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A Valedictorian speaks out against schooling

If you haven’t read Erica Goldson’s Valedictorian speech, go check it out.  Basically, she “calls out” the insane practice of institutionalized education, as she experienced it. SIDE NOTE- Kelly Hallordson, an unschooling mom and blogger, was able to sit down with Erica shortly after this speech hit the interwebs and recorded their conversation, at a [...]

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Are you that parent?

Are you the one who breaks the conventional parenting wisdom and just lets your kids be kids?  You’re in good company.  When Flo Gascon confessed that she’s the mom who let her kids eat ice cream for breakfast, unschoolers from all over the world fought over who got the “That mom” title.  Soon, I imagine [...]

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Free John Taylor Gatto book – The Underground History of American Education

I know a lot of people have been passing around The Public School Nightmare: Why fix a system designed to destroy individual thought? It’s a good thing, the post is informative and enlightening. But it’s just the tip of the iceberg.  It’s part of John Taylor Gatto’s The Underground History of American Education, which is [...]

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Honoring Adult Learning Styles

I used to tease my husband because when he shops, it’s like he’s paying a social visit to the salesman. He actually gets to know them a bit. While I’m trying to compare features, specifications and energy usage he’ll be chatting away with the salesman. I, on the other hand, don’t trust salesmen. I think [...]

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The Public School Nightmare Why fix a system designed to destroy individual thought?

by John Taylor Gatto from The Underground History of American Education I want you to consider the frightening possibility that we are spending far too much money on schooling, not too little. I want you to consider that we have too many people employed in interfering with the way children grow up – and that [...]

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Learning from TV and Videos

In Dayna Martin’s “Don’t Kill your TV” she makes an excellent case for TV’s benign existence, as a tool rather than a menace: This window into possibility and potential is an such an amazing tool in our lives and one that I can’t imagine living without. There is a lot of anger surrounding television in [...]

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The Unschooling Rule Book

The following is quoted from a response that Maisha Khalfani gave when a new unschooler asked for a definition of the conceptt: Can I offer another perspective on what you are looking for? Many of us come to unschooling wanting to “do it right”. We have been conditioned to find the right answer – in [...]

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For your own good

I can’t even count how many times I heard this as a child. The underlying message was: 1- you’re not smart enough to know what’s good for you 2- the things that make you happy are bad for you 3- the things you want will end up hurting you because 4- you have no self [...]

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Recommended Reading for Rethinking Everything Conference 2010

The Rethinking Everything Conference in Dallas is my family’s FAVORITE annual event. It beat out the local Folklife Festival by a mile. Even if you can’t attend, the recommended reading list is a meaty selection of books that will help YOU rethink parenting, education, freedom, sustainability and yourself. Enjoy… Check out the Ultimate list of [...]

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The Optimist Creed

by Christian D. Larson Promise Yourself To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. [...]

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