Anti-Homeschool Editorial
Mike & Denise Radakovitz
Ugg. She's back! For those not familiar, about two years ago this Margaret
Boyce of Saugatuck (MI) wrote an editorial slamming homeschoolers. Based on
my Swiss-cheese memory I think there was a huge refutation from around the
country (don't recall anyone writing in to support her view but could be
wrong). Well, she's back it again. This was published in the Holland
Sentinel this morning (9/18/06) in the Opinion section:
MISSING OUT ON BACK TO SCHOOL
To the Editor:
There is a whiff of autumn in the air, and football has begun. One can feel
the excitement. Why? Because it is back to school time! I know many
children who just can't wait to begin, from kindergarten to high school,
looking forward to seeing the friends, including teachers, that have been
missed during the summer. New clothes, new books and a new start in the
year. Truly one of life's greatest milestones when everything is filled
with promise.
However, there is a group of children being robbed of this
incredible experience. Their parents, probably that they are being
especially virtuous, have decided that they will keep their children and
"home school" because they (the parents) believe that they are able to bring
all knowledge and learning to their children. One parent told me that she
was keeping her child at home because "Well, he cried when I took him to
kindergarten." Apparently she had failed to give him any experiences that
prepared both of them the ability to separate, so she would deprive him of
this education.
There are several new studies that deal with this overzealous
parenting. Too much home pressure, too much togetherness, no chance for the
children to find their own way. I have written in the past of a Harvard
study that followed a flock of homeschooled children that found no
significant difference in their academic achievements that the traditionally
schooled children, with the exception of some gaps where the parents were
just now knowledgeable. However, the mothers do get a huge ego boost. Is
that why we have children? To boost a mother's ego? As an experienced mom
as well as a former teacher, I believe that this intense parenting can
usually have two outcomes. One, the child becomes very stifled, unable to
function independently at all, or what often happens, the moment the child
reaches 18 (or sometimes younger) they are gone. If they go to college, it
will be very far away. As adults they will remain far away. I have spoken
with many grown children who would say "I could never live near my parents"
and enumerate the controls put upon them as children.
Raising children demands time, attention, encouragement, and
letting go. The words from a song in "The Sound of Music"-"How do you hold
a moonbeam in your hand?"-can be a good question for parents. It isn't
easy, but the ones that can let go enough to allow their children to grow
their own wings are the most successful.
Margaret Boyce, Saugatuck
The Holland Sentinel
Monday, September 18, 2006
Page A4, Opinion
For those interested in writing a response:
Mailing address: 54 W. Eighth St., Holland, MI 49423
Phone: 616-546-4261
Email: newsroom@...
Contacts: Pete Esser, Publisher; Jim Timmerman, Opinion Page Editor; Rick
VanGrouw, Editor
Apparently Ms. Boyce has a serious bone of contention. Sorry if this has
made any of you feel as sick as it has made me feel this morning.
Denise in Holland, MI
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Boyce of Saugatuck (MI) wrote an editorial slamming homeschoolers. Based on
my Swiss-cheese memory I think there was a huge refutation from around the
country (don't recall anyone writing in to support her view but could be
wrong). Well, she's back it again. This was published in the Holland
Sentinel this morning (9/18/06) in the Opinion section:
MISSING OUT ON BACK TO SCHOOL
To the Editor:
There is a whiff of autumn in the air, and football has begun. One can feel
the excitement. Why? Because it is back to school time! I know many
children who just can't wait to begin, from kindergarten to high school,
looking forward to seeing the friends, including teachers, that have been
missed during the summer. New clothes, new books and a new start in the
year. Truly one of life's greatest milestones when everything is filled
with promise.
However, there is a group of children being robbed of this
incredible experience. Their parents, probably that they are being
especially virtuous, have decided that they will keep their children and
"home school" because they (the parents) believe that they are able to bring
all knowledge and learning to their children. One parent told me that she
was keeping her child at home because "Well, he cried when I took him to
kindergarten." Apparently she had failed to give him any experiences that
prepared both of them the ability to separate, so she would deprive him of
this education.
