jlh44music

This is my daughter's first year NOT going back to school (yippee!).
We've been deschooling big time, I see some healing, I've embraced
unschooling.

In MA we have to provide an annual assessment (standardized test,
portfolio of work samples or a narrative report, mutually agreed upon
by supt and parents). I will be doing a narrative. I had to list
what "books" etc we will be using (but don't intend to replicate
school at home). Right now dd is heavily into playing online World
of Warcraft. She's on the computer from the moment she gets up until
it's time for bed, except for eating or sometimes at night she joins
us downstairs if we're watching a movie, or if we have an errand.
We're planning on going to a few "not back to school" things in the
next couple of weeks. We talk during the day, she shares things
she's discovered in the game, I'm amazed at what she's "learned"
about the game. We'll be going out to connect with local
homeschoolers/unschoolers as the fall progresses, plus any of the
events/"field trips" that are starting to happen that appeal to her.


Here comes the BUT.....

Because my state requires that I keep them informed of her "academic
progress" I'm always mindful of how I'm going to do that, this being
our first year (and I know it don't have to submit it until next
Aug). She hates math because of school and even though I put on
my "curriculum" list (that I submitted with my letter of intent)the
books/DVDs/online sources we will be using, I have no intention of
reviewing the things she had trouble with last year (common
denominators, fractions, etc). History will be easy, language arts
and science do-able. She hates to read for pleasure, but I can even
work around that (books on tape in the car, reading TO her or just
listing books that she "read" - she forgets most of what she's read
when "forced" to read a book in school during "sustained silent
reading" time and I know she CAN read, so who cares how many, if any,
books she's read. They just like to see a list). I worried a lot
until I submitted my letter, not knowing how they would respond, and
I got my letter of "approval" back a week after I submitted it.

Now that THAT is accomplished, I'm thinking about my narrative (I
don't want to be writing it last minute and have been jotting done
things that we've done, talked about etc, more as a memory jogger for
me). I've got a lot of samples from unschooling sites, a few from
some unschoolers, lists of educationese wording to use. This is more
of a vent, and maybe a request for some "suggestions" from those who
have to submit something more "substantial" in their states. I want
to be ready to submit my narrative in a way that will satisfy the
town, but I almost feel like I have to make things up or lie. Part
of this is because we are at the beginning of this new life style and
I'm very mindful of not pushing her to "do this or that" in the name
of "homeschooling". Just call it my "control freak" factor, wanting
to be prepared. I'm trusting the process, and I know many of you
have always unschooled, so maybe can't relate to my situation, but I
also know there are others out there who HAVE pulled a kid out of
school (just finished 6th grade), so I'm not looking for the pep
talks about unschooling, there have been a lot of great posts, all of
which I've embraced (and continue to embrace). This isn't about my
view of unschooling, only about the requirements of my state.

So, if you can get through this rambling post, I'd appreciate any
thoughts. Thanks for letting me vent!
Jann

Pam Sorooshian

On Sep 6, 2005, at 1:48 PM, jlh44music wrote:

I want to be ready to submit my narrative in a way that will satisfy the
town, but I almost feel like I have to make things up or lie.

You can use the unschooler's recordkeeping form that I put in the files area of this list - use it as a "tickler" file, to remind you to jot things down that you can then use, later, to write up your narrative. It'll let you keep records while not having to think in terms of school subjects.

It'll lose the formatting in email - you can get it in Word in the files area of this list:
********************************************

Recordkeeping
for Unschoolers


Reading
Books, magazines, newspapers, websites….
Fiction, biography, nonfiction, poetry, drama, essays, articles,…..


Doing
Cooking, swimming, dog training, babysitting,
volunteering, working, singing, acting, music, math, ……


Making
Art, crafts, building, sewing, weaving, beadwork, ….



Writing
Journal, stories, letters, website, email, articles,…



Watching
TV, movies, videos, live theater, demonstrations, exhibits,…


Listening
Tapes, radio, music, stories, audio magazines, lectures,….



Talking
Speech, discussion, explaining, directing, instructing, debating,….



Visiting
Museums, zoos, field trips,…..



