Questions from new unschooler
Carol Koessel
I began homeschooling last August. We (ignorantly) started schooling at home
(lasted a week) and then tried to "decompress" and just let the kids hang
out. I did order some curriculum, but it didn't interest the boys. BTW, they
are 11, 9 and 6. I have been reading a lot of Holt, Unschoolers Handbook,
Gatto, your site etc. I would like to know how to take a more hands off
approach and really unschool, but recently the only things my children will
do if left on their own is watch TV or play on the computer. I have not seen
much interest in anything else unless I intiate it. Is this because they
have been in school so long that they are accustom to having things shoved
down their throats? I would really like to get some different
advise/input/suggestions etc. from any and all on the list. I am not
worried, but concerned. I would really like to get to a point of having them
find stuff they are interested in knowing and and go for it. (even if that
means they ask me for help) How do we get there from here?
(lasted a week) and then tried to "decompress" and just let the kids hang
out. I did order some curriculum, but it didn't interest the boys. BTW, they
are 11, 9 and 6. I have been reading a lot of Holt, Unschoolers Handbook,
Gatto, your site etc. I would like to know how to take a more hands off
approach and really unschool, but recently the only things my children will
do if left on their own is watch TV or play on the computer. I have not seen
much interest in anything else unless I intiate it. Is this because they
have been in school so long that they are accustom to having things shoved
down their throats? I would really like to get some different
advise/input/suggestions etc. from any and all on the list. I am not
worried, but concerned. I would really like to get to a point of having them
find stuff they are interested in knowing and and go for it. (even if that
means they ask me for help) How do we get there from here?
[email protected]
In a message dated 5/29/02 11:40:01 AM, carolkoessel@... writes:
<< I would like to know how to take a more hands off
approach and really unschool, but recently the only things my children will
do if left on their own is watch TV or play on the computer. I have not seen
much interest in anything else unless I intiate it. >>
Decompression itself in action.
The first thing to do is your hard work, not theirs. You can learn to see
the learning that's happening while they watch TV and play on the computer.
<<Is this because they have been in school so long that they are accustom to
having things shoved down their throats?>>
Partly that, and partly they're just TIRED.
And partly they've been told that books are good, and school is good, and
"WORK" is good, and that that's where learning is.
Since that's not true, they need to find learning in other things. If they
avoid "schoolwork" looking stuff for the next five years, they will still
learn.
<<I would really like to get some different
advise/input/suggestions etc. from any and all on the list. I am not
worried, but concerned. I would really like to get to a point of having them
find stuff they are interested in knowing and and go for it. (even if that
means they ask me for help) How do we get there from here?>>
Slowly and patiently and immediately. If learning is everywhere then the
parents have further to go to see it in their laps than the kids do.
It's physically close, but mentally walled off.
I'd say give yourself six months or so before you even think of pressing the
schooly looking stuff like the library.
Do the kids have e-mail? maybe e-mail them website links. And not anatomy
or the history of Liberia, but FUNNY stuff, fun stuff, pretty stuff, silly
stuff, stuff about the video games and TV shows they like.
Sandra
<< I would like to know how to take a more hands off
approach and really unschool, but recently the only things my children will
do if left on their own is watch TV or play on the computer. I have not seen
much interest in anything else unless I intiate it. >>
Decompression itself in action.
The first thing to do is your hard work, not theirs. You can learn to see
the learning that's happening while they watch TV and play on the computer.
<<Is this because they have been in school so long that they are accustom to
having things shoved down their throats?>>
Partly that, and partly they're just TIRED.
And partly they've been told that books are good, and school is good, and
"WORK" is good, and that that's where learning is.
Since that's not true, they need to find learning in other things. If they
avoid "schoolwork" looking stuff for the next five years, they will still
learn.
<<I would really like to get some different
advise/input/suggestions etc. from any and all on the list. I am not
worried, but concerned. I would really like to get to a point of having them
find stuff they are interested in knowing and and go for it. (even if that
means they ask me for help) How do we get there from here?>>
Slowly and patiently and immediately. If learning is everywhere then the
parents have further to go to see it in their laps than the kids do.
It's physically close, but mentally walled off.
I'd say give yourself six months or so before you even think of pressing the
schooly looking stuff like the library.
Do the kids have e-mail? maybe e-mail them website links. And not anatomy
or the history of Liberia, but FUNNY stuff, fun stuff, pretty stuff, silly
stuff, stuff about the video games and TV shows they like.
Sandra
Carol Koessel
Sandra, you wrote: The first thing to do is your hard work, not theirs. You
can learn to see
the learning that's happening while they watch TV and play on the computer.
yes, I see that they ARE learning, lots of stuff! The other day my 6 year
old was at the park and pointed out that the spiral ladder on the slide
looked "just like a strand of DNA!" I think I just need to build up my
faith that it is working. I look at some of the post here where I hear of
kids deciding they want to learn more about __________ and go to it. My kids
are still (in my opinion) being "fed" learning by watching too much TV and
playing too often on gameboy or computer. I will take your advise and give
it 6 months.
