Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Digest Number 1309
[email protected]
In a message dated 6/22/01 3:44:23 AM Mountain Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
<< If it feels
right now, there's no reason to believe it won't feel right when they turn
the magic kindergarten age :). Good luck! ~Rue
We unschool b/c this is what I had in mind when I was in highschool. I
knew then that it was a crock and I still do.Sorry I feel very strongly about
this.
My dd and I just do our thing everyday. There is no sit down and learn
time. Many times we learn while driving,walking,and whenever. It just seems
to happen. It is very spontaneous and we love it. It is 99% child led here.
She asks the questions I answer or look it up. I am finding out how much I do
not know. :o)
My dd learn to write one day from asking me to write letters on a box I
was addressing so she could copy them. It worked. The box luckily was going
to a relative,it was covered in letters. This was just an example to show you
it will happen.
NICKI~
[email protected] writes:
<< If it feels
right now, there's no reason to believe it won't feel right when they turn
the magic kindergarten age :). Good luck! ~Rue
>>Gave me a smile. I like this alot Rue.
We unschool b/c this is what I had in mind when I was in highschool. I
knew then that it was a crock and I still do.Sorry I feel very strongly about
this.
My dd and I just do our thing everyday. There is no sit down and learn
time. Many times we learn while driving,walking,and whenever. It just seems
to happen. It is very spontaneous and we love it. It is 99% child led here.
She asks the questions I answer or look it up. I am finding out how much I do
not know. :o)
My dd learn to write one day from asking me to write letters on a box I
was addressing so she could copy them. It worked. The box luckily was going
to a relative,it was covered in letters. This was just an example to show you
it will happen.
NICKI~
[email protected]
In a message dated 6/22/01 3:44:23 AM Mountain Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
<< Has anyone else been watching the news on the Yates family? >>
I just saw it yesterday morning as it broke I guess. I have been afraid to
turn the news on since. The 2 reports after that one were older and the
reporters were getting ridiculous.I can't watch them.
NICKI~
[email protected] writes:
<< Has anyone else been watching the news on the Yates family? >>
I just saw it yesterday morning as it broke I guess. I have been afraid to
turn the news on since. The 2 reports after that one were older and the
reporters were getting ridiculous.I can't watch them.
NICKI~
A
>The other day on the way to science class and while doing errands, the kids and I
> we learn while driving,
learned the whole sign language alphabet. We had bought a chart since they
wanted to learn sign language. So the oldest (8) held the chart and taught us
all. Now we know the whole thing, and got all our errands done!
>ME TOO!! I don't worry about this at all...quite the contrary. I'm discovering
>
> She asks the questions I answer or look it up. I am finding out how much I do
> not know. :o)
things I never had any interest in before WITH my children. It is wonderful.
Ann
Teesa Monso
Tammy,
I'm Teresa. I am also observing your responses. Our situation is extremely simular, even with gender and age. It's nice to have unschooling sisters.
Teresa
[email protected] wrote: Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
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------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are 13 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. RE: Just Curious
From: "Jon and Rue Kream"
2. Re: Just Curious
From: SandraDodd@...
3. Ebay
From: A
4. Re: Ebay
From: Molly Mahnke
5. RE: Ebay
From: "Nicki Clark"
6. Re: Just Curious
From: louisam1@...
7. Re: Just Curious
From: A
8. Re: Encouragement please....
From: diamondair@...
9. Reporter said, "If the children had been in school where they belonged . . ."
From: "Lynda"
10. writing and unschoolin
From: Tamara Rousso
11. Re: Just Curious
From: LASaliger@...
12. Re: writing and unschoolin
From: kate mcdaniel
13. Re: writing and unschoolin
From: "Tami Labig-Duquette"
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 07:47:24 -0400
From: "Jon and Rue Kream"
Subject: RE: Just Curious
We unschool because we want to choose the lives we lead, instead of having
them decided for us. We want our children to have the opportunity to do the
same. To badly paraphrase Thoreau, there are no philosophers anymore, only
philosophy teachers. I think that's true, and I'd rather be and raise a
philosopher.
Do your children currently go to pre-school? If not, and they're spending
their days with you, you are already doing what we do here. If it feels
right now, there's no reason to believe it won't feel right when they turn
the magic kindergarten age :). Good luck! ~Rue
-----Original Message-----
From: hobosoul@... [mailto:hobosoul@...]
