New to Unschooling
hmschoolmtnmama
Hi - My name is Julie and I have three children. We have been a
loosely structures homeschooling family for seven years. I am
burned out. I am also a Christian - and as I was praying about how
to cope, I had a book jump out at me in the library on unschooling.
I finished it that night - which is a record for me - and started
searching for more. I had a friend hand me some John Holt books
that I haven't read yet, but I need some information from the
population. First of all generally speaking - where is everybody
from? Secondly, what was the biggest motivation to "unschooling"?
Third, what would be the best piece of advice you could give a new
unschooler? I have three children - 7, 11 and 14. This is all
pretty new to me and to be honest I am concerned that my 7 year old
will not read or get basic math facts down - as well as that my 11
year old that hates math won't ever be able to comfortably do basic
math - or learn to love to read.
I would just like to talk to some of you. I feel a bit like there
is a stigma attached to unschooling - and am somewhat afraid to let
people know what my husband and I have decided to do for fear of
ridicule. There is only one other unschooling family I know. I
think people tend to think it has something to do with laziness.
Just the few days we have spent chasing any rabbit trail of the kids
choosing, I know you cannot be lazy and truly un-school.
Thanks for letting me throw my questions out there!
loosely structures homeschooling family for seven years. I am
burned out. I am also a Christian - and as I was praying about how
to cope, I had a book jump out at me in the library on unschooling.
I finished it that night - which is a record for me - and started
searching for more. I had a friend hand me some John Holt books
that I haven't read yet, but I need some information from the
population. First of all generally speaking - where is everybody
from? Secondly, what was the biggest motivation to "unschooling"?
Third, what would be the best piece of advice you could give a new
unschooler? I have three children - 7, 11 and 14. This is all
pretty new to me and to be honest I am concerned that my 7 year old
will not read or get basic math facts down - as well as that my 11
year old that hates math won't ever be able to comfortably do basic
math - or learn to love to read.
I would just like to talk to some of you. I feel a bit like there
is a stigma attached to unschooling - and am somewhat afraid to let
people know what my husband and I have decided to do for fear of
ridicule. There is only one other unschooling family I know. I
think people tend to think it has something to do with laziness.
Just the few days we have spent chasing any rabbit trail of the kids
choosing, I know you cannot be lazy and truly un-school.
Thanks for letting me throw my questions out there!
Rodney and Rebecca Atherton
>I am also a ChristianYou might think of Unschooling as "spirit-led-learning"
>John Holt booksRead them! They changed my life, the way I looked at learning (has nothing
to do with "school") and even the way I parented!
>- where is everybodyfrom?
I'm in and from Texas.
>Secondly, what was the biggest motivation to "unschooling"?I started to notice that my child was learning more from the things he
enjoyed than he was from "school" and I decided I better pay more attention
to what was working!
>Third, what would be the best piece of advice you could give a newRelax, and learn from your children - how they learn and when they learn.
>unschooler?
Read those John Holt books! Let everyone do what they want while you study!
Let them see you learning, it's a great example to set!
>basic math facts downBasic math facts can be picked up from doing everyday things. I'm not
talking just about board games that use dice or educational games or
cooking. Maybe others can give more examples.
>hates math won't ever be able to comfortably do basicThe reason children hate math or reading is because they were forced to read
>math - or learn to love to read.
or do math before they were ready. I would rather have a child that loves
math and reading than a child who learned early, but who hates reading and
math. When children are allowed the freedom to read and do math, they don't
hate it. When things are forced on us, we hate them.
>afraid to letWho cares what others think? You are the mother. You don't have to tell
>people know what my husband and I have decided to do
them that you are "Unschooling" just say that you are letting the children
have autonomy over their own education. Just brag about the things your
children do on their own. Do they play on the computer? Make web pages?
Do computer art? (paint program) It might take awhile, but your children
will start to crave knowledge and it might not be from a text book.
>for fear ofLearn learn learn. Read those HOLT books! Arm yourself with information -
>ridicule.
best shield for caring about ridicule! Become the expert!
>lazinessRelaxing and enjoying your children is not laziness. Sure, we aren't
pushing and pushing and stressing and stressing, but that doesn't mean we
are lazy. Might mean we aren't stressed.
>I know you cannot be lazy and truly un-school.I can be lazy and do anything! Hee hee
<http://www.geocities.com/rebeccawow.geo> Rebecca
Aim/AOL: Rebeccawow
MSN: wow_academy@...
