Re: Questions
Jessica
"Well, to the first part, you live in Florida!! You don't have to
test if you don't want to....and why would an unschooler want to
compare their children to other children on pointless topics if they
don't have to?:)"
I understand that you don't have to test but don't you have to do
some sort of yearly review? I have just started to homeschool this
year and don't have any true unschoolers in my local that I'm aware
of. My concern is that the reviewer's expectations of my son will be
different than mine. Is there any pro unschool reviewer list out
there? This is my first post but I've been reading for awhile and
love it. Thanks.
Jessica
test if you don't want to....and why would an unschooler want to
compare their children to other children on pointless topics if they
don't have to?:)"
I understand that you don't have to test but don't you have to do
some sort of yearly review? I have just started to homeschool this
year and don't have any true unschoolers in my local that I'm aware
of. My concern is that the reviewer's expectations of my son will be
different than mine. Is there any pro unschool reviewer list out
there? This is my first post but I've been reading for awhile and
love it. Thanks.
Jessica
Ren Allen
"My husband was constantly moving as a child and he
has a terrible time spelling,reading,or using a map, not to mention
managing money uhg!- "
And I bet he had plenty of schooling.
If you're bringing parts of that same system home, how is it going
to help? Schooling doesn't teach people. Interest does.
It's possible that your dh's strengths and talents are in areas
where he can ignore those subjects to a degree. He can creatively
learn ways to compensate now and if he'd been honored for exactly
what he was GOOD at, rather than focus on his weaknesses, I bet he'd
be a different person today.
Unschooling is the only way to truly honor the individual for who
they are, not who anyone else thinks they should be.
Ren
has a terrible time spelling,reading,or using a map, not to mention
managing money uhg!- "
And I bet he had plenty of schooling.
If you're bringing parts of that same system home, how is it going
to help? Schooling doesn't teach people. Interest does.
It's possible that your dh's strengths and talents are in areas
where he can ignore those subjects to a degree. He can creatively
learn ways to compensate now and if he'd been honored for exactly
what he was GOOD at, rather than focus on his weaknesses, I bet he'd
be a different person today.
Unschooling is the only way to truly honor the individual for who
they are, not who anyone else thinks they should be.
Ren
Genevieve
I've been lurking for a while and seriously considering unschooling.
My main question is, what do you write in your daily or weekly log (if
you are in a state that requires one)? Do you have to break it into
subjects and aren't there some weeks when you can't think of anything
they have actually learned?
I was a school teacher so not having workbooks is kind of freaking
me out, but we have been trying it out for the past two weeks, and my 9
year old daughter and I have never been happier or closer. I'm not sure
I can get my husband to understand that all this lack of paper evidence
of "learning" is OK. I'd appreciate any feedback.
Thanks in advance,
Gen
My main question is, what do you write in your daily or weekly log (if
you are in a state that requires one)? Do you have to break it into
subjects and aren't there some weeks when you can't think of anything
they have actually learned?
I was a school teacher so not having workbooks is kind of freaking
me out, but we have been trying it out for the past two weeks, and my 9
year old daughter and I have never been happier or closer. I'm not sure
I can get my husband to understand that all this lack of paper evidence
of "learning" is OK. I'd appreciate any feedback.
Thanks in advance,
Gen
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/29/2006 8:07:23 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
katgrl705@... writes:
My main question is, what do you write in your daily or weekly log (if
you are in a state that requires one)? Do you have to break it into
subjects and aren't there some weeks when you can't think of anything
they have actually learned?
*********
Hi Gen!
My state requires a daily log. Currently, I use the Homeschool Tracker
download. It looks professional and I really don't have to fill in much
information. It depends on your state, but my state law is very vague and I take
advantage of that.
There are some people here that are great at "education-ese" and can make
anything sound like it came from a university lesson planner! I just look at
the subjects my state requires and see what we did that day that fits the
criteria.
