Rating: 
Summary: Mired in one end of the spectrum
Review: As an evangelical Christian Educator with professional curriculum design experience, I must admit that I came to "Christian Unschooling" with enough knowledge to know exactly where the book was heading. Needless to say, the authors did not disappoint me.In the realms of education, hordes of ideas compete to be heard. Following the writer of Ecclesiastes is wise, since he has already written of there being nothing new under the sun. And true to this, there is nothing new to "unschooling". Unschooling is simply a warmed-over version of Rousseau's "Emile", in which children learn by being left to their natural devices, all the while being shaped by natural law. The Christian unschooling movement adopts this same thinking, but with a view toward the Holy Spirit, rather than natural law, as the guide behind each child's education. On the surface, this rather Zen-like idea that "the curriculum is that there is no curriculum" appears so obvious as to warrant a self-inflicted slap to the forehead (and the parental anecdotes included in the book universally describe that slap in detail.) Letting a child primarily learn what sparks his imagination seems like a breakthrough in this context. But again, the idea isn't new or revolutionary. Modern versions of this philosophy - as espoused by the likes of Ralph Tyler and John Holt - tend to fall more naturally into the Christian viewpoint than Rousseau's, but the genesis of the ideas are the same. (If most Christian unschoolers knew of Rousseau's lifestyle, there might be a bit more introspection concerning the use of his theories - and ultimately their source - I suspect.) But there are serious deficiencies to examine here. The problem with any book such as this is that it is in love with its own premise. However, though truth is usually found somewhere in the middle, "Christian Unschooling" is clearly mired in one end of the spectrum of educational thought. On the other hand, books in the other camp (such as "The Well-Trained Mind") cling to the more behavioral (B.F. Skinner) approach of "drill, drill, drill, rote, rote, rote" that has been traditionally predominant in Christian homeschools, certainly to the detriment of those children as well. What is needed is a proper synthesis. Surely children need to be encouraged to find avenues for learning that appeal to them and come naturally, but this must be tempered by continuously providing experiences far outside their comfort zone and limited scope. And certain knowledge may be desirable to have even if it does not come by self-exploration. Sometimes we must knuckle down and learn things we don't immediately want to know. Take, for instance, a case appropriate for the Christian audience. A child might love the great heroes of the Bible, earnestly researching their lives and tales, while at the same time showing no desire to ever understand or pursue doctrinal knowledge. Certainly no parent would want that to continue. The hole in the unschooling model is that there are few ways of remedying this lack without moving outside of unschooling. Therefore, as a philosophy unto itself, it fails. Other examples that find the chinks in the armor abound. Now in the case of this book, the authors earnestly quote Scriptures to prove their philosophy is correct. Unfortunately, they ignore as many or more verses that cramp their theories. This is disingenuous on the part of the authors. The truth is, as mentioned previously, more broad than one educational philosophy. It is necessary to incorporate a wide-ranging scope of education ideas when homeschooling. Unschooling is only one color in the rainbow of ideas. As for the actual content of the book, it is far too anecdotal to be helpful as a reference tool for building an unschooling program. Large sections of the book consist of "Me, Too!" stories by parents who have jumped on the Christian unschooling bandwagon. This seems to fly in the face of the author's own advice to parents to find their own way in all teaching. If no example is appropriate, then why include any? In short, the entire middle of the book only functions as a cheerleading device. That the authors feel put upon by other Christian homeschoolers who look down upon unschooling, only adds to the need to pad the book with supporters. This is not to say that the book has no merit. As a counter to other forms of education, it is good that someone espouses this philosophy so that parents can make informed choices. Unschooling does have appeal in that it tries to make learning more practical, applicable, and fun. Who could fault that? And while the majority of the book has truly little to add to the topic of unschooling, the appendices in the back contain lists of useful resources. An important philosophy and possibly one of the few Christian unschooling books out there, but on the whole, not a great book. (One final note: As homeschooling comes under increasing fire by professional educators and bureaucrats- witness the trends in states like California - unschooling will become increasingly harder to justify to state governments. As a person who supports homeschoolers of all philosophies, my warning is to think hard about unschooling since it may be the first philosophy to wither under proposed new homeschooling standards.)
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Help!
Review: I found this book to be a great help to me and I think it is one that should pick up today and read.
Rating:
Summary: Unschooling Encouragement & Information At Its Very Best!!!
