Food
Wendy E
Any ideas for quick, easy, vegetarian, kid friendly foods?
Cookbooks...etc....
searching for ideas...
Cookbooks...etc....
searching for ideas...
Geneva Goza
My kids and I are vegeterian...
do you have a sandwich maker? blender? I'm also a personal chef and I cook veg. foods just about all day long it seems. I would be happy to offer you ideas, just not sure where to start.
My son (3.5) is into bean burritos with tomatos and onions, macaroni and spinach with extra cheese, pizzas with boca crumbles brocoli and tomatos...falafel, anything dipped in hummus (easy to make).
I could go all day...
My baby (1) loves guacamole with cottage cheese cheddar. Smoothies are a huge hit around here and raw pasta sauce (tomatos, garlic in blender). I make most of my dishes kid friendly by adding cheese or some tomato based sauce...put ANYTHING in a sandwich maker with WW bread and cheese, dip in sauce.
We tried to be vegan for a little bit but we just can't stay away from cows cheese!
HTH
do you have a sandwich maker? blender? I'm also a personal chef and I cook veg. foods just about all day long it seems. I would be happy to offer you ideas, just not sure where to start.
My son (3.5) is into bean burritos with tomatos and onions, macaroni and spinach with extra cheese, pizzas with boca crumbles brocoli and tomatos...falafel, anything dipped in hummus (easy to make).
I could go all day...
My baby (1) loves guacamole with cottage cheese cheddar. Smoothies are a huge hit around here and raw pasta sauce (tomatos, garlic in blender). I make most of my dishes kid friendly by adding cheese or some tomato based sauce...put ANYTHING in a sandwich maker with WW bread and cheese, dip in sauce.
We tried to be vegan for a little bit but we just can't stay away from cows cheese!
HTH
----- Original Message -----
From: Wendy E
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 1:34 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Food
Any ideas for quick, easy, vegetarian, kid friendly foods?
Cookbooks...etc....
searching for ideas...
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics/
b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Mark Shields
Mollie Katzen has a couple of great kid's cookbooks that are vegetarian.
They are called Honest Pretzels and Pretend Soup. They are picture based
recipes so are kid friendly down to age 2 or 3 probably. Have fun!
Kristin
-----Original Message-----
From: Wendy E [SMTP:mommytoluc@...]
Any ideas for quick, easy, vegetarian, kid friendly foods?
Cookbooks...etc....
searching for ideas...
They are called Honest Pretzels and Pretend Soup. They are picture based
recipes so are kid friendly down to age 2 or 3 probably. Have fun!
Kristin
-----Original Message-----
From: Wendy E [SMTP:mommytoluc@...]
Any ideas for quick, easy, vegetarian, kid friendly foods?
Cookbooks...etc....
searching for ideas...
jesika hare
hey y'all~ I'm a newbie here.. and a newbie to the
whole unschooling thing.. so please forgive me, but i
am wondering how your children learn much when its
just left up to them? it just seems to me like the
kids wouldn't want to learn on their own due to lack
of motivation or whatever. i cant imagine a 12 y.o.
learning something "important" like math, or spelling
, or whatever , without any structure. please
enlighten me! i am very interested in raising my 10m
old by unschooling, but I'm afraid he will need some
structured lessons. for example- the lady who took the
kids to the park and had them write a poem or
something about an object, i would have thought that
was a great idea, but alot of people here seems to
think that was wrong. i'm sorry , but i just don't see
kids "wanting" to learn things. i understand that they
learn thru life experiences, but they don't
necessarily learn every thing they might need. how do
you get a child to want to learn instead of play video
games, etc?.....please don't take this negatively ~
its a legit question.
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages!
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
whole unschooling thing.. so please forgive me, but i
am wondering how your children learn much when its
just left up to them? it just seems to me like the
kids wouldn't want to learn on their own due to lack
of motivation or whatever. i cant imagine a 12 y.o.
learning something "important" like math, or spelling
, or whatever , without any structure. please
enlighten me! i am very interested in raising my 10m
old by unschooling, but I'm afraid he will need some
structured lessons. for example- the lady who took the
kids to the park and had them write a poem or
something about an object, i would have thought that
was a great idea, but alot of people here seems to
think that was wrong. i'm sorry , but i just don't see
kids "wanting" to learn things. i understand that they
learn thru life experiences, but they don't
necessarily learn every thing they might need. how do
you get a child to want to learn instead of play video
games, etc?.....please don't take this negatively ~
its a legit question.
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages!
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/14/2004 5:46:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
jesika2starr@... writes:
i'm sorry , but i just don't see
kids "wanting" to learn things. i understand that they
learn thru life experiences, but they don't
necessarily learn every thing they might need. how do
you get a child to want to learn instead of play video
games, etc?.....please don't take this negatively ~
its a legit question.
<<<<
Did you go to school?
Also legit.
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
jesika2starr@... writes:
i'm sorry , but i just don't see
kids "wanting" to learn things. i understand that they
learn thru life experiences, but they don't
necessarily learn every thing they might need. how do
you get a child to want to learn instead of play video
games, etc?.....please don't take this negatively ~
its a legit question.
<<<<
Did you go to school?
Also legit.
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Steven Cox
Geneva (and anyone else who loves to cook),
Please, keep sharing ideas or send me to good URLs. We are not vegetarians, but my daughter seems to be a natural one :-). I'm not (yet) crazy about cooking, but I want to get better. Everything is so much more fun when there are good things to eat made by a happy cook. My mother hated to cook and I don't want to pass this feeling along to the next generation.
Thanks,
Leslie
Please, keep sharing ideas or send me to good URLs. We are not vegetarians, but my daughter seems to be a natural one :-). I'm not (yet) crazy about cooking, but I want to get better. Everything is so much more fun when there are good things to eat made by a happy cook. My mother hated to cook and I don't want to pass this feeling along to the next generation.
Thanks,
Leslie
----- Original Message -----
From: Geneva Goza
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 3:59 PM
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Food
My kids and I are vegeterian...
do you have a sandwich maker? blender? I'm also a personal chef and I cook veg. foods just about all day long it seems. I would be happy to offer you ideas, just not sure where to start.
My son (3.5) is into bean burritos with tomatos and onions, macaroni and spinach with extra cheese, pizzas with boca crumbles brocoli and tomatos...falafel, anything dipped in hummus (easy to make).
I could go all day...
My baby (1) loves guacamole with cottage cheese cheddar. Smoothies are a huge hit around here and raw pasta sauce (tomatos, garlic in blender). I make most of my dishes kid friendly by adding cheese or some tomato based sauce...put ANYTHING in a sandwich maker with WW bread and cheese, dip in sauce.
We tried to be vegan for a little bit but we just can't stay away from cows cheese!
HTH
----- Original Message -----
From: Wendy E
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 1:34 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Food
Any ideas for quick, easy, vegetarian, kid friendly foods?
Cookbooks...etc....
searching for ideas...
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics/
b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
c.. 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
ADVERTISEMENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics/
b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Dana Matt
We love the Molly Katzen books, and there's also a
cute one from our library called "Herb, the Vegetarian
Dragon"--actually, it's two--one's a story book, one
is a recipe book.
Dana
in MOntana
--- Mark Shields <shields@...> wrote:
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish.
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
cute one from our library called "Herb, the Vegetarian
Dragon"--actually, it's two--one's a story book, one
is a recipe book.
Dana
in MOntana
--- Mark Shields <shields@...> wrote:
> Mollie Katzen has a couple of great kid's cookbookshttp://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/0xXolB/TM
> that are vegetarian.
> They are called Honest Pretzels and Pretend Soup.
> They are picture based
> recipes so are kid friendly down to age 2 or 3
> probably. Have fun!
> Kristin
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Wendy E [SMTP:mommytoluc@...]
>
> Any ideas for quick, easy, vegetarian, kid friendly
> foods?
> Cookbooks...etc....
>
> searching for ideas...
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> --------------------~-->
> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion
> Toolbar.
> Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free!
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
>__________________________________
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
> [email protected]
>
>
>
>
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish.
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
Robyn Coburn
<<<<Any ideas for quick, easy, vegetarian, kid friendly foods?
Cookbooks...etc....>>>>
If you have never been to Trader Joe's you may like what you can find there
- if it is in your town.
Jayn (4.5) loves their own brand Corn Dogs - all soy - and they do lots of
finger food type things. Also heavenly meringues - but don't get me started.
The container lasts about half a day. They also have a wide range of nuts,
seeds, crackers and gourmet type snack foods for very reasonable prices
compared to a supermarket chain like Ralphs (Krogers). Another favorite is
their own brand of vege "meat" balls in tomato sauce, in the freezer.
Jayn also likes raw baby carrots - available organically in prepackages and
peeled - corn on the cob, lightly steamed broccoli and asparagus spears. The
latter two she expecially likes to dip in either teriyaki or ranch sauce.
