"I have an idea of what learning could be like because I like to learn. I know how much fun it can be. An educational discussion is my idea of a good time. So, the fact that I don't enjoy school is an indicator of something."
Not compulsory
Smaller class sizes
More respect! "Teachers treat kids like there's something wrong with them."
Conversation-based learning
Lots and lots of resources
Teachers as resources - experts in their field rather than professional teachers
Classes would provide a starting point to explore a particular subject
No required courses - "If you say a class is required, you are dismissing somebody else's opinion about what's important or interesting... You're saying that one field is more valid than another one."
Kids sign up for classes they are interested in
Suited to every learning style - accommodate students
Background: Chloe was in school K through half of 3rd, spent a term at Summerhill (a democratic/free school in England), and attended high school last year for one 6-week grading period. All the rest of the time, she's been unschooled.
Nosferatu
8 months ago
5 comments:
I don't think it's a coincidence that the closest real-life match to Chloe's dream school is an unschooling conference :D
Has she seen the Sudbury site?
http://www.sudval.org/ Especially the "about us" section. I used to get teary, looking at their site when Evan was very young, before we discovered unschooling. Now that we've been livin' la vida unschooling, I see it's still school, it's still time away from your family, it's democratic not consensus. BUT, forced to choose a school, it would be Sudbury. Actually, forced to choose a school, I wouldn't, but you know.
Peter Gray, the psychologist who's written those wonderful articles about natural learning and school being jail, began that line of his work by studying Sudbury students.
I immersed myself in the Sudbury model, thinking I wanted to open one here. Came to learn I'd rather spend my time with my kids! But I love how they don't force stuff on students, they're even *very, very* careful suggesting activities. It's very respectful of kids.
Oops, I meant to say, I got & trusted academic unschooling very quickly because of the work of Sudbury Valley School. The studies they had done and books they published helped me really understand & trust natural learning.
Has Chloe considered attending Evergreen in Olympia for college? I loved it there. Such a great model of student-led learning for post-secondary education.
I'm also all for unschooling, but if I had to choose a school, I'd give the Wooranna Park primary school in Australia a good think. My friends are looking at setting up a free school in the UK and Wooranna Park is one that they're looking to for inspiration.
http://future.ncsl.org.uk/ShowResource.aspx?ID=905
Post a Comment