Mother of BORED
Amy Spang
I totally sympathize with your plight because I am also a teacher who
taught for many years before unschooling my kids. I find that my
education has been both an advantage and a disadvantage, in that I have
an intimate knowledge of how the public schools work and therefore never
worry that my kids are learning less at home, but also sometimes have
more trouble just letting let them learn. As far as methodology goes, I
find that I use more of the techniques I learned while doing research on
my own than what I learned in college. It is SO important in this
situation to always remember that TRUE education happens only on a very
individual basis, and public education only happens as a 'side effect' of
its real function, which is organization. You cannot have 30 kids in a
classroom with one adult and not have discipline and organization be
your number one priority. When you take responsibility for educating at
home, all that stuff goes out the window and your kids can settle down
to do the things that really count , without a beauacracy in the way.
You simply remove the third party. I feel certain that this is the
reason so many kids take off and really make progress once they're home.
It's a different situation to be in when you've been on both sides
of the fence, but I found that once I changed MY definiton of what
"teaching them" was (like reading and having interactive experiences
rather than paperwork), I realized that I HAVE been teaching all this
time, along with my husband, family , neighbors, and anyone else my
children come into contact with. When people ask if I 'teach' my kids
on a daily basis now, I simply say 'yes' and leave it at that.
Best of luck, and keep your chin up!! Amy in NY
________________________________________________________________
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taught for many years before unschooling my kids. I find that my
education has been both an advantage and a disadvantage, in that I have
an intimate knowledge of how the public schools work and therefore never
worry that my kids are learning less at home, but also sometimes have
more trouble just letting let them learn. As far as methodology goes, I
find that I use more of the techniques I learned while doing research on
my own than what I learned in college. It is SO important in this
situation to always remember that TRUE education happens only on a very
individual basis, and public education only happens as a 'side effect' of
its real function, which is organization. You cannot have 30 kids in a
classroom with one adult and not have discipline and organization be
your number one priority. When you take responsibility for educating at
home, all that stuff goes out the window and your kids can settle down
to do the things that really count , without a beauacracy in the way.
You simply remove the third party. I feel certain that this is the
reason so many kids take off and really make progress once they're home.
It's a different situation to be in when you've been on both sides
of the fence, but I found that once I changed MY definiton of what
"teaching them" was (like reading and having interactive experiences
rather than paperwork), I realized that I HAVE been teaching all this
time, along with my husband, family , neighbors, and anyone else my
children come into contact with. When people ask if I 'teach' my kids
on a daily basis now, I simply say 'yes' and leave it at that.
Best of luck, and keep your chin up!! Amy in NY
________________________________________________________________
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http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
Carol Gilliam
Amy mentioned that she reads to her kids. How many of you use this method
daily with your children?
I like what I am hearing about unschooling and having used Charlotte Mason's
method of reading histories ect a lot with my kids in the last year wondered
if this would transfer well to the unschooling way. AS you can tell, I am
struggling and searching and "worrying". Carol in NC
----------
daily with your children?
I like what I am hearing about unschooling and having used Charlotte Mason's
method of reading histories ect a lot with my kids in the last year wondered
if this would transfer well to the unschooling way. AS you can tell, I am
struggling and searching and "worrying". Carol in NC
----------
>From: Amy Spang <aspang1@...>
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Mother of BORED
>Date: Sun, Jan 7, 2001, 8:54 AM
>
>I totally sympathize with your plight because I am also a teacher who
>taught for many years before unschooling my kids. I find that my
>education has been both an advantage and a disadvantage, in that I have
>an intimate knowledge of how the public schools work and therefore never
>worry that my kids are learning less at home, but also sometimes have
>more trouble just letting let them learn. As far as methodology goes, I
>find that I use more of the techniques I learned while doing research on
>my own than what I learned in college. It is SO important in this
>situation to always remember that TRUE education happens only on a very
>individual basis, and public education only happens as a 'side effect' of
>its real function, which is organization. You cannot have 30 kids in a
>classroom with one adult and not have discipline and organization be
>your number one priority. When you take responsibility for educating at
>home, all that stuff goes out the window and your kids can settle down
>to do the things that really count , without a beauacracy in the way.
>You simply remove the third party. I feel certain that this is the
>reason so many kids take off and really make progress once they're home.