We are big consumers of sandwiches of all sorts here. Some people recommend
using large cookie cutters to make fun shapes. We never have, but it could
be fun for a party.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.717 / Virus Database: 473 - Release Date: 7/8/2004
Cookbooks...etc....>>>>
If you have never been to Trader Joe's you may like what you can find there
- if it is in your town.
Jayn (4.5) loves their own brand Corn Dogs - all soy - and they do lots of
finger food type things. Also heavenly meringues - but don't get me started.
The container lasts about half a day. They also have a wide range of nuts,
seeds, crackers and gourmet type snack foods for very reasonable prices
compared to a supermarket chain like Ralphs (Krogers). Another favorite is
their own brand of vege "meat" balls in tomato sauce, in the freezer.
Jayn also likes raw baby carrots - available organically in prepackages and
peeled - corn on the cob, lightly steamed broccoli and asparagus spears. The
latter two she expecially likes to dip in either teriyaki or ranch sauce.
We are big consumers of sandwiches of all sorts here. Some people recommend
using large cookie cutters to make fun shapes. We never have, but it could
be fun for a party.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.717 / Virus Database: 473 - Release Date: 7/8/2004
Wendy E
Yes, Trader Joes rules! Robyn, I think we must be fairly close to
you...we live in Huntington Beach and from what I surmise you are
SoCal too. We used to live in LA...Fairfax area. Anyway,
yes...love all the TJ's stuff (we are big fans of the veggie corn
dogs, veggie meat balls, and carrots stix too). Haven't tried the
meringues (I don't dare) but I'm a big fan of the Joe's O's and I
can't even buy a box of those (these things could be gone before I
get home, although I would rather wait for them at home to enjoy
them with milk....I don't buy these anymore....). Anyway, I would
love to find some good, tasty, easy, whole food type recipes....
--- In [email protected], "Robyn Coburn"
<dezigna@c...> wrote:
you...we live in Huntington Beach and from what I surmise you are
SoCal too. We used to live in LA...Fairfax area. Anyway,
yes...love all the TJ's stuff (we are big fans of the veggie corn
dogs, veggie meat balls, and carrots stix too). Haven't tried the
meringues (I don't dare) but I'm a big fan of the Joe's O's and I
can't even buy a box of those (these things could be gone before I
get home, although I would rather wait for them at home to enjoy
them with milk....I don't buy these anymore....). Anyway, I would
love to find some good, tasty, easy, whole food type recipes....
--- In [email protected], "Robyn Coburn"
<dezigna@c...> wrote:
> <<<<Any ideas for quick, easy, vegetarian, kid friendly foods?find there
> Cookbooks...etc....>>>>
>
> If you have never been to Trader Joe's you may like what you can
> - if it is in your town.lots of
>
> Jayn (4.5) loves their own brand Corn Dogs - all soy - and they do
> finger food type things. Also heavenly meringues - but don't getme started.
> The container lasts about half a day. They also have a wide rangeof nuts,
> seeds, crackers and gourmet type snack foods for very reasonableprices
> compared to a supermarket chain like Ralphs (Krogers). Anotherfavorite is
> their own brand of vege "meat" balls in tomato sauce, in thefreezer.
>prepackages and
> Jayn also likes raw baby carrots - available organically in
> peeled - corn on the cob, lightly steamed broccoli and asparagusspears. The
> latter two she expecially likes to dip in either teriyaki or ranchsauce.
>recommend
> We are big consumers of sandwiches of all sorts here. Some people
> using large cookie cutters to make fun shapes. We never have, butit could
> be fun for a party.
>
> Robyn L. Coburn
>
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.717 / Virus Database: 473 - Release Date: 7/8/2004
TreeGoddess
On Jul 14, 2004, at 5:44 PM, jesika hare wrote:
parents just sit on our hands. ;) Take them to cool places, parks,
stores, museums, zoos, libraries, book stores, amusement parks,
EVERYWHERE. LOL Rent movies, play board and card games, make arts and
crafts materials available, play dough and clay, Legos, jump ropes,
blankets for forts.....
For example, if your child is into butterflies, make a butterfly garden
in your yard, see if your closest zoo has a live butterfly exhibit
(ours in Detroit is really nice!), tour local gardens and watch for
them. Maybe in the Spring mail order some caterpillars and tend to
them until they turn into butterflies and release them into your yard
-- maybe into your new butterfly garden. ;) Check out some books on
butterflies. Look online for butterfly web sites. I could go on, but
I'll stop here with my example.
My point is that YOU, the parent, are the facilitator....the tour
guide, if you will. You are there to show them around and point out
the neat stuff, but they're free to leave the tour at any time -- or to
keep going. The choice is theirs.
look closer. Children love learning -- until someone or something
(namely schools) dump a big bucket of water on their fire. I don't
know any (normal functioning) child who CAN'T learn when it's something
that they're interested in. My DS is really into Bionicles and Legos
right now. You might think, "Well, those are toys! Of course they'd
be interested in that because they can play" only PLAYING *IS*
LEARNING. He takes them apart and puts them back together while
reading the directions or makes up his own robots from the various
pieces and then "designs" what functions and options or powers they'll
have. He can play with them for hours each day and never recreate the
same one. On the surface it might not look a whole lot like "learning"
the way you're thinking (books, pencils, desks, tests) but he's totally
learning a ton of things like mechanics, engineering, math, structure,
creativity, learning what *doesn't* work, etc. This applies to just
about anything your child might be interested in.
It's everywhere. From advertisements, TV, video games, computer use,
cookbooks, comic books, counting your allowance to see if you can buy
the newest ____ you don't have yet, etc. You don't need structure to
figure out how much you need to save when you want to buy something.
LOL
thing I might need to know. That came AFTER I was out of school. I
was an "A" student, but I only knew facts and figures. I didn't have
knowledge and wisdom. Big difference. :)
I've learned so many things since graduation that I can't even name
them all. I didn't learn how to balance a checking account, manage a
home, cook, clean, have a healthy pregnancy and birth, raise children,
knit, garden, auto maintantence, taking care of dogs and horses, buying
a home, getting a job, using a computer, using the Internet, canning
food, herbalism, nutrition, and how to swim until AFTER I graduated
from high school. That short list is just what I came up with off the
top of my head in about one minute. There's tons more, but I won't
bore the list. ;)
I learn new things every day and "big" things on a regular basis.
There's always MORE to learn. There's no way that you could ever learn
EVERY thing you MIGHT need all by the time you're 18. Besides, most of
the things that I now deem "important".... I didn't give a rat's ass
about when I was a child or teen. LOL Those things will come with
time.
games. Your DS is likely reading, using math, strategy, memorizing
facts and trivia, hand/eye coordination, and more. Here's a link to a
couple of issues including TV, video games and the like. I also
*really* encourage you to read through as much of Sandra's web site as
you can. This helped me immensely while I was on my journey of
learning (GASP! There I was going and learning again! ;') about an
unschooling lifestyle. http://sandradodd.com/life
HTH :D
-Tracy-
> [ i am wondering how your children learn much when itsWell, the involvement is left up to them, BUT that doesn't mean that we
> just left up to them?]
parents just sit on our hands. ;) Take them to cool places, parks,
stores, museums, zoos, libraries, book stores, amusement parks,
EVERYWHERE. LOL Rent movies, play board and card games, make arts and
crafts materials available, play dough and clay, Legos, jump ropes,
blankets for forts.....
For example, if your child is into butterflies, make a butterfly garden
in your yard, see if your closest zoo has a live butterfly exhibit
(ours in Detroit is really nice!), tour local gardens and watch for
them. Maybe in the Spring mail order some caterpillars and tend to
them until they turn into butterflies and release them into your yard
-- maybe into your new butterfly garden. ;) Check out some books on
butterflies. Look online for butterfly web sites. I could go on, but
I'll stop here with my example.
My point is that YOU, the parent, are the facilitator....the tour
guide, if you will. You are there to show them around and point out
the neat stuff, but they're free to leave the tour at any time -- or to
keep going. The choice is theirs.
> [it just seems to me like the kids wouldn't want to learnIt does kind of seem that way when you first hear of unschooling. But
> on their own due to lack of motivation or whatever. ]
look closer. Children love learning -- until someone or something
(namely schools) dump a big bucket of water on their fire. I don't
know any (normal functioning) child who CAN'T learn when it's something
that they're interested in. My DS is really into Bionicles and Legos
right now. You might think, "Well, those are toys! Of course they'd
be interested in that because they can play" only PLAYING *IS*
LEARNING. He takes them apart and puts them back together while
reading the directions or makes up his own robots from the various
pieces and then "designs" what functions and options or powers they'll
have. He can play with them for hours each day and never recreate the
same one. On the surface it might not look a whole lot like "learning"
the way you're thinking (books, pencils, desks, tests) but he's totally
learning a ton of things like mechanics, engineering, math, structure,
creativity, learning what *doesn't* work, etc. This applies to just
about anything your child might be interested in.
