New unschooler- hi!
kkraczek1969
Hello! I'd like to introduce myself, and ask a couple of questions.
I am a new unschooler with 3 kids, 2 of which are at home. My oldest
(boy) is 13 and has no desire to leave PS at this time. My 11 yo
daughter (who really inspired my journey to unschooling) attends PS in
the morning for band, computer class, and lunch before coming home,
and I recently decided to pull my 9 yo daughter out of PS in favor of
unschooling.
To give a brief (OK maybe not so brief ;) ) background, my 11 yo never
fit into the PS system- she is a free spirit, an artist, and a lover
of nature. She was diagnosed with ADD at a young age, and while
everyone agreed that she is highly intelligent, she just wasn't
keeping up with the "standards". (In other words, she just didn't pay
attention and thus missed all of the information being taught.) So,
after watching her struggle for the last 2 years of elementary school,
I decided that middle school would only make things worse, and started
thinking of ways that I could reach her in a way that makes sense to
her creative mind. She has so many interests that it is easy to
accomodate her- she plays the flute at PS, takes art lessons, watches
the Food Network to learn all about her newest passion for cooking,
and we have annual passes to SeaWorld so that she may visit her
beloved dolphins whenever she likes. :)
I didn't start with unschooling- I thought that I would just "teach"
her more creatively, and that the one-on-one time would help with her
attention issues. It wasn't until my youngest, a "school" type child,
(please forgive me for stereotyping) started complaining about school
that I started thinking about how much I hated the whole idea of
"standards"- PERIOD. Here in Florida we have the dreaded FCAT- and if
you don't pass it in 3rd grade, you don't pass 3rd grade. Now, my
youngest daughter is a detail oriented, perfectionistic,
much-too-worried-about-everything kid, and guess what happened? When
she started having a little trouble in math, she went into hysterics.
She had herself so convinced that she wasn't good at math that she
literally quit trying. Of course, when you have FCATs in February,
teachers can't stop for questions- they have to keep moving. So, the
vicious cycle bagan. And ended. Once I started reading about
unschooling, I knew what I had to do. I pulled her out just 2 months
after school began, and she was thrilled.
Now for the questions. What do you do with a child who doesn't really
show an interest in anything at all? I was so happy to be able to
provide my other daughter with her creative outlets- but I just can't
seem to get my youngest interested in anything. (OK, maybe shopping!
;) ) We do play games and she had a brief interest in Egyptology, but
other than that she doesn't have any obvious passions. I should say
that even my son has obvious interests, so I'm really perplexed with
this. If anyone has any suggestions on how to draw out the more subtle
interests in their children, I'd greatly appreciate any help that I
can get. I so want all of my kids to be happy, and I don't feel that
energy coming from her at all.
I'm sorry for the rather long introduction- I really didn't intend for
it to be that way! Thanks in advance to anyone who has advice- I am
truly enjoying this website!
Kristin
I am a new unschooler with 3 kids, 2 of which are at home. My oldest
(boy) is 13 and has no desire to leave PS at this time. My 11 yo
daughter (who really inspired my journey to unschooling) attends PS in
the morning for band, computer class, and lunch before coming home,
and I recently decided to pull my 9 yo daughter out of PS in favor of
unschooling.
