The new movie Class Dismissed is a peak into the world of homeschooling and other education alternatives. The documentary follows one family and their journey from traditional public school through different learning options until they find their learning niche.
It is a process I can relate to. When my daughter asked to homeschool in 6th grade, it was a surprise. We jumped into it with just some basic knowledge on what homeschooling was about. I describe that first year at "riding the bicycle while changing the tire." Very much a seat of your pants intro to non-traditional learning.
We continue to tweak and try new things. It has gotten easier and I have relaxed into realizing homeschooling is not a straight line. We have homeschooled, unschooled, deschooled over the past few years.
There is a learning curb in being a homeschooling parent that is a little daunting at first, but a journey really worth taking. It will test your beliefs in what education and learning mean. It will make you question your own education. It will make wonder what are the skills your child really needs to thrive in their lives.
Homeschooling is attracting a whole new breed of families these days. It a growing phenomenon fueled in part by easy access to information and the corporatization of children's schooling. Like the local food and economy culture, people are looking to tap into the world wide web of information and also their local community mentors and resources.
Whether you are homeschooling, just homeschool curious or wondering what your options are, come view the movie.
The Class Dismissed screening will be on Monday February 23rd at the Sussex County Main Library, 125 Morris Turnpike, Frankford, NJ. 5:30-6:00 watch a TED short, intros, 6:00pm Class Dismissed viewing, 7:30-8pm Discussion, Q and A, networking.
Here is a trailer:
