New Question from a Newbie
forumtate
SHELLY wrote: "And we're discussing the Cuban missile crisis, because
Andrew wondered why you can't buy Cuban cigars in the U.S."
This is what scares me about Unschooling (quick re-intro: I'm
researching h-schooling/ unschooling for my 3 yo so I've got 3 yrs
to decide!). If my son had brought that up, I wouldn't know about
the missile crisis. I just thought they were communists and there
was bad blood between their gvmt. and ours, and didn't really know
much more than that. So I might have given a quick answer that was
mostly true, and then my son would have missed out on a learning
experience!
I know that if he asks something like, "what is a nebula" or
a `quasar' or some other thing that I know NOTHING about, we could go
to the library or get on line and find out. But if it's something
I'm misinformed about, or know very little about what then? Or I
just didn't know that there was SO MUCH more info. out there about a
certain subject. That's when I fear that unschooling won't be enough
for my son.
Any comments on this?
TATE, mostly lurking...
=o)
Andrew wondered why you can't buy Cuban cigars in the U.S."
This is what scares me about Unschooling (quick re-intro: I'm
researching h-schooling/ unschooling for my 3 yo so I've got 3 yrs
to decide!). If my son had brought that up, I wouldn't know about
the missile crisis. I just thought they were communists and there
was bad blood between their gvmt. and ours, and didn't really know
much more than that. So I might have given a quick answer that was
mostly true, and then my son would have missed out on a learning
experience!
I know that if he asks something like, "what is a nebula" or
a `quasar' or some other thing that I know NOTHING about, we could go
to the library or get on line and find out. But if it's something
I'm misinformed about, or know very little about what then? Or I
just didn't know that there was SO MUCH more info. out there about a
certain subject. That's when I fear that unschooling won't be enough
for my son.
Any comments on this?
TATE, mostly lurking...
=o)
[email protected]
Tate,
Hello! I mostly lurk here also, but thought I'd respond. I also have a
3yo that I'm planning to unschool. I think you raise a valid point, but
one that might not only be restricted to unschooling. What if your
child's teacher didn't know about the Cuban missle crisis? Or didn't
think it important enough to spend the requisite amount of time on?
Unlikely for a historical event like that, but possible. To me, it just
points out the need for parents to always question their assumptions and
keep on learning. Even if you "miss" this opportunity, it's likely that,
at some point, your child will hear someone discussing it, or read about
it in the news on an anniversary, and, it they're curious, they'll look it
up for themselves (Google is a great place to start)
Kevin Tucker
"forumtate" <momtate@...>
08/05/2002 02:21 PM
Please respond to Unschooling-dotcom
To: [email protected]
cc:
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] New Question from a Newbie
SHELLY wrote: "And we're discussing the Cuban missile crisis, because
Andrew wondered why you can't buy Cuban cigars in the U.S."
This is what scares me about Unschooling (quick re-intro: I'm
researching h-schooling/ unschooling for my 3 yo? so I've got 3 yrs
to decide!). If my son had brought that up, I wouldn't know about
the missile crisis. I just thought they were communists and there
was bad blood between their gvmt. and ours, and didn't really know
much more than that. So I might have given a quick answer that was
mostly true, and then my son would have missed out on a learning
experience!
I know that if he asks something like, "what is a nebula" or
a `quasar' or some other thing that I know NOTHING about, we could go
to the library or get on line and find out. But if it's something
I'm misinformed about, or know very little about? what then? Or I
just didn't know that there was SO MUCH more info. out there about a
certain subject. That's when I fear that unschooling won't be enough
for my son.
Any comments on this?
TATE, mostly lurking...
=o)
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Hello! I mostly lurk here also, but thought I'd respond. I also have a
3yo that I'm planning to unschool. I think you raise a valid point, but
one that might not only be restricted to unschooling. What if your
child's teacher didn't know about the Cuban missle crisis? Or didn't
think it important enough to spend the requisite amount of time on?
Unlikely for a historical event like that, but possible. To me, it just
points out the need for parents to always question their assumptions and
keep on learning. Even if you "miss" this opportunity, it's likely that,
at some point, your child will hear someone discussing it, or read about
it in the news on an anniversary, and, it they're curious, they'll look it
up for themselves (Google is a great place to start)
Kevin Tucker
"forumtate" <momtate@...>
08/05/2002 02:21 PM
Please respond to Unschooling-dotcom
To: [email protected]
cc:
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] New Question from a Newbie
SHELLY wrote: "And we're discussing the Cuban missile crisis, because
Andrew wondered why you can't buy Cuban cigars in the U.S."