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2001 2:52 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Just Curious
Unschoolers,
My wife, Kim Jansen, and I recently moved to the woods were I work
as a Challenge Course Manager. We live on site at an Environmental
Education Center that serves about 20,000 people a year. We choose
the green land for our three boys; Tristan (4 years old), Chase and
Devon (2 year old twins). For the last two months we've been
discussing the idea of home schooling and this is our first inquiries
to people who are doing the do. Our question is this: Why did you
choose to unschool?
We've read information about benefits and other reasons to go this
route but we're eager to hear from people involved right this moment.
If you have any other advice or suggested reading please feel free to
contact us. Please e-mail me directly. Be well,
Vincent Perez
P.S. We've been interested in the writings of Daniel Quinn and others
like him. We're choosing a different way to live but aside from ideas
and words we're very concerned about the practical application of
these ideas.
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 http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 08:09:57 EDT
From: SandraDodd@...
Subject: Re: Just Curious
In a message dated 6/20/01 9:41:32 PM, hobosoul@... writes:
<< We're choosing a different way to live but aside from ideas
and words we're very concerned about the practical application of
these ideas. >>
Ideas and words are all you get.
If you saw statistics that wouldn't necessarily apply to your family. How
many people live in the situation you do? The skills and interests you and
your wife have will interact with your children's temperaments and interests
in ways unique on the planet.
We know lots about the problems of school. Of unschooling, you will get
ideas and words.
There are few endeavors which so many people have shared so freely. I think
the best resource (perhaps stating the obvious again, but it's not obvious to
everyone here) is to read the library and archives at www.unschooling.com, at
HEM's site, at NHEN's site. There is a wealth of current information added
to daily.
Read John Holt if you haven't already. Teach Your Own is my recommendation
if you're only going to read one. Learning all the Time and Never Too Late
inspired me too.
Sandra
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 08:32:26 -0400
From: A
Subject: Ebay
Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me? I am thinking of buying my
digital camera on ebay. I have never bought there before and truthfully
the whole idea scares me a bit.
Any help?
Thanks :)
Ann
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 4
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 06:58:31 -0700 (PDT)
From: Molly Mahnke
Subject: Re: Ebay
Dear Ann,
If you have ANY questions about it: condition, manufacturer's warranty, etc. etc.,
ask BEFORE you place a bid. If they don't answer you back, or don't give an answer
that satisfies you, don't bid. Wait. Another item just like it will come along.
If it turns out not to be what was advertised on the eBay site, try to resolve any
problems with the seller. If nothing gets settled to your satisfaction, turn them
in to abuse@....
Having said all that, most people selling on eBay are wonderful people to deal with.
I have bought several items (too many items!) and have only had one bad turn.
But, ask questions first, bid second.
Buttons
--- A wrote:
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 5
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 10:33:42 -0400
From: "Nicki Clark"
Subject: RE: Ebay
We bought our digital camera on ebay (and my wedding dress and veil and
tiara and all our kids' tuxes and my wedding stationary and and and...).
My rule of thumb is to *only* buy from vendors who have sold a *ton* and who
have been selling for several months. Also, many times I will write someone
privately and make the sale that way. They often have more than one of the
same product and will sometimes sell for cheaper because I save them the
hassle of putting the item up for bid (and the cost, albeit minimal).
So if you know exactly what product you are looking for, check out the
person's selling history, other items up for bid, rating, etc. This tells me
a lot about what kind of seller the person is. And also keep in mind a good
ebayer will be as leery of you (first time buyer) as you are of them. They
have a lot to lose too.
I've never had a bad ebay experience. I did buy something once that wasn't
exactly what I expected (a toy - the picture made it look *much* larger than
it was but clearly stated the size) but I am still extremely happy with it
and that was *my* error.
When we bought our digital camera, we also negotiated (behind the scenes,
after we won the auction) for extras at a lower price. A bag, an extra
battery, etc.
Nicki
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 6
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 11:28:50 -0700
From: louisam1@...
Subject: Re: Just Curious
<discussing the idea of home schooling and this is our first inquiries
to people who are doing the do. Our question is this: Why did you
choose to unschool?
We've read information about benefits and other reasons to go this
route but we're eager to hear from people involved right this moment.
