My intro (and boy am I happy to be here!)
psmbegan
Hello everyone!
I'm Penny, Mom to Erin (8) and Carrie (almost 5). I am thrilled to
find you all - I feel like I'm home!
We've been homeschooling for about 3 years, during which time I have
learned about just about every kind of curriculum imaginable (and
bought most of it to, which explains my embarrassing credit card
debt...) and lots of educational styles. I have tried Charlotte
Mason, Montessori, classical and a LOT of Waldorf (which I thought
was relaxed, but it's actually the most rigid of the bunch). I
would learn everything I can, put everything in place and within
months abandon them. Why? They never felt natural, or right, or
well, healthy. (Although, I must admit, it WAS a fun journey for me
to learn about them, even though they were disappointing when I
tried to implement them).
It was actually John Holt's book "Teach Your Own" that inspired me
to homeschool, but I rejected unschooling because I lacked the
confidence to believe in it.
...and then my daughter wrote a 10 page book about unicorns for her
sister's birthday...just because she wanted to, and it's the best
bit of work she's ever accomplished...and I had NOTHING to do with
it!
I put away the spelling and grammar workbooks, math is next. My
current struggle is to figure out how to encourage without sounding
like I'm assigning - if anyone could help me with that I'll be
grateful...
I wouldn't mind a few deschooling tips (for MY deschooling)
either... if anyone can share...I'm having an awfully hard time not
relying on a math text - even though I hate teaching that way...I'm
getting better though.
I didn't tell my daughter. When she asked if we were going to do
math I asked her "didn't we bake today?" - and when she asked about
spelling I said - "if you need to know how to spell something the
dictionary is in the living room". Then I told her to go outside
and play, at which point she found some slugs, looked up some info
in a book about them and drew a picture. Sigh...this is gonna be
great!
I've been reading through the posts and the files - WOW! Thank you
all so much for sharing all of that information -
Well, sorry I rambled... I'm just excited, I guess... I'll keep
quiet now while I absorb all of your collective wisdom!
Penny
I'm Penny, Mom to Erin (8) and Carrie (almost 5). I am thrilled to
find you all - I feel like I'm home!
We've been homeschooling for about 3 years, during which time I have
learned about just about every kind of curriculum imaginable (and
bought most of it to, which explains my embarrassing credit card
debt...) and lots of educational styles. I have tried Charlotte
Mason, Montessori, classical and a LOT of Waldorf (which I thought
was relaxed, but it's actually the most rigid of the bunch). I
would learn everything I can, put everything in place and within
months abandon them. Why? They never felt natural, or right, or
well, healthy. (Although, I must admit, it WAS a fun journey for me
to learn about them, even though they were disappointing when I
tried to implement them).
It was actually John Holt's book "Teach Your Own" that inspired me
to homeschool, but I rejected unschooling because I lacked the
confidence to believe in it.
...and then my daughter wrote a 10 page book about unicorns for her
sister's birthday...just because she wanted to, and it's the best
bit of work she's ever accomplished...and I had NOTHING to do with
it!
I put away the spelling and grammar workbooks, math is next. My
current struggle is to figure out how to encourage without sounding
like I'm assigning - if anyone could help me with that I'll be
grateful...
I wouldn't mind a few deschooling tips (for MY deschooling)
either... if anyone can share...I'm having an awfully hard time not
relying on a math text - even though I hate teaching that way...I'm
getting better though.
I didn't tell my daughter. When she asked if we were going to do
math I asked her "didn't we bake today?" - and when she asked about
spelling I said - "if you need to know how to spell something the
dictionary is in the living room". Then I told her to go outside
and play, at which point she found some slugs, looked up some info
in a book about them and drew a picture. Sigh...this is gonna be
great!
I've been reading through the posts and the files - WOW! Thank you
all so much for sharing all of that information -
Well, sorry I rambled... I'm just excited, I guess... I'll keep
quiet now while I absorb all of your collective wisdom!
