zenmomma *

>>In other words, we want to do a thematic child-led program but I feel
>>there needs to be some parental guidance for logistics sake. So, the plan
>>right now (and like I said, I'm just learning all this, so I'd love
>>feedback from you!) is to sit down with my daughter before our "nonschool"
>>year starts and talk about themes she'd like to
pursue next year.>>

A couple of thoughts come to mind as I read this. First, why not start your
"nonschool year" now? You're out of the school program and off their
timetable. Be bold! September is NOT a magic month. Start your learning
adventure right now.

My second thought is, of course, about the idea of trying to plan out your
daughter's learning. Schools do that so they can accomodate 30 kids per
classroom, and 100's of kids per school. There has to be a plan with that
many little bodies to teach and that many parents to be acccountable to.
However, YOU don't have those constraints. You are free to let your daughter
follow her interests *as they happen*. If you get too caught up in a plan or
thematic unit of study, you may miss the opportunity to pursue all the new
and interesting things that come up that you both have never even thought of
yet.

Child-led activities can mean starting our thinking about endangered
species, but then only giving it a cursory glance. While doing that a
drawing of an animal skeleton sparks an interest and takes you in a
completely different direction. Or the bubbles in an aquarium. Or the
streetlights on the drive over. Or the weather. Or the music on the radio.
Or.....

Life is good.
~Mary



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Jo Anna C. Becker

Actually, we're not out of the school program (that was in my original
post.) My daughter is in public school right now.

Jo Anna

-----Original Message-----
From: zenmomma * [mailto:zenmomma@...]

A couple of thoughts come to mind as I read this. First, why not start your
"nonschool year" now? You're out of the school program and off their
timetable. Be bold! September is NOT a magic month. Start your learning
adventure right now.