question
Gold Standard
Two of my children, ages 12 and 14 want to attend a charter art school. Has
anyone had a similar situation, and in true unschooling fashion, is it
recommended that I let them do that?
Thanks,
Jacki
anyone had a similar situation, and in true unschooling fashion, is it
recommended that I let them do that?
Thanks,
Jacki
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/23/04 11:05:19 AM, contact@... writes:
<< Two of my children, ages 12 and 14 want to attend a charter art school. Has
anyone had a similar situation, and in true unschooling fashion, is it
recommended that I let them do that? >>
If it were me, I would probably let them try it, but I wouldn't become the
enforcer of homework and I wouldn't tell them "you got in, now you go the whole
year."
Here's something I wrote years back, and I haven't changed my mind, so for
those who might not have read it (not many of you, maybe), here's a link. It's
called "Public School on your Own Terms" and it's not very long.
http://sandradodd.com/schoolchoice
Sandra
<< Two of my children, ages 12 and 14 want to attend a charter art school. Has
anyone had a similar situation, and in true unschooling fashion, is it
recommended that I let them do that? >>
If it were me, I would probably let them try it, but I wouldn't become the
enforcer of homework and I wouldn't tell them "you got in, now you go the whole
year."
Here's something I wrote years back, and I haven't changed my mind, so for
those who might not have read it (not many of you, maybe), here's a link. It's
called "Public School on your Own Terms" and it's not very long.
http://sandradodd.com/schoolchoice
Sandra
Gold Standard
<< Two of my children, ages 12 and 14 want to attend a charter art school.
Has
anyone had a similar situation, and in true unschooling fashion, is it
recommended that I let them do that? >>
"If it were me, I would probably let them try it, but I wouldn't become
the
enforcer of homework and I wouldn't tell them "you got in, now you go the
whole
year."
Here's something I wrote years back, and I haven't changed my mind, so for
those who might not have read it (not many of you, maybe), here's a link.
It's
called "Public School on your Own Terms" and it's not very long."
http://sandradodd.com/schoolchoice
Sandra
Thanks Sandra. I enjoyed the article very much. It supports what we have
done so far and I definitely appreciate the reinforcement to detach myself
from the school beast. It is nauseating to be part of a system filled with
grades, homework, deadlines, tests, over controlling rules, etc, but
certainly less so when I remember this isn't my responsibility.
Jacki
Has
anyone had a similar situation, and in true unschooling fashion, is it
recommended that I let them do that? >>
"If it were me, I would probably let them try it, but I wouldn't become
the
enforcer of homework and I wouldn't tell them "you got in, now you go the
whole
year."
Here's something I wrote years back, and I haven't changed my mind, so for
those who might not have read it (not many of you, maybe), here's a link.
It's
called "Public School on your Own Terms" and it's not very long."
http://sandradodd.com/schoolchoice
Sandra
Thanks Sandra. I enjoyed the article very much. It supports what we have
done so far and I definitely appreciate the reinforcement to detach myself
from the school beast. It is nauseating to be part of a system filled with
grades, homework, deadlines, tests, over controlling rules, etc, but
certainly less so when I remember this isn't my responsibility.
Jacki
J. Stauffer
<<<<If it were me, I would probably let them try it, but I wouldn't become
the
two in K and one in First. I was sad but am working to make it a workable
situation for all of us.
The problem we are having is the kids are in emotional overload when they
get home. (K is mandatory all day). They are on the verge of hysteria,
crying about everything, not wanting to deal with the decisions that have to
be made for school tomorrow (make a lunch or buy, what to wear, etc.) and
tell me to choose. Then when I choose it is pretty much guaranteed to be
the wrong choice but now there is no time to fix it before the bus comes.
The kids love school but it is overwhelming for them and the rest of us are
currently paying a fairly steep price of dealing with overly tired,
extremely grumpy kids.
This afternoon I am hoping for some cuddle time and a gentle talk about what
I can do to support their decision better.
Julie S.
the
> enforcer of homework and I wouldn't tell them "you got in, now you go thewhole
> year.">>>>We are going through this right now. My youngest 3 wanted to try school,
two in K and one in First. I was sad but am working to make it a workable
situation for all of us.