Penny
Joyce Fetteroll
On Aug 21, 2006, at 5:34 PM, psmbegan wrote:
Especially now just before school starts. Lots of people looking for
curriculum. If you sign up for PayPal and only accept that, it takes
the worry out of whether someone will send you the money or not. It
also helps, if you haven't done it before and therefore don't have a
rating for people to check on, to sell things you don't mind selling
cheaply.
must be taught in order to learn, it's hard to clean out all those
messages.
like? Treat everything like that. :-)
In your mind you're still dividing the world into "needs to be
learned" and "fun" and you're afraid she won't be interested in the
stuff that "needs to be learned" so you feel the need to encourage her.
Treat it as all as potentially interesting to them. Part of your job
is to run the parts of the world you think might interest them
through their lives so they have access to new interests. The other
part is to walk along beside them as they explore, being their
resource. You don't always need to be physically *at* their side! ;-)
They do need time to explore on their own. But have an awareness of
what interests them and what they need, an awareness of when they
need you to be with them and when they need the space to try things
out for themselves. Create an atmosphere where they're confident that
they're your top priority while at the same time giving them the
freedom to explore.
ask to do non-schooly things. Not only does it help them, as a side
effect, understand learning by living life, it will make them smile :-)
defined it for her so far. So a more understandable answer would have
been "Do you mean math lessons? Nope! Not unless you want to."
Up to this point you've said with your actions (and maybe words too)
that she needs to do workbooks and textbooks in order to do math. By
asking "Didn't we bake" it sounded like she should already have known
that math is baking. And she probably left confused (and perhaps
relieved that you were confused about "math" today.)
You don't need to teach her how to unschool ;-) *She* already knows!
Her natural understanding was just getting confused by what you've
been saying (in your actions) so far. If she's expressing something
"wrong" (in terms of natural learning) about learning, then more than
likely it's an idea she's learned from you. Be gentle with her!
more."
It's *really* hard to hear what our words sound like from our kids'
points of view!
A better way of phrasing it is "If you need help spelling a word just
ask. If I don't know I can look it up."
sounded like a good thing, like "You're set free to do whatever you
want with the day!"
Just stated there out of context, it's a good point to remind people
that unschooling isn't "child-led learning". It's not stepping back
and letting them figure out the world on their own. It's being their
partner in their exploration. Sometimes it's walking by their side.
Sometimes it's pointing out things you think might interest them and
things you think are interesting.
It bears repeating: there's a difference between interesting and
important to know. Until tainted by boring lessons, *everything* is
potentially interesting, even George Washington. But not everything
will interest them right now. Imagine (or maybe physically carry
around chips!) that the kids give you only 5 "Here's something
interesting," chips to spend. Every time you play a chip (point
something out) and they walk away bored, you lose the chip. Every
time they're interested, you get to keep the chip and gain an extra
one. If you run out of chips it's because you're still in "this is
important to know" mode. To make up for it, you need to go find a
cartoon you think they'll like ;-)
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> (andeBay. The reformed curriculum users best friend ;-)
> bought most of it to, which explains my embarrassing credit card
> debt...)
Especially now just before school starts. Lots of people looking for
curriculum. If you sign up for PayPal and only accept that, it takes
the worry out of whether someone will send you the money or not. It
also helps, if you haven't done it before and therefore don't have a
rating for people to check on, to sell things you don't mind selling
cheaply.
> It was actually John Holt's book "Teach Your Own" that inspired meYou have lots of company! After spending a lifetime hearing that you
> to homeschool, but I rejected unschooling because I lacked the
> confidence to believe in it.
must be taught in order to learn, it's hard to clean out all those
messages.
> ...and then my daughter wrote a 10 page book about unicorns for herCool!
> sister's birthday...just because she wanted to, and it's the best
> bit of work she's ever accomplished...and I had NOTHING to do with
> it!
> MyHow would you encourage them to watch a TV show you think they might
> current struggle is to figure out how to encourage without sounding
> like I'm assigning - if anyone could help me with that I'll be
> grateful...
like? Treat everything like that. :-)
In your mind you're still dividing the world into "needs to be
learned" and "fun" and you're afraid she won't be interested in the
stuff that "needs to be learned" so you feel the need to encourage her.
