One Newbie's view!
Kris
I am very new here and to unschooling. I have been homeschooling my
two kids since last September. My son is 12 and my daughter is 9.
They attended a very small public school until last fall. If I had a
magic life VCR I would rewind and start over when my son was 6 and
never send either one of them to school public or otherwise. My
greatest fear right now is that the damage that was done to their
self-esteems and spirits cannot be completely undone.
I have to admit that we started out our homeschooling adventure by
simulating public school at our kitchen table. Fortunately, that
didn't last long! My kids hated it and so did I! Then we sort of
veered toward eclectic homeschooling we were happier with that,
but we all still felt pressured. Have we done history this week?
When is the last time we studied science? OMG we haven't done math
in 4 days! Then as luck would have it, we had to move into a
different house. I got too busy to plan lessons and "teach" math.
Between working, getting ready to move, hockey practice & games,
YMCA basketball games & practice, art lessons, .(you get the idea!)
workbook pages and vocabulary lists were impossible. On the advice
of a good friend, I decided to just let the kids de-school for a
while. When I think back I realize that I did it to make myself feel
better and less guilty! Three or four weeks later after the move
and my busy season at work, I thought about getting back into some
kind of schedule, but I noticed that my kids were doing great. They
were active, happy, and busy. Why would I want to interfere with
that? They seemed at peace with each other and the world around
them. So we became official unschoolers!
I do still panic occasionally about math. But then, my kids will
miraculously end my doubt. For example, the other day I overheard
them "shopping on Ebay". Whatever it was they were looking at cost
$18. Delaney (9) wondered aloud how much 4 of them would cost.
Bennett (12) who tells everyone who will listen that is can't do
math at all, said, "Well, just multiply 4 times 20 and subtract 8"
to which Delaney responded, "Oh, 72 that makes sense! Less than
$40 for each of us" Immediately Bennett added, "Yes $4 less" No one
taught them to do multiplication that way. There was no worksheet or
textbook.
My kids' vocabularies have been growing by leaps and bounds way
faster than they did when they were in school and doing weekly vocab
tests. My only explanation is TV, video games & books on tape. All
things I didn't ask them to do, watch, or listen to! Bennett is an
avid Harry Potter fan. He has never read one of the books. I read
book one to him and he has listened to the rest on tape. We also own
all of the movies. He is actually starting to use phases and words
from those stories as if they were his own. I love it! (and he
doesn't know he is doing it!)
We have very little stress, VERY few disagreements, lots and lots of
fun, laughter and togetherness. We have gone from a life full
of "have to's" to one full of "want to's and can's". I still
worry about their future careers I try hard not too, but their dad
is sure he will be supporting them forever if they don't go to
college. I don't worry at all about them growing up to be happy,
kind, secure adults who know what they like and how to discover the
answers to any questions they think up. They may not grow up to be
financially wealthy, but there are other, more important kinds of
wealth!
Kris
Living and learning in Montana
With Bennett & Delaney
two kids since last September. My son is 12 and my daughter is 9.
They attended a very small public school until last fall. If I had a
magic life VCR I would rewind and start over when my son was 6 and
never send either one of them to school public or otherwise. My
greatest fear right now is that the damage that was done to their
self-esteems and spirits cannot be completely undone.
I have to admit that we started out our homeschooling adventure by
simulating public school at our kitchen table. Fortunately, that
didn't last long! My kids hated it and so did I! Then we sort of
veered toward eclectic homeschooling we were happier with that,
but we all still felt pressured. Have we done history this week?
When is the last time we studied science? OMG we haven't done math
in 4 days! Then as luck would have it, we had to move into a
different house. I got too busy to plan lessons and "teach" math.
Between working, getting ready to move, hockey practice & games,
YMCA basketball games & practice, art lessons, .(you get the idea!)
workbook pages and vocabulary lists were impossible. On the advice
of a good friend, I decided to just let the kids de-school for a
while. When I think back I realize that I did it to make myself feel
better and less guilty! Three or four weeks later after the move
and my busy season at work, I thought about getting back into some
kind of schedule, but I noticed that my kids were doing great. They
were active, happy, and busy. Why would I want to interfere with
that? They seemed at peace with each other and the world around
them. So we became official unschoolers!
I do still panic occasionally about math. But then, my kids will
miraculously end my doubt. For example, the other day I overheard
them "shopping on Ebay". Whatever it was they were looking at cost
$18. Delaney (9) wondered aloud how much 4 of them would cost.
Bennett (12) who tells everyone who will listen that is can't do
math at all, said, "Well, just multiply 4 times 20 and subtract 8"
to which Delaney responded, "Oh, 72 that makes sense! Less than
$40 for each of us" Immediately Bennett added, "Yes $4 less" No one
taught them to do multiplication that way. There was no worksheet or
textbook.
