questions
Geneva Goza
Why did YOU decide to unschool?
I am asking this because I am new to the concept...yet sold. My husband on the other hand...he tends to go along with my ideas rather than do the research on his own. He trusts my judgment and doesn't read for fun like I do.
I just saw a commercial for the evening news, Dallas (DISD) is losing yet another superintendent! They have gone thru AT LEAST 4 since my son was born! I went to Dallas schools, learned a ton about fashion and being popular (or not). My husband also went to DISD public schools and there he learned how to cut class and enjoy LSD. I think after the news tonight would be the perfect time to let him know I'm sold! We've agreed to homeschool but to unschool sounds so much more natural.
As much as he agrees that DISD is not the place for our kids to learn, he worries about money and wants me to go back to work at some point. Do unschooler Mothers ever work outside the home?
What about SATs?
This should get you girls talking!!
- Geneva
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I am asking this because I am new to the concept...yet sold. My husband on the other hand...he tends to go along with my ideas rather than do the research on his own. He trusts my judgment and doesn't read for fun like I do.
I just saw a commercial for the evening news, Dallas (DISD) is losing yet another superintendent! They have gone thru AT LEAST 4 since my son was born! I went to Dallas schools, learned a ton about fashion and being popular (or not). My husband also went to DISD public schools and there he learned how to cut class and enjoy LSD. I think after the news tonight would be the perfect time to let him know I'm sold! We've agreed to homeschool but to unschool sounds so much more natural.
As much as he agrees that DISD is not the place for our kids to learn, he worries about money and wants me to go back to work at some point. Do unschooler Mothers ever work outside the home?
What about SATs?
This should get you girls talking!!
- Geneva
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
catherine aceto
We decided to unschool because when my daughter turned five and we were ready to "begin" homeschooling (we were going to do the Well Trained Mind approach) - we realized that she had been learning just fine without me "making" her learn and that to try make her learn would be both ineffective and counterproductive and detrimental to our relationship.
It took me a while to really get it though -- around that same time she picked up a "Bob" book at her cousin's house and was delighted that she could read. She wanted me to buy a set. I did. Then I thought that it would be nice to read one together every day so that she could get some steady reading "practice." I do not know what I was thinking. I never "forced" her to -- it was cajoling and gentle reminders -- so it wasn't as harmful as it could have been, but it did no good for her learning or our relationship. It lasted about 2 or 3 weeks before I came to my senses.
She is now 6.5 - still uninterested in reading practice, but sometimes asking for the spelling of things she wants to write, sometimes inventing spelling, sometimes just asking me to write for her, sometimes reading some words she needs for computer games, sometimes asking me to read for her -- in short behaving perfectly normally.
We come from an attachment parenting background of the respect for children as human beings variety (IMO that is not always true of AP parents) - so we already didn't control her food or her bedtimes, etc., and we already did not have chores, or punishments, or consequences, or time-outs, etc. We were used to communicating with her as a person. That, I think, made it very easy for us to realize the ridiculousness of trying to control her discovery of math.
SATS? If/when she or her younger brother wants to take them, they may decide to take a prep course -- or they may already be pretty well prepared - based on what their interests. I know that I was surprised and delighted to learn when I took the LSATs (for law school) that an important and much feared part of the test was a kind of game (logic games) that I had always done for fun (having started doing them with my mother well before I went to school). Needless to say I did extremely well on them. It had nothing to do with my experiences school. I did well on the LSATS and in law school because that is the kind of mind I have - we were well suited to each other. The same was true for practicing the kind of corporate law I practiced. I would have done less well as a trusts and estates lawyer -- it is a different mindset, and I would have done less well still as say, a substance-abuse counselor, or a first-grade teacher.
My children do and will have interests and they will have time and support to pursue them and I fully expect they will therefor be the kind of people and have done the kinds of things that will prepare them for whatever formal education in those interests they wish to pursue.
I dont' work outside the house (quit when my daughter was born) and don't expect to work for anyone else outside the house until my children leave home (I may or may not start a small business with a friend of mine). I think there are mothers on this list who do work outside the home.
-Cat
What about SATs?
This should get you girls talking!!
- Geneva
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
It took me a while to really get it though -- around that same time she picked up a "Bob" book at her cousin's house and was delighted that she could read. She wanted me to buy a set. I did. Then I thought that it would be nice to read one together every day so that she could get some steady reading "practice." I do not know what I was thinking. I never "forced" her to -- it was cajoling and gentle reminders -- so it wasn't as harmful as it could have been, but it did no good for her learning or our relationship. It lasted about 2 or 3 weeks before I came to my senses.
She is now 6.5 - still uninterested in reading practice, but sometimes asking for the spelling of things she wants to write, sometimes inventing spelling, sometimes just asking me to write for her, sometimes reading some words she needs for computer games, sometimes asking me to read for her -- in short behaving perfectly normally.
We come from an attachment parenting background of the respect for children as human beings variety (IMO that is not always true of AP parents) - so we already didn't control her food or her bedtimes, etc., and we already did not have chores, or punishments, or consequences, or time-outs, etc. We were used to communicating with her as a person. That, I think, made it very easy for us to realize the ridiculousness of trying to control her discovery of math.
SATS? If/when she or her younger brother wants to take them, they may decide to take a prep course -- or they may already be pretty well prepared - based on what their interests. I know that I was surprised and delighted to learn when I took the LSATs (for law school) that an important and much feared part of the test was a kind of game (logic games) that I had always done for fun (having started doing them with my mother well before I went to school). Needless to say I did extremely well on them. It had nothing to do with my experiences school. I did well on the LSATS and in law school because that is the kind of mind I have - we were well suited to each other. The same was true for practicing the kind of corporate law I practiced. I would have done less well as a trusts and estates lawyer -- it is a different mindset, and I would have done less well still as say, a substance-abuse counselor, or a first-grade teacher.
My children do and will have interests and they will have time and support to pursue them and I fully expect they will therefor be the kind of people and have done the kinds of things that will prepare them for whatever formal education in those interests they wish to pursue.
I dont' work outside the house (quit when my daughter was born) and don't expect to work for anyone else outside the house until my children leave home (I may or may not start a small business with a friend of mine). I think there are mothers on this list who do work outside the home.
-Cat
What about SATs?
This should get you girls talking!!
- Geneva
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
Hi Geneva
I work fulltime outside the home and unschool my two sons (12 and 4). I am
hoping to cut back in about a year from 3- 12hour night shifts a week to 2 a
week. If you can find something that is flexible with scheduling, it is
possible to work and unschool or even do school at home (horrors!).
We came to unschooling after reading David Alberts book _And The Skylark
Sings With Me_ and hearing him talk in person. I saw my 12yo change in school.
He was learning just fine before school without any pushing on our part. He
surprised us so much with what he knew that we thought school would be a
breeze. Not so. It's one thing to learn something because you want to know and
another thing to learn something because someone told you that you HAD to
whether you wanted to or not. I think he resisted some things he may have liked
if they hadn't been forced on him.
Cheryl in FL
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I work fulltime outside the home and unschool my two sons (12 and 4). I am
hoping to cut back in about a year from 3- 12hour night shifts a week to 2 a
week. If you can find something that is flexible with scheduling, it is
possible to work and unschool or even do school at home (horrors!).
We came to unschooling after reading David Alberts book _And The Skylark
Sings With Me_ and hearing him talk in person. I saw my 12yo change in school.
He was learning just fine before school without any pushing on our part. He
surprised us so much with what he knew that we thought school would be a
breeze. Not so. It's one thing to learn something because you want to know and
another thing to learn something because someone told you that you HAD to
whether you wanted to or not. I think he resisted some things he may have liked
if they hadn't been forced on him.
Cheryl in FL
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Syndi
--- In [email protected], "Geneva Goza" <goza@m...>
wrote:
up to the 5th grade, but that was it, he wouldn't go anymore. So we
thought homeschooling itself would work, nope, it made him cry.
