Homeschooling is homeschooling, regardless of what you may call it. Of course, there are a lot of different meanings that we attach to things. One such distinction that some people try to make is between “unschooling” and “radical unschooling.”
One of the differences that people try to attach here has to do with whether or not any type of instruction is given. For instance, they say that unschoolers may give some teaching while radical unschoolers won't offer any instruction at all.
Another difference has to do with whether or not learning and life are separated in any way. While radical unschoolers may allow their children to do whatever they want all day long, unschoolers may decide there are certain activities that are “appropriate” for school days and others, which should be avoided. Usually, if you divide your life in this way, deciding what's academic and non-academic, you're not a radical unschooler.
There's also a division that occurs in regards as to whether or not the lines between learning and life have become blurred. This is a line that a lot of conflict exists around. It's simply a matter of the lifestyle that's been chosen. Each family has to decide where this line is drawn for them.
Ultimately though, it's all about homeschooling regardless of how you may see it. At least, you now have a better understanding of what the blurry lines are all about though. If you still need some help with the unschooling lifestyle, I strongly suggest taking a look at the book, “The Unschooling Handbook: How to Use the Whole World As Your Child's Classroom” by Mary Griffith. It's really helped me embrace it over the years.
One of the differences that people try to attach here has to do with whether or not any type of instruction is given. For instance, they say that unschoolers may give some teaching while radical unschoolers won't offer any instruction at all.
Another difference has to do with whether or not learning and life are separated in any way. While radical unschoolers may allow their children to do whatever they want all day long, unschoolers may decide there are certain activities that are “appropriate” for school days and others, which should be avoided. Usually, if you divide your life in this way, deciding what's academic and non-academic, you're not a radical unschooler.
There's also a division that occurs in regards as to whether or not the lines between learning and life have become blurred. This is a line that a lot of conflict exists around. It's simply a matter of the lifestyle that's been chosen. Each family has to decide where this line is drawn for them.
Ultimately though, it's all about homeschooling regardless of how you may see it. At least, you now have a better understanding of what the blurry lines are all about though. If you still need some help with the unschooling lifestyle, I strongly suggest taking a look at the book, “The Unschooling Handbook: How to Use the Whole World As Your Child's Classroom” by Mary Griffith. It's really helped me embrace it over the years.
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