What exactly do you do with your kids?
Simpson
Ok I am going to go out on a limb here and ask this
but please could you respond with real life examples and not
Ideals?
I have been unschooling and love it, but I am not
sure If I am a true all the way cut loose unschooler, this is what I want to
know
what exatly does your family do on a daily basis
and are your children required to help around the house? are they just free to
run and have no requirements on them at all? do they have wake and sleep times
that are set? what about computer time and tv time is it regulated ?
around here I wake everyone up, we don't watch t.v.
they eat and clean up their own breakfast mess, then on to chores everyone is to
help clean the house , ( dishes , pickup, vac, bathroom cleaning,
ect..)
it is a constant battle just to get this stuff
done, seems they waste most of their day on this (well two of them
anyway)
I really need some real life example answers that I
can make sense of, I feel like I don't give them enough freedom to do what they
want, this is about the older kids 14,12,10 then we have a 2 and 9mo they
help me out with alot!
how do you balance house keeping with everything
else and are your children self motivated in any way to help with the house? if
so how di they get that way?
at this point two of my older children would do
nothing for the household at all and unless I continually remind and hound them
about what I have asked for like watering the dogs or unloading the dishwasher,
they will just play and do nothing instead they are 14 and 10 I think they
should be able to help out around here without me asking.
what are your veiws on all of this
I really need some insight as to attitudes in
other peoples homes not just what you beleive would be the idealistic way to
unschool but how it is really going down in your own households!
thank you for your help in advance
I do not require any school type work from them,
but do have alot of other controlls going on that I would like to learn to let
go of!
"The secret of happiness is this: Let your
interests be as
wide as possible, and let your reactions to the things and
persons that interest you be as far as possible friendly
rather than hostile." --Bertrand Russell
wide as possible, and let your reactions to the things and
persons that interest you be as far as possible friendly
rather than hostile." --Bertrand Russell
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/18/01 7:33:13 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
michigan@... writes:
great point btw
everyday is different here
they do some chores or no allowance,,,,any kind of bookwork they want each
day & i try to encourage a project or 2
were big on field trips & free play
puter cd games are currently what we struggle with;-/
i think warm weather helps--snow here now and last week 85 degrees lol
ellie mom of 4--one 7 wks in wv
michigan@... writes:
with real life examples and not Ideals?
great point btw
everyday is different here
they do some chores or no allowance,,,,any kind of bookwork they want each
day & i try to encourage a project or 2
were big on field trips & free play
puter cd games are currently what we struggle with;-/
i think warm weather helps--snow here now and last week 85 degrees lol
ellie mom of 4--one 7 wks in wv
Juli
> I have been unschooling and love it, but I am notMe, too. I'm still in transition.
> sure If I am a true all the way cut loose
> unschooler
> what exatly does your family do on a daily basis andYes, people who live in a house together have to
> are your children required to help around the house?
contribute to caring for the house. I am not a
housekeeper, I'm an unschooler! We all do housework.
> are they just free to run and have no requirementsNo, they have to tell me where they're going, see if
> on them at all?
it's ok, do their chores regularly. Erik does his
paper route. Aubrey has art and piano lessons. We do
volunteer work together.
do they have wake and sleep times
> that are set?Not really. We have a pretty structured evening:
dinner, family walk, chores, reading aloud, quiet time
in rooms. But they tell us when they want tucking in
and lights out. If we fall asleep before they ask for
lights out, there's no tucking in, so they're pretty
aware of when we seem to be bedding down for the
night. Because they really want their tucking in!
what about computer time and tv time
> is it regulated ?We have no cable, and in this area, that means no tv
channels. For computer, no it's not regulated, except
I recently made a rule that says "computer games are
for people with clean rooms." The rooms are a lot
cleaner, and there's been no resistance to this rule.
Videos, they just say, "Can I watch a video?" and I
say sure or I say if your room is clean. This isn't a
rule. They just always have asked.