There are several new studies that deal with this overzealous
parenting. Too much home pressure, too much togetherness, no chance for the
children to find their own way. I have written in the past of a Harvard
study that followed a flock of homeschooled children that found no
significant difference in their academic achievements that the traditionally
schooled children, with the exception of some gaps where the parents were
just now knowledgeable. However, the mothers do get a huge ego boost. Is
that why we have children? To boost a mother's ego? As an experienced mom
as well as a former teacher, I believe that this intense parenting can
usually have two outcomes. One, the child becomes very stifled, unable to
function independently at all, or what often happens, the moment the child
reaches 18 (or sometimes younger) they are gone. If they go to college, it
will be very far away. As adults they will remain far away. I have spoken
with many grown children who would say "I could never live near my parents"
and enumerate the controls put upon them as children.
Raising children demands time, attention, encouragement, and
letting go. The words from a song in "The Sound of Music"-"How do you hold
a moonbeam in your hand?"-can be a good question for parents. It isn't
easy, but the ones that can let go enough to allow their children to grow
their own wings are the most successful.
Margaret Boyce, Saugatuck
The Holland Sentinel
Monday, September 18, 2006
Page A4, Opinion
For those interested in writing a response:
Mailing address: 54 W. Eighth St., Holland, MI 49423
Phone: 616-546-4261
Email: newsroom@...
Contacts: Pete Esser, Publisher; Jim Timmerman, Opinion Page Editor; Rick
VanGrouw, Editor
Apparently Ms. Boyce has a serious bone of contention. Sorry if this has
made any of you feel as sick as it has made me feel this morning.
Denise in Holland, MI
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Michelle Leifur Reid
On 9/18/06, Mike & Denise Radakovitz <mdradak@...> wrote:
LOVE back to school time. They DO get new clothes because we have
"tax free week" about a month before school starts and stores have
huge sales and markdowns and I can get more summer clothes (since we
have summer until the beginning of November here) at remarkable
prices. These are their "school clothes" and they LOVE it. They also
know that about 3 weeks after school starts that we are going to head
down to Target and stock up on new crayons, pencils, notebooks, paper,
construction paper, glue, and markers because Target has marked all
their "school supplies" down to 50% off. They know that our resource
group will be starting back up (we take a hiatus during the summer as
our meeting place is used as daycare for traditionally schooled
children whose parents work) so they get excited about seeing their
friends again and hoping that new friends will show up. They also
look forward to the first day of school. Our tradition has always
been on the first day of school to go to the mall and hang out
(usually spending a lot of time just in Hot Topic and the pet store)
"flaunting" (if you will) our freedom from school buses, homework,
tests, and early wake up times.
This woman is obviously cracked (or smoked too much crack) and has NO
CLUE as to what homeschoolers do. "depriving them of education"
PLEASE!!!!!! My children have more "educational opportunities" than
most traditionally schooled children! Yep, definitely too much crack.
;-)
--
Michelle
Michelle Leifur Reid
YOUR Pampered Chef Consultant
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Check out my homeschool cooking classes!
> There is a whiff of autumn in the air, and football has begun. One can feelWow, she doesn't know any homeschooling families does she? My kids
> the excitement. Why? Because it is back to school time! I know many
> children who just can't wait to begin, from kindergarten to high school,
> looking forward to seeing the friends, including teachers, that have been
> missed during the summer. New clothes, new books and a new start in the
> year. Truly one of life's greatest milestones when everything is filled
> with promise.
>
> However, there is a group of children being robbed of this
> incredible experience.
LOVE back to school time. They DO get new clothes because we have
"tax free week" about a month before school starts and stores have
huge sales and markdowns and I can get more summer clothes (since we
have summer until the beginning of November here) at remarkable
prices. These are their "school clothes" and they LOVE it. They also
know that about 3 weeks after school starts that we are going to head
down to Target and stock up on new crayons, pencils, notebooks, paper,
construction paper, glue, and markers because Target has marked all
their "school supplies" down to 50% off. They know that our resource
group will be starting back up (we take a hiatus during the summer as
our meeting place is used as daycare for traditionally schooled
children whose parents work) so they get excited about seeing their
friends again and hoping that new friends will show up. They also
look forward to the first day of school. Our tradition has always
been on the first day of school to go to the mall and hang out
(usually spending a lot of time just in Hot Topic and the pet store)
"flaunting" (if you will) our freedom from school buses, homework,
tests, and early wake up times.
This woman is obviously cracked (or smoked too much crack) and has NO
CLUE as to what homeschoolers do. "depriving them of education"
PLEASE!!!!!! My children have more "educational opportunities" than
most traditionally schooled children! Yep, definitely too much crack.