My kids' vocabularies have been growing by leaps and bounds way
faster than they did when they were in school and doing weekly vocab
tests. My only explanation is TV, video games & books on tape. All
things I didn't ask them to do, watch, or listen to! Bennett is an
avid Harry Potter fan. He has never read one of the books. I read
book one to him and he has listened to the rest on tape. We also own
all of the movies. He is actually starting to use phases and words
from those stories as if they were his own. I love it! (and he
doesn't know he is doing it!)
We have very little stress, VERY few disagreements, lots and lots of
fun, laughter and togetherness. We have gone from a life full
of "have to's" to one full of "want to's and can's". I still
worry about their future careers I try hard not too, but their dad
is sure he will be supporting them forever if they don't go to
college. I don't worry at all about them growing up to be happy,
kind, secure adults who know what they like and how to discover the
answers to any questions they think up. They may not grow up to be
financially wealthy, but there are other, more important kinds of
wealth!
Kris
Living and learning in Montana
With Bennett & Delaney
ANGELA BERRY
Really enjoyed you sharing your story! You are not alone as to what will happen in the future with our unschooled children but you sure are on a great path (like u said) for happy & confident kids. That is a great start. ;o)
smiles ~ Angela
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
smiles ~ Angela
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Michelle/Melbrigða
On 6/7/06, Kris <bendelmom@...> wrote:
today with opening the door to their freedoms and passions. it will
take time for them to deschool, especially if you did school at home
this past year. I worried about my oldest who had been in and out of
school for several years. I'm happy to say that she has embraced
unschooling with her whole heart and loves her life! Your children
can get there too!!
Three or four weeks later – after the move
got the words from. Different names, spells, objects. There are tons
of words with Latin roots and people's names that truly describe them
- Dumbledore (which means bumble bee) and Umbridge, and accio,
luminos, nox. Think that HP isn't increasing our children's
vocabularies? Think again!
education, obsessed (passionate) with computers, and the guy is
rolling in the green (and quite the philanthropist as well!)
--
Michelle
aka Melbrigða
http://eventualknitting.blogspot.com
[email protected] - Homeschooling for the Medieval Recreationist
>It CAN Don't give up on your children having joyful lives!!! Start
> I am very new here and to unschooling. I have been homeschooling my
> two kids since last September. My son is 12 and my daughter is 9.
> They attended a very small public school until last fall. If I had a
> magic life VCR I would rewind and start over when my son was 6 and
> never send either one of them to school – public or otherwise. My
> greatest fear right now is that the damage that was done to their
> self-esteems and spirits cannot be completely undone.
today with opening the door to their freedoms and passions. it will
take time for them to deschool, especially if you did school at home
this past year. I worried about my oldest who had been in and out of
school for several years. I'm happy to say that she has embraced
unschooling with her whole heart and loves her life! Your children
can get there too!!
Three or four weeks later – after the move
> and my busy season at work, I thought about getting back into someSee? Your children are proving your fears wrong. Trust them!
> kind of schedule, but I noticed that my kids were doing great. They
> were active, happy, and busy. Why would I want to interfere with
> that? They seemed at peace with each other and the world around
> them. So we became official unschoolers!
>tee hee!!!
> I do still panic occasionally about math. But then, my kids will
> miraculously end my doubt. For example, the other day I overheard
> them "shopping on Ebay". Whatever it was they were looking at cost
> $18. Delaney (9) wondered aloud how much 4 of them would cost.
> Bennett (12) who tells everyone who will listen that is can't do
> math at all, said, "Well, just multiply 4 times 20 and subtract…8"
> to which Delaney responded, "Oh, 72 – that makes sense! Less than
> $40 for each of us" Immediately Bennett added, "Yes $4 less" No one
> taught them to do multiplication that way. There was no worksheet or
> textbook.
>If you go to mugglenet there is a list of words and where JK Rowling
> My kids' vocabularies have been growing by leaps and bounds – way
> faster than they did when they were in school and doing weekly vocab
> tests. My only explanation is TV, video games & books on tape. All
> things I didn't ask them to do, watch, or listen to! Bennett is an
> avid Harry Potter fan. He has never read one of the books. I read
> book one to him and he has listened to the rest on tape. We also own
> all of the movies. He is actually starting to use phases and words
> from those stories as if they were his own. I love it! (and he
> doesn't know he is doing it!)
got the words from. Different names, spells, objects. There are tons
of words with Latin roots and people's names that truly describe them
- Dumbledore (which means bumble bee) and Umbridge, and accio,
luminos, nox. Think that HP isn't increasing our children's
vocabularies? Think again!
>But then again they just might! Look at Bill Gates. No college
> They may not grow up to be
> financially wealthy, but there are other, more important kinds of
> wealth!
>
education, obsessed (passionate) with computers, and the guy is
rolling in the green (and quite the philanthropist as well!)
--
Michelle
aka Melbrigða
http://eventualknitting.blogspot.com
[email protected] - Homeschooling for the Medieval Recreationist