rpindc04

Folks on this list 7 or 8 months ago helped so much as we were
deschooling. It took a year instead of 4 months (like I had planned)
to get past negativity, need for all-day zoning out, etc.

Now my 11 yo son says he is tired of doing what he has been doing -
that he wants to learn. You can only imagine my amazement and
elation. He is asking to learn things, cracking open books (even a
geometry book!), willingly meeting new people, etc. This came on
gradually, but especially kicked up the last couple of weeks. I want
to offer many many thanks to all who offerred help, support, advice
when I was in my crazies about watching tv all day.

I'm struggling a little to shift gears, as he is wanting different
things like more social interaction, kinesthetic learning
(blacksmithing is the new interest), and I'm not sure what. It seems
like he is in an awkward place of being bored with tv and not wanting
to sit with a book, but not knowing how to learn things otherwise.

I'm guessing that some of this is behind his saying that he wants to
go to school. School would be ok if he gets into a school (for which
he is wait-listed) that is safe and well-run.

Since that is not a big possibility, I am assuming (and happy) that
he will stay with homeschooling. He still does not want to sit still
for anything except tv/nintento/computer. I'd love for his education
to include books and conversation a bit more. Sometimes I read to him
while he jumps on the bed, does sommersaults, etc. I'm almost
thinking of it as a game to see how much we can homeschool, and how
much he can learn before the official school year starts. Any ideas
on how to help him where he is now?

Thanks.


Robbin

k

Try to locate events with blacksmithing.... reenacting museums or
plantations have these. There may be some in your area or region. Or even
getting in touch with university professors teaching metalsmithing and see
if any of them know blacksmithing or someone who does... or maybe ask the
art department if you can't get hold of a professor during the summer to
have one call you with that info. I know a guy in TN who loved
blacksmithing and ironwork, and he worked for a local shop (really sort of a
factory) after he completed some coursework in metalsmithing. They made
iron gates. Maybe just talking around with some of these folks with your
son would be a good start. They might have a some good suggestions that
would appeal to your son.

~Katherine


On 7/16/08, rpindc04 <robbin_mp@...> wrote:
>
> Folks on this list 7 or 8 months ago helped so much as we were
> deschooling. It took a year instead of 4 months (like I had planned)
> to get past negativity, need for all-day zoning out, etc.
>
> Now my 11 yo son says he is tired of doing what he has been doing -
> that he wants to learn. You can only imagine my amazement and
> elation. He is asking to learn things, cracking open books (even a
> geometry book!), willingly meeting new people, etc. This came on
> gradually, but especially kicked up the last couple of weeks. I want
> to offer many many thanks to all who offerred help, support, advice
> when I was in my crazies about watching tv all day.
>
> I'm struggling a little to shift gears, as he is wanting different
> things like more social interaction, kinesthetic learning
> (blacksmithing is the new interest), and I'm not sure what. It seems
> like he is in an awkward place of being bored with tv and not wanting
> to sit with a book, but not knowing how to learn things otherwise.
>
> I'm guessing that some of this is behind his saying that he wants to
> go to school. School would be ok if he gets into a school (for which
> he is wait-listed) that is safe and well-run.
>
> Since that is not a big possibility, I am assuming (and happy) that
> he will stay with homeschooling. He still does not want to sit still
> for anything except tv/nintento/computer. I'd love for his education
> to include books and conversation a bit more. Sometimes I read to him
> while he jumps on the bed, does sommersaults, etc. I'm almost
> thinking of it as a game to see how much we can homeschool, and how
> much he can learn before the official school year starts. Any ideas
> on how to help him where he is now?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Robbin
>
>
>


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

Kimberlee

He could maybe check your local public library (they may have a
website and/or online catalogue), so he can find some videos or DVDs
and/or audio books (books on CD) on things that interest him. He could
also telephone the library or just drop by to see what they have.
(Most libraries can bring in things from other libraries (interlibrary
loan) if they do not own something he wants). Audio books might be
good for him to listen to on whatever portable listening devise (with
headphones if he likes) he can access or owns. Are there any local
museums or historical villages with actors re-creating blacksmithing
(coopering (barrel making) might interest him too, depending on what
he likes about blacksmiths), or local ferriers he could visit? Is it
the fire/heat, the making of things or maybe the horses he likes?
There is, for example, a website for the Artist-Blacksmith's
Association of North America (www.abana.org) which maybe of interest/
inspiration. I think the key thing is for you to support him while he
explores his interests, and to have a strong relationship with him.

Regards,

Kimberlee


On 16-Jul-08, at 11:17 AM, rpindc04 wrote:

> Folks on this list 7 or 8 months ago helped so much as we were
> deschooling. It took a year instead of 4 months (like I had planned)
> to get past negativity, need for all-day zoning out, etc.
>
> Now my 11 yo son says he is tired of doing what he has been doing -
> that he wants to learn. You can only imagine my amazement and
> elation. He is asking to learn things, cracking open books (even a
> geometry book!), willingly meeting new people, etc. This came on
> gradually, but especially kicked up the last couple of weeks. I want
> to offer many many thanks to all who offerred help, support, advice
> when I was in my crazies about watching tv all day.
>
> I'm struggling a little to shift gears, as he is wanting different
> things like more social interaction, kinesthetic learning
> (blacksmithing is the new interest), and I'm not sure what. It seems
> like he is in an awkward place of being bored with tv and not wanting
> to sit with a book, but not knowing how to learn things otherwise.
>
> I'm guessing that some of this is behind his saying that he wants to
> go to school. School would be ok if he gets into a school (for which
> he is wait-listed) that is safe and well-run.
>
> Since that is not a big possibility, I am assuming (and happy) that
> he will stay with homeschooling. He still does not want to sit still
> for anything except tv/nintento/computer. I'd love for his education
> to include books and conversation a bit more. Sometimes I read to him
> while he jumps on the bed, does sommersaults, etc. I'm almost
> thinking of it as a game to see how much we can homeschool, and how
> much he can learn before the official school year starts. Any ideas
> on how to help him where he is now?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Robbin
>
>
>



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