learning to read
wyldwoodswoman
Ds(6 yo) WANTS to learn to read. I am not sure how to go about helping
him. I was hoping he'd just sort of figure it out,as I've heard many
kids do. But he hasn't yet and really wants to do it. Any suggestions?
kim
him. I was hoping he'd just sort of figure it out,as I've heard many
kids do. But he hasn't yet and really wants to do it. Any suggestions?
kim
Joyce Fetteroll
On Jun 24, 2006, at 4:07 PM, wyldwoodswoman wrote:
how would you teach him? You could run alongside him all summer and
if he's not developmentally ready to do some of the skills needed to
ride a bike, he just can't.
If there were *a* method to teach nonreading kids to read, schools
would be using it.
There are many brain areas involved in reading. If one isn't ready,
he's just not going to be able to read.
Time will take care of it. In the mean time, read to him, turn on the
subtitles on the TV, label things around the house (and then switch
the labels.) There's also Peggy Kaye's Games for Reading book that
has some fun games. Find things that he enjoys. None of those will
make him read, but it will be information available for when he's
ready to put it together.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> Ds(6 yo) WANTS to learn to read. I am not sure how to go about helpingIf he really WANTED to learn to ride a bike but hadn't been able to,
> him. I was hoping he'd just sort of figure it out,as I've heard many
> kids do. But he hasn't yet and really wants to do it. Any suggestions?
how would you teach him? You could run alongside him all summer and
if he's not developmentally ready to do some of the skills needed to
ride a bike, he just can't.
If there were *a* method to teach nonreading kids to read, schools
would be using it.
There are many brain areas involved in reading. If one isn't ready,
he's just not going to be able to read.
Time will take care of it. In the mean time, read to him, turn on the
subtitles on the TV, label things around the house (and then switch
the labels.) There's also Peggy Kaye's Games for Reading book that
has some fun games. Find things that he enjoys. None of those will
make him read, but it will be information available for when he's
ready to put it together.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Queana
If your son is actually asking for help in learning to read, there are lots
of things you can do together to help the process along. Both my boys
learned to read at around 5, and they both really wanted to learn, so it's
possible he is ready.
Read with him a lot, pointing to the words as you read them, play games with
letter sounds, label things around the house, write him lots of notes (be
careful with the handwriting ;), get your letter magnets out (or buy some,
several sets so there are plenty of each letter) and make words on the
fridge together, point out signs or labels that you come across together.
Some people love it and some people hate it, but it doesn't matter what the
mom's opinion is I suppose; both my younger boys liked "Teach Your Child to
Read in 100 Easy Lessons". After introducing it to them when they were 4 or
5, they would periodically come up and ask for "lessons". By the time we
were halfway through the book they could read well beyond it. My 7 y.o.
still goes back to it and reads the book from time to time just to reminisce
I guess, because the stories aren't all that interesting.
My library has tons of picture books on tape. Listening to the tapes and
reading the books is a great way to connect also.
Of course your son will "figure it out". That's what all kids do, whether
someone is trying to "teach" them or not. There are things that will help
and things that will hinder that process. If you listen to the latest
edition of Unbridled Learning, there's a great post from a mom about how
each of her kids learned to read. It includes a daughter who *really*
wanted to learn and wasn't ready. It's important to help them not frustrate
themselves too!
~Q~
aka Sarah
http://www.unbridledlearning.com
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Checked by AVG Free Edition.
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of things you can do together to help the process along. Both my boys
learned to read at around 5, and they both really wanted to learn, so it's
possible he is ready.
Read with him a lot, pointing to the words as you read them, play games with
letter sounds, label things around the house, write him lots of notes (be
careful with the handwriting ;), get your letter magnets out (or buy some,
several sets so there are plenty of each letter) and make words on the
fridge together, point out signs or labels that you come across together.
Some people love it and some people hate it, but it doesn't matter what the
mom's opinion is I suppose; both my younger boys liked "Teach Your Child to
Read in 100 Easy Lessons". After introducing it to them when they were 4 or
5, they would periodically come up and ask for "lessons". By the time we
were halfway through the book they could read well beyond it. My 7 y.o.
still goes back to it and reads the book from time to time just to reminisce
I guess, because the stories aren't all that interesting.
My library has tons of picture books on tape. Listening to the tapes and
reading the books is a great way to connect also.
Of course your son will "figure it out". That's what all kids do, whether
someone is trying to "teach" them or not. There are things that will help
and things that will hinder that process. If you listen to the latest
edition of Unbridled Learning, there's a great post from a mom about how
each of her kids learned to read. It includes a daughter who *really*
wanted to learn and wasn't ready. It's important to help them not frustrate
themselves too!
~Q~
aka Sarah
http://www.unbridledlearning.com
> -----Original Message-------
> From: [email protected]
> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of wyldwoodswoman
> Sent: Saturday, June 24, 2006 1:08 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [unschoolingbasics] learning to read
>
> Ds(6 yo) WANTS to learn to read. I am not sure how to go about helping
> him. I was hoping he'd just sort of figure it out,as I've heard many
> kids do. But he hasn't yet and really wants to do it. Any suggestions?
> kim
>
>
>
>
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Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.5/377 - Release Date: 6/27/2006
Ren Allen
"In a way, it does take years to learn to read and write - it starts
when a child is born and takes however many years until the pieces
click into place. Not years of phonics practice (bleh) but years of
being exposed to language. On the one hand, it can seem to
happen 'overnight'. On the other, it can percolate internally for
years before it becomes visible."
I thought this was a good thing to post again!! If you're having
doubts, just keep reading Joyces words, daily if necessary.:)
I use Jared as my "late reading" example a lot, but each of my
children had their own way of deciphering script and their journey
into reading looked very different from child to child.
Jared started reading fluently this year (at age 12) but I could write
an entire article about his process and all the cool stuff he was
doing along the way. He didn't SEEM to be reading or writing before
this year, but he WAS deciphering script and making connections in his
own way.
His journey looked more like that whole "lightswitch" flipping on
overnight. Suddenly he writes online, writes character descriptions
for his D&D character (very neatly I might add) spells beautifully and
reads just about anything he comes across with complete proficiency.
Sierra's journey was a slower struggle. It was completely on her own
terms also. No lessons, no phonics, no pushing on my part whatsoever.
But she pushed herself to decipher it from a very young age. She
WANTED to figure out this whole reading thing and plugged away at it
in her own way. She asked what letter sounds were (Jared never asked
that kind of thing, he didn't want to know individual sounds he just
started recognizing entire words over time). Sierra was a fairly
proficient around 7 years old.
Trevor (now almost 17) didn't have any interest in writing until he
had a purpose for it (duh....real life works best:) around 12-13 years
of age. He read to himself by age 9 but now mostly reads gaming or
computer mags and never reads novels for pleasure anymore.
The only non-reader is Jalen at 5.5 (he'll be 6 in Feb.) Do I worry
because he can't write his name? NOPE.
Do I worry because he doesn't know his A,B,C's or any words at all? NOPE.
I'm pretty sure that if three of my children can now read well, he
will too....eventually. There isn't much need for it in his world
right now. He can play the video games he loves without reading. I
have no doubt they will help him decipher script though! Video games
are fabulous for that.:)
It all happens. And when they're 20 and 25 years old will you be able
to tell who read at 4 and who read at 13? I truly don't believe so.
"Earlier is better" is a complete myth. Human beings are wired to
learn skills at different ages, not the age that schools try to
convince you are proper.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
when a child is born and takes however many years until the pieces
click into place. Not years of phonics practice (bleh) but years of
being exposed to language. On the one hand, it can seem to
happen 'overnight'. On the other, it can percolate internally for
years before it becomes visible."
I thought this was a good thing to post again!! If you're having
doubts, just keep reading Joyces words, daily if necessary.:)
I use Jared as my "late reading" example a lot, but each of my
children had their own way of deciphering script and their journey
into reading looked very different from child to child.
Jared started reading fluently this year (at age 12) but I could write
an entire article about his process and all the cool stuff he was
doing along the way. He didn't SEEM to be reading or writing before
this year, but he WAS deciphering script and making connections in his
own way.
His journey looked more like that whole "lightswitch" flipping on
overnight. Suddenly he writes online, writes character descriptions
for his D&D character (very neatly I might add) spells beautifully and
reads just about anything he comes across with complete proficiency.
Sierra's journey was a slower struggle. It was completely on her own
terms also. No lessons, no phonics, no pushing on my part whatsoever.
But she pushed herself to decipher it from a very young age. She
WANTED to figure out this whole reading thing and plugged away at it
in her own way. She asked what letter sounds were (Jared never asked
that kind of thing, he didn't want to know individual sounds he just
started recognizing entire words over time). Sierra was a fairly
proficient around 7 years old.
Trevor (now almost 17) didn't have any interest in writing until he
had a purpose for it (duh....real life works best:) around 12-13 years
of age. He read to himself by age 9 but now mostly reads gaming or
computer mags and never reads novels for pleasure anymore.
The only non-reader is Jalen at 5.5 (he'll be 6 in Feb.) Do I worry
because he can't write his name? NOPE.
Do I worry because he doesn't know his A,B,C's or any words at all? NOPE.
I'm pretty sure that if three of my children can now read well, he
will too....eventually. There isn't much need for it in his world
right now. He can play the video games he loves without reading. I
have no doubt they will help him decipher script though! Video games
are fabulous for that.:)
It all happens. And when they're 20 and 25 years old will you be able
to tell who read at 4 and who read at 13? I truly don't believe so.
"Earlier is better" is a complete myth. Human beings are wired to
learn skills at different ages, not the age that schools try to
convince you are proper.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
Karen Buxcel
thank you, Ren --
I'm saving this post for future warm fuzzies!
I appreciate the perspective from someone who has older children and who has been through this, and who also has a couple young ones who are closer in age to my own.
My 7yo sounds so much like your Jared. And my 5yo like your 5.5yo. Thank you for sharing your story and their experiences, it was the kick in the a** I needed to remember to TRUST my children!
