The Johnson Crew!

Today I'm going to be doing a read aloud of the Tuttle Twins and the education vacation I like to use audiobooks in my home school so that I don't always have to be the one to read aloud I like to turn on an audio book in the car when we're running errands or maybe just in the living room while we're folding some clothes together things like that so hopefully this is helpful to you if you haven't heard of the Tuttle twins yet it's an amazing book series that are all about Freedom entrepreneurship economics

And much more they're just amazing even I have learned a lot from these books as an adult it's kind of embarrassing but it's just stuff that you don't learn in school so it's really really helpful and useful guess what I have a giveaway for you guys today they have sent me four books to give away to four of you lucky winners stick around to the end of the book to find out how to enter the giveaway I've got the miraculous pencil 12 rules boot camp Golden Rule

And creature from Jekyll Island these are amazing books to add to your kids library now let's jump into the reading the Tuttle Twins and the education Vacation by Connor boyak illustrated by Elijah Stanfield why does this have a grade on it Ethan asked pointing to the chicken in their shopping cart hey the eggs are also grated Emily chimed in reading the grade a label on the carton grading is common for meat milk and eggs Mrs Tuttle replied the grade indicates the quality I wonder if the animals had to do homework like us to get good grades Ethan sarcastically said don't remind me about having to do homework Emily responded letting out a slow sigh summer was flying by

And that meant they would be going back to school soon the twins have been having an incredible summer at Camp Chief Ron had taught them the importance of the golden rule then they had an awesome time at the circus that passed through town learning to be clowns and best of all they had started up a new family business turning Nana's old dance studio into a new Community Theater as Mrs Tuttle began unloading items from the cart onto the conveyor belt Ethan and Emily couldn't help

But feel that the hour sitting at a desk the textbooks and the homework that soon awaited them wouldn't be nearly as interesting or enjoyable we're home Mrs Tuttle announced as she and the twins walked in carrying the groceries oops sorry honey she quickly whispered Mr Tuttle was on a phone call and his conversation seemed important I think it would be a great experience for us Mr Tuttle said I'll talk it over with them and we will see you soon he ended the call and came over to help with the groceries what was that about Dad Emily asked grunting as she heaved a bag onto the counter Mr Tuttle hum to himself enjoying the suspense he walked to his office

And the others followed impatiently waiting for him to Spill the Beans this morning I was invited to speak at a conference in Sweden in September he revealed and I think you should all come with me we could take a few weeks and tour some of Europe together what the rest of the family shouted at once trying to take him what he had just said Mr Tuttle unfolded a large map and opened a box of Swedish fishies for them to snack on while he marked spots where he wanted to take the family

So what do you think he asked but what about school won't we fall behind and get bad grades Emily wondered I don't want to do catch-up homework I get enough as it is a few weeks is a lot to miss out on Ethan agreed sounding anxious if I don't do well in school I might not get into the college I want or get a good job when I'm older I've got a future to think about honey I don't think the school will let them take that much time off Mrs Tuttle said there are laws about that you

And I could even get in trouble I understand your concerns Mr Tuttle reassured them that's why I called Mrs Miner just now oh Mrs Tuttle replied what did she say she invited us to see a friend of hers speak at the college campus he said apparently he has written books about better ways to help children learn she thinks it will help resolve any worries about the twins missing that much school a few days later the Tuttle family picked up Mrs Miner on their way to the event I think you're all really going to like my friend she said his name is John

And for most of his life he was a teacher like me he even got an award for being the best teacher in the whole state of New York she added pulling a document from her bag what's interesting is that the same year he got that award he wrote this article for a national newspaper where he announced he was quitting why did he quit if he was such a good teacher Ethan asked that's what he's going to talk about Mrs minor replied in the article he explained that because of the way schools are are set up children can sometimes be hurt instead of helped

But you haven't heard us Emily exclaimed other than that one low grade I got last year Ethan added laughing to himself you're a great teacher Emily added ignoring him that's very kind of you Mrs Miner said her cheeks turning red but I'll be honest it's hard schools add so many restrictions on what teachers can do the system doesn't really allow me to help each of you kids pursue your unique passions and interests we're told to teach the same thing to everybody in the same way

