"How long should my son be spending on his school work?"
"What do you do for school work?"
"How often should we take breaks?"
Unfortunately, I couldn't really answer these questions. Why? We don't home-school. We unschool or life-school.
The looks I get when I say this are pure shock. What? You don't do school? How do they learn? What do you do? Are you allowed to do that? Do they take tests? How do you know if they are learning?
I tell them my kids learn the skills needed to succeed in life. Everyday is different and new skills are always learned. I talk to my kids and discuss their interest. I guide them. I don't indulge and do for them.
Here is a recent example of how unschooling works with the boy.
The boy saved his money and bought a used go-kart. This happened just as the Covid-19 pandemic caused schools in our area to close. This was the perfect opportunity to 'show' how unschooling works.
1. Money management skills - having to work and save money to purchase an item, earn money to
replace parts, earn/save money for gasoline
2. Engine maintenance - having to learn how the engine works, trouble shoot issues, change oil, etc.
3. Research and Communication - using web browser to find information on the go-kart and engine,
calling various stores to see if they carried the needed parts,
convincing parents to drive to these stores for the parts.
4. Math skills - measuring, money, gear ratios, chain sizes, speed calculations
The boy has spent the last month working on his prized possession. He has learned most of this on his own. Asking his dad for advice and help occasionally. He can now take apart the engine and put it back together. He still isn't finished fixing his machine, due to the fact he needs to earn more money for another part. It is a work in progress. The lessons he is learning are more important than those found in a textbook. He is developing skills he will always remember and use. There isn't a quiz or a test at the end of this project. The test is ongoing. There is a reward. He will eventually have a fully functional go-kart to enjoy at the end of the test.
