Well, Kriston, I totally agree with you. I taught at a university for fifteen years, and was always dismayed, to say the least, at the number (not small) of students who either agreed with everything their book said, or automatically dismissed everything their book said (and not just the book, either--for some kids I was the guru, and for others the goat--the first ones were more pleasant to deal with, certainly, but not really any more sophisticated, I'm afraid!). I quit working six years ago, but still think often of certain individual students, and worry and wonder about them a little bit--I hope their flexibility of mind increased after they left me. I did what I could while I had them.
I taught for 5 years in a Big 10 university, and I had the same reaction. <shudder>
In my experience--just as in yours--critical thinking is not on the radar of most high school graduates, and that scares me. If people learn anything in school, I'd want them to learn how to think for themselves. I always told my freshman composition students that that analytical writing class was the most important class they would take in college because they were going to learn how to read, think critically, and write, and those are skills that they will need no matter who they are or what they do in life. They never believed me, but it was what I honestly believed. I, too, did my best to help them get there. To mixed results... *sigh*
But I do wish we could find a few more kids whose parents' political agendas allowed them to kick a ball around with my little funnies once in a while......Ah well, it will all come in time, I'm sure.
I'm sure this is a dumb question, but you have checked out homeschooling groups in your area, right? I assume that's where you found the unschoolers, but so many people are surprised to hear that there are groups around that I thought I'd throw that out there just to be sure.
For our part, I've been a lot more diligent about making playdates with kids in traditional school this year, too. (This in addition to a standing weekly playdate with one very good HSing friend who is also GT--and I recommend such an arrangement if you can find a good fit.) For some reason, it seems easier this year (our second year of HSing, too) to find "mainstream" people who accept our homeschooling--have considered it themselves, even!--and sympathize with what we're doing and why. They seem to be seeking me out to discuss the option, so I haven't even had to go out of my way to find them; they find me! We've also been having playdates with neighbors, soccer teammates, and old friends from when DS7 was in public school at least a couple of times a week. (We do live in a very HSing-friendly area though. It's a relatively common choice, and my kids are generally better-behaved than most kids in the world, so they tend to be well-received by kids and parents alike.)
You might also try a local GT support group, if there is one. Even if it's geared to parents with kids in the public schools, it might offer some good connections for you. Ours has been good for me in that regard.
Those are just a couple of things that have been working for us, in case you haven't gone those routes yet. Feel free to ignore if it's dumb advice. Different areas are so different about this sort of thing. We are treated pretty well by friends and neighbors, and even by strangers who hear that we're homeschooling, but I know that's NOT the case in a lot of places. Choosing to homeschool all too often equates to having the plague. It's been a major relief to me that this has not been our experience.
Okay, I REALLY have to stop posting and write!
I look forward to your presence on the forum, Minnie. It seems like we have a lot in common!
