What is the difference between homeschooling and unschooling?

Question

Layla........If my kids had a choice they'd NEVER leave the TV....lol

Answer 1

Unschooling is also often referred to as child-led learning--the child leads the way. Parents can be really involved--I know one mom who picks up books on various topics and leaves them around the house, a practice known as strewing; plus this mom seeks out different activities for them to do, but leaves the final decisions upto the kids--or not involved at all, like one mom I met whose son was 12 and wasn't reading yet. He WANTED to read, but she wouldn't teach him because she was an extreme unschooler who believed that people learned on their own.

As for choosing to watch tv all the time, the unschoolers I know don't allow that. Unschooling doesn't necessarily mean TOTAL freedom; there are still certain limits. Unschooling really means that the kids are not forced to learn any one thing; they choose their own learning (yes, even if it means playing dress-up or Lego for years--at some point, they will tire of it!)

The most successful unschoolers I've met are the ones who are deeply involved, like the one I mentioned above. The kids found learning exciting, were exposed to a wide variety of things. A few I've met whom I have to wonder about are very hands-off and the kids had no clue what wonders of the world they were missing out on.

Answer 2

Unschooling is trusting that a child will learn what they need and want without being spoonfed from a curriculum (either in school or at home) People who don't use a curriculum, but still assign work or books to read, or activities to finish, are not unschoolers. They are eclectic teachers. Those who use a curriculum, even if they say a child can choose which parts to use, are still not trusting in the innate ability of children to learn.

For every comment of "If I let my kid do x, they'd never do y" ask yourself why they would do that. Why would a child choose to watch TV for 24 hours a day, seven days a week? I don't know any unrestricted children who do that, and I know personally 12 or 13 unschooling families, plus hundreds from annual conferences.When we first removed restrictions, our children *did* watch for hours at a time. Now, in a house with nine people, the tv is watched for maybe an hour a day. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Sometimes they watch a discovery channel marathon. Sometimes they ARE watching cartoon network, and they are STILL learning. They're learning society issues, they're learning about advertising, they are learning sooo much!  A child who is stuck in front of the TV is there because he cannot depend on watching when he wants to, so he crams in as much as possible.It's basic economics, any item in demand gains much higher value. Here's a link http://sandradodd.com/tv . Even worse, he doesn't see content, it's more like cramming in cookies because you never get to eat them, you don't taste them, you don't feel full (or you ignore it as a tradeoff for the pleasure of indulging)

Answer 3

A home school is a non-public school in which one or more children of not more than two families or households receive academic instruction from parents or legal guardians, or a member of either household.

Most home schools must meet certain requirements as follows:

    *  Notify the Department of Administration, Division of Non-Public Education of your intent to operate a school and include your school name, and name of chief administrator.

    * Certify that the persons providing the academic instruction hold at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.

    * Maintain attendance records on each student.

    * Maintain immunization records on each student.

    * Operate on a regular schedule, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations, during at least nine calendar months of the year.

    * Administer a nationally standardized test, or other equivalent measurement, that measures achievement in the areas of English grammar, reading, spelling, and math, to every student each year, and maintain the results on file for one year, subject to inspection by a duly authorized representative of the State.

    * Notify the Department of Administration, Division of Non-Public Education, when closing your school.

Unschooling contrasts with other forms of home education in that the student's education is not directed by a teacher and curriculum. Although unschooling students may choose to make use of teachers or curricula, they are ultimately in control of their own education.  Students choose how, when, why, and what they pursue. Parents who unschool their children act as "facilitators," providing a wide range of resources, helping their children access, navigate, and make sense of the world, and aiding them in making and implementing goals and plans for both the distant and immediate future. Unschooling expands from children's natural curiosity as an extension of their interests, concerns, needs, goals, and plans.

Answer 4

Unschooling is but a method of Home Schooling (the definition above is incorrect - while it may be true in that persons State is NOT true of all states. Please see hslda.org before you start).

Choosing to provide learning resources and allowing the child to choose what and when he will learn certain subjects. Most unschoolers that I know do NOT allow it to be a Electronic learning all the time type thing but rather life learning/learning by doing. Such as the child expressing an interest in Rabbits leads to participation in 4-H, rabbit breeding, meat rabbit business, things like that.  

The Elijah Company has a great resource guide which goes over each method and it's strength and weaknesses.  John Holt and the Colfax family were both big proponents of Unschooling - so you might check out some of their books.

Answer 5

Home schooling is teaching your children at home instead of using a conventional school, private, public, or charter to do it for you.

Home schooling gives the parent complete control over what is taught, as well as the time, place, and method used to do the teaching.

Both home schooling, and unschooling gives the parent the choice to go year round, or simply set their own schedule that is best for their families.

Children quickly gain the understanding that learning is not confined to a school, certain hours, or pre-selected books, but is a life long process, and has only those limitations that we ourselves place upon it, or allow others to place upon it.

Unschooling is not, at least not for us without guidance.

Children need guidance, and direction throughout their young lives to be able to learn, and develop character, and integrity.

Unschooling is a natural continuation of basic parenting, we simply add academics when they are ready.

Unschooling simply means learning in a natural setting, and using non-traditional means to teach.

Non-traditional meaning without an artificial school setting, either in a conventional school, or at home.

Unschooling uses many media, and some, but rarely traditional school text books, much of the learning is hands on, by working along side the adults, through 4H, and other organizations that have hands on training.

We use 4H for all our electives, as well as speech and debate. (Toast Masters).

Unschooling is learning by doing, not just reading about it.

We learn math, reading, and writing in a more structured (traditional) setting once they are between 6 and 10, but it depends on the child.

In the earlier years they learned writing their letters in shaving cream on the kitchen counter top, and they learned it was a lot of fun to learn.

We also went outside, and used side walk chalk, window finger paint and so on to learn writing, and shapes.

Before they knew it they were able to write, no muss no fuss.

We use a lot of games, board games, computer software, or outdoor games.

See this web site what is available for games, and you will see learning does not have to be confined to a textbook.

http://www.educationallearninggames.com/...

Unschooling can be completely, or to some extend be child directed, and this; at least for us; means that when our children come to a particular subject that they want to learn about, we do not put a time limit on them as to how long they can learn about it, we simply try to provide every opportunity they need to learn as much as they want too.

Most often when children are allowed to learn in a natural way, in the form of unschooling, relaxed, Montessori, or self directed learning, they understand the concepts better, and score high on any (academic) test they are given.

Hands on teaching, instructors who are experienced in their field, from a car mechanic, pilot, store clerk, to a doctor; if these  are willing to answer childrens questions and children would be incouraged to ask questions freely; can teach more in 15 minutes than textbooks, and hours in classrooms could accomplish.

For some other sources to research the many faces of unschooling see:

Click on the little purple box to view the video for free.

http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/

Click on home school methods, and than unschooling.

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/

http://www.unschooling.com/

http://www.livefreelearnfree.net/index.h...

Answer 6

parents

Answer 7

Homeschooling is basically like tutoring at home, whether by a teacher or parent.

Unschooling is allowing the child resources to learn etc, but also letting them choose what they want to do. Basically you give them choices and they can do whatever they want, even if they choose to watch tv etc. However this is very controversial and highly depends on the parent and how they choose to monitor that.