new
Rhonda
Hello, I'm Rhonda and I just signed on here. I will most likely be very
quiet in the beginning as I'm still learning what unschooling is. I've read
a good bit from Sandra Dodd site which I must be honest is making me think I
can't unschool. I live in a state that requires testing. It was suggested I
come here so I guess that means you guys are good at helping out those of us
who are thinking this sounds to good to be true and are terrified.
Rhonda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
quiet in the beginning as I'm still learning what unschooling is. I've read
a good bit from Sandra Dodd site which I must be honest is making me think I
can't unschool. I live in a state that requires testing. It was suggested I
come here so I guess that means you guys are good at helping out those of us
who are thinking this sounds to good to be true and are terrified.
Rhonda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Robyn Coburn
<<<<< I live in a state that requires testing. It was suggested I
come here so I guess that means you guys are good at helping out those of us
who are thinking this sounds to good to be true and are terrified. >>>>
Tell us the State and the other residents will come out and give you
specific help.
Rethinking everything you were ever told about raising children, family
relationships and learning can be scary at first. I want to say it gets
better (it will), but the onion is never completely peeled IYKWIM.
Welcome to the journey.
Robyn L. Coburn
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.9.2/52 - Release Date: 7/19/2005
come here so I guess that means you guys are good at helping out those of us
who are thinking this sounds to good to be true and are terrified. >>>>
Tell us the State and the other residents will come out and give you
specific help.
Rethinking everything you were ever told about raising children, family
relationships and learning can be scary at first. I want to say it gets
better (it will), but the onion is never completely peeled IYKWIM.
Welcome to the journey.
Robyn L. Coburn
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.9.2/52 - Release Date: 7/19/2005
Rhonda
I'm in TN. All 4 years of high school requires testing and I have a 5th
grader this year.
Rhonda
-------Original Message-------
From: Robyn Coburn
Date: 07/20/05 23:46:10
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: [unschoolingbasics] new
<<<<< I live in a state that requires testing. It was suggested I
come here so I guess that means you guys are good at helping out those of us
who are thinking this sounds to good to be true and are terrified. >>>>
Tell us the State and the other residents will come out and give you
specific help.
Rethinking everything you were ever told about raising children, family
relationships and learning can be scary at first. I want to say it gets
better (it will), but the onion is never completely peeled IYKWIM.
Welcome to the journey.
Robyn L. Coburn
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.9.2/52 - Release Date: 7/19/2005
Yahoo! Groups Links
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics/
[email protected]
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
grader this year.
Rhonda
-------Original Message-------
From: Robyn Coburn
Date: 07/20/05 23:46:10
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: [unschoolingbasics] new
<<<<< I live in a state that requires testing. It was suggested I
come here so I guess that means you guys are good at helping out those of us
who are thinking this sounds to good to be true and are terrified. >>>>
Tell us the State and the other residents will come out and give you
specific help.
Rethinking everything you were ever told about raising children, family
relationships and learning can be scary at first. I want to say it gets
better (it will), but the onion is never completely peeled IYKWIM.
Welcome to the journey.
Robyn L. Coburn
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.9.2/52 - Release Date: 7/19/2005
Yahoo! Groups Links
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics/
[email protected]
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Dana Matt
I live in a state that requires
evaluation. Many unschoolers I know use an
unschooling-friendly evaluator. I however prefer to
stay under the radar and do nothing they "require" of
me.
Dana
Guadalupe's Coffee Roaster
100% Organic Fair Trade Coffee
Roasted to Perfection Daily
http://www.guadalupescoffee.com
____________________________________________________
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
> testing.Rhonda, I live in a state that requires testing or an
evaluation. Many unschoolers I know use an
unschooling-friendly evaluator. I however prefer to
stay under the radar and do nothing they "require" of
me.
Dana
Guadalupe's Coffee Roaster
100% Organic Fair Trade Coffee
Roasted to Perfection Daily
http://www.guadalupescoffee.com
____________________________________________________
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
soggyboysmom
--- In [email protected], "Robyn Coburn"
<dezigna@c...> wrote:
parfaits... ;-)
<dezigna@c...> wrote:
>but the onion is never completely peeled IYKWIM.Ogres are like onions - and cakes and parfaits - everybody loves
>
> Welcome to the journey.
>
> Robyn L. Coburn
parfaits... ;-)
soggyboysmom
--- In [email protected], "Rhonda"
<Spoiledfunnym@a...> wrote:
in grades 5,7,9 and the parent can be present in the room when the
test is administered when the student is in grade 5 (but there's a
lot more other rigamarole involved as well); church-related schools
must administer standarardized tests for homeschooled students in
grades K-12 if such tests are given in their regular day-school.
Students in grades 9-12 must take whatever assessment is approved by
the state and used by the local district; option 3 doesn't
necessarily require testing since in that case, you are
considered 'enrolled' in a school (even if you do everything at home
as a "satellite" campus) - thus you are not "homeschooling" by the
state's definition; thus you do whatever the church-related school
requires, which may or may not include testing.
So, since you mention all 4 yrs of high school require testing, I'm
guessing you're looking at option 2. If that's the case, you've got
4 yrs to sort this out, ponder it, and work to get the laws changed.
Unless, of course, the church-related school you are associated to
required testing this year.
--Deb
<Spoiledfunnym@a...> wrote:
> I'm in TN. All 4 years of high school requires testing and I havea >5th
> grader this year.TN actually has 3 homeschooling options - option 1 requires testing
>
> Rhonda
in grades 5,7,9 and the parent can be present in the room when the
test is administered when the student is in grade 5 (but there's a
lot more other rigamarole involved as well); church-related schools
must administer standarardized tests for homeschooled students in
grades K-12 if such tests are given in their regular day-school.
Students in grades 9-12 must take whatever assessment is approved by
the state and used by the local district; option 3 doesn't
necessarily require testing since in that case, you are
considered 'enrolled' in a school (even if you do everything at home
as a "satellite" campus) - thus you are not "homeschooling" by the
state's definition; thus you do whatever the church-related school
requires, which may or may not include testing.
So, since you mention all 4 yrs of high school require testing, I'm
guessing you're looking at option 2. If that's the case, you've got
4 yrs to sort this out, ponder it, and work to get the laws changed.
Unless, of course, the church-related school you are associated to
required testing this year.
--Deb
Rhonda
Actually my dd is a junior so I'm facing this now. We are also facing ACT
test this year.
Rhonda
-------Original Message-------
From: soggyboysmom
Date: 07/22/05 17:28:59
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re: new
--- In [email protected], "Rhonda"
<Spoiledfunnym@a...> wrote:
in grades 5,7,9 and the parent can be present in the room when the
test is administered when the student is in grade 5 (but there's a
lot more other rigamarole involved as well); church-related schools
must administer standarardized tests for homeschooled students in
grades K-12 if such tests are given in their regular day-school.
Students in grades 9-12 must take whatever assessment is approved by
the state and used by the local district; option 3 doesn't
necessarily require testing since in that case, you are
considered 'enrolled' in a school (even if you do everything at home
as a "satellite" campus) - thus you are not "homeschooling" by the
state's definition; thus you do whatever the church-related school
requires, which may or may not include testing.
So, since you mention all 4 yrs of high school require testing, I'm
guessing you're looking at option 2. If that's the case, you've got
4 yrs to sort this out, ponder it, and work to get the laws changed.
Unless, of course, the church-related school you are associated to
required testing this year.
--Deb
Yahoo! Groups Links
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics/
[email protected]
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
test this year.
Rhonda
-------Original Message-------
From: soggyboysmom
Date: 07/22/05 17:28:59
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re: new
--- In [email protected], "Rhonda"
<Spoiledfunnym@a...> wrote:
> I'm in TN. All 4 years of high school requires testing and I havea >5th
> grader this year.TN actually has 3 homeschooling options - option 1 requires testing
>
> Rhonda
in grades 5,7,9 and the parent can be present in the room when the
test is administered when the student is in grade 5 (but there's a
lot more other rigamarole involved as well); church-related schools
must administer standarardized tests for homeschooled students in
grades K-12 if such tests are given in their regular day-school.
Students in grades 9-12 must take whatever assessment is approved by
the state and used by the local district; option 3 doesn't
necessarily require testing since in that case, you are
considered 'enrolled' in a school (even if you do everything at home
as a "satellite" campus) - thus you are not "homeschooling" by the
state's definition; thus you do whatever the church-related school
requires, which may or may not include testing.
So, since you mention all 4 yrs of high school require testing, I'm
guessing you're looking at option 2. If that's the case, you've got
4 yrs to sort this out, ponder it, and work to get the laws changed.