> i cant imagine a 12 y.o. learning something "important" like math, orHe'll learn it just by living. How can you NOT learn math or spelling?
> spelling
> , or whatever , without any structure. please enlighten me!
It's everywhere. From advertisements, TV, video games, computer use,
cookbooks, comic books, counting your allowance to see if you can buy
the newest ____ you don't have yet, etc. You don't need structure to
figure out how much you need to save when you want to buy something.
LOL
> [i understand that they learn thru life experiences, but theyWell, I don't know about you but I sure as heck didn't learn EVERY
> don't necessarily learn every thing they might need. ]
thing I might need to know. That came AFTER I was out of school. I
was an "A" student, but I only knew facts and figures. I didn't have
knowledge and wisdom. Big difference. :)
I've learned so many things since graduation that I can't even name
them all. I didn't learn how to balance a checking account, manage a
home, cook, clean, have a healthy pregnancy and birth, raise children,
knit, garden, auto maintantence, taking care of dogs and horses, buying
a home, getting a job, using a computer, using the Internet, canning
food, herbalism, nutrition, and how to swim until AFTER I graduated
from high school. That short list is just what I came up with off the
top of my head in about one minute. There's tons more, but I won't
bore the list. ;)
I learn new things every day and "big" things on a regular basis.
There's always MORE to learn. There's no way that you could ever learn
EVERY thing you MIGHT need all by the time you're 18. Besides, most of
the things that I now deem "important".... I didn't give a rat's ass
about when I was a child or teen. LOL Those things will come with
time.
> [how do you get a child to want to learn instead of play video games,Don't try? :) Seriously, there's nothing "bad" about playing video
> etc?]
games. Your DS is likely reading, using math, strategy, memorizing
facts and trivia, hand/eye coordination, and more. Here's a link to a
couple of issues including TV, video games and the like. I also
*really* encourage you to read through as much of Sandra's web site as
you can. This helped me immensely while I was on my journey of
learning (GASP! There I was going and learning again! ;') about an
unschooling lifestyle. http://sandradodd.com/life
HTH :D
-Tracy-
TreeGoddess
On Jul 14, 2004, at 6:58 PM, Robyn Coburn wrote:
Cucumber slices, tamari ("healthy" soy sauce) roasted almonds or
pumpkin seeds, raisins, chips and salsa, refried bean and (soy) cheese
quesadillas, fruits of all kinds, peanut butter sandwiches, etc.
I have the two Molly Katzen "kid" cookbooks that were mentioned and my
thought on them is that although they are nice cookbooks if your CHILD
wants to cook/make something, they're not really chock full of
kid-friendly ideas for Mama to whip up real quick. I'd just use
Google.com and search for ideas online rather than spending money on
those cookbooks. JMO :)
HTH
-Tracy-
> <<<<Any ideas for quick, easy, vegetarian, kid friendly foods?My DD's favorite snack is baby carrots that she dips in hummus.
> Cookbooks...etc....>>>>
Cucumber slices, tamari ("healthy" soy sauce) roasted almonds or
pumpkin seeds, raisins, chips and salsa, refried bean and (soy) cheese
quesadillas, fruits of all kinds, peanut butter sandwiches, etc.
I have the two Molly Katzen "kid" cookbooks that were mentioned and my
thought on them is that although they are nice cookbooks if your CHILD
wants to cook/make something, they're not really chock full of
kid-friendly ideas for Mama to whip up real quick. I'd just use
Google.com and search for ideas online rather than spending money on
those cookbooks. JMO :)
HTH
-Tracy-
Jon and Rue Kream
>>Another favorite istheir own brand of vege "meat" balls in tomato sauce, in the freezer.
**I was eating those when I read your email :0). Very yummy. Trader Joes
has such a wide variety of easy, vegetarian foods and always has something
new to try. ~Rue
jesika hare
yes i did
--- kbcdlovejo@... wrote:
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
--- kbcdlovejo@... wrote:
>__________________________________________________
> In a message dated 7/14/2004 5:46:32 PM Eastern
> Daylight Time,
> jesika2starr@... writes:
>
> i'm sorry , but i just don't see
> kids "wanting" to learn things. i understand that
> they
> learn thru life experiences, but they don't
> necessarily learn every thing they might need. how
> do
> you get a child to want to learn instead of play
> video
> games, etc?.....please don't take this negatively ~
> its a legit question.
>
>
> <<<<
>
> Did you go to school?
>
> Also legit.
>
> ~Kelly
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
Robyn Coburn
<<<it just seems to me like the
kids wouldn't want to learn on their own due to lack
of motivation or whatever. i cant imagine a 12 y.o.
learning something "important" like math, or spelling
, or whatever , without any structure.>>>
Unschooling doesn't divide the world into subjects, so the issue of some
being more important is somewhat irrelevant. Our children live full
interesting lives pursuing interests that are of vital importance *to them*
and their interior selves. In the course of this, real life skills such as
math use or spelling (well enough that the meaning gets across) get learnt.
Children ask for the help they need unless they have learnt that asking for
help gets them some kind of lesson with the parent's agenda foremost.
Children who seem unmotivated are often damaged by school. Alternatively
they are plenty motivated, but don't get unconditional support from their
parents in those interests, so keep them secret. Some have to struggle with
feelings of lack of self-worth from constantly having their interests
belittled in favor of "important" schoolish subjects. 12 years old is a long
way from your baby.
If you want to save your imagination, you can come to the conference and see
with your own eyes a couple of hundred enthusiastic autodidacts of all ages.
Or you can keep reading and take our word for it that the kids are full of
diverse consuming passions.
<<<i am very interested in raising my 10m
old by unschooling, but I'm afraid he will need some
structured lessons.>>>
He may not, or he may want them. The key is following his lead, and leaving
him free to stop the structured lessons on his timetable.
You may find Unschooling easier if you try to keep the mindset of enjoying
the present moment, and not getting caught up in future scenario that is at
least several years away.
<<<i'm sorry , but i just don't see
kids "wanting" to learn things. i understand that they
learn thru life experiences, but they don't
necessarily learn every thing they might need.>>>
Through life experiences and self-motivation is the only authentic way to
learn everything that a person genuinely needs.
If you spend some time observing your son, you will see that "wanting" to
learn about his expanding world is his primary motivation for all his
actions. Forced lessons is the number one inhibitor and destroyer of that
instinct.
<<< how do
you get a child to want to learn instead of play video
games, etc?.>>>
We don't.
We don't see those as mutually exclusive.
Try www.sandradodd.com and click on the gaming links.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.717 / Virus Database: 473 - Release Date: 7/8/2004
kids wouldn't want to learn on their own due to lack
of motivation or whatever. i cant imagine a 12 y.o.
learning something "important" like math, or spelling
, or whatever , without any structure.>>>
Unschooling doesn't divide the world into subjects, so the issue of some
being more important is somewhat irrelevant. Our children live full
interesting lives pursuing interests that are of vital importance *to them*
and their interior selves. In the course of this, real life skills such as
math use or spelling (well enough that the meaning gets across) get learnt.
Children ask for the help they need unless they have learnt that asking for
help gets them some kind of lesson with the parent's agenda foremost.
Children who seem unmotivated are often damaged by school. Alternatively
they are plenty motivated, but don't get unconditional support from their
parents in those interests, so keep them secret. Some have to struggle with
feelings of lack of self-worth from constantly having their interests
belittled in favor of "important" schoolish subjects. 12 years old is a long
way from your baby.
If you want to save your imagination, you can come to the conference and see
with your own eyes a couple of hundred enthusiastic autodidacts of all ages.
Or you can keep reading and take our word for it that the kids are full of
diverse consuming passions.
<<<i am very interested in raising my 10m
old by unschooling, but I'm afraid he will need some
structured lessons.>>>
He may not, or he may want them. The key is following his lead, and leaving
him free to stop the structured lessons on his timetable.
You may find Unschooling easier if you try to keep the mindset of enjoying
the present moment, and not getting caught up in future scenario that is at
least several years away.
<<<i'm sorry , but i just don't see
kids "wanting" to learn things. i understand that they
learn thru life experiences, but they don't
necessarily learn every thing they might need.>>>
Through life experiences and self-motivation is the only authentic way to
learn everything that a person genuinely needs.
If you spend some time observing your son, you will see that "wanting" to
learn about his expanding world is his primary motivation for all his
actions. Forced lessons is the number one inhibitor and destroyer of that
instinct.
<<< how do
you get a child to want to learn instead of play video
games, etc?.>>>
We don't.
We don't see those as mutually exclusive.