Treat it as all as potentially interesting to them. Part of your job
is to run the parts of the world you think might interest them
through their lives so they have access to new interests. The other
part is to walk along beside them as they explore, being their
resource. You don't always need to be physically *at* their side! ;-)
They do need time to explore on their own. But have an awareness of
what interests them and what they need, an awareness of when they
need you to be with them and when they need the space to try things
out for themselves. Create an atmosphere where they're confident that
they're your top priority while at the same time giving them the
freedom to explore.
> I didn't tell my daughter.Usually a good thing not to explain. :-) Just say yes more when they
ask to do non-schooly things. Not only does it help them, as a side
effect, understand learning by living life, it will make them smile :-)
> When she asked if we were going to doTo her the word "math" means workbooks because that's how you've
> math I asked her "didn't we bake today?"
defined it for her so far. So a more understandable answer would have
been "Do you mean math lessons? Nope! Not unless you want to."
Up to this point you've said with your actions (and maybe words too)
that she needs to do workbooks and textbooks in order to do math. By
asking "Didn't we bake" it sounded like she should already have known
that math is baking. And she probably left confused (and perhaps
relieved that you were confused about "math" today.)
You don't need to teach her how to unschool ;-) *She* already knows!
Her natural understanding was just getting confused by what you've
been saying (in your actions) so far. If she's expressing something
"wrong" (in terms of natural learning) about learning, then more than
likely it's an idea she's learned from you. Be gentle with her!
> and when she asked aboutWhich might have sounded to her like "I'm not going to help you any
> spelling I said - "if you need to know how to spell something the
> dictionary is in the living room".
more."
It's *really* hard to hear what our words sound like from our kids'
points of view!
A better way of phrasing it is "If you need help spelling a word just
ask. If I don't know I can look it up."
> Then I told her to go outsideIn the context of a busy day doing things, to her this may have
> and play, at which point she found some slugs, looked up some info
> in a book about them and drew a picture. Sigh...this is gonna be
> great!
sounded like a good thing, like "You're set free to do whatever you
want with the day!"
Just stated there out of context, it's a good point to remind people
that unschooling isn't "child-led learning". It's not stepping back
and letting them figure out the world on their own. It's being their
partner in their exploration. Sometimes it's walking by their side.
Sometimes it's pointing out things you think might interest them and
things you think are interesting.
It bears repeating: there's a difference between interesting and
important to know. Until tainted by boring lessons, *everything* is
potentially interesting, even George Washington. But not everything
will interest them right now. Imagine (or maybe physically carry
around chips!) that the kids give you only 5 "Here's something
interesting," chips to spend. Every time you play a chip (point
something out) and they walk away bored, you lose the chip. Every
time they're interested, you get to keep the chip and gain an extra
one. If you run out of chips it's because you're still in "this is
important to know" mode. To make up for it, you need to go find a
cartoon you think they'll like ;-)
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Tyra Olufemi
Joyce,
Your response was not to me but I just had to tell you thank you! This is a superb answer and one that I needed as a refresher!
Much Love
Tyra
From: Joyce Fetteroll <fetteroll@...>
Date: 2006/08/22 Tue AM 03:13:33 CDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] My intro (and boy am I happy to be here!)
Treat it as all as potentially interesting to them. Part of your job
is to run the parts of the world you think might interest them
through their lives so they have access to new interests. The other
part is to walk along beside them as they explore, being their
resource. You don't always need to be physically *at* their side! ;-)
They do need time to explore on their own. But have an awareness of
what interests them and what they need, an awareness of when they
need you to be with them and when they need the space to try things
out for themselves. Create an atmosphere where they're confident that
they're your top priority while at the same time giving them the
freedom to explore.
Just stated there out of context, it's a good point to remind people
that unschooling isn't "child-led learning". It's not stepping back
and letting them figure out the world on their own. It's being their
partner in their exploration. Sometimes it's walking by their side.
