Re: [AlwaysLearning] Digest Number 285
[email protected]
Nancy, Did you see the Charlie Rose interview with Ron Howard last night?
They talked a lot about how he wanted to convey reality with Fellowship of
the Ring, because Tolkien invented it out of a need for English Myth.
With the Norman invasion of England, their mythology was erased...he felt
that other cultures had their mythology, but the English needed
theirs...hence, the realistic feel of Lord of the Rings.
It was written as though it was what happened many, many years ago....and
they wanted that feel in the movie. I thought he acheived that beautifully.
The scenery was so incredible, the cinematography astounding.
Not to mention all the costuming and props.
I guess they didn't rent any of the props from a warehouse, everything had to
be built especially for the movie.
They discussed details like what kind of silverware elves would eat with, and
then made it.
I hope it wins a bunch of awards! Great interview anyway.
Pat, I know the struggle you are going through. I've been there to some
degree myself in the past.
One thing I did before I was totally unschooling, was create "unit studies".
They weren't your traditional unit studies that most moms do in a homeschool
situation, because I didn't make them do paperwork type stuff.
The kids picked a topic and I would gather art, science and other fun
projects centered around that topic.
We all did them together and I would even make a snack that fit the topic. We
made cottage cheese "turtles" when we did the ocean theme.
It was fun, the kids didn't balk because it was all project, hands-on
oriented things.
If they got bored with something, they could walk away, or move on to
something else.
Our butterfly unit involved hatching butterflies and releasing them, visiting
a butterfly house etc...
I say school has drained you of YOUR desire to learn.
Life is fascinating, there is a ton of cool things to see and do.
I realize that there are different levels of interest from person to
person....but if you have NO desire to learn about new things, that is
detrimental to unschooling.
I think once that desire is drained, it takes a long time to reignite that
flame of desire.
Don't give up.
Think about things you always felt intimidated to try in school...maybe
painting a picture, or photography? What excited you as a child?
Think about things that bring pleasure to you....watching enjoyable movies
has been mentioned. How about a water fight, painting with your feet or body
on large paper, building a terrarium, visiting pet stores, taking a tour of a
bakery and baking some bread at home...? The ideas can go on and on.
Life is HUGE, the world is cram packed with interesting people, places and
things.
If there is no desire to find out about some of this, then I say you've been
hurt by school!!
I also love being home and puttering. Most days the simple things are just
what we need. But there needs to be some desire for knowledge, desire to find
out when questions arise.
Ren
They talked a lot about how he wanted to convey reality with Fellowship of
the Ring, because Tolkien invented it out of a need for English Myth.
With the Norman invasion of England, their mythology was erased...he felt
that other cultures had their mythology, but the English needed
theirs...hence, the realistic feel of Lord of the Rings.
It was written as though it was what happened many, many years ago....and
they wanted that feel in the movie. I thought he acheived that beautifully.
The scenery was so incredible, the cinematography astounding.
Not to mention all the costuming and props.
I guess they didn't rent any of the props from a warehouse, everything had to
be built especially for the movie.
They discussed details like what kind of silverware elves would eat with, and
then made it.
I hope it wins a bunch of awards! Great interview anyway.
Pat, I know the struggle you are going through. I've been there to some
degree myself in the past.
One thing I did before I was totally unschooling, was create "unit studies".
They weren't your traditional unit studies that most moms do in a homeschool
situation, because I didn't make them do paperwork type stuff.
The kids picked a topic and I would gather art, science and other fun
projects centered around that topic.
We all did them together and I would even make a snack that fit the topic. We
made cottage cheese "turtles" when we did the ocean theme.
It was fun, the kids didn't balk because it was all project, hands-on
oriented things.
If they got bored with something, they could walk away, or move on to
something else.
Our butterfly unit involved hatching butterflies and releasing them, visiting
a butterfly house etc...
I say school has drained you of YOUR desire to learn.
Life is fascinating, there is a ton of cool things to see and do.
I realize that there are different levels of interest from person to
person....but if you have NO desire to learn about new things, that is
detrimental to unschooling.
I think once that desire is drained, it takes a long time to reignite that
flame of desire.
Don't give up.
Think about things you always felt intimidated to try in school...maybe
painting a picture, or photography? What excited you as a child?
Think about things that bring pleasure to you....watching enjoyable movies
has been mentioned. How about a water fight, painting with your feet or body
on large paper, building a terrarium, visiting pet stores, taking a tour of a
bakery and baking some bread at home...? The ideas can go on and on.
Life is HUGE, the world is cram packed with interesting people, places and
things.
If there is no desire to find out about some of this, then I say you've been
hurt by school!!
I also love being home and puttering. Most days the simple things are just
what we need. But there needs to be some desire for knowledge, desire to find
out when questions arise.
