The Unschooling Handbook: How to Use the Whole World as Your Child's Classroom

by Mary Griffith

Book Overview

To Unschoolers, Learning Is As Natural As Breathing Did you know that a growing percentage of home schoolers are becoming unschoolers? The unschooling movement is founded on the principle that children learn best when they pursue their own natural curiosities and interests. Without bells, schedules, and rules about what to do and when, the knowledge they gain through mindful living and exploration is absorbed more easily and enthusiastically. Learning...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761512764
• ISBN13: 9780761512769
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Must read. A super place to start!

If you are thinking of homeschooling, this is a fabulous primer on one of the approaches to teaching kids, or letting kids learn, at home. It does an excellent job of covering a broad scope of issues without being overwhelming. The style of writing and layout of the book makes it easy and enjoyable to read. Well worth your time!

I UNSCHOOL AND IT WORKS!

It is a 'good thing' that this book is available. Running an egroup list for unschooling parents, I know that it can be difficult for some folks to understand the concept. Also, there are many kinds of 'unschooling' approaches from the 'radical unschooling' families to the kind like mine where we do use worksheets off and on and use a lot of educational tv and computers. I can highly recommend this book for those thinking about using this different way of homeschooling. One thing I can assure you is that your child will never 'HATE' learning.

Easy to read, understand and implement in your kids lives.

As a homeschooling mom of two boys, we had heard about the unschooling method but were a little unsure of its effectiveness until we read this book. Mary Griffith does a wonderful job of explaing the concept of unschooling, and the numerous families quoted throughout the book make the concept seem so natural. There are chapters on math, science, reading and writing, and how to use the world around your children to foster these skills without "doing school". Using the unschooling concept has made the boys' curiosity and wonder of the world around them just explode and has made learning exciting for them. The unschooling philosophy has made learning a 24/7 event at our house, thanks to this wonderful book. Any family considering homeschooling, or "doing school" at home, or using a curriculum needs to read this unique and fabulous book.

As a 16 year old I have found this book to be inspirational

I am currently a junior in high school, and I have been looking for an alterantive to public schooling for over a year. This book provides a lot of helpful background information on how to get started and continue with your unschooling. The whole idea behind unschooling is a very creative and revolutionary way to improve the current education system. I would highly recommend this book to any adult looking to better their child's learning experiance as well as to any child who, like myself, has felt that they have been unchallenged by the public schooling system.