Sometimes it's pointing out things you think might interest them and
things you think are interesting.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Your response was not to me but I just had to tell you thank you! This is a superb answer and one that I needed as a refresher!
Much Love
Tyra
From: Joyce Fetteroll <fetteroll@...>
Date: 2006/08/22 Tue AM 03:13:33 CDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] My intro (and boy am I happy to be here!)
Treat it as all as potentially interesting to them. Part of your job
is to run the parts of the world you think might interest them
through their lives so they have access to new interests. The other
part is to walk along beside them as they explore, being their
resource. You don't always need to be physically *at* their side! ;-)
They do need time to explore on their own. But have an awareness of
what interests them and what they need, an awareness of when they
need you to be with them and when they need the space to try things
out for themselves. Create an atmosphere where they're confident that
they're your top priority while at the same time giving them the
freedom to explore.
Just stated there out of context, it's a good point to remind people
that unschooling isn't "child-led learning". It's not stepping back
and letting them figure out the world on their own. It's being their
partner in their exploration. Sometimes it's walking by their side.
Sometimes it's pointing out things you think might interest them and
things you think are interesting.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
psmbegan
Thanks for all the wise advice - I will definitely work on my
attitude! I'm wondering, is there is book that explains this? Not
just the un-schoolish piece, but also the parenting piece? I clearly
need a little help in order to truly let go of my old ways - and some
sort of anecdotal book or guidance would be a wonderful thing. I have
Mary Griffiths book, and I ordered Ms. Kream's - any other
recommendations? I'd really appreciate it. I'll be looking in the
files for suggestions too...
Thanks for everything - I truly take your advice to heart - "nope, not
unless you want to" is my new mantra!
Penny, who is busily printing out all of this advice so that she can
reread it until it sinks in!
attitude! I'm wondering, is there is book that explains this? Not
just the un-schoolish piece, but also the parenting piece? I clearly
need a little help in order to truly let go of my old ways - and some
sort of anecdotal book or guidance would be a wonderful thing. I have
Mary Griffiths book, and I ordered Ms. Kream's - any other
recommendations? I'd really appreciate it. I'll be looking in the
files for suggestions too...
Thanks for everything - I truly take your advice to heart - "nope, not
unless you want to" is my new mantra!
Penny, who is busily printing out all of this advice so that she can
reread it until it sinks in!
Deb
--- In [email protected], "psmbegan" <pennyegan@...>
wrote:
bit of the 'puzzle' - the learning and living and parenting are all
wrapped together, not separated out into "teacher mom" and "living
life mom" and so on. It's just all LIFE. Instead of chicken here and
broccoli there and rice over there, separated out into distinct areas
of the plate with specific portion sizes and "you have to eat the
broccoli it's good for you whether you want it or not" it's a big
casserole with chicken and rice and broccoli all mixed together to eat
as you choose.
--Deb
(can you tell I'm a tad peckish around this time of the morning?lol)
wrote:
>Rue's book is a definite for the 'parenting piece'. That's yet another
> Mary Griffiths book, and I ordered Ms. Kream's - any other
> recommendations?
bit of the 'puzzle' - the learning and living and parenting are all
wrapped together, not separated out into "teacher mom" and "living
life mom" and so on. It's just all LIFE. Instead of chicken here and
broccoli there and rice over there, separated out into distinct areas
of the plate with specific portion sizes and "you have to eat the
broccoli it's good for you whether you want it or not" it's a big
casserole with chicken and rice and broccoli all mixed together to eat
as you choose.
--Deb
(can you tell I'm a tad peckish around this time of the morning?lol)
anna_mumx5
Hi Penny,
I enjoyed reading about your journey. Would it be possible
for you to write a little bit about your personal experience
of using Charlotte Mason/Waldolf home ed philosophies?
You wrote that you enjoyed and learned a lot yourself through
the process of trying different approaches.
Maybe, your personal thoughts on the best and worst parts of
Charlotte Mason and then best and worst of Waldorf. I'm not
looking for an intellectual description, but more of
"Penny's favourite/least favourite bits of the Waldorf
approach."
