Introduction: G'Day from Australia
[email protected]
Hello from Melbourne...
Now my main interest in unschooling is because I have a bright-eyed,
curious, nearly one year old son whom I would like to see stay that way!
though I've actually been interested in Education for much longer than that
(first my own, and then others as I studied this in University).
Although I have a degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State
University, I developed other interests (mostly due to teacher "glut" at
the time I graduated), continued studies and became a librarian. So, my
other area of interest with home education lies in how librarians and libraries
can help support learners. [If you have any stories or examples on both the
"postive" and "negative" experiences with librarians and libraries as home
educators I would be interested in hearing about these. This is still a strong
area of interest for me and I would like to help librarians and libraries continue
to improve even if I never "officially" work in one again. ]
I am grateful to those who have "documented" their journey online!
I think from what I've been reading on http://www.unschooling.com/ and other
such sites that it is time I hit the books, did some serioius study, thinking, and
develop my philosophy of education. So far I've had trouble locating resources
[even going to the State Library of Victoria] has only produced small amounts.
I have however signed up to go to a conference on this coming Monday for
homeschoolers and a follow-up one in October so I think this more direct approach
will be fruitful.
Back to my main interest... all those that have actually started unschooling from
word go (birth) I'd be interested in finding out more about what I can be doing.
I'm trying to be an observant and patient parent, but could use help in the "providing
an environment" and knowing how to help not hinder learning and creativity.
Regards,
Monica K. Green
Also, if there are any others in Australia on this list I wouldn't mind an e-mail from you!
It's good to know one is "not alone".
Now my main interest in unschooling is because I have a bright-eyed,
curious, nearly one year old son whom I would like to see stay that way!
though I've actually been interested in Education for much longer than that
(first my own, and then others as I studied this in University).
Although I have a degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State
University, I developed other interests (mostly due to teacher "glut" at
the time I graduated), continued studies and became a librarian. So, my
other area of interest with home education lies in how librarians and libraries
can help support learners. [If you have any stories or examples on both the
"postive" and "negative" experiences with librarians and libraries as home
educators I would be interested in hearing about these. This is still a strong
area of interest for me and I would like to help librarians and libraries continue
to improve even if I never "officially" work in one again. ]
I am grateful to those who have "documented" their journey online!
I think from what I've been reading on http://www.unschooling.com/ and other
such sites that it is time I hit the books, did some serioius study, thinking, and
develop my philosophy of education. So far I've had trouble locating resources
[even going to the State Library of Victoria] has only produced small amounts.
I have however signed up to go to a conference on this coming Monday for
homeschoolers and a follow-up one in October so I think this more direct approach
will be fruitful.
Back to my main interest... all those that have actually started unschooling from
word go (birth) I'd be interested in finding out more about what I can be doing.
I'm trying to be an observant and patient parent, but could use help in the "providing
an environment" and knowing how to help not hinder learning and creativity.
Regards,
Monica K. Green
Also, if there are any others in Australia on this list I wouldn't mind an e-mail from you!
It's good to know one is "not alone".
Elizabeth Hill
>Although I have a degree in Elementary Education from Illinois Statelibraries
>University, I developed other interests (mostly due to teacher "glut" at
>the time I graduated), continued studies and became a librarian. So, my
>other area of interest with home education lies in how librarians and
> can help support learners.Sturdy shopping carts with heavy duty wheels! <g>
I love my local libraries and am there all the time. But I can barely
stagger out under the burden of what I'm attempting to carry.
Our city library limits us to 25 books (and other items) per card. The
county library has a very generous limit of 150 items. You can guess which
I prefer!
Betsy
Tami Labig-Duquette
Get a little red wagon :) we do:)
Indiana Tami
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
Indiana Tami
>From: "Elizabeth Hill" <ecsamhill@...>_________________________________________________________________
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Introduction: G'Day from Australia
>Date: 9 Jun 101 08:13:31 -0700
>
> >Although I have a degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State
> >University, I developed other interests (mostly due to teacher "glut" at
> >the time I graduated), continued studies and became a librarian. So, my
> >other area of interest with home education lies in how librarians and
>libraries
> > can help support learners.