(School had stressed him out THAT bad). So thats when I told myself
we would not be like that school and discovered unschooling. There
are not more tears here, but I will tell you it did take a month or
so to learn to live together again. But I'll repeat myself here, its
been a wild, wonderful ride. And I wouldn't do it any other way. Oh,
you should know we just started this last sept or oct. Doesn't
matter, life is so much easier here.
My dh and I both had horrible experiances in school. We both
stopped going before graduation (oh I wish i would of had the Teenage
Liberation handbook back then!) After reading that book, it made me
see we didn't fail anything by getting out of ps.
As for money, I had to let my buisness go that I had started. It
was tough, and we could sure use more money now, but we're making it.
I just feel our boys and our family life are far more important then
money.
Stick around this list a while, and you'll see how wonderful it can
be. I"m sure someone out there works and unschools. Maybe they can
help you out there. I just don't have anyone that available that is
even remotely aware of what unschooling is. Maybe if I did, I might
work some.
syndi (thanks t0 all of you who straigtned me out yesterday <G> U no
who U R :)
wrote:
> Why did YOU decide to unschool?was my 11 year old ds who showed me the way. He had been to school
>
>I don't think I was the one to decide to unschool I really think it
up to the 5th grade, but that was it, he wouldn't go anymore. So we
thought homeschooling itself would work, nope, it made him cry.
(School had stressed him out THAT bad). So thats when I told myself
we would not be like that school and discovered unschooling. There
are not more tears here, but I will tell you it did take a month or
so to learn to live together again. But I'll repeat myself here, its
been a wild, wonderful ride. And I wouldn't do it any other way. Oh,
you should know we just started this last sept or oct. Doesn't
matter, life is so much easier here.
My dh and I both had horrible experiances in school. We both
stopped going before graduation (oh I wish i would of had the Teenage
Liberation handbook back then!) After reading that book, it made me
see we didn't fail anything by getting out of ps.
As for money, I had to let my buisness go that I had started. It
was tough, and we could sure use more money now, but we're making it.
I just feel our boys and our family life are far more important then
money.
Stick around this list a while, and you'll see how wonderful it can
be. I"m sure someone out there works and unschools. Maybe they can
help you out there. I just don't have anyone that available that is
even remotely aware of what unschooling is. Maybe if I did, I might
work some.
syndi (thanks t0 all of you who straigtned me out yesterday <G> U no
who U R :)
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/14/2004 5:05:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
goza@... writes:
Why did YOU decide to unschool? <<<<
Our son, Cameron, was in a high-pressure private school (same one I went to)
from pre-K through sixth grade. We were at a magic convention January 22,
and Cameron had a big project due that Monday. On our way to the show that
night, I reminded him that he had the project to finish. He said, "You know, Mom,
if you homeshcooled me I wouldn't have to do it by Monday." I snarkily
answered back, "You think you're busy NOW! Just think if I homeschooled your
butt!" And we walked on to the show.<g> He stayed up until 5:00 that morning doing
magic with some of the biggest names in magic, and the following day (his
13th birthday) he participated in a one-on-one workshop with the headliner,
Jeff McBride. He didn't go to school on Monday! <G> He got a letter grade lower
for handing his project in a day late.
But that got me thinking. The month of February, my husband was out of town
for reserve duty. While he was gone, I went to the library and checked out
every book on homeschooling that they had. One of the books had a section on
unschooling and a website (_www.unschooling.com_ (http://www.unschooling.com) )
which really intrigued me. It also mentioned John Holt. I went back to the
library and checked all HIS books out. Meanwhile, I also contacted every
curriculum dealer I could find. YIKES! <g>
So, armed to the teeth with dog-eared books, a stack of curriculum
catalogues waist high(!), and a beautifully worded argument----I was ready for *every*
question he could ask, I approached Ben as son as he walked in the door with
"Honey, I think we should homeschool the boys." Ben says, "OK."
Damn---ALL that work! <g>
Anyway, I spent months on the message boards reading every word, going back
to the archives and reading some more. I read every single message written on
the boards.
I was on the parents' board at school. In April, we had a big, important
meeting about next year's curriculum. The headmaster was saying that he thought
we needed to cut back on the arts and beef up the computer/technology
curricula. At that, I was outa there!
By then we were committed to the idea of homeschooling. We kept him in
school until the end. Looking back, I SOOO wish that I'd just pulled him o-u-t,
but we let him ride out the school year. I was still figuring out the
unschooling thang. I understood the theory, I just couldn't put it into practice.
My son was nagged the first few months. I would let him "do nothing", but he
had to write an essay on what he'd done on our trip to Savannah---or draw a
picture of the story I read to him---or I'd point out that packing the car was
geometry. Got to the point that he didn't want to *go* anywhere, do
anything, or be read to! Bummer.
So I listened to Sandra and Joyce and Anne and Mary and others on the
boards. I quit nagging. Cold turkey. Just quit. I let him do what he needed to do.
I let him eat, sleep, watch tv, and talk with friends on the phone. And
that's ALL he did for MONTHS. Months and months!
But he was healing. I kept asking whether he'd like to go with me and his
brother to the zoo or the museum or the beach or whereever. One day he said,
"Yes." I was floored, but I just smiled and said, "Great---meet you in the car."
We've never looked back. He had finally healed from the school-damage---and
has been so busy lately, he has to keep a daytimer!
hardly "available" for several months each year. I also groom dogs, but I do
that in a groom room in my garage. I work probably 12 hours/week on the dogs.
For a while, I had a gig where I groomed 9 poodles every week at the home of a
very wealthy couple. The boys knew where I was and had my number and Ben's
number, as well as all the neighbors' info. That goldmine fell though when they
lost all their $$ in the stock market. Bummer.
<g>
If Cam wants to take them, we'll get online programs and workbooks. He'll
work on that just as he does anything he's interested in---and he'll take them
as often as he wants to to get the scores as high as he wants them to be. I
think the SATs are such a complete non-issue! Not just in an unschooling home,
but that they should be in *every* home. It's a standardized test, for Holt's
sake! <g> Get a book!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
goza@... writes:
Why did YOU decide to unschool? <<<<
Our son, Cameron, was in a high-pressure private school (same one I went to)
from pre-K through sixth grade. We were at a magic convention January 22,
and Cameron had a big project due that Monday. On our way to the show that
night, I reminded him that he had the project to finish. He said, "You know, Mom,
if you homeshcooled me I wouldn't have to do it by Monday." I snarkily
answered back, "You think you're busy NOW! Just think if I homeschooled your
butt!" And we walked on to the show.<g> He stayed up until 5:00 that morning doing
magic with some of the biggest names in magic, and the following day (his
13th birthday) he participated in a one-on-one workshop with the headliner,
Jeff McBride. He didn't go to school on Monday! <G> He got a letter grade lower
for handing his project in a day late.
But that got me thinking. The month of February, my husband was out of town
for reserve duty. While he was gone, I went to the library and checked out
every book on homeschooling that they had. One of the books had a section on
unschooling and a website (_www.unschooling.com_ (http://www.unschooling.com) )
which really intrigued me. It also mentioned John Holt. I went back to the
library and checked all HIS books out. Meanwhile, I also contacted every
curriculum dealer I could find. YIKES! <g>
So, armed to the teeth with dog-eared books, a stack of curriculum
catalogues waist high(!), and a beautifully worded argument----I was ready for *every*
question he could ask, I approached Ben as son as he walked in the door with
"Honey, I think we should homeschool the boys." Ben says, "OK."
Damn---ALL that work! <g>
Anyway, I spent months on the message boards reading every word, going back
to the archives and reading some more. I read every single message written on
the boards.
I was on the parents' board at school. In April, we had a big, important
meeting about next year's curriculum. The headmaster was saying that he thought
we needed to cut back on the arts and beef up the computer/technology
curricula. At that, I was outa there!
By then we were committed to the idea of homeschooling. We kept him in
school until the end. Looking back, I SOOO wish that I'd just pulled him o-u-t,
but we let him ride out the school year. I was still figuring out the
unschooling thang. I understood the theory, I just couldn't put it into practice.