The problem we are having is the kids are in emotional overload when they
get home. (K is mandatory all day). They are on the verge of hysteria,
crying about everything, not wanting to deal with the decisions that have to
be made for school tomorrow (make a lunch or buy, what to wear, etc.) and
tell me to choose. Then when I choose it is pretty much guaranteed to be
the wrong choice but now there is no time to fix it before the bus comes.
The kids love school but it is overwhelming for them and the rest of us are
currently paying a fairly steep price of dealing with overly tired,
extremely grumpy kids.
This afternoon I am hoping for some cuddle time and a gentle talk about what
I can do to support their decision better.
Julie S.
----- Original Message -----
From: <SandraDodd@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 3:52 PM
Subject: Re: [AlwaysLearning] question
>
> In a message dated 8/23/04 11:05:19 AM, contact@... writes:
>
> << Two of my children, ages 12 and 14 want to attend a charter art school.
Has
>
> anyone had a similar situation, and in true unschooling fashion, is it
>
> recommended that I let them do that? >>
>
> If it were me, I would probably let them try it, but I wouldn't become the
> enforcer of homework and I wouldn't tell them "you got in, now you go the
whole
> year."
>
> Here's something I wrote years back, and I haven't changed my mind, so for
> those who might not have read it (not many of you, maybe), here's a link.
It's
> called "Public School on your Own Terms" and it's not very long.
>
> http://sandradodd.com/schoolchoice
>
> Sandra
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
Gold Standard
"The problem we are having is the kids are in emotional overload when they
get home. (K is mandatory all day). They are on the verge of hysteria,
crying about everything, not wanting to deal with the decisions that have
to
be made for school tomorrow (make a lunch or buy, what to wear, etc.) and
tell me to choose. Then when I choose it is pretty much guaranteed to be
the wrong choice but now there is no time to fix it before the bus comes.
The kids love school but it is overwhelming for them and the rest of us are
currently paying a fairly steep price of dealing with overly tired,
extremely grumpy kids."
My 4 kids range from 10 to 15 and we have been in various alternative school
situations, in addition to unschooling. When they did go to school (not
public school, but school nonetheless), by their choice, when they were your
children's ages, they had the same meltdown at the end of the day. Upon
talking to other parents at the school, we all discovered that we ALL had
the meltdown hour(s) after school. This school was fairly radical...no
bells, kids choose what they want to do, mixed ages, etc., but the kids were
still in a building following someone else's schedule, they still had to be
with kids and adults all day. One of our theories was that when our children
are home all day, it is mostly on their terms, and when they are upset about
something, they are free to show it. At school, even at very young ages,
children figure out that they need to behave in certain ways to get along
and tend to "keep it together" even when they have little frustrations
building up (ie, they dropped their sandwich on the ground, the bathroom is
darker than they like, Sally said something unkind, etc.) until they are
safe to let it out...often in the car with mom or dad and/or at home. I
think you are showing your children great respect by continuing to let them
choose this course, and I don't think that their meltdowns necessarily mean
that your making a bad decision. It seems to me they need to express their
feelings at the end of the day (probably no fun for you), as a requirement
for them to go to school. And if they are still hopping up and wanting it,
then I guess they want it!
And indeed this could just be a honeymoon period!
Jacki
get home. (K is mandatory all day). They are on the verge of hysteria,
crying about everything, not wanting to deal with the decisions that have
to
be made for school tomorrow (make a lunch or buy, what to wear, etc.) and
tell me to choose. Then when I choose it is pretty much guaranteed to be
the wrong choice but now there is no time to fix it before the bus comes.
The kids love school but it is overwhelming for them and the rest of us are
currently paying a fairly steep price of dealing with overly tired,
extremely grumpy kids."