;-)
--
Michelle
Michelle Leifur Reid
YOUR Pampered Chef Consultant
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Check out my homeschool cooking classes!
Danielle Pate
She obviously has no idea. I wouldn't berate her any further. She's
ignorant about homeschooling, but probably not a bad person.
Homeschooled and unschooled children get more educational opportunities than
kids in school. They have access to more diversity in life, in friendships,
and in subjects to learn about.
There are a lot of people against homeschooling, but there are also many
homeschoolers and unschoolers who are just as adimantly against what she's
doing with her kids. The debate gois on with other aspects of parenting
like breast vs. bottle, stay at home or work, vaccinate or not, homeschool
or school, to spank or not. On both sides of each debate, there is a lot of
viciousness and not a lot of willingness to understand where the other is
coming from. I am TTC, but I am not sure this aspect of motherhood is
something I look forward to- having every choice berated by other moms. And
then, they complain that mothers can't do anything right, because any choice
they make is put down- uh, yeah- by other moms.
So, we all disagree with this article. Let's not stoop to her level and be
as hate-filled as she was. I know it's hard.
Danielle
Speaking of blogging, here's mine-
daniellesdailylifeblog.blogspot.com
Danielle Souris Pate
"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I�
I took the one less traveled by"
Robert Frost.
Got something to buy, sell or swap? Try Windows Live Expo
ttp://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwex0010000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://expo.live.com/
ignorant about homeschooling, but probably not a bad person.
Homeschooled and unschooled children get more educational opportunities than
kids in school. They have access to more diversity in life, in friendships,
and in subjects to learn about.
There are a lot of people against homeschooling, but there are also many
homeschoolers and unschoolers who are just as adimantly against what she's
doing with her kids. The debate gois on with other aspects of parenting
like breast vs. bottle, stay at home or work, vaccinate or not, homeschool
or school, to spank or not. On both sides of each debate, there is a lot of
viciousness and not a lot of willingness to understand where the other is
coming from. I am TTC, but I am not sure this aspect of motherhood is
something I look forward to- having every choice berated by other moms. And
then, they complain that mothers can't do anything right, because any choice
they make is put down- uh, yeah- by other moms.
So, we all disagree with this article. Let's not stoop to her level and be
as hate-filled as she was. I know it's hard.
Danielle
Speaking of blogging, here's mine-
daniellesdailylifeblog.blogspot.com
Danielle Souris Pate
"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I�
I took the one less traveled by"
Robert Frost.
>From: "Michelle Leifur Reid" <pamperedmichelle@...>_________________________________________________________________
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Anti-Homeschool Editorial
>Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2006 08:51:47 -0500
>
>On 9/18/06, Mike & Denise Radakovitz <mdradak@...> wrote:
> > There is a whiff of autumn in the air, and football has begun. One can
>feel
> > the excitement. Why? Because it is back to school time! I know many
> > children who just can't wait to begin, from kindergarten to high school,
> > looking forward to seeing the friends, including teachers, that have
>been
> > missed during the summer. New clothes, new books and a new start in the
> > year. Truly one of life's greatest milestones when everything is filled
> > with promise.
> >
> > However, there is a group of children being robbed of this
> > incredible experience.
>
>Wow, she doesn't know any homeschooling families does she? My kids
>LOVE back to school time. They DO get new clothes because we have
>"tax free week" about a month before school starts and stores have
>huge sales and markdowns and I can get more summer clothes (since we
>have summer until the beginning of November here) at remarkable
>prices. These are their "school clothes" and they LOVE it. They also
>know that about 3 weeks after school starts that we are going to head
>down to Target and stock up on new crayons, pencils, notebooks, paper,
>construction paper, glue, and markers because Target has marked all
>their "school supplies" down to 50% off. They know that our resource
>group will be starting back up (we take a hiatus during the summer as
>our meeting place is used as daycare for traditionally schooled
>children whose parents work) so they get excited about seeing their
>friends again and hoping that new friends will show up. They also
>look forward to the first day of school. Our tradition has always
>been on the first day of school to go to the mall and hang out
>(usually spending a lot of time just in Hot Topic and the pet store)
>"flaunting" (if you will) our freedom from school buses, homework,
>tests, and early wake up times.
