Unschooling right this minute
Ren Allen
Elizabeth Roberts started something cool over at another list, she
posted about what they were doing right that moment and everyone else
started doing the same.
A wee glimpse into lots and lots of unschoolers lives, for a moment.
I've really enjoyed reading everyone's glimpses, and thought it would
be nice to start the same thread over here. For anyone brand new to
unschooling, or thinking about unschooling, it can offer up some brief
"typical day" moments.
So....
in my house right now, most of the inhabitants are sleeping. I've
got a wee man in my bed, a girl on my floor and Jared popping his head
in every so often to see if his Kalonline money got deposited
(purchased at Ebay last night) to his account. Trevor is still asleep
too.
Not much of a glimpse here I'm afraid....but things will get busier in
a while.:)
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
posted about what they were doing right that moment and everyone else
started doing the same.
A wee glimpse into lots and lots of unschoolers lives, for a moment.
I've really enjoyed reading everyone's glimpses, and thought it would
be nice to start the same thread over here. For anyone brand new to
unschooling, or thinking about unschooling, it can offer up some brief
"typical day" moments.
So....
in my house right now, most of the inhabitants are sleeping. I've
got a wee man in my bed, a girl on my floor and Jared popping his head
in every so often to see if his Kalonline money got deposited
(purchased at Ebay last night) to his account. Trevor is still asleep
too.
Not much of a glimpse here I'm afraid....but things will get busier in
a while.:)
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
elizabeth roberts
LOL thanks Ren. I didn't think to start the thread here, but I have really enjoyed the way the thread took off elsewhere!
This minute, Logan(5) and Gracie (2) are watching The DoodleBops on the Disney Channel while lying on the floor. Both have more than one lollipop in each hand right now. Megan (4) is walking around the house with the cat talking to it about not going poopy here, don't go poopy there.
I'm chatting with a friend on IM and ignoring the laundry pile in the hallway.
Beth
Ren Allen <starsuncloud@...> wrote:
Elizabeth Roberts started something cool over at another list, she
posted about what they were doing right that moment and everyone else
started doing the same.
A wee glimpse into lots and lots of unschoolers lives, for a moment.
I've really enjoyed reading everyone's glimpses, and thought it would
be nice to start the same thread over here. For anyone brand new to
unschooling, or thinking about unschooling, it can offer up some brief
"typical day" moments.
So....
in my house right now, most of the inhabitants are sleeping. I've
got a wee man in my bed, a girl on my floor and Jared popping his head
in every so often to see if his Kalonline money got deposited
(purchased at Ebay last night) to his account. Trevor is still asleep
too.
Not much of a glimpse here I'm afraid....but things will get busier in
a while.:)
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
---------------------------------
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---------------------------------
Sing, Dance, Laugh...LOVE!
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Photos Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover
Photo Books. You design it and well bind it!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
This minute, Logan(5) and Gracie (2) are watching The DoodleBops on the Disney Channel while lying on the floor. Both have more than one lollipop in each hand right now. Megan (4) is walking around the house with the cat talking to it about not going poopy here, don't go poopy there.
I'm chatting with a friend on IM and ignoring the laundry pile in the hallway.
Beth
Ren Allen <starsuncloud@...> wrote:
Elizabeth Roberts started something cool over at another list, she
posted about what they were doing right that moment and everyone else
started doing the same.
A wee glimpse into lots and lots of unschoolers lives, for a moment.
I've really enjoyed reading everyone's glimpses, and thought it would
be nice to start the same thread over here. For anyone brand new to
unschooling, or thinking about unschooling, it can offer up some brief
"typical day" moments.
So....
in my house right now, most of the inhabitants are sleeping. I've
got a wee man in my bed, a girl on my floor and Jared popping his head
in every so often to see if his Kalonline money got deposited
(purchased at Ebay last night) to his account. Trevor is still asleep
too.
Not much of a glimpse here I'm afraid....but things will get busier in
a while.:)
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
---------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------
Sing, Dance, Laugh...LOVE!
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Photos Showcase holiday pictures in hardcover
Photo Books. You design it and well bind it!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Heather
My son, Quentin, 10, is rummaging around the kitchen looking for food. We
just went over the ingredients we'll need to make "teddy bear cupcakes"
later this afternoon. He fond the recipe in "Your Big Backyard" magazine.
He also showed me a game he'd like me to look for on ebay (Dragonball Z
Budokai 2). My daughter, Sierra, 7, is just waking up. She slept on the
futon in the art room. My husband is on the phone in his office (which is
down the hall). We'll be kicking into high gear in a few minutes in order
to get to the park - today is our weekly homeschool park day :-) I've been
checking my email & just checked the weather forecast for Tucson (where we
live) and for San Diego (where we are going on Thursday).
heather
_____
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
just went over the ingredients we'll need to make "teddy bear cupcakes"
later this afternoon. He fond the recipe in "Your Big Backyard" magazine.
He also showed me a game he'd like me to look for on ebay (Dragonball Z
Budokai 2). My daughter, Sierra, 7, is just waking up. She slept on the
futon in the art room. My husband is on the phone in his office (which is
down the hall). We'll be kicking into high gear in a few minutes in order
to get to the park - today is our weekly homeschool park day :-) I've been
checking my email & just checked the weather forecast for Tucson (where we
live) and for San Diego (where we are going on Thursday).
heather
_____
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
nrskay
My dd (11 yo) is still sleeping, she spent most of yesterday playing
with her 5 yo niece. After my gd left she was checking out my latest
thing - sududo puzzles and then she was talking and LOL (I could here
her) online with her friends. I don't know what time she went to bed,
I often go to bed before her.
