Am I doing it "right"?
tracy
Hi Everyone~
This is my first post (I believe) on this list. I was reading
through some old post and I started to think...I would love to know
from the people who have been doing this for a long time...if I'm
doing it right. Unschooling that is. I know this is a
very "schoolish" question, but I am over educated and just now
learning about the really important things. How to love and give and
accept...how not to judge. I thought what if I wrote out what our
average day/week/life looks like and see what kind of responses I
get. SOOO here I go.
Oh, by the way I have 2 kids. A DD 9 and a DS 7, who have been out
of school for almost 2 years. We are all still deschooling our minds.
This is what we do...
sew,paint,knit,bead,cook,plant and harvest vegtables and fruit,play
videogames, I read vidoegame stuff to 7 year old who still thinks he
can't read, we read together,DD reads to DS, DD reads,reads and
reads. All kinds of stuff from fiction to non fiction, science stuff
and experiments, magazines. We look at things under the microscope
we have tried to cross pollenate flowers, we make all kinds of huge
messes with gooey science type stuff and alike. We play games
indoors and out, we run throught the sprinklers, do slip and slide
and have water balloon fights. We visit with neighbors, DD helps a
neighbor with her kids, we play guitar and piano. We listen to
music, make up silly stories, we lay in bed and laugh. We love one
another. DD runs track and is the SC state champ in shotput(as of
today!!) she also plays soccer and I have had a hard time with the
organized sports, but she loves it sooo I honor that. We take care
of our pets, a bird, a turtle and 2 guenie pigs (one just died) we
learn about life, death and god. We play with friends, go to the
movies and watch TV. We do dishes and laundry, we hardly ever make
our beds...hehehe! We bird watch, spider watch etc...We go out on
our boat and see all kinds of fun stuff like,
crabs,fish,jellyfish,dolphins,seagulls,pelicans and we play at the
beach. We dig holes at the beach, we make sandcastles, we boogie
board on the waves. We google everything!!! I could go on and on!
OK, well after typing ALL that without even having to think about
it...I think I'm doing it "right".
I am enjoying my family, we are learning together, loving together
and living together. WHAT A GREAT WAY OF LIFE! I'm so glad I wrote
this it has given me all kinds of warm fuzzy feelings of gratitude!
Thanks so much for showing me this way of life and thanks for not
grading my grammer, because I was just typing...not thinking!
Hugs~ Tracy in SC
This is my first post (I believe) on this list. I was reading
through some old post and I started to think...I would love to know
from the people who have been doing this for a long time...if I'm
doing it right. Unschooling that is. I know this is a
very "schoolish" question, but I am over educated and just now
learning about the really important things. How to love and give and
accept...how not to judge. I thought what if I wrote out what our
average day/week/life looks like and see what kind of responses I
get. SOOO here I go.
Oh, by the way I have 2 kids. A DD 9 and a DS 7, who have been out
of school for almost 2 years. We are all still deschooling our minds.
This is what we do...
sew,paint,knit,bead,cook,plant and harvest vegtables and fruit,play
videogames, I read vidoegame stuff to 7 year old who still thinks he
can't read, we read together,DD reads to DS, DD reads,reads and
reads. All kinds of stuff from fiction to non fiction, science stuff
and experiments, magazines. We look at things under the microscope
we have tried to cross pollenate flowers, we make all kinds of huge
messes with gooey science type stuff and alike. We play games
indoors and out, we run throught the sprinklers, do slip and slide
and have water balloon fights. We visit with neighbors, DD helps a
neighbor with her kids, we play guitar and piano. We listen to
music, make up silly stories, we lay in bed and laugh. We love one
another. DD runs track and is the SC state champ in shotput(as of
today!!) she also plays soccer and I have had a hard time with the
organized sports, but she loves it sooo I honor that. We take care
of our pets, a bird, a turtle and 2 guenie pigs (one just died) we
learn about life, death and god. We play with friends, go to the
movies and watch TV. We do dishes and laundry, we hardly ever make
our beds...hehehe! We bird watch, spider watch etc...We go out on
our boat and see all kinds of fun stuff like,
crabs,fish,jellyfish,dolphins,seagulls,pelicans and we play at the
beach. We dig holes at the beach, we make sandcastles, we boogie
board on the waves. We google everything!!! I could go on and on!
OK, well after typing ALL that without even having to think about
it...I think I'm doing it "right".