>
>
>This woman is obviously cracked (or smoked too much crack) and has NO
>CLUE as to what homeschoolers do. "depriving them of education"
>PLEASE!!!!!! My children have more "educational opportunities" than
>most traditionally schooled children! Yep, definitely too much crack.
> ;-)
>--
>Michelle
>Michelle Leifur Reid
>YOUR Pampered Chef Consultant
>850-474-0817
>http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
>Check out my homeschool cooking classes!
Got something to buy, sell or swap? Try Windows Live Expo
ttp://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwex0010000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://expo.live.com/
[email protected]
>>She obviously has no idea. I wouldn't berate her any further.>>I won't berate her, but I will probably respond to her editorial. I'd love for people to hear the reality of my children's unschooling life.
--
~Mary
http://zenmommasgarden.blogspot.com/
"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the
green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly
alive."
~Thich Nhat Hanh
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Danielle Pate" <DaniellePate@...>
> She obviously has no idea. I wouldn't berate her any further. She's
> ignorant about homeschooling, but probably not a bad person.
> Homeschooled and unschooled children get more educational opportunities than
> kids in school. They have access to more diversity in life, in friendships,
> and in subjects to learn about.
> There are a lot of people against homeschooling, but there are also many
> homeschoolers and unschoolers who are just as adimantly against what she's
> doing with her kids. The debate gois on with other aspects of parenting
> like breast vs. bottle, stay at home or work, vaccinate or not, homeschool
> or school, to spank or not. On both sides of each debate, there is a lot of
> viciousness and not a lot of willingness to understand where the other is
> coming from. I am TTC, but I am not sure this aspect of motherhood is
> something I look forward to- having every choice berated by other moms. And
> then, they complain that mothers can't do anything right, because any choice
> they make is put down- uh, yeah- by other moms.
> So, we all disagree with this article. Let's not stoop to her level and be
> as hate-filled as she was. I know it's hard.
> Danielle
> Speaking of blogging, here's mine-
> daniellesdailylifeblog.blogspot.com
>
>
>
> Danielle Souris Pate
> "I shall be telling this with a sigh
> Somewhere ages and ages hence:
> Two roads diverged in a wood, and I�
> I took the one less traveled by"
> Robert Frost.
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: "Michelle Leifur Reid" <pamperedmichelle@...>
> >Reply-To: [email protected]
> >To: [email protected]
> >Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Anti-Homeschool Editorial
> >Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2006 08:51:47 -0500
> >
> >On 9/18/06, Mike & Denise Radakovitz <mdradak@...> wrote:
> > > There is a whiff of autumn in the air, and football has begun. One can
> >feel
> > > the excitement. Why? Because it is back to school time! I know many
> > > children who just can't wait to begin, from kindergarten to high school,
> > > looking forward to seeing the friends, including teachers, that have
> >been
> > > missed during the summer. New clothes, new books and a new start in the
> > > year. Truly one of life's greatest milestones when everything is filled
> > > with promise.
> > >
> > > However, there is a group of children being robbed of this
> > > incredible experience.
> >
> >Wow, she doesn't know any homeschooling families does she? My kids
> >LOVE back to school time. They DO get new clothes because we have
> >"tax free week" about a month before school starts and stores have
> >huge sales and markdowns and I can get more summer clothes (since we
> >have summer until the beginning of November here) at remarkable
> >prices. These are their "school clothes" and they LOVE it. They also
> >know that about 3 weeks after school starts that we are going to head
> >down to Target and stock up on new crayons, pencils, notebooks, paper,
> >construction paper, glue, and markers because Target has marked all
> >their "school supplies" down to 50% off. They know that our resource
> >group will be starting back up (we take a hiatus during the summer as
> >our meeting place is used as daycare for traditionally schooled
> >children whose parents work) so they get excited about seeing their
> >friends again and hoping that new friends will show up. They also
> >look forward to the first day of school. Our tradition has always
> >been on the first day of school to go to the mall and hang out
> >(usually spending a lot of time just in Hot Topic and the pet store)
> >"flaunting" (if you will) our freedom from school buses, homework,
> >tests, and early wake up times.
> >
> >
> >This woman is obviously cracked (or smoked too much crack) and has NO
> >CLUE as to what homeschoolers do. "depriving them of education"
> >PLEASE!!!!!! My children have more "educational opportunities" than
> >most traditionally schooled children! Yep, definitely too much crack.