Kay
with her 5 yo niece. After my gd left she was checking out my latest
thing - sududo puzzles and then she was talking and LOL (I could here
her) online with her friends. I don't know what time she went to bed,
I often go to bed before her.
Kay
[email protected]
Well... right this minute bethy is playing Vsmile... Jacob is searching for
dragons with his expandable elephant sword... Hubby is getting ready to
leave for work and im here planning our lazy day dreamily in bed my head. Its a
snowy cold day here in IL Bethy announced when she got up she was planning on
having a jammie day and I told her what a great Idea sooo I scrapped my agenda
of cleaning and stuff for the day and we will just lounge!
Chrissy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
dragons with his expandable elephant sword... Hubby is getting ready to
leave for work and im here planning our lazy day dreamily in bed my head. Its a
snowy cold day here in IL Bethy announced when she got up she was planning on
having a jammie day and I told her what a great Idea sooo I scrapped my agenda
of cleaning and stuff for the day and we will just lounge!
Chrissy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Jill Rogers
Hi I am new here. This is our 3rd year homeschooling. Matt is 8, Carrie is 2 1/2, Annie is 1, and baby #4 is due this summer. Matt never went to public school - we have homeschooled from the beginning. We are ecclectic homeschoolers. That sounds fancy but what it means here is that we throw things in here and there throughout the day and most everything depends on the craziness with the little ones and how I am feeling during this pregnancy. Matt has ADHD so we had started with a very structured environment for him since that is generally what works well for kids who have ADHD. However, he hated it so we have since moved to a very relaxed way of doing things. Right now I am really bored with how we are doing things, but Matt seems ok. I have ordered some homeschooling magazines so that I might find some inspiration. That is also why I am on this site. I have read some info about unschooling and I am not sure if we fit this category or not. I do lead some of the learning
and Matt also leads me. It is great fun to follow his freight train of thought! I have found that he does do well with a little bit of structure though.
Here is our day so far today......
took an hour to get him out of bed and going as he stayed up until well after midnight reading books. had breakfast and did his chores. Asked me what we were going to do first.....I pretty much always give him his choice. He is learning multiplication and division so I give him the choice of the Twist and Shout Multipication toy or a few lessons in the Singapore math workbook. He chooses the workbook. Then he spends 30 minutes in his room reading something other than Captain Underpants and old Looney Tunes comic books - I think he chose one of the Secret of Droon books. He has been dying to try the experiment with white carnations and food coloring to see how the water travels up the stem - i actually remembered to get the flowers, so we did that. He had a ball!!! The best part for him was mixing the different food colorings to make the colors on the back of the box! Then he played on the laptop with some Living Books for about 30 minutes. Now he is in the basement
playing on the computer for 30 minutes of free time before lunch and naptime for the little girls. When they nap, Matt and I usually do something together - a game of Scrabble or something like that. Then he will spend the rest of the day in his room building things with Imaginext, Magnetix, or these marble tunnel things. He also reads A LOT!! For Christmas he received a set of Hardy Boys hardback books so he is enjoying those as well. We had company over the weekend and they taught me to play Texas Hold 'em and Matt was dying to learn too. So, in the evenings we have been teaching him to play that with us. He has asked me 3-4 times today if we can play NOW.
Anyway, that is our day - I really have no idea where to classify us though!!!
Jill - who will find her way soon!
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Photos
Got holiday prints? See all the ways to get quality prints in your hands ASAP.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
and Matt also leads me. It is great fun to follow his freight train of thought! I have found that he does do well with a little bit of structure though.
Here is our day so far today......
took an hour to get him out of bed and going as he stayed up until well after midnight reading books. had breakfast and did his chores. Asked me what we were going to do first.....I pretty much always give him his choice. He is learning multiplication and division so I give him the choice of the Twist and Shout Multipication toy or a few lessons in the Singapore math workbook. He chooses the workbook. Then he spends 30 minutes in his room reading something other than Captain Underpants and old Looney Tunes comic books - I think he chose one of the Secret of Droon books. He has been dying to try the experiment with white carnations and food coloring to see how the water travels up the stem - i actually remembered to get the flowers, so we did that. He had a ball!!! The best part for him was mixing the different food colorings to make the colors on the back of the box! Then he played on the laptop with some Living Books for about 30 minutes. Now he is in the basement
playing on the computer for 30 minutes of free time before lunch and naptime for the little girls. When they nap, Matt and I usually do something together - a game of Scrabble or something like that. Then he will spend the rest of the day in his room building things with Imaginext, Magnetix, or these marble tunnel things. He also reads A LOT!! For Christmas he received a set of Hardy Boys hardback books so he is enjoying those as well. We had company over the weekend and they taught me to play Texas Hold 'em and Matt was dying to learn too. So, in the evenings we have been teaching him to play that with us. He has asked me 3-4 times today if we can play NOW.
Anyway, that is our day - I really have no idea where to classify us though!!!
Jill - who will find her way soon!
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Photos
Got holiday prints? See all the ways to get quality prints in your hands ASAP.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Melissa
Right now Josh and Emily are watching cartoon network (Tom and
Jerry), Rachel and Sam are making sandwiches out of tuna and
chocolate chip cookies (lol!) Breanna is jumping on our indoor
trampoline, and Dan is playing with dustmotes and fingerpainting with
mayo. Avari has just finished nursing and is falling asleep on my
tummy as i type.
I just put a roast in the crockpot, and was wondering if any of the
kids wanted to hit up the library. I wanted to check online and see
what new books they have before I get there, maybe request them so I
can just grab MY books and then be with the kids. Daddy just left to
walk back to work.
