refer to the process of not sending your kids
to school as unschooling, as in not schooling.
While the terms may have been interchangeable originally, that is no longer
the case today. Unschooling has become associated with the particular style
of homeschooling in which no set curriculum is used. Where the split
originated is hard to say, but part of the reason for the division is
probably because of the words themselves. Homeschooling carries an
implication of schooling-at-home, while unschooling connotes that what you
are doing is the opposite of school. People who accepted the teaching
techniques of school but wanted more control over the subject matter,
socialization, or morals that their children were exposed to might readily
accept the term homeschooling. People who disliked the teaching techniques
and environment of school might be more inclined to use the term
unschooling.
Currently, homeschooling is considered to span a spectrum from those who
school-at-home to those who unschool. The school-at home designation is
self-explanatory. This group revels in all the trappings of school! They may
have the same desks used in the public schools, some of the same text books,
and they may even start each day by ringing a bell and saying the pledge of
allegiance. The parent assumes the role of teacher, preparing lesson plans,
assigning homework or tests, and grading papers. Their "holy grail" is the
search for the perfect curriculum, the one that will cover everything their
children need to learn.
What is it that unschoolers do? Where do you find a curriculum package that
will help you to be an unschooler? The reason that unschooling is hard to
explain and hard for some people to understand, is that it is not a
technique that can be broken down to a step by step process. Rather,
unschooling is an attitude, a way of life. Where most homeschooling puts the
emphasis on what needs to be learned, unschooling puts the emphasis on who
is doing the learning. This makes it a very personalized experience and one
that does not lend itself well to the one size-fits-all approach of a
commercial curriculum package.
What are some of the unintended lessons of a "school" approach to learning?
First of all, the student is taught that learning is something that takes
place in a certain location at certain times. From 8 to 3 you do lessons at
your desk. Learning is also unpleasant and often boring, so it is usually a
relief when "school" is finally out. Students become used to the idea that
learning requires a teacher - someone more knowledgeable than them. This
follows the old model of learning in which students are empty cups waiting
to be filled and the teacher is the pitcher full of knowledge that will fill
them. This also emphasizes the idea that students must be taught - in other
words, what happens to you (learning) is the result of what someone else
does to you (teaching). School also reinforces the idea that learning is a
linear process. You work and add knowledge incrementally over time in a
steady process. To get from point A to point C, you must first pass point B.
In unschooling, learning can happen anywhere and at anytime. It is an
ongoing, natural process - part of the journey we call life. It is not
unpleasant or boring anymore than breathing, eating or sleeping are. There
is no sense of relief that school is out because learning is always
happening. Students also know that they are responsible for their learning.
They do not need an "expert" to teach them. If they have an interest, they
can go out and pursue the knowledge they need. This is another fundamental
difference between a schoolish approach and an unschooling model. School is
a case of knowledge (that someone else has determined to be important) in
pursuit of the student, while unschooling puts the student in pursuit of the
knowledge (which they have decided is important). In this role, parents are
not teachers who always know more than their children, they are often fellow
learners making the journey along with their children. (See the side bar for
more comments about the non-linear learning of unschooling.)
It is unfortunate that the older term "unschooled" often means uneducated.
As unschooling gains acceptance and its effectiveness is recognized, the
dictionaries will have to be corrected to reflect the positive aspects of
someone who has been educated by unschooling.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nanci and Thomas Kuykendall [mailto:tn-k4of5@...]
> Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2000 1:37 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re:[Unschooling-dotcom] Define Unschooling
>
>
> I have been asked to write an article defining Unschooling
> (at least from what I know.) One thing that I want to
> include is information about the coining of the word
> Unschooling and the genesis of the movement, before I move
> into describing the process. Those of you who harbor
> information on this issue, please indulge me. I know it was
> Gatto's word, but not much more than that. Please site
> sources for information so that I may verify and include them.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Nanci K.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Show off your pagan (and Idaho) pride, get Idaho Pagan Mail(tm) today!
> Sign up at http://www.idahopagan.com/
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------
> Visit www.ibelieve.com today and get a FREE book by Chuck Swindoll!