My 4 kids range from 10 to 15 and we have been in various alternative school
situations, in addition to unschooling. When they did go to school (not
public school, but school nonetheless), by their choice, when they were your
children's ages, they had the same meltdown at the end of the day. Upon
talking to other parents at the school, we all discovered that we ALL had
the meltdown hour(s) after school. This school was fairly radical...no
bells, kids choose what they want to do, mixed ages, etc., but the kids were
still in a building following someone else's schedule, they still had to be
with kids and adults all day. One of our theories was that when our children
are home all day, it is mostly on their terms, and when they are upset about
something, they are free to show it. At school, even at very young ages,
children figure out that they need to behave in certain ways to get along
and tend to "keep it together" even when they have little frustrations
building up (ie, they dropped their sandwich on the ground, the bathroom is
darker than they like, Sally said something unkind, etc.) until they are
safe to let it out...often in the car with mom or dad and/or at home. I
think you are showing your children great respect by continuing to let them
choose this course, and I don't think that their meltdowns necessarily mean
that your making a bad decision. It seems to me they need to express their
feelings at the end of the day (probably no fun for you), as a requirement
for them to go to school. And if they are still hopping up and wanting it,
then I guess they want it!
And indeed this could just be a honeymoon period!
Jacki
Gold Standard
"The problem we are having is the kids are in emotional overload when they
get home. (K is mandatory all day). They are on the verge of hysteria,
crying about everything, not wanting to deal with the decisions that have
to
be made for school tomorrow (make a lunch or buy, what to wear, etc.) and
tell me to choose. Then when I choose it is pretty much guaranteed to be
the wrong choice but now there is no time to fix it before the bus comes.
The kids love school but it is overwhelming for them and the rest of us are
currently paying a fairly steep price of dealing with overly tired,
extremely grumpy kids."
My 4 kids range from 10 to 15 and we have been in various alternative school
situations, in addition to unschooling. When they did go to school (not
public school, but school nonetheless), by their choice, when they were your
children's ages, they had the same meltdown at the end of the day. Upon
talking to other parents at the school, we all discovered that we ALL had
the meltdown hour(s) after school. This school was fairly radical...no
bells, kids choose what they want to do, mixed ages, etc., but the kids were
still in a building following someone else's schedule, they still had to be
with kids and adults all day. One of our theories was that when our children
are home all day, it is mostly on their terms, and when they are upset about
something, they are free to show it. At school, even at very young ages,
children figure out that they need to behave in certain ways to get along
and tend to "keep it together" even when they have little frustrations
building up (ie, they dropped their sandwich on the ground, the bathroom is
darker than they like, Sally said something unkind, etc.) until they are
safe to let it out...often in the car with mom or dad and/or at home. I
think you are showing your children great respect by continuing to let them
choose this course, and I don't think that their meltdowns necessarily mean
that your making a bad decision. It seems to me they need to express their
feelings at the end of the day (probably no fun for you), as a requirement
for them to go to school. And if they are still hopping up and wanting it,
then I guess they want it!
And indeed this could just be a honeymoon period!
Jacki
get home. (K is mandatory all day). They are on the verge of hysteria,
crying about everything, not wanting to deal with the decisions that have
to
be made for school tomorrow (make a lunch or buy, what to wear, etc.) and
tell me to choose. Then when I choose it is pretty much guaranteed to be
the wrong choice but now there is no time to fix it before the bus comes.
The kids love school but it is overwhelming for them and the rest of us are
currently paying a fairly steep price of dealing with overly tired,
extremely grumpy kids."
My 4 kids range from 10 to 15 and we have been in various alternative school
situations, in addition to unschooling. When they did go to school (not
public school, but school nonetheless), by their choice, when they were your
children's ages, they had the same meltdown at the end of the day. Upon
talking to other parents at the school, we all discovered that we ALL had
the meltdown hour(s) after school. This school was fairly radical...no
bells, kids choose what they want to do, mixed ages, etc., but the kids were
still in a building following someone else's schedule, they still had to be
with kids and adults all day. One of our theories was that when our children
are home all day, it is mostly on their terms, and when they are upset about
something, they are free to show it. At school, even at very young ages,
children figure out that they need to behave in certain ways to get along
and tend to "keep it together" even when they have little frustrations
building up (ie, they dropped their sandwich on the ground, the bathroom is
darker than they like, Sally said something unkind, etc.) until they are
safe to let it out...often in the car with mom or dad and/or at home. I
think you are showing your children great respect by continuing to let them
choose this course, and I don't think that their meltdowns necessarily mean
that your making a bad decision. It seems to me they need to express their
feelings at the end of the day (probably no fun for you), as a requirement
for them to go to school. And if they are still hopping up and wanting it,
then I guess they want it!