>this is about
> the older kids 14,12,10 then we have a 2 and 9moYou have way too many people in your family to do all
> they help me out with alot!
the housework on your own! They need to help! It might
work better if they each had areas of responsibility
so you didn't have to nag them. My son is in charge of
keeping the living room tidy. He also sweeps the
kitchen after dinner each night (we all contribute to
the meal: I cook, dh does dishes, dd sets and cleans
the table). And during reading aloud, he folds one
basket of laundry. My daughter feeds the pets, sets
and cleans the table, and is in charge of keeping the
dining room tidy. The kids have their own bathroom,
and I just point out when it's trashed. I do the
toilet cleaning and stuff, but they have to pick up
their own bath toys and towels and stuff.
> how do you balance house keeping with everythingNo, they're not self-motivated, but neither am I. :)
> else and are your children self motivated in any way
> to help with the house?
Not about housework. They just know their areas of
responsibility. Sure, I sometimes have to say, listen,
your dining room is messy.
Hope any of this helps. Juli
=====
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him to find it within himself --Galileo
__________________________________________________
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In a message dated 4/18/01 7:33:02 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
michigan@... writes:
<< what exatly does your family do on a daily basis and are your children
required to help around the house? >>
michigan@... writes:
<< what exatly does your family do on a daily basis and are your children
required to help around the house? >>
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/18/01 7:33:02 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
michigan@... writes:
<< what exatly does your family do on a daily basis and are your children
required to help around the house? >>
I understand why you want specifics so here goes...we have five boys,
ages almost 17, almost 13 and again, 9, and 4. They all have to help around
the house, although the older three do a lot more. We have tried many
different approaches, including the one where we just do things as we see
they need to be done, but we ended up going back to our chore cards. I cut
index cards in fourths and wrote every chore I could think of, including ones
that always got skipped before. Three days a week, we have to pick 6 of the
cards. The other days, we just do the bare minimum. None of us like
housework much but we all agree that the house has a depressing atmosphere
when it's messy so we just try to find the easiest way.
We have separate laundry hampers for me, Matt (their Dad), each of the
three oldest, and then the 9 and 4 yr olds share one. I wash mine, often my
husband's, and usually the youngests', although sometimes I'll tell one of
the older kids to stick their clothes in the washer. The older ones wash and
put away their own clothes and that is one thing I don't have to tell them to
do because they find themselves running out of clothes. We also each have
our own dish colors (we have those solid color ones) so the three older ones
wash their own and sometimes I'll say to wash Sean's or Ryan's with theirs
(those are my two youngest).
I would probably have my 9 yr old help more but he is very delayed in
his fine motor skills and also in some of his overall logic so I have to
choose things that he can handle. However, he is getting better at
understanding things.
We have TVs but we don't have cable or satellite so we only watch movies
and not very often, except for my younger two. With them, I do sometimes
limit it to one movie a day because I have found that my 9 yr old doesn't do
well with too much TV/movie viewing and would watch it all day if I let him.
We also limit video games to a couple of times a week.
We used to go to bed later and get up later but lately we've been going
to bed by about 9 and getting up between 5:30 and 6:30. This is something I
pushed but only for a few days until the new mental alarm clock kicked in. I
told the kids that I felt like it was a waste for us to be burning the lights
late into the night and then sleeping through some of the morning light, plus
I have read that it's healthier for people to go with the natural light and
dark cycles because it goes with our natural melatonin production. And we
all do feel a lot better this way now that we're used to it. Plus my husband
gets to see us before going off to work, on the days he works.
All of this probably sounds too regimented but the reality of it doesn't
have that feeling. I basically believe in giving kids a lot of blank, open
time because they naturally fill it in with things that interest them. But I
find that TV can mess up this process and has a hypnotic effect, so that
days/weeks/months can go by watching things you could actually care less
about. I have experienced this with myself when we had TV and I'm not even a
TV lover.
These are just our ways of doing things, not what I think everyone needs
to do. We all try for what works best for our personalities, ways of living,
etc. But since you asked for specifics, that's what I aimed for. Sorry so
long!