To give a brief (OK maybe not so brief ;) ) background, my 11 yo never
fit into the PS system- she is a free spirit, an artist, and a lover
of nature. She was diagnosed with ADD at a young age, and while
everyone agreed that she is highly intelligent, she just wasn't
keeping up with the "standards". (In other words, she just didn't pay
attention and thus missed all of the information being taught.) So,
after watching her struggle for the last 2 years of elementary school,
I decided that middle school would only make things worse, and started
thinking of ways that I could reach her in a way that makes sense to
her creative mind. She has so many interests that it is easy to
accomodate her- she plays the flute at PS, takes art lessons, watches
the Food Network to learn all about her newest passion for cooking,
and we have annual passes to SeaWorld so that she may visit her
beloved dolphins whenever she likes. :)
I didn't start with unschooling- I thought that I would just "teach"
her more creatively, and that the one-on-one time would help with her
attention issues. It wasn't until my youngest, a "school" type child,
(please forgive me for stereotyping) started complaining about school
that I started thinking about how much I hated the whole idea of
"standards"- PERIOD. Here in Florida we have the dreaded FCAT- and if
you don't pass it in 3rd grade, you don't pass 3rd grade. Now, my
youngest daughter is a detail oriented, perfectionistic,
much-too-worried-about-everything kid, and guess what happened? When
she started having a little trouble in math, she went into hysterics.
She had herself so convinced that she wasn't good at math that she
literally quit trying. Of course, when you have FCATs in February,
teachers can't stop for questions- they have to keep moving. So, the
vicious cycle bagan. And ended. Once I started reading about
unschooling, I knew what I had to do. I pulled her out just 2 months
after school began, and she was thrilled.
Now for the questions. What do you do with a child who doesn't really
show an interest in anything at all? I was so happy to be able to
provide my other daughter with her creative outlets- but I just can't
seem to get my youngest interested in anything. (OK, maybe shopping!
;) ) We do play games and she had a brief interest in Egyptology, but
other than that she doesn't have any obvious passions. I should say
that even my son has obvious interests, so I'm really perplexed with
this. If anyone has any suggestions on how to draw out the more subtle
interests in their children, I'd greatly appreciate any help that I
can get. I so want all of my kids to be happy, and I don't feel that
energy coming from her at all.
I'm sorry for the rather long introduction- I really didn't intend for
it to be that way! Thanks in advance to anyone who has advice- I am
truly enjoying this website!
Kristin
Mother Earth (Tyra)
Kristin!
Welcome! I am new to hsing and unschooling, too, and know it is THE way for me and my family. I want to first say that your children are SO fortunate to have a mother with the insight to remove them from a system that is not a good fit for their learning style. As a former substitute teacher, I remember meeting so many young people like your 11 yr old. They would be in resource classes but would be VERY gifted. I did my best to convey to these students to hold onto their passions and pursue them fast and furiously after getting out of the system. And the same game goes for you 9 yr old. So many children are being lost by the way side because of the goals of the school systems.
As for your youngest, I have heard that children who have been in school need time to deschool and decompress. To get back in touch with their natural learning desires. My ds is 5 yrs old. I started hsing with pretty much doing unschooling but with a bit of structure. As I learned more about unschooling and began applying it to all areas of our lives, I too felt in limbo. All my son did was sit around and watch TV. I read in a book called The Unschooling Handbook that many children will kind of veg out for a while. In a way it is a test to see if parents are really serious about unschooling. Over time though, I have sat and listened to him talk. He has a passion for wolves so much of our discussion and many of our activities revolve around wolves. He loves it and learning is fun for the both of us. I tell him often that I never really thought much of wolves, but because of all the reading and vids that we have watched about wolves, I am now in love with wolves myself.
The other thing I have done is to not focus on determining his interests as much as going about my day and doing things that interests me. Usually, my children will follow along and jump in or eventually venture off and do their own thing. As a result, discussions pop up about what I am doing or they will ask me to read a book (I have another ds who is 2.5 yrs old going on 25 yrs old! LOL!) which will lead to us delving into a subject more indepthly.
Other things I do with my children are things that I wanted to do as a child that I never did or did not do enough of. When they see that I am excited, then they get excited, too. I also change the environment around so that they can see what options are available if they so choose with respect to books, puzzles, etc. We also play quite a few computer games together. Carmen Sandiego is our favorite. We solve the mysteries together and I am now a Carmen Sandiego addict. I am often in shock about how much I get into my children's activities.
