Deschooling
Steven Cox
Hi everyone,
I'm a newbie to this list but not to the idea of unschooling. I've thought
of myself as an unschooler since my daughter was about 4. The kids are now
ages 8 and 4. My daughter went to preschool until she was 4 and then no
longer wanted to attend cause she didn't like her new teacher. My son tried
preschool this past fall. He was so eager to try and after two weeks
adamantly wanted out and has sworn off school since. I thought that going to
school might help him make more friends in our town--he thought it would be
like Barney :-/ Boy, were we both wrong!
The idea of deschooling has so many layers I think. On Sandra Dodd's
website, she recommends some movies to watch while deschooling. Its hard for
me to not think of this as an assignment, an ingredient in learning
necessary for me to really deschool. Does anyone kwim? Or reading Holt. If I
only read enough, I will "get it". If I only read enough emails on this
list, I will "get it". Its schooling that encourages this sort of thinking
of knowledge coming from authorities from without--its hard to just think
about ideas as simply ideas--to be mulled over, shelved or acted on.
We went out to eat at to a hibachi steakhouse for my daughter's birthday .
We were sitting with some strangers (if you've never been to such a place,
everyone sits around the grill and watches the chef throw utensils, stir fry
food, make an onion volcano, and make fire. The people we were sitting with
were from our town. Of course, the conversation turned immediately to
school. These people were chatty question askers. Does anyone else not want
to talk about unschooling with schooling people? We managed to not share
that we were homeschooling by saying we lived by such and such school. I
didn't want to talk about homeschooling with them. I didn't want to defend
what we are doing or try to explain it. I wanted to watch the fire making
chef and have fun with the kids. I like when summer comes cause no well
meaning stranger is asking me why my kids aren't in school during the
day......
I live right next to an elementary school, the "best" in my town according
to local parents. From my back porch a stone's throw would break a few car
windows in the parking lot, and from the end of my yard, I could do some
damage to the large plate glass windows of the library. That's how close I
am. (Many moons ago, we thought that having the school so close would be
great for our theoretical kids) The sounds of the bus, bell ringing and
announcements over the loud speaker are all a part of our day. So its
difficult to forget about school.
I want to get a t-shirt that says something like "growing without schooling"
(don't ask me--www.unschooling.com--for more info) :-)
Warmly,
Leslie
I'm a newbie to this list but not to the idea of unschooling. I've thought
of myself as an unschooler since my daughter was about 4. The kids are now
ages 8 and 4. My daughter went to preschool until she was 4 and then no
longer wanted to attend cause she didn't like her new teacher. My son tried
preschool this past fall. He was so eager to try and after two weeks
adamantly wanted out and has sworn off school since. I thought that going to
school might help him make more friends in our town--he thought it would be
like Barney :-/ Boy, were we both wrong!
The idea of deschooling has so many layers I think. On Sandra Dodd's
website, she recommends some movies to watch while deschooling. Its hard for
me to not think of this as an assignment, an ingredient in learning
necessary for me to really deschool. Does anyone kwim? Or reading Holt. If I
only read enough, I will "get it". If I only read enough emails on this
list, I will "get it". Its schooling that encourages this sort of thinking
of knowledge coming from authorities from without--its hard to just think
about ideas as simply ideas--to be mulled over, shelved or acted on.
We went out to eat at to a hibachi steakhouse for my daughter's birthday .
We were sitting with some strangers (if you've never been to such a place,
everyone sits around the grill and watches the chef throw utensils, stir fry
food, make an onion volcano, and make fire. The people we were sitting with
were from our town. Of course, the conversation turned immediately to
school. These people were chatty question askers. Does anyone else not want
to talk about unschooling with schooling people? We managed to not share
that we were homeschooling by saying we lived by such and such school. I
didn't want to talk about homeschooling with them. I didn't want to defend
what we are doing or try to explain it. I wanted to watch the fire making
chef and have fun with the kids. I like when summer comes cause no well
meaning stranger is asking me why my kids aren't in school during the
day......
I live right next to an elementary school, the "best" in my town according
to local parents. From my back porch a stone's throw would break a few car
windows in the parking lot, and from the end of my yard, I could do some
damage to the large plate glass windows of the library. That's how close I
am. (Many moons ago, we thought that having the school so close would be
great for our theoretical kids) The sounds of the bus, bell ringing and
announcements over the loud speaker are all a part of our day. So its
difficult to forget about school.
I want to get a t-shirt that says something like "growing without schooling"
(don't ask me--www.unschooling.com--for more info) :-)
Warmly,
Leslie
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/10/2004 6:37:40 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
slclsc@... writes:
The idea of deschooling has so many layers I think. On Sandra Dodd's
website, she recommends some movies to watch while deschooling. Its hard for
me to not think of this as an assignment, an ingredient in learning
necessary for me to really deschool. Does anyone kwim? Or reading Holt. If I
only read enough, I will "get it". If I only read enough emails on this
list, I will "get it". Its schooling that encourages this sort of thinking
of knowledge coming from authorities from without--its hard to just think
about ideas as simply ideas--to be mulled over, shelved or acted on.<<<
And yet here you are reading some more! <g>
If we all just "got it" by mulling it over, we wouldn't need lists or books
or movies.
Different things work for different people.
The movies Sandra lists are "unschooly" movies---like _Ferris Bueller's Day
Off_ where lots happens OUTside school. It's not an assignment unless you view
it as such. It could be be seen as a great way to spend a week----watching
movies in your pj's!
John Holt's writings (especially in order) are eye-opening. He was writing
all this when I was in high school. *My* high school teachers certainly never
read him!
about ideas as simply ideas--to be mulled over, shelved or acted on<<<
Most of us have come from a schooled background, so assignments are a quick
way to get to the goal! <g> Kind of ironic----but whatever works! <G>
We "old farts" here don't consider ourselves "authorities". We're still on
our own journeys. We're just further along, maybe, and are so happy with what
we've found that we're willing to help others get to unschooling as quickly
as possible. No one has to follow our lead, but we're happy to prod you on if
you feel you need it.
If you think you've "got it" already, then you don't need us. Others do, so
we'll stay and help. When we're no longer needed, we'll just fade into
unschooling bliss. <g>
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
slclsc@... writes:
The idea of deschooling has so many layers I think. On Sandra Dodd's
website, she recommends some movies to watch while deschooling. Its hard for
me to not think of this as an assignment, an ingredient in learning
necessary for me to really deschool. Does anyone kwim? Or reading Holt. If I
only read enough, I will "get it". If I only read enough emails on this
list, I will "get it". Its schooling that encourages this sort of thinking
of knowledge coming from authorities from without--its hard to just think
about ideas as simply ideas--to be mulled over, shelved or acted on.<<<
And yet here you are reading some more! <g>
If we all just "got it" by mulling it over, we wouldn't need lists or books
or movies.
Different things work for different people.
The movies Sandra lists are "unschooly" movies---like _Ferris Bueller's Day
Off_ where lots happens OUTside school. It's not an assignment unless you view
it as such. It could be be seen as a great way to spend a week----watching
movies in your pj's!
John Holt's writings (especially in order) are eye-opening. He was writing
all this when I was in high school. *My* high school teachers certainly never
read him!
>>> Its schooling that encourages this sort of thinkingof knowledge coming from authorities from without--its hard to just think
about ideas as simply ideas--to be mulled over, shelved or acted on<<<
Most of us have come from a schooled background, so assignments are a quick
way to get to the goal! <g> Kind of ironic----but whatever works! <G>
We "old farts" here don't consider ourselves "authorities". We're still on
our own journeys. We're just further along, maybe, and are so happy with what
we've found that we're willing to help others get to unschooling as quickly
as possible. No one has to follow our lead, but we're happy to prod you on if
you feel you need it.
If you think you've "got it" already, then you don't need us. Others do, so
we'll stay and help. When we're no longer needed, we'll just fade into
unschooling bliss. <g>
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/10/2004 6:37:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
slclsc@... writes:
I want to get a t-shirt that says something like "growing without schooling"
(don't ask me--www.unschooling.com--for more info) :-)
this would be a great shirt to have, anyone know a t- shirt screening place?
Lin
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
slclsc@... writes:
I want to get a t-shirt that says something like "growing without schooling"
(don't ask me--www.unschooling.com--for more info) :-)
this would be a great shirt to have, anyone know a t- shirt screening place?
Lin
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Michelle
This site has some cool homeschool/unschool t-shirts
http://www.cafeshops.com/2cool4school/184824
Michelle
shellby@... wrote:
this would be a great shirt to have, anyone know a t- shirt screening place?
Lin
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
http://www.cafeshops.com/2cool4school/184824
Michelle
shellby@... wrote:
this would be a great shirt to have, anyone know a t- shirt screening place?
Lin
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
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[email protected]
In a message dated 1/27/2005 11:21:43 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
So Christy from one newbie to another tell you kids "for today we
will watch the Discovery Channel, and I want you to write down all
the up and coming shows that interest you"
A better way might be, "Hey look kids, we got the tv guide. I'm going to look
up shows I'm interested in and highlight them. Want to mark some shows you
are interested in?"
What if....
What if they're not interested in ANY shows on Discovery? What if they want
to watch G4TV? or I love the 90's on VH1? Or old movies on TCM? or Cartoon
Network?