Unless, of course, the church-related school you are associated to
required testing this year.
--Deb
Yahoo! Groups Links
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics/
[email protected]
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: Rhonda <Spoiledfunnym@...>
Hello, I'm Rhonda and I just signed on here. I will most likely be
very
quiet in the beginning as I'm still learning what unschooling is. I've
read
a good bit from Sandra Dodd site which I must be honest is making me
think I
can't unschool. I live in a state that requires testing. It was
suggested I
come here so I guess that means you guys are good at helping out those
of us
who are thinking this sounds to good to be true and are terrified.
-=-=-=-
Well, we try. <g>
It *can* sound too good to be true. But many of us have *seen* it
work---and not just in an "educational" way, but as it relates to our
whole lives.
I don't think everyone *can* unschool. I know that all children could,
if their parents would jump on board---because it's a natural way to
learn. But so many of us had it so thoroughly trained out of us that
it's just too hard to break away.
Do you have any specific questions, Rhonda?
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org
From: Rhonda <Spoiledfunnym@...>
Hello, I'm Rhonda and I just signed on here. I will most likely be
very
quiet in the beginning as I'm still learning what unschooling is. I've
read
a good bit from Sandra Dodd site which I must be honest is making me
think I
can't unschool. I live in a state that requires testing. It was
suggested I
come here so I guess that means you guys are good at helping out those
of us
who are thinking this sounds to good to be true and are terrified.
-=-=-=-
Well, we try. <g>
It *can* sound too good to be true. But many of us have *seen* it
work---and not just in an "educational" way, but as it relates to our
whole lives.
I don't think everyone *can* unschool. I know that all children could,
if their parents would jump on board---because it's a natural way to
learn. But so many of us had it so thoroughly trained out of us that
it's just too hard to break away.
Do you have any specific questions, Rhonda?
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org
Tywane Owens
Hello I am new to homeschooling and unschooling. This is my first
year homeschooling. I have a 5,7, and 8 year old. Can anyone give me
what a day in the life of an unschooler looks like.
year homeschooling. I have a 5,7, and 8 year old. Can anyone give me
what a day in the life of an unschooler looks like.
[email protected]
<<Hello I am new to homeschooling and unschooling. This is my first
year homeschooling. I have a 5,7, and 8 year old. Can anyone give me
what a day in the life of an unschooler looks like.>>
Here ya go.......... I was just forwarding this.. It sings freedom..
Caution can bring tears of joy..
_http://www.jcbsong.co.uk/jcbvideo.asp_
(http://www.jcbsong.co.uk/jcbvideo.asp)
Laura ~unschooling mom to 4 ages 2~14
UnschoolingMaine.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
year homeschooling. I have a 5,7, and 8 year old. Can anyone give me
what a day in the life of an unschooler looks like.>>
Here ya go.......... I was just forwarding this.. It sings freedom..
Caution can bring tears of joy..
_http://www.jcbsong.co.uk/jcbvideo.asp_
(http://www.jcbsong.co.uk/jcbvideo.asp)
Laura ~unschooling mom to 4 ages 2~14
UnschoolingMaine.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
m n
Wow, the message about requirements in Germany were
very disheartening. To have your fate decided so early
seems so limiting to me. I have felt some of this with
my son when he was in public school when he couldn't
get into the gifted program because he's not good at
grammar or spelling (his lowest scores on the testing
they did). Despite a big description of the gifted
program as being for creative kids who can think and
integrate concepts quickly, all they really did to
assess him was one test and because his low scores on
those two areas put him below the required
percentages, that was it. I did pursue it further and
found that maybe richer and more complaining parents
than I might find a way to push into the program.
That's when I truly gave up on the public schools. Now
he's taking classes he chooses at an alt ed ctr where
there are no grades, the teachers are lots of fun, and
so far nobody is pushing anything on us that we don't
want to do.
I do have a comment on why it might be good for kids
to learn more broadly than specialists later in life.
I'm NOT saying this works for all kids or that it's
THE way to go. Just presenting the idea that I think
exposure to more choices and areas of expertise is a
goal of mine for my son and for education in general.
I'm sure there are people who know exactly what they
want to do/be at a young age and I'd hardly get in
their way. However some of us might get fixated in one
area because we find it easiest right now, or because
it's all we know we're good at, or because it's what
we found first. My experience is that I wish I'd had
more areas of choice made available to me when
younger.
Taking on an identity as an "art" type or "college
bound" or whatever at an early age can also be
limiting. Getting real experience that you can do more
than one thing gives you a plan B at least.
That said, I doubt we disagree in practice. I'm sure
most children get experience out of the track they
might be focused on. And I'd hardly push it on a child
who didn't want it. Just saying that sometimes when
young you just don't know all of the choices out there
unless someone offers them to you.
best,
Ryam
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
very disheartening. To have your fate decided so early
seems so limiting to me. I have felt some of this with
my son when he was in public school when he couldn't
get into the gifted program because he's not good at
grammar or spelling (his lowest scores on the testing
they did). Despite a big description of the gifted
program as being for creative kids who can think and
integrate concepts quickly, all they really did to
assess him was one test and because his low scores on
those two areas put him below the required
percentages, that was it. I did pursue it further and
found that maybe richer and more complaining parents
than I might find a way to push into the program.
That's when I truly gave up on the public schools. Now
he's taking classes he chooses at an alt ed ctr where
there are no grades, the teachers are lots of fun, and
so far nobody is pushing anything on us that we don't
want to do.
I do have a comment on why it might be good for kids
to learn more broadly than specialists later in life.
I'm NOT saying this works for all kids or that it's
THE way to go. Just presenting the idea that I think
exposure to more choices and areas of expertise is a
goal of mine for my son and for education in general.
I'm sure there are people who know exactly what they
want to do/be at a young age and I'd hardly get in
their way. However some of us might get fixated in one
area because we find it easiest right now, or because
it's all we know we're good at, or because it's what
we found first. My experience is that I wish I'd had
more areas of choice made available to me when
younger.
Taking on an identity as an "art" type or "college
bound" or whatever at an early age can also be
limiting. Getting real experience that you can do more
than one thing gives you a plan B at least.
That said, I doubt we disagree in practice. I'm sure
most children get experience out of the track they
might be focused on. And I'd hardly push it on a child
who didn't want it. Just saying that sometimes when
young you just don't know all of the choices out there
unless someone offers them to you.
best,
Ryam
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
Melissa
You can look at my blog, but you kind of have to go back before March
27 because i'm doing a chickenpox blog for my inlaws.
http://360.yahoo.com/multimomma
Our day is pretty quick, with so many people doing so many things. We
usually have breakfast anywhere between 7am and 9am, followed by tv
time and playing, lunch around 11am followed by quiet time, playing,
videogames, dinner, playing, bedtime around 8pm to 10pm. Emily and I
usually stay up til midnight or so, since Avari is up til then, and
we sleep to about 8am.
Emily and Josh read a lot, Breanna and Sam dig in the backyard, Dan
cuddles with me, Rachel usually is cutting and pasting something to
something else. Usually we just look like a family living and loving.
Melissa
Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (8), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (4), Dan
(2), and Avari Rose
27 because i'm doing a chickenpox blog for my inlaws.
http://360.yahoo.com/multimomma
Our day is pretty quick, with so many people doing so many things. We
usually have breakfast anywhere between 7am and 9am, followed by tv
time and playing, lunch around 11am followed by quiet time, playing,
videogames, dinner, playing, bedtime around 8pm to 10pm. Emily and I
usually stay up til midnight or so, since Avari is up til then, and
we sleep to about 8am.
Emily and Josh read a lot, Breanna and Sam dig in the backyard, Dan
cuddles with me, Rachel usually is cutting and pasting something to
something else. Usually we just look like a family living and loving.
Melissa
Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (8), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (4), Dan
(2), and Avari Rose
On Apr 4, 2006, at 1:44 PM, Tywane Owens wrote:
> Hello I am new to homeschooling and unschooling. This is my first
> year homeschooling. I have a 5,7, and 8 year old. Can anyone give me
> what a day in the life of an unschooler looks like.
>
Priscilla Sanstead
Hi! Here's our day:
I have a 13 yo dd. Today she slept late, as usual,
(she's a night owl),up last night watching some
history channel stuff she had recorded off TV on our
new media center computer. This am she worked on her
computer game she is designing (www.rpgmaker2003.com).