> http://click.egroups.com/1/6182/14/_/448294/_/964118094/
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------
>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
> Addresses:
> Post message: [email protected]
> Unsubscribe: [email protected]
> List owner: [email protected]
> List settings page: http://www.egroups.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
>
>
>
>
Nanci and Thomas Kuykendall
>Unschooling or Homeschooling?In issue #2, John Holt used the term unschooling,
>by Billy Greer
>John Holt is considered the father of unschooling and the person who coinedThank you for this correction! Now could someone tell me briefly what Holt's description is, besides being a writer and advocate and founder of the movement? Was he in the system previous to that, or what? Just wanting to indentify him if I drop his name.
>the term.
Nanci K.
------------------------------------------------------------
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Nanci and Thomas Kuykendall
I was also thinking of including links to websites which have essays and information about the nature of unschooling, as well as references to books with good information on the subject for beginners. Suggestions?
Nanci K.
------------------------------------------------------------
Show off your pagan (and Idaho) pride, get Idaho Pagan Mail(tm) today!
Sign up at http://www.idahopagan.com/
Nanci K.
------------------------------------------------------------
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Sign up at http://www.idahopagan.com/
Billy or Nancy
Nanci,
Obviously you will want to include unschooling.com!
You will also want to include the Holt site at HoltGWS.com
Here are a few links from our site to consider:
A comparison between unschooling and organic gardening, helps explain what
unschooling is:
http://www.unschooling.org/fun08_organic.htm
Discussion of the origins of the terms "unschooling" and "homeschooling":
http://www.unschooling.org/fun12_unschooling.htm
An example of how a normal summer day can become a fun biology lesson and
engender a love of insects and the environment:
http://www.unschooling.org/fun08_dances.htm
And here are descriptions of some of the books we like:
http://www.fun-books.com/homeschooling.htm
Hope this helps!
Billy
Obviously you will want to include unschooling.com!
You will also want to include the Holt site at HoltGWS.com
Here are a few links from our site to consider:
A comparison between unschooling and organic gardening, helps explain what
unschooling is:
http://www.unschooling.org/fun08_organic.htm
Discussion of the origins of the terms "unschooling" and "homeschooling":
http://www.unschooling.org/fun12_unschooling.htm
An example of how a normal summer day can become a fun biology lesson and
engender a love of insects and the environment:
http://www.unschooling.org/fun08_dances.htm
And here are descriptions of some of the books we like:
http://www.fun-books.com/homeschooling.htm
Hope this helps!
Billy
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nanci and Thomas Kuykendall [mailto:tn-k4of5@...]
> Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2000 5:14 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: RE:[Unschooling-dotcom] Define Unschooling
>
>
> I was also thinking of including links to websites which have
> essays and information about the nature of unschooling, as
> well as references to books with good information on the
> subject for beginners. Suggestions?
>
> Nanci K.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Show off your pagan (and Idaho) pride, get Idaho Pagan Mail(tm) today!
> Sign up at http://www.idahopagan.com/
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------
> Visit www.ibelieve.com today and get a FREE book by Chuck Swindoll!
> http://click.egroups.com/1/6182/14/_/448294/_/964127633/
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------
>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
> Addresses:
> Post message: [email protected]
> Unsubscribe: [email protected]
> List owner: [email protected]
> List settings page: http://www.egroups.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
>
>
>
>
Vicki A. Dennis
Nanci, the link below will take you to directly to a page with summaries of
some of JH's books written over decades as his observations accumulated
and his conclusions changed.
It will also offer a short video if you are uninterested in reading all
his books to get a feel for his developing ideas.
"you get a view of Holt�'s transformation from a "high standards" elite
private school teacher, to a free schooler, to a pioneer homeschooler. A
Life Worth Living is a perfect introduction to one of the most innovative
thinkers about education. 22 minutes VHS. "
http://www.holtgws.com/jh.htm
Vicki
-----Original Message-----
From: Nanci and Thomas Kuykendall <tn-k4of5@...>
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, July 20, 2000 3:52 PM
Subject: RE:[Unschooling-dotcom] Define Unschooling
Now could someone tell me briefly what Holt's description is, besides
being a writer and advocate and founder of the movement? Was he in the
system previous to that, or what? Just wanting to indentify him if I drop
his name.
some of JH's books written over decades as his observations accumulated
and his conclusions changed.
It will also offer a short video if you are uninterested in reading all
his books to get a feel for his developing ideas.
