VOTE for fall field trips today!
Check out the 24 fabulous trips to consider here. Vote for every one that you and your family will enjoy here.
We will tally the votes and pick the highest ranked to fill 10 days of local field trips and the 1 highest ranked long distance field trip.
Voting ends on August 7th.
Sign ups will begin on August 15th.

Please let Gleamer know if you think you will be coming to Raw Learning as a homeschooler or if you will be enrolling your child so that you can be included in the discussions and decision making processes for the Fall Trimester. Opportunities range from just joining as homeschoolers on field trips to full time enrollment and everything in between, even classes ala carte like an enrichment center. What ever works for your family works for Raw Learning!

Wanted: Teachers and Volunteers
Would you like to share your passion? Reduce or eliminate your child(ren)'s tuition or homeschooling fees by teaching a class or by volunteering for a few hours once a week, just like a co-op. Please let Gleamer know what you are interested in. Specifically we are looking for a gardener to volunteer to teach on Wednesday afternoons, sports (PE), music and someone to teach a class with the theme of the field trip of the week.
The Raw Learning Community is dedicated to making sure that Raw Learning is an affordable option for everyone who would like to join to take part in the resources, classes, field trips and opportunities for learning in a group setting.

Summer Time At Raw Learning
FREE information and play sessions at Raw Learning continue. They are on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30. We will not meet on Tuesday, August 16th. Our last session will be on Tuesday, September 1st.
Location Raw Learning is located in the rear of the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, facing N. Coalter St (the address is 2807 N. Augusta St., which is where the front of the church is). At the rear of the church there is a playground. Come into the playground and through the gray door that is in the far right corner. Please call Gleamer at 540.292.3002 if you would like further directions or can't find us.

ATTENTION:

Please CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT or LOG IN, if you would like to vote.

Click here to see descriptions of each field trip.

Results will be posted in the Raw Learning Newsletter on Sunday, August 7th.

Sign up for field trips on August 15th. Click on the Field Trip tab.

Please let Gleamer know if you think you will be coming to Raw Learning as a homeschooler or if you will be enrolling your child so that you can be included in the discussions and decision making processes for the Fall Trimester. Opportunities range from just joining as homeschoolers on field trips to full time enrollment and everything in between, even classes ala carte like an enrichment center. What ever works for your family works for Raw Learning!

Suggest a Field Trip!
Here is what is up for consideration so far:
Boxerwood, Hess-Back Home at the Farm, JMU Arboretum butterfly release, Keezletown Cannery, Furious Flower poetry workshop, Gardening workshop, Shenandoah Railroad, Dinosaur Land, How do we hear? Workshop, Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, Seneca Rocks in WV, Personna Razor Factory, The Paramount, JMU Planetarium, New Market Battlefield, Great Harvest Bakery in Warrenton, Colonial Williamsburg and Skyline Caverns.
Email Gleamer as soon as possible with your suggestions. Voting begins on August 1st.

Wanted: Teachers and Volunteers
Would you like to share your passion? Reduce or eliminate your child(ren)'s tuition or homeschooling fees by teaching a class or by volunteering for a few hours once a week, just like a co-op. Please let Gleamer know what you are interested in. Specifically we are looking for a gardener to volunteer to teach on Wednesday afternoons, sports (PE) and someone to teach a class with the theme of the field trip of the week.
The Raw Learning Community is dedicated to making sure that Raw Learning is an affordable option for everyone who would like to join to take part in the resources, classes, field trips and opportunities for learning in a group setting.

Peaceful Parenting Discussion Group
Are you seeking more joyful and harmonious relationships with your children?
    If you are, come check out our discussion group that usually meets the 4th Friday of every month. This month we will meet on the 5th Friday. We meet to support one another as we explore and practice non-coercive parenting and consensual living. This is a parenting practice that values the wants and needs of everyone equally - regardless of age - and avoids power struggles through the creation of mutually agreeable solutions.
    This month our discussion will be focused on choices. Every person makes a choice. Why choices are made and whether the choice is owned or met with dread, models choice making for our children. What healthy choices can be made and what affect might that have on our children?
Date: Friday, July 29th 
Time: 3:30-5:00 pm
Where: Raw Learning
RSVP: Gleamer at 540.292.3002 Also, please call if you have questions about the group.
Children are welcomed and encouraged to come and play while the parents discuss.
Note: For information about the sister parenting group in Harrisonburg, contact Marcella @ 540-434-0818.

