I first came across Peter Gray’s work in a Psychology Today column. He’s a brilliant psychologist and unpacks the value of play and unschooling using solid research.
This talk once again reinforces to me how much I’ve been brainwashed by the education system.
Schools today have shaped most of our thinking…to our detriment and to the detriment of society as a whole.
Filed under: Free Range Education, Uncategorized | Tagged: Peter Gray, play, unschooling | 1 Comment »
My friend, Lisa Nielsen, really knocked it out of the park with this article, Is the Common Core and Attack on Progressive Education.
I met Lisa on Facebook, she is the founder of an unschooling group there and I encourage you to connect with her there. You can also find her at the Innovative Educator website.
One of the greatest things about the internet age is the ability to connect with like-minded people . The unschooling community, in times past, has been considered a bit of a fringe group. But no more.
When I read Lisa’s brilliant distillation of what’s going on in the world of education, not only do I learn from her, I am greatly encouraged that we unschoolers really are on to something! The unschooling pioneers understood this and now we have the benefit of not only their testimonies, but solid research too.
What about you? Anyone you care to give a shout out to? Leave a comment!
Filed under: education, Free Range Education, homeschooling, Public schooling | Leave a Comment »
I’ll never forget the conversation I had with a woman a few years ago. She was wringing her hands, eyes were filled with anxiety. “He’ll have over a hundred thousand dollars in student loan debt,” she told me. Her son was studying German and hoped to get a….uh…not sure what he wanted to get.
I asked her if he had considered simply moving to Germany for a year or more to get fluent? He could earn money, learn German and understand the culture better. Not to mention help him sort out what he’d like to do.
I could almost hear the gate crashing down and the key being tossed aside. DON’T go there!
It was clear she was unable to see past the “you must get a college degree to be successful” thinking. Even though she was connecting the dots with the debt with which this kid was getting saddled, she just couldn’t let go of her paradigm.
Believing is seeing.
When we settle on a belief…be it the moon is made out of green cheese or you must have a degree to be successful…we will find ways to substantiate that belief. Even if it’s unreasonable.
And no, I’m not against college. For some kids, it IS a vital part of their education and preparation for their career.
But all too often, parents overlook some very important alternatives. This article from a Tennessee news station illustrates my point.
Here’s a few tidbits:
Nearly 30% of Americans with associate’s degrees now make more than those with bachelor’s degrees, according to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. In fact, other recent research in several states shows that, on average, community college graduates right out of school make more than graduates of four-year universities….
A two-year community college degree, at present full rates, costs about $6,262, according to the College Board. A bachelor’s degree from a four-year, private residential university goes for $158,072.
There are lots of great options!
But first…you might have to examine your beliefs.
Filed under: College education, education, Free Range Education, homeschooling, The Mother Lode Project | 2 Comments »
It’s a favorite question among homeschool moms. And one asked by those curious about homeschooling. But when I really cringe is when I hear it asked by parents of preschoolers. Or parents with special needs’ kids.
The question?
What curriculum do you use?
GAH!!! Even Captain Picard finds that question exasperating.
For starters, the scope and sequence which defines any curriculum is arbitrary. I mean think about it….who the hell decided all 10th graders should take geometry?
Furthermore, how it’s all diced up and compartmentalized, removes most (all?) learning out of its natural habitat. Is it any wonder the kids are disengaged from school?
It’s not a sign that the kids need incentivizing, it’s a sign that the blasted system is irrelevant and broken beyond repair.
Folks, set aside the curriculum catalogs. And instead of asking your self “which curriculum?” a better question is, “How is my child bent?”
And then go from there.
An extra note for parents of preschoolers- Read, read, read. Take nature walks. Get a magnifying glass and microscope. Turn off the TV. Snuggle. Bake cookies. Enjoy your little one. And fer-cryin-out-loud…stay away from curriculum! YES! Even those funsie looking books at Costco.
I hope I wasn’t unclear.
Here’s the best part that you get to do:
Rediscover the wonder of learning through the eyes of your child.
Filed under: education, Free Range Education, homeschooling, Public schooling, The Mother Lode Project | 4 Comments »
I highly recommend this book. Martin Kidston is a wonderful writer and brings Cromwell’s remarkable story to life.
At the age of 13, Cromwell Dixon was regarded as a mechanical genius. I found his story fascinating because he reminded me of my Daniel. From the age of two, Daniel’s prowess for mechanics was apparent. And we encouraged his interests- meaning his floor was usually littered with electrical components, experiments and projects.