We went to a birthday skating party, so we fixed
snacks and lunch to take. There were moms and maybe 30
kids from age 1 1/2 to 15. Then we went to the first
public day of the library book sale, and she bought
textbooks (physics--she wants to learn it)and some
classics and some science magazines. In a little while
she wants to take a pizza crust I bought (raw dough in
a bag)and figure out how to make a fruit tart out of
it---no recipe, just some experimentation--with the
lemon curd, strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi that
are in the fridge. Tonite she will be reading the
library books, watching the news with dad, surfing the
history channel, the 2 PBS's, watching the new
Simpson's, maybe building some new builings in her big
Lego area (4'x9'), playing with the cats, and probably
go to bed at 10pm.
WE LOVE UNSCHOOLING!!! It works for us. I'm the
facilitator and driver and she's enjoying her
childhood and exploring what she loves and looking at
some classes at the local commumity college this
summer.
Priscilla
--- HMSL2@... wrote:
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
I have a 13 yo dd. Today she slept late, as usual,
(she's a night owl),up last night watching some
history channel stuff she had recorded off TV on our
new media center computer. This am she worked on her
computer game she is designing (www.rpgmaker2003.com).
We went to a birthday skating party, so we fixed
snacks and lunch to take. There were moms and maybe 30
kids from age 1 1/2 to 15. Then we went to the first
public day of the library book sale, and she bought
textbooks (physics--she wants to learn it)and some
classics and some science magazines. In a little while
she wants to take a pizza crust I bought (raw dough in
a bag)and figure out how to make a fruit tart out of
it---no recipe, just some experimentation--with the
lemon curd, strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi that
are in the fridge. Tonite she will be reading the
library books, watching the news with dad, surfing the
history channel, the 2 PBS's, watching the new
Simpson's, maybe building some new builings in her big
Lego area (4'x9'), playing with the cats, and probably
go to bed at 10pm.
WE LOVE UNSCHOOLING!!! It works for us. I'm the
facilitator and driver and she's enjoying her
childhood and exploring what she loves and looking at
some classes at the local commumity college this
summer.
Priscilla
--- HMSL2@... wrote:
>__________________________________________________
>
> <<Hello I am new to homeschooling and unschooling.
> This is my first
> year homeschooling. I have a 5,7, and 8 year old.
> Can anyone give me
> what a day in the life of an unschooler looks
> like.>>
> Here ya go.......... I was just forwarding this.. It
> sings freedom..
> Caution can bring tears of joy..
>
>
> _http://www.jcbsong.co.uk/jcbvideo.asp_
> (http://www.jcbsong.co.uk/jcbvideo.asp)
>
> Laura ~unschooling mom to 4 ages 2~14
> UnschoolingMaine.com
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
Pampered Chef Michelle
On 4/4/06, m n <r81801@...> wrote:
long as a child knows that it doesn't have to be his/her only choice.
Exposure for exposure's sake isn't always a good thing for every child.
Some children will live for the new experiences and enjoy going and trying
something new. Other children will never feel the ease to settle in on one
subject. They aren't given the time to see if that is what they really want
to do because of the expectation of another subject coming around. Are you
exposing him to all these different things because you feel he needs the
exposure or because he wants the exposure. If you are doing it because you
feel he needs it then how is that any different than the school system
saying, "Your child needs a 'well-rounded' education."
--
Michelle
Independent Kitchen Consultant #413652
The Pampered Chef
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Ask me how you can save 60% on some of our most favorite products!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>But don't force that exposure on him. Being fixated on one thing is fine as
>
> I do have a comment on why it might be good for kids
> to learn more broadly than specialists later in life.
> I'm NOT saying this works for all kids or that it's
> THE way to go. Just presenting the idea that I think
> exposure to more choices and areas of expertise is a
> goal of mine for my son and for education in general.
long as a child knows that it doesn't have to be his/her only choice.
Exposure for exposure's sake isn't always a good thing for every child.
Some children will live for the new experiences and enjoy going and trying
something new. Other children will never feel the ease to settle in on one
subject. They aren't given the time to see if that is what they really want
to do because of the expectation of another subject coming around. Are you
exposing him to all these different things because you feel he needs the
exposure or because he wants the exposure. If you are doing it because you
feel he needs it then how is that any different than the school system
saying, "Your child needs a 'well-rounded' education."
--
Michelle
Independent Kitchen Consultant #413652
The Pampered Chef
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Ask me how you can save 60% on some of our most favorite products!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pampered Chef Michelle
On 4/4/06, Tywane Owens <htowens35@...> wrote:
freshest in my memory :)
Keon woke at 6:45 am and said, "It's just too early." (Whoever decided that
we still need time changes is WRONG! :) ) He curled up on the couch for a
while and flipped channels before deciding that he needed some breakfast.
We made an omelette together and he had a waffle to go with it. He got
dressed so he could go outside and water the garden and check on the
plants. He asked me if I would get dressed and come out with him. I told
him I needed to shower first and was told to "well make it snappy. Those
plants are thirsty!" So I went and showered. When I came out Mary Elayne
had woken (this was around 8:30) I asked her if she was ok and she said,
"I'm tired, but the house is too awake for me to sleep." (Whoever decided
that we still need time changes is WRONG! :) ) She went and grabbed
something for breakfast and curled up in front of the tv for a while to eat
it.
Keon and I finally headed outside where we dumped the compost, gave the pile
a stir, watered the plants and refilled the buckets for the next watering.
We watched a red skink slink around the water spigot and inspected the
garden to see which plants were really starting to grow.
Keon reminded me that Narnia was coming on dvd today and could we go buy
it. Then he wanted to know if we could use the Dairy Queen coupons that
were in this past sunday's paper. Sure, why not. We asked Emily if she
wanted to join us (it's now around 11:00) and she asked if she could take a
shower to help her wake up because she really wanted to go to Target with
us. (Whoever decided that we still need time changes is WRONG! :) )
Around 12:15 or so we got in the car and took off to DQ (food first ya know)
where we sat outside and watched the construction of the new interstate
bridge (our DQ overlooks a bay and the bridge that spans it was torn apart
by Ivan). We watched barges pass underneath heading to the power station
and huge cranes lifting concrete and metal. We talked about why the bridge
was destroyed and how it is being rebuilt much higher. We enjoyed the
sunshine while we munched our lunch. We went to Target, found the DVD and
bought some fun looking outdoor toys to play with when we got home. And we
did.
It's now around 2:30. The kids played outside while I checked my e-mail and
processed a show for my business and made some phone calls to various people
regarding an unschooling family that has had a family emergency. I got a
phone call from Barnes and Noble that a book Emily had ordered had come in.
I asked her if she wanted to go get it (she said, "But of course!" or maybe
it was "duh"? :) ) So the two of us ran up and found that it was the wrong
book so we had to put a reorder in. We get back home and I remember that it
isn't 3:30 but really 4:30 (Whoever decided that we still need time changes
is WRONG! :) ) I have to leave for a PC meeting in half an hour and dinner
isn't made yet. Emily asks if we can have one of the pork tenderloins and
baby carrots. She offers to make dinner for which I am eternally thankful
that I shared with my kids the joy of cooking! I thank her and head out the
door. What they did from 5:00 until 11:00 I have NO idea except that when I
came home dinner had been cooked and eaten and the dishes were in the
dishwasher! Keon crashed at 7:30 (Whoever decided that we still need time
changes is WRONG! :) ) and I went to bed. Since the girls aren't up I have
no idea when they went to bed yet. Emily spends half her nights on the
computer chatting with friends and writing at Fanfiction.com Mary Elayne
spends her nights watching tv, usually Myth Busters, Unwrapped, or anything
she can find that talk historically about mummies, zombies, pyramids, tombs
and other dark things. She doesn't like movies with those elements but
loves the historical aspect of them.
All intermixed in that description are long conversations about a plethora
of subjects ranging from caterpillers to sonic booms. I spend countless
hours each week googling a million subjects that I know nothing about to
answer insatiable questions!
--
Michelle
Independent Kitchen Consultant #413652
The Pampered Chef
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Ask me how you can save 60% on some of our most favorite products!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>Which day? It varies from day to day! I'll take yesterday since it is
> I have a 5,7, and 8 year old. Can anyone give me
> what a day in the life of an unschooler looks like.
freshest in my memory :)
Keon woke at 6:45 am and said, "It's just too early." (Whoever decided that
we still need time changes is WRONG! :) ) He curled up on the couch for a
while and flipped channels before deciding that he needed some breakfast.