And for those who don't understand, I can't make that my problem, and I will absolutely not make it my children's.
Many thanks, again,
Karen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I'm saving this post for future warm fuzzies!
I appreciate the perspective from someone who has older children and who has been through this, and who also has a couple young ones who are closer in age to my own.
My 7yo sounds so much like your Jared. And my 5yo like your 5.5yo. Thank you for sharing your story and their experiences, it was the kick in the a** I needed to remember to TRUST my children!
And for those who don't understand, I can't make that my problem, and I will absolutely not make it my children's.
Many thanks, again,
Karen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
susangould1
I am not trying to argue but trying to believe that kids will
eventually catch on and read. What is your opinion regarding all
the illiterate adults in America today? If reading is a natural
thing then how do you explain this?
--- In [email protected], "Ren Allen"
<starsuncloud@...> wrote:
eventually catch on and read. What is your opinion regarding all
the illiterate adults in America today? If reading is a natural
thing then how do you explain this?
--- In [email protected], "Ren Allen"
<starsuncloud@...> wrote:
>starts
> "In a way, it does take years to learn to read and write - it
> when a child is born and takes however many years until the pieceswrite
> click into place. Not years of phonics practice (bleh) but years of
> being exposed to language. On the one hand, it can seem to
> happen 'overnight'. On the other, it can percolate internally for
> years before it becomes visible."
>
>
> I thought this was a good thing to post again!! If you're having
> doubts, just keep reading Joyces words, daily if necessary.:)
>
> I use Jared as my "late reading" example a lot, but each of my
> children had their own way of deciphering script and their journey
> into reading looked very different from child to child.
>
> Jared started reading fluently this year (at age 12) but I could
> an entire article about his process and all the cool stuff he washis
> doing along the way. He didn't SEEM to be reading or writing before
> this year, but he WAS deciphering script and making connections in
> own way.descriptions
>
> His journey looked more like that whole "lightswitch" flipping on
> overnight. Suddenly he writes online, writes character
> for his D&D character (very neatly I might add) spells beautifullyand
> reads just about anything he comes across with completeproficiency.
>own
> Sierra's journey was a slower struggle. It was completely on her
> terms also. No lessons, no phonics, no pushing on my partwhatsoever.
> But she pushed herself to decipher it from a very young age. Sheit
> WANTED to figure out this whole reading thing and plugged away at
> in her own way. She asked what letter sounds were (Jared neverasked
> that kind of thing, he didn't want to know individual sounds hejust
> started recognizing entire words over time). Sierra was a fairlyyears
> proficient around 7 years old.
>
> Trevor (now almost 17) didn't have any interest in writing until he
> had a purpose for it (duh....real life works best:) around 12-13
> of age. He read to himself by age 9 but now mostly reads gaming orall? NOPE.
> computer mags and never reads novels for pleasure anymore.
>
> The only non-reader is Jalen at 5.5 (he'll be 6 in Feb.) Do I worry
> because he can't write his name? NOPE.
> Do I worry because he doesn't know his A,B,C's or any words at
>games
> I'm pretty sure that if three of my children can now read well, he
> will too....eventually. There isn't much need for it in his world
> right now. He can play the video games he loves without reading. I
> have no doubt they will help him decipher script though! Video
> are fabulous for that.:)able
>
> It all happens. And when they're 20 and 25 years old will you be
> to tell who read at 4 and who read at 13? I truly don't believe so.
> "Earlier is better" is a complete myth. Human beings are wired to
> learn skills at different ages, not the age that schools try to
> convince you are proper.
>
> Ren
> learninginfreedom.com
>
Ren Allen
--- In [email protected], "susangould1" <ggould1@...>
wrote:
~~ What is your opinion regarding all
the illiterate adults in America today? If reading is a natural
thing then how do you explain this? ~~
One word; SCHOOL!!!
I have a real-life scenario that played out right before my eyes. The
neighbor kids in Pensacola hung out at our house virtually every day.
The boy was about the same age as Jared. As Jared joyfully pursued his
interests in Pokemon, video games, art and dragons he slowly built a
model of his universe, which included reading.
Trai however, was in school, learning that he was dumb. Both of these
boys were on a very similar developmental schedule in terms of
reading. Jared never saw himself as flawed because he couldn't read.
Trai believed with all his heart that he was "dumb", "learning
disabled" and "not very good at reading". He was only 9 years old when
he was telling us this stuff....by NINE years of age they had
convinced the child he wasn't good enough.
If he grows up illiterate, it will be because enough damage had been
done early on, to convince this child he should give up. How many
illiterate adults do you know that didn't go to school? If they didn't
go to school, did they have interested, interesting adults sharing
their passions and helping them navigate the world? I highly doubt it.
Many years ago, illiteracy would have been easier to understand
because homes weren't filled with books and computers and many
opportunities to read! That isn't true any longer. We live in the
information age folks!! There's no lack of resources for reading.
I think there are probably more illiterate people in today's age than
in years past. All that school damage makes children give up. Once
you're convinced you're stupid, why bother?
Reading is completely natural. Every child will approach it in the
best way for them....with an interested, curious adult there to assist
them as needed, they WILL learn to read.
The method in which Jared learned to spell was this:
"Mom, how do you spell giraffe?"
"G-I-R-A-F-F-E"
"ok thanks"
A few minutes later;
"Mom, how do you spell English?"
"E-N-G-L-I-S-H"
"ok thanks"
And so on......
He doesn't even ask that often anymore and it was just a few months
ago that he started writing. It will happen. For some it seems to be a
slower process that is built in small moments...for other it seems to
"click" overnight. In any case, I don't believe there will be many
illiterate unschoolers, if any.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
wrote:
~~ What is your opinion regarding all
the illiterate adults in America today? If reading is a natural
thing then how do you explain this? ~~
One word; SCHOOL!!!
I have a real-life scenario that played out right before my eyes. The
neighbor kids in Pensacola hung out at our house virtually every day.
The boy was about the same age as Jared. As Jared joyfully pursued his
interests in Pokemon, video games, art and dragons he slowly built a
model of his universe, which included reading.
Trai however, was in school, learning that he was dumb. Both of these
boys were on a very similar developmental schedule in terms of
reading. Jared never saw himself as flawed because he couldn't read.
Trai believed with all his heart that he was "dumb", "learning
disabled" and "not very good at reading". He was only 9 years old when
he was telling us this stuff....by NINE years of age they had
convinced the child he wasn't good enough.
If he grows up illiterate, it will be because enough damage had been
done early on, to convince this child he should give up. How many
illiterate adults do you know that didn't go to school? If they didn't
go to school, did they have interested, interesting adults sharing
their passions and helping them navigate the world? I highly doubt it.
Many years ago, illiteracy would have been easier to understand
because homes weren't filled with books and computers and many
opportunities to read! That isn't true any longer. We live in the
information age folks!! There's no lack of resources for reading.
I think there are probably more illiterate people in today's age than
in years past. All that school damage makes children give up. Once
you're convinced you're stupid, why bother?
Reading is completely natural. Every child will approach it in the
best way for them....with an interested, curious adult there to assist
them as needed, they WILL learn to read.
The method in which Jared learned to spell was this:
"Mom, how do you spell giraffe?"
"G-I-R-A-F-F-E"
"ok thanks"
A few minutes later;
"Mom, how do you spell English?"
"E-N-G-L-I-S-H"
"ok thanks"
And so on......
He doesn't even ask that often anymore and it was just a few months
ago that he started writing. It will happen. For some it seems to be a
slower process that is built in small moments...for other it seems to
"click" overnight. In any case, I don't believe there will be many
illiterate unschoolers, if any.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
Melissa
rotfl...we get this with Sam, but right on the heels is "Okay, mom,
what's an R look like?"
Rachel was in preschool, at the age of four and a half, when one day
she turned on me and vehemently said "MOM! You can't *make* me learn
to read!" I was taken back, because all I had done was point out a
library book that we'd read together, and said that she might skim
through it because we had to return it the next day. She was feeling
a lot of pressure, just from that (and school, mustn't forget that!).
Just another nail in the coffin of our public school attempt. So I
learned my lesson, let her alone, and now at almost seven she's
reading what she wants. I trust in the process completely. I don't
know what caused illiteracy, but I totally see Ren's explanation as
being plausible, because I saw so many boys in Josh's classes facing
the same detrimental tear down....never good enough, even when the
succeed they hear "It's about time, now what are you behind on?"
Breanna is nine and has just started reading. She has full blown
autism, and we were told seven years ago that she would NEVER learn
anything on her own. Well, with love and support and lots of playing
with us, she is learning. LOTS of things. Lots more than she ever did
in public school.
Melissa
Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (9), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (5), Dan
(3), and Avari Rose
share our lives at
http://360.yahoo.com/multimomma
what's an R look like?"
Rachel was in preschool, at the age of four and a half, when one day
she turned on me and vehemently said "MOM! You can't *make* me learn
to read!" I was taken back, because all I had done was point out a
library book that we'd read together, and said that she might skim
through it because we had to return it the next day. She was feeling
a lot of pressure, just from that (and school, mustn't forget that!).
Just another nail in the coffin of our public school attempt. So I
learned my lesson, let her alone, and now at almost seven she's
reading what she wants. I trust in the process completely. I don't
know what caused illiteracy, but I totally see Ren's explanation as
being plausible, because I saw so many boys in Josh's classes facing
the same detrimental tear down....never good enough, even when the
succeed they hear "It's about time, now what are you behind on?"
Breanna is nine and has just started reading. She has full blown
autism, and we were told seven years ago that she would NEVER learn
anything on her own. Well, with love and support and lots of playing
with us, she is learning. LOTS of things. Lots more than she ever did
in public school.
Melissa
Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (9), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (5), Dan
(3), and Avari Rose
share our lives at
http://360.yahoo.com/multimomma
On Oct 17, 2006, at 8:06 PM, Ren Allen wrote:
> The method in which Jared learned to spell was this:
> "Mom, how do you spell giraffe?"
