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In a message dated 8/5/2000 7:46:57 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
sellings@... writes:

>
> after burning out on three years of traditional homeschool. I know
> some of you would say I'm not a "true" unschooler due to the fact
> that
> I just can't seem to let go of the math and language texts (ABeka).
> I've let everything else fall to the wayside, but these are the two
> that concern me the most (call me uptight!).

No answers or suggestions...just reassurance that some of us still use bits
of traditional textbooks!! I think the real core of unschooling is to follow
what works best for you and your family rather than never touch a textbook or
directly address a subject (ie teach). BG

It's more in the rigidity of things. IMO, at least.

I guess I do have a suggestion...if there are particular subject that are
important to you, get a routine set up to cover that part. ie make sure that
math/reading/whatever is covered at the same time and place consistently.
Then relax about the rest of it. I would pick the time of day when ds and I
are most alert and cooperative and establish that as our 'textbook' time.
Doesn't have to be every day, but with a child that isn't self motivated
routine is key. You're the parent and the one most able to see the needs of
the child. Trust your instincts and observations.

I do think it's important to avoid a power struggle. There really is no way
to force learning and bad relationships are hard to repair.

Good luck. (and please don't fall into the trap of feeling like we are all
cookie cutters and you don't belong here because you do things your way!
Variety is an important spice of life.)

FWIW,
Eiraul

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In a message dated 8/5/2000 11:25:57 AM US Mountain Standard Time,
braunville@... writes:

<< I do think it's important to avoid a power struggle. There really is no
way
to force learning and bad relationships are hard to repair. >>

I too echo this sentiment... Zak is using Madeline Grade 1 and 2 Math on the
computer right now (he'll be 5 in August) and he really seems to enjoy it.
It's his idea to use this program and I've been supplementing it with other
ways to learn numbers, such as weighing things in the grocery store, looking
at the prices in the stores we go to. I even showed him how my calculator
worked the other day before we went to the grocery store so that he could add
some simple numbers. Of course he eventually kept pushing all the buttons to
see what they did, but that's kids for you. I think the more I do this
unschooling thing the more comfortable I become with him letting me know what
he wants to learn. I just have to be open to hearing what he's saying or
showing me. I think de-schooling myself was the first thing I've had to do.
I still ask him if he wants to do something like yesterday I asked if he
wanted to read some books when he was building robots with his legos. I
think that's the hardest thing for me is to let everything be child-led and
each day I learn to do that a bit more.

Dawn F

Cathie _

Sorry, it may not be what you want to hear, but I say Throw Abeka out the
window. Who in thier right mind wants to sit around doing drill when they
could be out experiencing real life. Does your kid know this material? My
oldest son did the same thing when he went to ps-it would take him hours to
do homework. It was boring for him, and repetitive. Much like doing dishes,
come to think of it. Doing math work sheets is probably much like having
someone make you wash the clean dishes so that you will have plenty of
practice for washing them when they get dirty. That would really motivate me
(NOT) Let him instead think of ways you can earn or save enough money to
buy a dishwasher-that will solve both your problems! Let him figure out how
many watts the dryer uses for a load of clothes, versus the sun on the line.
Then figure how much a watt costs-if you can put those amounts in a can for
your dishwasher fund, and then add the amounts you put in so you have a
running total balance. Let him comparison shop for the dishwasher, figure
out how to plumb for it, theres measuring and a lot of new vocabulary words
too. I'm sure you can come up with other ways.

We just added a dishwasher to our home, and it is so great! Just the nagging
that I do not have to do anymore is worth twice the price of that lovely
appliance. Not only is my kitchen clean, my family is much more peaceful
without that constant chore. And my kids are learning, without repitition or
the Saxon Math that we tossed.

Cathie

>From: "Angela " <sellings@...>
>
>The problem is in getting my ds to complete the given assignment
>within a proper time frame. He will literally take all day to do one
>lesson in each (and he's not struggling, either....just extremely
>unmotivated). I have definitely noticed this in other areas of his
>life too.....when told to tidy the kitchen, load/unload the
>dishwasher, etc. it can literally take him HOURS! He drives me
>crazy!
>The only time he will really hustle is if he knows he's going to miss
>something if he doesn't complete his work, and even then it's a
>struggle. He is a great kid, very intelligent, but has this lazy,
>unmotivated streak.
>
>I know some of you are going to tell me to throw the ABeka out the
>window (believe me I've wanted to at times) but I don't think I can
>do
>that yet!

