Want to know more about unschooling
birdymoll
I have been homeschooling my oldest son who is 6 since preschool.
We are currently in 1st grade. We really are very relaxed about
typical schooling and he hates the idea of traditional schooling.
Meaning he doesn't like to spend hours of forced learning. I hate
trying to force him to do it. He likes to go to the library and he
loves hands on stuff of anykind, he loves the computer and he loves
cub scouts. He has just recently really started showing an interest
in learning to read. We have tried this before but he fought me
every step of the way. So I quit. We have started trying again
about a month or so ago with hooked on phonics. We try to do one
lesson a night and review and such but sometimes we just skip a
night if we get caught up in other stuff we are doing. I am
currently using my father's world curr. but it is very hard to use
some of it because he isn't reading well yet. He is very smart and
learns pretty quickly but he doesn't like to sit long. So we try to
make it fun, stimulating and fast. My youngest is 3 and we will be
soon starting preschool learning with him not that everyday isn't
learning but more time for just him one on one. I am not sure what
all needs to be done to unschool and what to do to unschool. Please
Help. Thanks and God Bless.
Bridgette Moll
We are currently in 1st grade. We really are very relaxed about
typical schooling and he hates the idea of traditional schooling.
Meaning he doesn't like to spend hours of forced learning. I hate
trying to force him to do it. He likes to go to the library and he
loves hands on stuff of anykind, he loves the computer and he loves
cub scouts. He has just recently really started showing an interest
in learning to read. We have tried this before but he fought me
every step of the way. So I quit. We have started trying again
about a month or so ago with hooked on phonics. We try to do one
lesson a night and review and such but sometimes we just skip a
night if we get caught up in other stuff we are doing. I am
currently using my father's world curr. but it is very hard to use
some of it because he isn't reading well yet. He is very smart and
learns pretty quickly but he doesn't like to sit long. So we try to
make it fun, stimulating and fast. My youngest is 3 and we will be
soon starting preschool learning with him not that everyday isn't
learning but more time for just him one on one. I am not sure what
all needs to be done to unschool and what to do to unschool. Please
Help. Thanks and God Bless.
Bridgette Moll
Robyn Coburn
<<<<I have been homeschooling my oldest son who is 6 since preschool.
We are currently in 1st grade. We really are very relaxed about
typical schooling and he hates the idea of traditional schooling.....
...... I am currently using my father's world curr. but it is very hard to
use some of it because he isn't reading well yet. He is very smart and
learns pretty quickly but he doesn't like to sit long. So we try to
make it fun, stimulating and fast. >>>
You are describing a great sounding, interested, fun kid. One of the
advantages of Unschooling is you get to keep this authentic child in your
life instead of overlaying a bunch of stuff and irrelevant information on
top of him.
The best suggestion I have for you is to put an immediate moratorium on
*any* lessons, *any* curriculum, any thoughts of you "making it" fun, and
spend the next few weeks actually having genuine fun and allowing him (and
your younger one) to play and show you the stuff he is interested in.
Respond to requests for help or information. Be a driver to interesting
places. He will not "fall behind", a concept that is anathema to Unschooling
with joy, in a few weeks.
In the meantime, spend as much time as you have available (freed from all
that lesson planning and review) reading this list and its archives, reading
at www.sandradodd.com/unschooling , www.unschoolinginfo.com and
www.unschooling.com , reading John Holt, and observing your child learning
from his own explorations to give you courage and reassurance.
<<<My youngest is 3 and we will be
soon starting preschool learning with him not that everyday isn't
learning but more time for just him one on one.>>>
You won't need to bother with him "starting" anything if you decide to
Unschool. Just let him continue to play with his myriad interests and watch
them morph and grow over time.
I spend one on one time with my loved ones because I enjoy their company and
I believe they want my attention, not because they have some learning lack I
have to address. The motivation really does make a difference to the
interaction.
Robyn L. Coburn
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We are currently in 1st grade. We really are very relaxed about
typical schooling and he hates the idea of traditional schooling.....
...... I am currently using my father's world curr. but it is very hard to
use some of it because he isn't reading well yet. He is very smart and
learns pretty quickly but he doesn't like to sit long. So we try to
make it fun, stimulating and fast. >>>
You are describing a great sounding, interested, fun kid. One of the
advantages of Unschooling is you get to keep this authentic child in your
life instead of overlaying a bunch of stuff and irrelevant information on
top of him.
The best suggestion I have for you is to put an immediate moratorium on
*any* lessons, *any* curriculum, any thoughts of you "making it" fun, and
spend the next few weeks actually having genuine fun and allowing him (and
your younger one) to play and show you the stuff he is interested in.
Respond to requests for help or information. Be a driver to interesting
places. He will not "fall behind", a concept that is anathema to Unschooling
with joy, in a few weeks.
In the meantime, spend as much time as you have available (freed from all
that lesson planning and review) reading this list and its archives, reading
at www.sandradodd.com/unschooling , www.unschoolinginfo.com and
www.unschooling.com , reading John Holt, and observing your child learning
from his own explorations to give you courage and reassurance.