This is what scares me about Unschooling (quick re-intro: I'm
researching h-schooling/ unschooling for my 3 yo? so I've got 3 yrs
to decide!). If my son had brought that up, I wouldn't know about
the missile crisis. I just thought they were communists and there
was bad blood between their gvmt. and ours, and didn't really know
much more than that. So I might have given a quick answer that was
mostly true, and then my son would have missed out on a learning
experience!
I know that if he asks something like, "what is a nebula" or
a `quasar' or some other thing that I know NOTHING about, we could go
to the library or get on line and find out. But if it's something
I'm misinformed about, or know very little about? what then? Or I
just didn't know that there was SO MUCH more info. out there about a
certain subject. That's when I fear that unschooling won't be enough
for my son.
Any comments on this?
TATE, mostly lurking...
=o)
Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT
If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email
the Moderator, Joyce Fetteroll, at fetteroll@...
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 the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/5/02 3:23:26 PM, momtate@... writes:
<< So I might have given a quick answer that was
mostly true, and then my son would have missed out on a learning
experience! >>
A quick answer mostly true IS a learning experience.
So is a kind-ly offered "I don't know, let's ask (your most likely-to-know
friend)" or "Let's look it up at www.google.com."
Sandra
<< So I might have given a quick answer that was
mostly true, and then my son would have missed out on a learning
experience! >>
A quick answer mostly true IS a learning experience.
So is a kind-ly offered "I don't know, let's ask (your most likely-to-know
friend)" or "Let's look it up at www.google.com."
Sandra
julie means
hi tate,
as a fellow mostly lurker, i'd like to quickly address your concern just by saying that - you wouldn't believe the misinformation and lack of complete information that pass as the facts of a "complete" education in the school system!!!
so don't worry! if you know you don't know everything, you're already ahead of the game! admit you don't know, or aren't sure. keep learning! always question what you think you know; always keep learning!
and the other thing is, that there are so many learning experiences that flit past you and your son everyday!!! and yes, you will miss some. but there will be so many. it's not always possible to pursue each one. but if there is real interest, the subject will come back, you can be sure. and then you can pursue it further.
don't worry!
julie
as a fellow mostly lurker, i'd like to quickly address your concern just by saying that - you wouldn't believe the misinformation and lack of complete information that pass as the facts of a "complete" education in the school system!!!
so don't worry! if you know you don't know everything, you're already ahead of the game! admit you don't know, or aren't sure. keep learning! always question what you think you know; always keep learning!
and the other thing is, that there are so many learning experiences that flit past you and your son everyday!!! and yes, you will miss some. but there will be so many. it's not always possible to pursue each one. but if there is real interest, the subject will come back, you can be sure. and then you can pursue it further.
don't worry!
julie
----- Original Message -----
From: forumtate
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, August 05, 2002 5:21 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] New Question from a Newbie
SHELLY wrote: "And we're discussing the Cuban missile crisis, because
Andrew wondered why you can't buy Cuban cigars in the U.S."
This is what scares me about Unschooling (quick re-intro: I'm
researching h-schooling/ unschooling for my 3 yo. so I've got 3 yrs
to decide!). If my son had brought that up, I wouldn't know about
the missile crisis. I just thought they were communists and there
was bad blood between their gvmt. and ours, and didn't really know
much more than that. So I might have given a quick answer that was
mostly true, and then my son would have missed out on a learning
experience!
I know that if he asks something like, "what is a nebula" or
a `quasar' or some other thing that I know NOTHING about, we could go
to the library or get on line and find out. But if it's something
I'm misinformed about, or know very little about. what then? Or I
just didn't know that there was SO MUCH more info. out there about a
certain subject. That's when I fear that unschooling won't be enough
for my son.
Any comments on this?
TATE, mostly lurking...
=o)
If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email the Moderator, Joyce Fetteroll, at fetteroll@...
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/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
zenmomma *
>>I know that if he asks something like, "what is a nebula" orOne of the best parts of unschooling is learning right along with my kids. I
>a `quasar' or some other thing that I know NOTHING about, we could go
>to the library or get on line and find out. But if it's something
>I'm misinformed about, or know very little about� what then? Or I
>just didn't know that there was SO MUCH more info. out there about a
>certain subject. That's when I fear that unschooling won't be enough
>for my son.>>
am NOT their only learning source. There's a whole world full of people and
books and that wonderful invention *GOOGLE!*. Remember, no one person or
school or teacher knows everything about everything. But if you model for
your children an inquiring sense about this world, you won't be afraid to
question and research and learn. And neither will they. :o)
BTW I'm feeling very old since I was actually alive during the Cuban Missile
Crisis so it's not all that "historical" to me. LOL
Life is good.
