unschooling and "writing"
amy_voltz
Another new unschooler here, I've been trying this with my 9 yo son
since leaving the PS system last March. Just had our first review with
the school system (we are in MD) where the requirements say you must
show "clear evidence of instruction" in Language Arts, Mathematics,
Science, Social Studies, Art/Music, PE and Health. Our reviewer wants
to see more "written work" from my son in Language Arts when we review
again in the Spring, and a "written Project" in Health. My question to
you, how do I provide these things to them while following an
unschooling philosophy. What if my son doesn't want to do a written
project in Health or keep a journal (reviewer's suggestion)? Do I
just need to be creative about getting him to do these things....Any
suggestions welcomed.
Thanks,
Amy
cocobien@...
since leaving the PS system last March. Just had our first review with
the school system (we are in MD) where the requirements say you must
show "clear evidence of instruction" in Language Arts, Mathematics,
Science, Social Studies, Art/Music, PE and Health. Our reviewer wants
to see more "written work" from my son in Language Arts when we review
again in the Spring, and a "written Project" in Health. My question to
you, how do I provide these things to them while following an
unschooling philosophy. What if my son doesn't want to do a written
project in Health or keep a journal (reviewer's suggestion)? Do I
just need to be creative about getting him to do these things....Any
suggestions welcomed.
Thanks,
Amy
cocobien@...
Deb
I might first take a look at things he likes to do now - for
example, playing videogames. Then find places where that can have a
writing component. For example, writing a game review for Amazon or
writing an article and submitting it for publication on neopets
(apparently it's a pretty tough thing to get published there because
there are so many writing so don't worry about whether it actually
is published). Maybe suggest the two of you learn to blog rather
than a paper and pencil journal.
And, while this is happening, check the LAWS of the state. If you
submit a one paragraph game review is that enough? is the reviewer
overstepping the bounds of the requirements? can you change
reviewers? Checking with others in your area might be more helpful
also - or see if there is a yahoo group for MD unschoolers (there
probably is). Also, it might be worthwhile to check with an umbrella
like Clonlara - at a quick glance it looks like if you've got any
kind of 'correspondence program' going on, the district simply
says 'is this student following your rules?" they say Yes and life
goes on...and Clonlara is fine with unschooling from what I
understand (others can correct me if I'm off base on this).
I might simply sit down and discuss it - "In order to keep living
our life the way we want to, we need to give "them" some paperwork.
This is what they want to see (written essay). How can we give them
that without being too big an interruption in the rest of our life?"
He might be willing to simply sit down and write a quick report in
order to get it out of the way and done.
--Deb
example, playing videogames. Then find places where that can have a
writing component. For example, writing a game review for Amazon or
writing an article and submitting it for publication on neopets
(apparently it's a pretty tough thing to get published there because
there are so many writing so don't worry about whether it actually
is published). Maybe suggest the two of you learn to blog rather
than a paper and pencil journal.
And, while this is happening, check the LAWS of the state. If you
submit a one paragraph game review is that enough? is the reviewer
overstepping the bounds of the requirements? can you change
reviewers? Checking with others in your area might be more helpful
also - or see if there is a yahoo group for MD unschoolers (there
probably is). Also, it might be worthwhile to check with an umbrella
like Clonlara - at a quick glance it looks like if you've got any
kind of 'correspondence program' going on, the district simply
says 'is this student following your rules?" they say Yes and life
goes on...and Clonlara is fine with unschooling from what I
understand (others can correct me if I'm off base on this).
I might simply sit down and discuss it - "In order to keep living
our life the way we want to, we need to give "them" some paperwork.
This is what they want to see (written essay). How can we give them
that without being too big an interruption in the rest of our life?"
He might be willing to simply sit down and write a quick report in
order to get it out of the way and done.
--Deb