My son was nagged the first few months. I would let him "do nothing", but he
had to write an essay on what he'd done on our trip to Savannah---or draw a
picture of the story I read to him---or I'd point out that packing the car was
geometry. Got to the point that he didn't want to *go* anywhere, do
anything, or be read to! Bummer.
So I listened to Sandra and Joyce and Anne and Mary and others on the
boards. I quit nagging. Cold turkey. Just quit. I let him do what he needed to do.
I let him eat, sleep, watch tv, and talk with friends on the phone. And
that's ALL he did for MONTHS. Months and months!
But he was healing. I kept asking whether he'd like to go with me and his
brother to the zoo or the museum or the beach or whereever. One day he said,
"Yes." I was floored, but I just smiled and said, "Great---meet you in the car."
We've never looked back. He had finally healed from the school-damage---and
has been so busy lately, he has to keep a daytimer!
>>>>Do unschooler Mothers ever work outside the home?<<<<I have put on two conferences, so that's not outside the home, but I was
hardly "available" for several months each year. I also groom dogs, but I do
that in a groom room in my garage. I work probably 12 hours/week on the dogs.
For a while, I had a gig where I groomed 9 poodles every week at the home of a
very wealthy couple. The boys knew where I was and had my number and Ben's
number, as well as all the neighbors' info. That goldmine fell though when they
lost all their $$ in the stock market. Bummer.
>>>>What about SATs?<<<I took them twice. My scores went up both times.
<g>
If Cam wants to take them, we'll get online programs and workbooks. He'll
work on that just as he does anything he's interested in---and he'll take them
as often as he wants to to get the scores as high as he wants them to be. I
think the SATs are such a complete non-issue! Not just in an unschooling home,
but that they should be in *every* home. It's a standardized test, for Holt's
sake! <g> Get a book!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
jesika hare
in addition to mt other general question, i to was
wondering about getting into college. how do
unschooled kids get in.?
--- Geneva Goza <goza@...> wrote:
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
wondering about getting into college. how do
unschooled kids get in.?
--- Geneva Goza <goza@...> wrote:
> Why did YOU decide to unschool?__________________________________________________
>
> I am asking this because I am new to the
> concept...yet sold. My husband on the other
> hand...he tends to go along with my ideas rather
> than do the research on his own. He trusts my
> judgment and doesn't read for fun like I do.
>
> I just saw a commercial for the evening news, Dallas
> (DISD) is losing yet another superintendent! They
> have gone thru AT LEAST 4 since my son was born! I
> went to Dallas schools, learned a ton about fashion
> and being popular (or not). My husband also went to
> DISD public schools and there he learned how to cut
> class and enjoy LSD. I think after the news tonight
> would be the perfect time to let him know I'm sold!
> We've agreed to homeschool but to unschool sounds so
> much more natural.
>
> As much as he agrees that DISD is not the place for
> our kids to learn, he worries about money and wants
> me to go back to work at some point. Do unschooler
> Mothers ever work outside the home?
>
> What about SATs?
>
> This should get you girls talking!!
>
> - Geneva
>
>
>
> [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
Geneva Goza
Kelly -
Are you telling me to get a book by Holt?
Well, thanks for going thru the trouble to answer my question. I was actually looking for feedback from experienced moms. That means more to me than what may be in a book. Thanks
Are you telling me to get a book by Holt?
Well, thanks for going thru the trouble to answer my question. I was actually looking for feedback from experienced moms. That means more to me than what may be in a book. Thanks
----- Original Message -----
From: kbcdlovejo@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 6:39 PM
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] questions
In a message dated 7/14/2004 5:05:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
goza@... writes:
Why did YOU decide to unschool? <<<<
Our son, Cameron, was in a high-pressure private school (same one I went to)
from pre-K through sixth grade. We were at a magic convention January 22,
and Cameron had a big project due that Monday. On our way to the show that
night, I reminded him that he had the project to finish. He said, "You know, Mom,
if you homeshcooled me I wouldn't have to do it by Monday." I snarkily
answered back, "You think you're busy NOW! Just think if I homeschooled your
butt!" And we walked on to the show.<g> He stayed up until 5:00 that morning doing
magic with some of the biggest names in magic, and the following day (his
13th birthday) he participated in a one-on-one workshop with the headliner,
Jeff McBride. He didn't go to school on Monday! <G> He got a letter grade lower
for handing his project in a day late.
But that got me thinking. The month of February, my husband was out of town
for reserve duty. While he was gone, I went to the library and checked out
every book on homeschooling that they had. One of the books had a section on
unschooling and a website (_www.unschooling.com_ (http://www.unschooling.com) )
which really intrigued me. It also mentioned John Holt. I went back to the
library and checked all HIS books out. Meanwhile, I also contacted every
curriculum dealer I could find. YIKES! <g>
So, armed to the teeth with dog-eared books, a stack of curriculum
catalogues waist high(!), and a beautifully worded argument----I was ready for *every*
question he could ask, I approached Ben as son as he walked in the door with
"Honey, I think we should homeschool the boys." Ben says, "OK."
Damn---ALL that work! <g>
Anyway, I spent months on the message boards reading every word, going back
to the archives and reading some more. I read every single message written on
the boards.
I was on the parents' board at school. In April, we had a big, important
meeting about next year's curriculum. The headmaster was saying that he thought
we needed to cut back on the arts and beef up the computer/technology
curricula. At that, I was outa there!
By then we were committed to the idea of homeschooling. We kept him in
school until the end. Looking back, I SOOO wish that I'd just pulled him o-u-t,
but we let him ride out the school year. I was still figuring out the
unschooling thang. I understood the theory, I just couldn't put it into practice.
My son was nagged the first few months. I would let him "do nothing", but he
had to write an essay on what he'd done on our trip to Savannah---or draw a
picture of the story I read to him---or I'd point out that packing the car was
geometry. Got to the point that he didn't want to *go* anywhere, do
anything, or be read to! Bummer.
So I listened to Sandra and Joyce and Anne and Mary and others on the
boards. I quit nagging. Cold turkey. Just quit. I let him do what he needed to do.
I let him eat, sleep, watch tv, and talk with friends on the phone. And
that's ALL he did for MONTHS. Months and months!
But he was healing. I kept asking whether he'd like to go with me and his
brother to the zoo or the museum or the beach or whereever. One day he said,
"Yes." I was floored, but I just smiled and said, "Great---meet you in the car."
We've never looked back. He had finally healed from the school-damage---and
has been so busy lately, he has to keep a daytimer!
>>>>Do unschooler Mothers ever work outside the home?<<<<
I have put on two conferences, so that's not outside the home, but I was
hardly "available" for several months each year. I also groom dogs, but I do
that in a groom room in my garage. I work probably 12 hours/week on the dogs.
For a while, I had a gig where I groomed 9 poodles every week at the home of a
very wealthy couple. The boys knew where I was and had my number and Ben's
number, as well as all the neighbors' info. That goldmine fell though when they
lost all their $$ in the stock market. Bummer.
>>>>What about SATs?<<<
I took them twice. My scores went up both times.
<g>
If Cam wants to take them, we'll get online programs and workbooks. He'll
work on that just as he does anything he's interested in---and he'll take them
as often as he wants to to get the scores as high as he wants them to be. I
think the SATs are such a complete non-issue! Not just in an unschooling home,
but that they should be in *every* home. It's a standardized test, for Holt's
sake! <g> Get a book!
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Robyn Coburn
Have you noticed the number of times questioners are being sent to
www.sandradodd.com by all and sundry on this list? Thank goodness (and
Sandra) that wonderful site exists.
Hey I've got an idea! Maybe it should be in the guidelines that you can't
post until you have read the whole thing .....oh,oh, then we could make
everyone take a test on the stuff, yeah ...Oh no wait a minute..that
wouldn't work...people may stop *wanting* to read there if we did that.
Heh,heh. ;)
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
www.sandradodd.com by all and sundry on this list? Thank goodness (and
Sandra) that wonderful site exists.