~Mary
_________________________________________________________________
MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:
http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx
kayb85
--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "forumtate" <momtate@w...> wrote:
something like, "Gosh, I really don't know! It has something to do
with communists and fighting and...now you have me really curious!
Let's go to the library and find an old magazine or something about
it".
Sheila
> SHELLY wrote: "And we're discussing the Cuban missile crisis,because
> Andrew wondered why you can't buy Cuban cigars in the U.S."I would admit that I'm poorly informed about it. I would say
>
> This is what scares me about Unschooling (quick re-intro: I'm
> researching h-schooling/ unschooling for my 3 yo so I've got 3 yrs
> to decide!). If my son had brought that up, I wouldn't know about
> the missile crisis. I just thought they were communists and there
> was bad blood between their gvmt. and ours, and didn't really know
> much more than that. So I might have given a quick answer that was
> mostly true, and then my son would have missed out on a learning
> experience!
>
something like, "Gosh, I really don't know! It has something to do
with communists and fighting and...now you have me really curious!
Let's go to the library and find an old magazine or something about
it".
Sheila
[email protected]
HEY.. youre not the only one.. i remember it being really scary i was about sixth grade.. i remember 'bomb' dreams... the whole paranoia thing.. .. YUCK
L
L
----- Original Message -----
From: zenmomma *
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, August 05, 2002 8:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] New Question from a Newbie
>>I know that if he asks something like, "what is a nebula" or
>a `quasar' or some other thing that I know NOTHING about, we could go
>to the library or get on line and find out. But if it's something
>I'm misinformed about, or know very little about. what then? Or I
>just didn't know that there was SO MUCH more info. out there about a
>certain subject. That's when I fear that unschooling won't be enough
>for my son.>>
One of the best parts of unschooling is learning right along with my kids. I
am NOT their only learning source. There's a whole world full of people and
books and that wonderful invention *GOOGLE!*. Remember, no one person or
school or teacher knows everything about everything. But if you model for
your children an inquiring sense about this world, you won't be afraid to
question and research and learn. And neither will they. :o)
BTW I'm feeling very old since I was actually alive during the Cuban Missile
Crisis so it's not all that "historical" to me. LOL
Life is good.
~Mary
_________________________________________________________________
MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos:
http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx
If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email the Moderator, Joyce Fetteroll, at fetteroll@...
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/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/5/2002 3:32:18 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
kevin.tucker@... writes:
What happens, in practice, is that things like this come up that you don't
really know anything about, but the questions stick in your head and,
amazingly, an opportunity to learn more seems to pop up out of nowhere.
Unschooling parents just have to be open to those opportunities- be curious,
talk to people, read, watch movies, go to special events, etc.
--pamS
National Home Education Network
http://www.NHEN.org
Changing the Way the World Sees Homeschooling!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
kevin.tucker@... writes:
> Hello! I mostly lurk here also, but thought I'd respond. I also have aGood points, Kevin.
> 3yo that I'm planning to unschool. I think you raise a valid point, but
> one that might not only be restricted to unschooling. What if your
> child's teacher didn't know about the Cuban missle crisis? Or didn't
> think it important enough to spend the requisite amount of time on?
> Unlikely for a historical event like that, but possible. To me, it just
> points out the need for parents to always question their assumptions and
> keep on learning. Even if you "miss" this opportunity, it's likely that,
> at some point, your child will hear someone discussing it, or read about
> it in the news on an anniversary, and, it they're curious, they'll look it
> up for themselves (Google is a great place to start)
>
What happens, in practice, is that things like this come up that you don't
really know anything about, but the questions stick in your head and,
amazingly, an opportunity to learn more seems to pop up out of nowhere.
Unschooling parents just have to be open to those opportunities- be curious,
talk to people, read, watch movies, go to special events, etc.