And sometimes a good teacher like John just quits because it's frustrating to understand what's best for each child but not be able to do it the auditorium parking lot was packed with cars it appears your friend is popular Mr Tuttle remarked what does that sign mean Emily asked as they walk toward the main building compulsory education is when the government forces children to go to school or forces their parents to teach them certain things in a certain way Mrs Tuttle answered until just a few decades ago it was even illegal to homeschool in some states

And in some countries it still is parents get in trouble if their kids aren't taught the way the government wants Ethan asked yes the government might take the children from their home or the parents might be put in jail Mr Tuttle said crazy right I love learning but it seems really weird to force people to do it a certain way Emily said it's like the government thinks all the kids belong to them and not to their parents the room was packed but Mrs Miner had seats reserved for them on the front row soon after they sat down an older man with a jolly smile

And white hair was introduced at the podium we all want children to succeed Mr Gatto said beginning his remarks the question is whether compulsory education adequately does the job I once thought that we could improve the education system by paying teachers more he continued or by changing our curriculum the lessons and activities taught in class by doing these things I thought surely my students would learn better and not just learn but really remember and value what I taught them but I was wrong he added slowly emphasizing his words tonight I will explain why I believe that compulsory education can harm children

And why it cannot be fixed first I need a couple of volunteers Mr Gatto said surveying the crowd the Tuttle twins shot their hands up eagerly catching his attention okay how about these two up front Ethan and Emily jumped onto the stage Mr Gatto invited them to share all the ways they were different their favorite foods hobbies and interests it was a long list now Ethan Mr godo then asked if you had the freedom to control your own education what would you want to learn

And become an expert in I like making comic books and would love to learn from a professional illustrator he replied after some thought oh and I'm good at math and want to learn how to crack codes but I don't think they teach how to do that in school and you Emily Mr Gatto asked I would spend way more time learning about science and the human body she replied the health class at school is really basic so if I was in charge I would learn much more advanced stuff my young friends here are clearly very different individuals wouldn't you all agree Mr Gatto asked the audience after many years teach teaching I realized how strange it was to treat unique children like a product on

A factory conveyor belt he said instead of helping them reach their own potential we have instead created an elaborate education system that treats them all the same they are all taught the same information and are expected to learn in the same way after a few minutes of learning one thing a bell rings then they have to move on to the next subject together even if they wanted to keep learning more or were struggling to understand this system is not natural he added and it extinguishes a child's natural desire to learn it's no wonder

So many children dread school work not only are children produced to be the same they are also inspected graded and sorted like we would do with meat and eggs he said placing funny hats onto the twins heads to illustrate what he was saying while raiding our food makes sense it doesn't make sense to grade children Mrs Tuttle leaned over to Mrs minor I remember not liking writing assignments because I always got poor grades she said but after I graduate did I loved writing about things I was interested in

And have even been published in a few magazines perhaps you didn't like writing because of the bad grades she replied for some children a bad grade makes them feel like they're not smart like they're a bad egg that can't be used grading a child's learning is truly a strange practice Mr Gatto continued if the goal is for a child to fully understand a subject a lower grade only shows they have not mastered it yet why move them on to the next chapter why even grade them at all let them learn until they understand without discouragement the twins return to their seats

And while Mr Gatto continued speaking Emily was lost in thought what's on your mind Mr Tuttle whispered to her Emily held out the notepad pointing with her pencil to what she had just written I don't want to learn just to get good grades I want to learn because the world is interesting I want to understand it and help make it better Mrs Tuttle reached her arm around Emily giving her a quick squeeze I love that she told her quietly and I agree 3. a big thud reverberated in the room as Mr Gatto dropped a block of something on the podium it's Clay Emily whispered she loved doing arts

