Checking in...
janaquino3
Hi all,
It's Janice, I wrote awhile back, many of you posted some very
helpful advice at the Unschooling Message board, when I told about my
challenge of 'trying' to home or un school at the same time. I put
it under What's on Your Mind, and my subject was: Trying to get back
into the unswing of thing. Anyway, I wanted to thank you who cared
enough to help me, and I must say, that I have since taken a lot of
the advice I received, and have 'calmed' down in a sense, so that
more of our days are relaxed, unpressured, but productive in some
small way. I don't put grades down anymore, but I do check what they
do in their workbooks, if that's the case. We go to the library, and
they pick out books on subjects they are truly interested in, and
it's amazing to see how much they are really loving 'learning'. I
don't feel so stressed, and neither do they. We begin our day with
prayer, and we talk for about half an hour about what some of our
goals for the week might be, and then we just do what comes natural.
It's a little hard to feel totally unguilty about this, but I AM
going to get there!
My daughter, Heather, will technically be started "high" school
in September, and while I am not opposed to continuing teaching her
at home, my husband has some doubts, especially since these years
lead up to college, and so on and so forth. I would truly appreciate
your suggestions, or ideas on what would be a good approach at this
point, because I really want to do the right thing. I thank you
again, and will look forward to hearing from you. Janice
It's Janice, I wrote awhile back, many of you posted some very
helpful advice at the Unschooling Message board, when I told about my
challenge of 'trying' to home or un school at the same time. I put
it under What's on Your Mind, and my subject was: Trying to get back
into the unswing of thing. Anyway, I wanted to thank you who cared
enough to help me, and I must say, that I have since taken a lot of
the advice I received, and have 'calmed' down in a sense, so that
more of our days are relaxed, unpressured, but productive in some
small way. I don't put grades down anymore, but I do check what they
do in their workbooks, if that's the case. We go to the library, and
they pick out books on subjects they are truly interested in, and
it's amazing to see how much they are really loving 'learning'. I
don't feel so stressed, and neither do they. We begin our day with
prayer, and we talk for about half an hour about what some of our
goals for the week might be, and then we just do what comes natural.
It's a little hard to feel totally unguilty about this, but I AM
going to get there!
My daughter, Heather, will technically be started "high" school
in September, and while I am not opposed to continuing teaching her
at home, my husband has some doubts, especially since these years
lead up to college, and so on and so forth. I would truly appreciate
your suggestions, or ideas on what would be a good approach at this
point, because I really want to do the right thing. I thank you
again, and will look forward to hearing from you. Janice
Karin
Hi Janice,
I remember responding to your post at unschooling.com. I'm glad that some of the suggestions there have helped you and that you are starting to relax and calm down about unschooling.
You've probably already heard about or read this book, but just in case, have you or your daugther read
The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education (1998 edition) by Grace Llewellyn? That is one to read especially for teens.
About your husband, it sounds like he is much more hesitant about unschooling than you are. If you are truly unschooling, your daughter should be able to focus learning about things that really interest her. You and your dh should not worry so much about covering the basics so she can get into college. The right approach would be to listen to and allow your daughter to pursue what she loves. At some point she may be able to find a job or volunteer in the area she's interested in. If SHE really wants to go to college, she can start taking college courses even before she has "graduated" from high school, if that's something you all agree upon.
I am not talking from experience, however, this is just what I have read about how to handle unschooling high school. In fact, I think there is a recent thread started at unschooling.com about that very subject. But, those teen years will be here before I know it, for my boys, and reading other's experiences about unschooling high school and entering college/universities is putting my mind at ease for the future.
I believe there are others here with current unschooling highschool experience that will answer your questions more directly.
