New member, seriously considering unschooling
Shannon
Hello all,
I have a 4 year old daughter who attended a preschool for the last 1.5
years, while I finished up grad school. Now, I am done and cannot
find a job, so I took her out of school to save money and to give us
some time to spend together (like we used to before I started school).
She is a bright, sweet, loving child who has been AP'ed from the
beginning. She loved her first year of preschool, but the last
semester was a nightmare for both of us. She became an outsider
because of one little girl who did not like her, and the teachers
would not listen to my concerns about the situation. She has been so
much happier in the last six weeks since she left school, and I want
to explore my options in the next 7 months or so that we have before
pre-K starts. (School starts at 4 here, but it's not compulsory until
age 7).
What are some good ways to get started? I plan to hit our local
library to see if I can find some books, but I'd like some
recommendations for a book to buy. Money is tight right now, so if
you could recommend one book for a parent considering unschooling,
what would it be?
She is very verbal, she can remember complex words and use them
correctly after hearing them in context a few times. She has little
interest in coloring, drawing or painting, except as a diversion when
she's bored with other activities. She likes to help me cook and do
dishes, and she's fascinated with our garden. So what do I do? My
gut tells me to just keep her involved in what I'm doing and follow
her interests from there. We go to the library occasionally, and I
plan to do that more often these next few months.
Any advice is appreciated, I'm glad I found this group!
Shannon
I have a 4 year old daughter who attended a preschool for the last 1.5
years, while I finished up grad school. Now, I am done and cannot
find a job, so I took her out of school to save money and to give us
some time to spend together (like we used to before I started school).
She is a bright, sweet, loving child who has been AP'ed from the
beginning. She loved her first year of preschool, but the last
semester was a nightmare for both of us. She became an outsider
because of one little girl who did not like her, and the teachers
would not listen to my concerns about the situation. She has been so
much happier in the last six weeks since she left school, and I want
to explore my options in the next 7 months or so that we have before
pre-K starts. (School starts at 4 here, but it's not compulsory until
age 7).
What are some good ways to get started? I plan to hit our local
library to see if I can find some books, but I'd like some
recommendations for a book to buy. Money is tight right now, so if
you could recommend one book for a parent considering unschooling,
what would it be?
She is very verbal, she can remember complex words and use them
correctly after hearing them in context a few times. She has little
interest in coloring, drawing or painting, except as a diversion when
she's bored with other activities. She likes to help me cook and do
dishes, and she's fascinated with our garden. So what do I do? My
gut tells me to just keep her involved in what I'm doing and follow
her interests from there. We go to the library occasionally, and I
plan to do that more often these next few months.
Any advice is appreciated, I'm glad I found this group!
Shannon
DJ250
Hi, Shannon,
Nothing special to do, to buy. Just be with your kid! Follow your
interests, follow hers.
Some great websites and books:
www.sandradodd.com <http://www.sandradodd.com/>
www.joyfullyrejoycing.com <http://www.joyfullyrejoycing.com/>
www.unschoolingamerica.com <http://www.unschoolingamerica.com/>
"The Unprocessed Child" by Valerie Fitzenreiter.
"Dumbing Us Down" by John Taylor Gatto
"Teach Your Own" by John Holt and Pat Farenga
"The Unschooling Unmanual" by Jan Hunt and others (www.naturalchild.org
<http://www.naturalchild.org/> )
"Parenting a Free Child: An Unschooled Life" by Rue Kream
(www.theparentingpit.com <http://www.theparentingpit.com/> or
www.freechild.info <http://www.freechild.info/> )
That oughta be enough to get you started!! :-)
Seriously, children learn what they need to learn when they need to.
You are there are their guide and friend.
Oh, and just re-read your email. So, while I consider all the above
books to be fabulous, I would suggest Parenting a Free Child for a book.
You could probably find the John Holt and John Taylor Gatto books in the
library, though.
Also, where are you located? We're in MD and have a terrific local
unschooling moms group.