Yahoo! Messenger: wow_academy
ICQ# 2046718
http://www.geocities.com/rebeccawow.geo
http://www.checin.org
Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to
solve. -Roger Lewin
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
-=-=-=--Hi - My name is Julie and I have three children. We have been a loosely structures homeschooling family for seven years. I am burned out.-=-=-=-
A lot of folks come to unschooling after burning out from structured school-at-home. But don't think that it will be easy and that you can just lie around dong nothing. UNschooling requires you to BE and DO.
population.<<<<<
I'd suggest to read ALL of John Holt's stuff. Very eye-opening, especially to watch his journey from teacher to school reformer to unschool advocate.
What other book did you read? The one that kept you up all night?
This groups? All over. Internet groups, unless established locally, tend to be made up of people from everywhere. I *know* that we have members from most, if not all of, the US states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Costa Rica, Germany---and maybe a few other countries. I'm in South Carolina.
Actually, that would vary from parent to parent and from situation to situation.
And we can tell you that unschooling isn't about all that. That math and reading come as a side effect of wanting to be a part of this world. It's as natural as breathing. We're hard-wired to learn.
But you'd have to trust us! <g>
We have proof. Our own children.
Get used to ridicule. Strange looks. Downright hostility from some people. Be willing to lose a friend or two. It ain't easy!
Big topic of conversation lately! <g>
~Kelly
A lot of folks come to unschooling after burning out from structured school-at-home. But don't think that it will be easy and that you can just lie around dong nothing. UNschooling requires you to BE and DO.
>>>>I had a friend hand me some John Holt booksthat I haven't read yet, but I need some information from the
population.<<<<<
I'd suggest to read ALL of John Holt's stuff. Very eye-opening, especially to watch his journey from teacher to school reformer to unschool advocate.
What other book did you read? The one that kept you up all night?
>>>>First of all generally speaking - where is everybodyfrom? <<<<
This groups? All over. Internet groups, unless established locally, tend to be made up of people from everywhere. I *know* that we have members from most, if not all of, the US states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Costa Rica, Germany---and maybe a few other countries. I'm in South Carolina.
>>>>>Secondly, what was the biggest motivation to "unschooling"? <<<<Biggest? Most common? Love of learning. Bad schools. John Holt.
Actually, that would vary from parent to parent and from situation to situation.
>>>>Third, what would be the best piece of advice you could give a new unschooler?<<<<Say YES! more often. Trust your children. Respect who they are NOW. Be patient. Show compassion. Be interesting and interested. PLAY!
>>>>>I have three children - 7, 11 and 14. This is allpretty new to me and to be honest I am concerned that my 7 year old will not read or get basic math facts down - as well as that my 11 year old that hates math won't ever be able to comfortably do basic math - or learn to love to read. <<<<<
And we can tell you that unschooling isn't about all that. That math and reading come as a side effect of wanting to be a part of this world. It's as natural as breathing. We're hard-wired to learn.
But you'd have to trust us! <g>
We have proof. Our own children.
>>>>>I would just like to talk to some of you. I feel a bit like there is a stigma attached to unschooling - and am somewhat afraid to let people know what my husband and I have decided to do for fear of ridicule.<<<<<Aahhhh. Fear. BUT, your husband's on board? COOL!
Get used to ridicule. Strange looks. Downright hostility from some people. Be willing to lose a friend or two. It ain't easy!
>>>>There is only one other unschooling family I know. Ithink people tend to think it has something to do with laziness. <<<<
Big topic of conversation lately! <g>
>>>>Just the few days we have spent chasing any rabbit trail of the kids choosing, I know you cannot be lazy and truly un-school. Thanks for letting me throw my questions out there!<<<<This list, AlwaysLearning, is really a list for those who already "get" unschooling. 'Though you're certainly welcome, you might find better answers to your questions at [email protected] or at its grown-up version: [email protected]
~Kelly
Julie
Kelly - Thanks so much for the reply -
I think it is great. I really do already get the unschooling philosophy. I
want to read a book called something about De-schooling ourselves. I really
need that because that is the biggest hinderance. My son is always doing
things that are math as part of the natural world. Like for instance, at
this very moment he is rolling pennies and telling me how much he has in
dollar amounts - and hundreds - all on his own. Left to do things like that
he seems to learn more than he can on paper from a workbook. I have always
seen that and yet my own fear has kept me from letting it just happen that
way.