Try www.sandradodd.com and click on the gaming links.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.717 / Virus Database: 473 - Release Date: 7/8/2004
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/14/2004 5:46:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
jesika2starr@... writes:
hey y'all~ I'm a newbie here.. and a newbie to the
whole unschooling thing.. so please forgive me, but i
am wondering how your children learn much when its
just left up to them? <<<<
Just left up to him, Cameron (16), has learned all about computers
(something he HATED and avoided in school) and types extremely fast; is self-taught
to play the drums and a little guitar; all about the constitution; the
history of American music: the blues, jazz, blue grass, R&B, and rock; The 60's &
70's history and social changes; mountainbiking; skateboarding; filmmaking
(including his first 5 minute film which made its debut at Spoleto this
spring); has three jobs (deli, house/pet-sitting, and volunteers at the independent
movie theatre). He's backpacked in Washington state for three weeks, spent
three weeks in Australia and two weeks in Germany---all without me. His
spelling, vocabulary, and math have improved multi-fold since he left
school---because he *wanted* to get better at these things. He doesn't want to appear
"stupid", so he puts out effort to learn what he thinks he's lacking. He's
incredibly kind and has a maturity level of a 30 year old!
His little brother, Duncan (8), has never been to school. He's reading
better and better. I played Monopoly with him yesterday: He makes change like a
pro---understands adding and substracting and counting of money into the
thousands---no problem and no lessons. He read almost everything on the cards,
struggling with just a few words.He watches a lot of TV, especially Cartoon
Network---and I'll hand it to Ed, Edd, and Eddy: they have huge vocabularies! And
so does Duncan! <G> He learned how to swim with no lessons, just by being in
the water. He's an incredible sponge----never having lost the love of
learning like his brother did while in school. He amazes me every day----he has no
fear of anything!
of motivation or whatever.<<<<
It's wild what they can be motivated to learn---all on their own!
What do *you* do now that you are out of school? Nothing? Do *you* do
nothing all day because you lack motivation? What are your passions? Do you believe
only adults can be passionate? What do *you* do all day? Who's making you?
, or whatever , without any structure.<<<<
Oh. So you're only interested in "academic" learning? <g> We believe that
ALL learning is valuable. And that we keep ON learning even after we pass the
magic age of 18! <g> There's no time table for learning (even though schools
would lead you to believe that!). No schedule. No time limit or
maximum/minimum age for learning something.
My children are surrounded by dogs. They learn about dogs because they
observe dogs, because they ask questions about dogs, because I talk about dogs.
They go to dog training classes. They do to dog shows. They watch me work with
the dogs. They play with the dogs. We groom dogs. They can't help but learn
about dogs. Dogs are a huge part of our lives.
Same with math and spelling.
i'm sorry , but i just don't see
kids "wanting" to learn things. <<<
Do you really believe that children don't want to learn things? Is your
beautiful ten month old just lying there, learning NOTHING? He's not crawling?
Not trying to stand? Not laughing at you when you make funny faces? He's not
wanting to learn to walk or feed himself? He's not putting every little thing in
his mouth to inspect it and learn what it's about? Do you think that
children don't want to imitate their loving parents?
They LOVE to learn! They really DO! They're hard-wired to learn! Just look
at your baby! Isn't he BRILLIANT???
School teaches us that learning for the sake of learning is wrong. That only
certain "subjects" are worthy of focusing on. That what inspires *us*, that
what makes *us* tick, that what gives us joy is unnecessary-----unless it's
reading or writing or 'rithmatic. So many children learn to turn off that
miraculous gift of learning!
Most find it again in their twenties. Some sooner. Some not at all. Those
are sad people!
Look at yourself! *You* are interested in your baby and in unschooling.
What's motivating *you*?
necessarily learn every thing they might need.<<<<<
AAAAAHHHHH!!!! The basis of unschooling! <g> They learn EXACTLY what they
need. EXACTLY. And that's different for each and every person. You will never
need to know what I need to know. And I, what you need to know. And our
children will have different needs too. That is the KEY!
games, etc?<<<<
And you truly believe that there is no learning happening in video games?
They are chocked FULL of learning---you just need to open your eyes to THAT
learning: strategy, math, reading, patterns!
We're all about legit questions! <bwg>
I want you to go to _www.sandradodd.com_ (http://www.sandradodd.com) and
read about unschooling. She has hundreds of articles and essays and posts
about learning and unschooling and understanding this whole concept.
Do you have any other more specific questions?
Glad you're here!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
jesika2starr@... writes:
hey y'all~ I'm a newbie here.. and a newbie to the
whole unschooling thing.. so please forgive me, but i
am wondering how your children learn much when its
just left up to them? <<<<
Just left up to him, Cameron (16), has learned all about computers
(something he HATED and avoided in school) and types extremely fast; is self-taught
to play the drums and a little guitar; all about the constitution; the
history of American music: the blues, jazz, blue grass, R&B, and rock; The 60's &
70's history and social changes; mountainbiking; skateboarding; filmmaking
(including his first 5 minute film which made its debut at Spoleto this
spring); has three jobs (deli, house/pet-sitting, and volunteers at the independent
movie theatre). He's backpacked in Washington state for three weeks, spent
three weeks in Australia and two weeks in Germany---all without me. His
spelling, vocabulary, and math have improved multi-fold since he left
school---because he *wanted* to get better at these things. He doesn't want to appear
"stupid", so he puts out effort to learn what he thinks he's lacking. He's
incredibly kind and has a maturity level of a 30 year old!
His little brother, Duncan (8), has never been to school. He's reading
better and better. I played Monopoly with him yesterday: He makes change like a
pro---understands adding and substracting and counting of money into the
thousands---no problem and no lessons. He read almost everything on the cards,
struggling with just a few words.He watches a lot of TV, especially Cartoon
Network---and I'll hand it to Ed, Edd, and Eddy: they have huge vocabularies! And
so does Duncan! <G> He learned how to swim with no lessons, just by being in
the water. He's an incredible sponge----never having lost the love of
learning like his brother did while in school. He amazes me every day----he has no
fear of anything!
>>>>it just seems to me like thekids wouldn't want to learn on their own due to lack
of motivation or whatever.<<<<
It's wild what they can be motivated to learn---all on their own!
What do *you* do now that you are out of school? Nothing? Do *you* do
nothing all day because you lack motivation? What are your passions? Do you believe
only adults can be passionate? What do *you* do all day? Who's making you?
>>>i cant imagine a 12 y.o.learning something "important" like math, or spelling
, or whatever , without any structure.<<<<
Oh. So you're only interested in "academic" learning? <g> We believe that
ALL learning is valuable. And that we keep ON learning even after we pass the
magic age of 18! <g> There's no time table for learning (even though schools
would lead you to believe that!). No schedule. No time limit or
maximum/minimum age for learning something.
My children are surrounded by dogs. They learn about dogs because they
observe dogs, because they ask questions about dogs, because I talk about dogs.
They go to dog training classes. They do to dog shows. They watch me work with
the dogs. They play with the dogs. We groom dogs. They can't help but learn
about dogs. Dogs are a huge part of our lives.
Same with math and spelling.
i'm sorry , but i just don't see
kids "wanting" to learn things. <<<
Do you really believe that children don't want to learn things? Is your
beautiful ten month old just lying there, learning NOTHING? He's not crawling?
Not trying to stand? Not laughing at you when you make funny faces? He's not
wanting to learn to walk or feed himself? He's not putting every little thing in
his mouth to inspect it and learn what it's about? Do you think that
children don't want to imitate their loving parents?
They LOVE to learn! They really DO! They're hard-wired to learn! Just look
at your baby! Isn't he BRILLIANT???
School teaches us that learning for the sake of learning is wrong. That only
certain "subjects" are worthy of focusing on. That what inspires *us*, that
what makes *us* tick, that what gives us joy is unnecessary-----unless it's
reading or writing or 'rithmatic. So many children learn to turn off that
miraculous gift of learning!
Most find it again in their twenties. Some sooner. Some not at all. Those
are sad people!
Look at yourself! *You* are interested in your baby and in unschooling.
What's motivating *you*?
>>>>i understand that theylearn thru life experiences, but they don't
necessarily learn every thing they might need.<<<<<
AAAAAHHHHH!!!! The basis of unschooling! <g> They learn EXACTLY what they
need. EXACTLY. And that's different for each and every person. You will never
need to know what I need to know. And I, what you need to know. And our
children will have different needs too. That is the KEY!
>>>> how doyou get a child to want to learn instead of play video
games, etc?<<<<
And you truly believe that there is no learning happening in video games?
They are chocked FULL of learning---you just need to open your eyes to THAT
learning: strategy, math, reading, patterns!
>>>>....please don't take this negatively ~its a legit question. <<<<
We're all about legit questions! <bwg>
I want you to go to _www.sandradodd.com_ (http://www.sandradodd.com) and
read about unschooling. She has hundreds of articles and essays and posts
about learning and unschooling and understanding this whole concept.
Do you have any other more specific questions?
Glad you're here!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Robyn Coburn
<<<He learned how to swim with no lessons, just by being in
the water. He's an incredible sponge---->>>>>
Oh dear. LMAO
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.717 / Virus Database: 473 - Release Date: 7/8/2004
the water. He's an incredible sponge---->>>>>
Oh dear. LMAO
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.717 / Virus Database: 473 - Release Date: 7/8/2004
Geneva Goza
Funny - I read a review on the Herb book this morning. AND in WORKING MOTHER they talked about the mom who published that book. She and a friend ran a publishing Co. from home. Guess I better get it!