If you have any other advice or suggested reading please feel free to
contact us. Please e-mail me directly. Be well,
Vincent Perez
P.S. We've been interested in the writings of Daniel Quinn and others
like him. We're choosing a different way to live but aside from ideas
and words we're very concerned about the practical application of
these ideas. >>
When we read about unschooling it was a "Duh" moment, finally I
understood why all of the "education" methods didn't fit. Learning can't
be cut up into bits that fit into a curriculum or schedule, it's like
breathing and it's unavoidable. I don't think there is anything more
important that I can give my children than the understanding that they
have complete control of their learning. Every time we tell children
they must learn this or that and assign a "time" to that learning we tell
them they are not capable of learning on their own or even knowing what
they need to learn.
Kris
________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________
Message: 7
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 15:04:21 -0400
From: A
Subject: Re: Just Curious
Hi Vincent and Kim,
I always hesitate a bit before answering this question....here is why....
I did not choose to nor do I, homeschool for educational reasons. Ha! That
usually gets me some strange looks...
I remember precisely when I decided I would homeschool. My oldest son (now8)
was 2 at the time. He was running down the hill to the barn laughing and
laughing. It suddenly hit me that he would be going to school in 3 short
years possibly earlier! My heart just collapsed and I couldn't even think of
the possibility of him going away for the whole day. I would miss him
terribly, he would miss me, and there is always something interesting to do
on a farm. He would miss so much life! That did it, I started researching
right then. I read and read and read ect.... I read John Holt, old Growing
Without Schooling Magazines, Old Home Education Magazines, and every book I
saw mentioned in the back of other books. I specifically drawn to John Holt
and Grace Llewellyn. I learned from everything I read though. It made me
see how diverse homeschooling can be.
I also researched the laws for my state during this time.
I also looked into support groups, and made contact with a local one. It was
interesting to talk to everyone but my sons (we had added one during this
time) were much too young to do much. I then renewed contact later when all
three of my kids were older.
I still read and read.... I still talk and talk.... It helps to share.
I hope this helps you...and enjoy your family. That is what we do mostly.
Ann
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 8
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 23:49:54 -0000
From: diamondair@...
Subject: Re: Encouragement please....
--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "Brandon Frantz"
wrote:
how they learn. They each learn in their own individual way and just
look at the things they have mastered in their relatively short
lives! Acquiring human language has to be the single most difficult
task we ever accomplish in our lives, and we do it before we're 2 or
3 years old with no formal instruction whatsoever and each of us does
it in our own way, some kids speaking just nouns for a year and then
adding verbs, some kids not talking for years and then coming out
with whole sentences. When I see this, I know that if we just apply
the same encouraging, yet hands-off principle to all other learning,
our kids will do just fine at whatever they put their ambition to.
And for external motivation, you can't beat a good John Holt book, he
wrote a dozen or so and they're all great.
Blue Skies!
-Robin-
Mom to Mackenzie (8/28/96) "If our dog dies, we can recycle him as a
rug"
and Asa (10/5/99) "Hand me grandpa!" (when I was on the phone to my
dad)
http://www.geocities.com/the_clevengers Flying Clevenger Family
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 9
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 17:39:49 -0700
From: "Lynda"
Subject: Reporter said, "If the children had been in school where they belonged . . ."
Has anyone else been watching the news on the Yates family?
http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/06/21/children.killed/index.html As we were
running through the stations, two reporters quizzed the father on the fact
that they homeschooled the children and asked various questions about
curriculum and unit studies. A comment was made that implied that the
murders wouldn't have happened "if the children had been in school where
they belonged."
IMHO it is disgusting, to begin with, that reports can't let people alone at
a time like this. It is doubly disgusting that comments such as the one
above were made. And now, of course, every dime store shrink and his uncle
will be debating PPD!
Lynda
If Ignorance Is Bliss Why Aren't More People Happy?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 10
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 21:14:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tamara Rousso
Subject: writing and unschoolin
Hi,
I am new to this list and subscribed because I am
interested in the opinions of other unschooling moms
and how your children have learned writing skills. We
unschool in the sense of trusting that our children
will know when they are ready to take on tasks and
following their lead for what they want to learn and
how they want to learn it. My daughter is nine this
month and took off on reading about 6 months ago. She
spends a fair amount of time reading both fiction and
non-fiction, but also still loves to spend time with
her various critters and engage in make-believe play
with her sibling and other children. She loves to
draw, but she HATESs to write. If she wants to leave
herself a note, for example, to bring her tortoise in
for the night instead of writing out the words she
will draw a picture of the tortoise grazing and post
that where it reminds her. I have been fine with this
approach and have trusted that when she is at a point
in her life where she wants to truly express her
feelings she will feel compelled to write. I have
kind of expected this will happen in adolescence.
