John Holt mentions Ny Lilleskole, an experimental alternative school in Denmark, in several of his books and articles so I was happy to find this film about it on the internet. I wish there were more alternatives to school like this available here and now. I'd love to get involved. The production values of this film are a little rough and it takes about 30 minutes to watch it, but I found it very inspiring.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Valentines
Yesterday after preschool my boys came home with their big decorated envelope of Valentines. They carefully pulled out each one and admired it and seemed in awe the whole time - like "Wow! This is amazing, isn't it?!" (I'm not sure if they really knew what to expect of Valentine's Day!)
Anyway, as they went through their Valentines I noticed that the 2nd year students (the kids heading to kindergarten next year) had printed their own names on the little notes. I'm guessing that in some cases the parents have worked on this at home since they don't push it at all in school. And I noticed that I felt bad that Beck isn't writing his name. I felt bad, maybe even a little embarrassed and guilty.
And then on top of all of those feelings and overriding them, is this strong belief that I don't want to push my kids, that when they feel ready to write and have a good reason to, they will. That I need to trust them and have confidence in their ability to learn and to want to learn. And I'm realizing that having this faith in children is not easy in our competitive culture. It's hard not to want my kids "keeping up" with the others. But this (this comparing and judging of children, this race to do more and do it faster and better and younger) - this is precisely what I'm trying to avoid by staying out of schools.
Anyway, as they went through their Valentines I noticed that the 2nd year students (the kids heading to kindergarten next year) had printed their own names on the little notes. I'm guessing that in some cases the parents have worked on this at home since they don't push it at all in school. And I noticed that I felt bad that Beck isn't writing his name. I felt bad, maybe even a little embarrassed and guilty.
And then on top of all of those feelings and overriding them, is this strong belief that I don't want to push my kids, that when they feel ready to write and have a good reason to, they will. That I need to trust them and have confidence in their ability to learn and to want to learn. And I'm realizing that having this faith in children is not easy in our competitive culture. It's hard not to want my kids "keeping up" with the others. But this (this comparing and judging of children, this race to do more and do it faster and better and younger) - this is precisely what I'm trying to avoid by staying out of schools.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Left Behind
The other day a friend was visiting and our conversation naturally turned to schools and education. Her daughter is just a few months older than our oldest (Beck) and because she tested as "gifted" they decided to start her a year early in kindergarten.
And as we talked about how kindergarten was going it became clear that this kindergarten class was very academic. The children are asked to sit and do their seat work, they have daily homework and miss recess if it isn't completed. And even though the year is less than half through the kids are already reading and writing. (According to her report card, my friend's daughter isn't writing "fast enough", - which could justify a post of it's own!)
So when I announced that we planned to homeschool Beck, my friend looked a little shocked and said, "Aren't you afraid he'll be behind?" Of course I'm not afraid of that - at all. But her comment made me think: does that mean traditionally schooled kindergarteners are ahead? Ahead in what? Life? Going to work sooner? A better college? A better job? Does the "rat race" start now?
I told my friend that I didn't think learning to read and write was that difficult and that when the child is ready it really shouldn't take long at all. Certainly not an entire year of sitting at a desk doing seat work and homework besides. So, no, even if I did care that much about the academic progress of a 5 year old, I don't think our boys are behind at all.
And as we talked about how kindergarten was going it became clear that this kindergarten class was very academic. The children are asked to sit and do their seat work, they have daily homework and miss recess if it isn't completed. And even though the year is less than half through the kids are already reading and writing. (According to her report card, my friend's daughter isn't writing "fast enough", - which could justify a post of it's own!)
So when I announced that we planned to homeschool Beck, my friend looked a little shocked and said, "Aren't you afraid he'll be behind?" Of course I'm not afraid of that - at all. But her comment made me think: does that mean traditionally schooled kindergarteners are ahead? Ahead in what? Life? Going to work sooner? A better college? A better job? Does the "rat race" start now?
I told my friend that I didn't think learning to read and write was that difficult and that when the child is ready it really shouldn't take long at all. Certainly not an entire year of sitting at a desk doing seat work and homework besides. So, no, even if I did care that much about the academic progress of a 5 year old, I don't think our boys are behind at all.
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