re: math ...was back again
Laura Johnson
We actually have a math curriculum that I bought some time ago. It's fun and he asks me to do some "math" every now and then. It has lots of manipulatives like little counters bears, trucks, dinosaurs, that kind of thing. It has some picture book connections and it was fun when I was doing it regularly (I think we got to page 10 with my attempt at scheduling math time <g>, so I guess it might not of done it the "right way" for long) . Now, I don't do anything with it unless he asks. And he sometimes does. We just go to the next page of activities and do it until he wants to stop or he flips around it the giant teacher's guide of activities and says "that one looks fun". Then we play with the stuff. It is all activity type stuff and games which he loves, not many worksheets at all. So, he likes it. I'm kind of glad to use it a bit since I put out some money on it. But, it is all on his terms and when he wants it. Mostly we play with the manipulatives it came with. He'll ask, what does the book say to do next? I'll read it and he'll either want to do it or he will have a better idea and we do that instead. I guess it's not unschooling in the way that it is a purchased curriculum, but it's only by choice and only because we happen to have it around and it is fun to play with. Like another game on the shelf. We aren't following any type of plan, by any stretch. I'm sure I won't buy another one unless he requests something like that. Funny, I should of had a hint that we didn't really need a curriculum because when I went through the list of Kindergarten objectives, he already knew 90% of them, just from everyday living. So I ordered First Grade (again, this was awhile ago). He's five btw. Kind of an ah-ha moment that I missed. Hhmm, just from playing and doing things, he learned the objectives for his "grade level". Hhmmm, maybe that is the way to go with learning. No, I better pay $200 for this kit instead. HELLLLLLO! Better late than never with that ah ha! Sure wouldn't mind having that $200 back though.
Laura
(btw, I'm was a public school K-1 teacher for 8 years, so I think I'm doing pretty good at deschooling myself with that considerable handicap)
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Laura
(btw, I'm was a public school K-1 teacher for 8 years, so I think I'm doing pretty good at deschooling myself with that considerable handicap)
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joylyn
Laura Johnson wrote:
following a child's lead, and if a child wants math curriculum to do,
either as you are doing it or even if they follow every bit of the
instructions word for word, and the child is initiating the activity,
then why isn't it unschooling. In my opinion unschooling isn't about
not using curriculum, or about using it. It's not about curriculum at
all. Instead it's a life style, where all activities are learning and
living.
Joylyn
> I guess it's not unschooling in the way that it is a purchasedI'm just one person here, but personally I think unschooling is
> curriculum,
following a child's lead, and if a child wants math curriculum to do,
either as you are doing it or even if they follow every bit of the
instructions word for word, and the child is initiating the activity,
then why isn't it unschooling. In my opinion unschooling isn't about
not using curriculum, or about using it. It's not about curriculum at
all. Instead it's a life style, where all activities are learning and
living.
Joylyn
AM Brown
I agree with everyone that is saying if using workbooks or curriculum doesn't exclude you from unschooling - it is more about who decides to use it. But I guess I do want to say something else though :) I've seen some children want curriculum because they believe that is the only way to really 'learn' something. I think there in lies the issue for me. My kids have never been in school and are still relatively young but they don't even know what a workbook is, they might do them if I got them but I guess I don't think it is the best way to learn. I'm not sure I'm making sense. My youngest is really into multiplying. She likes to count and just discovered multiplying is a short cut. I could get excited and get a work book with multiplication tables. She might do it, but instead we just find examples in our daily life (they are everywhere) and she practices the skill that way. This also allows her to develop her own 'system', it doesn't put my system or someone else's system on her as the 'right' way. What I have found is that her system makes sense to her and thus is easier and more effective for her. A workbook wouldn't know that. I think it is part of my letting go of 'schooly' thought to not rush out for workbooks or classes when an interest is shown - be it in music, language, dance or math. There are times that may be appropriate but for me, it just isn't the first thing I go to. There are so many ways to learn, more effective ways IMHO :)
Anna
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Anna
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joylyn
AM Brown wrote:
think that...
What you said reminded me of when I took college algebra. I got a D the
first time around, and that was not good enough for me. I took it
again, and I spent hours each night doing homework. I did each problem
(not just homework problems) three times, then looked at the answers
(when available) in the back of the book. I worked my butt off and
earned a B in the class and got 100% on the core exam at the end of the
course. This wasn't unschooling, but I didn't have to take the course
again. I wanted to learn this information, and the text book and
college class was one route to do so. It was a personal quest. I was
more proud that I had learned something so hard for me, and the path to
learning that was through a book, through a text book and a formal
class. The class was no longer about a grade or credits toward my
degree. In fact, the D was not removed when I earned the B, it became a
part of my gpa, and the D itself never bothered me, it was more a
challenge to learn.
I'm sorta rambling, but I think my point is that there are many ways to
learn. And many reasons. And if learning is freely choosen and enjoyed
and desired, then who cares the route.
My six year old does do workbooks occassionally. She's never been to
school. She doesn't see them as the only way to learn, in fact, I don't
think she even sees them as learning. They are just another activity
she can do. She usually asks me to read the directions, but rarely
follows those directions. My nine year old, on the other hand, has no
desire to do any workbooks at all.
Joylyn
> I agree with everyone that is saying if using workbooks or curriculumI agree, some children, especially those with school experience, might
> doesn't exclude you from unschooling - it is more about who decides
> to use it. But I guess I do want to say something else though :)
> I've seen some children want curriculum because they believe that is
> the only way to really 'learn' something.
think that...