I am enjoying my family, we are learning together, loving together
and living together. WHAT A GREAT WAY OF LIFE! I'm so glad I wrote
this it has given me all kinds of warm fuzzy feelings of gratitude!
Thanks so much for showing me this way of life and thanks for not
grading my grammer, because I was just typing...not thinking!
Hugs~ Tracy in SC
Robyn Coburn
<<<<<<I would love to know
from the people who have been doing this for a long time...if I'm
doing it right. Unschooling that is. I know this is a
very "schoolish" question, but I am over educated and just now
learning about the really important things. How to love and give and
accept...how not to judge. I thought what if I wrote out what our
average day/week/life looks like and see what kind of responses I
get. SOOO here I go.>>>>>>
Clearly you lead a full and interesting life. However really only you can
answer whether you are Unschooling. I can suggest some ideas to think about,
since you were asking the question.
This list of (fabulous) activities, taken alone, could easily apply to
someone schooling-at-home or using unit studies or being an eclectic
homeschooler, or even someone at school whose parents are really committed
to extra-curricular activities.
The point of Unschooling is not the activities (which all sound absolutely
wonderful) but the how they are chosen and the why and the Trust behind
them. The point is the how the parents and children are interacting. These
are issues you could think about if you wanted another way to *describe*
your life to others in Unschooling terms, rather than only as a catalog of
how you spend your time (which is also very interesting, and useful to
people who might be wondering if our lives can be rich and full).
Unschooling kids formulate their own goals, and engage in activities for
reasons of their own, rather than because some external person, such as Mom,
has some kind of educational *or* life lessons agenda. They generate their
own criteria for success.
Unschooling kids are free to stop doing anything that they have lost
interest in at any time, even if it has been fun in the past, without being
pressured by an external source to continue.
Regardless of the activities the family is undertaking, the parents Trust
that their children are getting something meaningful *to them* out of any
that they choose to pursue. Parents don't set arbitrary time limits, or
quiz, or check up that some milestone or goal has been reached.
Unschooling children have privacy of thought - they are not required to
report what they have learned, even if they could quantify it which seems
unlikely, and they are not required to share or publicize their writings or
art works - unless they choose to.
Unschooling families tend to handle conflict resolution without making one
person's needs subservient, or without reference to any judgment that one
person's desires are more worthy or educational than another's. Playing
video games is not considered more or less valuable than exploring through
the microscope.
Unschooling families tend to see all of their activities and pursuits as
interconnected and forming connections, as part of a greater concept of
understanding how the world works and out place in it.
And this just touches on the Un*school*ing part, not the rest of the Whole
Life Unschooling - the other life issues like Bedtimes, Food, Chores,
Personal Hygiene.
<<<<<I am enjoying my family, we are learning together, loving together
and living together. WHAT A GREAT WAY OF LIFE!>>>>
This is what sounds the most unschooly! I agree!
Robyn L. Coburn
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from the people who have been doing this for a long time...if I'm
doing it right. Unschooling that is. I know this is a
very "schoolish" question, but I am over educated and just now
learning about the really important things. How to love and give and
accept...how not to judge. I thought what if I wrote out what our
average day/week/life looks like and see what kind of responses I
get. SOOO here I go.>>>>>>
Clearly you lead a full and interesting life. However really only you can
answer whether you are Unschooling. I can suggest some ideas to think about,
since you were asking the question.
This list of (fabulous) activities, taken alone, could easily apply to
someone schooling-at-home or using unit studies or being an eclectic
homeschooler, or even someone at school whose parents are really committed
to extra-curricular activities.
The point of Unschooling is not the activities (which all sound absolutely
wonderful) but the how they are chosen and the why and the Trust behind
them. The point is the how the parents and children are interacting. These
are issues you could think about if you wanted another way to *describe*
your life to others in Unschooling terms, rather than only as a catalog of
how you spend your time (which is also very interesting, and useful to
people who might be wondering if our lives can be rich and full).
Unschooling kids formulate their own goals, and engage in activities for
reasons of their own, rather than because some external person, such as Mom,
has some kind of educational *or* life lessons agenda. They generate their
own criteria for success.
Unschooling kids are free to stop doing anything that they have lost
interest in at any time, even if it has been fun in the past, without being
pressured by an external source to continue.
Regardless of the activities the family is undertaking, the parents Trust
that their children are getting something meaningful *to them* out of any
that they choose to pursue. Parents don't set arbitrary time limits, or
quiz, or check up that some milestone or goal has been reached.