--pamS
National Home Education Network
http://www.NHEN.org
Changing the Way the World Sees Homeschooling!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/5/02 5:32:35 PM Central Daylight Time,
kevin.tucker@... writes:
the people level tonight. Darin came home tonight with the announcement that
did I know that the Kansas primary is tomorrow? (Well, yes hon, I know. I'm
not the apolitical one in the house!) And he wanted to know who I would be
voting for. So I told him who I had chosen as my pick for the race and why,
when Moly asked why I had to pick someone to race. So I started to explain to
her about primaries and how if you are Republican you vote for one person out
of two or three to be the person you want to run for Governor (or
president...) and the same goes for if you are a Democrat. She wanted to know
if you got to vote if you weren't Rep. or Dem. and I told her no, the
primaries are for the major parties, but then said I wasn't quite sure about
that one, so we would look it up. She wanted to know what party I was going
to. I explained about choosing a party and what the word party meant in this
context. She then wanted to know why I had to vote now for one guy and then
vote later in November for maybe him or maybe someone else. This one took me
awhile to explain, but she finally decided it sounded like the reality game
shows she has seen on TV, and I agreed. We mainly watch our DSS system so
she hasn't seen the political adds and I read the local paper online and she
wanted to know how I decided who to vote for. So I took her to the computer
and we went to the candidates page at the paper online. I showed her who I
was voting for and explained why by reading to her his statements compared to
the other two gentlemen. I showed her that one of the candidates didn't give
much information, and how he is a Mayor of another city in the state and his
record hasn't been the greatest. I showed her how the third man was basically
uninformed on the issues, how he was very ridged and didn't come across as
being very willing to work with others. Then she wanted to know why I wasn't
going to vote for the one woman gubernatorial candidate, and I explained that
she was a Democrat and since I registered as a Republican I had to choose a
Republican candidate to vote for. Then I explained that even though I had to
choose a Republican now, in November I could choose to vote for anyone and
would probably be voting for the woman candidate. Moly wanted to know how I
knew she would be a person to vote for in November so I explained how she was
the only Democratic candidate, so there would be no contest in the primary
for her. Moly said "So she gets to pass go and collect her $200?" (That's
what we say when someone gets a freebie in our house.) It surprised me that
she had such a good grasp on the idea. Then she wanted to know why, if I
wasn't planing to vote for the man I am voting for now in November, would I
vote for him now. So I explained how I still felt it was important for me to
help choose the best man for the race, how I believed that it was important
to have good people running for everyone to choose from later.
Moly seemed to have a good grasp on the voting process, she was interested
and I thought she asked really good questions.
This is why I feel unschooling works best. If I had a curriculum and the
lesson on government and voting had come up at some preselected time, she
might not have been as interested. The ideas wouldn't have had the impact
like they did since we were talking about it using real life examples in the
hear and now. So maybe we may or may not ever cover the Cuban Missile Crisis,
but I believe that we won't miss any *all important* issues because I see my
kids being inquisitive, energetic learners. They want to know things, they
want to be part of life. And that is why unschooling works.
~Nancy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
kevin.tucker@... writes:
> Hello! I mostly lurk here also, but thought I'd respond. I also have aWe had (rather I had) the opportunity to show Moly how government works at
> 3yo that I'm planning to unschool. I think you raise a valid point, but
> one that might not only be restricted to unschooling. What if your
> child's teacher didn't know about the Cuban missle crisis? Or didn't
> think it important enough to spend the requisite amount of time on?