Recently an event happened that is causing me to
question my judgement. Has anyone else out there left
it up to divine providence that their children will
indeed want to, and then proceed to, learn to write
when they are ready? Has anyone any regrets about
not being more proactive with their child in teaching
writing? Thanks in advance for any input.
Tammy
__________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________
Message: 11
Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2001 00:40:23 EDT
From: LASaliger@...
Subject: Re: Just Curious
In a message dated 6/21/01 5:16:13 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
skreams@... writes:
<< Our question is this: Why did you
choose to unschool? >>
I started off believing in the idea of public education and became
disallusioned with it after some negative experiences. When I first started
homeschooling, I was not an unschooler and had never even heard about it.
But I disliked the other kind of homeschooling because it was always coercive
learning and the thing is, what do you do if you tell the kids to do a math
paper or write something and an hour later they're still sitting there
thinking about other things? Some of my kids were this way. So then you get
into the "discipline" issues, meaning threats or blackmails, and it just all
felt wrong to me.
When I found out about unschooling, it really appealed to me and we
gradually moved more and more in that direction. At first I was afraid they
wouldn't learn anything (a common concern) but I found that they learn more
their way than they ever did before. They read a lot and each have their own
unique interests.
I have five boys, ages 4, 9, 13, 13, and 17. My 9 year old has some
learning difficulties and at times I have worried that he might need more
structured learning but he seems to be making some huge jumps lately. My 17
year old just passed the California High School Proficiency test so he has
the legal equivalent of a diploma now. The kids value their freedom and
don't like me to schedule too many activities for them because they like
having a lot of time.
I have no regrets whatsoever and only wish that I had known to unschool a
long time ago. It would have saved my oldest son from some lousy experiences
with his kindergarten and second grade teachers. He was always a daydreamer
and has become a very thoughtful and creative person but that wasn't valued
in school.
Your situation sounds incredibly interesting and I hope that you will
post more about what you do there. Best wishes with all that you decide to
do...
Lucy
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 12
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 22:40:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: kate mcdaniel
Subject: Re: writing and unschoolin
Tammy,
I am definetly not an expert in this area - but here is my 2 cents.
My oldest wrote at an early age - part of that was from attending ps for 2
years. However her penmanship is horrible. My 2nd child - my son, I waited
till he was about 7 to attempt writing. We did the "Teach Your Child to
Read in 100 Easy Lessons" - it worked for him. His penmanship is nice and
neat. We also used the "A Reason for Writing" lessons.
My 3rd child is a lefty - I tried "Teach Your Child" method with her, we
both would end up frustrated. I decided to allow her to do as she wanted -
no lines, no forced writing. She is not writing fluently, well she can't
even write her name - but she is interested in learning because it is what
she wants to do, not what I am forcing her to do. I will write something on
a piece of paper and she will copy it on another piece.
You might try asking your daughter if she would like to put some of her
"make-believe" stories in a book, and let her illustrate it also. Kate
On Thu, 21 Jun 2001 21:14:26 -0700 (PDT), [email protected]
wrote:
---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I'm Teresa. I am also observing your responses. Our situation is extremely simular, even with gender and age. It's nice to have unschooling sisters.
Teresa
[email protected] wrote: 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are 13 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. RE: Just Curious
From: "Jon and Rue Kream"
2. Re: Just Curious
From: SandraDodd@...
3. Ebay
From: A
4. Re: Ebay
From: Molly Mahnke
5. RE: Ebay
From: "Nicki Clark"
6. Re: Just Curious
From: louisam1@...
7. Re: Just Curious
From: A
8. Re: Encouragement please....
From: diamondair@...
9. Reporter said, "If the children had been in school where they belonged . . ."
From: "Lynda"
10. writing and unschoolin
From: Tamara Rousso
11. Re: Just Curious
From: LASaliger@...