What if they say "No"?
Elissa
Mystik Hill Farm
Kearneysville, WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected] writes:
So Christy from one newbie to another tell you kids "for today we
will watch the Discovery Channel, and I want you to write down all
the up and coming shows that interest you"
A better way might be, "Hey look kids, we got the tv guide. I'm going to look
up shows I'm interested in and highlight them. Want to mark some shows you
are interested in?"
What if....
What if they're not interested in ANY shows on Discovery? What if they want
to watch G4TV? or I love the 90's on VH1? Or old movies on TCM? or Cartoon
Network?
What if they say "No"?
Elissa
Mystik Hill Farm
Kearneysville, WV
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Lesa McMahon-Lowe
Anastasia (and anyone else who's been through it),
How is the deschooling going? I feel like we should be doing something...
do the kids eventually stop wanting to watch TV and play video games all the
time?
At what point do you help put learning ideas into their heads or does that
even matter? I'm very new at homeschooling and very very new at unschooling
It was tough enough to explain homeschooling to family and friends, I can
t wait to figure out how to explain unschooling. I may just keep it quite.
Any moral support is welcome!
Lesa
-------Original Message-------
From: Anastasia Hall
Date: 12/04/05 11:15:21
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] RE: Introducing Myself
Hi, Sharon! I'm Anastasia, from MI also. We're deschooling right now,
first year home together, having fun and witnessing changes in our lives and
relationships. I just got done reading John Holt's, "Teach Your Own." It
was as good as the other two of his books you mentioned, and got down to the
business of unschooling as a concrete day-to-day thing, not just a bunch of
ideas. How was the Thomas Armstrong book? I don't think I have that one on
my to-read list yet.
Nice to "meet" you!
Anastasia
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
How is the deschooling going? I feel like we should be doing something...
do the kids eventually stop wanting to watch TV and play video games all the
time?
At what point do you help put learning ideas into their heads or does that
even matter? I'm very new at homeschooling and very very new at unschooling
It was tough enough to explain homeschooling to family and friends, I can
t wait to figure out how to explain unschooling. I may just keep it quite.
Any moral support is welcome!
Lesa
-------Original Message-------
From: Anastasia Hall
Date: 12/04/05 11:15:21
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] RE: Introducing Myself
Hi, Sharon! I'm Anastasia, from MI also. We're deschooling right now,
first year home together, having fun and witnessing changes in our lives and
relationships. I just got done reading John Holt's, "Teach Your Own." It
was as good as the other two of his books you mentioned, and got down to the
business of unschooling as a concrete day-to-day thing, not just a bunch of
ideas. How was the Thomas Armstrong book? I don't think I have that one on
my to-read list yet.
Nice to "meet" you!
Anastasia
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Manisha Kher
I'm not Anastasia and I've never done any deschooling.
My kids are young and have never been to school.
I think there's a whole world between watch TV/ play
video games and "put learning ideas into their heads"
as you put it. I think that unschooling means that you
lead full, rich, interesting lives and learning
happens. So if you want your kids to watch less TV,
think of what fun things you could do together.
What would you do if you had guests visiting from out
of town? Would you go to museums, picnics, movies?
What do you do on vacations? Try not to think in terms
of learning. Think instead in terms of what you and
the kids would enjoy doing.
Manisha
--- Lesa McMahon-Lowe <lesajm@...> wrote:
Start your day with Yahoo! - Make it your home page!
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
My kids are young and have never been to school.
I think there's a whole world between watch TV/ play
video games and "put learning ideas into their heads"
as you put it. I think that unschooling means that you
lead full, rich, interesting lives and learning
happens. So if you want your kids to watch less TV,
think of what fun things you could do together.
What would you do if you had guests visiting from out
of town? Would you go to museums, picnics, movies?
What do you do on vacations? Try not to think in terms
of learning. Think instead in terms of what you and
the kids would enjoy doing.
Manisha
--- Lesa McMahon-Lowe <lesajm@...> wrote:
> Anastasia (and anyone else who's been through it),__________________________________
>
> How is the deschooling going? I feel like we should
> be doing something...
> do the kids eventually stop wanting to watch TV and
> play video games all the
> time?
>
> At what point do you help put learning ideas into
> their heads or does that
> even matter? I'm very new at homeschooling and very
> very new at unschooling
> It was tough enough to explain homeschooling to
> family and friends, I can
> t wait to figure out how to explain unschooling. I
> may just keep it quite.
>
> Any moral support is welcome!
>
> Lesa
>
Start your day with Yahoo! - Make it your home page!
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
[email protected]
Hi Lesa,
I would suggest substituting the word "fun" for "learning". Your kids ARE learning everyday, all the time. They are problem-solving, figuring out social ammenities, making plans, figuring out how to carry those out. They are learning about right and wrong, thinking about what God/Goddess might looks like (if they are inclined that way). A few lessons that you DON'T want them to learn is that learning is boring, somebody else is in control of it and that it only happens at certain times, doing certain things.
So have fun. Suggest cool things to do. Go for a hike, make baklava, read African legends, watch lots of tv in your pajamas while eating ice cream. Talk about things you/they notice...like the bird you saw looked like a wren but with different coloring, that saying "baklava" sounds like you are coughing, etc.. Think of the things you/they notice as little dots of illumination into the world. Keep having fun, keep laughing and eventually those little dots start to make connections to each other. It doesn't happen so much in a few months but in the course of years as your children grow and start to see the world at different levels of understanding.
Relax, enjoy, drink eggnogg.
Julie S.
I would suggest substituting the word "fun" for "learning". Your kids ARE learning everyday, all the time. They are problem-solving, figuring out social ammenities, making plans, figuring out how to carry those out. They are learning about right and wrong, thinking about what God/Goddess might looks like (if they are inclined that way). A few lessons that you DON'T want them to learn is that learning is boring, somebody else is in control of it and that it only happens at certain times, doing certain things.
So have fun. Suggest cool things to do. Go for a hike, make baklava, read African legends, watch lots of tv in your pajamas while eating ice cream. Talk about things you/they notice...like the bird you saw looked like a wren but with different coloring, that saying "baklava" sounds like you are coughing, etc.. Think of the things you/they notice as little dots of illumination into the world. Keep having fun, keep laughing and eventually those little dots start to make connections to each other. It doesn't happen so much in a few months but in the course of years as your children grow and start to see the world at different levels of understanding.
Relax, enjoy, drink eggnogg.
Julie S.
----- Original Message -----
From: Lesa McMahon-Lowe <lesajm@...>
Date: Monday, December 5, 2005 4:48 pm
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
> Anastasia (and anyone else who's been through it),
>
> How is the deschooling going? I feel like we should be doing
> something...do the kids eventually stop wanting to watch TV and
> play video games all the
> time?
>
> At what point do you help put learning ideas into their heads or
> does that
> even matter? I'm very new at homeschooling and very very new at
> unschooling It was tough enough to explain homeschooling to
> family and friends, I can
> t wait to figure out how to explain unschooling. I may just keep
> it quite.
>
> Any moral support is welcome!
>
> Lesa
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: Anastasia Hall
> Date: 12/04/05 11:15:21
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] RE: Introducing Myself
>
> Hi, Sharon! I'm Anastasia, from MI also. We're deschooling right
> now,first year home together, having fun and witnessing changes in
> our lives and
> relationships. I just got done reading John Holt's, "Teach Your
> Own." It
> was as good as the other two of his books you mentioned, and got
> down to the
> business of unschooling as a concrete day-to-day thing, not just a
> bunch of
> ideas. How was the Thomas Armstrong book? I don't think I have
> that one on
> my to-read list yet.
>
> Nice to "meet" you!
>
> Anastasia
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
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Anastasia Hall
I was just where you are about three weeks ago, so I'm probably not the best person to ask about how to unschool. We're still deschooling, and I'm thinking unschooling won't be much different in our home. I was just this morning telling a newbie school-at-home mom heading for burnout what we do, so I'll post what I told her, because it shows how we're starting to let go. Maybe it'll help, maybe not. We do a lot of day-to-day things, like errands and such. We're down to one car that dh uses to get to work right now, so we don't go to museums or parks (it's too cold to walk anywhere here!) or much other "interesting" stuff. It's ok for us, because there's plenty of time for that. I stick to the practical due to necessity. But the kids have learned about reduce/reuse/recycle when it comes to Christmas presents this year! They've amazed me with what they've come up with for gifts. They come up with the idea and carry it through to the end all on their own, without any money
at all. But here's what I had to say to the other mom about our deschooling experience so far.
We're deschooling right now and loving it! It's so much less taxing on everyone than when we started out in Sept. as gung-ho homeschoolers. I got burnt out within a month and wondered what I was doing wrong. The kids rebelled even though I gave them choices. Then I just sat back and let the kids lead, and there's so much of a difference in their behavior and attitude and creativity that I am astounded. For example - They played CSI last week (must be my CSI/Law & Order habit is rubbing off on them,) and they interviewed me last week CSI-style and collected evidence (including my hair) and viewed it under a microscope and found a murder weapon and figured out my motive. It was just too cool! They were typing away on the play laptop entering notes and looking up pretend info on the case. They took my fingerprints, though I only let them have one because I didn't want inky fingers all day. They have never done anything like this play before, and I wouldn't have considered it
learning before now, either. It took me a lot of courage to start unschooling, and the worst part is explaining it to others (which I avoid-ignorance is bliss.) But if you find you're fighting or burnt out, it's worth a try. The kids still learn, but it's on their terms and their timing and their way. Trust is the key.
