Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] textbooks and unschooling
[email protected]
Eiraul wrote:
<< The math textbook is often a jumping off place for
other subjects, just like anything else we do. >>
This sentence brings up a question that constantly nags at me about
unschooling. We used to do Calvert a few years ago, and though a lot of it
was dull and redundant, there were oftentimes things brought up in the
textbooks that we "jumped off from."
For example, my oldest son was in 4th grade then and he studied Art History
and Raphael was one of the painters they talked about. Two years later, he
still points out every print he sees that he thinks was painted by Raphael
and he has a great interest in Medieval art that I don't think would have
come without that text.
I've noticed this in other areas, too, with my other kids. And I wonder...if
I weren't using these texts, how would they have been exposed to this? I
would never have just started talking about Raphael because it isn't really
part of my "expertise."
I guess what I'm saying is...Aren't textbooks valuable sometimes if they
provide that "jumping off point" and if we take the kid's lead and really do
"jump off?" Isn't the problem with textbooks mainly that we feel
"programmed" to use them in a rigidly defined way?
My 7 yo discovered a high school biology textbook from the 1950's at a
library sale; begged for it-and it's become one of his most cherished
possessions. He even took it to the Dr. to show him!
I'm rambling...just wanted to share some thoughts and questions. Any
opinions welcome. Thanks.
Carol B.
<< The math textbook is often a jumping off place for
other subjects, just like anything else we do. >>
This sentence brings up a question that constantly nags at me about
unschooling. We used to do Calvert a few years ago, and though a lot of it
was dull and redundant, there were oftentimes things brought up in the
textbooks that we "jumped off from."
For example, my oldest son was in 4th grade then and he studied Art History
and Raphael was one of the painters they talked about. Two years later, he
still points out every print he sees that he thinks was painted by Raphael
and he has a great interest in Medieval art that I don't think would have
come without that text.
I've noticed this in other areas, too, with my other kids. And I wonder...if
I weren't using these texts, how would they have been exposed to this? I
would never have just started talking about Raphael because it isn't really
part of my "expertise."
I guess what I'm saying is...Aren't textbooks valuable sometimes if they
provide that "jumping off point" and if we take the kid's lead and really do
"jump off?" Isn't the problem with textbooks mainly that we feel
"programmed" to use them in a rigidly defined way?
My 7 yo discovered a high school biology textbook from the 1950's at a
library sale; begged for it-and it's become one of his most cherished
possessions. He even took it to the Dr. to show him!
I'm rambling...just wanted to share some thoughts and questions. Any
opinions welcome. Thanks.
Carol B.
Cathy Henderson
Carol wrote:
last picks at a thrift store included textbooks in American History (about
5th grade), Biology (highschool), and Psychology (college level). These
cost 39 cents each.
It bothered me at first, thinking maybe she had been so programmed to the ps
methods that she couldn't envision learning any other way. And indeed, this
may be part of it. But on talking to her, she is just interested in these
books and isn't following the interest the heart of unschooling?
When I think about the problems we had with traditional curriculum, they
really had more to do with the rigid methodology we used. I don't intend to
ever again force her to endure material that bores her, or answer written
questions, or take tests that prove nothing. But I don't see why textbooks
can't be a great source of material as long as they are used in the same way
any other book would be used -- to pursue a real interest, and without
regard to "grade level". And as long as they are part of her resources, not
the whole.
To me, to rigidly disregard or dismiss textbooks as a resource would be as
big a mistake as rigidly following them.
Cathy
> This sentence brings up a question that constantly nags at me aboutit
> unschooling. We used to do Calvert a few years ago, and though a lot of
> was dull and redundant, there were oftentimes things brought up in thedo
> textbooks that we "jumped off from."
>
> I guess what I'm saying is...Aren't textbooks valuable sometimes if they
> provide that "jumping off point" and if we take the kid's lead and really
> "jump off?" Isn't the problem with textbooks mainly that we feelCarol, thanks for putting into words some thoughts I've had. My daughter's
> "programmed" to use them in a rigidly defined way?
last picks at a thrift store included textbooks in American History (about
5th grade), Biology (highschool), and Psychology (college level). These
cost 39 cents each.
It bothered me at first, thinking maybe she had been so programmed to the ps
methods that she couldn't envision learning any other way. And indeed, this
may be part of it. But on talking to her, she is just interested in these
books and isn't following the interest the heart of unschooling?