12. Re: writing and unschoolin
From: kate mcdaniel
13. Re: writing and unschoolin
From: "Tami Labig-Duquette"
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 07:47:24 -0400
From: "Jon and Rue Kream"
Subject: RE: Just Curious
We unschool because we want to choose the lives we lead, instead of having
them decided for us. We want our children to have the opportunity to do the
same. To badly paraphrase Thoreau, there are no philosophers anymore, only
philosophy teachers. I think that's true, and I'd rather be and raise a
philosopher.
Do your children currently go to pre-school? If not, and they're spending
their days with you, you are already doing what we do here. If it feels
right now, there's no reason to believe it won't feel right when they turn
the magic kindergarten age :). Good luck! ~Rue
-----Original Message-----
From: hobosoul@... [mailto:hobosoul@...]
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2001 2:52 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Just Curious
Unschoolers,
My wife, Kim Jansen, and I recently moved to the woods were I work
as a Challenge Course Manager. We live on site at an Environmental
Education Center that serves about 20,000 people a year. We choose
the green land for our three boys; Tristan (4 years old), Chase and
Devon (2 year old twins). For the last two months we've been
discussing the idea of home schooling and this is our first inquiries
to people who are doing the do. Our question is this: Why did you
choose to unschool?
We've read information about benefits and other reasons to go this
route but we're eager to hear from people involved right this moment.
If you have any other advice or suggested reading please feel free to
contact us. Please e-mail me directly. Be well,
Vincent Perez
P.S. We've been interested in the writings of Daniel Quinn and others
like him. We're choosing a different way to live but aside from ideas
and words we're very concerned about the practical application of
these ideas.
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 http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 08:09:57 EDT
From: SandraDodd@...
Subject: Re: Just Curious
In a message dated 6/20/01 9:41:32 PM, hobosoul@... writes:
<< We're choosing a different way to live but aside from ideas
and words we're very concerned about the practical application of
these ideas. >>
Ideas and words are all you get.
If you saw statistics that wouldn't necessarily apply to your family. How
many people live in the situation you do? The skills and interests you and
your wife have will interact with your children's temperaments and interests
in ways unique on the planet.
We know lots about the problems of school. Of unschooling, you will get
ideas and words.
There are few endeavors which so many people have shared so freely. I think
the best resource (perhaps stating the obvious again, but it's not obvious to
everyone here) is to read the library and archives at www.unschooling.com, at
HEM's site, at NHEN's site. There is a wealth of current information added
to daily.
Read John Holt if you haven't already. Teach Your Own is my recommendation
if you're only going to read one. Learning all the Time and Never Too Late
inspired me too.
Sandra
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 08:32:26 -0400
From: A
Subject: Ebay
Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me? I am thinking of buying my
digital camera on ebay. I have never bought there before and truthfully
the whole idea scares me a bit.
Any help?
Thanks :)
Ann
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 4
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 06:58:31 -0700 (PDT)
From: Molly Mahnke
Subject: Re: Ebay
Dear Ann,
If you have ANY questions about it: condition, manufacturer's warranty, etc. etc.,
ask BEFORE you place a bid. If they don't answer you back, or don't give an answer
that satisfies you, don't bid. Wait. Another item just like it will come along.
If it turns out not to be what was advertised on the eBay site, try to resolve any
problems with the seller. If nothing gets settled to your satisfaction, turn them
in to abuse@....
Having said all that, most people selling on eBay are wonderful people to deal with.
I have bought several items (too many items!) and have only had one bad turn.
But, ask questions first, bid second.
Buttons
--- A wrote:
> Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me? I am thinking of buying my________________________________________________________________________
> digital camera on ebay. I have never bought there before and truthfully
> the whole idea scares me a bit.
> Any help?
> Thanks :)
> Ann
>
>
>
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 5
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 10:33:42 -0400
From: "Nicki Clark"
Subject: RE: Ebay
We bought our digital camera on ebay (and my wedding dress and veil and
tiara and all our kids' tuxes and my wedding stationary and and and...).
My rule of thumb is to *only* buy from vendors who have sold a *ton* and who
have been selling for several months. Also, many times I will write someone
privately and make the sale that way. They often have more than one of the
same product and will sometimes sell for cheaper because I save them the
hassle of putting the item up for bid (and the cost, albeit minimal).
So if you know exactly what product you are looking for, check out the
person's selling history, other items up for bid, rating, etc. This tells me
a lot about what kind of seller the person is. And also keep in mind a good
ebayer will be as leery of you (first time buyer) as you are of them. They
have a lot to lose too.
