WeâÂÂre Not âÂÂHomeschoolers,â WeâÂÂre âÂÂWorldlearnersâÂÂ
// 5.29.06 // Filed under: Homeschooling
Last winter I was skiing with my son and a nice couple rode the lift with us. We chatted and, looking at Luke, they asked if he had the day off of school. When I explained that we homeschool, you could feel the conversation grind to a halt. I donâÂÂt think they were being rude, I think they honestly did not know what to say. Suddenly, we were not the normal mother and son out for a day on the slopes â we were weirdos. Probably uber-religious. Or crunchy hippies. Or maybe even members of a cult!
Many peopleâÂÂs eyes glaze over at the mention of homeschooling, as they envision a family of ten living on the homestead and wearing pilgrim-like clothing. Social misfits whoâÂÂve never heard the name Harry Potter. But alas, this is not the face of homeschooling that I know. And I often wonder if itâÂÂs the world âÂÂhomeschoolingâ that freaks people out.
Homeschoolers describe themselves in many different ways. Some âÂÂunschool,â others do âÂÂschool at home.â Some are traditional, others eclectic. But when discussing our childrenâÂÂs education with others, almost all of us use the term âÂÂhomeschooling.â Is there a better word? After all, how many of us are even âÂÂhomeâ that often? And not all of us really âÂÂdo school.â So what do our children do? They learn. Out in the real world. TheyâÂÂre Worldlearners.
When I tell someone that we homeschool, my most desired reaction is one of genuine interest. IâÂÂd love to have the opportunity to explain why I think learning in a real-world environment is better than the public school system. IâÂÂd love to declare that I want to teach my children how to think for themselves, that I donâÂÂt want my children indoctrinated into anyone elseâÂÂs agenda, and that I believe public schools reward mediocrity and collectivism.
But I rarely get to discuss any of these issues. That damn âÂÂhomeschoolingâ word just makes people pick up their pre-conceived notions and head for the door.
How do you think people would react if I said, âÂÂOh, my kids donâÂÂt go to school. TheyâÂÂre learning how to think for themselves out in the world. They read and write and research their interests on the internet and at the library. They travel and take field trips and, my gosh, their schedule is just so full of social activities that they simply arenâÂÂt able to spend entire days in school! Homeschool? No, weâÂÂre not homeschoolers. WeâÂÂre worldlearners!âÂÂ
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18 Responses to “WeâÂÂre Not âÂÂHomeschoolers,â WeâÂÂre âÂÂWorldlearnersâ”
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When I run into that question I usually say something like “I can’t think of a finer reason to skip school than a day on the slopes, can you?”
I’m not exacly lying, and my kids educational set up really isn’t any of their business anyway.
We don’t formally homeschool. My kids will attend public school when they’re of age to do so - and yet, we supplement their education at home. My guess is the sorts of things we do would not be so far off from the sort of thing you’re providing on a larger scale. Kudos to you for seeing a path that works best for your family and taking that path. To answer your final question - I’m sure there are those that would glaze over and wonder what you’re on.
But I think most of us would say, “Tell me more. I never knew.”
By the way, love the new blog layout!
It’s sad that homeschooling holds such a stigma with some people. Though I personally don’t think I would be the best at it, I do admire those that can and do. I can’t imagine the amount of work, planning, determination and patience that goes into it. You deserve a medal.
Shannon,
What a great post. I, too, wish people would drop their preconceptions. First, I got stares because I homebirthed, then breastfed, then stayed at home with my babies, then homeschooled. Now, , I teach history that I never learned in public school. I do vaccinate, thoough in some minds, it doesn’t follow.
Keep the great posts coming! BTW, your kiddos are so cute!
Astreil
Great post. I too agree “homeschooler” is a very loaded word to many people. After reading your profile,I believe I homeschool for the same reasons you do. Here in East Tennessee, it’s hard to find anybody who homeschools for reasons other than religious ones (although that’s certainly a valid reason). What I really love is being able to travel any time we want, and making every moment educational. Not waiting around for someone else to “school” my kids.
I went to public school growing up. I was the ideal student, but how much real education did I miss? I surely would be a better artist if I hadn’t been such a great “student”.
Shannon, I love it. Love love love it. Worldlearners. Perfect. My 11 yr old daughter lit up when I told her about your post–she too has been dissatisfied with “homeschooling” as a description of what we do, since we’re so unlike school.
Very well said!
I love it…WorldLearners…has an awesome ring to it!
Hey Shannon, I posted a link to your post over at my site (http://liltinghouse.clubmom.com/the_lilting_house/2006/05/how_about_world_1.html) and my readers think you ought to make Worldlearners shirts….I think I hear Cafe Press calling your name.
Lissa of Here in the Bonny Glen
I’m linking to this! What a great alternative perspective!
I’m the one who suggested a t-shirt for the kiddies. And a totebag for mama for all that world travelling
(Put Troll Baby Graphics back to work lol…)
Wow - I’m thrilled this is such a popular post! T-shirts? Sounds like a good idea to me. I’ll head over to Cafe Press now!
I homeschool, and a friend and I were just talking about this. She “unschools” but really, that is such a negative term..being against something… so we came up with a new term :Life Learners. I like it better. I personally do Classical Ed, but I just call it Eclectic, because, hey, I am.
Found you through Kailani’s blog…she is my tenant this week so I thought I would check in with her. Glad I checked you out, I have bookmarked you. Come and check in with me if you get a chance.
TLC
Yes.. homeschooling is an icky word isn’t it? Try “unschooling” which is what we do but refuse to call it. I call it “natural learning” because when people hear UNschooling, somehow it registers as “no schooling=no learning” which is a complete misperception.
I. Love. It. You should make a T-shirt out of that last part!
Surfed in from the Carnival of Homeschooling.
Fab. Picked up some new words. World Learners - I like! I also like natural learning.
Fabulous description of homeschooling! It’s too bad that so many people get the “glazed” over look.
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[...] At this point, I think I would like to purge the term from my life. Shannon posted that they are world learners. Maybe that is a term I could live with. I don’t [...]