I didn't do it in a teacherly way, and for most of each school year many of the kids thought we were 'doing nothing' on Fridays, that it was time out.

Afterwards I'd talk about what was interesting about the story, what else it seemed related to in folklore or other songs, how old it was believed to be, and what the evidence was. Every Friday I sang them a ballad and provided the words. We played with dictionaries a great deal. I could go on and on about this, but it's off the topic so I shall restrain myself (I hope). We used games and things I made up (handout-type things, I mean, and projects) and sometimes things the kids made up. It's too foreign to what they have always accepted as natural and inevitable. Some people's life-fabric is already kind of rumply, or they hated school and are glad to consider alternatives, but for those orderly folks who have life all neatly arranged in their heads, who do more accepting than questioning, unschooling is a disturbing thing. For many people, it disturbs the fabric of their lives. When things like 'the school year' are as much a part of a culture as 'family' and 'sunrise,' it's a radical departure to consider that maybe one of those three is unnatural. Those who went to school (and that's over 99% of those reading this) have based half their lives, give or take a decade, on school's rhythm and labels and categorizations. The real test is whether people can apply what they've learned to everyday situations. I could take a class on philosophy, but I've picked up so much 'ground fall' philosophy that it's starting to fit together like a 1500 piece jigsaw puzzle, and I never had to People attack what they don't understand. Why do you think it's difficult to understand the concept of unschooling and why are many folks aggressive in their attacks of its philosophy?

Unschooling may appear overwhelming to some people who misunderstand its fundamentals. Our subsequent e-mail correspondence led to the following interview. Recently, I was able to attend Sandra's workshops at a homeschooling conference and as a new unschooler, I was struck with the depth of her conviction. With clarity, certainty and humor, Sandra's wisdom reminds us to keep asking questions and maintain flexibility when looking at the world. Sandra travels the country spreading the word about unschooling whenever she can and is currently writing her first book. She serves as editor of the HEM Online Newsletter, and is host of the weekly HEM Unschooling chat.

Her three children have never been to school. Her mind is a virtual box of magic, her innovative ideas for learning are just plain fun, and her passionate belief in unschooling articulates a philosophy of life.ДЄ former junior high school teacher, Sandra lives with her family in New Mexico. We may strain to hear a voice that solidifies our ideas concisely and fortunately for many unschoolers, Sandra Dodd's vocal presence is a bright spot of lucidity. Published in a shorter version in Home Education MagazineДЇinding clear ideas and a philosophy of learning is a daunting task.

Subler instructions