> "G-I-R-A-F-F-E"
> "ok thanks"
> A few minutes later;
> "Mom, how do you spell English?"
> "E-N-G-L-I-S-H"
> "ok thanks"
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
susangould1
You are all right! I guess I just wanted confirmation of what I
have been feeling. This is the reason why we took out daughter out
of school 3 weeks ago. She was coming home in a rotten mood -
saying things like, "I am stupid and an idiot! I hate myself! I
hate school!" etc.... (all stemming from a ton of math homework)
This all coming from a 7yr old -grade 3! Not good! And WHEN was
there time to develop a good self-esteem and fix this after 7 hours
in school and then another 2 hours of homework then supper and
bedtime? It was ridiculous! And then I stumbled across the concept
of unschooling. Did some research and decided to give it a go. My
kids are still deschooling but almost immediately the pressure was
off and they have become much happier and they do not fight as much
anymore.
Thanks everybody for all your ideas and stories.
Sue
--- In [email protected], Melissa <autismhelp@...>
wrote:
have been feeling. This is the reason why we took out daughter out
of school 3 weeks ago. She was coming home in a rotten mood -
saying things like, "I am stupid and an idiot! I hate myself! I
hate school!" etc.... (all stemming from a ton of math homework)
This all coming from a 7yr old -grade 3! Not good! And WHEN was
there time to develop a good self-esteem and fix this after 7 hours
in school and then another 2 hours of homework then supper and
bedtime? It was ridiculous! And then I stumbled across the concept
of unschooling. Did some research and decided to give it a go. My
kids are still deschooling but almost immediately the pressure was
off and they have become much happier and they do not fight as much
anymore.
Thanks everybody for all your ideas and stories.
Sue
--- In [email protected], Melissa <autismhelp@...>
wrote:
>mom,
> rotfl...we get this with Sam, but right on the heels is "Okay,
> what's an R look like?"day
>
> Rachel was in preschool, at the age of four and a half, when one
> she turned on me and vehemently said "MOM! You can't *make* melearn
> to read!" I was taken back, because all I had done was point outa
> library book that we'd read together, and said that she mightskim
> through it because we had to return it the next day. She wasfeeling
> a lot of pressure, just from that (and school, mustn't forgetthat!).
> Just another nail in the coffin of our public school attempt. SoI
> learned my lesson, let her alone, and now at almost seven she'sdon't
> reading what she wants. I trust in the process completely. I
> know what caused illiteracy, but I totally see Ren's explanationas
> being plausible, because I saw so many boys in Josh's classesfacing
> the same detrimental tear down....never good enough, even whenthe
> succeed they hear "It's about time, now what are you behind on?"learn
> Breanna is nine and has just started reading. She has full blown
> autism, and we were told seven years ago that she would NEVER
> anything on her own. Well, with love and support and lots ofplaying
> with us, she is learning. LOTS of things. Lots more than she everdid
> in public school.Dan
> Melissa
> Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (9), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (5),
> (3), and Avari Rose
>
> share our lives at
> http://360.yahoo.com/multimomma
>
>
>
> On Oct 17, 2006, at 8:06 PM, Ren Allen wrote:
>
> > The method in which Jared learned to spell was this:
> > "Mom, how do you spell giraffe?"
> > "G-I-R-A-F-F-E"
> > "ok thanks"
> > A few minutes later;
> > "Mom, how do you spell English?"
> > "E-N-G-L-I-S-H"
> > "ok thanks"
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Kelly Weyd
Yep, my 8 year old daughter was getting the message in school that she was dumb, stupid and was not good enough. I wanted to nip that right in the butt. She is not dumb or stupid, and she is more than good enough. So that was another reason I pulled her out of school. I think kids (not all kids) just get so stressed out by school, they put the wall up and then no learning happens.
Kelly
Ren Allen <starsuncloud@...> wrote:
--- In [email protected], "susangould1" <ggould1@...>
wrote:
~~ What is your opinion regarding all
the illiterate adults in America today? If reading is a natural
thing then how do you explain this? ~~
One word; SCHOOL!!!
I have a real-life scenario that played out right before my eyes. The
neighbor kids in Pensacola hung out at our house virtually every day.
The boy was about the same age as Jared. As Jared joyfully pursued his
interests in Pokemon, video games, art and dragons he slowly built a
model of his universe, which included reading.
Trai however, was in school, learning that he was dumb. Both of these
boys were on a very similar developmental schedule in terms of
reading. Jared never saw himself as flawed because he couldn't read.
Trai believed with all his heart that he was "dumb", "learning
disabled" and "not very good at reading". He was only 9 years old when
he was telling us this stuff....by NINE years of age they had
convinced the child he wasn't good enough.
If he grows up illiterate, it will be because enough damage had been
done early on, to convince this child he should give up. How many
illiterate adults do you know that didn't go to school? If they didn't
go to school, did they have interested, interesting adults sharing
their passions and helping them navigate the world? I highly doubt it.
Many years ago, illiteracy would have been easier to understand
because homes weren't filled with books and computers and many
opportunities to read! That isn't true any longer. We live in the
information age folks!! There's no lack of resources for reading.
I think there are probably more illiterate people in today's age than
in years past. All that school damage makes children give up. Once
you're convinced you're stupid, why bother?
Reading is completely natural. Every child will approach it in the
best way for them....with an interested, curious adult there to assist
them as needed, they WILL learn to read.
The method in which Jared learned to spell was this:
"Mom, how do you spell giraffe?"
"G-I-R-A-F-F-E"
"ok thanks"
A few minutes later;
"Mom, how do you spell English?"
"E-N-G-L-I-S-H"
"ok thanks"
And so on......
He doesn't even ask that often anymore and it was just a few months
ago that he started writing. It will happen. For some it seems to be a
slower process that is built in small moments...for other it seems to
"click" overnight. In any case, I don't believe there will be many
illiterate unschoolers, if any.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
---------------------------------
Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelly
Ren Allen <starsuncloud@...> wrote:
--- In [email protected], "susangould1" <ggould1@...>
wrote:
~~ What is your opinion regarding all
the illiterate adults in America today? If reading is a natural
thing then how do you explain this? ~~
One word; SCHOOL!!!
I have a real-life scenario that played out right before my eyes. The
neighbor kids in Pensacola hung out at our house virtually every day.
The boy was about the same age as Jared. As Jared joyfully pursued his
interests in Pokemon, video games, art and dragons he slowly built a
model of his universe, which included reading.
Trai however, was in school, learning that he was dumb. Both of these
boys were on a very similar developmental schedule in terms of
reading. Jared never saw himself as flawed because he couldn't read.
Trai believed with all his heart that he was "dumb", "learning
disabled" and "not very good at reading". He was only 9 years old when
he was telling us this stuff....by NINE years of age they had
convinced the child he wasn't good enough.
If he grows up illiterate, it will be because enough damage had been
done early on, to convince this child he should give up. How many
illiterate adults do you know that didn't go to school? If they didn't
go to school, did they have interested, interesting adults sharing
their passions and helping them navigate the world? I highly doubt it.
Many years ago, illiteracy would have been easier to understand
because homes weren't filled with books and computers and many
opportunities to read! That isn't true any longer. We live in the
information age folks!! There's no lack of resources for reading.
I think there are probably more illiterate people in today's age than
in years past. All that school damage makes children give up. Once
you're convinced you're stupid, why bother?
Reading is completely natural. Every child will approach it in the
best way for them....with an interested, curious adult there to assist
them as needed, they WILL learn to read.
The method in which Jared learned to spell was this:
"Mom, how do you spell giraffe?"
"G-I-R-A-F-F-E"
"ok thanks"
A few minutes later;
"Mom, how do you spell English?"
"E-N-G-L-I-S-H"
"ok thanks"
And so on......
He doesn't even ask that often anymore and it was just a few months
ago that he started writing. It will happen. For some it seems to be a
slower process that is built in small moments...for other it seems to
"click" overnight. In any case, I don't believe there will be many
illiterate unschoolers, if any.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
---------------------------------
Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
laura g
I have watched that happen so many times. kids in k and first grade with
teachers and parents all upset cause they cant read and the kids stop
trying.
my ds is 5. i dont know when he will read. i do know he has some
sightwords on his videogames and he seems to know alot of letters and
numbers by sight. the numbers are ones on pokemon cards like 10 and 20.
today i asked if he wanted to help make some thankyou notes for his birthday
party friends. he did so we all made cards. We painted and he had some
letter stickers so decided to put a letter sticker of the first letter of
each of his friends names on each letter. Some he did on his own some he
asked about. He also asked to how to write his friends names or asked me
to. He signed all the cards. None of this was staged or set up. I thought
it was interesting that he noticed after writing ANNA that it was the same
forward and backward. I just thought this was so much more natural a way to
learn these things than by staging a practice session for him to practice
writing and insisting he try to sound out words. etc. he loves to write
books, make cards etc..
teachers and parents all upset cause they cant read and the kids stop
trying.
my ds is 5. i dont know when he will read. i do know he has some
sightwords on his videogames and he seems to know alot of letters and
numbers by sight. the numbers are ones on pokemon cards like 10 and 20.
today i asked if he wanted to help make some thankyou notes for his birthday
party friends. he did so we all made cards. We painted and he had some
letter stickers so decided to put a letter sticker of the first letter of
each of his friends names on each letter. Some he did on his own some he
asked about. He also asked to how to write his friends names or asked me
to. He signed all the cards. None of this was staged or set up. I thought
it was interesting that he noticed after writing ANNA that it was the same
forward and backward. I just thought this was so much more natural a way to
learn these things than by staging a practice session for him to practice
writing and insisting he try to sound out words. etc. he loves to write
books, make cards etc..
>From: Kelly Weyd <kellmar98@...>
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Re: learning to read
>Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 19:15:02 -0700 (PDT)
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>
>Yep, my 8 year old daughter was getting the message in school that she was
>dumb, stupid and was not good enough. I wanted to nip that right in the
>butt. She is not dumb or stupid, and she is more than good enough. So
>that was another reason I pulled her out of school. I think kids (not all
>kids) just get so stressed out by school, they put the wall up and then no
>learning happens.