Anastasia
Lesa McMahon-Lowe <lesajm@...> wrote:
Anastasia (and anyone else who's been through it),
How is the deschooling going? I feel like we should be doing something...
do the kids eventually stop wanting to watch TV and play video games all the
time?
At what point do you help put learning ideas into their heads or does that
even matter? I'm very new at homeschooling and very very new at unschooling
It was tough enough to explain homeschooling to family and friends, I can
t wait to figure out how to explain unschooling. I may just keep it quite.
Any moral support is welcome!
Lesa
-------Original Message-------
From: Anastasia Hall
Date: 12/04/05 11:15:21
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] RE: Introducing Myself
Hi, Sharon! I'm Anastasia, from MI also. We're deschooling right now,
first year home together, having fun and witnessing changes in our lives and
relationships. I just got done reading John Holt's, "Teach Your Own." It
was as good as the other two of his books you mentioned, and got down to the
business of unschooling as a concrete day-to-day thing, not just a bunch of
ideas. How was the Thomas Armstrong book? I don't think I have that one on
my to-read list yet.
Nice to "meet" you!
Anastasia
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
at all. But here's what I had to say to the other mom about our deschooling experience so far.
We're deschooling right now and loving it! It's so much less taxing on everyone than when we started out in Sept. as gung-ho homeschoolers. I got burnt out within a month and wondered what I was doing wrong. The kids rebelled even though I gave them choices. Then I just sat back and let the kids lead, and there's so much of a difference in their behavior and attitude and creativity that I am astounded. For example - They played CSI last week (must be my CSI/Law & Order habit is rubbing off on them,) and they interviewed me last week CSI-style and collected evidence (including my hair) and viewed it under a microscope and found a murder weapon and figured out my motive. It was just too cool! They were typing away on the play laptop entering notes and looking up pretend info on the case. They took my fingerprints, though I only let them have one because I didn't want inky fingers all day. They have never done anything like this play before, and I wouldn't have considered it
learning before now, either. It took me a lot of courage to start unschooling, and the worst part is explaining it to others (which I avoid-ignorance is bliss.) But if you find you're fighting or burnt out, it's worth a try. The kids still learn, but it's on their terms and their timing and their way. Trust is the key.
Anastasia
Lesa McMahon-Lowe <lesajm@...> wrote:
Anastasia (and anyone else who's been through it),
How is the deschooling going? I feel like we should be doing something...
do the kids eventually stop wanting to watch TV and play video games all the
time?
At what point do you help put learning ideas into their heads or does that
even matter? I'm very new at homeschooling and very very new at unschooling
It was tough enough to explain homeschooling to family and friends, I can
t wait to figure out how to explain unschooling. I may just keep it quite.
Any moral support is welcome!
Lesa
-------Original Message-------
From: Anastasia Hall
Date: 12/04/05 11:15:21
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] RE: Introducing Myself
Hi, Sharon! I'm Anastasia, from MI also. We're deschooling right now,
first year home together, having fun and witnessing changes in our lives and
relationships. I just got done reading John Holt's, "Teach Your Own." It
was as good as the other two of his books you mentioned, and got down to the
business of unschooling as a concrete day-to-day thing, not just a bunch of
ideas. How was the Thomas Armstrong book? I don't think I have that one on
my to-read list yet.
Nice to "meet" you!
Anastasia
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
SPONSORED LINKS
Secondary school education Graduate school education Home school education Graduate school education online High school education Chicago school education
---------------------------------
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
Visit your group "unschoolingbasics" on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
---------------------------------
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Lesa McMahon-Lowe
Julie,
Thanks! I need some deschooling myself! :)
My daughter is 9 now and it's our first year homeschooling... we started out
with an eclectic curriculum and it started breaking down very early on. I'm
just not built to nag all day long to get her to finish her work. So I
quickly ended up here :)
I had heard about unschooling but never really knew exactly what it was. I
m reading The Unschooling Handbook right now and my library has copies of
some of the other books mentioned recently.
Luckily, I live in IL. So I'm not required to submit records. Does anyone
recommend keeping some sort of records anyway? And how you go about keeping
records.
Well, it's early and I just got home from work. Need to get to bed so I can
be up around noon.
I'm so glad this group is so patient and helpful. :)
Lesa
-------Original Message-------
From: jnjstau@...
Date: 12/06/05 09:09:02
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
Hi Lesa,
I would suggest substituting the word "fun" for "learning". Your kids ARE
learning everyday, all the time. They are problem-solving, figuring out
social ammenities, making plans, figuring out how to carry those out. They
are learning about right and wrong, thinking about what God/Goddess might
looks like (if they are inclined that way). A few lessons that you DON'T
want them to learn is that learning is boring, somebody else is in control
of it and that it only happens at certain times, doing certain things.
So have fun. Suggest cool things to do. Go for a hike, make baklava, read
African legends, watch lots of tv in your pajamas while eating ice cream.
Talk about things you/they notice...like the bird you saw looked like a wren
but with different coloring, that saying "baklava" sounds like you are
coughing, etc.. Think of the things you/they notice as little dots of
illumination into the world. Keep having fun, keep laughing and eventually
those little dots start to make connections to each other. It doesn't
happen so much in a few months but in the course of years as your children
grow and start to see the world at different levels of understanding.
Relax, enjoy, drink eggnogg.
Julie S.
Thanks! I need some deschooling myself! :)
My daughter is 9 now and it's our first year homeschooling... we started out
with an eclectic curriculum and it started breaking down very early on. I'm
just not built to nag all day long to get her to finish her work. So I
quickly ended up here :)
I had heard about unschooling but never really knew exactly what it was. I
m reading The Unschooling Handbook right now and my library has copies of
some of the other books mentioned recently.
Luckily, I live in IL. So I'm not required to submit records. Does anyone
recommend keeping some sort of records anyway? And how you go about keeping
records.
Well, it's early and I just got home from work. Need to get to bed so I can
be up around noon.
I'm so glad this group is so patient and helpful. :)
Lesa
-------Original Message-------
From: jnjstau@...
Date: 12/06/05 09:09:02
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
Hi Lesa,
I would suggest substituting the word "fun" for "learning". Your kids ARE
learning everyday, all the time. They are problem-solving, figuring out
social ammenities, making plans, figuring out how to carry those out. They
are learning about right and wrong, thinking about what God/Goddess might
looks like (if they are inclined that way). A few lessons that you DON'T
want them to learn is that learning is boring, somebody else is in control
of it and that it only happens at certain times, doing certain things.
So have fun. Suggest cool things to do. Go for a hike, make baklava, read
African legends, watch lots of tv in your pajamas while eating ice cream.
Talk about things you/they notice...like the bird you saw looked like a wren
but with different coloring, that saying "baklava" sounds like you are
coughing, etc.. Think of the things you/they notice as little dots of
illumination into the world. Keep having fun, keep laughing and eventually
those little dots start to make connections to each other. It doesn't
happen so much in a few months but in the course of years as your children
grow and start to see the world at different levels of understanding.
Relax, enjoy, drink eggnogg.
Julie S.
----- Original Message -----
From: Lesa McMahon-Lowe <lesajm@...>
Date: Monday, December 5, 2005 4:48 pm
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
> Anastasia (and anyone else who's been through it),
>
> How is the deschooling going? I feel like we should be doing
> something...do the kids eventually stop wanting to watch TV and
> play video games all the
> time?
>
> At what point do you help put learning ideas into their heads or
> does that
> even matter? I'm very new at homeschooling and very very new at
> unschooling It was tough enough to explain homeschooling to
> family and friends, I can
> t wait to figure out how to explain unschooling. I may just keep
> it quite.
>
> Any moral support is welcome!
>
> Lesa
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: Anastasia Hall
> Date: 12/04/05 11:15:21
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] RE: Introducing Myself
>
> Hi, Sharon! I'm Anastasia, from MI also. We're deschooling right
> now,first year home together, having fun and witnessing changes in
> our lives and
> relationships. I just got done reading John Holt's, "Teach Your
> Own." It
> was as good as the other two of his books you mentioned, and got
> down to the
> business of unschooling as a concrete day-to-day thing, not just a
> bunch of
> ideas. How was the Thomas Armstrong book? I don't think I have
> that one on
> my to-read list yet.
>
> Nice to "meet" you!
>
> Anastasia
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------
> ~-->
> DonorsChoose.org helps at-risk students succeed. Fund a student
> project today!
> http://us.click.yahoo.com/9.ZgmA/FpQLAA/HwKMAA/0xXolB/TM
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> -~->
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
SPONSORED LINKS Secondary school education Graduate school education Home
school education
Graduate school education online High school education Chicago school
education
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
Visit your group "unschoolingbasics" on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Daniel MacIntyre
Lesa,
I'm in Illinois as well. You are right about not submitting records, but
Illinois law does state that you are required to keep them. I think the
minimum you need to keep is a calendar with some sort of notation showing
when you *Did* homeschooling. A dated journal stating what you did might be
nice to keep for your personal records.