Take Care,
Karin
Hi all,
It's Janice, I wrote awhile back, many of you posted some very
helpful advice at the Unschooling Message board, when I told about my
challenge of 'trying' to home or un school at the same time. I put
it under What's on Your Mind, and my subject was: Trying to get back
into the unswing of thing. Anyway, I wanted to thank you who cared
enough to help me, and I must say, that I have since taken a lot of
the advice I received, and have 'calmed' down in a sense, so that
more of our days are relaxed, unpressured, but productive in some
small way. I don't put grades down anymore, but I do check what they
do in their workbooks, if that's the case. We go to the library, and
they pick out books on subjects they are truly interested in, and
it's amazing to see how much they are really loving 'learning'. I
don't feel so stressed, and neither do they. We begin our day with
prayer, and we talk for about half an hour about what some of our
goals for the week might be, and then we just do what comes natural.
It's a little hard to feel totally unguilty about this, but I AM
going to get there!
My daughter, Heather, will technically be started "high" school
in September, and while I am not opposed to continuing teaching her
at home, my husband has some doubts, especially since these years
lead up to college, and so on and so forth. I would truly appreciate
your suggestions, or ideas on what would be a good approach at this
point, because I really want to do the right thing. I thank you
again, and will look forward to hearing from you. Janice
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I remember responding to your post at unschooling.com. I'm glad that some of the suggestions there have helped you and that you are starting to relax and calm down about unschooling.
You've probably already heard about or read this book, but just in case, have you or your daugther read
The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education (1998 edition) by Grace Llewellyn? That is one to read especially for teens.
About your husband, it sounds like he is much more hesitant about unschooling than you are. If you are truly unschooling, your daughter should be able to focus learning about things that really interest her. You and your dh should not worry so much about covering the basics so she can get into college. The right approach would be to listen to and allow your daughter to pursue what she loves. At some point she may be able to find a job or volunteer in the area she's interested in. If SHE really wants to go to college, she can start taking college courses even before she has "graduated" from high school, if that's something you all agree upon.
I am not talking from experience, however, this is just what I have read about how to handle unschooling high school. In fact, I think there is a recent thread started at unschooling.com about that very subject. But, those teen years will be here before I know it, for my boys, and reading other's experiences about unschooling high school and entering college/universities is putting my mind at ease for the future.
I believe there are others here with current unschooling highschool experience that will answer your questions more directly.
Take Care,
Karin
Hi all,
It's Janice, I wrote awhile back, many of you posted some very
helpful advice at the Unschooling Message board, when I told about my
challenge of 'trying' to home or un school at the same time. I put
it under What's on Your Mind, and my subject was: Trying to get back
into the unswing of thing. Anyway, I wanted to thank you who cared
enough to help me, and I must say, that I have since taken a lot of
the advice I received, and have 'calmed' down in a sense, so that
more of our days are relaxed, unpressured, but productive in some
small way. I don't put grades down anymore, but I do check what they
do in their workbooks, if that's the case. We go to the library, and
they pick out books on subjects they are truly interested in, and
it's amazing to see how much they are really loving 'learning'. I
don't feel so stressed, and neither do they. We begin our day with
prayer, and we talk for about half an hour about what some of our
goals for the week might be, and then we just do what comes natural.
It's a little hard to feel totally unguilty about this, but I AM
going to get there!
My daughter, Heather, will technically be started "high" school
in September, and while I am not opposed to continuing teaching her
at home, my husband has some doubts, especially since these years
lead up to college, and so on and so forth. I would truly appreciate
your suggestions, or ideas on what would be a good approach at this
point, because I really want to do the right thing. I thank you
again, and will look forward to hearing from you. Janice
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
rumpleteasermom
Hi Janice,
I guess I'm not sure what you are asking. DO you need help
convincing your hubby that things are okay? Or are you insecure in
continuing now that your daughter is getting older?
Mine are 16, 14 and 10. I wouldn't dream of putting them in school
or even becoming more structured at this point. They surprise me
with what they know sometimes.
As for college, if she can read and do basic math, she is well enough
prepared for most state colleges IMHO. The people I went to college
with recently did not seem much more advanced academically than my
girls were 2 years ago. I wouldn't worry if I were you!
