But how do you know they are learning?
zenmomma *
I was thinking the other day about the age old question we are all
GUARANTEED to hear at least once (more likely 100's of times) while we are
unschooling. "But how do you know they are learning?" My usual answer is "I
talk to them." The truth of this statement was brought home to me this week
when I took Casey to a new Children's Museum.
At each exhibit and doing each craft, I knew exactly where Casey was with
it. When she drew a series of pictures to use in a zoetrope, and actually
drew a flower growing, I knew at that instant that she now grasped a concept
she had never quite understood before. How did I know? I talk to her. I
watch her. I listen. I observe. I *know* her. She was so delighted to see
the flower she drew appear to grow. It's a moment I would not have wanted to
miss.
It's the same with watching her reading develop. How could I not see her
progress, and the joy in her eyes, as she realizes she can read a real book
that she's really interested in? How could I miss the fact that she used to
print her name in block letters and can now sign it in beautiful cursive.
How could I not notice the interesting questions she asks and how they tie
in and build on the interesting ones she was pondering last year?
How do all those other people NOT see that their kids are learning?
I DO know that silly "How do you know..." question has no power over me
whatsoever. I've thrown it in the heap along with "But how do you teach
without a curriculum?"
Just one of many of my happy thoughts for today. :o)
Life is good.
~Mary
_________________________________________________________________
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
GUARANTEED to hear at least once (more likely 100's of times) while we are
unschooling. "But how do you know they are learning?" My usual answer is "I
talk to them." The truth of this statement was brought home to me this week
when I took Casey to a new Children's Museum.
At each exhibit and doing each craft, I knew exactly where Casey was with
it. When she drew a series of pictures to use in a zoetrope, and actually
drew a flower growing, I knew at that instant that she now grasped a concept
she had never quite understood before. How did I know? I talk to her. I
watch her. I listen. I observe. I *know* her. She was so delighted to see
the flower she drew appear to grow. It's a moment I would not have wanted to
miss.
It's the same with watching her reading develop. How could I not see her
progress, and the joy in her eyes, as she realizes she can read a real book
that she's really interested in? How could I miss the fact that she used to
print her name in block letters and can now sign it in beautiful cursive.
How could I not notice the interesting questions she asks and how they tie
in and build on the interesting ones she was pondering last year?
How do all those other people NOT see that their kids are learning?
I DO know that silly "How do you know..." question has no power over me
whatsoever. I've thrown it in the heap along with "But how do you teach
without a curriculum?"
Just one of many of my happy thoughts for today. :o)
Life is good.
~Mary
_________________________________________________________________
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
Bonnie
Hi Mary,
How did she start cursive writing? That one is a real
'struggle" for us. Any tips? Bonnie
--- zenmomma * <zenmomma@...> wrote:
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How did she start cursive writing? That one is a real
'struggle" for us. Any tips? Bonnie
--- zenmomma * <zenmomma@...> wrote:
>_________________________________________________________________
> I was thinking the other day about the age old
> question we are all
> GUARANTEED to hear at least once (more likely 100's
> of times) while we are
> unschooling. "But how do you know they are
> learning?" My usual answer is "I
> talk to them." The truth of this statement was
> brought home to me this week
> when I took Casey to a new Children's Museum.
>
> At each exhibit and doing each craft, I knew exactly
> where Casey was with
> it. When she drew a series of pictures to use in a
> zoetrope, and actually
> drew a flower growing, I knew at that instant that
> she now grasped a concept
> she had never quite understood before. How did I
> know? I talk to her. I
> watch her. I listen. I observe. I *know* her. She
> was so delighted to see
> the flower she drew appear to grow. It's a moment I
> would not have wanted to
> miss.
>
> It's the same with watching her reading develop. How
> could I not see her
> progress, and the joy in her eyes, as she realizes
> she can read a real book
> that she's really interested in? How could I miss
> the fact that she used to
> print her name in block letters and can now sign it
> in beautiful cursive.
> How could I not notice the interesting questions she
> asks and how they tie
> in and build on the interesting ones she was
> pondering last year?
>
> How do all those other people NOT see that their
> kids are learning?
>
> I DO know that silly "How do you know..." question
> has no power over me
> whatsoever. I've thrown it in the heap along with
> "But how do you teach
> without a curriculum?"
>
> Just one of many of my happy thoughts for today. :o)
>
> Life is good.