>
> It's a different situation to be in when you've been on both sides
>of the fence, but I found that once I changed MY definiton of what
>"teaching them" was (like reading and having interactive experiences
>rather than paperwork), I realized that I HAVE been teaching all this
>time, along with my husband, family , neighbors, and anyone else my
>children come into contact with. When people ask if I 'teach' my kids
>on a daily basis now, I simply say 'yes' and leave it at that.
>Best of luck, and keep your chin up!! Amy in NY
>
>________________________________________________________________
>GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
>Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
>Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
>http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
>
>Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
>Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
>Addresses:
>Post message: [email protected]
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>
>
dawn
we spend quite a bit of time reading outloud (or being read to my the
elder child). At minimum an hour a day. Usually at bedtime. Right now,
the daddy is finishing up the orginal translation of Bambi with the 5 yo,
the daddy and the 8 yo just finished Gettysburg, the 8 yo has been reading
Captain Underpants out loud to anyone in earshot and himself and Harry
Potter #2 and some other book about escaped fairies to himself. The mom
(which would be me) has been reading the Illiad out loud at lunch on some
days, and I'm in charge of picture books. I also read a lot to the boyz
when they are in the tub. Then we also do lots of books on tape. Just
brought home one of the Dragon Riders of Pern series tonight and Where the
REd Fern Grows (#1 son tired of reading it, but was enjoying the story--we
read the novel a few winters ago and neither parent can muster the
enthusiasm for re-reading it outloud). We alos routinely read Discovery
and Scientific American outloud with the elder son and Ranger Rick with #2
son. All OUt loud. #3 son, 7 months, enjoys Bunny, My HOney and Eric
Carle books.
dawn h-s
**********
Some who support more coercive strategies assume that children will run
wild if they are not controlled. However, the children for whom this is
true typically turn out to be those accustomed to being controlled--those
who are not trusted, given explanations, encouraged to think for
themselves, helped to develop and internalize good values, and so
on. Control breeds the need for more control, which is then used to
justify the use of control.
---Alfie Kohn, Punished by Rewards, p. 33.
**********
elder child). At minimum an hour a day. Usually at bedtime. Right now,
the daddy is finishing up the orginal translation of Bambi with the 5 yo,
the daddy and the 8 yo just finished Gettysburg, the 8 yo has been reading
Captain Underpants out loud to anyone in earshot and himself and Harry
Potter #2 and some other book about escaped fairies to himself. The mom
(which would be me) has been reading the Illiad out loud at lunch on some
days, and I'm in charge of picture books. I also read a lot to the boyz
when they are in the tub. Then we also do lots of books on tape. Just
brought home one of the Dragon Riders of Pern series tonight and Where the
REd Fern Grows (#1 son tired of reading it, but was enjoying the story--we
read the novel a few winters ago and neither parent can muster the
enthusiasm for re-reading it outloud). We alos routinely read Discovery
and Scientific American outloud with the elder son and Ranger Rick with #2
son. All OUt loud. #3 son, 7 months, enjoys Bunny, My HOney and Eric
Carle books.
dawn h-s
**********
Some who support more coercive strategies assume that children will run
wild if they are not controlled. However, the children for whom this is
true typically turn out to be those accustomed to being controlled--those
who are not trusted, given explanations, encouraged to think for
themselves, helped to develop and internalize good values, and so
on. Control breeds the need for more control, which is then used to
justify the use of control.
---Alfie Kohn, Punished by Rewards, p. 33.
**********
LisaKK
> Amy mentioned that she reads to her kids. How many of you use this methodHi Carol,
> daily with your children?
Reading daily to my chidlren is not part of *a method* for me. It's part of
being alive, just like sleeping, eating, fixiing the clutch cable when it
goes out, and a hundred other things I/we do during the day.. It's being
done because we like to read. We like hearing stories and finding out
information. I love to read and read very fast. My children are at other
places along the continumum.
> I like what I am hearing about unschooling and having used CharlotteMason's
> method of reading histories ect a lot with my kids in the last yearwondered
> if this would transfer well to the unschooling way. AS you can tell, I amDid you guys enjoy reading together? That's the test I use whether
> struggling and searching and "worrying". Carol in NC
> ----------
something is for us or not. If we aren't enjoying our ourselves then there
are so many other things we should choose to do. Our reading aloud time has
gone in cycles. Some years we do tons of it and at other times we hardly
ever sit together. I carried a cough around for a few months last year
that wouldn't let me read more than 3 sentences without having a spasm, so
right now we are out of the habit of reading together. I'm hoping Jan
brings a change to that. We used to read for an hour or more at bedtime, but
that shifted also as the kids got older.