>
>Sturdy shopping carts with heavy duty wheels! <g>
>
>I love my local libraries and am there all the time. But I can barely
>stagger out under the burden of what I'm attempting to carry.
>
>Our city library limits us to 25 books (and other items) per card. The
>county library has a very generous limit of 150 items. You can guess which
>I prefer!
>
>Betsy
>
>
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
[email protected]
So it seems from Betsy and Tami's letters that one issue
would be the amount of books allowed to be borrowed
from the library. I guess in the city library case, Betsy, you'd
definitely would want each family member to have a
card of their own.
I would think not only transport (whether carrying or little red wagons)
would be something you'd need to solve, but also keeping track of the
amount of books (each book even...) in order to return them. I'm sure
you both and probably others would have suggestions on this topic.
Other issues I thought about... (granted these would effect schooled children too)
Also, what about the environment of the library... is it an inviting place
for children as well as adults to explore, or more like a supermarket of
books and the exploring takes place at home within the covers?
How much interaction do librarians provide to children, parents?
Are they accessible?
What my main issue so far with libraries has been trying to actually locate
resources even on the background for home education. I'm online tonight
and am finding probably more than I thought was there (State Library of
Victoria) because I'm approaching the search with names of authors instead
of trying to search by keyword and subject.Thanks to what I've found online recently.
would be the amount of books allowed to be borrowed
from the library. I guess in the city library case, Betsy, you'd
definitely would want each family member to have a
card of their own.
I would think not only transport (whether carrying or little red wagons)
would be something you'd need to solve, but also keeping track of the
amount of books (each book even...) in order to return them. I'm sure
you both and probably others would have suggestions on this topic.
Other issues I thought about... (granted these would effect schooled children too)
Also, what about the environment of the library... is it an inviting place
for children as well as adults to explore, or more like a supermarket of
books and the exploring takes place at home within the covers?
How much interaction do librarians provide to children, parents?
Are they accessible?
What my main issue so far with libraries has been trying to actually locate
resources even on the background for home education. I'm online tonight
and am finding probably more than I thought was there (State Library of
Victoria) because I'm approaching the search with names of authors instead
of trying to search by keyword and subject.Thanks to what I've found online recently.
--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "Elizabeth Hill" <ecsamhill@e...> wrote:
>. So, my other area of interest with home education lies in how librarians and
> libraries can help support learners.
>
> Sturdy shopping carts with heavy duty wheels! <g>
(For a second there I thought Betsy took my term "support" as in physical, I know
while working in the library I definitely had days in which the cart was holding me
up as I shelved books!)
> I love my local libraries and am there all the time. But I can barely
> stagger out under the burden of what I'm attempting to carry.
>
> Our city library limits us to 25 books (and other items) per card. The
> county library has a very generous limit of 150 items. You can guess which
> I prefer!
>
> Betsy
--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "Tami Labig-Duquette" wrote:
Get a little red wagon :) we do :)
Indiana Tami
[email protected]
In a message dated 6/10/01 9:38:36 AM, mkwg@... writes:
<< I would think not only transport (whether carrying or little red wagons)
would be something you'd need to solve, but also keeping track of the
amount of books (each book even...) in order to return them. >>
Our library gives a printout when you check the books out. Before they did
that, there were times when I set all the spines of the books on the
photocopy machine and made my own list.
Albuquerque doesn't charge for overdue, and they'll send you a notice listing
the books you have out, so that covers it here.
Sandra
<< I would think not only transport (whether carrying or little red wagons)
would be something you'd need to solve, but also keeping track of the
amount of books (each book even...) in order to return them. >>
Our library gives a printout when you check the books out. Before they did
that, there were times when I set all the spines of the books on the
photocopy machine and made my own list.
Albuquerque doesn't charge for overdue, and they'll send you a notice listing
the books you have out, so that covers it here.
Sandra
[email protected]
In a message dated 06/10/2001 3:55:17 PM !!!First Boot!!!, SandraDodd@...
writes:
search or reserve or see what I have out.