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Maybe the problem is with the math curriculum, maybe not. I know that once
upon a time we used bob jones for math (not saying anything is wrong with it
) this was before we unschooled. The kids hated it. But I kept after them to
do it. Finally it dawned on me that it wasn't the kids it was curriculum that
wasn't working. Now that we unschool I do not push the kids to do math but I
do try to lead them. My kids are older, 16, 14, 12, and 10. Only the 12 yr
old likes math at all. But I have discussed with all the kids how much one
does need math for many things they may want to do as adults. I bought them
MathUsee as it just works better for us. I have some computer programs too
for a practice in facts for the youngest. I also took an idea from another
loop and made a gameboard that is an incentive to do math. ( it was supposed
to be for reading but it works for math too) Do so many pages of math and you
get to roll the die. (example 12) The landing spaces say things like.... a
serving of ice cream, 1 movie rental, 1 playstation rental, $1, and etc. It
is mainly to motivate my boys, who have a tendency to get too busy outside to
come in. They do not have to play the game but considering that we seldom
have any of the prizes around here they want to. I let my two oldest play too
as it would be unfair to make them go without ice cream! Some would consider
this bribery but I consider it just a treat and it works. Also if I want the
kids to do something chore wise that I know they will drag out forever I put
a favorite activity after it. Like, please do these dishes and if you finish
in 15 minutes you can watch your favorite cartoon for a half an hour. ( or
play with legos when you are done, whatever you wish). I always tell them
that we have a lot to do here, so if you take forever to do simple tasks it
is the fun activities that will have to be left out. Everyone always has
plenty of free time here though, and the work gets done too.
These are just some suggestions.
Hang in there
Candy
"I never let schoolin interfer with my education"
Mark Twain

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I think it's really important for me to look at why I'm so attached to
certain ways of learning if my kids are not interested. Is it because I'm
fearful they will be illiterate or have no math skills whatsoever? Why am I
so focused on math or english as opposed to making sure they get enough dance
or music classes. I don't see people fretting over whether their daughters
and sons are dancing enough (LOL)... I really believe it's about unschooling
and deschooling myself first because I was institutionalized.

OK so you may say "well you have to have math and english to survive in this
world" maybe you ought to tell an actor or ballerina that and let them tell
you what's the most important thing to them....

There definately seems to be a tendency to focus so much on academics rather
than the arts... Why is that?

Just thoughts that were going through my head and wondered if anyone else had
some ideas about why as unschooling parents there is a focus on math and
english and not other things.

Dawn F
Tucson, AZ

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In a message dated 8/5/00 6:21:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time, NumoAstro@...
writes:

<< maybe you ought to tell an actor or ballerina that and let them tell
you what's the most important thing to them.... >>

Dawn,
I think the reason a ballerina or actor need to have the basics in reading,
writing and arithmetic, is so they can read a contract, figure out if their
pay check is right and let the agent know who is boss! LOL. I know that is
why I am so adamant about these things. I want my kids to be able to stand
on their own two feet, not get cheated, and be able to communicate in a
knowledgeable way. I am all for any other way to do this then the texts, but
honestly, I haven't found it yet. It is easy to find things to use for math
for younger kids, like cooking, weighing veg. at the store, estimating the
weight of fruit, or how much the total bill will be. However, that only goes
for a period of time, then what? I am not being ugly, I am serious, cause I
don't know, and my guys are 10 and 12, the only thing I know to do is Saxon
math. I realize there is more to math then arithmetic, however, in the work
world, arts or labor, you still have to pay the bills, communicate what you
want and need, ect. So...... that is why THIS mom can't let go. But I would
sure welcome ideas, as my 10, actually 91/2 year old doesn't want to do
anything, not the computer, not workbooks, nothing. So I am all ears! (as
well as long winded)!
Teresa

[email protected]

In a message dated 8/5/00 10:21:32 PM !!!First Boot!!!, NumoAstro@...
writes:

<< There definately seems to be a tendency to focus so much on academics
rather
than the arts... Why is that?

Just thoughts that were going through my head and wondered if anyone else
had
some ideas about why as unschooling parents there is a focus on math and
english and not other things. >>

Do you think it is because adults look out at the world and see that it could
be hard to make a living at dance and art? That would not stop me though from
encouraging my children to purse such interests if that is what they wanted.
(Our girls did take dance for around 10 yrs but they decided they liked
martial arts more. I wanted the boys to try dance but they refused). When I
sometimes get panicked about my kids possibly not knowing enough (school
wise) it stems from "what if " they can not handle college or tech school or
etc. Then I remind myself that I was a ps kid that got fairly good grades and
have learned more with the kids than I ever learned in public school. Then I
feel better. We all just want the best for our kids, don't ya think. It is
interesting though.
Candy
"I never let schoolin interfer with my education"
Mark Twain

[email protected]

In a message dated 8/5/00 4:02:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
cathie_98@... writes:

<< Not only is my kitchen clean, my family is much more peaceful
without that constant chore. And my kids are learning, without repitition or
the Saxon Math that we tossed. >>

so, what happens if you are homeschooling a high school student... with no
math background except what they've learned on their own... and they want to
go back to high school or on to higher education... at that point they would
learn the math they need? cuz what if they never learned any algebra for
example... i'm sure some of you must have this experience ... i'm wondering
how you handled it...

jeanne

Cathie _

Its kinda funny that you ask this now, I am sitting here with my 15 year old
talking about it. She agrees that she would like to toss all the math books,
but she thinks she should learn algebra for college. So, I guess she will
hit the books to learn it because she needs to learn it. We have talked
about taking high school math in college. If she waits and gets to college
she will have to pay alot and get no credit for those classes, so it is
better to learn it now. And, since higher math is something she needs to do
to get to where she wants to go, it is important to her and I will not be
forcing her to learn it.

