help?
Sher
im new to the list so bear with me while i give you a little background. i have 3 kids, one grown who went to public school and did fine. 2 younger ones, both boys ages almost 11 and 8. i homeschooled both of them since the 11 yr old was in first grade due to a problem with the teacher and i didnt like the way the school district handled the situation. last fall we moved and both the children expressed the desire to go to school. because of so many things going on here at home we decided to go ahead and let them try it. well, the 8 yr old has sailed through both socially and acedemically. unfortunately, my older son hasnt faired as well. he has a harder time with learning and just benefits more from a one on one situation and also gets picked on a lot so socially it affects his academics. well, decided i would begin homeschooling him again. it has been a nightmare. i cant get him to settle down and get anything done. he thinks school was easier because no one there "made" him do anything. yet he was failing. so i started looking into this unschooling thing. can someone tell me more about it? like give me examples of what i need to do. i know i should follow his lead but what if all he wants to do is play computer games and stuff like that? what is a day in the life of an unschooler like? im scared to death he wont get the basics down. his writing, reading, spelling are terrible! thanks for all your help
sher
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
sher
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joanne
Hi Sher.
Welcome! You're in the right place to learn about unschooling. :-)
May I suggest reading some of the older posts? There is so much
information there and you can read it in your own time.
For me personally, I found that before I could really start
unschooling, I had to look at myself and the way I thought about
education.
Good for you for reaching out and wanting something better for your
son. :-)
~ Joanne ~
Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13)
Adopted into our hearts October 30, 2003
http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
--- In [email protected], "Sher"
<mamasbakerybarn@...> wrote:
did fine. 2 younger ones, both boys ages almost 11 and 8. i
homeschooled both of them since the 11 yr old was in first grade due
to a problem with the teacher and i didnt like the way the school
district handled the situation. last fall we moved and both the
children expressed the desire to go to school. because of so many
things going on here at home we decided to go ahead and let them try
it. well, the 8 yr old has sailed through both socially and
acedemically. unfortunately, my older son hasnt faired as well. he
has a harder time with learning and just benefits more from a one on
one situation and also gets picked on a lot so socially it affects
his academics. well, decided i would begin homeschooling him
again. it has been a nightmare. i cant get him to settle down and
get anything done. he thinks school was easier because no one
there "made" him do anything. yet he was failing. so i started
looking into this unschooling thing. can someone tell me more about
it? like give me examples of what i need to do. i know i should
follow his lead but what if all he wants to do is play computer
games and stuff like that? what is a day in the life of an
unschooler like? im scared to death he wont get the basics down.
his writing, reading, spelling are terrible! thanks for all your
help
Welcome! You're in the right place to learn about unschooling. :-)
May I suggest reading some of the older posts? There is so much
information there and you can read it in your own time.
For me personally, I found that before I could really start
unschooling, I had to look at myself and the way I thought about
education.
Good for you for reaching out and wanting something better for your
son. :-)
~ Joanne ~
Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13)
Adopted into our hearts October 30, 2003
http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
--- In [email protected], "Sher"
<mamasbakerybarn@...> wrote:
>background. i have 3 kids, one grown who went to public school and
> im new to the list so bear with me while i give you a little
did fine. 2 younger ones, both boys ages almost 11 and 8. i
homeschooled both of them since the 11 yr old was in first grade due
to a problem with the teacher and i didnt like the way the school
district handled the situation. last fall we moved and both the
children expressed the desire to go to school. because of so many
things going on here at home we decided to go ahead and let them try
it. well, the 8 yr old has sailed through both socially and
acedemically. unfortunately, my older son hasnt faired as well. he
has a harder time with learning and just benefits more from a one on
one situation and also gets picked on a lot so socially it affects
his academics. well, decided i would begin homeschooling him
again. it has been a nightmare. i cant get him to settle down and
get anything done. he thinks school was easier because no one
there "made" him do anything. yet he was failing. so i started
looking into this unschooling thing. can someone tell me more about
it? like give me examples of what i need to do. i know i should
follow his lead but what if all he wants to do is play computer
games and stuff like that? what is a day in the life of an
unschooler like? im scared to death he wont get the basics down.
his writing, reading, spelling are terrible! thanks for all your
help
> sher
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Pampered Chef Michelle
On 3/22/06, Sher <mamasbakerybarn@...> wrote:
read. There is SO much reading in most of the video games today.