Nance
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
writes:
> I would think not only transport (whether carrying or little red wagons)Also, here the library is online. So I can renew to my heart's content! Or
> would be something you'd need to solve, but also keeping track of the
> amount of books (each book even...) in order to return them. >>
>
> Our library gives a printout when you check the books out. Before they did
> that, there were times when I set all the spines of the books on the
> photocopy machine and made my own list.
>
>
search or reserve or see what I have out.
Nance
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 06/10/2001 3:38:35 PM !!!First Boot!!!, mkwg@...
writes:
1 smallish regular library 2 miles away -- very helpful librarians,
after-school homework times, children's section, pretty much a normal library
I would think.
Another one very similar, a little smaller, about 20 minutes away, but near
my son's piano so we browse there while we wait.
BUT -- the big library is neat! The adults have the downstairs and the kids
have the upstairs. Upstairs has an activity room with lots of bins full of
stuff -- science stuff or train tracks or videos and a game that go together
or puzzles or origami books ad supplies or dinosaur stuff, etc. Then they
have a kid-sized couches and tables reading area. There are bean bags on the
other side for the bigger kids. Lots of computers -- although during the
summer there was an actual waiting period of about 5 minutes to get on one
last week. Then the books -- smaller kids one one side of the room -- older
kids on the other. Everyone wanders back and forth but it is well-organized.
The librarians do not check out books. That is done downstairs on the way
out -- for yourself if you don't want to wait for a librarian to do it. So
the librarians and aides (3-4 I'm guessing) are available to help and answer
questions. They also have speakers come in -- magician, bat lecture, etc.
It's a really nice set up and all on line too if you want to check on
anything.
And they are very nice to hsers. Not specifically desigend for us but very
nice.
And they have recently started having more evening and Sunday afternoon hours.
We like it!
Nance
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
writes:
> Other issues I thought about... (granted these would effect schooledI missed the beginning of this but here's our setup if it helps.
> children too)
> Also, what about the environment of the library... is it an inviting place
> for children as well as adults to explore, or more like a supermarket of
> books and the exploring takes place at home within the covers?
>
> How much interaction do librarians provide to children, parents?
> Are they accessible?
>
> What my main issue so far with libraries has been trying to actually locate
> resources even on the background for home educatio
1 smallish regular library 2 miles away -- very helpful librarians,
after-school homework times, children's section, pretty much a normal library
I would think.
Another one very similar, a little smaller, about 20 minutes away, but near
my son's piano so we browse there while we wait.
BUT -- the big library is neat! The adults have the downstairs and the kids
have the upstairs. Upstairs has an activity room with lots of bins full of
stuff -- science stuff or train tracks or videos and a game that go together
or puzzles or origami books ad supplies or dinosaur stuff, etc. Then they
have a kid-sized couches and tables reading area. There are bean bags on the
other side for the bigger kids. Lots of computers -- although during the
summer there was an actual waiting period of about 5 minutes to get on one
last week. Then the books -- smaller kids one one side of the room -- older
kids on the other. Everyone wanders back and forth but it is well-organized.
The librarians do not check out books. That is done downstairs on the way
out -- for yourself if you don't want to wait for a librarian to do it. So
the librarians and aides (3-4 I'm guessing) are available to help and answer
questions. They also have speakers come in -- magician, bat lecture, etc.
It's a really nice set up and all on line too if you want to check on
anything.
And they are very nice to hsers. Not specifically desigend for us but very
nice.
And they have recently started having more evening and Sunday afternoon hours.
We like it!
Nance
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Johanna
>I love my local libraries and am there all the time. But I >can barelyI find bowling bags to be a very useful items for library books. They are designed to take a lot of weight and tend to be wide enough for all but the oversized books. Ours has both a shoulder strap with padding and a carry handle. Have used it for a few years now without problems. Regular totes last about two months with my kids.
>stagger out under the burden of what I'm attempting to >carry.
>
>Our city library limits us to 25 books (and other items) >per card. The
>county library has a very generous limit of 150 items. >You can guess which
>I prefer!
>
>Betsy
Johanna
Life is the ultimate learning experience!
----- Original Message -----
From: Elizabeth Hill
To: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2001 8:17 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Introduction: G'Day from Australia
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]