Homeschool vs. Unschool

We are nothing if not eclectic. We most definately wouldn't be considered

 "traditional" schoolers- although, we do read the classics.

By my definition we aren't hardcore "unschoolers" - although we spend

as much time as possible learning while sitting around the campfire

 and walking in the woods.

The boys are thriving this way.

I smiled the other day as I listened to my 6 year old explain to my 5 year old

exactly how clouds work and what makes it rain.

They identify birds and bugs that I've never even heard of;

then they tell you what it eats & how it lives.

I think that's pretty exciting!

Don't get me wrong- I understand it isn't for everyone;

but it works for us.

We do sit down at the table and have writing assignments,

 and I do actually plan lessons-

but, I take the boys interests to heart when planning those lessons

because - well, "forcing" boys to sit still everyday for long periods

and do things they HATE is most

definately NOT my idea of a  happy family life.

I don't happen to believe that it makes for a very efficient learning

environment either!

Although I love the idea behind Unschooling - I am not willing to wait

until my 6 year old decides it's time to learn to read to teach him that skill.

He would be about 30.

Seriously.

There are many different levels of Unschooling -

Dr. Sandy Gluckman drew my attention to

  an interesting article (here) by

jconline.com on the topic -

 If their sited definition is correct:

"Unschooling is a subset of Homeschooling that is more eclectic,

child-led, and less structured than traditional Homeschooling or Public

schooling. The emphasis is on natural and perpetual learning and does not

focus on a fixed curriculum."

. . . then I'd have to say - We're all about it!

The article named author Patrick Farenga as the source for the definition

 and quoted him as saying,

 "I define it as allowing your children as much freedom to explore the

world as you can comfortably bear as a parent."

Personally, I just call that parenting.

After all, isn't that a big part of what we are here for; to teach our

children how to safely navigate their way around the world independently?

I think that by it's definition, Unschooling is open to a lot different interpretation.

When I first heard the term I immediately googled it and read

everything I could on the topic.

It was my understanding that true hardcore Unschoolers don't really

teach at all, but rather let their children do whatever they are interested in doing.

As crazy as it sounds, I read a lot of statements from parents swearing

that not only did their children eventually decide that they

wanted to read and write, but that they went on

to higher math & into college.

If a child loves video games, they eventually need to learn to read

in order to advance as a gamer. RIGHT?

I'm too much of a control freak to completely let them direct

their own education, but I was just interrupted by my 10 year old who asked

'how much longer until Christmas?'

In the true spirit of Unschooling- my answer was,

'Go look at the calendar'.

He's sitting beside me as I type, and has counted the months, the days,

and is currently calculating the weeks, hours, and minutes until Christmas!

We do this:

And we do this:

 I take each child's talents and interests

into consideration as I loosely lay out our plans for each week.

For instance:

My youngest child has struggled with learning his letters.

He's a smart boy; but we can make "G's" all day long and then he'll

turn around and tell you it's an "E"

He is also quite the budding artist:

(I happen to think a very good one at only 5 years of age!)

Instead of pulling my hair out when he makes pages of

nice little letters and then calls them the wrong name-

I use art to help him learn:

Yup, yellow and blue make Green.

"Gg" is for Green

The 6 year old couldn't be left out of this one-

We made G's with our fingers and also used the pencil eraser:

When that got old- we snipped the corner of the baggie and

drizzled Gg's onto art paper.

Although creative, this looks a lot like regular school to me.

This:

. . . not so much.

But, writing a paper about

"The History of Surfing" works.

So does visiting the Sea Turtle rescue center & learning as much as

we can about the marine life around us.

Although learning to throw a cast net doesn't look much like

"curriculum" to most people:

An obsession (not an exaggeration) with fishing

and with art is exactly what it has taken to get this little guy to

start remembering his letters and the sounds they make.

In our house "Ff" is MOST definately for FISHING!

Are we traditional "Homeschool" or "Unschool"?

Yes, No, and Sometimes.

Ultimately (even though the boys have to do plenty of things they

don't particularly like - such as learn to write) it is my desire to instill a love

for learning and a passion for investigating the world around them.

I like to call it:

"FunSchool"

*Dr. Sandy Gluckman- www.ParentsTakeCharge.com is an advocate for

children and is asking parents and teachers to wake up and realize that

the behavior and learning problems we are seeing in children across the

country is largely (95%) due to and triggered by stress. Please take the

time to read the valuable information she has provided on her site.

You won't be sorry! 

*First and foremost before we make any decisions in our family or

family homeschool- we pray. Praying for our children has made all

the difference. Our adopted son, in particular has many things to

overcome & we find that God consistently brings us the information we need.

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