> ~Mary
>
>
> Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger:__________________________________________________
> http://messenger.msn.com
>
>
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Movies - coverage of the 74th Academy Awards�
http://movies.yahoo.com/
Heather Woodward
Mary wrote:
How could I miss the fact that she used to
print her name in block letters and can now sign it in beautiful cursive.
Do you remember how this came about? I find my daughter has a hard time writing, She is 7, and seems to not want to write anything because she is such a perfectionist that if it not perfect, she gets really mad at herself. Her writing at this point is far from perfect - as is her spelling- I have used Math curriculum in the past and she is great with math - She reads really well, but I have never used a phonics, spelling, writing curriculum and was wondering if there was a connection there?
Do you have any suggestions on what helps writing, and spelling develop? I have also read that sometimes motor skills develop at different levels - I notice she really presses hard with her pens/pencils - she says her hand hurts - maybe she just isn't ready? I really try not to worry about it - but it's hard ... I think being able to write(not necessarily beautiful) and clearly express yourself is important.
Any thoughts??
Heather
How could I miss the fact that she used to
print her name in block letters and can now sign it in beautiful cursive.
Do you remember how this came about? I find my daughter has a hard time writing, She is 7, and seems to not want to write anything because she is such a perfectionist that if it not perfect, she gets really mad at herself. Her writing at this point is far from perfect - as is her spelling- I have used Math curriculum in the past and she is great with math - She reads really well, but I have never used a phonics, spelling, writing curriculum and was wondering if there was a connection there?
Do you have any suggestions on what helps writing, and spelling develop? I have also read that sometimes motor skills develop at different levels - I notice she really presses hard with her pens/pencils - she says her hand hurts - maybe she just isn't ready? I really try not to worry about it - but it's hard ... I think being able to write(not necessarily beautiful) and clearly express yourself is important.
Any thoughts??
Heather
----- Original Message -----
From: zenmomma *
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2002 9:38 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] But how do you know they are learning?
I was thinking the other day about the age old question we are all
GUARANTEED to hear at least once (more likely 100's of times) while we are
unschooling. "But how do you know they are learning?" My usual answer is "I
talk to them." The truth of this statement was brought home to me this week
when I took Casey to a new Children's Museum.
At each exhibit and doing each craft, I knew exactly where Casey was with
it. When she drew a series of pictures to use in a zoetrope, and actually
drew a flower growing, I knew at that instant that she now grasped a concept
she had never quite understood before. How did I know? I talk to her. I
watch her. I listen. I observe. I *know* her. She was so delighted to see
the flower she drew appear to grow. It's a moment I would not have wanted to
miss.
It's the same with watching her reading develop. How could I not see her
progress, and the joy in her eyes, as she realizes she can read a real book
that she's really interested in? How could I miss the fact that she used to
print her name in block letters and can now sign it in beautiful cursive.
How could I not notice the interesting questions she asks and how they tie
in and build on the interesting ones she was pondering last year?
How do all those other people NOT see that their kids are learning?
I DO know that silly "How do you know..." question has no power over me
whatsoever. I've thrown it in the heap along with "But how do you teach
without a curriculum?"
Just one of many of my happy thoughts for today. :o)
Life is good.
~Mary
_________________________________________________________________
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Bonni Sollars
Heather, I was thinking, if she can read, and writing hurts her hand,
maybe give her markers to write with, or paint brushes. Perhaps she just
doesn't have enough of a reason to write yet. She sounds so smart.
Praising her accomplishments could help her feel less of a need to do
everything perfectly.
Bonni
maybe give her markers to write with, or paint brushes. Perhaps she just
doesn't have enough of a reason to write yet. She sounds so smart.
Praising her accomplishments could help her feel less of a need to do
everything perfectly.
Bonni
Lynda
If she likes her pencils, why don't you get her those sponge/foam thingys
that slide on for a cushion.
As to cursive and printing, who cares. Some of the kidlets do one, some the
other. Some learned because I use to do calligraphy and they loved the pens
and so I bought them calligraphy sets which have instruction books. I even
managed to find a set for leftys (of which I have 2.5 <g>).
We have all kinds of tablets and stuff laying around the house and they just
picked up what they wanted when they wanted. If they didn't, it wasn't any
big deal.
Lynda
that slide on for a cushion.
As to cursive and printing, who cares. Some of the kidlets do one, some the
other. Some learned because I use to do calligraphy and they loved the pens
and so I bought them calligraphy sets which have instruction books. I even
managed to find a set for leftys (of which I have 2.5 <g>).
