In memory of my friend and mentor, John Taylor Gatto; December 15, 1935, - October 25, 2018, I want to speak to something that too many of us overlook.
Despite what it says on Wikipedia, John did not “specifically promote” unschooling.
I know because I asked him directly. I had just attended an alternative education conference for him in 2017, and afterward, we had an email exchange about unschooling. What follows is a part of that exchange:
Liz: “I completely agree with approaching subjects through real life matters, but to neglect teaching children certain things because they weren't interested seems to promote a sense of self-indulgence when they are older and ignorance about important matters.
Grammar is best taught around 9-12 and logic thereafter. To miss that window seems unfair to the child. What about history and philosophy? I don't think ignoring vital subjects was John Holt's intent or yours, am I right?”
John: “No. I have no intention of ignoring traditional classical subjects, although I’m not sure about Holt. I strongly feel that a theory of human nature drawn from literature, history, philosophy, economics, religion, military science, politics, and thorough awareness of the major institutions of a culture is essential, and is the function served by traditional schooling at its finest.
Language must be loved and cherished, not merely "understood."
What’s important to note in this exchange is that to accomplish what Gatto is suggesting requires a high level of education steeped in the classics, one that would be impossible for a child to direct.
Yet, John's teaching has been promoted in the unschooling movement as if unschooling were John's teaching.
Prominent voices in alternative education today, including Peter Gray, have advised parents to let their kids sit on computers all day if that's what they want to do.
This position is nonsensical.
Please don't let your children direct their studies. We wouldn't let our children sit around on the couch and eat ice cream all day, so why are so many homeschoolers opting into this idea that their children can be in charge of their education?
Children are too young to know what they need to learn! Directing their studies is our responsibility.
“You either learn your way towards writing your own script in life, or you unwittingly become an actor in someone else’s script.”
Some years back, I met a ten-year-old boy at the same alternative conference where John had asked me to sell his book, The Adventures of Snider, the CIA Spider. It was actually meeting this boy that prompted the email exchange about unschooling between John and me.
This bright child had come to my table and was curious about the only book John had written for kids.
To start a conversation, I asked him what he was reading. He told me he wasn't reading anything because he couldn't read.
What?!
Respecting his parent's "unschooling" philosophy, I asked him if he would like to learn to read. He replied that he would.
I quickly taught him how to read using Snider as our phonics book, and I sent him on his merry way to discover the world of literature.
“Educating” your ten-year-old without teaching him to read, I'm sorry, but this is an oxymoron.
“The primary goal of real education is not to deliver facts but to guide students to the truths that will allow them to take responsibility for their lives.”
John Taylor Gatto, arguably the most influential voice in alternative education, could not have discovered the reasons behind modern schooling had his own education not given him the ability to read and analyze complex literature, amongst many other things.
Gatto went to a Jesuit school where he studied the classics. He went on to read the great books and ponder the great ideas. Gatto could read complex literature and gain insights into the nature of things that matter, like what an education is.
While the spirit of learning should be present in any learning environment, and customizing a curriculum to your child’s interests—where appropriate—is encouraged, if your children are going to be able to read and think critically, they need to be well-versed in certain subjects.
And it is our responsibility to decide how and when our children learn these subjects.
As previously mentioned, children need to learn grammar and math and develop skills such as the ability to read and analyze complex literature and write persuasive essays.
Without these skills, how will they ever become literate and productive members of society? We all need to use the art of persuasion in our lives, we need to be able to write, and we need to be able to read.
We also need to be able to manage our finances!
Nurturing the love of learning in children, and teaching them certain subjects necessary for literacy and competency are not mutually exclusive.
At least dear John didn't think they were; may he rest in eternal peace.
☞ Disclaimer: This is not a politically-correct blog.
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Elizabeth Y. Hanson is a homeschooling thought-leader and the founder of Smart Homeschooler.
As an Educator, Homeschool Emerita, Writer, and Love and Leadership Certified Parenting Coach, Elizabeth has 21+ years of experience working in education.
Utilizing her unusual skill set, she has developed a comprehensive understanding of how to raise and educate a child. She devotes her time to helping parents to get it right.
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