"you get a view of Holt�'s transformation from a "high standards" elite
private school teacher, to a free schooler, to a pioneer homeschooler. A
Life Worth Living is a perfect introduction to one of the most innovative
thinkers about education. 22 minutes VHS. "
http://www.holtgws.com/jh.htm
Vicki
-----Original Message-----
From: Nanci and Thomas Kuykendall <tn-k4of5@...>
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, July 20, 2000 3:52 PM
Subject: RE:[Unschooling-dotcom] Define Unschooling
Now could someone tell me briefly what Holt's description is, besides
being a writer and advocate and founder of the movement? Was he in the
system previous to that, or what? Just wanting to indentify him if I drop
his name.
>
>Nanci K.
>
[email protected]
Billy, Your response in reference to defining unschooling is excellent...too
bad my printer is out of ink! :) ~Karen
bad my printer is out of ink! :) ~Karen
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/20/00 3:57:38 PM Central Daylight Time,
tn-k4of5@... writes:
<< Now could someone tell me briefly what Holt's description is, besides
being a writer and advocate and founder of the movement? Was he in the
system previous to that, or what? Just wanting to indentify him if I drop
his name.
knew there had to be a better way for children to learn. ~Karen
tn-k4of5@... writes:
<< Now could someone tell me briefly what Holt's description is, besides
being a writer and advocate and founder of the movement? Was he in the
system previous to that, or what? Just wanting to indentify him if I drop
his name.
>>Nanci, Holt was a teacher that became "disenchanted" with "the system", and
knew there had to be a better way for children to learn. ~Karen
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/20/00 4:34:29 PM Central Daylight Time,
tn-k4of5@... writes:
<< as well as references to books with good information on the subject for
beginners. Suggestions?
I read is the Unschooling Handbook. I think the author is Mary--- something!
A lot of help I am! LOL! Any way, the book was filled with stories of
families and how they unschool. It was excellent. I'm sure someone will
know more about the name-- is it "Pride"? Sorry that I can't remember at the
moment... :) ~Karen
tn-k4of5@... writes:
<< as well as references to books with good information on the subject for
beginners. Suggestions?
>>Nanci... I'm not sure if I have the title correct, but one of the best books
I read is the Unschooling Handbook. I think the author is Mary--- something!
A lot of help I am! LOL! Any way, the book was filled with stories of
families and how they unschool. It was excellent. I'm sure someone will
know more about the name-- is it "Pride"? Sorry that I can't remember at the
moment... :) ~Karen
LisaKK
> >>books
>Nanci... I'm not sure if I have the title correct, but one of the best
>I read is the Unschooling Handbook. I think the author is Mary---something!
> A lot of help I am! LOL! Any way, the book was filled with stories ofthe
>families and how they unschool. It was excellent. I'm sure someone will
>know more about the name-- is it "Pride"? Sorry that I can't remember at
>moment... :) ~KarenYou're looking for the name Mary Griffith. :)
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/20/00 6:38:20 PM Central Daylight Time,
LisaBugg@... writes:
<< You're looking for the name Mary Griffith. :)
LisaBugg@... writes:
<< You're looking for the name Mary Griffith. :)
>>Ah.. thank you, Lisa! ~Karen
Bonnie Painter
It is the Unschooling Handbook by Mary Griffiths. I found this to be an
excellent book also. Actually caused me to decide on homeschooling as the
"strict curriculum" did not work for us, but we really wanted to homeschool
our kids.
Bonnie
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com
excellent book also. Actually caused me to decide on homeschooling as the
"strict curriculum" did not work for us, but we really wanted to homeschool
our kids.
Bonnie
>From: HPaulson5@...________________________________________________________________________
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Define Unschooling
>Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2000 19:24:44 EDT
>
>In a message dated 7/20/00 4:34:29 PM Central Daylight Time,
>tn-k4of5@... writes:
>
><< as well as references to books with good information on the subject for
>beginners. Suggestions?
>
> >>
>Nanci... I'm not sure if I have the title correct, but one of the best
>books
>I read is the Unschooling Handbook. I think the author is Mary---
>something!
> A lot of help I am! LOL! Any way, the book was filled with stories of
>families and how they unschool. It was excellent. I'm sure someone will
>know more about the name-- is it "Pride"? Sorry that I can't remember at
>the
>moment... :) ~Karen
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com