This is Homeschooling: Stories of Unconventional Learning Practices On the Road and In Nature

Description

The number of homeschooling families has grown in recent years, along with the number of methods for learning at home. In this timely book, you’ll meet diverse families that are engaging in the day-to-day work of a variety of approaches, including self-directed learning, unschooling, nature-based education, farmschooling, wildschooling, and worldschooling. Chapters and interludes are written by scholars and families engaged in this work, who show how their approaches take a balanced, slower-paced, and nature-minded approach to learning, nourishing the child’s heart and brain. They also address common critiques of homeschooling and show how it is something that can be normalized and encouraged as a positive educational tool, helping families bond and live life to the fullest. Each chapter includes practical applications you can use right away in your own journey. Simultaneously inspirational and practical, this book will help guide and motivate those who are either considering or already homeschooling to see the possibilities of what learning and education can truly be. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Editor Contributors Acknowledgments Preface: A Battle Cry from the Homeschooling Community List of Abbreviations Chapter 1: From Structured to Stepping Back Our Path to Kindergarten Better Late than Early? Kids Learn for Mastery 1000 Hours Outside™ A Return to Balance Do Something References Chapter 2: The Greenhouse Effect Do Something Note References Chapter 3: A Unique Education: Unschooling to Adulthood Gina’s Perspective The Later Years – Ben’s Perspective The Teen Years The College Experience Graduate School Careers and Entrepreneurship Reflections on Unschooling, Life, and Learning Do Something Plan for Dealing with Criticism Facilitate Freedom of Choice in the Teen Years Create a Portfolio of Your Child’s Unschooling Journey References Additional Resources Chapter 4: The Parent–Child Apprenticeship: Navigating Learning with Little to No Curriculum Do Something References Chapter 5: Self-Directed Education: An Interview with Dr. Peter Gray References Interlude: The Science Behind Nature-based Learning Attention & Stress Relief Motivation & Engagement Warmer & Cooperative Relationships Creativity & Autonomy Learning & Development Chapter 6: Wildschooling The Wildschooling Way Decolonizing Homeschooling Where to Start Wildschooling Architecture Pillars Wildschooling Recognizes Nature Connection as a Fundamental Human Need, Right, and State of Being Wildschooling Values and Respects the Sovereign Rights of the Whole Child Wildschooling Is Relationship Led Wildschooling Favors Place-Bonded, Contextual, and Emergent Learning Wildschooling Aligns with Nature’s Rhythms Wildschooling Is Village Led and Oriented Wildschooling Respects and Honors Indigenous and Ancestral Knowledge Wildschooling Preserves and Honors Storytelling Wildschooling Supports a Future Paradigm Do Something References Chapter 7: The Journey of a Soulful Artist Chapter 8: Weaving Unschooling and Forest Schooling in Australia: How it Works for Our Families What Is Forest School? Our Own Children Working While Unschooling Assessment Financial Considerations Unschooling on the Road Managing Household Duties Unschooling—The Right Choice for Our Families Drawbacks of Unschooling—Or Not? Socialization Outsider Observations Our Children’s Perspective Do Something References Chapter 9: A Balance of Screen Time and “Green Time”: An Interview with Linda McGurk Note References Interlude: Shared Lessons for Democracy? Chapter 10: Trust in Your Journey: Lessons from a Worldschooling Family Listen to Your Intuition There are Times the Only Transportation Available Is a Leap of Faith Chapter 11: The True Advantage of Worldschooling: Time Worldschooling Advantages Worldschooling Tips Chapter 12: From Surfing to Schooling: There Is More to Homeschool Than Worksheets Surfing Changed Everything Isn’t Life Wonder-Full? Travel Opened a New Classroom Door Walking Is Man’s Best Medicine Teaching to Your Child’s Personality The Future of Homeschooling Know Your Intention Interlude: Mindfulness for Home Educators How to Practice Mindfulness Practice: Sitting Mindfulness Meditation I am But that's not who I am Conclusion