And indeed this could just be a honeymoon period!
Jacki
[email protected]
My 12 y/o daughter decided to go to jr. high this year. Her main
motivation was to meet people her own age. She has always been a VERY
quiet and introverted person, but with a strong personality and strong
opinions. She told me that she needed to be somewhere where she was
forced to be with and talk to people if she were going to make friends.
We have belonged to homeschool groups and scout groups and she's really
only connected with one girl in the last five years.
I also believe that a second motivation was to convince herself that her
other public school friend was wrong when she told her that she couldn't
possibly know anything if she didn't go to school. So now she's been
there for a semester, she's had no problem with the school work and
proven she's not stupid and would like to come back home. BUT she has
enjoyed the social part and says that if she does stay home she will need
something that will get her out of the house and with people her own age.
So we have been trying to come up with ideas. She's recently taken up
and is really into playing the guitar. She doesn't want to take classes
in guitar playing (she and her dad are doing this together) but she might
take a class in music theory - but where and how with people her own age?
She doesn't feel confident enough socially or in her playing ability to
play with others so no playing in a band. She was into gymnastics for
years but now has little desire to do anything physical. What about art?
Maybe, but she's in a funny in between age group - classes seem to be
for younger or older ages. What about a job? She says maybe but it has
to be something fun.
I'm stumped. Do I just leave her with all these options and let it go?
I don't really care which direction she goes but she's really struggling.
We've talked about how there never really is a perfect solution to
things. That there will always be parts of anything you do that are
frustrating or irritating and that you need to weigh the benefits against
the negatives. The semester ends next week and I know she is trying to
make a decision by then. So I guess I'm wondering what else I can or
should be doing to help her make this decision and does anyone have any
ideas about other activities that could help her be with her peers?
Thanks.
Kristi
motivation was to meet people her own age. She has always been a VERY
quiet and introverted person, but with a strong personality and strong
opinions. She told me that she needed to be somewhere where she was
forced to be with and talk to people if she were going to make friends.
We have belonged to homeschool groups and scout groups and she's really
only connected with one girl in the last five years.
I also believe that a second motivation was to convince herself that her
other public school friend was wrong when she told her that she couldn't
possibly know anything if she didn't go to school. So now she's been
there for a semester, she's had no problem with the school work and
proven she's not stupid and would like to come back home. BUT she has
enjoyed the social part and says that if she does stay home she will need
something that will get her out of the house and with people her own age.
So we have been trying to come up with ideas. She's recently taken up
and is really into playing the guitar. She doesn't want to take classes
in guitar playing (she and her dad are doing this together) but she might
take a class in music theory - but where and how with people her own age?
She doesn't feel confident enough socially or in her playing ability to
play with others so no playing in a band. She was into gymnastics for
years but now has little desire to do anything physical. What about art?
Maybe, but she's in a funny in between age group - classes seem to be
for younger or older ages. What about a job? She says maybe but it has
to be something fun.
I'm stumped. Do I just leave her with all these options and let it go?
I don't really care which direction she goes but she's really struggling.
We've talked about how there never really is a perfect solution to
things. That there will always be parts of anything you do that are
frustrating or irritating and that you need to weigh the benefits against
the negatives. The semester ends next week and I know she is trying to
make a decision by then. So I guess I'm wondering what else I can or
should be doing to help her make this decision and does anyone have any
ideas about other activities that could help her be with her peers?
Thanks.
Kristi
Krystal French
Would she be interested in volunteering? My boys volunteered at many different places...a riding school for the handicapped, a zoo with a teen volunteer program (lots of peers there with the same interests), a science center with classes for children of all ages, the library (as a volunteer in the children/teen area and on the teen advisory board), at an animal clinic.
