Post by carolyngrace on Sept 3, 2015 13:25:37 GMT -5
I know two families who have sent their kids to schools like this. They both do supplemental stuff at home. I guess it works for them. Their kids are all under 7.
Can't see it being a good thing for kids past 1st grade or so. They need more structure, IMO.
Another thought- it seems like Montessori method, but with even less structure.
I know two families who have sent their kids to schools like this. They both do supplemental stuff at home. I guess it works for them. Their kids are all under 7.
Can't see it being a good thing for kids past 1st grade or so. They need more structure, IMO.
Another thought- it seems like Montessori method, but with even less structure.
As a Montessori teacher I really don't see a lot in common with this other than the fact that they are both child directed.
Montessori actually has a lot of structure and definitely has curriculum. Two of the main parts of Montessori method are multi aged classrooms and a prepared environment that leads the child to want to learn what is in the curriculum. The teacher then observes and teaches when the child shows readiness. This means not every child will do things at the same time or in the same order but the goal is that they will get there and will love learning. Montessori does allow for personal exploration and even encourages it but within a structure.
The thought of zero curriculum is actually closer to Regio where the child completely dictates everything that is learned. I definitely wouldn't advocate for this kind of teaching past kindergarten, there are just too many things that NEED to be taught.
I feel like there is some great logic to this system. Depending on your child's capabilities, of course. If my kid told me his interest was video games and that's what he wanted to study, I would absolutely not go along with that. But if they had an interest in computer programming or something they could possibly make a career out of, why not let them dive into it?
I think there is too much emphasis nowadays on grades and standardized testing. Kids don't have time to explore their interests. When I was in school I received good grades and took all the honors and AP classes I could, with the ultimate goal being college. But when I got to college, I had no idea what I wanted to study because I hadn't explored any of my interests, I just studied what I was told to study. So, of course, I wasted a year not knowing where I was ultimately headed. I think a lot of kids have the same issue.
I'm not sure I would ever be able to do this with my kids because it seems very demanding of the parent's time, but if I could, I would definitely consider it.
I think what you are talking about is something Montessori does, maybe this article is just really poorly written but it sounds like she just lets them be helter skelter. I would worry about the basics of reading, writing and math being missed.
I think this could be done in the way you mention, very deliberately with almost a project based learning.
If my child is interested in pursuing a career in dance, music, art, etc. this is a maybe for me, at best. DH and I are more the type to advocate a traditional classroom environment and pursuit of a minimum of a four year college degree with at least a minor in something that is easily employable like business.
I've heard of unschooling and like pp said, I think it could be appropriate until a certain age. I also feel this way about montessori schooling, which is usually stopped early on as well. I think I even learned about this method in either college or grad school, both for education related degrees. I also have fairly strong opinions about homeschooling. (Maybe I'll actually make an FFFC for once) I think that there would be way too many skills that are missed out on for when it is best to learn them. Also, this seems to be retrograde to what the country is trying to do with education. I could see it being a possibility for some children and it would depend highly on the parents and their education as well. If I did this with my kids and they had strong math and science interests, I would be useless to them. Does this include having your children use homeschool co-ops? Maybe giving children the freedom of their elective would be enough for them.
Post by mrsmonogrammed on Sept 3, 2015 15:50:05 GMT -5
I like the idea of letting them lead their learning in a direction of their interests, but as a supplemental thing. Not as actual "school". I mean, what are they going to do when they have to get a job? They are going to freak out with all the structure and rules...you don't get to pick which tasks you want to do at your job just because they don't interest you!
IMHO, this type of schooling is setting your child up for failure. (Full disclosure: I'm a public school teacher)
Kids need structure, sequence, and, in order to be successful in college and beyond, they need a well thought out curriculum that will ensure their education is well-rounded but complete.
I am all for kids exploring their interests and passions, but to me, this sort of "schooling" can be looked at as supplementary at best.
Post by thecatsmeow on Sept 3, 2015 15:56:39 GMT -5
I think for the right child, at the right age, with parents who would provide some structure this could potentially be a positive thing. But in most cases I don't see it being a well-rounded education. It seems like it would be better as a supplement to a more traditional method, like over the summer maybe?
