"I learned everything in the library. School taught me how to spit." - Terry Pratchett, author, interviewed on The Book Show, Sky News, Sunday January 14, 2001
See Also Joined-up Thinking Links
Bruderhof Saving Childhood Forum
The Bruderhof Saving Childhood Forum is for anyone who believes children need and deserve time and space simply to be children. It includes discussion forums and suggestions for simple things you can do with your children.
Through our threaded discussions you can connect with others of like mind, learn from their experiences, and openly debate and discuss issues that are sidelined by the mainstream media. Current discussions include: Are kids being drugged into submission? Are adult expectations ruining childhood? Have you smashed the TV yet?
It doesn't take much to make childhood special and memorable. Your children don't need the best toys money can buy-a bit of paper and glue or a walk in the park will do. Sign up for weekly updates, containing fun, simple, constructive ideas to try with children.
The editors and discussion moderators behind this site are parents facing many of the same issues and pressures you are. We have more questions than answers (that's where you come in), but we are determined to put the needs of our children before our own and to cherish and protect their childlike innocence.
Learn in Freedom This site is about learning in freedom, taking responsibility for your own learning. It shows you how to use your own initiative in learning, so you can use schools and teachers just when they are helpful to you, and volunarily chosen by you. Besides internal links, there are links to more than 1,000 other websites.
European Home Education Network Learning-Unlimited: "Membership of this community is open to anyone home educating in Europe, intending to home educate in Europe or offering non-commercial support to home educators in Europe"
Freedom in Education Recently created site contains lots of up-to-date information on home education.
Alternative Learning Dutch/English site concerned with alternative ways of learning.
NEW: "Altlearn Map"- a project by the "Alternative Learning Organization" - helps people, organizations and support groups, involved with "Natural Learning" (unschooling, autonomous learning, home based learning*, child-led learning) find each other, communicate and learn from each other - forming a worldwide support network.
*not to be confused with school at home. Click on the globe and follow the maps...
The Third Way in Education: Thinking the Unthinkable - Paula Rothermel
Choice in Education Resources Database
A Multiple Intelligences Bookshelf - New Horizons for Learning
Judith Rich Harris: "The Nurture Assumption" Why Children Turn Out The Way They Do; Parents Matter Less Than You Think and Peers Matter More
100 Pages of Independent UK Home Education Support
Assessment & Evaluation on the Internet
Free
Range Education ...is
a book for parents: for those who are contemplating home education, those whose
families are getting started and those who are just plain interested in this
fast-growing form of education.
Featuring the stories of more than twenty home educating families, it certainly
answers the question: "But what do you do all day?" In fact, it answers
a whole lot of other questions too, like, "How do your children socialise?"
"How do they do exams?"
An extensive chapter on the law relating to home education, written by an experienced
solicitor, will answer another frequently asked question: "Is it legal?"
"Free Range Education" offers a glimpse of the diversity and energy within home
education and an honest account of the joys and difficulties along the way.
It is full of ideas, experiene and practical suggestions, all laced with humour,
cartoons and words of wisdom from writers and thinkers across the centuries.
It is also a celebration of home education, providing a unique view of how far
this movement has come in the past few decades.
International Home Education - Amanda Petrie's website: "For a small but not inconsiderable number of children, education has taken place in the home rather than in school... Home education is defined...as the full time education of children in and around the home by their parents or guardians, or by tutors appointed by the parents or guardians... In many instances, home education is seen by parents to be a last resort, when they perceive that the child's needs are not catered for in the school system. Individual children's education sometimes requires, for short or long periods, an individual approach which is sometimes not available within the state system. It is my belief that to permit home education is an essential part of democracy." - Amanda Petrie (1998), Education and the Law, Vol 10, pp 123 - 134
Herald
... is a UK
support group for families of home educated children and those interested in
home-based education as an alternative to schooling.
Many parents who consider home-based education as an option when traditional
schooling fails their children are put off taking the plunge through lack of
confidence and fear of being left without adequate support from either the Local
Education Authority or established home educators. Herald ofers its members
a stepping stone between the rigours of schooling and the autonomous approach
which many home-based educators strive to achieve, by suggesting a structured
yet flexible framework as a basis for study.
Herald provides assistance withg both What to do and How to
do it. Three topic-based schemes with resources are sent to members each
year, and comprehensive notes suggest ways in which the child's education can
be effectively organised and journalised. In addition, a regular newsletter
gives news of educational developments and research, comments, letters and children's
news. Resources are available for loan, and a Helpline telephone number and
email address is available for members. A membership card for each Herald
child is produced to help deter any accusations of truancy which home-based
educators sometimes encounter.
Herald produces a study plan which has been designed specifically for
use by home-based educators. This ensures that children receive a balanced curriculum
which is flexible enough to meet the needs of individuals of all ages and abilities.