[email protected]

http://sandradodd.com/schoolchoice


An article I had written for a newsletter used to be linked to their site,
but that site seems to have disappeared, so I've put it up on a new page of
its own.

It's an old article. If you've read The Homeschool Book of Answers you've
already seen it.

And it's not about unschooling, it's about child-led learning. So if anyone
wants to discuss the difference after they read this, I'm game!

Sandra

Peggy

From:

Public School on Your Own Terms

> announce to the principal, “School is optional at our
> house.” She advises you to make assorted excuses like
> the other parents do.)

This cracked me up. Does it come under the title of avoiding direct
confrontation with the public school authorities?

> And it's not about unschooling, it's about child-led learning. So if anyone
> wants to discuss the difference after they read this, I'm game!

Sure, I'd enjoy it. My oldest attends a one day a week gate program through
our school district. She has one more year in the program. I think it is a
positive experience for her, but, when I think of sending my never really been
to school youngest daughter there, I think, "I don't think so."

Peggy

Lisa Hardiman

Dear Sandra Dodd: I have been reading this egroup for a couple of
months but have remained quiet. I liked this article because it relates
to my own situation. We put our oldest son in school after a difficult
move and moving to a town where there is no network of homeschoolers.
He decided to go to school to meet the neighborhood kids and do it on
his own. He went to school for half of first grade and than completed
his 2nd grade and does not want to go back. I would keep on encouraging
him to explore his own interests, but I noticed when in school, he did
not have the energy or the brain power to explore what he really likes.
At the end of this school year, I was casual about Homeschooling and did
not cram it down his throat. I just said try to envision what you would
like with your schooling in the fall. Within 4 weeks of deprogramming
he wants to homeschool although he doesn't like the name so we thought
up his own name - NATE Natural Achievement Through Education. I feel
confidence which I lacked when I was Homeschooling before and it showed
and he sensed it. Now he understands the difference. A couple of
months ago it was a discussion in this group about a kid who decided to
go to school or not. It depends on the kid and the parenting. I have a
daughter who has no desire to go to school and hopefully we will be more
established in a network for our whole family. But we will cross that
bridge when it comes. My name is Lisa. I am sorry I didn't introduce
myself before but I learned a lot just by reading and listening. Peace
to you. Lisa, another Montanan

-----Original Message-----
From: SandraDodd@... [mailto:SandraDodd@...]
Sent: Sunday, July 14, 2002 4:21 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] a bad link is repaired (big announcement for a
small matter <g>)

http://sandradodd.com/schoolchoice


An article I had written for a newsletter used to be linked to their
site,
but that site seems to have disappeared, so I've put it up on a new page
of
its own.

It's an old article. If you've read The Homeschool Book of Answers
you've
already seen it.

And it's not about unschooling, it's about child-led learning. So if
anyone
wants to discuss the difference after they read this, I'm game!

Sandra




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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 7/14/02 4:21:33 PM, SandraDodd@... writes:

<< And it's not about unschooling, it's about child-led learning. So if
anyone
wants to discuss the difference after they read this, I'm game! >>

I forgot to get back to that topic.
It had to do with the article about my sister's kids staying home or going to
school as they chose for many years.

Her oldest is college age now.

But I had said I thought it wasn't about unschooling but it was about
child-led learning.

I think someone did want to talk about that and we didn't.

I don't personally call unschooling "child-led learning," although I probably
have a time or two years ago. Some people use that as their quicky
description, I'm pretty sure (or did years ago).

That's probably why some people say if a child chooses it, it's
unschooling--even if what the child chooses is a curriculum or boarding
school.

I think of unschooling as learning from a life without schoolishness. But
I've kinda made a full-time project of it. Other families want to make a
school-replacement temporary thing of it, and so for them it's going to less
life-transforming.