Unschooling children have privacy of thought - they are not required to
report what they have learned, even if they could quantify it which seems
unlikely, and they are not required to share or publicize their writings or
art works - unless they choose to.
Unschooling families tend to handle conflict resolution without making one
person's needs subservient, or without reference to any judgment that one
person's desires are more worthy or educational than another's. Playing
video games is not considered more or less valuable than exploring through
the microscope.
Unschooling families tend to see all of their activities and pursuits as
interconnected and forming connections, as part of a greater concept of
understanding how the world works and out place in it.
And this just touches on the Un*school*ing part, not the rest of the Whole
Life Unschooling - the other life issues like Bedtimes, Food, Chores,
Personal Hygiene.
<<<<<I am enjoying my family, we are learning together, loving together
and living together. WHAT A GREAT WAY OF LIFE!>>>>
This is what sounds the most unschooly! I agree!
Robyn L. Coburn
--
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Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.6.9 - Release Date: 6/11/2005
[email protected]
Hi, I guess I need to introduce myself first. I am a 'homeschooling' mom of 3
girls in Ohio, and am interested in unschooling. I was wondering how you
would use this 'method' and file your notification and assessment for the school
district.
When we filed before we were expected to provide the scope and sequence and a
list of materials to be used for the upcoming year, including their grade
level. The assessment was either a portfolio of their work from the year or
testing by the local school or an approved authority.
Sorry, I'm sort of confused at how to file this and stay within the law.
Thanks, Kanina
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
girls in Ohio, and am interested in unschooling. I was wondering how you
would use this 'method' and file your notification and assessment for the school
district.
When we filed before we were expected to provide the scope and sequence and a
list of materials to be used for the upcoming year, including their grade
level. The assessment was either a portfolio of their work from the year or
testing by the local school or an approved authority.
Sorry, I'm sort of confused at how to file this and stay within the law.
Thanks, Kanina
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Linda Knauff
>>Unschooling children have privacy of thought - they are not required toreport what they have learned, even if they could quantify it which seems
unlikely, and they are not required to share or publicize their writings or
art works - unless they choose to.<<
Do you or your children go to the end-of-year-reviews, and how do you show the "school" work that's been accomplished? Where I live, we must share a portfolio of work once or twice a year, and I am wondering how you would pull that together and what it looks like, as well as whether the parent or child presents it?
Thanks for you help,
Linda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
tracy
Robin~ Thanks for this.
they are chosen part...we are living life, things are chosen (by my
kids) with interest or just because that is what is going on that
day. The sick geunie pig last week pretty much consumed 24hrs and we
learned alot from it.
The Why...because it is the next logical thing to my kids. I feel
like I never have any idea whats next, I just go with the flow. I
flow down the stream with them only looking for dangerous rocks and
trying to help them when needed.
Trust behind them... I am understanding this statement to mean that
I am trusting they are learning what they need to learn, not what I
think they need to learn.
I am greatful for such a thoughtful response. Please continue to
help me understand. Am I on the right track with my thoughts?
Thanks~ Tracy
> The point of Unschooling is not the activities (which all soundabsolutely
> wonderful) but the how they are chosen and the why and the Trustbehind
> them. The point is the how the parents and children areinteracting. These
> are issues you could think about if you wanted another way to*describe*
> your life to others in Unschooling termsCan you help me understand this more completely. For example the how
they are chosen part...we are living life, things are chosen (by my
kids) with interest or just because that is what is going on that
day. The sick geunie pig last week pretty much consumed 24hrs and we
learned alot from it.
The Why...because it is the next logical thing to my kids. I feel
like I never have any idea whats next, I just go with the flow. I
flow down the stream with them only looking for dangerous rocks and
trying to help them when needed.
Trust behind them... I am understanding this statement to mean that
I am trusting they are learning what they need to learn, not what I
think they need to learn.
I am greatful for such a thoughtful response. Please continue to
help me understand. Am I on the right track with my thoughts?
Thanks~ Tracy
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: Linda Knauff <linda@...>
report what they have learned, even if they could quantify it which
seems
unlikely, and they are not required to share or publicize their
writings or
art works - unless they choose to.<<
Do you or your children go to the end-of-year-reviews, and how do you
show the
"school" work that's been accomplished? Where I live, we must share a
portfolio
of work once or twice a year, and I am wondering how you would pull
that
together and what it looks like, as well as whether the parent or child
presents
it?