Ren
joanna514
The ideas can go on and on.
I've had trouble being a "role model" for my kids when it comes to
delving into interesting topics(except for the topics of unschooling
and parenting).
I am still at the flitting stage. I find myself a little bit more
and more interested in geography. I've touched on religions a bit.
played around with basic math(though I did get through college
algebra), I'm learning a little bit more each spring about gardening
by trial and error and questions to friends. I could go on and on
with little examples of me growing with the experience of
unschooling, but I am no where near what a lot of people seem to be
in their parenting and zeal for life and learning.
BUT(a big one too) My kids are not turning out like me. We go to the
library quite often(my mother never took me to one). We talk a lot
and really know each other(I didn't have that as a child either). I
read to them and we have been through countless books together.
Redwall being the current one. (Another thing I never got from my
mom). I love my mom and think she was a very good one. She just
didn't think our education was her job(thought she would interfere
with our schooling) and she didn't do anything to encourage us
outside of school(and not much in it either).
Aynway, my point is, that it's taking me YEARS to grow and rediscover
that wonder I had so long ago in my life. My children don't have any
stuggles with this.
Though I could be doing more, and am stuggling to do so, my kids are
curious and learning and living a free and happy life. I am so happy
I can give them this freedom.
I am so happy I can give myself this freedom!
Joanna
> Life is HUGE, the world is cram packed with interesting people,places and
> things.you've been
> If there is no desire to find out about some of this, then I say
> hurt by school!!are just
> I also love being home and puttering. Most days the simple things
> what we need. But there needs to be some desire for knowledge,desire to find
> out when questions arise.I'm one of those people who were "damaged".
> Ren
I've had trouble being a "role model" for my kids when it comes to
delving into interesting topics(except for the topics of unschooling
and parenting).
I am still at the flitting stage. I find myself a little bit more
and more interested in geography. I've touched on religions a bit.
played around with basic math(though I did get through college
algebra), I'm learning a little bit more each spring about gardening
by trial and error and questions to friends. I could go on and on
with little examples of me growing with the experience of
unschooling, but I am no where near what a lot of people seem to be
in their parenting and zeal for life and learning.
BUT(a big one too) My kids are not turning out like me. We go to the
library quite often(my mother never took me to one). We talk a lot
and really know each other(I didn't have that as a child either). I
read to them and we have been through countless books together.
Redwall being the current one. (Another thing I never got from my
mom). I love my mom and think she was a very good one. She just
didn't think our education was her job(thought she would interfere
with our schooling) and she didn't do anything to encourage us
outside of school(and not much in it either).
Aynway, my point is, that it's taking me YEARS to grow and rediscover
that wonder I had so long ago in my life. My children don't have any
stuggles with this.
Though I could be doing more, and am stuggling to do so, my kids are
curious and learning and living a free and happy life. I am so happy
I can give them this freedom.
I am so happy I can give myself this freedom!
Joanna
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/23/2002 7:30:38 AM Pacific Standard Time,
Wilkinson6@... writes:
I don't really think it takes that much to unschool - but one thing that is
really difficult for many of is is what you've been able to do - let the kids
be different (and better) than we are ourselves. That is exhilirating and
kind of addicting - to see how the kids take off in different ways that we,
ourselves, never could. If we "control" too much of their education - we
never really get that joyful "free and happy" feeling that you expressed.
It can be a fine line between "offering" a swirling, interesting, stimulating
life filled with possibilities and "pushing" nonstop learning opportunities
onto our kids. Not every unschooling house has to be filled with nonstop
activity and visitors and travel and so on. People can live great unschooling
lives that aren't as wild or exciting as some others.
Now that my kids are older and have specific interests and activities that
they're involved with, I YEARN for the days when a slow rambly walk out in
nature, followed by a bubble bath and some read-aloud time, was plenty of
activity for the day. I try really really hard to KEEP long days with no
planned activities included in our weekly schedule. When I check my calendar,
to see if we can do something, I always have in my mind which days of the
week I'm reserving to be just 'hang around" days. On those days, Roxana will
often spend hours and hours in her room - reading and writing or singing or
just listening to music. Rosie will spend hours puttering around the house
(making little messes everywhere <G>) - "just" playing -- with dolls or
stuffed animals. I call those our "benign neglect" days - when I purposely
try to avoid interfering with them. I also try to really respect our weekly
park day time and let the kids have as LONG a day as possible without adult
interference. We usually get to the park about noon and leave around 5 or so
and even later as the days get longer. Those long hours seem important to me
for some reason - I don't like to go late and leave early - feels like
cutting off something. I know that, for years, the best park time has so
often been the last hour or two - after a few hours of play, the kids seem to
settle down into a calm intenseness that feels more deep and focused. I can't
really articulate what it is -- but it feels to me like they are learning
something really worthwhile at those times. Maybe somebody else can express
this in words.
