smartier_pantz

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and encouragement. I
really had nothing to worry about after all....

I contacted his former teacher, whose 'tune' had changed quite a bit,
since I was very direct, and asked for some specifics. All she could
really say is 'you won't have any trouble teaching him, he's very
smart'.

It relieved me, yet made me angry at the same time, that she had made
it sound so ominous in the beginning. Then she tops it off
with 'he's very smart'....meaning of course (IMO) that he could learn
what he needed to know even if an ape was teaching him. I have no
doubt that he will learn what HE needs or WANTS to know, but I don't
like it being insinuated that since I don't have 'credentials', I'm
about as significant as a doorstop in his learning process.

I hate it when people with an agenda attempt to manipulate others
with fear.

I asked her for his weaknesses and strengths, and some other specific
questions. Turns out, he IS very smart! High scores on everything.

So far, it looks like this is going to be a wonderful adventure for
all of us. He is actually EAGER to do almost everything I've
suggested to him, and I communicated to him that it was his decision
whether or not he did the things I suggested.

Thanks again for all your advice and encouragement!:)

Ruby

sharon childs

Ruby it sounds like you have gotten much of what I have gotten. I have been
doing this for a few years now and feeling like a failure (even though I
know she is doing better than in ps) but only now am I starting to realize I
am doing fine.

In ps I bet a child doesn't get a whole 7 minutes personal one on one from
the teacher a day. I think we could spend an hour a day and be doing far
better than the schools. So, since we are more than willing to spend more
than that.....how can we go wrong?

Good luck and do not get discouraged. He is just another kid to them and
whether or not he learns is not something they go home and think about after
work. Bet it is on your mind all the time. You will do great.

Sharon
----- Original Message -----
From: "smartier_pantz" <smartier_pantz@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 19, 2002 5:23 AM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Thanks for advice:) (unusual unschool
situation)


> Hello Everyone,
>
> Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and encouragement. I
> really had nothing to worry about after all....
>
> I contacted his former teacher, whose 'tune' had changed quite a bit,
> since I was very direct, and asked for some specifics. All she could
> really say is 'you won't have any trouble teaching him, he's very
> smart'.
>
> It relieved me, yet made me angry at the same time, that she had made
> it sound so ominous in the beginning. Then she tops it off
> with 'he's very smart'....meaning of course (IMO) that he could learn
> what he needed to know even if an ape was teaching him. I have no
> doubt that he will learn what HE needs or WANTS to know, but I don't
> like it being insinuated that since I don't have 'credentials', I'm
> about as significant as a doorstop in his learning process.
>
> I hate it when people with an agenda attempt to manipulate others
> with fear.
>
> I asked her for his weaknesses and strengths, and some other specific
> questions. Turns out, he IS very smart! High scores on everything.
>
> So far, it looks like this is going to be a wonderful adventure for
> all of us. He is actually EAGER to do almost everything I've
> suggested to him, and I communicated to him that it was his decision
> whether or not he did the things I suggested.
>
> Thanks again for all your advice and encouragement!:)
>
> Ruby
>
>
>
> ~~~ Don't forget! If you change the topic, change the subject line! ~~~
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
> Visit the Unschooling website:
> http://www.unschooling.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

smartier_pantz

Thank you, Sharon

With the first grandchild, I just didn't worry so much about things
because I never had any dealings with the ps around here, and we just
started learning things together, then just continued. No problemo.

I have friends who are teachers, and I NEVER talk to them about our
experiences, because I get the same ol' crap all the time. You know,
the 'S' word, and all the things we're all so familiar with hearing
from those who don't understand and don't want to understand. And I
avoid all questions from them. I'm getting really good at
it...avoiding questions, that is...LOL.

And you're right, we're doing just fine. We're having fun, that's for
sure. How can anyone learn without having fun???!!!

How many grandchildren are you unschooling? I was beginning to think
I was 'one of a kind'....LOL.

I'm glad I found this list! I haven't had time to read much, but
from what I've read, I know I can learn a lot here!