-=-=-=-
In SC, we have to keep a portfolio. No one ever looks at it, but we
have to keep one! <g>
It doesn't interfere with the boys or their learning at all. I collect
the brochures, ticket stubs, flyers, catalogues, library lists,
video/computer/board/card games played, movies watched, trips taken,
photos, artwork (or copies or photos of artwork), etc. and place them
in a large plastic bin (one for each child). That's our portfolio.
OH! I need to start two new ones this month!!
I also write down what we do and with whom in a daytimer. If one of he
boys does something that would qualify as "progress,"
I'll write that down too.
Every state is different. Which state are you in? Maybe someone here
can comment.
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org
From: Linda Knauff <linda@...>
>>Unschooling children have privacy of thought - they are notrequired to
report what they have learned, even if they could quantify it which
seems
unlikely, and they are not required to share or publicize their
writings or
art works - unless they choose to.<<
Do you or your children go to the end-of-year-reviews, and how do you
show the
"school" work that's been accomplished? Where I live, we must share a
portfolio
of work once or twice a year, and I am wondering how you would pull
that
together and what it looks like, as well as whether the parent or child
presents
it?
-=-=-=-
In SC, we have to keep a portfolio. No one ever looks at it, but we
have to keep one! <g>
It doesn't interfere with the boys or their learning at all. I collect
the brochures, ticket stubs, flyers, catalogues, library lists,
video/computer/board/card games played, movies watched, trips taken,
photos, artwork (or copies or photos of artwork), etc. and place them
in a large plastic bin (one for each child). That's our portfolio.
OH! I need to start two new ones this month!!
I also write down what we do and with whom in a daytimer. If one of he
boys does something that would qualify as "progress,"
I'll write that down too.
Every state is different. Which state are you in? Maybe someone here
can comment.
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org
Linda Knauff
Thanks Kelly,
I am in Maryland and my children are the age to start high school. I am under the impression that we will have to be keeping track of what looks like, at least, credit hours. And that if the girls want to attend college, they will have to have those, and at least some textbooks listed in their transcripts that the college applications office recognizes (I have spoken to University of MD so far.) Is it just more work on the parents' part to make what the children do "look" like school?
Our state requires two reviews a year--where portfolios are examined. I belong to an Umbrella group, however, which only reviews me once a year.
Just looking for ideas on what unschoolers' portfolios look like for presentation purposes and how unschoolers pull together transcripts for college.
Thanks again,
Linda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I am in Maryland and my children are the age to start high school. I am under the impression that we will have to be keeping track of what looks like, at least, credit hours. And that if the girls want to attend college, they will have to have those, and at least some textbooks listed in their transcripts that the college applications office recognizes (I have spoken to University of MD so far.) Is it just more work on the parents' part to make what the children do "look" like school?
Our state requires two reviews a year--where portfolios are examined. I belong to an Umbrella group, however, which only reviews me once a year.
Just looking for ideas on what unschoolers' portfolios look like for presentation purposes and how unschoolers pull together transcripts for college.
Thanks again,
Linda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Linda Knauff
Thanks Kelly,
I am in Maryland and my children are the age to start high school. I am under the impression that we will have to be keeping track of what looks like, at least, credit hours. And that if the girls want to attend college, they will have to have those, and at least some textbooks listed in their transcripts that the college applications office recognizes (I have spoken to University of MD so far.) Is it just more work on the parents' part to make what the children do "look" like school?
Our state requires two reviews a year--where portfolios are examined. I belong to an Umbrella group, however, which only reviews me once a year.
Just looking for ideas on what unschoolers' portfolios look like for presentation purposes and how unschoolers pull together transcripts for college.
Thanks again,
Linda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I am in Maryland and my children are the age to start high school. I am under the impression that we will have to be keeping track of what looks like, at least, credit hours. And that if the girls want to attend college, they will have to have those, and at least some textbooks listed in their transcripts that the college applications office recognizes (I have spoken to University of MD so far.) Is it just more work on the parents' part to make what the children do "look" like school?
Our state requires two reviews a year--where portfolios are examined. I belong to an Umbrella group, however, which only reviews me once a year.
Just looking for ideas on what unschoolers' portfolios look like for presentation purposes and how unschoolers pull together transcripts for college.