Thinking
Planning, analyzing, imagining, plotting, ….

jlh44music

> You can use the unschooler's recordkeeping form that I put in the
files area of this list - use it as a "tickler" file, to remind you
to jot things down that you can then use, later, to write up your
narrative. It'll let you keep records while not having to think in
terms of school subjects. >>>>>>>

I DID save that one - thanks for the reminder Pam! I need to go look
at all the stuff I've been collecting for months and organize it!
I've been too busy READING and "deworking" (I've NEVER not worked,
it's been harder than I thought. I thought it would be a piece of
cake - HA!).

I'm feeling better now, thanks everyone.
Jann




>
> It'll lose the formatting in email - you can get it in Word in the
files area of this list:
> ********************************************
>
> Recordkeeping
> for Unschoolers
>
>
> Reading
> Books, magazines, newspapers, websites….
> Fiction, biography, nonfiction, poetry, drama, essays,
articles,…..
>
>
> Doing
> Cooking, swimming, dog training, babysitting,
> volunteering, working, singing, acting, music, math, ……
>
>
> Making
> Art, crafts, building, sewing, weaving, beadwork, ….
>
>
>
> Writing
> Journal, stories, letters, website, email, articles,…
>
>
>
> Watching
> TV, movies, videos, live theater, demonstrations, exhibits,…
>
>
> Listening
> Tapes, radio, music, stories, audio magazines, lectures,….
>
>
>
> Talking
> Speech, discussion, explaining, directing, instructing,
debating,….
>
>
>
> Visiting
> Museums, zoos, field trips,…..
>
>
>
> Thinking
> Planning, analyzing, imagining, plotting, ….

[email protected]

Jann,

Contact the MA unschoolers list---Rue??? Kathryn??? You are SURROUNDED by extremely knowledgable unschooling moms there!!!

There's no need to reinvent the wheel! Ask locals--- you may just be able to borrow one of their old copies and use it as a guideline.

Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org


-----Original Message-----
From: jlh44music <jlh44music@...>

This is more
of a vent, and maybe a request for some "suggestions" from those who
have to submit something more "substantial" in their states. I want
to be ready to submit my narrative in a way that will satisfy the
town, but I almost feel like I have to make things up or lie. Part
of this is because we are at the beginning of this new life style and
I'm very mindful of not pushing her to "do this or that" in the name
of "homeschooling". Just call it my "control freak" factor, wanting
to be prepared. I'm trusting the process, and I know many of you
have always unschooled, so maybe can't relate to my situation, but I
also know there are others out there who HAVE pulled a kid out of
school (just finished 6th grade), so I'm not looking for the pep
talks about unschooling, there have been a lot of great posts, all of
which I've embraced (and continue to embrace). This isn't about my
view of unschooling, only about the requirements of my state.

So, if you can get through this rambling post, I'd appreciate any
thoughts. Thanks for letting me vent!
Jann


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

jlh44music

> Contact the MA unschoolers list---Rue??? Kathryn??? You are
SURROUNDED by extremely knowledgable unschooling moms there!!!
> There's no need to reinvent the wheel! Ask locals--- you may just
be able to borrow one of their old copies and use it as a guideline.

Thanks Kelly,
I'm on that group as well and, of course posted this there. I've
received some good responses, in fact, I've connected in the past by
email with both Rue and Kathryn, Rue sent me her narrative, which is
a big help. I also realized I've got a lot of info saved in word
that I've been collecting since I started this journey to
unschooling, I need to go back and organize it.

It's more of an internal mental mindset issue for me, knowing in my
heart that unschooling is what's best for my child, and also knowing
that I will do whatever is necessary to satisfy my town. Because I
believe I'm the first unschooler (but I'm not telling the super
that!) in my town, and the only homeschooler above elem level, I'm
breaking new ground. And it's also about "not knowing" - I couldn't
relax once I had submitted my LOI in Aug until I heard back (got
my "approval" one week later! Short and sweet). I was afraid
they'd make an issue of me wanting to do a narrative (ie try to
suggest testing). So, until I submit my first narrative next year, I
won't know how they'll be about it. I tend to overanalyze
sometimes!

