Julie Bogart

I met with the certified teacher here in Ohio to go over our first complete year of
unschooling. We are supposed to give evidence of progress in the various subject
categories required by the state. This was my first time that I didn't have a single
workbook to show her. She's a wonderful friend and homeschooler who dislikes textbook
based education (she's more eclectic). So I was comfortable with her but nervous that even
still I might not match the expectations.

What I decided to do this year is to write an individual narrative for each of my five kids. I
focused on how each one spent his or her time and gave subhead categories. I didn't
flinch. I listed their areas of interest in order so my first category for my 7 year old was
"TV" and focused on her extenisve knowledge of Disney sit coms. For my 10 year old son, I
declared his first category: Computer Gaming. I detailed his mastery of War Craft and Star
Craft. For my third child, I began by discussing his passion for all things Lord of the Rings.
I went on to express how they learned math etc. but I started with the most controversial
topics.

I figured that if my narratives didn't reveal "enough" education according to the certified
teacher's standards, she'd let me know and I'd figure out a way to meet those
expectations. But if I could be straightforward without finessing the language, then I knew
I'd never look back about unschooling.

Several wonderful things occurred in the process.

First, I enjoyed writing these narratives. It felt like a time capsule of their treasures. I could
see the way they learned, what they valued and how they spent their lives (well-spent!).

Second, my kids loved hearing me read them. They were astonished at all they had learned
this year. I asked each one to let me know if I had over-stated or forgotten to include
anything. My 12 year old who often worries that he isn't getting an education said at the
end of his narration, "Wow! I learned so much this year. Can we write something like this
each month? It really helps me to see how I'm learning."

Third, the certified teacher loved what I did for my kids. She said two things, "Now this is
what I call an education." She also said, "Let's always schedule you last. I get so tired of
Abeka and Bob Jones paraded through my living room as education."

I told the truth - I shared their strenghts and weaknesses. I expressed it all in common
language. And I included personal comments that they the kids had made about what they
were learning.

In addition to the individual narratives, I included a description of a day at the art museum
with my kids. I wanted her to see what a typical outing to the msuem is like for us and all
the ways that the kids reveal the complex, intergrated knowledge they've gained and how
they use it. She loved this as well.

If anyone's interested, I'd be happy to post one of them or email them. I will post the art
museum narrative. It was an especially fun one to write and helped me to affirm the
education happening within my kids.

Just thought those wondering how to quantify unschooling might like some examples and
encouragement.

Julie B

Gerard Westenberg

<<If anyone's interested, I'd be happy to post one of them or email them. >>>

Hey, Julie - I'm interested. I am always looking at new ways of representing our learning and unschooling for our yearly education department visit. If you prefer, you can email me privately...Leonie westen@...


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