<<<My youngest is 3 and we will be
soon starting preschool learning with him not that everyday isn't
learning but more time for just him one on one.>>>
You won't need to bother with him "starting" anything if you decide to
Unschool. Just let him continue to play with his myriad interests and watch
them morph and grow over time.
I spend one on one time with my loved ones because I enjoy their company and
I believe they want my attention, not because they have some learning lack I
have to address. The motivation really does make a difference to the
interaction.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.830 / Virus Database: 565 - Release Date: 1/6/2005
J. Stauffer
<<<<I am not sure what
all needs to be done to unschool and what to do to unschool.>>>>
Unschooling means to follow your child's lead, trusting them to learn what THEY need to learn rather than what somebody else decides is important.
If a child is asking you to help them learn to read that is fine and wonderful but if you are saying "Come on, time for lessons. I know you are busy but it won't take long."
That isn't unschooling.
It may help to read some articles at www.unschooling.com
Julie S.
all needs to be done to unschool and what to do to unschool.>>>>
Unschooling means to follow your child's lead, trusting them to learn what THEY need to learn rather than what somebody else decides is important.
If a child is asking you to help them learn to read that is fine and wonderful but if you are saying "Come on, time for lessons. I know you are busy but it won't take long."
That isn't unschooling.
It may help to read some articles at www.unschooling.com
Julie S.
----- Original Message -----
From: birdymoll
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 6:51 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Want to know more about unschooling
I have been homeschooling my oldest son who is 6 since preschool.
We are currently in 1st grade. We really are very relaxed about
typical schooling and he hates the idea of traditional schooling.
Meaning he doesn't like to spend hours of forced learning. I hate
trying to force him to do it. He likes to go to the library and he
loves hands on stuff of anykind, he loves the computer and he loves
cub scouts. He has just recently really started showing an interest
in learning to read. We have tried this before but he fought me
every step of the way. So I quit. We have started trying again
about a month or so ago with hooked on phonics. We try to do one
lesson a night and review and such but sometimes we just skip a
night if we get caught up in other stuff we are doing. I am
currently using my father's world curr. but it is very hard to use
some of it because he isn't reading well yet. He is very smart and
learns pretty quickly but he doesn't like to sit long. So we try to
make it fun, stimulating and fast. My youngest is 3 and we will be
soon starting preschool learning with him not that everyday isn't
learning but more time for just him one on one. I am not sure what
all needs to be done to unschool and what to do to unschool. Please
Help. Thanks and God Bless.
Bridgette Moll
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dinalauzon
I am currently reading John Holt's book "Learning All the Time". I
would encourage you to pick this book up from your public library
and read it before you do any more reading lessons with your son!
What an eye opener!
I think the reason this book is affecting me in such a profound way
is that I have been seeing EXACTLY what he is talking about in my
5yodd! With my first 2 children I did do "reading lessons" and
although it didn't necessarily harm them (because I finally came to
my senses and stopped LOL) I believe we would have had a lot more
fun and they would've enjoyed reading more had I just let them learn
in their own way, without "lessons". (i.e. UNSCHOOLING)
So, put your lessons away, and go get that book!
And, please, post again after you read it and tell me what you
think!
Here's a thought: Instead of doing hooked on phonics, sit down
with "Learning All The Time" and read it. Your son will probaby
snuggle up next to you with his own book or even ask you what you
are reading about. At which point you could share a little with him
and then Voila! a reading lesson, the unschooling way!
Dina
I am not sure what
would encourage you to pick this book up from your public library
and read it before you do any more reading lessons with your son!
What an eye opener!
I think the reason this book is affecting me in such a profound way
is that I have been seeing EXACTLY what he is talking about in my
5yodd! With my first 2 children I did do "reading lessons" and
although it didn't necessarily harm them (because I finally came to
my senses and stopped LOL) I believe we would have had a lot more
fun and they would've enjoyed reading more had I just let them learn
in their own way, without "lessons". (i.e. UNSCHOOLING)
So, put your lessons away, and go get that book!
And, please, post again after you read it and tell me what you
think!
Here's a thought: Instead of doing hooked on phonics, sit down
with "Learning All The Time" and read it. Your son will probaby
snuggle up next to you with his own book or even ask you what you
are reading about. At which point you could share a little with him
and then Voila! a reading lesson, the unschooling way!
Dina
I am not sure what
> all needs to be done to unschool and what to do to unschool.Please
> Help. Thanks and God Bless.
>
> Bridgette Moll
Deirdre Aycock
> He has just recently really started showing an interestBridgette - I think the best way for kids to learn to read is from being
> in learning to read. We have tried this before but he fought me
> every step of the way. > Bridgette Moll
>
read to as much as they want. I believe this is how my kids (now 10 and 12)
learned to read, but I didn't read to them to teach them to read. I just
read to them because it was something fun to do together. With my daughter,
I guess I showed her words every now and then, if it was something she
really liked. For example, she loves animals, so I would show her the word
"dog" 'cause I think seeing a word you really like to hear written down is
so cool. But if you read to your sweet children in the hopes they will
learn to read, then it won't work. I promise they will pick up on the fact
that you find them not-quite-good-enough.
