Whether you tuned into President Obama's Back to School Speech or not, here is a cute parody of it done by an unschooler who would love some positive feed back.   Please check out the link.  If you like it, please feel free to laugh and forward and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...Let him know you enjoyed the read.

Unschooling.  Oh, how I've come to love saying 'Unschooling' and even better then the sound of the word, is the actual living of a Radical Unschooling life! I've come to love the shock effect when people ask me which school my son attends and I reply, "Oh, he doesn't go to school. We unschool."

I've grown so use to the blank stare, the confused expressions, the need to translate the term 'unschooling' into something that they can wrap their head around. Oh sure, it would be much easier to simply say we homeschool. After all, unschooling is considered one form of homeschooling, but for those who have actually looked into the different forms, they will tell you that unschooling is nothing like doing school at home.

With unschooling, there are no tests, no grades, no curriculum, no grade levels, no need to read till the child desires to do so. The same concept applies to writing, math, science, social studies, English,....you get the point. There is absolutely no rules towards much of anything. Nope! Nada. Children are left to move at their own natural pace, be it a slow one, an average one, a fast one, or completely unique to the child. The later tends to be the more accurate way most seem to go in the unschooling world.

No, the previous paragraph doesn't mean we neglect our children. Please don't even bother following that thought path as from my observations, I would say that the oposite is true. Unschooling parents are very involved with their children and helping them learn everything! This is a hard concept to grasp so I like to describe it as how a loving mom helps her baby grow. She supplies interesting experiences, and learning opportunities. She points out a bird, and will draw her child's attention to it while saying 'bird' (or for some of us, 'Look at the Blue Jay'). Nobody ever questions all the wonderful ways new parents help their baby grow into a curious toddler then on to a smart young child...then that same curious and smart child reaches the age of five and most parents will bundle them up and send them away for most of their day. For unschoolers? Well, unschoolers aren't in such a hurry, unschoolers tend to be able to wait to bundle up their children till the child is ready to leave the nest on their own.

For some, college will be a choice they choose to pursue, but after what I've written above, many readers are probably wondering,"Just how can an unschooler get into college?" Well? The answer is, EASY!

I currently have two children in college. One started at age 17 and the other at age 16. My 11yo is also elgible but he would rather wait till he is taller. He figures he might go at age 15. Do I worry how they will do? Absolutely not. They all are and will do well. There are many reasons they will do well. The most important one being that they are there by their own choice. Having a choice and being responsible for yourself is very empowering. Unschoolers tend to be very empowered individuals.

They have faith in themselves that they can learn anything they want to learn. Most unschoolers are very knowledgable as they have been learning and living and exploring for years! College isn't just a first taste of freedom so failing doesn't tend to happen. So as I was looking for good links to back up my story here, I came across files and files of great information on how to get your unschooler into college. There is advise on how to prepare for the SAT or ACT. There is advise on how to translate an unschooling life into 'schoolese' therefore creating a transcript outlining a life of learning. But as I reveiwed these links, which I will include at the bottom for you to puruse, I thought what is it that you are REALLY asking?

Sure, sure, local community colleges let everyone in. The actual knowledge level doesn't matter. What if your child wishes to go to a high end college? Say Princeton University? Well, I know what I've read, but you don't want to hear second hand rumor. Lets go to Princetown and see what they want. If you click here, you will be taken to their Applying for Admission page.

Here is a snippet from that page: "As you prepare your application, help us to appreciate your talents, academic accomplishments and personal achievements. We'll ask for your transcript and recommendations, and we will want to know more than just the statistics in your file. Tell us your story. Show us what’s special about you. Tell us how you would seize the academic and non-academic opportunities at Princeton and contribute to the Princeton community. Above all, please write in a style that reflects your own voice."

Hmmmm.....sounds like the unique life learning of an Unschooler would fit rather well for what they are looking for.

Here are more links for those that would like ideas on how to prepare transcripts and other information on how to help an Unschooler get into college:

Sandra Dodd has a wonderful collection of articles on this topic. Click here.

Joyce Fetteroll also has a wonderful information page here.

Kennedy Space Center invited their employees to invite their friends and families for a behind the scenes tour of the actual facility! Since my husband's best friend is employed there, we were included in this special event! Thanks John!! We love you!
 
And so the tour begins =): This is the back end of the real space shuttle minus it's engines. They take them out after every flight to check them out before the next flight.
This is a shot of one of the moving walls inside the OPF (Orbitor Processing Facility). By moving the walls, the space shuttle can be brought in easily and then worked on once the walls move in close.
Here is the Space Shuttle inside the OPF. This is the under belly of the space shuttle. The green tags mark tiles that need replacing.

This picture speaks for itself =P
 
George in front of one of the Space Shuttle's engines.
Dad & son in front of engine.
 
Sibling love.
 
How would you like a set of these at $4500.00 each?
This is a demonstration of just how much control they have over the crane they use. They have this monstrous wheel sitting on an egg. Interesting...



Dad explaining how it all works. These are the moments that I treasure being married to an extremely smart engineering minded man. =D
 
Now this is my type of tool! This is an airbrush!!
Pilot Parachute.
 
