by Ken Danford | May 4, 2021 | Uncategorized
“Hi, Ken! It’s Jesse! Believe it or not, I’m now applying to Amherst College, and I wonder if you would write me a recommendation?” Jesse Shotland, now age 28, was a delightful member of North Star for two years, 2009-2011. We have stayed in touch, and I knew that...
by Ken Danford | Apr 16, 2021 | self-directed learning
As a U.S. History teacher, I enjoy following cultural trends and trying to read larger historical patterns into them. This month, I’ve been particularly interested in a Gallup Poll which shows that for the first time in the eighty-year history of that survey, fewer...
by Ken Danford | Apr 11, 2021 | self-directed learning
As I’ve mentioned, one of the highlights of this year has been welcoming Distance Members to North Star this year. In the past, we have only worked with local teens, but because nearly all of our activities have been on Zoom this year, we have decided to experiment...
by Ken Danford | Mar 22, 2021 | self-directed learning
What happens to an unschooler who refuses to wear shoes? (and who attends North Star barefoot in all seasons for several years?) I opened my mailbox yesterday to see Grace Martenson with her industrious smile busy mending shoes as the cover photo of this week’s...
by Ken Danford | Mar 1, 2021 | Uncategorized
My young-adult children are increasing their vigilance of my wife and me regarding our COVID- 19 protective behaviors, demanding that we “don’t blow it now after all we have sacrificed this year to avoid getting COVID-19!” They want us to keep our guard up for another...