There is no magic *way* to become educated. The activities and materials
that work one year won't work the next, what with growth and maturity
changes. Even financial changes have a way of impacting home education, the
years when we have a bit extra we travel more and go more places, thus
wilding changing our daiily schedules.
Searching is good. I think it's something most of us all during these
years. Searching for new materials, experiences and new ways to spend out
time. Worrying and struggling though, that's usually counterproductive
though, as the time and energy spent doing these things takes away from
searching and actually living together. I find things that fill our days
with activities we enjoy and when they begin to wane or become dull and
repetitive, I strike out on another search..... along with my kids. The
older they get the more they know what they want to learn about and how.
Which part are you struggling with? Right now I'm struggling with wanting
to actuall listen to everything my children want to tell me. With kids 7,
8, and 10 it seems my days are filled with constant chatter and here I am
craving peace and quiet. :(
Lisa
mary krzyzanowski
Hi Amy,
Where in NY do you live? We live near Rochester.
Mary
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Where in NY do you live? We live near Rochester.
Mary
>From: Amy Spang <aspang1@...>_________________________________________________________________
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Mother of BORED
>Date: Sun, 7 Jan 2001 08:54:33 -0500
>
>I totally sympathize with your plight because I am also a teacher who
>taught for many years before unschooling my kids. I find that my
>education has been both an advantage and a disadvantage, in that I have
>an intimate knowledge of how the public schools work and therefore never
>worry that my kids are learning less at home, but also sometimes have
>more trouble just letting let them learn. As far as methodology goes, I
>find that I use more of the techniques I learned while doing research on
>my own than what I learned in college. It is SO important in this
>situation to always remember that TRUE education happens only on a very
>individual basis, and public education only happens as a 'side effect' of
>its real function, which is organization. You cannot have 30 kids in a
>classroom with one adult and not have discipline and organization be
>your number one priority. When you take responsibility for educating at
>home, all that stuff goes out the window and your kids can settle down
>to do the things that really count , without a beauacracy in the way.
>You simply remove the third party. I feel certain that this is the
>reason so many kids take off and really make progress once they're home.
>
> It's a different situation to be in when you've been on both sides
>of the fence, but I found that once I changed MY definiton of what
>"teaching them" was (like reading and having interactive experiences
>rather than paperwork), I realized that I HAVE been teaching all this
>time, along with my husband, family , neighbors, and anyone else my
>children come into contact with. When people ask if I 'teach' my kids
>on a daily basis now, I simply say 'yes' and leave it at that.
>Best of luck, and keep your chin up!! Amy in NY
>
>________________________________________________________________
>GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
>Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
>Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
>http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
Tracy Oldfield
Carol our children ar read to, most of the time
briefly, at bedtime. I'd like to establish a reading-
time earlier in the day, when I've more energy and
tolerance for reading something longer, or just talking
about it more, but we haven't got that regular a
routine. Basically, I think it's because dd2 never
tolerated me talking while she was nursing! I was hard-
pressed to watch the telly, even cos she used to grab
my face and turn my head towards hers, once she could
reach! Talk about coercive! LOL
Anyway, the answer is yes, but not much.
Tracy
Amy mentioned that she reads to her kids. How many of
you use this method
daily with your children?
briefly, at bedtime. I'd like to establish a reading-
time earlier in the day, when I've more energy and
tolerance for reading something longer, or just talking
about it more, but we haven't got that regular a
routine. Basically, I think it's because dd2 never
tolerated me talking while she was nursing! I was hard-
pressed to watch the telly, even cos she used to grab
my face and turn my head towards hers, once she could
reach! Talk about coercive! LOL
Anyway, the answer is yes, but not much.
Tracy
Amy mentioned that she reads to her kids. How many of
you use this method
daily with your children?