~Melissa :-)
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Shannon
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 6:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] New member, seriously considering
unschooling
Hello all,
I have a 4 year old daughter who attended a preschool for the last 1.5
years, while I finished up grad school. Now, I am done and cannot
find a job, so I took her out of school to save money and to give us
some time to spend together (like we used to before I started school).
She is a bright, sweet, loving child who has been AP'ed from the
beginning. She loved her first year of preschool, but the last
semester was a nightmare for both of us. She became an outsider
because of one little girl who did not like her, and the teachers
would not listen to my concerns about the situation. She has been so
much happier in the last six weeks since she left school, and I want
to explore my options in the next 7 months or so that we have before
pre-K starts. (School starts at 4 here, but it's not compulsory until
age 7).
What are some good ways to get started? I plan to hit our local
library to see if I can find some books, but I'd like some
recommendations for a book to buy. Money is tight right now, so if
you could recommend one book for a parent considering unschooling,
what would it be?
She is very verbal, she can remember complex words and use them
correctly after hearing them in context a few times. She has little
interest in coloring, drawing or painting, except as a diversion when
she's bored with other activities. She likes to help me cook and do
dishes, and she's fascinated with our garden. So what do I do? My
gut tells me to just keep her involved in what I'm doing and follow
her interests from there. We go to the library occasionally, and I
plan to do that more often these next few months.
Any advice is appreciated, I'm glad I found this group!
Shannon
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Nothing special to do, to buy. Just be with your kid! Follow your
interests, follow hers.
Some great websites and books:
www.sandradodd.com <http://www.sandradodd.com/>
www.joyfullyrejoycing.com <http://www.joyfullyrejoycing.com/>
www.unschoolingamerica.com <http://www.unschoolingamerica.com/>
"The Unprocessed Child" by Valerie Fitzenreiter.
"Dumbing Us Down" by John Taylor Gatto
"Teach Your Own" by John Holt and Pat Farenga
"The Unschooling Unmanual" by Jan Hunt and others (www.naturalchild.org
<http://www.naturalchild.org/> )
"Parenting a Free Child: An Unschooled Life" by Rue Kream
(www.theparentingpit.com <http://www.theparentingpit.com/> or
www.freechild.info <http://www.freechild.info/> )
That oughta be enough to get you started!! :-)
Seriously, children learn what they need to learn when they need to.
You are there are their guide and friend.
Oh, and just re-read your email. So, while I consider all the above
books to be fabulous, I would suggest Parenting a Free Child for a book.
You could probably find the John Holt and John Taylor Gatto books in the
library, though.
Also, where are you located? We're in MD and have a terrific local
unschooling moms group.
~Melissa :-)
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Shannon
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 6:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] New member, seriously considering
unschooling
Hello all,
I have a 4 year old daughter who attended a preschool for the last 1.5
years, while I finished up grad school. Now, I am done and cannot
find a job, so I took her out of school to save money and to give us
some time to spend together (like we used to before I started school).
She is a bright, sweet, loving child who has been AP'ed from the
beginning. She loved her first year of preschool, but the last
semester was a nightmare for both of us. She became an outsider
because of one little girl who did not like her, and the teachers
would not listen to my concerns about the situation. She has been so
much happier in the last six weeks since she left school, and I want
to explore my options in the next 7 months or so that we have before
pre-K starts. (School starts at 4 here, but it's not compulsory until
age 7).
What are some good ways to get started? I plan to hit our local
library to see if I can find some books, but I'd like some
recommendations for a book to buy. Money is tight right now, so if
you could recommend one book for a parent considering unschooling,
what would it be?
She is very verbal, she can remember complex words and use them
correctly after hearing them in context a few times. She has little
interest in coloring, drawing or painting, except as a diversion when
she's bored with other activities. She likes to help me cook and do
dishes, and she's fascinated with our garden. So what do I do? My
gut tells me to just keep her involved in what I'm doing and follow
her interests from there. We go to the library occasionally, and I
plan to do that more often these next few months.
Any advice is appreciated, I'm glad I found this group!