I'm in Illinois as well. You are right about not submitting records, but
Illinois law does state that you are required to keep them. I think the
minimum you need to keep is a calendar with some sort of notation showing
when you *Did* homeschooling. A dated journal stating what you did might be
nice to keep for your personal records.
On 12/7/05, Lesa McMahon-Lowe <lesajm@...> wrote:
>
> Julie,
>
> Thanks! I need some deschooling myself! :)
>
> My daughter is 9 now and it's our first year homeschooling... we started
> out
> with an eclectic curriculum and it started breaking down very early
> on. I'm
> just not built to nag all day long to get her to finish her work. So I
> quickly ended up here :)
>
> I had heard about unschooling but never really knew exactly what it
> was. I
> m reading The Unschooling Handbook right now and my library has copies of
> some of the other books mentioned recently.
>
> Luckily, I live in IL. So I'm not required to submit records. Does
> anyone
> recommend keeping some sort of records anyway? And how you go about
> keeping
> records.
>
> Well, it's early and I just got home from work. Need to get to bed so I
> can
> be up around noon.
>
> I'm so glad this group is so patient and helpful. :)
>
> Lesa
>
>
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: jnjstau@...
> Date: 12/06/05 09:09:02
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
>
> Hi Lesa,
>
> I would suggest substituting the word "fun" for "learning". Your kids ARE
> learning everyday, all the time. They are problem-solving, figuring out
> social ammenities, making plans, figuring out how to carry those
> out. They
> are learning about right and wrong, thinking about what God/Goddess might
> looks like (if they are inclined that way). A few lessons that you DON'T
> want them to learn is that learning is boring, somebody else is in control
> of it and that it only happens at certain times, doing certain things.
>
> So have fun. Suggest cool things to do. Go for a hike, make baklava,
> read
> African legends, watch lots of tv in your pajamas while eating ice cream.
> Talk about things you/they notice...like the bird you saw looked like a
> wren
> but with different coloring, that saying "baklava" sounds like you are
> coughing, etc.. Think of the things you/they notice as little dots of
> illumination into the world. Keep having fun, keep laughing and
> eventually
> those little dots start to make connections to each other. It doesn't
> happen so much in a few months but in the course of years as your children
> grow and start to see the world at different levels of understanding.
>
> Relax, enjoy, drink eggnogg.
>
> Julie S.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Lesa McMahon-Lowe <lesajm@...>
> Date: Monday, December 5, 2005 4:48 pm
> Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
>
> > Anastasia (and anyone else who's been through it),
> >
> > How is the deschooling going? I feel like we should be doing
> > something...do the kids eventually stop wanting to watch TV and
> > play video games all the
> > time?
> >
> > At what point do you help put learning ideas into their heads or
> > does that
> > even matter? I'm very new at homeschooling and very very new at
> > unschooling It was tough enough to explain homeschooling to
> > family and friends, I can
> > t wait to figure out how to explain unschooling. I may just keep
> > it quite.
> >
> > Any moral support is welcome!
> >
> > Lesa
> >
> > -------Original Message-------
> >
> > From: Anastasia Hall
> > Date: 12/04/05 11:15:21
> > To: [email protected]
> > Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] RE: Introducing Myself
> >
> > Hi, Sharon! I'm Anastasia, from MI also. We're deschooling right
> > now,first year home together, having fun and witnessing changes in
> > our lives and
> > relationships. I just got done reading John Holt's, "Teach Your
> > Own." It
> > was as good as the other two of his books you mentioned, and got
> > down to the
> > business of unschooling as a concrete day-to-day thing, not just a
> > bunch of
> > ideas. How was the Thomas Armstrong book? I don't think I have
> > that one on
> > my to-read list yet.
> >
> > Nice to "meet" you!
> >
> > Anastasia
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------
> > ~-->
> > DonorsChoose.org helps at-risk students succeed. Fund a student
> > project today!
> > http://us.click.yahoo.com/9.ZgmA/FpQLAA/HwKMAA/0xXolB/TM
> > -------------------------------------------------------------------
> > -~->
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> SPONSORED LINKS Secondary school education Graduate school education Home
> school education
> Graduate school education online High school education Chicago school
> education
>
>
>
> YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
> Visit your group "unschoolingbasics" on the web.
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
--
Daniel
( Blogging at http://key-words.blogspot.com/ )
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
<<Does anybody keep records...>>
I don't do anything for the smaller kids. My oldest is 15 and looking at colleges. She is keeping track of things in case she needs a portfolio or whatever. Luckily, she is big into 4-H and doing her record book (kind of a scrap book for the year)keep track of stuff for her.
Julie S.
I don't do anything for the smaller kids. My oldest is 15 and looking at colleges. She is keeping track of things in case she needs a portfolio or whatever. Luckily, she is big into 4-H and doing her record book (kind of a scrap book for the year)keep track of stuff for her.
Julie S.
----- Original Message -----
From: Lesa McMahon-Lowe <lesajm@...>
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2005 6:44 am
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
> Julie,
>
> Thanks! I need some deschooling myself! :)
>
> My daughter is 9 now and it's our first year homeschooling... we
> started out
> with an eclectic curriculum and it started breaking down very
> early on. I'm
> just not built to nag all day long to get her to finish her work.
> So I
> quickly ended up here :)
>
> I had heard about unschooling but never really knew exactly what
> it was. I
> m reading The Unschooling Handbook right now and my library has
> copies of
> some of the other books mentioned recently.
>
> Luckily, I live in IL. So I'm not required to submit records.
> Does anyone
> recommend keeping some sort of records anyway? And how you go
> about keeping
> records.
>
> Well, it's early and I just got home from work. Need to get to
> bed so I can
> be up around noon.
>
> I'm so glad this group is so patient and helpful. :)
>
> Lesa
>
>
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: jnjstau@...
> Date: 12/06/05 09:09:02
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
>
> Hi Lesa,
>
> I would suggest substituting the word "fun" for "learning". Your
> kids ARE
> learning everyday, all the time. They are problem-solving,
> figuring out
> social ammenities, making plans, figuring out how to carry those
> out. They
> are learning about right and wrong, thinking about what
> God/Goddess might
> looks like (if they are inclined that way). A few lessons that
> you DON'T
> want them to learn is that learning is boring, somebody else is in
> controlof it and that it only happens at certain times, doing
> certain things.
>
> So have fun. Suggest cool things to do. Go for a hike, make
> baklava, read
> African legends, watch lots of tv in your pajamas while eating ice
> cream.
> Talk about things you/they notice...like the bird you saw looked
> like a wren
> but with different coloring, that saying "baklava" sounds like you are
> coughing, etc.. Think of the things you/they notice as little
> dots of
> illumination into the world. Keep having fun, keep laughing and
> eventuallythose little dots start to make connections to each
> other. It doesn't
> happen so much in a few months but in the course of years as your
> childrengrow and start to see the world at different levels of
> understanding.
> Relax, enjoy, drink eggnogg.
>
> Julie S.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Lesa McMahon-Lowe <lesajm@...>
> Date: Monday, December 5, 2005 4:48 pm
> Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
>
> > Anastasia (and anyone else who's been through it),
> >
> > How is the deschooling going? I feel like we should be doing
> > something...do the kids eventually stop wanting to watch TV and
> > play video games all the
> > time?
> >
> > At what point do you help put learning ideas into their heads or
> > does that
> > even matter? I'm very new at homeschooling and very very new at
> > unschooling It was tough enough to explain homeschooling to
> > family and friends, I can
> > t wait to figure out how to explain unschooling. I may just
> keep
> > it quite.
> >
> > Any moral support is welcome!
> >
> > Lesa
> >
> > -------Original Message-------
> >
> > From: Anastasia Hall
> > Date: 12/04/05 11:15:21
> > To: [email protected]
> > Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] RE: Introducing Myself
> >
> > Hi, Sharon! I'm Anastasia, from MI also. We're deschooling
> right
> > now,first year home together, having fun and witnessing changes
> in
> > our lives and
> > relationships. I just got done reading John Holt's, "Teach Your
> > Own." It
> > was as good as the other two of his books you mentioned, and got
> > down to the
> > business of unschooling as a concrete day-to-day thing, not just
> a
> > bunch of
> > ideas. How was the Thomas Armstrong book? I don't think I have
> > that one on
> > my to-read list yet.
> >
> > Nice to "meet" you!
> >
> > Anastasia
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ------------------
> --
> > ~-->
> > DonorsChoose.org helps at-risk students succeed. Fund a student
> > project today!
> > http://us.click.yahoo.com/9.ZgmA/FpQLAA/HwKMAA/0xXolB/TM
> > -----------------------------------------------------------------
> --
> > -~->
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> SPONSORED LINKS Secondary school education Graduate school
> education Home
> school education
> Graduate school education online High school education Chicago school
> education
>
>
>
> YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
> Visit your group "unschoolingbasics" on the web.
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
> Service.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------
> ~-->
> Give at-risk students the materials they need to succeed at
> DonorsChoose.org!http://us.click.yahoo.com/iEagnA/LpQLAA/HwKMAA/0xXolB/TM
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> -~->
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Ren Allen
"Luckily, I live in IL. So I'm not required to submit records.