There are sooo many opportunities out in the community and many places are looking for responsible volunteers. It is really good for preparing our children for future jobs, It also helps when she go to apply for her first job. Employers love to see that a teen has already been responsible as a volunteer.
Good luck! :-) Krystal
kltronoff1@... wrote:
My 12 y/o daughter decided to go to jr. high this year. Her main
motivation was to meet people her own age. She has always been a VERY
quiet and introverted person, but with a strong personality and strong
opinions. She told me that she needed to be somewhere where she was
forced to be with and talk to people if she were going to make friends.
We have belonged to homeschool groups and scout groups and she's really
only connected with one girl in the last five years.
I also believe that a second motivation was to convince herself that her
other public school friend was wrong when she told her that she couldn't
possibly know anything if she didn't go to school. So now she's been
there for a semester, she's had no problem with the school work and
proven she's not stupid and would like to come back home. BUT she has
enjoyed the social part and says that if she does stay home she will need
something that will get her out of the house and with people her own age.
So we have been trying to come up with ideas. She's recently taken up
and is really into playing the guitar. She doesn't want to take classes
in guitar playing (she and her dad are doing this together) but she might
take a class in music theory - but where and how with people her own age?
She doesn't feel confident enough socially or in her playing ability to
play with others so no playing in a band. She was into gymnastics for
years but now has little desire to do anything physical. What about art?
Maybe, but she's in a funny in between age group - classes seem to be
for younger or older ages. What about a job? She says maybe but it has
to be something fun.
I'm stumped. Do I just leave her with all these options and let it go?
I don't really care which direction she goes but she's really struggling.
We've talked about how there never really is a perfect solution to
things. That there will always be parts of anything you do that are
frustrating or irritating and that you need to weigh the benefits against
the negatives. The semester ends next week and I know she is trying to
make a decision by then. So I guess I'm wondering what else I can or
should be doing to help her make this decision and does anyone have any
ideas about other activities that could help her be with her peers?
Thanks.
Kristi
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There are sooo many opportunities out in the community and many places are looking for responsible volunteers. It is really good for preparing our children for future jobs, It also helps when she go to apply for her first job. Employers love to see that a teen has already been responsible as a volunteer.
Good luck! :-) Krystal
kltronoff1@... wrote:
My 12 y/o daughter decided to go to jr. high this year. Her main
motivation was to meet people her own age. She has always been a VERY
quiet and introverted person, but with a strong personality and strong
opinions. She told me that she needed to be somewhere where she was
forced to be with and talk to people if she were going to make friends.
We have belonged to homeschool groups and scout groups and she's really
only connected with one girl in the last five years.
I also believe that a second motivation was to convince herself that her
other public school friend was wrong when she told her that she couldn't
possibly know anything if she didn't go to school. So now she's been
there for a semester, she's had no problem with the school work and
proven she's not stupid and would like to come back home. BUT she has
enjoyed the social part and says that if she does stay home she will need
something that will get her out of the house and with people her own age.
So we have been trying to come up with ideas. She's recently taken up
and is really into playing the guitar. She doesn't want to take classes
in guitar playing (she and her dad are doing this together) but she might
take a class in music theory - but where and how with people her own age?
She doesn't feel confident enough socially or in her playing ability to
play with others so no playing in a band. She was into gymnastics for
years but now has little desire to do anything physical. What about art?
Maybe, but she's in a funny in between age group - classes seem to be
for younger or older ages. What about a job? She says maybe but it has
to be something fun.
I'm stumped. Do I just leave her with all these options and let it go?
I don't really care which direction she goes but she's really struggling.
We've talked about how there never really is a perfect solution to
things. That there will always be parts of anything you do that are
frustrating or irritating and that you need to weigh the benefits against
the negatives. The semester ends next week and I know she is trying to
make a decision by then. So I guess I'm wondering what else I can or
should be doing to help her make this decision and does anyone have any
ideas about other activities that could help her be with her peers?
Thanks.