Good idea Ren
Melissa
Jerry), Rachel and Sam are making sandwiches out of tuna and
chocolate chip cookies (lol!) Breanna is jumping on our indoor
trampoline, and Dan is playing with dustmotes and fingerpainting with
mayo. Avari has just finished nursing and is falling asleep on my
tummy as i type.
I just put a roast in the crockpot, and was wondering if any of the
kids wanted to hit up the library. I wanted to check online and see
what new books they have before I get there, maybe request them so I
can just grab MY books and then be with the kids. Daddy just left to
walk back to work.
Good idea Ren
Melissa
On Jan 17, 2006, at 9:49 AM, Ren Allen wrote:
> Elizabeth Roberts started something cool over at another list, she
> posted about what they were doing right that moment and everyone else
> started doing the same.
[email protected]
While I sit here at my pc checking auctions, talking to a friend, my boys,
Kaleb (12.5 ) and Isaiah (brand new 8 year old!) just fixed their lunch and
they are watching Madagascar. I'm also sitting here wondering how many MORE
times they will watch that wonderful movie!
We live in Missouri, its sunny, but cold (to me) maybe in the 40's
today? Something like that.
Syndi
"Education is an admirable thing,
but it is well to remember from time to time
that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught."
Oscar Wilde
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kaleb (12.5 ) and Isaiah (brand new 8 year old!) just fixed their lunch and
they are watching Madagascar. I'm also sitting here wondering how many MORE
times they will watch that wonderful movie!
We live in Missouri, its sunny, but cold (to me) maybe in the 40's
today? Something like that.
Syndi
"Education is an admirable thing,
but it is well to remember from time to time
that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught."
Oscar Wilde
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Mother Earth (Tyra)
Khalfani, 5 yrs, is watching The Best of Yogi Bear. Kamau, 2.5 yrs, is napping.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ren Allen
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 9:49 AM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Unschooling right this minute
Elizabeth Roberts started something cool over at another list, she
posted about what they were doing right that moment and everyone else
started doing the same.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Stephanie Nolan
My dh and ds (Jordan who is 10) are playing Sequence at the kitchen table,
eating nacho's. My daughters Alexis (9) and Jayden (5 tomorrow) are playing
with each other and giggling. My other son Damon (10 months) is sitting
next to me in his walker eating.
-------Original Message-------
From: Mother Earth \(Tyra\)
Date: 01/17/06 13:33:34
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Unschooling right this minute
Khalfani, 5 yrs, is watching The Best of Yogi Bear. Kamau, 2.5 yrs, is
napping.
eating nacho's. My daughters Alexis (9) and Jayden (5 tomorrow) are playing
with each other and giggling. My other son Damon (10 months) is sitting
next to me in his walker eating.
-------Original Message-------
From: Mother Earth \(Tyra\)
Date: 01/17/06 13:33:34
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Unschooling right this minute
Khalfani, 5 yrs, is watching The Best of Yogi Bear. Kamau, 2.5 yrs, is
napping.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ren Allen
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 9:49 AM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Unschooling right this minute
Elizabeth Roberts started something cool over at another list, she
posted about what they were doing right that moment and everyone else
started doing the same.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
elizabeth roberts
We just got back from Walmart. Logan wanted Bandaids, so he picked out some Hot Wheels ones. I asked him to help me keep track of how much we were spending, because I only had $12 in cash with me. I explained why I wanted to count the $1.88 box of Bandaids as $2, then we went from there buying a loaf of bread, some prepared tuna salad, a box of popcorn, a can of Pringles, a package of cookies the kids wanted to try (generic Mallomars), and a package of cotton candy. Megan and Gracie counted to 10 over and over while we walked around. We met a couple ladies shopping who invited us to their church as we stood talking. Logan helped me to use the checkout (we love the self-checkers) and bag the groceries, then he counted the money as he put it into the machine.
Came home, and they are eating chips and PBJs watching Lilo and Stitch. I'm about to turn on some music and pick up the living room and kitchen.
Beth
Sing, Dance, Laugh...LOVE!
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Photos
Got holiday prints? See all the ways to get quality prints in your hands ASAP.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Came home, and they are eating chips and PBJs watching Lilo and Stitch. I'm about to turn on some music and pick up the living room and kitchen.
Beth
Sing, Dance, Laugh...LOVE!
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Photos
Got holiday prints? See all the ways to get quality prints in your hands ASAP.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
Duncan's upstairs playing Prince of Persia with two friends that spent the night. They just finished a dozen tacos that I picked up while I was out. He wants to go to Barnes and Noble to buy a new Manga book. Then we have fencing tonight. I think James and Tristram are spending the night again.
Cameron is on his second hour of drumming on his drum pad. He has pipe and drum rehearsal this evening. He and I've watched That 70s Show, Southpark, and My Name is Earl that we TiVoed earlier this week. He has nine more minutes of drumming to make it two hours (My brain will be ticking off drumbeats for a while after this! <g>). He's been practicing a little magic since the magic convention he helped out at this past weekend. I'm a VERY good magic audience! <g>
I ran a few errands this morning and got a haircut. I bought a bunch of bird and squirrel food from Wild Birds today (Xmas gift cards)---I want to set up the new feeders. I'll do that after I sign off here. I need to repack my VERY clean car (one of the errands) with all the fencing gear for fencing tonight. Then I get to poke people with pointy sticks for two hours! <g>
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://liveandlearnconference.org
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Cameron is on his second hour of drumming on his drum pad. He has pipe and drum rehearsal this evening. He and I've watched That 70s Show, Southpark, and My Name is Earl that we TiVoed earlier this week. He has nine more minutes of drumming to make it two hours (My brain will be ticking off drumbeats for a while after this! <g>). He's been practicing a little magic since the magic convention he helped out at this past weekend. I'm a VERY good magic audience! <g>
I ran a few errands this morning and got a haircut. I bought a bunch of bird and squirrel food from Wild Birds today (Xmas gift cards)---I want to set up the new feeders. I'll do that after I sign off here. I need to repack my VERY clean car (one of the errands) with all the fencing gear for fencing tonight. Then I get to poke people with pointy sticks for two hours! <g>
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://liveandlearnconference.org
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
S Drag-teine
What is sududo puzzles?
