Unschoolers as Trendsetters
According to the December 2005 edition of the internationally published
ODE Magazine,
the "Liberation of Education" is one of the top 10 trends that will shape our world by the year 2015. Here is what they predict:
Farewell to standardized tests, assembly-line schools and one-size-fits all curriculum.
The liberation of education means every child has the right - not the obligation - to learn.
Every child has the right to learn in as many ways as possible, following her interests and developing her unique talents.
For that matter: Every adult has the same right.
Learning is an individual activity.
It has to be, because we are all different.
That is why compulsory education with fixed, one-size-fits-all curricula is outdated. That system belonged to the industrial revolution,
when schools were needed to train a uniform, obedient workforce for assembly-line factories.
As we have witnessed the end of the industrial revolution, we are soon witnessing the end of the rationale for conventional schools.
There is no need for standardized learning and standardized testing. No need for controlling what children learn.
They shouldn't study just what adults want them to know. Let's correct one fundamental misunderstanding: Every person wants to learn something.
No exceptions. By nature, children follow their interests and develop their talents. That is the very best thing they can do to fulfill their lives and to serve society.
It is exactly what leading businesses have discovered: Employees flourish when they feel they have been able to make clear and meaningful contributions.
The best place to learn is not inside a building where you confine kids with others exactly their own ages.
The best learning happens in an open setting that encourages people of different ages to interact in many ways.
One example might be elders explaining the wisdom of the past to youngsters who then teach the older generation how to use new technology.
Learning - when it is free - is never-ending, because the essence of learning is not acquiring knowledge, but finding meaning in life.
We've not done a good job of letting you know how much we again enjoyed and grew in knowledge at the Conference this year. You lead all again into a wonderful experience with great speakers, forums, fun times, meditative times. One might expect that we really got a lot from attending the grandparents meeting - just sharing and getting to know other travelers on this learning journey. So many highlights. Thanks again for all you do for so many!
The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances;
if there is any reaction, both are transformed.
- Carl Jung
Rethinking Education conference is looking for a few good volunteers! Volunteers are what make our conference such a great success, adding spirit, warmth and community.... and talent! We absolutely could not present such a high quality program and continue to keep our registration price low without the support of our many volunteers!
Our goal is to find a way to ensure that anyone who wants to attend be able to do so, even when finances are tight. Your attendance, your contributions, the knowledge gained during our weekend together is much more important than your ability to pay. So, if you have a burning desire to boost the spirits of your unschooling family and undergo exhilarating transformation, but the cost is overwhelming, contact Barb. RE has a small scholarship fund and there is so much we need help with!
The time you spend will offset your registration fee and there are many fun volunteer opportunities available.
Our needs change daily as our program develops and we like to make use of your special abilities too, whenever possible. Contact Barb Lundgren to arrange your volunteer position for the 2008 conference.
Her email is Barb@THEunschoolingconference.com and phone is 817.540.6423. Thank you!
VOLUNTEERS
All volunteers receive discounts off their registration cost, ranging from $10 per hour to more for those who host sessions. You can also reduce the registration cost by sharing or donating supplies we need. Kids must be at least 14 to volunteer, unless you are hosting a kid session in which case any age is appropriate, depending upon the activity you host.
Volunteer positions are wide-ranging. The following is just a sample of what we need your help with. The list changes daily and you should contact Barb Lundgren with your ideas and wishes: 817.540.6423 or Barb@THEunschoolingconference.com.
- We are looking for someone with audio and/or video recording equipment so that many of our sessions can be recorded. You may even be eligible for real income with this job, not just credit, depending upon how much you can help. Contact Barb.
- Are you a musician who can get excited about organizing a group of conference musicians to perform Pink Floyd's "Brick in the Wall" song for our conference Talent Show on Sunday night? $40 credit
- We need a loan of a set of good speakers which can be used for our Talent Show and nightly music/dance events. $75 credit
- We need one adult to set up the Silent Auction on Sunday morning at 8am, oversee it off and on all day, help with auction sales at 9:30 pm. You won't miss any regularly scheduled sessions with this job. $50 credit off two registrations, total credit of $100.