Thanks again,
Linda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kimberly
Hi Tracy~
Just wondering what part of SC you are in?? I'll be moving down to SC around the beginning of next year w/my husband and 2 children around the Beaufort area and trying to get a feel for other unschoolers around there : )
Kim
Big Yellow Box by Crayola!
www.bigyellowbox.net/kc
Ask about my colorful career..
Just wondering what part of SC you are in?? I'll be moving down to SC around the beginning of next year w/my husband and 2 children around the Beaufort area and trying to get a feel for other unschoolers around there : )
Kim
Big Yellow Box by Crayola!
www.bigyellowbox.net/kc
Ask about my colorful career..
Robyn Coburn
<<<<< I am greatful for such a thoughtful response. Please continue to
help me understand. Am I on the right track with my thoughts? >>>>>>
I'm a little uncomfortable being asked to be an authoritative arbiter of
what is "right". I'm just one person here, and I happen to agree with all
you are saying ;) , but it is the gestalt - cumulative wisdom of the many on
this list and the sister lists - that is the most helpful - as well as the
advice to observe your children and allow *them* to tell you whether you are
on the right track.
<<<<Can you help me understand this more completely. For example the how
they are chosen part...we are living life, things are chosen (by my
kids) with interest or just because that is what is going on that
day. The sick geunie pig last week pretty much consumed 24hrs and we
learned alot from it. >>>>
The reply I made before was simply to point out that the activities are not
what makes anyone's life Unschooling. Posting to this list, "We do this
stuff. Are we Unschooling?" can only result in an answer along the lines of
"It depends. Why are you doing this stuff?"
Your description here sounds like Unschooling to me. Some hypothetical
person responding "because it is a way for them to learn some subject"
sounds a lot less like Unschooling.
<<<< The Why...because it is the next logical thing to my kids. I feel
like I never have any idea whats next, I just go with the flow. I
flow down the stream with them only looking for dangerous rocks and
trying to help them when needed.>>>>
I love this image. I would like to take it further with the idea that your
kids are also like the water itself - carving out the path of the stream -
not just following someone else's pre-made path.
<<<<< Trust behind them... I am understanding this statement to mean that
I am trusting they are learning what they need to learn, not what I
think they need to learn. >>>>
That is what I understand it to mean also - along with Trusting them to know
the *way* they wish to learn something as well as the *what*.
Robyn L. Coburn
--
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help me understand. Am I on the right track with my thoughts? >>>>>>
I'm a little uncomfortable being asked to be an authoritative arbiter of
what is "right". I'm just one person here, and I happen to agree with all
you are saying ;) , but it is the gestalt - cumulative wisdom of the many on
this list and the sister lists - that is the most helpful - as well as the
advice to observe your children and allow *them* to tell you whether you are
on the right track.
<<<<Can you help me understand this more completely. For example the how
they are chosen part...we are living life, things are chosen (by my
kids) with interest or just because that is what is going on that
day. The sick geunie pig last week pretty much consumed 24hrs and we
learned alot from it. >>>>
The reply I made before was simply to point out that the activities are not
what makes anyone's life Unschooling. Posting to this list, "We do this
stuff. Are we Unschooling?" can only result in an answer along the lines of
"It depends. Why are you doing this stuff?"
Your description here sounds like Unschooling to me. Some hypothetical
person responding "because it is a way for them to learn some subject"
sounds a lot less like Unschooling.
<<<< The Why...because it is the next logical thing to my kids. I feel
like I never have any idea whats next, I just go with the flow. I
flow down the stream with them only looking for dangerous rocks and
trying to help them when needed.>>>>
I love this image. I would like to take it further with the idea that your
kids are also like the water itself - carving out the path of the stream -
not just following someone else's pre-made path.
<<<<< Trust behind them... I am understanding this statement to mean that
I am trusting they are learning what they need to learn, not what I
think they need to learn. >>>>
That is what I understand it to mean also - along with Trusting them to know
the *way* they wish to learn something as well as the *what*.
Robyn L. Coburn
--
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Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.7.0 - Release Date: 6/13/2005
tracy
Hi Kim~ E-mail me at tracyliebmann@... and we can chat.
Hope to hear from you~ Tracy
-- In [email protected], Kimberly
<hopefull2005@e...> wrote:
around the Beaufort area and trying to get a feel for other
unschoolers around there : )
Hope to hear from you~ Tracy
-- In [email protected], Kimberly
<hopefull2005@e...> wrote:
> Hi Tracy~to SC around the beginning of next year w/my husband and 2 children
>
> Just wondering what part of SC you are in?? I'll be moving down
around the Beaufort area and trying to get a feel for other
unschoolers around there : )
>
> Kim
> Big Yellow Box by Crayola!