Learning happens all the time.
 

Hey there everyone!  As you know, I'm always looking for new and interesting ways to promote further exploration of many things.  Well, today I feel like I've come across a gold mine!!  So of course, I have to share. 

Studio 4 Learning is a website that explores and explains Math, Sciences, English, Languages, Business, Arts, Test Prep, Find a Job, and Tutor Corps.  How's that for being an awesome site for teenagers and young adults (and those of us who like to believe we're young adults still, hehehe)?

Oh....you want the link??  (Almost forgot...)

http://studio4learning.tv/index.php

Check it out!

As many of you who read here know, both my spouse and I are full-time working parents whom have chosen to unschool our youngest child.  In stepping off the mainstream path most people follow, we have had to learn some new concepts and ideals about just what constitutes a real education and just what constitutes real value in ones life.  These conversations have lead to much reflection on both of our childhoods, time spent with friends, time spent with parents, and just how did these life events effect our overall growth and life choices.

My spouse had an incredibly happy and carefree childhood.  His father was an incredible man, deep thinker, inventor, who traveled through his life in a very unique way.  His mother was a woman far ahead of the ladies of her generation, working in a man's world, piloting planes when very few women even stepped near a cockpit.  These two people raised a very interesting man that I'm proud to call my husband.

So....now let me share with you why this praise is being shared today.

In choosing to unschool, as working parents, we needed to find a way to keep each other informed (or more so, he needs to keep me as recordkeeper, informed) of just what type of topics are discussed, learned, and or played with.  Recently, we have started using emails as they make for easy filing and future reference.  So here is the recent email I just received on just what these two deep thinkers have been discussing:

From my spouse:

George and I are studying Perpetual Motion Machines today.   This covers basic physics, research techniques and critical thinking.  As usual George has impressed me with his understanding of the world around him, which is well beyond his years.

George's entry:

Perpetual motion machines are machines that last infinitely without any outside energy.  One example is where there is a water wheel that powers a generator that powers a pump which pumps the water back up to the water wheel.

This is impossible because of friction. The friction between the water wheel and the generator converts some of the energy into heat this heat is not harnessed so the machine always loses some energy and will eventually grind to a stop.

In raising children, it is truly a blessing when two parents can find some balance and work together to enrich their children's lives.  I've been incredibly fortunate to have such a spouse.

Hi friends,

I've been getting private emails asking me about unschooling along with being in a few unschooling groups where these same questions come up so I thought I'd share a recent post with you all.  Whether you homeschool or unschool, I believe the most important point is to 'see what your kids are gaining from the experience and not on what you think they are missing.'  So many parents are finding their children ever so sad in the 'school system'.  I would like to encourage those parents that there truly is a better way. 

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Most of all though, my daughter lives life with me, shopping, cooking, taking care of the house, helping with little ones, volunteering at church, talking loving and laughing. She is learning and happy and we are closer than ever. When you make the leap into home schooling, I think it is important to see what your kids are gaining from the experience and not on what you think they are missing.
 
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The above statement makes very good points.  Learning happens everywhere.  If you run a business, share that knowledge of HOW to run a business.  I don't mean in a 'schooly' way but as something you do and openly share should your child have an interest to see what you are doing.  My parents owned a skating rink when I was growing up.  I could run the business by the time I was a teenager.  I knew our vendors, clients, bookkeeping, policies, could sell skates, make schedules, book parties, etc.  It gave me a great sense of just what is involved in running a business.  Shoot, by the time I was an older teen and driving, I could even make the bank deposits! 
 
My spouse is an engineer, mechanic, firefighter, EMT, welder, horse trainer, scuba diver, pilot, ....and the list could go on.  He shares all his knowledge with the kids.  My oldest daughter (18) speaks four languages, welds, dances, is a certified Firefighter/EMT now, and is thinking about becoming a doctor.  We have never discouraged her.  She is incredibly smart.  Our second daughter (16) is now in college and loving it.  Our youngest will talk physics to you for hours on hours if you allow him to. 
 
Life is short.  Run with it.  You will be amazed at just how much curious minds want to know.   Remember to relax.  If your child has been in the 'school system' it will take them time to find thier own footing in the unschooling freedom so start simply by saying yes more and no less.  One day at a time.
 
Peace and Laughter!
Vicki

Orlando Science Center is having an Otronicon!  What's an Otronicon? It's a convention that allows serious gamers and the wannabes get a sneek peek at all the latest and coolest innovations of the digital revolution!  They also have the some of the oldies available.  Everything is set up to play!  Does this not just sound like the perfect field trip? Too bad I work.

Just kidding.  Actually, this is where my spouse gets to jump in on all the fun and spend the day exploring with the kids.  James took all three of them, even the oldest who had worked all night (and should have been sleeping) to the Science Center, renewed our yearly membership, then spent the day playing game after game.  He told me he hadn't realized just how much of a spectator sport  Rock Band was.  The crowds cheered and clapped for the preformers (players).

Rock Band on Stage but not my kids playing at this time. =)

 11yo George looking at a display.

 18yo Caylee proving you're never too old? 

 And two pictures I can't explain...

Photos curtesy of Melissa.