For example, yesterday my kids played with caterpillars, fixed a bike chain
that keeps breaking, played a dinosaur board game, watched PBS, watched a
neighbor build a fence and played restaurant. I don't usually do this type of
breakdown, but to illustrate how I translate their day to subjects I'll be
more thorough. So, Science is easy.....caterpillar study, simple machinery,
dinosaur study, Zooboomafoo, physical structures and nutrition.
Math: comparison and estimation (differences in caterpillars, how many they
found yesterday vs. today, etc.); probability (when will the bike chain come
off again), board game: counting, planning, more/less; PBS: watched
Cyberchase; fence: geometry; restaurant: estimation.
Social Studies: bike chain: the value of helping each other; board game:
personal interaction, helping out someone who is behind, winning/losing, board
game ethics/rules, game also had dinosaur fights with winners and losers based
on criteria like strength, habitat, intelligence; PBS: watched social
situations on Arthur, Barney, Sagwa; fence: good neighbors, why do people have
fences, other family interactions (they were building the fence together),
neighbor's reactions to the fence; restaurant: duplicating social activity.
Once you start investigating, you can see that everyday activities often
cover nearly every school subject. How can you live a single day without social
studies? Without science or math? Sometimes you have to get creative to
turn it into school language. Every day my kids ask what the weather will be
so they know what to wear......that's science! I don't know about you, but I
remember studying weather in school, it was nothing like the real thing!
LOL!
Hope this helps.
Leslie in SC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
katgrl705@... writes:
My main question is, what do you write in your daily or weekly log (if
you are in a state that requires one)? Do you have to break it into
subjects and aren't there some weeks when you can't think of anything
they have actually learned?
*********
Hi Gen!
My state requires a daily log. Currently, I use the Homeschool Tracker
download. It looks professional and I really don't have to fill in much
information. It depends on your state, but my state law is very vague and I take
advantage of that.
There are some people here that are great at "education-ese" and can make
anything sound like it came from a university lesson planner! I just look at
the subjects my state requires and see what we did that day that fits the
criteria.
For example, yesterday my kids played with caterpillars, fixed a bike chain
that keeps breaking, played a dinosaur board game, watched PBS, watched a
neighbor build a fence and played restaurant. I don't usually do this type of
breakdown, but to illustrate how I translate their day to subjects I'll be
more thorough. So, Science is easy.....caterpillar study, simple machinery,
dinosaur study, Zooboomafoo, physical structures and nutrition.
Math: comparison and estimation (differences in caterpillars, how many they
found yesterday vs. today, etc.); probability (when will the bike chain come
off again), board game: counting, planning, more/less; PBS: watched
Cyberchase; fence: geometry; restaurant: estimation.
Social Studies: bike chain: the value of helping each other; board game:
personal interaction, helping out someone who is behind, winning/losing, board
game ethics/rules, game also had dinosaur fights with winners and losers based
on criteria like strength, habitat, intelligence; PBS: watched social
situations on Arthur, Barney, Sagwa; fence: good neighbors, why do people have
fences, other family interactions (they were building the fence together),
neighbor's reactions to the fence; restaurant: duplicating social activity.
Once you start investigating, you can see that everyday activities often
cover nearly every school subject. How can you live a single day without social
studies? Without science or math? Sometimes you have to get creative to
turn it into school language. Every day my kids ask what the weather will be
so they know what to wear......that's science! I don't know about you, but I
remember studying weather in school, it was nothing like the real thing!
LOL!
Hope this helps.
Leslie in SC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Deb
--- In [email protected], "Genevieve"
<katgrl705@...> wrote:
watched an Alfred Hitchcock marathon, whatever. Don't even think
about "what subject is this?" or "what did they learn this week?"
Just write down everything - almost like a food log for dieters. As
best as possible, do it out of sight of the kids for the most part.