Ruby


--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "sharon childs" <sugarcrafter@u...>
wrote:
> Ruby it sounds like you have gotten much of what I have gotten. I
have been
> doing this for a few years now and feeling like a failure (even
though I
> know she is doing better than in ps) but only now am I starting to
realize I
> am doing fine.
>
> In ps I bet a child doesn't get a whole 7 minutes personal one on
one from
> the teacher a day. I think we could spend an hour a day and be
doing far
> better than the schools. So, since we are more than willing to
spend more
> than that.....how can we go wrong?
>
> Good luck and do not get discouraged. He is just another kid to
them and
> whether or not he learns is not something they go home and think
about after
> work. Bet it is on your mind all the time. You will do great.
>
> Sharon
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "smartier_pantz" <smartier_pantz@y...>
> To: <Unschooling-dotcom@y...>
> Sent: Friday, April 19, 2002 5:23 AM
> Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Thanks for advice:) (unusual unschool
> situation)
>
>
> > Hello Everyone,
> >
> > Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and
encouragement. I
> > really had nothing to worry about after all....
> >
> > I contacted his former teacher, whose 'tune' had changed quite a
bit,
> > since I was very direct, and asked for some specifics. All she
could
> > really say is 'you won't have any trouble teaching him, he's very
> > smart'.
> >
> > It relieved me, yet made me angry at the same time, that she had
made
> > it sound so ominous in the beginning. Then she tops it off
> > with 'he's very smart'....meaning of course (IMO) that he could
learn
> > what he needed to know even if an ape was teaching him. I have no
> > doubt that he will learn what HE needs or WANTS to know, but I
don't
> > like it being insinuated that since I don't have 'credentials',
I'm
> > about as significant as a doorstop in his learning process.
> >
> > I hate it when people with an agenda attempt to manipulate others
> > with fear.
> >
> > I asked her for his weaknesses and strengths, and some other
specific
> > questions. Turns out, he IS very smart! High scores on
everything.
> >
> > So far, it looks like this is going to be a wonderful adventure
for
> > all of us. He is actually EAGER to do almost everything I've
> > suggested to him, and I communicated to him that it was his
decision
> > whether or not he did the things I suggested.
> >
> > Thanks again for all your advice and encouragement!:)
> >
> > Ruby
> >
> >
> >
> > ~~~ Don't forget! If you change the topic, change the subject
line! ~~~
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > Unschooling-dotcom-unsubscribe@y...
> >
> > Visit the Unschooling website:
> > http://www.unschooling.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >

sharon childs

Hi Ruby. I am unschooling two grandchildren. Ages 2 and 10.

For a long time I thought I was one of a kind also, then a very nice lady on
this list put me in touch with another one in Northern California.

It is not easy and I know you will understand. WE don't have the strength
or the energy we used to, plus having another generation behind you adds
lots of responsibilities the young mothers don't yet have either. All of
that left me questioning if I could do this justice,,,I am involved in so
many things and spread out so much. Not that I don't consider it most
important, but grandmas still have to be "on call" for the rest of the
family and fulfill their responsibilities to them too.

This group has helped me to learn that I don't need as much time as I
thought I did to accomplish unschooling. For instance I don't make "lesson
plans" anymore!

You are very welcome and thank you also for your post.

Sharon

----- Original Message -----
From: "smartier_pantz" <smartier_pantz@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2002 8:27 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: Thanks for advice:) (unusual unschool
situation)