I've never had a bad ebay experience. I did buy something once that wasn't
exactly what I expected (a toy - the picture made it look *much* larger than
it was but clearly stated the size) but I am still extremely happy with it
and that was *my* error.
When we bought our digital camera, we also negotiated (behind the scenes,
after we won the auction) for extras at a lower price. A bag, an extra
battery, etc.
Nicki
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 6
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 11:28:50 -0700
From: louisam1@...
Subject: Re: Just Curious
<discussing the idea of home schooling and this is our first inquiries
to people who are doing the do. Our question is this: Why did you
choose to unschool?
We've read information about benefits and other reasons to go this
route but we're eager to hear from people involved right this moment.
If you have any other advice or suggested reading please feel free to
contact us. Please e-mail me directly. Be well,
Vincent Perez
P.S. We've been interested in the writings of Daniel Quinn and others
like him. We're choosing a different way to live but aside from ideas
and words we're very concerned about the practical application of
these ideas. >>
When we read about unschooling it was a "Duh" moment, finally I
understood why all of the "education" methods didn't fit. Learning can't
be cut up into bits that fit into a curriculum or schedule, it's like
breathing and it's unavoidable. I don't think there is anything more
important that I can give my children than the understanding that they
have complete control of their learning. Every time we tell children
they must learn this or that and assign a "time" to that learning we tell
them they are not capable of learning on their own or even knowing what
they need to learn.
Kris
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Message: 7
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 15:04:21 -0400
From: A
Subject: Re: Just Curious
Hi Vincent and Kim,
I always hesitate a bit before answering this question....here is why....
I did not choose to nor do I, homeschool for educational reasons. Ha! That
usually gets me some strange looks...
I remember precisely when I decided I would homeschool. My oldest son (now8)
was 2 at the time. He was running down the hill to the barn laughing and
laughing. It suddenly hit me that he would be going to school in 3 short
years possibly earlier! My heart just collapsed and I couldn't even think of
the possibility of him going away for the whole day. I would miss him
terribly, he would miss me, and there is always something interesting to do
on a farm. He would miss so much life! That did it, I started researching
right then. I read and read and read ect.... I read John Holt, old Growing
Without Schooling Magazines, Old Home Education Magazines, and every book I
saw mentioned in the back of other books. I specifically drawn to John Holt
and Grace Llewellyn. I learned from everything I read though. It made me
see how diverse homeschooling can be.
I also researched the laws for my state during this time.
I also looked into support groups, and made contact with a local one. It was
interesting to talk to everyone but my sons (we had added one during this
time) were much too young to do much. I then renewed contact later when all
three of my kids were older.
I still read and read.... I still talk and talk.... It helps to share.
I hope this helps you...and enjoy your family. That is what we do mostly.
Ann
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Message: 8
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 23:49:54 -0000
From: diamondair@...
Subject: Re: Encouragement please....
--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "Brandon Frantz"
wrote:
> I was wondering what your favorite source for encouragement isFor me, part of my encouragement just comes from watching my kids and
how they learn. They each learn in their own individual way and just
look at the things they have mastered in their relatively short
lives! Acquiring human language has to be the single most difficult
task we ever accomplish in our lives, and we do it before we're 2 or
3 years old with no formal instruction whatsoever and each of us does
it in our own way, some kids speaking just nouns for a year and then
adding verbs, some kids not talking for years and then coming out
with whole sentences. When I see this, I know that if we just apply
the same encouraging, yet hands-off principle to all other learning,
our kids will do just fine at whatever they put their ambition to.
And for external motivation, you can't beat a good John Holt book, he
wrote a dozen or so and they're all great.
Blue Skies!
-Robin-
Mom to Mackenzie (8/28/96) "If our dog dies, we can recycle him as a
rug"
and Asa (10/5/99) "Hand me grandpa!" (when I was on the phone to my
dad)
http://www.geocities.com/the_clevengers Flying Clevenger Family
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Message: 9
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 17:39:49 -0700
From: "Lynda"
Subject: Reporter said, "If the children had been in school where they belonged . . ."
Has anyone else been watching the news on the Yates family?
http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/06/21/children.killed/index.html As we were
running through the stations, two reporters quizzed the father on the fact
that they homeschooled the children and asked various questions about
curriculum and unit studies. A comment was made that implied that the
murders wouldn't have happened "if the children had been in school where
they belonged."