Summer Time At Raw Learning
FREE information and play sessions at Raw Learning continue. They are on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30.  Thursday will also be a parent/volunteer meeting to sort out who is volunteering when, who is attending and whether or not we want to pay for a gardening teacher.
Location Raw Learning is located in the rear of the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, facing N. Coalter St (the address is 2807 N. Augusta St., which is where the front of the church is). At the rear of the church there is a playground. Come into the playground and through the gray door that is in the far right corner. Please call Gleamer at 540.292.3002 if you would like further directions or can't find us.

Please let Gleamer know if you think you will be coming to Raw Learning as a homeschooler or if you will be enrolling your child so that you can be included in the discussions and decision making processes for the Fall Trimester. Opportunities range from just joining as homeschoolers on field trips to full time enrollment and everything in between, even classes ala carte like an enrichment center. What ever works for your family works for Raw Learning!

Suggest a Field Trip!
Here is what is up for consideration so far:
Boxerwood
Hess-Back Home at the Farm
JMU Arboretum butterfly release
Keezletown Cannery
Furious Flower poetry workshop
Gardening workshop
Shenandoah Railroad
Email Gleamer as soon as possible with your suggestions. Voting begins on July 31st.

Wanted: Teachers and Volunteers
Would you like to share your passion? Reduce or eliminate your child(ren)'s tuition or homeschooling fees by teaching a class or by volunteering for a few hours once a week, just like a co-op. Please let Gleamer know what you are interested in. Specifically we are looking for a gardener to volunteer to teach on Wednesday afternoons.
The Raw Learning Community is dedicated to making sure that Raw Learning is an affordable option for everyone who would like to join to take part in the resources, classes, field trips and opportunities for learning in a group setting.

Peaceful Parenting Discussion Group
Are you seeking more joyful and harmonious relationships with your children?
    If you are, come check out our discussion group that usually meets the 4th Friday of every month. This month we will meet on the 5th Friday. We meet to support one another as we explore and practice non-coercive parenting and consensual living. This is a parenting practice that values the wants and needs of everyone equally - regardless of age - and avoids power struggles through the creation of mutually agreeable solutions.
    This month our discussion will be focused on choices. Every person makes a choice. Why choices are made and whether the choice is owned or met with dread, models choice making for our children. What healthy choices can be made and what affect might that have on our children?
Date: Friday, July 29th 
Time: 3:30-5:00 pm
Where: Raw Learning
RSVP: Gleamer at 540.292.3002 Also, please call if you have questions about the group.
Children are welcomed.
Note: For information about the sister parenting group in Harrisonburg, contact Marcella @ 540-434-0818.

Summer Time At Raw Learning
ONLY on Thursday this week--FREE information and play sessions at Raw Learning continue. They are on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 (we will not meet on Tuesday, July 19th) and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30. Come and enjoy playing and learning with friends during the summer! Please come to as many sessions as you can to learn about the Raw Learning Community and to keep in touch through the summer months.
Location Raw Learning is located in the rear of the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, facing N. Coalter St (the address is 2807 N. Augusta St., which is where the front of the church is). At the rear of the church there is a playground. Come into the playground and through the gray door that is in the far right corner. Please call Gleamer at 540.292.3002 if you would like further directions or can't find us.

Food for Thought
Each week you'll find an article or post here that is “food for thought”. 
As we think about our children and their education, these articles will help give deeper insight into how parents can help provide the resources and opportunities that young folks need to continue to reach their potential.
Last week we examined 'Rithmatic. This week is reading. Many parents feel as though their children aren't reading early enough or on time or they fear that they will never learn. Add to this public school standards and a culture that demands reading at ages 5 or 6 at the latest and it is enough to make folks panic. Here is some calming food for thought on the subject. Late readers close learning gap and Children Teach Themselves to Read.


