[email protected]

I've been thinking a lot lately about unschooling in terms of "living"
rather than an alternate method of "education". This list does help a
lot, but I'm also seeking people to spend time with who are pondering
these issues.

Sooo, I guess I was hoping for a few unschoolers who met at the park once
in awhile... =^..^=

Next time we head over the pass I'll let you know. It'd be nice to meet
and really cool if there were others in the area! We are planning to go
to the Titanic exhibit at Seattle Center, maybe in May. Which parks do
you like to go to in Tacoma?

I have a GREAT friend in Tacoma, but she is now a teacher, aaaaggghhhh!
We are still good friends, but it's a challenge when there is a major
difference in child-rearing ideas. Our daughters are the same age and we
met when they were newborns. Also, it's tough to find time to get
together because her dd keeps school hours.

I am thinking about starting an unschooling "un group" locally. Just
giving it a name and listing it in the newspaper support groups and clubs
listing, maybe the library too. Trying to find out if there are any
other unschoolers around here. It's quite possible that there are other
unschoolers, but they haven't felt any need to join a homeschooling
group.

I do feel lucky to be part of an eclectic homeschooling group. Members
are very accepting of the variety of approaches that other members use.
There have been a variety of events through the group, but my favorites
are the park days and play days, where we can just get together without
an agenda. There are a couple of unschoolers, but they are losing faith
that this approach will work as their kids get older and are requiring
some academics.

Mary Ellen
March is National Nutrition Month
Did you eat your 5 today?
(fruits and vegetables, that is!)


***"Organized unschooling group"? <gales of laughter> Mary Ellen, I'm
afraid
*this* is the only kind of unschooling group I have...here on line. It
would
be fun to get together, though. Perhaps you and I could offer (on-line)
to
host an unschooling picnic sometime?

I'm driving through Gig Harbor tomorrow, as a matter of fact. :)

Valerie in Tacoma

Valerie Stewart

Hi Mary Ellen (and anyone in the PNW)

We like going to just about all the parks here. Depends on the weather and
what we're doing. For large get-togethers there's Wright's Park in Central
Tacoma (with an old flower conservatory and many different trees, duck pond,
etc), Point Defiance Park (with the zoo, Japanese garden, Owen's beach),
Wapato Park, Titlow Park...and there's just little parks all over, too. Some
have wading pools open in the summer.

It would be great to get unschoolers together to just play and hang out. And
see if the kids click or not. My kids like anyone who can pretend. (even
BOYS)

Valerie