IMHO it is disgusting, to begin with, that reports can't let people alone at
a time like this. It is doubly disgusting that comments such as the one
above were made. And now, of course, every dime store shrink and his uncle
will be debating PPD!
Lynda
If Ignorance Is Bliss Why Aren't More People Happy?
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Message: 10
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 21:14:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tamara Rousso
Subject: writing and unschoolin
Hi,
I am new to this list and subscribed because I am
interested in the opinions of other unschooling moms
and how your children have learned writing skills. We
unschool in the sense of trusting that our children
will know when they are ready to take on tasks and
following their lead for what they want to learn and
how they want to learn it. My daughter is nine this
month and took off on reading about 6 months ago. She
spends a fair amount of time reading both fiction and
non-fiction, but also still loves to spend time with
her various critters and engage in make-believe play
with her sibling and other children. She loves to
draw, but she HATESs to write. If she wants to leave
herself a note, for example, to bring her tortoise in
for the night instead of writing out the words she
will draw a picture of the tortoise grazing and post
that where it reminds her. I have been fine with this
approach and have trusted that when she is at a point
in her life where she wants to truly express her
feelings she will feel compelled to write. I have
kind of expected this will happen in adolescence.
Recently an event happened that is causing me to
question my judgement. Has anyone else out there left
it up to divine providence that their children will
indeed want to, and then proceed to, learn to write
when they are ready? Has anyone any regrets about
not being more proactive with their child in teaching
writing? Thanks in advance for any input.
Tammy
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Message: 11
Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2001 00:40:23 EDT
From: LASaliger@...
Subject: Re: Just Curious
In a message dated 6/21/01 5:16:13 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
skreams@... writes:
<< Our question is this: Why did you
choose to unschool? >>
I started off believing in the idea of public education and became
disallusioned with it after some negative experiences. When I first started
homeschooling, I was not an unschooler and had never even heard about it.
But I disliked the other kind of homeschooling because it was always coercive
learning and the thing is, what do you do if you tell the kids to do a math
paper or write something and an hour later they're still sitting there
thinking about other things? Some of my kids were this way. So then you get
into the "discipline" issues, meaning threats or blackmails, and it just all
felt wrong to me.
When I found out about unschooling, it really appealed to me and we
gradually moved more and more in that direction. At first I was afraid they
wouldn't learn anything (a common concern) but I found that they learn more
their way than they ever did before. They read a lot and each have their own
unique interests.
I have five boys, ages 4, 9, 13, 13, and 17. My 9 year old has some
learning difficulties and at times I have worried that he might need more
structured learning but he seems to be making some huge jumps lately. My 17
year old just passed the California High School Proficiency test so he has
the legal equivalent of a diploma now. The kids value their freedom and
don't like me to schedule too many activities for them because they like
having a lot of time.
I have no regrets whatsoever and only wish that I had known to unschool a
long time ago. It would have saved my oldest son from some lousy experiences
with his kindergarten and second grade teachers. He was always a daydreamer
and has become a very thoughtful and creative person but that wasn't valued
in school.
Your situation sounds incredibly interesting and I hope that you will
post more about what you do there. Best wishes with all that you decide to
do...
Lucy
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Message: 12
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 22:40:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: kate mcdaniel
Subject: Re: writing and unschoolin
Tammy,
I am definetly not an expert in this area - but here is my 2 cents.
My oldest wrote at an early age - part of that was from attending ps for 2
years. However her penmanship is horrible. My 2nd child - my son, I waited
till he was about 7 to attempt writing. We did the "Teach Your Child to
Read in 100 Easy Lessons" - it worked for him. His penmanship is nice and
neat. We also used the "A Reason for Writing" lessons.
My 3rd child is a lefty - I tried "Teach Your Child" method with her, we
both would end up frustrated. I decided to allow her to do as she wanted -
no lines, no forced writing. She is not writing fluently, well she can't
even write her name - but she is interested in learning because it is what
she wants to do, not what I am forcing her to do. I will write something on
a piece of paper and she will copy it on another piece.
You might try asking your daughter if she would like to put some of her
"make-believe" stories in a book, and let her illustrate it also. Kate
On Thu, 21 Jun 2001 21:14:26 -0700 (PDT), [email protected]
wrote:
> Hi,=== message truncated ===
>
> I am new to this list and subscribed because I am
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