Kristi
SPONSORED LINKS
Unschooling Attachment parenting John holt Parenting magazine Single parenting
---------------------------------
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
Visit your group "AlwaysLearning" on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
---------------------------------
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Photos
Ring in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pamela Sorooshian
If she's looking for a social group - something where the social
aspects are kind of "built in" so that it is easy for her to make
friends, then a Girl Scout troop or a 4-H club might work. Girl
Scouts is not all about outdoors activities - especially for that
age, most troops are strongly focused on interpersonal stuff. 4-H is
not at all only about animals - they sign up for projects that can be
as varied as quilting to cooking to photography to rocketry to crafts
to cake decorating. Another great way to develop a circle of friends
is a theater group. Youth theater is great because even those who
aren't super talented or skilled or experienced are often given roles
in the ensemble and get to be part of the cast. Theater groups tend
to become social groups - there is a lot of down time to chat and
they often go out to eat and hang out together after rehearsals and
shows. My 14 year old's social group has revolved around a karate
studio for the past year - but it really is a game-playing group.
They do karate and then spend hours in another room playing games and
then go do karate again - twice a week. The same group often gets
together once or twice in addition to that to go to a movie or some
other activity.
So - maybe those ideas won't work for her but will inspire other
ideas that will.
-pam
aspects are kind of "built in" so that it is easy for her to make
friends, then a Girl Scout troop or a 4-H club might work. Girl
Scouts is not all about outdoors activities - especially for that
age, most troops are strongly focused on interpersonal stuff. 4-H is
not at all only about animals - they sign up for projects that can be
as varied as quilting to cooking to photography to rocketry to crafts
to cake decorating. Another great way to develop a circle of friends
is a theater group. Youth theater is great because even those who
aren't super talented or skilled or experienced are often given roles
in the ensemble and get to be part of the cast. Theater groups tend
to become social groups - there is a lot of down time to chat and
they often go out to eat and hang out together after rehearsals and
shows. My 14 year old's social group has revolved around a karate
studio for the past year - but it really is a game-playing group.
They do karate and then spend hours in another room playing games and
then go do karate again - twice a week. The same group often gets
together once or twice in addition to that to go to a movie or some
other activity.
So - maybe those ideas won't work for her but will inspire other
ideas that will.
-pam
On Jan 14, 2006, at 9:03 AM, kltronoff1@... wrote:
> I'm stumped. Do I just leave her with all these options and let it
> go?
> I don't really care which direction she goes but she's really
> struggling.
> We've talked about how there never really is a perfect solution to
> things. That there will always be parts of anything you do that are
> frustrating or irritating and that you need to weigh the benefits
> against
> the negatives. The semester ends next week and I know she is
> trying to
> make a decision by then. So I guess I'm wondering what else I can or
> should be doing to help her make this decision and does anyone have
> any
> ideas about other activities that could help her be with her peers?
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
minker30
i am doing research and wondered if some of you could post for me.
basically, i want to hear of why you unschool....did you always
unschool or how did you come about doing it....
do you see your children actually taking interests in things and
learning on their own???
any info is greatly appreciated...
dominica
basically, i want to hear of why you unschool....did you always
unschool or how did you come about doing it....
do you see your children actually taking interests in things and
learning on their own???
any info is greatly appreciated...
dominica
Sandra Dodd
-=-i am doing research and wondered if some of you could post for me.-=-
Research for personal use, meaning learning about unschooling?
Research for a paper, meaning you need details on the families?
-=-do you see your children actually taking interests in things and
learning on their own???-=-
I take it by the three question marks you're skeptical.
Here's some reading:
http://joyfullyrejoycing.com/ (learning, lefthand column)
http://sandradodd.com/unschooling (Shakespeare, TV...)
http://sandradodd.com/latenightlearning
http://sandradodd.com/museum
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Research for personal use, meaning learning about unschooling?
Research for a paper, meaning you need details on the families?
-=-do you see your children actually taking interests in things and
learning on their own???-=-
I take it by the three question marks you're skeptical.
