First Year Reflections

I started writing this a long time ago, but am only just now finishing it up...

March
One of the most difficult undertakings for all people, is that of critical self analysis.  As April approaches and we near our first official meeting with the school board to justify our learning philosophy, I'm both excited and terrified.  I still struggle very much with my own feelings of self-doubt, especially as it relates to my intellectual abilities, but I'm getting a little better every day.  This year has been an amazing experience for all of us, trying at times, but overall very beneficial for our little family.  So what are my perceptions on what were the highlights?

Mental Health:  We now have 3 happy kids who feel confident, loved, valuable, and respected as people with their own agency.  Before we began this process we had one very depressed child, one incredibly angry child, and one overwhelmed and confused child.  What I've realized is that traditional schooling was inhibiting their ability to form personal boundaries: physical, intellectual, social, and emotional boundaries were being drawn for them or worse, they were forming boundaries and having them completely disrespected or crossed in the name of "that's just how it is".  Well, that doesn't mean it's right.

May
I was so sure the portfolio review process was going to be awful.  I had convinced myself the whole education system was against me and was going to interrogate me under a critical spotlight.  My own insecurities activated that saboteur side of me that was going to basically show up as a suicide bomber and destroy myself and everything around me.  Thankfully, I spoke to reasonable and knowledgeable people ahead of time to calm myself down and just get ready like a normal person.  If you're wondering how to do a review as an unschooling family, here's what I did.

I went back and looked at my photos, and made an album specifically for all our field trips accompanied by a printed out list of them and what subjects(s) they were focused on.  I did a write-up for all three of the boys in each subject of what they have been up to during this time and how they have shown their learning in each area.  I also made a watch list of what they have all seen and what subject(s) were covered and a little write-up of what we learned from each.

Next review I am going to bring more examples of writing or art (if they actually have done any) and bring a reading list of the books they have looked into.

The reviewers were so kind and accepting of alternative ideas.  They didn't judge me at all.  They wanted the assessment to go well and for everything to be approved.  They were incredibly helpful and positive.  I will not be nervous again for sure.  I'm annoyed with myself that I go to that place of expecting criticism when I'm feeling vulnerable.  However, I know I'm not alone!  It's just how humans are.  Getting to know ourselves is paramount to being able to work within our limits.

Creating Portfolios - Dealing with the State

There currently is no body of laws governing unschooling (aka self-directed learning).  It is categorized/covered under normal homeschool regulations, which don't actually fit the philosophy.  Unschooling is kinda hard to explain to others, and I'm betting the school board will be no exception.  People ask questions about what you're going to teach, and they use the word student all the time.  It's really hard to talk about in terms others can understand because it's still categorized "schooling" and people expect that vocabulary and hierarchy of teacher and student.  Until we get better at this, I'm giving my kids "calls to action", which was a fabulous tool my chemistry professor used to logically link task to purpose, giving us clear motivation and goals.  This is necessary for me to do because I have to create a portfolio to prove the kids are being adequately taught the approved subjects covered in the State regulations.  The exact verbiage is incredibly vague: Provide regular, thorough instruction in the studies usually taught in public schools to children of the same age.  Include instruction in English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education.  Take place on a regular basis during the school year and be of sufficient duration to implement the instruction program.  The only clear expectation of homeschooling from the State is "emulate public school at home", which is going to be tricky since I disagree with how they regulate the process of learning (and that's why we left in the first place).  I think we'll be fine though.  Maybe the assessment board will learn a thing or two from us.  Wouldn't that be amazing?!

My plan is to simply provide calls to action they would likely be interested in, and then keep track of their creative problem-solving on this blog.  Hopefully that will serve as a good enough portfolio to justify our learning experiences.  My prediction is that the kids will become deeper thinkers and better problem solvers as they gain experience.  I also predict they will find their own tasks or problems to solve as time rolls on.

What I noticed from my recent foray back into college, is that far too many students are paralyzed by the task of finding answers.  They also have a real problem defining the questions themselves.  Many become stressed and angry by the request, expecting the professors to provide answers, because that's what they pay them for!  I became stressed and angry too, but not about finding answers or asking the right questions... I was angry that we were rarely asked to try anything on our own.  Memorization and testing is still the norm in many college classes, and for some subjects and portions of lessons there's no real way to avoid that.  However, there was a serious lacking in practical application.  It probably wouldn't have bothered me as much if I hadn't had the distinct pleasure of being in at least one college class that was the opposite.  A chemistry lab that gave me a problem and a lab partner, a deadline, a grading rubric, and resources.  It was like learning how to ride a bike, and when it was over I felt empowered.  However, the general consensus was one of insecurity.  If I had been fresh out of High School where I was still required to ask for permission to go to the bathroom, I may have felt the same way.