Characters talking to each other, finding out new clues or directions, and
all the signs and symbols used in video games. Also, I have found that
video games eventually lead kids to want to read other things. For instance
let's say that your child is playing Kingdom Hearts (a recent favorite in
our house.) That leads to them wanting the KH players book which is filled
with statistics on all the characters, ways to defeat Oogie Boogie, and sub
story lines that you wouldn't get if you just played the game. From that it
leads to the child wanting to watch the movie Hercules (for clues of course)
and then the child says, "Mom, how accurate is Disney's version of
Hercules?" So you run to the bookstore (or library) and get a book about
the Greek and Roman dieties and the next day your son shows up to breakfast
in a bedsheet. :)
That's a day in the life of an unschooler. Video games, movies, books and
bedsheets. I think my big turning point between being an eclectic relaxed
homeschooler and being a radical unschooler was when I allowed myself to
play and create. When I stopped giving myself, "you shoulds." I realized
that many of the things that I thought I "should" do are society imposed.
Aside from the things that really need to be done (like pay bills, and keep
a sanitary house (note I didn't say clean as a whistle LOL!) and keep up
with my business contacts) there isn't a lot that I *need* to do. I allowed
a set of societal "norms" dictate my life. And my life really isn't all
that "normal." :)
To unschool YOU must learn to have fun too.
--
Michelle
Independent Kitchen Consultant #413652
The Pampered Chef
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Catch our new wave of color!
Book a March show!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>He's reading while playing games. Trust me. That's how my son learned to
> so i started looking into this unschooling thing. can someone tell me
> more about it? like give me examples of what i need to do. i know i should
> follow his lead but what if all he wants to do is play computer games and
> stuff like that? what is a day in the life of an unschooler like? im
> scared to death he wont get the basics down. his writing, reading, spelling
> are terrible! thanks for all your help
read. There is SO much reading in most of the video games today.
Characters talking to each other, finding out new clues or directions, and
all the signs and symbols used in video games. Also, I have found that
video games eventually lead kids to want to read other things. For instance
let's say that your child is playing Kingdom Hearts (a recent favorite in
our house.) That leads to them wanting the KH players book which is filled
with statistics on all the characters, ways to defeat Oogie Boogie, and sub
story lines that you wouldn't get if you just played the game. From that it
leads to the child wanting to watch the movie Hercules (for clues of course)
and then the child says, "Mom, how accurate is Disney's version of
Hercules?" So you run to the bookstore (or library) and get a book about
the Greek and Roman dieties and the next day your son shows up to breakfast
in a bedsheet. :)
That's a day in the life of an unschooler. Video games, movies, books and
bedsheets. I think my big turning point between being an eclectic relaxed
homeschooler and being a radical unschooler was when I allowed myself to
play and create. When I stopped giving myself, "you shoulds." I realized
that many of the things that I thought I "should" do are society imposed.
Aside from the things that really need to be done (like pay bills, and keep
a sanitary house (note I didn't say clean as a whistle LOL!) and keep up
with my business contacts) there isn't a lot that I *need* to do. I allowed
a set of societal "norms" dictate my life. And my life really isn't all
that "normal." :)
To unschool YOU must learn to have fun too.
--
Michelle
Independent Kitchen Consultant #413652
The Pampered Chef
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Catch our new wave of color!
Book a March show!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Manisha Kher
--- Joanne <billyandjoanne@...> wrote:
in school I've retained and used. I thought about what
is really necessary. It was a difficult process
because it amounted to admitting that most of the time
spent in school had been useless. Not a very
comforting thought when you've had about 20 years of
school, college and graduate school.
I think Ren had a questionaire that went thru
something like this.
Manisha
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
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>Me too. I had to think about how much of what I learnt
> For me personally, I found that before I could
> really start
> unschooling, I had to look at myself and the way I
> thought about
> education.
>
in school I've retained and used. I thought about what
is really necessary. It was a difficult process
because it amounted to admitting that most of the time
spent in school had been useless. Not a very
comforting thought when you've had about 20 years of
school, college and graduate school.
I think Ren had a questionaire that went thru
something like this.
Manisha
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
[email protected]
>>I had to think about how much of what I learntin school I've retained and used. I thought about what
is really necessary. It was a difficult process
because it amounted to admitting that most of the time
spent in school had been useless. Not a very
comforting thought when you've had about 20 years of
school, college and graduate school.>>
I hear ya! I spoke at the Live and Learn Conference a few years ago about just this topic. http://sandradodd.com/gold/journey
--
~Mary
"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the
green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly
alive."
~Thich Nhat Hanh
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Manisha Kher <m_kher@...>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Rue Kream
>>I think Ren had a questionaire that went thrusomething like this.