- We are looking for KIDS and TEENS and TWEENS and YOUNG ADULTS to host mind-expanding, thought-provoking and/or just plain fun activity sessions for their peers. Entrepreneuring, arts, crafts, dance, movement, theater, science, metaphysical, games, you name it. Every year there are a hundred activities available for our conference kids and young adults of all ages. Do you have an idea, a skill, a passion that you would like to share with others? We want you! Hosting a session will give you a $50 credit toward registration, as long as you arrange it before the conference begins and before you officially register.
- We have a few openings for adults to host sessions as well. Propose your own idea, or call Barb for ideas. We are interested in your passion. We love sessions on entrepreneuring, natural healing options, unschool nuances, out-of-the-box ideas of all kinds, movement, metaphysics, history, science, art of all kinds. Hosting a session will give you a minimum of $50 credit toward registration.
- We love massage therapists! Bring your chair massage and work 2, 1.5 hour shifts during the long weekend and receive a $70 credit.
- Kid Village: needs volunteers to supervise the play of children, tidy up toy messes, read books, play with kids. You may volunteer up to 4 hours per person and receive a $10 per hour credit. You must be 14 to volunteer in Kid Village.
- Nighttime Unschool Fun overseer: we will open a fabulous space every night from approx. 7:30 - 1am for music and dance, movie watching, puzzle making and art. All registrants are welcome to attend and people will come and go all night. We need one person each night to remain in the space and oversee activities there. $75 credit for each night.
- We are hosting a panel of Unschool Dads to talk to everyone from their perspective. Are you a Dad who would like to be on this panel? We will give you a $40 credit toward your registration.
- We will have Conference Ombudsmen available for four, one hour shifts per day. The Ombudsman will be available to anyone at the conference who has questions or a conflict/problem they need help with. Barb Lundgren will discuss the details of this with you if you volunteer. Teens who are confident, outgoing and have been to the conference before are great candidates. Parents with level heads and conference/unschool/unconditional respect for all experience are also great. You will receive a $25 credit toward registration for each hour you volunteer.
- We need supplies for Egg Drop. Can you collect 6 extra large trash bags of assorted, recycled types of stuff like cardboard (no boxes), plastic, wire, string, etc. etc.? $60 credit
- We need supplies for a new activity, Build a Flying Machine. Can you collect 5 paper grocery sacks of cardboard, paper, tape, styrofoam, rubber bands, string, paper clips, etc.? $60 credit
- We're looking for a few unschooled kids to be part of a panel discussion called "Meet Real Unschooled Kids, Up Close and Personal." Any age is welcome and you should be an experienced unschooler and confident about taking charge of your life. On the panel you will talk for a few minutes about your life and what you like to do. Later, after everyone on the panel has spoken, you will all take questions from the audience about how unschooling works and specific questions about your life. If you volunteer before the conference and let Barb know, she can take $40 off your registration fee.
- We need a few grown up unschooled adults aged 18 or over to be part of a panel called "Grown Up Unschoolers". You should be an experienced unschooler and confident about life as an autodidact. On the panel you will talk for a few minutes about your life and your interests, plans if any for the future. Later, after everyone on the panel has spoken, you will all take questions from the audience about how unschooling works and specific questions about your life and plans. If you volunteer before the conference and let Barb know, she can take $40 off your registration fee.
- We need a few artistic/creative types to host 4 hour sessions during our weekend-long Imagination Station art activities. Activities change throughout the weekend, and you do not have to teach anything or talk to a group. You just need to be available to help others with their ideas and keep the supplies orderly for others. 4 hour shift is good for $60 credit.
If you don't see yourself on this list of volunteer job possibilities, call or email Barb. There's still more, and more. 817.540.6423 or Barb@THEunschoolingconference.com.