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Lifetime Learning and the Learning Lifestyle

The Learning Lifestyle combines the principles of unschool, learner-directed focus, and lifetime learning.

In practice, this means that everyone in the household is on a learning journey. There are no teachers, only students with varying degrees of mastery. We learn from, alongside, and independently of each other.

Modeling is at the center of our educational world. I take on new learning challenges (I’m currently reading Sam Harris’s Free Will and a book about Buddha, listening to C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity, and beginning a jiu-jitsu practice) and share my enthusiasm with my sons. I’m easily humbled as my older son has trained longer and will coach me against more experienced practioners.

Learning is more than a family affair, it is the way we live and breathe.

We analyze presumptions and dig down with question after question. Reasoning is where we always start, then we go deeper with resources and more questions.

It can be exhausting. It can be challenging as a parent who sometimes wants easy compliance.

It is all worth it as I watch these boys grow into themselves with strong minds, bodies, and spirits.

God bless and thank you for reading,

Jason

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Learning Lifestyle: Schooling Alongside Homeschooling

Can I homeschool my children while they attend virtual public school?

You are already home educating your children and no one can stop you. I attended K-12 public school, but was raised with a personal sense of responsibility that my education was just that, mine.

Not everyone can home educate, but everyone can instill a love of learning and personal accountability in their children.

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Learning Lifestyle: Lego Shopping Math

A fun and practical way to incorporate math into your child’s love of Lego.

Take a look at Lego catalog prices, then go to FB Marketplace, a physical/online reseller, and/or craigslist for the same sets.

The basic math is about 10 cents per piece for a new, non-franchise set (City, Friends, etc.) Sets with special minifigs (Batman, Minions, Toy Story) go above that.

With that knowledge, it becomes much easier to price compare without looking up the new set price.

This could be a practical way to discuss value and price comparisons in a field of interest. I know my boys can look at a price and say, “That’s ridiculous.” Makes them much more helpful in deciding when and where we spend our Lego budget.

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Learning Lifestyle: Winging It

Since March 16th, I’ve been praying for clarity. Clarity on what “this” means when people say, “When THIS is over…” Clarity on how to best navigate my own family through “this.” And clarity on where my talents belong. It has felt like a long time without clarity.


Before home education, unschooling, and our learning lifestyle, I left my job to care for my young sons. It was the first time I felt God speaking to me, He told me I was where I belonged. That’s no less the case today, but as my sons stretch their independence, I feel compelled to share what I have learned and expand my mission.


I’m facing a lack of confidence that has plagued me. I forgot how many times I’ve driven forward without the necessary skills, knowledge, nor resources. I forgot how many times it worked. I might be the king (maybe fool) of winging it.

I’m posting about our learning lifestyle at my blog for the next 30 days. I don’t have clarity on all these questions, but I see it on the horizon. I’m sharing this new journey as honestly and openly as I can.


Today a friend started a new FB group for anyone who may need a place to get their children out during the week. Few rules, masks and social distancing optional. A place where parents and children can get together in person, enjoy each other’s company, and support one another…regardless of educational philosophies and situations.


I work best with other people, In widowhood I’ve discovered how critical my social life is to my being. So come hang out, let’s learn from each other and have some fun while doing it (spoiler alert: “let’s learn from each other and have some fun while doing it” is my educational philosophy).

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1004305646667310
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30-Day Learning Lifestyle Challenge: Support and Encouragement

FB event: https://facebook.com/events/s/support-for-schooling-from-hom/306451337442180/?ti=cl

Registration

Over six years as the lead facilitator in a home education environment, I’ve increasingly become a devotee of the unschooling and (self described) learning lifestyle methods.

I’ve gone from worksheets and schedules to long afternoons in hidden swimming holes, libraries, museums, Youtube rabbit holes, and lots of places children don’t frequent.

Although I’m much more IRL than virtual, I’m excited to participate in this event to offer support to the many families who find their home becoming the new center of their education world.

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An #AldersgateWelcomesAll Story

My family and I attended services and events at Aldersgate UMC for two years before becoming members. More than that, none of us were baptized into Christianity. We were never pressured to join the congregation and no one ever questioned whether we belonged.
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My personal journey toward faith was filled with my own roadblocks. My wife and sons were blessed with an easy belief. They waited for me as I joined one of the many Bible studies offered at the church. Even there, no statement of faith was required and I was able to find my own way toward Christ.
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After many months of study and soul searching, I discovered my own easy faith in Jesus Christ.
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In September of 2017, the Zerbey family was baptized into the church by Pastor Chris Pennington. These pictures were taken that day. We could feel the arms of the congregation around us.
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Five months later we would fall into those arms as my wife, Mary, suddenly passed away. I felt her go into Christ’s outstretched arms. Our new church family wrapped their arms tight around us. Pastor Chris was there at the hospital and walked with me through all the arrangements. Members immediately formed a meal chain. We’ve been cared for and checked in on ever since.
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#Christ #ChurchFamily #widowhood #community #God #Family #baptism #tbt #UMC

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What Has Schooling Wrought?

The headline was changed to reflect that the CDC Director was specifically referring to high school students and the need to reopen schools.

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/micaelaburrow/2020/07/28/redfield-says-more-abovebase-suicides-than-covid-deaths-n2573278?fbclid=IwAR1mMzEnl51HxAgk8s6d8XIuJIPyB5EDBsqN-LE4a9XUBOGOA0qlacftd74

The article is terribly written, obviously with one premise in mind, then sloppily editted to include the critical fact about students.

So what questions should we ask? Is the education system creating strong, healthy individuals who can overcome hardship? Or is it creating dependent addicts who can’t survive without it?

The hardest and most important job I see as a parent is to foster my children’s independence. I want to coexist with these humans who love me, yet nonetheless want to flee from my authority. School can’t do that. School says, “You must stay until 3:00.” “You must stay until June.” “You must stay until you are 18, 22…”

This is heartbreaking information. I pray for those who are ready to be awakened from a system designed to create compliant factory workers and soldiers.