The unschooling book that helped me was the Unschooling Handbook - It was a
huge encouragement. It basically gave me the courage to let go of what I
was trying to do and the frustration that they weren't absorbing the facts
that I was trying to shove in anyway. They really truly only learn what
they are bent towards and interested in. The rest seems to be fact spewing.
Also as far as teaching the 7 year old to be a good reader - he basically
already reads just not strong - yesterday he let me know he wanted to
practice reading because he wants to know what his sisters spell to try to
hide things from him. So evidently this will be a covert operation between
the two of us. Ah that mother and child bonding!!!!! :)
Thanks again - I really appreciate the time you took to write me and the
links to others maybe more in the same place as me.
Sincerely - Julie
-------Original Message-------
From: kbcdlovejo@...
Date: 3/11/2005 10:31:00 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] Re: New to Unschooling
-=-=-=--Hi - My name is Julie and I have three children. We have been a
loosely structures homeschooling family for seven years. I am burned out
-=-=-=-
A lot of folks come to unschooling after burning out from structured
school-at-home. But don't think that it will be easy and that you can just
lie around dong nothing. UNschooling requires you to BE and DO.
population.<<<<<
I'd suggest to read ALL of John Holt's stuff. Very eye-opening, especially
to watch his journey from teacher to school reformer to unschool advocate.
What other book did you read? The one that kept you up all night?
This groups? All over. Internet groups, unless established locally, tend to
be made up of people from everywhere. I *know* that we have members from
most, if not all of, the US states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Great
Britain, Costa Rica, Germany---and maybe a few other countries. I'm in South
Carolina.
Actually, that would vary from parent to parent and from situation to
situation.
Say YES! more often. Trust your children. Respect who they are NOW. Be
patient. Show compassion. Be interesting and interested. PLAY!
read or get basic math facts down - as well as that my 11 year old that
hates math won't ever be able to comfortably do basic math - or learn to
love to read. <<<<<
And we can tell you that unschooling isn't about all that. That math and
reading come as a side effect of wanting to be a part of this world. It's as
natural as breathing. We're hard-wired to learn.
But you'd have to trust us! <g>
We have proof. Our own children.
what my husband and I have decided to do for fear of ridicule.<<<<<
Aahhhh. Fear. BUT, your husband's on board? COOL!
Get used to ridicule. Strange looks. Downright hostility from some people.
Be willing to lose a friend or two. It ain't easy!
Big topic of conversation lately! <g>
me throw my questions out there!<<<<
This list, AlwaysLearning, is really a list for those who already "get"
unschooling. 'Though you're certainly welcome, you might find better answers
to your questions at [email protected] or at its grown-up
version: [email protected]
~Kelly
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Help save the life of a child. Support St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital's
'Thanks & Giving.'
http://us.click.yahoo.com/8HGP.B/5WnJAA/a8ILAA/fHIqlB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
Yahoo! Groups Links
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I think it is great. I really do already get the unschooling philosophy. I
want to read a book called something about De-schooling ourselves. I really
need that because that is the biggest hinderance. My son is always doing
things that are math as part of the natural world. Like for instance, at
this very moment he is rolling pennies and telling me how much he has in
dollar amounts - and hundreds - all on his own. Left to do things like that
he seems to learn more than he can on paper from a workbook. I have always
seen that and yet my own fear has kept me from letting it just happen that
way.
The unschooling book that helped me was the Unschooling Handbook - It was a
huge encouragement. It basically gave me the courage to let go of what I
was trying to do and the frustration that they weren't absorbing the facts
that I was trying to shove in anyway. They really truly only learn what
they are bent towards and interested in. The rest seems to be fact spewing.
Also as far as teaching the 7 year old to be a good reader - he basically
already reads just not strong - yesterday he let me know he wanted to
practice reading because he wants to know what his sisters spell to try to
hide things from him. So evidently this will be a covert operation between
the two of us. Ah that mother and child bonding!!!!! :)
Thanks again - I really appreciate the time you took to write me and the
links to others maybe more in the same place as me.
Sincerely - Julie
-------Original Message-------
From: kbcdlovejo@...
Date: 3/11/2005 10:31:00 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] Re: New to Unschooling
-=-=-=--Hi - My name is Julie and I have three children. We have been a
loosely structures homeschooling family for seven years. I am burned out
-=-=-=-
A lot of folks come to unschooling after burning out from structured
school-at-home. But don't think that it will be easy and that you can just
lie around dong nothing. UNschooling requires you to BE and DO.
>>>>I had a friend hand me some John Holt booksthat I haven't read yet, but I need some information from the
population.<<<<<
I'd suggest to read ALL of John Holt's stuff. Very eye-opening, especially
to watch his journey from teacher to school reformer to unschool advocate.