The big difference between our Daniel and Cromwell Dixon was that Cromwell grew up at the beginning of the 1900’s. And his passion was airplanes. As a young boy, he dreamed of flying and studied everything available on the topic. His free time was spent rigging motors and learning. Always learning.
His mom, a widow, accommodated her son’s unusual interests. And I’m not talking about bringing him to the library or offering an anemic “That’s nice, dear,” once in awhile.
Oh no. She did much more than that. She cleared the trees in their backyard so Cromwell would have a clear space to tinker with his plane.
At the age of 19, Cromwell entered the history books when he became the first pilot to fly over the Continental Divide…not to far from where we live.
Tragically, Cromwell died three days later flying in Spokane, WA.
Or was it tragedy? He died pursuing his passion, daring greatly and leaving a mark on this world. Isn’t that what all of us want to do? None of us are going to live forever on this planet and in the scheme of things….19 years or 90, it’s all a speck on the timeline of life.
I’d rather live fully alive. And I want my kids to do so to. Even if it means clearing some trees for them.
Filed under: education, Free Range Education, homeschooling | 4 Comments »
Instead of asking “How smart are you?” we ask “How are you smart?”
The school system can only quantify the first question. And while a teacher may recognize a certain spark or gifting in a child, the system ties her hands from asking the second.
It’s a shame. Academics is a sport at which only a few children excel. The rest- the gifted artist, the boy who works well with his hands, the reflective poet, or the budding chemist who pushes the boundaries- these are often left feeling like they’re stupid.
The more I think on these things, the more insulting I find the whole system. The subjects are arbitrary, the grading system punitive and the individual dehumanized.
As a parent, it is more important than ever to help our kids develop their inborn giftings and talents.
Asking that second question is a good place to begin.
Filed under: education, Free Range Education, homeschooling, parenting, Public schooling | 2 Comments »
I’ve not heard this moniker before but I absolutely love it! Bet this young man’s presentation will bring a smile to your face.
Happy Friday, everyone!
Filed under: education, Free Range Education, The Mother Lode Project | 3 Comments »
I love this article in today’s Washington Post- A 15-year-old student’s ed reform plan: Self-directed learning.
From students to teachers to parents…more and more people are waking up to the need for school reform. And of course, the voices of opposition indicate this will not be an easily won battle.
I’ve debated with myself on how to fight this and I think I’ve come to the conclusion that dialog with like-minded parents, kids and educators is the way to go. Discourse with the defenders and gate keepers of the system is an exercise in futility, it seems.
What do you think of that article?
Filed under: education, Free Range Education, homeschooling, Public schooling, The Mother Lode Project | 4 Comments »
This article, A warning to college profs from a high school teacher, spells out sobering assessment of what 11 years of No Child Left Behind has brought to the state of education in America.
Everyone’s a loser under NCLB. And my concern is that the fight to bring any sanity into the desperately broken system is an exercise in futility. At best….it would take many, many years to turn this ship around. Just watching the battle for a simple charter school bill here in Montana reminds me of the stranglehold on money and power educrats wield. (I heard some bantering during one hearing that completely bypassed any obligatory “it’s for the kids” talk…they went straight to ranting about money. At least there was more transparency.)
I’m concerned over kids who are in school. But I’m also concerned for kids how are brought home to be homeschooled.
Why? I think it’s important for parents to clarify why they’re homeschooling otherwise they just end up mimicking what the public schools are doing. That is not a good plan.
I love Free Range Education (FREd) because it is pretty much the opposite of the NCLB-driven, factory model for school. Children are not regarded as data points. Learning is organic. And relationships are valued above all.
You can read more about FREd here.
Q4U: What do you think the high school teacher’s warning to college profs?
Filed under: education, Free Range Education, Public schooling, The Mother Lode Project | 2 Comments »
If you’re new to my blog, you may be wondering who I am and why I write about these things.
In the podcast, Dr. Pei and I discuss our journey with ADHD, starting with when our oldest son was diagnosed around age five.
Here’s a few of the things we’ve learned:
Be sure to take advantage of the eBook offer on her page! Or sign up for email notifications on my blog and I’ll send you one.
Filed under: ADD/ADHD, Free Range Education, parenting, PDD-NOS, Resources, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