Lucy
michigan@... writes:
<< what exatly does your family do on a daily basis and are your children
required to help around the house? >>
I understand why you want specifics so here goes...we have five boys,
ages almost 17, almost 13 and again, 9, and 4. They all have to help around
the house, although the older three do a lot more. We have tried many
different approaches, including the one where we just do things as we see
they need to be done, but we ended up going back to our chore cards. I cut
index cards in fourths and wrote every chore I could think of, including ones
that always got skipped before. Three days a week, we have to pick 6 of the
cards. The other days, we just do the bare minimum. None of us like
housework much but we all agree that the house has a depressing atmosphere
when it's messy so we just try to find the easiest way.
We have separate laundry hampers for me, Matt (their Dad), each of the
three oldest, and then the 9 and 4 yr olds share one. I wash mine, often my
husband's, and usually the youngests', although sometimes I'll tell one of
the older kids to stick their clothes in the washer. The older ones wash and
put away their own clothes and that is one thing I don't have to tell them to
do because they find themselves running out of clothes. We also each have
our own dish colors (we have those solid color ones) so the three older ones
wash their own and sometimes I'll say to wash Sean's or Ryan's with theirs
(those are my two youngest).
I would probably have my 9 yr old help more but he is very delayed in
his fine motor skills and also in some of his overall logic so I have to
choose things that he can handle. However, he is getting better at
understanding things.
We have TVs but we don't have cable or satellite so we only watch movies
and not very often, except for my younger two. With them, I do sometimes
limit it to one movie a day because I have found that my 9 yr old doesn't do
well with too much TV/movie viewing and would watch it all day if I let him.
We also limit video games to a couple of times a week.
We used to go to bed later and get up later but lately we've been going
to bed by about 9 and getting up between 5:30 and 6:30. This is something I
pushed but only for a few days until the new mental alarm clock kicked in. I
told the kids that I felt like it was a waste for us to be burning the lights
late into the night and then sleeping through some of the morning light, plus
I have read that it's healthier for people to go with the natural light and
dark cycles because it goes with our natural melatonin production. And we
all do feel a lot better this way now that we're used to it. Plus my husband
gets to see us before going off to work, on the days he works.
All of this probably sounds too regimented but the reality of it doesn't
have that feeling. I basically believe in giving kids a lot of blank, open
time because they naturally fill it in with things that interest them. But I
find that TV can mess up this process and has a hypnotic effect, so that
days/weeks/months can go by watching things you could actually care less
about. I have experienced this with myself when we had TV and I'm not even a
TV lover.
These are just our ways of doing things, not what I think everyone needs
to do. We all try for what works best for our personalities, ways of living,
etc. But since you asked for specifics, that's what I aimed for. Sorry so
long!
Lucy
Angela
My
kids are only 4 and 6. They love to be read to. They love to play
with their many toys. They LOVE to do crafts and make quite a mess.
I do ask them to help pick up esp. when things get too deep. If they ask
me to play a game (we play Life about 6 times a day at my 6 yos request,) I will
play if the house is not completely destroyed. When they have the
motivation (want me to play a game) they pick up really fast. It works
best of course if you don't let it get too messy to begin with. I try to
have them pick up a bit each night before bed. I refuse to be a crab about
it, but if their is something I specifically want done, I just ask in a polite
manner and they do not usually refuse. Both my dh and my kids do best with
specific instructions. For example: "Would you please take the trash
out." I have stopped expecting things to get done without my asking, even
from my husband. He just doesn't see the same thing I see through my eyes,
but he always obliges me if I ask him to help with a specific task.
I
clean the bathrooms, vacuum, dust (bi-annually), do the dishes. The kids clear
their places at the table and help pick up their rooms when they get too deep. I
am not too anal about their rooms as I figure they are *their* rooms. But
since they want me to lay with them while they fall asleep, I require a
path to the bed. LOL I try to find a happy medium in all
things. I want the kids to learn some responsibility, but I want them to
be able to be kids for as long as possible. I think they will learn from
my example even if I don't make them clean very much as kids. I try my
best to do the house chores with a happy heart. I try to live in the
moment and take pride in everything I do, even if it is cleaning the
toilet.
Angela in Maine. Unschooling Mom to two beautiful
daughters. "Play is our brain's favorite way to learn."