**I saved Ren's questionnaire - it'll be added to .info's collected posts
next time I update. Here it is:
****************************************************
I've posted the conference version, but could NOT find the original
of this "test" I've used at various talks.
Finally found it last night...the joys of moving eh?
1) List all the ways you've earned an income in your life:
(include side jobs and career paths)
2) List some hobbies you pursue in your leisure time:
3)What are driving passions and interests that make life meaningful
and fulfilling for you?
4)List ALL the interests you would like to pursue or learn about
before you die?
5)What would you be doing right now if there were NO obstacles in
your path? (dream big)
After the participants fill this out, I have them tally up all the
items listed. THEN, have them go back through the list and tally up
how many of those items they got proficient at, by attending school,
or COULD have gotten proficient at by attending school (through 12th
grade, not counting college or any post high-school since that isn't
compulsory).
You'll get a variety of answers, but it does get people thinking
about how meaningful the learning is that happens outside of school.
Some other questions I added, but only did verbally;
How many of you have one or more degrees?
Of the people that have degrees, how many of you are actually using
that degree in your work today?
If you are using your degree today, do you really LOVE your work?Are
you passionate about what you do?
This might be a good "quiz" for those reluctant partners. If they're
willing to play around with it, it could get them thinking about the
ways that humans really learn in a meaningful way.
*********************************************************
~Rue
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
Welcome Sher.
http://sandradodd.com/typical
Right now though I'd suggest just taking a complete school vacation. Deschooling we call it. It will give you all time to reconnect, regroup and heal from the forced teaching.
--
~Mary
"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the
green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly
alive."
~Thich Nhat Hanh
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Sher" <mamasbakerybarn@...>
>>what is a day in the life of an unschooler like? >>Each day is different within the routine of each different family. Here's a link to a page describing many "typical" days. (And if you read around the rest of the site too, you'll find a lot of great unschooling info.)
http://sandradodd.com/typical
>>im scared to death he wont get the basics down. his writing, reading, spelling are terrible!>>Try not to be scared. He really will learn if he's given the freedom to pursue things at his own pace and with his own interests. My son's writing skills are getting better each day from his intense gaming, online role playing, and emailing. He's gone from a kid who HATED to write to one who writes for purpose and pleasure.
Right now though I'd suggest just taking a complete school vacation. Deschooling we call it. It will give you all time to reconnect, regroup and heal from the forced teaching.
--
~Mary
"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the
green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly
alive."
~Thich Nhat Hanh
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Sher" <mamasbakerybarn@...>
Deb
--- In [email protected], "Pampered Chef Michelle"
<pamperedmichelle@...> wrote:
says "Irish step dance music" as he eats his French toast...a tidbit
picked up from the cartoon Dave the Barbarian (DH and I just had to
ask...).
--Deb
<pamperedmichelle@...> wrote:
>LOL or when a bit of music comes on the radio and DS (almost 8)
> That's a day in the life of an unschooler. Video games, movies,
>books and
> bedsheets.
says "Irish step dance music" as he eats his French toast...a tidbit
picked up from the cartoon Dave the Barbarian (DH and I just had to
ask...).
--Deb
S Drag-teine
It really helped that back when I joined there was a thread going on that
everyone was writing what they and the kids were doing. So, I am going to
start it again.
Today I got up late, around 9:30, started a load of laundry, my new habit, I
am a flybaby. Checked my email, made some phone calls... a fellow
homeschoolers had a doctor's appointment for her youngest and asked if I
would watch the other two and she dropped them off at around 10. The oldest
woke my son up. While he worked on waking up I put in Chicken Little.
While his friends watched tv, we had a discussion about Zombies. We are a
family of horror movie watchers, but I really don't know where the question
came from. I answered the questions that he asked.
Their mom got back right about the time the movie was over and by that time
my son had decided he was going outside to dig and "plant seeds." We have a
ton of Hibiscus bushes and he likes to break the pods open and plant the
seeds.
When he came in he got out his computer game book and picked Chicka Chicka
Boom Boom. He played while I went to lay his sister (15 months) down for a
nap. When I came out, I asked him if there was anything he wanted to do with
just me since DD was asleep.
We spent most the afternoon excavating bones from a Dino Kit and putting the
bones together. Then he spent the rest of the time until his dad got home
breaking the rest of the brick to tiny bits. We cleaned up and then he
painted the Saber Tooth Cat with water paints.
Now we are watching Shaun of the Dead because it was the least scary Zombie
movie since DS was asking again and again to watch a Zombie movie. DH and DS
are watching in the kitchen and discussing the movie while playing blocks on
the kitchen table.
