Deb Lewis

Someone one from another list wrote me off list to ask why so many
unschoolers who like John Holt seemed so "radical". She said she'd read
Holt and didn't get from his writing what was being described at
unschooling.com or some other lists.

After a few exchanges turns out she had only read "How Children Learn."

I wonder how many people, who think the unschooling philosophy as it's
discussed on this list is "radical unschooling" and somehow removed from
what John Holt was talking about. Of those people I wonder how many
read beyond "How Children Learn".

I recently read "Escape From Childhood" again and a few days ago started
re-reading "Teach Your Own."

In chapter ten, "Learning Without Teaching" Holt says this. "Life is
full of ironies. I wrote "How Children Learn" hoping to help introduce
the natural, effortless, and effective ways of learning of the happy home
into the schools. At times I fear I may only have helped to bring the
strained, self-conscious, painful and ineffective ways of learning of the
schools into the home. To parents I say, above all else, don't let your
home become some terrible miniature copy of the school. No lesson plans!
No quizzes! No tests! No report cards! Even leaving your kids alone
would be better; at least they could figure out some things on their own.
Live together, as well as you can; enjoy life together, as much as you
can. Ask questions to find out something about the world itself, not to
find out whether or not someone knows it."

Deb L

Robyn Coburn

<<After a few exchanges turns out she had only read "How Children Learn."

I wonder how many people, who think the unschooling philosophy as it's
discussed on this list is "radical unschooling" and somehow removed from
what John Holt was talking about. Of those people I wonder how many
read beyond "How Children Learn".>>

Also it is important to get the latest edition of these earlier books, with
the revisions and footnotes - some of which are along the lines of "I'm
sorry I wrote that then, and I don't believe it now".

Robyn L. Coburn

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Have a Nice Day!

> Also it is important to get the latest edition of these earlier books,
with
> the revisions and footnotes - some of which are along the lines of "I'm
> sorry I wrote that then, and I don't believe it now".


I didn't know there was such an animal. I think I only read the original
versions.

I'll have to check that out!

Kristen