Here's some reading:
http://joyfullyrejoycing.com/ (learning, lefthand column)
http://sandradodd.com/unschooling (Shakespeare, TV...)
http://sandradodd.com/latenightlearning
http://sandradodd.com/museum
Sandra
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Pamela Sorooshian
Hi,
Are you doing research because you're interested in possibly
unschooling your own kids?
If so, I would start with reading on Sandra's website: <sandradodd.com>.
We unschool because we caught a vision of how much more exciting and
interesting and lovely real life could be if we live outside of the
constraints and limits and artificial smallnesses that schooling
imposes.
We've unschooled since we took our oldest daughter out of school in
4th grade. She is 22 years old, now, so about 12 years. My youngest
daughter, now 16, has always been unschooled.
Do we see our children "actually" taking interests in things and
learning on their own?
This sounds disbelieving, like it is from someone who thinks kids
have to be taught or they won't learn. Wrong. Very very very wrong.
In fact, it is more true that the more "teaching" is done to a child,
the less real learning the child does.
My children are now 16, 19, and 22. They each have their own deep and
intense interests along with constant curiosity about all kinds of
things in the world. They live an always- learning lifestyle; they
can't imagine living any other way. To ask them if they "actually
take an interest in things and learn on their own," would be an
incomprehensible question to my kids. It would be like asking them,
"Do you actually breathe air and get oxygen out of it?"
-pam
Are you doing research because you're interested in possibly
unschooling your own kids?
If so, I would start with reading on Sandra's website: <sandradodd.com>.
We unschool because we caught a vision of how much more exciting and
interesting and lovely real life could be if we live outside of the
constraints and limits and artificial smallnesses that schooling
imposes.
We've unschooled since we took our oldest daughter out of school in
4th grade. She is 22 years old, now, so about 12 years. My youngest
daughter, now 16, has always been unschooled.
Do we see our children "actually" taking interests in things and
learning on their own?
This sounds disbelieving, like it is from someone who thinks kids
have to be taught or they won't learn. Wrong. Very very very wrong.
In fact, it is more true that the more "teaching" is done to a child,
the less real learning the child does.
My children are now 16, 19, and 22. They each have their own deep and
intense interests along with constant curiosity about all kinds of
things in the world. They live an always- learning lifestyle; they
can't imagine living any other way. To ask them if they "actually
take an interest in things and learn on their own," would be an
incomprehensible question to my kids. It would be like asking them,
"Do you actually breathe air and get oxygen out of it?"
-pam
On May 22, 2007, at 7:32 AM, minker30 wrote:
> i am doing research and wondered if some of you could post for me.
> basically, i want to hear of why you unschool....did you always
> unschool or how did you come about doing it....
> do you see your children actually taking interests in things and
> learning on their own???
> any info is greatly appreciated...
> dominica
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
-=My children are now 16, 19, and 22. They each have their own deep and
intense interests along with constant curiosity about all kinds of
things in the world. They live an always- learning lifestyle; they
can't imagine living any other way. To ask them if they "actually
take an interest in things and learn on their own," would be an
incomprehensible question to my kids. It would be like asking them,
"Do you actually breathe air and get oxygen out of it?"-=-
Pam worded that perfectly.
Mine are 15, 18 and 20 and have never been to school. They're
interesting to and interested in people of all ages and all three
have already "been in the workplace" and totally shot the dire
predictions about people without schooling not being able to get jobs
or to adjust to the requirements of schedules, etc. (Holly's was
"only" a babysitting job, but for a fifteen year old that's enough.
She was responsible and punctual and never got confused about the
complex and variable schedule.)
The fears expressed to us over the years turned out to have been
baseless.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
intense interests along with constant curiosity about all kinds of
things in the world. They live an always- learning lifestyle; they
can't imagine living any other way. To ask them if they "actually
take an interest in things and learn on their own," would be an
incomprehensible question to my kids. It would be like asking them,
"Do you actually breathe air and get oxygen out of it?"-=-
Pam worded that perfectly.
