High School
Ren Allen
I think you're noticing things about learning, but maybe not taking
them to the next conclusion...that humans learn BETTER without math
lessons and work/textbooks.
You've seen that happen with math by letting them use real money,
real life situtaions etc....so perhaps the math lessons you're doing
are actually harming more than they're helping.:) It's pretty common
to turn people off to math, by turning it into a lesson, rather than
letting them simply use math in real life.
" Also what about high school
and college? What do you do for record keeping and such things?"
I treat High School the same as any other age. We help them have
access to information and tools they need, but they follow their
interests and learn from living! Joy and passion are the best
motivators for human beings at ANY age, wouldn't you agree?
As far as record keeping, I am starting to log some things for my
oldest son, Trevor, this year. He is turning into a major computer
guy, and when he spends time working with his mentor (an unschool
Dad) I simply notate the date, how many hours they spent and some
topics covered.
Most colleges now, have different requirements for homeschoolers
than schooled children. Here in Florida, UWF simply asks for an
affadavit, signed by the parents, saying the child "has completed
their home eduction program". No big.
You don't need a transcript, as many will try to make you think, and
most of the time it's the college entrance exam they care about.
They may need to take an SAT, but they could prepare for that in a
short period of time IF and when they need it.
Besides, college isn't the end-all-be-all of success. Have you
considered the fact that many, many very happily successful people
never go to college, but find other ways to do the things they love?
For some, college is a useful tool, but ONLY that...a tool.
For my children, I want their toolbox to be rich and varied, full of
things like creativity, individualism, self-confidence, joy of
learning etc....:) There are so many unconventional ways to find
work you love...for now though, let them just BE.
Their job right now is to be kids, to have fun and learn what they
love. I think you'll find that they learn more, and better, the more
you are able to let go.
Best wishes...and welcome to the list,
Ren
them to the next conclusion...that humans learn BETTER without math
lessons and work/textbooks.
You've seen that happen with math by letting them use real money,
real life situtaions etc....so perhaps the math lessons you're doing
are actually harming more than they're helping.:) It's pretty common
to turn people off to math, by turning it into a lesson, rather than
letting them simply use math in real life.
" Also what about high school
and college? What do you do for record keeping and such things?"
I treat High School the same as any other age. We help them have
access to information and tools they need, but they follow their
interests and learn from living! Joy and passion are the best
motivators for human beings at ANY age, wouldn't you agree?
As far as record keeping, I am starting to log some things for my
oldest son, Trevor, this year. He is turning into a major computer
guy, and when he spends time working with his mentor (an unschool
Dad) I simply notate the date, how many hours they spent and some
topics covered.
Most colleges now, have different requirements for homeschoolers
than schooled children. Here in Florida, UWF simply asks for an
affadavit, signed by the parents, saying the child "has completed
their home eduction program". No big.
You don't need a transcript, as many will try to make you think, and
most of the time it's the college entrance exam they care about.
They may need to take an SAT, but they could prepare for that in a
short period of time IF and when they need it.
Besides, college isn't the end-all-be-all of success. Have you
considered the fact that many, many very happily successful people
never go to college, but find other ways to do the things they love?
For some, college is a useful tool, but ONLY that...a tool.
For my children, I want their toolbox to be rich and varied, full of
things like creativity, individualism, self-confidence, joy of
learning etc....:) There are so many unconventional ways to find
work you love...for now though, let them just BE.
Their job right now is to be kids, to have fun and learn what they
love. I think you'll find that they learn more, and better, the more
you are able to let go.
Best wishes...and welcome to the list,
Ren
Ren Allen
" I guess I feel the need to prove
that we have "done school"."
Well, the good news is, you can satisfy both your need to prove
something, and their need for freedom from schoolish methods.:)
I think if you start logging all the things you do in a day, and
seeing learning in ALL activities, you'll be amazed at the end of a
week or month or year, just how full your lives will look.
And if necessary, you can put all the unschooly activities
into "school speak". Check out Carol Narigon's article on an
unschooling "curriculum". If you can't find it at HEM's
unschooling.com or google, give me a day and I'll find it for ya.
I need to go watch Peter Pan with my family now, or I'm going to get
pummeled for spending too much time online.
Ren
that we have "done school"."
Well, the good news is, you can satisfy both your need to prove
something, and their need for freedom from schoolish methods.:)
I think if you start logging all the things you do in a day, and
seeing learning in ALL activities, you'll be amazed at the end of a
week or month or year, just how full your lives will look.
And if necessary, you can put all the unschooly activities
into "school speak". Check out Carol Narigon's article on an
unschooling "curriculum". If you can't find it at HEM's
unschooling.com or google, give me a day and I'll find it for ya.
I need to go watch Peter Pan with my family now, or I'm going to get
pummeled for spending too much time online.
Ren