Bridget
I guess I'm not sure what you are asking. DO you need help
convincing your hubby that things are okay? Or are you insecure in
continuing now that your daughter is getting older?
Mine are 16, 14 and 10. I wouldn't dream of putting them in school
or even becoming more structured at this point. They surprise me
with what they know sometimes.
As for college, if she can read and do basic math, she is well enough
prepared for most state colleges IMHO. The people I went to college
with recently did not seem much more advanced academically than my
girls were 2 years ago. I wouldn't worry if I were you!
Bridget
--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "janaquino3" <janaquino3@y...> wrote:
> My daughter, Heather, will technically be started "high"
school
> in September, and while I am not opposed to continuing teaching her
> at home, my husband has some doubts, especially since these years
> lead up to college, and so on and so forth. I would truly
appreciate
> your suggestions, or ideas on what would be a good approach at this
> point, because I really want to do the right thing. I thank you
> again, and will look forward to hearing from you. Janice
Leslie Moyer
Janice,
How does Heather feel about her high school years? Is she content doing
what she's doing now or is she wanting a change? Does she have any
particular ideas about what she wants to be doing 5 years from now?
Particular interests? Has she expressed a desire to go to college?
Leslie Moyer / Oklahoma
How does Heather feel about her high school years? Is she content doing
what she's doing now or is she wanting a change? Does she have any
particular ideas about what she wants to be doing 5 years from now?
Particular interests? Has she expressed a desire to go to college?
Leslie Moyer / Oklahoma
janaquino3
Thanks to all of you who posted back to me regarding my daughter
Heather. I should further explain that although I don't plan to send
her to school at this point, I just wonder if what I'm doing will be
enough to help her in life getting a job, and unfortunately,
competing with others who may be 'more qualified', even though that's
not true. She has always expressed an interest in working with
animals, but is unsure yet as to what particular field she would like
to go into. We encourage her to read about the fields themselves,
and look into internet, and other resources to see what is available
to her. In NJ, there are no testing requirements, and according to
everything I've read about the state's 'formalities', I seem to be
pretty much on track. It's the pressure I put on myself I think,
that is causing the frustration. She too, goes to church and hears
from her friends about how much they are learning, and what they
might be doing at certain times, and I think she might feel like
she's missing out. I try to explain that they are coming from a
whole different perspective, having been in a school environment, not
knowing or getting the benefits of unschooling at home. It's just
something we need to pray about, but I'm glad to have you all to talk
to, and I appreciate your suggestions, and support. God bless you!
Janice
Heather. I should further explain that although I don't plan to send
her to school at this point, I just wonder if what I'm doing will be
enough to help her in life getting a job, and unfortunately,
competing with others who may be 'more qualified', even though that's
not true. She has always expressed an interest in working with
animals, but is unsure yet as to what particular field she would like
to go into. We encourage her to read about the fields themselves,
and look into internet, and other resources to see what is available
to her. In NJ, there are no testing requirements, and according to
everything I've read about the state's 'formalities', I seem to be
pretty much on track. It's the pressure I put on myself I think,
that is causing the frustration. She too, goes to church and hears
from her friends about how much they are learning, and what they
might be doing at certain times, and I think she might feel like
she's missing out. I try to explain that they are coming from a
whole different perspective, having been in a school environment, not
knowing or getting the benefits of unschooling at home. It's just
something we need to pray about, but I'm glad to have you all to talk
to, and I appreciate your suggestions, and support. God bless you!
Janice
Christina Morrissey
It's unfortunate how much competition has become a part of our lives from
very early on...my kids' friends seem to want constantly to "show" how much
more they are learning in school as though to validate to themselves the
value of their being there!.Having only been out of public school for the
last two years, my kids found it difficult to listen to initially. They
too were very doubtful of quality versus quantity. Now they are less quick
to offend, but still ask me how to answer. I told them that just as adults
are wise not to discuss politics or religion with friends, so would they be
wise not to discuss schooling with theirs.