Sandra

[email protected]

I would support Dylan if he wanted to go to public school. I can say
that pretty confidently because he really seems like the last kid who
would ever want to.
But if he did, I wouldn't call it unschooling.
I'd be too depressed to call it anything. <g>

In my little local news paper last Wednesday I saw and ad "lawn mowing by
honor student" and it made me feel a little sad. I thought about honor
students I knew, (I wasn't one of them) and about that moment when they
realized "honor student" didn't mean anything to anyone in the real
world.

My good and kind friend Jeff just took the Praxis tests ( is that right?)
and jumped through all the hoops to become a non traditional teacher in
the Arkansas public school system.
He just quit a good paying job and changed his life and at forty two is
going to start his first day as a science teacher on August 19.
I feel like throwing a shoe at him, but I also want to be hopeful for
him. He said he'll remember the kids are there because they have to be
and he is there by choice. Maybe that means something good.

I have no idea where I was going with this...

Deb L

Sharon Rudd

Being a science teacher is an opportunity to REALLY
have some fun. It is all the fun stuff in one
time/space.....all the mediums.....
Sharon of the Swamp


> My good and kind friend Jeff just took the Praxis
> tests ( is that right?)
> and jumped through all the hoops to become a non
> traditional teacher in
> the Arkansas public school system.
> He just quit a good paying job and changed his life
> and at forty two is
> going to start his first day as a science teacher on
> August 19.
> I feel like throwing a shoe at him, but I also want
> to be hopeful for
> him. He said he'll remember the kids are there
> because they have to be
> and he is there by choice. Maybe that means
> something good.


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better
http://health.yahoo.com

Lisa Hardiman

I was really bummed when Nate went to school and actually liked it the
last half of 1st grade. What was disturbing was Nate, who is very
gifted at figuring things out, was not ready to read. I saw his self
esteem shrink. I just encouraged him in all activities he was
interested. In second grade he loathed it but I said as a family we are
committed to summer. They put so much pressure on kids to do reading it
is serious. There are some good educators in public schools who really
give, than there are the control freaks who pull rank on everyone
including parents. Unfortunately most are control freaks. And that
what happens to kids they loose more and more of control of their lives.
Schools are taking over so much of the parenting and family roles, but
it is the society who lets it happen to. The school reflect capitalism
and the set up kids who will be successful and who will not, like our
society. I got to go. Peace Lisa

-----Original Message-----
From: ddzimlew@... [mailto:ddzimlew@...]
Sent: Monday, July 22, 2002 10:11 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] a bad link is repaired (big announcement
for a small matter <g>)

I would support Dylan if he wanted to go to public school. I can say
that pretty confidently because he really seems like the last kid who
would ever want to.
But if he did, I wouldn't call it unschooling.
I'd be too depressed to call it anything. <g>

In my little local news paper last Wednesday I saw and ad "lawn mowing
by
honor student" and it made me feel a little sad. I thought about honor
students I knew, (I wasn't one of them) and about that moment when they
realized "honor student" didn't mean anything to anyone in the real
world.

My good and kind friend Jeff just took the Praxis tests ( is that
right?)
and jumped through all the hoops to become a non traditional teacher in
the Arkansas public school system.
He just quit a good paying job and changed his life and at forty two is
going to start his first day as a science teacher on August 19.
I feel like throwing a shoe at him, but I also want to be hopeful for
him. He said he'll remember the kids are there because they have to be
and he is there by choice. Maybe that means something good.

I have no idea where I was going with this...

Deb L




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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

He's a very cool guy. He's inspired by everything, notices everything,
loves everything. He's always thought about being a teacher after one
great science teacher in high school lit the fire of chemistry inside
him. I hope he loves it.

Deb

On Tue, 23 Jul 2002 05:22:18 -0700 (PDT) Sharon Rudd
<bearspawprint@...> writes:
> Being a science teacher is an opportunity to REALLY
> have some fun. It is all the fun stuff in one
> time/space.....all the mediums.....

[email protected]

>I was really bummed when Nate went to school and actually liked it the
>last half of 1st grade.

I'm glad Nate will be home with you this year Lisa. He'll have more fun
and you'll worry less.

Deb