It was one of the kids in our homeschool book club who recommended that book/series as a possible read for next year. I'll have to give it a second nomination. I love it when Jerry and I both get really into the same books. The only problem when we're reading something together is that Jerry doesn't like for me to read ahead and sometimes it's hard not to! 
Oh Colleen, I couldn't stop reading these books once I started. Our own young apprentice had insisted I read them after he finished the first, was sure I'd really like the series.
Of course, he'd urged the same thing about the Garth Nix keys to the kingdom books (Grim Tuesday etc) but they just didn't grab me as real stories, more like fanciful stream of consciousness where I was never sure what was happening, gradually lost my ability to focus and quit.
The main character Will reminds me of Wart (King Arthur as a boy) being mentored by Merlin in swords and archery, human-type magic, life wisdom, history, problem-solving. Or Luke Skywalker and Obiwan -- or Frodo and Gandalf, Harry and Dumbledore, hmmm, no wonder we liked them so much!
Hi Alistair. I've created a new post to answer your comment. I was running out of space here! It's at
http://thenewunschooler.blogspot...n-favor-
of.html
JJ, someone just recommended the Ranger's Apprentice to us today!
Hey guys fair enough. Not exactly responsible commenting.
So here's why: The post I read talks about encouraging interests that the child already has. Unsurprisingly the child is interested in the internet, animation, computer games and so on. Of course kids are interested in those things. The challenge is getting kids interested in other things. School can give them a chance to be exposed to other ideas and concepts by studying different subjects.
It's also an essential part of social development- often an emotionally expensive one if the child is bullied or struggles but nonetheless an important beginning of social relationships that will be immensely important in adult life.
Similarly important in adult life is understanding the concepts of competition and testing whether this be at university or career progression and these things are learned from an early age by competing and being tested at school.
Bearing in mind these factors my suspicion (and it's only a suspicion mind) having read a linked blog about "Ways to convince your husband unschooling is a good idea" is that the real reason for home schooling is separation anxiety on behalf of the mother and is therefore a selfish act that potentialy damages the child.
Just to show some balance a few of my close friends were educated in Steiner Schools where your unschooling philosophy is taught in a school environment. I think that's a much better idea if you're interested in this.
Hey Shell, this may sound bizarre but is there any chance we could somehow arrange a book purchase through you, for my unschooled 12-year-old? He's fallen in love with the Ranger's Apprentice series by Australian author John Flanagan, but the series is years behind here, only published through book 4. The website says that down under, the series is already through book 7!
***Anyway, to Alistair: I think it's "woefully irresponsible" of you to just willy nilly post a negative comment such as yours on a blog you just came across.***
lololololololol:0)
Sounds likea great day, and not in the least bit irresponsible to me...full of love, and learning, and real life experiences. Missing you.
It's not like me to take over someone's comments...oh, wait...it is like me.
But it is a habit I'm trying to break myself of...but in this case...well, let's just say old habits die hard.
Anyway, to Alistair: I think it's "woefully irresponsible" of you to just willy nilly post a negative comment such as yours on a blog you just came across.
The regular commenters here, who often do not see eye to eye, have the courtesy to make reference to the post at hand and back up their comments with personal experience.
If you hope to gain any respect at all in the blogosphere, you might consider rethinking your approach...or at least limiting your opinions to your own blog.
To Alistair: Your homepage describes you as a writer from Glasgow. Our always-unschooled children would find you fascinating! One is a fine writer whose college mentor is grateful School never interfered with her style, and the other plays his D Naill bagpipes with a professional musician from Edinburgh. (And both kids are into Irish dancing.)
This is the first site I've ever seen on "unschooling". It sounds woefully irresponsible to me- but good luck!
Sounds fun - can I play too?
C x
Wow, sounds like a great day.
And I would argue that it's not the end, but just the beginning.
Thanks for sharing.
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