I don't like the term "unschooling"

[AngelBee]

I don't know....it rubs me the wrong way. :

I am not sure what would be a "better" term but unschooling always seems to have an "uninvolved parent" connotation by those who are who are not unschoolers or who are wondering if they are unschoolers.

I wonder if that is because "unschooling" can mean sooooooo many different things.

Hmmm......I don't know. Just thinking out loud I guess.

What do you think?

[milehighmonkeys]

Child led learning.

[lrlittle]

I don't like "unschooling" either because it seems negative to me - stating what it's not instead of what it is.

I also don't like child-led learning because it sounds like the parent is left out of the equation.

[purslaine]

life learners?

[annakiss]

I like it because it is negative. I like that it means "not school." I'm kinda a downer though in general.

[rockportmama]

Parent-supported natural learning? Hmm. Not very catchy!

[Attached Mama]

I think the correct term really depends on how it's being used (duh right ) But seriously, I've known of some unschoolers who really are just that - kids can do and eat anything they want and parents are totally uninvolved in setting up scenarios for learning etc.

Then I've seen child-led learning where the parents set up learning activities for the kids based on the child's current interests, which is kind of where I'm at - but which a lot of people would never call unschooling because I'm involved in helping her to learn.

Life long learners is a good broad phrase I think - it can cover a wide variety of learning styles.

[Serendipity]

Originally Posted by annakiss

I like it because it is negative. I like that it means "not school." I'm kinda a downer though in general.

I agree. I was first very attracted to it specifically because it meant NOT SCHOOL. But now that I've seen how negatively people (especially on this board) react to it, I don't like it as much.

[lrlittle]

Originally Posted by Attached Mama

Then I've seen child-led learning where the parents set up learning activities for the kids based on the child's current interests, which is kind of where I'm at - but which a lot of people would never call unschooling because I'm involved in helping her to learn.

Really? For some people involvement negates unschooling? Crazy!

[lrlittle]

Originally Posted by annakiss

I like it because it is negative. I like that it means "not school." I'm kinda a downer though in general.

totally lol.

[SagMom]

Originally Posted by lrlittle

I don't like "unschooling" either because it seems negative to me - stating what it's not instead of what it is.

Same here.

"Life Learners" is more accurate, but still seems cumbersome to me. I'd rather not have to explain it at all--if I were queen of the world, life learning would be the default and others would have to specify, "We school."

[Serendipity]

Originally Posted by Attached Mama

I think the correct term really depends on how it's being used (duh right ) But seriously, I've known of some unschoolers who really are just that - kids can do and eat anything they want and parents are totally uninvolved in setting up scenarios for learning etc.

Then I've seen child-led learning where the parents set up learning activities for the kids based on the child's current interests, which is kind of where I'm at - but which a lot of people would never call unschooling because I'm involved in helping her to learn.

Life long learners is a good broad phrase I think - it can cover a wide variety of learning styles.

my kids can pretty much do and eat anything they want, and i don't set up activities 'for learning' but i'm completely involved with my kids.

[lauradbg]

Here are some:

Life Learners

Organic Learners

Natural Learners

Low-Key-Learning-All-the-Time Learners

Focused-Intense-Passionate Learners

Passion-led Learners

I never say we are unschoolers. I think it sounds too much like non-schoolers which sounds like not schooling which to most ears sounds like not learning which sounds like WTF are you doing--you're educationally negligent, you freak!!

I just always say we're low key and the kids learn all year round...people can connect the dots of that any way they want--they assume lessons and tests at the kitchen table, or they assume field trips and cooking with Mom.

I don't like the term "unschooling" either.

But we do unschool and we love it! :

[SinginMamaTo2]

Just thinking about my own situations, especially with IL's. I just call it Homeschooling, and then I don't really get into it too much. Honestly, they don't have the kind of open-mindedness to "get it" anyway.
But for people who really care and want to know, couldn't we call it "School Free" or how 'bout "non-institutionalized learning" lol ?

[milehighmonkeys]

Ooo, I like non-institutionalized learning!

[dillonandmarasmom]

Originally Posted by annakiss

I like it because it is negative. I like that it means "not school." I'm kinda a downer though in general.

Me, too!~
I use the term to describe it sometimes to those who ask (mostly in my HS'ing circles where the term is used), but I generally refer to what we do as life learning, or learning what we desire or are passionate about at the moment...

[ZanZansMommy]

Originally Posted by lauradbg

I never say we are unschoolers. I think it sounds too much like non-schoolers which sounds like not schooling which to most ears sounds like not learning which sounds like WTF are you doing--you're educationally negligent, you freak!!

: Laura you're a riot.

[rbeaufoy]

I try really hard not to label what we do...unless someone asks specifically, I generally don't give alot of details. I can never tell what sort of label will get what sort of reaction from folks...it's just easier to be covert...is there a covert smilie?!

R

[annakiss]

See, I love to be subversive and to make people raise their eyebrows, so saying we don't do school is usually a bag of laughs for me. Because I really don't care what they think, generally. I guess I thrive on conflict.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by AngelBee

I am not sure what would be a "better" term but unschooling always seems to have an "uninvolved parent" connotation by those who are who are not unschoolers or who are wondering if they are unschoolers.

I wonder if that is because "unschooling" can mean sooooooo many different things.

I think all those things would come up regardless of what it were to be called. They'd all just transfer right over. Lillian