Will Smith Home Schools Kids Because He Can Teach Them Anything
Will Smith refuses to send his two children with wife Jada Pinkett Smith to school, claiming the system limits their education. Smith insists he didn’t learn his most valuable lessons in school and claims there are no limits to what he can teach Jaden, eight; Willow, six; and his 14-year-old son Trey, from his marriage to Sheree Smith.
He says, “The date of the Boston Tea Party does not matter. I know how to learn anything I want to learn. I absolutely know that I could learn how to fly the space shuttle because someone else knows how to fly it, and they put it in a book. Give me the book, and I do not need somebody to stand up in front of the class.”
Here is an excerpt from his interview with Readers Digest:
RD: Have you ever thought about going back to college?
Smith: The things that have been most valuable to me I did not learn in school. Traditional education is based on facts and figures and passing tests — not on a comprehension of the material and its application to your life. Jada and I homeschool our children, because the date of the Boston Tea Party does not matter.
RD: But there are some basics in education that need to be taught.
Smith: Of course there are. Reading, writing and arithmetic, because those are the languages of our country.
RD: When you say you homeschool, do you mean you actually teach them?
Smith: No, we have hired teachers who teach what we feel is important. For example, Plato’s Republic — kids need to know that. Why is that not taught in first grade?
RD: You think kids in elementary school should read Plato’s Republic?
Smith: Yeah. You cannot be an American without reading it and Aristotle’s Politics. That is what the forefathers of this country read, and they used them to create what I believe is the finest system of government that has ever existed.
RD: So, you don’t see any reason to go back to a formal education yourself?
Smith: I know how to learn anything I want to learn. I absolutely know that I could learn how to fly the space shuttle because someone else knows how to fly it, and they put it in a book. Give me the book, and I do not need somebody to stand up in front of the class.
RD: They put physics in a book, but I know I could never be a physicist.
Smith: The first step is you have to say that you can.
What do you think about homeschooling? I was homeschooled for about 6 years… and I didn’t like it. Now that I have kids of my own, I can see how having daily social interaction is VERY IMPORTANT… and you just don’t get that being homeschooled. With that said, public and private schools aren’t perfect either - I just think homeschooling your kids can be detrimental to a childs development. But - that’s just my opinion.
November 21st, 2006 at 4:01 pm
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November 27th, 2006 at 1:38 pm
[…] Will and Jada Pinkett Smith told Reader’s Digest that they homeschool their kids! Will Smith refuses to send his two children with wife Jada Pinkett Smith to school, claiming the system limits their education. […]
January 4th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Will is a sow sexy man.i want to sex them!!!!!!!!!! i must kill Jada first, she is stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 11th, 2007 at 2:07 am
Will Smith is so sexy. He had a great songs and voice. Oh he is fire in my stomach. Jupi. Bok Nera!!
February 21st, 2007 at 11:16 am
Nera je glupa koza nad kozama i ona ženska stvar nad ženskim stvarima
i pretjeruje sa smithom!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 4th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
I believe that homeschooling kids can do a lot of damage to your kids. your kids need to be able to have a social life and get to know people. if your kids are homeschooled for the rest of their school years what good will it do when they go off to college or get a job somewhere? they wont know how to express themselves. oh and you are the funniest actor! every time i watch you i’m either crying or on the floor.
March 11th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Those who say that home-schooled kids are denied a normal social life only succeed in proving that their public school education taught them nothing about how to effectively research a given topic. BAMB!
March 16th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
These two are headed for divorce any day now. With an open marriage, visibly not wearing their wedding bands, and jada showing up either solo or with a “guest” at recent events…the handwriting is on the wall. But with a belief system that we came from aliens…what do you expect?
March 24th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
I LOVE WILL SMITH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JADA PINKETT IS STUPID BEACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 26th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
i think you should send your children where you want or home teach them, i am only 12 but i under stand the meaning of CARE. by the way i think will smith is the best and (he can wrap, act ,rock and hurt! of a cd of his) and i think will smith and his wife make the perfect couple so HA to everone who doesnt think that!
May 2nd, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Hello me lovely Will Smith!!!!!!!! You a so sexxxxy man!!!! And your wife Jada Pinkett bez Smith is a BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 10th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Hello I love Wentworth Miller and Lane Garrison and ….. ….. How now, maibie came my stupid friends from my class, I can t say. Bye, Bye!