Shannon
Mother of Quentin (5 1/2) and Xandra (15 months)
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of zenmomma@...
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 3:11 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] help?
Welcome Sher.
link to a page describing many "typical" days. (And if you read around the
rest of the site too, you'll find a lot of great unschooling info.)
http://sandradodd.com/typical
Try not to be scared. He really will learn if he's given the freedom to
pursue things at his own pace and with his own interests. My son's writing
skills are getting better each day from his intense gaming, online role
playing, and emailing. He's gone from a kid who HATED to write to one who
writes for purpose and pleasure.
Right now though I'd suggest just taking a complete school vacation.
Deschooling we call it. It will give you all time to reconnect, regroup and
heal from the forced teaching.
--
~Mary
"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the
green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly
alive."
~Thich Nhat Hanh
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Sher" <mamasbakerybarn@...>
Yahoo! Groups Links
everyone was writing what they and the kids were doing. So, I am going to
start it again.
Today I got up late, around 9:30, started a load of laundry, my new habit, I
am a flybaby. Checked my email, made some phone calls... a fellow
homeschoolers had a doctor's appointment for her youngest and asked if I
would watch the other two and she dropped them off at around 10. The oldest
woke my son up. While he worked on waking up I put in Chicken Little.
While his friends watched tv, we had a discussion about Zombies. We are a
family of horror movie watchers, but I really don't know where the question
came from. I answered the questions that he asked.
Their mom got back right about the time the movie was over and by that time
my son had decided he was going outside to dig and "plant seeds." We have a
ton of Hibiscus bushes and he likes to break the pods open and plant the
seeds.
When he came in he got out his computer game book and picked Chicka Chicka
Boom Boom. He played while I went to lay his sister (15 months) down for a
nap. When I came out, I asked him if there was anything he wanted to do with
just me since DD was asleep.
We spent most the afternoon excavating bones from a Dino Kit and putting the
bones together. Then he spent the rest of the time until his dad got home
breaking the rest of the brick to tiny bits. We cleaned up and then he
painted the Saber Tooth Cat with water paints.
Now we are watching Shaun of the Dead because it was the least scary Zombie
movie since DS was asking again and again to watch a Zombie movie. DH and DS
are watching in the kitchen and discussing the movie while playing blocks on
the kitchen table.
Shannon
Mother of Quentin (5 1/2) and Xandra (15 months)
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of zenmomma@...
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 3:11 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] help?
Welcome Sher.
>>what is a day in the life of an unschooler like? >>Each day is different within the routine of each different family. Here's a
link to a page describing many "typical" days. (And if you read around the
rest of the site too, you'll find a lot of great unschooling info.)
http://sandradodd.com/typical
>>im scared to death he wont get the basics down. his writing, reading,spelling are terrible!>>
Try not to be scared. He really will learn if he's given the freedom to
pursue things at his own pace and with his own interests. My son's writing
skills are getting better each day from his intense gaming, online role
playing, and emailing. He's gone from a kid who HATED to write to one who
writes for purpose and pleasure.
Right now though I'd suggest just taking a complete school vacation.
Deschooling we call it. It will give you all time to reconnect, regroup and
heal from the forced teaching.
--
~Mary
"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the
green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly
alive."
~Thich Nhat Hanh
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Sher" <mamasbakerybarn@...>
Yahoo! Groups Links
Paige
> It really helped that back when I joined there was a thread going onthat
> everyone was writing what they and the kids were doing. So, I amgoing to start it again.
This sounds like a nice idea. I usually blog about my day, but I'll
add a little here, too.
This morning we got up at 12:30 when my mom called and said, "The
birthday party starts at 1:30!" We hurried and got ready and went to
her house for my nephew's birthday party. The girls played inside and
out...it snowed some and they had a blast in that! They started a
club, Nature Protectors, I think. "To investigate and protect nature"
is what they told me was their motto was. They played a long time
with the birthday candles...the kind that won't blow out. :) When
they got tired they watched some movies and my older dd took a bath.
When we came home they started playing on the computer. They started
with a Barbie game and now they are playing something else with Daddy,
but I haven't gone in to see what game it is. It sounds like they are
fishing or something. Dd10 just said "It said that one was, like, 28
pounds." lol
I am going to go clean the kitchen, cook, and start a load of
laundry. While we eat we will probably watch a movie, then the tv
will probably be on the rest of the evening, one or both might go back
to the computer. My older dd will probably go to bed at about 12, but
the younger will go about 3.
AHHH, just another lovely day. :)
Paige