I guess, to me, unschooling is looking for the things in my life and in
the world in general, find the things that feel joyful, and offer that to my
children. Just seeing what they are interested in and helping them do
whatever it is will accomplish my overall goal for them: enjoy their life.
My goal isn't "be able to read," or " learn to do this type of math
problem." To me those are tools that they may need one day to enjoy life.
But why get the tool if you don't need it yet?
Instead of trying to teach my kids anything, I just want them to look at
life and think, "Wow, there is so much out there. What do I feel like doing
today!" I also think it is important to help my kids do whatever it is
they feel like doing, rather than comparing them to other kids. If I think,
oh, by this age, most kids are doing multiplication tables, and my kids
aren't...well that falls under competitve parenting, which is using your
kids to feel better about yourself. Also, competitive parenting is
thinking, "to be a 'good parent' I have to, or my kids have to, <fill in the
blank>. Unschooling for me has been trying to ignore those expectations.
I've ssen others say that to unschool, you can think of yourself as a
tour guide for your kids. I like that comparison. Life is so cool--just
relax and enjoy being with your kids and everything else will fall in line.
Deirdre
Lisa H
<<Julie S wrote: If a child is asking you to help them learn to read that
is fine and wonderful but if you are saying "Come on, time for lessons. I
know you are busy but it won't take long."
That isn't unschooling.>>
Julie's right...that isn't unschooling and from my experience here that
would be the fastest way to kill the joy of learning anything. I don't
expect my kids to interrupt their "busy" play/work/activity to attend any
other activity unless they are willing. Not only am i respecting my child's
right to choice, but it's the truest indication as to what is really
important to them. I've noticed that as a result of allowing my kids to
choose when and if they want to do something they have developed a true
sense of personal (and community) responsibility and a exceptional ability
to voice their desires, opinions, concerns, ideas, thoughts. Respecting
their ability to live in the moment has never hindered them from learning
something they were interested in.
<<Brdigette wrote: I am not sure what all needs to be done to unschool and
what to do to unschool.>>
Relax and Just live.
examples: Today my 6 yo did her reading "lesson" at the restaurant where she
identified letters and words on the menu and receipt. My 11 yo "worked" on
vocabulary word building, grammar, etc by listening to another book on tape.
Listening to the radio while driving always brings up interesting topics for
discussion...social studies, geography, weather, earth science, etc...
Notice what they are interested in and assist in finding or creating
opportunities to explore their interests in methods they enjoy.
example: 11 yo is knitting. Hearing of a knitting 4H club in our
neighborhood she declined - would rather learn at her own pace and
privately. Where as when hearing about a sewing class she jumped aboard
wholeheartedly.
Allow them to change thier minds and quit in the middle. If they know they
can always quit it will free them up to safely try new things.
Listen carefully and never try to change their minds. The more i let go of
my own agenda, the more i learn from my kids and we all gain tremendously in
more ways than can be mentioned.
Have fun, enjoy life and enjoy learning new things yourself.
Lisa Heyman
is fine and wonderful but if you are saying "Come on, time for lessons. I
know you are busy but it won't take long."
That isn't unschooling.>>
Julie's right...that isn't unschooling and from my experience here that
would be the fastest way to kill the joy of learning anything. I don't
expect my kids to interrupt their "busy" play/work/activity to attend any
other activity unless they are willing. Not only am i respecting my child's
right to choice, but it's the truest indication as to what is really
important to them. I've noticed that as a result of allowing my kids to
choose when and if they want to do something they have developed a true
sense of personal (and community) responsibility and a exceptional ability
to voice their desires, opinions, concerns, ideas, thoughts. Respecting
their ability to live in the moment has never hindered them from learning
something they were interested in.
<<Brdigette wrote: I am not sure what all needs to be done to unschool and
what to do to unschool.>>
Relax and Just live.
examples: Today my 6 yo did her reading "lesson" at the restaurant where she
identified letters and words on the menu and receipt. My 11 yo "worked" on
vocabulary word building, grammar, etc by listening to another book on tape.
Listening to the radio while driving always brings up interesting topics for
discussion...social studies, geography, weather, earth science, etc...
Notice what they are interested in and assist in finding or creating
opportunities to explore their interests in methods they enjoy.
example: 11 yo is knitting. Hearing of a knitting 4H club in our
neighborhood she declined - would rather learn at her own pace and
privately. Where as when hearing about a sewing class she jumped aboard
wholeheartedly.
Allow them to change thier minds and quit in the middle. If they know they
can always quit it will free them up to safely try new things.
Listen carefully and never try to change their minds. The more i let go of
my own agenda, the more i learn from my kids and we all gain tremendously in
more ways than can be mentioned.
Have fun, enjoy life and enjoy learning new things yourself.
Lisa Heyman