Hey I've got an idea! Maybe it should be in the guidelines that you can't
post until you have read the whole thing .....oh,oh, then we could make
everyone take a test on the stuff, yeah ...Oh no wait a minute..that
wouldn't work...people may stop *wanting* to read there if we did that.
Heh,heh. ;)
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 8:26:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
goza@... writes:
Kelly -
Are you telling me to get a book by Holt?
Well, thanks for going thru the trouble to answer my question. I was
actually looking for feedback from experienced moms. That means more to me than
what may be in a book. Thanks<<<<<
Yes, the Holt books. All of them. And read them in order.
We decided to unschool after agreeing to HOMEschool and researching further.
I'd consider myself an "experienced mom". <g>
It's all writing---either here or in a book. <bwg>
Maybe you should try Valerie's book then? _The Unprocessed Child_ by our own
experienced mom, Valerie Fitzenreiter.
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
goza@... writes:
Kelly -
Are you telling me to get a book by Holt?
Well, thanks for going thru the trouble to answer my question. I was
actually looking for feedback from experienced moms. That means more to me than
what may be in a book. Thanks<<<<<
Yes, the Holt books. All of them. And read them in order.
We decided to unschool after agreeing to HOMEschool and researching further.
I'd consider myself an "experienced mom". <g>
It's all writing---either here or in a book. <bwg>
Maybe you should try Valerie's book then? _The Unprocessed Child_ by our own
experienced mom, Valerie Fitzenreiter.
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ren
" Do
unschooler Mothers ever work outside the home?"
Sure do.:)
I am a professional makeup artist. I freelance by doing weddings, events etc... Estee Lauder uses me for National Artist events and occasionally at one of their counters, I'm really hoping to get on with MAC also...anyway, it's very flexible, pays well and I LOVE what I do.
Dh owns his own Decking company, so we work around each ohter. Our oldest is 14, so he can babysit occasionally when there is an hour or two gap in the schedules. Most of the time I'm home. There was an event a couple months ago, where I was gone four days (home at night) working in Mobile and dh had to work also. The kids spent Wed. and Thurs. with other homeschoolers and had a ball, dh was with them Fri. and Sat.
So it can work really great. I think if the second partner is going to work, they need a schedule that is opposite of the primary caregiver, or family/friends to help or a lot of flexibility in their work.
You can have a business using Ebay these days, heck, it's easy to make extra money and unschool!:)
Ren
Learn about unschooling at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics/
unschooler Mothers ever work outside the home?"
Sure do.:)
I am a professional makeup artist. I freelance by doing weddings, events etc... Estee Lauder uses me for National Artist events and occasionally at one of their counters, I'm really hoping to get on with MAC also...anyway, it's very flexible, pays well and I LOVE what I do.
Dh owns his own Decking company, so we work around each ohter. Our oldest is 14, so he can babysit occasionally when there is an hour or two gap in the schedules. Most of the time I'm home. There was an event a couple months ago, where I was gone four days (home at night) working in Mobile and dh had to work also. The kids spent Wed. and Thurs. with other homeschoolers and had a ball, dh was with them Fri. and Sat.
So it can work really great. I think if the second partner is going to work, they need a schedule that is opposite of the primary caregiver, or family/friends to help or a lot of flexibility in their work.
You can have a business using Ebay these days, heck, it's easy to make extra money and unschool!:)
Ren
Learn about unschooling at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics/
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/14/2004 8:22:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
jesika2starr@... writes:
in addition to mt other general question, i to was
wondering about getting into college. how do
unschooled kids get in.?
<<<<
Colleges are actively seeking out unschoolers. Unschoolers LOVE to learn and
have a reaosn to be in college, as opposed to the average high school
graduate who's going just to fill in another square, with no idea of a major or
even a purpose for the classes he takes. They are engaged and interested and a
joy to their professors.
They can take the SATs, although not all schools require them. They get in
on interviews and portfolios and from having led really interesting and rich
lives. They can go at 16 or at 26. Life's like that. No real timetable. Learn
what you need when you need it.
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
jesika2starr@... writes:
in addition to mt other general question, i to was
wondering about getting into college. how do
unschooled kids get in.?
<<<<
Colleges are actively seeking out unschoolers. Unschoolers LOVE to learn and
have a reaosn to be in college, as opposed to the average high school
graduate who's going just to fill in another square, with no idea of a major or
even a purpose for the classes he takes. They are engaged and interested and a
joy to their professors.
They can take the SATs, although not all schools require them. They get in
on interviews and portfolios and from having led really interesting and rich
lives. They can go at 16 or at 26. Life's like that. No real timetable. Learn
what you need when you need it.
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Tina
"...in addition to mt other general question, i to was wondering
about getting into college. how do unschooled kids get in.?"
Anyone can go to college. You don't need a high school diploma or
even a GED. It's much more accessable than "schoolies" would like
everyone to think.
Tina
about getting into college. how do unschooled kids get in.?"
Anyone can go to college. You don't need a high school diploma or
even a GED. It's much more accessable than "schoolies" would like
everyone to think.
Tina
Kelli Traaseth
**Why did YOU decide to unschool?**
When I saw the light in my son's eyes go out. That light of enthusiasm for new things-- for "learning" about things. That light you see in a baby's eyes as they grab for your finger. That light in the toddler's eyes you see as they are looking up at the edge of coffee table, trying to stand and walk. School took that enthusiasm away from him. I came to a realization, that if school did that to him,,why would I do school-at-home? It wasn't working. Why would I replicate that?
When we first started homeschooling I thought if I was excited enough about a subject I could sell it to my kids. My subject *I* thought was exciting was Mardi Gras. We sat down together, ds was 8 at the time, dd was 6, and we read about Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Fat Tuesday, made masks and I was really proud of myself. Thought they really learned a lot! <g>
Then, about a week later someone asked us how our homeschooling was going. I answered, "Great, we just did a unit study on Mardi Gras. Right kids?"
My kids answer, "huh??" Me,"You know Mardi Gras, New Orleans, remember?" Kids,"huh?"
Me, starting to get a bit embarrassed, "you know when we made those cool masks and learned about Mardi Gras??"
"Oooohhh, yeah, we made these really cool masks!" my kids answered.
They had no idea what Mardi Gras was, they didn't remember anything about New Orleans or Fat Tuesday. Point being, they really weren't interested at all in the history of Mardi Gras. They had some fun with the craft and that's what they, or my dd anyway, remembered. My son didn't even want to make a mask so he totally didn't get anything out of it. Just more of an untrusting moment for his mother. :(
Right there I realized that my kids heads were not empty vessels that I could fill up. They were going to learn what they wanted to learn, when they wanted to learn it. I never looked back. I also found unschooling.com through some books and from there found Holt, Sandra Dodd, and lots of other resources.
I read, and read, and read. For about 3 days I would stay up into the middle of the night. There were so many topics that started to come into my head. I knew it wasn't going to stop at our "educational" approach. :) Its our life.
My son's light is back, and its as bright as ever.
Kelli~
PS. Oh, I was going to mention. One thing I did do when I started unschooling was keep a journal. I, at first, worried if they would learn certain, (ok, yuck,) "subjects". I wrote down in "educationese" the things my kids were learning. After watching them for about a week, with no interference from me, I was amazed at what they learned. They learned from: TV, movies, video games, magazines, other types of games; and playing, playing and more playing. I journaled: math, geography, language arts, science, phy ed, history, it goes on and on. I was convinced. :)
Geneva Goza <goza@...> wrote:
Why did YOU decide to unschool?
I am asking this because I am new to the concept...yet sold. My husband on the other hand...he tends to go along with my ideas rather than do the research on his own. He trusts my judgment and doesn't read for fun like I do.
---------------------------------
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Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
When I saw the light in my son's eyes go out. That light of enthusiasm for new things-- for "learning" about things. That light you see in a baby's eyes as they grab for your finger. That light in the toddler's eyes you see as they are looking up at the edge of coffee table, trying to stand and walk. School took that enthusiasm away from him. I came to a realization, that if school did that to him,,why would I do school-at-home? It wasn't working. Why would I replicate that?
