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shaun_dh's review against another edition
VERY soft DNF. Borrowed this book from the library and it was so good I bought a copy after nine pages. I’m just not in the ~*mood*~ for it right now
bittersweet_symphony's review
5.0
Although I would have liked to have the downsides to self-directed learning further explored, this book remains invaluable. McDonald makes a strong case for treating children with greater respect and trust. At this point, mass schooling seems as absurd and outdated an idea as the War on Drugs, regime-change wars, and choosing to maintain a large lawn rather than fostering a personal garden.
Schooling is not the same as education. In fact, it runs counter to it in many ways.
Schooling creates A LOT of problems for children, families, and community. McDonald gives us solid` reasons to seriously reconsider our views on education, and what environments are best fit for enabling children to grow into successful adults.
There are few, if any, problems that can genuinely be solved with more schooling.
Schooling is not the same as education. In fact, it runs counter to it in many ways.
Schooling creates A LOT of problems for children, families, and community. McDonald gives us solid` reasons to seriously reconsider our views on education, and what environments are best fit for enabling children to grow into successful adults.
There are few, if any, problems that can genuinely be solved with more schooling.
constant_reader's review against another edition
5.0
Wish I could've highlighted all my favorite parts (I borrowed it from the library). I'm already an unschooling parent but it's encouraging to see how the movement is growing. Also learned about different types of "unschools"/centers & playgrounds.
stormsb's review
3.0
I would give the first third of this book five stars. The author does a good job explaining where we are with the modern educational system, how we got here, and the unschooling alternative to this accepted modern model (though seeming more theory than journalistic).
But at the point where I wanted her to keep expanding upon the idea, she instead took a turn into what felt like a different book. The second two-thirds of the book are full of overly repetitive examples of more institutional versions of unschooling. At that point the book seems to become more of an exposition of how unschooling centers, creative spaces, public libraries, etc, can support unschooling and speaks less to the individual interested in some of the thought processes of the unschooling movement.
But at the point where I wanted her to keep expanding upon the idea, she instead took a turn into what felt like a different book. The second two-thirds of the book are full of overly repetitive examples of more institutional versions of unschooling. At that point the book seems to become more of an exposition of how unschooling centers, creative spaces, public libraries, etc, can support unschooling and speaks less to the individual interested in some of the thought processes of the unschooling movement.
jilljarvis's review
4.0
Wow what a great reminder that educations doesn’t require a set path and our children deserve more options!
“Education can be disentangled from schooling” and “[children] do not need to be placed on an assembly line when they are tots and worked on for over a decade to become shiny and learned” Kerry hit the nail on the head!
Would have given this 5 stars but feel it is missing a crucial bit of info on where to go from here. I’ll be continuing to do a bit more research on this!!
“Education can be disentangled from schooling” and “[children] do not need to be placed on an assembly line when they are tots and worked on for over a decade to become shiny and learned” Kerry hit the nail on the head!
Would have given this 5 stars but feel it is missing a crucial bit of info on where to go from here. I’ll be continuing to do a bit more research on this!!
readerturnedwriter's review
4.0
This was an interesting read that I happened upon. I knew a little about unschooling before, but learned a lot from the book.
I loved the concept of child led learning and the way it was discussed. The history of education and the statistics were really interesting.
I was put off a few times by how anti-school the author is. She was extreme in a way that bothered me sometimes.
The second half of the book was a lot less interesting for me. She delved into unschooling institutions, which I was less interested in, and it felt repetitive.
Overall, I would recommend this if you are interested in interest/child led learning. I also think it's a great read for any parent or homeschooling parent, not because I agree with everything in the book, but because I think it has useful information that parents can take what works for them and their family.
I loved the concept of child led learning and the way it was discussed. The history of education and the statistics were really interesting.
I was put off a few times by how anti-school the author is. She was extreme in a way that bothered me sometimes.
The second half of the book was a lot less interesting for me. She delved into unschooling institutions, which I was less interested in, and it felt repetitive.
Overall, I would recommend this if you are interested in interest/child led learning. I also think it's a great read for any parent or homeschooling parent, not because I agree with everything in the book, but because I think it has useful information that parents can take what works for them and their family.