----- Original Message -----
From: Dana Matt
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 5:57 PM
Subject: RE: [unschoolingbasics] Food
We love the Molly Katzen books, and there's also a
cute one from our library called "Herb, the Vegetarian
Dragon"--actually, it's two--one's a story book, one
is a recipe book.
Dana
in MOntana
--- Mark Shields <shields@...> wrote:
> Mollie Katzen has a couple of great kid's cookbooks
> that are vegetarian.
> They are called Honest Pretzels and Pretend Soup.
> They are picture based
> recipes so are kid friendly down to age 2 or 3
> probably. Have fun!
> Kristin
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Wendy E [SMTP:mommytoluc@...]
>
> Any ideas for quick, easy, vegetarian, kid friendly
> foods?
> Cookbooks...etc....
>
> searching for ideas...
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> --------------------~-->
> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion
> Toolbar.
> Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free!
>
http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/0xXolB/TM
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
> [email protected]
>
>
>
>
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish.
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics/
b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/14/2004 9:03:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
dezigna@... writes:
<<<He learned how to swim with no lessons, just by being in
the water. He's an incredible sponge---->>>>>
Oh dear. LMAO <<<
Are you ready kids?
AYAI Captain!
Whooooo..... lives in a pineapple under the sea?
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
dezigna@... writes:
<<<He learned how to swim with no lessons, just by being in
the water. He's an incredible sponge---->>>>>
Oh dear. LMAO <<<
Are you ready kids?
AYAI Captain!
Whooooo..... lives in a pineapple under the sea?
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Fetteroll
on 7/14/04 5:44 PM, jesika hare at jesika2starr@... wrote:
Actually you can't answer that question because you don't know any kids. ;-)
You only know *schooled* kids. And *schooled* kids avoid learning because
they're forced to sit and learn things that they don't care about in ways
that are hard and boring.
The real question is why in the world do schooled kids ever learn anything!
;-)
Unschooled kids learn because life is fascinating and they don't have any
experience with forced learning. They learn what it interesting to them. And
everything is potentially interesting.
What they reach 17 knowing is everything they found interesting plus a world
full of things they don't know yet but that they're confident they can learn
if they need it. What schooled kids end up with is a head full of facts that
will fade if they aren't used and a feeling that learning is hard and boring
and something to be avoided unless someone makes them.
JOyce
> but iWhy would kids *not* learn when it's left up to them?
> am wondering how your children learn much when its
> just left up to them?
Actually you can't answer that question because you don't know any kids. ;-)
You only know *schooled* kids. And *schooled* kids avoid learning because
they're forced to sit and learn things that they don't care about in ways
that are hard and boring.
The real question is why in the world do schooled kids ever learn anything!
;-)
Unschooled kids learn because life is fascinating and they don't have any
experience with forced learning. They learn what it interesting to them. And
everything is potentially interesting.
What they reach 17 knowing is everything they found interesting plus a world
full of things they don't know yet but that they're confident they can learn
if they need it. What schooled kids end up with is a head full of facts that
will fade if they aren't used and a feeling that learning is hard and boring
and something to be avoided unless someone makes them.
JOyce
earthmothergypsy
Jesika,
This is a post from the unschoolingmn group and I thought you might
enjoy reading it. ~Amanda
(sorry, I do not know the author of this-maybe it is someone here)
The Three Stages of Unschooling
My son Cameron (16) and I recently started sitting in on a college
Sociology class. He asked for and received electric guitar lessons
for his birthday. Mondays he goes to a nearby school and takes
African drumming lessons. He's taking a weekly film class starting in
March, and we'll be sending him to a weeklong film school in Maine in
May. Duncan (almost 8) just started karate lessons. Ben (my husband)
has just finished a class (with tests and all) that's required before
he can put on Lt Col (Air National Guard) and is now in NJ for three
weeks of "rah-rah" and classroom training and tests for the two new
drugs he will be selling. I'm going to a one-day intensive "Bee
School" to learn to take care of my Christmas present: two beehives.
Cameron said the other day, "For Unschoolers, we sure are taking a
lot of schooly classes!"
That got me thinking...especially since we are one of those families
that discovered unschooling after years and years of schooling. I
think that there are three "Stages of Unschooling".
Stage I
The first stage is the longest and most difficult and involves
getting rid of all school-think, which includes classes
and "instruction" and school-speak. We have to rid ourselves of the
reliance on schools and teachers and testing and book-worship. We
need to look deeply into the difference between "teach" and "learn".
We ban classes and structure and nagging. It's accepting that grades
and requirements and diplomas and curricula and extrinsic motivations
truly have no meaning in an unschooling life. It's realizing that the
whole world is related and inter-related: it's about NOT dividing the
world into subjects: math is science is art is history is literature
is FUN! It's a time for reflection on how we've learned the things
that really matter in our adult lives. It's hard to let go of all
that school-think, to go beyond what we've been *taught* was
important and to value ALL learning as important. It's realizing that
we learn what WE believe is important WHEN we are ready. And it's
realizing that what's important often changes. It's about abolishing
coercion in learning and about the freedom to change passions. It's
understanding that learning doesn't stop.
Face it, almost all of you reading this in 2004 went to school---at
least for 12 years, maybe as many as 22 or 25 years! School is so
ingrained in us, that it's hard to think any other way. We
appreciate "straight A students" and "AP" classes and college prep
high schools and term papers and "higher math" and high SAT/ACT
scores. "Good" students are given preferential treatment by everyone:
pizzas for reading and Chuck E. Cheese tokens for good report cards.
Even our child's car insurance is lowered if we have an "A student"!
Stage one is about ridding our minds of those things, about really
thinking about learning in a holistic manner. It's about examining
how we learned what truly interests us---especially those things that
didn't require a "teacher". What are your passions? HOW did you learn
to do those things? In a classroom?
Two of my passions as a child were dogs and horses. Dogs and horses
are NOT taught in any grade, middle, or high school *I* know of. But
I wanted to learn everything I could about them. My parents gave me
dogs and horses. They bought me books and paid for me to take riding
lessons and dog obedience classes. They paid for dog and horse shows
and equipment. My passion threw me into reading every book I could
find (there were no videos back then----or "Animal Planet"!). By
twelve I could identify every breed of dog and horse that I had ever
seen or read about and tell you how it was developed, where, why, and
by whom. I spent every weekend and every afternoon at a dog
show/horse show/event/trial or just hanging around the stable or
kennel. I asked thousands of question and "got my hands dirty". Many
of my friends were adults with the same passions. Training, breeding,
grooming, showing, husbandry----all of these things I learned because
I was consumed by them!
But, of course, dogs and horses are NOT school subjects---and are
completely unimportant in the school world. What if I had waited for
a teacher to come along and say, "Today we are learning all about dog
and horses"? Not only would I have waited all my life, the teacher
would only have given me a "taste" of the subject!
OH! And you *can't* make a living with dogs and horses---right?
Stage one is often referred to as DEschooling. It's the period of
time we need to give ourselves in order to "step away from the box"
of school and school-think. Ask yourself why and how you learned your
passion: whether it was music, cooking, flying, gardening, or long-
distance running. Or even more "academic-like" passions, like
Shakespeare, chemistry, World War II, or a foreign language. When you
are comfortable with how learning happens by indulging in passions
and making connections in your learning, you are quickly heading
towards stage two.
Stage II
Once you are comfortable with the idea of immersion learning----and
you're over wanting or needing classes and structure, you're finally
over the deschooling hump and are actively in the process of
UNschooling.
Stage two involves really immersing ourselves----and allowing our
children to immerse themselves---into passions and even into slight,
fleeting interests. Seeing connections and making connections and
yet realizing that somethings *might* not connect for YEARS is the
most important part of stage two.
Connection: I remember lying in my bed when I was about 11 or 12. My
bed was behind the door, so that, when open, the door obscured the
head of my bed. I had tied a string to my doorknob. I would try to
shut my door with my finger at the point of the doorjamb; then I
would open the door back up with a pull on the string. It took *a
lot* of pressure (and pain!) to close my door at the point of the
jamb. But every inch closer to the door knob I got, it would be
easier and easier to close, so that by the time I was right at the
edge of the door (by the knob), I could almost "blow" it shut. I
had "discovered" torque----but it had no name!
School's idea that children should be given the definition of torque
and then have it explained is backwards. It was so simple for me to
understand the definition of torque because I already had made the
personal and meaningful connection with my bedroom door.
Passion: There are people who invest their time (and many even make a
living) studying Elizabethan fashion or reading/writing about the
works of John Steinbeck or determining whether an 17th century chair
is a forgery or watching birds make nests/feed their young or , as I
heard on the radio yesterday: there's this guy who's getting his
Masters degree in Soil Science! Go figure!
