I am trying to figure out which one I want to blog about. I really can’t decide!
Last week I finished Learning All The Time. I really liked it. It gave me a lot of new ideas for ways to incorporate unschooling philosophy into our daily lives. My main complaint about the unschooling movement is that I feel too many people choose to not-school and call it unschooling. I realize that everyone can make their own definitions, but if I were queen of the world 😉 I’d have unschooling focus WAY more on the stuff that looks like what Holt says. I love his ideas.
The books I am currently working on:
So far this book is really making me think about whether or not I am still in the “rebellion” part of my life, and that means that I will eventually settle into some kind of compromise of life. His discussion on this fact is really interesting.
I am reading this book because of my friend’s husband’s decision to work through the Serious Times book lists. They looked pretty good to me, so I decided to jump on board.
This isn’t a sit-down-with-a-hot-tea kind of book, but it is nice to flip through and get good ideas. I want to do a post on green living later this week.
This book was recommended for me by my library. So far it is VERY anti-Paul. I’m surprised, because the author has another book on why he is Catholic, so I keep thinking that he must believe Paul at some level, right?
When I was younger, I had some issues with Paul. Even still I wouldn’t have gone as far as the author does in his introduction. His criticism of Paul as a man who made his own religion, didn’t quote Jesus, and didn’t even know Jesus are pretty harsh. Its interesting nonetheless.
Big thanks to everyone who has purchased books off of my site. I appreciate the little bits and they help offset the server fees 🙂 Also, if anyone wants to see my allconsuming list, then feel free to check it out and suggest some new books for me! Oh, and I also have started a listofbests for my 52 books for the year 🙂 If you have an account on these sites, let me know and I’ll go cheer you on!
Well, I hope everyone is having a great weekend and a restful Sabbath. I’m off to read some more 🙂
HippieMommy,
I have the SAME issues with the whole “unschooling” nomenclature. It is is always compared to school, and keeps getting lumped together with “doing nothing”. I hate that! And so I’m torn between saying we’re not “unschoolers”, we’re “progressive educators”, and just saying, “damn it we’re unschoolers and do I really need to explain for the millionth time that it has nothing to do with “structure” or “doing whatever you want?”
John Holt should be required reading for all parents 🙂
Thanks for sharing the book recs. I’m going to look into the “How to Read a Book” book.
Also, have to you read “Alpha Girls” yet? I just picked it up from the library, and it looks like a goodie.
Ooh! Thank you for the suggestion! I just added “Alpha Girls” to my hold list at the library. It looks very interesting!
I was telling dh the other day that I hate to call ourselves unschoolers for all of the reasons that you mentioned. Now anytime I say “unschool”, people start saying “Oh I saw a lady on Dr. Phil who did that!” :/ Great.
Very nice! I have some new books on my wish list now. May even have to hit the library for a card so that I can borrow them if they have these titles, although with the way I read (constantly, repeatedly), ownership makes sense.
I have to admit, I’m especially eyeing that “Learning All the Time” book. My daughter learns so naturally at 4 years of age, and even though I’m not currently planning on homeschooling her, anything that helps me to supplement her learning and keep it fun sounds good to me.
You should definitely check out Learning All The Time. It is not just a book for homeschoolers. 🙂 A lot of his ideas are things that my mom (a public school teacher) recommends for her parents to do with their children.
I’m interested in the ‘what paul meant’ book you mentioned. Admittedly, I have issues with lots of parts of our “christianity”, but some of paul’s writings have long been one of my top beefs.
~PS