Has anyone here read the Leadership Education by DeMille?

[one l michele]

I'm on page 117. This is the first homeschooling philosophy book that I've connected with instantly. I'd love to talk with others who have felt the same after reading this. I find myself as I'm reading through the Keys to Great Teaching and Ingredients saying, "Wow, that makes sense.", "Great point!", "Hmm, I'm doing that already.", etc. There is so much packed into this book.

[Veritaserum]

DeMille is who first turned me on to homeschooling. I've been reading his stuff for the past six years. :) If you ever have a chance to hear him speak, go. :) There is a conference held usually in February or March that is excellent. He has given the keynote the three years I've gone. Google "Thomas Jefferson Education forum" and I bet it will pop up.

DeMille is my inspiration and WTM is my how-to. :)

[sagira]

Sounds interesting. I haven't read any of the writings, but I will now :) Thanks for sharing.

[scrapbabe]

Yes I've read about everything they have to offer and have attended the yearly forums. I actually live about 45 minutes away from the DeMilles and their school. There are all kinds of free seminars and not free seminars down this way.

Smiles,
Shalynn

[Julie in Austin]

I'm very sour on the whole enterprise. I explained why here:

http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=4580

[OhElizabeth]

No, but now that I have a boy, I plan too. For some reason it didn't click with me (at least what I had heard of it) when I only had a dd.

[one l michele]

I'm very sour on the whole enterprise. I explained why here:

http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=4580

Our family is secular.

The 55 ingredients have been my favorite part thus far. They make you think about priorities, how to balance all hats in life, and encourage kids to follow their passions and not fit into some mold. In addition they give tips to do this.

The three Jobs of a Leadership Parent are to:
1. Nurture the family relationships.
2. Create and inspiring environment.
3. Respond effectively to your child's interests.

Core phase is pretty much unschooling until ~3rd, or possibly 4th for boys. This does not mean they are not learning. I haven't read past that yet.

Leadership Education, from my understanding is an approach, not an actual curriculum.

It's always good to read a variety, form your own opinions, and use what fits your family.

[katilac]

very interesting info - - that's your own link, julie?

The two items I found most intriguing are the college's official quote about ". . . speaking, seminars, and products" and the requirements for '5 pillar certification.' That quote made me quite curious, so I kept clicking till I found the requirements:

Read and discuss 7 books (with a friend), pay $350 to attend a seminar, and you have a level one certification? Seriously? That's meaningless, imo, especially considering there is no guided discussion of the books (with only two of the seven having a solid claim to classic status in any case).

Level 2 ramps up the requirements to reading and writing a one-page summary of 12 books, 7 of which can be of the time-management/leadership genre (7 Habits of Highly Effective People, One Minute Teacher, etc), and attending another pricey seminar.

Level 3 requires you to administer or teach in any setting, including your own home school, for 6 months, applying the 5 Pillar system and keeping a journal. You must also pass an "oral board" and, of course, attend another seminar.

Each level has a registration fee in addition to the seminar fee (from $45 to $195), and Level II also has a monthly fee of $30 for a minimum of 6 months. Getting the Level III certification is a minimum of $1,600 total. Recertification is required every two years (attending a seminar).

Now, I'm not saying the book itself doesn't have many inspiring ideas. I haven't read it, and the basic theory is supposed to be based on the thoughts of Thomas Jefferson, who I imagine certainly has many ideas worth emulating. But, based on his direct quotes in the media and lax standards for professional certification, I wouldn't pay a dime to hear what he has to say about actual implementation.

And, on a lighter note, the man is extremely fond of Westerns, is he not? :lol:

editing, because 'incriminating' is a very strong word

[one l michele]

Now, I'm not saying the book itself doesn't have many inspiring ideas. I haven't read it, and the basic theory is supposed to be based on the thoughts of Thomas Jefferson, who I imagine certainly has many ideas worth emulating. But, based on his direct quotes in the media and lax standards for professional certification, I wouldn't pay a dime to hear what he has to say about actual implementation. [/I]

I have no desire to "purchase the full program". However, I did gain a lot of ideas thus far from reading the latest book, "Leadership Education", specifically the "55 Ingredient section".

[Julie in Austin]

very interesting info - - that's your own link, julie?

Yes, I wrote that.

[katilac]

I have no desire to "purchase the full program". However, I did gain a lot of ideas thus far from reading the latest book, "Leadership Education", specifically the "55 Ingredient section".

I'd actually be interested in reading the book, if my library has it. Having an eye for a quick buck doesn't mean there aren't good ideas in the book, but I'd rather hate to buy it and support the whole enterprise!

[LunaLee]

There are a lot of great ideas in this book. No need to "buy" into the whole shebang.

[Veritaserum]

I think you made some valid points, Julie, but I really don't see it all as a big MLM scheme.... ETA: That is, I've never gotten that vibe. Are things overpriced for what you get? I could agree with that. Are they running some kind of scam? I really don't think so.

I attended one of the Face to Face seminars (for less than $200) and it was very interesting. It was the math oriented seminar. Did I get really great ideas on how to teach my kids? No. Did I get excited about math in general, including the history and development of math? Yes. For me, that's the point of DeMille: To be inspired and get excited about learning. :)

With regard to that quote about The Book of Mormon, the same can be said (gleaning secular and spiritual knowledge) about The Bible or other religious texts. :) Do I think that's all a person should study (religious texts)? No. But I don't disagree with DeMille's claim that there's a lot of food for thought within religious books.

As I said before, I've found The Well-Trained Mind to be a more practical guide, but I do apply many of the principles from within the TJEd philosophy.

[one l michele]

this book, after the above link. It states no one should rely on somebody else's classic list; we each need to carefully develop our own. And to select a core book (or books) that represents who you want to be in the world and how people should be treated. That doesn't mean it has to be a religious book. There is not a religious tone in the book thus far.

[scrapbabe]

I don't want to start an argument, but in response to Julie's thoughts linked to above... I have read the TJED books and attended seminars. I took with me what I could use and left the rest at the door. It may not be for everyone and I'm not saying it's right or wrong. But I don't think they are dealing under the table. I think they are honest, good, people trying to operate a school and business and are sharing their homeschool ideas with others who wish to hear about it. That's how all businesses run. You can choose to read, hear, and be moved to action, or you can read, hear, and decide it's not for you. But I think it's an honest operation. And in Oliver Demille's defense - would any of us look good under such a strong microscope?

Smiles,
Shalynn