What other book did you read? The one that kept you up all night?
>>>>First of all generally speaking - where is everybodyfrom? <<<<
This groups? All over. Internet groups, unless established locally, tend to
be made up of people from everywhere. I *know* that we have members from
most, if not all of, the US states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Great
Britain, Costa Rica, Germany---and maybe a few other countries. I'm in South
Carolina.
>>>>>Secondly, what was the biggest motivation to "unschooling"? <<<<Biggest? Most common? Love of learning. Bad schools. John Holt.
Actually, that would vary from parent to parent and from situation to
situation.
>>>>Third, what would be the best piece of advice you could give a newunschooler?<<<<
Say YES! more often. Trust your children. Respect who they are NOW. Be
patient. Show compassion. Be interesting and interested. PLAY!
>>>>>I have three children - 7, 11 and 14. This is allpretty new to me and to be honest I am concerned that my 7 year old will not
read or get basic math facts down - as well as that my 11 year old that
hates math won't ever be able to comfortably do basic math - or learn to
love to read. <<<<<
And we can tell you that unschooling isn't about all that. That math and
reading come as a side effect of wanting to be a part of this world. It's as
natural as breathing. We're hard-wired to learn.
But you'd have to trust us! <g>
We have proof. Our own children.
>>>>>I would just like to talk to some of you. I feel a bit like there is astigma attached to unschooling - and am somewhat afraid to let people know
what my husband and I have decided to do for fear of ridicule.<<<<<
Aahhhh. Fear. BUT, your husband's on board? COOL!
Get used to ridicule. Strange looks. Downright hostility from some people.
Be willing to lose a friend or two. It ain't easy!
>>>>There is only one other unschooling family I know. Ithink people tend to think it has something to do with laziness. <<<<
Big topic of conversation lately! <g>
>>>>Just the few days we have spent chasing any rabbit trail of the kidschoosing, I know you cannot be lazy and truly un-school. Thanks for letting
me throw my questions out there!<<<<
This list, AlwaysLearning, is really a list for those who already "get"
unschooling. 'Though you're certainly welcome, you might find better answers
to your questions at [email protected] or at its grown-up
version: [email protected]
~Kelly
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Help save the life of a child. Support St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital's
'Thanks & Giving.'
http://us.click.yahoo.com/8HGP.B/5WnJAA/a8ILAA/fHIqlB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
Yahoo! Groups Links
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
-=-=-=-afraid to let
About that autonomy line: My favorite was when Duncan, at age five, would tell people he was an autodidactic. THEN he'd have to tell them what that was! Vocabulary lesson from a five year old! Shut them up every time! <G>
When he'd say that, folks would think I must have REALLY brilliant, off-the-charts, smart kids.
I DO! <g>
But people would think that mine were too smart for school. Worked like a charm! <bwg>
~Kelly
>people know what my husband and I have decided to doWho cares what others think? You are the mother. You don't have to tell them that you are "Unschooling" just say that you are letting the children have autonomy over their own education. Just brag about the things your children do on their own. -=-=-=-
About that autonomy line: My favorite was when Duncan, at age five, would tell people he was an autodidactic. THEN he'd have to tell them what that was! Vocabulary lesson from a five year old! Shut them up every time! <G>
When he'd say that, folks would think I must have REALLY brilliant, off-the-charts, smart kids.
I DO! <g>
But people would think that mine were too smart for school. Worked like a charm! <bwg>
~Kelly
Rodney and Rebecca Atherton
>Left to do things like thatYes! These things do the same thing a practice sheet would do (reinforce
>he seems to learn more than he can on paper from a workbook.
skills), only better! It's using the skills in context. A worksheet would
be taking a skill out of a real life context. I want math to be meaningful
and to have value to my child - not something to be feared or loathed.
We collect change and then roll our change too. What the children are doing
would look really impressive on paper, but they are doing it in their head -
where math should be.
I think I got very dependent on working things out on paper. It made my
brain not work as hard. What do you think about that?
<http://www.geocities.com/rebeccawow.geo> Rebecca
Aim/AOL: Rebeccawow
MSN: wow_academy@...
Yahoo! Messenger: wow_academy
ICQ# 2046718
http://www.geocities.com/rebeccawow.geo
http://www.hometown.aol.com/Rebeccawow
http://www.checin.org (Crossroads Home Educated Children)
Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to
solve. -Roger Lewin
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]