How does your unschooling garden grow?
From the Unschoolers of the Ozarks list:
Denise, I don't mind if you set up your own park day or whatever for a younger group or other group. Once we get going with park days again (very soon) I don't see any problem with inviting those people to it. However, they should know up front that this is an unschooling group--period. Park days are for playing--we won't be having any curricula swaps or anything like that. (All days are for playing, in the unschooling world.) Also, child respecting parents are always welcome, even if they're not unschoolers, but should be able to appreciate the concept and be respectful of it around us. I'm always willing to talk about it with people who want to know more, but the group needs to be peaceful.
The reverse of that is the parent who unschools, but spanks or shames their child in public. I don't want to be around that person. I would, however, like to give that child a chance to know that all adults are not like that. So, I'd give that parent a chance if they wanted to know a different way of behaving with their kids.
What I'd like to see is the Unschoolers of the Ozarks become an umbrella or safe-haven for unschoolers, and wannabe unschoolers. Apolitical, cooperative, and just structured enough to defend against those who might wish to change flavor and intent of the group. I know this can be done...There are two groups with which I was involved personally that have grown from a group JUST like this one into amazing, living, breathing organisms in their own right.
www.geocities.com/unschoolersofmemphis and http://www.geocities.com/live-and-learn.geo/
These are both groups that have spread out in many different directions, but none of them contrary to the original idea---support for people at home with their children. Live & Learn was originally founded (by me and others) as the first INCLUSIVE group for homeschoolers in Little Rock. The only way to be inclusive was to make it as unschooling friendly as possible (the religious aspects aside). There are plenty of curriculum users in Live & Learn now, and unschoolers and religious people, too. Designing it so it was the least restrictive to allow for unschooling also allowed for the least restriction on everyone. We even welcomed people whose kids were in school if they had time to come and play. The normal interplay between people of different philosophies gives it balance, as long as they are respectful of others choices, and focus on the common and not the differences. The people who use curricula have formed their own little learning circles, and yet they participate in the park days and etc., and it's all under the umbrella of Live & Learn.
You may be wondering why Unschoolers of the Ozarks is not an "inclusive" group. One reason is I'm just too old for big dreams with regard to raising my kids. Only one left and he's almost a teenager. Nothing sadder than an unschooling mom without any kids still hanging out at park day! The other reason is that unschooling as lifestyle is more known and accepted. Homeschooling is way more known and accepted. There are already plenty of inclusive groups, but none of them are as unschooling friendly as I would like (understatement alert!). When Live & Learn was started, it was THE alternative group in Little Rock. It still is to some extent, but that's because it's grown so much and I guess other people who might otherwise think of starting a group realize there's no use reinventing the wheel.
Basically, I want to be an out of the closet unschooler. Right up front about it. People need to know what they're getting, and that's why it's called UNSCHOOLERS of the Ozarks. If anyone's not fine with that, there are plenty of alternatives. I'm here. I'm queer (the old fashioned way). Get used to it. ;)
I would love nothing more if the people with younger kids in UO would use the email list to plan a toddler storytime or something like that. Use the list as a means to connect with other unschoolers. I am using the Arkansas Unschoolers list that you started, Denise, in that same way. The Unschoolers of Memphis have plenty of things like that--the Play-Do Gang and the storytelling at the Nature Center, Mom's Book Club (which doesn't even have all homeschooling moms anymore). There's even a Mom's (and Brad) Night Out, because one of the stay-at-home parents is a dad and he goes out to dinner with them. In Little Rock, there are off-shoots of Live & Learn in Conway and Searcy and Saline County. Those families in that area get together for local park days, and then do the regular L&L stuff, too. It doesn't affect the structure of the group at all, and provides wonderful options, which is what unschooling is all about.
There may come a point in UO where those parents who start a toddler play time decide they want something not-unschooling for their families, and that's fine....godspeed. But they'll be expected to leave the name behind, too. I'm not going to be the police about it, but I have no qualms about telling someone to stop using our name if they're acting contrary to the ideas set forth here. Instituting rules and committees and dues and dress codes--no thank you. Form your own group, leave mine out of it.
Here's something I wrote at the beginning of Live & Learn back in 1996, I think it was, and it has stood the test of time. It's still on the Live & Learn website:
"There are no committee positions to fill, programs to administer, or weekly dues to pay. Our group is not a political one. We celebrate, embrace and advocate free thinking for all. Therefore, we will provide a conduit for information about homeschooling issues and information important to all Arkansas homeschoolers, but we won't tell you how to think about it. No one can claim to represent our group in any form of political process. If you are interested in a place where you and your family will be nurtured, accepted, and inspired in your vision please join us."
Again, Live & Learn was a "homeschooling group", not specifically an unschooling group. I didn't think I'd find very many unschoolers around there, and I was right. But hey, it's 9 years later--the idea has taken root.
If any of you feel I have worn the mantle of "leader", I now disrobe. What I want to be is co-operator, partner, facilitator, and if I have to, I'll put on the armor of protector. We are all facilitators, partners, and empowered individually and as a group to further the vision.
Facilitate your child's bliss and make Unschoolers of the Ozarks blissful.