> > ;-)
> >--
> >Michelle
> >Michelle Leifur Reid
> >YOUR Pampered Chef Consultant
> >850-474-0817
> >http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
> >Check out my homeschool cooking classes!
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Got something to buy, sell or swap? Try Windows Live Expo
> ttp://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwex0010000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://expo.liv
> e.com/
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Betsy Hill
**There is a whiff of autumn in the air, and football has begun. One
can feel
the excitement. Why? Because it is back to school time! I know many
children who just can't wait to begin, from kindergarten to high school,
looking forward to seeing the friends, including teachers, that have been
missed during the summer. New clothes, new books and a new start in the
year. Truly one of life's greatest milestones when everything is filled
with promise.
However, there is a group of children being robbed of this
incredible experience**
I just have to chortle and shake my head in response to this woman's
editorial POV. We felt oh so sad and deprived about missing Back to
School because instead we spent a beautiful day at New Brighton Beach
and had dinner at Santa Cruz Diner. I hope everyone feels suitably
sorry for my poor deprived child! LOL. (And the water was warmer at
the beach than it is all year. Excellent!)
I need a bumpersticker for my car that says "Has your classroom got
pelicans and sea lions?"
Betsy
can feel
the excitement. Why? Because it is back to school time! I know many
children who just can't wait to begin, from kindergarten to high school,
looking forward to seeing the friends, including teachers, that have been
missed during the summer. New clothes, new books and a new start in the
year. Truly one of life's greatest milestones when everything is filled
with promise.
However, there is a group of children being robbed of this
incredible experience**
I just have to chortle and shake my head in response to this woman's
editorial POV. We felt oh so sad and deprived about missing Back to
School because instead we spent a beautiful day at New Brighton Beach
and had dinner at Santa Cruz Diner. I hope everyone feels suitably
sorry for my poor deprived child! LOL. (And the water was warmer at
the beach than it is all year. Excellent!)
I need a bumpersticker for my car that says "Has your classroom got
pelicans and sea lions?"
Betsy
Denise
I'll have to admit that my feathers were pretty ruffled this morning,
but now that I'm fully preened and less ruffled and have gone on with
my day, enjoying being with my children and doing what we do, I've
started doubting whether I should have posted the editorial. It was
very negative and I find that those things drain me of my energy.
Yet, I felt that the article was so inflammatory that it was hard for
me to simply ignore it. I guess my idea was to make people aware that
it was out there and to offer the choice of deleting without taking it
in or to respond if they were so inclined. Several people have
replied with eloquently written replies to the editor that highlight
the joys and benefits of homeschooling without being derogatory to the
original author in any way. I'm glad to see this being turned into
what will hopefully be a productive debate rather than mud-slinging.
I'll keep my fingers crossed that they are published. I can't help
but want the general public to be better informed about homeschooling
than what the original editorial attempted to present. Thanks for
allowing me to vent.
Denise
but now that I'm fully preened and less ruffled and have gone on with
my day, enjoying being with my children and doing what we do, I've
started doubting whether I should have posted the editorial. It was
very negative and I find that those things drain me of my energy.
Yet, I felt that the article was so inflammatory that it was hard for
me to simply ignore it. I guess my idea was to make people aware that
it was out there and to offer the choice of deleting without taking it
in or to respond if they were so inclined. Several people have
replied with eloquently written replies to the editor that highlight
the joys and benefits of homeschooling without being derogatory to the
original author in any way. I'm glad to see this being turned into
what will hopefully be a productive debate rather than mud-slinging.
I'll keep my fingers crossed that they are published. I can't help
but want the general public to be better informed about homeschooling
than what the original editorial attempted to present. Thanks for
allowing me to vent.
Denise
[email protected]
>>I've started doubting whether I should have posted the editorial.>>I'm glad you posted it Denise. It's good to know what's being said out there in the mainstream press. I'd love to see the responses too!
--
~Mary
http://zenmommasgarden.blogspot.com/
"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the
green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly
alive."
~Thich Nhat Hanh
Melissa
Mine as well. It's such utter nonsense to claim that someone is
'missing' out from an experience. She's assuming that my kids can't
smell the autumn air from our backyard? Although it's beside the
point because Oklahoma is still in the 90's and smells like hot red
dirt.