If allowed (and often, even if not allowed!), a child will pursue his
career by following his passion(s). A wise parent will encourage this
pursuit of passion, because it may be what the child decides to
devote his life's work to. Maybe *more* importantly, that wise parent
will step aside when a passion becomes "old" because the parent will
know that *some* connection has been made with this fleeting passion.
From 10-12 years old, Cameron was a magician. I actually thought that
he would become the next Lance Burton or Jeff McBride (who once
referred to Cameron as "mini-me"!). He was so passionate about magic,
he would practice and perform ALL day! Insert here: "If I let him,
Cameron would sit around and do magic ALL DAY!" Well, he DID! Until
the day when he quit. I was stunned! He'd lost all interest. We'd put
thousands of dollars into costumes and tricks and gimmicks and
conventions and tapes and books and private sessions with famous
magicians---and he just up and quit.
At first I was incredulous. Then I realized it was just an intense,
fleeting passion. We still have a huge box of magic upstairs in the
attic. He can come back to it whenever----or not. What's important is
that it inspired him and fed a passion and entertained him (and us
and hundreds more). He met some truly fascinating people and made
connections that will last a lifetime---because he had an interest, a
passion.
Stage one, deschooling, is a very uncomfortable time! It's a period
of intense questioning and of challenging yourself to think
differently. This is difficult, but it can be done---as with all
learning: when you're ready to!
Stage two may be even more uncomfortable, because you're actually
putting the ideas into action: you're allowing the passions to take
over and you're not pushing the three "R's". You are beginning to
trust that the child will learn and you're respecting his choices.
You're UNschooling! And the more you do it, the easier it gets!
Stage three is freedom and joy and trust and respect and desire:
Radical Unschooling
Stage III
The third and final stage is when we can honestly and sincerely look
at ALL learning as equal and not hold one "method" or style or
subject or means of obtaining information above another. By stage
three, we live and breathe unschooling---it's such a part of our day-
to-day living that we can't separate it from our lives: it's not just
the "educational" part because *everything* is educational. We can
apply unschooling principles to bedtimes and eating and video gaming
and TV and "chores". We know that our children will learn because
it's what they were born to do; they're hard-wired to learn. Learning
is how the human species survives and progresses and
succeeds.
This is the stage when we can effectively and confidently start
giving out unschooling information to the uninformed or misinformed
because we "get it." We can live our lives joyfully because we're not
worried whether Susie will pass her algebra or whether Johnny will be
able to get into a good college, because they WILL if they want to.
We know that they will pursue their passions...well, passionately!
And that each day will bring more connections and learning
opportunities.
This is the stage when classes and instruction may eke back into our
lives, as it recently has in our family's. We don't give more weight
to the learning that is happening in Sociology-101 or karate or bee-
keeping just because it's happening in a classroom situation. A class
is just another means of pursuing our passions, making the
connections, and receiving the information. Learning happens all the
time in all places---*even* in a classroom!
I don't want to give the impression that acceptance of class/book
learning automatically makes you a Radical Unschooler. Stage III
cannot "just happen": you'll have to go through Stages I and II
first. For those of us that attended school, deschooling will always
exist at a lower level throughout our lives. The next generation (our
unschooled children) will not have this stage to work through:
they'll be able to see all learning as equal and good from the get-go.
It's a process: getting rid of the school-think and structure,
becoming comfortable and implementing immersion learning, and *then*
accepting ALL learning as equally valuable.
This is a post from the unschoolingmn group and I thought you might
enjoy reading it. ~Amanda
(sorry, I do not know the author of this-maybe it is someone here)
The Three Stages of Unschooling
My son Cameron (16) and I recently started sitting in on a college
Sociology class. He asked for and received electric guitar lessons
for his birthday. Mondays he goes to a nearby school and takes
African drumming lessons. He's taking a weekly film class starting in
March, and we'll be sending him to a weeklong film school in Maine in
May. Duncan (almost 8) just started karate lessons. Ben (my husband)
has just finished a class (with tests and all) that's required before
he can put on Lt Col (Air National Guard) and is now in NJ for three
weeks of "rah-rah" and classroom training and tests for the two new
drugs he will be selling. I'm going to a one-day intensive "Bee
School" to learn to take care of my Christmas present: two beehives.
Cameron said the other day, "For Unschoolers, we sure are taking a
lot of schooly classes!"
That got me thinking...especially since we are one of those families
that discovered unschooling after years and years of schooling. I
think that there are three "Stages of Unschooling".
Stage I
The first stage is the longest and most difficult and involves
getting rid of all school-think, which includes classes
and "instruction" and school-speak. We have to rid ourselves of the
reliance on schools and teachers and testing and book-worship. We
need to look deeply into the difference between "teach" and "learn".
We ban classes and structure and nagging. It's accepting that grades
and requirements and diplomas and curricula and extrinsic motivations
truly have no meaning in an unschooling life. It's realizing that the
whole world is related and inter-related: it's about NOT dividing the
world into subjects: math is science is art is history is literature
is FUN! It's a time for reflection on how we've learned the things
that really matter in our adult lives. It's hard to let go of all
that school-think, to go beyond what we've been *taught* was
important and to value ALL learning as important. It's realizing that
we learn what WE believe is important WHEN we are ready. And it's
realizing that what's important often changes. It's about abolishing
coercion in learning and about the freedom to change passions. It's
understanding that learning doesn't stop.
Face it, almost all of you reading this in 2004 went to school---at
least for 12 years, maybe as many as 22 or 25 years! School is so
ingrained in us, that it's hard to think any other way. We
appreciate "straight A students" and "AP" classes and college prep
high schools and term papers and "higher math" and high SAT/ACT
scores. "Good" students are given preferential treatment by everyone:
pizzas for reading and Chuck E. Cheese tokens for good report cards.
Even our child's car insurance is lowered if we have an "A student"!
Stage one is about ridding our minds of those things, about really
thinking about learning in a holistic manner. It's about examining
how we learned what truly interests us---especially those things that
didn't require a "teacher". What are your passions? HOW did you learn
to do those things? In a classroom?
Two of my passions as a child were dogs and horses. Dogs and horses
are NOT taught in any grade, middle, or high school *I* know of. But
I wanted to learn everything I could about them. My parents gave me
dogs and horses. They bought me books and paid for me to take riding
lessons and dog obedience classes. They paid for dog and horse shows
and equipment. My passion threw me into reading every book I could
find (there were no videos back then----or "Animal Planet"!). By
twelve I could identify every breed of dog and horse that I had ever
seen or read about and tell you how it was developed, where, why, and
by whom. I spent every weekend and every afternoon at a dog
show/horse show/event/trial or just hanging around the stable or
kennel. I asked thousands of question and "got my hands dirty". Many
of my friends were adults with the same passions. Training, breeding,
grooming, showing, husbandry----all of these things I learned because
I was consumed by them!
But, of course, dogs and horses are NOT school subjects---and are
completely unimportant in the school world. What if I had waited for
a teacher to come along and say, "Today we are learning all about dog
and horses"? Not only would I have waited all my life, the teacher
would only have given me a "taste" of the subject!
OH! And you *can't* make a living with dogs and horses---right?
Stage one is often referred to as DEschooling. It's the period of
time we need to give ourselves in order to "step away from the box"
of school and school-think. Ask yourself why and how you learned your
passion: whether it was music, cooking, flying, gardening, or long-
distance running. Or even more "academic-like" passions, like
Shakespeare, chemistry, World War II, or a foreign language. When you
are comfortable with how learning happens by indulging in passions
and making connections in your learning, you are quickly heading
towards stage two.
Stage II
Once you are comfortable with the idea of immersion learning----and
you're over wanting or needing classes and structure, you're finally
over the deschooling hump and are actively in the process of
UNschooling.
Stage two involves really immersing ourselves----and allowing our
children to immerse themselves---into passions and even into slight,
fleeting interests. Seeing connections and making connections and
yet realizing that somethings *might* not connect for YEARS is the
most important part of stage two.
Connection: I remember lying in my bed when I was about 11 or 12. My
bed was behind the door, so that, when open, the door obscured the
head of my bed. I had tied a string to my doorknob. I would try to
shut my door with my finger at the point of the doorjamb; then I
would open the door back up with a pull on the string. It took *a
lot* of pressure (and pain!) to close my door at the point of the
jamb. But every inch closer to the door knob I got, it would be
easier and easier to close, so that by the time I was right at the
edge of the door (by the knob), I could almost "blow" it shut. I
had "discovered" torque----but it had no name!
School's idea that children should be given the definition of torque
and then have it explained is backwards. It was so simple for me to
understand the definition of torque because I already had made the
personal and meaningful connection with my bedroom door.
Passion: There are people who invest their time (and many even make a
living) studying Elizabethan fashion or reading/writing about the
works of John Steinbeck or determining whether an 17th century chair
is a forgery or watching birds make nests/feed their young or , as I
heard on the radio yesterday: there's this guy who's getting his
Masters degree in Soil Science! Go figure!