Joanna, like you, I try to focus on what I am giving the kids - the freedom
and the support to be themselves and to really know themselves and to choose
the direction their lives take rather than feeling as if life is imposed on
them by outside forces.
That is so much more important than learning about any specific subject
matter - if they grow up feeling "in charge" of their own lives - all I can
say is WOW!!!
--pamS
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Wilkinson6@... writes:
> Aynway, my point is, that it's taking me YEARS to grow and rediscoverJoanna - this was just so NICE.
> that wonder I had so long ago in my life. My children don't have any
> stuggles with this.
> Though I could be doing more, and am stuggling to do so, my kids are
> curious and learning and living a free and happy life. I am so happy
> I can give them this freedom.
> I am so happy I can give myself this freedom!
> Joanna
I don't really think it takes that much to unschool - but one thing that is
really difficult for many of is is what you've been able to do - let the kids
be different (and better) than we are ourselves. That is exhilirating and
kind of addicting - to see how the kids take off in different ways that we,
ourselves, never could. If we "control" too much of their education - we
never really get that joyful "free and happy" feeling that you expressed.
It can be a fine line between "offering" a swirling, interesting, stimulating
life filled with possibilities and "pushing" nonstop learning opportunities
onto our kids. Not every unschooling house has to be filled with nonstop
activity and visitors and travel and so on. People can live great unschooling
lives that aren't as wild or exciting as some others.
Now that my kids are older and have specific interests and activities that
they're involved with, I YEARN for the days when a slow rambly walk out in
nature, followed by a bubble bath and some read-aloud time, was plenty of
activity for the day. I try really really hard to KEEP long days with no
planned activities included in our weekly schedule. When I check my calendar,
to see if we can do something, I always have in my mind which days of the
week I'm reserving to be just 'hang around" days. On those days, Roxana will
often spend hours and hours in her room - reading and writing or singing or
just listening to music. Rosie will spend hours puttering around the house
(making little messes everywhere <G>) - "just" playing -- with dolls or
stuffed animals. I call those our "benign neglect" days - when I purposely
try to avoid interfering with them. I also try to really respect our weekly
park day time and let the kids have as LONG a day as possible without adult
interference. We usually get to the park about noon and leave around 5 or so
and even later as the days get longer. Those long hours seem important to me
for some reason - I don't like to go late and leave early - feels like
cutting off something. I know that, for years, the best park time has so
often been the last hour or two - after a few hours of play, the kids seem to
settle down into a calm intenseness that feels more deep and focused. I can't
really articulate what it is -- but it feels to me like they are learning
something really worthwhile at those times. Maybe somebody else can express
this in words.
Joanna, like you, I try to focus on what I am giving the kids - the freedom
and the support to be themselves and to really know themselves and to choose
the direction their lives take rather than feeling as if life is imposed on
them by outside forces.
That is so much more important than learning about any specific subject
matter - if they grow up feeling "in charge" of their own lives - all I can
say is WOW!!!
--pamS
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
homeschoolmd
> I say school has drained you of YOUR desire to learn.to
> Life is fascinating, there is a ton of cool things to see and do.
> I realize that there are different levels of interest from person
> person....but if you have NO desire to learn about new things, thatis
> detrimental to unschooling.reignite that
> I think once that desire is drained, it takes a long time to
> flame of desire.Being a perfectionist student has a lot to do with my problem. It
> Don't give up.
also has taken the joy out of life.
The biggest reason I want to unschool my children is because I don't
want them to grow up feeling the way I do. I think this is also the
reason there is so much emotion tied to all this. I am frustrated
that I am having trouble giving them a life I think is so important.
I met another homeschooling mom at soccer practice the other day.
She was saying she prays for joy in her life all the time and yet she
has chosen to force her children to do all the work involved in a
classical education eventhough they don't like it.
I told her I am battling the problem of not having enough joy in my
life and I will not do that to my kids. After all children aren't
born without joy, it is taken away from. My kids will be allowed to
enjoy their lives even if it means they do not fit the model for
success.
Pat
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/23/02 10:10:21 AM, homeschoolmd@... writes:
<< I think this is also the
reason there is so much emotion tied to all this. I am frustrated
that I am having trouble giving them a life I think is so important. >>
<<I told her I am battling the problem of not having enough joy in my
life and I will not do that to my kids. >>
There is a kind of rough thing said in AA meetings. I think it applies here,
but try not to be offended by the crude nature of the saying. It is this:
You have one foot in the past and one foot in the future and you're pissing
all over today.
