The White's

>SNIP>: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.

Nanci,
You should check out the GWS page (www.gws.com)...I think it was in fact
John Holt who coined the term unschooling which was, to him, not going to
school. I'm sure you could get quotes at the site, or in his many books.

Good luck with the article, can we get a copy??? Please!
Cindy

Alan & Brenda Leonard

11/21/02 15:23:

> If I wasn't so certain of
> what I was doing, hadn't done 7 years of successful "unschooling"
> already, wasn't satisfied with the results, then I would be very
> intimidated by this kind of vicious questioning about something so
> totally nitpicky.

Then why are you here? Did you come to share with us your experiences of
unschooling your daughter? I'm always interested in people's stories.

Did you read the list for a week or two before you hopped in? The only
reason I ask is because you seem to think the comments you have received are
vicious. They look just like all the other criticisms of ideas (not people,
ideas) that I've seen here over the months I've been around. They were
certainly not intended personally.

Norma, please stay and feel welcome if you like what we all have here. It's
not a closed society or group. However, it is *our* group. Helen owns it
for our benefit, Joyce helps us by moderating with a very light hand. Join
us, or leave, as you please. But don't try to change us; we like ourselves
this way!

brenda

Alan & Brenda Leonard

11/21/02 15:23:

> I am beginning to feel that also. I am VERY new to homeschooling and
> unschooling and if I have ?s or need support I am not sure I will post it on
> this list. Seems to be more of a debate forum.

Yep, we definitely debate things around here. I like it, so I stayed. It's
ok if you don't like it, really. But heated discussions here happen about
ideas, not people. Your ideas do not reflect your personal worth in the
world, so let them be challenged, and defend them. You'll probably learn
something, and so will anyone else who cares to.

>I am not so sure that newbies
> to unschooling would get any helpful support here?

I don't come here for support. I come to learn. I don't think this was
intended to be a support group, was it? Clarification, please, Joyce?

> If my 12 you wants to do a worksheet I let him. If they
> want me to check spelling GREAT I will do it. My definition of unschool is
> allowing my children to learn in an environment free from boundaries. It is
> allowing them choices to decide HOW they want to learn be it games, reading,
> internet, hand on, tv, and most important just playing and living...

Well, according to what you've just said here, I think you have the idea
quite nicely. Unschooling is about what children want to learn, when they
want to learn it. (Not when we, or the school, or anybody else, wants them
to!)

brenda

Tia Leschke

>
> Yep, we definitely debate things around here. I like it, so I stayed.
It's
> ok if you don't like it, really. But heated discussions here happen about
> ideas, not people.

Actually, the *heated* discussions usually happen *because* someone took
having their ideas challenged personally.
Tia