> Kelly
>
>Ren Allen <starsuncloud@...> wrote:
> --- In [email protected], "susangould1"
><ggould1@...>
>wrote:
>~~ What is your opinion regarding all
>the illiterate adults in America today? If reading is a natural
>thing then how do you explain this? ~~
>
>One word; SCHOOL!!!
>
>I have a real-life scenario that played out right before my eyes. The
>neighbor kids in Pensacola hung out at our house virtually every day.
>The boy was about the same age as Jared. As Jared joyfully pursued his
>interests in Pokemon, video games, art and dragons he slowly built a
>model of his universe, which included reading.
>
>Trai however, was in school, learning that he was dumb. Both of these
>boys were on a very similar developmental schedule in terms of
>reading. Jared never saw himself as flawed because he couldn't read.
>Trai believed with all his heart that he was "dumb", "learning
>disabled" and "not very good at reading". He was only 9 years old when
>he was telling us this stuff....by NINE years of age they had
>convinced the child he wasn't good enough.
>
>If he grows up illiterate, it will be because enough damage had been
>done early on, to convince this child he should give up. How many
>illiterate adults do you know that didn't go to school? If they didn't
>go to school, did they have interested, interesting adults sharing
>their passions and helping them navigate the world? I highly doubt it.
>
>Many years ago, illiteracy would have been easier to understand
>because homes weren't filled with books and computers and many
>opportunities to read! That isn't true any longer. We live in the
>information age folks!! There's no lack of resources for reading.
>
>I think there are probably more illiterate people in today's age than
>in years past. All that school damage makes children give up. Once
>you're convinced you're stupid, why bother?
>
>Reading is completely natural. Every child will approach it in the
>best way for them....with an interested, curious adult there to assist
>them as needed, they WILL learn to read.
>
>The method in which Jared learned to spell was this:
>"Mom, how do you spell giraffe?"
>"G-I-R-A-F-F-E"
>"ok thanks"
>A few minutes later;
>"Mom, how do you spell English?"
>"E-N-G-L-I-S-H"
>"ok thanks"
>
>And so on......
>He doesn't even ask that often anymore and it was just a few months
>ago that he started writing. It will happen. For some it seems to be a
>slower process that is built in small moments...for other it seems to
>"click" overnight. In any case, I don't believe there will be many
>illiterate unschoolers, if any.
>
>Ren
>learninginfreedom.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
>Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates
>starting at 1�/min.
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Vickisue Gray
My son was talking like that in private christian school 2nd grade last year. We pulled him out at Thanksgiving. A year later, I am happy to say that there hasn't been an I hate myself in so long that until you mentioned it, I had forgot he had done it.
Today he asked why he had to know math as we never use it. After the recent thread here, it was so easy to point out all the places in his life he uses math. I got an ok, ok, so I do use it.
As for reading, Ren you covered it extremely well. For my son it was like a lightswitch, one day he wasn't reading, the next he was. As for spelling, we are also on the same plan as you. He asks, I tell him and as time passes he asks less and less.
----- Original Message ----
From: susangould1 <ggould1@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 10:11:05 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re: learning to read
You are all right! I guess I just wanted confirmation of what I
have been feeling. This is the reason why we took out daughter out
of school 3 weeks ago. She was coming home in a rotten mood -
saying things like, "I am stupid and an idiot! I hate myself! I
hate school!" etc.... (all stemming from a ton of math homework)
This all coming from a 7yr old -grade 3! Not good! And WHEN was
there time to develop a good self-esteem and fix this after 7 hours
in school and then another 2 hours of homework then supper and
bedtime? It was ridiculous! And then I stumbled across the concept
of unschooling. Did some research and decided to give it a go. My
kids are still deschooling but almost immediately the pressure was
off and they have become much happier and they do not fight as much
anymore.
Thanks everybody for all your ideas and stories.
Sue
--- In unschoolingbasics@ yahoogroups. com, Melissa <autismhelp@ ...>
wrote:
Today he asked why he had to know math as we never use it. After the recent thread here, it was so easy to point out all the places in his life he uses math. I got an ok, ok, so I do use it.
As for reading, Ren you covered it extremely well. For my son it was like a lightswitch, one day he wasn't reading, the next he was. As for spelling, we are also on the same plan as you. He asks, I tell him and as time passes he asks less and less.
----- Original Message ----
From: susangould1 <ggould1@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 10:11:05 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re: learning to read
You are all right! I guess I just wanted confirmation of what I
have been feeling. This is the reason why we took out daughter out
of school 3 weeks ago. She was coming home in a rotten mood -
saying things like, "I am stupid and an idiot! I hate myself! I
hate school!" etc.... (all stemming from a ton of math homework)
This all coming from a 7yr old -grade 3! Not good! And WHEN was
there time to develop a good self-esteem and fix this after 7 hours
in school and then another 2 hours of homework then supper and
bedtime? It was ridiculous! And then I stumbled across the concept
of unschooling. Did some research and decided to give it a go. My
kids are still deschooling but almost immediately the pressure was
off and they have become much happier and they do not fight as much
anymore.
Thanks everybody for all your ideas and stories.
Sue
--- In unschoolingbasics@ yahoogroups. com, Melissa <autismhelp@ ...>
wrote:
>mom,
> rotfl...we get this with Sam, but right on the heels is "Okay,
> what's an R look like?"day
>
> Rachel was in preschool, at the age of four and a half, when one
> she turned on me and vehemently said "MOM! You can't *make* melearn
> to read!" I was taken back, because all I had done was point outa
> library book that we'd read together, and said that she mightskim
> through it because we had to return it the next day. She wasfeeling
> a lot of pressure, just from that (and school, mustn't forgetthat!).
> Just another nail in the coffin of our public school attempt. SoI
> learned my lesson, let her alone, and now at almost seven she'sdon't
> reading what she wants. I trust in the process completely. I
> know what caused illiteracy, but I totally see Ren's explanationas
> being plausible, because I saw so many boys in Josh's classesfacing
> the same detrimental tear down....never good enough, even whenthe
> succeed they hear "It's about time, now what are you behind on?"learn
> Breanna is nine and has just started reading. She has full blown
> autism, and we were told seven years ago that she would NEVER
> anything on her own. Well, with love and support and lots ofplaying
> with us, she is learning. LOTS of things. Lots more than she everdid
> in public school.Dan
> Melissa
> Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (9), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (5),
> (3), and Avari Rose[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> share our lives at
> http://360.yahoo com/multimomma
>
>
>
> On Oct 17, 2006, at 8:06 PM, Ren Allen wrote:
>
> > The method in which Jared learned to spell was this:
> > "Mom, how do you spell giraffe?"
> > "G-I-R-A-F-F- E"
> > "ok thanks"
> > A few minutes later;
> > "Mom, how do you spell English?"
> > "E-N-G-L-I-S- H"
> > "ok thanks"
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Kelly Weyd
What is up with all the HOMEWORK for these kids that are so young? I could not figure it out either. My daughter bawled her eyes out everyday after school, because she was tired, and she knew she was faced with a couple of hours of homework. She would come home with a couple sheets of Math and a bunch of busy work.........give me a break. And I gotta give her a lot of credit. She would come home everyday and ask to be homeschooled. It took a while, but Mommy finally listened to her.
Kelly
susangould1 <ggould1@...> wrote:
You are all right! I guess I just wanted confirmation of what I
have been feeling. This is the reason why we took out daughter out
of school 3 weeks ago. She was coming home in a rotten mood -
saying things like, "I am stupid and an idiot! I hate myself! I
hate school!" etc.... (all stemming from a ton of math homework)
This all coming from a 7yr old -grade 3! Not good! And WHEN was
there time to develop a good self-esteem and fix this after 7 hours
in school and then another 2 hours of homework then supper and
bedtime? It was ridiculous! And then I stumbled across the concept
of unschooling. Did some research and decided to give it a go. My
kids are still deschooling but almost immediately the pressure was
off and they have become much happier and they do not fight as much
anymore.
Thanks everybody for all your ideas and stories.
Sue
--- In [email protected], Melissa <autismhelp@...>
wrote:
All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelly
susangould1 <ggould1@...> wrote:
You are all right! I guess I just wanted confirmation of what I
have been feeling. This is the reason why we took out daughter out
of school 3 weeks ago. She was coming home in a rotten mood -
saying things like, "I am stupid and an idiot! I hate myself! I
hate school!" etc.... (all stemming from a ton of math homework)
This all coming from a 7yr old -grade 3! Not good! And WHEN was
there time to develop a good self-esteem and fix this after 7 hours
in school and then another 2 hours of homework then supper and
bedtime? It was ridiculous! And then I stumbled across the concept
of unschooling. Did some research and decided to give it a go. My
kids are still deschooling but almost immediately the pressure was
off and they have become much happier and they do not fight as much
anymore.
Thanks everybody for all your ideas and stories.
Sue
--- In [email protected], Melissa <autismhelp@...>
wrote:
>mom,
> rotfl...we get this with Sam, but right on the heels is "Okay,
> what's an R look like?"day
>
> Rachel was in preschool, at the age of four and a half, when one
> she turned on me and vehemently said "MOM! You can't *make* melearn
> to read!" I was taken back, because all I had done was point outa
> library book that we'd read together, and said that she mightskim
> through it because we had to return it the next day. She wasfeeling
> a lot of pressure, just from that (and school, mustn't forgetthat!).
> Just another nail in the coffin of our public school attempt. SoI
> learned my lesson, let her alone, and now at almost seven she'sdon't
> reading what she wants. I trust in the process completely. I
> know what caused illiteracy, but I totally see Ren's explanationas
> being plausible, because I saw so many boys in Josh's classesfacing
> the same detrimental tear down....never good enough, even whenthe
> succeed they hear "It's about time, now what are you behind on?"learn
> Breanna is nine and has just started reading. She has full blown
> autism, and we were told seven years ago that she would NEVER
> anything on her own. Well, with love and support and lots ofplaying
> with us, she is learning. LOTS of things. Lots more than she everdid
> in public school.Dan
> Melissa
> Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (9), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (5),
> (3), and Avari Rose---------------------------------
>
> share our lives at
> http://360.yahoo.com/multimomma
>
>
>
> On Oct 17, 2006, at 8:06 PM, Ren Allen wrote:
>
> > The method in which Jared learned to spell was this:
> > "Mom, how do you spell giraffe?"