Shannon
~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~
Did you know?...
--most well-known brands of lipstick contain lead?
--air fresheners have toxic ingredients you aren't supposed to breathe?
--most household cleaners have carcinogens and neurotoxins such as
formaldehyde, phenols and/or phosphates?
--of 2,983 everyday products, 884 have toxic chemicals?
I'm glad we switched!
We are now safer and healthier, using toxic-free products and saving money,
too. Call (212) 990-6214 for a 10 minute prerecorded presentation or contact
me directly.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of nrskay
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 12:19 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re: Unschooling right this minute
My dd (11 yo) is still sleeping, she spent most of yesterday playing
with her 5 yo niece. After my gd left she was checking out my latest
thing - sududo puzzles and then she was talking and LOL (I could here
her) online with her friends. I don't know what time she went to bed,
I often go to bed before her.
Kay
Yahoo! Groups Links
Shannon
~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~
Did you know?...
--most well-known brands of lipstick contain lead?
--air fresheners have toxic ingredients you aren't supposed to breathe?
--most household cleaners have carcinogens and neurotoxins such as
formaldehyde, phenols and/or phosphates?
--of 2,983 everyday products, 884 have toxic chemicals?
I'm glad we switched!
We are now safer and healthier, using toxic-free products and saving money,
too. Call (212) 990-6214 for a 10 minute prerecorded presentation or contact
me directly.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of nrskay
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 12:19 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re: Unschooling right this minute
My dd (11 yo) is still sleeping, she spent most of yesterday playing
with her 5 yo niece. After my gd left she was checking out my latest
thing - sududo puzzles and then she was talking and LOL (I could here
her) online with her friends. I don't know what time she went to bed,
I often go to bed before her.
Kay
Yahoo! Groups Links
[email protected]
Cool idea Ren.
Let's see, right now Conor is at work. He started working at our restaurant in a part time shift last week. He's probably doing dishes, bringing food to tables, handling supply deliveries and training on the espresso machine. Soon he'll start learning the cash register.
Casey *would* be on the computer, but she's letting me catch up on some emails. <g> So right now she's watching Gilmore Girls on DVR. After that she'll get back to completing her Neopets adoption application.
--
~Mary, unschooling mom to Conor (16) and Casey (11)
"Just today I'm going to be utterly present for my children, I'm going to be in their world (not just doing my own thing while they do theirs), I'm going to really hear them, I'm going to prepare myself to be present starting right now."
~Ren Allen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Let's see, right now Conor is at work. He started working at our restaurant in a part time shift last week. He's probably doing dishes, bringing food to tables, handling supply deliveries and training on the espresso machine. Soon he'll start learning the cash register.
Casey *would* be on the computer, but she's letting me catch up on some emails. <g> So right now she's watching Gilmore Girls on DVR. After that she'll get back to completing her Neopets adoption application.
--
~Mary, unschooling mom to Conor (16) and Casey (11)
"Just today I'm going to be utterly present for my children, I'm going to be in their world (not just doing my own thing while they do theirs), I'm going to really hear them, I'm going to prepare myself to be present starting right now."
~Ren Allen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
Nick is watching BBC Walk with Dinosaurs and acting out his favorite parts.
He pops his head out every few minutes to tell me something "really cool".
Emmy is getting various dolls and doll furniture together and making a
cinderella-style ball.
I slept in really late for me this morning and I've just eaten my lunch.
Emmy is having a "show" later, so I'm watching that after the dishes are done.
I had to sign up the other day, with my whole name "Leslie Mom" and my
address and I got a ticket yesterday on a piece of tissue paper.
Leslie in SC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
He pops his head out every few minutes to tell me something "really cool".
Emmy is getting various dolls and doll furniture together and making a
cinderella-style ball.
I slept in really late for me this morning and I've just eaten my lunch.
Emmy is having a "show" later, so I'm watching that after the dishes are done.
I had to sign up the other day, with my whole name "Leslie Mom" and my
address and I got a ticket yesterday on a piece of tissue paper.
Leslie in SC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
We're at my sisters' house checking e-mail because all our belongings are still in New Mexico. We do have a house but are camping out on mattresses and only have towels, our suitcases with clothes and a cooler for food. I just came in from putting our clothes in to wash at a nearby laundry mat. Logan is playing Nintendogs on his DS with his cousin in her bedroom. Brenna is reading a mystery on a couch by the computer.
When the clothes are ready we are going over to our house...the kids are going to play on the tire swing and I'm going to put up some birdfeeders by the pond outside my front kitchen window.
Gail
-----Original Message-----
From: Ren Allen <starsuncloud@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tue, 17 Jan 2006 15:49:05 -0000
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Unschooling right this minute
Elizabeth Roberts started something cool over at another list, she
posted about what they were doing right that moment and everyone else
started doing the same.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
When the clothes are ready we are going over to our house...the kids are going to play on the tire swing and I'm going to put up some birdfeeders by the pond outside my front kitchen window.