Mine are 15, 18 and 20 and have never been to school. They're
interesting to and interested in people of all ages and all three
have already "been in the workplace" and totally shot the dire
predictions about people without schooling not being able to get jobs
or to adjust to the requirements of schedules, etc. (Holly's was
"only" a babysitting job, but for a fifteen year old that's enough.
She was responsible and punctual and never got confused about the
complex and variable schedule.)
The fears expressed to us over the years turned out to have been
baseless.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Bob Collier
--- In [email protected], "minker30" <mink30@...> wrote:
Here's my story:
http://parental-intelligence.com/bobcollierarticles002.html
Both of my children do whatever they like. In the case of my now 21
year old daughter in the final year of her Law degree, she studies,
attends lectures and hands in assignments. In the case of my now 11
year old son, he mostly plays videogames and watches TV, sometimes in
my company, sometimes not. They're both learning, they're both getting
the education they want. Everybody's happy.
Hope that helps.
Bob
>Hi, Dominica
> i am doing research and wondered if some of you could post for me.
> basically, i want to hear of why you unschool....did you always
> unschool or how did you come about doing it....
> do you see your children actually taking interests in things and
> learning on their own???
> any info is greatly appreciated...
> dominica
>
Here's my story:
http://parental-intelligence.com/bobcollierarticles002.html
Both of my children do whatever they like. In the case of my now 21
year old daughter in the final year of her Law degree, she studies,
attends lectures and hands in assignments. In the case of my now 11
year old son, he mostly plays videogames and watches TV, sometimes in
my company, sometimes not. They're both learning, they're both getting
the education they want. Everybody's happy.
Hope that helps.
Bob
Tina Hanson
I began my kids with regular homeschool. You know workbooks, some curriculum,etc. That was ok for a bit with my oldest, but was pointless with my youngest. So I just started letting them choose what they were interested in. I did not know actually a whole lot about unschooling, probably still don't. But something has worked. My eldest daughter, 15-is running several sites for actors in Broadway Musicals, and has developed quite a following of people. She aspires now to be a publicist, or director, or who knows as long as it has to do with Broadway acting.
My youngest daughter 13-is interested in music, and writing. She has a viviid imagination, and a very set idea as to how her life is going to go.
Both of my girls taught themselves to read. We have always read to them all of their lives.
I have always kept phonics workbooks around, and tapes etc. The eldest learned mostly by sight. I got worried and tried to push phonics for her, but to no avail, and low and behold she can read beautifully, and has marvelous comprehension. My youngest made use of the phonics tapes and books some, and learned as well with the same results.
So to conclude, I just keep our house full of interesting materials, and they do the rest.
Hope this helps, it is not as eloquent as some, but it is what we do.
Tina Hanson
Bob Collier <bobcollier@...> wrote:
My youngest daughter 13-is interested in music, and writing. She has a viviid imagination, and a very set idea as to how her life is going to go.
Both of my girls taught themselves to read. We have always read to them all of their lives.
I have always kept phonics workbooks around, and tapes etc. The eldest learned mostly by sight. I got worried and tried to push phonics for her, but to no avail, and low and behold she can read beautifully, and has marvelous comprehension. My youngest made use of the phonics tapes and books some, and learned as well with the same results.
So to conclude, I just keep our house full of interesting materials, and they do the rest.
Hope this helps, it is not as eloquent as some, but it is what we do.
Tina Hanson
Bob Collier <bobcollier@...> wrote:
--- In [email protected], "minker30" <mink30@...> wrote:
>
> i am doing research and wondered if some of you could post for me.
> basically, i want to hear of why you unschool....did you always
> unschool or how did you come about doing it....
> do you see your children actually taking interests in things and
> learning on their own???
> any info is greatly appreciated...
> dominica
>
Hi, Dominica
Here's my story:
http://parental-intelligence.com/bobcollierarticles002.html
Both of my children do whatever they like. In the case of my now 21
year old daughter in the final year of her Law degree, she studies,
attends lectures and hands in assignments. In the case of my now 11
year old son, he mostly plays videogames and watches TV, sometimes in
my company, sometimes not. They're both learning, they're both getting
the education they want. Everybody's happy.
Hope that helps.
Bob
---------------------------------
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