Lastly, something that I think calls for an adjustment in our thought processes is realizing that unschooling is really about living life. It is not really a method of learning it is a lifestyle. So, just doing normal things such as cooking, cleaning, running errands, speaking to the neighbors all count as unschooling things because my children get to see how things operate in the real world and won't be in shock once they get out of hs. I know schooled kids get real world experience, too, but often times I think that my ds1 would miss out on certain things if he was in school such as grocery shopping.
I offer all of this not as advice but as my experience and what is working for my family. Best wishes with your wonderful children.
Peace
Tyra
Welcome! I am new to hsing and unschooling, too, and know it is THE way for me and my family. I want to first say that your children are SO fortunate to have a mother with the insight to remove them from a system that is not a good fit for their learning style. As a former substitute teacher, I remember meeting so many young people like your 11 yr old. They would be in resource classes but would be VERY gifted. I did my best to convey to these students to hold onto their passions and pursue them fast and furiously after getting out of the system. And the same game goes for you 9 yr old. So many children are being lost by the way side because of the goals of the school systems.
As for your youngest, I have heard that children who have been in school need time to deschool and decompress. To get back in touch with their natural learning desires. My ds is 5 yrs old. I started hsing with pretty much doing unschooling but with a bit of structure. As I learned more about unschooling and began applying it to all areas of our lives, I too felt in limbo. All my son did was sit around and watch TV. I read in a book called The Unschooling Handbook that many children will kind of veg out for a while. In a way it is a test to see if parents are really serious about unschooling. Over time though, I have sat and listened to him talk. He has a passion for wolves so much of our discussion and many of our activities revolve around wolves. He loves it and learning is fun for the both of us. I tell him often that I never really thought much of wolves, but because of all the reading and vids that we have watched about wolves, I am now in love with wolves myself.
The other thing I have done is to not focus on determining his interests as much as going about my day and doing things that interests me. Usually, my children will follow along and jump in or eventually venture off and do their own thing. As a result, discussions pop up about what I am doing or they will ask me to read a book (I have another ds who is 2.5 yrs old going on 25 yrs old! LOL!) which will lead to us delving into a subject more indepthly.
Other things I do with my children are things that I wanted to do as a child that I never did or did not do enough of. When they see that I am excited, then they get excited, too. I also change the environment around so that they can see what options are available if they so choose with respect to books, puzzles, etc. We also play quite a few computer games together. Carmen Sandiego is our favorite. We solve the mysteries together and I am now a Carmen Sandiego addict. I am often in shock about how much I get into my children's activities.
Lastly, something that I think calls for an adjustment in our thought processes is realizing that unschooling is really about living life. It is not really a method of learning it is a lifestyle. So, just doing normal things such as cooking, cleaning, running errands, speaking to the neighbors all count as unschooling things because my children get to see how things operate in the real world and won't be in shock once they get out of hs. I know schooled kids get real world experience, too, but often times I think that my ds1 would miss out on certain things if he was in school such as grocery shopping.
I offer all of this not as advice but as my experience and what is working for my family. Best wishes with your wonderful children.
Peace
Tyra
----- Original Message -----
From: kkraczek1969
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 10:11 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] New unschooler- hi!
Hello! I'd like to introduce myself, and ask a couple of questions.
What do you do with a child who doesn't really
show an interest in anything at all? I
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joanne
Hi Kristin...
Welcome. I hope you stick around. This is a great place and you'll
find lots of advice and wisdom here (at least I do!)
I'm also in Florida (Ocala to be exact). You mentioned the FCAT. Do
you still homeschool through the state? If so you may want to check
out http://www.AlternativeEducationInstitute.org
I'm not sure if you know but in Florida we have the option of hs'ing
through a 600/umbrella/non public school. Those who do are no longer
obligated to answer to the state, instead we answer to the "school".
The only legal requirement you'll have is to submit a list of 180
dates (you choose which dates) which represent 180 days of "school".