And crafts and her fingers itched to start molding it Mr Gatto quickly began shaping the clay listen to the words of John Dewey one of the creators of today's school system he continued teachers are engaged not simply in training individuals he read they are social servants set apart for the maintenance of proper social order I hope this alarms you Mr Gatto said revealing a clay child he had formed people like Dewey what Conformity your unique children becoming the same and they created a system to mold children like clay into their idea of the proper social order I don't like the sound of that Mr Tuttle whispered toward Mrs Tuttle we send our kids to school to gain knowledge not to be taught a proper

Social order that's our job as their parents at school these little minds are filled with ideas Mr Gatto said but whose ideas are they and what are the motives of those in charge Ethan didn't like the idea that he was being shaped into what somebody else wanted I want to become my own person and learn what I want he wrote in his notepad I am nobody's clay do we modeled our modern schools after the system used an old Prussia a militaristic nation that is now Germany Mr Gatto explained the purpose wasn't to help young people be independent thinkers

But to make them into submissive workers soldiers and citizens to be more easily controlled this method was so effective it was soon adopted by most governments he added lifting up a stack of books to the podium I collect textbooks from around the world and you know what I've found these governments leave out important history they don't want their young people learning about chatter broke out in the audience as they saw the examples Mr Gatto was displaying well that's not sneaky Emily whispered sarcastically it's not a good education Ethan replied if we only hear the Twisted version of History we can't learn from what really happened there's a name for that Mr Tuttle whispered that's not education at all it's propaganda it's more than that

Mrs Tuttle added it seems more like social engineering molding people's children to change society the way they want I guess that's what that Dewey fellow was after so you see compulsory education hasn't really failed Mr Gatto concluded it has actually succeeded in undermining the individuality and Free Will of children just as it was designed to do parents you can do something about it but it requires a shift in thinking he said holding up a tiny object look closely at this seed because it contains the lesson you should not forget education is an organic process Mr Gatto continued we can't predict how people learn best or even what they might want to learn just as you don't know what this seed will become he then

Pushed the seed into a small pot of soil but just like any Gardener knows if we focus on creating the right conditions a healthy plant or child can flourish all on its own and reveal to the world what it was destined to become Applause erupted as Mr Gatto took a a humble bow giving a quick wink at the twins Mrs Miner smiled as she saw the reaction on the faces of Mr and Mrs Tuttle it was like a light bulb had gone off inside their heads after the event Mrs Miner introduced the Tuttle family to Mr Gatto I feel like I'm the one who needs to do homework

Now Mrs Tuttle said holding one of the books she had purchased just remember this Mr goddess said handing Emily the pot he had used in his presentation the key to True learning is Free Will the ability to choose your own path and learn what matters to you when education is compulsory there is no choice Mr Gatto now I get why you quit Ethan said it must be hard to be a school teacher trying to help each kid in a different way but having to grade them as if they're all supposed to be the same it is very difficult Mrs minor agreed

But I feel called to stay and do the best I can to encourage each student to follow their own interests and get them out to explore and understand the world so that's why you take us on so many field trips Emily said giving her a high five thank you on a rainy morning a few weeks later the twins peered out the window as their friends lined up for the school bus on the first day of class I'm excited to go on this trip Ethan said

But I sort of feel like I'm missing out by not going with them I know what you mean Emily replied nodding slowly the best part about school was hanging out with my friends but that's not why we send you there silly Mrs Tuttle commented suitcases were stacked in the family room ready to follow the Tuttle family to Europe that evening Mrs Tuttle nervously went over her checklist three times to be certain everything was packed and made sure to leave instructions for their neighbor Fred who would be taking care of the house

And watering the plants including Mr Gatto's mysterious plant that had just begun to Blossom Mr and Mrs Tuttle had decided to give Mr Gatto's ideas a try and use the vacation as an opportunity to start a new education Adventure are you ready for this Mr Tuttle whispered as the plane's low Rumble quickly put the twins to sleep it's a pretty big decision that's why I love the example of the plant she replied it's not our job to teach everything we just have to provide them with the right environment