All this processing here is you worried about the future, and you wounded
about the past, and you afraid of whether you can do things. What are your
kids doing RIGHT THIS SECOND as you're reading this? What are you planning
to do in a half an hour?
Sandra
<< I think this is also the
reason there is so much emotion tied to all this. I am frustrated
that I am having trouble giving them a life I think is so important. >>
<<I told her I am battling the problem of not having enough joy in my
life and I will not do that to my kids. >>
There is a kind of rough thing said in AA meetings. I think it applies here,
but try not to be offended by the crude nature of the saying. It is this:
You have one foot in the past and one foot in the future and you're pissing
all over today.
All this processing here is you worried about the future, and you wounded
about the past, and you afraid of whether you can do things. What are your
kids doing RIGHT THIS SECOND as you're reading this? What are you planning
to do in a half an hour?
Sandra
homeschoolmd
--- In AlwaysLearning@y..., SandraDodd@a... wrote:
I assume you are not really asking this as a question but giving this
as an example of living in the present and looking at the future as
only what you can plan for in the more immediate sense. Am I right?
Pat
> > All this processing here is you worried about the future,Very much so
> and you woundedobviously
> about the past,
> and you afraid of whether you can do things.Yup
> What are yourplanning to do in a half an hour?
> kids doing RIGHT THIS SECOND as you're reading this? What are you
I assume you are not really asking this as a question but giving this
as an example of living in the present and looking at the future as
only what you can plan for in the more immediate sense. Am I right?
Pat
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/23/02 12:33:37 PM, homeschoolmd@... writes:
<<
I assume you are not really asking this as a question but giving this
as an example of living in the present and looking at the future as
only what you can plan for in the more immediate sense. Am I right? >>
I expected you to go and see, not to stay here and write.
<<
I assume you are not really asking this as a question but giving this
as an example of living in the present and looking at the future as
only what you can plan for in the more immediate sense. Am I right? >>
I expected you to go and see, not to stay here and write.
Nancy Wooton
on 3/23/02 6:49 AM, starsuncloud@... at starsuncloud@... wrote:
direction of "A Beautiful Mind." Peter Jackson directed "The Lord of the
Rings."
Nancy
> Nancy, Did you see the Charlie Rose interview with Ron Howard last night?No, I never watch Charlie Rose. FYI, Ron Howard is nominated for his
> They talked a lot about how he wanted to convey reality with Fellowship of
> the Ring
direction of "A Beautiful Mind." Peter Jackson directed "The Lord of the
Rings."
Nancy
Tia Leschke
>This is something that I *had* to deal with, because my son is so different
>
>I don't really think it takes that much to unschool - but one thing that is
>really difficult for many of is is what you've been able to do - let the kids
>be different (and better) than we are ourselves. That is exhilirating and
>kind of addicting - to see how the kids take off in different ways that we,
>ourselves, never could. If we "control" too much of their education - we
>never really get that joyful "free and happy" feeling that you expressed.
from me by nature. It was hard at first, but lately I've come to terms
with our differences and have started to really enjoy who *he* is.
Tia
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt
*********************************************
Tia Leschke
leschke@...
On Vancouver Island
Tia Leschke
>I think your main job right now is to find that joy again. In the process,
>Being a perfectionist student has a lot to do with my problem. It
>also has taken the joy out of life.
you'll probably help them keep the joy in their lives.
>The biggest reason I want to unschool my children is because I don'tKeep in mind that *they* are the ones who have to make a life for
>want them to grow up feeling the way I do. I think this is also the
>reason there is so much emotion tied to all this. I am frustrated
>that I am having trouble giving them a life I think is so important.
themselves. You job is to help them, not make if for them.
>I told her I am battling the problem of not having enough joy in mySee, here you are struggling with unschooling at the same time you're
>life and I will not do that to my kids. After all children aren't
>born without joy, it is taken away from. My kids will be allowed to
>enjoy their lives even if it means they do not fit the model for
>success.
advocating for it. <g> Give yourself credit for getting *some* of
it. The rest will come.
Tia
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt
*********************************************
Tia Leschke
leschke@...
On Vancouver Island
[email protected]
<<This is something that I *had* to deal with, because my son is so
different
from me by nature. It was hard at first, but lately I've come to terms
with our differences and have started to really enjoy who *he* is.
Tia>>
Since learning to let my children be themselves I've realized that my
daughter is "better" than I am in many areas. I have even determined to
follow her lead in these areas, especially in relating to others. What
an awesome thing!
Kris
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different
from me by nature. It was hard at first, but lately I've come to terms
with our differences and have started to really enjoy who *he* is.
Tia>>
Since learning to let my children be themselves I've realized that my
daughter is "better" than I am in many areas. I have even determined to
follow her lead in these areas, especially in relating to others. What
an awesome thing!
Kris
________________________________________________________________
GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.