> Unlikely for a historical event like that, but possible. To me, it just
> points out the need for parents to always question their assumptions and
> keep on learning. Even if you "miss" this opportunity, it's likely that,
> at some point, your child will hear someone discussing it, or read about
> it in the news on an anniversary, and, it they're curious, they'll look it
> up for themselves (Google is a great place to start)
the people level tonight. Darin came home tonight with the announcement that
did I know that the Kansas primary is tomorrow? (Well, yes hon, I know. I'm
not the apolitical one in the house!) And he wanted to know who I would be
voting for. So I told him who I had chosen as my pick for the race and why,
when Moly asked why I had to pick someone to race. So I started to explain to
her about primaries and how if you are Republican you vote for one person out
of two or three to be the person you want to run for Governor (or
president...) and the same goes for if you are a Democrat. She wanted to know
if you got to vote if you weren't Rep. or Dem. and I told her no, the
primaries are for the major parties, but then said I wasn't quite sure about
that one, so we would look it up. She wanted to know what party I was going
to. I explained about choosing a party and what the word party meant in this
context. She then wanted to know why I had to vote now for one guy and then
vote later in November for maybe him or maybe someone else. This one took me
awhile to explain, but she finally decided it sounded like the reality game
shows she has seen on TV, and I agreed. We mainly watch our DSS system so
she hasn't seen the political adds and I read the local paper online and she
wanted to know how I decided who to vote for. So I took her to the computer
and we went to the candidates page at the paper online. I showed her who I
was voting for and explained why by reading to her his statements compared to
the other two gentlemen. I showed her that one of the candidates didn't give
much information, and how he is a Mayor of another city in the state and his
record hasn't been the greatest. I showed her how the third man was basically
uninformed on the issues, how he was very ridged and didn't come across as
being very willing to work with others. Then she wanted to know why I wasn't
going to vote for the one woman gubernatorial candidate, and I explained that
she was a Democrat and since I registered as a Republican I had to choose a
Republican candidate to vote for. Then I explained that even though I had to
choose a Republican now, in November I could choose to vote for anyone and
would probably be voting for the woman candidate. Moly wanted to know how I
knew she would be a person to vote for in November so I explained how she was
the only Democratic candidate, so there would be no contest in the primary
for her. Moly said "So she gets to pass go and collect her $200?" (That's
what we say when someone gets a freebie in our house.) It surprised me that
she had such a good grasp on the idea. Then she wanted to know why, if I
wasn't planing to vote for the man I am voting for now in November, would I
vote for him now. So I explained how I still felt it was important for me to
help choose the best man for the race, how I believed that it was important
to have good people running for everyone to choose from later.
Moly seemed to have a good grasp on the voting process, she was interested
and I thought she asked really good questions.
This is why I feel unschooling works best. If I had a curriculum and the
lesson on government and voting had come up at some preselected time, she
might not have been as interested. The ideas wouldn't have had the impact
like they did since we were talking about it using real life examples in the
hear and now. So maybe we may or may not ever cover the Cuban Missile Crisis,
but I believe that we won't miss any *all important* issues because I see my
kids being inquisitive, energetic learners. They want to know things, they
want to be part of life. And that is why unschooling works.
~Nancy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Shelly G
> "forumtate" <momtate@...>Tate, although I happen to know a fair amount about
> 08/05/2002 02:21 PM
> This is what scares me about Unschooling (quick
> re-intro: I'm
> researching h-schooling/ unschooling for my 3 yo? so
> I've got 3 yrs
> to decide!). If my son had brought that up, I
> wouldn't know about
> the missile crisis.
the Cuban missile crisis, I also helped Andrew find
other information about it, because he wanted more
than I knew. And I think that's ok. Teachers aren't
walking encyclopedias. They use references, too. And
if a subject comes up that I know absolutely nothing
about, I say so ... and we learn together. No big
deal, and we both win, since we both know more than we
knew before!
Shelly
=====
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does." -- Margaret Mead
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better
http://health.yahoo.com
audrey elwood
would other styles of hsing solve that problem? personally,i doubt it.it's
the search for truth ultimately, isn't it! that's the journey we are all on,
and i think its ok for your kids to question your answers and learn to think
for themselves! nobody knows everything- including people who put learning
in a box and ask questions for you- so even with our fears and insecurities,
i believe YOU are the best facilitator(?) for your children
audrey
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com
the search for truth ultimately, isn't it! that's the journey we are all on,
and i think its ok for your kids to question your answers and learn to think
for themselves! nobody knows everything- including people who put learning
in a box and ask questions for you- so even with our fears and insecurities,
i believe YOU are the best facilitator(?) for your children
audrey
>From: "forumtate" <momtate@...>_________________________________________________________________
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] New Question from a Newbie
>Date: Mon, 05 Aug 2002 21:21:59 -0000
>
>SHELLY wrote: "And we're discussing the Cuban missile crisis, because
>Andrew wondered why you can't buy Cuban cigars in the U.S."
>
>This is what scares me about Unschooling (quick re-intro: I'm
>researching h-schooling/ unschooling for my 3 yo� so I've got 3 yrs
>to decide!). If my son had brought that up, I wouldn't know about
>the missile crisis. I just thought they were communists and there
>was bad blood between their gvmt. and ours, and didn't really know
>much more than that. So I might have given a quick answer that was
>mostly true, and then my son would have missed out on a learning
>experience!
>
>I know that if he asks something like, "what is a nebula" or
>a `quasar' or some other thing that I know NOTHING about, we could go
>to the library or get on line and find out. But if it's something
>I'm misinformed about, or know very little about� what then? Or I
>just didn't know that there was SO MUCH more info. out there about a
>certain subject. That's when I fear that unschooling won't be enough
>for my son.
>
>Any comments on this?