Gail
-----Original Message-----
From: Ren Allen <starsuncloud@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tue, 17 Jan 2006 15:49:05 -0000
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Unschooling right this minute
Elizabeth Roberts started something cool over at another list, she
posted about what they were doing right that moment and everyone else
started doing the same.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ren Allen
"We do have a house but are camping out on mattresses and only
have towels, our suitcases with clothes and a cooler for food. "
Ah, you're reminding me of October!
You don't know how happy I was when the refrigerator was delivered.
We'd eaten out of our cooler at the conference, then on the road (for
many, many miles) and then the new house.
At least you're back! Everything gets easier and easier once you get
to the destination...:) We're thinking about you guys.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
have towels, our suitcases with clothes and a cooler for food. "
Ah, you're reminding me of October!
You don't know how happy I was when the refrigerator was delivered.
We'd eaten out of our cooler at the conference, then on the road (for
many, many miles) and then the new house.
At least you're back! Everything gets easier and easier once you get
to the destination...:) We're thinking about you guys.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
Ren Allen
"Here is our day so far today......
took an hour to get him out of bed and going as he stayed up until
well after midnight reading books."
A lot of us have night owls. We've found that learning unfolds better
and more joyfully if you let people sleep until they're fully rested
and stay up until they're tired.:) I used to hide my books and stay
up until all hours reading. How much better if a child is supported
in whatever it is they're interested in at the moment. Maybe you could
just let him read and fall asleep whenever he drops the book?
"had breakfast and did his chores. Asked me what
we were going to do first"
If unschooling is your goal (I'm not saying it is, only offering up
what will help IF it's your goal), then getting to the point where he
isn't asking you what is happening first will be a big stepping stone.
If he's used to you giving the options and telling him his limited
choices, it might take a while.
....."I pretty much always give him his choice."
Yeah, but it's not much of a choice really! :)
How about opening up to a bunch of new possibilities...like a movie, a
walk a trip to the grocery store for some new and interesting foods
you both want to try, play tag, use flashlights in the dark, make
popcorn and toss it up to catch it in your mouths, anything goes!
You're not trying to recreate a school, you're trying (hopefully) to
create an environment of trust where learning and joy go hand in hand.
"He is learning multiplication and division so I give him the choice
of the Twist and Shout Multipication toy or a few lessons in the
Singapore math workbook. He chooses the workbook."
Again, not much of a choice. Why does he need to "learn multiplication
and division" right now? I would venture to guess that he's memorizing
some stuff to placate you, not really learning it because he's
fascinated and asking.
"Then he spends 30 minutes in his room reading something other than
Captain Underpants and old Looney Tunes comic books - I think he chose
one of the Secret of Droon books."
At this list, you'll hear a lot of us tell you to value anything and
everything he loves, including Captain Underpants and old Looney Tunes
comic books. If that's all he reads and he's happy, then he's
learning. Try to let go of the preconceived notions about what is
valuable and not valuable and realize that if it matters to your
child, it MATTERS.
Trusting our children is often the most simple thing AND the biggest
challenge we have to face. Trust. It's really the crux of unschooling.
Btw, welcome to the list....I hope you find a lot of good information
for your journey.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
took an hour to get him out of bed and going as he stayed up until
well after midnight reading books."
A lot of us have night owls. We've found that learning unfolds better
and more joyfully if you let people sleep until they're fully rested
and stay up until they're tired.:) I used to hide my books and stay
up until all hours reading. How much better if a child is supported
in whatever it is they're interested in at the moment. Maybe you could
just let him read and fall asleep whenever he drops the book?
"had breakfast and did his chores. Asked me what
we were going to do first"
If unschooling is your goal (I'm not saying it is, only offering up
what will help IF it's your goal), then getting to the point where he
isn't asking you what is happening first will be a big stepping stone.
If he's used to you giving the options and telling him his limited
choices, it might take a while.
....."I pretty much always give him his choice."
Yeah, but it's not much of a choice really! :)
How about opening up to a bunch of new possibilities...like a movie, a
walk a trip to the grocery store for some new and interesting foods
you both want to try, play tag, use flashlights in the dark, make
popcorn and toss it up to catch it in your mouths, anything goes!
You're not trying to recreate a school, you're trying (hopefully) to
create an environment of trust where learning and joy go hand in hand.
"He is learning multiplication and division so I give him the choice
of the Twist and Shout Multipication toy or a few lessons in the
Singapore math workbook. He chooses the workbook."
Again, not much of a choice. Why does he need to "learn multiplication
and division" right now? I would venture to guess that he's memorizing
some stuff to placate you, not really learning it because he's
fascinated and asking.
"Then he spends 30 minutes in his room reading something other than
Captain Underpants and old Looney Tunes comic books - I think he chose
one of the Secret of Droon books."
At this list, you'll hear a lot of us tell you to value anything and
everything he loves, including Captain Underpants and old Looney Tunes
comic books. If that's all he reads and he's happy, then he's
learning. Try to let go of the preconceived notions about what is
valuable and not valuable and realize that if it matters to your
child, it MATTERS.
Trusting our children is often the most simple thing AND the biggest
challenge we have to face. Trust. It's really the crux of unschooling.
Btw, welcome to the list....I hope you find a lot of good information
for your journey.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
S Drag-teine
Just had to search...
My daughter (13 months) got a late birthday present yesterday - the drop a
roar dragon from fisher-price and my son (five 1/2) asked to play with the
box it came in. Of course, I said yes because boxes are great for the
imagination. There isn't a more open ended toy, is there?
Anyway, he spent sometime making it a house and then trying to climb in it
right side up. Mind you the box comes up past his waist. Finally he does it
and proceeds to scoot across the floor only looses his balance and falls -
slowly backwards. Flat on his back he says "I'm alright- I'm alright".
