When they make
When I hired engineers and people on the creative side, I never looked at their grades,” he said, referring to the teams he built at Atari and beyond. “I interviewed them strictly on their hobbies, and if they did not have a hobby in technology I wouldn’t hire them... Kids, when they make, are actually preparing themselves better for the jobs they’ll have in the future than [they are by] getting straight A’s. — Nolan Bushnell, lifelong innovator — from Pong to Chuck E. Cheese’s (via youmightfindyourself)
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“The book spells out the different steps in implementing student-directed projects, and every chapter has an inspiring list of specific ideas/formats. My only complaint is I want more — I can’t wait to read what Pickert publishes next.”
“[A] must read for all parents and educators who are interested in raising/encouraging children to take charge of their education and make learning a lifestyle and not just a chore. This book is filled with practical advice…”
“There is so much practical, useful information in this book. … Pickert gives us the tools to be great mentors to our kids.”
“PBH actually assisted me in focusing on my own unique style and listening more closely to my own creative voice (as well as that of my children, and being less seduced by everything new and shiny when things lagged in our learning), not just as a parent, but as an individual. The positive impact that this focus has had in my personal and family life is profound.”
“I’ve noticed big changes in my child’s play since I began doing the things suggested, and I am utilizing it for my own projects!”
“In addition to teaching how to do project-based homeschooling it’s like a manual on how to live.”
“Do yourself a favor and read this book with a highlighter and pencil in hand.”
“PBH is hands down my favorite book on homeschooling.”
“Although the title says ‘Project-Based Homeschooling,’ it is really something that any parent could incorporate into their lives, homeschooling or regular schooling.”
“Brilliantly written book, easy to read, easy to follow, well organised, stuffed full of easy to follow and idea-provoking tips for enjoying learning and supporting children of all ages. ... As a librarian and advocate of life long learning, I can’t tell you what a joy this book is to read — affirming, inspiring and practical.”
“Her writing style is really accessible, witty and flows beautifully; she paints a picture of a world you can’t help but want to be a part of. This isn’t a vague philosophy, this is a how-to book that empowers parents to empower their children.”
“For those new to homeschooling and even those such as myself, who have been homeschooling for years, this book will be the one you have on hand at all times. Easy to read, intelligent, heartfelt, inspiring and honest!”
“Wonderful resource! This will help every parent to keep their children’s love of learning alive. Project Based Homeschooling will be a favourite for years to come in our home.”
“It has been an inspiration to our homeschool and to our daily life.”
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“I can't recommend it highly enough.”
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“[H]er new book … synthesizes so much wisdom about homeschooling from a project-based perspective.”
“[O]verflowing with ideas for any parent who’d like to encourage more self-directed learning in their kids.”
“Do yourself a favor and read this book with a highlighter and pencil in hand.”
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“Anyone who considers themselves the ultimate guardian of their children’s education … will find ideas to think about and act upon.”
“[A] rare book that both inspired me to make changes in the way I homeschool and gave me the practical means to make them.”
“[T]his isn't just a homeschooling book. It is a guide to parenting.”
“What Pickert has done with her book is explain in an easy-to-read and practical manner what parents can do at home to ensure that children will take charge of their own education and gain essential skills. If that sounds far-fetched, I suggest you read the book.”
“There are only a handful of books that I can honestly say have changed my life. This … is one of those books.”
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12 comments
Yay! You blogged! I don't care if it's "sort of"!
Love this quote. It makes me think of one I gathered for a workshop I'm giving on kids and writing, from Thomas Newkirk, a writer and college English professor:
“The good writers I see in college have often developed their skill in self-sponsored writing projects like journals or epic, book-length adventure stories they wrote on their own.”
It's fun to be a (ahem) getting-older parent, and to watch your kids growing and developing, and to see how all that making and playing really can lead to real-life passions and enterprises.
haha, thanks, patricia.
it seems obvious to me that the thing that is going to make a great writer is doing lots and lots of writing .. i love that phrase "self-sponsored". it's not shocking to me (or to you, i know) that work kids choose to do on their own would be a powerful way to develop skills.