> www.bigyellowbox.net/kc
> Ask about my colorful career..
tracy
Robyn~ Sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. Thanks so much for the
great responses. I am very new to unschooling. We have only been doin
it since the new year. I'm just looking for insight, wanting to learn
more about what my role is, and feeling insecure! It's late, got to go
but I really wanted to thank you for your replies! Tracy
great responses. I am very new to unschooling. We have only been doin
it since the new year. I'm just looking for insight, wanting to learn
more about what my role is, and feeling insecure! It's late, got to go
but I really wanted to thank you for your replies! Tracy
> I'm a little uncomfortable being asked to be an authoritativearbiter of
> what is "right".
Danielle Conger
tracy wrote:
I thought the exchange on this point was great--how to get past doing
things for schooly reasons and get closer to living a joyful life. This
just came across a local homeschooling list, and I thought it
illustrated so succinctly this distinction Robyn is getting at:
==For the past 8 yrs we have collected a number of Thomas the Tank
Engine and friendship style movies. We used them to teach the right and
wrong ways to approach the stepping stones friendship. Now that our last
is 8 he's willing to part with them. We have the following movies for
$1.50 each. ===
I never in a million years would've said that we watched Thomas in order
to teach anything or that we "used" the videos "for" anything other than
sheer enjoyment. Perhaps my kids did learn about the stepping stones to
friendship from watching the videos--they're certainly preachy
enough--but that was a total side effect of watching them because they
*liked* the stories. It just felt so sad to hear this woman selling her
kids video collection as part of their curriculum.
--
~~Danielle
Emily (7), Julia (6), Sam (5)
http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"With our thoughts, we make the world." ~~Buddha
>Robin~ Thanks for this.=========
>
>>The point of Unschooling is not the activities (which all sound absolutelywonderful) but the how they are chosen and the why and the Trust behind them. The point is the how the parents and children are interacting. These are issues you could think about if you wanted another way to *describe* your life to others in Unschooling terms
>>
>>
I thought the exchange on this point was great--how to get past doing
things for schooly reasons and get closer to living a joyful life. This
just came across a local homeschooling list, and I thought it
illustrated so succinctly this distinction Robyn is getting at:
==For the past 8 yrs we have collected a number of Thomas the Tank
Engine and friendship style movies. We used them to teach the right and
wrong ways to approach the stepping stones friendship. Now that our last
is 8 he's willing to part with them. We have the following movies for
$1.50 each. ===
I never in a million years would've said that we watched Thomas in order
to teach anything or that we "used" the videos "for" anything other than
sheer enjoyment. Perhaps my kids did learn about the stepping stones to
friendship from watching the videos--they're certainly preachy
enough--but that was a total side effect of watching them because they
*liked* the stories. It just felt so sad to hear this woman selling her
kids video collection as part of their curriculum.
--
~~Danielle
Emily (7), Julia (6), Sam (5)
http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Welcomehome.html
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"With our thoughts, we make the world." ~~Buddha
Ruth
I never in a million years would've said that we watched Thomas in order
to teach anything or that we "used" the videos "for" anything other than
sheer enjoyment. Perhaps my kids did learn about the stepping stones to
friendship from watching the videos--they're certainly preachy
enough--but that was a total side effect of watching them because they
*liked* the stories.
**************************
I had to smile at this and yes you are right it is sad they were part of a curriculum. My sons love Thomas and I would say the only obvious learning they got was numbers on the sides of the trains and that was never the reason for them watching Thomas. It never occurred to me.. For a long time my son used to call numbers by the train they represented. It always made me smile when he said "Its the number Percy" e.t.c.
Ruth
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
to teach anything or that we "used" the videos "for" anything other than
sheer enjoyment. Perhaps my kids did learn about the stepping stones to
friendship from watching the videos--they're certainly preachy
enough--but that was a total side effect of watching them because they
*liked* the stories.
**************************
I had to smile at this and yes you are right it is sad they were part of a curriculum. My sons love Thomas and I would say the only obvious learning they got was numbers on the sides of the trains and that was never the reason for them watching Thomas. It never occurred to me.. For a long time my son used to call numbers by the train they represented. It always made me smile when he said "Its the number Percy" e.t.c.