I proceed to laugh and he says "Mom, I love when you laugh." Going back to
trying to upright himself again. Which as I write this he does, scoots
again, tries to sit down in it, in the process tears a whole out for his
feet.
He gets out and stomps on the box saying he has defeated the box! Now he is
passing toys from the top to through the whole.
Shannon
~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~
Did you know?...
--most well-known brands of lipstick contain lead?
--air fresheners have toxic ingredients you aren't supposed to breathe?
--most household cleaners have carcinogens and neurotoxins such as
formaldehyde, phenols and/or phosphates?
--of 2,983 everyday products, 884 have toxic chemicals?
I'm glad we switched!
We are now safer and healthier, using toxic-free products and saving money,
too. Call (212) 990-6214 for a 10 minute prerecorded presentation or contact
me directly.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Stephanie Nolan
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 2:36 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Unschooling right this minute
My dh and ds (Jordan who is 10) are playing Sequence at the kitchen table,
eating nacho's. My daughters Alexis (9) and Jayden (5 tomorrow) are playing
with each other and giggling. My other son Damon (10 months) is sitting
next to me in his walker eating.
-------Original Message-------
From: Mother Earth \(Tyra\)
Date: 01/17/06 13:33:34
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Unschooling right this minute
Khalfani, 5 yrs, is watching The Best of Yogi Bear. Kamau, 2.5 yrs, is
napping.
My daughter (13 months) got a late birthday present yesterday - the drop a
roar dragon from fisher-price and my son (five 1/2) asked to play with the
box it came in. Of course, I said yes because boxes are great for the
imagination. There isn't a more open ended toy, is there?
Anyway, he spent sometime making it a house and then trying to climb in it
right side up. Mind you the box comes up past his waist. Finally he does it
and proceeds to scoot across the floor only looses his balance and falls -
slowly backwards. Flat on his back he says "I'm alright- I'm alright".
I proceed to laugh and he says "Mom, I love when you laugh." Going back to
trying to upright himself again. Which as I write this he does, scoots
again, tries to sit down in it, in the process tears a whole out for his
feet.
He gets out and stomps on the box saying he has defeated the box! Now he is
passing toys from the top to through the whole.
Shannon
~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~.~>|<~
Did you know?...
--most well-known brands of lipstick contain lead?
--air fresheners have toxic ingredients you aren't supposed to breathe?
--most household cleaners have carcinogens and neurotoxins such as
formaldehyde, phenols and/or phosphates?
--of 2,983 everyday products, 884 have toxic chemicals?
I'm glad we switched!
We are now safer and healthier, using toxic-free products and saving money,
too. Call (212) 990-6214 for a 10 minute prerecorded presentation or contact
me directly.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Stephanie Nolan
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 2:36 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Unschooling right this minute
My dh and ds (Jordan who is 10) are playing Sequence at the kitchen table,
eating nacho's. My daughters Alexis (9) and Jayden (5 tomorrow) are playing
with each other and giggling. My other son Damon (10 months) is sitting
next to me in his walker eating.
-------Original Message-------
From: Mother Earth \(Tyra\)
Date: 01/17/06 13:33:34
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Unschooling right this minute
Khalfani, 5 yrs, is watching The Best of Yogi Bear. Kamau, 2.5 yrs, is
napping.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ren Allen
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 9:49 AM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Unschooling right this minute
Elizabeth Roberts started something cool over at another list, she
posted about what they were doing right that moment and everyone else
started doing the same.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Melissa
You know,
We're still trying to undo the whole asking permission deal. It's
hard for everyone because it's been instilled since birth! My husband
totally doesn't like that it's changing. He hates giving up control
(I think it's really he doesn't like things to change). I feel awful
whenever one of the kids comes up and asks if they can do this or
that. Or have this or that. We're still deschooling, altho i can't
really blame schooling for that, it's all me.
Josh loves to read all night. One thing, it's quieter (we do have
nine people in our house, there's a lot of noise associated with
that many youngsters) and for another, night owlery runs in the
family. I come from a long line of third shift workers. :-)
Unfortunately it doesn't seem to kick in until they're six or so,
because the toddlers usually are up before the sun.
Melissa
We're still trying to undo the whole asking permission deal. It's
hard for everyone because it's been instilled since birth! My husband
totally doesn't like that it's changing. He hates giving up control
(I think it's really he doesn't like things to change). I feel awful
whenever one of the kids comes up and asks if they can do this or
that. Or have this or that. We're still deschooling, altho i can't
really blame schooling for that, it's all me.
Josh loves to read all night. One thing, it's quieter (we do have
nine people in our house, there's a lot of noise associated with
that many youngsters) and for another, night owlery runs in the
family. I come from a long line of third shift workers. :-)
Unfortunately it doesn't seem to kick in until they're six or so,
because the toddlers usually are up before the sun.
Melissa
On Jan 17, 2006, at 3:21 PM, Ren Allen wrote:
>
> A lot of us have night owls. We've found that learning unfolds better
> and more joyfully if you let people sleep until they're fully rested
> and stay up until they're tired.:) I used to hide my books and stay
> up until all hours reading. How much better if a child is supported
> in whatever it is they're interested in at the moment. Maybe you could
> just let him read and fall asleep whenever he drops the book?
> If unschooling is your goal (I'm not saying it is, only offering up
> what will help IF it's your goal), then getting to the point where he
> isn't asking you what is happening first will be a big stepping stone.
> If he's used to you giving the options and telling him his limited
> choices, it might take a while.
Amy Bowers
I love this!