This just came up with a friend actually, her cousin is unschooling and recently it is focused on playing "Sims" on the computer. Because that is creative and building houses, cities, etc. Bedtime in this family is also 3-4am, because that is when the kids go. Hence the reason for my structure from the parents comment up above.
I think for the right child, at the right age, with parents who would provide some structure this could potentially be a positive thing. But in most cases I don't see it being a well-rounded education. It seems like it would be better as a supplement to a more traditional method, like over the summer maybe?
This just came up with a friend actually, her cousin is unschooling and recently it is focused on playing "Sims" on the computer. Because that is creative and building houses, cities, etc. Bedtime in this family is also 3-4am, because that is when the kids go. Hence the reason for my structure from the parents comment up above.
I agree it's better as a supplement to a structured education. My brother is a successful computer programmer and he still remembers a summer school class he took in third grade that let him play games on the computer and it also taught basic programming to elementary school students
As someone who was homeschooled well and knew a lot of people who were "unschooled" under the pretense of homeschooling, I can tell you definitively that nothing good comes of it. All 6 of the kids we knew in my grade alone who were unschooled tested into the remedial classes when they moved on to college and 5 of them are still at the same jobs they had in high school because they never finished college. Homeschooling is hard to pull off. You have to be super driven, organized and purposeful...all the things that unschooling devalues.
And of course, as a certified teacher, it truly offends me that people (like my MIL) with limited education and no teacher training think they can teach their children as well as I or another teacher could. Umm you can't...that's why I've been in school for the last 11 years of my life; I'm learning research-based best practices with which to teach your child. My parents are both certified educators and did a great job homeschooling me and my siblings, but sadly I saw many more failed attempts than successful ones. As others have said, as a complement to traditional education this approach could surely be beneficial. But it is an inadequate substitute.
As someone who was homeschooled well and knew a lot of people who were "unschooled" under the pretense of homeschooling, I can tell you definitively that nothing good comes of it. All 6 of the kids we knew in my grade alone who were unschooled tested into the remedial classes when they moved on to college and 5 of them are still at the same jobs they had in high school because they never finished college. Homeschooling is hard to pull off. You have to be super driven, organized and purposeful...all the things that unschooling devalues.
And of course, as a certified teacher, it truly offends me that people (like my MIL) with limited education and no teacher training think they can teach their children as well as I or another teacher could. Umm you can't...that's why I've been in school for the last 11 years of my life; I'm learning research-based best practices with which to teach your child. My parents are both certified educators and did a great job homeschooling me and my siblings, but sadly I saw many more failed attempts than successful ones. As others have said, as a complement to traditional education this approach could surely be beneficial. But it is an inadequate substitute.
This.
I know someone homeschooling/unschooling her 3 kids, and I totally side-eye it purely based on how crappy her fb status updates are, grammar-wise. And the fact that she and her husband didn't go to college. Dh was teacher for the last 7 years, and has actually encouraged me to homeschool DD, so that is our newest adventure.
Homeschooling is definitely a possibility for us once LO reaches school age. We live in the city school district and can't afford 20K/ year for private school. I'm also a certified PreK-3 teacher and will probably look into co-ops as he gets older. There will be no un-schooling, though. He can pursue his interests on evenings and weekends like everyone else.
I think for the right child, at the right age, with parents who would provide some structure this could potentially be a positive thing. But in most cases I don't see it being a well-rounded education. It seems like it would be better as a supplement to a more traditional method, like over the summer maybe?
This just came up with a friend actually, her cousin is unschooling and recently it is focused on playing "Sims" on the computer. Because that is creative and building houses, cities, etc. Bedtime in this family is also 3-4am, because that is when the kids go. Hence the reason for my structure from the parents comment up above.
Totally side-eyeing your friend's cousin because of this... Just wow.
I know. I have met this person and her kids a couple times and sadly it doesn't surprise me at all.
erbear your H's cousin must have been thinking of the Friends episode where Joey was like, "It's a moo point. It's like a cow's opinion. It doesn't mean anything. It's moo." LOL
wegrowsheep I also have a friend who "homeschools" but I'm pretty sure all she does with her kid is bake and crafts all day. And her FB statuses also make me cringe. This is why I believe in homeschoolers having accountability to the state Dept. of Ed (sorry Mom....she freaks out and gets all offended whenever I get on this soapbox).
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