What you said reminded me of when I took college algebra. I got a D the
first time around, and that was not good enough for me. I took it
again, and I spent hours each night doing homework. I did each problem
(not just homework problems) three times, then looked at the answers
(when available) in the back of the book. I worked my butt off and
earned a B in the class and got 100% on the core exam at the end of the
course. This wasn't unschooling, but I didn't have to take the course
again. I wanted to learn this information, and the text book and
college class was one route to do so. It was a personal quest. I was
more proud that I had learned something so hard for me, and the path to
learning that was through a book, through a text book and a formal
class. The class was no longer about a grade or credits toward my
degree. In fact, the D was not removed when I earned the B, it became a
part of my gpa, and the D itself never bothered me, it was more a
challenge to learn.
I'm sorta rambling, but I think my point is that there are many ways to
learn. And many reasons. And if learning is freely choosen and enjoyed
and desired, then who cares the route.
My six year old does do workbooks occassionally. She's never been to
school. She doesn't see them as the only way to learn, in fact, I don't
think she even sees them as learning. They are just another activity
she can do. She usually asks me to read the directions, but rarely
follows those directions. My nine year old, on the other hand, has no
desire to do any workbooks at all.
Joylyn
Robyn Coburn
<<<I'm just one person here, but personally I think unschooling is
following a child's lead, and if a child wants math curriculum to do,
either as you are doing it or even if they follow every bit of the
instructions word for word, and the child is initiating the activity,
then why isn't it unschooling. >>>>
A problem with curriculums could be that they can give the impression that
their particular sequences are the only "correct" way to learn something. It
could be tempting to just let that idea slide in for ease of daily life.
Kind of the thin edge of the wedge. Not to say that curriculum materials
can't be used on request by the child, just that awareness should probably
be maintained.
Jayn doesn't care to do written worksheets of any kind. But, she loves
computer games many of which seem to me to be animated worksheets. At the
moment she is involved with Playhouse Disney. The play is quite directed.
What has been interesting to me is to notice that Jayn will sometimes
deliberately click on the wrong answer, evidently to see what will happen.
Maybe she is just checking herself. Sometimes she does the "wrong" thing
because it produces something absurd and funny to her.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
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following a child's lead, and if a child wants math curriculum to do,
either as you are doing it or even if they follow every bit of the
instructions word for word, and the child is initiating the activity,
then why isn't it unschooling. >>>>
A problem with curriculums could be that they can give the impression that
their particular sequences are the only "correct" way to learn something. It
could be tempting to just let that idea slide in for ease of daily life.
Kind of the thin edge of the wedge. Not to say that curriculum materials
can't be used on request by the child, just that awareness should probably
be maintained.
Jayn doesn't care to do written worksheets of any kind. But, she loves
computer games many of which seem to me to be animated worksheets. At the
moment she is involved with Playhouse Disney. The play is quite directed.
What has been interesting to me is to notice that Jayn will sometimes
deliberately click on the wrong answer, evidently to see what will happen.
Maybe she is just checking herself. Sometimes she does the "wrong" thing
because it produces something absurd and funny to her.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.771 / Virus Database: 518 - Release Date: 9/28/2004
Elizabeth Hill
**
Jayn doesn't care to do written worksheets of any kind. But, she loves
computer games many of which seem to me to be animated worksheets. At the
moment she is involved with Playhouse Disney. The play is quite directed.**
Before Edmark was bought by IBM, I thought their kid learning software was pretty neat. Because each activity could be done in a directed fashion, or open-endedly, through changing an option on the screen.
My kid when he was 3 or 4 really liked the Bailey's Bookhouse and Millie's Math House software. "Let's play in the cookie factory!" says the game. <g>
Betsy
Jayn doesn't care to do written worksheets of any kind. But, she loves
computer games many of which seem to me to be animated worksheets. At the
moment she is involved with Playhouse Disney. The play is quite directed.**
Before Edmark was bought by IBM, I thought their kid learning software was pretty neat. Because each activity could be done in a directed fashion, or open-endedly, through changing an option on the screen.
My kid when he was 3 or 4 really liked the Bailey's Bookhouse and Millie's Math House software. "Let's play in the cookie factory!" says the game. <g>
Betsy
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/3/04 12:15:26 PM, ecsamhill@... writes:
<< Before Edmark was bought by IBM, I thought their kid learning software was
pretty neat. Because each activity could be done in a directed fashion, or
open-endedly, through changing an option on the screen. >>
Thinking Things (I, II and III) got a LOT of play here.
<< Before Edmark was bought by IBM, I thought their kid learning software was
pretty neat. Because each activity could be done in a directed fashion, or
open-endedly, through changing an option on the screen. >>
Thinking Things (I, II and III) got a LOT of play here.
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/3/2004 2:15:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
ecsamhill@... writes:
My kid when he was 3 or 4 really liked the Bailey's Bookhouse and Millie's
Math House software. "Let's play in the cookie factory!" says the game.
<g><<<
It doesn't say, "Let's learn fractions, volume, and weights!"
~Kelly <g>
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ecsamhill@... writes:
My kid when he was 3 or 4 really liked the Bailey's Bookhouse and Millie's
Math House software. "Let's play in the cookie factory!" says the game.
<g><<<
It doesn't say, "Let's learn fractions, volume, and weights!"
~Kelly <g>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]