Unknown
www.geocities.com/autonomousangela
[email protected]
It's a great question and I love reading about everyone else's typical day
and maybe getting ideas.
Last year, my daughter went to a Montessori school and decided to homeschool
again this year but wanted a curriculum. I did buy her Oak Meadow which she
enjoyed for a time, but then we got involved with an unschooling group here
that she goes twice a week to. They are free to choose whatever activities
they want to do so that exposed her again to unschooling and now she has
abandoned the curriculum in order to unshcool. Her interest right now are in
dogs and in training them. . .she will be getting a dog this summer and so is
learning all she can about that. She started a newsletter for her unschool
group, and is planning on volunteering with a vet next year. I have a 21
month old that she spends a lot of time playing with, and we go to the park
often, and talk a lot. She watches some TV, and is very interested in music
(singing) but is backing off from that a bit. We have no typical days. . .
she likes to keep her room clean and helps out a lot around the house, and is
happy to do so. (I know I know. . . I am very lucky!! :)
We are moving to a place with 2 plus acres in the summer so I am really
looking forward to doing a lot outside with the kids then. I plan on building
a greenhouse and growing food year round.
The only thing I worry about occasionally is that she hates math and is not
at all interested in it. That is fine with me, except now there is a
possibility she will go to college and so I am having to let go of this idea
that I need to teach her math. She will learn it when she needs to, and she
will learn what she is interested in.
lovemary
and maybe getting ideas.
Last year, my daughter went to a Montessori school and decided to homeschool
again this year but wanted a curriculum. I did buy her Oak Meadow which she
enjoyed for a time, but then we got involved with an unschooling group here
that she goes twice a week to. They are free to choose whatever activities
they want to do so that exposed her again to unschooling and now she has
abandoned the curriculum in order to unshcool. Her interest right now are in
dogs and in training them. . .she will be getting a dog this summer and so is
learning all she can about that. She started a newsletter for her unschool
group, and is planning on volunteering with a vet next year. I have a 21
month old that she spends a lot of time playing with, and we go to the park
often, and talk a lot. She watches some TV, and is very interested in music
(singing) but is backing off from that a bit. We have no typical days. . .
she likes to keep her room clean and helps out a lot around the house, and is
happy to do so. (I know I know. . . I am very lucky!! :)
We are moving to a place with 2 plus acres in the summer so I am really
looking forward to doing a lot outside with the kids then. I plan on building
a greenhouse and growing food year round.
The only thing I worry about occasionally is that she hates math and is not
at all interested in it. That is fine with me, except now there is a
possibility she will go to college and so I am having to let go of this idea
that I need to teach her math. She will learn it when she needs to, and she
will learn what she is interested in.
lovemary
R Meyers
lovemary,
I would love to hear about your
unschool group that gets together......what do you guys do
exactly???
Rachel
----- Original Message -----From: lite2yu@...Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2001 11:54 AMSubject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] What exactly do you do with your kids?It's a great question and I love reading about everyone else's typical day
and maybe getting ideas.
Last year, my daughter went to a Montessori school and decided to homeschool
again this year but wanted a curriculum. I did buy her Oak Meadow which she
enjoyed for a time, but then we got involved with an unschooling group here
that she goes twice a week to. They are free to choose whatever activities
they want to do so that exposed her again to unschooling and now she has
abandoned the curriculum in order to unshcool. Her interest right now are in
dogs and in training them. . .she will be getting a dog this summer and so is
learning all she can about that. She started a newsletter for her unschool
group, and is planning on volunteering with a vet next year. I have a 21
month old that she spends a lot of time playing with, and we go to the park
often, and talk a lot. She watches some TV, and is very interested in music
(singing) but is backing off from that a bit. We have no typical days. . .
she likes to keep her room clean and helps out a lot around the house, and is
happy to do so. (I know I know. . . I am very lucky!! :)
We are moving to a place with 2 plus acres in the summer so I am really
looking forward to doing a lot outside with the kids then. I plan on building
a greenhouse and growing food year round.
