Unschooling

Nomenclature is a powerful thing. One word can conjure up all sorts of images, positive or negative, in someone's mind. People will avoid or cringe at the use of certain words based on their experience, impression, or the reputation associated with using them.

For a long time the word "unschooling" made me cringe. I saw strange loner kids running comic book shops in my mind when I heard the word. Now, however, in the last several months I have learned to love the word. But, not for my children. I love the word for MYSELF. To explain I'll share this article:

http://thelibertarianhomeschooler.com/a/  Go read it. I'll wait.


Seriously, read it people. It's short, I promise. And, really worth it.


Done?

That article was me. In my class of over 600 students I graduated 7th. I rocked the school thing. I was a "GOOD STUDENT". But was I really? Was I really a dedicated learner? To be fair there were a fair number of subjects that really interested me that I could probably still tell you quite a bit of information concerning the things I learned. But, my grades do not reflect the classes in which this was true. Because, if they did, I would be able to tell you about every subject with great accuracy.

It makes me sad that the only thing I really learned to do well is please people by following the rules, being likable and submissive, and doing what was expected of me.

I did not learn to love learning. I did not learn to think independently. I did not learn to ask questions, to question, to be critical, to refuse, and to truly understand my rights and lack thereof.

I looked up the definition of the prefix "un" and this is what I found:

un- 1 pref. 1. Not: unhappy. 2. Opposite of; contrary to: unrest. un- 2 pref. 1. To reverse or undo the result of a specified action: unbind. 2. a. To deprive of or remove a specified thing: unfrock. b. To release, free, or remove from: unyoke. 3. Used as an intensive: unloose. Using the second definition, number 1, it has taken 9 years to unschool myself. I am still in that process and it is painful. They say it really takes 9 months for a woman who has given birth to recover. "9 months to grow a baby, 9 months to recover from birthing that baby." I hope it does not take me 18 years to unschool my mind.

My children fit under the first definition, 1 and 2.

My children are living. They are serving. They are growing, but we are not schooling them. We are raising them. We are training them. And they, with all their God-given curiosities and passions, are devouring knowledge as quickly as they can. It's amazing to watch.  We learn in all sorts of ways, at all times, in all places. We read, we study, we write, we listen, we ask questions, we debate, but we are not robots drilling information that someone else decided my children had to know in order to be a functioning person. There's a reason the show "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?" was so popular. It was hysterical to watch adults flounder at information that if a 9 year old child does not regurgitate, he or she will fail! And yet, all of these adults were functioning, working, successful adults.

Government schools are a blessing to many people. They provide opportunities for not only jobs but also for children who cannot be at home for one reason or another. I had many amazing teachers who made a huge impact in my life and tons of fun experiences in those government schools. But I am so thankful, SO thankful to live in a country where that can be a last resort for my children. May that right never be taken away.