Does anyone
recommend keeping some sort of records anyway? And how you go about
keeping
records."
Nah, don't keep "records"...how about keep memories instead?:)
I think one of the best things we've done, is take lots of photos,
write journal entries etc...about our LIVES.
I was amazed this week, as we read some old journals, about all the
cute things the kids had done that I'd forgotten.
Write down the funny things they say, write down the "aha" moments,
the connections between family members, the tough days...write it
all down, even briefly and you'll be amazed at the lovely stories
you collect.
The kids love looking through our old photo albums. Sometimes we get
inspired all over again! They were looking at the butterfly release
they'd done and asked if we could raise more butterflies. I
mentioned incubating eggs again and Jared said "It was such a PAIN
though!" :)
So keeping track of your bubbly, interesting life is well worth the
time, and will usually suffice if any official needs some kind
of "proof" (which I doubt you'll ever have to deal with).
Ren
Does anyone
recommend keeping some sort of records anyway? And how you go about
keeping
records."
Nah, don't keep "records"...how about keep memories instead?:)
I think one of the best things we've done, is take lots of photos,
write journal entries etc...about our LIVES.
I was amazed this week, as we read some old journals, about all the
cute things the kids had done that I'd forgotten.
Write down the funny things they say, write down the "aha" moments,
the connections between family members, the tough days...write it
all down, even briefly and you'll be amazed at the lovely stories
you collect.
The kids love looking through our old photo albums. Sometimes we get
inspired all over again! They were looking at the butterfly release
they'd done and asked if we could raise more butterflies. I
mentioned incubating eggs again and Jared said "It was such a PAIN
though!" :)
So keeping track of your bubbly, interesting life is well worth the
time, and will usually suffice if any official needs some kind
of "proof" (which I doubt you'll ever have to deal with).
Ren
Lesa McMahon-Lowe
I've never seen the law that states you are required to keep records in IL.
It only states that you have to have school so many days and to cover the
subjects taught in the public school system.
If you can point this law out... I'd love to see it.
Thanks.
Lesa
-------Original Message-------
From: Daniel MacIntyre
Date: 12/07/05 07:14:47
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
Lesa,
I'm in Illinois as well. You are right about not submitting records, but
Illinois law does state that you are required to keep them. I think the
minimum you need to keep is a calendar with some sort of notation showing
when you *Did* homeschooling. A dated journal stating what you did might be
nice to keep for your personal records.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
It only states that you have to have school so many days and to cover the
subjects taught in the public school system.
If you can point this law out... I'd love to see it.
Thanks.
Lesa
-------Original Message-------
From: Daniel MacIntyre
Date: 12/07/05 07:14:47
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
Lesa,
I'm in Illinois as well. You are right about not submitting records, but
Illinois law does state that you are required to keep them. I think the
minimum you need to keep is a calendar with some sort of notation showing
when you *Did* homeschooling. A dated journal stating what you did might be
nice to keep for your personal records.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Deb
I looked as well (I try to keep track of what's up in different
states) and from what I can see (I'm not in IL), if you are
contacted about a truancy situation, you can send a notice of
assurance that you are in compliance (that is you are homeschooling -
not just keeping your kids out of school where they are enrolled).
It would be possible, if it came down to court, that you might need
to have evidence of covering the requisite subjects. But there is no
requirement I could see of attendance records, test records,
portfolio records, etc. being kept at all, much less submitted. The
law even indicates that the number of days doesn't apply to
homeschoolers because they are private schools and private schools
can set their own attendance requirements.
This might better be addressed in an IL specific list too where
there are more folks in IL, instead of in this global group where
you'll get a smaller sampling of folks who've BTDT in IL.
--Deb
--- In [email protected], "Lesa McMahon-Lowe"
<lesajm@h...> wrote:
states) and from what I can see (I'm not in IL), if you are
contacted about a truancy situation, you can send a notice of
assurance that you are in compliance (that is you are homeschooling -
not just keeping your kids out of school where they are enrolled).
It would be possible, if it came down to court, that you might need
to have evidence of covering the requisite subjects. But there is no
requirement I could see of attendance records, test records,
portfolio records, etc. being kept at all, much less submitted. The
law even indicates that the number of days doesn't apply to
homeschoolers because they are private schools and private schools
can set their own attendance requirements.
This might better be addressed in an IL specific list too where
there are more folks in IL, instead of in this global group where
you'll get a smaller sampling of folks who've BTDT in IL.
--Deb
--- In [email protected], "Lesa McMahon-Lowe"
<lesajm@h...> wrote:
>
> I've never seen the law that states you are required to keep
>records in IL.
> It only states that you have to have school so many days and to
>cover the
> subjects taught in the public school system.
>
> If you can point this law out... I'd love to see it.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Lesa
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: Daniel MacIntyre
> Date: 12/07/05 07:14:47
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
>
> Lesa,
>
> I'm in Illinois as well. You are right about not submitting
>records, but
> Illinois law does state that you are required to keep them. I
>think the
> minimum you need to keep is a calendar with some sort of notation
>showing
> when you *Did* homeschooling. A dated journal stating what you
>did might be
> nice to keep for your personal records.
Yolonda Hicks
I don't know about Illinois, but in Indiana we have to keep attendance records, we just don't have to submit them unless the Superintendent of Schools asks to see them, so I've been using a homeschool recordkeeping program called Homeschool Tracker. The basic version is available to download free at www.tghomesoft.com . It includes a lot of stuff an unschooler doesn't need, but the Daily Journal feature is nice (I tend to use it weekly unless we have a really special day). If you need to keep attendance, or a log, or even just a list of "subjects" and materials used, it gives you a nice, professional-looking printout to show anyone you might need to (and you can't beat the price).
Yolonda
Daniel MacIntyre <daniel.macintyre@...> wrote:
Lesa,
I'm in Illinois as well. You are right about not submitting records, but
Illinois law does state that you are required to keep them. I think the
minimum you need to keep is a calendar with some sort of notation showing
when you *Did* homeschooling. A dated journal stating what you did might be
nice to keep for your personal records.
Yolonda
Daniel MacIntyre <daniel.macintyre@...> wrote:
Lesa,
I'm in Illinois as well. You are right about not submitting records, but
Illinois law does state that you are required to keep them. I think the
minimum you need to keep is a calendar with some sort of notation showing
when you *Did* homeschooling. A dated journal stating what you did might be
nice to keep for your personal records.
On 12/7/05, Lesa McMahon-Lowe <lesajm@...> wrote:
>
> Julie,
>
> Thanks! I need some deschooling myself! :)
>
> My daughter is 9 now and it's our first year homeschooling... we started
> out
> with an eclectic curriculum and it started breaking down very early
> on. I'm
> just not built to nag all day long to get her to finish her work. So I
> quickly ended up here :)
>
> I had heard about unschooling but never really knew exactly what it
> was. I
> m reading The Unschooling Handbook right now and my library has copies of
> some of the other books mentioned recently.
>
> Luckily, I live in IL. So I'm not required to submit records. Does
> anyone
> recommend keeping some sort of records anyway? And how you go about
> keeping
> records.
>
> Well, it's early and I just got home from work. Need to get to bed so I
> can
> be up around noon.
>
> I'm so glad this group is so patient and helpful. :)
>
> Lesa
>
>
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: jnjstau@...
> Date: 12/06/05 09:09:02
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
>
> Hi Lesa,
>
> I would suggest substituting the word "fun" for "learning". Your kids ARE
> learning everyday, all the time. They are problem-solving, figuring out
> social ammenities, making plans, figuring out how to carry those
> out. They
> are learning about right and wrong, thinking about what God/Goddess might
> looks like (if they are inclined that way). A few lessons that you DON'T
> want them to learn is that learning is boring, somebody else is in control
> of it and that it only happens at certain times, doing certain things.
>
> So have fun. Suggest cool things to do. Go for a hike, make baklava,
> read
> African legends, watch lots of tv in your pajamas while eating ice cream.
> Talk about things you/they notice...like the bird you saw looked like a
> wren
> but with different coloring, that saying "baklava" sounds like you are
> coughing, etc.. Think of the things you/they notice as little dots of
> illumination into the world. Keep having fun, keep laughing and
> eventually
> those little dots start to make connections to each other. It doesn't
> happen so much in a few months but in the course of years as your children
> grow and start to see the world at different levels of understanding.
>
> Relax, enjoy, drink eggnogg.
>
> Julie S.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Lesa McMahon-Lowe <lesajm@...>
> Date: Monday, December 5, 2005 4:48 pm
> Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
>
> > Anastasia (and anyone else who's been through it),
> >
> > How is the deschooling going? I feel like we should be doing
> > something...do the kids eventually stop wanting to watch TV and
> > play video games all the
> > time?
> >
> > At what point do you help put learning ideas into their heads or
> > does that
> > even matter? I'm very new at homeschooling and very very new at
> > unschooling It was tough enough to explain homeschooling to
> > family and friends, I can
> > t wait to figure out how to explain unschooling. I may just keep
> > it quite.
> >
> > Any moral support is welcome!