That's it. Your daughter will not be able to use the public school
system for classes though. For us it doesn't matter but it may be a
consideration for you. I just figured I'd throw that out there
because I wasn't aware of that option when I started last year.
~ Joanne ~
Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13)
Adopted into our hearts October 30, 2003
http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
--- In [email protected], "kkraczek1969"
<kkraczek1969@y...> wrote:
Welcome. I hope you stick around. This is a great place and you'll
find lots of advice and wisdom here (at least I do!)
I'm also in Florida (Ocala to be exact). You mentioned the FCAT. Do
you still homeschool through the state? If so you may want to check
out http://www.AlternativeEducationInstitute.org
I'm not sure if you know but in Florida we have the option of hs'ing
through a 600/umbrella/non public school. Those who do are no longer
obligated to answer to the state, instead we answer to the "school".
The only legal requirement you'll have is to submit a list of 180
dates (you choose which dates) which represent 180 days of "school".
That's it. Your daughter will not be able to use the public school
system for classes though. For us it doesn't matter but it may be a
consideration for you. I just figured I'd throw that out there
because I wasn't aware of that option when I started last year.
~ Joanne ~
Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13)
Adopted into our hearts October 30, 2003
http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
--- In [email protected], "kkraczek1969"
<kkraczek1969@y...> wrote:
>questions.
> Hello! I'd like to introduce myself, and ask a couple of
>oldest
> I am a new unschooler with 3 kids, 2 of which are at home. My
> (boy) is 13 and has no desire to leave PS at this time. My 11 yoPS in
> daughter (who really inspired my journey to unschooling) attends
> the morning for band, computer class, and lunch before coming home,of
> and I recently decided to pull my 9 yo daughter out of PS in favor
> unschooling.never
>
> To give a brief (OK maybe not so brief ;) ) background, my 11 yo
> fit into the PS system- she is a free spirit, an artist, and alover
> of nature. She was diagnosed with ADD at a young age, and whilepay
> everyone agreed that she is highly intelligent, she just wasn't
> keeping up with the "standards". (In other words, she just didn't
> attention and thus missed all of the information being taught.) So,school,
> after watching her struggle for the last 2 years of elementary
> I decided that middle school would only make things worse, andstarted
> thinking of ways that I could reach her in a way that makes senseto
> her creative mind. She has so many interests that it is easy towatches
> accomodate her- she plays the flute at PS, takes art lessons,
> the Food Network to learn all about her newest passion for cooking,just "teach"
> and we have annual passes to SeaWorld so that she may visit her
> beloved dolphins whenever she likes. :)
>
> I didn't start with unschooling- I thought that I would
> her more creatively, and that the one-on-one time would help withher
> attention issues. It wasn't until my youngest, a "school" typechild,
> (please forgive me for stereotyping) started complaining aboutschool
> that I started thinking about how much I hated the whole idea ofif
> "standards"- PERIOD. Here in Florida we have the dreaded FCAT- and
> you don't pass it in 3rd grade, you don't pass 3rd grade. Now, myWhen
> youngest daughter is a detail oriented, perfectionistic,
> much-too-worried-about-everything kid, and guess what happened?
> she started having a little trouble in math, she went intohysterics.
> She had herself so convinced that she wasn't good at math that shethe
> literally quit trying. Of course, when you have FCATs in February,
> teachers can't stop for questions- they have to keep moving. So,
> vicious cycle bagan. And ended. Once I started reading aboutmonths
> unschooling, I knew what I had to do. I pulled her out just 2
> after school began, and she was thrilled.really
>
> Now for the questions. What do you do with a child who doesn't
> show an interest in anything at all? I was so happy to be able tocan't
> provide my other daughter with her creative outlets- but I just
> seem to get my youngest interested in anything. (OK, maybeshopping!