I was also wondering what bits you will keep (philosophically,
not literally!) and can you say a bit more about the Waldorf
rigidity you mentioned:
My children are 19, 15, 11 and 6.
Thanks in advance, Penny! Wish you lived closer :)
Anna Sherman
Bristol, England
--- In [email protected], "psmbegan" <pennyegan@...>
wrote:
I enjoyed reading about your journey. Would it be possible
for you to write a little bit about your personal experience
of using Charlotte Mason/Waldolf home ed philosophies?
You wrote that you enjoyed and learned a lot yourself through
the process of trying different approaches.
Maybe, your personal thoughts on the best and worst parts of
Charlotte Mason and then best and worst of Waldorf. I'm not
looking for an intellectual description, but more of
"Penny's favourite/least favourite bits of the Waldorf
approach."
I was also wondering what bits you will keep (philosophically,
not literally!) and can you say a bit more about the Waldorf
rigidity you mentioned:
>a LOT of Waldorf (which I thoughtPlease forgive me for posting without writing an intro myself.
> was relaxed, but it's actually the most rigid of the bunch)
My children are 19, 15, 11 and 6.
Thanks in advance, Penny! Wish you lived closer :)
Anna Sherman
Bristol, England
--- In [email protected], "psmbegan" <pennyegan@...>
wrote:
>
> Hello everyone!
>
> I'm Penny, Mom to Erin (8) and Carrie (almost 5). I am thrilled to
> find you all - I feel like I'm home!
>
> We've been homeschooling for about 3 years, during which time I have
> learned about just about every kind of curriculum imaginable (and
> bought most of it to, which explains my embarrassing credit card
> debt...) and lots of educational styles. I have tried Charlotte
> Mason, Montessori, classical and a LOT of Waldorf (which I thought
> was relaxed, but it's actually the most rigid of the bunch). I
> would learn everything I can, put everything in place and within
> months abandon them. Why? They never felt natural, or right, or
> well, healthy. (Although, I must admit, it WAS a fun journey for me
> to learn about them, even though they were disappointing when I
> tried to implement them).
>
> It was actually John Holt's book "Teach Your Own" that inspired me
> to homeschool, but I rejected unschooling because I lacked the
> confidence to believe in it.
>
> ...and then my daughter wrote a 10 page book about unicorns for her
> sister's birthday...just because she wanted to, and it's the best
> bit of work she's ever accomplished...and I had NOTHING to do with
> it!
>
> I put away the spelling and grammar workbooks, math is next. My
> current struggle is to figure out how to encourage without sounding
> like I'm assigning - if anyone could help me with that I'll be
> grateful...
>
> I wouldn't mind a few deschooling tips (for MY deschooling)
> either... if anyone can share...I'm having an awfully hard time not
> relying on a math text - even though I hate teaching that way...I'm
> getting better though.
>
> I didn't tell my daughter. When she asked if we were going to do
> math I asked her "didn't we bake today?" - and when she asked about
> spelling I said - "if you need to know how to spell something the
> dictionary is in the living room". Then I told her to go outside
> and play, at which point she found some slugs, looked up some info
> in a book about them and drew a picture. Sigh...this is gonna be
> great!
>
> I've been reading through the posts and the files - WOW! Thank you
> all so much for sharing all of that information -
>
> Well, sorry I rambled... I'm just excited, I guess... I'll keep
> quiet now while I absorb all of your collective wisdom!
>
> Penny
>
psmbegan
Wow, Anna - that's a question I could answer fo hours! BUT...I
won't! (yes, you can all applaud now!) I will boil it down to this -
Waldorf is very rigid. These schools have a very specific
curriculum about what to teach, when to teach it, and how. They
also are big believers in delayed academics (as in, first grade
begins AFTER the child has seen 7 springs - and not before) Many
(and I'm generalizing, so take this with that in mind) Waldorf
people would actively discourage any kind of early academics, even
if the child wants them. These things are my biggest beef with
Waldorf. I do, however, love the stories, the valued play and the
artistic quality. These are things that we can incorporate on our
own, however, without a curriculum saying I can only use 1 or 2
colors of paint in Kindergarten, and it has to be this kind, using
this kind of brush, etc....