We made an omelette together and he had a waffle to go with it. He got
dressed so he could go outside and water the garden and check on the
plants. He asked me if I would get dressed and come out with him. I told
him I needed to shower first and was told to "well make it snappy. Those
plants are thirsty!" So I went and showered. When I came out Mary Elayne
had woken (this was around 8:30) I asked her if she was ok and she said,
"I'm tired, but the house is too awake for me to sleep." (Whoever decided
that we still need time changes is WRONG! :) ) She went and grabbed
something for breakfast and curled up in front of the tv for a while to eat
it.
Keon and I finally headed outside where we dumped the compost, gave the pile
a stir, watered the plants and refilled the buckets for the next watering.
We watched a red skink slink around the water spigot and inspected the
garden to see which plants were really starting to grow.
Keon reminded me that Narnia was coming on dvd today and could we go buy
it. Then he wanted to know if we could use the Dairy Queen coupons that
were in this past sunday's paper. Sure, why not. We asked Emily if she
wanted to join us (it's now around 11:00) and she asked if she could take a
shower to help her wake up because she really wanted to go to Target with
us. (Whoever decided that we still need time changes is WRONG! :) )
Around 12:15 or so we got in the car and took off to DQ (food first ya know)
where we sat outside and watched the construction of the new interstate
bridge (our DQ overlooks a bay and the bridge that spans it was torn apart
by Ivan). We watched barges pass underneath heading to the power station
and huge cranes lifting concrete and metal. We talked about why the bridge
was destroyed and how it is being rebuilt much higher. We enjoyed the
sunshine while we munched our lunch. We went to Target, found the DVD and
bought some fun looking outdoor toys to play with when we got home. And we
did.
It's now around 2:30. The kids played outside while I checked my e-mail and
processed a show for my business and made some phone calls to various people
regarding an unschooling family that has had a family emergency. I got a
phone call from Barnes and Noble that a book Emily had ordered had come in.
I asked her if she wanted to go get it (she said, "But of course!" or maybe
it was "duh"? :) ) So the two of us ran up and found that it was the wrong
book so we had to put a reorder in. We get back home and I remember that it
isn't 3:30 but really 4:30 (Whoever decided that we still need time changes
is WRONG! :) ) I have to leave for a PC meeting in half an hour and dinner
isn't made yet. Emily asks if we can have one of the pork tenderloins and
baby carrots. She offers to make dinner for which I am eternally thankful
that I shared with my kids the joy of cooking! I thank her and head out the
door. What they did from 5:00 until 11:00 I have NO idea except that when I
came home dinner had been cooked and eaten and the dishes were in the
dishwasher! Keon crashed at 7:30 (Whoever decided that we still need time
changes is WRONG! :) ) and I went to bed. Since the girls aren't up I have
no idea when they went to bed yet. Emily spends half her nights on the
computer chatting with friends and writing at Fanfiction.com Mary Elayne
spends her nights watching tv, usually Myth Busters, Unwrapped, or anything
she can find that talk historically about mummies, zombies, pyramids, tombs
and other dark things. She doesn't like movies with those elements but
loves the historical aspect of them.
All intermixed in that description are long conversations about a plethora
of subjects ranging from caterpillers to sonic booms. I spend countless
hours each week googling a million subjects that I know nothing about to
answer insatiable questions!
--
Michelle
Independent Kitchen Consultant #413652
The Pampered Chef
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Ask me how you can save 60% on some of our most favorite products!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sylvia Toyama
(Whoever decided that we still need time changes is WRONG! :) )
****
No, never. WE love the time change around here. I spend all of March just waiting for that first weekend in April when it will be daylight until 7:30. And not daylight until 7 am or so. If we didn't do it around here, it would be daylight at 5 am by June. As person who wakes at dawn -- just my body clock -- in a family of night owls, I'm the one who needs the extra hour of dark in the morning just as much as we all enjoy the extra hour of daylight in the evening.
Sylvia
Mom to Will (21) Andy (9) and Dan (5)
Let the beauty you love be what you do -- Rumi
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
****
No, never. WE love the time change around here. I spend all of March just waiting for that first weekend in April when it will be daylight until 7:30. And not daylight until 7 am or so. If we didn't do it around here, it would be daylight at 5 am by June. As person who wakes at dawn -- just my body clock -- in a family of night owls, I'm the one who needs the extra hour of dark in the morning just as much as we all enjoy the extra hour of daylight in the evening.
Sylvia
Mom to Will (21) Andy (9) and Dan (5)
Let the beauty you love be what you do -- Rumi
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pampered Chef Michelle
On 4/5/06, Sylvia Toyama <sylgt04@...> wrote:
the longer evenings and later mornings. When we were in Oregon it was
splendid to have daylight until 9:00 at night. What I hate is the shifting
back and forth. Unfortunately, I can't lead a truly unschooled life because
I live with someone who has to meet deadlines and I have deadlines to meet
as well. Getting up at 5am isn't that big of an issue unless your body
confused by 5am being at 4 am. If we could just stay where we are it would
be ever so loverly!
--
Michelle
Independent Kitchen Consultant #413652
The Pampered Chef
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Ask me how you can save 60% on some of our most favorite products!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>I am all in favor of leaving the time where it currently is. I, too, love
> (Whoever decided that we still need time changes is WRONG! :) )
>
> ****
>
> No, never. WE love the time change around here. I spend all of March just
> waiting for that first weekend in April when it will be daylight until
> 7:30. And not daylight until 7 am or so.
the longer evenings and later mornings. When we were in Oregon it was
splendid to have daylight until 9:00 at night. What I hate is the shifting
back and forth. Unfortunately, I can't lead a truly unschooled life because
I live with someone who has to meet deadlines and I have deadlines to meet
as well. Getting up at 5am isn't that big of an issue unless your body
confused by 5am being at 4 am. If we could just stay where we are it would
be ever so loverly!
--
Michelle
Independent Kitchen Consultant #413652
The Pampered Chef
850-474-0817
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/michellelr
Ask me how you can save 60% on some of our most favorite products!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sylvia Toyama
I have a 5,7, and 8 year old. Can anyone give me
I'll share yesterday.
I was up at 6:30 to see dh off to work; spent some time at the 'puter catching up on email and posts. Dan woke at about 7 am (his usual time) and we snuggled for a while. I puttered around and thought about breakfast, while Dan watched some morning TV. I made breakfast for me and Dan -- Andy had quietly gotten up around 9 am and fetched a bowl of cereal for himself. At Andy's request, I called the Mom we were meeting later in the day twice, first to say we'd be later than usual and ask her to sign Andy up early (the workshop fills up fast), then to ask her son to bring his yu-gi-oh cards.
The boys played inside and outside for much of the morning, while I did some reading and searched my arcane filing system looking for the paperwork we'll need for the mortgage lenders next week when we meet (we're house-shopping!). Several times thru the morning, Will asked what time it was, since he was scheduled to be at work at 2pm, and was still trying to sleep on the couch. Everyone had at least one turn at the computer to game or chat. I explained to Will that his work start-time conflicted with Andy's regular Tues activity, so Will offered that I could drop him off at work at 1:30 pm (he'll be moving into his own place this weekend, so one less person for me to cart around -- yippee!).
At 1:15 or so we all headed for the car, with both me and Will heading back inside for one last forgotten thing (usual for us). Dropped Will at work, hit the Wendy's drive up for nuggets and sodas, then off to the kids' museum where Andy goes to a weekly computer-robotics workshop. This is a relatively new thing for him. Several weeks ago, we were there on a Tuesday, ran into a family of unschoolers we hadn't seen in more than a year and found that our boys hit it off great (the two older ones hadn't years ago). Between us, there are two 9yo boys and two 5yo boys, and everyone had a great time playing. G asked Andy to do the robo workshop with him, Andy loved it and we made a standing date to meet at the museum mid-morning Tuesday.
We all left the museum at 4pm, they to another date, we to try out the just-reopened (yesterday) playground/park across the street. It's been a favorite playground, and we've waited months for the update to be finished. The boys tried out all the new equipment, and the old stuff, enjoying the yummy spring day. At about 5:20, we headed towards home, with a stop at Sonic for shakes to keep us company as we sat in rush-hour traffic.
At home the boys played, squabbled some, and hung out with their daddy. People had dinner, watched TV or whatever thru the evening. By 9:20, dh was back from picking Will up at work, Dan was asleep, and Andy was in his room playing with legos (his legos are out constantly, and he tinkers with them whenever he's in his room) and watching TV.
Dh and I set up his coffee and packed his lunch for today, then were in bed by 10, since he gets up at 4:30.
Along the way in our day, the boys and I talked about music, the yard/moving sale we're planning, which toys and books we can sell off and what they'll do with their share of the income.