Awhile back, someone (I think it was Dave) posted about proof that you could
learn all of k-12 math in 8 weeks when motivated. I would really like to
know more about that. Anyone?

Cathie

>so, what happens if you are homeschooling a high school student... with no
>math background except what they've learned on their own... and they want
>to
>go back to high school or on to higher education... at that point they
>would
>learn the math they need? cuz what if they never learned any algebra for
>example... i'm sure some of you must have this experience ... i'm wondering
>how you handled it...
>
>jeanne
>
>
>
>Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
>Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
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Corallyn

> so, what happens if you are homeschooling a high school student...
with no
> math background except what they've learned on their own... and
they want to
> go back to high school or on to higher education... at that point
they would
> learn the math they need? cuz what if they never learned any
algebra for
> example... i'm sure some of you must have this experience ... i'm
wondering
> how you handled it...
>
> jeanne

I think I have an answer for this one. When I was in high school I
didn't get past intro to algebra. In fact I didn't even understand
what it was that they "taught" me in intro to algebra. I took that
class my sophmore year and was able to get out of taking math the
remainder of my high school years by taking Cosmotology my Jr and Sr
years. When I took math in college, about 4 years after I graduated,
I was placed in the lowest level of math (3 levels below college
credit algebra). What is interesting is that the whole sememster I
spent the class doing the assignment that was given at the start of
class and due the next class. I almost never listened to what was
said. I just did the math. I think that part of my problem in high
school is that I wasn't mature enough to understand what was being
taught. The equations just didn't click. I also didn't understand
what algebra had to do with me and my life. I wasn't going to die if
I didn't know it and life as I knew it wasn't going to end without
this "all important knowledge" that they said I HAD to know. There
were also other things not related to school that I thought was more
important. And they were. Anyway, I guess my point is that even
though it had been close to 6 years since anyone had tried to explain
to me the algebra, I still passed the class with A's without
studying, just doing the homework assignments. I also went on to take
the next level, still not college credit, and did the same thing in
that class. The next level, just under college credit, was a
chalenge. I ended up dropping all my classes that sememster because I
was working and then became pg. My point is that even though your
child may not be interested in the higher math now the time will come
when they will need to know it and they will learn it out of desire
to move on. Not because they are told they have to or because they
are told that life will not be the same without it. Coallyn

Lynda

We've been there and done that. We tossed all the books and #3 son bought
an interactive computer program instead. It runs you all the way from
pre-algebra to trig. For each and every section in a given area, there is
first an explanation and then example. Then you go to the problems. You
work the problem and if you have any problems or don't get the right answer
they take you through it step by step. You might want to try Pro One
Multimedia High School Math Series.

Lynda

----------
> From: Cathie _ <cathie_98@...>
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] I have a problem with my 9yo ds.....
> Date: Sunday, August 06, 2000 2:51 AM
>
> Its kinda funny that you ask this now, I am sitting here with my 15 year
old
> talking about it. She agrees that she would like to toss all the math
books,
> but she thinks she should learn algebra for college. So, I guess she will

> hit the books to learn it because she needs to learn it. We have talked
> about taking high school math in college. If she waits and gets to
college
> she will have to pay alot and get no credit for those classes, so it is
> better to learn it now. And, since higher math is something she needs to
do
> to get to where she wants to go, it is important to her and I will not be

> forcing her to learn it.
>
> Awhile back, someone (I think it was Dave) posted about proof that you
could
> learn all of k-12 math in 8 weeks when motivated. I would really like to
> know more about that. Anyone?
>
> Cathie
>
> >so, what happens if you are homeschooling a high school student... with
no
> >math background except what they've learned on their own... and they
want
> >to
> >go back to high school or on to higher education... at that point they
> >would
> >learn the math they need? cuz what if they never learned any algebra
for
> >example... i'm sure some of you must have this experience ... i'm
wondering
> >how you handled it...
> >
> >jeanne
> >
> >
> >
> >Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> >Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
> >
> >Addresses:
> >Post message: [email protected]
> >Unsubscribe: [email protected]
> >List owner: [email protected]
> >List settings page: http://www.egroups.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
> >
> >
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
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>
>
>
>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
> Addresses:
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> Unsubscribe: [email protected]
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> List settings page: http://www.egroups.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
>

Tracy Oldfield

LOL, that'll teach me to read everything before I put my spoke in!!

Tracy

On 6 Aug 2000, at 9:51, Cathie _ wrote:


Awhile back, someone (I think it was Dave) posted about
proof that you could 
learn all of k-12 math in 8 weeks when motivated. I
would really like to 
know more about that. Anyone?

Cathie

[email protected]

In a message dated 8/6/2000 1:52:19 PM Central Daylight Time,
cathie_98@... writes:

<< We have talked
about taking high school math in college. If she waits and gets to college
she will have to pay alot and get no credit for those classes, so it is
better to learn it now. >>

[email protected]

In a message dated 8/6/2000 1:52:19 PM Central Daylight Time,
cathie_98@... writes:

<< We have talked
about taking high school math in college. If she waits and gets to college
she will have to pay alot and get no credit for those classes, so it is
better to learn it now. >>