The only thing I worry about occasionally is that she hates math and is not
at all interested in it. That is fine with me, except now there is a
possibility she will go to college and so I am having to let go of this idea
that I need to teach her math. She will learn it when she needs to, and she
will learn what she is interested in.
lovemary
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In a message dated 4/18/2001 6:03:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
livinglighthouse@... writes:
I would love to hear about your unschool group that gets together......what
do you guys do exactly???
Rachel
Hi Rachel,
I recently moved here to Philadelphia. This unschooling group was begun many
years ago by a husband and wife named Peter Bergman and Susan Shilock. They
are Holt devotee's who have 5 or 6 children and have backgrounds in child
development when they found out about Holt, et al.
I am not entirely sure of the complete history of "Open Connections" as the
group is called. Presently, they have "classes" (for lack of a better term
from me at the moment) daily, somedays two different themes. For example, the
two days my daughter goes. . .one day is called Open Forum. . . on this day
the kids (age range is 7 to 12) are free to choose from a variety of things
to do. . . they can play outside all day, they do woodworking projects, they
have a "shop" complete with cash register and counter which they really love,
tons of puzzles, games, manipulative things, etc. They have made taffy a few
times, etc. etc etc. There are facilitators there and parents are invited to
volunteer their area of expertise. I know another day is called "Tutorial"
which is probably more formalized, but I do know right now they are doing a
play in that group. There is a group that is called "Day on the Farm". OC (as
we call it) with a huge financial donation that is on-going has been able to
buy a 27 acre piece of property complete with old farm house that will house
the group next year and on. The group is devoted to choice and self-directed
learning. It does costs to go . . .this is how Susan and Peter make their
livelihood as well as employing the facilitators, but I cannot imagine a
better place for my kids to go a couple of days a week. It gives my daughter
the social outlet she needs, and allows her to see others like herself
learning at their own pace.
I read this today from something Peter wrote about the new place they were
able to buy, and this may give you a sense of what we have here. . ."This is
literally a dream (vision) come true. Ever since I first conceived of my
desired end product back in 1967, when I read A.S. Neil's Summerhill and
imagined my ideal situation, I have held a close version of our new site in
my mind. It's almost eerie how similar the new property is to the image that
I've held for over thirty years. When I first drove down the driveway, I was
spooked by the sense of deja vu. I didn't have to wonder why. The present was
merely the future come to life."
I moved here to PA with my new husband (after living all my life in the
south) and have not been thrilled with a lot of things. But the awesome
opportunity to be in this incredible group of people who unschool (or
something close to it) is worth the sacrifices I have made. Whenever I think
about moving away from here, I cannot imagine going back to a place where I
don't experience this kind of support.
My husband just read your question and he said. . . well, we don't do
anything exactly in unschooling, right? :) He is learning about it as we go
along, albeit a bit reluctantly at first. His parents are retired
schoolteachers (over 35 years).
Anyway, a bit long winded I know, but I hope it explains it somewhat.
lovemary
livinglighthouse@... writes:
lovemary,
I would love to hear about your unschool group that gets together......what
do you guys do exactly???
Rachel
Hi Rachel,
I recently moved here to Philadelphia. This unschooling group was begun many
years ago by a husband and wife named Peter Bergman and Susan Shilock. They
are Holt devotee's who have 5 or 6 children and have backgrounds in child
development when they found out about Holt, et al.
I am not entirely sure of the complete history of "Open Connections" as the
group is called. Presently, they have "classes" (for lack of a better term
from me at the moment) daily, somedays two different themes. For example, the
two days my daughter goes. . .one day is called Open Forum. . . on this day
the kids (age range is 7 to 12) are free to choose from a variety of things
to do. . . they can play outside all day, they do woodworking projects, they
have a "shop" complete with cash register and counter which they really love,
tons of puzzles, games, manipulative things, etc. They have made taffy a few
times, etc. etc etc. There are facilitators there and parents are invited to
volunteer their area of expertise. I know another day is called "Tutorial"
which is probably more formalized, but I do know right now they are doing a
play in that group. There is a group that is called "Day on the Farm". OC (as
we call it) with a huge financial donation that is on-going has been able to
buy a 27 acre piece of property complete with old farm house that will house
the group next year and on. The group is devoted to choice and self-directed
learning. It does costs to go . . .this is how Susan and Peter make their
livelihood as well as employing the facilitators, but I cannot imagine a
better place for my kids to go a couple of days a week. It gives my daughter
the social outlet she needs, and allows her to see others like herself
learning at their own pace.