> > "G-I-R-A-F-F-E"
> > "ok thanks"
> > A few minutes later;
> > "Mom, how do you spell English?"
> > "E-N-G-L-I-S-H"
> > "ok thanks"
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/17/2006 6:35:35 PM Central Daylight Time,
blackhillsdoula@... writes:
And for those who don't understand, I can't make that my problem, and I will
absolutely not make it my children's
Karen what a powerful statement im going to hang this on my fridge!
Chrissy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
blackhillsdoula@... writes:
And for those who don't understand, I can't make that my problem, and I will
absolutely not make it my children's
Karen what a powerful statement im going to hang this on my fridge!
Chrissy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joyce Fetteroll
On Oct 17, 2006, at 6:22 PM, Ren Allen wrote:
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> "In a way, it does take years to learn to read and write - it startsThat was Deb/soggyboysmom expanding and clarifying my post :-)
> when a child is born and takes however many years until the pieces
> click into place. Not years of phonics practice (bleh) but years of
> being exposed to language. On the one hand, it can seem to
> happen 'overnight'. On the other, it can percolate internally for
> years before it becomes visible."
>
>
> I thought this was a good thing to post again!! If you're having
> doubts, just keep reading Joyces words, daily if necessary.:)
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: ggould1@...
I am not trying to argue but trying to believe that kids will
eventually catch on and read. What is your opinion regarding all
the illiterate adults in America today? If reading is a natural
thing then how do you explain this?
-=-=-=-
How many of those illiterate adults were unschooled and were allowed to
read when they were ready?
How many went to school and were coerced and bribed and shamed to read?
Get back to me with those numbers , and we'll talk. <bwg>
~Kelly
"Wisdom begins in Wonder." ~Socrates
________________________________________________________________________
Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and
security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from
across the web, free AOL Mail and more.
From: ggould1@...
I am not trying to argue but trying to believe that kids will
eventually catch on and read. What is your opinion regarding all
the illiterate adults in America today? If reading is a natural
thing then how do you explain this?
-=-=-=-
How many of those illiterate adults were unschooled and were allowed to
read when they were ready?
How many went to school and were coerced and bribed and shamed to read?
Get back to me with those numbers , and we'll talk. <bwg>
~Kelly
"Wisdom begins in Wonder." ~Socrates
________________________________________________________________________
Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and
security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from
across the web, free AOL Mail and more.
Deb Lewis
***I am not trying to argue but trying to believe that kids will
eventually catch on and read. What is your opinion regarding all
the illiterate adults in America today? If reading is a natural
thing then how do you explain this?***
I missed this the first time 'round.
The idea in school is that everyone needs to read at the same time. The
school has a methodical way of "teaching" reading. What they never consider
is reading is not something can be taught and that people only read when
they are ready to read. So those children who are not ready at seven or
eight get slotted into the dumb group, get told they need special education,
are separated out and made to feel stupid, defective, different. In every
interaction between teacher and kid the kid is never allowed to forget he's
missed the mark.
Reading becomes a dreaded task. Reading aloud is a lesson in humiliation.
It becomes easier to not read than to continue to try to read and suffer the
shame and segregation that brings.
I don't know statistics on adult literacy but I'd guess close to half the
people considered illiterate are immigrants who's first language is not
English. Of the rest I'd bet ALL of them went to school at least through
the early grades.
I know a man who is considered illiterate. He graduated high school when he
was eighteen. He has friends who love him, a good paying job, a really
sweet wife, a nice home and cars. He is not a member of the dregs of
society.
Nearly every sign with words also has a picture, due in part to our many
residents and visitors who are not English speakers/readers. Nearly all
products are labeled so that we know the contents by the graphic. Much news
and information is transmitted via TV, video, audio and telephone. While
reading is really useful the fact that there are people living well with
minimal reading skills is evidence it's not vital, at least not to everyone.
Unschoolers have a different approach to reading. They believe that all
children who live in an environment where reading is a useful tool will
learn how to use that tool. They'll want to use it because they'll see
it's useful. They'll have opportunity to play and experiment with it
without pressure to master it. They will have help when they want it and
peace when they don't. They will know reading might come at the age of four
or seven or nine or nineteen but it will come and their psychology will not
be altered by shame and frustration.
It's a new concept for most people, that life is not ruined by later
reading. In school life sucks for kids who are later readers but in adult
life, no one cares if you read at four or fourteen. The real damage from
later reading in school comes from the shame and humiliation the child
suffers *because of the school.*
Because in reality there is no reason a child "needs" to know how to read.
The need is created by school.
Deb Lewis
eventually catch on and read. What is your opinion regarding all
the illiterate adults in America today? If reading is a natural
thing then how do you explain this?***
I missed this the first time 'round.
The idea in school is that everyone needs to read at the same time. The
school has a methodical way of "teaching" reading. What they never consider
is reading is not something can be taught and that people only read when
they are ready to read. So those children who are not ready at seven or
eight get slotted into the dumb group, get told they need special education,
are separated out and made to feel stupid, defective, different. In every
interaction between teacher and kid the kid is never allowed to forget he's
missed the mark.
Reading becomes a dreaded task. Reading aloud is a lesson in humiliation.
It becomes easier to not read than to continue to try to read and suffer the
shame and segregation that brings.
I don't know statistics on adult literacy but I'd guess close to half the
people considered illiterate are immigrants who's first language is not
English. Of the rest I'd bet ALL of them went to school at least through
the early grades.
I know a man who is considered illiterate. He graduated high school when he
was eighteen. He has friends who love him, a good paying job, a really
sweet wife, a nice home and cars. He is not a member of the dregs of
society.
Nearly every sign with words also has a picture, due in part to our many
residents and visitors who are not English speakers/readers. Nearly all
products are labeled so that we know the contents by the graphic. Much news
and information is transmitted via TV, video, audio and telephone. While
reading is really useful the fact that there are people living well with
minimal reading skills is evidence it's not vital, at least not to everyone.
Unschoolers have a different approach to reading. They believe that all
children who live in an environment where reading is a useful tool will
learn how to use that tool. They'll want to use it because they'll see
it's useful. They'll have opportunity to play and experiment with it
without pressure to master it. They will have help when they want it and
peace when they don't. They will know reading might come at the age of four
or seven or nine or nineteen but it will come and their psychology will not
be altered by shame and frustration.
It's a new concept for most people, that life is not ruined by later
reading. In school life sucks for kids who are later readers but in adult
life, no one cares if you read at four or fourteen. The real damage from
later reading in school comes from the shame and humiliation the child
suffers *because of the school.*
Because in reality there is no reason a child "needs" to know how to read.
The need is created by school.
Deb Lewis
Kelly Weyd
I love your response........it all makes total sense to me. I also know a man who never learned to read, and he has gotten through life completely successfully not reading. And the man is brilliant......he has more knowledge in the tip of his finger than I will ever have in my entire brain.
Kelly
Deb Lewis <d.lewis@...> wrote:
***I am not trying to argue but trying to believe that kids will
eventually catch on and read. What is your opinion regarding all
the illiterate adults in America today? If reading is a natural
thing then how do you explain this?***
I missed this the first time 'round.
The idea in school is that everyone needs to read at the same time. The
school has a methodical way of "teaching" reading. What they never consider
is reading is not something can be taught and that people only read when
they are ready to read. So those children who are not ready at seven or
eight get slotted into the dumb group, get told they need special education,
are separated out and made to feel stupid, defective, different. In every
interaction between teacher and kid the kid is never allowed to forget he's
missed the mark.
Reading becomes a dreaded task. Reading aloud is a lesson in humiliation.
It becomes easier to not read than to continue to try to read and suffer the
shame and segregation that brings.
I don't know statistics on adult literacy but I'd guess close to half the
people considered illiterate are immigrants who's first language is not
English. Of the rest I'd bet ALL of them went to school at least through
the early grades.
I know a man who is considered illiterate. He graduated high school when he
was eighteen. He has friends who love him, a good paying job, a really
sweet wife, a nice home and cars. He is not a member of the dregs of
society.
Nearly every sign with words also has a picture, due in part to our many
residents and visitors who are not English speakers/readers. Nearly all
products are labeled so that we know the contents by the graphic. Much news
and information is transmitted via TV, video, audio and telephone. While
reading is really useful the fact that there are people living well with
minimal reading skills is evidence it's not vital, at least not to everyone.
Unschoolers have a different approach to reading. They believe that all
children who live in an environment where reading is a useful tool will
learn how to use that tool. They'll want to use it because they'll see
it's useful. They'll have opportunity to play and experiment with it
without pressure to master it. They will have help when they want it and
peace when they don't. They will know reading might come at the age of four
or seven or nine or nineteen but it will come and their psychology will not
be altered by shame and frustration.
It's a new concept for most people, that life is not ruined by later
reading. In school life sucks for kids who are later readers but in adult
life, no one cares if you read at four or fourteen. The real damage from
later reading in school comes from the shame and humiliation the child
suffers *because of the school.*
Because in reality there is no reason a child "needs" to know how to read.
The need is created by school.
Deb Lewis
---------------------------------
Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelly
Deb Lewis <d.lewis@...> wrote:
***I am not trying to argue but trying to believe that kids will
eventually catch on and read. What is your opinion regarding all
the illiterate adults in America today? If reading is a natural
thing then how do you explain this?***
I missed this the first time 'round.
The idea in school is that everyone needs to read at the same time. The
school has a methodical way of "teaching" reading. What they never consider
is reading is not something can be taught and that people only read when
they are ready to read. So those children who are not ready at seven or
eight get slotted into the dumb group, get told they need special education,
are separated out and made to feel stupid, defective, different. In every
interaction between teacher and kid the kid is never allowed to forget he's
missed the mark.
