John Holt's Last Homeschooling Speech

Introducer: ... John Holt's work.~

I'm sure that you have read
"How Children Learn,"~

"How Children Fail," "
Teach Your Own."~

You may have had
an opportunity to see,

lots of times on tour,
him talking on television or on the radio,

John Holt, who's probably the best-known,
most vocal commentator on unschooling,

and particularly home-based education,
in the country right now.~

Also, I understand he's
a magnificent cello player.~

So maybe some germane questions about that
would be refreshing and useful, as well.~

Here's John Holt.~

[Applause]~

John Holt: Well,
thanks very much.~

First of all, we have to delete
that "magnificent" part.~ [Laughter]

Someday maybe,
but not yet.~

How many people still remember those instructions
about how to get to this – ? [Laughter]~

We'll have a run through again
after the meeting, I think. Laughter]~

We were talking about parking,
and something popped into my head.~

I was tempted to interrupt and say it,
but I didn't, but I'll say it now.~

What popped in was,
"Parking is such sweet sorrow." [Laughter]~

Well, thank you for coming.~
Thank you for inviting me.~

It's nice to be here.~

I said I was
surprised to see,

among a number of
good friends of mine,

a friend that I really didn't
expect to see here.

And I think he probably wins the long-distance
attendance record for this meeting.~

Now, I'm John Holt from Boston,

but I'd like you to see
John Boston from Escondido,

which happens to be
near San Diego.~

I couldn't believe he was
here for this meeting.~

Just wave your hand
or say hi.~ [Laughter]

John Boston: Hi.
[Applause]~¶

John Holt: I want to talk about
a number of things tonight.~

And first of all though,
I'm probably saying things

that you've heard me
say before or read.~¶

This young man has the right idea
about how to dress for this meeting. [Laughter]~¶

Oh, but I guess, even before I get into what
you might call the body of this formal address,

I want to ask just a few questions
to locate the audience.~

And perhaps one way to start
would be by saying,

how many of you - I'm asking here
for a "show of hands" response.~¶

I wonder if we could
remove that rattle.~