>TATE, mostly lurking...
>=o)
>
>
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com
Fetteroll
on 8/6/02 7:00 AM, Shelly G at shellyrae00@... wrote:
questions. :-) We get the idea, probably from school, that the point of
learning is acquiring information. To basically become walking
encyclopedias: like memorizing the state capitals and the imports and
exports of all the South American countries. But what's really important is
learning *how* to find the answer to a question.
When we parents say we don't know and then get intrigued enough to look it
up or figure it out or ask someone else -- *for ourselves* not because it's
good for the kids -- we send the message that 1) learning isn't just for
kids, it's forever, 2) we model how to go about finding out something we
don't know and 3) we let them know it's okay not to know something.
Joyce
> Teachers aren'tWhich I think is *way* more important than supplying answers to their
> walking encyclopedias. They use references, too. And
> if a subject comes up that I know absolutely nothing
> about, I say so ... and we learn together. No big
> deal, and we both win, since we both know more than we
> knew before!
questions. :-) We get the idea, probably from school, that the point of
learning is acquiring information. To basically become walking
encyclopedias: like memorizing the state capitals and the imports and
exports of all the South American countries. But what's really important is
learning *how* to find the answer to a question.
When we parents say we don't know and then get intrigued enough to look it
up or figure it out or ask someone else -- *for ourselves* not because it's
good for the kids -- we send the message that 1) learning isn't just for
kids, it's forever, 2) we model how to go about finding out something we
don't know and 3) we let them know it's okay not to know something.
Joyce
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/6/2002 9:35:50 AM Eastern Standard Time,
fetteroll@... writes:
currently obsessed with dinosaurs and asked me to explain the difference
between a coelophysis and a corythosauras and did I know what a
rhamphorhynchus was? No, I sure didn't know but we got out his dinosaur books
and looked it up. I definitely know less about dinosaurs than he does so I
just need to learn how to help him find his answers and provide resources for
him.
Amy Kagey
Usborne Books consultant
<A HREF="http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/default.asp?sid=Z0939&gid=462366"> </A>U<A HREF="http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/default.asp?sid=Z0939&gid=462366">sborne Books Online Catalog</A>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
fetteroll@... writes:
> To basically become walkingI learned this lesson the hard way this week. My ds (5 next month) is
> encyclopedias: like memorizing the state capitals and the imports and
> exports of all the South American countries. But what's really important is
> learning *how* to find the answer to a question.
>
currently obsessed with dinosaurs and asked me to explain the difference
between a coelophysis and a corythosauras and did I know what a
rhamphorhynchus was? No, I sure didn't know but we got out his dinosaur books
and looked it up. I definitely know less about dinosaurs than he does so I
just need to learn how to help him find his answers and provide resources for
him.
Amy Kagey
Usborne Books consultant
<A HREF="http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/default.asp?sid=Z0939&gid=462366"> </A>U<A HREF="http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/default.asp?sid=Z0939&gid=462366">sborne Books Online Catalog</A>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/6/02 7:35:47 AM, fetteroll@... writes:
<< Which I think is *way* more important than supplying answers to their
questions. :-) We get the idea, probably from school, that the point of
learning is acquiring information. To basically become walking
encyclopedias: like memorizing the state capitals and the imports and
exports of all the South American countries. But what's really important is
learning *how* to find the answer to a question. >>
I really lucked out.
My fourth grade teacher (still one of my favorite people in the world--we
visited her last fall, I introduced her to Holly, who was the same age I had
been when I was in that class) always said if we knew how to use a library we
knew how to find any information we would ever need. And she used to
bring boxes of books from the state library in Santa Fe so we weren't limited
to the school's library (which wasn't really too bad, as it was a 1-9 school
at that time) and the little city library (very small). She said after the
space age will be the information age. I didn't know what that could
possibly mean. I do now! She said electronics would make a difference. She
said we would be able to buy a calculator we could hold in our hands that
would run on batteries, and for less than $100. That was 1964. I thought
she was nuts! But within about 15 years, I got a solar-powered calculator
free for subscribing to Newsweek.
When I was in high school the alternatively-trained teachers were already
showing up in the schools. They were on the same bent--nobody can know
everything there is to know, because information is coming along daily.
Learn how to follow it. Learn to be selective about sources and the media.
Learn to be critical thinkers so you can discern good sources and evaluate
information on your own.