Summer Time At Raw Learning
FREE information and play sessions at Raw Learning continue. They are on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30. Come and enjoy playing and learning with friends during the summer! Please come to as many sessions as you can to learn about the Raw Learning Community and to keep in touch through the summer months.
Location Raw Learning is located in the rear of the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, facing N. Coalter St (the address is 2807 N. Augusta St., which is where the front of the church is). At the rear of the church there is a playground. Come into the playground and through the gray door that is in the far right corner. Please call Gleamer at 540.292.3002 if you would like further directions or can't find us.


Looking Toward Fall
Did you know that Raw Learning runs like a co-op? Some parents volunteer in exchange for their children's attendance. The community is dedicated to making sure that Raw Learning is an affordable option for everyone who would like to join to take part in the resources, classes, field trips and opportunities for learning in a group setting. Questions? Call Gleamer at 540.292.3002.


**How would you like to interact with the Raw Learning Community? Opportunities range from just joining as homeschoolers on field trips to full time enrollment and everything in between. What ever works for your family works for Raw Learning!

Food for Thought
Each week you'll find an article or post here that is “food for thought”. 
As we think about our children and their education, these articles will help give deeper insight into how parents can help provide the resources and opportunities that young folks need to continue to reach their potential.
This week's food for thought is for folks who hate math, whose kids hate math and for folks who love math. Those in between will appreciate it too. It is well worth the read. A quick summation is on the last two pages. A Mathematician's Lament

Summer Time At Raw Learning
FREE information and play sessions at Raw Learning continue. They are on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30. Come and enjoy playing and learning with friends during the summer! Please come to as many sessions as you can to learn about the Raw Learning Community and to keep in touch through the summer months.
Location Raw Learning is located in the rear of the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, facing N. Coalter St (the address is 2807 N. Augusta St., which is where the front of the church is). At the rear of the church there is a playground. Come into the playground and through the gray door that is in the far right corner. Please call Gleamer at 540.292.3002 if you would like further directions or can't find us.

Looking Toward Fall
Did you know that Raw Learning runs like a co-op? Some parents volunteer in exchange for their children's attendance. The community is dedicated to making sure that Raw Learning is an affordable option for everyone who would like to join to take part in the resources, classes, field trips and opportunities for learning in a group setting. Questions? Call Gleamer at 540.292.3002.


**How would you like to interact with the Raw Learning Community? Opportunities range from just joining as homeschoolers on field trips to full time enrollment and everything in between. What ever works for your family works for Raw Learning!

Summer Time At Raw Learning
FREE information and play sessions at Raw Learning continue. They are on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30. Come and enjoy playing and learning with friends during the summer! Please come to as many sessions as you can to learn about the Raw Learning Community and to keep in touch through the summer months.
Location Raw Learning is located in the rear of the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, facing N. Coalter St (the address is 2807 N. Augusta St., which is where the front of the church is). At the rear of the church there is a playground. Come into the playground and through the gray door that is in the far right corner. Please call Gleamer at 540.292.3002 if you would like further directions or can't find us.


Food for Thought
Each week you'll find an article or post here that is “food for thought”. 
As we think about our children and their education, these articles will help give deeper insight into how parents can help provide the resources and opportunities that young folks need to continue to reach their potential.
This week's food for thought is What Does It Mean to Be Well-Educated?
 

Looking Toward Fall
Did you know that Raw Learning runs like a co-op? Some parents volunteer in exchange for their children's attendance. The community is dedicated to making sure that Raw Learning is an affordable option for everyone who would like to join to take part in the resources, classes, field trips and opportunities for learning in a group setting. Questions? Call Gleamer at 540.292.3002.

Summer Time At Raw Learning
We are excited to offer FREE information and play sessions at Raw Learning during the summer months. They will be Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 beginning Thursday, June 23rd . Come and enjoy playing and learning with friends during the summer! Please come to as many sessions as you can to learn about the Raw Learning Community and to keep in touch through the summer months.