I just came in from outside with my nearly 4 yr old daughter and 2 yr
old son. They played in the sandbox, using their boomwhackers as sand
conduits and pillars. My daughter spent alot of time going up the
slide with buckets of sand sprinkling it down and saying it was
angels. Then sliding down with the sand - very fun. We used her
magnifying glass to check out the cocoon on the playset that we have
been watching for the last week or so. We then picked oranges and ate
them (sort of - they were not too good). Now they are watching a
Thomas dvd. They are obsessed with trains right now.
I am on my way to finish our veggie soup and make some corn bread.
Then, when they go to bed I plan to read Rue Kream's book - which I
just got in the mail today or work on my thesis. Hmmm.... which sounds
better??
The weather in Florida is amazing right now. All the windows are open,
the breeze is flowing through my house and I am really calm.
The other thing we do, everytime we go out front is to check out the
dead corn snake that fell from the sky into our yard the other day.
Apparently, it fell out of a birds mouth. Too crazy!
Amy
I just came in from outside with my nearly 4 yr old daughter and 2 yr
old son. They played in the sandbox, using their boomwhackers as sand
conduits and pillars. My daughter spent alot of time going up the
slide with buckets of sand sprinkling it down and saying it was
angels. Then sliding down with the sand - very fun. We used her
magnifying glass to check out the cocoon on the playset that we have
been watching for the last week or so. We then picked oranges and ate
them (sort of - they were not too good). Now they are watching a
Thomas dvd. They are obsessed with trains right now.
I am on my way to finish our veggie soup and make some corn bread.
Then, when they go to bed I plan to read Rue Kream's book - which I
just got in the mail today or work on my thesis. Hmmm.... which sounds
better??
The weather in Florida is amazing right now. All the windows are open,
the breeze is flowing through my house and I am really calm.
The other thing we do, everytime we go out front is to check out the
dead corn snake that fell from the sky into our yard the other day.
Apparently, it fell out of a birds mouth. Too crazy!
Amy
Malinda Mills
At this moment...well, I'm in a panic, to be honest....
Tristan and I just got back from bowling, and now Tristan is finishing up a sub sandwich and is settling in to play his PS2 (probably Star Wars Battlefront II).
I'm reviewing the AK state laws online since I just opened a letter from Tristan's former school stating that he must be enrolled in either a school or in a state run homeschooling program. Basically a nasty-gram from the hellhole I pulled him from. According to everything I've read, I don't have to notify or seek approval from anyone, but I am a bit concerned. That school would do anything to get Tristan and me in trouble.
Malinda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Tristan and I just got back from bowling, and now Tristan is finishing up a sub sandwich and is settling in to play his PS2 (probably Star Wars Battlefront II).
I'm reviewing the AK state laws online since I just opened a letter from Tristan's former school stating that he must be enrolled in either a school or in a state run homeschooling program. Basically a nasty-gram from the hellhole I pulled him from. According to everything I've read, I don't have to notify or seek approval from anyone, but I am a bit concerned. That school would do anything to get Tristan and me in trouble.
Malinda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Breezy Stevens/ Lady Lasairíona of Crea
Malinda Mills wrote:
Kenai/Soldotna area). If you are, you should know that you don't have to
do ANYTHING here- and I mean nothing at all. No one even has to know,
although some people are trying to change that. Of course, if you join a
state run 'homeschooling' (read: public school at home) program, then
the rules are very, very different.
Blessings,
Breezy
>You're in Alaska? Out of curiosity, whereabouts? (I'm in the
>
> I'm reviewing the AK state laws online since I just opened a letter
> from Tristan's former school stating that he must be enrolled in
> either a school or in a state run homeschooling program.
Kenai/Soldotna area). If you are, you should know that you don't have to
do ANYTHING here- and I mean nothing at all. No one even has to know,
although some people are trying to change that. Of course, if you join a
state run 'homeschooling' (read: public school at home) program, then
the rules are very, very different.
Blessings,
Breezy
Ren Allen
"I'm reviewing the AK state laws online since I just opened a letter
Alaska is one of the BEST states to homeschool in....there are NO laws
regarding anything you "have to" do. No notification, no plan, no
nothing. Just have him home with you!!
Sounds like another scare tactic the schools try to use to get people
signed up in their programs. They get money if Tristan is signed up
under them...you're pulling their money if you don't!! Ack.
Ren, former Fairbanksan
> from Tristan's former school stating that he must be enrolled inTHen tell them to KISS OFF!! (not really, just ignore them).
> either a school or in a state run homeschooling program. "
Alaska is one of the BEST states to homeschool in....there are NO laws
regarding anything you "have to" do. No notification, no plan, no
nothing. Just have him home with you!!
Sounds like another scare tactic the schools try to use to get people
signed up in their programs. They get money if Tristan is signed up
under them...you're pulling their money if you don't!! Ack.
Ren, former Fairbanksan
[email protected]
>>At this moment...well, I'm in a panic, to be honest....>>Oh {{{{{{{{Malinda}}}}}}}}}}}}, don't panic. All is well. Really.
The schools only know one way, the way they're used to doing things. They're usually totally unfamiliar with the actual state regs regarding homeschooling. Just take a deep breath and try to relax. Then you can respond to their nasty-gram with an ever so polite letter thanking them for their concern and letting them know how you are painstakingly following all AK homeschooling regs. If you want help with the wording, just ask. I'm getting pretty good at dealing with governmental nastiness with a smile in my heart. :o)
--
~Mary
"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the
green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly
alive."
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Malinda Mills" <saprswife@...>
--
~Mary, unschooling mom to Conor (16) and Casey (11)
"Just today I'm going to be utterly present for my children, I'm going to be in their world (not just doing my own thing while they do theirs), I'm going to really hear them, I'm going to prepare myself to be present starting right now."
