4 Steps to Unlearn the Public School System

This week, I spoke with Janae Daniels, a homeschool mom, eclectic unschooler, and host of the School to Homeschool podcast. Wow! This conversation was incredible. I walked away with a plethora of information from Ms. Daniels. We talked about the downfall of the public school system and its history. Also, Ms. Daniels shared her perspective as a former teacher and how she pulled her children from the system during COVID-19. She even provided information on how public school families can educate their kids at home while in the system. 

Continuing, Ms. Daniels promotes vintage curricula on her Instagram. On this account, she also talks about her podcast and how families can homeschool. Her wisdom is endless, and she suggested several ways families can impact their children. 

• Study the roots of the public school system. 
• Use vintage curricula for a straightforward approach. 
• Deschool your new homeschooler. 
• Implement at-home learning if you can’t leave the system.

Alternative Education…

First, take a deep dive into the public school system’s history. Ms. Daniels has studied Horace Mann and his Prussian model approach to the school system. She has also studied historical figures, such as John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie, who played a huge part in the design of the school system. They wanted workers, not thinkers. 

Next, use vintage curricula. Ms. Daniels sources her curriculum from Facebook Marketplace or through online opportunities. She highly recommends vintage curricula because it’s more straightforward than modern curricula and contain beautiful illustrations. She explained that modern curricula often insult young readers with confusing text and cartoonish drawings. She personally recommends McGuffey Readers and Ray’s Arithmetic. Ms. Daniels even mentioned that sometimes these direct lessons take 10 minutes per day for students. 

Continuing, deschool your new homeschooler. Take time to unlearn the school system mindset and research the history to find a different perspective. Read books on homeschooling, listen to podcasts, and just spend fun time with your kiddos. Go to the library, the park, or a splashpad. Spend time outside and read books together. Ms. Danels explained that parents may undergo the grief cycle as they learn about the public school system’s roots and recognize the issues. 

Lastly, if you can’t homeschool for a certain reason, you can still implement an alternative lifestyle at home. Have open conversations about the school system with your child (if they’re old enough). Read together. Spend time outside. Complete copywork exercises. Learn an instrument. All of these examples and others can lead to an at-home education lifestyle. Remember, you have more power over your child’s public school education than you think!

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ms. Daniels furnished the conversation with insightful information for homeschooling families or those who want to homeschool. Her words can impassion families to learn more about the school system. In addition, she explained how families can implement an alternative education lifestyle. Final reminder: You can impact your child’s education and change its course!

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- NxtEra

Written by Bethany (@thebookwormgirl_bethany)

Helpful Links:

Website: schooltohomeschool.com

Podcast: School to Homeschool - Podcast - Apple Podcasts

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YouTube: School to Homeschool - YouTube