Use notes on the calendar to remind you "oh yeah, yesterday we went
to the park and ...." Then, once a month maybe or whatever, go back
and look at it - odds are there's learning all through it (playing
catch is all about physics so it's phys ed AND science). Remember:
learning does not usually look like school. I know of some folks who
have a 5 subject type notebook and they jot down things they've done
in each subject area, and usually one thing fits multiple places.
As far as legal stuff, really check into the laws and see if your
state actually requires you to keep a daily/weekly log of learning.
And, who sees that log? Many states require a portfolio at the end
of the year. Some require quarterly narratives. HOW you satisfy
those requirements, though, is up to you. Some folks scrapbook. Some
folks have big bins or accordion type folders to drop pictures,
ticket stubs, etc into. And so on.
--Deb
<katgrl705@...> wrote:
>into
> I've been lurking for a while and seriously considering
>unschooling.
> My main question is, what do you write in your daily or weekly log
>(if
> you are in a state that requires one)? Do you have to break it
> subjects and aren't there some weeks when you can't think ofWrite down what you -do-: baked cookies, walked the dog, read,
>anything
> they have actually learned?
watched an Alfred Hitchcock marathon, whatever. Don't even think
about "what subject is this?" or "what did they learn this week?"
Just write down everything - almost like a food log for dieters. As
best as possible, do it out of sight of the kids for the most part.
Use notes on the calendar to remind you "oh yeah, yesterday we went
to the park and ...." Then, once a month maybe or whatever, go back
and look at it - odds are there's learning all through it (playing
catch is all about physics so it's phys ed AND science). Remember:
learning does not usually look like school. I know of some folks who
have a 5 subject type notebook and they jot down things they've done
in each subject area, and usually one thing fits multiple places.
As far as legal stuff, really check into the laws and see if your
state actually requires you to keep a daily/weekly log of learning.
And, who sees that log? Many states require a portfolio at the end
of the year. Some require quarterly narratives. HOW you satisfy
those requirements, though, is up to you. Some folks scrapbook. Some
folks have big bins or accordion type folders to drop pictures,
ticket stubs, etc into. And so on.
--Deb
Pampered Chef Michelle
On 3/29/06, Genevieve <katgrl705@...> wrote:
(attendance - and DUH they are at their school everyday! :-) ) If your
state does require a log or record keeping of some sort I would try to hook
up with other unschoolers from your state to see how they have managed it.
What one state requires with their documentation may be more or less than
what another state does. Seasoned unschoolers in your area have probably
figured out what it is the state wants to see.
--
Michelle
Independent Kitchen Consultant #413652
The Pampered Chef
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Catch our new wave of color!
Book a March show!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>Does your state *require* one? We do the minimal that our state requires
> I've been lurking for a while and seriously considering unschooling.
> My main question is, what do you write in your daily or weekly log (if
> you are in a state that requires one)?
(attendance - and DUH they are at their school everyday! :-) ) If your
state does require a log or record keeping of some sort I would try to hook
up with other unschoolers from your state to see how they have managed it.
What one state requires with their documentation may be more or less than
what another state does. Seasoned unschoolers in your area have probably
figured out what it is the state wants to see.
--
Michelle
Independent Kitchen Consultant #413652
The Pampered Chef
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Catch our new wave of color!
Book a March show!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Deb
--- In [email protected], Leslie530@... wrote:
under option 1, as I read it in the law, you have to present a system
of maintaining records as evidence of regular instruction including
some record of subjects taught, a portfolio, and a record of
evaluations, with semiannual progress reports to be submitted. If what
you're doing works for you, that's great (and sounds pretty easy too
which is a bonus). But, there is no legal requirement to have a daily
log.
--Deb
>Actually, SC does not require a DAILY log. If you are homeschooling
>
> *********
>
> Hi Gen!
>
> My state requires a daily log.
under option 1, as I read it in the law, you have to present a system
of maintaining records as evidence of regular instruction including
some record of subjects taught, a portfolio, and a record of
evaluations, with semiannual progress reports to be submitted. If what
you're doing works for you, that's great (and sounds pretty easy too
which is a bonus). But, there is no legal requirement to have a daily
log.