When I think about the problems we had with traditional curriculum, they
really had more to do with the rigid methodology we used. I don't intend to
ever again force her to endure material that bores her, or answer written
questions, or take tests that prove nothing. But I don't see why textbooks
can't be a great source of material as long as they are used in the same way
any other book would be used -- to pursue a real interest, and without
regard to "grade level". And as long as they are part of her resources, not
the whole.
To me, to rigidly disregard or dismiss textbooks as a resource would be as
big a mistake as rigidly following them.
Cathy
[email protected]
In a message dated 08/07/2000 4:08:45 AM !!!First Boot!!!, burkfamily@...
writes:
<<
I guess what I'm saying is...Aren't textbooks valuable sometimes if they
provide that "jumping off point" and if we take the kid's lead and really do
"jump off?" Isn't the problem with textbooks mainly that we feel
"programmed" to use them in a rigidly defined way?>>
IMO -- yep!
My 7 yo discovered a high school biology textbook from the 1950's at a
library sale; begged for it-and it's become one of his most cherished
possessions. He even took it to the Dr. to show him!
What a huge amount of work! Anyway, you can use these to see how things have
changed or not.
Nance
writes:
<<
I guess what I'm saying is...Aren't textbooks valuable sometimes if they
provide that "jumping off point" and if we take the kid's lead and really do
"jump off?" Isn't the problem with textbooks mainly that we feel
"programmed" to use them in a rigidly defined way?>>
IMO -- yep!
My 7 yo discovered a high school biology textbook from the 1950's at a
library sale; begged for it-and it's become one of his most cherished
possessions. He even took it to the Dr. to show him!
>>I love older bookd like this. I have a few on how to keep house circa 1930.
What a huge amount of work! Anyway, you can use these to see how things have
changed or not.
Nance
Lynda
We have a 1920's set of encyclopedias and the kidlets love them. there is
a whole section on how to care for babies <g> All kinds of cute drawings
including how to fold diapers and how to give bathes and shows how to use
your elbow to test the water. Youngest kidlet (8) reads the thing and then
practices on her doll. I caught her the other day muttering to herself
that some of it was really "dumb" and "well, Sara, we aren't going to wait.
You get to eat when you are hungry." It was too cute!
Lynda
----------
a whole section on how to care for babies <g> All kinds of cute drawings
including how to fold diapers and how to give bathes and shows how to use
your elbow to test the water. Youngest kidlet (8) reads the thing and then
practices on her doll. I caught her the other day muttering to herself
that some of it was really "dumb" and "well, Sara, we aren't going to wait.
You get to eat when you are hungry." It was too cute!
Lynda
----------
> From: marbleface@...burkfamily@...
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] textbooks and unschooling
> Date: Monday, August 07, 2000 2:49 PM
>
> In a message dated 08/07/2000 4:08:45 AM !!!First Boot!!!,
> writes:really do
>
> <<
> I guess what I'm saying is...Aren't textbooks valuable sometimes if they
> provide that "jumping off point" and if we take the kid's lead and
> "jump off?" Isn't the problem with textbooks mainly that we feel1930.
> "programmed" to use them in a rigidly defined way?>>
>
> IMO -- yep!
>
>
>
> My 7 yo discovered a high school biology textbook from the 1950's at a
> library sale; begged for it-and it's become one of his most cherished
> possessions. He even took it to the Dr. to show him!
> >>
>
>
> I love older bookd like this. I have a few on how to keep house circa
> What a huge amount of work! Anyway, you can use these to see how thingshave
> changed or not.
>
> Nance
>
>
>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
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>
LisaKK
>I've noticed this in other areas, too, with my other kids. And Iwonder...if
>I weren't using these texts, how would they have been exposed to this? II think we all have areas that we could spout off about for hours, but
>would never have just started talking about Raphael because it isn't really
>part of my "expertise."
there's no way we could do so about *everything*. Between my husband and I
was can cover an awful lot of ground because we both have wide and varied
interests, but neither one of us would ever begin talking about
microbiology. And guess what, I have a child that drools over microbiology
textbooks. It was truly disconcerting to find her interests were in an area
that I not only knew little about, I didn't want to know more either.
>do
>I guess what I'm saying is...Aren't textbooks valuable sometimes if they
>provide that "jumping off point" and if we take the kid's lead and really
>"jump off?" Isn't the problem with textbooks mainly that we feelUnschooling to me is broad enough to accept any style or way of learning, as
>"programmed" to use them in a rigidly defined way?
long as no one is fighting and being drug down by the *shoulds*. My oldest
used quite a number of texts in her own way.