Thanks for sharing. Carol
can learn to see
the learning that's happening while they watch TV and play on the computer.
yes, I see that they ARE learning, lots of stuff! The other day my 6 year
old was at the park and pointed out that the spiral ladder on the slide
looked "just like a strand of DNA!" I think I just need to build up my
faith that it is working. I look at some of the post here where I hear of
kids deciding they want to learn more about __________ and go to it. My kids
are still (in my opinion) being "fed" learning by watching too much TV and
playing too often on gameboy or computer. I will take your advise and give
it 6 months.
Thanks for sharing. Carol
[email protected]
In a message dated 5/29/02 5:53:05 PM, carolkoessel@... writes:
<< My kids
are still (in my opinion) being "fed" learning by watching too much TV and
playing too often on gameboy or computer. >>
I don't think learning can be "fed" in. It would be like pushing a rope.
But kids can pull it in.
If they're learning watching videos it's because they're thinking and
processing ideas and patterns and factoids (DNA or whatever!) and words...
It's scary to start, but it's worth overcoming that fear!
Welcome!
Sandra
<< My kids
are still (in my opinion) being "fed" learning by watching too much TV and
playing too often on gameboy or computer. >>
I don't think learning can be "fed" in. It would be like pushing a rope.
But kids can pull it in.
If they're learning watching videos it's because they're thinking and
processing ideas and patterns and factoids (DNA or whatever!) and words...
It's scary to start, but it's worth overcoming that fear!
Welcome!
Sandra
Fetteroll
on 5/29/02 7:58 PM, Carol Koessel at carolkoessel@... wrote:
or paper gets written doesn't look like much either. But loads more than
will show up in the book needs sucked in before patterns start emerging and
the important stuff rises to the surface.
They are exploring seemingly (to adult eyes) random portions of the world.
And once they start noticing connections between the parts you see less
value in and the parts you see more value in, the greater confidence you'll
have in unschooling. And in the parts they find value in. :-)
Joyce
> My kidsMaybe look at it as research :-) All the reading being done before the book
> are still (in my opinion) being "fed" learning by watching too much TV and
> playing too often on gameboy or computer
or paper gets written doesn't look like much either. But loads more than
will show up in the book needs sucked in before patterns start emerging and
the important stuff rises to the surface.
They are exploring seemingly (to adult eyes) random portions of the world.
And once they start noticing connections between the parts you see less
value in and the parts you see more value in, the greater confidence you'll
have in unschooling. And in the parts they find value in. :-)
Joyce
Fetteroll
on 5/29/02 1:47 PM, Carol Koessel at carolkoessel@... wrote:
standard schooling. When they explore their interests, they won't be
building nuclear reactors in the basement. ;-) It's more than likely going
to look like playing. They'll write comic books, collect and organize and
play complicated card games, they'll make up convoluted stories with dolls
or stuffed animals, they'll build things with Legos. They'll watch TV and
play on the computer. ;-) Occasionally they'll do something that looks like
something that would be done in school which is when new unschoolers will
speak up and say "Look! It's working!" Well, it was working all along and
they just didn't notice! ;-) To the kids, the "play" interest and the
"school" interest aren't any different. They're just things they're
interested in. :-)
Joyce
> I would really like to get to a point of having themAnother thing to realize is that unschooling won't look like undirected
> find stuff they are interested in knowing and and go for it.
standard schooling. When they explore their interests, they won't be
building nuclear reactors in the basement. ;-) It's more than likely going
to look like playing. They'll write comic books, collect and organize and
play complicated card games, they'll make up convoluted stories with dolls
or stuffed animals, they'll build things with Legos. They'll watch TV and
play on the computer. ;-) Occasionally they'll do something that looks like
something that would be done in school which is when new unschoolers will
speak up and say "Look! It's working!" Well, it was working all along and
they just didn't notice! ;-) To the kids, the "play" interest and the
"school" interest aren't any different. They're just things they're
interested in. :-)
Joyce
[email protected]
<<I would really like to get some different
advise/input/suggestions etc. from any and all on the list. I am not
worried, but concerned. I would really like to get to a point of having
them
find stuff they are interested in knowing and and go for it. (even if
that
means they ask me for help) How do we get there from here?>>
Many times my kids have found things that interest them because I am a
voracious learner myself. I am always reading, watching shows about
nature, science, history, etc., indulging myself in a hobby or craft
(sewing, writing, art). This is what I would be doing if they weren't
here so it's not contrived, kids see through that.
They are drawn to learning/discovery because of the light they see in MY
face. Sometimes they spend time with me in what I'm doing and vice versa
and sometimes we are doing our own things. I'm truly interested in what
they are doing and so far that seems to translate to an interest from
them.
