Tammy Takahashi

This book is one of my best friends. I met Tammy years ago, as we were both contributing to a (now defunct) group blog called "Life Without School" (http://lifewithoutschool.typepad.com/). And I am just giddily proud of myself that I introduced her to my publisher, Angela Hunt of Hunt Press (http://huntpress.livejournal.com/), and that Angela loved Tammy's writing as much as I did, and that, well, now it's published and you can learn to love Tammy's work too.

This book is one of those books I leave laying around, so I can just pick it up to a random page and let the wisdom seep in a little at a time. Tammy speaks to the fundamentals of the home/unschooler's soul, and reminds us over and over of what matters most.… (altro)

Worth the $3.99 as an e-book on Amazon. Definitely on the academic unschooling tip, but main point seems to be to question why you decide to approach education and learning a certain way as you being to craft a family-centered approach to learning that works for you. I really enjoyed her approach to friendships and community - make them based on interests, commonalities instead of educational choices. Overall, this is not any great read, but it was a quick reminder of some HS principles that I try to adopt.… (altro)

I’ve read many school and homeschool “guidebooks.” It’s my job, as a parent and home educator, to find out about the best practices and resources within school settings, as well as the diversity of options outside of traditional or alternative schools.

Unfortunately, so much information can leave a bewildered parent educator frantically trying to make one perfect choice amongst a forest of great options.

This is where Deschooling Gently is invaluable. Before addressing the concerns of new, or experienced homeschoolers, Tammy counsels the reader to:

Use what works, and leave the rest. Find the part of yourself that might be afraid, but moves forward anyway. Everything you need to make homeschooling work is already inside you. It’s my hope, that this book will help you find the fearless homeschooler that you have in you, and let it shine through.

For that advice alone, this is a book that should be on any parent or educator bookshelf. And yet, there is so much more.

Deschooling Gently - An Alternative Homeschool Guidebook

Decrying the Homeschool Guidebook Approach, in which home educators (like me) drive themselves nuts seeking expert opinions and “the best way” to educate, Tammy provides a relaxed step-by-step Deschooling alternative.

I’m not going to describe the entire book, there is so much that is worthwhile, that I would end up quoting it all.

However, just to give you a glimpse into the comprehensive nature of this non-guidebook, I’ll list the chapter titles as they are also the Steps to Deschooling:

1. Create a Foundation before Deschooling
2. Redefine Curriculum
3. Exploring Options in the Real World
4. A New Kind of Schedule
5. Teach Your Child As If No Other Exists
6. Creating Family Educational Goals
7. Get Hooked Up, Get the Kids Hooked Up
8. Become a Student of the World
9. Don’t Keep Records, Keep a Journal
10. Evolve Gently Into a New Homeschooling Life
11. Step Away from “Deschooling”

A Very Subjective List of Highlights of Deschooling Gently

On Curriculum -

Tammy has a lot to say about curriculum, much of it enlightening and liberating. However, I was especially struck by this suggestion:

…we can expand our definition of curriculum to include things that have no concrete product, such as communication, playing, volunteering, exploring and observing, which encourage our children’s unique abilities to shine.

Isn’t this notion at the heart of raising a lifelong learner? A person who knows himself, his interests and abilities, and who is genuinely curious and passionate about learning?

On Doubts and Fears -

Among others, Tammy hit on my greatest fear: What If My Child Misses Something?

Fortunately, she also provides a sensible response. Basically, she reminds readers that there are many paths, but you can only follow one at a time. She advises them to embrace whatever choice they make and realize that “whichever path they take, they are going to be OK.”

On Educational Goals -

I especially agreed with Deschooling Gently’s emphasis on family as the starting point for setting any goals, including educational goals. Your family goals can provide the framework necessary for your educational goals.

However, I like the author’s own list of educational goals, and can see our family embracing a similar list. Really, the third item on the list is one that is at the heart of my personal mission:

1) For everyone to be honestly successful in their day to day lives, and to have confidence that they will continue to have success no matter what paths they choose.

2) For everyone to have the knowledge of how to obtain information, who to ask for help and to be confident enough to pursue knowledge in their own way.

3) For everyone to love learning, whatever that may be.

4) For everyone to be the person that they are, and receive unconditional love no matter where their interests and personalities take them.

5) To make sure that everyone has a sense of pride in who they are, what they’ve done and are able to live a life of integrity.

6) For everyone to genuinely love to be alive.

A Deschooling Checklist

Now, if the highlights aren’t enough to drive you to the bookstore or my Amazon link, then I’ll leave you with Takahashi’s final checklist that I’m posting in a place of honor where I drink my morning coffee:

12 Signs You’re Done Deschooling

1. The kids wake up every morning generally happy and looking forward to what the day brings.
2. When you look at a curriculum, or class, or book, or field trip, you have a pretty good idea if your kids will enjoy it or not.
3. You see yourself as a learner too.
4. You often have “Wow, my kids are so interesting!” moments.
5. You know what your family philosophy is, and what “learning” and “success” mean to you, independent of what it means in the world around you.
6. Your kids aren’t afraid to bring up the topic of school.
7. You love being around your kids.
8. When you think about learning, you’re excited and enthusiastic.
9. You realize that “doing a good job” has little to do with how many boxes you check off your to-do list.
10. You feel like you belong in the world.
11. Education and life mesh with everyone’s personalities, interests, and abilities.
12. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, you trust your children, you trust yourself, and when change challenges you, that trust keeps everyone strong.

These are wise words to live by, and to parent the children who will someday be the adults that you want in your life. These will be the people who will change the world for the better.… (altro)