Reading becomes a dreaded task. Reading aloud is a lesson in humiliation.
It becomes easier to not read than to continue to try to read and suffer the
shame and segregation that brings.
I don't know statistics on adult literacy but I'd guess close to half the
people considered illiterate are immigrants who's first language is not
English. Of the rest I'd bet ALL of them went to school at least through
the early grades.
I know a man who is considered illiterate. He graduated high school when he
was eighteen. He has friends who love him, a good paying job, a really
sweet wife, a nice home and cars. He is not a member of the dregs of
society.
Nearly every sign with words also has a picture, due in part to our many
residents and visitors who are not English speakers/readers. Nearly all
products are labeled so that we know the contents by the graphic. Much news
and information is transmitted via TV, video, audio and telephone. While
reading is really useful the fact that there are people living well with
minimal reading skills is evidence it's not vital, at least not to everyone.
Unschoolers have a different approach to reading. They believe that all
children who live in an environment where reading is a useful tool will
learn how to use that tool. They'll want to use it because they'll see
it's useful. They'll have opportunity to play and experiment with it
without pressure to master it. They will have help when they want it and
peace when they don't. They will know reading might come at the age of four
or seven or nine or nineteen but it will come and their psychology will not
be altered by shame and frustration.
It's a new concept for most people, that life is not ruined by later
reading. In school life sucks for kids who are later readers but in adult
life, no one cares if you read at four or fourteen. The real damage from
later reading in school comes from the shame and humiliation the child
suffers *because of the school.*
Because in reality there is no reason a child "needs" to know how to read.
The need is created by school.
Deb Lewis
---------------------------------
Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
gbccj58
As someone who is new to unschooling and what it really means, will
some of you who have had experience tell me how you taught your child
to read. My son who is 6 has actually taught him self to read several
words but not by any phoinc type standards. I have tried to start
working with him on sounding things out but it seems to be a concept I
am not sure he gets or is flat out just not interested in. Could some
of you tell me a bit about your personal definition of unschooling. I
would appreciate it greatly.
Thank you Christine
some of you who have had experience tell me how you taught your child
to read. My son who is 6 has actually taught him self to read several
words but not by any phoinc type standards. I have tried to start
working with him on sounding things out but it seems to be a concept I
am not sure he gets or is flat out just not interested in. Could some
of you tell me a bit about your personal definition of unschooling. I
would appreciate it greatly.
Thank you Christine
Barbara Perez
Hi Christine,
In my interpretation of unschooling, you would let your son continue to do
what he's been doing (you said
"teaching himself") without interfering. I would do lots of reading aloud
with him (with him next to you so he can see the print at the same time as
he hears you read the words) and leave have a variety of books and other
printed materials available for him, but if he's not interested in sounding
things out, I wouldn't push it. English is such a complex language
phonetically, that the best way to learn to read it IMO is by a combination
of strategies including phonics but also recognizing sight words from
context etc. At 6 he may or may not be developmentally ready or interested
to take the plunge, and that's OK! That's my $.02 :)
In my interpretation of unschooling, you would let your son continue to do
what he's been doing (you said
"teaching himself") without interfering. I would do lots of reading aloud
with him (with him next to you so he can see the print at the same time as
he hears you read the words) and leave have a variety of books and other
printed materials available for him, but if he's not interested in sounding
things out, I wouldn't push it. English is such a complex language
phonetically, that the best way to learn to read it IMO is by a combination
of strategies including phonics but also recognizing sight words from
context etc. At 6 he may or may not be developmentally ready or interested
to take the plunge, and that's OK! That's my $.02 :)
On Wed, Apr 2, 2008 at 1:50 PM, gbccj58 <mommy2gnb@...> wrote:
> As someone who is new to unschooling and what it really means, will
> some of you who have had experience tell me how you taught your child
> to read. My son who is 6 has actually taught him self to read several
> words but not by any phoinc type standards. I have tried to start
> working with him on sounding things out but it seems to be a concept I
> am not sure he gets or is flat out just not interested in. Could some
> of you tell me a bit about your personal definition of unschooling. I
> would appreciate it greatly.
> Thank you Christine
>
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Vickisue Gray
Unschooling doesn't mean you can't use ideas/books/computer
for teaching reading. Unschooling does mean knowing your child and
finding ways that each child thrives and enjoys using/doing/playing.
Every child is different.
My son really LOVED Hooked on Phonics computer program. He loved
putting stickers on the wall charter marking his progress. To this day,
he LOVES computers.
My step-daughter LOVES video games. She learned on the old Nintendo64
first with it being read to her, then her connecting the 'dots' and reading
for herself.
All my kids have used the Abeka 'Little Blue Primer' also.
Unschooling means more about learning to tune into your child and listening
to their whats, needs and desires.
Do you live in a household that has happy readers? If your child sees you
enjoying the written word, chances are, they will be curious and follow your
example. If reading is shown to be miserable, they won't want to.
Take the same happy approach to 'schooling' that you took to your child learning
to walk. Supply a safe envirnment, hold out a hand when they ask, applaud them
smile, encourage, love and celebrate each small step. Reading's the same thing.
Supply books of all levels and of their interest whether it be HOP, Abeka, Thomas
Jefferson, The Peanuts, Halo, or Superman, Thomas the Train, Hop on Pop.....etc.
Sit down next to them and read to them if they want to. Reading to a child who isn't
in the mood is a waste of time anyway.
I'm sure others in this group will have better ideas but theres a start.
Enjoy the journey!
Vicki
----- Original Message ----
From: gbccj58 <mommy2gnb@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, April 2, 2008 4:50:23 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] learning to read
As someone who is new to unschooling and what it really means, will
some of you who have had experience tell me how you taught your child
to read. My son who is 6 has actually taught him self to read several
words but not by any phoinc type standards. I have tried to start
working with him on sounding things out but it seems to be a concept I
am not sure he gets or is flat out just not interested in. Could some
of you tell me a bit about your personal definition of unschooling. I
would appreciate it greatly.
Thank you Christine
____________________________________________________________________________________
You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.
http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
for teaching reading. Unschooling does mean knowing your child and
finding ways that each child thrives and enjoys using/doing/playing.
Every child is different.
My son really LOVED Hooked on Phonics computer program. He loved
putting stickers on the wall charter marking his progress. To this day,
he LOVES computers.
My step-daughter LOVES video games. She learned on the old Nintendo64
first with it being read to her, then her connecting the 'dots' and reading
for herself.
All my kids have used the Abeka 'Little Blue Primer' also.
Unschooling means more about learning to tune into your child and listening
to their whats, needs and desires.
Do you live in a household that has happy readers? If your child sees you
enjoying the written word, chances are, they will be curious and follow your
example. If reading is shown to be miserable, they won't want to.
Take the same happy approach to 'schooling' that you took to your child learning
to walk. Supply a safe envirnment, hold out a hand when they ask, applaud them
smile, encourage, love and celebrate each small step. Reading's the same thing.
Supply books of all levels and of their interest whether it be HOP, Abeka, Thomas
Jefferson, The Peanuts, Halo, or Superman, Thomas the Train, Hop on Pop.....etc.
Sit down next to them and read to them if they want to. Reading to a child who isn't
in the mood is a waste of time anyway.
I'm sure others in this group will have better ideas but theres a start.
Enjoy the journey!
Vicki
----- Original Message ----
From: gbccj58 <mommy2gnb@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, April 2, 2008 4:50:23 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] learning to read
As someone who is new to unschooling and what it really means, will
some of you who have had experience tell me how you taught your child
to read. My son who is 6 has actually taught him self to read several
words but not by any phoinc type standards. I have tried to start
working with him on sounding things out but it seems to be a concept I
am not sure he gets or is flat out just not interested in. Could some
of you tell me a bit about your personal definition of unschooling. I
would appreciate it greatly.
Thank you Christine
____________________________________________________________________________________
You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.
http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Jodi Bezzola
There has been a long thread the last week or so about this topic...take a look back and you'll find much that is helpful I'm sure.
Jodi
gbccj58 <mommy2gnb@...> wrote:
As someone who is new to unschooling and what it really means, will
some of you who have had experience tell me how you taught your child
to read. My son who is 6 has actually taught him self to read several
words but not by any phoinc type standards. I have tried to start
working with him on sounding things out but it seems to be a concept I
am not sure he gets or is flat out just not interested in. Could some
of you tell me a bit about your personal definition of unschooling. I
would appreciate it greatly.
Thank you Christine
---------------------------------
You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Jodi
gbccj58 <mommy2gnb@...> wrote:
As someone who is new to unschooling and what it really means, will
some of you who have had experience tell me how you taught your child
to read. My son who is 6 has actually taught him self to read several
words but not by any phoinc type standards. I have tried to start
working with him on sounding things out but it seems to be a concept I
am not sure he gets or is flat out just not interested in. Could some
of you tell me a bit about your personal definition of unschooling. I
would appreciate it greatly.
Thank you Christine
---------------------------------
You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joyce Fetteroll
On Apr 2, 2008, at 4:50 PM, gbccj58 wrote:
frustrate him.
The very best thing you can do to help him read is understand that
reading is as natural to learn as speaking.
Read here. It will help:
http://sandradodd.com/reading
And if you scroll down on the left at:
http://www.joyfullyrejoycing.com/
there's more on reading.
*Schools* make learning to read hard and that gives society the idea
that learning to read is unnatural and difficult and takes
specialized materials and instruction.
It's *not*. I can't emphasize that enough. Teachers need to herd 30
kids through *one* type of reading process to prove to administrators
and parents that they're making progress. *That process* is
unnatural. It makes learning to read hard. It turns many off from
reading. It demoralizes many kids, making them think they're stupid.
Take away that process. Take away the pressure to read independently
by age 9. Replace it with a relaxed atmosphere where the printed word
is encountered for purposes that the *child* wants and needs in his
right now life and reading will come.