I read this today from something Peter wrote about the new place they were
able to buy, and this may give you a sense of what we have here. . ."This is
literally a dream (vision) come true. Ever since I first conceived of my
desired end product back in 1967, when I read A.S. Neil's Summerhill and
imagined my ideal situation, I have held a close version of our new site in
my mind. It's almost eerie how similar the new property is to the image that
I've held for over thirty years. When I first drove down the driveway, I was
spooked by the sense of deja vu. I didn't have to wonder why. The present was
merely the future come to life."
I moved here to PA with my new husband (after living all my life in the
south) and have not been thrilled with a lot of things. But the awesome
opportunity to be in this incredible group of people who unschool (or
something close to it) is worth the sacrifices I have made. Whenever I think
about moving away from here, I cannot imagine going back to a place where I
don't experience this kind of support.
My husband just read your question and he said. . . well, we don't do
anything exactly in unschooling, right? :) He is learning about it as we go
along, albeit a bit reluctantly at first. His parents are retired
schoolteachers (over 35 years).
Anyway, a bit long winded I know, but I hope it explains it somewhat.
lovemary
Vaughnde Edwards
I love the idea. I wish we had something like that here in
the missoula area. Most of the homeschool group that we have here are
homeschoolers...a couple of families are unschoolers. I still haven't found a
friend close enough to be bosom buddies with that also unschools. Maybe
someday...
-----Original Message-----In a message dated 4/18/2001 6:03:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
From: lite2yu@... <lite2yu@...>
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Date: Wednesday, April 18, 2001 5:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] What exactly do you do with your kids?
livinglighthouse@... writes:
lovemary,
I would love to hear about your unschool group that gets together......what
do you guys do exactly???
Rachel
Hi Rachel,
I recently moved here to Philadelphia. This unschooling group was begun many
years ago by a husband and wife named Peter Bergman and Susan Shilock. They
are Holt devotee's who have 5 or 6 children and have backgrounds in child
development when they found out about Holt, et al.
I am not entirely sure of the complete history of "Open Connections" as the
group is called. Presently, they have "classes" (for lack of a better term
from me at the moment) daily, somedays two different themes. For example, the
two days my daughter goes. . .one day is called Open Forum. . . on this day
the kids (age range is 7 to 12) are free to choose from a variety of things
to do. . . they can play outside all day, they do woodworking projects, they
have a "shop" complete with cash register and counter which they really love,
tons of puzzles, games, manipulative things, etc. They have made taffy a few
times, etc. etc etc. There are facilitators there and parents are invited to
volunteer their area of expertise. I know another day is called "Tutorial"
which is probably more formalized, but I do know right now they are doing a
play in that group. There is a group that is called "Day on the Farm". OC (as
we call it) with a huge financial donation that is on-going has been able to
buy a 27 acre piece of property complete with old farm house that will house
the group next year and on. The group is devoted to choice and self-directed
learning. It does costs to go . . .this is how Susan and Peter make their
livelihood as well as employing the facilitators, but I cannot imagine a
better place for my kids to go a couple of days a week. It gives my daughter
the social outlet she needs, and allows her to see others like herself
learning at their own pace.
I read this today from something Peter wrote about the new place they were
able to buy, and this may give you a sense of what we have here. . ."This is
literally a dream (vision) come true. Ever since I first conceived of my
desired end product back in 1967, when I read A.S. Neil's Summerhill and
imagined my ideal situation, I have held a close version of our new site in
my mind. It's almost eerie how similar the new property is to the image that
I've held for over thirty years. When I first drove down the driveway, I was
spooked by the sense of deja vu. I didn't have to wonder why. The present was
merely the future come to life."
I moved here to PA with my new husband (after living all my life in the
south) and have not been thrilled with a lot of things. But the awesome
opportunity to be in this incredible group of people who unschool (or
something close to it) is worth the sacrifices I have made. Whenever I think
about moving away from here, I cannot imagine going back to a place where I
don't experience this kind of support.