When we first started homeschooling I thought if I was excited enough about a subject I could sell it to my kids. My subject *I* thought was exciting was Mardi Gras. We sat down together, ds was 8 at the time, dd was 6, and we read about Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Fat Tuesday, made masks and I was really proud of myself. Thought they really learned a lot! <g>
Then, about a week later someone asked us how our homeschooling was going. I answered, "Great, we just did a unit study on Mardi Gras. Right kids?"
My kids answer, "huh??" Me,"You know Mardi Gras, New Orleans, remember?" Kids,"huh?"
Me, starting to get a bit embarrassed, "you know when we made those cool masks and learned about Mardi Gras??"
"Oooohhh, yeah, we made these really cool masks!" my kids answered.
They had no idea what Mardi Gras was, they didn't remember anything about New Orleans or Fat Tuesday. Point being, they really weren't interested at all in the history of Mardi Gras. They had some fun with the craft and that's what they, or my dd anyway, remembered. My son didn't even want to make a mask so he totally didn't get anything out of it. Just more of an untrusting moment for his mother. :(
Right there I realized that my kids heads were not empty vessels that I could fill up. They were going to learn what they wanted to learn, when they wanted to learn it. I never looked back. I also found unschooling.com through some books and from there found Holt, Sandra Dodd, and lots of other resources.
I read, and read, and read. For about 3 days I would stay up into the middle of the night. There were so many topics that started to come into my head. I knew it wasn't going to stop at our "educational" approach. :) Its our life.
My son's light is back, and its as bright as ever.
Kelli~
PS. Oh, I was going to mention. One thing I did do when I started unschooling was keep a journal. I, at first, worried if they would learn certain, (ok, yuck,) "subjects". I wrote down in "educationese" the things my kids were learning. After watching them for about a week, with no interference from me, I was amazed at what they learned. They learned from: TV, movies, video games, magazines, other types of games; and playing, playing and more playing. I journaled: math, geography, language arts, science, phy ed, history, it goes on and on. I was convinced. :)
Geneva Goza <goza@...> wrote:
Why did YOU decide to unschool?
I am asking this because I am new to the concept...yet sold. My husband on the other hand...he tends to go along with my ideas rather than do the research on his own. He trusts my judgment and doesn't read for fun like I do.
---------------------------------
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Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelly Ferry
--- Kelli Traaseth <kellitraas@...> wrote:
unschooling. Tyler is 12 now and not only has the
light gone out of his eyes for the most part, he's
also gotten to where he cannot think for himself. It's
horrifying to me that living the PS school life has
taught my intelligent boy to never trust any of his
own instincts. He's even afraid to make a decision as
to where to put the stack of clean dish towels away
(in the drawer they always go in??) when he's helping
me with the laundry. He checks with me for every
little move he makes all day long. It's so utterly
exhausting.
I'm trying to find a deeper well of patience inside of
me to help him through this adjustment period. I'm
trying to find ways to let him know that he can make
decisions for himself but to do it in a way that isn't
beating him over the head with the idea that he must.
He's in such a sensitive stage-one foot in
childhood-one foot walking into the world of teens.
Mostly I'm just trying to encourage him to do what he
feels like doing each day. Letting him say no to what
he needs to say no to. It's taking a lot more
surrender and tongue biting on my part than I
anticipated. I've got soooo much schooling to unwind
inside of myself.
Just in the month and a half since school got out (he
just finished 5th grade...and is thrilled at the
prospect of not going on to middle school) I've seen
flashes of that light in his eyes again. He gets
involved with building terrain for his Warhammer 40K
figures, as well as assembling and painting the little
guys that battle. He's written a comic book and is
honing his Manga drawing skills. I'm so blown away at
what a proficient artist he is and am so happy he'll
have the time to really get absorbed in his projects
now. He saw something about Gollum's while doing anime
research online, so got a book on Jewish folk tales
from around the world and read it cover to cover in a
day...that sparked all kinds of other interests. He
said to me that he'd forgotten how much fun it can be
to learn.
Unschooling is opening our whole family up to a world
of possibility.
Cheers,
Kelly
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages!
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
> **Why did YOU decide to unschool?**This is the exact reason that we are attracted to
>
>
>
> When I saw the light in my son's eyes go out. That
> light of enthusiasm for new things-- for "learning"
> about things. That light you see in a baby's eyes
> as they grab for your finger. That light in the
> toddler's eyes you see as they are looking up at the
> edge of coffee table, trying to stand and walk.
> School took that enthusiasm away from him. I came
> to a realization, that if school did that to
> him,,why would I do school-at-home? It wasn't
> working. Why would I replicate that?
>
unschooling. Tyler is 12 now and not only has the
light gone out of his eyes for the most part, he's
also gotten to where he cannot think for himself. It's
horrifying to me that living the PS school life has
taught my intelligent boy to never trust any of his
own instincts. He's even afraid to make a decision as
to where to put the stack of clean dish towels away
(in the drawer they always go in??) when he's helping
me with the laundry. He checks with me for every
little move he makes all day long. It's so utterly
exhausting.
I'm trying to find a deeper well of patience inside of
me to help him through this adjustment period. I'm
trying to find ways to let him know that he can make
decisions for himself but to do it in a way that isn't
beating him over the head with the idea that he must.
He's in such a sensitive stage-one foot in
childhood-one foot walking into the world of teens.
Mostly I'm just trying to encourage him to do what he
feels like doing each day. Letting him say no to what
he needs to say no to. It's taking a lot more
surrender and tongue biting on my part than I
anticipated. I've got soooo much schooling to unwind
inside of myself.
Just in the month and a half since school got out (he
just finished 5th grade...and is thrilled at the
prospect of not going on to middle school) I've seen
flashes of that light in his eyes again. He gets
involved with building terrain for his Warhammer 40K
figures, as well as assembling and painting the little
guys that battle. He's written a comic book and is
honing his Manga drawing skills. I'm so blown away at
what a proficient artist he is and am so happy he'll
have the time to really get absorbed in his projects
now. He saw something about Gollum's while doing anime
research online, so got a book on Jewish folk tales
from around the world and read it cover to cover in a
day...that sparked all kinds of other interests. He
said to me that he'd forgotten how much fun it can be
to learn.
Unschooling is opening our whole family up to a world
of possibility.
Cheers,
Kelly
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages!
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/15/2004 10:36:12 AM Eastern Standard Time,
kellitraas@... writes:
<<I thought if I was excited enough about a subject I could sell it to my
kids>>
LOL...me too!! For me it was Ancient history. Nat loved Greek myths but
most of the rest went in one ear and out the other. But he read the Greek
myths over and over again, still does occasionally.
<<I read, and read, and read. For about 3 days I would stay up into the
middle of the night.>>
hahaha... months later and still reading! Holt, Albert, Gatto, Hunt,
Dennison, Pearce, Gardener, Mc Kee, Leistico, Colfax, Armstrong, (Sorry Valerie
that I haven't gotten to you yet, you are on my list :) Right now I'm reading
_How To Talk Fo Kids Will Listen And Listen So Kids will Talk_ I think
someone here recommended it and I wish I had copies to pass out to all the parents
I know! Anyway, I can't find enough stuff to read! That's the great thing
about "the lists", sometimes there's so much stuff I can't keep up!
And I'm sure someone out there is thinking "book worship"... I can't help
it, I love books. When I was a kid my mom would drop me of at the book store
in the mall while she did her shopping and she never had to worry that she
wouldn't be able to find me when she got back. Actually, I as look back, maybe
I was educating myself....an unschooler even while I was in school!
Cheryl in FL
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
kellitraas@... writes:
<<I thought if I was excited enough about a subject I could sell it to my
kids>>
LOL...me too!! For me it was Ancient history. Nat loved Greek myths but
most of the rest went in one ear and out the other. But he read the Greek
myths over and over again, still does occasionally.