Tracy Oldfield
Yeehaa! I'm not alone! LOL
I've even volunteered to be a witness to someone's
meeting with 'the authorities,' just so I can get away
from the house over night! LOL
Tracy
Which part are you struggling with? Right now I'm
struggling with wanting
to actuall listen to everything my children want to
tell me. With kids 7,
8, and 10 it seems my days are filled with constant
chatter and here I am
craving peace and quiet. :(
Lisa
I've even volunteered to be a witness to someone's
meeting with 'the authorities,' just so I can get away
from the house over night! LOL
Tracy
Which part are you struggling with? Right now I'm
struggling with wanting
to actuall listen to everything my children want to
tell me. With kids 7,
8, and 10 it seems my days are filled with constant
chatter and here I am
craving peace and quiet. :(
Lisa
[email protected]
Tracy wrote:
<< Basically, I think it's because dd2 never
tolerated me talking while she was nursing! I was hard-
pressed to watch the telly, even cos she used to grab
my face and turn my head towards hers, once she could
reach! Talk about coercive! LOL >>
Oh Tracy, this makes me laugh because my youngest-my baby 1 yo boy-is exactly
like this. If I try to read the newspaper while I nurse him, he'll kick at
it. If I try to converse with my husband, he'll pull at my face like you say
with your dd. It's comical to me. This is my 7th nursling, and I've never
had one this demanding of my attention!
Take care-
Carol B.
<< Basically, I think it's because dd2 never
tolerated me talking while she was nursing! I was hard-
pressed to watch the telly, even cos she used to grab
my face and turn my head towards hers, once she could
reach! Talk about coercive! LOL >>
Oh Tracy, this makes me laugh because my youngest-my baby 1 yo boy-is exactly
like this. If I try to read the newspaper while I nurse him, he'll kick at
it. If I try to converse with my husband, he'll pull at my face like you say
with your dd. It's comical to me. This is my 7th nursling, and I've never
had one this demanding of my attention!
Take care-
Carol B.
[email protected]
<< Amy mentioned that she reads to her kids. How many of
you use this method
daily with your children? >>
I read daily after lunch to my older kids...7, 10, 12 and 14. We've done
this for years at this time...while the littler ones nap. I also read to my
younger kids before their naps and before bedtime. Their sibs also read to
them, and Dad. We also go through cycles of reading...their interest waxes
and wanes. My 7yo does not have the attention span to listen very long, but
will listen to books on tape and certain stories. Remarkably, when he does
listen, he can usually tell us exactly where we left off in a story. He
likes fantasy books...like the Wizard of Oz series by Frank Baum, and Harry
Potter, but the rest of the kids prefer historical fiction, nature stories
and adventure stories. Right now we're reading aloud David Copperfield,
mostly because my 14yo is going through a Dicken's phase. I don't know if
we'll finish it though, because the 7 and 10 yo are having a hard time
listening to it.
Carol B.
you use this method
daily with your children? >>
I read daily after lunch to my older kids...7, 10, 12 and 14. We've done
this for years at this time...while the littler ones nap. I also read to my
younger kids before their naps and before bedtime. Their sibs also read to
them, and Dad. We also go through cycles of reading...their interest waxes
and wanes. My 7yo does not have the attention span to listen very long, but
will listen to books on tape and certain stories. Remarkably, when he does
listen, he can usually tell us exactly where we left off in a story. He
likes fantasy books...like the Wizard of Oz series by Frank Baum, and Harry
Potter, but the rest of the kids prefer historical fiction, nature stories
and adventure stories. Right now we're reading aloud David Copperfield,
mostly because my 14yo is going through a Dicken's phase. I don't know if
we'll finish it though, because the 7 and 10 yo are having a hard time
listening to it.
Carol B.
[email protected]
The absolute worst thing for my kids is to NOT get bedtime stories. They
are 8 & 5. We always do at least two picture books (when I'm just beat).
Dad reads at bedtime sometimes. Other nights it can go for 45 minutes.
We read in the daytime too, but not as consistently. (We've only missed
bedtime stories a few times).
We usually have a chapter book going. 8 yr old reads to us sometimes. 5
yr old has been known to "read" to us too. We do include nonfiction
books. They listen to books on tape too, especially in the car and at
breakfast or lunch. I try to get unabridged versions. Our library has a
fair selection. We've enjoyed Charlotte's Web, read by the author,
numerous times. Harry Potter is great on tape too, since it is read in
English, rather than American! You will learn how to really pronounce
Hermione! My Louisiana Sky is another great book on tape - read with the
southern accent and a very touching story. The whole family looks at the
newspaper (5 yr old likes the weather page).
We will probably finish Charlie and the Chocolate Factory today. I
sometimes feel bad that I don't read more picture books to my youngest.
She loves to hear the same stories over and over, but I need new stories
for reading aloud. However, my mom says that when I was 9 or so I read
Charlotte's Web repeatedly.
Mary Ellen
Gain weight... Stay Active... Get Smarter...