Ruth
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Robyn Coburn
<<<<>Perhaps my kids did learn about the stepping stones to
friendship from watching the videos--they're certainly preachy
enough--but that was a total side effect of watching them because they
*liked* the stories.
**************************
I had to smile at this and yes you are right it is sad they were part of a
curriculum. >>>>
I think it's rather sad that anything involving friendship was considered
something to be taught in a curriculum. How would it be graded? How sad if
Teacher Mom felt her child had failed that course....
Robyn L. Coburn
--
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Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
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friendship from watching the videos--they're certainly preachy
enough--but that was a total side effect of watching them because they
*liked* the stories.
**************************
I had to smile at this and yes you are right it is sad they were part of a
curriculum. >>>>
I think it's rather sad that anything involving friendship was considered
something to be taught in a curriculum. How would it be graded? How sad if
Teacher Mom felt her child had failed that course....
Robyn L. Coburn
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.7.5/18 - Release Date: 6/15/2005
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: rdkillracer@...
When we filed before we were expected to provide the scope and sequence
and a
list of materials to be used for the upcoming year, including their
grade
level. The assessment was either a portfolio of their work from the
year or
testing by the local school or an approved authority.
-=-=-=-=
I apologize for being off the lists for a while now. Too pretty
outside---and when I *am* on, I'm working on the conference!
There are two "curricula" for unschoolers. I use Carol Narigon's and
just alter it to fit my sons and our state requirements.
Pam Sorooshian also has a good generic one.
I believe both are at Sandra's website----you could just google them.
OR someone with a better filing system (and a few more minutes) could
plop it here for you.
As for the assessment, I'd go with the portfolio rather than the
testing anytime!
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org
From: rdkillracer@...
When we filed before we were expected to provide the scope and sequence
and a
list of materials to be used for the upcoming year, including their
grade
level. The assessment was either a portfolio of their work from the
year or
testing by the local school or an approved authority.
-=-=-=-=
I apologize for being off the lists for a while now. Too pretty
outside---and when I *am* on, I'm working on the conference!
There are two "curricula" for unschoolers. I use Carol Narigon's and
just alter it to fit my sons and our state requirements.
Pam Sorooshian also has a good generic one.
I believe both are at Sandra's website----you could just google them.
OR someone with a better filing system (and a few more minutes) could
plop it here for you.
As for the assessment, I'd go with the portfolio rather than the
testing anytime!
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: Linda Knauff <linda@...>
I am in Maryland and my children are the age to start high school. I
am under
the impression that we will have to be keeping track of what looks
like, at
least, credit hours. And that if the girls want to attend college,
they will
have to have those, and at least some textbooks listed in their
transcripts that
the college applications office recognizes (I have spoken to University
of MD so
far.) Is it just more work on the parents' part to make what the
children do
"look" like school?
Our state requires two reviews a year--where portfolios are examined.
I belong
to an Umbrella group, however, which only reviews me once a year.
Just looking for ideas on what unschoolers' portfolios look like for
presentation purposes and how unschoolers pull together transcripts for
college.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Not avoiding you---just slammed.
First---each college is different. I'd look around a bit for one that
is more unschooling friendly---there are a lot of them. Unfortunately,
state schools tend to be the least accomodating---they're just so far
behind the more progressive private schools! Most of the smaller
schools are going after unschoolers and don't require what they do of
traditionally schooled kids---the transcripts and grades and such. Real
life experiences and portfolios are MORE than acceptable---plus, the
unschooled kids stand out as "diverse" <G>!
Yes, it's more work for the parents. The schools take on that role when
you hand your children over to them, so now that you are the "head of
the school," you'll have to take on that duty too! <g> I'd say that
it's not necessary to make it look like school as it is to make it look
interesting and different---DIVERSE! <bwg>
My 17 year old is a drummer and is very intersted in music.
I *could* label that as just "Music"---but it's so much more than that:
he's really into the music of the 60's and 70's, so he gets credit for:
History/Geography/Social Studies: travel to different parts of the
country to attend music festivals and meet folks from all over; civil
rights; Viet Nam war; presidencies of Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, &
Carter; British invasion
Art: music, fashion, album covers, Warhol, posters (art is not even
required in my state of SC)
Math: half notes, 3/4 notes, etc. all that music is just math in sound
Science: drug culture (chemistry & biology--grandfather is a Dr and
worked in Haight-Asbury in the late 60's---lots of stories to tell
about al that!<g>), drumming (physics), tie-dye (chemistry!)
