Unschoolers as Trendsetters
According to the December 2005 edition of the internationally published
ODE Magazine,
the "Liberation of Education" is one of the top 10 trends that will shape our world by the year 2015. Here is what they predict:
Farewell to standardized tests, assembly-line schools and one-size-fits all curriculum.
The liberation of education means every child has the right - not the obligation - to learn.
Every child has the right to learn in as many ways as possible, following her interests and developing her unique talents.
For that matter: Every adult has the same right.
Learning is an individual activity.
It has to be, because we are all different.
That is why compulsory education with fixed, one-size-fits-all curricula is outdated. That system belonged to the industrial revolution,
when schools were needed to train a uniform, obedient workforce for assembly-line factories.
As we have witnessed the end of the industrial revolution, we are soon witnessing the end of the rationale for conventional schools.
There is no need for standardized learning and standardized testing. No need for controlling what children learn.
They shouldn't study just what adults want them to know. Let's correct one fundamental misunderstanding: Every person wants to learn something.
No exceptions. By nature, children follow their interests and develop their talents. That is the very best thing they can do to fulfill their lives and to serve society.
It is exactly what leading businesses have discovered: Employees flourish when they feel they have been able to make clear and meaningful contributions.
The best place to learn is not inside a building where you confine kids with others exactly their own ages.
The best learning happens in an open setting that encourages people of different ages to interact in many ways.
One example might be elders explaining the wisdom of the past to youngsters who then teach the older generation how to use new technology.
Learning - when it is free - is never-ending, because the essence of learning is not acquiring knowledge, but finding meaning in life.
We've not done a good job of letting you know how much we again enjoyed and grew in knowledge at the Conference this year. You lead all again into a wonderful experience with great speakers, forums, fun times, meditative times. One might expect that we really got a lot from attending the grandparents meeting - just sharing and getting to know other travelers on this learning journey. So many highlights. Thanks again for all you do for so many!
The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances;
if there is any reaction, both are transformed.
- Carl Jung
Rethinking Education conference is looking for a few good volunteers! Volunteers are what make our conference such a great success, adding spirit, warmth and community.... and talent! We absolutely could not present such a high quality program and continue to keep our registration price low without the support of our many volunteers!
Our goal is to find a way to ensure that anyone who wants to attend be able to do so, even when finances are tight. Your attendance, your contributions, the knowledge gained during our weekend together is much more important than your ability to pay. So, if you have a burning desire to boost the spirits of your unschooling family and undergo exhilarating transformation, but the cost is overwhelming, contact Barb. RE has a small scholarship fund and there is so much we need help with!
The time you spend will offset your registration fee and there are many fun volunteer opportunities available.
Our needs change daily as our program develops and we like to make use of your special abilities too, whenever possible. Contact Barb Lundgren to arrange your volunteer position for the 2008 conference.
Her email is Barb@THEunschoolingconference.com and phone is 817.540.6423. Thank you!
VOLUNTEERS
All volunteers receive discounts off their registration cost, ranging from $10 per hour to more for those who host sessions. You can also reduce the registration cost by sharing or donating supplies we need. Kids must be at least 14 to volunteer, unless you are hosting a kid session in which case any age is appropriate, depending upon the activity you host.
Volunteer positions are wide-ranging. The following is just a sample of what we need your help with. The list changes daily and you should contact Barb Lundgren with your ideas and wishes: 817.540.6423 or Barb@THEunschoolingconference.com.
- We are looking for someone with audio and/or video recording equipment so that many of our sessions can be recorded. You may even be eligible for real income with this job, not just credit, depending upon how much you can help. Contact Barb.
- Anyone with a DVD Projector or a laptop/projection setup we can borrow for the weekend? Credit: $100
- Anyone with a movable, folding SCREEN we can use to show movies for the weekend? Credit: $100
- Anyone with a folding privacy screen we can use in our Costume dress-up area? It will remain in the same location all weekend. Credit: $60
- Anyone who can gather a variety of paints, all acrylic, in a variety of colors, to use to paint our YURT which was built last year? The Yurt will likely need the equivalent of one full gallon of paint all together, although we do need a variety of colors. Kids will be painting the Yurt on Thursday. Credit: $60
- We need about 20 old t-shirts in different sizes for painting the Yurt, just to protect kids' clothing... or rather, TRY to protect their clothes. The shirts can be old, used, stained, etc. Credit: $30
- We are looking for a freestanding clothes rack or two. It needs to be sturdy enough to hold alot of costumes, and you can either donate it or take it back home with you after the conference. Credit: $50
- We are looking for KIDS and TEENS and TWEENS and YOUNG ADULTS to host mind-expanding, thought-provoking and/or just plain fun activity sessions for their peers. Entrepreneuring, arts, crafts, dance, movement, theater, science, metaphysical, games, you name it. Every year there are a hundred activities available for our conference kids and young adults of all ages. Do you have an idea, a skill, a passion that you would like to share with others? We want you! Hosting a session will give you a $50 credit toward registration, as long as you arrange it before the conference begins and before you officially register.
- We love massage therapists! Bring your chair massage and work 2, 1.5 hour shifts during the long weekend and receive a $70 credit.
- Kid Village: needs volunteers to supervise the play of children, tidy up toy messes, read books, play with kids. You may volunteer up to 4 hours per person and receive a $10 per hour credit. You must be 14 to volunteer in Kid Village.
- We need a few grown up unschooled adults aged 18 or over to be part of a panel called "Grown Up Unschoolers". You should be an experienced unschooler and confident about life as an autodidact. On the panel you will talk for a few minutes about your life and your interests, plans if any for the future. Later, after everyone on the panel has spoken, you will all take questions from the audience about how unschooling works and specific questions about your life and plans. If you volunteer before the conference and let Barb know, she can take $40 off your registration fee.
- We need a few artistic/creative types to host 4 hour sessions during our weekend-long Imagination Station art activities. Activities change throughout the weekend, and you do not have to teach anything or talk to a group. You just need to be available to help others with their ideas and keep the supplies orderly for others. 4 hour shift is good for $60 credit.
- Got a TV, Video Game System and Games to share for the weekend? Credit: $50 per set up. The Video Game room will open about 10 am each day, and lock at about midnight.
- We are looking for an adult who can help with the Video Game set ups, open the room in the morning, lock the room at night, and generally oversee the room off and on during the day, helping if necessary, to enable all the kids who want to play to have a chance to do so. The Video Game Room will be on our main floor of meeting rooms and easy to access all weekend. Credit: $100
- General helpers: we will assign you to areas which need special or extra help and let you know before the conference starts when and where you are needed. 4 hours of volunteering as a helper is worth $40 credit.
If you don't see yourself on this list of volunteer job possibilities, call or email Barb. There's still more, and more. 817.540.6423 or Barb@THEunschoolingconference.com.