We have all kinds of tablets and stuff laying around the house and they just
picked up what they wanted when they wanted. If they didn't, it wasn't any
big deal.
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: "Heather Woodward" <bacwoodz@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2002 8:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] But how do you know they are learning?
> Mary wrote:
>
> How could I miss the fact that she used to
> print her name in block letters and can now sign it in beautiful cursive.
>
> Do you remember how this came about? I find my daughter has a hard time
writing, She is 7, and seems to not want to write anything because she is
such a perfectionist that if it not perfect, she gets really mad at herself.
Her writing at this point is far from perfect - as is her spelling- I have
used Math curriculum in the past and she is great with math - She reads
really well, but I have never used a phonics, spelling, writing curriculum
and was wondering if there was a connection there?
>
> Do you have any suggestions on what helps writing, and spelling develop? I
have also read that sometimes motor skills develop at different levels - I
notice she really presses hard with her pens/pencils - she says her hand
hurts - maybe she just isn't ready? I really try not to worry about it - but
it's hard ... I think being able to write(not necessarily beautiful) and
clearly express yourself is important.
>
> Any thoughts??
>
> Heather
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: zenmomma *
> To: [email protected]
> Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2002 9:38 PM
> Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] But how do you know they are learning?
>
>
>
> I was thinking the other day about the age old question we are all
> GUARANTEED to hear at least once (more likely 100's of times) while we
are
> unschooling. "But how do you know they are learning?" My usual answer is
"I
> talk to them." The truth of this statement was brought home to me this
week
> when I took Casey to a new Children's Museum.
>
> At each exhibit and doing each craft, I knew exactly where Casey was
with
> it. When she drew a series of pictures to use in a zoetrope, and
actually
> drew a flower growing, I knew at that instant that she now grasped a
concept
> she had never quite understood before. How did I know? I talk to her. I
> watch her. I listen. I observe. I *know* her. She was so delighted to
see
> the flower she drew appear to grow. It's a moment I would not have
wanted to
> miss.
>
> It's the same with watching her reading develop. How could I not see her
> progress, and the joy in her eyes, as she realizes she can read a real
book
> that she's really interested in? How could I miss the fact that she used
to
> print her name in block letters and can now sign it in beautiful
cursive.
> How could I not notice the interesting questions she asks and how they
tie
> in and build on the interesting ones she was pondering last year?
>
> How do all those other people NOT see that their kids are learning?
>
> I DO know that silly "How do you know..." question has no power over me
> whatsoever. I've thrown it in the heap along with "But how do you teach
> without a curriculum?"
>
> Just one of many of my happy thoughts for today. :o)
>
> Life is good.
> ~Mary
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
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>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
>
>
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>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
>
>
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>
>
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/25/02 1:14:16 AM, BSOLLARS@... writes:
<< Heather, I was thinking, if she can read, and writing hurts her hand,
maybe give her markers to write with, or paint brushes. Perhaps she just
doesn't have enough of a reason to write yet. >>
Writing hurt my hand a lot until I was about eleven. I had a callous on my
finger that was never going away, and my hand used to cramp. Fat ("first
grade") pencils were much more comfortable than the skinny normal #2's and if
I could find a fat ballpoint pen I used that instead of the skinny ones
(although I always hated ballpoints and still don't use them except in
foreign situations of necessity). Felt tips (then Flairs, now Sanford
calligraphy pens) are more comfortable for me.
I liked getting the words out, but the physical act was never comfortable
until I was pubescent. I don't know whether it was physical size, maturity,
resignation to the inevitable, or what.
Kirby and Marty get their words out at the computer, without pain.
Because I've never made my kids write, they've never experienced pain over it
or associated discomfort with it. Their ability to put words together in
artsy, funny, touching and practical ways is unhampered.
Sandra
<< Heather, I was thinking, if she can read, and writing hurts her hand,
maybe give her markers to write with, or paint brushes. Perhaps she just
doesn't have enough of a reason to write yet. >>
Writing hurt my hand a lot until I was about eleven. I had a callous on my
finger that was never going away, and my hand used to cramp. Fat ("first
grade") pencils were much more comfortable than the skinny normal #2's and if
I could find a fat ballpoint pen I used that instead of the skinny ones
(although I always hated ballpoints and still don't use them except in
foreign situations of necessity). Felt tips (then Flairs, now Sanford
calligraphy pens) are more comfortable for me.
I liked getting the words out, but the physical act was never comfortable
until I was pubescent. I don't know whether it was physical size, maturity,
resignation to the inevitable, or what.
