Unschooling questions?
Russ Anderson
I've been following the breastfeeding discussion with fond memories, esp.
those of bf'ing by the lights of the Christmas tree. My girls are beyond
that now..but sure enjoyed the warm fuzzies that all of your posts brought
back to my memory.
So here are some 'unschooling discussion questions, and mostly ramblings..
I'm still trying to let go of all of the trappings of 'school'.. and really
be an unschooling family. But I cannot quite worrying if what the girls do
with their days is enough??? Even after reading so many unschooling books,
and going to a Gatto seminar..(And buying his latest book!) I know I should
have all of this figured out by now.. We have been hm'schoolers for 8yrs
too!
My oldest is 16yr old and has always been more 'bookish'.. and does her own
thing so well..(Mostly art, piano and gymnastics) But she was in ps for the
first 2 yrs and then more traditional hm'school until she was older. She is
very artistic and is thinking about college.. But I worry if she will really
be prepared?? She has never learned how to write well, except letters to
penpals..will she handle all the note taking and college essays? Her time
has always been spent doing art, working out in the gym or just messing
around outdoors..as she loves biology.
My younger two, ages 10 and 5 spend their days mostly playing pretend
games..like dress-up, roll-playing with their dolls and plastic animal
collections. We do read allot together, play a few games(mom has to be
talked into that, as I'm not much of a game person)..they love the computer,
but mostly just for the fun things - Crayola Paint n' Play Pony & Madeline
stuff.
We have been loosely using Sonlight Curriculum for the past 3 years, but
this year it has been such a pain trying to follow the TM at all.. I
continue to cling to it, as a way to keep decent looking records I guess.
That's another problem I have, making what the girls do with their
time..sound educational on paper.
My 10 yo just recently learned to read, and does love books. But cannot do
traditional math at all. Any attempts at normal math-type workbooks, turn
into crying sessions and I have bought so many different things. She is
great at counting her money and figuring out how much she has, when she
wants to buy something at the store. I wish I were more creative in the math
area, but I really don't enjoy math either. (but I sure don't want to
cripple my girls in this area) I finally just put all the workbooks and math
manipulative in a 'math learning center' and told her she can use them when
or if she wants too..so far nothing happening with it tho.
Ok..this is getting pretty long, I just wish I could hang out with one of
you for a day and watch how your family unschools..knowing how you and your
family spend a day or a week would be helpful. Do any of you have older
teens that have went on to college or who are living on their own?
Thanks for listening,
Julie in MO
those of bf'ing by the lights of the Christmas tree. My girls are beyond
that now..but sure enjoyed the warm fuzzies that all of your posts brought
back to my memory.
So here are some 'unschooling discussion questions, and mostly ramblings..
I'm still trying to let go of all of the trappings of 'school'.. and really
be an unschooling family. But I cannot quite worrying if what the girls do
with their days is enough??? Even after reading so many unschooling books,
and going to a Gatto seminar..(And buying his latest book!) I know I should
have all of this figured out by now.. We have been hm'schoolers for 8yrs
too!
My oldest is 16yr old and has always been more 'bookish'.. and does her own
thing so well..(Mostly art, piano and gymnastics) But she was in ps for the
first 2 yrs and then more traditional hm'school until she was older. She is
very artistic and is thinking about college.. But I worry if she will really
be prepared?? She has never learned how to write well, except letters to
penpals..will she handle all the note taking and college essays? Her time
has always been spent doing art, working out in the gym or just messing
around outdoors..as she loves biology.
My younger two, ages 10 and 5 spend their days mostly playing pretend
games..like dress-up, roll-playing with their dolls and plastic animal
collections. We do read allot together, play a few games(mom has to be
talked into that, as I'm not much of a game person)..they love the computer,
but mostly just for the fun things - Crayola Paint n' Play Pony & Madeline
stuff.
We have been loosely using Sonlight Curriculum for the past 3 years, but
this year it has been such a pain trying to follow the TM at all.. I
continue to cling to it, as a way to keep decent looking records I guess.
That's another problem I have, making what the girls do with their
time..sound educational on paper.
My 10 yo just recently learned to read, and does love books. But cannot do
traditional math at all. Any attempts at normal math-type workbooks, turn
into crying sessions and I have bought so many different things. She is
great at counting her money and figuring out how much she has, when she
wants to buy something at the store. I wish I were more creative in the math
area, but I really don't enjoy math either. (but I sure don't want to
cripple my girls in this area) I finally just put all the workbooks and math
manipulative in a 'math learning center' and told her she can use them when
or if she wants too..so far nothing happening with it tho.
Ok..this is getting pretty long, I just wish I could hang out with one of
you for a day and watch how your family unschools..knowing how you and your
family spend a day or a week would be helpful. Do any of you have older
teens that have went on to college or who are living on their own?
Thanks for listening,
Julie in MO