When I was in college I was mostly a hide-in-library English major, but I was
studying psychology too, and how learning works, and how language works. The
teacher training classes I took for certification had to do with the rapidly
changing world and they said helping them learn to learn is the best thing
you can do. When you say "I don't know," show them how you find the answer,
and broaden their worlds beyond school and textbook information, because
those textbooks are probably five years old already anyway. Get them using
the most recently published reference books available.
Nowadays all those people would be pointing people toward the internet.
Sandra
<< Which I think is *way* more important than supplying answers to their
questions. :-) We get the idea, probably from school, that the point of
learning is acquiring information. To basically become walking
encyclopedias: like memorizing the state capitals and the imports and
exports of all the South American countries. But what's really important is
learning *how* to find the answer to a question. >>
I really lucked out.
My fourth grade teacher (still one of my favorite people in the world--we
visited her last fall, I introduced her to Holly, who was the same age I had
been when I was in that class) always said if we knew how to use a library we
knew how to find any information we would ever need. And she used to
bring boxes of books from the state library in Santa Fe so we weren't limited
to the school's library (which wasn't really too bad, as it was a 1-9 school
at that time) and the little city library (very small). She said after the
space age will be the information age. I didn't know what that could
possibly mean. I do now! She said electronics would make a difference. She
said we would be able to buy a calculator we could hold in our hands that
would run on batteries, and for less than $100. That was 1964. I thought
she was nuts! But within about 15 years, I got a solar-powered calculator
free for subscribing to Newsweek.
When I was in high school the alternatively-trained teachers were already
showing up in the schools. They were on the same bent--nobody can know
everything there is to know, because information is coming along daily.
Learn how to follow it. Learn to be selective about sources and the media.
Learn to be critical thinkers so you can discern good sources and evaluate
information on your own.
When I was in college I was mostly a hide-in-library English major, but I was
studying psychology too, and how learning works, and how language works. The
teacher training classes I took for certification had to do with the rapidly
changing world and they said helping them learn to learn is the best thing
you can do. When you say "I don't know," show them how you find the answer,
and broaden their worlds beyond school and textbook information, because
those textbooks are probably five years old already anyway. Get them using
the most recently published reference books available.
Nowadays all those people would be pointing people toward the internet.
Sandra
Shelly G
--- Fetteroll <fetteroll@...> wrote:
well as facts. A middle school textbook might cover
WHAT happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis, but
it's less likely that a middle school class would
discuss the motivations behind the actions of
Kruschev, Kennedy, and Castro, and it's even less
likely that they would discuss the ethical
implications, the fear and anger and other emotions of
the people involved, the after-effects and
long-standing embargos or the current relationship
between Cuba and the U.S., or how our current
government interacts with other nations. We had a
chance to discuss and read about of these things, some
more in-depth than others, and we both learned a lot.
When my son was in school, he'd bring books home to
study for tests. I'd work on "studying" with him and
would often ask him questions like, "Why do you think
that happened?", or "Why do you think they did that?",
and almost invariably, my son's answer would be, "We
don't need to know that, Mom. The stuff on the list is
what's on the test. Just ask me those things." He had
become pretty good at parroting back information, but,
except at home when we would discuss things at home,
he never really had the idea to THINK about what he
was "learning", which sure makes it hard to make
connections between the factoids he learned in
science, social studies, and the other subjects.
I'm so glad he's home now!!
Shelly
=====
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does." -- Margaret Mead
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better
http://health.yahoo.com
> on 8/6/02 7:00 AM, Shelly G at shellyrae00@...We get the idea, probably from
> wrote:
> school, that the point ofAnd I'd add to add further that ideas are important as
> learning is acquiring information. To basically
> become walking
> encyclopedias: like memorizing the state capitals
> and the imports and
> exports of all the South American countries. But
> what's really important is
> learning *how* to find the answer to a question.
>
well as facts. A middle school textbook might cover
WHAT happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis, but
it's less likely that a middle school class would
discuss the motivations behind the actions of
Kruschev, Kennedy, and Castro, and it's even less
likely that they would discuss the ethical
implications, the fear and anger and other emotions of
the people involved, the after-effects and
long-standing embargos or the current relationship
between Cuba and the U.S., or how our current
government interacts with other nations. We had a
chance to discuss and read about of these things, some
more in-depth than others, and we both learned a lot.
