An un-orientation letter to my dear “freshman”: You are now at the stage in which most teens enter high school. In a way, you are too, but you have chosen a different course than most, a familiar course, though it won’t always feel that way. You have been home educated your whole life, and I am proud of who you are and the active role you have taken in shaping your own education. You
1. Model what you would like to see. The process for learning is not that different for adults as it is for kids. When children see us working hard, trying new things, accepting failure as a challenge and an opportunity, they are inspired to do the same. Modeling also sets up a deeper relationship, much like that of an apprentice. There is a subtle transfer of information that happens from
I’ve been leading a class that I created called Making Through History for almost two years, and it has been one of the best teaching experiences I have ever had. The class explores history and the humanities through the art and invention that expressed the values and aspirations of people in a specific time and place. These days STEM/STEAM education is all the rage, and
When I talk to new homeschoolers, or even more experienced ones who are struggling, one of the topics that come up regularly is writing. Actually, it’s usually a concern about wanting to simultaneously be learner centered but also making sure their child gets the three R’s (reading, (w)riting, (a)rithmetic), but writing is most often the largest of their worries. If they don’t
Note: This is a more formal, written presentation of the keynote talk I gave at the 2017 Bay Area Homeschool Fair entitled "A Coddiwomple Education," on homeschooling and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The audio version of the live keynote can be found here (coming soon). Coddiwomple (kod-ee-wom-pul) (v.) To travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague
There’s a developmental phase in childhood that doesn’t get talked about enough, and yet provokes an enormous amount of questions and concern. It can best be described as dramatic. That may be an understatement. It is when children become even more imaginative and complex, and also when behavior can regress and take us by surprise with its ferocity. I’m talking about the shift that
Why has making become such a coveted way for kids to spend their free time? Why do they pick up skills and concepts so quickly and connect it to real life experiences? We can see why by looking at a snapshot of development in this age group. Developmental psychologist Jean Piaget referred to the cognitive development occurring between ages 7-11 as the "concrete operations stage".
The thing about science is that you have to let kids learn to love it through experience and experiment before you can ask them to be a scientist. To really understand it. Think about Leonardo DaVinci, watching and sketching his birds over and over again, contemplating flight. Sometimes science is about observation, patience, and beauty. Sometimes science is about time and intimacy. Slow science.
Below is the announcement that went out last month, detailing the end of what has been over four incredible years. Words can not express the gratitude I have for my friends, family, and the Curiosity Hacked community for their support. I am, however, excited for what's next. Dearest Makers and Hackers, This is BIG news. When we started teaching new skills to kids
A while back, I wrote a post basically stating that decision to send your kids to school or not was so personal and based on specific family needs that it was unproductive to try to elevate one as a better choice. Last month, I got to put my money where my mouth was. It started off the way it does for many homeschooled kids I know. My daughter, when faced with many of her friends starting