UNSCHOOLING.COM ONLINE NEWS May 2003
[email protected]
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
UNSCHOOLING.COM ONLINE NEWS
Mid-May 2003
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
In this Issue:
Reading Roads
Older Blooming Readers
Benefits of Later Literacy
Serious Play
Web Snacks
Unschool Friendly Conferences
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Reading Roads
Learning to read is like learning to ride a bicycle. Some kids are presented
with training wheels at an early age. Some receive formal instruction.
Some watch older siblings. Some are given shiny new bikes for Christmas,
just the right size, and some forage some old beat-up balloon-tired Schwinn
from a neighbor's dilapidated garage. Some peddle along on the sides of
bicycles made for adults, the only available two-wheelers, so
large they can't reach their leg over the cross-bar or otherwise get to
the peddles. For some it takes months to get up the nerve to try. Others
just jump on without any preparation whatsoever and ride away. Some are
younger, some are older; some end up loving it, and others decide they
have more important things to do with their time and energy.
The kids learn to read if there are lots of children's books in the house,
adult books, or just a few old magazines. They learn to read if they are
read aloud to from the time they can sit up, or if storytime is ignored.
They learn to read if they watch Sesame Street, or the X files, or if
television isn't allowed in the house. They learn to read even if they are
obsessed with computer games that require no reading, or if all they
seem interested in is gymnastics or dance or the succesors to Pokemon.
They learn to read if they have powers of concentration that would put
adults to shame, or if they never seem to be able to sit still.
David Albert
from the new book, Homeschooling and the Voyage of Self-Discovery
Visit him at www.skylarksings.com
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Older Blooming Readers
If your child shows little interest in learning to read on her own, she may
be an older-bloooming reader. I'll tell you not to worry, that your child will
learn to read in her own good time. Not worrying is not so easy, though,
particularly when siblings, sometimes younger siblings, or the public
school children across the street, are reading chapter books and your
child hasn't mastered a primer such as the Bob Books, and worse yet,
doesn't appear to have any desire to read. Try to avoid panicking, and
don't let your child know that you are worried.
Homeschooling families can avoid the biggest disadvantage to late reading
- feeling stupid. If your child is an older blooming reader, be happy he is
homeschooling and not in school being labeled learning disabled (because
he is not) or feeling humiliated by teachers and peers. Reassure your
child (if he is concerned) that he will find his own time and way of learning
to read. Meanwhile, keep the love of reading alive. Tell him over and over
that you know he loves reading because he enjoys being read to. Remind
him that everyone is unique. Try to find an adult - someone your child
knows and who now enjoys reading - who was also a delayed reader. It can
give you (and your child) some perspective.
You should also remind him that there are many other important skills to
know and many ways to learn besides reading. Isn't he learning all the
time? Many older-blooming readers are very active physically and learn
many difficult sports and skills. Help him make a list of all the things he
knows how to do and subjects he has learned without the benefit of read-
ing. Remind him that everyone learns difficult skills when they are ready,
and reading is no different.
Ann Lahrson-Fisher
from Fundamentals of Homeschooling: Notes on Succesful Family Living
Available from Home Education Magazine
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/catalog/index.html
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Benefits of Later Literacy
You may wonder if late reading makes it more difficult for a child to take
in complex materials when he does begin to read. I have found that though
Britt read at age 4 and Maggie at age 11, by age 12 both were reading
the same material. Maggie has an easier time understanding what she
reads now since she read at a later age and therefore never read any-
thing she did not understand. It seems important that a child understand
what he reads rather than just recognizing words. It makes me think of
something Rosseau wrote in Emile, "Books teach us to talk about things
we know nothing about." Many books written for young children to read to
themselves are filled with informational material that is not very valuable
to them. Because of this I've found that children might just as well wait
until their understanding is such that the material they read can be
assim-ilated and used.
Penny Barker - from an article originally published in the Nov 1987 Home
Education Magazine, reprinted in The Homeschool Reader, second edition
Available from Home Education Magazine
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/catalog/index.html
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Serious Play
For a healthy and active fantasy life children need time, space, and pri-
vacy, or at least only as much companionship as they choose. Obviously
school, or any other large-group situation --- day care center, nursery
school, play group, etc. --- does not allow much of this. Perhaps worst
of all, they are usually under the eye and control of adults who, even if
they will allow children a fantasy life, feel they have to watch it, under-
stand what it means, judge it, make use of it. It was for just this reason
that a well-meaning and quite highly praised book, written about ten years
ago, called Fantasy and Feeling in Childhood, seemed and still seems to me
deeply mistaken. The gist of it (and there may well be many books like it)
was that if we, i.e., people who work in schools, paid enough attention to
the fantasy lives of children, we could learn to uderstand them and bend
them to our own purposes.
