FW: Re: talking to kids about school
Rebeca Zavaleta
Sorry, fast fingers.
When I spell checked - horrible speller, thank goodness for that feature- I
wrote "unschooling" as "uncoiling" It comes out weird - but perhaps more
accurate in the sense of unwinding and unspiriling.
OK I'll stop, my daughter wants to learn about Australian Bilbies on the
computer.
Rebeca Z.
-----Original Message-----
From: Rebeca Zavaleta [mailto:rzavaleta@...]
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 1:08 PM
To: ([email protected])
Subject: Re: talking to kids about school
From: Lynn Allen <nnylnell@...>
Subject: Re: talking to kids about school
Lynn wrote:
"You could support her in her decision to let
her learn how she wants, while letting her know that
she can come home any time she wants -- for a day, a
week or forever -- and you will be thrilled to have
her. Keep home a really interesting, safe, loving
place. Take her side in any conflicts she has with the
school, while keeping in mind that she may have
important relationships with adults there that she
doesn't want damaged.
That is such a loving, sweet take on public or private school.
Unfortunately, I feel it is a bit idyllic. A child cannot go home whenever
he or she wants. Even when my nephew was having asthama and wanted the
school to call his mom, the school 'assessed the situation and decided the
call was unwarranted."
When your children are in public school (2 of my kids have been), the parent
looses the ability to parent the child while the child is on the school
premises. Sometimes depending on the teacher there is collaboration, but
most often the rules, attendance requirements (a tardy officer from the
state may visit your home), discipline (you missed the work while you were
out yesterday, so no recess for you) are in motion whether you as a parent
are aware of it or not.
My view is that if you are uncoiling, then do it. That encompasses a
certain "lifestyle" in which you support your children in perusing their
goals. If your children are in public school, as a parent you must do the
same; make sure they are there on time, have money or a sack lunch ready,
help them have a place for homework (20 min. per grade, excluding spelling
practice and extra projects) and give them the support to finish projects on
time, etc... The child will suffer at public school if the parent is not
involved. For unschooling families, the involvement may be too intrusive.
My kids do NOT want to go back to public school. They experienced it. I do
agree with you that for children who want to experience school, the parent
should support the child's decision. But be aware: the decision has 'rules'
attached to it that may affect the parent's role.
Rebeca Z.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
When I spell checked - horrible speller, thank goodness for that feature- I
wrote "unschooling" as "uncoiling" It comes out weird - but perhaps more
accurate in the sense of unwinding and unspiriling.
OK I'll stop, my daughter wants to learn about Australian Bilbies on the
computer.
Rebeca Z.
-----Original Message-----
From: Rebeca Zavaleta [mailto:rzavaleta@...]
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 1:08 PM
To: ([email protected])
Subject: Re: talking to kids about school
From: Lynn Allen <nnylnell@...>
Subject: Re: talking to kids about school
Lynn wrote:
"You could support her in her decision to let
her learn how she wants, while letting her know that
she can come home any time she wants -- for a day, a
week or forever -- and you will be thrilled to have
her. Keep home a really interesting, safe, loving
place. Take her side in any conflicts she has with the
school, while keeping in mind that she may have
important relationships with adults there that she
doesn't want damaged.
That is such a loving, sweet take on public or private school.
Unfortunately, I feel it is a bit idyllic. A child cannot go home whenever
he or she wants. Even when my nephew was having asthama and wanted the
school to call his mom, the school 'assessed the situation and decided the
call was unwarranted."
When your children are in public school (2 of my kids have been), the parent
looses the ability to parent the child while the child is on the school
premises. Sometimes depending on the teacher there is collaboration, but
most often the rules, attendance requirements (a tardy officer from the
state may visit your home), discipline (you missed the work while you were
out yesterday, so no recess for you) are in motion whether you as a parent
are aware of it or not.
My view is that if you are uncoiling, then do it. That encompasses a
certain "lifestyle" in which you support your children in perusing their
goals. If your children are in public school, as a parent you must do the
same; make sure they are there on time, have money or a sack lunch ready,
help them have a place for homework (20 min. per grade, excluding spelling
practice and extra projects) and give them the support to finish projects on
time, etc... The child will suffer at public school if the parent is not
involved. For unschooling families, the involvement may be too intrusive.
My kids do NOT want to go back to public school. They experienced it. I do
agree with you that for children who want to experience school, the parent
should support the child's decision. But be aware: the decision has 'rules'
attached to it that may affect the parent's role.
Rebeca Z.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]