Re: Learning to Unschool
Becky Wollenslegel
Laraine
Deschooling is a process. You are still thinking in school mode. In
school, in a classroom of 20 students, each step - of Math for example - has
to be learned in a specific order and everyone is expected to be on the same
step. That's where trouble starts - you miss a step and it's bad news!
Argh - A school memory just popped into my head - I was sitting in Algebra 2
Now, mind you, I had spent Algebra 1 with my book propped up with a
Historical Romance inside it because it was so boring, and then had a year
of Geometry - so here I am in Algeba 2 and this teacher starts to "teach"
and
I'm TOTALLY lost. I don't remember how I got through the year - maybe I
dropped the class :o) - I just remember that moment of terror!
Anyway, back to the point I wanted to make. Kids out of a classroom can
discover bits and pieces on their own and then put it together in their own
way. My 7yo has figured out things that in school would be called
multiplication or division, but to him it's just things you can do with 4 or
6 or 10. And he seems to understand it in the abstract as well as with
objects.
If your 10yo has "Math Attitude" she may need time to stand back and see why
math is important in her life - Real Math, I guess. Or maybe if you have to
have math books try some of the fun ones like Math for Smarty Pants by
Marilyn Burns or try playing card games, etc and reminding yourself "This is
math and EVERYTHING counts!" Or maybe a homebased business and savings
account - am I on a roll here or what!
And remember, schools spend so much time on review and keeping the whole
class together that the material they cover in a year can be handled in much
less time one-on-one at home.
Have you read "Deschooling Our Lives" edited by Matt Hern? It's been
awhile, but I remember I enjoyed the book.
We are hard core unschoolers here - we don't "do" anything!
Becky in Ohio
Deschooling is a process. You are still thinking in school mode. In
school, in a classroom of 20 students, each step - of Math for example - has
to be learned in a specific order and everyone is expected to be on the same
step. That's where trouble starts - you miss a step and it's bad news!
Argh - A school memory just popped into my head - I was sitting in Algebra 2
Now, mind you, I had spent Algebra 1 with my book propped up with a
Historical Romance inside it because it was so boring, and then had a year
of Geometry - so here I am in Algeba 2 and this teacher starts to "teach"
and
I'm TOTALLY lost. I don't remember how I got through the year - maybe I
dropped the class :o) - I just remember that moment of terror!
Anyway, back to the point I wanted to make. Kids out of a classroom can
discover bits and pieces on their own and then put it together in their own
way. My 7yo has figured out things that in school would be called
multiplication or division, but to him it's just things you can do with 4 or
6 or 10. And he seems to understand it in the abstract as well as with
objects.
If your 10yo has "Math Attitude" she may need time to stand back and see why
math is important in her life - Real Math, I guess. Or maybe if you have to
have math books try some of the fun ones like Math for Smarty Pants by
Marilyn Burns or try playing card games, etc and reminding yourself "This is
math and EVERYTHING counts!" Or maybe a homebased business and savings
account - am I on a roll here or what!
And remember, schools spend so much time on review and keeping the whole
class together that the material they cover in a year can be handled in much
less time one-on-one at home.
Have you read "Deschooling Our Lives" edited by Matt Hern? It's been
awhile, but I remember I enjoyed the book.
We are hard core unschoolers here - we don't "do" anything!
Becky in Ohio
Andi Kaufman
>From: "Becky Wollenslegel" <beckycraigw12@...>Becky, this is so true. many of us are. we went thru the process and our
>Deschooling is a process. You are still thinking in school mode
minds were taught to beluieve this and many of us stil think that way. i
know i am caught up in totally. we judge and loko at criteria accroding to
school, like that is the norm. That has only been the norm in very recent
history and many of us forget that.
I constantly have to remind myself that I dont have to think in those
terms. I can look for other options and ideas that fit better with what i
want. more then that i have to keep reminding mysef that i think that cus
it was drilled into my head during years of indoctrination.
Andi...domestic goddess and active volunteer
mom to Isaac
tl2b@...
Never Underestimate the Power of This Woman!
[email protected]
Becky wrote:
<< Have you read "Deschooling Our Lives" edited by Matt Hern? It's been
awhile, but I remember I enjoyed the book.
for me is: "The Art of Education" by Linda Dobson. I highly recommend
reading this.
Carol from WI
<< Have you read "Deschooling Our Lives" edited by Matt Hern? It's been
awhile, but I remember I enjoyed the book.
>>Another really good book that has put this whole discussion into perspective
for me is: "The Art of Education" by Linda Dobson. I highly recommend
reading this.
Carol from WI