flynnzie2

Hi All,
This looks like an active group with lots of resources;). My name is
Lynn, and my 10 year old dd has just begun unschooling. I'm not
entirely clear on what this is, but I'm glad to know it is not
following someone else's rigorous schedule. We had tried
homeschooling-well maybe it was more of virtual schooling, which is
public school ciriculum at home. Within 2 months we were both
frustrated, burned out, and behind. As we began traveling/camping,
things became impossible. No longer residng full time in Wisconsin,
my dd was no longer eligible for the program. Over the holidays, I
just let
her decompensate and enjoy life. She has now begun to write, read
children's classics, is working on spelling and art as well as
computer skills, all without even realizing that she has begun
unschooling. It's natural, and I'm already seeing the dd she used to
be before trying to fit in the educational mold. There is far too
much pressure, and the joy of learning is squashed.

Now my dd is willing to listen and learn, and everything is a
lesson;). Math has been her most difficult subject, as she never
memorised the basic facts. She's able to work problems, but those
basic facts hinder her speed and confidence. She also has become an
accomplished reader
without the ability to spell. I have plans of using math workbooks
until she masters the facts, and phonics to strengthen her spelling
skills; however, I am confused about how to satisfy state schooling
statutes. Additionally, I'm not ceratin what state to use, as we are
spending time in several states for periods of 3-6 months. I have
some property in Wiscoonsin, but do not anticipate spending more
than a few months there this year. Lastly, I could use some tips in
planning/documentation/organization. Thanks for reading, and I look
forward to all your posts.

Lynn

plaidpanties666

--- In [email protected], "flynnzie2"
<flynnzie2@...> wrote:
>>> Hi All,
> This looks like an active group with lots of resources

You may want to do some more reading about unschooling:

http://sandradodd.com/unschooling
http://joyfullyrejoycing.com/

are good resources. A local group would have more state-specific
information. Personally, I'd look up the requirements of all the
states you plan to be staying in - you may not have to register in
any of them if you are there less than six mos, but Don't take my
word for it!

> Now my dd is willing to listen and learn, and everything is a
> lesson;).

Keep going and you can get to a place where Nothing is a "lesson" -
your dd can learn organically. My five year old has never
been "taught" and learns amazing things at every turn. My 13 yr old
stepson came to live and unschool with us just a few months ago and
is enjoying a new life of learning with no teaching.

---Meredith (Mo 5, Ray 13)

Joyce Fetteroll

On Jan 22, 2007, at 4:20 PM, flynnzie2 wrote:

> Math has been her most difficult subject, as she never
> memorised the basic facts.

Why does she need to memorize the basic facts now?

How will memorizing the basic facts help her be a better 10 yo and do
10 yo things better?

> She's able to work problems, but those
> basic facts hinder her speed and confidence.

Problems she's running across in her daily life and choosing to do
because she wants to?

Is *she* upset with not being able to do the problems she wants in
the way she wants?

> She also has become an
> accomplished reader
> without the ability to spell.

Why does she need to spell well now? How will spelling well help her
be better at being 10?

Lots of college graduates can't spell well either despite years of
lessons and reading.

The subject of spelling has been discussed a lot and from adults'
stories it seems that the ability to spell well is genetic. All the
lessons in the world aren't going to overcome genetics. And for those
who are hardwired to spell well, all they need do is absorb spelling
from the world around them.

I think automatic spell checkers are a boon to spelling :-) I'm a
decent speller but seeing words I'm iffy on underlined in red helps
reinforce the right and wrong spelling. And I *want* to spell well.

The teens are usually when kids start wanting to spell well because
they're doing more communicating in writing (IMs, email, message
boards, etc.) And they learn quickly because they want to learn. It's
really as simple as that :-)

> I have plans of using math workbooks
> until she masters the facts, and phonics to strengthen her spelling
> skills;

What the people on the list do at home is up to them. What people
bring to the list to share is where we can help them -- and other
reading -- see ways to move closer to unschooling.

Here's some questions to think about. They aren't meant to be snarky
but to help you see where school thought is creating a false image of
the situation and preventing you from seeing what the situation
really looks like.

Why do you think she won't learn math or spelling without workbooks?
What do you imagine we've done with our kids? Do you think our kids
are somehow different? Do you think that your daughter isn't as smart
as our kids? Or do you think we have 17 yos who can't figure out 7x5
or spell their way out of a paper bag?

Joyce



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

flynnzie2

Thanks for the references;). When I said everything's a lesson, I
meant that my dd has recovered her natural curiosity and joy of
learning. She asks me so many questions now, and I'm really enjoying
her enthusiasm, and helping her discover the answers.
Flynnzie