It may not come on the school schedule. Though most unschoolers do
learn to read in the fairly typical 6-9 range, it's not unheard of
that they don't read until 12 or 15. And the later readers *don't*
start at first grade level. They were just waiting for one brain area
to develop (while all the others needed for reading had already
developed) and they're quickly reading at or above their age level.
I made her experience with the written word pleasant.
I made sure she had access to the types of things she needed to read
(walk throughs for games, for instance.)
I read to her (because she enjoyed that).
We listened to books on tape.
We watched movie versions of books she'd read or heard. (Because it's
fun! :-)
I answered her questions.
I kept paper and writing instruments handy.
I offered to write down her stories. (And kept quiet when she wanted
to do it herself even if no one else could read them! ;-)
We played word games.
I used the concept of "word jail" that someone came up with ages ago
where words whose spelling doesn't follow the regular rules go.
I pointed out the origins of words that had baffling spellings (like
beautiful and photograph) because there is a reason for the spellings!
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> I have tried to startIt could be that that isn't his pathway to reading. It will just
> working with him on sounding things out but it seems to be a concept I
> am not sure he gets or is flat out just not interested in.
frustrate him.
The very best thing you can do to help him read is understand that
reading is as natural to learn as speaking.
Read here. It will help:
http://sandradodd.com/reading
And if you scroll down on the left at:
http://www.joyfullyrejoycing.com/
there's more on reading.
*Schools* make learning to read hard and that gives society the idea
that learning to read is unnatural and difficult and takes
specialized materials and instruction.
It's *not*. I can't emphasize that enough. Teachers need to herd 30
kids through *one* type of reading process to prove to administrators
and parents that they're making progress. *That process* is
unnatural. It makes learning to read hard. It turns many off from
reading. It demoralizes many kids, making them think they're stupid.
Take away that process. Take away the pressure to read independently
by age 9. Replace it with a relaxed atmosphere where the printed word
is encountered for purposes that the *child* wants and needs in his
right now life and reading will come.
It may not come on the school schedule. Though most unschoolers do
learn to read in the fairly typical 6-9 range, it's not unheard of
that they don't read until 12 or 15. And the later readers *don't*
start at first grade level. They were just waiting for one brain area
to develop (while all the others needed for reading had already
developed) and they're quickly reading at or above their age level.
> willI didn't teach her. I helped her learn.
> some of you who have had experience tell me how you taught your child
> to read.
I made her experience with the written word pleasant.
I made sure she had access to the types of things she needed to read
(walk throughs for games, for instance.)
I read to her (because she enjoyed that).
We listened to books on tape.
We watched movie versions of books she'd read or heard. (Because it's
fun! :-)
I answered her questions.
I kept paper and writing instruments handy.
I offered to write down her stories. (And kept quiet when she wanted
to do it herself even if no one else could read them! ;-)
We played word games.
I used the concept of "word jail" that someone came up with ages ago
where words whose spelling doesn't follow the regular rules go.
I pointed out the origins of words that had baffling spellings (like
beautiful and photograph) because there is a reason for the spellings!
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joyce Fetteroll
On Apr 2, 2008, at 10:21 PM, Vickisue Gray wrote:
teach. They help their kids learn.
What unschooling doesn't mean is that kids can't pick up and have fun
with something that might be used in school or someone else might use
to teach something.
most important. The child loves computers. He will be drawn to
similar ways of learning things.
For those nervous about learning to read, again it can't be
emphasized enough, that a program for reading is not necessary. You
don't need Hooked on Phonics. You don't need BOB books. You don't
need Easy Readers. You don't need Abeka.
Some kids might enjoy those just as some kids enjoy anchovies. But
there isn't anything special in those materials that will cause some
generic child to read. What will help a child to read is having
access to things *they* enjoy.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> Unschooling doesn't mean you can't use ideas/books/computerYes, it does. Unschoolers don't teach reading. Unschoolers don't
> for teaching reading.
teach. They help their kids learn.
What unschooling doesn't mean is that kids can't pick up and have fun
with something that might be used in school or someone else might use
to teach something.
> My son really LOVED Hooked on Phonics computer program. He lovedTo help those trying to get unschooling, the last statement is the
> putting stickers on the wall charter marking his progress. To this
> day,
> he LOVES computers.
most important. The child loves computers. He will be drawn to
similar ways of learning things.
For those nervous about learning to read, again it can't be
emphasized enough, that a program for reading is not necessary. You
don't need Hooked on Phonics. You don't need BOB books. You don't
need Easy Readers. You don't need Abeka.
Some kids might enjoy those just as some kids enjoy anchovies. But
there isn't anything special in those materials that will cause some
generic child to read. What will help a child to read is having
access to things *they* enjoy.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joyce Fetteroll
On Apr 2, 2008, at 10:09 PM, Barbara Perez wrote:
And the beauty of unschooling is that we as parents don't need to
know the strategies kids end up using! We just supply the
environment, answer their questions, make their experiences with the
printed word pleasant and they read :-)
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> the best way to learn to read it IMO is by a combinationYes.
> of strategies including phonics but also recognizing sight words from
> context etc.
And the beauty of unschooling is that we as parents don't need to
know the strategies kids end up using! We just supply the
environment, answer their questions, make their experiences with the
printed word pleasant and they read :-)
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Vickisue Gray
Yes. I re-read this this morning and cringed over the use of the word 'teach'.
Oops! Sorry. I didn't 'teach' him anyway. He just loved figuring out the games
and did it on his own.
=)
Vicki
Oops! Sorry. I didn't 'teach' him anyway. He just loved figuring out the games
and did it on his own.
=)
Vicki
On Apr 2, 2008, at 10:21 PM, Vickisue Gray wrote:
> Unschooling doesn't mean you can't use ideas/books/ computer
> for teaching reading.
Yes, it does. Unschoolers don't teach reading. Unschoolers don't
teach. They help their kids learn.
What unschooling doesn't mean is that kids can't pick up and have fun
with something that might be used in school or someone else might use
to teach something.
> My son really LOVED Hooked on Phonics computer program. He loved
> putting stickers on the wall charter marking his progress. To this
> day,
> he LOVES computers.
To help those trying to get unschooling, the last statement is the
most important. The child loves computers. He will be drawn to
similar ways of learning things.
For those nervous about learning to read, again it can't be
emphasized enough, that a program for reading is not necessary. You
don't need Hooked on Phonics. You don't need BOB books. You don't
need Easy Readers. You don't need Abeka.
Some kids might enjoy those just as some kids enjoy anchovies. But
there isn't anything special in those materials that will cause some
generic child to read. What will help a child to read is having
access to things *they* enjoy.
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
____________________________________________________________________________________
You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.
http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Shileen Nixon
On Apr 3, 2008, at 6:04 AM, Joyce Fetteroll wrote:
before and at times I get crazily concerned about it. However, when
I stop and think about him and how he has developed and matured I
know that one of these days when he's ready the reading and writing
thing will kick in when his brain matures. My son has never done
anything in his life that he wasn't ready for. It didn't matter who
wanted him to do it or what was going on. From walking to riding a
bike to roller blading. All the other kids would be out doing these
things begging Austyn to participate. No! He just wouldn't and he
was fine with that. It didn't bother him at all he would play around
and still have fun. But when he was ready? He hopped on his bike or
skates or whatever and he was off. I'll never forget when he started
walking. I turned around and there he was walking in circles around
the room.... and that day he walked and walked and walked. It was
quite funny but he was ready. I try to rest in the fact that that is
who he is and that things like reading and writing are no different
that biking and skating. When's he's ready he'll pick up a book and/
or a pin as though he's had the skill all of his life. For the life
of me I don't know why I get worried and crazy sometimes. I guess
during those times I get scared and stop trusting the process.
laptop with us that was only good for word processing. We were in a
cabin along the Allegheny River where there were no phones, tv's,
nothing electronic. That year Austyn spent hours typing stories on
the old laptop. We were all in shock. The story lines were pretty
good. He's not done anything like that since which is ok.
myself. I've heard people talk about Language From The Roots Up - I
think that's what it's called.
Shileen
> It may not come on the school schedule. Though most unschoolers doMy son is 15. He can read but not well. I've posted about this
> learn to read in the fairly typical 6-9 range, it's not unheard of
> that they don't read until 12 or 15. And the later readers *don't*
> start at first grade level. They were just waiting for one brain area
> to develop (while all the others needed for reading had already
> developed) and they're quickly reading at or above their age level.
>
before and at times I get crazily concerned about it. However, when
I stop and think about him and how he has developed and matured I
know that one of these days when he's ready the reading and writing
thing will kick in when his brain matures. My son has never done
anything in his life that he wasn't ready for. It didn't matter who
wanted him to do it or what was going on. From walking to riding a
bike to roller blading. All the other kids would be out doing these
things begging Austyn to participate. No! He just wouldn't and he
was fine with that. It didn't bother him at all he would play around
and still have fun. But when he was ready? He hopped on his bike or
skates or whatever and he was off. I'll never forget when he started
walking. I turned around and there he was walking in circles around
the room.... and that day he walked and walked and walked. It was
quite funny but he was ready. I try to rest in the fact that that is
who he is and that things like reading and writing are no different
that biking and skating. When's he's ready he'll pick up a book and/
or a pin as though he's had the skill all of his life. For the life
of me I don't know why I get worried and crazy sometimes. I guess
during those times I get scared and stop trusting the process.
>A couple of summers ago we were on vacation. We had taken an old
>
> I offered to write down her stories. (And kept quiet when she wanted
> to do it herself even if no one else could read them! ;-)
>
laptop with us that was only good for word processing. We were in a
cabin along the Allegheny River where there were no phones, tv's,
nothing electronic. That year Austyn spent hours typing stories on
the old laptop. We were all in shock. The story lines were pretty
good. He's not done anything like that since which is ok.
>Is there a good resource for just such a thing? I'd like to know
>
> We played word games.
>
> I used the concept of "word jail" that someone came up with ages ago
> where words whose spelling doesn't follow the regular rules go.