Shannon
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Brad Holcomb
I don't think you need a book immediately. Read every link at these 2 sites
with an open heart and mind, and you'll be well on your way to understanding
unschooling ideas:
http://www.joyfullyrejoycing.com
http://www.sandradodd.com/unschooling
-=b.
with an open heart and mind, and you'll be well on your way to understanding
unschooling ideas:
http://www.joyfullyrejoycing.com
http://www.sandradodd.com/unschooling
-=b.
Cary Seston
I've been Radically Unschooling our 3 children under 6 only for a year.
The websites recommended as well as Danielle Conger's website
www.danielleconger.organiclearning.com (I think) were of great help for me.
John Holt books at the library.
connections.organiclearning.com (not in production anymore but you can view the issues for free now.)
I have to 2nd the recommendation for Rue Kream's book. "Parenting a Free Child." If you have a little money---that's the one I'd get. The rest you might be able to borrow from other unschoolers in your area.
It was a whirlwind getting started. A little painful for me to deschool at times but also thrilling. Your Dd is 4, you say? That's pretty young. You might be surprised at how little you have to "do." For a long while this year, I did quite a bit of worrying about "doing," while my kids went about living their lives. I've decided to join them. :o)
Best of luck to you. Have fun!
Cary
The websites recommended as well as Danielle Conger's website
www.danielleconger.organiclearning.com (I think) were of great help for me.
John Holt books at the library.
connections.organiclearning.com (not in production anymore but you can view the issues for free now.)
I have to 2nd the recommendation for Rue Kream's book. "Parenting a Free Child." If you have a little money---that's the one I'd get. The rest you might be able to borrow from other unschoolers in your area.
It was a whirlwind getting started. A little painful for me to deschool at times but also thrilling. Your Dd is 4, you say? That's pretty young. You might be surprised at how little you have to "do." For a long while this year, I did quite a bit of worrying about "doing," while my kids went about living their lives. I've decided to join them. :o)
Best of luck to you. Have fun!
Cary
Shannon
Thanks for the resources Melissa and Brad.
I am in a very, very "red" state, which has me doubtful that our local
library will have many resources on the topic. I do know of another
family that is unschooling in our town, and we keep running into a
little girl at our favorite bookstore that is homeschooled. She is so
sweet, she always wants to read to dd. I intend to strike up a
conversation with her mom sometime, they don't seem like the "doing it
for religious reasons" type. There is a homeschool group here, but
nearly all of them are religious and curriculum based.
Thanks again for the direction, I have a lot of reading to do!
Shannon
I am in a very, very "red" state, which has me doubtful that our local
library will have many resources on the topic. I do know of another
family that is unschooling in our town, and we keep running into a
little girl at our favorite bookstore that is homeschooled. She is so
sweet, she always wants to read to dd. I intend to strike up a
conversation with her mom sometime, they don't seem like the "doing it
for religious reasons" type. There is a homeschool group here, but
nearly all of them are religious and curriculum based.
Thanks again for the direction, I have a lot of reading to do!
Shannon
--- In [email protected], "DJ250" <dj250@...> wrote:
>
> Hi, Shannon,
>
> Nothing special to do, to buy. Just be with your kid! Follow your
> interests, follow hers.
>
> Some great websites and books:
>
> www.sandradodd.com <http://www.sandradodd.com/>
>
> www.joyfullyrejoycing.com <http://www.joyfullyrejoycing.com/>
>
> www.unschoolingamerica.com <http://www.unschoolingamerica.com/>
>
> "The Unprocessed Child" by Valerie Fitzenreiter.
>
> "Dumbing Us Down" by John Taylor Gatto
>
> "Teach Your Own" by John Holt and Pat Farenga
>
> "The Unschooling Unmanual" by Jan Hunt and others (www.naturalchild.org
> <http://www.naturalchild.org/> )
>
> "Parenting a Free Child: An Unschooled Life" by Rue Kream
> (www.theparentingpit.com <http://www.theparentingpit.com/> or
> www.freechild.info <http://www.freechild.info/> )
>
> That oughta be enough to get you started!! :-)
>
> Seriously, children learn what they need to learn when they need to.