~Ren Allen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
>>Right now I am really bored with how we are doing things, but Matt seems ok. I have ordered some homeschooling magazines so that I might find some inspiration. That is also why I am on this site. >>We're glad you're here. I hope we can give you lots of inspiration. What you're doing now sounds like a relaxed/eclectic approach to homeschooling. Lots of people I know love that method and can stick with it long term. Many though, get bored or burned out after awhile and look for something else.
This list will talk about unschooling in its most radical form. <g> By that I just mean that many of us have a level of trust with our children and their learning of all things, and that can be a real shift from the norm. Since you say you are bored with what you are doing, you may like the unschooling way more than what you've been doing. It will involve a shift in YOUR thinking about education, but it's so worth it.
You might enjoy looking around Sandra Dodd's site. There's lots of great info there. www.sandradodd.com
~Mary, unschooling mom to Conor (16) and Casey (11)
"Just today I'm going to be utterly present for my children, I'm going to be in their world (not just doing my own thing while they do theirs), I'm going to really hear them, I'm going to prepare myself to be present starting right now."
~Ren Allen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Malinda Mills
Ren wrote:
<<THen tell them to KISS OFF!! (not really, just ignore them).>>
Oh, Ren, you don't know how much I would really like to do that! ROFL
<<Alaska is one of the BEST states to homeschool in....there are NO laws
regarding anything you "have to" do. No notification, no plan, no
nothing. Just have him home with you!!>>
See and that's what I have read everywhere so when this letter came today, all I could think of was "WTH?!?" Then I of course started second guessing myself, thinking I must have read something incorrectly, and that's when panic mode set in. ;o)
<<Sounds like another scare tactic the schools try to use to get people
signed up in their programs.>>
That's my thinking as well. This school has really suffered attendance-wise this year because of the deployment, and I know they are grasping to keep any students they can.
Sorry about bringing state specific things to the list. I know that is frowned upon on most general lists.
Malinda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
<<THen tell them to KISS OFF!! (not really, just ignore them).>>
Oh, Ren, you don't know how much I would really like to do that! ROFL
<<Alaska is one of the BEST states to homeschool in....there are NO laws
regarding anything you "have to" do. No notification, no plan, no
nothing. Just have him home with you!!>>
See and that's what I have read everywhere so when this letter came today, all I could think of was "WTH?!?" Then I of course started second guessing myself, thinking I must have read something incorrectly, and that's when panic mode set in. ;o)
<<Sounds like another scare tactic the schools try to use to get people
signed up in their programs.>>
That's my thinking as well. This school has really suffered attendance-wise this year because of the deployment, and I know they are grasping to keep any students they can.
Sorry about bringing state specific things to the list. I know that is frowned upon on most general lists.
Malinda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Malinda Mills
Hi Breezy! I'm in Fairbanks. Unfortunately the school knows that something is up since I withdrew Tristan this past Dec with no notice as to where he'd be going to school, etc. Frankly, it was (and still is IMHO) none of their business.
Nope, we haven't enrolled in any sort of state run homeschooling program and have no intention of doing so (unless the school tries to make things ugly -- doubtful -- and then we'd maybe look into the option of an umbrella school??). We're pursuing the option of him being "taught" at home by a parent or guardian.
Malinda
Nope, we haven't enrolled in any sort of state run homeschooling program and have no intention of doing so (unless the school tries to make things ugly -- doubtful -- and then we'd maybe look into the option of an umbrella school??). We're pursuing the option of him being "taught" at home by a parent or guardian.
Malinda
----- Original Message -----
From: Breezy Stevens/ Lady Lasairíona of Creavanore
You're in Alaska? Out of curiosity, whereabouts? (I'm in the
Kenai/Soldotna area). If you are, you should know that you don't have to
do ANYTHING here- and I mean nothing at all. No one even has to know,
although some people are trying to change that. Of course, if you join a
state run 'homeschooling' (read: public school at home) program, then
the rules are very, very different.
Blessings,
Breezy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Malinda Mills
Mary wrote:
<<Then you can respond to their nasty-gram with an ever so polite letter thanking them for their concern and letting them know how you are painstakingly following all AK homeschooling regs. If you want help with the wording, just ask. I'm getting pretty good at dealing with governmental nastiness with a smile in my heart. :o)>>
Mary, I may just take you up on that! :o)
I'm much more calm now...a brisk walk in -30F weather helps to clear the head. LOL These past 6 weeks or so of unschooling have been some of the most stressfree weeks of our lives, and then to have this letter tossed at us..... Ugh! Nothing like school to get the blood pressure up!
Malinda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
<<Then you can respond to their nasty-gram with an ever so polite letter thanking them for their concern and letting them know how you are painstakingly following all AK homeschooling regs. If you want help with the wording, just ask. I'm getting pretty good at dealing with governmental nastiness with a smile in my heart. :o)>>
Mary, I may just take you up on that! :o)
I'm much more calm now...a brisk walk in -30F weather helps to clear the head. LOL These past 6 weeks or so of unschooling have been some of the most stressfree weeks of our lives, and then to have this letter tossed at us..... Ugh! Nothing like school to get the blood pressure up!
Malinda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
>>These past 6 weeks or so of unschooling have been some of the most stressfree weeks of our lives, and then to have this letter tossed at us..... Ugh! Nothing like school to get the blood pressure up!>>Think of it like a trip down a beautiful river. The water is peaceful, the view is great and it can be ever so relaxing. Of course an occasional bump or some rapids or piece of unwanted debris may get in your path. That's okay. Do what you need to to deal with it and then let it float on by. Don't let it ruin your experience floating down that river. It's too good to be distracted away from.
--
~Mary
"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the
green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly
alive."
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Malinda Mills" <saprswife@...>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]