--Deb
Karen
I am brand new to the idea of homeschooling and am really interested
in learning more about unschooling. My daughter turned 3 last week
and my son is due in early May. I know that I don't want either in
public school. I have tons of questions. This post brought up one
for me. How do I go about finding out the legal requirements of my
state on these subjects? I feel that I have the basics for the
unschooling already in play. I let her lead me where she wants to
go for the day and throw in things that I think may be interesting
here and there. I have a long way to go as I do catch myself
getting uptight if she's not "learning" something the right way or
doesn't stick to it until it is "learned". I have my own de-
programming to do and I know it. I just found this group via the
more advanced unschooling group, which I found through my local
homeschooling group. This is more my beginner's speed. I love
adventures with my daughter. Problem right now is that I don't have
a lot of energy for them these days. I live in Florida and am just
getting started with my research. Thank you for your replies and
help on this and the many questions I will have along the way.
Karen
in learning more about unschooling. My daughter turned 3 last week
and my son is due in early May. I know that I don't want either in
public school. I have tons of questions. This post brought up one
for me. How do I go about finding out the legal requirements of my
state on these subjects? I feel that I have the basics for the
unschooling already in play. I let her lead me where she wants to
go for the day and throw in things that I think may be interesting
here and there. I have a long way to go as I do catch myself
getting uptight if she's not "learning" something the right way or
doesn't stick to it until it is "learned". I have my own de-
programming to do and I know it. I just found this group via the
more advanced unschooling group, which I found through my local
homeschooling group. This is more my beginner's speed. I love
adventures with my daughter. Problem right now is that I don't have
a lot of energy for them these days. I live in Florida and am just
getting started with my research. Thank you for your replies and
help on this and the many questions I will have along the way.
Karen
> >unschooling.
> > I've been lurking for a while and seriously considering
> > My main question is, what do you write in your daily or weeklylog (if
> > you are in a state that requires one)?requires
>
>
> Does your state *require* one? We do the minimal that our state
> (attendance - and DUH they are at their school everyday! :-) )If your
> state does require a log or record keeping of some sort I wouldtry to hook
> up with other unschoolers from your state to see how they havemanaged it.
> What one state requires with their documentation may be more orless than
> what another state does. Seasoned unschoolers in your area haveprobably
> figured out what it is the state wants to see.
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Michelle
> Independent Kitchen Consultant #413652
> The Pampered Chef
> 850-474-0817
> http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
> Catch our new wave of color!
> Book a March show!
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Lesa McMahon-Lowe
http://www.hslda.org/laws/?State=FL
http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/index
cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch1002/SEC41
HTM&Title=-%3E2002-%3ECh1002-%3ESection%2041
http://www.fpea.com/Guide/index/css/Guide.html
here's a few links I found by googling it...
Lesa M.
CASDFGHJKQERTIP
L.I.F.E. Academy
"Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth."
-John F. Kennedy
-------Original Message-------
From: Karen
Date: 03/31/06 06:57:21
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re: Questions
I am brand new to the idea of homeschooling and am really interested
in learning more about unschooling. My daughter turned 3 last week
and my son is due in early May. I know that I don't want either in
public school. I have tons of questions. This post brought up one
for me. How do I go about finding out the legal requirements of my
state on these subjects? I feel that I have the basics for the
unschooling already in play. I let her lead me where she wants to
go for the day and throw in things that I think may be interesting
here and there. I have a long way to go as I do catch myself
getting uptight if she's not "learning" something the right way or
doesn't stick to it until it is "learned". I have my own de-
programming to do and I know it. I just found this group via the
more advanced unschooling group, which I found through my local
homeschooling group. This is more my beginner's speed. I love
adventures with my daughter. Problem right now is that I don't have
a lot of energy for them these days. I live in Florida and am just
getting started with my research. Thank you for your replies and
help on this and the many questions I will have along the way.