Peaceful Parenting Discussion Group (free)
Are you seeking more joyful and harmonious relationships with your children?
If you are, come check out our discussion group that meets the 4th Friday of every month. We meet to support one another as we explore and practice non-coercive parenting and consensual living. This is a parenting practice that values the wants and needs of everyone equally - regardless of age - and avoids power struggles through the creation of mutually agreeable solutions.
During our June meeting we will continue to discuss Parenting for Social Change by Teresa Graham Brett and specifically adultism. For more information please visit the associated website.
Date: Friday, June 24th 
Time: 3:30-5:00 pm
Where: Raw Learning
RSVP: Anne at 540.421.5720 Also, please call if you have questions about the group.
Children are welcomed.
Note: For information about the sister parenting group in Harrisonburg, contact Marcella @ 540-434-0818.

Looking Toward Fall
Did you know that Raw Learning runs like a co-op? Some parents volunteer in exchange for their children's attendance. The community is dedicated to making sure that Raw Learning is an affordable option for everyone who would like to join to take part in the resources, classes, field trips and opportunities for learning in a group setting. Questions? Call Gleamer at 540.292.3002.

FIELD TRIP--Tuesday, June 14-Sherando Lake: Lyndhurst
*Only families preregistered may attend with Raw Learning. Fall Trimester field trips will be available to register for in August.
Around 10am-Arrive lower Sherando Lake. Directions are here. When this trip was initially scheduled there was a graduated fee schedule. Now it seems as though it is a flat rate of $8 per carload. Pay at the gate.
Be sure to bring all your beach, swimming and lunch supplies. There are also many trails that you can hike with your family, if you would like.
You are welcome to stay until sunset!

Bring your schooled children for a visit!
Most area schools are out for the summer. If you have never been to Raw Learning we invite you to come and try it out for FREE Monday, Thursday or Friday this week. Please contact Gleamer to set up a date.

Summer Time At Raw Learning
We are excited to offer FREE information and play sessions at Raw Learning during the summer months. They will be Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 beginning Thursday, June 23rd . Come and enjoy playing and learning with friends during the summer! Please come to as many sessions as you can to learn about the Raw Learning community and to keep in touch through the summer months.

Just some of the classes offered this week!
June 6-Makers!
Marshmallow shooters
Delightful Drawing
Make a world
June 9- Trips, Tales and Treats
Song of the Water Boatman by Joyce Sidman
Possible Activities:
-- experience poetry & reading about pond life
-- learn about the life cycle of amphibians
-- compare frogs and toads with a Venn diagram
-- talk about food chains
-- do printmaking
-- frog hop game (like “Mother May I”)
Treat: Snappy Turtle Cookies
June 10-StoryBook Cooking
Sheldon's Lunch by Bruce Lemerise
Recipe: Blueberry Pancakes

Raw Learning in the News
The News Leader featured Raw Learning on Sunday, June 12, 2011. You can read the article here: http://www.newsleader.com/article/20110612/NEWS01/106120324/Raw-Learning Many of the families at Raw Learning were hoping for a more well rounded article where Raw Learning wasn't pitted against the public school system.
The following corrections were submitted to the editor:
-Under Raw Learning Basics, the dates for the trimesters are listed as  happening in 2011 and one is incorrect. It should read, "The school year  is broken up into three trimesters, from Sept. 6 to Nov. 18, 2011, Jan.  2 to March 16, 2012 and April 2 to June 15, 2012."
-On page 3 reads: "And the most challenging aspect for parents when presented
with the model is trusting their children's natural curiosity to guide
them in their studies, as well as accepting that college is not the only
avenue for learning." 
Trusting a child's curiosity doesn't mean that they will not be able to attend college. Young people in non-traditional learning settings are accepted and attend college very successfully  because they are ready and have been free to learn all along. Trusting a  child's curiosity does mean that they are not a failure if they choose  not to go to college.
-Also on page 3: "Sullivan said she is unsure what direction Raw  Learning will go in as the students get older." 
Raw Learning will  continue to provide resources and opportunities for growth and learning  as the students get older. There may be less time spent at Raw  Learning's physical location and more spent at businesses in the form of  internships and apprenticeships as they get real life experience to  explore their passions and potential careers.