<<I read, and read, and read. For about 3 days I would stay up into the
middle of the night.>>
hahaha... months later and still reading! Holt, Albert, Gatto, Hunt,
Dennison, Pearce, Gardener, Mc Kee, Leistico, Colfax, Armstrong, (Sorry Valerie
that I haven't gotten to you yet, you are on my list :) Right now I'm reading
_How To Talk Fo Kids Will Listen And Listen So Kids will Talk_ I think
someone here recommended it and I wish I had copies to pass out to all the parents
I know! Anyway, I can't find enough stuff to read! That's the great thing
about "the lists", sometimes there's so much stuff I can't keep up!
And I'm sure someone out there is thinking "book worship"... I can't help
it, I love books. When I was a kid my mom would drop me of at the book store
in the mall while she did her shopping and she never had to worry that she
wouldn't be able to find me when she got back. Actually, I as look back, maybe
I was educating myself....an unschooler even while I was in school!
Cheryl in FL
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelli Traaseth
**It's
horrifying to me that living the PS school life has
taught my intelligent boy to never trust any of his
own instincts. He's even afraid to make a decision as
to where to put the stack of clean dish towels away
(in the drawer they always go in??) when he's helping
me with the laundry. He checks with me for every
little move he makes all day long. It's so utterly
exhausting.**
I see this so much. Kids not knowing how to make a decision and also not knowing what they want. Even if they're hungry or thirsty???
It seems like they don't dare say anything, out of fear that they'll be criticized. :( These same kids then tend to get into trouble for making bad decisions when out on their own.
Hmmmmm, wonder why???
Sad.
Oh, and this is so cool:
**He gets
involved with building terrain for his Warhammer 40K
figures, as well as assembling and painting the little
guys that battle. He's written a comic book and is
honing his Manga drawing skills. I'm so blown away at
what a proficient artist he is and am so happy he'll
have the time to really get absorbed in his projects
now. He saw something about Gollum's while doing anime
research online, so got a book on Jewish folk tales
from around the world and read it cover to cover in a
day...that sparked all kinds of other interests. He
said to me that he'd forgotten how much fun it can be
to learn.**
Isn't it amazing what they fall upon in the middle of just doing what they like. Who woulda thunk? <g>
**Unschooling is opening our whole family up to a world
of possibility. **
You hit it on the head, it isn't just the kids who have these opportunities and possibilities--its all of us, the whole family. Gotta love it.
Kelli~
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
horrifying to me that living the PS school life has
taught my intelligent boy to never trust any of his
own instincts. He's even afraid to make a decision as
to where to put the stack of clean dish towels away
(in the drawer they always go in??) when he's helping
me with the laundry. He checks with me for every
little move he makes all day long. It's so utterly
exhausting.**
I see this so much. Kids not knowing how to make a decision and also not knowing what they want. Even if they're hungry or thirsty???
It seems like they don't dare say anything, out of fear that they'll be criticized. :( These same kids then tend to get into trouble for making bad decisions when out on their own.
Hmmmmm, wonder why???
Sad.
Oh, and this is so cool:
**He gets
involved with building terrain for his Warhammer 40K
figures, as well as assembling and painting the little
guys that battle. He's written a comic book and is
honing his Manga drawing skills. I'm so blown away at
what a proficient artist he is and am so happy he'll
have the time to really get absorbed in his projects
now. He saw something about Gollum's while doing anime
research online, so got a book on Jewish folk tales
from around the world and read it cover to cover in a
day...that sparked all kinds of other interests. He
said to me that he'd forgotten how much fun it can be
to learn.**
Isn't it amazing what they fall upon in the middle of just doing what they like. Who woulda thunk? <g>
**Unschooling is opening our whole family up to a world
of possibility. **
You hit it on the head, it isn't just the kids who have these opportunities and possibilities--its all of us, the whole family. Gotta love it.
Kelli~
---------------------------------
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New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
pam sorooshian
On Jul 15, 2004, at 11:45 AM, Luckiebyrd@... wrote:
I didn't see Frank Smith's, "The Book of Learning and Forgetting," on
your list. I'd put it near the top.
-pam
> And I'm sure someone out there is thinking "book worship"... I can'tI have a "Biblioaholic" t-shirt <G>.
> help
> it, I love books.
I didn't see Frank Smith's, "The Book of Learning and Forgetting," on
your list. I'd put it near the top.
-pam
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/16/2004 3:59:43 AM Eastern Standard Time,
pamsoroosh@... writes:
I didn't see Frank Smith's, "The Book of Learning and Forgetting," on
your list. I'd put it near the top.
-pam
Thanks Pam! And anyone else with suggestions, also:)
Cheryl in FL
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
pamsoroosh@... writes:
I didn't see Frank Smith's, "The Book of Learning and Forgetting," on
your list. I'd put it near the top.
-pam
Thanks Pam! And anyone else with suggestions, also:)
Cheryl in FL
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Valerie
My daughter Laurie took the ACT test then registered and she was in.
That's all there was to it.
love, Valerie
www.ubpub.com
--- In [email protected], jesika hare
<jesika2starr@y...> wrote:
That's all there was to it.
love, Valerie
www.ubpub.com
--- In [email protected], jesika hare
<jesika2starr@y...> wrote:
> in addition to mt other general question, i to was
> wondering about getting into college. how do
> unschooled kids get in.?
>
>
Valerie
> Maybe you should try Valerie's book then? _The Unprocessed Child_by our own
> experienced mom, Valerie Fitzenreiter.***** I'm trying so hard to think of something witty to say about
>
> ~Kelly
being "our" own experienced mom, but I'm sleepy sleepy sleepy.
love, Valerie
www.ubpub.com
Valerie
--- In [email protected], kbcdlovejo@a... wrote:
high school graduate who's going just to fill in another square,
with no idea of a major or even a purpose for the classes he takes.
They are engaged and interested and a joy to their professors.
***** A few months ago, Laurie heard from her grad school advisor
after she sent in her registration. Along with her registration, she
had to send in letters of recommendation from three previous
professors. We don't know what the professors said in their letters,
but the advisor called and practically begged Laurie to attend
school there. He then got together with whomever and they created a
graduate assistantship for Laurie so that ALL of her living expenses
and school costs will be paid for as long as she chooses to attend.
He called several times after that and said, "Are you SURE you're
REALLY going to attend our school? We are SO happy that you have
chosen us." And to think she wondered at first if she'd be accepted.
Just as Kelly said, good universities realize what a pleasure an
unschooled person is in classes.
love, Valerie
www.ubpub.com
>learn and have a reaosn to be in college, as opposed to the average
> In a message dated 7/14/2004 8:22:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> jesika2starr@y... writes:
>
> in addition to mt other general question, i to was
> wondering about getting into college. how do
> unschooled kids get in.?
>
>
>
>
> <<<<
>
> Colleges are actively seeking out unschoolers. Unschoolers LOVE to
high school graduate who's going just to fill in another square,
with no idea of a major or even a purpose for the classes he takes.
They are engaged and interested and a joy to their professors.
***** A few months ago, Laurie heard from her grad school advisor
after she sent in her registration. Along with her registration, she
had to send in letters of recommendation from three previous
professors. We don't know what the professors said in their letters,
but the advisor called and practically begged Laurie to attend
school there. He then got together with whomever and they created a
graduate assistantship for Laurie so that ALL of her living expenses
and school costs will be paid for as long as she chooses to attend.
He called several times after that and said, "Are you SURE you're
REALLY going to attend our school? We are SO happy that you have
chosen us." And to think she wondered at first if she'd be accepted.
