Kolleen

>Louise wrote:
>I am going to start homeschooling soon possibly in a week or two. Both of
>my dd are in ps right now. one in the 5th and one in the 1st. I joined
>this list because I plan on unschooling, and need help in changing my mind
>set. I though this list would help me do that. I hope that it can.

Hi Louise, What a big and wonderful step you are taking. Welcome to the
group! How much have you read of the unschooling.com website? You'll find
a wealth of information that should be able to make you feel comfortable
with changing your mind.

>I have also found in talking to my dds that they need to change their mind
>set as well. For example my oldest wants me to give her spelling tests.
>(Man do I hate spelling!!!) Anyway, I figure that I will let her pick the
>words that she feels that she needs to learn, and give her tests from them.
>One of her teachers did this, and so she feels comfortable with it.

There's a John Holt book 'How Children Learn' that actually gets down to
the nitty gritty parts of spelling test, math and other interesting ideas
to get you started. I think you'll enjoy the part about kids giving
themselves spelling "tests"


>Anyway, I think that I will start with some structure. Such as write in a
>journal. Write some letters. And have some books around that they can use
>with science experiments in them. Also some math books and video games
>around.

Having stuff around is great! Although I'm not sure if it falls into the
category of 'structure'. It means you got the right idea of providing an
environment of options.


>How does this sound. I know that the unschooling thing is to let the kids
>tell you what they want. It seems to me from talking to them that they want
>some structure. That will probably change, but to start with that is what
>they are asking for.

Someone on the list recently gave an awesome analagy about feeding a
child and unschooling. I sincerely apologize for not knowing the orignal
author. I hope the author can let us know who they are:

+ "Unschooling" is like feeding a baby- when the BABY needs, how
+ much the BABY needs-
+
+ "Schooling" is like feeding a baby- when the MOTHER wants to,
+ how much the MOTHER wants
+
+ The difference lies in the locus of control- with unschooling,
+ we give back our children something our society and culture
+ steals- the right to govern one's self. The right to be one's
+ self, to know one's self. With unschooling, we tell our
+ children we trust them, we believe them-
+
+ We believe THEY know when they are hungry and full (weather it
+ is for food, knowledge, affection, or anything)

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

regards,
kolleen