Review: I have been homeschooling for over 18 years. I started out with the traditional classroom approach, for that was all I knew. But as my children increased to five, I realized that I could not teach the traditional method and still have any time for fun, sleep, or anything else. At the end of each school day, I had a mountain of homework from each child that needed to be graded. I knew there had to be a better way! I started reading about unschooling from John Holt books and then I discovered Grace Llewellyn. I was hooked. But it hasn't been easy at all. I felt "safer" with the traditional method. It was accepted by other homeschoolers and that was what I was accustomed to. So I struggled day-by-day and year-by-year, and I still have difficulties with feeling comfortable with unschooling. But this book is the very best encouragement I have ever read! I couldn't put it down! There are others like me everywhere and this book tells stories that I can easily identify with! It has explanations, scriptures, etc. It has a vast amount of useful information, even for veteran homeschoolers like me. But the encouragement is the very best part and the most needed part! If you are new to homeschooling - BUY THIS BOOK! It will save you years of frustration and confusion. If you are a veteran homeschooler trying to unschool - BUY THIS BOOK! It will comfort you, inspire you, encourage you, and always be at hand when you need a word of wisdom and an optimistic opinion of what you are trying to do for your children! If you are a homeschooler that doesn't understand unschooling - BUY THIS BOOK! It will thoroughly explain unschooling to you in an easy-to-understand way! If you ever wanted to invest in a book that will probably change the way you think and feel about unschooling, this truly is the first book you need to read! I just love it, it has become like a warm, understanding friend to me!
Rating:
Summary: Great book...
Review: I have heard a lot of criticism from other Christians about Unschooling. They really don't understand how a Christian can unschool. This book explains how Christians can unschool in Biblical terms.
Rating:
Summary: Christian Unschooling:Growing Your Children in the Freedom..
Review: I was excited to read this newly released book and hungrily gobbled up the contents in the first couple of days I had it home. It was affirming to read about others' stories much like our own. It validated the way we've been led by the Lord to raise and educate our own children! The book was very easy to read and full of material that, in its familiarity, was comforting and built my confidence. Reading the essays sent in by others was like sitting around sharing our experiences, struggles and triumphs from the heart. My favorite section of the book was the one entitled "Guided by the Lord". In it, a couple of stories gripped my heart and brought both encouragement and inspiration. In my opinion, it is a "must read" for those looking into homeschooling and as well, those who are searching for a more relaxed and enjoyable way to homeschool their children.
Rating:
Summary: Encouragement and Support
Review: I was so excited and relieved to find that there are Christians who hold similar educational beliefs and philosphies as myself. As I enter into the world of unschooling, it's affirming to know that I don't have to be a closet Christian unschooler! This book is inspiring as well as practical and informative -- a quick read too!
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful and affirming
Review: I was so excited and relieved to find that there are Christians who hold similar educational beliefs and philosphies as myself. As I enter into the world of unschooling, it's affirming to know that I don't have to be a closet Christian unschooler! This book is inspiring as well as practical and informative -- a quick read too!
Rating:
Summary: A bit biased... but...
Review: Months before this book even existed, I was privvy to too many details. In fact, I got to pre-pre-edit this book. Oh, and I wrote a bit for it, too (of course, that is the one portion I should have edited!). Teri tells it like it is. Christian Unschooling is more than a fad--it's a way of life. Honestly, everything she says in the book is kosher and it's all right with me and my family. I happen to have a triple blended family, and some of our kids are not homeschooled at all and never will be, but either way, the ones who are?... They are the ones learning things you can never learn in school nor in church. It's called LIFE. Yes, we are living life to the fullest. We are experiencing life at the fullest, and that is exactly what our family is teaching our kids to follow into adulthood. I have read review after review and they claim the essays are worth far more than the price of the book. Who can say this is true? Not I, for I am biased. But if you are thinking about unschooling your children and entrusting everything Christ gave for you and them, then this book is a must-read. Learn from the fabulous Teri Brown: What is unschooling; Why Unschool; How to Unschool... and so much more. Teraisa J. Goldman
Rating:
Summary: A bit biased... but...
Review: Months before this book even existed, I was privvy to too many details. In fact, I got to pre-pre-edit this book. Oh, and I wrote a bit for it, too (of course, that is the one portion I should have edited!). Teri tells it like it is. Christian Unschooling is more than a fad--it's a way of life. Honestly, everything she says in the book is kosher and it's all right with me and my family. I happen to have a triple blended family, and some of our kids are not homeschooled at all and never will be, but either way, the ones who are?... They are the ones learning things you can never learn in school nor in church. It's called LIFE. Yes, we are living life to the fullest. We are experiencing life at the fullest, and that is exactly what our family is teaching our kids to follow into adulthood. I have read review after review and they claim the essays are worth far more than the price of the book. Who can say this is true? Not I, for I am biased. But if you are thinking about unschooling your children and entrusting everything Christ gave for you and them, then this book is a must-read. Learn from the fabulous Teri Brown: What is unschooling; Why Unschool; How to Unschool... and so much more. Teraisa J. Goldman
Rating:
Summary: Christian Unschooling : Growing Your Children in the Freedom
Review: This book is wonderful. It has personal essays and comments collected from Christian unschoolers who are living the dream existence - homeschooling in the freedom of Christ. It has encouraged me to keep on striving for the ideal for my own children, and to care less about what the world thinks education should be. I plan to keep this book for review during those inevitable bad days. Some of the essays were so true of my life that they could have been my own words (but were not). It is great to know there are others out there like me!
| 
