zenmomma *

>>My 10 yos thinks"If those kids don't have to do schoolwork, they must not
>>learn anything! I don't want to not learn anything." He's also the one
>>who had a bad school experience and really shies away from learning.>>

I really feel for your dear, sweet boy, Sandra! It sounds like he's been
told (by the school system) that there's one "right" way to learn. If he
doesn't enjoy, or get much out of the way school does things, then of course
he's going to think it's something that has to be assigned or forced on him.

My Conor also does NOT learn in the ways schools teach. But he's come to
understand that he learns just fine in his own way. Your son will too.

>>I honestly think that he thinks that if you unschool, it means that the
>>whole family sits on the couch and watches cartoons all day or
>>something.>>

Some days we do and that's okay! We're still talking to each other and
making observations and connections and noticing the background music and
thinking about who did the voices and wondering what other things that
person did and wondering when that cartoon was created and on and on. Or
we're just vegging and having some quiet time. ;-)

On other days we go to museums or parks or aquariums or the library or a
friend's house or digging in the dirt or to a play or a movie or....the list
is endless.

>>My 12 yod sees "Freedom, this is the best thing ever! All kids should be
>>taught this way. I mean it just makes sooo much sense.>>

Cool!

Life is good.
~Mary



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catherine aceto

Hi,

I am Cat (37) married to David (43), mother of L (5) and J (10 mos). We live in Pittsburgh, PA.

I knew that I would homeschool as soon as I learned (sometime in my 20's I think)that it was legal. I was one of those unhappy straight-A students that were being discussed recently -- I knew that I didnt' want that for my children. I had in mind a far more "schooly" version of homeschooling, however. Now, as I watch myu children grow and learn it is clear that unschooling is the path most compatible with the way we live and our beliefs about the treatment of children.

Looking forward to participating in this list.

-Cat




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Fetteroll

on 9/14/03 12:59 PM, catherine aceto at aceto3@... wrote:

> I am Cat (37) married to David (43), mother of L (5) and J (10 mos). We live
> in Pittsburgh, PA.

Hi Cat!

My daughter is calling herself Kat now. I grew up south of Pittsburgh, in
Pleasant Hills and went to CMU. Where abouts in Pittsburgh are you?

Joyce