This would be a great mistake and a great wrong. Instead, we should be
content to watch and enjoy as much of children's fantasy lives as they
will let us see, and to take part in them, if the children ask us to and if we
can do so happily and unselfconsciously. Otherwise, we should leave them
alone. Children's fantasy is useful and important to them for many rea-
sons, but above all because it is theirs, the one part of their lives which is
wholly under their control. We must resist the temptation to make it
ours.
We must also resist the equally great temptation to think that this part
of children's lives is less important than the parts where they are doing
something "serious" --- reading, or writing, or doing schoolwork, or some-
thing that we want them to do --- or to think that we can only allow them
time for fantasy after all the important work is done, as we might give
them a piece of candy after a meal. For children, play and fantasy are
one of the main courses of the meal. Children should be able to do them,
not just in what little tag ends of time remain after all the "important"
work is done, but when they are most full of energy and enthusiasm. We
talk these days of "quality time." Children need quality time for their
fantasy and play as much as for their reading or math. They need to play
well as much as they need to read well. Indeed, we would probably find if
we looked into it that children who are not good at playing, dreaming, fan-
tasizing, are usually not much good at reading either.
John Holt, writing in Teach Your Own
Just released in a new edition from Perseus Books
(See ad below for a special offer from F.U.N. books!)
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Nonfiction DVD rentals online
HomeIsCool DVD rental store gives access to thousands of non-fiction
DVD titles. Standard Deviants titles, PBS documentaries, Discovery
Channel series and specials. Titles to help you learn algebra, play the
violin, swing dance. Meet dinosaurs, presidents, and pharoahs. Membership
plans start at $19.95 a month.
http://mentura.com/dvdrentals/HomeIsCool.html
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Web Snacks
http://www.ancientscripts.com/
Ancient Scripts - hundreds of alphabets
http://www.tradgames.org.uk/
Guide to Traditional Games
http://www.paperdolls.com/pages/pdgallry.htm
Literary paper dolls
http://www.nps.gov/learn/grgozone/grgozone.htm
Activities for kids from national park service sites
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Unschool Friendly Conferences
Feeling like a fish out of water after attending a large curriculum oriented
homeschool convention? The following conferences have unschooling presenters
and participants, including many regular posters at the unschooling.com
website and email discussion list.
The Unschoolers Network 26th Anniversary Conference
Keynote Speaker - Linda Dobson
June 28 2003
Brookdale Community College Linwood, NJ
http://www.unschooling.org/unnet/conference.htm
Free to Learn!
Keynote speakers - Patrick Farenga, Dr. Thomas Armstrong
August 15-17, 2003
Radisson Hotel Sacramento, CA
http://conference.hsc.org/
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
Keynote speaker - Sandra Dodd
August 22-24, 2003
Columbia, SC
http://www.schoolsoutsupport.org/2003conference.html
If you have information on other unschooling friendly conferences please
email the editor at newsletter@...
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
UNSCHOOLING.COM ONLINE NEWS UNCLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
For information on purchasing advertising space in this newsletter,
please contact the editor at:
newsletter@...
________________________
F.U.N. Books Special
When we acquired the John Holt Bookstore, we never thought we would
have the chance to carry a new book by John Holt (who died in 1985).
Okay, it's not a "completely" new book, but it is newly revised and has lots
of new information. Long out of print (with used copies often going for
much more than the original purchase price!), the classic "Teach Your
Own" has now been updated and re-released.
The new version is entitled "Teach Your Own - The John Holt Book of
Homeschooling." Appropriately enough, it has been updated and edited by
Patrick Farenga, the president of Holt Associates. Pat has combined
personal stories and the resources from his own book, "The Beginners
Guide to Homeschooling," with this classic work by the father of the
modern homeschooling movement. The original was published in 1981 and
was the source of inspiration for many parents considering homeschool.
Holt's words are every bit as inspiring today and show a timeless common
sense that will have you nodding your head in agreement as you read
along.
This book will help you avoid the trap of turning your home into a
miniature school. Instead, you will be encouraged to take advantage of the
flexibility homeschooling offers you to provide an educational
experience that is nearly impossible to duplicate in schools. If you are
already homeschooling but have ever had moments of self-doubt, or
wondered how to face relatives who question your decision, then this
book will restore your confidence and remind you of the many benefits of
the path you have chosen. If you are just getting started or only
considering homeschooling, then this book will help open your eyes about
the many possibilities and will supply you with a wealth of information and
resources to help you on your way.