Karen
Visit your group "unschoolingbasics" on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/index
cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch1002/SEC41
HTM&Title=-%3E2002-%3ECh1002-%3ESection%2041
http://www.fpea.com/Guide/index/css/Guide.html
here's a few links I found by googling it...
Lesa M.
CASDFGHJKQERTIP
L.I.F.E. Academy
"Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth."
-John F. Kennedy
-------Original Message-------
From: Karen
Date: 03/31/06 06:57:21
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re: Questions
I am brand new to the idea of homeschooling and am really interested
in learning more about unschooling. My daughter turned 3 last week
and my son is due in early May. I know that I don't want either in
public school. I have tons of questions. This post brought up one
for me. How do I go about finding out the legal requirements of my
state on these subjects? I feel that I have the basics for the
unschooling already in play. I let her lead me where she wants to
go for the day and throw in things that I think may be interesting
here and there. I have a long way to go as I do catch myself
getting uptight if she's not "learning" something the right way or
doesn't stick to it until it is "learned". I have my own de-
programming to do and I know it. I just found this group via the
more advanced unschooling group, which I found through my local
homeschooling group. This is more my beginner's speed. I love
adventures with my daughter. Problem right now is that I don't have
a lot of energy for them these days. I live in Florida and am just
getting started with my research. Thank you for your replies and
help on this and the many questions I will have along the way.
Karen
> >unschooling.
> > I've been lurking for a while and seriously considering
> > My main question is, what do you write in your daily or weeklylog (if
> > you are in a state that requires one)?requires
>
>
> Does your state *require* one? We do the minimal that our state
> (attendance - and DUH they are at their school everyday! :-) )If your
> state does require a log or record keeping of some sort I wouldtry to hook
> up with other unschoolers from your state to see how they havemanaged it.
> What one state requires with their documentation may be more orless than
> what another state does. Seasoned unschoolers in your area haveprobably
> figured out what it is the state wants to see.YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Michelle
> Independent Kitchen Consultant #413652
> The Pampered Chef
> 850-474-0817
> http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
> Catch our new wave of color!
> Book a March show!
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Visit your group "unschoolingbasics" on the web.
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Deb
--- In [email protected], "Karen"
<mightieflightie@...> wrote:
There are 2 options in FL (in summary): you can jump a lot of hoops
and home school directly in contact with your school district
(recordkeeping, evaluations, etc)
OR
you can register with an 'umbrella' group such as:
http://alternativeeducationinstitute.org/index_files/Page1087.htm -
you register with them ($15 first year, $10 thereafter) and send
in 'attendance' records on a regular basis ("hey kids you here?")
and that's it.
he knew by heart and matching the sounds to the print). MIL called
the school he would be attending and asked for ideas on how to help
him continue developing this. They told her NOT to 'let' him read
because he'd learn it 'wrong'. She ignored them (thankfully).
fades, and goes underground for a bit then comes back up. Or,
another analogy, it's like eating - you don't keep eating until
you've had every type of zucchini available. You eat a bit, digest,
eat more - maybe same kind, maybe different, digest, eat a bit more
and so on. You may never know every kind of zucchini but you'll have
tried all that you want/need to have. Those digesting times are
critical - that's when food becomes part of us. Without digesting,
we just pile in bite upon bite and regurgitate occasionally which
clears out the space for more bites but what goes out hasn't really
been assimilated.
--Deb
<mightieflightie@...> wrote:
> How do I go about finding out the legal requirements of myhttp://www.notry.com/hschool/florida.htm
> state on these subjects?
There are 2 options in FL (in summary): you can jump a lot of hoops
and home school directly in contact with your school district
(recordkeeping, evaluations, etc)
OR
you can register with an 'umbrella' group such as:
http://alternativeeducationinstitute.org/index_files/Page1087.htm -
you register with them ($15 first year, $10 thereafter) and send
in 'attendance' records on a regular basis ("hey kids you here?")
and that's it.