I had MANY conversations/emails with her teachers, guidance counselor
(what do they DO to actually help kids???!!??), vice principal,
principal all last year, kept getting "yessed" to death, falling on
deaf ears. I emailed the guidance counselor, vp, p to let them know
I would be homeschooling, reiterated my concerns about her learning
style not working, she needs more time to finish a task to
completion, concerned about increase in migraines, will benefit with
more one on one time blah blah blah, thanked them and the teachers
for their efforts with her last year etc etc. I included the email
with my LOI. The super doesn't know my child from the next one
(although he DOES know me as I volunteer to play piano with the
school choruses when needed, the music teachers are friends, my
degree is in music, done it for MANY years even long before I had my
dd). I like to think it made it easier for him to send
the "approval" letter back, sort of a "the rest of the story"
moment. Plus the super's office is right in the middle school
building.

Consider this part of MY deschooling! I have what I need, am meeting
more and more unschoolers with older kids, and some who have pulled
kids out, not unschooled from the beginning. I'll be fine and I'm
glad to have these groups as a place to vent my thoughts and concerns.

Thanks to everyone for your input!
Jann

[email protected]

-----Original Message-----
From: jlh44music <jlh44music@...

>Consider this part of MY deschooling! I have what I need, am meeting
more and more unschoolers with older kids, and some who have pulled
kids out, not unschooled from the beginning. I'll be fine and I'm
glad to have these groups as a place to vent my thoughts and concerns.

-=-=-=-=-

That really is hard! Especially if you ere very involved in her schooling and the whole school mind-set thingy.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately because that's what my talk is about at the conference---leaving school for unschooling. I'm green with envy---all you guys who are smart enough to figure this out sooner rather than later. Understanding the philosophy BEFORE your children are even school age! DAMN!

When you are thoroughly entrenched in the school lifestyle, it's so hard to get out! The paradigm shift is sooo important---and often more difficult because your child's friends are are still in school, you know teachers, you're friends with parents of school kids---you're surrounded by SCHOOL!

It's like it takes more mind-control or something. Like you can't just "react"---you have to stop. And think. And act *better* than before.

The best remedy seems to be to surround yourself with other unschoolers---and the more radical they are, the better! <G>

Hang out witth Rue & Kathryn! You can't get much more radical than that!

And get Rue's fabulous new book!!! _Parenting a Free Child_!!!

~Kelly

Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org


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

jlh44music

>That really is hard! Especially if you ere very involved in her
schooling and the whole school mind-set thingy.>>>

I don't know if I was "very" involved <g> but I was in touch with the
school in some manner weekly (email to teachers, notes, phone calls)
all trying to get them to understand and on this end, helping my dd
to survive the rest of the year. The only other way I'm involved
with the schools as I said is to help my fellow musicians (ie music
teachers) by playing piano for them. I do that for THEM, NOT for
the school! I've never been involved any other way because I worked
full time (other than the occassional donation to a class party in
elem school etc).

I'm glad you'll be talking about those who leave school after being
there for a while to unschool. It's very different from those who
have done it from day one. I've learned so much from those who have
lived it, but I'd like to see more for those of us coming to
it "later in life" so to speak. I'll be helping at local homeschool
info nights presenting "our story", hoping it will be valuable to
those who are in the place I was at a couple of years ago exploring
homeschooling, finding unschooling and having no clue (I've come a
long way!).

Already have Rue's book! Ordered it right away as I can't be at the
conference this year.... haven't had much time to read it this week,
but I will. I also heard from Kathryn (we've spoken in the past)
and we're going to connect.

> It's like it takes more mind-control or something. Like you can't
just "react"---you have to stop. And think. And act *better* than
before.

Yes, definitely takes intentional thought at times!

> The best remedy seems to be to surround yourself with other
unschoolers---and the more radical they are, the better! <G>

I'm finding them little by litte, unfortuately most aren't nearby by
but not so far away that it's not do-able.
> Hang out witth Rue & Kathryn! You can't get much more radical than
that!>>>

SOON!
Jann