Is this a paradox? - Jul. 28, 2005
A online course about unschooling. A paradox? I don't think so. I am thrilled for a great resource to answer the many questions that people have about unschooling. Here is the introduction and the objectives:
| Introduction |  |
FREE Course: The unschooling approach to homeschooling is not a new approach to learning. Its the way we learn naturally when left to follow our interests. Its also the way most children learned before modern compulsory schooling. Unschooling is not a method, as you will learn, but a flexible approach for individual families and individual children.
Unschooling acknowledges that we learn all the time, that all learning is important, and that learning occurs within the learner. It cannot be caused to occur or prevented from occurring, but a childs natural curiosity and love of learning can be inhibited through the use of coercion.
The difference between unschooling and other approaches to homeschooling are most notable not in practice but in philosophy. Unschooling is a frame of mind, a way of seeing the world, of being in the world. Unschooling prompts us to question the true best interests of our children and ourselves, to question our true natures, and it encourages us to be respectful and mindful in all things.
Objectives I am looking forward to taking the course myself as a refresher and boost during a time of year that can be quite challenging. As those around me prepare to send their children off to school and others around me are making lesson plans and purchasing curriculum, I begin to question our decision to unschool. This is just what I need to strengthen my resolve. By the way, I found this course listed on the resource page of the home page of homeschoolblogger. If you haven't visited there yet, make time to do so soon. Great links!! -- Cynthia
This course includes lessons on the following topics.
Comments
Jul. 29, 2005 - Sounds interesting. Very interesting.
Posted by Belinda
Doubts and fears do seem to jump out at us around August and 'school back in progress.' So glad you posted this info here. I may be taking this course as well. Going to check it out now! God bless. Belinda
Aug. 7, 2005 - that's interesting...
Posted by Gayle
We have one son, recently turned 5. I've been researching approaches, and thought I'd figured out what we would do, but the more I read about it, the more I realized it's not us. Now I'm not sure what "approach" we are doing... I'm thinking "eclectic" with a good dose of interest led learning. He does enjoy colorful activity books, but he learned to read on his own anyway. (Mainly I got the books to get him to use some sort of writing instrument: crayon, marker, paintbrush, whatever! He's never been overly excited about artwork. He'd prefer to dance and sing all day.) Anyway, I enjoy reading your journal which gives me some ideas of unschooling too. Wondering if that will be the path we end up taking... Looking to God for guidance, for sure! I'm still at Bravenet (chubbysfamily), but I'm going to update my link for you to this journal. Hope you don't mind. Blessings to you.