We're all talking lately about what we want in a house we'll buy sometime this summer (both boys have asked for stairs and Dan wants to be able to walk to visit his best friend), my niece's visit this July, Dan's soccer plans for August and Andy's desire to start archery lessons, but not until after his birthday in June (I don't know why he wants to wait, but they're his plans not mine) and the upcoming trip to Grand Canyon/Las Vegas in July to see the grandparents and a huge family reunion, so those conversations swirl thru most of our days lately.
This was harder than I thought it would be. When we spend our days living free lives, it all sort of runs together and becomes one big mural of life, with different moments and words relating to other thing in very stream of consciousness ways. It feels to me like just the way life is supposed to be.
Sylvia
Mom to Will (21) Andy (9) and Dan (5)
Let the beauty you love be what you do -- Rumi
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> what a day in the life of an unschooler looks like.****
I'll share yesterday.
I was up at 6:30 to see dh off to work; spent some time at the 'puter catching up on email and posts. Dan woke at about 7 am (his usual time) and we snuggled for a while. I puttered around and thought about breakfast, while Dan watched some morning TV. I made breakfast for me and Dan -- Andy had quietly gotten up around 9 am and fetched a bowl of cereal for himself. At Andy's request, I called the Mom we were meeting later in the day twice, first to say we'd be later than usual and ask her to sign Andy up early (the workshop fills up fast), then to ask her son to bring his yu-gi-oh cards.
The boys played inside and outside for much of the morning, while I did some reading and searched my arcane filing system looking for the paperwork we'll need for the mortgage lenders next week when we meet (we're house-shopping!). Several times thru the morning, Will asked what time it was, since he was scheduled to be at work at 2pm, and was still trying to sleep on the couch. Everyone had at least one turn at the computer to game or chat. I explained to Will that his work start-time conflicted with Andy's regular Tues activity, so Will offered that I could drop him off at work at 1:30 pm (he'll be moving into his own place this weekend, so one less person for me to cart around -- yippee!).
At 1:15 or so we all headed for the car, with both me and Will heading back inside for one last forgotten thing (usual for us). Dropped Will at work, hit the Wendy's drive up for nuggets and sodas, then off to the kids' museum where Andy goes to a weekly computer-robotics workshop. This is a relatively new thing for him. Several weeks ago, we were there on a Tuesday, ran into a family of unschoolers we hadn't seen in more than a year and found that our boys hit it off great (the two older ones hadn't years ago). Between us, there are two 9yo boys and two 5yo boys, and everyone had a great time playing. G asked Andy to do the robo workshop with him, Andy loved it and we made a standing date to meet at the museum mid-morning Tuesday.
We all left the museum at 4pm, they to another date, we to try out the just-reopened (yesterday) playground/park across the street. It's been a favorite playground, and we've waited months for the update to be finished. The boys tried out all the new equipment, and the old stuff, enjoying the yummy spring day. At about 5:20, we headed towards home, with a stop at Sonic for shakes to keep us company as we sat in rush-hour traffic.
At home the boys played, squabbled some, and hung out with their daddy. People had dinner, watched TV or whatever thru the evening. By 9:20, dh was back from picking Will up at work, Dan was asleep, and Andy was in his room playing with legos (his legos are out constantly, and he tinkers with them whenever he's in his room) and watching TV.
Dh and I set up his coffee and packed his lunch for today, then were in bed by 10, since he gets up at 4:30.
Along the way in our day, the boys and I talked about music, the yard/moving sale we're planning, which toys and books we can sell off and what they'll do with their share of the income.
We're all talking lately about what we want in a house we'll buy sometime this summer (both boys have asked for stairs and Dan wants to be able to walk to visit his best friend), my niece's visit this July, Dan's soccer plans for August and Andy's desire to start archery lessons, but not until after his birthday in June (I don't know why he wants to wait, but they're his plans not mine) and the upcoming trip to Grand Canyon/Las Vegas in July to see the grandparents and a huge family reunion, so those conversations swirl thru most of our days lately.
This was harder than I thought it would be. When we spend our days living free lives, it all sort of runs together and becomes one big mural of life, with different moments and words relating to other thing in very stream of consciousness ways. It feels to me like just the way life is supposed to be.
Sylvia
Mom to Will (21) Andy (9) and Dan (5)
Let the beauty you love be what you do -- Rumi
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joanne
Hello and welcome!
Good for you for taking your three kids out of school and looking
into unschooling! :-)
Here is our typical day:
http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/2006/02/day-thirty-nine-
typical-day.html
~ 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], "Tywane Owens"
<htowens35@...> wrote:
Good for you for taking your three kids out of school and looking
into unschooling! :-)
Here is our typical day:
http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/2006/02/day-thirty-nine-
typical-day.html
~ 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], "Tywane Owens"
<htowens35@...> wrote:
>give me
> Hello I am new to homeschooling and unschooling. This is my first
> year homeschooling. I have a 5,7, and 8 year old. Can anyone
> what a day in the life of an unschooler looks like.
>
Joanne
Oops, sorry, the link is not working. I'll try again.
our typical day
<http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/2006/02/day-thirty-nine-typical-d\
ay.html#links>
~ Joanne ~ Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13) Adopted into
our hearts October 30, 2003 http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
<http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/> http://foreverparents.com
<http://foreverparents.com/>
--- In [email protected], "Joanne" <billyandjoanne@...>
wrote:
our typical day
<http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/2006/02/day-thirty-nine-typical-d\
ay.html#links>
~ Joanne ~ Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13) Adopted into
our hearts October 30, 2003 http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
<http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/> http://foreverparents.com
<http://foreverparents.com/>
--- In [email protected], "Joanne" <billyandjoanne@...>
wrote:
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> Hello and welcome!
>
> Good for you for taking your three kids out of school and looking
> into unschooling! :-)
>
> Here is our typical day:
> http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/2006/02/day-thirty-nine-
> typical-day.html
>
>
> ~ 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], "Tywane Owens"
> htowens35@ wrote:
> >
> > Hello I am new to homeschooling and unschooling. This is my first
> > year homeschooling. I have a 5,7, and 8 year old. Can anyone
> give me
> > what a day in the life of an unschooler looks like.
> >
>
[email protected]
Yesterday:
Dan (7) rescued a baby bunny that the cat was tormenting (the kids buried the poor thing this morning). All the kids had breakfast and cared for their animals. Dan and Marsie (9) went with me to the grocery store where Marsie spent her allowance (not tied to chores)on candy that she shared with her siblings.
Most of us went to park day with other homeschoolers where whoever wanted made cascarones (bird seed filled egg shells)with eggs from our chickens. Dan spent the time catching crawdads in the creek. Marsie and Michelle (6) played dolls. Adriane (15) and Zach (12) stayed home to watch a movie on television.
When we got home, I took Adriane to gymnastics. Zach helped Dan with a video game while Marsie and Michelle went swimming. We all went to Dan's baseball practice where we met DH. We came home to find the neighbor furious that our dog (who is a big baby but can look scary) had gotten into his yard and frightened his little girl. We made a plan to improve the fencing.
Marsie, Michelle and Zach went with me to get pizza for supper. Then the kids and DH watched sports on TV and eventually wandered off to bed.
Julie S.
Dan (7) rescued a baby bunny that the cat was tormenting (the kids buried the poor thing this morning). All the kids had breakfast and cared for their animals. Dan and Marsie (9) went with me to the grocery store where Marsie spent her allowance (not tied to chores)on candy that she shared with her siblings.
Most of us went to park day with other homeschoolers where whoever wanted made cascarones (bird seed filled egg shells)with eggs from our chickens. Dan spent the time catching crawdads in the creek. Marsie and Michelle (6) played dolls. Adriane (15) and Zach (12) stayed home to watch a movie on television.
When we got home, I took Adriane to gymnastics. Zach helped Dan with a video game while Marsie and Michelle went swimming. We all went to Dan's baseball practice where we met DH. We came home to find the neighbor furious that our dog (who is a big baby but can look scary) had gotten into his yard and frightened his little girl. We made a plan to improve the fencing.
Marsie, Michelle and Zach went with me to get pizza for supper. Then the kids and DH watched sports on TV and eventually wandered off to bed.
Julie S.
----- Original Message -----
From: Sylvia Toyama <sylgt04@...>
Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2006 8:28 am
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] new
> I have a 5,7, and 8 year old. Can anyone give me
> > what a day in the life of an unschooler looks like.
>
> ****
>
> I'll share yesterday.