Legal advice and suggestions for countering common objections to
homeschooling are included. An extensive bibliography and several
appendices will provide you with information on other books,
correspondence programs, curriculum suppliers, helpful private schools,
homeschooling organizations, learning materials, and opportunities and
activities. This is a "must have" book for every homeschooler!
List price is $18.00, but for a limited time is available from FUN Books
for $12.50. Go to http://www.fun-books.com/specials.htm
________________________
HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINE
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com
In the May/June issue of Home Education Magazine, you'll enjoy
articles on playing with Shakespeare, unchoring, detective challenges,
real desks for real kids, and more! Column topics include: David Albert
reveals what he learned in school, Becky Rupp measures up, Ann Lahrson
Fishher with News and Commentary, Linda Dobson talks to herself, and
Sandra Dodd has a typical day. Other columnists include Larry and Susan
Kaseman, Laura Weldon, Ann Zeise, Elizabeth McCullough and Carol
Narigon. HEM also offers a popular essay by publisher Helen Hegener,
classified ads, letters and discussion, pen pals and networking, and more.
Subscriptions to Home Education Magazine are regularly $32.00 for one
year/6 issues; single issue $6.50. To subscribe, visit our website at
http://home-ed-magazine.com or send a check to Home Education
Magazine, PO Box 1083, Tonasket WA 98855; for orders: toll-free
1-800-236-3278; email orders@.... MC/Visa accepted.
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
The Last Word
I wish I had a dollar for every ... defender of the schools who talks about
Real Life; it's almost never the fascinating courses, or the challenging
teachers - their only concern [is] that home-schooled children will miss
the "social life" of schools. And when I point out that for the most part
the social life of schools is mean-spirited, selfish, snobbish, conformist,
ruthless, cold-hearted and often downright cruel and violent, nobody
disagrees. "That's Real Life.'" they say, ... "[y]ou have to prepare children
for the real world. How else are they ever going to get along with
others?" Notice that they don't mean others who treat each other with
kindness and dignity; they can't seem to conceive of that ...
Never before published 1981 interview with John Holt
http://www.rationalreview.com/archive/stevetrinward/stevetrinward042103.html
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Thanks for reading the Unschooling.com newsletter! Feel free to
forward this newsletter to all your friends, your local support
group, and your mother-in-law!
To subscribe, visit our web site at http://www.unschooling.com
or send an email to majordomo@... with
the words subscribe unschooling-newsletter followed by your
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( subscribe unschooling-newsletter yourname@...).
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See you in June!
Deborah A Cunefare, Newsletter Editor
newsletter@...
Unschooling.com is a service of Home Education Magazine
UNSCHOOLING.COM ONLINE NEWS
Mid-May 2003
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
In this Issue:
Reading Roads
Older Blooming Readers
Benefits of Later Literacy
Serious Play
Web Snacks
Unschool Friendly Conferences
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Reading Roads
Learning to read is like learning to ride a bicycle. Some kids are presented
with training wheels at an early age. Some receive formal instruction.
Some watch older siblings. Some are given shiny new bikes for Christmas,
just the right size, and some forage some old beat-up balloon-tired Schwinn
from a neighbor's dilapidated garage. Some peddle along on the sides of
bicycles made for adults, the only available two-wheelers, so
large they can't reach their leg over the cross-bar or otherwise get to
the peddles. For some it takes months to get up the nerve to try. Others
just jump on without any preparation whatsoever and ride away. Some are
younger, some are older; some end up loving it, and others decide they
have more important things to do with their time and energy.
The kids learn to read if there are lots of children's books in the house,
adult books, or just a few old magazines. They learn to read if they are
read aloud to from the time they can sit up, or if storytime is ignored.
They learn to read if they watch Sesame Street, or the X files, or if
television isn't allowed in the house. They learn to read even if they are
obsessed with computer games that require no reading, or if all they
seem interested in is gymnastics or dance or the succesors to Pokemon.
They learn to read if they have powers of concentration that would put
adults to shame, or if they never seem to be able to sit still.
David Albert
from the new book, Homeschooling and the Voyage of Self-Discovery
Visit him at www.skylarksings.com
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Older Blooming Readers
If your child shows little interest in learning to read on her own, she may
be an older-bloooming reader. I'll tell you not to worry, that your child will
learn to read in her own good time. Not worrying is not so easy, though,
particularly when siblings, sometimes younger siblings, or the public
school children across the street, are reading chapter books and your
child hasn't mastered a primer such as the Bob Books, and worse yet,
doesn't appear to have any desire to read. Try to avoid panicking, and
don't let your child know that you are worried.