If allowed (and often, even if not allowed!), a child will pursue his
career by following his passion(s). A wise parent will encourage this
pursuit of passion, because it may be what the child decides to
devote his life's work to. Maybe *more* importantly, that wise parent
will step aside when a passion becomes "old" because the parent will
know that *some* connection has been made with this fleeting passion.
From 10-12 years old, Cameron was a magician. I actually thought that
he would become the next Lance Burton or Jeff McBride (who once
referred to Cameron as "mini-me"!). He was so passionate about magic,
he would practice and perform ALL day! Insert here: "If I let him,
Cameron would sit around and do magic ALL DAY!" Well, he DID! Until
the day when he quit. I was stunned! He'd lost all interest. We'd put
thousands of dollars into costumes and tricks and gimmicks and
conventions and tapes and books and private sessions with famous
magicians---and he just up and quit.
At first I was incredulous. Then I realized it was just an intense,
fleeting passion. We still have a huge box of magic upstairs in the
attic. He can come back to it whenever----or not. What's important is
that it inspired him and fed a passion and entertained him (and us
and hundreds more). He met some truly fascinating people and made
connections that will last a lifetime---because he had an interest, a
passion.
Stage one, deschooling, is a very uncomfortable time! It's a period
of intense questioning and of challenging yourself to think
differently. This is difficult, but it can be done---as with all
learning: when you're ready to!
Stage two may be even more uncomfortable, because you're actually
putting the ideas into action: you're allowing the passions to take
over and you're not pushing the three "R's". You are beginning to
trust that the child will learn and you're respecting his choices.
You're UNschooling! And the more you do it, the easier it gets!
Stage three is freedom and joy and trust and respect and desire:
Radical Unschooling
Stage III
The third and final stage is when we can honestly and sincerely look
at ALL learning as equal and not hold one "method" or style or
subject or means of obtaining information above another. By stage
three, we live and breathe unschooling---it's such a part of our day-
to-day living that we can't separate it from our lives: it's not just
the "educational" part because *everything* is educational. We can
apply unschooling principles to bedtimes and eating and video gaming
and TV and "chores". We know that our children will learn because
it's what they were born to do; they're hard-wired to learn. Learning
is how the human species survives and progresses and
succeeds.
This is the stage when we can effectively and confidently start
giving out unschooling information to the uninformed or misinformed
because we "get it." We can live our lives joyfully because we're not
worried whether Susie will pass her algebra or whether Johnny will be
able to get into a good college, because they WILL if they want to.
We know that they will pursue their passions...well, passionately!
And that each day will bring more connections and learning
opportunities.
This is the stage when classes and instruction may eke back into our
lives, as it recently has in our family's. We don't give more weight
to the learning that is happening in Sociology-101 or karate or bee-
keeping just because it's happening in a classroom situation. A class
is just another means of pursuing our passions, making the
connections, and receiving the information. Learning happens all the
time in all places---*even* in a classroom!
I don't want to give the impression that acceptance of class/book
learning automatically makes you a Radical Unschooler. Stage III
cannot "just happen": you'll have to go through Stages I and II
first. For those of us that attended school, deschooling will always
exist at a lower level throughout our lives. The next generation (our
unschooled children) will not have this stage to work through:
they'll be able to see all learning as equal and good from the get-go.
It's a process: getting rid of the school-think and structure,
becoming comfortable and implementing immersion learning, and *then*
accepting ALL learning as equally valuable.
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/14/2004 9:22:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
earthmothergypsy@... writes:
This is a post from the unschoolingmn group and I thought you might
enjoy reading it. ~Amanda
(sorry, I do not know the author of this-maybe it is someone here)
<<<
I wrote it. Thanks, Amanda!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
earthmothergypsy@... writes:
This is a post from the unschoolingmn group and I thought you might
enjoy reading it. ~Amanda
(sorry, I do not know the author of this-maybe it is someone here)
<<<
I wrote it. Thanks, Amanda!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/14/2004 9:22:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
earthmothergypsy@... writes:
I agree ...and it takes awhile to be rid of it all.
But..about classes..if a child WANTS particular classes...then that's ok
right?
An unschooler can still take a class...but being aware it's not the only way
to learn.
My son loved an archeology class he took last year...a homeschool
class...held at the library. They guy was terrific with the kids and they do hands-on
activities. My son is thrilled to take some more this year...Geology,
palentology, etc.
~Marcia...loving unschooling :)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
earthmothergypsy@... writes:
> Stage I**********
> The first stage is the longest and most difficult and involves
> getting rid of all school-think, which includes classes
> and "instruction" and school-speak.
I agree ...and it takes awhile to be rid of it all.
But..about classes..if a child WANTS particular classes...then that's ok
right?
An unschooler can still take a class...but being aware it's not the only way
to learn.
My son loved an archeology class he took last year...a homeschool
class...held at the library. They guy was terrific with the kids and they do hands-on
activities. My son is thrilled to take some more this year...Geology,
palentology, etc.
~Marcia...loving unschooling :)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelli Traaseth
Ooohhh, Amanda! Good job of saving that! :)
That was Kelly's, (Lovejoy, that is)
I forwarded it over.
Great one Kelly!
Kelli~
earthmothergypsy <earthmothergypsy@...> wrote:
Jesika,
This is a post from the unschoolingmn group and I thought you might
enjoy reading it. ~Amanda
(sorry, I do not know the author of this-maybe it is someone here)
The Three Stages of Unschooling
My son Cameron (16) and I recently started sitting in on a college
Sociology class. He asked for and received electric guitar lessons
for his birthday. Mondays he goes to a nearby school and takes
African drumming lessons. He's taking a weekly film class starting in
March, and we'll be sending him to a weeklong film school in Maine in
May. Duncan (almost 8) just started karate lessons. Ben (my husband)
has just finished a class (with tests and all) that's required before
he can put on Lt Col (Air National Guard) and is now in NJ for three
weeks of "rah-rah" and classroom training and tests for the two new
drugs he will be selling. I'm going to a one-day intensive "Bee
School" to learn to take care of my Christmas present: two beehives.
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
That was Kelly's, (Lovejoy, that is)
I forwarded it over.
Great one Kelly!
Kelli~
earthmothergypsy <earthmothergypsy@...> wrote:
Jesika,
This is a post from the unschoolingmn group and I thought you might
enjoy reading it. ~Amanda
(sorry, I do not know the author of this-maybe it is someone here)
The Three Stages of Unschooling
My son Cameron (16) and I recently started sitting in on a college
Sociology class. He asked for and received electric guitar lessons
for his birthday. Mondays he goes to a nearby school and takes
African drumming lessons. He's taking a weekly film class starting in
March, and we'll be sending him to a weeklong film school in Maine in
May. Duncan (almost 8) just started karate lessons. Ben (my husband)
has just finished a class (with tests and all) that's required before
he can put on Lt Col (Air National Guard) and is now in NJ for three
weeks of "rah-rah" and classroom training and tests for the two new
drugs he will be selling. I'm going to a one-day intensive "Bee
School" to learn to take care of my Christmas present: two beehives.
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Robyn Coburn
<<<Yes, Trader Joes rules! Robyn, I think we must be fairly close to
you...we live in Huntington Beach and from what I surmise you are
SoCal too. We used to live in LA...Fairfax area.>>>
Right, I'm in Playa Del Rey (by LAX). I gather you have already hooked up
with Pam and the Dragontree Homelearners in Long Beach. I get down there too
rarely for my own good. Just lovely people.
<<<Haven't tried the meringues (I don't dare)>>>
The funny thing about the meringues is that they are a perfect illustration
of the good results of not limiting foods.
I am completely unable to resist them, and will eat them consecutively until
after I start to feel ill - about half the container I'm embarrassed to say.
I have even tried buying the ones I like least (which does not in any way
approach actual DISlike) to try to put the brakes on myself. Ironically that
is the one Jayn likes most - the Mint Chocolate Chip. If she notices them in
the store she will sometimes ask for them, sometimes prefers something else.
When we get home she will ask for a meringue or two.
Hours later I will find half meringues in odd spots, under a chair, on the
bedside table or on the arm of the sofa - just wherever she happened to be
when she felt she has had enough for now. Of course I see these finds as
nice bonus for me ;) She likes sweets, but just has no calling to binge on
anything. Wonderful.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.717 / Virus Database: 473 - Release Date: 7/8/2004
you...we live in Huntington Beach and from what I surmise you are
SoCal too. We used to live in LA...Fairfax area.>>>
Right, I'm in Playa Del Rey (by LAX). I gather you have already hooked up
with Pam and the Dragontree Homelearners in Long Beach. I get down there too
rarely for my own good. Just lovely people.
<<<Haven't tried the meringues (I don't dare)>>>
The funny thing about the meringues is that they are a perfect illustration
of the good results of not limiting foods.
I am completely unable to resist them, and will eat them consecutively until
after I start to feel ill - about half the container I'm embarrassed to say.