At 03:04 AM 1/19/2002 +0000, you wrote:
very early on...my kids' friends seem to want constantly to "show" how much
more they are learning in school as though to validate to themselves the
value of their being there!.Having only been out of public school for the
last two years, my kids found it difficult to listen to initially. They
too were very doubtful of quality versus quantity. Now they are less quick
to offend, but still ask me how to answer. I told them that just as adults
are wise not to discuss politics or religion with friends, so would they be
wise not to discuss schooling with theirs.
At 03:04 AM 1/19/2002 +0000, you wrote:
>Thanks to all of you who posted back to me regarding my daughter[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>Heather. I should further explain that although I don't plan to send
>her to school at this point, I just wonder if what I'm doing will be
>enough to help her in life getting a job, and unfortunately,
>competing with others who may be 'more qualified', even though that's
>not true. She has always expressed an interest in working with
>animals, but is unsure yet as to what particular field she would like
>to go into. We encourage her to read about the fields themselves,
>and look into internet, and other resources to see what is available
>to her. In NJ, there are no testing requirements, and according to
>everything I've read about the state's 'formalities', I seem to be
>pretty much on track. It's the pressure I put on myself I think,
>that is causing the frustration. She too, goes to church and hears
>from her friends about how much they are learning, and what they
>might be doing at certain times, and I think she might feel like
>she's missing out. I try to explain that they are coming from a
>whole different perspective, having been in a school environment, not
>knowing or getting the benefits of unschooling at home. It's just
>something we need to pray about, but I'm glad to have you all to talk
>to, and I appreciate your suggestions, and support. God bless you!
>Janice
>
>
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Sarah Carothers
On Wed, 23 Jan 2002 19:31:52 -0800, Christina Morrissey wrote:
Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn? No Contest is about the harmful
aspects of competition. Punished by Rewards is about how rewards such
as gold stars and grades harms kids.
I was surfing last night and came across an unschooled graduate's
website. He mentioned a book that caught my eye,The Selfish Gene by
Richard Dawkins. Has anybody read it?
--
Sarah Carothers, puddles@... on 01/24/2002
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>It's unfortunate how much competition has become aInteresting that you brought this up. Have you read No Contest or
>part of our lives from
>very early on...my kids' friends seem to want
>constantly to "show" how much
>more they are learning in school as though to
>validate to themselves the
>value of their being there!
Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn? No Contest is about the harmful
aspects of competition. Punished by Rewards is about how rewards such
as gold stars and grades harms kids.
I was surfing last night and came across an unschooled graduate's
website. He mentioned a book that caught my eye,The Selfish Gene by
Richard Dawkins. Has anybody read it?
--
Sarah Carothers, puddles@... on 01/24/2002
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Fetteroll
on 1/24/02 12:05 AM, Sarah Carothers at puddles@... wrote:
read about some pretty complex ideas of evolution and genetics. The Blind
Watchmaker is another one of his that comes to mind. (Amazon probably has
some good reviews and descriptions.)
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> He mentioned a book that caught my eye,The Selfish Gene byNo, but I own it! ;-) He does write very clearly and his books are easy to
> Richard Dawkins. Has anybody read it?
read about some pretty complex ideas of evolution and genetics. The Blind
Watchmaker is another one of his that comes to mind. (Amazon probably has
some good reviews and descriptions.)
Joyce
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sarah Carothers
On Thu, 24 Jan 2002 07:47:23 -0500, Fetteroll wrote:
look for it (ok, ok... it's really easier to me to watch a movie than
read a book. With reading, I have to re-read so many times that it
takes *forever* to finish a book:( )
--
Sarah Carothers, puddles@... on 01/24/2002
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>The BlindI believe I read that this book was made into a movie??? I'm going to
>Watchmaker is another one of his that comes to mind.
>(Amazon probably has
>some good reviews and descriptions.)
>
>Joyce
look for it (ok, ok... it's really easier to me to watch a movie than
read a book. With reading, I have to re-read so many times that it
takes *forever* to finish a book:( )
--
Sarah Carothers, puddles@... on 01/24/2002
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]