Being interested makes one interesting. Schooling does a good job of
putting out that internal spark, the hunger for learning. It may take a
long period of being trusted to learn for the spark to get back to full
flame.
Kris
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advise/input/suggestions etc. from any and all on the list. I am not
worried, but concerned. I would really like to get to a point of having
them
find stuff they are interested in knowing and and go for it. (even if
that
means they ask me for help) How do we get there from here?>>
Many times my kids have found things that interest them because I am a
voracious learner myself. I am always reading, watching shows about
nature, science, history, etc., indulging myself in a hobby or craft
(sewing, writing, art). This is what I would be doing if they weren't
here so it's not contrived, kids see through that.
They are drawn to learning/discovery because of the light they see in MY
face. Sometimes they spend time with me in what I'm doing and vice versa
and sometimes we are doing our own things. I'm truly interested in what
they are doing and so far that seems to translate to an interest from
them.
Being interested makes one interesting. Schooling does a good job of
putting out that internal spark, the hunger for learning. It may take a
long period of being trusted to learn for the spark to get back to full
flame.
Kris
________________________________________________________________
GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.
[email protected]
I FEEL THAT IF CHILDREN HAVE BEEN IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM EVEN 1 OR 2 YEARS YOU
WILL NOTICE THAT THEY ARE USE TO BEING "TOLD" WHAT TO DO OR BE INTERESTED IN.
JUST AS YOU ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THIS TRANSITION, YOUR CHILDREN ARE
PROBABLEY TOO. I HAD A HARD TIME WITH THIS TOO AS I'M SURE DID MANY OTHERS!!!
JUST ALLOW THE CHILDREN TO DISCOVER WHAT REALLY INTERESTS THEM ON THEIR OWN
AND I'M SURE YOU WILL BEGIN TO SEE LEARNING TAKE PLACE ALL THE TIME. TWO
YEARS AGO WHEN MY DAUGHTER(NOW 10) WAS TAKEN OUT OF SCHOOL SHE HATED TO READ
AND REALLY WASN'T VERY GOOD AT IT. HOWEVER, AS SOON AS SHE DISCOVERED THINGS
THAT WERE OF INTEREST TO HER SHE BECAME AN EXCELLENT READER. THE SAME WITH
SPELLING. SHE COULDN'T SPELL WORTH A LICK AND WOULDN'T EVEN TRY. SHE ASKED ME
TO SPELL EVERYTHING AND I MEAN EVERYTHING!!!!!!!! AS SOON AS SHE DISCOVERED A
PURPOSE FOR HER SPELLING IT JUST CLICKED. HONESTLY, JUST BE PATIENT WITH
YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILDREN. UNSCHOOLING DOES WORK!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST LIKE A
SEED YOU PLANT YOU TRUST WILL GROW WITH RAIN AND SUNSHINE SO TOO YOU MUST
TRUST YOUR CHILDREN TO LEARN WITH A NURTURING AND LOVING ENVIRONMENT. I HOPE
ALL THE BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME
ANYTIME!!!!!!!!!!KIMBERLY
WILL NOTICE THAT THEY ARE USE TO BEING "TOLD" WHAT TO DO OR BE INTERESTED IN.
JUST AS YOU ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THIS TRANSITION, YOUR CHILDREN ARE
PROBABLEY TOO. I HAD A HARD TIME WITH THIS TOO AS I'M SURE DID MANY OTHERS!!!
JUST ALLOW THE CHILDREN TO DISCOVER WHAT REALLY INTERESTS THEM ON THEIR OWN
AND I'M SURE YOU WILL BEGIN TO SEE LEARNING TAKE PLACE ALL THE TIME. TWO
YEARS AGO WHEN MY DAUGHTER(NOW 10) WAS TAKEN OUT OF SCHOOL SHE HATED TO READ
AND REALLY WASN'T VERY GOOD AT IT. HOWEVER, AS SOON AS SHE DISCOVERED THINGS
THAT WERE OF INTEREST TO HER SHE BECAME AN EXCELLENT READER. THE SAME WITH
SPELLING. SHE COULDN'T SPELL WORTH A LICK AND WOULDN'T EVEN TRY. SHE ASKED ME
TO SPELL EVERYTHING AND I MEAN EVERYTHING!!!!!!!! AS SOON AS SHE DISCOVERED A
PURPOSE FOR HER SPELLING IT JUST CLICKED. HONESTLY, JUST BE PATIENT WITH
YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILDREN. UNSCHOOLING DOES WORK!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST LIKE A
SEED YOU PLANT YOU TRUST WILL GROW WITH RAIN AND SUNSHINE SO TOO YOU MUST
TRUST YOUR CHILDREN TO LEARN WITH A NURTURING AND LOVING ENVIRONMENT. I HOPE
ALL THE BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME
ANYTIME!!!!!!!!!!KIMBERLY