>
> I was up at 6:30 to see dh off to work; spent some time at the
> 'puter catching up on email and posts. Dan woke at about 7 am
> (his usual time) and we snuggled for a while. I puttered around
> and thought about breakfast, while Dan watched some morning TV. I
> made breakfast for me and Dan -- Andy had quietly gotten up around
> 9 am and fetched a bowl of cereal for himself. At Andy's request,
> I called the Mom we were meeting later in the day twice, first to
> say we'd be later than usual and ask her to sign Andy up early
> (the workshop fills up fast), then to ask her son to bring his yu-
> gi-oh cards.
>
> The boys played inside and outside for much of the morning,
> while I did some reading and searched my arcane filing system
> looking for the paperwork we'll need for the mortgage lenders next
> week when we meet (we're house-shopping!). Several times thru the
> morning, Will asked what time it was, since he was scheduled to be
> at work at 2pm, and was still trying to sleep on the couch.
> Everyone had at least one turn at the computer to game or chat. I
> explained to Will that his work start-time conflicted with Andy's
> regular Tues activity, so Will offered that I could drop him off
> at work at 1:30 pm (he'll be moving into his own place this
> weekend, so one less person for me to cart around -- yippee!).
>
> At 1:15 or so we all headed for the car, with both me and Will
> heading back inside for one last forgotten thing (usual for us).
> Dropped Will at work, hit the Wendy's drive up for nuggets and
> sodas, then off to the kids' museum where Andy goes to a weekly
> computer-robotics workshop. This is a relatively new thing for
> him. Several weeks ago, we were there on a Tuesday, ran into a
> family of unschoolers we hadn't seen in more than a year and found
> that our boys hit it off great (the two older ones hadn't years
> ago). Between us, there are two 9yo boys and two 5yo boys, and
> everyone had a great time playing. G asked Andy to do the robo
> workshop with him, Andy loved it and we made a standing date to
> meet at the museum mid-morning Tuesday.
>
> We all left the museum at 4pm, they to another date, we to try
> out the just-reopened (yesterday) playground/park across the
> street. It's been a favorite playground, and we've waited months
> for the update to be finished. The boys tried out all the new
> equipment, and the old stuff, enjoying the yummy spring day. At
> about 5:20, we headed towards home, with a stop at Sonic for
> shakes to keep us company as we sat in rush-hour traffic.
>
> At home the boys played, squabbled some, and hung out with their
> daddy. People had dinner, watched TV or whatever thru the
> evening. By 9:20, dh was back from picking Will up at work, Dan
> was asleep, and Andy was in his room playing with legos (his legos
> are out constantly, and he tinkers with them whenever he's in his
> room) and watching TV.
>
> Dh and I set up his coffee and packed his lunch for today, then
> were in bed by 10, since he gets up at 4:30.
>
> Along the way in our day, the boys and I talked about music, the
> yard/moving sale we're planning, which toys and books we can sell
> off and what they'll do with their share of the income.
>
> We're all talking lately about what we want in a house we'll buy
> sometime this summer (both boys have asked for stairs and Dan
> wants to be able to walk to visit his best friend), my niece's
> visit this July, Dan's soccer plans for August and Andy's desire
> to start archery lessons, but not until after his birthday in June
> (I don't know why he wants to wait, but they're his plans not
> mine) and the upcoming trip to Grand Canyon/Las Vegas in July to
> see the grandparents and a huge family reunion, so those
> conversations swirl thru most of our days lately.
>
> This was harder than I thought it would be. When we spend our
> days living free lives, it all sort of runs together and becomes
> one big mural of life, with different moments and words relating
> to other thing in very stream of consciousness ways. It feels to
> me like just the way life is supposed to be.
>
> Sylvia
>
>
> Mom to Will (21) Andy (9) and Dan (5)
>
> Let the beauty you love be what you do -- Rumi
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously
> low rates.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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m n
I'm not much into force about anything except
health/safety. However I've had many jobs where I
needed skills that weren't part of the major focus of
the job. For example as a social worker I needed to
type so I could do all the form filling required. As a
member of a community organization I needed to do
accounting to help keep the project together. In a
required art class I had to learn to do lettering and
it was later essential when I was making signs for a
street department I worked for.
Sure I could have tried to learn these things at the
point when I desperately needed them at work, but it
was also nice to already have them. If I hadn't had
them I couldn't have done the job.
Perhaps I'm just a dabbler, but I like knowing very
different things. Many are NOT things I was initially
drawn to by my personal interests. The interest
developed as I was exposed to the subject in some more
general class/ life requirement.
Also, I'm just wondering how folks integrate doing
just what you want with things I consider tasks. Tasks
to me are things that I wouldn't do except I don't
have the money to hire someone else to do them. They
are things I've learned to do as part of my life's
requirements. These include some things I do to keep
my house functioning (repairs/maint) and things I do
to keep my businesses going. Even with my own business
there are always aspects I find not very interesting
or motivating. Still they need to be done, so I do
them.
Do people find that kids learn this by having projects
they love and just letting them see that there will be
parts they have to learn to do that are outside their
interest area? Ideally I'd see this as a reasonable
way to learn more things, but when I read people's
descriptions of what their kids do I rarely see this
mentioned. For example, a story like Jon loves animals
and so has many, and he's learning math, which he's
always avoided, as he has to calculate costs, food
intake, etc for his pets.
If anybody has any stories like this, please share.
Thanks for the discussion,
Ryam
__________________________________________________
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Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
health/safety. However I've had many jobs where I
needed skills that weren't part of the major focus of
the job. For example as a social worker I needed to
type so I could do all the form filling required. As a
member of a community organization I needed to do
accounting to help keep the project together. In a
required art class I had to learn to do lettering and
it was later essential when I was making signs for a
street department I worked for.
Sure I could have tried to learn these things at the
point when I desperately needed them at work, but it
was also nice to already have them. If I hadn't had
them I couldn't have done the job.
Perhaps I'm just a dabbler, but I like knowing very
different things. Many are NOT things I was initially
drawn to by my personal interests. The interest
developed as I was exposed to the subject in some more
general class/ life requirement.
Also, I'm just wondering how folks integrate doing
just what you want with things I consider tasks. Tasks
to me are things that I wouldn't do except I don't
have the money to hire someone else to do them. They
are things I've learned to do as part of my life's
requirements. These include some things I do to keep
my house functioning (repairs/maint) and things I do
to keep my businesses going. Even with my own business
there are always aspects I find not very interesting
or motivating. Still they need to be done, so I do
them.
Do people find that kids learn this by having projects
they love and just letting them see that there will be
parts they have to learn to do that are outside their
interest area? Ideally I'd see this as a reasonable
way to learn more things, but when I read people's
descriptions of what their kids do I rarely see this
mentioned. For example, a story like Jon loves animals
and so has many, and he's learning math, which he's
always avoided, as he has to calculate costs, food
intake, etc for his pets.
If anybody has any stories like this, please share.
Thanks for the discussion,
Ryam
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
Ren Allen
It's really hard for me to describe "typical days" because each day is
different. If you want to read my blog, it's at:
http://radicalunschooling.blogspot.com/
My website is learninginfreedom.com for some photos and such. The blog
isn't just about children and learning though, it's just our life
(which is unschooling) and my views on a variety of issues.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
different. If you want to read my blog, it's at:
http://radicalunschooling.blogspot.com/
My website is learninginfreedom.com for some photos and such. The blog
isn't just about children and learning though, it's just our life
(which is unschooling) and my views on a variety of issues.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
Michelle Thedaker
I don't have specifics to share at the moment (we're on the beginning edges
of unschooling ourselves), but I have also been thinking about this type of
question. I'd like to share some rambling, half-formed thoughts, and see
where they go. :-)
The biggest difficulty I see in trying to "teach" our kids skills that might
come up later is this: how do we know what those skills will be? I know my
husband's viewpoint in this is that a typical public school education will
cover everything, one way or another, and that way you know you're covered.
Of course the vast majority of that (IMHO) is boring, almost immediately
forgotten, or never really absorbed in the first place due to lack of
interest. So there is all that time wasted (again, IMO) with info that they
may or may not need later on.
Thinking about my children's days, I can see where they are picking up the
basics of life without a major curriculum surrounding them. To pull from
the examples you used below; they both love the computer, so typing is being
practiced all the time. Accounting isn't something I know how to do, except
for the basics of balancing a checkbook - and that is learned when you get a
bank account, usually in your teen years. I don't actually know what
"lettering" is in regards to art, so I'm pretty sure I don't know how to do
that, lol! But if I was an artist I suppose I would have come across it at
some point.