When my son was in school, he'd bring books home to
study for tests. I'd work on "studying" with him and
would often ask him questions like, "Why do you think
that happened?", or "Why do you think they did that?",
and almost invariably, my son's answer would be, "We
don't need to know that, Mom. The stuff on the list is
what's on the test. Just ask me those things." He had
become pretty good at parroting back information, but,
except at home when we would discuss things at home,
he never really had the idea to THINK about what he
was "learning", which sure makes it hard to make
connections between the factoids he learned in
science, social studies, and the other subjects.
I'm so glad he's home now!!
Shelly
=====
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does." -- Margaret Mead
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better
http://health.yahoo.com
Bill and Diane
My dad taought US history, and said he was the only one he knew that
taught all the way up to Viet Nam. He taught all the way up to this
morning's paper. Most teachers taught US history only about up to the
fifties or so ("history" to them--not stuff they had actually lived
through).
You'd have to work really hard to do a worse job than the PS assembly line.
:-) Diane
taught all the way up to Viet Nam. He taught all the way up to this
morning's paper. Most teachers taught US history only about up to the
fifties or so ("history" to them--not stuff they had actually lived
through).
You'd have to work really hard to do a worse job than the PS assembly line.
:-) Diane
>Hello! I mostly lurk here also, but thought I'd respond. I also have a
>3yo that I'm planning to unschool. I think you raise a valid point, but
>one that might not only be restricted to unschooling. What if your
>child's teacher didn't know about the Cuban missle crisis? Or didn't
>think it important enough to spend the requisite amount of time on?
>Unlikely for a historical event like that, but possible.
>
Alicia Knight
I'm a pretty well-educated person, and some of my friends even tease me
about being a "know-it-all" but my 12 year old always comes up with a
multitude of questions about things that I can't answer. I know that I
don't have all the answers -- and I value his questions. Sometimes the
questions come at times when I don't have access to reference tools (in
the car, at the park, etc.) or when I don't have time to drop everything
and look it up. So we have a question book -- it's just a composition
book that we write down the burning questions in. When we first started
homeschooling, I felt I had to get *every* single question written down
and answered. Then I realized that he didn't always want me to
perseverate on every single question until it was answered. So now we
decide if the question needs to be written down or if we can just leave
it aside and if we remember to look it up later, we do. If not, no big
whup. Sometimes, I'll just suggest a resource where he might find the
answer. As in, "Gee honey, I don't know what the chemical composition
of the sun is, but you might be able to find out the answer by going to
the NASA website, or maybe by looking in the encyclopedia." Later on, I
might say, "You asked a really good question about the sun. Were you
able to find out the answer or did you want me to help you look into it
further?"
To me, his being able to formulate questions and keep probing
demonstrates that he's thinking and learning. Sometimes a standard
answer is not appropriate to what he's looking for.
Alicia
Shelly G wrote:
about being a "know-it-all" but my 12 year old always comes up with a
multitude of questions about things that I can't answer. I know that I
don't have all the answers -- and I value his questions. Sometimes the
questions come at times when I don't have access to reference tools (in
the car, at the park, etc.) or when I don't have time to drop everything
and look it up. So we have a question book -- it's just a composition
book that we write down the burning questions in. When we first started
homeschooling, I felt I had to get *every* single question written down
and answered. Then I realized that he didn't always want me to
perseverate on every single question until it was answered. So now we
decide if the question needs to be written down or if we can just leave
it aside and if we remember to look it up later, we do. If not, no big
whup. Sometimes, I'll just suggest a resource where he might find the
answer. As in, "Gee honey, I don't know what the chemical composition
of the sun is, but you might be able to find out the answer by going to
the NASA website, or maybe by looking in the encyclopedia." Later on, I
might say, "You asked a really good question about the sun. Were you
able to find out the answer or did you want me to help you look into it
further?"
To me, his being able to formulate questions and keep probing
demonstrates that he's thinking and learning. Sometimes a standard
answer is not appropriate to what he's looking for.
Alicia
Shelly G wrote:
>
> > "
> > This is what scares me about Unschooling (quick
> > re-intro: I'm
> > researching h-schooling/ unschooling for my 3 yo? so
> > I've got 3 yrs
> > to decide!). If my son had brought that up, I
> > wouldn't know about
> > the missile crisis.
>
> Tate, although I happen to know a fair amount about
> the Cuban missile crisis, I also helped Andrew find
> other information about it, because he wanted more
> than I knew. And I think that's ok. Teachers aren't
> walking encyclopedias. They use references, too. And
> if a subject comes up that I know absolutely nothing
> about, I say so ... and we learn together. No big
> deal, and we both win, since we both know more than we
> knew before!
>
> Shelly