> ;) ) We do play games and she had a brief interest in Egyptology,but
> other than that she doesn't have any obvious passions. I should saywith
> that even my son has obvious interests, so I'm really perplexed
> this. If anyone has any suggestions on how to draw out the moresubtle
> interests in their children, I'd greatly appreciate any help that Ithat
> can get. I so want all of my kids to be happy, and I don't feel
> energy coming from her at all.for
>
> I'm sorry for the rather long introduction- I really didn't intend
> it to be that way! Thanks in advance to anyone who has advice- I am
> truly enjoying this website!
>
> Kristin
>
kkraczek1969
>working for my family. Best wishes with your wonderful children.
> I offer all of this not as advice but as my experience and what is
>Thank you, Tyra! I truly appreciate your experiences- it is so nice to
> Peace
> Tyra
hear from others who are going through the same thing!
When I decided to homeschool my oldest daughter, it was like a ton of
bricks had been lifted from my chest- I knew that she would finally be
able to be herself. I have so enjoyed having her home and watching her
creativity flourish!
I think that your comment about decompressing makes sense here- my
youngest has only been home for a couple of months, and she wasn't as
prepared as my older daughter, who knew for six months that she would
be homeschooled after the 5th grade. My youngest had about 2 weeks
notice, and school wasn't a very happy place for her when we left, so
I suppose that I shouldn't be alarmed by her need to just chill.
I also still need to let go of my own schooly fears- I can't wait
until the day when those are gone!
Thank you again for sharing- I love to read books about unschooling,
but sometimes I just need to hear from someone on the front lines. :)
Have a great day!
Kristin
kkraczek1969
--- In [email protected], "Joanne"
<billyandjoanne@y...> wrote:
Thanks for the link- I am seriously considering the umbrella school
option for my youngest, but I do want my oldest to continue with the
extracurricular activities. I just need to find a local reviewer who
is familiar with unschooling, so that I can avoid the testing. I think
that we live in a great state for hiomeschooling, with so many options!
Thanks again, and have a great day!
Kristin
<billyandjoanne@y...> wrote:
>Hi Joanne,
> Hi Kristin...
>
> Welcome. I hope you stick around. This is a great place and you'll
> find lots of advice and wisdom here (at least I do!)
>
> I'm also in Florida (Ocala to be exact). You mentioned the FCAT. Do
> you still homeschool through the state? If so you may want to check
> out http://www.AlternativeEducationInstitute.org
> I'm not sure if you know but in Florida we have the option of hs'ing
> through a 600/umbrella/non public school. Those who do are no longer
> obligated to answer to the state, instead we answer to the "school".
> The only legal requirement you'll have is to submit a list of 180
> dates (you choose which dates) which represent 180 days of "school".
> That's it. Your daughter will not be able to use the public school
> system for classes though. For us it doesn't matter but it may be a
> consideration for you. I just figured I'd throw that out there
> because I wasn't aware of that option when I started last year.
>
> ~ Joanne ~
> Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13)
> Adopted into our hearts October 30, 2003
> http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the link- I am seriously considering the umbrella school
option for my youngest, but I do want my oldest to continue with the
extracurricular activities. I just need to find a local reviewer who
is familiar with unschooling, so that I can avoid the testing. I think
that we live in a great state for hiomeschooling, with so many options!
Thanks again, and have a great day!
Kristin
nrskay
Kristin & Tyra:
I'm new to unschooling also, well since April 05'. My 11 yo dd is
still deschooling, but I am beginning to see some major interests.
My dd loves neopets, designing fairies on pro shop paint, music, her
PS2 and playing with puzzle/mind teasers in booklets. I have 10
different kinds of these booklets and I rotate them on our coffee
table through out the year. Some are really a challenge while
others are easy for her.
After 6 years of playing the piano, she decided to stop taking
lessons in September. But once in awhile I'll here her playing a
song. I play a little, but have always wanted to learn the guitar.
So yesterday I ordered a guitar from ebay with free lessons on-
line. I have taken up crocheting and learning to play the wooden
flute.