My kids learned did a lot today. We had eye exams. which had a
plethora of interest. Josh also built a bridge across our creek with
some old pallets, and they also learned 1) why you always wear heavy
duty shoes while working with reclaimed lumber (which mom did NOT do
today), 2) how to cuss like a sailer, 3) basic first aide, including
how to use pliers to remove nails from feet, and 4) the importance of
tetanus shots.
Can't learn that in school. LOL!
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
'missing' out from an experience. She's assuming that my kids can't
smell the autumn air from our backyard? Although it's beside the
point because Oklahoma is still in the 90's and smells like hot red
dirt.
My kids learned did a lot today. We had eye exams. which had a
plethora of interest. Josh also built a bridge across our creek with
some old pallets, and they also learned 1) why you always wear heavy
duty shoes while working with reclaimed lumber (which mom did NOT do
today), 2) how to cuss like a sailer, 3) basic first aide, including
how to use pliers to remove nails from feet, and 4) the importance of
tetanus shots.
Can't learn that in school. LOL!
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 Sep 18, 2006, at 3:01 PM, Denise wrote:
> I'll have to admit that my feathers were pretty ruffled this morning,
> but now that I'm fully preened and less ruffled and have gone on with
> my day, enjoying being with my children and doing what we do,
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
>>they also learned 1) why you always wear heavyduty shoes while working with reclaimed lumber (which mom did NOT do today), 2) how to cuss like a sailer, 3) basic first aide, including how to use pliers to remove nails from feet, and 4) the importance of tetanus shots.>>
OUCH!! I hope you're okay Melissa.
--
~Mary
http://zenmommasgarden.blogspot.com/
"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the
green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly
alive."
~Thich Nhat Hanh
Denise
--- In [email protected], "Danielle Pate"
<DaniellePate@...> wrote:
that I have enjoyed my day, spent time with my children and did the
fun things that come naturally to us, I've started to doubt whether I
should have posted the editorial in the first place.
It was very negative and I find that those things drain me of my
energy and I apologize for spreading that around to everyone. Yet, I
felt that the article was so inflammatory that it was hard for me to
simply ignore it.
I guess my idea was to make people aware that it was out there and to
offer the choice of deleting without taking it in or to respond if
they were so inclined. Several people have replied with eloquently
written replies to the editor that highlight the joys and benefits of
homeschooling without being derogatory to the original author in any
way. I'm glad to see this being turned into what will hopefully be a
productive debate rather than mud-slinging. I'll keep my fingers
crossed that they are published. I can't help but want the general
public to be better informed about homeschooling than what the
original editorial attempted to present.
Thanks for allowing me to vent.
Denise
<DaniellePate@...> wrote:
> So, we all disagree with this article. Let's not stoop to her leveland be
> as hate-filled as she was. I know it's hard.I have to admit my feathers were pretty ruffled this morning. Now
that I have enjoyed my day, spent time with my children and did the
fun things that come naturally to us, I've started to doubt whether I
should have posted the editorial in the first place.
It was very negative and I find that those things drain me of my
energy and I apologize for spreading that around to everyone. Yet, I
felt that the article was so inflammatory that it was hard for me to
simply ignore it.
I guess my idea was to make people aware that it was out there and to
offer the choice of deleting without taking it in or to respond if
they were so inclined. Several people have replied with eloquently
written replies to the editor that highlight the joys and benefits of
homeschooling without being derogatory to the original author in any
way. I'm glad to see this being turned into what will hopefully be a
productive debate rather than mud-slinging. I'll keep my fingers
crossed that they are published. I can't help but want the general
public to be better informed about homeschooling than what the
original editorial attempted to present.
Thanks for allowing me to vent.
Denise
Solé
Am 19.09.2006 um 02:07 schrieb Denise:
idealistic to dream of a better world, but I've always thought that
the basis of a better world is education. I always thought something
is wrong with school and searched in all the places... the teachers's
fault, the curriculum's fault, the parent's fault, the government's
fault etc etc. I've wanted to become TEACHER! to *do* something, to
be *better* somehow and change something. So now I've found
unschooling and I begin to see that the problem lies in the learning
attitude itself. I know it will take decades for something to change
or probably it won't. But I can't help to want the general public to
be better informed! And I know that "studies" would help them at
least acknowledge the benefits of home/unschooling without having to
dig deeper into the inner logic of it.