Just as Kelly said, good universities realize what a pleasure an
unschooled person is in classes.
love, Valerie
www.ubpub.com
Valerie
> hahaha... months later and still reading! Holt, Albert, Gatto,Hunt,
> Dennison, Pearce, Gardener, Mc Kee, Leistico, Colfax, Armstrong,(Sorry Valerie
> that I haven't gotten to you yet, you are on my list :):-) Laurie and I are the same way. Our walls are lined with
>
> Cheryl in FL
bookshelves that can't hold another book (and they aren't ALL my
book) <g> We have an addiction to books.
love, Valerie
cartoontv5
I think the conference sounds like a lot of fun! I think I could
learn a lot also.I sure hope we can go.I talked with husband about it
yesterday and we are just not sure if we can swing the cost.We are
going to try to find a way! Do all the rooms get booked up quick or
do I have a lot of time? Please let me know.
Also,what kind of things do your kids say to all the other children
who are always asking things like - what grade are you in? what do
you do all day? Or the adults who do the same thing all the time!I am
afraid to even try to explain unschooling to my mother-any ideas?
Jeanne
(thanks for everyones help!)
learn a lot also.I sure hope we can go.I talked with husband about it
yesterday and we are just not sure if we can swing the cost.We are
going to try to find a way! Do all the rooms get booked up quick or
do I have a lot of time? Please let me know.
Also,what kind of things do your kids say to all the other children
who are always asking things like - what grade are you in? what do
you do all day? Or the adults who do the same thing all the time!I am
afraid to even try to explain unschooling to my mother-any ideas?
Jeanne
(thanks for everyones help!)
[email protected]
Hi Jeanne
I am hoping to make the Unschoolers Conference in October as well. We are
in the process of buying a different camper/rv, so we will be camping. I have
never been to a conference, but St. Louis has so much to offer and see, we
will make the best of it. As for what grade my children our in, they advance
every year. Right now they are 4th and 7th grade. At the beginning of the
school year, we look through math and english on the internet to see where
they are in their levels, they are usually above the required levels. As for
telling family and friends who ask questions. Usually if friends ask
questions, it is because they are curious and ignorant at the same time. Actually, a
lot of them probably wish they had our life. For my mother, although she
supports my homeschooling completely, I would just tell her you are schooling
when she calls or stops by, she doesn't need to know your methods.
Happy Schooling
Cheryl
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I am hoping to make the Unschoolers Conference in October as well. We are
in the process of buying a different camper/rv, so we will be camping. I have
never been to a conference, but St. Louis has so much to offer and see, we
will make the best of it. As for what grade my children our in, they advance
every year. Right now they are 4th and 7th grade. At the beginning of the
school year, we look through math and english on the internet to see where
they are in their levels, they are usually above the required levels. As for
telling family and friends who ask questions. Usually if friends ask
questions, it is because they are curious and ignorant at the same time. Actually, a
lot of them probably wish they had our life. For my mother, although she
supports my homeschooling completely, I would just tell her you are schooling
when she calls or stops by, she doesn't need to know your methods.
Happy Schooling
Cheryl
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ren Allen
"Also,what kind of things do your kids say to all the other children
who are always asking things like - what grade are you in? what do
you do all day? Or the adults who do the same thing all the time!I am
afraid to even try to explain unschooling to my mother-any ideas?"
Well that's the coolest part about the conference....NOBODY asks
that kind of stuff!!:)
In regular life, my kids usually tell other kids "I don't go to
school" and aske me "what grade would I be in if I went to school
Mom?", which requires me to do some mental gymnastics to figure it
out!
We just tell most folks we homeschool and nod vaguely to any other
questions about school.
Many times I'll ask them why they want to know a certain thing, you
can tell pretty quickly if their just interested or trying to be
manipulative. I change the topic by asking them a question about
themselves, works every time.
It's really just not a big issues Jeanne. You're already telling
people you homeschool right? Just stay vague and don't offer up any
new details, it's nobody's business but your own family.
Ren
who are always asking things like - what grade are you in? what do
you do all day? Or the adults who do the same thing all the time!I am
afraid to even try to explain unschooling to my mother-any ideas?"
Well that's the coolest part about the conference....NOBODY asks
that kind of stuff!!:)
In regular life, my kids usually tell other kids "I don't go to
school" and aske me "what grade would I be in if I went to school
Mom?", which requires me to do some mental gymnastics to figure it
out!
We just tell most folks we homeschool and nod vaguely to any other
questions about school.
Many times I'll ask them why they want to know a certain thing, you
can tell pretty quickly if their just interested or trying to be
manipulative. I change the topic by asking them a question about
themselves, works every time.
It's really just not a big issues Jeanne. You're already telling
people you homeschool right? Just stay vague and don't offer up any
new details, it's nobody's business but your own family.
Ren
Ren Allen
"Happy Schooling"
No, no, no!! We're trying to help Jeanne get AWAY from schooling,
remember?:)
"Happy trails" or "Happy Learning" perhaps.
I'm curious Cheryl, why do you feel the need to put your kids at a
grade level and compare their math and English to other kids if
you're unschooling?
Ren
No, no, no!! We're trying to help Jeanne get AWAY from schooling,
remember?:)
"Happy trails" or "Happy Learning" perhaps.
I'm curious Cheryl, why do you feel the need to put your kids at a
grade level and compare their math and English to other kids if
you're unschooling?
Ren
mamaaj2000
Well, it really depends on what you or your child is comfortable
saying and what the person is trying to get at. Lots of times people
are just trying to connect and so saying "She's 8 years old" is
enough or "We homeschool; she's 8 so what grade would that be?" would
be enough info for the person to continue the conversation. If she or
you are comfortable saying "we homeschool" to strangers, fine. Mikey
(at 4 y o) corrected someone today who said he'd be going to school
next year and went on to explain that he learns at home. Lots of
times I might not even want to get into it with whoever asking. Like
someone asked me if I'd gotten on the waiting list for a school near
by and I just reminded her that we are moving next summer.
With family, since my kids are so little, I have barely mentioned
homeschooling, let alone unschooling. I make a point to mention all
the things the kids have been doing or are learning, just to shut off
comments and worries about them not being in pre-school. Like
mentioning all the people Mikey talks to and plays with so I don't
get lectured about socializing...
For the "what do you do all day" questions, I try to emphasize the
variety of things we and how much fun we have. Or how we've been
snuggling up at home because it's been so cold and that's what we
wanted to do.
I feel no obligation to tell the whole truth and nothing but the
truth, either. Just don't see the point in giving ammunition to
someone who's unsure about or against unschooling, kwim?
--aj
--- In [email protected], "cartoontv5"
<LJeanne28@a...> wrote:
saying and what the person is trying to get at. Lots of times people
are just trying to connect and so saying "She's 8 years old" is
enough or "We homeschool; she's 8 so what grade would that be?" would
be enough info for the person to continue the conversation. If she or
you are comfortable saying "we homeschool" to strangers, fine. Mikey
(at 4 y o) corrected someone today who said he'd be going to school
next year and went on to explain that he learns at home. Lots of
times I might not even want to get into it with whoever asking. Like
someone asked me if I'd gotten on the waiting list for a school near
by and I just reminded her that we are moving next summer.
With family, since my kids are so little, I have barely mentioned
homeschooling, let alone unschooling. I make a point to mention all
the things the kids have been doing or are learning, just to shut off
comments and worries about them not being in pre-school. Like
mentioning all the people Mikey talks to and plays with so I don't
get lectured about socializing...
For the "what do you do all day" questions, I try to emphasize the
variety of things we and how much fun we have. Or how we've been
snuggling up at home because it's been so cold and that's what we
wanted to do.
I feel no obligation to tell the whole truth and nothing but the
truth, either. Just don't see the point in giving ammunition to
someone who's unsure about or against unschooling, kwim?
--aj
--- In [email protected], "cartoontv5"
<LJeanne28@a...> wrote:
> Also,what kind of things do your kids say to all the other childrenam
> who are always asking things like - what grade are you in? what do
> you do all day? Or the adults who do the same thing all the time!I
> afraid to even try to explain unschooling to my mother-any ideas?
> Jeanne
> (thanks for everyones help!)
soggyboysmom
--- In [email protected], "cartoontv5"
<LJeanne28@a...> wrote:
what do you do all day? Or the adults who do the same thing all the
time!I am afraid to even try to explain unschooling to my mother-any
ideas?
focus of his life as it is for schooled kids so he just answers to
be polite and moves on (he's 6 1/2 and has never been in school).