> >
> > Lesa
> >
> > -------Original Message-------
> >
> > From: Anastasia Hall
> > Date: 12/04/05 11:15:21
> > To: [email protected]
> > Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] RE: Introducing Myself
> >
> > Hi, Sharon! I'm Anastasia, from MI also. We're deschooling right
> > now,first year home together, having fun and witnessing changes in
> > our lives and
> > relationships. I just got done reading John Holt's, "Teach Your
> > Own." It
> > was as good as the other two of his books you mentioned, and got
> > down to the
> > business of unschooling as a concrete day-to-day thing, not just a
> > bunch of
> > ideas. How was the Thomas Armstrong book? I don't think I have
> > that one on
> > my to-read list yet.
> >
> > Nice to "meet" you!
> >
> > Anastasia
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------
> > ~-->
> > DonorsChoose.org helps at-risk students succeed. Fund a student
> > project today!
> > http://us.click.yahoo.com/9.ZgmA/FpQLAA/HwKMAA/0xXolB/TM
> > -------------------------------------------------------------------
> > -~->
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> SPONSORED LINKS Secondary school education Graduate school education Home
> school education
> Graduate school education online High school education Chicago school
> education
>
>
>
> YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
> Visit your group "unschoolingbasics" on the web.
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
--
Daniel
( Blogging at http://key-words.blogspot.com/ )
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
---------------------------------
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
Visit your group "unschoolingbasics" on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Daniel MacIntyre
I first saw it here: http://homepage.bushnell.net/~peanuts/illaws.html#REC
I guess medical records do need to be included:
http://homepage.bushnell.net/~peanuts/illaws.html#CHEC
I guess medical records do need to be included:
http://homepage.bushnell.net/~peanuts/illaws.html#CHEC
On 12/7/05, Lesa McMahon-Lowe <lesajm@...> wrote:
>
> I've never seen the law that states you are required to keep records in
> IL.
> It only states that you have to have school so many days and to cover the
> subjects taught in the public school system.
>
> If you can point this law out... I'd love to see it.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Lesa
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: Daniel MacIntyre
> Date: 12/07/05 07:14:47
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Deschooling
>
> Lesa,
>
> I'm in Illinois as well. You are right about not submitting records, but
> Illinois law does state that you are required to keep them. I think the
> minimum you need to keep is a calendar with some sort of notation showing
> when you *Did* homeschooling. A dated journal stating what you did might
> be
> nice to keep for your personal records.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
--
Daniel
( Blogging at http://key-words.blogspot.com/ )
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Deb
--- In [email protected], Daniel MacIntyre
<daniel.macintyre@g...> wrote:
their Birth certificates and their social security cards. And,
medical records UNLESS you choose not to (there is info in that
section on opting out/waiving/whatever they call it). Nothing
whatsoever mentioned about 'educational' records (unless you
withdrew your kids and have their school records as well, then stash
those someplace safe as well). Although, if you are taken to court,
you might need evidence of providing the requisite subject areas in
English. So, I suppose, if you have an inkling that a relative might
just be litigious (or you've got an ex who might cause problems at
some point), you might want to make notes along the way 'just in
case'. But there's really still no sign I can see, even on the noted
site, that you need to keep record of school stuff.
--Deb
<daniel.macintyre@g...> wrote:
>Did you look at the required records listed? Certified copies of
> I first saw it here:
>http://homepage.bushnell.net/~peanuts/illaws.html#REC
>
> I guess medical records do need to be included:
> http://homepage.bushnell.net/~peanuts/illaws.html#CHEC
>
their Birth certificates and their social security cards. And,
medical records UNLESS you choose not to (there is info in that
section on opting out/waiving/whatever they call it). Nothing
whatsoever mentioned about 'educational' records (unless you
withdrew your kids and have their school records as well, then stash
those someplace safe as well). Although, if you are taken to court,
you might need evidence of providing the requisite subject areas in
English. So, I suppose, if you have an inkling that a relative might
just be litigious (or you've got an ex who might cause problems at
some point), you might want to make notes along the way 'just in
case'. But there's really still no sign I can see, even on the noted
site, that you need to keep record of school stuff.
--Deb
Daniel MacIntyre
Thanks Deb, I was just thinking records in general. Sorry for the
confusion.
confusion.
On 12/8/05, Deb <soggyboysmom@...> wrote:
>
> --- In [email protected], Daniel MacIntyre
> <daniel.macintyre@g...> wrote:
> >
> > I first saw it here:
> >http://homepage.bushnell.net/~peanuts/illaws.html#REC
> >
> > I guess medical records do need to be included:
> > http://homepage.bushnell.net/~peanuts/illaws.html#CHEC
> >
> Did you look at the required records listed? Certified copies of
> their Birth certificates and their social security cards. And,
> medical records UNLESS you choose not to (there is info in that
> section on opting out/waiving/whatever they call it). Nothing
> whatsoever mentioned about 'educational' records (unless you
> withdrew your kids and have their school records as well, then stash
> those someplace safe as well). Although, if you are taken to court,
> you might need evidence of providing the requisite subject areas in
> English. So, I suppose, if you have an inkling that a relative might
> just be litigious (or you've got an ex who might cause problems at
> some point), you might want to make notes along the way 'just in
> case'. But there's really still no sign I can see, even on the noted
> site, that you need to keep record of school stuff.
>
> --Deb
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
--
Daniel
( Blogging at http://key-words.blogspot.com/ )
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Deb
--- In [email protected], Daniel MacIntyre
<daniel.macintyre@g...> wrote:
didn't panic over record keeping. Most folks keep a copy of their
child's birth certificate and SS card (along with car titles, house
deeds/mortgage papers, marriage certificates if any, divorce decrees
if any, dog license, etc) so saying you "have to keep these records
to homeschool" is really kind of moot as far as I'm concerned. Yeah,
some folks don't have SS cards or birth certificates but the odds
are pretty long that anyone will notice until they try to get a job.
--Deb
<daniel.macintyre@g...> wrote:
>No problem - Just wanted to make sure that new folks coming through
> Thanks Deb, I was just thinking records in general. Sorry for the
> confusion.
didn't panic over record keeping. Most folks keep a copy of their
child's birth certificate and SS card (along with car titles, house
deeds/mortgage papers, marriage certificates if any, divorce decrees
if any, dog license, etc) so saying you "have to keep these records
to homeschool" is really kind of moot as far as I'm concerned. Yeah,
some folks don't have SS cards or birth certificates but the odds
are pretty long that anyone will notice until they try to get a job.
--Deb
> On 12/8/05, Deb <soggyboysmom@y...> wrote:
> >
> > --- In [email protected], Daniel MacIntyre
> > <daniel.macintyre@g...> wrote:
> > >
> > > I first saw it here:
> > >http://homepage.bushnell.net/~peanuts/illaws.html#REC
> > >
> > > I guess medical records do need to be included:
> > > http://homepage.bushnell.net/~peanuts/illaws.html#CHEC
> > >
> > Did you look at the required records listed? Certified copies of
> > their Birth certificates and their social security cards. And,
> > medical records UNLESS you choose not to (there is info in that
> > section on opting out/waiving/whatever they call it). Nothing
> > whatsoever mentioned about 'educational' records (unless you
> > withdrew your kids and have their school records as well, then
>>stash
> > those someplace safe as well).
Rod Thomas
I am getting frustrated again. I was complaining, I mean expressing
concern, a while back about my boys not wanting to do anything but
tv/video.
The months pass by, still offering stuff on a daily basis, but they wont
even leave the house for our homeschool group trip to the Narnia
premiere/party! Is this a stage? He doesn't want to go anywhere. My 7
yo just follows his lead.
Whenever we do go someplace new where he doesn't know what to expect, he
says he gets a nervous feeling in his stomache. I don't mean regular
places, like the store, friends, family. But the places where he won't
know anyone and may have to interact. I tell him that grownups even get
that feeling, like when starting a new job, a date, etc.
We have never been school-at-home types, mostly some (delayed) math and
spelling. And have basically done nothing structured for the past year.
Still waiting... Yes, I do my own things.
Flyerkat
concern, a while back about my boys not wanting to do anything but
tv/video.
The months pass by, still offering stuff on a daily basis, but they wont
even leave the house for our homeschool group trip to the Narnia
premiere/party! Is this a stage? He doesn't want to go anywhere. My 7
yo just follows his lead.
Whenever we do go someplace new where he doesn't know what to expect, he
says he gets a nervous feeling in his stomache. I don't mean regular
places, like the store, friends, family. But the places where he won't
know anyone and may have to interact. I tell him that grownups even get
that feeling, like when starting a new job, a date, etc.
We have never been school-at-home types, mostly some (delayed) math and
spelling. And have basically done nothing structured for the past year.
Still waiting... Yes, I do my own things.
Flyerkat
Pamela Sorooshian
On Dec 8, 2005, at 12:58 PM, Rod Thomas wrote:
Quit waiting for it to END, start participating, supporting,
encouraging, facilitating, expanding their tv/video lives - NOW.
Get so involved and busy and enchanted with what they ARE doing that
you stop wishing they'd be doing something else.
THAT is unschooling.