Greetings
Johanna
> I can't help but want the generalYeah, this is why I'd love to have some "studies". It might be
> public to be better informed about homeschooling than what the
> original editorial attempted to present.
idealistic to dream of a better world, but I've always thought that
the basis of a better world is education. I always thought something
is wrong with school and searched in all the places... the teachers's
fault, the curriculum's fault, the parent's fault, the government's
fault etc etc. I've wanted to become TEACHER! to *do* something, to
be *better* somehow and change something. So now I've found
unschooling and I begin to see that the problem lies in the learning
attitude itself. I know it will take decades for something to change
or probably it won't. But I can't help to want the general public to
be better informed! And I know that "studies" would help them at
least acknowledge the benefits of home/unschooling without having to
dig deeper into the inner logic of it.
Greetings
Johanna
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: solelokuai@...
Yeah, this is why I'd love to have some "studies". It might be
idealistic to dream of a better world, but I've always thought that
the basis of a better world is education. I always thought something
is wrong with school and searched in all the places... the teachers's
fault, the curriculum's fault, the parent's fault, the government's
fault etc etc. I've wanted to become TEACHER! to *do* something, to
be *better* somehow and change something. So now I've found
unschooling and I begin to see that the problem lies in the learning
attitude itself. I know it will take decades for something to change
or probably it won't. But I can't help to want the general public to
be better informed! And I know that "studies" would help them at
least acknowledge the benefits of home/unschooling without having to
dig deeper into the inner logic of it.
-=-=-=-=-
Cameron asked me yesterday when *I* thought unschooling would become
more "mainstream"---well, maybe not mainstream, but more accepted as an
educational philosophy.
I figure 20 years. Cam thought that sounded like a long time. Sounds
*just* around the corner to *me*! <bwg>
But by then, Cam and other unschoolers will be grown with almost grown
children who've been unschooled. Duncan's unschooled contemporaries
will be having their children and unschooling as well. If the lifestyle
keeps growing as it has these last few years, we should have quite an
"army" shortly! <g>
That may sound ridiculously optimistic, but I prefer to think of myself
as a realist. <g>
The proof will be in the pudding, but until this generation is out and
about in large (enough!) numbers, no one will trust that it "works" as
we say it does. Most people aren't that... um.... trusting. <g>
Until then (or maybe even until 40 years! <G>) we'll have to go one
person at a time on lists ---or maybe a family or three at a conference.
"Studies" will be in the form of the adult "proof"---*after* the fact.
Slow progress, but it will happen. Schools are imploding as we type.
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://liveandlearnconference.org
"It's a small world...but a BIG life!" ~Aaron McGlohn. aged 6
________________________________________________________________________
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: solelokuai@...
Yeah, this is why I'd love to have some "studies". It might be
idealistic to dream of a better world, but I've always thought that
the basis of a better world is education. I always thought something
is wrong with school and searched in all the places... the teachers's
fault, the curriculum's fault, the parent's fault, the government's
fault etc etc. I've wanted to become TEACHER! to *do* something, to
be *better* somehow and change something. So now I've found
unschooling and I begin to see that the problem lies in the learning
attitude itself. I know it will take decades for something to change
or probably it won't. But I can't help to want the general public to
be better informed! And I know that "studies" would help them at
least acknowledge the benefits of home/unschooling without having to
dig deeper into the inner logic of it.
-=-=-=-=-
Cameron asked me yesterday when *I* thought unschooling would become
more "mainstream"---well, maybe not mainstream, but more accepted as an
educational philosophy.
I figure 20 years. Cam thought that sounded like a long time. Sounds
*just* around the corner to *me*! <bwg>
But by then, Cam and other unschoolers will be grown with almost grown
children who've been unschooled. Duncan's unschooled contemporaries
will be having their children and unschooling as well. If the lifestyle
keeps growing as it has these last few years, we should have quite an
"army" shortly! <g>
That may sound ridiculously optimistic, but I prefer to think of myself
as a realist. <g>
The proof will be in the pudding, but until this generation is out and
about in large (enough!) numbers, no one will trust that it "works" as
we say it does. Most people aren't that... um.... trusting. <g>
Until then (or maybe even until 40 years! <G>) we'll have to go one
person at a time on lists ---or maybe a family or three at a conference.
"Studies" will be in the form of the adult "proof"---*after* the fact.
Slow progress, but it will happen. Schools are imploding as we type.
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://liveandlearnconference.org
"It's a small world...but a BIG life!" ~Aaron McGlohn. aged 6
________________________________________________________________________
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.