Unschooling and Homeschooling Methods: How I Would Apply Them For My Kids

[Anonymous]

This is a rewrite of my four other Takes: 1,2,3, and 4

I wanted to see if I could make my points much more concisely, and I've been researching a bit and wanted to add some stuff anyway (I'm probably going to do this with several other Takes too).

The Common Unschooling and Homeschooling Methods Are Awesome But...

A Brief Overview of The General Ideas of Both

Unschooling and homeschooling are completely different sides of the same coin. On one hand, unschooling is based on the idea that all learning should be led by the child without any structure, routine, or set currculum. Unschoolers can and do take tests, and eventually go on to college (quite a lot of the time via merit scholarships) if they choose to.

On the other hand, homeschooling is based on the idea that parents need to take control of their children's education, because they believe they can do a better job and can also provide a better environment for their children than the PS system can. They usually will follow a homeschool curriculum, and many of regular homeschoolers end up in college too, either by scholarship or because they surpassed the average PS standards by far.

Both of those methods can really outdo the PS system, and I think they're both lovely options for children...to an extent. When I have kids, I want to take the best benefits of both approaches, and do things a little differently.

Taking Just One Approach Isn't Going To Work For Me:

I like ALL of the options, and I think they all have their own unique benefits, including public school. I love the idea of unschooling because it allows kids to be as free as possible, and still be extremely successful in their choice of careers. I also like the more structured side of homeschooling (making detailed records, homeschool diploma, etc.) because it would give me an option to use in case the PS system tried to complain about My Opt Out Idea , so I would still have a backup plan. Lastly, I think public school system can give kids some really nice benefits, like letting them have time away from home and givinmg them access to many different classes and teachers without any extra costs or hassle.

My Idea: I Could Care Less About Curriculum, I Just Want Them To Pass Important Tests

Out of all of the options, unschooling is my favorite. It showcases how kids don't need to follow a curriculum or pass many tests to get into college, or be successful once they get there. Unschoolers In College

However, I want my kids to have as many options as possible, and so to me that means they'd have to pass certain tests (college credit and admissions tests), and not waste their time with the other 90% of the useless ones that public school forces kids to take. College Credit Testing Options

So, instead of unschooling all of the time, I'd hire tutors for a few years, just for the sole purpose of them passing the college credit tests. I mainly would like for them to pass CLEP as soon as possible, and then do the ACT and SAT when they were a little older. CLEP For Homeschool Kids

Otherwise, they could use the other 90% of their day to do whatever they wanted to....Unless they wanted to try public school!

I Actually Would Want Them To Experience Public School...As Long As I Could Opt Them Out:

I think public school has it's own set of benefits, mass socialization and daily one on one time with other kids to name a few. So if my kids wanted try it, they could give it a shot. However, I don't want my kids to waste their time with testing and homework, so I'd do my best to opt them out of everything...If the school didn't like it, I'd happily pull them out and sart homeschooling/ unschooling again...And they could meet their new friends afterschool:

As For Strict Homeschooling Laws...

On that note...I would use the CLEP tests (they can be taken at any age, as long as you have a passport for photo ID, and you only need a test score of 51% for many of them to pass) to help avoid homeschool laws for standardized testing...If my kids could prove they're already at college level why would they ever need to pass any other tests? Although, if we lived in one of those states that required standardized testing (most don't), I guess I could hire a tutor occasionally for those too.

[emmabee11]

Ok so you need to make an organized plan based on how THEY think and to THEIR needs, a personalized plan if you will, base it around the things they need to improve on at school (since they have no choice but to go since some how it creates a concern that if your kid isn't going to school they aren't doing good lol but kids aren't going good at school anyway without any proper support). Plan out how long you teach them and what things they can use to help them (like for Math use Khan Academy to use the interactive Math programme), and for other things you could print off work sheets or make your own if needed (i would personally make my own to break up the work in smaller pieces of information because it's better to feed them smaller pieces than a huge amount all at once because the mind can only take in so much at once), then it will give them more time to practise in that period of time you planned every day. I personally would never remember anything or understand it if it wasn't broke apart into smaller sections of work.

[JackKerouac77]

Interesting take. I freakin' hate formal/state-mandated schooling so I'll always support other options.

Just glad I don't have kids yet to worry about.

[BelleGirl21]

I homeschool my 2 children. Curriculum and structure matter much more than you are assuming, however that doesn't automatically exclude freedom of learning. The more you learn about homeschooling the more you realize that there are endless approaches and possibilities to education. Homeschooling is very much misunderstood in today's society so I appreciate your take.
Good luck with your endeavors!

[JackKerouac77]

Do homeschool parents get together with other homeschool parents for different events?

People always complain that homeschool kids aren't "socialized" enough and I wanted to know what you do.

[BelleGirl21]

@jackkerouac77, we do get together with a lot of other homeschoolers. The entire socialization argument is really very silly and it's almost the only thing people have against homeschooling. My kids have other homeschool friends, neighborhood friends, church friends, cousins, friends from extra curricular activities and each other. Socialization is no problem at all. :)

[JackKerouac77]

Exactly, that's what I thought. I just wanted to hear it from someone who actually has experience.

[cipher42]

I would say that the importance of curriculum is based on the individual. One of the huge benefits of homeschooling is that it can afford so much customization to fit individual needs, so I really don't think anyone should say that there's one particular homeschooling strategy that works better than all the others. I don't really recall having much in terms of a structured curriculum when I homeschooled, but it worked fine for me, while for others, that structure and curriculum might be very beneficial. (Though maybe explain how structured you're talking, I may be mistaken.)

[BelleGirl21]

@cipher42, I agree that there are many different and beneficial curriculums. I'm just saying that something needs to be used. I don't agree with complete unschooling. I actually use different curriculum for my kids, not just a one size fits all approach.

[Izzy2102]

Are you saying you would limit education to preparing your children for college entrance exams?
You cannot be serious there. Sure some material in high school is unnecessary, but most is necessary or at least colleges will assume it's known and build on that. I'm not a fan of homeschooling and this is why

[Ccmeu]

I've never heard of in unschooling. Interesting concept. I'll have to research it a bit.
Regarding that parents homeschool because they believe they can do a better job... It happens frequently (most of the time lol ) but it's not always the case. Quite a few homeschool because of location (like if they live on a farm in the middle of nowhere.) or because of medical needs of a child.
Also, a lot of homeschoolers use CLEP testing as part of college prep in high school.

[Prettykangaroos]

Why would you have them take the clep first? Clep measures collegiate knowledge while act/sat measures secondary school knowledge. So it seems like you would have them take the act/sat first.

[Dandeus]

I patiently read through much of this, and as I expected I eventually got to the stuff about the anti common core wingnut conspiracy theory nonsense.

/ignored.

[Attila]

Its kind of true... the standardized tests are so important... the rest of the curriculum in public schools seems almost irrelevant

[fiego]

@HeartsBloodDupre Great article, I had never heard of unschooling but it sounds very interesting.

[Pinkbeauty]

I used to do homeschool when I was in six grade to 12th grade and I graduated when I was 18 but I didn't go to college cause I wasn't in to that

[Byakuyarko]

I came here to troll and annoy people... I guess I should keep my ignorant mouth shut... before I ram my foot in there

[pheonicianLiberty]

Does this only apply to homo sapiens infants?

[Anonymous]

Ok I'm homeschooled. Curriculum does matter.

[Anonymous]

Nice article