And resources to learn and develop up on their own in a way that makes the most sense to them and I'm realizing something she added our children learn the same way we do you and I don't sit and wait for someone else to decide what we should know we explore our curiosity that's what I want for our kids me too Mr Tuttle replied smiling and satisfaction London was a beautiful city that Ethan and Emily absolutely loved though it took a while getting used to driving on the other side of the road

And the Natural History Museum the twins spent hours exploring different exhibits Emily especially loved learning about all the animals Ethan was focused on the dinosaurs and really old rocks the family next visited Parliament and learned about their government they were able to watch the House of Lords debate whether they should restrict people's ability to buy knives because some people had used them to hurt others the following morning they visited Westminster Abbey an old religious building that contains over a thousand years of history with paintings stained glass books

And more to see I feel like I could spend a month in here and still not see everything Emily remarked Ethan nodded and agreement treatment I had no idea any of this even existed he added Paris was an adventure all on its own the family was excited to spend some time in the Louvre a famous museum with 000 pieces of art Emily walked from One display to the next using an audio guide to learn about the different pieces look it's the real Mona Lisa Ethan called out did you know that Leonardo da Vinci used over 30 layers of paint he was a gifted artist for sure Mrs Tuttle said he was also an inventor a real renaissance man we'll visit his birthplace in Italy

In a few days Ethan was captivated by the painting wondering how long Da Vinci practiced to become so talented the rest of their time in Paris was spent visiting the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe which Napoleon had built to celebrate his military might and France's power my feet are sore Ethan said rubbing them as the family sat down at a Parisian Cafe but it feels like my mind is even more sore there's so many amazing things to learn about there are also amazing things to eat Emily said breathing in the sweet Aroma of her colorful macarons

And they smell a lot better than your stinky feet the Coliseum in Rome was much bigger than any of the tuttles had anticipated they imagined what it must have looked like filled with people watching the Gladiators in battle dad listen Ethan said this sign says that over half a million people lost their lives fighting animals and other people in the arena and it was built by thousands of Jewish slaves Mr Tuttle added that shows how a lot of history is ugly but we learn about it to try

And be better too bad they don't give away free food anymore Emily said as she and Mrs Tuttle returned from a tour our tour guide said that the Roman audience was fed during events to keep everybody happy and distracted so they wouldn't pay attention to the bad things their government was doing now there's a lesson we can certainly learn from Mr Tuttle replied how could anyone think something so horrible was fun to watch Ethan asked shaking his head we're finally here Ethan shouted as they later approached the museum in Tuscany that featured the work of Leonardo da Vinci hours passed quickly as the twins found themselves immersed in all sorts of gadgets

And ideas that one man had created even love seeing the notes and sketches of the countless inventions that he thought of including many that couldn't be made in the early 1500s since the technology to build them didn't yet exist these drawings of the human anatomy are so amazing Emily said admiring his drawings he must have spent ages studying bodies the Renaissance was a period in history where there was an explosion of creativity and learning Mrs Tuttle explained many great people like Da Vinci changed the course of history in positive ways with their new ideas

And inventions that's exactly what I'm going to do Emily said it's time for a re-renaissance the tuttles boarded the train to Germany very early the next morning to begin the day-long ride Mr Tuttle and Emily spent some time using an app to learn a bit of German while Mrs Tuttle read more from her book Ethan worked on the online math course he had started over the summer you're already learning that Mrs Tuttle said looking over his shoulder they don't teach that for another two years at school then I guess it's not

So bad that I'm missing class Ethan replied I can't wait to learn more algebra so I can learn how to crack codes Mrs Tuttle squeezed his hand in support I am very proud of you she said it's one thing to learn fun things on a trip like this but mastering something challenging takes hard work and dedication after a few Taps on her dad's phone Emily grin broadly hers licking she tried to pronounce it was German for congratulations Mr Tuttle had planned several stops in Germany to see sites from World War II which the twins had recently learned about first they visited the reichstag which used to be Germany's Parliament building the family had learned that when it caught fire Adolf Hitler blamed it on