Now, if any of you are Waldorf teachers, remember, this is just my
opinion - don't beat me up!
As for Mason, my biggest problem (again) is a set course of study -
BUT, Mason was a homeschooler, and was therefore more applicable to
my situation. If I needed a course of study, I might chose that.
But it's not about me - I want my kids to chose their own courses of
study (that's why I'm here!) I do like Mason's nature journal idea,
and although I would never force it, I will bring some paper and
pencils along on a hike, just in case anyone asks ;)... I also like
the idea of learning history through literature rather than
texbooks...
My favorite thing about BOTH of these approaches is the emphasis on
respecting the child. I do, however, think that in order to TRULY
respect your child, you have to become an unschooler, using whatever
you know to broaden their experiences and opporitunities.
Honestly, I'm just figuring this all out - and loving every minute.
In a nutshell, everybody brings something to the picnic, but
ultimately, you gotta chose your own lunch!
I am in awe of you all who are on this path - it is truly a gift to
bring to a childhood. I'm literally GULPING every piece of
information I can find, and realizing that this is not going to come
from a book, it has to come from me - that's why I've been on here
begging for help in learning to do that - and I thank you all.
Sorry to be so long-winded - blame Anna - she asked!!! :) :) (LOL)
Penny
PS: I wish we lived closer too - I loooooove England!
won't! (yes, you can all applaud now!) I will boil it down to this -
Waldorf is very rigid. These schools have a very specific
curriculum about what to teach, when to teach it, and how. They
also are big believers in delayed academics (as in, first grade
begins AFTER the child has seen 7 springs - and not before) Many
(and I'm generalizing, so take this with that in mind) Waldorf
people would actively discourage any kind of early academics, even
if the child wants them. These things are my biggest beef with
Waldorf. I do, however, love the stories, the valued play and the
artistic quality. These are things that we can incorporate on our
own, however, without a curriculum saying I can only use 1 or 2
colors of paint in Kindergarten, and it has to be this kind, using
this kind of brush, etc....
Now, if any of you are Waldorf teachers, remember, this is just my
opinion - don't beat me up!
As for Mason, my biggest problem (again) is a set course of study -
BUT, Mason was a homeschooler, and was therefore more applicable to
my situation. If I needed a course of study, I might chose that.
But it's not about me - I want my kids to chose their own courses of
study (that's why I'm here!) I do like Mason's nature journal idea,
and although I would never force it, I will bring some paper and
pencils along on a hike, just in case anyone asks ;)... I also like
the idea of learning history through literature rather than
texbooks...
My favorite thing about BOTH of these approaches is the emphasis on
respecting the child. I do, however, think that in order to TRULY
respect your child, you have to become an unschooler, using whatever
you know to broaden their experiences and opporitunities.
Honestly, I'm just figuring this all out - and loving every minute.
In a nutshell, everybody brings something to the picnic, but
ultimately, you gotta chose your own lunch!
I am in awe of you all who are on this path - it is truly a gift to
bring to a childhood. I'm literally GULPING every piece of
information I can find, and realizing that this is not going to come
from a book, it has to come from me - that's why I've been on here
begging for help in learning to do that - and I thank you all.
Sorry to be so long-winded - blame Anna - she asked!!! :) :) (LOL)
Penny
PS: I wish we lived closer too - I loooooove England!
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: as007i0152@...
I enjoyed reading about your journey. Would it be possible
for you to write a little bit about your personal experience
of using Charlotte Mason/Waldolf home ed philosophies?
You wrote that you enjoyed and learned a lot yourself through
the process of trying different approaches.
Maybe, your personal thoughts on the best and worst parts of
Charlotte Mason and then best and worst of Waldorf. I'm not
looking for an intellectual description, but more of
"Penny's favourite/least favourite bits of the Waldorf
approach."
