Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] unschooling support
Olivia
>Message: 9No, Erin, you are not the only one who feels this way sometimes! I had
> Date: Sat, 2 Sep 2000 13:54:19 EDT
> From: MorelFam@...
>Subject: Re: unschooling support
>it wasnt just a frustrating day, i get this way occasionally, am i the only
>one? especially when the school year begins and my dd wants "homework" and
>everyone else has such a neat "plan."
wanted to respond to your post (I am correct in remembering it was "whine"
right?), but I got sidetracked and the earlier mail got deleted. I copied
it and sent it to a friend and we both empathized with you. We can
DEFINITELY understand those feelings, especially at this time of year when
other homeschoolers are getting full swing into their "wonderful" unit
studies and curriculum plans and have to tell you all about them. Then
there's the back-to-school thing. (We won't even go there!) Unschooling is
hard sometimes because it requires a lot of faith and a lot of
spur-of-the-moment creativity, and a lot of paying attention and quick
changes in plans when the kids' interests change. And so much of its value
can't be pinned down on paper and it won't be evident for years. Then I am
usually reassured by some small glimmer of real learning, when it peeks
out, that unschooling REALLY does work. But, oh those days of doubt in
between glimmers can be hard!
So, I am glad you posted what we all feel at times.
Olivia
Olivia
Erin:
I hope you had that hidden tape recorder ready to record DH's
pro-unschooling comments to save them for later. LOL My husband can be
supportive in one breath, then turn around and tell ds that he needs to do
more math practice or he'll need to go to school. Well, he is TRYING to
become more supportive...
As far as unschooling support goes within local homeschool groups, I have
met quite a few people who would like to be more unschoolish but just can't
quite go there. I admit, if questioned by a non-homeschooler (and some
homeschoolers too) about what we are doing for "schoolwork", I usually
sidestep the issue by saying we are "going with my son's interests" and
"doing a lot of hands-on activities" or that I obtained the local school
curriculum. (Of course I don't say we are actually following it!) I am
usually too chicken to use the "unschooling" word. But this is only our
second official year homeschooling, so maybe someday I'll utter that "u"
word in public. Ha, ha...
When talking to other homeschoolers I usually first assess their
perspectives on learning before I disclose our approach. One thing that is
discouraging is when another homschooler tells me that they cannot attend
some great activity or arrange a play date because a certain time slot
(usually 8-12 AM) is reserved for school work and they don't leave the
house during that time. I first think "that's too bad", then I think
"should I be doing that or my child will be uneducated in comparison?"
Although I realize that wouldn't work for us anyway, even if I ever wanted
to schedule our lives like that. But I do experience these confusing and
conflicting feelings about our way of learning.
It is funny to read about your daughter's excitement over the novelty of
the history class. I think if it was an everyday thing the excitement would
wear off pretty quickly. I was surprised when ds recently asked for math
flashcards. I nearly did a double-take. This is a kid who HATES every term
related to "school". So, we bought him some triangle flash cards. I don't
think he'll really use them beyond the the day we bought them. (I am afraid
he is like me: planning and shopping for educational supplies is more
exciting than actually using them!) I guess we all go through stages in our
lives when our need for structure ebbs and flows. At least with unschooling
you can allow yourself to ebb occasionally, whereas in school you always
have to go with their flow.
Olivia
I hope you had that hidden tape recorder ready to record DH's
pro-unschooling comments to save them for later. LOL My husband can be
supportive in one breath, then turn around and tell ds that he needs to do
more math practice or he'll need to go to school. Well, he is TRYING to
become more supportive...
As far as unschooling support goes within local homeschool groups, I have
met quite a few people who would like to be more unschoolish but just can't
quite go there. I admit, if questioned by a non-homeschooler (and some
homeschoolers too) about what we are doing for "schoolwork", I usually
sidestep the issue by saying we are "going with my son's interests" and
"doing a lot of hands-on activities" or that I obtained the local school
curriculum. (Of course I don't say we are actually following it!) I am
usually too chicken to use the "unschooling" word. But this is only our
second official year homeschooling, so maybe someday I'll utter that "u"
word in public. Ha, ha...
When talking to other homeschoolers I usually first assess their
perspectives on learning before I disclose our approach. One thing that is
discouraging is when another homschooler tells me that they cannot attend
some great activity or arrange a play date because a certain time slot
(usually 8-12 AM) is reserved for school work and they don't leave the
house during that time. I first think "that's too bad", then I think
"should I be doing that or my child will be uneducated in comparison?"
Although I realize that wouldn't work for us anyway, even if I ever wanted
to schedule our lives like that. But I do experience these confusing and
conflicting feelings about our way of learning.
It is funny to read about your daughter's excitement over the novelty of
the history class. I think if it was an everyday thing the excitement would
wear off pretty quickly. I was surprised when ds recently asked for math
flashcards. I nearly did a double-take. This is a kid who HATES every term
related to "school". So, we bought him some triangle flash cards. I don't
think he'll really use them beyond the the day we bought them. (I am afraid
he is like me: planning and shopping for educational supplies is more
exciting than actually using them!) I guess we all go through stages in our
lives when our need for structure ebbs and flows. At least with unschooling
you can allow yourself to ebb occasionally, whereas in school you always
have to go with their flow.
Olivia
> Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 01:07:14 EDT
> From: MorelFam@...
>Subject: unschooling support
>
>ty olivia. nice to know someone empathized with my decidedly on-topic post!
>haha! some topics are more interesting than others... do you have have
>unschooling support where you live or a pro-unschooling spouse? tonite at
>dinner, i heard dh make some comments that could be construed as supportive
>of unschooling! i was delighted, but acted calm! :) i still get somewhat
>uncomfortable at trying to explain/defend our unschooling to anyone, esp
>other homeschoolers...
>my dd(10.11) is has just begun taking a history class once a wk w/other
>hmschoolers and it is much too schooly (style) for my taste. but she is so
>thrilled with being assigned homework, presentations, etc. she is extremely
>motivated, taking it all very seriously, and says, "mom! now i'll finally
>get to use those homework tips i read about it my american girl magazine!"
>LOL! it is so funny to watch her... the novelty of it all, having been
>unschooled her whole life-- it is "fun" to her, so far...
>erin