Kirby and Marty get their words out at the computer, without pain.
Because I've never made my kids write, they've never experienced pain over it
or associated discomfort with it. Their ability to put words together in
artsy, funny, touching and practical ways is unhampered.
Sandra
joanna514
--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "Heather Woodward" <bacwoodz@e...>
wrote:
because she is such a perfectionist that if it not perfect, she gets
really mad at herself. Her writing at this point is far from perfect -
as is her spelling- I have used Math curriculum in the past and she
is great with math - She reads really well, but I have never used a
phonics, spelling, writing curriculum and was wondering if there was
a connection there?
different levels - I notice she really presses hard with her
pens/pencils - she says her hand hurts - maybe she just isn't ready?
I really try not to worry about it - but it's hard ... I think being
able to write(not necessarily beautiful) and clearly express yourself
is important.
things in life that motivate a person to want to write, but for a
7yo, I can't think of too many.
My dd11 can write. She probably does it daily now with lists and
poems and games she makes up, her diary and letters to friends.(not
all in the same day!)
My son 8 is a big list writer now. He is learning to spell with the
games he plays on the computer. Not spelling games. All kinds of
different games. He yells out "HOW DO YOU SPELL....." often,
throughout the day.
They learn in bits and pieces, all day everyday. I answer questions,
show them things, make suggestions, play games,have conversations....
and it happens.
All the time, learning happens.
Joanna
wrote:
> Mary wrote:cursive.
>
> How could I miss the fact that she used to
> print her name in block letters and can now sign it in beautiful
>time writing, She is 7, and seems to not want to write anything
> Do you remember how this came about? I find my daughter has a hard
because she is such a perfectionist that if it not perfect, she gets
really mad at herself. Her writing at this point is far from perfect -
as is her spelling- I have used Math curriculum in the past and she
is great with math - She reads really well, but I have never used a
phonics, spelling, writing curriculum and was wondering if there was
a connection there?
>develop? I have also read that sometimes motor skills develop at
> Do you have any suggestions on what helps writing, and spelling
different levels - I notice she really presses hard with her
pens/pencils - she says her hand hurts - maybe she just isn't ready?
I really try not to worry about it - but it's hard ... I think being
able to write(not necessarily beautiful) and clearly express yourself
is important.
>I think she has plenty of time to learn to write. There are many
> Any thoughts??
>
> Heather
>
>
things in life that motivate a person to want to write, but for a
7yo, I can't think of too many.
My dd11 can write. She probably does it daily now with lists and
poems and games she makes up, her diary and letters to friends.(not
all in the same day!)
My son 8 is a big list writer now. He is learning to spell with the
games he plays on the computer. Not spelling games. All kinds of
different games. He yells out "HOW DO YOU SPELL....." often,
throughout the day.
They learn in bits and pieces, all day everyday. I answer questions,
show them things, make suggestions, play games,have conversations....
and it happens.
All the time, learning happens.
Joanna
joanna514
.
Just a thought :-)
Joanna
> Praising her accomplishments could help her feel less of a need todo
> everything perfectly.Or it could make her feel she has to work for moms approval.
> Bonni
Just a thought :-)
Joanna
Bonni Sollars
Regarding praise, I meant describing specific things that she is doing
well, in response to her complaint that she's not doing it very well. I
also meant, describing other things she has mastered, and encouraging her
if she can do that she can do this, with time. I'm assuming the child is
writing because she wants and is expressing frustration that it's not the
way she would like it to be. Perfectionism is something my son has a
problem with, and I have found praise (acknowledgement) sets him at ease
and encourages him to stop obsessing.
Praise that says, "Hey, look what you did," may be misconstrued as
patronising or pressure, but can also help a child feel appreciated.
This is important if they've already been conditioned to feel inadequate
by parents or teachers with a history of criticizing and only noticing
what they do wrong. Recognition is what I'm talking about, not showing
the parent how great they are for having a child who can do this.
Bonni
well, in response to her complaint that she's not doing it very well. I
also meant, describing other things she has mastered, and encouraging her
if she can do that she can do this, with time. I'm assuming the child is
writing because she wants and is expressing frustration that it's not the
way she would like it to be. Perfectionism is something my son has a
problem with, and I have found praise (acknowledgement) sets him at ease
and encourages him to stop obsessing.
Praise that says, "Hey, look what you did," may be misconstrued as
patronising or pressure, but can also help a child feel appreciated.