-=-=-=
I think that, on an unschooling list, it's best to stick with
*unschooling* and how *it* works.
Neither Charlotte Mason nor Waldorf is as good a match with a child as
an active, interested, engaging parent.
We could even find (if we looked hard enough! <g>) good things about
school. That doesn't make it a good option, nor does it get us closer
to unschooling. The good and bad of Waldorf or Charlotte Mason won't
get a parent closer to unschooling either.
I'm glad that Penny's experience with those two got her to unschooling!
<g> But we really don't need to drag them into our discussion. There
are websites galore on the pros and cons of different curricula. Let's
let *them* chat about that! <g>
Thanks!
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://liveandlearnconference.org
"It's a small world...but a BIG life!" ~Aaron McGlohn. aged 6
________________________________________________________________________
Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email
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From: as007i0152@...
I enjoyed reading about your journey. Would it be possible
for you to write a little bit about your personal experience
of using Charlotte Mason/Waldolf home ed philosophies?
You wrote that you enjoyed and learned a lot yourself through
the process of trying different approaches.
Maybe, your personal thoughts on the best and worst parts of
Charlotte Mason and then best and worst of Waldorf. I'm not
looking for an intellectual description, but more of
"Penny's favourite/least favourite bits of the Waldorf
approach."
-=-=-=
I think that, on an unschooling list, it's best to stick with
*unschooling* and how *it* works.
Neither Charlotte Mason nor Waldorf is as good a match with a child as
an active, interested, engaging parent.
We could even find (if we looked hard enough! <g>) good things about
school. That doesn't make it a good option, nor does it get us closer
to unschooling. The good and bad of Waldorf or Charlotte Mason won't
get a parent closer to unschooling either.
I'm glad that Penny's experience with those two got her to unschooling!
<g> But we really don't need to drag them into our discussion. There
are websites galore on the pros and cons of different curricula. Let's
let *them* chat about that! <g>
Thanks!
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://liveandlearnconference.org
"It's a small world...but a BIG life!" ~Aaron McGlohn. aged 6
________________________________________________________________________
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Anna Sherman
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for gently reminding us to stick to unschooling.
When I read Penny's intro, I immediately noticed her enthusiasm
and her willingness to share about *how* she arrived
at the list and unschooling. I thought it would be OK to
explore that a bit. However, it sounds from your post like it
would have been better for me to email her off-list.
Still learning,
Anna
Bristol, England
Thanks for gently reminding us to stick to unschooling.
When I read Penny's intro, I immediately noticed her enthusiasm
and her willingness to share about *how* she arrived
at the list and unschooling. I thought it would be OK to
explore that a bit. However, it sounds from your post like it
would have been better for me to email her off-list.
Still learning,
Anna
Bristol, England
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: as007i0152@...
Thanks for gently reminding us to stick to unschooling.
When I read Penny's intro, I immediately noticed her enthusiasm
and her willingness to share about *how* she arrived
at the list and unschooling. I thought it would be OK to
explore that a bit. However, it sounds from your post like it
would have been better for me to email her off-list.
-=-=-
It's OK to explore, It's just that in the past we've watched these
curriculm discussions get silly after a few days.
I'd just rather keep it to unschooling if we can! <g>
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://liveandlearnconference.org
"It's a small world...but a BIG life!" ~Aaron McGlohn. aged 6
________________________________________________________________________
Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email
and IM. All on demand. Always Free.
From: as007i0152@...
Thanks for gently reminding us to stick to unschooling.
When I read Penny's intro, I immediately noticed her enthusiasm
and her willingness to share about *how* she arrived
at the list and unschooling. I thought it would be OK to
explore that a bit. However, it sounds from your post like it
would have been better for me to email her off-list.
-=-=-
It's OK to explore, It's just that in the past we've watched these
curriculm discussions get silly after a few days.
I'd just rather keep it to unschooling if we can! <g>
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://liveandlearnconference.org
"It's a small world...but a BIG life!" ~Aaron McGlohn. aged 6
________________________________________________________________________
Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email
and IM. All on demand. Always Free.