> Thank you, Sharon
>
> With the first grandchild, I just didn't worry so much about things
> because I never had any dealings with the ps around here, and we just
> started learning things together, then just continued. No problemo.
>
> I have friends who are teachers, and I NEVER talk to them about our
> experiences, because I get the same ol' crap all the time. You know,
> the 'S' word, and all the things we're all so familiar with hearing
> from those who don't understand and don't want to understand. And I
> avoid all questions from them. I'm getting really good at
> it...avoiding questions, that is...LOL.
>
> And you're right, we're doing just fine. We're having fun, that's for
> sure. How can anyone learn without having fun???!!!
>
> How many grandchildren are you unschooling? I was beginning to think
> I was 'one of a kind'....LOL.
>
> I'm glad I found this list! I haven't had time to read much, but
> from what I've read, I know I can learn a lot here!
>
> Ruby
>
>
> --- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "sharon childs" <sugarcrafter@u...>
> wrote:
> > Ruby it sounds like you have gotten much of what I have gotten. I
> have been
> > doing this for a few years now and feeling like a failure (even
> though I
> > know she is doing better than in ps) but only now am I starting to
> realize I
> > am doing fine.
> >
> > In ps I bet a child doesn't get a whole 7 minutes personal one on
> one from
> > the teacher a day. I think we could spend an hour a day and be
> doing far
> > better than the schools. So, since we are more than willing to
> spend more
> > than that.....how can we go wrong?
> >
> > Good luck and do not get discouraged. He is just another kid to
> them and
> > whether or not he learns is not something they go home and think
> about after
> > work. Bet it is on your mind all the time. You will do great.
> >
> > Sharon
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "smartier_pantz" <smartier_pantz@y...>
> > To: <Unschooling-dotcom@y...>
> > Sent: Friday, April 19, 2002 5:23 AM
> > Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Thanks for advice:) (unusual unschool
> > situation)
> >
> >
> > > Hello Everyone,
> > >
> > > Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and
> encouragement. I
> > > really had nothing to worry about after all....
> > >
> > > I contacted his former teacher, whose 'tune' had changed quite a
> bit,
> > > since I was very direct, and asked for some specifics. All she
> could
> > > really say is 'you won't have any trouble teaching him, he's very
> > > smart'.
> > >
> > > It relieved me, yet made me angry at the same time, that she had
> made
> > > it sound so ominous in the beginning. Then she tops it off
> > > with 'he's very smart'....meaning of course (IMO) that he could
> learn
> > > what he needed to know even if an ape was teaching him. I have no
> > > doubt that he will learn what HE needs or WANTS to know, but I
> don't
> > > like it being insinuated that since I don't have 'credentials',
> I'm
> > > about as significant as a doorstop in his learning process.
> > >
> > > I hate it when people with an agenda attempt to manipulate others
> > > with fear.
> > >
> > > I asked her for his weaknesses and strengths, and some other
> specific
> > > questions. Turns out, he IS very smart! High scores on
> everything.
> > >
> > > So far, it looks like this is going to be a wonderful adventure
> for
> > > all of us. He is actually EAGER to do almost everything I've
> > > suggested to him, and I communicated to him that it was his
> decision
> > > whether or not he did the things I suggested.
> > >
> > > Thanks again for all your advice and encouragement!:)
> > >
> > > Ruby
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ~~~ Don't forget! If you change the topic, change the subject
> line! ~~~
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > Unschooling-dotcom-unsubscribe@y...
> > >
> > > Visit the Unschooling website:
> > > http://www.unschooling.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> > >
> > >
>
>
>
> ~~~ Don't forget! If you change the topic, change the subject line! ~~~
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
> Visit the Unschooling website:
> http://www.unschooling.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

rumpleteasermom

I think that with all that is happen in our public schools today, it
is time we reclaim the "S" word for ourselves. When someone questions
you about socialization, don't be defensive about it. In fact mount
an offense, ask what kind of socialization skills are learned in the
schools. Ask how public school kids learn to relate to people who are
not the same age as themselves. Ask why it is that in the study
quoted in Time magazine last summer, the homeschooled kids were more
likely to actually talk to the others and make new friends while
the public schooled kids didn't.

Bridget



--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "smartier_pantz" <smartier_pantz@y...>
wrote:
You
know,
> the 'S' word, and all the things we're all so familiar with hearing
> from those who don't understand and don't want to understand. And I
> avoid all questions from them. I'm getting really good at
> it...avoiding questions, that is...LOL.

Fetteroll

on 4/21/02 8:53 AM, rumpleteasermom at rumpleteasermom@... wrote:

> Ask how public school kids learn to relate to people who are
> not the same age as themselves.

I think that's a really good point!

And it applies to other aspects of unschooling too. It's so easy to get
defensive about homeschooling and unschooling as though we need to prove how
it's just as good as public schooling. But it's better!

How will PS kids find the time to explore their interests and discover
what's important to them?

How can they learn how the world works when they are shut away from it in an
environment that resembles prison or boot camp more than real life?

Anyone else have any questions parents choosing PS should ask themselves?

Joyce

Tia Leschke

>
>How many grandchildren are you unschooling? I was beginning to think
>I was 'one of a kind'....LOL.

I'm not Sharon, and I'm not unschooling a grandchild. But I do have a 7 yo
granddaughter who is an unschooler.
Tia

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt
*********************************************
Tia Leschke
leschke@...
On Vancouver Island

Tia Leschke

>Anyone else have any questions parents choosing PS should ask themselves?

What is it that you *really* want your kids to get from their
education? Will they get it in ps?
Tia

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt
*********************************************
Tia Leschke
leschke@...
On Vancouver Island