This is important if they've already been conditioned to feel inadequate
by parents or teachers with a history of criticizing and only noticing
what they do wrong. Recognition is what I'm talking about, not showing
the parent how great they are for having a child who can do this.
Bonni
Heather Woodward
I think in some way we all like there to be some acknowledgement when we have done something well. Some of us - take it to heart a little too much :) We could speculate whether that's just related to personality or lack of/too much praise growing up... For example - I am a 28 year old woman who still will tell my dad what grades I get in the college courses I take - how sad is that -
In any case, with children I think it is sometimes easy to see the things they are doing wrong as opposed to the great things they are doing. I also think kids see through patronization vs. real praise. I agree that a simple acknowledgement of - hey, you did a great job with that - is nice to hear - as long as it is the truth! It sometimes gives you that little bit of incentive to press on with whatever task it is....
Heather
From: Bonni Sollars
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, March 25, 2002 11:22 AM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: But how do you know they are learning?
Regarding praise, I meant describing specific things that she is doing
well, in response to her complaint that she's not doing it very well. I
also meant, describing other things she has mastered, and encouraging her
if she can do that she can do this, with time. I'm assuming the child is
writing because she wants and is expressing frustration that it's not the
way she would like it to be. Perfectionism is something my son has a
problem with, and I have found praise (acknowledgement) sets him at ease
and encourages him to stop obsessing.
Praise that says, "Hey, look what you did," may be misconstrued as
patronising or pressure, but can also help a child feel appreciated.
This is important if they've already been conditioned to feel inadequate
by parents or teachers with a history of criticizing and only noticing
what they do wrong. Recognition is what I'm talking about, not showing
the parent how great they are for having a child who can do this.
Bonni
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
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To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
In any case, with children I think it is sometimes easy to see the things they are doing wrong as opposed to the great things they are doing. I also think kids see through patronization vs. real praise. I agree that a simple acknowledgement of - hey, you did a great job with that - is nice to hear - as long as it is the truth! It sometimes gives you that little bit of incentive to press on with whatever task it is....
Heather
From: Bonni Sollars
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, March 25, 2002 11:22 AM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: But how do you know they are learning?
Regarding praise, I meant describing specific things that she is doing
well, in response to her complaint that she's not doing it very well. I
also meant, describing other things she has mastered, and encouraging her
if she can do that she can do this, with time. I'm assuming the child is
writing because she wants and is expressing frustration that it's not the
way she would like it to be. Perfectionism is something my son has a
problem with, and I have found praise (acknowledgement) sets him at ease
and encourages him to stop obsessing.
Praise that says, "Hey, look what you did," may be misconstrued as
patronising or pressure, but can also help a child feel appreciated.
This is important if they've already been conditioned to feel inadequate
by parents or teachers with a history of criticizing and only noticing
what they do wrong. Recognition is what I'm talking about, not showing
the parent how great they are for having a child who can do this.
Bonni
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
rumpleteasermom
Praise is a tricky thing around here sometimes. Rachel takes it in
very strange ways occassionally. Sometimes, saying she did something
well, or that she looks good in a specific outfit, translates to
"you're terrible the rest of the time" in her mind. And other times,
it doesn't have that effect. Partly, it's hormones. But sometimes
it's just a crap shoot which reaction we get.
I think it's important to really pay attention to how what you say
affects your kids. This is another case where they are all different
and we each have to learn how they react to what comments.
Bridget
very strange ways occassionally. Sometimes, saying she did something
well, or that she looks good in a specific outfit, translates to
"you're terrible the rest of the time" in her mind. And other times,
it doesn't have that effect. Partly, it's hormones. But sometimes
it's just a crap shoot which reaction we get.
I think it's important to really pay attention to how what you say
affects your kids. This is another case where they are all different
and we each have to learn how they react to what comments.
Bridget
--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., Bonni Sollars <BSOLLARS@J...> wrote:
> Regarding praise, I meant describing specific things that she is
doing
> well, in response to her complaint that she's not doing it very
well.
Tia Leschke
>Last night I got up for a pee, and Lars was still watching TV at around 1
>I think it's important to really pay attention to how what you say
>affects your kids. This is another case where they are all different
>and we each have to learn how they react to what comments.
am. I got several words into my old-style comment about watching TV all
the time and then stopped myself. I hadn't noticed his reaction at that
point, but when I changed it to, "There must be a lot of shows that you
really like that are on this late," his face lit up. Mum
understands! Well at any rate she's learning. <g>
Tia
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt
*********************************************
Tia Leschke
leschke@...
On Vancouver Island