May 26th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
It really amazes me what some people think about “socialization” within the general public. I have 3 kids who were in a typical school setting. I was also working in schools at the time and seeing what happens during what is referred to as “socialization” as most. Time to talk and hang out with friends and socialize were recess and lunch, right. Well, it’s a huge group of kids - maybe 1 adult to every 30 kids if you’re lucky - which pretty much equals no supervision or ensurance of appropriate socialization. Now that I home school I have control of how my children are socialized - in smaller groups, both same aged and mixed age groups, with POSITIVE role models. I know that homeschooling is not for everyone, but before you make statements against homeschoolers in re:to socialization, maybe you should really look at what socialization IS in public school.
June 4th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
ivona martinko je koza najjebenija krava na svijetu!!!hahahahahahahahaha!!! i stalno oponaša will smitha!!! glupa koza!!! i misli da je duhovita a zapravo je dosadna koza!!!
October 13th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
i want to go out with will smith sod
November 6th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I really think that this is a bad decision… you may not learn much more than social skills in school but it’s still very very important.
November 16th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
My family has been homeschooled for about 6 years, and they are some of the most well rounded children I know. They are great communicators and get complimented when ever we are out. We have taken ballet, swimming, participate in Girl Scouts for over 6 yrs and eagerly represent their age group when at childrens conferences for our church. To each individual family, let us all celebrate choice. Thank God we live in America.
December 12th, 2007 at 8:11 am
will smith is the man of his house if he wants his kids to be home school that’s whats going to happen and i love u will smith u so fine
December 26th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Most of the home-schoolers I know socialize a lot, but it is with children and adults of many age groups and they are more mature and well rounded as they are not so peer-oriented and stressed about fitting in. Read “Hold on to your kids: Why parents need to matter more than peers”! It is interesting how secure kids become when they have strong adult attachments and how insecure (ie. child suicide, child violence, etc.) kids become when their lives revolved around their peers. Do you really want other kids raising your kids?
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:25 am
Will Smith you are the man. On the Fresh Prince of Bel Air you look different on the show you are age 17 and know you are age 39 know that’s amazing. I really want to meet you in person Will. e mail me when you have the time. do you want to meet me Will Smith I am your favorite you are my Biggest fan ever. I think your kids are proud of you what ever you do. I got most of your albums. Also I have posture of you wearing Black pants a red under shirt and I think you are hearing a open hoodie. I know you are a professinal rapper but how do you know the words from each song.
I’ll be respect an e mail from you Will Smith
From your biggest fan
Matthew Galpin
February 14th, 2008 at 10:21 am
well im doin a report on him i caught this and thaught i would write a comment well i am send me a message at lilfissher@yahoo.com im free to meet new people
February 14th, 2008 at 10:23 am
o and for any1 whos wanderin mi names not ace i just like it o man gotta go teachers here
February 24th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Will and Jada are doing the best thing that any parent can do for their children. Looking after the children the best that they can.
They’re setting their children up for life.Home schooling is all about following their children’s interests.Taking into account living within the society that they will brought up in.
If the Smith-Pinkett children want to go on to University later on or not,to be actors, accountants, musicians,directors,be in corporate marketing,or just be anything else. Then we have to praise and encourage the parents for making the choice.
The children will have good grounding and understand that with choices comes responsibilities. Home schooling isn’t for everyone. But if it works for families that are committed and passionate about learning, who stand by their children against all the critics. Then all everyone can do is support them with their decision.
February 28th, 2008 at 8:24 am
will is so sexy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i must kill jada joking
February 28th, 2008 at 8:25 am
crydxklucgj
February 28th, 2008 at 8:25 am
uiuh u;geriu;a huaehui;auilhgu trguilhergheriuhyfjjhohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohoho
April 30th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
i agree 100% with the smith’s. if i had the time off work and patience i would do the same. honestly the school system is a horrible way to begin life,, the 3 r’s are a necessity but in order to get the true understanding of ife you get it at home,with the ones who are truly looking out for your well being individualy whether than as a whole. then we will rise to branch out and be whole,mentally physically and socially.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:08 am
Hey people!
i’m a bitch!
I want will smith for myself
die you stupid jada
you’re so ugly like a shit!
DIE!
May 25th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
uisdis
June 11th, 2008 at 9:11 am
will smith I think is a very good person and I like to meet him some day I’m in Schenectady Ny 147 Elm street I would die to see he in person
July 27th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I think some people think Homeschooling means shutting your kids up at home. It’s NOT! Homeschooled kids are out and about, meeting lots of people, doing loads of activities and learning much much more than they would in school. Homeschooled kids have freedom. Good for you Will.