Happy to "see" you again!
What a concept. Hire people based on their passions not their grades... This guy is off his rocker ;)
I am continually trying to keep up with the things my kids want to make. This quote is wonderful inspiration to continue to supply them with all I can to feed their passions.
Yea! Great to see a fresh entry from you in my reader! I've been spending lots of time combing your site...thinking, thinking, thinking about how to integrate project-based learning/emergent curriculum as part of our homeschooling journey. Finding myself inspired by the resource you have created here.
Now to move from thinking to doing. To start: my own project journal
Feeling oh so grateful for all you have shared.
hi dawn — it's great to "see" you, too. ;^)
i think it's about hiring people based on what they've actually accomplished — and people tend to accomplish a lot with their passions!
we've just recently been helping along a young friend who is interested in computer programming as a career, and the feedback from professional programmers is overwhelmingly that education is important .. but some people don't have degrees and have tremendous success. this reminds me of the data re: kids who got *into* ivy league schools but didn't attend — they ended up making as much money as their ivy-going friends. it really all boils down to ability and skills.
testing to see what someone pursued in their free time seems like a great quick way to test whether they'll be passionate about it in the workforce.
also, every single person i've ever asked has readily agreed that they learned *much* more on the job than in the classroom — and hobbies/chosen work would seem to fit into that category of "on the job". we learn so much by "making" — by doing real work!
hi, brynn, and thank you! :)
let me know how your journal goes, and i'm so glad you are going to integrate project-based learning. keep me informed! and thank you again — i'm very glad it's been helpful. :)
Oh blessed relief, I hope there are more folk like this around a couple of years from now... and I will leave my one boy dismantling every piece of electronic equipment in the house, constantly!!! And my other son building lego empires as far as the eye can see... I am kind of hoping there is a job at LEGO for that one... I could go on!!! Actually, to be quite honest passions are exactly that: things they are passionate about!!! And there is very little we can do to about it... they have to just do it, again and again and again... each slowly and steadily gathering up their ten thousand hours in their own specialty...
And thanks for the twitter welcome!!! After a slow start it is becoming my friend!!!
Great post! Do it again soon. K?
You know just seeing a post here makes me happy:)
Have you read any of Katrina Kenison? Just read this post of hers along the same line: http://www.katrinakenison.com/2010/03/31/spice-of-life/
I loved watching these boys at work/play and wondering how it will evolve:)
hi se7en ;)
yes — the only thing i would add is — we can encourage them and support them! :)
sally, i shall try — that's my intent. :)
deirdre, thank you for the link! here's a similar one:
http://www.rd.com/family/unconventional-wisdom-why-we-should-let-kids-pursue-their-passions/
i can already look back and see the seeds of my boys' passions. i'm glad they had the chance to stay with them, and just as you say, i can't wait to see what they do with them in the future. :)
Fantastic quote! Keep them coming! I'm so glad I found you again! A home to come to for inspiration!
It's funny to think about hobbies as a concept -- my son wouldn't understand the word because it implies a boundary that doesn't exist in his life right now.
I hope someday he will have work that feels the same way for him.
I hope, in fact, that I will have work that feels the same way for me before too long!
Welcome back Lori!
I realized this quote recently in my own life. Last summer I had to take a job (temporarily) to pay off those blasted student loans. Basically, I used my degree to pay off my degree. Anywho, I realized I wasn't "into" my job when I saw my co-worker reading magazines about our trade during lunch. I mean, I'd never do that. I want to take a break from my job when I clock out. So what do I read when I clock out? Homeschool blogs and magazines. Books on homesteading, sewing and works that inspire me to grow as a wife and mother. That's what inspires me...that's what I aim to be good at.
florence, i'm glad we found each other again, wandering around the internet! :)
that is funny re: "hobbies" -- it makes sense in the context, though. deep interests, passions, self-chosen work ..
elizabeth, thank you. :)
there's "work" and then there's work .. self-chosen, meaningful work vs. "work" defined as something you do in exchange for money. combo? the holy grail! :)
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