New Year's Resolutions are EASY for Babies!
<Hi and Lois>
are 8 & 5. We always do at least two picture books (when I'm just beat).
Dad reads at bedtime sometimes. Other nights it can go for 45 minutes.
We read in the daytime too, but not as consistently. (We've only missed
bedtime stories a few times).
We usually have a chapter book going. 8 yr old reads to us sometimes. 5
yr old has been known to "read" to us too. We do include nonfiction
books. They listen to books on tape too, especially in the car and at
breakfast or lunch. I try to get unabridged versions. Our library has a
fair selection. We've enjoyed Charlotte's Web, read by the author,
numerous times. Harry Potter is great on tape too, since it is read in
English, rather than American! You will learn how to really pronounce
Hermione! My Louisiana Sky is another great book on tape - read with the
southern accent and a very touching story. The whole family looks at the
newspaper (5 yr old likes the weather page).
We will probably finish Charlie and the Chocolate Factory today. I
sometimes feel bad that I don't read more picture books to my youngest.
She loves to hear the same stories over and over, but I need new stories
for reading aloud. However, my mom says that when I was 9 or so I read
Charlotte's Web repeatedly.
Mary Ellen
Gain weight... Stay Active... Get Smarter...
New Year's Resolutions are EASY for Babies!
<Hi and Lois>
mary krzyzanowski
Dear Carol,
I find the combination of Charlotte Mason classic book reading and
unschooling works well for our family. I usually pick the book and will
read 1-2 chapters/day. If my 2 older girls (10, 8) are interested we
continue with it; if not, we drop it. We were listening to story tapes in
the car until the tape player "ate" my Handel's "Messiah". I don't dare
feed it any more tapes. I generally pick books from a reading list and/or
the children's interests.
Mary-NY
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
I find the combination of Charlotte Mason classic book reading and
unschooling works well for our family. I usually pick the book and will
read 1-2 chapters/day. If my 2 older girls (10, 8) are interested we
continue with it; if not, we drop it. We were listening to story tapes in
the car until the tape player "ate" my Handel's "Messiah". I don't dare
feed it any more tapes. I generally pick books from a reading list and/or
the children's interests.
Mary-NY
>From: "Carol Gilliam" <jeannie@...>_________________________________________________________________
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Mother of BORED
>Date: Sun, 07 Jan 2001 16:42:01 -0500
>
>Amy mentioned that she reads to her kids. How many of you use this method
>daily with your children?
>I like what I am hearing about unschooling and having used Charlotte
>Mason's
>method of reading histories ect a lot with my kids in the last year
>wondered
>if this would transfer well to the unschooling way. AS you can tell, I am
>struggling and searching and "worrying". Carol in NC
>----------
> >From: Amy Spang <aspang1@...>
> >To: [email protected]
> >Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Mother of BORED
> >Date: Sun, Jan 7, 2001, 8:54 AM
> >
>
> >I totally sympathize with your plight because I am also a teacher who
> >taught for many years before unschooling my kids. I find that my
> >education has been both an advantage and a disadvantage, in that I have
> >an intimate knowledge of how the public schools work and therefore never
> >worry that my kids are learning less at home, but also sometimes have
> >more trouble just letting let them learn. As far as methodology goes, I
> >find that I use more of the techniques I learned while doing research on
> >my own than what I learned in college. It is SO important in this
> >situation to always remember that TRUE education happens only on a very
> >individual basis, and public education only happens as a 'side effect' of
> >its real function, which is organization. You cannot have 30 kids in a
> >classroom with one adult and not have discipline and organization be
> >your number one priority. When you take responsibility for educating at
> >home, all that stuff goes out the window and your kids can settle down
> >to do the things that really count , without a beauacracy in the way.
> >You simply remove the third party. I feel certain that this is the
> >reason so many kids take off and really make progress once they're home.
> >
> > It's a different situation to be in when you've been on both sides
> >of the fence, but I found that once I changed MY definiton of what
> >"teaching them" was (like reading and having interactive experiences
> >rather than paperwork), I realized that I HAVE been teaching all this
> >time, along with my husband, family , neighbors, and anyone else my
> >children come into contact with. When people ask if I 'teach' my kids
> >on a daily basis now, I simply say 'yes' and leave it at that.
> >Best of luck, and keep your chin up!! Amy in NY
> >
> >________________________________________________________________
> >GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
> >Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
> >Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
> >http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
> >
> >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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