>My 7 yo discovered a high school biology textbook from the 1950's at aBooks like this are wonderful, because you compare and contrast them, thus
>library sale; begged for it-and it's become one of his most cherished
>possessions. He even took it to the Dr. to show him!
learning all kinds of things. One year we compared a 4th grade history text
from Abeka and a Catholic school text. It was eye opening to read the same
event from different perspectives. After the Abeka book chastised the Greek
culture for not being Christian.... um.. when Christianity hadn't been
invented yet, Sara refused to even open the book anymore. This was an
eye-opening day for me, because I truly did not know she was reading so
closely. Remember how we used to read textbooks ---looking for the right
answer to the questions we had to turn in. Well, it seems without the
pressure to do that kind of stuff, true critical reading can take place. ;)
Lisa
-
Although I'm by no means an unschooling expert. I would have
to say that whatever the child wants to use, whether that be a textbook or not,
I'm certainly going to let them use what they want. We can certainly
be flexible about what they decide to use to become educated. I have told
my older DD that if she chooses to use a curriculum than that is her
choice. But when I mentioned that the approach this year was unschooling,
she 'yipeed' just as much as my younger DD! And she asked me to buy her a
course on learning Japanese! Of course, it is because she is into online
Pokemon trading, but hey, whatever works, right!?!
Kim
----- Original Message -----From: marbleface@...Sent: Monday, August 07, 2000 2:49 PMSubject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] textbooks and unschoolingIn a message dated 08/07/2000 4:08:45 AM !!!First Boot!!!, burkfamily@...
writes:
<<
I guess what I'm saying is...Aren't textbooks valuable sometimes if they
provide that "jumping off point" and if we take the kid's lead and really do
"jump off?" Isn't the problem with textbooks mainly that we feel
"programmed" to use them in a rigidly defined way?>>
IMO -- yep!
My 7 yo discovered a high school biology textbook from the 1950's at a
library sale; begged for it-and it's become one of his most cherished
possessions. He even took it to the Dr. to show him!
>>
I love older bookd like this. I have a few on how to keep house circa 1930.
What a huge amount of work! Anyway, you can use these to see how things have
changed or not.
Nance
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[email protected]
In a message dated 8/8/00 2:34:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
sinclai@... writes:
<< And she asked me to buy her a course on learning Japanese! Of course, it
is because she is into online Pokemon trading, but hey, whatever works,
right!?! >>
that's a riot... and fantastic... and sings the redeeming qualities of
Pokemon if you ask me... lol
sinclai@... writes:
<< And she asked me to buy her a course on learning Japanese! Of course, it
is because she is into online Pokemon trading, but hey, whatever works,
right!?! >>
that's a riot... and fantastic... and sings the redeeming qualities of
Pokemon if you ask me... lol
-
Yes, I have always waited and wondered if there were any good to
come of Pokemon!!
----- Original Message -----From: Whyner@...Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 1:45 PMSubject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] textbooks and unschoolingIn a message dated 8/8/00 2:34:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
sinclai@... writes:
<< And she asked me to buy her a course on learning Japanese! Of course, it
is because she is into online Pokemon trading, but hey, whatever works,
right!?! >>
that's a riot... and fantastic... and sings the redeeming qualities of
Pokemon if you ask me... lol
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Billy or Nancy
Have
you ever played the game? After observing the kids and being hopelessly lost, I
decided to find out what was going on. A little reading and asking a few
questions and I was surprised to find a game that I think it is every bit as
challenging as chess! My kids bought me my own game deck last Christmas and now
I take them to Pokémon league almost every Saturday. I have even become a
certified coach and earned the first three badges!
Playing the game involves math, strategy, reading, and
more. Playing at league events also means meeting and interacting with lots of
other kids, learning negotiating skills, and having fun.
Billy
Family Unschoolers Network
http://www.unschooling.org
FUN Books
http://www.FUN-Books.com
Featuring the new John Taylor Gatto book!
Family Unschoolers Network
http://www.unschooling.org
FUN Books
http://www.FUN-Books.com
Featuring the new John Taylor Gatto book!
-----Original Message-----
From: - [mailto:sinclai@...]
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 6:01 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] textbooks and unschoolingYes, I have always waited and wondered if there were any good to come of Pokemon!!Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!----- Original Message -----From: Whyner@...Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 1:45 PMSubject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] textbooks and unschoolingIn a message dated 8/8/00 2:34:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
sinclai@... writes:
<< And she asked me to buy her a course on learning Japanese! Of course, it
is because she is into online Pokemon trading, but hey, whatever works,
right!?! >>
that's a riot... and fantastic... and sings the redeeming qualities of
Pokemon if you ask me... lol
Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
Addresses:
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