I can also think of plenty of skills that I needed for a job, but didn't
have when I got the job. No biggie, I'm a smart, curious girl, so I picked
those up as I went along. I think most people do that without thinking much
about it.
My hope is that my children will learn to learn. They will aquire the
skills that enable them to figure out a problem, to find information that
they need, to learn essential skills. That way, no matter what they do in
life, they will be well prepared to succeed. Not because they have a bunch
of facts stuffed in their heads (although they might have that too, curious
little buggers that they are, lol!). But because they know how to learn.
And anyway, who says typing will even be used in 15-20 years? Maybe
everyone will be talking to computers in a Star Trekkie way! So there is a
skill that a kid might never need to know. Not that the knowledge itself is
worthless and bad. But if they didn't want to know it in the first place,
but were forced to do so, that's what I want to avoid.
Ramblin'...ramblin' thoughts.
Shell & Da Boys
Drew, 6.5 and Josh, 2.5
Life is like riding a bicycle. You don't fall off unless you stop pedaling.
http://thedaker.blogspot.com/
_____
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of m n
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 8:04 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] broader learning
I'm not much into force about anything except
health/safety. However I've had many jobs where I
needed skills that weren't part of the major focus of
the job. For example as a social worker I needed to
type so I could do all the form filling required. As a
member of a community organization I needed to do
accounting to help keep the project together. In a
required art class I had to learn to do lettering and
it was later essential when I was making signs for a
street department I worked for.
Sure I could have tried to learn these things at the
point when I desperately needed them at work, but it
was also nice to already have them. If I hadn't had
them I couldn't have done the job.
Perhaps I'm just a dabbler, but I like knowing very
different things. Many are NOT things I was initially
drawn to by my personal interests. The interest
developed as I was exposed to the subject in some more
general class/ life requirement.
Also, I'm just wondering how folks integrate doing
just what you want with things I consider tasks. Tasks
to me are things that I wouldn't do except I don't
have the money to hire someone else to do them. They
are things I've learned to do as part of my life's
requirements. These include some things I do to keep
my house functioning (repairs/maint) and things I do
to keep my businesses going. Even with my own business
there are always aspects I find not very interesting
or motivating. Still they need to be done, so I do
them.
Do people find that kids learn this by having projects
they love and just letting them see that there will be
parts they have to learn to do that are outside their
interest area? Ideally I'd see this as a reasonable
way to learn more things, but when I read people's
descriptions of what their kids do I rarely see this
mentioned. For example, a story like Jon loves animals
and so has many, and he's learning math, which he's
always avoided, as he has to calculate costs, food
intake, etc for his pets.
If anybody has any stories like this, please share.
Thanks for the discussion,
Ryam
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
_____
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
* Visit your group "unschoolingbasics
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics> " on the web.
* To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]?subject=Unsubscribe>
* Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> Terms of Service.
_____
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
of unschooling ourselves), but I have also been thinking about this type of
question. I'd like to share some rambling, half-formed thoughts, and see
where they go. :-)
The biggest difficulty I see in trying to "teach" our kids skills that might
come up later is this: how do we know what those skills will be? I know my
husband's viewpoint in this is that a typical public school education will
cover everything, one way or another, and that way you know you're covered.
Of course the vast majority of that (IMHO) is boring, almost immediately
forgotten, or never really absorbed in the first place due to lack of
interest. So there is all that time wasted (again, IMO) with info that they
may or may not need later on.
Thinking about my children's days, I can see where they are picking up the
basics of life without a major curriculum surrounding them. To pull from
the examples you used below; they both love the computer, so typing is being
practiced all the time. Accounting isn't something I know how to do, except
for the basics of balancing a checkbook - and that is learned when you get a
bank account, usually in your teen years. I don't actually know what
"lettering" is in regards to art, so I'm pretty sure I don't know how to do
that, lol! But if I was an artist I suppose I would have come across it at
some point.
I can also think of plenty of skills that I needed for a job, but didn't
have when I got the job. No biggie, I'm a smart, curious girl, so I picked
those up as I went along. I think most people do that without thinking much
about it.
My hope is that my children will learn to learn. They will aquire the
skills that enable them to figure out a problem, to find information that
they need, to learn essential skills. That way, no matter what they do in
life, they will be well prepared to succeed. Not because they have a bunch
of facts stuffed in their heads (although they might have that too, curious
little buggers that they are, lol!). But because they know how to learn.
And anyway, who says typing will even be used in 15-20 years? Maybe
everyone will be talking to computers in a Star Trekkie way! So there is a
skill that a kid might never need to know. Not that the knowledge itself is
worthless and bad. But if they didn't want to know it in the first place,
but were forced to do so, that's what I want to avoid.
Ramblin'...ramblin' thoughts.
Shell & Da Boys
Drew, 6.5 and Josh, 2.5
Life is like riding a bicycle. You don't fall off unless you stop pedaling.
http://thedaker.blogspot.com/
_____
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of m n
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 8:04 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] broader learning
I'm not much into force about anything except
health/safety. However I've had many jobs where I
needed skills that weren't part of the major focus of
the job. For example as a social worker I needed to
type so I could do all the form filling required. As a
member of a community organization I needed to do
accounting to help keep the project together. In a
required art class I had to learn to do lettering and
it was later essential when I was making signs for a
street department I worked for.
Sure I could have tried to learn these things at the
point when I desperately needed them at work, but it
was also nice to already have them. If I hadn't had
them I couldn't have done the job.
Perhaps I'm just a dabbler, but I like knowing very
different things. Many are NOT things I was initially
drawn to by my personal interests. The interest
developed as I was exposed to the subject in some more
general class/ life requirement.
Also, I'm just wondering how folks integrate doing
just what you want with things I consider tasks. Tasks
to me are things that I wouldn't do except I don't
have the money to hire someone else to do them. They
are things I've learned to do as part of my life's
requirements. These include some things I do to keep
my house functioning (repairs/maint) and things I do
to keep my businesses going. Even with my own business
there are always aspects I find not very interesting
or motivating. Still they need to be done, so I do
them.
Do people find that kids learn this by having projects
they love and just letting them see that there will be
parts they have to learn to do that are outside their
interest area? Ideally I'd see this as a reasonable
way to learn more things, but when I read people's
descriptions of what their kids do I rarely see this
mentioned. For example, a story like Jon loves animals
and so has many, and he's learning math, which he's
always avoided, as he has to calculate costs, food
intake, etc for his pets.
If anybody has any stories like this, please share.
Thanks for the discussion,
Ryam
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
_____
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
* Visit your group "unschoolingbasics
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics> " on the web.
* To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]?subject=Unsubscribe>
* Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> Terms of Service.
_____
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ren Allen
'The biggest difficulty I see in trying to "teach" our kids skills
that might come up later is this: how do we know what those skills
will be? "
Absolutely!! You sound like a true unschooler.:)
Not only do we NOT know exactly what skills our children need, the
coercion and crap surrounding "teaching" actually hinders the learning
process. With unschooling, learning is important but teaching does not
matter. I would go as far as to say there is no such thing as
teaching, only learning (to semi-quote a famous brainiac).
If a skill is "basic", that means it's basic to living, it's useful
for day to day LIFE. If it's something "basic", then we will
naturally come across it all the time. If it's "basic" to living, then
why would there be ANY need to teach it or try to instill it? It's
BASIC. Specialized information or skills take some seeking, but BASICS
are all around us and are used constantly....otherwise they aren't
basic.:)
There is not ONE thing on this earth that everyone needs to know. In
fact, why don't some of you throw out a topic or subject you think ALL
humans need to know and I'll give you an example of someone getting
along just fine without it.:)
Children will naturally pick up basics by LIVING and doing that which
we love. I believe that if we are to really trust children, we must
first learn to trust the instinct to learn. If we trust the instinct
to learn, how can we doubt that the "basics" will be picked up as needed?
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
that might come up later is this: how do we know what those skills
will be? "
Absolutely!! You sound like a true unschooler.:)
Not only do we NOT know exactly what skills our children need, the
coercion and crap surrounding "teaching" actually hinders the learning
process. With unschooling, learning is important but teaching does not
matter. I would go as far as to say there is no such thing as
teaching, only learning (to semi-quote a famous brainiac).