My dd is watching all of this with some interest. She has begun to
try and teach herself to crochet, she doesn't want me to teach her,
she wants to do it herself from the book.
The reason I'm sharing this; I found that I need to find interest.
Before this I worked full time as an RN and was too tired to do
anything but crash when I got home.
The kids need to deschooling but in the mean time start learning
something that you are interested in and maybe they will become
interested too.
I'm also on neopets with her, play PS2 even though I stink at both
she likes talking about it with me.
Kay
I'm new to unschooling also, well since April 05'. My 11 yo dd is
still deschooling, but I am beginning to see some major interests.
My dd loves neopets, designing fairies on pro shop paint, music, her
PS2 and playing with puzzle/mind teasers in booklets. I have 10
different kinds of these booklets and I rotate them on our coffee
table through out the year. Some are really a challenge while
others are easy for her.
After 6 years of playing the piano, she decided to stop taking
lessons in September. But once in awhile I'll here her playing a
song. I play a little, but have always wanted to learn the guitar.
So yesterday I ordered a guitar from ebay with free lessons on-
line. I have taken up crocheting and learning to play the wooden
flute.
My dd is watching all of this with some interest. She has begun to
try and teach herself to crochet, she doesn't want me to teach her,
she wants to do it herself from the book.
The reason I'm sharing this; I found that I need to find interest.
Before this I worked full time as an RN and was too tired to do
anything but crash when I got home.
The kids need to deschooling but in the mean time start learning
something that you are interested in and maybe they will become
interested too.
I'm also on neopets with her, play PS2 even though I stink at both
she likes talking about it with me.
Kay
Joanne
Your welcome. I just enrolled my three two months ago. I love the
freedom it brings.
Happy New Year!
~ Joanne ~
Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13)
Adopted into our hearts October 30, 2003
http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
freedom it brings.
Happy New Year!
~ Joanne ~
Mom to Jacqueline (7), Shawna (10) & Cimion (13)
Adopted into our hearts October 30, 2003
http://anunschoolinglife.blogspot.com/
> Hi Joanne,the
>
> Thanks for the link- I am seriously considering the umbrella school
> option for my youngest, but I do want my oldest to continue with
> extracurricular activities. I just need to find a local reviewerwho
> is familiar with unschooling, so that I can avoid the testing. Ithink
> that we live in a great state for hiomeschooling, with so manyoptions!
>
> Thanks again, and have a great day!
>
> Kristin
>
Pamela Sorooshian
On Jan 3, 2006, at 5:58 AM, Joanne wrote:
"Florida Unschoolers is a private school established to serve the needs
of homeschooling families in Florida. We do not charge tuition or fees
but provide ONLY recordkeeping, attendance services and FLVS access.
Email Nance Confer at marbleface @ bellsouth.net for enrollment and
other
information."
-pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> I'm also in Florida (Ocala to be exact). You mentioned the FCAT. DoAlso, have a look at "Florida Unschoolers."
> you still homeschool through the state? If so you may want to check
> out http://www.AlternativeEducationInstitute.org
"Florida Unschoolers is a private school established to serve the needs
of homeschooling families in Florida. We do not charge tuition or fees
but provide ONLY recordkeeping, attendance services and FLVS access.
Email Nance Confer at marbleface @ bellsouth.net for enrollment and
other
information."
-pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
kkraczek1969
Thanks- Nance lives around the corner from me- in the same
neighborhood (!)- I haven't had a chance to meet her yet, but I look
forward to it! :)
Kristin
neighborhood (!)- I haven't had a chance to meet her yet, but I look
forward to it! :)
Kristin
>
> Also, have a look at "Florida Unschoolers."
>
> "Florida Unschoolers is a private school established to serve the needs
> of homeschooling families in Florida. We do not charge tuition or fees
> but provide ONLY recordkeeping, attendance services and FLVS access.
>
> Email Nance Confer at marbleface @ bellsouth.net for enrollment and
> other
> information."
>
> -pam
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>