Literature & Composition: lyrics (reading other & writing his own)
He has a busy life *other* than music as well, so that's not where all
his learning takes place, but that's what I get *just* out of
music!---and that's not any where complete---just a sampling for right
now for you!
We don't break our lives into subjects---that antithetical to
unschooling! But when you have to report to the state in any way, it
helps to be able to break it down that way!
As for transcripts: I would just break what he's done into semester
blocks (which is what the local high schools do here) and figure out
how much time he's spent doing something. He would probably have *many*
more than the required number of credits than any local high school
student!
I think you need to take a deep breath and think hard about what your
children have covered over a few months. It's probably quite impressive!
~Kelly
From: Linda Knauff <linda@...>
I am in Maryland and my children are the age to start high school. I
am under
the impression that we will have to be keeping track of what looks
like, at
least, credit hours. And that if the girls want to attend college,
they will
have to have those, and at least some textbooks listed in their
transcripts that
the college applications office recognizes (I have spoken to University
of MD so
far.) Is it just more work on the parents' part to make what the
children do
"look" like school?
Our state requires two reviews a year--where portfolios are examined.
I belong
to an Umbrella group, however, which only reviews me once a year.
Just looking for ideas on what unschoolers' portfolios look like for
presentation purposes and how unschoolers pull together transcripts for
college.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Not avoiding you---just slammed.
First---each college is different. I'd look around a bit for one that
is more unschooling friendly---there are a lot of them. Unfortunately,
state schools tend to be the least accomodating---they're just so far
behind the more progressive private schools! Most of the smaller
schools are going after unschoolers and don't require what they do of
traditionally schooled kids---the transcripts and grades and such. Real
life experiences and portfolios are MORE than acceptable---plus, the
unschooled kids stand out as "diverse" <G>!
Yes, it's more work for the parents. The schools take on that role when
you hand your children over to them, so now that you are the "head of
the school," you'll have to take on that duty too! <g> I'd say that
it's not necessary to make it look like school as it is to make it look
interesting and different---DIVERSE! <bwg>
My 17 year old is a drummer and is very intersted in music.
I *could* label that as just "Music"---but it's so much more than that:
he's really into the music of the 60's and 70's, so he gets credit for:
History/Geography/Social Studies: travel to different parts of the
country to attend music festivals and meet folks from all over; civil
rights; Viet Nam war; presidencies of Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, &
Carter; British invasion
Art: music, fashion, album covers, Warhol, posters (art is not even
required in my state of SC)
Math: half notes, 3/4 notes, etc. all that music is just math in sound
Science: drug culture (chemistry & biology--grandfather is a Dr and
worked in Haight-Asbury in the late 60's---lots of stories to tell
about al that!<g>), drumming (physics), tie-dye (chemistry!)
Literature & Composition: lyrics (reading other & writing his own)
He has a busy life *other* than music as well, so that's not where all
his learning takes place, but that's what I get *just* out of
music!---and that's not any where complete---just a sampling for right
now for you!
We don't break our lives into subjects---that antithetical to
unschooling! But when you have to report to the state in any way, it
helps to be able to break it down that way!
As for transcripts: I would just break what he's done into semester
blocks (which is what the local high schools do here) and figure out
how much time he's spent doing something. He would probably have *many*
more than the required number of credits than any local high school
student!
I think you need to take a deep breath and think hard about what your
children have covered over a few months. It's probably quite impressive!
~Kelly
Pam Sorooshian
On Jun 19, 2005, at 7:58 PM, kbcdlovejo@... wrote:
Amazing how easy it was to translate the state standards into an
unschooling-friendly description.
Carol's is here <http://sandradodd.com/unschoolingcurriculum.html> and
if you go down to the bottom of that page you can click on ACME
Elementary or ACME Secondary for the ones that I put together for our
cover school, ACME Academy.
-pam
> There are two "curricula" for unschoolers. I use Carol Narigon's andI elaborated on Carol's - adding material from the CA state standards.
> just alter it to fit my sons and our state requirements.
>
> Pam Sorooshian also has a good generic one.
Amazing how easy it was to translate the state standards into an
unschooling-friendly description.
Carol's is here <http://sandradodd.com/unschoolingcurriculum.html> and
if you go down to the bottom of that page you can click on ACME
Elementary or ACME Secondary for the ones that I put together for our
cover school, ACME Academy.
-pam
Linda Knauff
Thanks Kelly. Your responses have been very helpful!
Linda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Linda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]