My husband just read your question and he said. . . well, we don't do
anything exactly in unschooling, right? :) He is learning about it as we go
along, albeit a bit reluctantly at first. His parents are retired
schoolteachers (over 35 years).
Anyway, a bit long winded I know, but I hope it explains it somewhat.
lovemary
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R Meyers
Thank you for explaining..........I
would love to have something like that around, consider yourself very
lucky.
Rachel
----- Original Message -----From: lite2yu@...Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2001 4:51 PMSubject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] What exactly do you do with your kids?In a message dated 4/18/2001 6:03:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
livinglighthouse@... writes:
lovemary,
I would love to hear about your unschool group that gets together......what
do you guys do exactly???
Rachel
Hi Rachel,
I recently moved here to Philadelphia. This unschooling group was begun many
years ago by a husband and wife named Peter Bergman and Susan Shilock. They
are Holt devotee's who have 5 or 6 children and have backgrounds in child
development when they found out about Holt, et al.
I am not entirely sure of the complete history of "Open Connections" as the
group is called. Presently, they have "classes" (for lack of a better term
from me at the moment) daily, somedays two different themes. For example, the
two days my daughter goes. . .one day is called Open Forum. . . on this day
the kids (age range is 7 to 12) are free to choose from a variety of things
to do. . . they can play outside all day, they do woodworking projects, they
have a "shop" complete with cash register and counter which they really love,
tons of puzzles, games, manipulative things, etc. They have made taffy a few
times, etc. etc etc. There are facilitators there and parents are invited to
volunteer their area of expertise. I know another day is called "Tutorial"
which is probably more formalized, but I do know right now they are doing a
play in that group. There is a group that is called "Day on the Farm". OC (as
we call it) with a huge financial donation that is on-going has been able to
buy a 27 acre piece of property complete with old farm house that will house
the group next year and on. The group is devoted to choice and self-directed
learning. It does costs to go . . .this is how Susan and Peter make their
livelihood as well as employing the facilitators, but I cannot imagine a
better place for my kids to go a couple of days a week. It gives my daughter
the social outlet she needs, and allows her to see others like herself
learning at their own pace.
I read this today from something Peter wrote about the new place they were
able to buy, and this may give you a sense of what we have here. . ."This is
literally a dream (vision) come true. Ever since I first conceived of my
desired end product back in 1967, when I read A.S. Neil's Summerhill and
imagined my ideal situation, I have held a close version of our new site in
my mind. It's almost eerie how similar the new property is to the image that
I've held for over thirty years. When I first drove down the driveway, I was
spooked by the sense of deja vu. I didn't have to wonder why. The present was
merely the future come to life."
I moved here to PA with my new husband (after living all my life in the
south) and have not been thrilled with a lot of things. But the awesome
opportunity to be in this incredible group of people who unschool (or
something close to it) is worth the sacrifices I have made. Whenever I think
about moving away from here, I cannot imagine going back to a place where I
don't experience this kind of support.
My husband just read your question and he said. . . well, we don't do
anything exactly in unschooling, right? :) He is learning about it as we go
along, albeit a bit reluctantly at first. His parents are retired
schoolteachers (over 35 years).
Anyway, a bit long winded I know, but I hope it explains it somewhat.
lovemary
Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
To unsubscribe, set preferences, or read archives:
http://www.egroups.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
Another great list sponsored by Home Education Magazine!
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/19/2001 12:24:13 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
livinglighthouse@... writes:
Rachel
Actually Rachel. . . I don't believe in "luck" per se, so I cannot consider
myself that. I believe we create the situations in our lives. I know I
envisioned such a place as this and would have begun it had I not found it
here so readily.
lovemary
livinglighthouse@... writes:
..........I would love to have something like that around, consider yourself
very lucky.
Rachel
Actually Rachel. . . I don't believe in "luck" per se, so I cannot consider
myself that. I believe we create the situations in our lives. I know I
envisioned such a place as this and would have begun it had I not found it
here so readily.
lovemary