If a skill is "basic", that means it's basic to living, it's useful
for day to day LIFE. If it's something "basic", then we will
naturally come across it all the time. If it's "basic" to living, then
why would there be ANY need to teach it or try to instill it? It's
BASIC. Specialized information or skills take some seeking, but BASICS
are all around us and are used constantly....otherwise they aren't
basic.:)
There is not ONE thing on this earth that everyone needs to know. In
fact, why don't some of you throw out a topic or subject you think ALL
humans need to know and I'll give you an example of someone getting
along just fine without it.:)
Children will naturally pick up basics by LIVING and doing that which
we love. I believe that if we are to really trust children, we must
first learn to trust the instinct to learn. If we trust the instinct
to learn, how can we doubt that the "basics" will be picked up as needed?
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
trektheory
--- In [email protected], Sylvia Toyama
<sylgt04@...> wrote:
daylight until 7:30. And not daylight until 7 am or so. If we
didn't do it around here, it would be daylight at 5 am by June. As
person who wakes at dawn -- just my body clock -- in a family of
night owls, I'm the one who needs the extra hour of dark in the
morning just as much as we all enjoy the extra hour of daylight in
the evening.
turning on the lights in the morning again -- and I liked it being
light when I got up. And then, I have been told, around here (we
only moved here in November) fireworks on the 4th of July aren't
until around 11, since it doesn't get dark until then. But morning
people need to be in bed before that on a regular basis! (Don't ask
what I'm still doing up....)
Linda
<sylgt04@...> wrote:
>March just waiting for that first weekend in April when it will be
> (Whoever decided that we still need time changes is WRONG! :) )
>
> ****
>
> No, never. WE love the time change around here. I spend all of
daylight until 7:30. And not daylight until 7 am or so. If we
didn't do it around here, it would be daylight at 5 am by June. As
person who wakes at dawn -- just my body clock -- in a family of
night owls, I'm the one who needs the extra hour of dark in the
morning just as much as we all enjoy the extra hour of daylight in
the evening.
>Yeah, but what about those of us who rise early? We had to start
> Sylvia
>
turning on the lights in the morning again -- and I liked it being
light when I got up. And then, I have been told, around here (we
only moved here in November) fireworks on the 4th of July aren't
until around 11, since it doesn't get dark until then. But morning
people need to be in bed before that on a regular basis! (Don't ask
what I'm still doing up....)
Linda
Deb
--- In [email protected], "Ren Allen"
<starsuncloud@...> wrote:
of our Western industrialized society. "Readin',
writin', 'n 'rithmetic" are -not- basics in some societies - but
reading weather signs, tracking animals, memorizing long chains of
family history, etc are. "The Gods Must Be Crazy" is a hilarious take
on this whole idea (DH and I were watching it one weekend and DS
popped in on the last part of it and found it really funny, so the
next time it was on we made sure to let him know and we all sat there
and laughed together).
--Deb
<starsuncloud@...> wrote:
>Even things *we* think of as 'basics' really are only 'basic' in terms
> There is not ONE thing on this earth that everyone needs to know. >In
> fact, why don't some of you throw out a topic or subject you think
>ALL
> humans need to know and I'll give you an example of someone getting
> along just fine without it.:)
of our Western industrialized society. "Readin',
writin', 'n 'rithmetic" are -not- basics in some societies - but
reading weather signs, tracking animals, memorizing long chains of
family history, etc are. "The Gods Must Be Crazy" is a hilarious take
on this whole idea (DH and I were watching it one weekend and DS
popped in on the last part of it and found it really funny, so the
next time it was on we made sure to let him know and we all sat there
and laughed together).
--Deb
Lesa McMahon-Lowe
I'm with Sylvia! I love the time change and having it be light later in the
evening! I work overnight hours so during the winter there are weeks where
I don't get ANY daylight! I love the long summer nights where you can be
outside in the sun and not have it be beating down on you like it does in
the afternoon.
The early risers can deal with the time change... just like those of us who
are night owls deal with it in the winter. The wwwhhhaaaaaaaaambulance is
making it's rounds.
~*~*~
Lesa M.
LIFE Academy
http://lifeacademy.homeschooljournal.net/
-------Original Message-------
From: trektheory
Date: 04/07/06 18:46:05
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re: new
--- In [email protected], Sylvia Toyama
<sylgt04@...> wrote:
daylight until 7:30. And not daylight until 7 am or so. If we
didn't do it around here, it would be daylight at 5 am by June. As
person who wakes at dawn -- just my body clock -- in a family of
night owls, I'm the one who needs the extra hour of dark in the
morning just as much as we all enjoy the extra hour of daylight in
the evening.
turning on the lights in the morning again -- and I liked it being
light when I got up. And then, I have been told, around here (we
only moved here in November) fireworks on the 4th of July aren't
until around 11, since it doesn't get dark until then. But morning
people need to be in bed before that on a regular basis! (Don't ask
what I'm still doing up....)
Linda
SPONSORED LINKS Secondary school education Graduate school education Home
school education
Graduate school education online High school education Chicago school
education
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
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]
evening! I work overnight hours so during the winter there are weeks where
I don't get ANY daylight! I love the long summer nights where you can be
outside in the sun and not have it be beating down on you like it does in
the afternoon.
The early risers can deal with the time change... just like those of us who
are night owls deal with it in the winter. The wwwhhhaaaaaaaaambulance is
making it's rounds.
~*~*~
Lesa M.
LIFE Academy
http://lifeacademy.homeschooljournal.net/
-------Original Message-------
From: trektheory
Date: 04/07/06 18:46:05
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re: new
--- In [email protected], Sylvia Toyama
<sylgt04@...> wrote:
>March just waiting for that first weekend in April when it will be
> (Whoever decided that we still need time changes is WRONG! :) )
>
> ****
>
> No, never. WE love the time change around here. I spend all of
daylight until 7:30. And not daylight until 7 am or so. If we
didn't do it around here, it would be daylight at 5 am by June. As
person who wakes at dawn -- just my body clock -- in a family of
night owls, I'm the one who needs the extra hour of dark in the
morning just as much as we all enjoy the extra hour of daylight in
the evening.
>Yeah, but what about those of us who rise early? We had to start
> Sylvia
>
turning on the lights in the morning again -- and I liked it being
light when I got up. And then, I have been told, around here (we
only moved here in November) fireworks on the 4th of July aren't
until around 11, since it doesn't get dark until then. But morning
people need to be in bed before that on a regular basis! (Don't ask
what I'm still doing up....)
Linda
SPONSORED LINKS Secondary school education Graduate school education Home
school education
Graduate school education online High school education Chicago school
education
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
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]
Queana
Can a kid who hates the physical act of writing but types pretty darn good
ever learn to write with decent handwriting, meaning legible and with
letters formed correctly?
I don't believe in "handwriting practice" but what if a kid very rarely
really chooses to write with pen/pencil and paper? Will this make it much
more difficult for them to be able to write decently eventually if they want
to?
~Q~
ever learn to write with decent handwriting, meaning legible and with
letters formed correctly?
I don't believe in "handwriting practice" but what if a kid very rarely
really chooses to write with pen/pencil and paper? Will this make it much
more difficult for them to be able to write decently eventually if they want
to?
~Q~
Daniel MacIntyre
If a kid HATES writing, forcing it won't help - trust me on this one.
I've had some of the most dedicated singleminded compulsive people
you've ever met try to "fix" my handwriting with practice, techniques,
grips, bribes and anything else you could think of. Nothing they did
EVER made a difference in my day to day writing.
Now, however - without any of the pressure or nonsense - I'm finding
that I can write neater with just a few adjustments. Lately, I've
been breaking a LOT of the rules of writing - forming my letters from
the bottom, making the lines out of order, etc. - but my handwriting
is becoming legible. On its own.
It shouldn't be happening, but it is. Go figure.
I've had some of the most dedicated singleminded compulsive people
you've ever met try to "fix" my handwriting with practice, techniques,
grips, bribes and anything else you could think of. Nothing they did
EVER made a difference in my day to day writing.
Now, however - without any of the pressure or nonsense - I'm finding
that I can write neater with just a few adjustments. Lately, I've
been breaking a LOT of the rules of writing - forming my letters from
the bottom, making the lines out of order, etc. - but my handwriting
is becoming legible. On its own.
It shouldn't be happening, but it is. Go figure.
On 4/9/06, Queana <queana7@...> wrote:
> Can a kid who hates the physical act of writing but types pretty darn good
> ever learn to write with decent handwriting, meaning legible and with
> letters formed correctly?
> I don't believe in "handwriting practice" but what if a kid very rarely
> really chooses to write with pen/pencil and paper? Will this make it much
> more difficult for them to be able to write decently eventually if they want
> to?
>
> ~Q~
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
--
Daniel
( Blogging at http://key-words.blogspot.com/ )
"When the solution is simple, God is answering."
Albert Einstein