On another forum there was a discussion about this topic, and I am wondering what the difference is between them? How do you go about unschooling a child? This seems like a fascinating subjct to me and I am interested in your approaches.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 07, 2001

Answers

From the little I've read about it, unschooling seeks to let the child 'lead' in what he/she is interested in learning and believes they will eventually ask to learn the things they need to learn. Maybe someone who is doing it can better explain it, because it doesn't gel for me. My children are expected to do grade level work whether or not they like it or find it all that interesting;) I think some things (like math and grammar) take practice, every year. Once they get the core things done, then they can delve into things they find more interesting.(Am I getting old, or what;)?

-- mary (mlg@aol.com), December 07, 2001.

We do a combination of both. Math and spelling are done traditionally. When the were learning to read we did phonics. Everything else is a unit study (hands on) type learning. I have a friend who does total un-schooling. It actually seems more difficult to do it that way.

-- Jo (mamamia2kids@msn.com), December 07, 2001.

We have been reading up on homeschooling as an option and from what I can tell, "un-schooling" is taking the child's intrests and applying the traditional lessons to that. For instance, if you have a child who is into the Wild Wild West, you would read western stories for your English lessons, perhaps have them write their own western story. Maybe as a field trip go horseback riding, practice spelling with words like cowboy or lasso. Study the western U.S. in geography. Etc....

Of course the lessons would depend on your childs age. I think it's a very interesting way to teach and I think I would have loved that method (if I had been homeschooled). My son is only two so we don't do any "formal" homeschooling yet, but would like to try this method at some point. I think a benefit to homeschooling is NOT having to sit and do workbooks all day and only be taught what is "on the test" but to be able to explore lots of interests in educational ways. Learning can be fun, but I think most kids in traditional schools don't think that.

-- Amy (amya@cstone.net), December 10, 2001.

I unschool, as my 1st goal if to raise competent self thinking adults, [we use ouside testing on academics, which I pay for], It works well for us because I am well versed in most subjects and have very good referance books in the house, if someone asks a question and it is an easy one, I ask questions back, and add information. until they figure out the answer they wanted to start with,

My favorite one is "What are you doing?" I reply "What does it LOOK like I'm doing?" followed by "Why do you think I would do that?" as they get older the question changes to, "Are you .........?" and they learn to use their own problem solving skills comimg to me for confirmation.

If the question is complex I draw diagrams or get out the books about it. If watching tv, I ASK the questions, What just happened? Would you like your wife/girlfriend to act like that? Was that good or bad? Why? and so on. Any thing and every thing becomes a subject for learning one way or another. Just like real life.

-- Thumper (slrldr@yahoo.com), December 10, 2001.

Thanks for the info, so far. I asked my kids what they thought of it, and Kadia said if she could do anything all day she would play the pianl, paint, and work-out!! I guess you might still need a little formal instruction. Especially in math and basic reading.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 10, 2001.