Germany's enemies to scare people into giving him all the power he wanted to defeat anyone who stood in his way I used to wonder why so many people supported bad guys Emily said at a museum showing how the Nazis educated German youth now I know it's because of propaganda like Mr Gatto said Mrs Tuttle somberly nodded like many of the other places we've been visiting a few people with bad ideas have changed the course of history in very bad ways she said that's why it's important that we think for ourselves learn what is right

And speak out when we notice bad ideas the next morning the family got things ready for their drive to Sweden but before leaving Germany they made a quick detour to do some family history stopping by the Home Mrs tuttle's great great grandparents had built and lived in these are the same flowers that Mr Gatto gave us Ethan noticed a small plaque by the sidewalk read virgus mine nicked Emily's app said the flower was called a forget-me-not in English Ethan chased each other through the flowers arms spread wide to soak in the sun I'm

So glad I'm not sitting at a desk Emily said imagine what our friends are doing right now we don't have to imagine it Ethan replied matter-of-factly we've lived it Stephen a policeman suddenly shouted I think he said stop Emily whispered to Ethan the officer quickly realized they were Taurus sorry he said in English to Mr and Mrs Tuttle all German children must be in school during the day so I thought your children were breaking the law by being out here that night at the hotel in Sweden Ethan was still a bit shaken up about the police encounter

So it's illegal for kids in Germany to do homeschooling instead of going to a government school yes unfortunately Mr Tuttle replied they can't hear in Sweden either in some countries there aren't exceptions to compulsory education like there are where we live Mr Tuttle spoke at his conference the following day while Mrs Tuttle and the twins walked through old town and Stockholm to shop and relax I feel like I've learned a lot on this trip Emily said snacking on cloudberries I hope homeschooling will always be like this going on vacations all the time Ethan replied mom

And dad would go broke that's what's great about the freedom to choose Mrs Tuttle said we can learn about the World by being a part of it rather than being confined in a classroom and there's plenty to learn right where we live or through the internet it had been weeks since the Tuttle sat at their own breakfast table together as Emily walked over she saw the fully blossomed flowers near the window the forget-me-nots look so pretty she said bringing the pot to the table now they remind me of our awesome trip it's funny that Mr Gatto gave us that type of flower Mr Tuttle commented I think he didn't want us to forget how education really works I'm not going to forget how we

Almost got arrested Ethan said with a mischievous smile I can't wait to tell all my friends it's been fun to focus more on what I want to learn about Emily added rather than having to only study what somebody else says I should I think Mr Gatto's analogy Works Mrs Tuttle said letting other people mold you like clay into their version of who you should be is not in your best interest you should have the freedom to sprout into whatever ever you are meant to become

So what kind of environment would be best for our new educational Adventure Mr Tuttle asked as he spread Ling and Berry jam on his Swedish pancakes the family brainstormed ideas a quiet reading room classical music for when they wanted to write comfortable chairs and family reading time to learn together then they thought about resources articles tutors courses online videos access to the library lots of field trips mentors they could learn from groups of local homeschooling families and more seems like we have the start of a good plan Mrs Tuttle said this is exciting yeah

But there's just one thing missing Ethan said a slight grin starting to form what's that Mr Tuttle wondered the first and most important rule he replied no homework the end I hope you enjoyed this read aloud of the Tuttle Twins and the education vacation click on their website below and check out all the other books that they offer they have a bunch more in the Tuttle twins series they even have a teen series they have an American history book they are coming out with so many good things that I encourage you to check out

Now how to enter the giveaway for one of these four books leave me a comment below starting with an emoji of your favorite food and tell me how many kids you have and their ages it's so fun to get to know each other within this homeschooling Community here on YouTube and I just really really appreciate y'all you have no idea how much encouragement you bring me just by watching these videos thank you so so much if you did enjoy this leave this video a thumbs up

And thank you so much to Tuttle twins for sponsoring this giveaway today if you're new here my name is Sarah and this channel is all about homeschooling and our life as a family of six and I just love bringing encouragement to other homeschool moms so if that interests you go ahead and hit that subscribe button and join us here every week happy schooling foreign