I've been thinking that I never liked the term "child-led learning" -
because it seems to make people expect their kids to eventually pull
math books off the shelves. I don't like hearing unschooling equated
with unstructured - because it assumes that school/lessons/
assignments/tests/grades are the only kind of structure that counts,
while the wonderful varied structures of our real lives don't. And
now I also have come to dislike the term "relaxed," when applied to
unschoolers because, well, first of all, MY family's lifestyle is not
very relaxed - we're high-energy, active and sometimes over-busy
people who have to make a conscious effort to take time to relax.
But, second, putting an emphasis on "relax" seems to encourage people
to be less pro-active, less hands-on, and less involved with their kids.
Yes, I've MANY times suggested that parents need to "relax." But I
meant to stop worrying, to develop a more relaxed MENTAL attitude
about what the kids are learning. If people thought I meant "relax
and be less involved with the kids" then I take it back.
Get in touch, get connected - do it by developing an interest in what
your kids ARE interested in already - not by "offering" stuff to
them, not by trying to entice them to be interested in something
else. START WHERE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW! They don't need to "change" in
order to be ready to start unschooling.
-pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> I am getting frustrated again. I was complaining, I mean expressingDon't just tolerate it - EMBRACE it!
> concern, a while back about my boys not wanting to do anything but
> tv/video.
Quit waiting for it to END, start participating, supporting,
encouraging, facilitating, expanding their tv/video lives - NOW.
Get so involved and busy and enchanted with what they ARE doing that
you stop wishing they'd be doing something else.
THAT is unschooling.
I've been thinking that I never liked the term "child-led learning" -
because it seems to make people expect their kids to eventually pull
math books off the shelves. I don't like hearing unschooling equated
with unstructured - because it assumes that school/lessons/
assignments/tests/grades are the only kind of structure that counts,
while the wonderful varied structures of our real lives don't. And
now I also have come to dislike the term "relaxed," when applied to
unschoolers because, well, first of all, MY family's lifestyle is not
very relaxed - we're high-energy, active and sometimes over-busy
people who have to make a conscious effort to take time to relax.
But, second, putting an emphasis on "relax" seems to encourage people
to be less pro-active, less hands-on, and less involved with their kids.
Yes, I've MANY times suggested that parents need to "relax." But I
meant to stop worrying, to develop a more relaxed MENTAL attitude
about what the kids are learning. If people thought I meant "relax
and be less involved with the kids" then I take it back.
Get in touch, get connected - do it by developing an interest in what
your kids ARE interested in already - not by "offering" stuff to
them, not by trying to entice them to be interested in something
else. START WHERE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW! They don't need to "change" in
order to be ready to start unschooling.
-pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Deb
--- In [email protected], Pamela Sorooshian
<pamsoroosh@e...> wrote:
are we there yet? are we there yet?" and missing all of what is
going by right now. A journey is not the end. Or, as a wise guy said
(in a song called Tai kwon leap/boot to the head)"tai kwon leap is
not a path to a door but a journey leading onward to the horizon"
to the last time or two is 'family centered life learning' - and
even that might have issues as well but it seemed to fit better at
the time.
--Deb
<pamsoroosh@e...> wrote:
>I like this! It's kind of like the kids saying "are we there yet?
>
> On Dec 8, 2005, at 12:58 PM, Rod Thomas wrote:
>
> > I am getting frustrated again. I was complaining, I mean
>>expressing
> > concern, a while back about my boys not wanting to do anything
>>but
> > tv/video.
>
> Don't just tolerate it - EMBRACE it!
>
> Quit waiting for it to END, start participating, supporting,
> encouraging, facilitating, expanding their tv/video lives - NOW.
>
> Get so involved and busy and enchanted with what they ARE doing
>that
> you stop wishing they'd be doing something else.
>
> THAT is unschooling.
are we there yet? are we there yet?" and missing all of what is
going by right now. A journey is not the end. Or, as a wise guy said
(in a song called Tai kwon leap/boot to the head)"tai kwon leap is
not a path to a door but a journey leading onward to the horizon"
> I've been thinking that I never liked the term "child-ledYeah, it can be hard to hit just the right 'tone' - what I've taken
>learning" -
>I don't like hearing unschooling equated
> with unstructured - because it assumes that school/lessons/
> assignments/tests/grades are the only kind of structure that
>counts,
> now I also have come to dislike the term "relaxed," when applied
>to
> unschoolers because, well, first of all, MY family's lifestyle is
>not
> very relaxed - we're high-energy, active and sometimes over-busy
> people who have to make a conscious effort to take time to relax.
> But, second, putting an emphasis on "relax" seems to encourage
>people
> to be less pro-active, less hands-on, and less involved with their
>kids.
to the last time or two is 'family centered life learning' - and
even that might have issues as well but it seemed to fit better at
the time.
--Deb
Ren Allen
"Get so involved and busy and enchanted with what they ARE doing that
you stop wishing they'd be doing something else.
THAT is unschooling."
YES.
That too.
I didn't say anything about the tv/video part, only the outings....but
embracing ANY and EVERY interest they have is a huge part of
unschooling.
That includes tv.
Ren
you stop wishing they'd be doing something else.
THAT is unschooling."
YES.
That too.
I didn't say anything about the tv/video part, only the outings....but
embracing ANY and EVERY interest they have is a huge part of
unschooling.
That includes tv.
Ren
Ann
Watch the videos and programs with them. Discuss the programs. Make some popcorn or brownies or whatever to eat during the programs. Set out some fun toys for them to mess around with while they watch. Also lots of comfy blankets, pillows etc... Don't plan trips unless you first check to see if they want to go. I wouldn't want to go to a movie premier party with people I barely know either. With rare exception, I would almost always rather wait for the dvd to come out.
I would be checking into a memebership to blockbuster or netflix or something and would be ordering movies, lots of them, all kinds, some of my favorites that I liked as a kid, old classics, new releases. Embrace their interest, maybe see about a digital video camera. Maybe they would like to make a movie themselves????? Sometimes after my kids have seen the movie, they enjoy hearing the book, sometimes not. Some movies/tv series have games to go along with them. There is nothing to wait for, life is what is happening right now.
Ann
Rod Thomas <flyerrod@...> wrote:
I am getting frustrated again. I was complaining, I mean expressing
concern, a while back about my boys not wanting to do anything but
tv/video.
The months pass by, still offering stuff on a daily basis, but they wont
even leave the house for our homeschool group trip to the Narnia
premiere/party! Is this a stage? He doesn't want to go anywhere. My 7
yo just follows his lead.
Whenever we do go someplace new where he doesn't know what to expect, he
says he gets a nervous feeling in his stomache. I don't mean regular
places, like the store, friends, family. But the places where he won't
know anyone and may have to interact. I tell him that grownups even get
that feeling, like when starting a new job, a date, etc.
We have never been school-at-home types, mostly some (delayed) math and
spelling. And have basically done nothing structured for the past year.
Still waiting... Yes, I do my own things.
Flyerkat
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I would be checking into a memebership to blockbuster or netflix or something and would be ordering movies, lots of them, all kinds, some of my favorites that I liked as a kid, old classics, new releases. Embrace their interest, maybe see about a digital video camera. Maybe they would like to make a movie themselves????? Sometimes after my kids have seen the movie, they enjoy hearing the book, sometimes not. Some movies/tv series have games to go along with them. There is nothing to wait for, life is what is happening right now.
Ann
Rod Thomas <flyerrod@...> wrote:
I am getting frustrated again. I was complaining, I mean expressing
concern, a while back about my boys not wanting to do anything but
tv/video.
The months pass by, still offering stuff on a daily basis, but they wont
even leave the house for our homeschool group trip to the Narnia
premiere/party! Is this a stage? He doesn't want to go anywhere. My 7
yo just follows his lead.
Whenever we do go someplace new where he doesn't know what to expect, he
says he gets a nervous feeling in his stomache. I don't mean regular
places, like the store, friends, family. But the places where he won't
know anyone and may have to interact. I tell him that grownups even get
that feeling, like when starting a new job, a date, etc.
We have never been school-at-home types, mostly some (delayed) math and
spelling. And have basically done nothing structured for the past year.
Still waiting... Yes, I do my own things.
Flyerkat
SPONSORED LINKS
Secondary school education Graduate school education Home school education Graduate school education online High school education Chicago school education
---------------------------------
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Visit your group "unschoolingbasics" on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Rod Thomas
But I am not interested in video games/tv. Should I fake it? Doesn't
this work both ways. I am not trying to lead them away from their
interests. I am trying to expand their world. I don't force them, I
just offer, but they wont even consider these options. I know there are
other things out there they would enjoy if they just tried. I KNOW it.
They are just timid.
It is wonderful that your family is so active. That is my whole point.
Ours is not. How can I relax? If I was any more relaxed I would be
dead.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Pamela
Sorooshian
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2005 4:24 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] still waiting
this work both ways. I am not trying to lead them away from their
interests. I am trying to expand their world. I don't force them, I
just offer, but they wont even consider these options. I know there are
other things out there they would enjoy if they just tried. I KNOW it.
They are just timid.
It is wonderful that your family is so active. That is my whole point.
Ours is not. How can I relax? If I was any more relaxed I would be
dead.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Pamela
Sorooshian
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2005 4:24 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] still waiting
On Dec 8, 2005, at 12:58 PM, Rod Thomas wrote:
> I am getting frustrated again. I was complaining, I mean expressing
> concern, a while back about my boys not wanting to do anything but
> tv/video.