So, Denise, network all you want. Be creative. Make things happen. You know what unschooling is. If there's a problem, you can count on me to be reasonable and peacable about it and we'll work it out together. That goes for all of you. :)
Karen
Denise, I don't mind if you set up your own park day or whatever for a younger group or other group. Once we get going with park days again (very soon) I don't see any problem with inviting those people to it. However, they should know up front that this is an unschooling group--period. Park days are for playing--we won't be having any curricula swaps or anything like that. (All days are for playing, in the unschooling world.) Also, child respecting parents are always welcome, even if they're not unschoolers, but should be able to appreciate the concept and be respectful of it around us. I'm always willing to talk about it with people who want to know more, but the group needs to be peaceful.
The reverse of that is the parent who unschools, but spanks or shames their child in public. I don't want to be around that person. I would, however, like to give that child a chance to know that all adults are not like that. So, I'd give that parent a chance if they wanted to know a different way of behaving with their kids.
What I'd like to see is the Unschoolers of the Ozarks become an umbrella or safe-haven for unschoolers, and wannabe unschoolers. Apolitical, cooperative, and just structured enough to defend against those who might wish to change flavor and intent of the group. I know this can be done...There are two groups with which I was involved personally that have grown from a group JUST like this one into amazing, living, breathing organisms in their own right.
www.geocities.com/unschoolersofmemphis and http://www.geocities.com/live-and-learn.geo/
These are both groups that have spread out in many different directions, but none of them contrary to the original idea---support for people at home with their children. Live & Learn was originally founded (by me and others) as the first INCLUSIVE group for homeschoolers in Little Rock. The only way to be inclusive was to make it as unschooling friendly as possible (the religious aspects aside). There are plenty of curriculum users in Live & Learn now, and unschoolers and religious people, too. Designing it so it was the least restrictive to allow for unschooling also allowed for the least restriction on everyone. We even welcomed people whose kids were in school if they had time to come and play. The normal interplay between people of different philosophies gives it balance, as long as they are respectful of others choices, and focus on the common and not the differences. The people who use curricula have formed their own little learning circles, and yet they participate in the park days and etc., and it's all under the umbrella of Live & Learn.
You may be wondering why Unschoolers of the Ozarks is not an "inclusive" group. One reason is I'm just too old for big dreams with regard to raising my kids. Only one left and he's almost a teenager. Nothing sadder than an unschooling mom without any kids still hanging out at park day!
Basically, I want to be an out of the closet unschooler. Right up front about it. People need to know what they're getting, and that's why it's called UNSCHOOLERS of the Ozarks. If anyone's not fine with that, there are plenty of alternatives. I'm here. I'm queer (the old fashioned way). Get used to it. ;)
I would love nothing more if the people with younger kids in UO would use the email list to plan a toddler storytime or something like that. Use the list as a means to connect with other unschoolers. I am using the Arkansas Unschoolers list that you started, Denise, in that same way. The Unschoolers of Memphis have plenty of things like that--the Play-Do Gang and the storytelling at the Nature Center, Mom's Book Club (which doesn't even have all homeschooling moms anymore). There's even a Mom's (and Brad) Night Out, because one of the stay-at-home parents is a dad and he goes out to dinner with them. In Little Rock, there are off-shoots of Live & Learn in Conway and Searcy and Saline County. Those families in that area get together for local park days, and then do the regular L&L stuff, too. It doesn't affect the structure of the group at all, and provides wonderful options, which is what unschooling is all about.
There may come a point in UO where those parents who start a toddler play time decide they want something not-unschooling for their families, and that's fine....godspeed. But they'll be expected to leave the name behind, too. I'm not going to be the police about it, but I have no qualms about telling someone to stop using our name if they're acting contrary to the ideas set forth here. Instituting rules and committees and dues and dress codes--no thank you. Form your own group, leave mine out of it.
Here's something I wrote at the beginning of Live & Learn back in 1996, I think it was, and it has stood the test of time. It's still on the Live & Learn website:
"There are no committee positions to fill, programs to administer, or weekly dues to pay. Our group is not a political one. We celebrate, embrace and advocate free thinking for all. Therefore, we will provide a conduit for information about homeschooling issues and information important to all Arkansas homeschoolers, but we won't tell you how to think about it. No one can claim to represent our group in any form of political process. If you are interested in a place where you and your family will be nurtured, accepted, and inspired in your vision please join us."
Again, Live & Learn was a "homeschooling group", not specifically an unschooling group. I didn't think I'd find very many unschoolers around there, and I was right. But hey, it's 9 years later--the idea has taken root.
If any of you feel I have worn the mantle of "leader", I now disrobe. What I want to be is co-operator, partner, facilitator, and if I have to, I'll put on the armor of protector. We are all facilitators, partners, and empowered individually and as a group to further the vision.
Facilitate your child's bliss and make Unschoolers of the Ozarks blissful.
So, Denise, network all you want. Be creative. Make things happen. You know what unschooling is. If there's a problem, you can count on me to be reasonable and peacable about it and we'll work it out together. That goes for all of you. :)
Karen
posted by Karen Ann @ 7:10 AM
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