> You are there are their guide and friend.
>
> Oh, and just re-read your email. So, while I consider all the above
> books to be fabulous, I would suggest Parenting a Free Child for a book.
> You could probably find the John Holt and John Taylor Gatto books in the
> library, though.
>
> Also, where are you located? We're in MD and have a terrific local
> unschooling moms group.
>
> ~Melissa :-)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Shannon
> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 6:03 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [unschoolingbasics] New member, seriously considering
> unschooling
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have a 4 year old daughter who attended a preschool for the last 1.5
> years, while I finished up grad school. Now, I am done and cannot
> find a job, so I took her out of school to save money and to give us
> some time to spend together (like we used to before I started school).
> She is a bright, sweet, loving child who has been AP'ed from the
> beginning. She loved her first year of preschool, but the last
> semester was a nightmare for both of us. She became an outsider
> because of one little girl who did not like her, and the teachers
> would not listen to my concerns about the situation. She has been so
> much happier in the last six weeks since she left school, and I want
> to explore my options in the next 7 months or so that we have before
> pre-K starts. (School starts at 4 here, but it's not compulsory until
> age 7).
>
> What are some good ways to get started? I plan to hit our local
> library to see if I can find some books, but I'd like some
> recommendations for a book to buy. Money is tight right now, so if
> you could recommend one book for a parent considering unschooling,
> what would it be?
>
> She is very verbal, she can remember complex words and use them
> correctly after hearing them in context a few times. She has little
> interest in coloring, drawing or painting, except as a diversion when
> she's bored with other activities. She likes to help me cook and do
> dishes, and she's fascinated with our garden. So what do I do? My
> gut tells me to just keep her involved in what I'm doing and follow
> her interests from there. We go to the library occasionally, and I
> plan to do that more often these next few months.
>
> Any advice is appreciated, I'm glad I found this group!
>
> Shannon
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
raisingexplorers
I would say... watch Mary Poppins. And really let that spoonful of
sugar thing sink in, good. :D
sugar thing sink in, good. :D
Elissa
Hey Melissa!
What group are you involved in? I used to live in Maryland but now live out Near Harpers Ferry.
Elissa, Unschooling Momma to Emily 15, and Max 9.
How is it that little children are so intelligent and men so stupid? It must be education that does it.
--Alexandre Dumas
Also, where are you located? We're in MD and have a terrific local
unschooling moms group.
~Melissa :-)
Messages in this topic ( 2 ) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic
Messages | Files | Photos | Polls | Members
MARKETPLACE
From kitchen basics to easy recipes - join the Group from Kraft Foods
Yahoo! Groups
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
Recent Activity
•
12
New Members
Visit Your Group
Drive Traffic
Sponsored Search
can help increase
your site traffic.
Yahoo! Groups
Dog Lovers Group
Connect and share with
dog owners like you
Y! Groups blog
The place to go
to stay informed
on Groups news!
.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
What group are you involved in? I used to live in Maryland but now live out Near Harpers Ferry.
Elissa, Unschooling Momma to Emily 15, and Max 9.
How is it that little children are so intelligent and men so stupid? It must be education that does it.
--Alexandre Dumas
Also, where are you located? We're in MD and have a terrific local
unschooling moms group.
~Melissa :-)
Messages in this topic ( 2 ) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic
Messages | Files | Photos | Polls | Members
MARKETPLACE
From kitchen basics to easy recipes - join the Group from Kraft Foods
Yahoo! Groups
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
Recent Activity
•
12
New Members
Visit Your Group
Drive Traffic
Sponsored Search
can help increase
your site traffic.
Yahoo! Groups
Dog Lovers Group
Connect and share with
dog owners like you
Y! Groups blog
The place to go
to stay informed
on Groups news!
.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
DJ250
Hi, Elissa,
We live in Odenton and our group has members from Catonsville, Columbia,
Millersville, Crofton, Bowie, and Annapolis.