>I have a long way to go as I do catch myselfWhen DH was 4ish he taught himself to read (by working through books
> getting uptight if she's not "learning" something the right way
he knew by heart and matching the sounds to the print). MIL called
the school he would be attending and asked for ideas on how to help
him continue developing this. They told her NOT to 'let' him read
because he'd learn it 'wrong'. She ignored them (thankfully).
> orLearning, like life, is cyclical. Something sprouts, blossoms,
> doesn't stick to it until it is "learned".
fades, and goes underground for a bit then comes back up. Or,
another analogy, it's like eating - you don't keep eating until
you've had every type of zucchini available. You eat a bit, digest,
eat more - maybe same kind, maybe different, digest, eat a bit more
and so on. You may never know every kind of zucchini but you'll have
tried all that you want/need to have. Those digesting times are
critical - that's when food becomes part of us. Without digesting,
we just pile in bite upon bite and regurgitate occasionally which
clears out the space for more bites but what goes out hasn't really
been assimilated.
--Deb
Joanne
Hi Karen,
I'm in Florisa also. The 600 school that Deb posted is the one we
are registered with and I highly recommend it. The woman who runs
the "school", also runs a very informative yahoo group on Florida
homeschooling laws. It's worth joining in case you need advice on
Florida specific information. Here is the address:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FL-HomeEducation-Law/?yguid=185550057
~ Joanne ~
Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13)
Adopted into our hearts October 30, 2003
http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
http://foreverparents.com
--- In [email protected], "Deb" <soggyboysmom@...>
wrote: >>>>you can register with an 'umbrella' group such as:
http://alternativeeducationinstitute.org/
you register with them ($15 first year, $10 thereafter) and send
in 'attendance' records on a regular basis ("hey kids you here?")
and that's it.>>>>>>>
I'm in Florisa also. The 600 school that Deb posted is the one we
are registered with and I highly recommend it. The woman who runs
the "school", also runs a very informative yahoo group on Florida
homeschooling laws. It's worth joining in case you need advice on
Florida specific information. Here is the address:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FL-HomeEducation-Law/?yguid=185550057
~ Joanne ~
Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13)
Adopted into our hearts October 30, 2003
http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
http://foreverparents.com
--- In [email protected], "Deb" <soggyboysmom@...>
wrote: >>>>you can register with an 'umbrella' group such as:
http://alternativeeducationinstitute.org/
you register with them ($15 first year, $10 thereafter) and send
in 'attendance' records on a regular basis ("hey kids you here?")
and that's it.>>>>>>>
Pampered Chef Michelle
On 3/31/06, Karen <mightieflightie@...> wrote:
homeschool. One (which most people do) is to send a letter of intent to
your school district and have your child evaluated by a certified (I love
that word) teacher each year. Another (which I use) is to enroll my child
in a private cover school (there are several good ones) and send them your
attendance once a year. (Not advocating this) there are many families who
do neither and just stay under the radar.
--
Michelle
Independent Kitchen Consultant #413652
The Pampered Chef
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Catch our new wave of color!
Book a March show!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>Welcome to Florida! Florida has several "tracks" you can go through to
> I am brand new to the idea of homeschooling and am really interested
> in learning more about unschooling. My daughter turned 3 last week
> and my son is due in early May. I know that I don't want either in
> public school. I have tons of questions. This post brought up one
> for me. How do I go about finding out the legal requirements of my
> state on these subjects?
homeschool. One (which most people do) is to send a letter of intent to
your school district and have your child evaluated by a certified (I love
that word) teacher each year. Another (which I use) is to enroll my child
in a private cover school (there are several good ones) and send them your
attendance once a year. (Not advocating this) there are many families who
do neither and just stay under the radar.
--
Michelle
Independent Kitchen Consultant #413652
The Pampered Chef
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Catch our new wave of color!
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