Leaping From The Box

What is Deschooling and Why It Is Important

I often receive emails like the following:

We have been homeschooling for X time and it is just not working. I read about unschooling and it really sounded like the way I would like my children to learn. We started unschooling X weeks ago and I feel like we are not doing anything. . . . → Read More: What is Deschooling and Why It Is Important

Homeschooling Can Encourage Socialization

Yesterday I wrote about how some non-homeschooling individuals are still worried about homeschooling and socialization. Serendipitously, I just read an article by a Marisa Chow, a Contra Costa Times Teen Correspondent and a homeschooled teen in the Bay Area of California. In Teens: Home schooling aids, rather than inhibits, socialization, Marisa states:

Not . . . → Read More: Homeschooling Can Encourage Socialization

Worried about Socialization and homeschooling? Get over it!

We began homeschooling in 1996 and at that time, the one thing above all else that concerned those who heard we were homeschooling was “socialization.” Over the years, this continues to be THE concern most voiced, even though a generation of homeschoolers have proven it is a non-issue.

In an otherwise spot-on article about . . . → Read More: Worried about Socialization and homeschooling? Get over it!

Unschooling: A Life-Long Adventure

Many years ago, when Unschooling as a new and exciting concept to me, I wrote a piece that I titled You Might Be an Unschooler If …. Little did I know at the time how popular that piece would become; thirteen years later, it is still my most requested article for homeschooling newsletters.

. . . → Read More: Unschooling: A Life-Long Adventure

Interest-Led Learning

If you are looking for inspiration and information about Interest-Led Learning and Unschooling, check out this list of 50 favorite posts from 2011 on Christina Pilkington’s blog, Interest-Led Learning.

And don’t forget to check out the Unschooling articles on LeapingFromTheBox.com, including Unschooling High School and You Might Be An Unschooler If… . . . → Read More: Interest-Led Learning

J.K. Rowling Announces Pottermore

J.K. Rowling announced her newest venture, Pottermore, via Youtube.

What do you think?

Unschooler Interview on NPR

All Things Considered on NPR interviewed a 16 year-old unschooler from California.

Here’s a brief except:

Unschooling is like home schooling, except entirely self-directed, with lots of support from my parents. When I got my first allowance of $2.50 a week, I remember calculating how long I’d have to save up to buy my . . . → Read More: Unschooler Interview on NPR

Zenschooling Giveaway

Hunt Press is giving away a copy of Zenschooling, written by Tammy Takahashi. All you have to do is leave a comment on the Hunt Press blog and they will draw a winner on June 7th.

Here’s the blurb from Hunt Press about Zenschooling:

Zen is the practice of choosing peace over drama, . . . → Read More: Zenschooling Giveaway

Unschooling Summer Camps

If you are looking for a way to connect with other unschoolers, here are three summer camp options to check out.

Not Back to School Camp is the original unschoolers camp begun by Grace Llewellyn, author of The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education. They have . . . → Read More: Unschooling Summer Camps

Beans for Brains Scholarship for knitters/crocheters

Do you knit or crochet? Are you planning on attending a four year college in fall of 2011? If so, then you should check into the Jimmy Beans Wool “Beans for Brains” Scholarship. They are offering several $3000 scholarships. Entries are being accepted now through April 1st. Good luck!

. . . → Read More: Beans for Brains Scholarship for knitters/crocheters