I have even tried buying the ones I like least (which does not in any way
approach actual DISlike) to try to put the brakes on myself. Ironically that
is the one Jayn likes most - the Mint Chocolate Chip. If she notices them in
the store she will sometimes ask for them, sometimes prefers something else.
When we get home she will ask for a meringue or two.
Hours later I will find half meringues in odd spots, under a chair, on the
bedside table or on the arm of the sofa - just wherever she happened to be
when she felt she has had enough for now. Of course I see these finds as
nice bonus for me ;) She likes sweets, but just has no calling to binge on
anything. Wonderful.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.717 / Virus Database: 473 - Release Date: 7/8/2004
[email protected]
** i'm sorry , but i just don't see kids "wanting" to learn things. **
I know you probably used this as a figure of speech, but maybe that's
something you should think about. You don't ever "see" kids wanting to learn things
because you're probably not spending any time around unschooled kids but likely
not spending time around any kids at all except your own, who, while he is
most certainly busy learning things because he WANTS to is doing it currently in
ways that thoroughly schooled adults seem to utterly miss.
I suggest really watching the effort your son is putting into learning to get
around, learning to control all parts of his body, learning to understand
language and to reproduce it. In a couple years he'll be asking questions a mile
a minute. If you don't send him to school where questions are discouraged and
deflected (often especially in the classrooms of teachers who proclaim "there
is no such thing as a stupid question") he'll keep that inquisitive nature and
the drive to conquer his world.
Deborah in IL
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I know you probably used this as a figure of speech, but maybe that's
something you should think about. You don't ever "see" kids wanting to learn things
because you're probably not spending any time around unschooled kids but likely
not spending time around any kids at all except your own, who, while he is
most certainly busy learning things because he WANTS to is doing it currently in
ways that thoroughly schooled adults seem to utterly miss.
I suggest really watching the effort your son is putting into learning to get
around, learning to control all parts of his body, learning to understand
language and to reproduce it. In a couple years he'll be asking questions a mile
a minute. If you don't send him to school where questions are discouraged and
deflected (often especially in the classrooms of teachers who proclaim "there
is no such thing as a stupid question") he'll keep that inquisitive nature and
the drive to conquer his world.
Deborah in IL
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Tina
I really enjoyed reading, "Three Stages of Unschooling." Thanks for
sharing it...
Tina
sharing it...
Tina
earthmothergypsy
> I wrote it. Thanks, Amanda!Kelly,
>
> ~Kelly
That is SO neat that you were the author of this!!!! I printed it
off when after I read it so I could read it and share it with my dh.
This article was a real help for us. We sat and just nodded our
heads in agreement as we read it. I am glad you wrote it and shared
it with everyone! The *Thanks* goes to you. :)
~Amanda
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/15/2004 3:52:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
earthmothergypsy@... writes:
Kelly,
That is SO neat that you were the author of this!!!! I printed it
off when after I read it so I could read it and share it with my dh.
This article was a real help for us. We sat and just nodded our
heads in agreement as we read it. I am glad you wrote it and shared
it with everyone! The *Thanks* goes to you. :)
<<<
Again, Thank you! <g>
~Kelly, blushing
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
earthmothergypsy@... writes:
Kelly,
That is SO neat that you were the author of this!!!! I printed it
off when after I read it so I could read it and share it with my dh.
This article was a real help for us. We sat and just nodded our
heads in agreement as we read it. I am glad you wrote it and shared
it with everyone! The *Thanks* goes to you. :)
<<<
Again, Thank you! <g>
~Kelly, blushing
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
jesika hare
thanks to everyone for helping me with this...!! just
to add, i *do* know kids, some homeschooled, some not,
but none that are unschooled. so, i was just wondering
about the differnce in them ....
--- Fetteroll <fetteroll@...> wrote:
Do you Yahoo!?
Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard.
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
to add, i *do* know kids, some homeschooled, some not,
but none that are unschooled. so, i was just wondering
about the differnce in them ....
--- Fetteroll <fetteroll@...> wrote:
> on 7/14/04 5:44 PM, jesika hare at__________________________________
> jesika2starr@... wrote:
>
> > but i
> > am wondering how your children learn much when
> its
> > just left up to them?
>
> Why would kids *not* learn when it's left up to
> them?
>
> Actually you can't answer that question because you
> don't know any kids. ;-)
> You only know *schooled* kids. And *schooled* kids
> avoid learning because
> they're forced to sit and learn things that they
> don't care about in ways
> that are hard and boring.
>
> The real question is why in the world do schooled
> kids ever learn anything!
> ;-)
>
> Unschooled kids learn because life is fascinating
> and they don't have any
> experience with forced learning. They learn what it
> interesting to them. And
> everything is potentially interesting.
>
> What they reach 17 knowing is everything they found
> interesting plus a world
> full of things they don't know yet but that they're
> confident they can learn
> if they need it. What schooled kids end up with is a
> head full of facts that
> will fade if they aren't used and a feeling that
> learning is hard and boring
> and something to be avoided unless someone makes
> them.
>
> JOyce
>
>
Do you Yahoo!?
Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard.
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
christy_imnotred
I wrote this in my journal about a month ago, it is on this topic so
I thought you might be interested in reading it.
Christy
When people find out I'm homeschooling my son, most ask if I'm afraid
they'll be holes in my his education, aren't I afraid I'll miss
something important? I always answer, of course they'll be holes in
his education, but no, I'm not afraid of missing anything important.
On the surface this answer seems contradictory, but on closer
examination it makes perfect sense.
Of course they'll be holes in his education. We all haves holes in
our education. There is so much to do, see, and learn in this world,
there is no way anyone can learn it all. There is no way any school
can even come close to teaching it all. How many people graduate
high school knowing nothing about chemistry or world politics? How
many people graduate college knowing nothing about art or religion?
I have a PhD in biology. I spent 23 years of my life in school. 23
years! I have huge holes in my knowledge. Although I'm a scientist
I know very little about physics. I knew even less geology and
almost no astronomy. I'm learning more astronomy now because my
husband is really interested in it. My holes in other subjects are
even larger.
My son wants to build a real combat robot like those seen in
Battlebots. I know nothing about this. I have no idea how the
mechanics work, how the motors and gears go together to make motion.
I don't know how the electronics are hooked up to bring power to all
the components. Programming a remote is beyond me. Even the metal
working, the seemingly simplest part leaves me at a loss. The good
news is I can learn all these things. I am learning all these
things. I can fill this hole. However, I will always have holes.
So will my son.
No, I'm not afraid of missing anything important. What's important
to learn is different for each person. What's important for an
artist to know will be totally different than what's important for a
mathematician to know. I can't know what will be important to my
son, a school certainly can't know what will be important to him,
only he can know that. What I do know is that if it is important he
will learn it. He may not learn it by the time he is 10 or 15 or
even 18, but learning doesn't stop at these ages. Learning happens
our entire life. If it is important to know when he is 40, he can
learn it then. There is no deadline on learning.
There will definitely be holes in my son's education, but I'm not
worried about missing anything important.
I thought you might be interested in reading it.
Christy
When people find out I'm homeschooling my son, most ask if I'm afraid
they'll be holes in my his education, aren't I afraid I'll miss
something important? I always answer, of course they'll be holes in
his education, but no, I'm not afraid of missing anything important.
On the surface this answer seems contradictory, but on closer
examination it makes perfect sense.
Of course they'll be holes in his education. We all haves holes in
our education. There is so much to do, see, and learn in this world,
there is no way anyone can learn it all. There is no way any school
can even come close to teaching it all. How many people graduate
high school knowing nothing about chemistry or world politics? How
many people graduate college knowing nothing about art or religion?
I have a PhD in biology. I spent 23 years of my life in school. 23
years! I have huge holes in my knowledge. Although I'm a scientist
I know very little about physics. I knew even less geology and
almost no astronomy. I'm learning more astronomy now because my
husband is really interested in it. My holes in other subjects are
even larger.
My son wants to build a real combat robot like those seen in
Battlebots. I know nothing about this. I have no idea how the
mechanics work, how the motors and gears go together to make motion.
I don't know how the electronics are hooked up to bring power to all
the components. Programming a remote is beyond me. Even the metal
working, the seemingly simplest part leaves me at a loss. The good
news is I can learn all these things. I am learning all these
things. I can fill this hole. However, I will always have holes.
So will my son.
No, I'm not afraid of missing anything important. What's important
to learn is different for each person. What's important for an
artist to know will be totally different than what's important for a
mathematician to know. I can't know what will be important to my
son, a school certainly can't know what will be important to him,
only he can know that. What I do know is that if it is important he
will learn it. He may not learn it by the time he is 10 or 15 or
even 18, but learning doesn't stop at these ages. Learning happens
our entire life. If it is important to know when he is 40, he can
learn it then. There is no deadline on learning.
There will definitely be holes in my son's education, but I'm not
worried about missing anything important.