Homeschooling families can avoid the biggest disadvantage to late reading
- feeling stupid. If your child is an older blooming reader, be happy he is
homeschooling and not in school being labeled learning disabled (because
he is not) or feeling humiliated by teachers and peers. Reassure your
child (if he is concerned) that he will find his own time and way of learning
to read. Meanwhile, keep the love of reading alive. Tell him over and over
that you know he loves reading because he enjoys being read to. Remind
him that everyone is unique. Try to find an adult - someone your child
knows and who now enjoys reading - who was also a delayed reader. It can
give you (and your child) some perspective.
You should also remind him that there are many other important skills to
know and many ways to learn besides reading. Isn't he learning all the
time? Many older-blooming readers are very active physically and learn
many difficult sports and skills. Help him make a list of all the things he
knows how to do and subjects he has learned without the benefit of read-
ing. Remind him that everyone learns difficult skills when they are ready,
and reading is no different.
Ann Lahrson-Fisher
from Fundamentals of Homeschooling: Notes on Succesful Family Living
Available from Home Education Magazine
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/catalog/index.html
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Benefits of Later Literacy
You may wonder if late reading makes it more difficult for a child to take
in complex materials when he does begin to read. I have found that though
Britt read at age 4 and Maggie at age 11, by age 12 both were reading
the same material. Maggie has an easier time understanding what she
reads now since she read at a later age and therefore never read any-
thing she did not understand. It seems important that a child understand
what he reads rather than just recognizing words. It makes me think of
something Rosseau wrote in Emile, "Books teach us to talk about things
we know nothing about." Many books written for young children to read to
themselves are filled with informational material that is not very valuable
to them. Because of this I've found that children might just as well wait
until their understanding is such that the material they read can be
assim-ilated and used.
Penny Barker - from an article originally published in the Nov 1987 Home
Education Magazine, reprinted in The Homeschool Reader, second edition
Available from Home Education Magazine
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/catalog/index.html
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Serious Play
For a healthy and active fantasy life children need time, space, and pri-
vacy, or at least only as much companionship as they choose. Obviously
school, or any other large-group situation --- day care center, nursery
school, play group, etc. --- does not allow much of this. Perhaps worst
of all, they are usually under the eye and control of adults who, even if
they will allow children a fantasy life, feel they have to watch it, under-
stand what it means, judge it, make use of it. It was for just this reason
that a well-meaning and quite highly praised book, written about ten years
ago, called Fantasy and Feeling in Childhood, seemed and still seems to me
deeply mistaken. The gist of it (and there may well be many books like it)
was that if we, i.e., people who work in schools, paid enough attention to
the fantasy lives of children, we could learn to uderstand them and bend
them to our own purposes.
This would be a great mistake and a great wrong. Instead, we should be
content to watch and enjoy as much of children's fantasy lives as they
will let us see, and to take part in them, if the children ask us to and if we
can do so happily and unselfconsciously. Otherwise, we should leave them
alone. Children's fantasy is useful and important to them for many rea-
sons, but above all because it is theirs, the one part of their lives which is
wholly under their control. We must resist the temptation to make it
ours.
We must also resist the equally great temptation to think that this part
of children's lives is less important than the parts where they are doing
something "serious" --- reading, or writing, or doing schoolwork, or some-
thing that we want them to do --- or to think that we can only allow them
time for fantasy after all the important work is done, as we might give
them a piece of candy after a meal. For children, play and fantasy are
one of the main courses of the meal. Children should be able to do them,
not just in what little tag ends of time remain after all the "important"
work is done, but when they are most full of energy and enthusiasm. We
talk these days of "quality time." Children need quality time for their
fantasy and play as much as for their reading or math. They need to play
well as much as they need to read well. Indeed, we would probably find if
we looked into it that children who are not good at playing, dreaming, fan-
tasizing, are usually not much good at reading either.
John Holt, writing in Teach Your Own
Just released in a new edition from Perseus Books
(See ad below for a special offer from F.U.N. books!)
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Nonfiction DVD rentals online
HomeIsCool DVD rental store gives access to thousands of non-fiction
DVD titles. Standard Deviants titles, PBS documentaries, Discovery
Channel series and specials. Titles to help you learn algebra, play the
violin, swing dance. Meet dinosaurs, presidents, and pharoahs. Membership
plans start at $19.95 a month.
http://mentura.com/dvdrentals/HomeIsCool.html
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Web Snacks
http://www.ancientscripts.com/
Ancient Scripts - hundreds of alphabets
http://www.tradgames.org.uk/
Guide to Traditional Games
http://www.paperdolls.com/pages/pdgallry.htm
Literary paper dolls
http://www.nps.gov/learn/grgozone/grgozone.htm
Activities for kids from national park service sites
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
Unschool Friendly Conferences
Feeling like a fish out of water after attending a large curriculum oriented
homeschool convention? The following conferences have unschooling presenters
and participants, including many regular posters at the unschooling.com
website and email discussion list.