One time, when a Bible class teacher (who knows we 'homeschool') was
asking all the kids about their teachers (new school year), she
asked DS who his teacher was - he looked her right in the face with
a big grin and said "I am!" So she "helpfully" prompted him with who
helps him with his workbooks (and sotto voce said "Dad" since she
knows DH is a SAHD) - he looked her right in the face again and
said "I'm my own teacher!" Afterward, when she told me about it (she
was reporting a "humorous" occurrence), I said He's absolutely
right! which kind of confused her but we talked a bit about it from
there.
I don't know of any times DS has been asked about what he does all
day but he usually has tons to chat about - going to Burger King for
lunch, coming to work with me on occasion, going to the chess club
or a field trip or playing with Legos or painting his dinosaurs (he
got a paint your own set of sturdy hard plastic dinos for Christmas
complete with a variety of model paints), or watching videos or
whatever it is he has been doing.
As far as my folks, we didn't really "explain" anything - we waited
until they could see what was happening and just called
it "homeschooling" then gradually transitioned to "unschooling" but
by then whatever we were doing was working fine as far as they could
see and it was just adjusting terminology.
<LJeanne28@a...> wrote:
>children who are always asking things like - what grade are you in?
> Also,what kind of things do your kids say to all the other
what do you do all day? Or the adults who do the same thing all the
time!I am afraid to even try to explain unschooling to my mother-any
ideas?
> JeanneDS usually just says "we homeschool" and drops it - it's not the
> (thanks for everyones help!)
focus of his life as it is for schooled kids so he just answers to
be polite and moves on (he's 6 1/2 and has never been in school).
One time, when a Bible class teacher (who knows we 'homeschool') was
asking all the kids about their teachers (new school year), she
asked DS who his teacher was - he looked her right in the face with
a big grin and said "I am!" So she "helpfully" prompted him with who
helps him with his workbooks (and sotto voce said "Dad" since she
knows DH is a SAHD) - he looked her right in the face again and
said "I'm my own teacher!" Afterward, when she told me about it (she
was reporting a "humorous" occurrence), I said He's absolutely
right! which kind of confused her but we talked a bit about it from
there.
I don't know of any times DS has been asked about what he does all
day but he usually has tons to chat about - going to Burger King for
lunch, coming to work with me on occasion, going to the chess club
or a field trip or playing with Legos or painting his dinosaurs (he
got a paint your own set of sturdy hard plastic dinos for Christmas
complete with a variety of model paints), or watching videos or
whatever it is he has been doing.
As far as my folks, we didn't really "explain" anything - we waited
until they could see what was happening and just called
it "homeschooling" then gradually transitioned to "unschooling" but
by then whatever we were doing was working fine as far as they could
see and it was just adjusting terminology.
Ren Allen
"So if anyone know of a way I could help her (and myself) with the
spelling"
Don't give it so much power. Some people are never going to spell
great, and that's OK!! If she really wants to practice spelling, I
think Pam's suggestion is great....just have a huge poster board on
the wall where you place words she has trouble with.
Have a good thesauraus and dictionary available to her, so she can
look things up on her own (or with you ) if she wishes. Show her how
to use spell check etc...
The main thing again, focus on the things that bring her joy,focus
on having FUN together. She's gotten the idea that she isn't smart.
How? Is she being compared to school kids? Is she comparing herself
to her sibling?
I think helping her be busy with her own interests is healthier than
focusing on something she doesn't feel good about. Support the
desire to get better at spelling, but try to not give it so much
power.
Ren
spelling"
Don't give it so much power. Some people are never going to spell
great, and that's OK!! If she really wants to practice spelling, I
think Pam's suggestion is great....just have a huge poster board on
the wall where you place words she has trouble with.
Have a good thesauraus and dictionary available to her, so she can
look things up on her own (or with you ) if she wishes. Show her how
to use spell check etc...
The main thing again, focus on the things that bring her joy,focus
on having FUN together. She's gotten the idea that she isn't smart.
How? Is she being compared to school kids? Is she comparing herself
to her sibling?
I think helping her be busy with her own interests is healthier than
focusing on something she doesn't feel good about. Support the
desire to get better at spelling, but try to not give it so much
power.
Ren
Heidi Here
[ She's gotten the idea that she isn't smart.
How? Is she being compared to school kids? Is she comparing herself
to her sibling?]
Yes the school kids come over here and she here's them talking about all the stuff they do in school and the grades they get and to her it seems she isn't doing any learning, and yes its seeing her brother (whom every one that meets him tells us all how smart he is), I always (if I am there to catch it) jump in and say "and yes you should see the art work Kerrisa has been working on, Or Kerrisa designed these wonderful snowmen pins out of buttons and sold them and made 20 bucks in a half hours time just selling around the neighborhood" I try to counter act that the people who are saying how smart Joey is and let them and her see just how smart and clever she is but she doesn't see it that way cause it comes from Moms mouth and not strangers who notice Joeys brain right off the top.
Its been a hard one cause on one hand I don't want to "down" my son and yet I would like to Yell at people sometimes and say HEY look at Her too! and then of course it really doesn't help that she has a younger sister whom (again) everyone always comments on how she should be on TV she is just so beautiful...So is my Kerrisa !! I really feel for her and I really do try to show her just how beautiful and smart she is , how we are all smart in our own ways with the things that we know and love to do..
Thanks for the suggestions, I will see if she wants to put up the poster board..Oh I never did say that she is dyslexic did I ? So no she doesn't read many books but boy I heard her reading a magazine the other day and that girl can read!! Maybe seeing that she does so well with the magazine she will be more open to reading books...
Thanks all,
~Heidi~
How? Is she being compared to school kids? Is she comparing herself
to her sibling?]
Yes the school kids come over here and she here's them talking about all the stuff they do in school and the grades they get and to her it seems she isn't doing any learning, and yes its seeing her brother (whom every one that meets him tells us all how smart he is), I always (if I am there to catch it) jump in and say "and yes you should see the art work Kerrisa has been working on, Or Kerrisa designed these wonderful snowmen pins out of buttons and sold them and made 20 bucks in a half hours time just selling around the neighborhood" I try to counter act that the people who are saying how smart Joey is and let them and her see just how smart and clever she is but she doesn't see it that way cause it comes from Moms mouth and not strangers who notice Joeys brain right off the top.
Its been a hard one cause on one hand I don't want to "down" my son and yet I would like to Yell at people sometimes and say HEY look at Her too! and then of course it really doesn't help that she has a younger sister whom (again) everyone always comments on how she should be on TV she is just so beautiful...So is my Kerrisa !! I really feel for her and I really do try to show her just how beautiful and smart she is , how we are all smart in our own ways with the things that we know and love to do..
Thanks for the suggestions, I will see if she wants to put up the poster board..Oh I never did say that she is dyslexic did I ? So no she doesn't read many books but boy I heard her reading a magazine the other day and that girl can read!! Maybe seeing that she does so well with the magazine she will be more open to reading books...
Thanks all,
~Heidi~
----- Original Message -----
From: Ren Allen
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 10:44 AM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] questions
"So if anyone know of a way I could help her (and myself) with the
spelling"
Don't give it so much power. Some people are never going to spell
great, and that's OK!! If she really wants to practice spelling, I
think Pam's suggestion is great....just have a huge poster board on
the wall where you place words she has trouble with.
Have a good thesauraus and dictionary available to her, so she can
look things up on her own (or with you ) if she wishes. Show her how
to use spell check etc...
The main thing again, focus on the things that bring her joy,focus
on having FUN together. She's gotten the idea that she isn't smart.
How? Is she being compared to school kids? Is she comparing herself
to her sibling?
I think helping her be busy with her own interests is healthier than
focusing on something she doesn't feel good about. Support the
desire to get better at spelling, but try to not give it so much
power.
Ren
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