Don't just tolerate it - EMBRACE it!
Quit waiting for it to END, start participating, supporting,
encouraging, facilitating, expanding their tv/video lives - NOW.
Get so involved and busy and enchanted with what they ARE doing that
you stop wishing they'd be doing something else.
THAT is unschooling.
I've been thinking that I never liked the term "child-led learning" -
because it seems to make people expect their kids to eventually pull
math books off the shelves. I don't like hearing unschooling equated
with unstructured - because it assumes that school/lessons/
assignments/tests/grades are the only kind of structure that counts,
while the wonderful varied structures of our real lives don't. And
now I also have come to dislike the term "relaxed," when applied to
unschoolers because, well, first of all, MY family's lifestyle is not
very relaxed - we're high-energy, active and sometimes over-busy
people who have to make a conscious effort to take time to relax.
But, second, putting an emphasis on "relax" seems to encourage people
to be less pro-active, less hands-on, and less involved with their kids.
Yes, I've MANY times suggested that parents need to "relax." But I
meant to stop worrying, to develop a more relaxed MENTAL attitude
about what the kids are learning. If people thought I meant "relax
and be less involved with the kids" then I take it back.
Get in touch, get connected - do it by developing an interest in what
your kids ARE interested in already - not by "offering" stuff to
them, not by trying to entice them to be interested in something
else. START WHERE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW! They don't need to "change" in
order to be ready to start unschooling.
-pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
Deb Lewis
***But I am not interested in video games/tv. Should I fake it? ***
Can you sit down with them and fold laundry or crochet or something while
they watch? Then you're there, interacting with them, hearing about what
they think the good bits are but you have something to do too.
***I know there are other things out there they would enjoy if they just
tried. I KNOW it.
They are just timid.***
They're young. There's lots of time for them to discover the world. If
this is what they really like right now it's ok.
It's really very cool that you have a house they like to be in. Some
kids can't wait to get out.
Keep offering things you think they would enjoy but don't attach yourself
to their response. Let it be ok to accept or decline.
***It is wonderful that your family is so active. That is my whole
point.
Ours is not. How can I relax?***
Some people are naturally more adventurous than others. Are there other
people in your family who are content to stay home? Maybe your kids have
a genetic component of homebodieness. <g>
But what your kids are doing today is not "who" they are. They are
complex people who will grow and change. Some interests last forever but
people seldom have only one interest their whole lives long. You're kids
will try new things when they're ready.
***If I was any more relaxed I would be
dead.***
If we don't hear from you in awhile we'll send someone over to check your
pulse. <g>
It'll be ok. Really.
Deb Lewis
Can you sit down with them and fold laundry or crochet or something while
they watch? Then you're there, interacting with them, hearing about what
they think the good bits are but you have something to do too.
***I know there are other things out there they would enjoy if they just
tried. I KNOW it.
They are just timid.***
They're young. There's lots of time for them to discover the world. If
this is what they really like right now it's ok.
It's really very cool that you have a house they like to be in. Some
kids can't wait to get out.
Keep offering things you think they would enjoy but don't attach yourself
to their response. Let it be ok to accept or decline.
***It is wonderful that your family is so active. That is my whole
point.
Ours is not. How can I relax?***
Some people are naturally more adventurous than others. Are there other
people in your family who are content to stay home? Maybe your kids have
a genetic component of homebodieness. <g>
But what your kids are doing today is not "who" they are. They are
complex people who will grow and change. Some interests last forever but
people seldom have only one interest their whole lives long. You're kids
will try new things when they're ready.
***If I was any more relaxed I would be
dead.***
If we don't hear from you in awhile we'll send someone over to check your
pulse. <g>
It'll be ok. Really.
Deb Lewis
camden
I'm fairly new at this but this is one area I had a hard time with to begin
with. My boys love racing games... cars, motorcycles, trucks you name it -
they race it. I can't keep that dang vehicle on the track for nothing !!
But I did try. The boys found a game where the purpose was TO crash !! Yee
ha, my kind of game. I'm not always interested in every game they play but
when they want me to watch for a minute, I do. I also put alot of the other
activities we do during the day in the same room. That way while they are
gaming, I can be on the laptop, knitting, making jewelry or whatever but I
can still be close to them.
Fake it? I know my kids know in a minute if someone is being "fake" about
something.
I too would love it if they were ready to expand onto other things, and
someday maybe they will. And then again maybe they won't, they might grow
up to be video game testers or computer programmers. Who knows?
Our family isn't an overly active family. We live way out in the country so
it takes a bit to get somewhere else. So we just try and make sure everyone
has something they like to do around here.
Relax? Well I'm still working on that :) I read this list everyday & a few
others. Just knowing there are people out here who understand what we are
going thru is a big help. There are some people here who I want to grow up
to be just like ;)
And that's my two cents for tonight ~~~~~~~~~
Carol
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
with. My boys love racing games... cars, motorcycles, trucks you name it -
they race it. I can't keep that dang vehicle on the track for nothing !!
But I did try. The boys found a game where the purpose was TO crash !! Yee
ha, my kind of game. I'm not always interested in every game they play but
when they want me to watch for a minute, I do. I also put alot of the other
activities we do during the day in the same room. That way while they are
gaming, I can be on the laptop, knitting, making jewelry or whatever but I
can still be close to them.
Fake it? I know my kids know in a minute if someone is being "fake" about
something.
I too would love it if they were ready to expand onto other things, and
someday maybe they will. And then again maybe they won't, they might grow
up to be video game testers or computer programmers. Who knows?
Our family isn't an overly active family. We live way out in the country so
it takes a bit to get somewhere else. So we just try and make sure everyone
has something they like to do around here.
Relax? Well I'm still working on that :) I read this list everyday & a few
others. Just knowing there are people out here who understand what we are
going thru is a big help. There are some people here who I want to grow up
to be just like ;)
And that's my two cents for tonight ~~~~~~~~~
Carol
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> But I am not interested in video games/tv. Should I fake it? Doesn't
> this work both ways. I am not trying to lead them away from their
> interests. I am trying to expand their world. I don't force them, I
> just offer, but they wont even consider these options. I know there are
> other things out there they would enjoy if they just tried. I KNOW it.
> They are just timid.
>
> It is wonderful that your family is so active. That is my whole point.
> Ours is not. How can I relax? If I was any more relaxed I would be
> dead.
Alyce
--- In [email protected], camden <ccoutlaw@d...> wrote:
My boys love racing games... cars, motorcycles, trucks you name it -
> they race it. I can't keep that dang vehicle on the track for
nothing !!
> But I did try. The boys found a game where the purpose was TO
crash !! Yee
> ha, my kind of game. I'm not always interested in every game they
play but
> when they want me to watch for a minute, I do. I also put alot of
the other
> activities we do during the day in the same room. That way while
they are
> gaming, I can be on the laptop, knitting, making jewelry or whatever
but I
> can still be close to them.
I have to admit, I LOVE video games where the point is to crash the
car. :) We have one where the car actually bursts into flames then
burns up if you run it into buildings or other vehicles enough times.
I find it very satisfying. lol.
We actually haven't played any video games in a while. The kids seem
to go in spells. A solid week of video games from dawn to dusk, then
a week of legos, then a week of paper mache and paint. Hammers,
nails, hot glue... *things*.
My son will build something big enough to live in out of cardboard
while my daughter is sewing curtains, modifying her clothes, or
rehairing My Little Ponies for example. There are odd smaller things
thrown in, and we always make park days, but there is usually
something where the primary focus is for days on end. We have a lot
of overlap where we enter and exit each others' projects, and do a lot
of things together... and do spend time in the same room doing
different things.
Have you tried blasting music and jumping up and down together?
That's a fun family activity. Leads to lots of giggles and silliness
together. lol. You can't help but be in a good mood after that! (In
fact, it's gotten to the point here that if I'm getting a little
grumpy, one of the kids will put on a "jumping around" song knowing it
will work some magic and make our day go better.)
~Alyce
Pamela Sorooshian
On Dec 9, 2005, at 5:21 PM, Rod Thomas wrote:
you should.
"other" things.
things. I'm saying do it by starting with what they are into right
now. Start with that and you'll find that their interests will
naturally expand.
reality that they don't want to do these other things you're offering.
-pam
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> But I am not interested in video games/tv. Should I fake it?Develop an interest. If that means fake it a bit then, yes, I think
you should.
> Doesn't this work both ways.You're the parent.
> I am not trying to lead them away from theirYes you are. Your focus is on expanding their experiences by doing
> interests.
"other" things.
> I am trying to expand their world.Right. But you're doing it by trying to entice them to do OTHER
things. I'm saying do it by starting with what they are into right
now. Start with that and you'll find that their interests will
naturally expand.
> I don't force them, I just offer, but they wont even considerI'm sure you're right. So what? Being right doesn't change the
> these options. I know there are
> other things out there they would enjoy if they just tried. I KNOW
> it. They are just timid.
reality that they don't want to do these other things you're offering.
>Don't relax - get INTO what they're into. Support it. Expand on IT!
> It is wonderful that your family is so active. That is my whole
> point.
> Ours is not. How can I relax? If I was any more relaxed I would be
> dead.
-pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]