The Unschoolers Network 26th Anniversary Conference
Keynote Speaker - Linda Dobson
June 28 2003
Brookdale Community College Linwood, NJ
http://www.unschooling.org/unnet/conference.htm
Free to Learn!
Keynote speakers - Patrick Farenga, Dr. Thomas Armstrong
August 15-17, 2003
Radisson Hotel Sacramento, CA
http://conference.hsc.org/
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
Keynote speaker - Sandra Dodd
August 22-24, 2003
Columbia, SC
http://www.schoolsoutsupport.org/2003conference.html
If you have information on other unschooling friendly conferences please
email the editor at newsletter@...
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
UNSCHOOLING.COM ONLINE NEWS UNCLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
For information on purchasing advertising space in this newsletter,
please contact the editor at:
newsletter@...
________________________
F.U.N. Books Special
When we acquired the John Holt Bookstore, we never thought we would
have the chance to carry a new book by John Holt (who died in 1985).
Okay, it's not a "completely" new book, but it is newly revised and has lots
of new information. Long out of print (with used copies often going for
much more than the original purchase price!), the classic "Teach Your
Own" has now been updated and re-released.
The new version is entitled "Teach Your Own - The John Holt Book of
Homeschooling." Appropriately enough, it has been updated and edited by
Patrick Farenga, the president of Holt Associates. Pat has combined
personal stories and the resources from his own book, "The Beginners
Guide to Homeschooling," with this classic work by the father of the
modern homeschooling movement. The original was published in 1981 and
was the source of inspiration for many parents considering homeschool.
Holt's words are every bit as inspiring today and show a timeless common
sense that will have you nodding your head in agreement as you read
along.
This book will help you avoid the trap of turning your home into a
miniature school. Instead, you will be encouraged to take advantage of the
flexibility homeschooling offers you to provide an educational
experience that is nearly impossible to duplicate in schools. If you are
already homeschooling but have ever had moments of self-doubt, or
wondered how to face relatives who question your decision, then this
book will restore your confidence and remind you of the many benefits of
the path you have chosen. If you are just getting started or only
considering homeschooling, then this book will help open your eyes about
the many possibilities and will supply you with a wealth of information and
resources to help you on your way.
Legal advice and suggestions for countering common objections to
homeschooling are included. An extensive bibliography and several
appendices will provide you with information on other books,
correspondence programs, curriculum suppliers, helpful private schools,
homeschooling organizations, learning materials, and opportunities and
activities. This is a "must have" book for every homeschooler!
List price is $18.00, but for a limited time is available from FUN Books
for $12.50. Go to http://www.fun-books.com/specials.htm
________________________
HOME EDUCATION MAGAZINE
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com
In the May/June issue of Home Education Magazine, you'll enjoy
articles on playing with Shakespeare, unchoring, detective challenges,
real desks for real kids, and more! Column topics include: David Albert
reveals what he learned in school, Becky Rupp measures up, Ann Lahrson
Fishher with News and Commentary, Linda Dobson talks to herself, and
Sandra Dodd has a typical day. Other columnists include Larry and Susan
Kaseman, Laura Weldon, Ann Zeise, Elizabeth McCullough and Carol
Narigon. HEM also offers a popular essay by publisher Helen Hegener,
classified ads, letters and discussion, pen pals and networking, and more.
Subscriptions to Home Education Magazine are regularly $32.00 for one
year/6 issues; single issue $6.50. To subscribe, visit our website at
http://home-ed-magazine.com or send a check to Home Education
Magazine, PO Box 1083, Tonasket WA 98855; for orders: toll-free
1-800-236-3278; email orders@.... MC/Visa accepted.
:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:
The Last Word
I wish I had a dollar for every ... defender of the schools who talks about
Real Life; it's almost never the fascinating courses, or the challenging
teachers - their only concern [is] that home-schooled children will miss
the "social life" of schools. And when I point out that for the most part
the social life of schools is mean-spirited, selfish, snobbish, conformist,
ruthless, cold-hearted and often downright cruel and violent, nobody
disagrees. "That's Real Life.'" they say, ... "[y]ou have to prepare children
for the real world. How else are they ever going to get along with
others?" Notice that they don't mean others who treat each other with
kindness and dignity; they can't seem to conceive of that ...
Never before published 1981 interview with John Holt
http://www.rationalreview.com/archive/stevetrinward/stevetrinward042103.html
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