Notice the Learning

Sue Patterson

The world provides so many interesting and curious opportunities.
Kids are engaging in these all the time.
As parents, our job is to notice the learning that is happening right in front of us!


I spoke about unschooling at a conference in Texas recently. The most common question here - as well as everywhere else is:


"If our state requires that we cover certain subjects, what's an unschooler to do?"


Curriculum, subjects, lesson plans - those are familiar to all of us.
But they've put the cart before the horse. They focus on the teaching aspects instead of starting with The Learner.


The Learner is busy engaging in activities and exploring their curiosities. They/We are hard-wired to do this. Human love learning!


As long as it's what we're interested in, right? Less love when it's what someone else says we need to know, and we can't see why.


Educational research has been saying this for some time - but schools can't/won't shift gears and implement what they've discovered. But we can!


Texas is not Alone

Different states have different laws. Sometimes their legal requirements include subjects that parents who home educate have to "cover." Your state may identify other subjects, add more to this list - or not add any at all.


Texas requires, Math, Reading, Grammar, Spelling, and Citizenship. Each of the boxes below show ways that these subjects weave through every day lives. As you read through these activities, challenge yourself to think of other things your kids are learning without major orchestration on your part. You don't have to duplicate the school approach at all.


Kids are learning all the time - we don't have to orchestrate everything.
But we do have to NOTICE!


My quick video explanation of this at TikTok:

@unschoolingmom2mom Wondering how unschoolers meet the legal requirements when states want certain subjects “covered?” I’ll show you! I’ll add these graphics in my email tomorrow, if you want them! #unschooltok #unschool #unschoolingmom2mom ♬ original sound - Sue Patterson

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Group Coaching for Unschoolers

Whether you're brand new or have been at this for a while, it helps to have a supportive community to bounce ideas off each other. Additionally, Sue is offers multiple group coaching calls a week, a variety of private platforms for communication, and an enormous members-only library of unschooling resources

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Private Coaching
with Sue Patterson 

by phone or through Zoom

Sometimes you need to talk with someone one-to-one - someone who's been there with their own kids and ready to share what worked and what didn't work. Sue does this with her private clients, helping them gain the confidence they need.

Various coaching options are available.

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Jumping Into Unschooling Course

Perfect for Parents New to Unschooling!

This is a solid unschooling course with just the right amount of information to help you get started without overwhelming you!

Learn how unschooling works (how the kids DO learn!), overcome your fears, and find out what your role as an unschooling parent is!


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By Sue Patterson 25 Apr, 2024
If you're wondering how unschooling can work without pouring a bunch of money into curriculum - this is the podcast/blogpost for you! Whether you're brand new to homeschooling, or you've been unschooling a little while, Sue Patterson shares another unschooling pep talk with her Unschooling Mom2Mom podcast
By Sue Patterson 13 Apr, 2024
If you're looking into unschooling, it's not unusal to wonder, "How DO unschoolers learn school subjects?" or "How will they learn what they need to be successful adults if you don't go out a buy all the curriculum in all the typical subjects." The word, "successful," is going to mean different things to different people. Maybe it's about getting into college, or finding a good career. Maybe it's more about personal happiness - and the ability to fund that themselves. Last week, I hosted a free webinar for about a hundred people wondering this same thing. It's up at the Unschooling Mom2Mom YouTube channel now - please subscribe! We talked about the actual subjects that weave into a variety of everyday activities for kids. I have visuals and handouts - all the things to help you get more comfortable with this concept when you hop over to the description at the YouTube channel. (If you registered for the webinar, check you email inbox for the links.)
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By Sue Patterson 19 Mar, 2024
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By Sue Patterson 09 Mar, 2024
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By Sue Patterson 04 Mar, 2024
How much IS too much - when it comes to gaming and surfing the web? Especially if you're going to unschool! Sue Patterson shares strategies for how to tackle the technology in your home!
By Sue Patterson 14 Feb, 2024
What's the big takeaway when an unschooling mom looks back? Lean into the Love. Originally written in 2012, and now updated for 2024, Sue Patterson share's what she wish she had known... way back when.
5 Signs it's time to Unschool
By Sue Patterson 08 Feb, 2024
5 Signs that it may be time for you to start unschooling! Whether you've been homeschooling and it's not working out as planned, or you're looking for alternatives to public schools, here are 5 Signs it may be time to start homeschooling from an unschooling perspective.
By Sue Patterson 23 Jan, 2024
Social media is in a flurry about the Pythagorean Theorem... why we learn it, how we learn it, what's the point? So I decided to ask my Robot Friend how DO we use the Pythagorean Theorem in real life. I think you'll be surprised!
By Sue Patterson 21 Jan, 2024
While no unschooling family would be considered "typical," a few characteristics are common for those who successfully unschool. Sue Patterson solves the mystery and shares what a few of these traits are. Perfect for those who are trying to figure out how to unschool or are looking for how to create a homeschooling routine.
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