Janet F Hamlin

My daughter is 6 and hates to write as well, though when she wants to she
will write herself notes (spelled phonetically). Her handwriting (printing,
actually) isn't that great and my mother keeps harping on me to "make" her
practice. Nope. I just figure if she wants to she will, or when she's older
she'll learn to type. If your daughter can write but chooses not to, that's
fine. As long as she can express herself on paper when she wants to. And
if she can't, she'll ask for help when she wants to.

Janet
----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2001 5:39 AM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Digest Number 1309


> 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" <skreams@...>
> 2. Re: Just Curious
> From: SandraDodd@...
> 3. Ebay
> From: A <mumsienc@...>
> 4. Re: Ebay
> From: Molly Mahnke <elmamahnke@...>
> 5. RE: Ebay
> From: "Nicki Clark" <nicki@...>
> 6. Re: Just Curious
> From: louisam1@...
> 7. Re: Just Curious
> From: A <mumsienc@...>
> 8. Re: Encouragement please....
> From: diamondair@...
> 9. Reporter said, "If the children had been in school where they
belonged . . ."
> From: "Lynda" <lurine@...>
> 10. writing and unschoolin
> From: Tamara Rousso <tammy@...>
> 11. Re: Just Curious
> From: LASaliger@...
> 12. Re: writing and unschoolin
> From: kate mcdaniel <K8MCD@...>
> 13. Re: writing and unschoolin
> From: "Tami Labig-Duquette" <labigduquette@...>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 07:47:24 -0400
> From: "Jon and Rue Kream" <skreams@...>
> 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:
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>
> Another great list sponsored by Home Education Magazine!
> http://www.home-ed-magazine.com
>
>
>
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>
>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
> 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 <mumsienc@...>
> 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 <elmamahnke@...>
> 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 <mumsienc@...> 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" <nicki@...>
> 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
>
> <<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. >>
>
> 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
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________
> GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
> Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
> Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
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>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 15:04:21 -0400
> From: A <mumsienc@...>
> 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" <frantzx4@e...>
> wrote:
> > I was wondering what your favorite source for encouragement is
>
> For 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
>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 17:39:49 -0700
> From: "Lynda" <lurine@...>
> 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 <tammy@...>
> 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
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail
> http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
> 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 <K8MCD@...>
> 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,
> >
> > 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
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail
> > http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________________
> Send a cool gift with your E-Card
> http://www.bluemountain.com/giftcenter/
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
> Message: 13
> Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2001 01:41:41 -0400
> From: "Tami Labig-Duquette" <labigduquette@...>
> Subject: Re: writing and unschoolin
>
>
> Hi Tammy,
> Elly (7yo), Has numeruos pen pals, which has really helped her, right now
I
> do the formal writing but she does the rough draft. She will read for me,
> but no one else, ( my mom and family has tried to convince her she should
> already know how to read and shame on her mommy ;),
> so she trusts me, her daddy too at times but no one else. Right now her
> writing skills are pretty basic, her spacing, capitilization (sp), etc are
> very rough. I dont mind, she knows more on other things than kids twice
her
> age so....... Things like this used to worry me, but now, that I have seen
> her learning life's skills all by herself and with some inquistive
> questions, I am prretty much comfy with the fact that she will learn what
> she needs to, when she needs to!
> Indiana Tami-no sleep for over 24 hrs. so very rambling :)
>
> >From: Tamara Rousso <tammy@...>
> >Reply-To: [email protected]
> >To: [email protected]
> >Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] writing and unschoolin
> >Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 21:14:26 -0700 (PDT)
> >
> >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
> >
> >__________________________________________________
> >Do You Yahoo!?
> >Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail
> >http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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>
>
>
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> ________________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
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>
>