>
> I pointed out the origins of words that had baffling spellings (like
> beautiful and photograph) because there is a reason for the spellings!
>
myself. I've heard people talk about Language From The Roots Up - I
think that's what it's called.
Shileen
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> a program
> to help you find
> balance in your life.
> .
>
>
dana_burdick
> For those nervous about learning to read, again it can't beYou
> emphasized enough, that a program for reading is not necessary.
> don't need Hooked on Phonics. You don't need BOB books. You don'tAnd you don't need Dick and Jane books either, but I have a fun story
> need Easy Readers. You don't need Abeka.
>
to share. There are three unschooling girls that I know, one of
which is my daughter who, for whatever reason, latched onto Dick and
Jane books. This was all at various times and independently done,
none of them knew the others where reading these books. I shared
this with my mother since she used these books herself when she was a
little girl. She is quite familiar with unschooling principles, and
thought it was particularly funny that children would freely
choose, "such an ancient thing."
I asked my daughter (8) why she liked the books and she said that
they aren't like other books that try to teach you a lesson about
being a good kid. I had to agree. The interactions amoung the kids
and the parents are quite sweet.
-Dana
Kim Musolff
Schools* make learning to read hard and that gives society the idea
that learning to read is unnatural and difficult and takes
specialized materials and instruction.
It's *not*. I can't emphasize that enough. Teachers need to herd 30
kids through *one* type of reading process to prove to administrators
and parents that they're making progress. *That process* is
unnatural. It makes learning to read hard. It turns many off from
reading. It demoralizes many kids, making them think they're stupid.
This is SO true! When I was teaching, there was so much talk about the
"right" way to teach children how to read. I always wondered why teachers
were so resistant to the idea that maybe you have to look at each individual
child and teach them in their own way. Now I know that even that is not the
"right" way to teach reading, because in fact you are not teaching, they are
learning!
I didn't teach her. I helped her learn.
I made her experience with the written word pleasant.
I made sure she had access to the types of things she needed to read
(walk throughs for games, for instance.)
I read to her (because she enjoyed that).
We listened to books on tape.
We watched movie versions of books she'd read or heard. (Because it's
fun! :-)
I answered her questions.
I kept paper and writing instruments handy.
I offered to write down her stories. (And kept quiet when she wanted
to do it herself even if no one else could read them! ;-)
We played word games.
I used the concept of "word jail" that someone came up with ages ago
where words whose spelling doesn't follow the regular rules go.
I pointed out the origins of words that had baffling spellings (like
beautiful and photograph) because there is a reason for the spellings!
It's funny, because when my son was in his preschool years, I thought I was
teaching him how to read. One day we were visiting Nana and Papa, who don't
see our children very often, and they were surprised at how well he was
reading since the last time they saw him. Trying to be funny, they asked
him, "Who taught you how to read?" (They always joke about how lucky my
kids are to have a teacher as a mom! These comments absolutely drive me
crazy now! ) To everyone's surprise, my son answered, "No one. I taught
myself!"
It took me awhile to not get offended by that comment. I used to think
about how much work I did to set up his environment so he would learn to
read, and how much effort I put forth to make sure he was "reading" things
he enjoyed, and that I never made reading look like a work--it was always
something fun. How could he say that I didn't teach him to read? And then,
as I am learning about unschooling, and the whole idea that I don't teach,
children learn; I finally get it! I should be proud of myself that I set it
up and supported him so that he was able to learn to read on his own, not
that I taught him to read!
Thank you, Joyce. You are really helping me get a grasp of this whole
unschooling thing!
On Thu, Apr 3, 2008 at 4:04 AM, Joyce Fetteroll <jfetteroll@...>
wrote:
that learning to read is unnatural and difficult and takes
specialized materials and instruction.
It's *not*. I can't emphasize that enough. Teachers need to herd 30
kids through *one* type of reading process to prove to administrators
and parents that they're making progress. *That process* is
unnatural. It makes learning to read hard. It turns many off from
reading. It demoralizes many kids, making them think they're stupid.
This is SO true! When I was teaching, there was so much talk about the
"right" way to teach children how to read. I always wondered why teachers
were so resistant to the idea that maybe you have to look at each individual
child and teach them in their own way. Now I know that even that is not the
"right" way to teach reading, because in fact you are not teaching, they are
learning!
I didn't teach her. I helped her learn.
I made her experience with the written word pleasant.
I made sure she had access to the types of things she needed to read
(walk throughs for games, for instance.)
I read to her (because she enjoyed that).
We listened to books on tape.
We watched movie versions of books she'd read or heard. (Because it's
fun! :-)
I answered her questions.
I kept paper and writing instruments handy.
I offered to write down her stories. (And kept quiet when she wanted
to do it herself even if no one else could read them! ;-)
We played word games.
I used the concept of "word jail" that someone came up with ages ago
where words whose spelling doesn't follow the regular rules go.
I pointed out the origins of words that had baffling spellings (like
beautiful and photograph) because there is a reason for the spellings!
It's funny, because when my son was in his preschool years, I thought I was
teaching him how to read. One day we were visiting Nana and Papa, who don't
see our children very often, and they were surprised at how well he was
reading since the last time they saw him. Trying to be funny, they asked
him, "Who taught you how to read?" (They always joke about how lucky my
kids are to have a teacher as a mom! These comments absolutely drive me
crazy now! ) To everyone's surprise, my son answered, "No one. I taught
myself!"
It took me awhile to not get offended by that comment. I used to think
about how much work I did to set up his environment so he would learn to
read, and how much effort I put forth to make sure he was "reading" things
he enjoyed, and that I never made reading look like a work--it was always
something fun. How could he say that I didn't teach him to read? And then,
as I am learning about unschooling, and the whole idea that I don't teach,
children learn; I finally get it! I should be proud of myself that I set it
up and supported him so that he was able to learn to read on his own, not
that I taught him to read!
Thank you, Joyce. You are really helping me get a grasp of this whole
unschooling thing!
On Thu, Apr 3, 2008 at 4:04 AM, Joyce Fetteroll <jfetteroll@...>
wrote:
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> On Apr 2, 2008, at 4:50 PM, gbccj58 wrote:
> > I have tried to start
> > working with him on sounding things out but it seems to be a concept I
> > am not sure he gets or is flat out just not interested in.
>
> It could be that that isn't his pathway to reading. It will just
> frustrate him.
>
> The very best thing you can do to help him read is understand that
> reading is as natural to learn as speaking.
>
> Read here. It will help:
>
> http://sandradodd.com/reading
>
> And if you scroll down on the left at:
>
> http://www.joyfullyrejoycing.com/
>
> there's more on reading.
>
> *Schools* make learning to read hard and that gives society the idea
> that learning to read is unnatural and difficult and takes
> specialized materials and instruction.
>
> It's *not*. I can't emphasize that enough. Teachers need to herd 30
> kids through *one* type of reading process to prove to administrators
> and parents that they're making progress. *That process* is
> unnatural. It makes learning to read hard. It turns many off from
> reading. It demoralizes many kids, making them think they're stupid.
>
> Take away that process. Take away the pressure to read independently
> by age 9. Replace it with a relaxed atmosphere where the printed word
> is encountered for purposes that the *child* wants and needs in his
> right now life and reading will come.
>
> It may not come on the school schedule. Though most unschoolers do
> learn to read in the fairly typical 6-9 range, it's not unheard of
> that they don't read until 12 or 15. And the later readers *don't*
> start at first grade level. They were just waiting for one brain area
> to develop (while all the others needed for reading had already
> developed) and they're quickly reading at or above their age level.
>
> > will
> > some of you who have had experience tell me how you taught your child
> > to read.
>
> I didn't teach her. I helped her learn.
>
> I made her experience with the written word pleasant.
>
> I made sure she had access to the types of things she needed to read
> (walk throughs for games, for instance.)
>
> I read to her (because she enjoyed that).
>
> We listened to books on tape.
>
> We watched movie versions of books she'd read or heard. (Because it's
> fun! :-)
>
> I answered her questions.
>
> I kept paper and writing instruments handy.
>
> I offered to write down her stories. (And kept quiet when she wanted
> to do it herself even if no one else could read them! ;-)
>
> We played word games.
>
> I used the concept of "word jail" that someone came up with ages ago
> where words whose spelling doesn't follow the regular rules go.
>
> I pointed out the origins of words that had baffling spellings (like
> beautiful and photograph) because there is a reason for the spellings!
>
> Joyce
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
Ren Allen
~~ that the best way to learn to read it IMO is by a combination
of strategies including phonics but also recognizing sight words from
context etc~~
Let's look at this a different way:
"that the best way to learn to speak a language IMO is by a
combination of strategies including word repetition but also hearing
words from context etc..."
People utilize strategies that work best for them naturally.
Did you know the process inside your child's head for learning
language? Not necessarily. Did it matter? Nope. The important factor
was hearing the spoken word. Not the spoken word being aimed towards
them with the intent of "teaching"...just hearing it naturally all
around them. That's it.
Reading is the same way. You don't need to utilize any strategies.
Your child HAS their strategies, just support them. Phonics is
overrated. Some people will want to know what letter sounds make. Some
never care. Reading is learned as naturally as the spoken word. Have
words around and available and it will be picked up in time.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
of strategies including phonics but also recognizing sight words from
context etc~~
Let's look at this a different way:
"that the best way to learn to speak a language IMO is by a
combination of strategies including word repetition but also hearing
words from context etc..."
People utilize strategies that work best for them naturally.
Did you know the process inside your child's head for learning
language? Not necessarily. Did it matter? Nope. The important factor
was hearing the spoken word. Not the spoken word being aimed towards
them with the intent of "teaching"...just hearing it naturally all
around them. That's it.
Reading is the same way. You don't need to utilize any strategies.
Your child HAS their strategies, just support them. Phonics is
overrated. Some people will want to know what letter sounds make. Some
never care. Reading is learned as naturally as the spoken word. Have
words around and available and it will be picked up in time.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com