~Melissa J
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Elissa
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 10:44 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] New member, seriously considering
unschooling
Hey Melissa!
What group are you involved in? I used to live in Maryland but now live
out Near Harpers Ferry.
Elissa, Unschooling Momma to Emily 15, and Max 9.
How is it that little children are so intelligent and men so stupid? It
must be education that does it.
--Alexandre Dumas
Also, where are you located? We're in MD and have a terrific local
unschooling moms group.
~Melissa :-)
Messages in this topic ( 2 ) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic
Messages | Files | Photos | Polls | Members
MARKETPLACE
From kitchen basics to easy recipes - join the Group from Kraft Foods
Yahoo! Groups
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch
format to Traditional
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
Recent Activity
.
12
New Members
Visit Your Group
Drive Traffic
Sponsored Search
can help increase
your site traffic.
Yahoo! Groups
Dog Lovers Group
Connect and share with
dog owners like you
Y! Groups blog
The place to go
to stay informed
on Groups news!
.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
We live in Odenton and our group has members from Catonsville, Columbia,
Millersville, Crofton, Bowie, and Annapolis.
~Melissa J
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Elissa
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 10:44 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] New member, seriously considering
unschooling
Hey Melissa!
What group are you involved in? I used to live in Maryland but now live
out Near Harpers Ferry.
Elissa, Unschooling Momma to Emily 15, and Max 9.
How is it that little children are so intelligent and men so stupid? It
must be education that does it.
--Alexandre Dumas
Also, where are you located? We're in MD and have a terrific local
unschooling moms group.
~Melissa :-)
Messages in this topic ( 2 ) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic
Messages | Files | Photos | Polls | Members
MARKETPLACE
From kitchen basics to easy recipes - join the Group from Kraft Foods
Yahoo! Groups
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch
format to Traditional
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
Recent Activity
.
12
New Members
Visit Your Group
Drive Traffic
Sponsored Search
can help increase
your site traffic.
Yahoo! Groups
Dog Lovers Group
Connect and share with
dog owners like you
Y! Groups blog
The place to go
to stay informed
on Groups news!
.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Shannon
--- In [email protected], "raisingexplorers"
<raisingexplorers@...> wrote:
learn it to enable her to pursue what she's passionate about (the sugar)?
She told me a couple of days ago that she wants to learn how to make
her own clothes. So we went to the craft store over the weekend and
got some fabric to make no-sew pillows, for her dolls, and some yarn
and kid sized knitting needles. I am now teaching myself some basic
knitting and I was able to find a large, blunt ended needle in my
mom's old sewing basket so she can learn to hand stitch.
I am really starting to see how this could work for us. I've always
considered homeschooling, but didn't think it would work for us
because she doesn't like to do much of anything that I suggest. My
husband is dubious, but supportive. He felt the same way about AP in
the beginning. It seems to me that unschooling is a logical extension
of AP, doing what is best for the child, following your intuition and
the child's cues. I'm so thankful that she and I have this time
together to explore unschooling. It's been a lot of fun already!
<raisingexplorers@...> wrote:
>So, she will learn what she needs to (the medicine), because she'll
> I would say... watch Mary Poppins. And really let that spoonful of
> sugar thing sink in, good. :D
>
learn it to enable her to pursue what she's passionate about (the sugar)?
She told me a couple of days ago that she wants to learn how to make
her own clothes. So we went to the craft store over the weekend and
got some fabric to make no-sew pillows, for her dolls, and some yarn
and kid sized knitting needles. I am now teaching myself some basic
knitting and I was able to find a large, blunt ended needle in my
mom's old sewing basket so she can learn to hand stitch.
I am really starting to see how this could work for us. I've always
considered homeschooling, but didn't think it would work for us
because she doesn't like to do much of anything that I suggest. My
husband is dubious, but supportive. He felt the same way about AP in
the beginning. It seems to me that unschooling is a logical extension
of AP, doing what is best for the child, following your intuition and
the child's cues. I'm so thankful that she and I have this time
together to explore unschooling. It's been a lot of fun already!